My Favourite Low End Highlighters
2 November 2016
I have to apologise, big time! I have not updated my blog for such a long time and I promise I have a good reason. So basically, I am the most disorganised person ever and the biggest procrastinator yet.
Ok ok that's not exactly the reason but it kind of is. I was offered new job in Manchester over a month ago. YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! It is such amazing news, I am super pumped. I spent most of my days looking for available properties within my budget and in a decent distance to work. I spent my nights thanking God for my new job and praying that I don't move to the crime central of Manchester. And my weekends were filled with me jumping on trains, viewing properties, walking around Manchester in awe and decluttering my apartment. After all the disappointing house viewings and stress of moving to the new city, I am ectastic to be in Manchester and I'm loving the j-o-b.
So into the blog post I go, I am a big big fan of highlighting. I absolutely love a healthy glow. My makeup look is not complete without my cheek bones, brow bone, bridge of nose, cupid's bow and chin glowing. I appreciate a good highlighter more during the Autumn and Winter months, there's just a way the colder temperature makes my makeup super matte and almost a little dull. I have decided to share with you my favourite low-end highlighters.
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| Left to Right: Technic Get Gorgeous Bronzing Highlighter, Kiko Water Eyeshadow 208 |
Kiko Water Eyeshadow 208
Safe to say that this eyeshadow is a cult favourite. It has been termed as the dupe for the MAC Whisper of Guilt. I was not lucky enough to get my paws on the MAC Limited Edition Extra Dimension. I have to say this is an amazing highlight, funny enough, I have never used it as an eyeshadow. This eyeshadow is such a stunning light gold colour. I am sure it would be absolutely beautiful on the eyelids. Basically, you are getting an eyeshadow and a highlighter for the lovely price of £8.80. If you are like me and you always walk into Kiko when there is a sale (they are always on one sale or the other), you could get this eyeshadow for half the price.Technic Get Gorgeous Bronzing Highlighter
This is the cheapest highlighter I own and that has not reduced the quality of this highlighter. The only thing that points to cheap with this highlighter is the flimsy packaging which I forgive. I mean it is a £2 highlighter. This gold toned highlighter is very easy to apply and has a beautiful pigmentation, so a little goes a long way. It has a beautiful texture and is easy to blend. It comes off on the skin as a beautiful gold shimmer. |
| Left to Right: Makeup Revolution Rock on World, Makeup Revolution Ready To Go |
Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Bronzer Rock On World
This is a staple highlighter for me and a major fave. It is actually a baked bronzer but on my NW50 skin tone, it is a perfect highlighter. Rock On World is a dark copper with metallic sheen. The pigmentation on this baked bronzer is super intense. It is also long wearing. The best of everything is that it only comes to £4. If you are lucky enough to waltz into Superdrug on one of their 3 products for the price of 2, you could get this baked bronzer for free.
Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Bronzer Ready To Go
When I saw this Baked Bronzer, I was surprised because I can't see it as a bronzer on any skin tone. I was sure it would make a nice highlighter on me and I am not disappointed. The pigmentation, as is the case with the other Makeup Revolution items I own, is everything. It has a beautiful shimmer. It blends very easily so you don't need to panic if you are little heavy handed. Due to the pigmentation of this Baked Bronzer, you can use this to create a full on look or you can use it the way I usually do, for a subtle natural glow. |
| Top to Bottom: Sleek Solstice Palette, NYX Liquid Illuminator |
NYX Liquid Illuminator Pure Gold
This is a liquid highlighter which is very different from my regular powder highlighters. This liquid gold is amazing under foundation for an effortless all over sun kissed glow.This highlighter is not only perfect on the face but also to create a glow on your decolletage. Next time you are wearing an off shoulder outfit, rub some of the NYX on your skin and see how many compliments you'll get. It applies and blends very easily
Sleek Highlighting Palette Solstice
This palette comes with four unique highlighters for the amazing price of £9.99. The highlighters are very pigmented with great longevity. I won't go into detail, you can read my full review here.What are some of your favourite low end highlighters?
Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette Review
26 September 2016
If you read beauty blogs or if you are on Instagram, then you have probably seen the Sleek Solistice Highlighting Palette. I had been seeing this palette on blogs but I still wasn't sure how it would be on a woman with my skin tone. I decided to get it when Boots was doing a 2 for £12 sale on Sleek products, I feel like all my blog posts have this line. What can I say? I LOVE a good sale. With only £6 to lose, I decided to take a step of faith and purchase this palette.
Sleek is known for their black matte packaging so the packaging of this palette really sets it apart from its peers. The Sleek Makeup Solstice Highlighting Palette comes in a shiny, warm gold metallic compact complete with a mirror and a magnetic closure.
The palette comes with instructions on how to use the different shades. I've never been one to follow instruction so I've never used the palette the way Sleek suggests. It also comes with a small stiff brush so I advise that you get a nice brush to apply this product, I suggest the Real Techniques Setting brush (you can check out my mini review here)
The palette is so beautiful on the outside but the inside contains the real beauty. The actual highlighters look good enough to eat. I did not use this palette for like two weeks because of fear of making it imperfect.
The palette comes with two baked powders, one luxurious cream formula and one silky shimmer powder. All of them have a very creamy formula.
I am going to attempt to do my very best to describe the colours but they are so unique that I am not even sure how to articulate the exact description.
Ecliptic is a bronzy gold cream highlighter. Sleek advises that you use it to highlight the brow bone but I have used this on my cheeks, chin and bridge of the nose.
Hemisphere is a lilac baked powder. I was afraid of this shade, I mean it's lilac. It is very unlike anything I've ever used. But the pigmentation is so intense and it just looks stunning. Sleek recommends using it on the cheek bones.
Subsolar is a yellow silky shimmer powder. It creates a gorgeous golden shimmer. Sleek advises using it on the bridge of the nose.
Equinox is the other baked powder and it is a peachy shimmery powder. Sleek recommends using it on to highlight the cupid's bow.
From the swatches, you can see how pigmented the highlighters in this palette are. They are very smooth, creamy and blendable. They don't appear patchy on the skin and they are very long wearing.
I have used every shade in this palette and I can find no fault. Four highlighters for even the full retail price of £10 is a steal as far as I'm concerned.
However, if you hurry, you can still get 2 items from the Sleek stand Boots for £12.
Sleek is known for their black matte packaging so the packaging of this palette really sets it apart from its peers. The Sleek Makeup Solstice Highlighting Palette comes in a shiny, warm gold metallic compact complete with a mirror and a magnetic closure.
The palette comes with instructions on how to use the different shades. I've never been one to follow instruction so I've never used the palette the way Sleek suggests. It also comes with a small stiff brush so I advise that you get a nice brush to apply this product, I suggest the Real Techniques Setting brush (you can check out my mini review here)
The palette is so beautiful on the outside but the inside contains the real beauty. The actual highlighters look good enough to eat. I did not use this palette for like two weeks because of fear of making it imperfect.
The palette comes with two baked powders, one luxurious cream formula and one silky shimmer powder. All of them have a very creamy formula.
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| Top - Left to Right - Ecliptic, Hemisphere Bottom - Left to Right - Subsolar, Equinox |
I am going to attempt to do my very best to describe the colours but they are so unique that I am not even sure how to articulate the exact description.
Ecliptic is a bronzy gold cream highlighter. Sleek advises that you use it to highlight the brow bone but I have used this on my cheeks, chin and bridge of the nose.
Hemisphere is a lilac baked powder. I was afraid of this shade, I mean it's lilac. It is very unlike anything I've ever used. But the pigmentation is so intense and it just looks stunning. Sleek recommends using it on the cheek bones.
Subsolar is a yellow silky shimmer powder. It creates a gorgeous golden shimmer. Sleek advises using it on the bridge of the nose.
Equinox is the other baked powder and it is a peachy shimmery powder. Sleek recommends using it on to highlight the cupid's bow.
From the swatches, you can see how pigmented the highlighters in this palette are. They are very smooth, creamy and blendable. They don't appear patchy on the skin and they are very long wearing.
I have used every shade in this palette and I can find no fault. Four highlighters for even the full retail price of £10 is a steal as far as I'm concerned.
However, if you hurry, you can still get 2 items from the Sleek stand Boots for £12.
