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

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!

♥

Favourite Make Up Brushes

Apologies before we start..

None of my brushes are clean as I clean them once a week and I had already applied make up this morning!

Proves I use them I suppose.. 

:) 

Real Techniques, Duo Fibre Face Brush, Duo Fibre Face Brush, Duo Fibre Contour Brush & Duo Fibre Eye Brush 

 

Real Techniques, Cheek Brush, Buffing Brush, Blusher Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Angled Eye Brush & Base Shadow Brush.  

Contour Brush from Crown Brushes, MAC (not sure of number as has washed off!), Bobbi Brown Face Blender & Bobbi Brown Conceal and Set.

Eye Brush from Crown Brushes, Urban Decay Naked2 Palette Brush, Real Techniques Detailer, Set of 3 Ted Baker Eye Brushes (no exact name or number) No7 Eye Colour Brush, CBS Angled Brush, Eyebrow & Eyelash Comb from Crown Brushes, Eye Concealer Brush from Crown Brushes & Angled Shadow Brush from Crown Brushes.

Zoeva Face Shape & Concealer Brushes.

And thats my most used brush collections! Instead of describing what I use every single day for each brush, as there are a lot of eyeshadow brushes which I use on various occasions, i'll just list what I use daily for main makeup!

Foundation - Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Concealer - Zoeva Face Shape for Under Eyes

Zoeva Concealer for blemishes and smaller areas.

Powder - Real Techniques Duo Fibre Face Brush (White)

Blusher - Real Techniques Duo Fibre Face Brush (Silver)

Bronzer & Contour - Real Techniques Duo Fibre Contour Brush & Real Techniques Cheek Brush.

Eyeshadow - Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush & Real Techniques Angled Eye Brush. 

Eyebrows - CBS Angled Brush. 

For the brushes I haven't mentioned I use, I use on nights out when i'm creating a more dramatic eye look with various different colour and styles, and different powder brushes for more flawless finish. I also carry a MAC Kabuki in my handbag for powder touch ups. 

♥

My Day to Day Makeup.

To kick start this blog writing, i'm going to explain my day to day make up routine and what products I use. I won't mention the brushes used, i'll do a separate blog post on those at a later date!

Firstly, well, after moisturising, I use MAC's Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage Primer. I have pretty 'normal' skin, if thats a term I should use. I am not acne prone, never have been, my skin is not very oily, however can be more on the dry side. Although not acne prone, my skin is overly sensitive & I do need to be very careful what I put on my skin, as I can react. Therefore all the products mentioned are very well used and trusted not to harm my skin :)

Anyway.. I apply a small amount across my entire face using my hands and it leaves it feeling super smooth and gives a barrier between my skin & make up.

Next I apply foundation, either one of the two. MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 (NC20 or NW20 ATM as I am tanned, yay!) which is my holy grail & my go to foundation. However I also have CHANEL Perfection Lumiere in 10 Beige. This is my 'back up foundation'.

To powder, I use MAC Studio Fix in NW20. I LOVE this powder as it is a pressed foundation. This however does not mean the product is 'cakey', or to thick. It is very build able, and for day to day I only apply a light dusting all over my face, and my make up does not budge all day. If i'm going on a night out, i'll use a kabuki brush and really buff into my skin for a thicker, and more concealed look. 

For bronzer & to contour I use Hoola by Benefit. I love this colour as it is the perfect shade and goes well with paler skin, or works very well with a tan. It is matte so adds no shimmer which offers a more natural colouring. 

I also really like MAC's bronzing powder in Golden. As you can see I've hit pan, and I have a brand new one waiting to be used! I like this to add to the contour of my cheeks and it's a lovely colour and has some shimmer. However because of the shimmer, my cheeks is the only place I apply this product as it begins to look 'glittery' and very un skin like if applied to the nose & forehead etc. 

For blush I have been loving Bobbi Brown's Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Maui 3. Although the name bronzing powder is very deceiving! As you can see the colour is a shimmering pink and not bronzing at all. The colour is stunning, and also acts as a highlighter. 

