Let's Talk: Foundations

A question I always get asked is "What foundation are you wearing" or "What's the best foundation" but unfortunately there is no quick answer. When it comes to collecting makeup, foundations are a category that has quickly become out of hand. I love buying and testing new foundations which means I certainly have a large collection of them. However, today I've decided to discuss with you my most worn and ultimate favourite bases; Bare in mind that everyone's skin is different and a product that works wonders on myself may not be the perfect match on you. I have a normal skin with a tendency to become oily in the TZone therefore I typically prefer a liquid or stick foundation with a matte finish and a medium to full coverage.  But without further a do, if you would like to know my top 7 foundations then keep on reading...

Nars Sheer Glow

For those girls with dry or dehydrated skin this is the perfect foundation for you due to its luminous and dewy finish, however I feel as though it could work on most skin types. It has great coverage and gives a flawless finish even with any large pores, texture, dry patches or blemishes. My prefered method of application is with a beauty blender and a little goes a long way with this foundation which is a good thing since it lasts a very long time. I have it in the shade 'Mont Blanc' which is a great match and I dont find it to oxidise throughout the day. Once set with powder it's longwearing and makes my skin look simply perfect. I have purchased this foundation 3 times now which suggests it's a favourite; my only complaint would be the separate purchase for the pump that i feel should be included since it's a fairly expensive product. 

Mac Studio Fix

This product has been a trusty makeup companion for years and has been repurchased countless times. It's my go-to foundation that has a medium, buildable coverage that is also fairly matte, so it helps to combat my oily areas. I wouldn't recommend this foundation to those with a dry skin as I feel it could cling to dry patches nonetheless in my opinion it would work perfectly for oily/combination skin types. As a very pale person, I wear NC15 which i find to be a great colour match. I choose to either apply this with a dampened beauty blender or my Artis brush and I am able to achieve a perfect finish. Again this foundation doesnt come with the pump and you have to purchase it separately but it's such a minor setback to how much I love this product.

Too Faced Born This Way

This is a great foundation for those with combination/dry skin due to it's moisturising factors and it is also fragrance free making it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.It works well to cover uneven skin tone with its medium to full coverage and I love the packaging of this product which luckily comes with a pump. I like to apply this with a dampened beauty blender and I am left with a beautiful dewy looking base that once powdered stays put for hours. I have it in the shade 'Snow' which I find to be the perfect colour match for me. 

Loreal True Match

This is my favourite drugstore foundation that I find compares to my more expensive bases. It is drugstore which suggests it's very reasonably priced so if you're on a budget and are looking for a product that performs like a high end foundation for half the price this could be the one for you. Again, this would be the perfect foundation for those with combination skin. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with overly dry or extremely oily skin as it feel it might not suit you. I find this to be an incredibly smooth foundation with a satin finish and brilliant coverage. The texture is so silky when applied to the skin with a beauty blender and it really blends so easily. This is the best budget foundation I've found for lasting power, once set it can wear for hours.

Estee Lauder Double Wear

This is the foundation I will wear when I know I'm having a long day and I want my makeup to still be intact by the evening. This is hands down the best product for staying power and it's a great medium to full coverage foundation that is suitable for oily, combination or normal skin. For those with a more dry skin types I would perhaps suggest using the hydrating primer or thick moisturiser before using as I think It could possibly cling to any dry areas you may have present. A little goes a long way with this and I enjoy applying it with either a beauty blender or my Artis brush in order to get a flawless finish. In terms of finish I wouldn't say it's either matte or dewy and i dont find it to oxidise throughout the day. The packaging is very classic and beautiful but it doesnt come with a pump so I actually use a Mac pump on this foundation!

Makeup Forever HD Foundation Stick

For those days when I want a quick and easy makeup look this is my go-to foundation. When applied with the Zoeva Buffer brush it takes a matter of seconds to apply the stick foundation straight onto the face and buff it into the skin. It's very creamy and is simply a dream to blend, without effort you are able to get a medium coverage with a satin finish that looks smooth and flawless. This foundation works great on my combination skin although I can imagine it would stick to dry patches so be aware if you have dry skin that you will need to use a hydrating primer beforehand. I was worried that this might enhance or settle into my pores although it actually glides over them making my complexion look perfect. It definitely needs setting with a powder to ensure it doesnt slip around the skin or separate after a few hours but once set it lasts for a good 7 hours.

