Sunday 29 January 2017

Beauty Haul | Urban Decay, Benefit etc!

Hello!


It had been a long time since I went to the shops and just shopped, browsed the make up section etc so yesterday I decided to remedy this with Christmas gift cards in hand.

I first of all went into Boots, which I was most excited about. I can't remember the last time I went in and just looked at everything and bought what took my fancy! 


I noticed it was 3 for 2 on Eylure, so I picked up 3 pairs of eyelashes as I didn't have any left in my collection. I always used to wear fake eyelashes on nights out and special occasions but I just hadn't got round to buying more. I like more natural one's that don't look heavy but still make my eyelashes look fuller and longer. I chose: Naturals No. 33, Naturals. 020 and Lengthening No. 116. I am particularly interested in trying No. 33 has it is an angled lash with a lengthening finish so I am hoping they will look amazing with winged eyeliner and give a feline look to the eyes.


Then I picked out the Collection Powered by Witch Mattifying Pore Minimiser Primer as I noticed that morning I was coming to the end of my primer. I picked this one because I like witch hazel for acne and my friend recommended it. An absolutely budget friendly primer too so it will be great if it is good!


After, I went over to the Benefit counter. I love Benefit but rarely buy anything from there due to their prices and me liking to save my pennies. However, I thought I'd treat myself by getting the cult favourite Hoola bronzer. I was confident I would like it as everyone and their dog seems to like it so I am looking forward to giving it a go!


Then of course, I also had to lastly pick up my holy grail Batiste dry shampoo. I have spoken about this dry shampoo way too much on my blog as I just can't live without it.


I then went over to John Lewis to check out the Urban Decay counter where I saw the Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in 'Sin'. My friend and I had seen it back in June when we were travelling in Berlin and I instantly fell in love with it. I had been thinking about it ever since so I just went for it! I had space for a decent highlighter in my make up collection and I am extremely excited to use it.


That was it for my make up items. It isn't pictured but I additionally went into Topshop and picked up a 'night out' dress which was on sale from £39.00 to £15.00! My friend spotted it and I fell in love. It is a tight nude coloured dress with black lace overlay and spaghetti straps. There is also another spaghetti strap forming a 'V' over the chest which is what had particularly drawn me to it. 




Sunday 22 January 2017

Real Techniques Your Picks: Berlin Brushes

Hey!


Throughout 2016 I was finding that many of my older make up brushes, from Seventeen, were coming off their handles. I was trying to use stubbly little brushes without the handles, so I knew it was time for some new make up brushes! 


These are the Real Techniques Your Picks: Berlin brushes which were bought for me for Christmas. This design was voted for by fans of Real Techniques to represent art found in Berlin. As you can see, they are white with black splodges, with pink at the end of the handles.


The brush handles are heavier than I'm used to with Real Technique brushes but I suppose that helps give more precision. There are five brushes: Buffing brush, contour brush, stippling brush, deluxe crease brush and base shadow brush.



  • Buffing Brush: For full coverage powder and mineral foundation application. I haven't used it for applying foundation yet as I love my RT Expert Face Brush for that. Instead, I've been using it to apply my powder which is quite good at applying it over large areas. As mentioned, it is fab for full coverage because of its density!

  • Contour Brush: Before this brush I was using a small powder/face brush from Seventeen. Now I've got this contour brush I can contour so much easier. However, because it is dense I need to ensure that I only use a small amount of contour otherwise it starts to go stripey! It's description also says it's good for highlighter so will need to check that out.

  • Stippling Brush: I've read that this is good for an airbrushed look for all types of make up and I honestly agree. I've been using this to stipple over my face after applying foundation and concealer and I'm seeing a difference! Not only does my concealer look more blended in to the foundation but the foundation looks like a part of my skin! It looks flawless and definitely evens out any build up of foundation.

  • Deluxe Crease Brush: This brush is very soft and not dense like the other brushes. I like it best for blending out the edges of my crease colour and under eye colour so the lines aren't harsh.

  • Base Shadow Brush: Another soft brush! I use this to apply my base colour as it is wide but I also like it for blending out the edges of my crease colour too. Love a good multi-task make up brush!



The only fault I can pick with these brushes is that when I got them, there was a bristle coming out of my deluxe crease brush which wouldn't come out. After my first time cleansing the brushes I then had a few bristles come out like that with my other brushes. I haven't had this happen before with Real Technique brushes so it is a bit annoying but hopefully it is just a fault in my own set and not a fault with them in general.


This brush set retails for £24.99 but is currently on sale at £18.74.


Wednesday 18 January 2017

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick 'Lolita'

Hey!


Your girl Briony is back! Beginning University overwhelmed me so much I didn't have time for blogging. However, I've started to really miss it lately so I'm going to try get back into it.


Many months ago I mentioned that my brother went to America and so I asked him to bring me back Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in 'Lolita', before it came to the UK through Debenhams. Today I thought I'd share my review on it!


First of all, can we just say that the 14 year old emo girl in me was screaming when I learned that Kat Von D had her own beauty line. Her artwork is incredible which is beautifully represented on the lipstick packaging in the form of roses. All the artwork on her beauty products just calls out to me.


Lolita is a beautiful brown nude- perfect to go with most make up looks. I absolutely adore the colour and the more layers it has, the browner it looks.


When I first applied this lipstick I didn't have much experience with liquid lipsticks so it was definitely difficult. However, the doefoot applicator is the perfect size for application and over time I have found it easier. By no means am I a liquid lipstick, application expert but I am certainly better! But put it this way- if I was in a rush to get out the door and needed quick make up this wouldn't be my go to lipstick.



The colour dries beautifully matte, which is my favourite finish, and doesn't feel too drying. It is definitely long lasting so I can trust it on a night out or when I am eating. The colour makes my lips look bigger and plumper too, which is a bonus!


To be honest, the only bad thing I can say about this lipstick is that after a couple of reapplications it starts to show up the lines on your lips. This doesn't bother me too much but it is something to consider. 



Overall I absolutely adore this lipstick and is actually my FAVOURITE lipstick in my collection. I always come back to it and I've already got a back up! The colour with a thin application is like no other colour I've seen. Love, love, LOVE!


You can buy this lipstick online Debenhams for £16.00. I've since bought another Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and I'm very likely to buy more!


What do you think of these liquid lipsticks?