As for highlighter I love MAC's soft & gentle. This is in fact the 3rd time i've purchased it and it's simply the best highlighter. For all skin tones. End of. 

My favourite concealer of all time is MACs Pro Longwear concealer in NC20. It's lighter than my foundation (even though the name is technically darker!) so is perfect for brightening under my eyes. It's also very good at covering any kind of blemish or imperfection. The only down side is the pump, as it can pump way too much, ending in a lot of wastage.

Sort it out, MAC!

For my brows, which are naturally invisible (i'm very blonde!), however I do get them tinted to a darker colour which helps to match the roots of my hair. I use Benefit Browzings in Light which is the perfect colour when my brows are tinted, and when the tint has faded & they are fair again. It can be made darker or lighter which I love. I occasionally use the wax side, but usually only the powder.

On top I apply Brow Drama by Maybellene which is like a brow 

mascara, in the shade Brown. 

For eyes I use MAC Pro Longwear Paintpot in Painterly, which is a lovely nude which blends very well and acts as a base, or is lovely on its own with a glittery brown. 

I also am a fan of the MAC Pigments. I have Vanilla & Naked. I have the travel sized ones as that way you get 2 for the price of one large one, and the pigment is so tiny, and you use so little that it makes no sense to spend double the price on the large one. They last forever. I love Vanilla on the insides of my eyes, & Naked is a brilliant highlight colour. 

For shadows I mainly use these 3 palettes. The top is Urban Decay Naked 2, then I have created a MAC quad (well, filled 3 of them!) and the 3rd is a quad from Bobbi Brown. 

As you can see the Naked 2 has been very well loved!

In the MAC quad so far I have purchased, Gleam (left hand corner, top) which is a gorgeous shimmery pink, which is very sheer but is a lovely glitter, which I love. (top right) is Pink Venus, which is a pink with a little shimmer, which is more pigmented on the eye. And on the bottom is Honesty, which is my favourite. It is a shimmery beige/brown, which looks amazing on it's own with the Painterly Paint pot.

In the Bobbi Brown quad is Ivory (top left) which is very well loved and is a typical white colour. The next, and my most favourite colour of all time, which I wear almost every day is Chiffon (top right). Which is the most amazing shimmer. The gold colour does not translate, but the glitters are extremely sparkly and looks absolutely amazing with eyeliner. I always get compliments when wearing this colour, and it really makes my eyes pop. I really hope you can purchase it as a single!

Bottom left is SeaShell Pink, which is very pale and lovely.  Lastly, bottom right is Rich Espresso which is a very typical matte brown, which is perfect to create many different styles. 

For mascarra I have a new favourite. I have loved Seventeens Doll'd UP, for well over a year. I have super long lashes, and this really combs them out and coats every lash. My new love is Maybellene's Lash Sensational. I had heard great things before I purchased and I have not been let down. It is PERFECT for my lashes, and really opens up the eyes. Lastly is a MAC one I was sent from MAC, however I love plastic wands as it works best with long lashes, which the MAC one does not have. So I only use on my bottom lashes occasionally. 

Lastly, Lips. Phew, we're almost there.

My favourite lipstick of the last 2 months is MACs Honey Love. It is a matte nude and lasts for hours on ends. Its incredible and I absolutely love this shade, it really suits my skin tone and looks amazing with a tan. 

I only wear nude/pink lips, as I am not brave enough for bright colours like red.

In my make up bag I carry 4, of which I use all of them. Mainly being Honeylove. From left-right, MAC Honeylove, MAC Hue, MAC Pure Zen & Rimmel London Kate Moss Nude. 

Here they are swatched, in the same order from top to bottom!

I love the look of gloss but wear it less as long hair gets trapped in it, which I hate! I only own two glosses, both which I love. Bobbi Brown Honeysuckle an MAC Cremesheen Glass in Just Superb. 

And thats my daily make up routine!

What else can you recommend? 

♥