Mac Studio Sculpt

This is a very creamy foundation with a medium buildable coverage which is hydrating and claims to be water resistant also. It 's a great foundation for dry to combination skin however if you are overly oily i'm not sure this would work for you. It's the perfect colour match and i find it to look natural whilst still providing great coverage and hiding any imperfections and redness. It's easy to apply with a beauty blender however the consistency of the foundation is quite thick and sticky so it definitely needs setting with a powder. You also only need a small amount of product so it's certainly going to last you a long time. 

I really hope that you have enjoyed this post and It's perhaps helped you to find your perfect foundation. Is there a foundation that you think I would absolutely love, let me know in the comments as I'm always willing to try more. 

With love, 

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libra | Review

Today I decided to bring you a mini review on this Chanel Powder which I have been testing for the past few weeks. Before trying this I was using the RCMA no colour powder however the packaging soon became an annoyance and I'd been on the lookout for a new loose powder to replace that one. I then came across the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libra Loose Powder and figured I would give it a try. So, without further a do here are my thoughts on this product. 

First of all, it goes without saying that the packaging is simply stunning as all Chanel products are, It's most certainly a dressing table decor piece. My prefered method of application is with a beauty blender (although it does come with a Chanel Powder Puff); I like to press it into the skin as I find it ensures I stay matte all day and it keeps my makeup in place for absolute hours. The product itself is very finely milled which allows for a smooth finish without looking cakey, thick or dry. It has a natural finish that is light and weightless although i find it very mattifying without looking flat. Any other powder products i apply on top always blend seamlessly and I never have to re-touch throughout the day. I have it in the shade 20 Clair and it's a great match for my NC15 skin tone.The package itself is quite large, containing what seems to be an inexhaustible amount of product which I doubt I'll be using up anytime soon; It has a subtle scent that isn't noticeable upon application. 

The first day that i tried this foundation I wore it with my Makeup Forever HD foundation stick and after being at work all day in the heat I got home and my base was still flawless. This for me is a true test of a powder as it's very important for my base to stay matte and to ensure the oil is kept at bay especially on my T Zone. It works wonderfully to set my concealer ensuring that it doesnt crease and looks impeccable. Because of that I would most certainly recommend this powder despite the fact it's pricey I for sure think it's worth it. This product has now taken place of the RCMA and Laura Mercier powders as I honestly think it's the best! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you've tried this powder let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Would you like me to continue doing posts and mini reviews on products as It's something I could definitely do. 

With Love, 

Mac Lipstick Collection

 I feel as though this is one of the most typical beauty blogger posts, which I was yet to do myself. However I figured it was only right that I shared with you my Mac lipstick collection. Mac are hands down my favourite brand of lipsticks and so far I have a grand total of 14 although I'm always happy to buy more. As you can tell I'm quite the fan of a nude and it seems I have the perfect selection in which I have a lipstick to compliment every look I create. With that in mind I am very pleased with my ever growing collection and I hope you enjoy this post! Also, if there's a lipstick I dont have that you think I'd love please let me know :)

Whirl

I bought this lipstick around the time of the Kylie Jenner nude lip craze and it's probably one of my most worn shades. It's a browny nude on my lips and personally I like to wear it with something like 'Honeylove' in the centre to lighten it a little. It's a matte that is super comfortable on the lips and has great staying power. When I want a bolder nude lip this is always my go-to. The one thing i particularly love about Mac lipstick are that they fade evenly which is something I find important especially when wearing darker colours. 

Twig

Twig lipstick has a gorgeous satin-finish that applies softly as all mac lipsticks do, and it is very pigmented a rich in colour. Its color sits in the middle(not pale,not too brown,not peachy) so it's safe for everyday wear. I wear this lipstick alot when wearing a pink/ rose gold toned eye, like the naked 3 palette as I feel it compliments the look well. 

