Showing posts with label realtechniques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label realtechniques. Show all posts

Friday, 29 June 2018

AMAZON'S CHOICE MUST-TRY BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So Amazon is that place you can go to and pretty much find anything/everything, from books/dvd's, homeware, DIY, electronic products and of course beauty products. Amazon have a bunch of different makeup/beauty items which are sold directly from them and not other seller's, so you know you aren't going to be getting someone's already opened or over-priced unwanted purchases. Amazon also have a wide range of "Amazon's Choice" products, which are all products that come highly recommended. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my personal favourite must-try beauty products, that are available under Amazon's Choice with free delivery on orders over £20 and selected subscribe and save items... 


So first up we have one of my favourite foundations of the year, which is in-fact an Amazon exclusive in the UK and it is the only official site that stocks the product. I did a first impression/review post which you can find all about the foundation in detail here.

Sticking with the foundation theme and another favourite of mine, this time my all time favourite foundation. I always used to pick mine up from either Boots or Superdrug, but that was until i realised it was well over £1 cheaper on Amazon...so now i bulk buy and i always have some in stock!

If you are an avid YouTube watcher, then you will probably already know how these Sleek highlighter palettes are always highly spoken about. Not only do they have super luxurious metal packaging, they are also super pigmented and come with a mixture or super lightweight powder and cream highlighters.  

So Amazon's choice for nail polish is also a huge favourite of mine and i always opt for these colours when i am not in the mood to wait for over an hour for my polish to dry, as they are the only "quick dry" polishes that i actually think work as they say they should. Not only are they quick to apply, they are super affordable, come in a wide shade range and are long-lasting without chipping. My personal favourite is the shade Let's Get Nude.


I am one of those people that much prefers to opt for gradual tan lotions when it comes to my tanning routine, as it is super easy and quick to do. I definitely have tried my fair share of gradual tan from different brands and this one is definitely in my top three, along side the st moriz gradual tan which you can also pick up on Amazon.

I am obsessed with anything with a coconut fragrance and i have used this particular leave-in conditioner summer after summer, as it not only helps keep frizz at bay but it also leaves your hair smelling like summer holiday's. Leave-in conditioners are perfect if you are in a rush, or if you simply struggle with tangled hair once you have washed it. You can also pick up other item's from the range, as well as other drugstore brands.

This particular Amazon's choice selection is not only an accurate choice but also a complete bargain, as they stock a two pack of the sponge for just £6.66 rather than £10.99 or more. I use this sponge pretty much every time i do my makeup and i couldn't be without it, as you get a flawless and even finish. 

So for the final item that is definitely more of a splurge but definitely a must-try product, is this shower gel from Nuxe. My go-to facial oil is the multi dry oil from the brand, which i use every single day both morning and night. That being said i had only tried that one thing from the brand and wanted to give something else a try. This shower oil has the same scent as the oil, that leaves you with a slight golden shimmer but nothing too major and is perfect for summer. The fact that you can also pick up higher end brands from Amazon, makes ordering so much easier.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

MAKEUP BRUSH COLLECTION | DE-CLUTTER + NEW BRUSHES | PART TWO

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks back i shared the first installment of my makeup brush collection, de-clutter + new brushes, which was talking all things face brushes. For today's post i am back with part two to this post, this time sharing all of my current/new eye brushes and also all of the different sponges that are in my collection.


I thought i would kick things off with the new brushes in my collection and the eye brushes from the bargain set i picked up earlier this month. The brush set includes four face brushes (which i shared in part one), tools and four eye/detail brushes. The eye brushes are the domed shadow brush, duo-fiber eye brush, shading brush and lip brush. If you can still get your hands on one of these sets i highly recommend them, as the brushes are amazing quality, last for so long and for £40 instead of £80 you can't really go wrong!

Next up is the two brushes i use religiously to do my brows every single day, i use the Y23 brush to fill in my brows if i am using a brow pomade or powder and then the Y21 brush to clean up my brows with concealer as it is the perfect shape. I am still yet to try the normal brushes by Morphe but i highly recommend the ones from this particular Y range, as they are really great quality and are quite in-expensive at just under £5 per brush. 