Do you have any of the Sleek Highlighting Palettes? What do you think about them?
Sleek MakeUP Cream Contour Kit
20 September 2016
I love Sleek products, I am a huge fan of their eyeshadow palettes, blushes, highlighters and lipsticks. Sleek's original powder contour kit gained so much popularity on the beauty scenes but it just wasn't dark enough for me so I never bought it. When I came across their Cream Contour Kit, I was excited to try it out. Superdrug was doing a buy 2 for £10 sale on all Sleek products, since this product retails for £10.99, that was an offer I could not refuse.
The Cream Contour Kit is housed in a beautiful matte black plastic case. On the inside, there is a big mirror on one side and the cream contours are on the side. The packaging looks really good, only thing is it can be a little difficult to open.
This cream contour kit comes in three different shades - light, medium and dark. I bought this Contour kit in shade Dark. Each contour kit comes with six different shades - two highlight and four contour.
Sleek includes a guide on how to use the Cream Contour Kit, which is wonderful for beginners or someone who is overwhelmed by all the different shades in the kit.
The concealers looked great and I had extremely high hopes for them. They have a smooth consistency and are quite creamy so blending was pretty easy.
The fact that there are six shades means you can mix colours to get your desired contour or highlight. Also, if you are a makeup artist, the variety of colours mean you can use it on different clients.
The Sleek Cream Contour kit fell short of my expectations. I was disappointed by how sheer the concealers were. The pigmentation is poor and only creates a very light coverage, as far as I am concerned.
The lighter shades were especially thin. What I noticed was that after blending my under eye area, the darkness would still come through. So I have to say this is one Sleek product I am disappointed in.
The shades in this Dark kit disappointed me. The contour colours don't go dark enough, no matter how much you layer it, the contour is not visible.
The Sleek Cream Contour kit has a creamy and light texture but it is not for someone who is looking for a nice coverage. Boots has them on a 2 for £12 offer if you are interested.
Do you own this palette? Tell me what you think.
NYX Liquid Suede Amethyst Review
12 September 2016
I was introduced to the NYX lip products through their Soft Matte Lip Creams. Yikes, that was a disappointment but I tend to be very forgiving, so when I went to the NYX counter I still looked at their lip products. The NYX Liquid Suede in Amethyst struck me and after swatching it, I decided to give the NYX lip line another chance. I am so glad I did because I really love the Liquid Suede in Amethyst.
The NYX Liquid Suede comes in a sturdy plastic barrel tube with a flat doe foot applicator. The applicator has a long tip which I don't mind, but I have fuller lips so that could be a factor. For me. the elongated applicator makes it easier for me to apply the lipstick.
Amethyst is a bright blue tone purple. It is just as NYX describes 'a plush and vibrant colour'. It is extremely pigmented and gives a good colour pay off with just one application. I never apply just one coat of lipstick, so I think it takes 2 to 3 coats for me to perfectly satisfied, but that is my preference and not because of the Liquid Suede. I find that it applies streak free. I recommed using a lip liner with this.
The Liquid Suede is a lightweight formula and although it dries matte, it is very non drying. It looks matte but feels velvety. It does take a while long time to dry so just be patient. This lipstick has a very creamy texture which makes it easy to apply, it glides on easily on the lips making for an enjoyable application and it is very comfortable on the lips. I find that the Liquid Suede is very moisturising and does not dry out the lips as the day goes on, which is a major turn off for me with liquid lipsticks. It does not stain the lips and it wipes off easily which is both a positive and a negative depending on how you look at it.
This Liquid Suede is quite long wearing. I wore it to for 6 hours and it did very well. It did not flake or crack on me. It is waterproof but I just hate that it is not transfer free which has to be a major con of this lippie.
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| I am wearing NYX Liquid Suede in Amethyst with Kiko Lip Pencil 512 |
As you can see, it is a very flattering colour on me, if I may say so myself.
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I added a white pencil in the middle to give an ombre effect.
Do you own any of the NYX Liquid Suede? What colours and what do you think about them?