Honeylove

I bought this lipstick a few years ago after a recommendation from a beauty guru on youtube and initially  I thought it'd be too light for my skin tone and would give me that awful 'concealer lip' look however I couldn't have been more wrong. I feel like this is a standard muted nude that honestly pairs with every look which is why it is one of my absolute favourite lipsticks.  

Velvet Teddy

I'm pretty sure everybody owns this shade and for a good reason too. It was my first ever MAC lipstick and still one of my favourites to this day. An added bonus to Mac lipsticks is their sweet vanilla scent which makes the application even more enjoyable as they smell delicious. On me Velvet Teddy is quite a dark nude with a matte finish although it not the slightest bit drying on the lips. I believe this is a universal shade which would suit almost everyone and with that being said I would certainly recommend this lipstick.

Blankety

This has become my everyday go to nude whenever I'm unsure what colour to wear on my lips. My brother kindly bought me this shade for christmas as it had been on my wishlist for a while. It's a beautiful pale pink that does have a slight grey tone to it so I use it with stone liner to enhance that aspect. It has a stunning demi-gloss finish and the formula is exceptionally pigmented and creamy whilst still being long lasting for a cream formula. 

Cherish

Cherish is a matte peachy, warm brown nude. Once again, I love the finish. It feels so light and moisturizing on my lips, without having a sticky or uncomfortable texture. If you find 'Velvet Teddy' to be too dark for your complexion then I would most certainly recommend that you try this lipstick as it's a shade lighter which will compliment the fairer skin tones. 

Brave

I would describe Brave to be a medium dusty pink with hints of brown making it a great everyday muted shade for medium complexions especially. It more on the cooler tone with a satin finish. I bought this shade a while back when searching for my perfect pinky nude and it is a firm favourite in my collection. It's smooth to apply, long wearing and looks great with 'Soar' lip liner. 

Modesty

When I first got this lipstick I wore it everyday for a solid 2 months. I find it to be so flattering on my skintone and it goes with every look i create. I would describe it as a rosey pink that is so easy to wear and looks great layered with other shades. I always feel comfortable while wearing this since it has a cremesheen finish. 

Plumful

This is my newest Mac Lipstick that to be honest, I've only tried once however I did really enjoy it. It's a plum shade (as the name would describe) which I think will come in handy when I want to wear a brighter colour that it still somewhat subtle. The lustre finish is very easy to apply and looks very natural and effortless on the lips. 

Mocha

I absolutely adore this lipstick! Mocha, on me is an orangey/peachy brown that I love to wear whenever I'm wearing a burnt orange smokey eye (such as morphe 35o). It is one of the most unique shades of brown I have come across and that's why I love it so much. It's highly pigmented which allows it to wear for 6-8 hours whilst always feeling comfortable and not the slightest bit drying. If you love wearing brown lipsticks and are looking a different shade of brown then you need to give this one a try. 

VIVA GLAM VI

I ordered this lipstick after a recommendation from a friend although I have to say it's my least worn shade. 

I love its warm terracotta-plum shade itself nonetheless I just dont reach for it. Perhaps writing this post will encourage me to wear this colour more often. 

Russian Red

I got this lipstick around Christmas time as I felt I was missing a true red in my collection. I normally wear nudes everyday but on Christmas day at work I pulled out this red and decided to give it a try. I was worried the shade wouldnt suit me as it's not something I'm used to but with a simple eye look, it looked classy and beautiful. It's a comfortable matte to use that glides on the lips without tugging, and has great lasting power that fades easily leaving a slight stain on the lips. If you're looking for a classic red lipstick then I would suggest checking this one out.

Myth

This is another colour that my brother kindly got me for Christmas and when I first tried it I wasn't sure as it's a difficult shade to work with. With that being said, i believe it works well as a highlighting shade for the centre of the lips when wearing a darker colour such as 'Whirl'. 

Faux

Faux is a lovely shade that works well for all skin tones. It is a really pretty muted pink-nude color that I find to be perfect for everyday wear, especially topped off with some lip gloss. The satin finish is always a win, since it's neither too dry or creamy. I think it compliments any look, as long as it's more cool toned oriented as I feel it clashes with warm looks.

