FOTD #4 and some exciting news!

Hey everyone!

My life has been so crazy right now so I haven't been able to do much blogging recently, I've missed you all so much D':

Anyway, I'm here with a quick face of the day! This is the make up I'm wearing to a social "gathering" I'm having with my friends today (it sounds so much more sophisticated than it is xD

You'll have to excuse my hair, I took this before I styled it (for some reason) -_- Silly me xD

Face-

Benefit Pore-fessional Primer

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Technic High Lights Highlighter

FashionistA blush in Butterscotch

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Eyes-

MUA Eye Pencil in Snow white (smudged on inner corner to highlight)

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe

MUA Extreme Liquid Eyeliner in Black

No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

Avon Infinitize Mascara in Black
Lips-
Beauty UK Lipstick in Snob

Now for the exciting news!!! I going to be writing a guest post on Erinn Wood's amazing blog, Erinn's Beauty Blog! I'm so excited, now I just have to figure out what I'm going to write.
Go and check out her blog, it's awesome! Make sure to look out for me soon ;)

Lots of love, Laura

P.S. I'm thinking of doing a "how much is your face worth" post soon, let me know what ya think. I'm also going to pick up Skincare sundays again tomorrow, so look out for that! I love you all so much, see ya later ^^

Review: Rimmel Traffic Stopping Eyeshadow in "No Parking"

Hey everyone!

A quick review for you today of the Rimmel "Traffic Stopping Shadow" trio in No Parking.

First things first, I LURV Rimmel make up products! Their lipsticks are some of the best quality of a budget brand I have ever tried and I have tried a lot.

I actually didn't buy this, a friend gave it to me. To be honest, I wouldn't choose purple eyeshadow if I had to buy some eyeshadow, but I thought it may be handy to have some purples in my collection. 

Swatches-

Top- With primer, Bottom- With primer and a damp brush

As you can see, the pigmention isn't brilliant. The shadow itself is not really chalky but more dusty, if they makes any sense. Either way, there is quite a lot of fallout. 

I love it when there's a little guide. Perfect for make up novices.

FOTD using the eyeshadow

Yeah, I need to clean that mirror...remind me, will you? xD

Overall, I'm not impressed with this product. The look I achieved above I like, but I really had to pack the eyeshadow on to achieve it, which I really don't have the time or patience to do.

Rimmel has really been let down by their eyeshadow quality. I'm so sad D:

Lots of love, Laura xx

That "no make-up" make-up look- My version

Hey everyone!

Today I am showing you my adaption of the famous make-up look which is natural and perfect for everyday, one which looks like you are wearing "no make-up" ^^ Enjoy!

Tutorial-

1. First I used Benefit Porefessional to create a smooth skin base.

2. I used my fingers to apply a bit of Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Light Porcelian, focusing on my t-zone and forehead, blending it out with a fluffy foundation brush.

3. I dusted a bit of Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transculent over these areas.

4. I concealed my under-eye area with Collection Lasting Perfection in Fair.

5. I lined my upper lash line with Avon Smokey Diamonds eyeliner and smudged it out slightly.

6. I applied my NYC Showtime Mascara to curled lashes.

7. Used MUA Powder Blush in Shade 4 on my cheeks and highlighted my cheeks and browbone with the MUA Shimmer Highlighter.

8. I finished the look with a slick of 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive. 

Done! Nice and simple :3

That's it!

Lots of love, Laura xx

Skincare Sundays #1- Oily/Combination Skin

Hey everyone! 

So, I've decided to do a new segment on my blog which is "skincare sundays" where I focus on a specific skincare issue every week and offer my advice/recommendations etc.

Today, we're looking at battling oily/combination skin.

I'm kind of an expert (not really) when it comes to dealing with oily skin as I've had it for as long as I can remember.

Oily skin is a difficult thing to deal with as it can really knock your confidence when you look at your make-up at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and see it's slipped off your face, it can also feel really uncomfortable.

My advice
1. People say it all the time but it really does make a difference if you don't touch your face. Yes, I know it's tempting, but it really does help, it also prevents breakouts!

