Autumn has to be one of my favourite seasons, I absolutley adore autumn leaves, cold crisp mornings, and layering textures to combat the cold. Seeing all the new collections from Fashion week (sadly not in the flesh) has made me so excited for all the colours and textures and shapes for this season, and has suddenly given me so much inspiration to start blogging again.
Yesterday I met up with a couple of my uni friends in London, and being students, we did cheap touristy things! We rode Borris bikes around Hyde Park (SO much fun!) and saw Buckingham Palace and Candem Market and ate A LOT of food! Here's what I chose make-up wise and a few pictures from the day!
Base:
Revlon Photo Ready Foundation in 004
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 2
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
So, this tag has been making the rounds on YouTube and after watching quite a few, I decided it was time to give it a go myself! The tag was originally created by Amelia Liana and Este from Essie Button, enjoy!
1. Favourite balm/treatment?
This one is easy for me, I could not live with out the Molton Brown Vitamin Lip Saver! Although not the cheapest balm out there, it does wonders for hydrating the lips whenever they're feeling dry. I use mine every day, it's very well loved!
2. Best eye catching red?
I don't own a lot of reds, but when I'm feeling a little daring I like to pair Jelly Pong Pong's Lip Blush with Revlons Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon.
3. Best luxury and best drugstore product?
I don't often splash out of lipstick so my luxury collection is pretty small...but I do LOVE the Dior Extreme Lipsticks. I have Cherie Bow (top) and Paparazzi (bottom), I love them both and wear them regularly. I don't think I can pick just one drugstore lip product, but I always love Revlon's Lip Butters and their new Colorburst Balm Stains!
4. Best MAC lipstick?
I'll probably have to say Lustering, can not get enough of this gorgeous pink!
5. Most disappointing lip product?
After all the hype over the Maybelline Babylips, I finally gave in and bought one a while a go. I picked up the colour Peach Kiss and was really disappointed with the results. There was almost no colour to it at all and just a lot of shimmer, not really one for me!
6. Lip liner - yes or no?
I hardly ever use lip liner, and if I'm honest, it's just because I'm lazy!
7. Best gloss?
I think the Topshop Gloss Inks, are gorgeous with a beautiful high shine finish. I chose Smitten not knowing it would be quite so bright! I still love it, just not often brave enough to wear it!
8. Something extra!
Topshop's Macaroon is a gorgeous baby pink that i love to brighten up a look in spring/summer. It's one of those lipsticks that you instantly feel happier once you out it on!
If any of you have done the tag make sure you leave link because I'd love to read them!
Caitlin A
x
Hey guys! Thought I'd show you a fresh and pretty summer look with a pop of red that I tried out today. I kept my base nice and simple with light coverage foundation using my Clinque Super Moisture Make-up and then used my favourites Nars Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush from my gorgeous happening pallet. For the eyes I kept it light and champagney, using Burnout and Dust from Naked 3 and a dark matte brown from Sleek's Storm pallet (not pictured) for the corners and the crease. For eyeliner, I used a bronze/brown pencil that's pretty much identifiable as it has all rubbed off (but I think it's from No7!) just on my bottom lash line. Finished with lashings of Maybelline's The falsies mascara. For a highlighter I went for the So Susan water based Pure Luminizer, its a liquid highlighter with a nice formula to brighten up the tops of your cheek bones. Now, I love Revlon's Lip Butters, but Wild Watermelon has got to be my favourite. It's a sheer gloss with plenty of colour but its still not a scary bold lip so it's a perfectly wearable shade!
Let me know your favourite lip colours to brighten up a neutral look,
Caitlin A
x
Who would have known such an every day house hold item could come in so handy when it comes to the make up department? Ive tried this technique on so many occasions when I want quite dramatic and striking eye make up, for nights out and special occasions, and I think its a more edge, cool take on a classic smokey eye. Today I went with a golden theme especially for summer as its a look I think I will recreate lots the summer, as it will look so lovely with a tan! So if you want to know how I created this look then read on...
Products used: Urban Decay- Naked 1 Pallet, Nars- Laguna Bronzer, Benefit - Watts Up, Rimmel - Wake me up foundation, Collection 2000 - Concealer, Benefit- Sugar Bomb Blush, Rimmel - The falsies Mascara, Maybeline - Gel Liner, Revlon- Afternoon Tea Lipstick.
