MAC In The Spotlight Extra Dimension Skinfinish: Soft Frost, DoubleGleam, Beaming Blush, Show Gold

Let's all just take a moment to appreciate MAC and their strobe game. For years I have always been a fan of MAC's extra dimension skinfinish products (face compacts and eye shadows), so these were something I definitely wanted to include in my collection. Strobe creams are also part of the 'In The Spotlight" collection but I prefer powder products, so I thought I'd pick these up first. Also, I've read this is a permanent collection too so that is always a bonus. 

BECCA Jaclyn Hill Champagne Prosecco Pop Highlighter & Blush Palette |Mini Review

Firstly, I don't watch Jaclyn Hill specifically on YouTube and had no intensions of buying any of the collection because I didn't think it was going to be available in the UK, and I didn't need another palette in my life. But WHO WAS I KIDDING - JUST LOOK AT IT.

BECCA: Backlight Priming Filter and Shimmering Skin Perfector Moonstone

Oh my, Becca. This brand is slowly becoming a favourite of mine and a staple in my makeup collection. Although they are more high-end in my collection, I can't fault the quality of the products and being a marketer that is sucker for packaging, the packaging and feel of Becca products feel like they are worth paying for what they are. I am a fan of the shimmering pressed perfectors (I have them in Opal, Moonstone and Champagne Pop which I will be reviewing soon), so of course I fancy the liquid versions of them. For now I own Moonstone, but I do have my eyes on the shade 'Opal' too...

NYX Haul 4 of 4: Glitter & Illuminator

Finally, we get to the final part of my NYX haul - the tools and glitter. Glitter isn't always a necessity in a makeup kit, but I love how it looks in my collection and I've always wanted the MAC versions, but they are expensive. These are less than half the price of the MAC glitter, and just as good. I'm slowly adding to the collection but for now, I have rose, copper, yellow gold and crystal. I also bought the glitter glue adhesive to go with them.

Becca Cosmetics: Blushed Radiance Kit #BabyBow

Another day, another makeup haul - but in this case, a mini Becca set. If anybody knows me, I am a huge sucker for anything miniature or travel sized and I simply have to have it. This doesn't necessarily mean makeup or beauty either, I like miniature food products, toys and gadgets too. I am going to start a series of mini reviews or features on cute travel sized / miniature beauty products with the aptly name of #BabyBow. 

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter

Whats up? Benefit is a brand that is very hit or miss for me because I personally find it expensive for what it is and a percentage of the price is based on the packaging (which I love, but I know I'm paying for it). However, this highlighter is unlike any other highlighter I own. The golden champagne shade makes you look dewy with the option of building up the colour to intensify as much as you want.

Illamasqua Beyong Highlighter Powder: EPIC & OMG

I love highlighters and I simply love collecting them and then refusing to touch them because they're so beautiful (am I the only one that feels this way?). When Illamasqua started promoting their beyond highlighters, I immediately signed up to their newsletter to be the first to know when they were released. As soon as they were released I ordered both of them immediately...although I did question whether I needed ANOTHER highlighter...the colours are beautiful.

theBalm Lou Manizers, Overshadows, Bronzer and Eyeliner: Collection & Review

Oh theBalm. When this finally hit the shelves at Superdrug, I naturally got excited and wanted to try everything. I didn't go crazy and buy everything at once but I slowly made little purchases over time. Out of what is currently available on their website and in-store, I would say there is probably 5 more products I want to add to the collection to try out, but for now I am quite happy with what I have. Currently I own: Mary Lou Manizer, Cindy Lou Manizer, Betty Lou Manizer, Bahama Mama, Schwing, and 3 sexpots overshadows. 

Laura Geller Gilded Honey Illuminator & KIKO 208 Water Eyeshadow: Dupes for MAC Whisper of Gilt?

Are they a dupe of the famous MAC Whisper of Gilt highlighter? I don't actually own the MAC Whisper of Gilt highlighter but I have a good idea in my mind what it looks like, but there are many swatches on Google. Although I am not crazy enough to spend over £100 on eBay for the product, I am partial to dupes - especially if they are at a good price. This is where Laura Geller Gilded Honey and KIKO 208 Water Eyeshadow comes in. 

theBalm - The Manizer Sisters - Highlighter and Contour Trio Set

 

Oh boy, oh boy, do I LOVE Superdrug for getting theBalm into their stores. I've been eyeing up this brand for a while now and could only see that Amazon was the only place I could get them in the UK. I just happened to walk passed my local superdrug and saw theBalm front and centre in their store. 