And that concludes my Mac Lipstick Collection....I hope you enjoyed this post and found it somewhat helpful. Like I said, let me know if you think there is a shade I am missing in my collection as a girl can never have too many lipsticks right?

My Mac Blush Collection

I'm here today to show you my MAC blush collection! These blushers are my absolute favourites and are very well loved in my entire blusher collection. 

• Well Dressed. This was my first blusher by Mac and I discovered it during its  moment on YouTube when all the beauty gurus raved about it. It's a gorgeous light baby pink, that is great if you want a flush of pink on the cheeks.
• Mocha. This is an extremely realistic, "flushed" looking blush that I would describe as the perfect pink with neutral/slightly mauve undertones.
• Desert Rose. In my eyes this is a beautiful dusky rose pink that looks neutral without being too overly pink. It's very pigmented and a little goes a long way so there's no need for a heavy hand. 
• Plum Foolery. It's a plum toned blush with a touch of pink and shimmer. I normally like just a flush of colour on my cheeks however I surprisingly love this shade. I do have to be careful not to overdo it because it's highly pigmented.  I adore this in the autumn time especially paired with Twig lipstick. 
• Pinch Me. It’s a medium-toned matte rosy brown. The blush is certainly buildable and easy to apply. Though this is a sheertone blush, it is still quite pigmented.  
• Margin.I would describe this as a sheer shimmery peach blush that goes with every makeup look I do. It gives the skin an effortless glow and it has such a creamy texture. 
• Melba. Melba is a warm peachy colour that is great on every skin tone, it just warms up your complexion beautifully. Since it is a matte finish, it is very pigmented, easily applied and smooth.

 I hope you enjoyed reading about my small (but continuously growing) collection of MAC blushers! What's your favourite MAC blush?

With love,

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Collection

Ever since Makeup Geek launched in the UK (all thanks to Beauty Bay), I have assembled quite the collection. I am a huge lover of Beauty Bay and recommend their website to everyone. I have made many orders to collect this amount of eyeshadows and in total i have 69 colours. I store all my Makeup Geek eyeshadows in the Extra Large Z Palettes which I also purchased off Beauty Bay. I havent done swatches purely for the fact it would take me absolutely ages however I'm sure you can find plenty of swatches elsewhere online. With that being said I hope you enjoy this post nonetheless and let me know if you have any of the Makeup Geek eyeshadows, and what are your faves?

Row 1:

Rapunzel

Shimma Shimma

Beaches & Cream

Peach Smoothie

Creme Brulee

Chickadee

Untamed 

Row 2:

Frappe

Latte 

Barcelona Beach

Cocoa Bear

Fortune Teller

Magic Act

Gold Digger

Row 3:

 Homecoming 

Americano

Mesmerised

Starry Eyed

Whimsical

In the Spotlight

Cosmopolitan

Row 4: 

Mango Tango 

Flame Thrower 

Morocco

Poppy

Showtime

Bitten

Cherry Cola

Row 5:

Burlesque

Anarchy

Twilight 

Confection

Petal Pusher

Vintage 

Cupcake

Row 1:

White Lies

Prom Night 

Mocha 

Pretentious

Mesmerised

Unexpected

Daydreamer

Row 2:

  Hopscotch

Chit Chat

Wisteria

Curfew

Sensuous 

Caitlin Rose 

Motown

Row 3:

Taboo

Drama Queen

Mermaid 

Poolside

Neptune

Peacock

Envy

Row 4:

Boo Berry

Time Travel

Center Stage

Houdini

Jester 

Dirty Martini 

Enchanted Forest

Row 5:

Bedrock 

Concrete Jungle 

High Wire 

Stealth 

Galaxy 

Corrupt

I hope you enjoyed this short but sweet post on my Makeup Geek eyeshadow collection. Like i said, let me know your opinion on Makeup Geek eyeshadows and what are your favourite shades? Also, how would you feel about an eyeshadow palette collection. I'm quite the fan of a palette, but who isn't right? 

With love, 

Brand Focus | MAC Cosmetics

I began this series on my blog a while back in which I discussed my favourite products from one certain brand. My previous brand focus was on NARS and today I figured I would talk about MAC.

