Night Out Makeup

So as I wrote a post on what products I use on a night out, I thought id do another including pictures of how the make up actually looks! I had another night out, so the make up is pretty much the same with a few extra products!

ps, I took these photos simply as selfies on my iPhone 5s (we all do it!) with no purpose to write this post, hence the poorer camera quality & the fact I haven't posed to actually show the make up well!

Firstly I started on my base which I prepped my skin with Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser. I then used MAC Prep + Prime Skin Finish Primer to give a super smooth base & to help my make up last all night long!

For foundation I used a Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in the shade NW15, along with MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NW20.

Coming back to my base later, I then moved onto my eye make up where I applied MACs Paintpot in Painterly as a base, and then used my Naked Basic Palette by Urban Decay. Applying the shades Foxy and W.O.S all over my lid. I then used the Venus shade as a highlight under my brow. I then used a Real Techniques duo fibre eye brush to apply Hoola Bronzer by Benefit into the crease for a natural shading. Again from Naked Basics, I applied the shade Naked 2 through the centre to edge of my lid. I then went in with the darkest brown called Faint into the very corner. 

I then filled in my brows using the Benefit Brow Zing in Light, focusing mainly on the bridge & end of my brow for the most definition. 

Back to my base, I then applied MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in the shade NC20, in a triangle shape under my eye, and on the bridge of my nose to create light. I blended this in with the Zoeva Face Shape Brush & the Zoeva Concealer Brush in smaller areas around my nose and eyes. 

I then set my base with my favourite powder, MAC Studio Fix in NW15, which always makes sure my make up lasts all night. 

I then used Benefit Hoola across my whole forehead, my nose, cheeks & chin for a natural bronze. I then took my Collection Contour Palette & used the dark shade to contour my cheek bones, top of my temples and down the side of my nose.

I didn't use any blush for this look, but used lots of MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade which I am obsessed with at the moment!

I then used MAC Vanilla Pigment in the very corner of my eye to make them pop! Finishing the eyes with my trusty Maybelline Sensational Lash Mascara & Seventeen Tattoo Me Eyeliner in Raven Black. Once my mascara had dried I applied some individual lashes from Eyelure. 

To complete my look I spritzed MAC's FIX + and I was ready for the night to begin! 

Holly x

My Favourite Eyebrow Products

So as you can tell by the name of this post, i've decided to write about my favourite eyebrow products! I have naturally blonde brow hairs so the products are aimed at fair hair and what has worked best for me!

Firstly is this brow pencil from HD Brows in Bombshell. 

The pencil is super small and brilliant for doing really fine detail, however its very time consuming using this way to do the whole brow, so I usually use it to sharpen up parts of my brow after I have used a powder. I originally brought this as I loved the palette from HD Brows, but this is an excellent little product. 

Another pencil I love is Archery from Soap & Glory.  This pencil has one pen end & one pencil end. I prefer the pencil end as I think it looks more natural (i'm just not very practiced with the pen end!) I have this in the shade brown and it looks lovely with my natural blonde hair. I do use the pen side to draw delicate hairs, however if you make a mistake with the pen, its very hard to correct or remove! Whereas powder you can comb your mistake away.

And to comb my brows out I use this comb from Crown Brushes. It has soft bristles for the eyebrow hairs & a plastic comb for eyelashes. I use both and it really does the job, it's also super cheap!

My favourite brow product of all time has to be the Benefit Brow Zings in Light. As you can see as i've hit pan a little, I use this product every single day without fail. Its the best light coloured brow powder I have ever found, it is not an orangey yellow blonde, its perfect hair colour. I use the wax sometimes, but usually only the powder.

As i've mentioned I have fair brows. I like to tint them myself to allow all the hairs to show using Eyelure Pro - Brow Dybrow in Brown. It has a step to step guide on how to use & comes will all the tools you need to DIY. 

Lastly, no matter what I put on my brows I always comb through using Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium Brown. (apologies for the different backdrop, forgot to take a snap of this one!)

I love this as it brings all your hairs to life and proves you still have hair under the make up! 

Holly x 

Holiday Essentials

So as i've just returned from another summer holiday, I thought i'd do a post of all my holiday essentials.

I went to Cyprus where it was around 40 degrees each day, so these essentials are for hot sunbathing holidays.. i'm not much of an 'activity' holiday goer... 

First is haircare, although you should always use hair protectors I find it extremely important in the heat as its super drying, and chlorine is never good for anything!

I took Moroccan Oil & Loreal Studio Hot & Straight heat defence, both of which I use all the time anyway. The Moroccan  Oil is super moisturising when hair is dry and damaged. The heat defence, although I rarely use heat products apart from a blow dry, works really well at keeping hair straight and preventing damage from heat. Its also super cheap!

A pretty obvious, but very important essential! Sun lotion is obviously important for a hundred reasons.

I used the Nivea Sun Protect and Bronze factor 20. I also used the Soltan Sun Lip Balm factor 30 to protect my lips as they are super painful if they burn! I use a factor 20 as my skin is not super fair, but this protected my skin and gave a lovely tan! I also didn't burn at all, when usually I burn in some place.

To keep your tan, and skin super hydrating you need a good aftersun. I used the Garnier Ambre Solaire Aftersun. Its very moisturising, and non-greasy which I find very important as I hate waiting for it to dry, or feeling sticky. 

Sunglasses! For protection and fashion! I am not a big sunglasses wearing in the UK, only on holiday! My favourites for this year were a Cat Eye pair from Topshop (back), and a Micheal Kors pair. (front)

A travel size of your favourite products! This is a smaller version of my Garnier Micellar Water. Which if you have used before, you will know the original is huge! This size is plenty for a 2 week holiday. I use a thicker cleanser at home, but when its hot and you've had a long day and evening, Micellar water is an excellent, effective remover. 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer. This is with out a doubt the only bronzer for a summer holiday. It is the perfect shade for summer, as it is super matte and helps to accentuate a natural tan. It is also very build able depending on your skin tone. I just cannot rate this enough!

And finally.. a good book! I love reading on holiday, I never have time at home with Uni work, so on holiday its very relaxing to have a good book. I may do a little review on all the books I read, so watch this space!

♥