2. Do not think that using moisturiser will make it worse. Your skin is producing oil due to the lack of it on your face so, if anything, you should try and moisturise more. Make sure you use a light, oil-free, cream in the morning and before bed.

The night treatment gel

3. When it comes to skincare, I find that any cleansing/toning products that contain tea tree and/or witch hazel are really good for calming and mattifying your face. If your face is really oily then foam cleansers are the way to go, I was recommend this one from the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Collection, as well as the night treament gel which prevents your skin feeling really oily and horrible when you wake up, as well combatting breakouts really well :D I also love their face wipes for travelling ^^



4. When it comes to make-up, primers and powder are your best friend. People often say that cream foundations are better for oily skin, but I never see a difference in using cream or liquid (I prefer liquid as it not as heavy). It's a good idea to carry powder with you during the day for touch-ups.

My recommmendations

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Face Powder in Translucent-  

This powder is amazing for keeping my face matte. It doesn't last amazingly long but a lot longer than anything else I've tried. Seriously, this is a cult favourite for oily lasses in the blogosphere.

2. Nivea Expression Hydration Primer for Combination/Oily skin- 

This primer is brilliant at creating a smooth base for a flawless foundation application. It's moisturising as well which is always an added bonus. Nivea also do a version for dry/normal skin. I love this primer so much, I really think this helps to make my foundation last longer and it really helps to control my oily complexion.

3. Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

This is another brilliant product, like the powder, which gives my skin a quick mattifying fix. This is lovely in the summer as well as it is so refreshing!

My Oily Skin Saviour

Every since I've used this Boots Skin Clear Oil Free Mattifying Lotion my complexion has been so much more managable, and noticably less oily. 

This is literally the liquid gold of oil control. If you have really oily skin like I did, you must buy this!! Within a week of using it before applying my makeup, I didn't need to use it anymore. What are you waiting for?? It's so cheap and so amazing! Buy it!

I hope you liked this post and that you found it useful. Be sure to come back next time ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

A collective haul ^^ (picture heavy)

Hey everyone! Just a few items I picked up when shopping with my nan and casually strolling through boots and superdrug recently...I, like many others, have a bit of an "impulse-buying" problem. The worse thing is that I regret NOTHING :'D

Clothing

1. White skull tank top (no idea what make it is :L)- I got this adorable top for £2.99 from a charity shop, it's so awesome and will be perfect for summer. I've found it here for £19.99, so I got a pretty good price :)

2. Blue lace pattern tank  top, £10 from Primark- I LOVE this top! I think it's so cute and will be perfect for my summer holiday to Venice (with my school's art department in June ^^). It looks great on and is just so sweet and summery...I suck at description, I apologise :)

Peekaboo! Skully sees you! That was a tad bit creepy and YES he's named Skully!! Problem?

3. Black knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- There's nothing like a simple black cardy to finish off any look. Such a bargain.

4. Blue and white/cream striped knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- Another really cute essential piece. I got this in the sale for £3 and it's a size 18 (I'm a size 8...) but it really isn't that big on (I think it's because it's stretchy). It's just so cosy! I've been wearing it a lot with my Skully top ^^

Skincare

5. Boots Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz, £4.99 from Boots- Got this last week on offer for half price (I think). I heard about it on BeautyCrush's blog and it has such great reviews on Boots.com, it really is amazing! I've used it a few times and my skin drinks the stuff. Review coming soon!

6. Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick, £2.89 in Superdrug (currently a third off in Superdrug!)- I've always wanted to try this stuff. It was on offer, so, why not? ^^

Make-up

7(Far left). Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink, £6.29 in Boots- Such a stunning mauve toned pink lipstick! It suits me so well but it's more of an autumn colour, I picked it up out of sheer curiosity ^^ (roll on autumn!) I'm loving Rimmel lately!

8. Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in Vintage Rose, £2.99 in Boots- A really nice orange toned natural pink lippie. It looks coral on the swatch on the Boots website, but it's not xD So pretty ^^

L to R, Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink

Immortal Charcoal

9. Maybelline Expression Colo(u)r Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Immortal Charcoal- I already have the permanant taupe shade and LOVE it, this is a gorgeous grey which is quite mettalic and more green toned than blue (which the packaging suggests). 

