Shimmery Brown Smokey Eye Tutorial

I decided that I'd be a bit different with this blog post and show you a tutorial for a shimmery smokey eye which I created using the MUA Undress Me Too Palette. It's a really wearable look for everyday and pretty easy to create. I hope you enjoy wearing this look! Feel free to send me pictures of this look if you do create it.

 First of all, I make sure I prep my under eye area. The skin under your eyes is quite delicate, hence the occurrence of those dreading dark circles and shopping bag eyes! I use Boot's Vitamin E Gentle Eye Cream which was a recommendation by a blogger friend of mine ItsAmiieeism. I seem to always go back to this eye cream as I find others make my eyes water and nobody wants puffy eyes before applying makeup! I highly recommend this eye cream. I place a few dots under my eyes and pat it in with my ring finger. It hydrates the eye area and makes for a great base for concealer (it can prevent concealer creasing and stops you from getting dry under eyes). 

After the eye cream, I apply a light primer on my eyelids and under eyes to keep the eye shadow and concealer in place. As you can see this is a face primer, not an eye primer but I think eyelid primers are a bit of a rip off to be fair. Most primers will do the same job in keeping your makeup in place all day. This Revlon PhotoReady Face Perfecting Primer is super light and smooth. It feels like velvet when applied and does not transfer like some silicone based primers. It hides pores and fine lines and just makes an amazing base for makeup.  

Then apply the Color Tattoo by Maybelline in 'On and on Bronze' with a flat blending brush. The Colour Tattoos are an amazing base for eyeshadow and are long wearing. Once applied they are hard to budge. On and on Bronze looks amazing on it's own also and would make a great simple smokey eye if you want a quick yet dramatic look. I look how easy these are to apply. I take some of the product on a blending brush and pat the product on before blending it in so that I can build the pigmentation. 

I then take the MUA Undress Me Too Palette. I use the shades Lavish (a matte chocolate brown shade) 

I contour the crease of my eye with Lavish using the Real Technique's Base Shadow Brush. I then apply Fiery/Tranquil over the Colour Tattoo. If you'd like a more defined eye then you can add the colour Obsessed in the outer corner of the eye using a smaller eye brush. I then use the Base Shadow Brush to blend those colours together. This brush is so soft so it's really easy to blend with. 

I then take the Loreal Super Liner Blackbuster to line my eyelids. Keep the liner as close to the lash line as possible so you don't draw attention from the shadow. It will also help to emphasise your lashes. I absolutely love this eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner is very much like marmite. You can end up looking like a panda with most liquid liners, which is why pen liners are so brilliant. This Super Liner Blackbuster is so easy to use and creates similar drama and pigmentation to a gel liner. It also does not dry out easily which is what I dislike most about pen style liners.  

You can then tight line your upper lid using Maybelline Gel Liner. 

I then take the Scandal Eyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Bronze  and apply it to the lower lash line. You can smudge the liner with an angled brush for a more smokey look. 

Take the The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara by Maybelline and apply this to the top and bottom lashes. This mascara adds volume and length. I've always adored the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascaras and never seemed to like any others. This mascara is just fantastic though and makes your lashes stand out without looking too clumpy or false. Apply two coats of mascara from the root of the lash and shimmy the wand up the lash (shimmy means to shake the wand if you didn't know). 

I then take Mac's Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 and apply that in a triangular shade under the eye. I applied the concealer using Real Technique's deluxe crease brush. Because of it's domed shape it is great for applying concealer under the eyes and blending the product. I love this Mac concealer as it has a great coverage but does not look to cakey. You can set the concealer with powder to stop it from creasing. It really brightens the under eyes and covers dark circles amazingly. 

So here is the makeup look! As you can see it's super easy to create. I also applied Bourjois's Healthy Mix and Rimmel's Natural Bronzer as well as applying Lavish shadow to my eyebrows. 

I hope you like the makeup and if you have any requests for other makeup looks, comment below with suggestions. 

Lots of Love 

G x

Max Factor's Clump Defy by False Lash Effect Mascara Review

I just wanted to say a massive sorry to you guys for leaving it SO bloody long to write a post! I've been super busy with college recently and have been having a really shit time in the last few weeks. I'll tell you guys more about that at a later time, for now though, let's talk makeup!!! 

Now mascaras are always one of those beauty products that are hard to get right.  I'm pretty sure many of you will agree with me when I say that the epic perfect mascara search has been the bane of my life. Years have been spent trying to find that mascara with the ideal formula. But it isn't very often you find a mascara that has everything going for it. It seems there is always something that has to let it down. However, I believe I may have found that PERFECT mascara that all of us have been dreaming off. So without further a due, please welcome, MAX FACTOR'S CLUMP DEFY!

