So, there I was in Superdrug, repurchasing yet another Maybelline The Falsies mascara. When a shop assistant uses their crafty ways to convince me to buy the new Max Factor Clump Defy Extensions False Lash Effect mascara which is on offer for the same price. I went for it because I thought I may as well try something new and break away from my The Flasies habit! And after testing it out for a few weeks I can give you guys my verdict...
Last week my big brother graduated from uni and I couldn't be more proud! Although the day consisted of a lot of waiting around in the sticky heat that the UK weather has graced us with, there was a beautifully decorated cake and the BEST raspberry mojitos waiting for me at the other end!
What I wore: the entirety of my outfit was actually bought from Topshop (surprise, surprise). The pinky coral skirt has a faint pattern that you can't see in the photos and I think the colour is just gorgeous for the summer. I am all over the coral trend! The black sheer top may not look like much but I have worn it so so much since buying it, it seems to go with everything! And the shoes, ah the shoes! I fell in love instantly with these; it seems like forever I have been looking for a slightly more formal shoe that doesn't have a huge heel so I can actually last all day in them, and these are perfect I wanna wear them all the time!
And there you have it, I've got a feeling this may be a recurring outfit over the summer! I bought all of these items very recently, so if you're interested they are bound to still be in store!
Caitlin A
x
Contouring is a word thats thrown about a lot; and for a long time I thought it was a complicated concept that was better off left to the professionals! However, it's simply not the case. And if your like me and have practically non-existent natural cheekbones, this one is for you! Obviously what I have to show you is a very simple version of contouring and there are other areas you could contour, your nose for example, which I just don't even bother trying! This is just how I fake much better cheekbones on a day to day basis!
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| The 'Before Shot' |
You can use any make of bronzer you like, you need to make sure that it is matte. You don't want glitter all over your face for one, and it will also help to create a shadow. I love my Naked Flushed pallet from Urban Decay, the bronzer, highlight and blush are all really gorgeous colours and so easy to use!
Swish your brush around in the product, and tap the excess off on the back of your hand. The brush I'm using here is the Urban Beauty United Berry Blush brush, but I think it works great for this. I also often use a Kabuki brush to contour, I think they work really well too!
Tip 1: Now, you need to do you best fish face, with a good pout and sucking your cheeks in as much as you can. This gives you a natural crease that tells you where to apply the product.
Tip 2: Use the left over product on the brush to blend into your temples and around the edge of your face just below the hairline where your skin would get a natural glow from the sun.
Tip 3: Imagine a vertical line from the end of your eyebrow down to the natural carve of your cheekbone and don't contour past this line towards your mouth! (if that makes any sense)
Tip 4: Makes sure you don't apply product too low; between the natural carve and your jaw. Otherwise you may end up with jowls - which is like a beard made of bronzer!
Tip 5: I've often heard that using a light dusting of bronzer along your jaw line can make your face look thinner - I always do this although I don't think it makes a lot of difference on me!
I hope this helps - Enjoy your fake cheek bones!
Caitlin A
x
I thought today I would share my
thoughts about something I’ve been loving ever since I picked up off the shelf.
I am now reaching for Benefit’s The Porefessional on a daily basis (Caitlin B warned me this might happen!) I
keep having to remind myself that, no, I do not need to waste it when I am
simply going to do the weekly shop! But believe me, I think it’s that good.
The lady at the counter informed that it
has quickly become the UK’s No.1 selling primer and I can see why! You simply
smooth a thin layer of the product over your skin and it not only acts as a
perfect base for make-up but also reduces the appearance of your pores, which I
am so grateful for! The lady also said that you can wear it alone, with out
foundation, which is true I guess, but it gives almost no coverage (considering
on the back it claims it‘s translucent). So don’t expect this to work similarly
to a lightweight BB cream, you may need to pair it with foundation or at least
concealer.
Although this may seem a little pricey, I
think it retails at around £24, I think it’s worth the splurge. Or perfect for
any upcoming birthday lists?
Let me know if you’ve tried it and what you
think!
Caitlin A
x
So, yesterday Caitlin B and I took a little trip down the coast to Brighton. I love spending the day in Brighton, especially when you're shopping! And I may have made a few purchases along the way...
Clothes
Black Daisy Print Skirt (bottom right) - Urban Outfitters
White Floral Chiffon Top (bottom left) - H&M
Blue Aztec Print Shorts (top left) - Urban Outfitters
White Floral Print Crop Top (top right) - Urban Outfitters
We didn't have much luck in all of the usual shops but as you can see, Urban Outfitters had all sorts going on!
Beauty and Other Stuff
I didn't go too crazy on the beauty front (makes a change) I just couldn't find much that I knew I really wanted. However, something I knew I did really want was Benefit's Porefessional, as I've heard so many other beauty lovers swear by it. So excited to try this out!