Base: I started by applying Watts up, underneath my foundation in the areas I wanted to highlight, so on the tops of my cheekbones, under my brow bone and down the centre of my nose. I then went in with my Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation on a Real Techniques Expert Face brush, and buffed it all over my face to create a nice dewy glowing skin.
Eyes: I then took two pieces of Sellotape about 4 inches long and placed it under my lash line in an angle that would meet my brow if it were extended. I then took the colour 'Buck' on an angled brush and drew in a line just above my natural crease and winging out to meet the tape. I used this colour first to create the fake cut crease shape without going in to harsh straight away! Then take a flat shader brush and fill in the corner (between the drawn line and the tape) with the same colour. Once your happy with the shape you can then go in with the colour 'Dark Horse' and add that on top into the corner to create intensity. To intensify further I then went in with 'Creep' the darkest shade in the pallet, and added this right to the corner and outer part of the crease to create and ombre/ darker intense look. Once the colour is in place I then took a clean blending brush (or if you don't have one a cotton bud will do) and blend from the original line you created to create a softer and more smokey effect. Once your happy with the outer colour, I then went in with 'Half Baked' the golden colour and and swept this all over the inner and centre of the eye lid. Also carefully blending the colour to merge with the darker colours in the outer corner. I took the gold right into the inner corners and tear duct area to brighten the eyes. I then took off the Sellotape to to check that the shapes I had created were even. To intensify the line further I took my Maybeline Gel liner and traced the first part of the line from the lash line, making the outer eye lashes look thicker. I made my line quite nice and smudgy rather than super precise, to make it look less like dramatic liner.
I then finished the eyes with my Maybeline The falsies mascara to give my lashes length and volume!
Finishing touches: I look my Collection 2000 concealer on my Ecotool Buffing Concealer brush to clean up any fall down under my eyes. As I was going for a golden summery look, I then took Nars Laguna Bronzer on my big power brush, and buffed it onto my cheeks, temples, down my nose and under my jaw, and then popped Benefit Sugar Bomb on the apples of my cheeks, concentrating the brush onto the peachy colour of the 4 in the box. To finished I went for my perfect nude in Afternoon Tea from Revlon, to compliment the really heavy and dramatic eyes.
I really hope you like this look, let me know if you create a look with sellotape and what you use!
Caitlin B x
1. Garnier - Micellar Cleansing Water, 2. and 3. Herbal Essences - Ignite my colour Shampoo and Conditioner, 4. Lush - BB Seaweed Facemask, 5. Revlon - Colourburst Matte Lip in Striking, 6. Next - Candle in Apricot Blossom, 7. Topshop - Shoes 8. Primark Stack Rings.
I cannot believe were in June already, thats nearly summer territory, how crazy is that?! Although I feel as if May has been a little sneak preview and tease of what summer will bring as I even braved the bare legs and bought out the sunnies a few times this month and we even had one nice bank holiday saturday, and that never happens in the UK!
Beauty Wise- Ive still been loving some of the same products I discovered last month, but did manage to sneak a few added extras. One thing I can't believe I only got my hands on this month is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, this stuff is literally magical water, and is my favourite thing to take the face of the day off with, I've even converted the mother to ditch the makeup wipes for it, and she was a hard core believer of the trusty makeup wipes! I also discovered the fruity goodness of the Herbal Essences Ignite my colour, smells beautiful and does the job well - double tick there, as well as knee quivering gorgeous scent of the Apricot Blossom Candle from Next believe it or not. Pampering has also come in plentiful amounts this month, and the BB Seaweed from Lush just about satisfied me of my pamper product cravings, I mentioned this in my Down Time Evening Essentials post, so go and check that out for a mini review! My handbag staple and lip love went to the Revlon Matte Lip in Striking, never before had I ventured into Matte Lip territory but I've totally fallen head over heals and it is love, see how it wear it : The Matte Lip .
Clearly theres a little pastel pink vibe going on in theses extra two favourite, which are these beautiful HEAVENLY Two Part Wedge from Topshop, and these little 5 piece stack rings from Primark- you really can't go wrong with a little Primarni Jewls can you? The shoes I've been wearing every time I leave the house I can't get enough, they're the perfect day time appropriate heel, and Im sure they'll feature in an OOTD very soon, so stay tuned!