So i actually have two of the same 317 brushes by Zoeva and for a very good reason, one i like to use to apply either shadow or eyeliner to my lash line and the other i use to apply brow-dye on my eyebrows. I just love how easy this brush picks up product, you get an even application and the brush itself isn't too hard or too soft it is the perfect in-between to give you complete control.

This particular brush from the pro range at Primark is super handy to keep in my brush collection, just in-case i need to apply/mix concealer with. I have tried a couple of different tools from the PS pro range which i have really liked, including the powder brush i shared in part one. The only thing i really didn't like was the pro version of the beauty blender, as i found even when it was damp it was still too firm and not easy to work with.


The brushes that i actually de-cluttered the most of was a ton of the brushes i had accumulated from Amazon, which are great for a while but unlike some more expensive brushes they don't last as long but for under £3 for ten brushes you can't really complain. The brush i am obsessed with from this particular set is this fluffy eye blender brush and i use it pretty much every single day, as it is super quick and easy to apply/blend out one colour and i just wish i could buy a bunch of them individually. 

Another handful of brushes from Amazon that i actually kept from my de-clutter, were these Zoeva rose gold dupe brushes as just like the other blender brushes above. They are great for everyday use, whether that be for packing on colour/pigment, blending or applying shadow to the lower lash-line and it is always good to keep a few spare back-ups for those moments when you need a clean brush.

So this is the particular tool that i reach for every single day without fail, as i just prefer to apply/blend out my foundation,concealer and liquid highlighter with one of these. As i replace these every couple of months, i always like to keep back-ups in-stock and i mainly pick them up whilst on offer. Just before Christmas i picked up two duo packs, as they were buy one get one half off so i am stocked up for a while now. 

This particular sponge i am still yet to give a go, as it was one of the tools i got in the filtered face set. Unlike the normal miracle complexion sponge, this sponge has six different sides to achieve your look, two flat edges to apply with, two rounded sides to blend and two tapered edges for precision application. 

Finally we have the final tool of the post and that is the cutest little sponges i have ever seen, also ones that come in handy from time to time. The whole idea of these sponges is that they are perfect for correcting mistakes such as mascara under the eyes or too much product that has been applied, i also like to use little sponges like this to blend out any creasing that might have occurred under my eyes. Primark also used to do mini versions of these sponges, that i used to love but i haven't seen any in my local stores recently.

Shop Real Techniques:

xo. 

Monday, 8 January 2018

MAKEUP BRUSH COLLECTION | DE-CLUTTER + NEW BRUSHES | PART ONE

Hello everyone! If you read one of my recent posts talking about my january must-buys, then you will probably know that i talked a little bit about being inspired to have a good makeup brush de-clutter after picking up a new brush set in the sales and receiving one for Christmas also. With that in mind i thought why not document and share with you all of the new brushes i have to replace old brushes (which lets face it, who hasn't held onto/hoarded too many brushes?) and also the brushes i still wanted to keep in my collection. As i do still have quite a large amount of brushes, i thought i would split this post into two parts starting with face brushes.


ps...insta girl perfecting powder brush 
For the longest time i have used the Real Techniques blush brush as a powder brush, but i decided as it was well overdue being thrown in the bin, why not just try a different one out. I picked this one up in Primark for £6 recently and i was so amazed, as the bristles are super soft and it is really well made as it feels weighty rather than plastic-y. I definitely want to pick some more up soon.

real techniques fresh faced favourites set
So this is the brush set that i received for Christmas from one of my sisters, which was perfect timing because some of the brushes inside this set i already owned and they were also ready for being replaced. This set contains a bb/cc brush, contour brush (one of my faves), a detailer brush and some of the exclusive set wedge sponges all for £19.99 from Superdrug in selected stores and online.

real techniques filtered face set
This was the particular brush set i was talking about that i picked up in the sales for £40 instead of £80, which is such a bargain for what you get inside of the set and a lot of the brushes are everyday favourites of mine. This set contains the following face brushes, buffing brush, contour brush, setting brush (which i now own three of but it is probably my all time favourite brush from the brand) and a stippling brush.

