High End Beauty Haul

High End Beauty Haul

Friday, 29 September 2017

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So it's fair to say I have no self control, but in my defence I haven't brought makeup for about a year and a half, not like this. I had the best time browsing the Debenham's beauty hall, chatting to all the artists and looking at all the new releases. It was the first time I had seen a Kat Von D counter in person in the UK, and how could I not pick up a few items along with a couple of other items I have had my eye on. Once trying, swatching, testing everything in sight!

Kat Von D has the most amazing range of high quality products, it makes it impossible to choose hence why I walked away with so much. The first thing which caught my eye and I haven't heard much about is the Lock It Setting Powder, with Micro Blurring Technology to blur pores, lock down makeup and leave your complexion looking flawless, with a translucent undetectable shade to suit everyone.
Probably most famous are the Liquid Lipsticks, and after trying so many on while hunting for my perfect nude lip I decided on two Lolita and Ludwig both nude shades, which I have been wearing daily with beautiful pigmentation which feels velvety soft on your lips despite drying completely matte and lasting all day.
The Lock It Colour Correcting Primer is another product which I haven't heard much about, but Kat Von D products are made to last and I know this will stay put all day, and keep my eyeshadows in place all day while neutralising my eyelid and creating the perfect base.

Moving onto eyeshadow, Kat Von D's eyeshadow blends like a dream, has an unreliable amount of pigmentation I literally want to own them all. Initially attracted to the quads I brought Plum and Rust to add to my collection, and with these along with the Shade and Light Eye Palette I think I have all basis covered.
The Metal Crush Eyeshadows are UNREAL, the pigmentation is insane with so much shimmer and the colours I literally want to own them all. I picked up Thunderstruck, a pearl shade with a gold undertone which can also be used as a face highlighter. Doce is a metallic copper, perfect for Autumn and Winter and something I know I am going to get so much wear out of.

Lastly the two items which I picked up not from Kat Von D were in fact what I originally went in to get, the Benefit Brightening Concealer which is the revamped version of the original Erase Paste. When this was applied to me on the counter I just loved how amazing it was to blend, without looking cakey but still offering the coverage and brightening qualities that I was looking for.

Illamasqua released their Beyond Powders and I could not wait to get my hands on them, I already want another shade which is slightly lighter for the winter months but I love this slightly warmer shade Epic while I still have a vague tan. I can't wait to test this out more.

I won't need to buy anymore makeup for another fair few months while I test all of these products out, and of course I will be sharing my impressions with you so make sure you check back for them.

Every Day Makeup Routine

Every Day Makeup Routine

Friday, 8 September 2017

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Day to day I don't like to wear much makeup, I keep my eyes very simple and focus on the skin, aiming for lots of glow but to keep any oils under control. Adding some definition to my face, but overall keeping it natural.

My go to foundation for the entirety of the past year has been MAC Face and Body, I love how light this is on the skin, but it can be built to add coverage in areas which need it. I don't use concealer day to day, but simply use a little bit extra foundation in problem areas because it is so light and doesn't cake.

To give myself all the glow, I have been loving Benefit Watts Up highlight, mentioned here in my current favourites. I apply this liberally to all the usual points of my face, with a brush I find this so easy to blend out creating a natural but impressive glow.

Chanel Tan De Soleil is again a favourite from the whole of the past year, my go to for bronzing my face, adding some definition to my cheekbones and giving myself a more natural bronzed look. It blends amazingly with the Face and Body foundation, and Watts Up highlighter giving me a very natural cream based products looked.

To set those three steps in place, my go to highlighter is MAC Soft and Gentle, softly applied to the tops of my cheekbones for some added glow. I use Soap and Glory Solar Powder to add some more definition to my cheek bones and for an all over bronze, and then the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder to set the remainder of my face.

For my brows, I have been reaching for this L'Oreal Brow Artist Genius Kit, a recent purchase which I have been loving. I like to mix the powder and the wax for a more defined look at the tail of my brow, and then just use the powder towards the front.

To add a bit of definition to my eyes I have been using the L'Oreal Paradise Mascara religiously, I am utterly obsessed with this mascara. It gives me tonnes of volume, and makes my lashes extra black making them stand out enough to not need any more eye makeup than just this.

A very simple makeup routine, which can be done in under ten minutes including products which are all my firm favourites.

Do any of these products feature in your everyday makeup routine?

Currently Loving

Currently Loving

Tuesday, 15 August 2017

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I thought it was time to break up all of the travel content I have been bringing you with some more beauty and lifestyle content. Since returning to the UK I have realised just how much stuff I have which I do not need, or want anymore but while having a slight cleanse of my belongings I have rediscovered some old favourites and some new.

Starting with makeup, I have been trying to test and use as much of my makeup collection as possible. Choosing what I want to keep and what can be passed onto a better home, I have rediscovered some real gems! Firstly Benefit's Watts Up Highlighter, I initially didn't get along with this product simply because I was applying it wrong. The best technique I have found is to apply it to the skin with a stippling brush, rather than swiping the product directly onto the skin which leaves it impossible to blend out. The perfect summer glow, I literally smother my face in this stuff!

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder in Light Plus, my new go to setting powder. Day to day I don't like to bake, and therefore don't feel the need to use a loose powder. This is a light powder, doesn't leave you looking at all cakey but can be built up or reapplied through out the day.

The hype around the L'Oreal Paradise mascara has been huge, and when it was time for a replacement mascara I thought I'd give this a go. Let me tell you, there is a hype for a reason. This mascara is so damn good, I cannot get enough of it! Perfect for voluminous lashes, that don't clump and are the blackest black. I do wish they would bring out a waterproof version, although I am sure that is soon to follow.

Look Good Feel Better is a charity I am trying to whole heartily support, helping patients across the UK with the physical side effects of cancer, the offer makeup master classes to help bring back the confidence which lots of cancer patients loose. They have a range of makeup brushes, which not only support this brand but are also amazing, I absolutely love the powder brush but also use the multi tasking brush daily for my foundation, the finishing brush to apply my Watts Up highlighter.

My Osprey card holder has had more use than I ever imagined, I have been preferring the use smaller bags or no bag at all in which case this is perfect because it houses everything I may possibly need. I don't carry cash anymore so all I need is card, driving licence, rail card and thats about it!

I managed to finish my year in Australia with a little more money than I expected to, so after a year of budget travel, hard working and saving I decided to treat myself to a new camera. While initially I had my eye on the well loved Olympus Pen EPL8, after a huge amount of research I decided to go of the Olympus OM-D E-M10II, and I love it! I am still learning how to use it, but can't wait to experiment more with my photography, especially travel photography.

Keeping with the photography theme, I have been printing all of my photos from Australia to scrapbook when I get a chance. I have been relying on Cheerz which is a brand I have used before and have always been very impressed with their quality, if you want to print some photos you can use my code OTTV8W for a discount.

Lastly, my SkinnyDip phone case! They have so many to choose from its impossible to pick just one, I brought this in Australia but since looking on their website there are so many more which I love just as much. If your in the market for a new phone case check them out, I have put a few of my favourites below.