Along came Betty Br-Wow kit

Hi Beauts.

Let's talk brows today ladies. When I was younger I had what I like to call caterpillars stuck to my face, they were HUGE. So, stupidly, I let two of my best friends pluck them for me and oh boy did they have fun! I went from having caterpillars to centipedes - neither is a great look. 

Luckily over time they pretty much grew back (not back to caterpillars may I add) and I was able to tweeze them into a shape I liked. 

Over the years I've bought various products to define and fill them in, and a few weeks ago I bought the brow kit from Along came Betty which I've been using pretty much every day. 

I much prefer powders to pencils because I think they give a more natural look. This little kit comes with 2 shades - a light and a medium brown, a highlight powder and a dark brown wax to set those bad boys, as well as a spoolie and angled brush. 

I'd say the lighter brown would work well with any blonde girlies and the medium brown is perfect for medium brown hair. The wax, I've tried and didn't love to be honest. It's a little warm toned fr me, and in all honesty I never really like wax products that come along with these kits. I do use the highlight though as a browbone highlight which is great as it's a matte shade which makes it even better. This isn't overly pigmented so is perfect for anyone new to defining their brows or new to using a powder, but it's pigmented enough to make a difference. 

 I think this is great little kit, it's compact so it's easy to travel with, it comes with a brush and spoolie, there's a wax and highlight and two brow shades to choose from - what more could you need? 

Stacey x  

Along Came Betty 'Fix Me'

Hi Beauts.

I'm yet to find a mattifying primer that I could add to my Holy Grail list, so I'm constantly trying out new things. If you read my 'Along came Betty' haul then you may have noticed a little product named 'Fix Me' which is a mattifying product that you apply before foundation (you can actually apply after too) 

I've used this every day for the past month and have to say, it's made it to my Holy Grail products. I love it so much I had to go back to Tesco and buy a back up! 

I haven't used anything like this before so was intrigued to see how it would hold up, and if it would effect the appearance of my foundation. 

Each morning I apply a line along my forehead, down my nose and along my chin then blend in with my fingertips. Straight after applying I noticed how soft my skin feels, it's so smooth and creates the perfect base for the rest of my make up.

The product itself ia actually pink but it applies transparent, nobody wants a pink face really do they? Originally I assumed this would keep me a little shine free throughout the day and hold my make up in place, however, I was surprised to see how matte my skin looked straight after application! My foundation definitely glides on a lot smoother each time I use this, and I'd say it looks pretty flawless too.

 The big test: does it actually keep me matte? Oh hell yes! Literally nothing I've tried before has worked as well as this little beauty, and nothing has kept my foundation looking as great all day. Setting sprays always work when I use them, but never has a primer worked so well. My foundation doesn't budge from the usual places - my forehead, nose and chin, it doesn't look cakey at all (some products tend to cake up on me with having oily skin) and the product itself is unnoticeable (some transparent face products can do that roll thing when wear them under foundation, or at least they do with me) I'm hoping this isn't being discontinued, otherwise I'm going to have to hunt each and every one down and buy them all. I absolutely love this, and of you have oily skin too this is a must try. 

What's your favourite mattifying product?

Stacey x

Along came Betty lipstick duo - Double whammy

Hi Beauts.

One of my favourite make up items to buy is lipstick, a girl can never have too many right? When I picked up some products from the Along Came Betty range in Tesco (haul post here), I noticed this 'Double Whammy' which is a lipstick and lip gloss duo. 

There were three shades/combo's to choose from so I went for the shade Poochy, which was the more neutral/every day shade on the shelf. 

MUA released a similar product last year called Lip Booms which had a lipstick on one side and a lip gloss with chunky glitter particles on the other side. Unlike that gloss, this one is smooth, with small non chunky shimmer in it and isn't on the sticky side. It isn't overly pigmented but definitely gives a nice sheen to your lips. I'd say the shade is a wearable frosty baby pink, and when applied on top of the lipstick in the centre of the lips, gives a gorgeous shine and makes your lips a little more poutier. 

The lipstick, however, is really pigmented and is smooth to apply. The shade is a deep pink toned mauve and is so pretty, I've worn it so much. I'm even considering going back to pick up a back up!

 When I wear the lipstick alone, I'd say I get around 3 hours wear, which I think is great, and when I apply the lipstick and gloss I get about 2 hours which I'm pretty impressed with too. The lipstick isn't drying either when worn alone which I have found before with duo lip products. Although this is a little on the chunky side, it's still perfect for travelling with as it saves you chucking a lipstick and gloss in your bag.

Do you like these types of lip products too?

Stacey x

Along came Betty concealer

Hi Beauts.

As far as concealers go, I had my Holy Grail product - The Collection lasting perfection. However, I'm still unsure whether or not they're cruelty free so I went in search of a new one when I finished up the last few drops. 

One (I've actually found two that I like now) that I picked up is the Along Came Betty All concealed in Light/Medium. 

This is a cream concealer which contains a light shade and a medium shade, along with a translucent setting powder screwed onto the bottom, pretty nifty right? This is pretty similar to the S&G kick ass concealer, that too comes with 2 shades and a setting powder although their powder is pressed not loose. And unfortunately, I think I'm the only person that didn't get along with that one. 

This one, however, I love. I use the light shade as my under eye concealer and I mix the light and medium and apply to any redness/scars/blemishes that I have, and find that the two mixed match me perfectly.

 I'd say it has a medium coverage, and doesn't cake up when I apply more on top if needed. I can't say I'm overly keen on the powder as it can make my under eyes a little ashy, but used to set the concealer anywhere else works fine. 

I usually find when using cream based concealers (especially the S&G) that they cake up and crease under my eyes, and oxidise when I've used them on my chin. However I didn't find this happened at all with this one which surprised me big time. I really like that you get 2 shades of concealer and a setting powder, it's so useful for travelling with and it allows you to mix and match the concealer to find your perfect shade.

Needless to say, I love this and think I've found a new favourite.

Have you tried anything from the Along Came Betty range yet?

Stacey x

Sleek blush in Antiqued

Hi Beauts.

As you may know, I'm a huge fan of Sleek blushes. Not too long ago I was kindly sent the new Sleek Vintage Romance collection from Tesco Beauty, which contained the blush in the shade Antiqued

When I first opened this up I didn't really think I'd use it much as it's kind of a taupe shade, and I usually go for pinks, berries or mauves. However, upon swatching this I knew I'd get lots of use out of it. It is, to me, a cool toned taupe shade which I've found works great when I don't want to contour. Because of the shade it works as a contour and blush in one. In the pan it does look a little shimmery but that shimmer doesn't transfer onto the cheeks.

As with all seek blushes this is extremely pigmented and blendable. I have been a little heavy handed with this, however that was soon rectified with a clean powder brush. I'm quite pale and this worked great on my skin, if you're pale too just make sure to apply a small amount and use a light hand. I think if you're a little darker you could try this as a contour shade.

What's your favourite blush from Sleek?

Where to buy:

Sleek website - Here

Tesco stores - (Kingston park, Newcastle andGateshead city centre)

Stacey x