Makeup Brush Collection ♡

Since probably last Christmas I have managed to gather quite the collection of makeup brushes. I always apply all my makeup with brushes because I think that it leaves a nicer finish and then using your fingers and less product gets wasted.

Also just in case you were wondering the pot that I keep them in is actually a small plant pot from IKEA! They do lots of different sizes and mine is 10.5cm which I think is the smallest one.

Firstly I have the Real Techniques Core Collection. This set is the best for just starting out with makeup because they are such good quality and can be used for many different things. Starting from the front, I have the Buffing Brush. I use this with foundation and concealer and I find that it blends them really nicely. I also used to use this for powder which it was great for too. Next is the Contour Brush. This is what I usually use to apply bronzer and I sometimes use it for blusher if I want it in a precise place to contour and not just add some colour. Thirdly, I have the Pointed Foundation Brush. I must admit, out of this set this brush is the one iv used the least. I just think that when it comes to applying foundation or a BB cream etc, the buffing brush is better so this doesn't get used too much. Finally I have the Detailer Brush. I use this brush to apply eye shadow to the inner corner of my eye as it is the perfect shape for it. I have particularly loved using this with the Benefit High Beam in the inner corner of my eye.

These 3 brushes are again all Real Techniques brushes but they were not a set, these are the ones that I have bought separately. Again going front to back, I firstly have the Expert Face Brush. This brush is great for blending out concealer and perfect for doing under the eyes because of its shape. The only thing I will say about this brush that bothers me slightly, is that there are so many tightly compact hairs/brissels that it takes ages to wash! But it is a great brush aside from that. Next I have the Blush Brush. This brush is pretty self explanatory, its the best blush brush iv tried and a great domed shape to help get the blush just where you want it. I have also seen people use this as a powder brush. Lastly I have the Powder Brush which is HUGE! Its so big but that's what makes it work so well because just a few swipes and your face is powdered! This means you use less and your powder will last longer. Something I will mention about Real Techniques Brushes is the price. They aren't cheap at around £25 for a set and £10 seperatley but I think they are definitely worth the money for the quality so if your hesitant about splashing out, I would so recommend that you do.

These 2 brushes are both from Ted Baker beauty sets. The purple is from A Star Is Born and the pink is from The Great and The Gorgeous. They are fluffy brushes that I use for powder and bronzer usually. 

Theses are my eye shadow brushes. I firstly have the white one which is the Models Own Eye Shading Brush. The shape of this is perfect to contour your eye and go up to around the brow bone. Next 2 fluffy and 2 fluffy angled brushes from Ted Baker. The fluffy brushes I use a lot to apply 1 eye shadow colour across the whole of my eye lid but the angled ones I really haven't used much! These are probably for if you want to do a more precise look with multiple, maybe bold, colours to stop to much fall down but I haven't used them much at all.Then 3 Ted Baker sponge applicators which are really good to apply an eyeshadow base. I also like these because of the long handle as they are so much easier to use.

I'm not to sure what these 4 brushes are! They were in sets and are a cross between lip brushes and concealer brushes. The top 3 are Ted Baker and the bottom one is Models Prefer. I have used the silver and purple ones for concealer but I should really find out how to use them properly. 

These are just some random brushes and applicators I also keep in my brushes pot. Firstly on the top you can see I have a Natural Collection Mascara Wand that I have washed. This is great to separate eye lashes when you've used a clumpy mascara so they aren't all stuck together because if you go over it with a different mascara you'll just add to the problem. I also lots of small sponge applicators. The black ones are from Barry M Pallettes and the gold is a Chilli Pepper pallet. I don't use these much because I love the Ted Baker ones but they are handy to travel with. I also have a Clinique lip brush which I haven't used yet and a Sponge from boots which I do sometimes use to stop my t-zone looking like its caked in makeup, as it takes any excess off. Finally I have 2 Benefit brushes that I had in the Away We Glow set that Alicia got me one Christmas! The first is the brush from the Coralista Blush and applys really nicely and the second is a fluffy end brush that is nice to blend eye shadows together and a hard angled brush that I use often for eye brows and eye shadow as eye liner.