Now you are all probably thinking, 'wow Georgia, bit late on that band wagon' but it isn't the first time I've tried a Max Factor mascara. Three years ago I was introduced to the beautiful predecessor that is the 'False Lash Effect' mascara by Max Factor when I 'borrowed' it from my Mum. I honestly feel in love from the moment I swiped that baby across my naked lashes. The formula was just fabulous. Not too thick yet thick enough to create amazing volume and length whilst keeping the dreaded 'spider leg' lashes at bay. However, the False Lash Effect, which has been a staple of my makeup bag for many year, was recently replaced by it's younger and fresher sister. Now what I love about the Clump Defy first and for most is it's ability to really create luscious lashes with only one coat. That's right my lovers, A SINGLE COAT! 

It's one of the things I hate most about the previous mascaras I've tried. 

Now don't get me wrong, a second coat of mascara never did anyone any harm and I often put on a few coats before a night out to create that extra va va voom. But with many mascaras I have tried in previous years, the second coat can often leave you with clumpy lashes *sob*. That's also the great thing about this mascara! During the day, one coat creates enough volume and length to really open the eyes and create a natural yet wide awake look. As evening sets upon you, a second coat can be added and you have enough volume for a night on the town without the hassle of using a pair of falsies. This mascara is so versatile. I love the fact it works well with so many different makeup looks. I also really love the wand that comes with the Clump Defy. While the False Lash Effect's brush was rather dense and hard, the Clump Defy uses a more sparse spoon shaped applicator, which catches all your lashes with the first sweep. The formula is also a lot less thick, which means that less of the mascara's wand picks up less product. I find this means that not only less product is wasted, but it also prevents the formula was gunking up (if that is a word) the wand. This also prevents clumpy lashes which I found was a problem with the previous False Lash Effect as the wand would often clog up with extra product. 

Overall I just love this product. I've always been a massive fan of Max Factor and trusted their high quality products. This product is defiantly a staple mascara for any makeup bag. It's one of these products that would be hard to fall out of love with and I just feel like Max Factor have really pulled it out of the bag with this one! It's defiantly my favourite mascara of all time!

£10.99

http://www.boots.com/en/Max-Factor-Clump-Defy-Volumising-Mascara_1294933/

SO have you tried this product yet? Let me know what you thought in the comments below! 

Georgia 

oxo

Perfect Skin Overnight!

You've been looking forward to that Christmas party at work all week. And Sandra's wedding is just round the corner. Not to mention that holiday that you booked for this month with the boyfriend. But the morning of the event, low and behold, you are met with the most hideous creature you have ever layer your pupils upon. No it's not that ugly Chihuahua that the boyfriend got you last Chirstmas and it's certainly not what you had for dinner last night. 

It's the giant cluster of pimples you have developed on your forehead and the massive spot that can only be refereed to as 'Kilimanjaro'  that's sprouted from your nose. Now, I don't know about you, but in previous years this would have sent me running for the bathroom which I would spend a further 5 hours locked in until all events had concluded. But with the tips I have gathered over the last few years, this is no longer the case!

So here I am to share some of the best and fasted ways of ridding yourself of the dreading breakout. First of all, let's get an idea of how sports are formed. All over our skin are small pores or 'sebaceous glands' that secrete oil, keeping our skin lubricated and waterproof. However, sometimes these pores can become infected with the bacteria we come into contact with everyday, from the bacteria on our hands, to the pollution in the air. This in turn causes the pore to become inflamed with the infection, and causes it to fill with the body fluid we all know as pus. The spot itself is caused by the sebaceous gland becoming overactive which results in an overproduction of lubrication and over oily skin. As a teenager, you are more likely to have spots as the by product the sebaceous gland produces 'sebum' (which is what causes the skin to be oily) to a greater level, which causes the blocking of the pores and therefore, the dreaded spot. 

So how can we stop this reaction occurring and prevent the breakouts that cause us to so much stress throughout the year. Well, it's pretty simple. For starters, DON'T STRESS OUT! KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON! Literally, because it's been proven that stress can cause your hormones to go wild which in turn will make your completion a lot less smooth. 

You should also try not to squeeze spots, no matter how tempting it may be. Theres nothing worse then that horribly pussy pimple giving you the eye every time you look in the mirror, taunting you with it's squeezability. But try not to give into temptation. 