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Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours The Brave Review
7 September 2016
I went into Superdrug one day for something totally unrelated and I spotted the Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours The Brave tester. As soon as I met this palette, I just knew I had to have it. It was love at first sight, so you can imagine my disappointment when I found out it was out of stock. I trolled the Superdrug stores in my area almost everyday with no luck. The retail assistant had to advise me to get it online, but I really hate buying makeup online. Guess I'm not a fan of all the waiting and hoping against hope that the palette doesn't come with 3 damaged eyeshadows. The fact that it was not in stock for months only made me want it more, talk about wanting what you can't have. I'm sure you can imagine the immense joy I felt when I saw that the little Superdrug in the city had this palette.
OK let's talk about the palette, Makeup Revolution makes a number of eyeshadow palettes but Fortune Favours the Brave was the first one I bought and I was not disappointed.
The eyeshadows come housed in this stunning matte gold packaging. Its like nothing I've seen before. Plus their palette comes with a full sized mirror and a double ended applicator brush and not the flimsy sponges that are in staple in eyeshadow palettes. I'm not saying the brush is particularly amazing but A for effort.
I love the range of colours and the fact that one can achieve a variety of looks that with this palette.
The palette contains a mix of matte shadows, glimmers and some sheen ones. The palette has four baked eyshadows which I really really love. The baked eyeshadows and the darker colours are more pigmented than the lighter ones. I always use a primer with my eyeshadows to ensure the best colour payoff.
30 eyeshadows for £9.99. I have to say that's a steal plus Superdrug is almost always doing one sale or the other.
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| FIRST ROW |
This is my first set of swatches, I struggled to get some decent pictures so I apologise for that. I'm learning.
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| SECOND ROW |
I have not used a primer with these swatches.
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| THIRD ROW |
And you can see that some colours barely show up on my skin so make sure to use a primer to achieve the best colour pay off.
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| FOURTH ROW |
Although not every shade is perfect, it is a beautiful and practical palette. There are a wide variety of shades to choose from. One thing I particularly love is that one can create various eye looks with just this palette. You can make neutral looks, full on glam and smokey eye looks.
Do you have this palette? Or any other Makeup revolution one?
Let me know what you think.
Silver and Purple Cut Crease
5 September 2016
It is September guys, meaning summer would soon be over and in comes the longer evenings and cooler days. The beautiful thing for me about the cooler months is the darker lips. I am big on bold dark lips.
I am a smokey eye type of girl, but in the spirit of trying new things; I have tried a cut crease. I didn't completely nail it as I noticed that the silver eyeshadow had stained the purple in the crease. But I had so much fun creating the look and I still love it, so I have decided to share it.
I recently got the Makeup Revolution Salvation Palette which I absolutely love. The review on this palette would be coming soon, anyway, the silver eyeshadow in this palette inspired me to do this look. I mixed the silver and purple eyeshadows in the palette to attempt a cut crease.
In the spirit of Autumn, I finished the cut crease with dark purple lips.
Eyebrows
Technic Eyebrow Pencil - Black
Makeup Revolution Ultra Brow Palette - Medium to Dark
Freedom Pro Conceal and Correct - Medium/ Dark
Black Opal Concealing Foundation
Eyes
Essence I Love Colour Eyeshadow Base
Technic Meganudes 3 (Above crease, Inner corner, Brow bone)
MUA Undress Me Too (Above crease)
Makeup Revolution Salvation Palette Chaos (Lid, Crease)
Kiko Eyes of Love Mascara
EBay Lashes
Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil - Black Fever
2 True Eye Liner
Face
Technic Smoothing Face Primer
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW55
LA Girl Pro Concealer Toast (Under Eye)
W7 Banana Dreams Powder (Set under eye)
Sleek Blush Sahara
Kiko Eyeshadow 208 (Highlight)
MAC Studio Fix Powder NW58
MAC Prolong Wear Dark Deepest (Contour)
Essence All About Matt Powder
Lips
Kiko Automatic Precision Lip Liner 512
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Havana
Let me know what you think. Is it a look you would rock? And what are your favourite Autumn/ Winter lipsticks.
Top 10 Budget Friendly Makeup Brushes
28 August 2016
I believe that using good quality brushes makes all the difference in makeup application. I am, however, a big believer in affordability, I mean shouldn't we all be able to look on fleek without breaking the bank? I totally agree with you!!! Which is why I have decided to show you these 10 makeup brushes that fit any budget.