There we go! It should of taken a few hours to sort this post out but it some how managed to take a lot longer! I have 2 more planned though to keep this great streak me and Alicia have going on!

Abbie x

My Bad Beauty Habits!

I think we all have bad beauty habits no matter what we do but my speciality of bad beauty habits has to be mini testers or mini makeup products that you get for Christmas in gift sets or get free samples in with you're purchase on another product so I'm guilty as charged mine is keeping to many mini makeup products and not using them! 

This blog post is mainly to show how bad I have let myself get with mini testers  and to really give tips to you on how you can stop things happening like this because if you're anything like me you keep buying makeup and not using the makeup that needs using so in the end it turns out being a waste of money and a waste of some brilliant makeup products!


First thing first is to put them into something which you can always reach like mine which is in a benefit makeup collection box which was given to me for christmas with extra makeup products up so I just took all the packaging out and used it as a kind of storage box to store my mini makeup as I like to call it because as you can see from the pictures I have a lot of dupes which I love but haven't used as much so putting them in a box saves you time looking for them to use where as you can just pull one box out which has all the mini makeup in to use which is a great idea in my opinion because when you want to use something you don't want to spend ages trying to find that product you were wanting!

Secondly is to add some of you're testers to you're daily makeup routine as this is what I have been doing for example I have a lot of the Benefit They're Real! mascara and I have been using this instead of my normal Nars one so that I can use all my tester mascaras before I go and get another one which means I don't have to lose money to something I didn't really need in the first place! It's also good because It makes you realise how much you actually missed that product and you start addicted to that particular product again.

A few more bad beauty habits I have is one big main one being lazy! Im really lazy and don't take much care of my skin which I have done a post on about my skin care but I'm  luckily and I don't know how my skin is clear but I'm guilty for not taking care of it when I should and I also have a bad habit of not moisturising which should be my main priority as I don't want horrible skin when I get older so I have been getting better and trying to take care of my skin! Other then that I don't have any more bad beauty habits expect buying more makeup when I don't need any but I think a lot of people are like that so I don't feel as bad!

Hope you enjoyed this little post, it's not much but me and Abbie are trying to get blog posts up ready for when we go back to school because starting A Levels means a lot of work so we are doing little and often after summer ends but we are going to do some school blog posts but I think we are both waiting till we get out results to buy everything we need for school and then we will introduce back to school posts!

Tell me what you're bad beauty habits are and if you suffer from buying and keeping makeup that hardly get's used!

Aliciax

Favourite Lip Products ♡

Storage boxes- Next

So I own quite a lot of make up but I think my favouties have to be lip products. I have a few more than the ones I'm going to show today because I have just picked a range of my favourites to share today.

Also some of the pictures are quite bright because of the flash o my camera, believe it or not, this isn't just my bad photography skills, I did it on purpose so you can see the colours better.

Left- Right

Intense Care

Pink Punch

Cherry Me 

Peach Kiss

Hydrate

Firstly I have a collection of Maybelline Baby Lips lip balms that I know me and Alicica LOVE! They are so nice, smell AMAZING and are so long lasting! I don't think you can go wrong with any of these and I would strongly recommend them to anyone. I also think that theses would be perfect if you are just starting out with makeup because they are cheap as well. I think my 2 favourites of the 5 would have to be Cherry Me and Peach Kiss.

Left - Right

Cranberry Cream

Raspberry Rush

Rosalita

Pink-a-Boo

Next I have this Clinnique Butter Shine Lipstick Pallette. I haven't really used this much because its much easier to just reach for a Lipstick than the pallette but it does have really pretty colours in it! I think my favourites are Pink- a - boo and Rosalita. They also have really cute names which I like too.