Let us know what products you've been loving and if you've tried any out yourself. Link a months favourites post if you've written one, I love reading them!
Caitlin B x
So I went into Superdrug to buy one little thing...
Ok I really didn't end up with just the one little thing I went for, but when those big 3 for 2 signs are singing out at me I just can't resist. Long story made short however, I ended up walking away with two lip products and a eye shadow pallet. I picked up the Revlon Colourburst Matte balm in the colour Striking, on a bit of a whim. I've never tried a matte lip before, and thought it would be really dehydrating on the lips and just look like crayola, but I gave it a go, and I am now a total convert! This stuff is amazing I kid you not! It applies beautifully, and has a really balmy formula so keeps the lips nice and hydrated big tick for me and whats more is it lasted my whole 5 hour shift yesterday, and didn't end up all over my face when I ate my lunch- not a desired look indeed. I am so impressed, and I know this is going to be a staple in my makeup bag over spring and summer.
Today I paired the look with a gold shadow (Gosh glitter pot) across the lid and pink (Urban Decay-Hot pants) shadow in the outer corners and under the eye, to keep the look fresh and spring like. I then finished of with a flush of Benefits Havana on the apples of my cheeks. If you wanna try out this look id even recommend using a blush in the outer corners, as that would do the job!
Im loving this look and think I will be going back to it lots and lots!
Let me know in the comments if you've tried any matte lips sticks and what ones you'd recommend!
Caitlin B
x
Beautifying
Benefit
Bobbi Brown
The Minimalist Illusion: Makeup That Will Fool The Boyfriend
10:46Unknown
How many times have you heard a guy say, 'I prefer the natural look' and 'Girls don't need to wear make up' but you just don't feel as confident without the make up to hide behind? Or the other worst fear is when a guy tells you your wearing too much make up (this has happened to me and I was mortified- guys just don't appreciate experimental trends do they?) So the concept behind today's look is subtle makeup, with a few little beautifying tips and tricks, that will totally fall the boyf to thinking you don't have much on.
The Base:
To start I used the Benefit Porefessional (1), this ensures that my base is totally smoothed out, which means I should require less foundation, and will make the base last longer! I then decided to highlight under my foundation to make it more subtle but still give me an ever so slight glow, for this you will need a liquid highlighter, I opted for the Bobbi Brown Face Highlighter Pen in Opal (2), and used the tinniest amount on the tops of my cheeks then blended with my fingers. I then went for my trusty Nars Compact Foundation, as I can just use this to create a really light coverage with a dewy finish. Just make sure you blend really well down to the neck and up into the hair line. Alternatively I would opt for a BB cream, but sadly I have run out *cries a little* as this will be totally cake appearance free and no risk of the orange line under chin look. I also concealed any blemishes I had with the Collection 2000 concealer (5) and blended with my finger. The Brows
I decided to keep the brows really natural and not too strong. For this I used the Mac Charcoal Brown eye shadow (4) and an angled brush to fill in any sparse areas. I find using a powered eyeshadow is easier than a pencil, as I've gives a more natural finish and is easier to build up.
The Eyes
I stuck to neutral colours with the eyes, although I know eyeshadow doesn't look totally natural, it can really brighten up your eyes so I wouldn't go without! Today I used the Loreal Colour Appeal Trio Pro in Golden Fidelity (6) I used the golden shade swept all over the lid on a fluffy brush (first brush from left), and then on a flat shader (4th brush) I used the lightest toned pink in the inner corners and tear duct ares to really brighten the eyes. I then used the darkest shade on a rounded blending brush (2nd brush) tapping most the product off onto the back of my hand before lightly blending it into the outer crease to give my eye more shape and definition. To thicken the appearance of my lash line, I look the same colour on an angled brush (3rd brush) and pushed this into the roots of the lashes in the outer corner. Now the next step is the most important of all, CURL YOUR LASHES! (7) This really opens up the eyes making them look bigger and more awake. I then oped for a lengthening mascara, the Clinique Lash Power Mascara (sorry forgot to photograph this!) to naturally lift and lengthen the lashes, I applied this to top and bottom.
