What's In My Holiday Make-Up Bag?

As this post goes live I will be 30000 feet up in the air on my way to Valencia, Spain. I am taking a little 5 day mini break to the city with my sister after a stressful few weeks of exams where we can explore the city, relax on the beach, get some sunshine and of course drink plenty of sangria and eat far too much tapas.

My sister and I only have a suitcase between us which means I need to pack light (FYI, I am really not very good at packing light) and everything that goes into the suitcase is probably going to have a vigorous screening process by my sister followed by a few 'you don't need that', 'you won't use this' and 'we're not taking them'. I think there is going to have to be a little bit of sneaking things in the suitcase when her back his turned as think she will not understand why I need 2 mascaras, 3 concealers and 6 lipsticks for 5 days...

Firstly the make-up bags I am taking is this beautiful deep purple Saffiano leather DKNY bag which will hold all my make-up essentials, I am then taking this New York print white canvas bag also DKNY as my overflow make-up bag which holds my brushes, my Naked palette, perfume, nail varnish and other bits and bobs.

Starting with the purple bag I am taking: my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Porcelain and also a sample sized of the shade darker (Nude) to mix in if I tan, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Fair, MaxFactor Colour Correct stick for under eye circles, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, MAC blush in Taupe Shape (which I use as bronzer), Nars Deep Throat blusher, Rimmel Stay Matte powder, Laura Mercier Long Lash mascara, Chanel Le Volume De Chanel mascara, Maybelline Gel Liner in black, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bronze on Bronze, MAC eyeshadow duo of Omega and Concrete which I use for my brows and Natural Collection clear mascara which I also use for my brows.

And finally I am taking the following lipsticks: MAC Patisserie, Topshop Brighton Rock, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 05, Rimmel Apocalips in Across the Universe and L'Oreal Liquid Lipstick in 500 Molto Mauve. 

The white bag will hold my brushes and tools which get too squished in the purple bag, the original Naked palette, my Jo Malone perfume in English Pear and Freesia, the nail varnish on my toes which is Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in 416 Papaya, a few bits of jewelery and some hair accessories. 

For brushes I am taking: Real Techniques Stippling, Expert Face, Deluxe Crease and Base Shadow brushes, MAC 239, 217, 263 and 129, Topshop Large Shadow and Angled Brow brush, Bare Minerals Soft Sweep Cheek brush, Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush, an ELF Spoolie and Charlotte Tilbury Eyelash Curlers. 

That ended up being a long post! Reading back through this post maybe this is a bit excessive for 5 days, I'll let you know when I get back if my bossy sister made me leave anything behind... 

Raiding My Sister's Make-Up Bag

 Don’t you just love going through other people’s make-up bags? This weekend I made a little spontaneous trip to London to see my sister and found myself riffling through her make-up bag to see what goodies I could find, the following are things that I would love to buy myself in my shade and other products I would like to sneak into my bag and take back with me…

1. Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony

This is the one I got most excited about as I had no idea she had it, it is Bobbi Brown’s much raved about blusher in the colour Peony. It looks a very scary bright pink in the compact but once applied it leaves a gorgeous, natural, healthy pink, matte finish.

2. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation in B20

I would love to be able to use this foundation but none of the Chanel shades ever seem to match my skintone, they are all far too yellow based for my pale-pinky skin.  My sister, Charlotte describes it as having a dewy finish with light to medium coverage, she says it's quick and easy to blend and leaves a nice natural finish. However, she does also point out that her shade isn't quite the perfect match and would benefit from having the shade B10 to mix in.

3. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

This again is a very raved about product in the blogging world and I’m sure at some point in the near future I won’t be able to resist any longer and make the purchase. The unique product has two shades – one to match the skin’s depth of colour and the other to match the undertone. You can either mix the two shades together on the back of your hand to create your perfect shade or use the more pinky to counteract under eye dark circles and the more yellow-based one to hide any blemishes.  I think Charlotte uses her fingers to apply which is good as it warms the product up but I would then buff over with a fluffy brush to leave a super flawless finish

4. YSL Baby Doll Mascara

I actually recommended this to my sister after hearing Sophie’s great reviews about it and Charlotte loves it. It is quite a subtle, natural looking mascara perfect for everyday wear with a brush that easily coats every lash, making the more voluminous, longer and defined. Also – a mascara that actually smells nice, finally!

5. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact Highlighter in Pink Quartz

I am a big fan of these shimmer bricks even though I’ve never actually owned one myself, I’ve always just stolen a bit from my sister or Sophie! They are powder highlighters with 5 slightly different shades inside which when mixed together create a lovely natural looking pink highlighter – perfect for the top of cheek bones, on the brow bone and in the inner corner of the eye.

6. MAC Matte Lipstick in So Chaud

Now this is one statement lipstick! I’m surprised my sister has this as she is usually a very natural-looking-make up kind of girl. The best way to describe this colour is think of MAC’s famous Lady Danger Lipstick and add a bit more orange. MAC describe it as an intense reddish-orange, it also has the matte finish which I am really loving at the minute.

