June Favourites

Another month has passed and can't quite believe how quickly time is going. 

Here's what I've been loving this month - 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW20 

Sleek Del Mar Limited Edition Palette 

L'Oreal Super Liner Pefect Slim Eye-liner

Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

Sigma F86 Tapered Kabuki Brush 

Primark Make-Up Bag

Models Own Nail Polish for Tans in Beach  Bag

And my non beauty faves this month are-

Film - Xmen - Days of Future Past 

TV Show - Breaking Bad 

Song - George Ezra - Budapest

That's all for this month! See you Wednesday!

Muchos love

Leanne x

Favourite Make-Up Brushes

You may have the best make-up in your draw but there's no point in having it if you haven't got the right tools to apply it. 

Recently I've found myself a little addicted to make-up brushes. 

Ask my boyfriend, he recently asked how many make-up brushes do I need. My reply was "you'll never understand". 

With this in mind I've put together a list of the make-up brushes I use daily and are my cream of the crop... 

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki 

This is my favorite foundation brush of all time. And it's many beauty guru's favourite too for a reason. It's amazingly soft and blends your foundation seamlessly without hardly any effort. 

Real Techniques Blush Brush 

My favourite brush from this brand. I don't actually use it for blush though, I use it to bronze up my face and neck. It's also super soft and really affordable. 

Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour

This is what I use for my blush. Probably one of the softest brushes I have ever felt, it's amazing! Really good size to sweep colour from the apples of your cheeks backwards towards your temples.

Zoeva 109 Face Paint 

I use this brush to contour my cheekbones, some girls need a bit of help to get that chiseled look! 

Sigma F30 Large Powder 

Another soft brush from Sigma, this distributes just the right amount of powder without your face looking caked. 

Sigma E25 Blending

I use this little gem to apply brown shades of eye-shadow to my crease to define my eye shape. Also awesome at blending out colours from your lid to your crease for a smoked out look. 

Sigma E55 Shading 

Prefect for packing on colour to your lids, evens out the distribution perfectly. 

Sigma F86 Tapered Kabuki

Think this is intended for foundation but I use it for concealer. The tapered end is perfect for blending out concealer under your eyes and round the indents of your nose - any hard to reach places really!

I would just like to say that I have bought these brushes with my own money and I'm no way affiliated with Sigma Beauty. They are just really good popular brushes which is why I've got quite a few in my collection. Plus I'm a shopaholic and can't resist! 

Hopefully this mini review type blog will help you out if your looking at buying some new brushes. If you've got any questions please do not hesitate to comment here, tweet me or post on my Facebook page! 

Muchos love, 

Leanne x

GlossyBox - June '14

I've been subscribed to GlossyBox before and if I'm honest I'm always cancelling and subscribing again due to me trying to save a bit of money but I always end up subscribing again at some point. 

If your not aware of the concept it's a subscription service where you pay a monthly fee and get a box of five beauty products a month, sometimes they will be full size. It comes with a little card which tells you what's in your box and how to use it and Glossy magazine. 

The subscription I chose is the £10 (+£3.95 p&p) rolling monthly subscription.

So this months box arrived this week and I was quite impressed with the products I got. Let's delve in... 

So Susan Concealer Quad (RRP £20) 

Not gonna lie I've never heard of this brand before but I'm always a fan of new concealer to try out and this one includes a very light shade and a dark shade so you can also use this for contouring. The little card says -"Formulated with virgin marula oil, this compact quad can be used to cover minor blemishes and imperfections. It's lightweight formula makes it ideal for summer."

L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Black Mascara (RRP 10.99) 

Super pleased that this was included in my box! I've been wanting to buy this mascara for quite some time but as I had a few mascara ongoing I was being a good girl and waiting and I'm glad I did! 

"Why just volumize when you can millionize. For lashes that look maxed-up try Volumr Millon Lashes mascara. The Millionizer brush has a multitude of bristles to separate lashes for a fanned-out lash effect". 

Teeez Trend Cosmetics - Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush ( RRP €19) 

Another brand that I have never heard of and apparently it's a GlossyBox premier. Happy with this as you can never have enough make-up brushes can you?! "This premium quality brush allows you to apply powder and cream eye shadow with ease". 

NailGirls 3 in 1 Base / Topcoat & Strengthener 10ml (RRP £13.50 15ml) 

Not a full size product but pretty damn close. Again a brand I've never heard of and if I'm honest it looks like something a teenager would use but soon realized it wasn't when I saw the retail price. GlossyBox says its a new launch. Again can't go wrong with nail polish in my world, will be good to see how this performs. "This new longer lasting top coat combines the perfect base and nail hardener in one easy to use product".

Rituals Qi Gong Anti-Perspirant 50ml (RRP 3.50) 

Never received an anti-perspirant in a beauty box before but this is a handy travel size and it smells lovely and fresh so I'm looking forward to using it and seeing how it performs throughout the day. "Infused with white lotus and nourishing yi yi ren, this spray delivers 24 hour protection from perspiration and leaves a subtle summery scent".

There's also an added bonus with this product from GlossyBox - "Receive a free T'ai Chi shower foam worth £8.50 with any purchase of £25 at RITUALS.com or in store quoting code GLOSSYTAICHI. Exp 31.08.14".

As you can see I've definitely got my money's worth of products this month which is always a good thing! 

Next months box is a USA Box which I'm intrigued about, I wonder what goodies shall await! 

If you would like to subscribe to GlossyBox yourself and receive a box of beauty goodies each month click on the following link - http://www.glossybox.co.uk/referal?CI=OTMxNjA=

Muchos love,

Leanne x

Pool Side Beauty

Summer is finally here (for some) and you may be off on your summer holiday shortly. 