 MAC was in fact the first high end brand that I'd ever tried and since then after discovering a variety of other brands its still one of my go-to's. So without further-ado here are my favourite MAC Cosmetics products.

Studio Fix Foundation

I first purchased this foundation 3 years ago and it was in fact my first ever high end makeup item. I have gone through a large handful of bottles of this and I continue to repurchase it over and over again. It's a natural matte finish with great coverage. It works especially well on normal to oily skin and is very long wearing. The only downside to this product is that you have to purchase the pump separately however that can be overlooked because of the fact I love it so much.

Studio Fix Powder
In my opinion this is a classic powder that everyone needs to try at least once. I bought this powder just after the studio fix foundation as they are known for complimenting each other well and it became my everyday powder for years. It makes your skin look flawless and it sets your foundation with an extra layer of coverage. It isn't cakey or drying on the skin and ensures my makeup lasts all day. After using it for 3 years I've only just had to buy my second one which suggests it lasts a long time. 

Mineralised Skinfinish in 'Soft & Gentle'
I bought this highlighter just after Mac changed their packaging and it's been a favourite in my collection.  This is a cult classic and one of the oldest highlights on the market. It's a glittery neutral champagne that is very buildable and can go from a light highlight to a full glam glow. When sunlight hits your face, you instantly look fresh and dewy. The compact will last you a long time as a little goes a long way.
  

Velvet Teddy
I purchased this lipstick around the time of the Kylie Jenner nude lip craze and I have so much love for this lipstick. This is the matte lipstick that will most likely outlive any other nude shade in my collection. Whenever I'm unsure on what colour to put on my lips this shade always compliments the look perfectly. It has a smooth application and i dont find it at all drying on the lips. It's long lasting and as it's more of a subtle colour I feel it wears well throughout the day and fades evenly. 

Nylon

I must admit that I haven't tried many MAC eye shadows as I think there are many more eye shadows on the market that offer better quality at a lower price, however nylon is my ultimate favourite for highlighting my inner corner and brow bone. Just recently I've starting using it to highlight my cheekbones and it works beautifully for that too. Its the perfect yellow tone and I honestly could not go a day without using it. If I were to recommend one mac eye shadow to you it would most certainly be this one.

Pigment in 'Blue Brown'
I cannot say enough positive things about this product. This is one of those rare eye-shadow products that deserves way more love than it gets. The colour is absolutely stunning and with MAC fix plus applies smoothly and with an incredible intensity. I would describe the shade as a medium reddish brown with blue duochrome. Because it's so highly pigmented you only need a small amount which means this product will most likely last me a lifetime. I reach for it regularly and always get complimented on my eye makeup whenever I wear it. 

Paint Pot in 'Painterly'
I would say I've been using this product for just over a year and I could not live without it now. This shadow is a great primer, base or color to wear alone. I apply it onto the lid and all the way up to the brow bone and it brightens the whole area. The formula is super creamy and I apply it with the Zoeva concealer buffer brush and then set it with my face powder. I'm on my second pot now and can imagine I will continue to repurchase it again and again as I've never found an eye primer i love as much as this one. 

Extended Play Mascara

This mascara is absolutely perfect for your bottom lashes as it separates and lengthens. The brush is the perfect size as it is very thin and long which makes it easy to really get into your lashes. It doesn't flake, smudge or get clumpy. I bought this product around 6 months ago and use it almost everyday. It's easy to apply in the morning, lasts all day and is easily removed at night so I would definitely repurchase it. 

Thankyou for reading this post, i hope you enjoyed it! What is your ultimate favourite MAC product, let me know in the comments below. And what brand would you like me to focus on next?

With love,

Review: Zoeva Rose Gold Complete Eye Kit

I was shopping online for beauty products and stumbled across Zoeva brushes. I had heard quite a bit about this brand from various beauty bloggers which of course sucked me into buying them myself. I am now seriously obsessed with Zoeva and they've fast become one of my favourite make-up brush brands. I used to swear by Real Technique brushes (and I still love them) but Zoevas brushes have blown me away. Before we start, I feel like I am obligated to mention that I am a make-up brush addict so it takes a lot to impress me. Now that's out the way, lets get started. 