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
This is such a beautifully dense brush with multitasking abilities. I personally use it to apply liquid foundation and I get a flawless finish. I also love it for powder, it is amazing to buff and blend foundation into the skin. A major plus is that it is sold separately.
Elf Studio Powder Brush
I absolutely love this brush, I mean this is my third one. It is a dense flat top brush which makes for a flawless full coverage. Although it is a powder brush, I mainly use it to apply liquid foundation and I've never been disappointed. It picks up product very well and applies powder with ease. If there was ever a brush you absolutely needed, oh its the Elf Powder Brush. You'd thank me later. I was lucky enough to find this in TK Maxx but I got the other ones on eBay.
Real Techniques Setting Brush
This brush is unbelievably soft. It is small enough to reach all the corners of the face. Due to its size, you are able to have better control and be specific about where you want to apply product. I use this brush for that extra glow and it applies highlighter like a dream. It is super easy to wash and dries quickly which is a major plus in my book. I got this from the Sculpting Set but they sell it on its own which is fab!!!
Look Good Feel Better Angled Contour Brush
This is the first brush I tried from this brand and I was not disappointed. I found this brush looking lonely in TK Maxx and I just had to take it home. It only set me back £4.99, which was great. I really love the angled round shape of this brush. The bristles are so soft and I am certain it would be perfect for contouring. I only use it to apply blush on my cheeks, though, I like how effortlessly I'm able to blend colour onto my cheeks without looking crazy.
Real Techniques Detailer Brush
I don't know how I ever put on makeup without this brush. It is one brush I cannot do without. It makes for precise makeup application. I use it to apply concealer to my brow bone, apply lipstick, clean up lipstick, delicate concealing etc. I really love it. It is most annoying that this brush only comes in the Core Collection set, so I've had to buy another set just to have a duplicate of this brush.
Real Techniques Contour Brush
This beautiful brush is a part of the Core Collection Set. As much as this brush was made for contouring, I have never actually used it to contour; rather, I use it to set highlighted areas - under eye, chin, bridge of nose, forehead - and it is just perfect. The brush is so soft that it makes blending a breeze. I love how easy it is to clean. Cleaning brushes can be such a pain for me, I like brushes that make the work easier.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
I know I said brushes, but if it walks, talks and acts like a brush, it deserves to be treated like one. I simply don't have the words to explain the amazingness of this sponge. In the interest of full disclosure, I don't own the original Beauty Blender, so I can't compare the two; but I have a feeling I am not missing much. I mean you can use it to apply foundation, concealer, blend, set, contour. What is a brush without these things? I advise using this sponge damp, it creates this flawless finish.
Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
This brush is part of the Starter set. I use this to blend out concealer around my eyebrow area and that for me is vital to make sure I don't look crazy and this brush does the job. I also use it to apply a cream base to my eyelid. Plus I sometimes use it to contour my nose or to apply concealer to the bridge of my nose.
Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
As the name suggests, it is great to apply a base colour to the lid. It also works well in the crease as it fits perfectly. I use it to apply eyeshadow to the outer corner of my eye, blend and apply colour to my crease. Another amazing thing about this brush is how easy it is to wash it. It is vital for me that eyeshadow brushes wash easily as I use a wide variety of colours.
PS Concealer Brush
Sadly this brush is not sold online, it is from the Primark PS Beauty range and I think it is simply amazing. The bristles on this brush are stiff which is why I love using it to apply glitter, pigments, and loose eyeshadow to my eyelid. Be it dry or damp, this brush is simply amazing to apply on product to the eyelid. For a bargain price of £1, this brush can be yours.
PS: Boots is doing an offer on the Real Techniques Core Collection and Starter Set for £10.99 each.
What are your favourite makeup brushes?
A New Beginning
21 August 2016
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When I read first posts, they almost always start with the blogger saying this has been a long time coming. So let me start by saying this has not been 'a long time coming' and I have not thought it through. But I'm hoping that this blog can be a creative outlet for me and a place to share my passion with the world.
I hope to document my journey as a makeup addict and a naturalista trying to live healthier and lose some weight all whilst on a budget.
This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to seeing more of you in this my little corner of the web.
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