These are my top 3 lipsticks. First I have the Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Raspberry. Natural Collection Lipsticks are really cheap so again good if you are just starting a make up collection. I saw a YouTube video as well where someone said this was a really good dupe for a Mac lipstick just a LOT cheaper! Then I have a Models Prefer lipstick. You used to be able to get Models Prefer in Boots but I don't think you can now so I'm not sure where you would get this (maybe eBay?) anymore but its definitely worth a try if you see it anywhere! Mine is the colour Sheer Rose. Lastly is my most favourite lip stick EVER! Its the slightly more pricey  Estee Lauder lipstick in 82 Palace pink. Its such a pretty pink shade but I don't think you can buy it anymore so I need to see if they do a similar one now because this is so nice! All 3 of these lipsticks are really long lasting as well so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Next I have 2 Benefit products. I firstly have my favourite sticky, lip gloss which is Life On The A List. Its a really pretty light pink which is very shimmery. I personally don't think that it is an everyday lip gloss because its so shimmery, but it is perfect for a party or going somewhere fancy! Secondly i have the Posie Tint. This is a cheek and lip tint but I dint use it on my cheeks as I cant seem to get it just right. It is so nice as a base for other lip colours as its a 'your lips but better' kind of colour that honestly lasts almost all day! You can eat and drink and although the colour you put on top will probably come off this certainly wont! Its so nice and definitely something ill buy again. 

Theres only 1 thing i dislike about Ted Baker lip crayons, they don't have names! So I cant refer to one specifically with a name but ill give it a go! First is a beautiful pink that is lovely in the summer and so is the slightly more orange toned one. Lastly is the middle dark ready brown shade? This is PERFECT for autumn! I cant wait to wear it in the autumn as I got it for Christmas so haven't had chance yet.

Here I have 3 more products that I couldn't really categorize so I just decided to put them all together. First is the Tanya Burr lip gloss in the shade First Date. It is such a pretty, light, milky pink colour that has such a lovely almost shimmery matt effect. The colour is a bit light for me but I just add a darker pink on top that makes it look nicer. Hopefully with a tan this will look lovely though! Next is a lip gloss that I have had for ages and I think its from the super marker Morrisons beauty bits they have at christmas. Its called Boudoir Beauty and is in the shade Ruby Riot. Its a shimmer pink gloss that I actually wore over my Estee Lauder lipstick for prom. It is also really long lasting , at prom I didn't top it up once, which is obviously great! Lastly I have a shimmery almost metallic effect Barry M lip crayon in the shade 5 which I think is called Ballet Slipper or something like that? It is a bit strange on its own but perfect over a lipstick like the Estee Lauder or Natural Collection one for a party or night out. 

Finally I have 3 products that I have used a lot! The Lancome Juicy Tube in Disco Melon WHICH IS THE GREATEST SMELLING THING EVER! That is a nice natural looking gloss as it basically goes on clear not the orange colour that it looks. Then 2 soap and glory products. Smooch opertor ehich I use every night before bed and its partner in crime A Great Kisser which is a coconut smelling (yum) glittery lip gloss that is very good for your lips along with Smooch Operator.

Finally this post is done! I started around 12 this afternoon and its now 7pm and I have to go to dance! My camera and laptop just hate me today! But at least its done. 

Abbie x

Holiday Makeup

Finally a holiday post! Im so excited to be going on holiday back to Cyprus this year I actually can't wait to get an amazing tan and just sit in the sun all day! I thought I would do this post to just show you what sort of makeup I will be taking on holiday I always end up taking my normal makeup which is the makeup I wear on an everyday basis, and I don't normally wear any makeup considering the sun catches my face quick so I don't need it but I just take makeup just incase so lets get into it:)

The makeup bag is one of my favourite makeup bags ever because one it looks small but boy does it go on forever, I can fit so much makeup in there which is great and always comes in handy when im travelling places! The makeup bag is from Ted Baker and it was a prezzie for my birthday last year from Abbie and I love it!

Face:

First is the Nars Tinted Moisturizer in the shade Finland Light 1 this is the best tinted moisturizer I have ever owned and the coverage is brilliant you only need a bit of this as it can feel a bit thick sometimes but I don't use much so I really recommend it from Nars

Then for concealer and under eye concealer I used the Maybelline- Eraser Eye in the shade Light this is the best concealer and actually covers dark under eyes and spots and if it covers spots then it must be good! It also not very heavy either which is good and when I'm having a lazy day I just normally put this on as coverage as it does cover a lot and I just dot it over my face but normally I put this on my T-Zone and under my eyes!