L to R- Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink, Immortal Charcoal

Haircare

10. Garnier Fructis Style Big Volume Heat Protect Spray, £3.89 in Superdrug (2 for £4 ^^)- I've never used a heat protect product (naughty, I know) but I never usually straighten/curl my hair. However, I do blow dry it when I was it in the morning and I thought this would be good for giving me a boost at the start of the day.

11. Garnier Fructis Hairspray Bamboo Flexihold Volume, £2.39 in Superdrug (2 for £4)- Just needed some more really, these products smell absolutely divine!

Random

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald- I'm re-reading this for my AS level literature exam on friday. This has to be my all-time favourite book. I love the complexity of it, the glitz and glamour of the era it captures but, at the same time, how it conveys the darkness and corruption of the "roaring twenties". A literary masterpiece that I would highly recommend.

That was so long! I apologise xD Make sure to pop along again some time ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

Hayley William's "Still into you" make-up :3

Any other Paramore fans? I got their new album yesterday...IT'S AMAZING!!!!! My favourite song has to be "Still into you" so I was really excited to see they've released a video for the song and it's gorgeous ^^ you can see it below.

Hayley's make up/outfit is so cute! I just had to recreate her fun pastel make up look ^^ Even if you aren't a Paramore fan, I hope you are now :3

The key features of this look are the blue to pink gradient eyes, the extended cat eye look, the bubblegum pink (slightly purple toned in the video) lips, pink highlighted cheeks. Think VERY girly for this look.

A comparison ^^

For this look I used the following products-

Face- 

NYC primer

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Porcelain

Rimmel Stay Matte powder in translucent

Collection Lasting Finish concealer in shade 1

To highlight my cheeks I used W7 Candy Floss face brightening powder (a famous dupe for benefit Dandelion)- as this is pink tinted I didn't use a blush.

Eyes-

MUA pearl eyeshadow in shade 22 on the outer corner of the lid extended to a point out to the tip of the eyeliner

Barry M eye crayon (baby blue colour- don't know what it's called) I put this in the inner third corner then smudged with a brush- I then lined my inner corner (around the tear duct) and smudged it so it extended up to inner tip of my eyebrow and down under my eye- If that made any sense xD

MUA Gel Eyeliner in Fairground- Along the whole upper lash line and out to create that "winged" effect. I used this grey colour as I thought black may be too harsh.

I then added a bit of sparkle to my eyelids with some Collection Dazzle me! in Hazydaze.

I filled my brows with MUA matte eyeshadow shade 19

NYC Showtime Mascara

Lips-

MUA Lipstick shade 4- Review

Aww Hayley, you're so cute :3

And viola!! I love this look so much! It was great fun to do and made my girl crush on Hayley Williams grow even more ^^ 

Lots of love, Laura xx

Review (& swatches): Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in 050 Live Pink

Hey everyone! Today I going to be doing a review on my latest blush purchase from Rimmel, that I mentioned in my spring haul post.

The colour of the blush is a gorgeous light pink with slight orange undertones and a stunning gold shimmer, which is actually really flattering on the skin (particularly for skin with yellow undertones like mine).

The packaging of this product is quite basic, with a clear lid (which makes it easy to find the shade) and black pan, but it feels really sturdy. Simple yet effective. The lid features the classic Rimmel London crown logo and the actual product has a print of the union flag- it looks quite snazzy ^^ 

You can slightly see the gold shimmer in this photo, the blush also seems to have a rose tint which is what I thought it was when I saw it in the shop (I actually thought it would be a nice dupe for Nars Orgasm but it's more similar to the Sleek blush in Mirrored Pink- part of the new aqua collection)

You can really see that glimmer of gold- it's so gorgeous! 

The blush is really smooth and nicely pigmented, so much I had to apply it with a light hand xD

My attempt to capture the gold once again :L

As you can see, the blush gives a really nice "rosy" flush of colour which looks quite natural but still very stunning. I absolutely adore the blush and I must get my hands on some more! I've had my eye on Sleek's Rose Gold blush which is apparently quite similar to this but darker.

For the quality of this blush it was an absolute steal at £3.99- you can get it from Boots here.

Lots of love, Laura xx