My Makeup Geek Eyeshadows So Far...

If you haven't heard of MakeUp Geek yet then I am severely disappointed in you! Created my YouTube Beauty Guru Marlena they have quickly become one of the most coveted brands around.

Until last month the only way to purchase them was to get them sent over from the US with some annoying customs charges but due to their demand they are now able to purchase on BeautyBay.com!

The idea is that you can purchase whatever pans you like and add them to something like a Z-Palette so they are customisable and you don't have to spend money on shadows you won't use. I'm going to cut straight to the point and say that this post is pretty much just going to be me raving about them as the pigmentation and blend-ability of every shade I have so far is incredible and far surpasses any other more expensive shadows I have purchased in the past.

My eyeshadows;

Peach Smoothie, Whimsical (foiled), Americano, Typhoon (Duochrome), Envy & Latte

 & here is a little look I did using Americano, Typhoon & Envy

I can't wait to build my collection in the future and try the new sparklers pigments! Have you tried any Make Up Geek products?

xxx

MAC X Ellie Goulding Collection

I'm never usually one to go mad for a MAC limited edition collection it has to be something special to catch my eye but when the images for the recent Ellie Goulding collection were released in the summer I knew I had to get my hands on one of the lipsticks!

I bought the shade 'without your love' and its a gorgeous pink tone (not that I needed another pink lipstick did i??) and very similar to the pink hues that Ellie is pictured wearing a lot.

It is a cremesheen formula which in MAC terms means that it's moisturising and not very pigmented but perfect for a little swipe of colour on the lips.

I'm unsure why but I feel like the Ellie Goulding collection has been no where near as popular as more recent MAC collections but maybe it's to do with the January/Post Christmas blues/poor-ness!?

Did you pick anything up from this collection? If so, what?

xxx

An Old Favourite: MAC Studio Fix Foundation

I feel like most of my posts so far have been about foundations, but when you think about it as they are the base of your face they can be very important to get right! I have tried so many foundations from so many brands and this one from MAC is one I always go back to. With a huge shade range and cool and warm tones I find that it's really easy to find what a shade to suit you.

This foundation is also extremely long-wearing on oily skin, I remember when I worked in a cinema and I would sometimes do a 10/12 hour shift I would come home and my foundation would not have even budged and still matte which can be a god send when you have oily skin!

I personally like to apply it using a slightly damp beauty blender (I cringe at how I ever used to apply foundation with my fingers years ago!) as it gives a flawless finish and blends easily into the skin.

It has an SPF of 15 which unfortunately means that it will give you a flashback in photos (see my last post) but means it's amazing for day wear as it will give you some extra protection from the elements.

Have you tried this foundation too? what did you think?

xxx

Christmas Night Out Makeup

When it comes to night out make up I like it to be long lasting and emphasize my eyes as much as possible! Unfortunately this time I didn't have that long to get ready so relied on the shades from the trusty MAC palette to achieve this look! 

Products used:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

MAC Studio Fix Concealer

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural 

TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter

MAC Prep & Prime pen in light boost

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer in 

Makeup Geek Latte Eyeshadow

MAC Ginger Snap Eyeshadow

MAC Black Tied Eyeshadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow in Soft Brown

MAC Hue Lipstick

Eylure 116 lashes

How do you like to do your make up on a night out?

xxx

Foundations Without Flashback

Have you ever had a photo taken of you with the flash on, looked back at it and thought I swear I'm not THAT white in real life?

It's happened to me so much, it's especially worse when you've fake tanned, and end up with a lovely photo of a dark neck and a white face!

The reason why this is happening is due to there being SPF or Titanium dioxide in either your foundation or powder but no worries there are lots of products you can use instead to keep away from this effect, perfect for the upcoming party season.

Illamasqua Skinbase £32.50 

Make Up Forever HD £29

Make Up Forever Ultra HD £29

NARS Sheer Glow £31

Any Kryolan Foundation 

MAC Face & Body £22

xxx

Christmas Gift Guide For Her

With the big day only two weeks away, I've put together a little gift guide with some lovely bits for the women in your life, whether it's your best friend, your mum or a girlfriend these are treats that anyone would feel lucky to receive!

1 DKNY Bryant Park Saffiano Leather Purse

2 Sleeping Beauty Pj Set

3 Gold Bow Pandora Ring

4 GHD Limited Edition Vintage Pink Set

5 The White Company Mini Diffusers Collection

6 Marc Jacobs Watch

7 Rose Gold Cocktail Ring

8 If In Doubt Add Glitter Cushion

xxx

Favourite Makeup Products of 2015

As 2015 is quickly coming to an end (how crazy!) I thought I'd share with you my top make up products of the year, and the ones I reach for pretty much every day! 

MAC Warm Neutrals Palette

Since receiving this for my birthday in April, it has become such a staple product in my everyday make up application. It contains 15 warm eyeshadows which are highly pigmented and there's so many looks you can create that will take you from day to night. Even if you are feeling lazy you can use a matte colour in the crease then a glittery colour on the inner corner and you are good to go! 

TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter

This is one of the most popular products of this year with the cutest packaging ever (Even my dad approves!) It's a gorgeous shimmery highlighter with gold & silver reflects so looks lovely on all skin tones! It looks amazing for day or night and comes with a handy mirror so you can pop in your handbag and glow allllll day!

Maybelline Babylips Dr Rescue

This lip balm is by far my favourite ever! It has a lovely mint scent to it and keeps my lips nice and moisturised rather than just drying them out (- looking at you vaseline). Aside from this flavour there are so many others to try out too, I wouldn't leave the house without mine now!

Dior Lip Maximizer

With the whole full lips look so big right now a decent lip gloss is a staple item in your make up wardrobe and this one maximises at the same time! I like to layer this over any lipstick as it's a clear gloss and after a couple of minutes you will start to feel a tingle (it creates a slight allergic reaction in order to to create more fullness) and then your lips will be pouty-perfect! 

MAC Soar Lip Liner

I have somehow managed to go through one of these this year already, a beautifully bendable product to use on it's own all over the lips or to add a contouring effect to your lips. Soar is a deep pink colour but looks great with everything from a nude to a brown lipstick colour!

MAC 217 Blending Brush

This has changed the way I do my eye makeup this year, the best blending brush by far. I have nothing else to say except you neeeed this!