real techniques bold metals 301 flat contour brush
So the final Real Techniques brush of the bunch (can you tell by now that they are my favourite?) and the most expensive brush i own now, but probably one of my top favourites to apply and blend cream contour out with. As the bristles on this brush are quite dense you can be a lot more precise with the product you are apply and to where, especially when it comes to contouring your jaw or nose. If you were to buy this brush individually it would set you back £22, although Boots currently have a Bold Metals set available containing six brushes and two sponges for £50 (half price).


freedom ff104 powder and bronzer brush 
If i am ever asked on what really affordable but great quality brushes to try out, i always recommend Freedom brushes and more specifically their face brushes. I first tried these particular brushes out last year for the first time and i was/still am honestly shook on how great in quality they are for under £2 each, i love using one for applying bronzer and the other for blush.

freedom ff103 stippling brush
Another freedom face brush that i probably couldn't be without now actually, is the stippling brush. A lot of people tend to use a stippling brush for applying foundations/bb-creams, but i actually love using mine to apply highlighter with as it applies the right amount of product and blends it out flawlessly. To do this i don't pick up the product head on, i use the side of the brush to apply and blend out on an angle. This brush is also under £2.

mua f11 highlighting brush
Fun fact when i first started out with experimenting with makeup MUA is actually the brand of brushes i first owned and i loved them, obviously over time i have replaced them until recently when i picked up a few new ones to try again. The brushes i particularly picked up were highlighting brushes, the f11 (ABH highlighting brush dupe), f7 small fan brush and the f8 fan brush. Just like Freedom brushes, MUA brushes are also perfect if you are on a budget but still want a great quality product. 

shop the brushes sold separately...
ps...insta girl perfecting powder brush (in-store only) | real techniques setting brush | real techniques stippling brush | real techniques flawless base makeup brush set (contour + buffing brush) | mua f7 brush | mua f8 brush | freedom ff104 brush | freedom ff103 brush |

xo.

Wednesday, 3 January 2018

MY JANUARY MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES + BEAUTY

Hello everyone! Now that we are in January things tend to go either way when it comes to that "after Christmas spending" period, some do no-spend January and some save their money for January, more specifically for the new-in items or sale items. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of things that are my personal favourite must-buy items this January, which is a mixture of things i have already bought and some that i still want to pick up. *some items linked are similar or limited stock on the sale items*


Now that it is January and we are well into winter, something warm, cosy and that is great for layering is going to be your best friend. This particular missguided number is perfect for doing just that, as it is such a neutral colour it will go with a so many different items all depending how you want to style it.

2. | dkny bryant park leather purse | was £90 now £60 |
If you are looking into investing or picking up a more "designer branded" purse then January is definitely the time to do so, as the majority of the department stores always have sales on. I was super lucky with mine as it was the last one in stock and i can't find it anywhere online now, but they have similar styles available.

3. | real techniques filtered face set | was £80 now £40 |
Just like i mentioned with the purses, the same applies with makeup brushes (which lets face it they can have a hefty price tag). Earlier this week i picked up this bargain half price real techniques set for just £40 instead of £80, which is such a good deal as it includes three different sponges (usually £5+ each), a brush holder and eight brushes (usually around £6+ each). I also received a different set also by Real Techniques for Christmas, which really inspired me to have a good clear out/brush replacement session.

I have seen so many people talk about a site called Shein for a few months now and a fair few people have done hauls from the brand, so i decided to take a look for myself and i picked up this Chanel Boy bag dupe in the beginning of December. This particular bag is probably the closest dupe to the ever so expensive bag i have seen and to begin with before it arrived i wasn't too sure what the quality was going to be like, but i was proven wrong and now it is my go-to everyday bag at the moment. 

Seeing as we are in winter and we have all virtually lost our summer glow, more often than non we have to fake it and that can become a chore as all you want to do in the evenings is snuggle up in your cosy pyjamas in bed. That being said i love to stay tanned all year round, as it just makes me feel better within myself and this particular self tan dry oil is perfect for not only giving your that bronzed skin but also super hydrated skin.