Then I just apply my powder to my whole face and the one I use is the Kiko Soft Light Powder  in the shade 02 this has got to be on of my favourite powders as I had to buy a new one because I could not find my normal Maybelline one anywhere so I read up on the reviews on this on and people said how good it was so I went and brought one and I love it, it also stops me from going shiny and I normally just carry it in my bag just incase I do get a bit oily which is not nice!

Then I just use my fave bronzer and I think it is everyones favourite bronzer and thats the Benefit Hoola Bronzer and it's amazing I just put it on my cheek bones and the sides of my face and It's lasted me a life time I swear I have only recently hit pan and Im sure I will be buying a new one as soon as it runs out because it been fantastic and I really recommend it!

Then Im just taking my Nars Blush in the shade Love which is a rosy pink as it's light to carry and adds a nice suttle colour to my cheeks as I should be red already due to being in the sun all day if Im not careful so this is just an alternative to my Benefit-Rockateur as that one adds a lot of colour to your cheeks and I normally use it in the autumn/winter .

Then on to the last face product Benefit-High Beam this is a perfect product to give you a healthy glow I have only just started using it again and can't believe I stopped using it because it's perfect I just apply to my cheeks and rub it in and people can really see the difference when it's on!

Then on to the brushes I use to apply my face makeup are a range of brushes from Mac to Real Techniques....

Left-Right

The first one is a Real Techniques Blush Brush which I use to apply my blusher, the next one is a Mac 187 Brush which I use to apply bronzer to my cheek bones and sides of my face, then I use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply the High Beam to my cheeks , then the Real Techniques Buffing Brush which I use to apply the powder and lastly the Mac 190 Brush to apply my Nars Tinted moisturizer and the Beauty Blender for the concealer.

Eyes:


First for my eyes is to curl them with some eye lash curlers and then I just use my Nars-Longer than life Volumizing Mascara and it's amazing doesn't clump or anything and since I have been curing my lashes and apply vaseline to them when I go to bed they have go a  lot longer so the mascara shows that off a lot and I think it a brilliant mascara as Im really funny with mascara!

Then for Brows I have changed what I use because I was using a Mac eyeshadow which I actually choose the wrong colour and I have only just realised to instead of going to buy a new one I was watching this girl on youtube called imhereforever and she used a Natural Collection one so I went and brought one which matches my colour and this is in the shade Crushed Walnut so it was really inexpensive and works brilliantly. Then im just taking my Benefit-Speed Brow to keep my brows in place!

Then just for eyeshadow Im either taking the Naked Palette 2 or 3 as I had a wide range of colours to pick from then but Im going to discuss it with my mom so we can take one to share as it will be much easier but If you want to see the colours then go and read my post on comparing the two palettes  Naked 2&3 palette


Lips:

First lets get the Lip Balms out the way as they are great but they are very boring! So I have a lot of lip balms as I have really dry lips because weird fact but when I concentrate  I lick my lips no reasons, don't know why but hey! So one crucial thing is a medicated lip balm which stops the dryness and redness and that one is Blistex Med Plus and boy does it work it's great I put it on every night before I go to bed and it stops my lips from being dry and red! Then just a normal lip balm I use the Nivea Milk and Honey one and this is amazing works a treat and I just apply it on my lips throughout the day.

Then on to the last bit a lipstick! This was my prom lipstick and I have fallen inlove with it, it's a perfect colour and matches my skin tone which is great and its a Mac Lipstick in the shade Hue and it's just a shimmery brown colour but with a hint of pink and it's so pretty so definitely one of my favourites! Then also my Kiko Glow Touch Lips and Cheeks in the shade 101 Venus Pink which is also a lovely light pink and its good because you can use it for lip and cheek bonus! 

Then for the brushes a Mac 266 Angled Brush to fill my eyebrows in and a Sigma E65 Small Angle as a lip brush because I didn't want to buy a new one:S

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked this post and to check Abbie's Summer Makeup for her makeup routine for summer:)

Aliciax