GETTING THE GLOW

It's safe to the the glow, THE glow, is something of popular culture nowadays. It seems that throughout an Instagram feed there is always mention of highlight and the absolute beauty of it. I've tried my fair share of highlighters, and I've finally found the glow getters that work for me. 

I've realised, it starts from the base. I use the Collection Reviving and Anti-Fatigue Illuminating Primer; which cost me something short of a fiver. I wasn't expecting much, but this really brightens my complexion and creates the perfect base for my foundation and concealer. This surprised me, and I'll definitely be purchasing again. Another option is to mix an illuminating product into your base, which I find really effective if you want to look naturally glowy. The Rimmel Wake Me Up one in Shimmering Sands, or the Dr Lewinns Skin Perfect Illuminiser both work really well at this instead of pinpoint highlighting because I find them slightly too intense alone, but really nice mixed. 

Sometimes it isn't just the highlight that can be glowing. Although I prefer matte bronzer and of course contour, a sheen for blush is sometimes rather pretty. A cream blush can do this pretty well, or if you want extra glow the Rimmel Wake Me Up Illuminator in Radiant Rose is a good bet. Not too sparkly, but just the right level of glow to add something extra to the cheeks. 

In terms of actual highlighting, I do love the one in the Sleek Contour Kit (not pictured, because I have literally used every single bit of mine), but I've also recently discovered two other options. The Benefit High Beam is a cult classic - and I have definitely understood why this is the case. The other is another recent release from Collection - the Speedy Highlighter. This one requires a little more blending because it is a 'stick' form, but the champagne glow it gives after the effort is completely worth it.

Although it seems my collection is already extensive enough, I desperately want to add more pretty highlight shades to my collection. Any recommendations?

THE BEST OF BENEFIT?

THE BEST OF BENEFIT SET

I got this Benefit set for Christmas 2014 from my grandparents and it claimed to have 'the best of' the brand featured inside, and I thought I'd give you the run down on the best from 'the best' seeing as I've had more than enough time to trial these minis. 

The PoreFessional Primer - When I first tried this I was a little skeptical, as it was a very silicone based primer, and on the first few uses my skin seemed a little unsure, but as I got into it I began to actually love how it made my makeup apply and appear, and I am now making my way through a full size and I can't bear the thought of a day without it. 

High Beam - This is another favourite, a liquid pink pearl highlight which gives the most amazing glow. With a light hand this is gorgeous on top of the cheekbones, brow bones (pretty much anywhere you would highlight), or use it mixed in with a less glowy foundation. I even mixed this in with my moisturiser a few times for a subtle hydrating glow. 

Benetint - One that I didn't know how to use without looking like a clown with dark pink circles on the cheeks, but now I seem to have managed the art of Benetint, you could say. A little patted into the fingertips then lightly pressed into the cheeks and lips gives a subtle tint - that literally stays all day.

Hoola Bronzer - The cult classic; the one everyone raves about. This is great - a warm matte bronzer that when applied with a light duofibre brush gives a natural looking bronzed glow. I have to remind myself to use this as I often just reach for Nars Laguna, but this mini compact is a firm high flyer in my bronzer stash nonetheless. 

They're Real Mascara - A word of warning; do not poke yourself in the eye with this wand. The plastic bristles and odd ball shaped end to the wand really does make you cry a little, but I guess it can be excused by the wonders it does to the lashes. Although perhaps a little to wet when I first got it, after being left to dry out for a while it was the perfect formula for my lashes - but this one gets quite a few mixed opinions in the blogging world. 

They're Real Gel Liner - Gel liner in a pen excited me, and it was alright while it lasted. This stuff ran out fast - mainly because I would twist the bottom for ages then a huge blob would appear. This was super black, and gave the most dramatic line I think I've ever worn - and I even got a few compliments from it. My only complaint is that if I rubbed my eye at all (not advised with liner anyway, but I was going for it), it would begin to flake off. I think this one is about preference to be honest, but the new coloured versions do excite me. 

Boi-ing Concealer - I liked that you got 2 colours of this, because with a tan I could mix the two and then when I was paler I could just reach for the top one. This is pretty brightening, so under the eye use was the best for me, although it didn't beat my love for the liquid formulas across my concealer stash. Admittedly, with a hydrating primer or eye cream underneath it sat better, but apply too much and you have a cakey situation. 

So, there you go. The best and the 'try for yourself because I'm not quite sure''s, but all in all I will admit that nothing was a mega disappointment, so I was pretty impressed by this set and would definitely buy this for someone who hadn't tried any Benefit products if it comes out again this year. 

THE TWO GO-TO PRIMERS

Ask me a couple of years ago, and I would have told you I didn't wear primer, but as time goes on I've grown a bit of an obsession. Recently I've nearly made my way through a Bourjois Luminous Primer Serum, and in conjunction with the glow I like to use something a little more shine absorbing down the T-Zone for a longer lasting finish, and that comes in the form of one of these two on a daily basis.

The first is the Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer, one I hated at first but my skin got used to it rather quickly and I began to use it daily. I would like to point out that these two are rather silicone based, so bear that in mind as well as your personal preferences. This completely smooths the skin and fills in any pores, so that my chosen base goes on seamlessly. It definitely helps my makeup last much longer especially in the school day where it tends to slide off and on days I forget in a rush I do feel and see the difference.