Blogmas Day 15: Get The Make-Up Look- Miranda Kerr

Complexion 

Foundation: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Under Eye Concealer: YSL Touche Eclat 

Bronzer: Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

Blush: Sleek Rose Gold

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte

Eyes

Eye Primer: Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Eyeshadow: Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'And On Bronze' (all over lid), MAC Concrete (blended through crease and winger outwards)

Mascara: Chanel Le Volume De Chanel

Eyebrows: MAC Concrete 

Highlighter: MAC Nylon

Lips

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 'Across The Universe'

Blogmas Day 9: Top 3 Blushers

Blusher is a really important part of applying make up as it helps put all the colour and shape back into your face after the foundation. It can also transform a look from natural and girly to dramatic and edgy. I like a mix of high-street and luxury blushers and I usually stick to lighter, more natural pinks; here are my top 3 at the moment. 

Nars 'Deep Throat' Blush

This is my everyday blusher that Sophie got me for my birthday earlier this year and I love it. I'd say out of all the blushers this one is my favourite as it looks so natural and gives a really healthy glow. It is highly pigmented, has a really silky texture and blends effortlessly. 


Sleek Blush 'Rose Gold 926'

I wear this blusher in the evening as its a little darker and a tad more dramatic then the Nars one above. The texture and feel of the blush is very similar to 'Deep Throat' and the colour is very much identical to Nars 'Orgasm'. It also has excellent pigmentation and is very affordable at £4.49. 


Maxfactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush '14 Soft Pink'

This is a cream blush which makes it look very natural with a slightly dewy finish. I use this on days when I don't wear a lot of make-up, maybe just over a bit of tinted moisturiser and I mostly use it in the summer. It is very easy to blend, the colour is build-able and it also has a none greasy formula. It helps keep you look fresh and radiant all day.    


What are your favourite blushers?

Product Review: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

A few months ago, at the Selfridges Autumn Beauty event (see the blog post for more info!) I picked up the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer which was launched earlier this year. I decided to purchase this particular concealer as I felt it was time to leave the concealer comfort zone of my Benefit Boi-ing and I am so glad I did! I have also read really good reviews on many other beauty blogs so decided to try it out for myself.  

The formula of this concealer is really rich, creamy and alcohol free which is always a plus. It creates a flawless finish and is slightly luminous, the coverage is full and disguises blemishes like magic. Even though the product is really rich it still manages to stay really hydrating and long-wearing. The colour range is also great; my colour is 'Vanilla'. Nars claim the concealer is crease-proof however, I do disagree with this statement as it does tend to crease under my eyes. Whilst we are on negative points, my only other criticism is the doe-foot applicator; I find these really unhygienic and hate using them, I always put it on the back to my hand first then use my finger instead of straight onto the blemish.  I mainly use it for blemishes and occasionally when I have really dark under eye circles, and gently pat it onto the desired area with my finger. 

This product is definitely at the luxury end of the market at £21 for 6ml, however a little goes a long way. Many other beauty bloggers have suggested that Collections Lasting Perfection concealer is a much cheaper alternative, however I've not tried it so couldn't tell you.

Overall I think this concealer is amazing - a little on the pricey side, but in my opinion worth it. It has definitely knocked Boi-ing off my concealer top-spot! 

Jess's Favourite: Make-Up Brushes

Good quality make-up brushes are an essential tool to getting perfect looking make-up, it’s important to try and wash them with shampoo as often as possible so they deliver the best results and last for years (I do not practice what I preach and all my brushes are way overdue a wash!). Here are a few of my favourites which I always use in my make-up routine.

1. MAC 150 Large Powder Brush – I tend to use this brush for bronzer as it’s the perfect size to run along the temples and in the hollows of the cheeks to create that more contoured and defined look. I don’t use it for powder as I use a much smaller brush and just powder the t-zone area as I have really dry skin so don’t really need to powder all over. I have had this brush for a while now and it is still really soft, I was a little disappointed with it when I first bought it as it kept shedding hairs on my face but that stopped after a few uses. It’s not a cheap make-up brush at £33.50, but for me it really is an essential.

 2. Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I use the stippling brush to gently buff liquid or cream foundation into the skin to give a flawless and airbrushed finish. I use it in little circular motions until all the foundation is evenly blended into the skin, I also use it at the end of my make-up routine and buff out and harsh lines I may have from bronzer or blusher. The Real Techniques brushes all have synthetic bristles which makes them quick to clean as they don’t ‘hold on’ to the product and at around £10 the brush is really good value for money.

3. Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush – This is more of a traditional foundation brush and I use it if my skin is very dry (the buffing motion of the Stippling brush can often make my skin flaky if I’m having a very dry day!). I also use it to ‘clean up’ under my eyes if any shadow has dropped down. This brush also builds to a more full coverage foundation look whereas the Stippling brush is creates a sheer to moderate finish. This brush is not cheap at £32.00, however it is very good quality and should last a really long time.

