TRYING OUT LASH FIBRES

I took photos for this post a long long time ago anticipating talking about lash fibres a lot sooner than this. I never got round to actually using them as the idea of basically combing fluff onto my lashes scared me off a touch and everything seemed like it'd be uncomfortable.

The other week, whilst experimenting with my orange and pink eye looks, I thought it'd be a good time to try them out as mascara alone wasn't cutting it. I tried it with a range of mascaras, but this is how I've been finding the Sheer Cover Lash Extending Fibers*. On first use, it can feel a little odd and a fibre going in your eye (especially then landing on your contact lens) can be a bit off putting.

I start by curling the lashes with my cheap and cheerful Tiger offering, then applied a coat or two of the Sheer Cover Lengthening Mascara*, which does add serious length, and beforehand when I always found it never to dry down properly and ended up sticking my lashes together, layering is the way to go to combat this. Then a brief coating of the lash fibres (basically white fluff) followed up by another mascara, which for me at the moment is either the Too Faced Lashgasm or Soap & Glory Thick & Fast - steering away from my usual waterproof security blanket.

These really do give me some serious length and volume, and compared to my normal lashes that are a pretty good length but struggle to hold a curl and often aren't very full/thick looking you could be mistaken that I had a pair of false lashes glued on. I will definitely be getting my use out of these in the next few weeks...

NATURAL LOOKING CONCEALERS

Concealing is one of those steps I enjoy in my makeup routine - delicately tapping on precise dots of product really is quite satisfying. But sometimes, the end result isn't as satisfying, especially when you look like a you have caked on your concealer with a paint brush, which is why I have been on the hunt for new additions to my collection that look a little more natural.

For under eyes, on top of something a little more heavy duty, or alone, my favourite offering is the KIKO Natural Concealer in 01. As the name suggests, it is natural, and very fresh looking. It is brightening, a little dewy and has a more pink tone to counteract any more darkness under your peepers. I am almost out of this, which is a shame because I live rather far from London. Maybe an online order...

For both blemishes, under eyes, and a little dewy highlighting, we have the Sheer Cover Conceal & Brighten Trio which offers 2 shades of concealer, and a light cream to highlight, which brings the glow to a new level. The concealers have a fairly light coverage, but can be built up to cover blemishes and banishes some of the under eye darkness you may have.

One which has been gaining more and more use from the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer. I have recently rediscovered the Serum Foundation from the range too, and the two go hand in hand for a natural base. This is fairly yellow, but once blended just matches seamlessly to the skin. I'd give this one a  medium coverage status, with a satin finish, but not one that looks or feels drying in the slightest. A new love perhaps?

I am a bit of a concealer junkie, I confess. I am predicting that we'll be seeing another concealer-centric post fairly soon...

BRONZING UP

It would seem that we are all getting tired of the horrendous British weather now, and most of us are hoping for spring and summer to hurry up (I am more excited about the clothes shopping to be fair), and as a result of this I have been craving the bronzed look more often.

Before, I used to be a bit scared of bronzers, purely because I am so pale, but I have found some products that have been working for me without any orange tinge.

For a bronzing base, (I do want to get my hands on Bourjois' offering), the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Bronzing Primer has been doing pretty well for me. This adds a hint of tint, and makes your skin look healthy, while also smoothing out the skin.

Too Faced are also the brand in which one of my favourite bronzers has come from, which is the Poolside Primping Sun Bunny Bronzer, and this is slightly shimmery, but translates on the skin to something more sheeny. Watch out to not be too heavy handed with this one, as things can get a little overpowering at times.

A new addition to my collection is the Sheer Cover Sun-Kissed Bronzing Minerals in Light*, which is a trio of colours in one pan, starting light, and making its way to something darker. The middle shade is slightly more shimmery than the others, but the outer two still have a touch of sheen as well. This is a really natural looking one and I have been enjoying using this daily just around my cheeks and temples.

The final product is one that I talk about quite a lot here, but one which I am unsure of where it is available from. The Milani Sunset Duos in 01 Sunset City  is a duo that makes its way into my MUJI drawers almost weekly when I change things up. The blush is stunning, as is the bronzer alone, but when you swirl the two, and just put it on the cheeks, we have a gorgeous bronzey blush.

You obviously need a brush to apply your product, and the one in question is the Sheer Cover Bronzer/Blush Brush*, which is an angled brush which isn't too dense so you don't have any issues of your products looking heavy handed. I must also add that I love the 'packaging', a dark wood handle, with dark bristles - an instant 10/10 from me.

My next bronzer on the wishlist, The Body Shop Honey Bronzer... Oh Estée, you are an enabler and a half...