To begin, I have had these brushes for 2 months now so I feel as though I have tested them out enough to give you a satisfactory review on whether they are worth the money or not. So lets get the facts out the way; this brush set comes with 12 brushes that are a mixture of synthetic and natural hair. Natural hair works wonders for powder products as they are loaded with texture so you'll get a better application.Synthetic brushes are great to use with liquid or cream products because they wont trap make-up. 

The overall appearance of the brushes are beautiful and the selection is perfect, you get all the brushes you need for any eye look and more. It also comes with a stunning faux leather bag that is perfect for travelling. 
This set is £56.95 which is an absolute steal compared to Mac brushes. I purchased mine from Beauty Bay and got free next day delivery which was a bonus! So I'm going to take you one by one to let you know my opinion on the brush and how I use it. 

Luxe Soft Definer Brush- 227 

This brush is very comparable to the Mac 217 brush that many people rave about, however I don't personally own that brush. This brush does an amazing job at blending products that you've already deposited into your crease to get a defused look. I think its too big to fit into the crease to apply colour precisely however its the perfect tool for creating smooth transitions between eye-shadows. 


Luxe Define Crease Brush- 224

This brush has a completely flat top which makes it great for blending in the outer corner of the eye and also the crease. You can easily add a darker colour and blend it into the crease while remaining precise. This brush gives me an accurate application for producing a cut crease and it could also be used for contouring down the nose or applying powder under the eyes. 

Concealer Brush- 142

Because of it's dome shape this brush is the perfect size for getting into the contours of the eye to apply and blend concealer or powder. As its very dense you could use it to apply cream products onto the eye lid. 

Luxe Pencil Brush- 230

This is your typical pencil brush that has a pointed top and stiff bristles; its not rough on your eyes like some pencil brushes can be. This is another one of my favourites and I personally like to use this to smoke out shadows under the eye to get a nicely blended lash line. 

Luxe Petite Crease Brush- 231

This brush is great for producing a cut crease because of its dome shape which also creates precise application when adding darker colours into the deep crease and outer corner. It could also be used to smoke out eye-shadow on the lower lash-line. 


Luxe Crease Brush- 228 

I think that a fluffy brush is a must have in any make-up brush collection for popping in a transition colour just so you have a base to work with when you are blending your eye-shadows out.This brush is perfect for getting in the crease because of its pointy edge and it also works well to defuse colour because its tapered. If you were to only buy one brush from Zoeva I would recommend this one because its amazing. 


Luxe Smoky Shader Brush- 234

This brush is a complete dupe for mac 239 in fact they are identical. 
I use this brush to pack on lose or pressed eye-shadow onto lid because of how dense it is as a posed to using a fluffy brush which will give you more a defused look on your lids. 


Brow Line Brush- 322

This is wide brush with short bristles which is something you don't typically see but it works ideally to apply eye-shadow on your upper and lower lash line. This brush makes creating the perfect square for your brow so much easier Its nice and firm and the hairs are short which helps the colour apply well into your brows 

Smudger Brush- 226

This brush has packed bristles which works well to apply or smudge shadow or coal liner in the lash-line. You could also use this to conceal or highlight on the brow bone. 

Detail Shader Brush- 237

This small flat shader brush is great for applying details in your make-up like eye-shadow in a certain small area.  It works Great for applying highlighter in the inner corner, brow bone,  or to add eye-shadow very precisely. You could also use it to smoke out the lower lash-line.  

Wing Liner Brush- 317

This brush is very thin which means its easy to create a cat eye look with gel liner however I have been using it on my brows which works wonderfully. The bristles are not too soft or stiff and its thin enough for precise lines. 


Fine Liner Brush- 315

This brush is used for winged eye-liner and is a great brush for someone who's too afraid to use eye-liner as you can get into the roots of your lashes. To be honest I'm still on the fence with this brush. I'm not really an eye-liner girl so this brush didn't really appeal to me anyway. This is a nice brush if you like bent liner brush, I just have to get used to using it. It could also be used to apply lashes. 


Overall I am very happy with my purchase! I have plenty of other eye brushes, but I enjoyed using these so much more so I would say if you have the money to splurge these brushes are totally worth the price. 

http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/zoeva/completeeyebrushset/