6. | dorothy perkins mink apurla heeled boots | was £45 now £12 |
These particular boots are my most recent purchase and i am still waiting for them to arrive, but i am living for how stunning they are with the detailing on the block heel and not to mention how much of a bargain they were for just £12. I ordered mine from the Dorothy Perkins site which is now out of stock, but they still might be available in-store or on other Dorothy Perkins stocked sites. I can't wait to wear them already!

I have been looking for a teddy styled jacket or coat for quite a while now and i noticed that Boohoo have quite a few different styles, new-in on their site and this particular one is definitely my favourite. I just love how cosy and warm, yet still stylish and versatile they are to just throw on and head out of the door. 

I am living for the different embellished cross body chained bags on Topshop at the moment, especially this particular style as it would go great with nude/neutral coloured outfits and also black outfits. Having a detailed bag in your collection is great to add a little something different, to an otherwise plain looking outfit.

9. | asos pimkie chunky cardigan | £39.99 |
During the winter months i love me a chunky knit cardigan, as they are just cosy and comfortable, as well as adding something to a plain pair of jeans and top. I really love this particular grey chunky knit cardigan, which is super similar to one i picked up last month in Primark along side a couple of others for just £13 each.

If you read my 2017 most read posts post, then you will have seen my review on finally being able to get Anastasia Beverly Hills lip products in the UK, either from their UK site, BeautyBay or Cult Beauty. That being said this particular set of mini liquid lipsticks (dazed, bittersweet and hudson) are great if you simply want to give a couple of shades a try, before picking up a full size or even if you have a friend's birthday coming up this month and are stuck on what to get them.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

EBAY DUPES FOR HIGH-END BRUSHES

Hello everyone! If you are a makeup addict or just a frequent makeup wearer, then you will know one of the key things to have is makeup brushes, just like a painter needs paint brushes to do their work. A lot of the time we tend to spend a fortune on brushes, because lets face it half of the time they aren't the cheapest of items. Now with the aid of eBay and Amazon, there are so many different high-end brushes that have been duped "look-a-likes" that are just as good as the real thing (with the exception of a few misses). With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of eBay dupes for high-end brushes/brush brands.


1. nars yachiyo kabuki brush £43 vs. 
I am all about a splurge from time to time but i have to be honest, i don't think i would ever spend £43 on a single makeup brush, a set yes maybe but not a single brush. With that in mind eBay have an identical dupe for famous NARS yachiyo brush and i bet there is barely any difference, plus you could go through around 25 of the eBay dupes for the price of one NARS brush.

Literally how identical are the two of these brushes and so unique in their shapes, as it is a great really dense brush and perfect for blending all over face products (whether that be foundation or powder). This brush is also one of those dressing table piece items, especially if you are into mixing woods and metals together.

If you really don't justify spending £20+ on technically still a drugstore item/brush, then eBay or Amazon have you covered on that front as they have so many different metal brushes on offer, from single items to sets and talking of sets you can actually buy a few different sets for the price of one single brush. The eBay dupes are also still as weighty feeling as the real deal, which amazes me as the product is obviously a lot less costly.

Another great unique/dual purpose brush that is identical to one from Tarte, this particular brush picks product up so well and is great for applying/blending out cream products, such as contour/concealer etc. The feel of the bristles are super soft yet sturdy and is super handy for travel.

Who doesn't love a good dual ended brow/spoolie brow brush? I know i do, as they are super handy when going in with a brow pomade and you can brush through the brows by simply twisting the brush around. I am also extremely picky when it comes down to the angle/shape of a brow brush and this particular eBay brush is just as great of an angle/density as the ABH number 14.

6. nars ita kabuki brush £43 vs.
eBay flat kabuki contour brush £1.88
Finally we have another brush that i would never justify spending £43 on and it is another ever so famous brush from NARS, that i have actually tried the real deal out before and i wasn't that impressed if i am being completely honest. That being said my friend picked up an eBay dupe for under £2 and it became her favourite contour brush, so naturally i had to give it a try for myself and i actually ended up preferring it.