Drinking water can also help to clear up your skin in the long run, but of course we are here to understand how to rid yourself of them in a quick and easy way. But still though, try to keep yourself hydrated, Mumma Coan knows best. 

Now we get to the good part. A lot of products that prevent and rid you of bad skin are filled with drying products, do it's best not to use these all the time or if you have to, use a hydrated moisturiser two times a day. The following products will dry up the grease and sebum that gathers within a spot as well as acting as an antiseptic which will prevent inflammation and stop bacteria in it's tracks. 

First of, Sudocrem. 

If your mum was anything like mine then this stuff would have been present throughout your childhood. Typically used for nappy rash or surface wounds, Sudocrem is an antiseptic healing cream which acts as a water resistant base, keeping all the bad things out of the wound as well as soothing and helping to aid the healing process. SO what better product to use against the battle of the spot. I have used Sudocrem for single spots for a while now. After removing all your makeup and cleaning your face so you have no traces of product on your skin, apply a generous amount of Sudocream to the spot. Clip your fringe back whilst you sleep and leave the cream on all night. During your sleep the cream will absorb into the skin. Due to it's antiseptic qualities, the Sudocrem will have removed any bacteria from the spot and soothed it. In the morning you will find your spot is no longer inflamed and has even shrunk, no longer sporting it's pussy head. I find this is one of the best products for beating bad skin. It is listed as helping acne but that will depend on the severity of it.  

125g Sudocream will cost you around £2 and will vary in price according to size. I can vouch that this product will last you a very long time though! It also now comes in a handy travel tube which means you can rid yourself of the spots even on your travels! 

http://www.boots.com/en/Sudocrem-Antiseptic-Healing-Cream-125g_1666/

Another great product for beating spots is Tea tree oil. It smells to high heavens but works a treat on the biggest of pimples. It's medical properties include antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. It's shown to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide (which can only be subcribed through a doctor) and has a greater amount of side effects. The antiseptic qualities of Tea tree mean that it has a very similar effect to Sudocream, healing and extractive bacteria from a wound (or in this case, a spot). Tea Tree oil can be very messy and is also quite overpowering, so if you want a Tea tree treatment that is not so much hassle, use a tea tree cream. Just like any antiseptic cream, Nelson's Tea tree cream is light and quickly absorbed. I have been using it for a year now and find it's perfect in drying up and healing my bad break outs. You can use this product by itself by applying it to a single spot on clean skin just before bed, or could use the technique I often use for my worst breakouts, which is to combine it with Sudocream. Rub a small amount of Tea Tree oil into the spot before placing a small amount of Sudocream on the top, remembering not to rub the Sudocream in as this will act as a resistant protective layer over the spot, keeping other bacteria out of the affected area. 

30g Nelsons's Tea Tree cream will cost you £2.99 from Sainsbury's but will vary from other stores and the size. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nelsons-Tea-Tree-Cream-30g/dp/B000FQVPK8

Now another quick and easy technique is toothpaste. You may have heard a huge spectrum of opinions regarding the use of toothpaste on spots. Some have reportedly said it can make your skin a lot worse, causing your spots to become more inflamed. I, however, have yet to experience this. Although I would not recommend this technique in the long run, for a one of spot it can do the trick if you have no other products at hand. It's best to use a plain white toothpaste which is not high in fluoride and apply a small amount on to a single spot before bed, leaving it to dry. Just like our previous products, toothpastes are used to reduce the level of harmful bacteria in our mouths due to an ingredient called triclosan. Due to toothpaste not being specifically targeted at skin (obviously!) it has been known to cause blockages and irritate the skin which is why I would not recommend using this treatment on a regular basis. I have found that it dries up single spots though and if you have no other products at hand when a spot raises it's ugly head overnight, it is a quick and simple way of drying it out if used overnight. But once again, I will add, this treatment is not scientifically shown to dry up spots SO please don't come back to me complaining if it has not worked for you!! I have found it has worked for me on the odd occasion so please no complaints!

If you are not bothered by a great deal of mess, honey is also a great antiseptic and anti-anti-inflammitry for spots. You can create a face mask with honey, or even apply it directly to the area. Because it is a natural antiseptic, it also does not damage or dry up skin and can leave it feeling a lot smoother within a matter or days. As I said before, this can be a lot messier then the other treatments, but can be a lovely treat on a friday evening snuggled up in front of the telly. 