The Bronze and Blush
Now here is when things can start to get tricky. I went for a matte bronzer with no shimmer just to warm up the appearance of my face. I would suggest not contouring for this look as its quite hard to get right and natural looking! I took Benefit's Hoola (8) on a big face brush, and just buffed it in circling motions where I would naturally get tanned, so across cheeks and temple, I make sure I tap most of the product off onto my hand so I don't apply to much! Then with blush opt for something thats flattering on your skin tone, I used the Benefit Sugarbomb (9), as it can be applied quite subtly.
The Lips
So to create slightly fuller and perfect lips I began by lining them with the Model Co. Universal Lip Pencil, then use your perfect nude-my lips but better shade, I went for Revlons Afternoon Tea, (10), I went straight on from the bullet then patted it in with my finger, to make it last longer!
So that was my minimalist beautifying make up, that I think can fool the boyfriend into thinking you don't have much on. Hope you enjoyed this post, let me know your tricks for naturally beautifying makeup!
Caitlin B x
So I might have made a quick stop off in Boots yesterday...and only came away with one thing! I was intrigued by Revlon's new release of Scented Nail Enamel and though it was an odd concept. But I fell in love with this mint colour with glitter and couldn't leave it there (especially since it was on offer!). The colours called Wintermint and only took one coat to get the desired effect. It dried pretty quickly too. Now, the varnish only releases it's scent once it has dried so you can't really tell what it's going to smell like in the shop. But the name of this one give it away, it smells like mint. It's a nice, fresh minty smell and it is pretty distinct. However, I just can't wrap my head around why the scent is necessary. I don't think it was something that the nail care market was crying out for! I will admit that the packaging is kind of cute, as it looks like a mimi perfume bottle. I do love the colour but I think, at full price £6.49, it's a little pricey compared to the likes of Barry M, and if you're paying that extra for the scent, I don't think it's worth it.
Let me know if you've tried any of these and what you thought of them!
Caitlin A
x
Being a uni student, I go out a fair bit, and that may include a few drinks along the way... We've all been there, you can't resist the night out but you've got a lecture or a presentation the next day. Well have no fear, I have a quick and easy routine to make it look like you had your full beauty sleep on the outside (even though you may feel like hell on the inside!)
1. Try not to lay in bed too long after you wake up, I always feel worse if I roll around in bed feeling sorry for myself. So get in the shower, or the tub if you prefer, and get yourself clean. Use a really nice fresh smelling body wash that will give you a pick me up, at the moment I'm using the Body Shop's Passion fruit shower gel, or another favourite of mine is Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush body wash! It smells like heaven in a bottle! Make sure you wash your face to get rid of any left over grime from make-up or from when that drink got thrown over you last night. I'm using the Simple Kind to Skin moisturising facial wash at the moment, but there are loads of good ones out there.
2. Whilst you're in there, wash your hair. You need to get out all of the hairspray from the night before to hold your curls! I'm loving using the new Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner in Cocoa butter and Coconut oil, leaves you're feeling ridiculously smooth! If you're really in a rush, you can skip this step, with a good brush through and lashings of dry shampoo, no one will notice!
3. DRINK WATER! This is the most important step and always makes me feel ten times better. Make sure its icy cold, this will wake you up even more.
4. Use a good hydrating moisturiser for your face, this Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 does the job pretty well. If you have the time also use an eye cream at this stage, those eyes will need brightening!
5. Now for make up, you wanna keep things nice and simple whilst still looking fresh and pretty. This Garnier Miracle Skin Cream is a total game changer. It's a self adjusting moisturiser that turns into a tinted moisturiser when it touches skin. Its gives such nice finish and a light coverage, you can probably skip foundation! Just use some concealer to cover up any redness and any circles under the eyes, I'm loving Soap and Glory's Kick Ass Concealer, it's such good all rounder.
6. Fill in your eyebrows however you usually would and move onto eyes. You can skip eyeshadow if you like or if you want something easy just give your lids a quick wash over with a light champagne colour like Sin from Urban Decay. Using a colour like Virgin (also from UD) in the inner corners of your eye as a highlight will work wonders for looking more awake. Finish your eyes with a coating of your mascara of choice. Finish off with a pretty and subtle lip, like the Revlon Colour burst in Honey and you're done!
7. Drink more water!
And Voilà ! Your hang over will be our little secret! Hope this is helpful to those of you old enough to drink, but you can also use it on extra tired days!