Of all the products they have (and what I wanted to purchase), Bahama Mama and Mary-Lou Manizer were sold out. So far I have purchased their overshadow pigments (super shimmery and pigmented), Cindy-Lou Manizer (highlighter/contour) and Betty-Lou Manizer (bronzer/contour), and they have all been my everyday used products since I've bought them. The colours and pigmentation are unlike anything else I own, and I could imagine that their products will work well on most skin tones. I have seen the trio Lou Manizers floating around on social media for a while but never thought to purchase since I already had 2 of the 3. But I recently saw it on ASOS for special offer for £12.60, and naturally being a bargain hunter and appreciating anything in travel form, I had to get it. I didn't think of the size of it when ordering (I actually thought it was full size) but in person, it is a miniature version of the 3 (travel friendly), which I love. Especially as I wanted Mary-Lou Manizer, I was very excited to try it. The hype certainly lives up to the name because the Mary-Lou Manizer is a beautiful pearly, light golden highlighter that brightens all areas that it's applies to. I'm very happy with the purchase of this palette, as now I can travel better with it and the packaging is super cute. Have you tried out the lou-manizers or any other brands from theBalm? (clickable link)

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette & Sculpt Brush | Review

Oh my, Charlotte Tilbury. This product is beyond perfect. As some of you may know, my love for contouring and highlighting is like a drug. I love trying new contouring and highlighting products, and to date, this has become my favourite - beating my ultimate holy grail contouring product Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder.

KIKO Cosmetics Haul

I'm in love. A new KIKO cosmetics store opened up in my local area and I immediately rushed as soon as I could to check it all out. The store is obviously doing well since a lot of products had been swatched and they were sold out of products already. As always, overtime I go to a KIKO store, I always end up spending way more than I think I do because of the inexpensive prices of the products that my basket starts getting filled with more and more stuff...

The lip liners are phenomenal quality and I can't wait to pick up some more and the matte lipstick is the least drying formula I have experienced to date, it's actually quite hydrating. The quality of these products are way more than what you'd expect from higher-end brands, and you can't fault on the prices. I will definitely be going back for more stuff but for now, here is my little haul...and certainly not my last.

My Highlight and Contour Routine feat. Smashbox, MAC and Kevyn Aucoin

Contouring and highlighting is a must in my everyday makeup routine. Powder for everyday but if I'm going out or have a special occasion, I double the effort with both cream and powder contouring products. I wanted to share my favourite contouring and highlighting products, my application tools and my best tips to achieve a flawless base.

By all means, I am not an expert or a professional and I am still learning to perfect my featured contour look. I know my face shape, and I know the best ways to contour and highlight the dimensions of my face. Of course everyone has different preferences and different face shapes, so what I like to use and what works for me might not work for everyone. It's just my personal preferences and my time in testing products that best work for me and my face shape

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer [Light] | MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter [Light Boost] | Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Sticks [Contour + Bronze]

Highlight the high panes of the face (bridge of the nose, centre of the forehead, chin, cupids bow and cheekbones/under the eyes). I use maybelline concealer first then brush the MAC pen on top, being especially generous on the under eye section and nose. Using the contour shade (cool brown) from the Smashbox pencils, I line the outer forehead, underneath the cheekbones, jawline and the sides of my nose (optional). Then use the bronze shade (slightly warmer brown) top of the contour lines of the cheek and forehead. 

Beauty Blender | NARS Ita Brush | MAC 137 Sculpted Pointed Brush | MAC 167SE Brush

I first use the beauty blender to blend out the highlighter and then the natural fibres of the NARS Ita brush effortlessly blends the contour, bronze and highlight colours together. Using the MAC 137 brush and Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder, I go over the cream contour and chisel the colour into the hollows of my cheekbones and the temples of my forehead. I then go in with the MAC 167SE brush with the Smashbox Suntan Matte bronzer and warm up the rest of my face. To set and 'bake' the highlighted sections, I use my damp beauty blender to generously apply MAC set powder and keep this on until I have finished the rest of my face/eye makeup.