The PoreFessional by Benefit is not much different, and is the newest to my collection in the primer family, and it's been almost a battle between the two as they are both so similar. This one is slightly peach tinted but doesn't translate onto the skin at all, and it does just a good job at keeping makeup on, and it has the same silicon consistency - something that does not bother me and works for my skin. It's another staple, and I will be sad to see these minis run out and I recon there will be a repurchase on the cards.

To be honest, I recon I will go for whichever option is the best value/cheapest when it comes to repurchasing as honestly, side by side on my hand I cannot tell the difference between them. Which do you prefer, or do you have a budget alternative?

FIVE PIECE FOOLPROOF EYES

Over the Christmas break, I totally stripped back my eye makeup (getting up early on boxing day wasn't going to be a full on smokey eye look, was it?) and it's kind of stuck for school and such, and only involves 5 products, including tools.

For brows I was quickly etching them in with the Soap&Glory Archery Brow Pencil and Tint, a product I used to be sacred of for the fear of cartoon looking brows, but I've found the good light handed technique that leaves them looking the same as if I were to have used a shadow.

Speaking of shadow, I was using the MAC Malt matte eyeshadow all over the lid; it's a light taupe-pink sort of nude and just looks very barely there and natural, but still like you've got something on your lids. I just use the Real Techniques Base Shadow brush for this, as it applies colour and blends too, and sometimes I will take a bit of my bronzer of the day to define the crease slightly more.

Then, as it seems I can't go a day without a slick of liner any more, I use the Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner - one that took a bit of getting used to but with the right technique you can get an ultra black gel feline flick that balances nicely with the light sweep of shadow. Then, a few coats of They're Real Mascara seals everything together and gives me length and volume to the lashes.

What has your daily eye makeup routine been recently?

THE BEAUTY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

Possible a little blogger cliche, today is the day in which I share some of the beauty picks on my Christmas Wishlist this year. Although, there are a few other bits on the list, and I would never expect to receive everything I asked for, but these are some which I thought I could share with you as the possibilities that I could be lucky enough to see under my tree.

Skin & Body 

Being a slight bit of an Origins fangirl I thought Christmas would be the prime time to get started with the brand. The face masks had always intrigued me, and so this Origins Mask Marvels Set was written straight on my Christmas list. You get 3 75ml face masks (the Drink Up Intensive 10 minute mask, Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask and Clear Improvement Mask) for £25. The value for money is what got me, with the 50ml masks being £11 individually anyway.

Another body set is the Soap and Glory Relaxstation Set which has again, an amazing value for money. This one comes in a £20, with a few full sizes, a few minis, a hair turban towel, and also a 'loofah' if that is what they are called? I must say also Clean on Me shower gel is a firm favourite of mine so a full size shall be well loved.

I guess this links into skin, which is MAC Fix+. I recenty watched a video where ViviannaDoesMakeup talked about stippling this on with a brush to take away any powder-cakeyness, and it drew me in right away.

Makeup

The Smashbox It's Your Prime Set has been catching my eye for a few months now. The thought of an under-eye primer makes me very excited, and I am an eyeshadow base junkie so that'll be used a lot. And then to top it all off you get the Photofinish Primer which has gained a bit of a cult-status by quite a few bloggers this year.

This Benefit Hot 2 Trot Set looks pretty darn good. You get a full size Bella Bamba box blush, alongside what I would call a deluxe mini of the Cha Cha Tint stain for lips and cheeks. Rolling in at the price of the blush alone, this isn't all that bad of a deal.

Finally for makeup we have the No7 The Eye Collection which in all honesty, I purely wanted for the Eye Blend and Contour Brush, but for less than double the price of the brush you get 3 shadows and a pencil smudgy brush in there as well, which is totally bargainous. 

Fragrance

Whenever I walk past The Body Shop all that pops into my mind is the thought of the White Musk Smoky Rose Fragrance which smells incredible. I cannot explain scents, so I won't try, but if this was to be under my tree I would be very, very happy. 


As I said, I am grateful for anything I receive as gifts from anyone, and the same goes for this year. 

What's on your wishlist?

 

 

ELLE MAGAZINE FREE BENEFIT LIP GLOSS MINI

I love a good freebie, and my luck has been pretty high when discovering some good free products in magazines recently, although I am still kicking myself because I didn't pick up the ELLE Issue with the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray in it, nor the one with Benefit's Their Real Mascara - idiot Lauren... Maybe it will happen again one day. 

In the (very early) December Issue of ELLE, you get a choice of 3 Benefit Ultra Plush Lipgloss, either Hoola (which I got), Coralista (which I want), and Dandelion I believe. My mum got me this magazine after knowing how much time I spend at the benefit counters, but never actually pick anything up. 

Hoola itself is a really lovely natural nude/brown, slightly shimmery shade. The formula is great for a lipgloss, is has a very slippy texture, and not sticky at all, meaning you can wear this in the wind and you wont have any hair-in-lipgloss situations. 

The magazine costs £4, and with the 6.5ml lipgloss, I think it is something worth buying. I am definitely spending more time browsing the magazines in WHSmith nowadays, hoping to find some hidden gems. After all, magazines are a really good way to add more high end makeup items to your collection without spending too much, which is great for me being on a drugstore budget. ELLE, put some more Bumble and Bumble in there again...just for me? I promise I won't forget to buy it!