And last but not least, perfume. Although this should not be used all the time as it can dry the more sensitive skin on our face, perfume is a great and quick way of shrinking down spots. It can be applied in the morning and before bed as it is not as visible as the other treatments. Due to the alcohol within most perfumes, it dries out the spot and acts as an antiseptic! I have found this actually really works for those mornings were Sudacream is too heavy for my skin and I'm in a rush for college. 

You could also invest in a toner/cleanser such as Simple's Pore Minimiser which will keep your skin clean and therefore prevent bacteria building up. 

Try these tips and let me know which one worked best for you! 

Love G 

oxoxo

It's really that Simple!

As an advocate of a healthy and great skin regime, Simple has always been a trustworthy brand of mine and can often be found on my dressing table. I've been using Simple products for a good two years now and can honestly say I haven't found a product that matches up to it. My skin is very sensitive and when I use harsh face products I usually end up with dry skin or even breakouts! So Simple's Kind to Skin range is really a life saver. 

With no harsh chemicals, perfumes or colours, the range is really gentle for most skin types especially ultra sensitive skin and oily. Their Hydrating light moisturiser is really good for skin prone to breakouts as it isn't as heavy as most moisturisers and does not linger on the skin surface which can cause breakouts and clog pores. It contains Glycerin which hydrates and nourishes, keeping the skin moisturised for 12 hours. It also has the added bonus of Borage seed oil which renews and regenerates, giving you an overall brighter and more nourished complexion. I have been using the same moisturiser for a few years now and can honestly say it's one of the best I've used. I find I suffer from a lot less breakouts and my skin just feels so much fresher and healthier with Simple products! There really isn't any fuss with this brand. 

Simple's toner is also exceptionally good even though I have been using it for a shorter time then their moisturisers. I have been using the Pore Minimising toner cleanser for a few weeks now and honestly believe it has helped my pores. As well as battling those dreaded skin issues it's also really gentle on your skin, which can not be said for our cleansers/toners I have used in the past. It includes a multitude of vitamins including pro-vitaimin B5 and vitamin E actively soften, smooth, restore and moisturise skin. The cleanser also contains witch hazel, chamomile and geranium which are all natural products and are dermatologically proven to tone and tighten pores as well as soften and condition skin. 

Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Pore Minimising 

£3.79/£4.99 from Boots, UK

I feel like my skin's overall condition is just so much better when combining these products. I've had a lot less breakouts overall and my skin just feels a lot more hydrated which means I look a lot less tried! I think Simple's products really are a must have and if you have not used them before you should defiantly try them out for yourself. If you have sensitive skin these could really save you the hassle of using expensive specialist products. I would recommend Simple to anyone. The products aren't too pricey either! Value for money or what!?

http://www.boots.com/en/Simple/

Rimmel- Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick

Now I'll be the first to admit that lipstick has never been my favourite 'can't live without' makeup product over the years. Being of a rather pale complexion I have always felt lipsticks tend to look wrong against my skin and often don't suit me. But over the last two years my love affair with lipsticks has really ignited. 

However, I am not very experimental with my lip colour and have only ever brought the classic red. Then, whilst searching through my local Boots a few weeks back, I found Kate Moss's new lipstick collection. 

For those who might not know who Kate Moss is (You never know!), she is the UK's biggest international super model and once dated Johnny Depp! I know right!?!

So, when Kate Moss signs her name over to a product, it's usually a massive success (take her Topshop range for instance). That wasn't the only thing that instantly drew me to the product though. The lipstick has a lasting finish giving it a matte application. I don't know about you but I love lipsticks that are matte as they really allow the product to stay true to it's colour. It's important that a makeup product transfers the exact colour it is showing me. 

I recently purchased two MUA lipsticks (I'll write up a review about those ones) and found that the colour's transfer to my lips was nothing like the original colour so it was great for me that the Kate Moss lipsticks really were the exact same colour as the were show. 

The lipstick also does not need re-applying as much as a lot of the lipsticks I have tried as the colour almost stains the lips (in a good way!).

I also love the feel of these lipsticks. They aren't too heavy and glide on for a smooth application. I brought two of the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish lipsticks in Shade 01 and 03. Shade 01 is a dark, vampy red colour and 03 is a nude. I felt the two colours really complimented my skin and didn't wash me out like most lip products do. Overall I just really liked the application and look of these lipsticks. I am a really big fan of Rimmel products and feel that they are possibly the best high street makeup brand with strong products at a reasonable price. I would, however, like some more shades in this specific lipstick- especially some vampy winter colours like Mac often produce!

I would definitely recommend you give these beauties a try though! You won't be disappointed and at £5.49 who can resist?

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Lasting-Finish-Lipstick_1230439/