Smashbox Bronze Lights Bronzer [Suntan Matte] | Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder [Medium] | MAC Set Powder [Invisible] 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid [NC25] | Soap & Glory Archery Pencil [Hot Chocolate] | MAC Pressed Pigments [Deeply Dashing + Blonde Streak] | Urban Decay Eyeshadows [Riff + Beware] | Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner [Waterproof Black] | MAC Zoom Fast Lash Mascara | MAC Chromographic Pencil [NW25/NC30] | Ardell Demi Wispies | Sleek Blusher [Rose Gold] | Topshop Glow Pot [Gleam] | Kiko Lip Liner [712] | MAC Lip Liner [Cork] MAC Lipstick [Velvet Teddy]

This is not an everyday look for me - this is a look I only do for special occasions and on the weekends. I do contour everyday but I skip the cream contouring and 'baking' method, and use the powders only. I love having a full-face of makeup and experimenting with contouring and highlighting. It's definitely something that is a personal preference and not everyone is a fan, but I do enjoy the process of this method.

My other personal favourite contouring and highlighting products are:

Contour Powders

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Anasazis Beverly Hills Contour Kit 

Contour Creams

MAC Pro Sculptung Cream - Pure Sculpture

Highlighting Powders

MAC Soft and Gentle

MAC Accentutate shaping powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (also for contour)

Highlighting Creams

Topshop Glow Polished

MAC Cream Colour Base - Hush

What are your favourite contouring and highlighting products?

Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Stick Trio & Full Exposure Travel Palette | Mini Review

Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Stick Trio (£35.00)

These 3 sticks come in the form of contour, bronzer and highlighter, and a handy paper guide to instruct you on how to contour based on your face shop. I particularly like the contour colour as it's quite a cool grey shade, the bronzer is a medium warm brown, and the highlighter is a pale yellow shade. The formula is very creamy and bendable using both a beauty blender sponge and the NARS Ita Kabuki brush. You can definitely get a light contour with these sticks, and build up the colour as you go. I like to set these with a powder contour on top to make sure I get a bold contoured look. The set also comes complete with a pencil sharpener so for £35, it may seem expensive but I'd imagine it'll last a long time.

Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Eyeshadow Palette (£17.50)

Now this palette is something else. I've been lusting after this palette for a very, very long time but from my knowledge, it was only exclusive to Sephora in the USA. I had friends hunting around the world in different cities seeking out Sephora to find it, but it wasn't available. I was randomly looking on the Boots website last week and seen that it was available and immediately went to Boots the next morning to find it and lo and behold, there was a stand with about 10 of these mini eyeshadow palettes. The stand looked like it was full at one point, and the sales lady told me they had been out for 1 week and they were almost gone. I was so happy to get hold of it! The texture of these are reasonably pigmented (not as pigmented as MAC in my opinion) but the colours are beautifully shimmery and mate. It is a handy little palette to travel with - literally, it is the size of a credit card, super thin and compact with a mirror that I know I'll get a lot out of.

Have you tried any of these two Smashbox products yet? Let me know!

Mini MAC Haul

So, I did it again. I made another order to MAC and got few stuff I've been wanting for a while and some stuff for my upcoming holidays to Geneva. I didn't need some of this, but I got a bit click-happy and started sending items to my basket and before I knew it, the lovely black parcel showed up on my doorstop. 

Conceal and Correct Pro Palette 'Medium' | Lightful Tinted C Cream 'Medium' | Amber x 9 Eyeshadow Palette | False Eye lashes '43' & '33' | Tranquil Cleanse Off Oil (Travel-size) | Chromographic Pencil 'Hi-def Cyan' & 'Pure White' | Pro Longer Lip Pencil 'Morning Coffee' | Lip Pencil 'Soar'

Hourglass | Ambient Lighting and Ambient Lighting Blush Palette | Review

So these palette's aren't cheap, I'll get that out of the way first. Both palettes retail for £56 EACH, and I have recently just purchased the Hourglass Lighting palette. The Ambient Lighting Blush palette I received as a Christmas gift from my younger sister, but because they are both so expensive, I normally only use these two products if I'm going out for a special occasion or if I know I will be out all day. These may be cray cray expensive to some but, I had lusted over these two products for a very long time before I decided to get them (well the lighting palette)!

Anastasia Beverly Hills | Contour Kit | Review

Contouring and highlighting has become a huge craze lately - whether you like it done very naturally with a bit of bronzer or done very heavy with creams and powders. There has been some controversy with professional make-up artists stating that contour and highlighting is 'not a good look' or 'drawing lines' on the face is not necessary but, in my opinion, each to their own. I think contouring and highlighting can bring out the most beautiful features on your face. That's why I decided to review this extremely coveted beauty product - the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in the shade 'Light/Medium'.