 4. MAC 263 Small Angle Brush – This is the brush I use to fill in my eyebrows on a day to day basis, I gently brush through powder eyeshadow in small soft strokes; the angle in the brush really helps to make the brow as precise as possible. I also use it to line my top lash line with powder and gel eyeliner as I find an angled brush much easier to use than a traditional liner brush. It takes 20 seconds to clean as it’s so thin and can be thoroughly dry in 15 minutes.  The RRP of this brush is £16.50.

5. MAC 217 Blending Brush – If you want to achieve a perfect smokey eye, a good quality blending brush is essential. I use it to brush base eye colours all over the lid then blend darker colours through the crease to add shadow and definition. The bristles are soft and don’t shed and blend colours together effortlessly. I also have another blending brush which isn't MAC (it is a slightly cheaper N⁰7 one) and I can definitely tell the difference in quality, however if you are creating a dramatic smokey eye it is usually best to apply the product with one and blend with the other to make it looks as neat as possible. The MAC 217 is £18.00 and also MAC’s top selling brush. 

What are your favourite make-up brushes?  

Product Review: Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation, £33

This Laura Mercier foundation is definitely not a cheap option at £33 for 35ml, however it does deliver flawless results and I do think you are getting what you pay for. The formula is rich and creamy and is suitable for pretty much any skin type- I have very dry skin and it works perfectly for me and my sister has oily skin and also loves the foundation. It is oil free and according to Laura Mercier it ‘leaves skin hydrated and protected with a radiant, timeless glow’.

The coverage is full and buildable and leaves skin feeling smooth and flawless. Laura Mercier recommends applying the foundation using a sponge or your fingers, however I prefer to use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and buff the foundation gently into my skin to create an airbrushed finish. The foundation is highly concentrated and pigmented so a little really does go a long way, I’ve had mine for about six months and I’d say there is still over half left. The packaging is great to slip easily into your make up bag and is easy to dispense the correct amount of foundation.

The only criticism I would have about this foundation is the limited colour range, mine is in Soft Ivory which is too pale for me at the minute (I bought it in mid-winter and I've been on a few holidays since then!) so I have to mix with a dark tinted moisturiser when I want to wear it. Other than that I think this foundation is one of my favourites to date and would recommend to anyone wanting a full coverage foundation. 

Products Mentioned: 

Laura Mercier - http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Apply%20Foundation_Silk%20Cr%C3%A8me%20Foundation_prod210057

Where to get in UK:
House of Fraser -http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Laura+Mercier+Silk+Creme+Foundation/D114407,default,pd.html
John Lewis - http://www.johnlewis.com/laura-mercier-silk-cr-me-foundation/p37673
Space NK- http://uk.spacenk.com/silk-creme-foundation/MUK163440553.html

Real Techniques Stippling Brush- http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-finish-perfected/stippling-brush

5 Beauty Products I Can't Live Without

These are the beauty products which I carry around with me all the time and do not know what I would do without them...

5. Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - This concealer is my life saver and my favourite spot concealer I've ever tried. Benefit call it their 'industrial-strength concealer' and it covers up spots and blemishes like a dream. The formula contains anti-bacterial properties which also help spots to disappear. The small, slim packaging makes it really easy to fit into a small clutch bag when you are going out and it lasts for a reasonable amount of time. It is £17.50 and my shade is 01 Pale- as you can see below, mine has very nearly run out!

4. Rimmel Stay Matt Pressed Powder - This is my favourite high-street/drugstore product, it is really inexpensive and controls shine really well. I have tried a few powders, including top of the market brands and I find this one really works the best for me. Rimmel claims it has 5 hours natural shine control and I would probably agree with that statement. RRP is £3.99 and my shade is 002 Pink Blossom.

3. Blistex MedPlus Lip Balm -  This is quite a boring one, but it’s the one I probably use the most. I actually have a few of them in all my different handbags so I know I’ve always got one with me! My lips tend to quite dry and chapped, especially in winter and this really helps to make them nice and soft and smooth ready to put lipstick over the top. It is my favourite lip balm I’ve tried so far and is very reasonably priced at around £2.50. My favourite flavour is Cherry Berry.

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Èvanescente (88) – This is quite a sad one because this is my all-time favourite everyday lipstick and have recently had some heart-breaking news that it has been discontinued (I am now trying to use it as sparingly as possible). However, I still have half a lipstick left so I don’t have to live witout it just yet and that’s why its on this list. The lipstick is a really creamy texture and the colour is more intense than the other Chanel lipsticks (Rouge Coco Shine and Rouge Coco) and lasts for hours, the colour is a really natural looking dull pink and the finish is slightly satin like and doesn’t dry the lips out. Similar colours to Èvanescente are Gracile (89) and Fantasque (112). RRP is £25.00.

1. My final product I cannot live without is my Yves Saint Laurent Touche Èclat, I use it under my eyes, on my brow bone, down the centre of my nose and on my upper lip to brighten up my face. It conceals dark circles amazingly, definitely the best under eye brightener I’ve used so far and highlights really subtly. The packaging is beautiful and classic and the product is really easy to use.  YSL have recently launched Touche Èclat in loads of different shades but I’ve stuck with the original  (1) which is suitable for any skin type or shade. RRP is £25.00.