I picked up a couple of the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine varnishes, a pastel pink in Rose Hip and a pastel mint green in Sugar Apple. I was also offered a free gift of a Limited Edition Barry M varnish exclusive to Superdrug, I chose the gorgeous pink in Promenade. I also picked up a face wash (boring, I know), but I' pretty excited to try it, the Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy gel wash. And last but not least I picked up a last minute candles from Urban Outfitters in Lemon Fizz. It was on offer so I couldn't really say no...
Taking a shopping break we went for some really lovely tapas at a place called Bellota. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the food but look at the size of the glasses of sangria we were given!
We were pretty happy to say the least!
Caitlin A
x
I cannot believe that it's already June, this year is flying! This month's favourites of mine have emerged from some new discoveries and digging out some long lost loves. There is only a few things as a lot of my routine has become pretty constant recently; so lets get down to it.
Skin Care: I've been doing my best to break my lazy habits and make sure I cleanse and tone after removing my make-up each night. I have remembered how much I love the Body Shop's Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser, it does the job well and leaves your skin feeling fresh and smooth. Now, for one of my staple skin care items; Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Moisture Mask hydrates your skin like you would not believe, my skin is always very happy after I've used this!
Make-up: Both of my picks here are from Soap and Glory. I know I know, I'm pretty late to the party on just discovering how good their make-up is! The Archery Brow precision shaping tool, includes a waxy pencil end and at the other end it's almost like a felt tip. I love this product, even a eyebrow noob like myself will find their eyebrows easy with this! Their Kick Ass concealer I purchased recently includes 2 shades of creamy concealer, one for general blemishes and redness and the other for highlighting under the eyes, both work brilliantly and I love the consistency. What I love most about this product is the pressed powder in the top, it sets your make-up perfectly when pressed into the skin and removes any hint of shine!
Hair Care: Now, the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle is a product Caitlin B has been praising for a long time and I never got around to trying; and how naive I was. I got the Colour Mate formula for my highlighted hair and it makes my hair feel so smooth and healthy, love it! A styling product I've been loving was sent to me in a Glossy Box a little while a go, the Richard Ward Couture Hair Optimiser Style Reviver. I spray this in my hair before styling and I really think it holds its style longer! This has so nearly run out and I think I will have to consider a repurchase!
Random: Although not beauty related, my last favourite is the Anker portable phone charger. Now my friend bought one of these recently, and before you knew it, we were all following suit! You charge this baby up at home for a little while and take it anywhere with you to charge your phone when you're out and about. A wide range of phones are compatible and for only around £13 on Amazon I think it's definitely worth it tackle the awful battery life of my iPhone!
Let me know what you've been loving!
Caitlin A
x
In a mad rush to get ready the other night, I had forgotten to fake tan! And my friend let me use hers last minute (thank you Daryl!). Now this was a little exciting for me because I'm not that adventurous when it comes to tanning and I always stick to my trusty Sally Hansen Air Brush Legs which I think is fool proof and perfect for me!
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| Sorry my photography is so rubbish here! |
But this Garnier tan comes out in a light moussey texture, and when applied with a tanning mit, it is easy to apply and exactly like it says on the tin, there are no streaks in sight! It blends well and the colour is nice (not too orangey) and shows instantly. Another promise that this lives up to is none of that nasty fake tan smell! So, good all around yeah? Maybe not. One thing this tan does not promise which is a necessity for me is to be water resistant. I only ever wear fake tan when I've got my legs out on a night out, and that means god knows how many drinks are going to spilled over me. I'm afraid to say that I woke up the next morning with vertical stripes down my legs, not a good look!
This tan retails for around £14, so I would say middle of the road price range. But if you are going anywhere with a chance of rain I would opt for a water resistant tan, you could probably find cheaper too!
Let me know if you've tried this before and what you thought,
Caitlin A
x
Winged eye liner is something we all struggle with, so today I thought I'd share a couple of tips and tricks to create s simple every day look with winged liner. Starting with my favourite tool to do the job with, Rimmel's Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Liner. I always find liquid eye liners easiest to use when needing to be precise and the brush in this tube helps with precision perfectly! Bonus: I use this liner most days and it always takes ages to run out and never dries up or goes clumpy!
Now with the tricky bit; start at the inner corner of your top lash line and draw a thin line across the lid, this can be made thicker if that's what you prefer. (Mine always end up thicker in the process of trying to get them to match!).
Once you're happy, you can plot where your wing will sit, you can find your vanishing point but using something thin (I used the liner itself) to match the line from the outer corner of your eye to your eyebrow.
Now you can mark out your wing, the size and length is up to you, but if you are going casual then keep it quite tame. Once you think you've got this you can fill in the rest of the line. If there are any smudges or areas that need cleaning up just use a cotton bud to do so!
And there you go! Easy winged eye liner that you can wear on a day to day basis! Hope this helps some of you,
Caitlin A
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
