BRUSHES FOR BASES

A day doesn't go by where I don't use a brush in some shape or form for my foundation/concealer. I'm not quite sure how I used to manage without, and even though a finger-applied base looks pretty and natural, I go for the brush option more often than not. I have three favourites, come and say hello...

The Real Techniques Buffing Brush really is the cult of the trio I have going on here, and I can certainly tell why. It isn't as dense as the likes of the Expert Face Brush, but it certainly blends just as well - a lot of people actually say even better. This makes makeup look like a part of your skin, rather than a thick layer sitting on top of it, and I love it. I can't quite believe that Megan doesn't have this one yet - come on girl.

For a more natural finish, I love the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. Sam Chapman really hits the nail on the head with her brush line, hence why I never stop rambling on about the darn things. This one is the one I love for lighter foundations or BB Creams/Tinted Moisturisers, because it's something about this brush and those kinds of bases that look the best together.

For a more dense brush we have the Nanshy Round Buffer Brush* which is becoming one that is used more and more regularly. It really blends foundation into the skin, and I love the way it looks. I don't think it quite rivals my Real Techniques Buffing Brush yet, because I find it slightly too dense to get everything as blended, but the finish is still great. This is one that I love for concealer more than foundation I guess.

3 Brushes, all of which my face appreciates. I wonder what brush I will be getting next from the Real Techniques range...

THE BUDGET BLACK LINER TRIO

Eyeliner has become a step in my daily makeup routine and after a few weeks to a month of consistent daily lining, my peepers look odd to me without the slightly winged, not too thick, black line of definition.

The Felt Tip Pen: This is my favourite option to go for of the three. I have totally got to grips with using the pen to do a line (pretty much even on both eyes, can I get a round of applause?), quickly in the morning and it stays all day. The felt-tip in question is the Barry M Blink Precision Eyeliner which costs something short of £5, so is totally bargainous. There is no doubt that I will be repurchasing this once it has dried out.

The Gel Pot: This is a new addition to the liner posse, but strictly speaking isn't actually designed to be a liner. This in fact is the Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo in Timeless Black, but it is so pigmented, that once set, it almost doubles as a gel liner. Sometimes I am worried that it'll smudge being as it isn't actually a liner but I haven't had any issues yet. For £2 in the Boots clearance, it isn't bad at all.

The Pencil/Kohl: This is the option I am least familiar with, but this is one to go for when you want something a little more laid back or a bit more smudged out and sultry. This is the Avon Glimmerstick in Blackest Black, and this stuff is seriously pigmented. You have a short time after applying to smudge, move and wing this liner before it sets which is what I like about it. For £6 it isn't pricey either.

Three great liners at 3 budget prices, and I feel like my eye look is never complete without a slick of the stuff nowadays, and for just over £15 for the trio, you can't resist...

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...

 

THE BUDGET BUY: MUA UNDRESSED PALETTE

I'm sure we have all heard of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes, but the question is, have you heard of the £4 supposed dupes? The MUA Undressed Palette is rumoured to be a dupe for the first installment in Urban Decay's range of palettes, and if the Undress Me Too and Naked 2 comparison of mine is anything to go by, this is a pretty darn good dupe.

Summed up in a sentence, this is a bargain palette of 12 neutral, warm shadows which are perfect for every day looks, but the darker shades allow for something a little more sumptuous and smokey on the lids, with 2 matte shades and the rest shimmery, this is multiple eye looks in one place.

There are no shade names, just numbers in the order that you go along from left to right. My particular favourites are; Shade 2 which is a pale shimmery champagne toned pink, Shade 4 which is a light brown shimmer, Shade 5 which is a warm medium brown matte (perfect for warming up the crease and defining), Shade 7 which is a super pigmented, slightly gold and coppery brown shimmer, Shade 8 which is a stunning olive-brown, and Shade 9 eased me into the red shadow look at the end of last year.

You can see by the swatch just how pigmented these shadows are, and it is especially impressive when you realise that these shadows come to under 35p a pan - bargainous or what?

Maybe not as great quality as the official Naked palettes, but the colours are almost identical from what I know, and the quality is outstanding for the price. When is the Naked 3 dupe coming out then MUA?

THE WET BRUSH

The Wet Brush* has certainly gained its spotlight in the beauty world recently, particularly after Lily and Anna's ravings about the tool. I've been trying it for a matter of days and I already know that it's love.

The concept is fairly basic; a normal looking hairbrush but with bristles specially designed to be used on wet (and dry) hair without causing as much damage to the hair as a normal brush would. I can't examine damage to my hair, but boy, does this brush glide through your hair, especially when it's wet.
I'm not sure about you, but when my hair is just fresh from being washed and in a towel for a while, it is a pain to brush through and I feel as though I am tugging so hard that most of my hair could snap off. With this though, I haven't had any experiences of the sort.

This is said to be even better than the Tangle Teezer, and that's a comparison I wish to make at some point, but for now I will stick with the other bloggers' word on the matter, and say that it probably is, because I simply can't imagine a brush being better than this one, and for only £6.95 a piece, I think I have found a winner.

A new favourite, and it seems to have already gained a place on the podium of hair tools in my collection...