Christmas Post - Smokey eye party look

Hi Beauts.

Today I wanted to join in the blogmas fun and do a Christmas post. I was playing about with some make up (as you do) and came up with this black smokey eye with a pop of gold:

You could use any colour glitter along the lower lashline, I've done a similar look and used purple and silver before and I think it looked pretty cool. If I may say so myself ;P

Here's what I used:

* After applying a base to make sure my eyeshadow would stay put all night, I used MAC Blanc Type all over my lid up to my brow as a base colour

* Then taking FashionistA bronzer in LA on a fluffy brush, I applied this to my crease to help blend the other shadows I used

* Next I used MAC Scene on a flat shadow brush and packed the colour all over my lid, then used the fluffy brush to blend out the edges

* To add a little more depth to the look I applied MUA shade 20 (a matte black) to my outer V and blended into the crease (it looked a little darker in person than the picture)

* For the pop of gold, I used Maybelline color tattoo in 24k Gold on a small angled brush and ran it along my lower lashline

* Finally I applied a little winged liner and mascara and I was good to go

(A full line of liquid liner along the upper lashine, and  a black pencil liner along the water line and tighline could make this look more intense)

Hope you enjoyed Beauts

Stacey x

My holy grail cleanser

Hi Beauts.

If you read Friday's post, then you may remember me saying that I very rarely get spots and when I do it's just one.....well I jinxed myself and woke up with not one but four. High five in the face Stacey!! Admittedly I had a couple of little chocolates (I never eat chocolate) so I brought it all on myself, lets face it.

Anyway, after my gorgeous spots appeared I remembered I was all out of one of my favourite skincare products - Skinology tea tree blackhead cleanser from Wilkinsons. 

Now I've never had a problem with blackheads (gonna get some tomorrow now aren't I?!) so I'm not sure if it works for those little beasts, but on said occasion when I get an 'odd' spot this is my Holy Grail product.

I went straight out and bought myself two bottles of the cleanser (they have a deal on currently, one bottle is 99p or two for £1.50) and used it last night after washing my make up off. The four little beauties I had on my face were literally half the size, no longer red and had dried out (lovely visual for a Sunday morning, I know) completely the next morning.

This cleanser is strongly scented, which some people may be put off by, and it does sting a little. So if you have sensitive skin you may want to do a little test patch before using it all over your face.

Quick rundown:

Reduces size and redness, and dries out any spots within hours. I'm pretty sure this is what has kept my skin clear so far (then I spoil it by eating chocolate, nice one) If you suffer from odd spots or acne, I'd definitely say give this a go

I know many people like to opt for the higher end brands when it comes to skin care, but if a 99p product is going to work wonders for my skin then that's fine by me!

What are your holy grail skin care products? 

Stacey x

Review - Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 01

Hi Beauts.

 I don't really suffer that much from acne/spots/pimples,  I only ever get the odd one every now and then.  I do, however, have scars left behind from said spots and because I have oily skin (my chin being the worst part) I'm yet to find a product that will cover the scars and one that stays put. I love collection lasting perfection concealer for under my eyes, and I admit it's a pretty high coverage so it does conceal the areas on my chin. But, and it's a big but, it wears off after an hour or so and it tends to look cakey and well, just not pretty at all. 

I've tried many concealers from the highstreet and none have worked for me, so I decided to splash out o a higher end concealer and see if it made any difference. I chose to try out Benefits Boi-ing in 01 after hearing so many great things about it.

 I will be honest, I was a little Gaaaaah that I'd spent so much on a concealer that I didn't know would work for me. And to be honest,  when I first applied it I wasn't all that impressed. Although the shade matched me perfectly, I didn't agree with the claims of it being industrial strength and high coverage. 

HOWEVER, I remembered a lovely girlie on twitter telling me to remember to warm it up before applying (The instructions also say this, but I've never been one for reading them) So I did and I was amazed at the results. The coverage was definitely full, the consistency not too thick and the best part? I applied it at 6:30 am and when I checked to see how it was holding up, it was still in place at 4 pm! Granted it had slid off my skin a little but I still had a little coverage and it wasn't shiny or cakey looking.

I've used this around my nose where I have a little redness and it lasted all day without wearing off or sliding down my face.

I haven't tried this as an under eye concealer yet as I love my collection lasting perfection for that job, I think I prefer the creamier more liquid texture for under my eyes. However, I'd bet (not that I'm a gambler) that this stuff would be amazing at concealing and lasting. All in all, this is my new Holy Grail concealer for spots, scars and redness. How did I last so long without it?!

Quick rundown:

This is a creamy, full coverage long lasting concealer that works amazingly well on oily skin. It covers everything from spots to scars and is the perfect colour match for us paler girls

What's your favourite concealer?

(This retails for £17.50 for 3.0g of product)

Stacey x

Review - Make up forever HD powder

Hi Beauts.

Usually when I write a review of a product I like to give a definite Yes I love this or a meh it's not all that, however I'm giving this one an I'm not so sure. The product in question? Make up forever HD powder. 