Caitlin A
x
So I might have gone on a little shopping trip the other day (as my holiday is fast approaching I felt it was justified!) and thought I would share a few things that I bought!
First on the holiday list was a bikini, and i found this pretty patterned one in Primark so it was a bargain! The coral top is from New Look and was a bit of a last minute purchase but I'm so glad I did buy it, the crochet design at the bottom makes it extra pretty. Most surprisingly I was quite tame in Topshop (for once), I needed a new pair of denim shorts (I got the Hallie style ones) and some new black Leigh jeans. Check and Check.
As for the beauty side of things, by first stop was Boots where I picked up Garnier's Miracle Skin Cream, which is a self adjusting tinted moisturiser. I can't wait to try this out, I think it will be perfect on holiday and in the summer when I'm having a good skin day. The Kick Ass concealer from Soap and Glory is something I've wanted to try for a while and I was getting pretty bored of using the Collection one all the time! I also bought the Revlon Colour Burst in the shade Honey, because lets face it, it's hard for me to come home with out a new lip colour!
Right, so my main aim of the trip was to get a new and decent foundation. Ive only ever bought drugstore foundations before and wanted a change. I ended up chatting to a lovely lady at the Clinique counter who matched me for their Super Moisture Make-up foundation and I really really liked it! I will do a review of this soon! And whilst I was there I could not resist buying one of the gorgeous Cheek Pop blushes in Berry Pop, it's so pretty I never want to touch it! And as a side note, I got SO MANY free gifts from Clinique and they all look really nice, well done you Clinique!
Let me know if you've bought anything to get ready for the summer!
Caitlin A
x
So spring has well and truly sprung, and that means it's time to make a few changes to my make-up bag! The best way to compliment a natural, glowing spring make-up look is to add a pop of colour with a fresh and pretty lipstick. I'd thought I would share some of my favourite shades of the season with you.
This first little beauty is my most recent naughty MAC purchase, but it was SO worth it. It's called 'Lustering' and is such a pretty, girly pink (without venturing into Barbie pink territory!) It has gorgeous creamy finish and feels very moisturising. Although I will admit the one down side to this lipstick is that it doesn't last all that long on the lips and will need to be reapplied throughout the day! But it's still one of my faves!
'Vegas Volt' from MAC is a much more bold coral, the perfect mix of pink and orange. The finish is lovely and not too shiny; this colour can be dressed up or down so can take you right through from day to night (with a little touching up!).
I'll talk about these next two together as I think they are both pretty similar and both pretty great! The Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 127 'Juicy Papaya' and the Bourjois Color Boost in 04 'Peach on the Beach' are both really fresh and pretty pinks that once they are on your lips, always put a smile on your face! Definitely a staple product during the spring/summer for me!
The Dior Addict Extreme lipstick in 356 'Cherie Bow' is my all time favourite 'my lips but better' shade and is easy to wear with natural make-up looks. The formula of these is really nice and gives your lips a lovely subtle shine for the days when you want it to look like you made more of an effort than you did!
'Vegas Volt' from MAC is a much more bold coral, the perfect mix of pink and orange. The finish is lovely and not too shiny; this colour can be dressed up or down so can take you right through from day to night (with a little touching up!).
I'll talk about these next two together as I think they are both pretty similar and both pretty great! The Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 127 'Juicy Papaya' and the Bourjois Color Boost in 04 'Peach on the Beach' are both really fresh and pretty pinks that once they are on your lips, always put a smile on your face! Definitely a staple product during the spring/summer for me!
The Dior Addict Extreme lipstick in 356 'Cherie Bow' is my all time favourite 'my lips but better' shade and is easy to wear with natural make-up looks. The formula of these is really nice and gives your lips a lovely subtle shine for the days when you want it to look like you made more of an effort than you did!
For those of you who are scared of a bold lip or like to go heavy on the eyes, this nude is for you! Maybelline ColorSensational in 'Tantalizing Taupe' is a gorgeous nude with a subtle shimmer that gives that extra something. Side note: this one does have a bit of a funky smell that I don't agree with (a bit like Playdough?) but if that doesn't scare you, you'll love it!
Let me know what lipsticks you're loving this season!
Caitlin A
x