Although mines not until September I'm already thinking about which make-up and other beauty essentials I'm to bring with me as I want to ensure that a) I'm not bringing too much and b) whatever I do bring will last in the humid and let's face it sweaty conditions. 

I've come up with a list of make-up essentials that would work well in a hot and humid atmosphere and would, fingers crossed, last all day and also protect you from the running mascara water park / beach face that's never a good look. 

Oh and don't forget the sun screen, especially on your face. It's the first line of defence against premature aging. I use Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF 30 40ml (Boots £12.00).

Urban Decay De-Slick Make-Up Setting Spray Travel Size 30ml (www.feelunique.com £9.00)

This product will assist your make-up to stay in place all day in humid conditions, hence the name - de-slick. You can also use this as a cooling spray and to make your make-up look more dewy. 

Maybelline The Rocket Volum Waterproof Mascara (Boots £7.99)

You can't go on holiday without a good waterproof mascara, no one likes to see panda eyes in the pool. This mascara is one of my faves as it creates volume, separates lashes and holds a curl. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo's (Boots £4.99)

Powder eye-shadows are not good in the heat as they will just slide right off and crease. Try a cream eye-shadow instead like this which offers you colour and staying power all in one. If you do want to use a powder try using one of these underneath so your powder will have something to grab onto. 

Maybelline 24hr Stay Waterproof Powder (Boots £5.99)

To keep shine at bay you need to have a good mattifying powder and this one from Maybelline does just that. An added bonus is that it's waterproof - hurrah! 

Bourjois Creme Blush in Nude Velvet (Superdrug £7.99)

Similarly to the eye shadow scenerio we need to stay clear of powdered blush as it just won't have the staying power. Again try using a cream blush, I'll be using this one from Bourjois which comes in a magnetic casing and includes a little mirror in the lid (good for traveling!).

Bourjois Bronzing Primer (Superdrug £9.99)

If you want to bronze up your face whilst abroad try this bronzing primer from Bourjois. You can either using under or over your foundation / BB Cream. Use a stippling brush to apply to get that air brush finish. 

MAC Creme base in Pearl (MAC£15)

Highlighters aren't a massive necessity while on holiday as you'll probably have the summer time glow anyway. But if you do want a subtly hint, again try a cream highlight such as this one from MAC. 

Rimmel Stay Matte BB Cream SPF 15 (Superdrug £6.99)

You don't want your face all clogged up with a thick foundation on holiday, but most of us still want the coverage. This is where BB creams come in as their light on the face and offer light to medium coverage. This one from Rimmel is a 9 in 1 cream and offers SPF 15. However please remember that you would need to use loads of this to get the stated SPF - always use a face sun cream before applying your make-up. 

Maybelline Baby Lips SPF 20 (Boots £2.99)

It's just as important to protect our lips when we're away, the lips are very delicate and can get easily burnt if not protected. These balms from Maybelline have an SPF of 20 and come in a range of different colours and flavours. And at just £2.99 you can't get much better. 

If you are going on your jolly holidays have fun and be safe.

Muchos love,

Leanne x

 

Current Cleansing Routine

My Cleansing routine has changed quite a bit recently as it's dawning on me that I'm not getting any younger. 

I recently went for a Declèor facial at a health and beauty salon and the lady advised me that I had dehydrated skin and a build up (probably make-up). So I adapted my routine some what to ensure my skin is always ultra clean and moisturised. 

I start off by using the L'Oreal Eye and Lip Make-up Remover (Boots £4.99) to remove the majority of my mascara. It also means that I don't get ugly horrible mascara marks on my flannel. 

Next I use my new favourite, Lush Ultrabland Cleanser (£6.95 45g), which I bought whilst away in Chester. This stuff is fab and works well on all skin types and it's mega kind to the skin and eye area. It's really good at removing mascara, even waterproof! 

Once my skin is all smooth and clean I'll use the L'Occtaine Divine Lotion (£42 200ml) which I received in the Latest in Beauty box. This is used as a pre-moisturising step. 

Seeing as my skin needs some extra moisture I bought the Garnier Moisture Match - Ultra-Hydrating Rich Cream (Boots £5.99) to moisturise my face.

Lastly I use the Benefit It's Potent Eye- Cream (www.lookfantastic.com £24.50 14.2g), which I also got in the Latest in Beauty box, to brighten and deminish my dark circles. I gently tab a little of the product under my eyes. 

Let me know what products work best for you and whether you've tried any of the above products. 

Muchos love,

Leanne x

Five Lip Products for Non Lipstick Wearers

Some people are just not blessed with lushess lips. And I'm definitely not an exception. I have small thin lips and I've always wanted fuller lips like my best friend. 

Having said that with my small lips and my dark eye-brows, this somehow means that bright lipstick REALLY does not suit me! I just cannot get away with it and it kills me as I would love to wear bright shades in the summer and more berry tones in the winter months. 

So with this in mind I thought I'd put together a list of five lip products that actually don't look half bad on me, and their all nude so if your not fond of the brighter shades yourself take a look at the below and you might find yourself a new fave! 

1.Tanya Burr - Afternoon Tea (Superdrug or lookfantastic.com £7.99) 

2.Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 03 Rossetto (Boots £3.99) 

3.Maybelline Colorsensational Tantalising Taupe (Boots £7.19)

4.L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche in 500 Molto Mauve (Boots £8.99)

5.Bourjois Rouge Edition in 02 Beige Trench (Boots £6.99)

Stay tuned for a blogpost on my favourite lip balms coming up within the next week or so! 

Muchos love,

Leanne x