I know this is a must for so many make up lovers and bloggers, but I just don't think I like it. I will say for starters that I'm not a huge fan of loose powders, so that may contribute to my not so positive opinion of it.

I applied this with the same brush I use with any powder I try, the elf flat top powder brush. As soon as I dipped my brush into the product it flew everywhere, this is such a finely milled powder, it kind of reminded me of icing sugar that's the consistency it had. I stippled the powder onto my freshly applied foundation and noticed whilst applying it to my under eyes, it turned the concealer a grey colour - not a good look. It didn't effect the rest of my foundation colour as it's a translucent powder, but it definitely effected the products under my eyes.

And again, because it's so finely milled and translucent it gave no coverage which is what I like from a powder, it just finishes off the look in my opinion. 

I did,  however, like that it didn't make me look like a ghost as many translucent powders have in the past. After applying the HD powder I didn't really like the finish it gave me  although it did matiffy my foundation a little, it didn't look as flawless as when using my SEVENTEEN miracle pressed powder. Again this could be down to the fact it was a loose and translucent powder.

 The last negative point (I promise) is that I noticed that it clug to a little dry skin I had around my nose. I don't usually get any dry skin as I have oily skin, but for a few days I had a small amount of dryness around my nose and using the HD powder emphasised that. 

I'm not going to say that this is a really bad product as so many people love it, but it just didn't work for me at all. I wanted to give it ago because of the hype and have to say, I was disappointed and wouldn't repurchase it. If you enjoy loose powders then I'd say give it a go, you may enjoy it more than I did. I don't Sorry Make Up Forever, you just ain't for me.

Does anyone else not love this as much as they thought they would?

Stacey x

Collective haul

Hi Beauts.

I've been buying little bits here and there over the past two weeks and rather than do a couple of little hauls, I decided to stick them all in one post.

There's isn't a whole bunch of things but I thought I'd share anyway

* Lush bubble gum lip scrub £5.50

* Next Diamonds perfume £6.00

* The Body shop hemp and protector £10.00

* Collection eyeshadow pencil in Vanilla Sky £3.19

* Rimmel stay matte foundation £5.99

* SEVENTEEN Miracle matte pressed powder £3.99

* Dr Martens £35.00 My cousin's friend works for the company and gets a CRAZY discount, so instead of paying £100 I paid £35.00. BEST bargain ever!!!!!!

* I am currently addicted to NCIS so I bought the season one box set in HMV £14.99. Major Mark Harmon crush going on right now

* The Jo Nesbo collection and Sophie Kinsella book box sets were on offer for 2 for £10, hello bargain!!! Being the bookworm I am, I just couldn't pass that offer up could I?

* Simple baby wipes 99p

* Simple oil balancing moisturiser £2.89

* Simple oil balancing face wash £2.89

* Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 01 £17.50

What goodies have y'all been buying lately Beauts?

Stacey x

Review - Sleek contour kit in Light

Hi Beauts.

Being a pale gal, I find it hard to get my mitts on a contour powder or bronzer that isn't either orange or muddy looking. That was until now thanks to the Sleek contour kit in Light

This kit comes with a neutral toned contour powder and a shimmery highlight

The first time I used this I knew I'd found a winner. The contour colour was the perfect shade for my skin tone (me being pale and cool toned) and it was amazing to blend out. There were no orange tones to my cheeks and I definitely didn't look like I'd been having a mud fight (I'm far too old for that kind a thing now........) 

The highlight in the kit compliments the contour shade massively. Unlike a lot of shimmery highlights out there, this one gives a healthy glow to the face as opposed to looking like a disco ball. This is definitely a winning duo and best of all, it's so inexpensive.

The packaging is like all sleek products, black and sleek (just like the name would suggest) and it comes with a handy size mirror which makes it perfect for carrying in your make up bag, or travelling with.

I haven't spotted the contour kits in any Superdrug's, they all have the face form kit which is the exact same thing - the contour and highlight, but with an added bonus....a blush.This duo retails for £6.49 where as the face form kit retails for £9.99, still a massive bargain if you ask me.

The duo kit is available to buy on the Superdrug website and the Sleek website.

Have you tried this yet? Love it too? 

Stacey x

Leek and potato soup

Hi Beauts.

I once again found myself making a noise with pots and pans in the kitchen and wanted to share a quick post on the little food creation I made. I bought a chilled Leek and Potato soup the other day and loved it so much, I thought I'd make my own.

What you'll need:

Knob of butter

4 Potatoes, peeled and diced

1 Leek, chopped

Vegetable stock

900ml vegetable stock

A tub of single cream

Lets cook:

* Heat the butter in a pan until it has melted, then add the leeks and cover. Cook slowly for around 5 minutes

* Next add potatoes and cook slowly for another 5-10 minutes or until they're soft.

* Pour in stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Then mash the potatoes for a nice thick chunky soup.

* Last but not least, blend the soup with a hand blender and bring back to the boil until piping hot. Add a spoon of single cream to each bowl as served stir thoroughly and serve.

The cream is optional, I just prefer the taste with cream added

Simple and yummy once again, and it's the perfect weather for homemade soup

Have a great Saturday Beauts 

Stacey x