Prime & Set Favourites

Good Morning Blogettes!

There are so many products hitting the shelves to help us achieve a longer lasting face of make-up but are we ever able to narrow down the best performing?

But what really is a primer? Primers are a product that are well used across the beauty industry and beauty gurus have also found home alternatives that have sent make-up lovers crazy. For example, 'NikkieTutorials' discovered that the men's 'Nivea Post Shave Balm' makes an incredible primer that is now being used by many globally...in case you're wondering, the Nivea balm features in today's post!

Whether you are wanting a dewy, glowy or matte finish, there is a primer for almost all desires but it's all about finding the best product for your skin type and what you love on your skin. I am still yet to purchase some well known, amazing quality prepping moisturisers and primers but that's for another future post...let's get back to the present; I have picked out some of my current priming and setting favourites that I like to use that keep my make-up set and fresh for the days events.

Lets talk Primers

Stila One Step Correct

Stila One Step Correct is a correcting and brightening serum that can also be used to prep the face for make-up or can be worn alone for a fresh, natural look. I discovered this product from the YouTuber Shaaanxo and after all her good first impression, I had to of course buy it. I didn't have any correcting products at the time so I thought as it was my first encounter with correcting products, that it would be an easy way to learn about using correcting serums. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

The product is so perfectly creamy and weightless on the skin, it feels like nothing but looks so incredibly fresh and glowy. On days when you're really not feeling a full face, this is the perfect product to achieve a luminous, pure look. I adore what the product actually looks like in the packaging and the combination of elements your skin needs. The green tone neutralises redness including concealing blemishes, the lavender colour balances out yellow undertones for a more energised appearance and the peach tone is the luminising and brightening tone that everyone loves. I also think this product is perfect for any skin type but especially for oily skin because it controls and moisturises the skins natural texture. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Nivea Post Shave Balm

If you are unaware of this trend then you may think this is completely bonkers but believe me, the hype over this is unreal. The reason Primers work and how they help make-up stay on the skin so effectively is because of the Glycerin inside the product. The balm contains a lot of this Glycerin which is why it tops most primers and why people are featuring this on social media. Even though I knew about this, it took me a while to actually try it for myself but after discovering it in my dads toiletry bag (sorry dad, it's mine now) I can rely on this to create a flawless base for my make-up which lasts all day long, even in the warmest of temperatures.

L'oreal Mattifying Primer

Although I am not the biggest fan of a matte finish anymore, when my skin is feeling particularly oily, I like to use this Primer to counterbalance the oils. With the Infallible foundation, the combination of the two create such a flawless matte finish and is so full coverage, sometimes it's nice to have the option when it comes to the type of finish depending on your skin. This is another perfect product for oily skin types and due to it's silicone like formula, it feels so weightless and light on the skin which I love.

Let's talk Setting Sprays 

Setting Sprays are a god send when it comes to long lasting make-up and locking in the products. As with Primers, there are many on the market for several different finishes and several different prices. You don't necessarily have to use the same primer and setting spray together because it's all about finding your favourite products that work on your skin, on your make-up.

Urban Decay All Nighter

It was only recently that I tried this very well known setting spray because I wasn't sure whether I wanted to commit to buying the full sized bottle. I was given this as a complimentary gift when I purchased the 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' palette, it is the travel sized version so I knew if I didn't like it then it wouldn't be so much of a waste or I could give it to someone else to try.

I know for sure that I will be getting my hands on the full sized product because I absolutley love the way it sets and finishes my make-up. It definitley does exactly what it says and leaves a beautiful, dewy finish to your skin; It also feels amazignly refreshing after you've just applied an hours work to your face (or more in my case but lets just not talk about that).


 L'oreal Infallible Fixing Mist

This is the partner in crime to the L'oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer so yes, it's a matte finish. Again, if you are wanting a matte finish then this is perfect for achieving that; the infallible range is incredible for those with oily skin because the matte products help to minimize the oils. This setting spray is well within most peoples budget so it's perfect for a beginners make-up kit. (FYI please let me know if you want me to do a beginners guide to make-up series because I literally just had a huge brain wave).

So there you go! Doesn't it just make you wonder how make-up has evolved and how different products enhance different features...cray right?!

I hope you have a shamazing Friday fellow blogettes and I'll be back soon.

Things You'll understand When Dating A Beauty Junkie

Afternoon beautiful humans and Happy Fridayyy!

So for today's post, I have come up with something to, I wanna say 'educate' but I am not entirely sure, that boys mind of his (if you have one in your life that is) on understanding what it's like to date a beauty junkie and let me tell you now, things are about to get serious.

1. She'll appreciate a MAC lipstick or Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipstick any day.

2. No highlight is ever "too much" If she wants that Mary Lou glow or that Champagne Pop then you gotta accept that, ok?

3. You gotta accept the attitude and the emotion that comes with a failed winged liner, sympathise dude, this is code red.

4. The real commitment test is sitting in a make-up store while your girl swatches every MAC lipstick until she finally buys exactly ONE or just none at all.

5. You compliment your girls make-up any time, any where. This is art and the cost of her lipstick alone could fill your car for a road trip.

6. Finding out her shade, favourite brands etc will be the best decision you'll ever make; never will you struggle again when gift shopping.

7. When she is watching those make-up tutorials, you watch them too; you've gotta know the difference between her contour brush and her bronzer brush in case of an emergency.

8. Number 1 priority is appreciating both her make-up face and her natural beauty at the end of the day.

9. When all else fails; you know what makes her happy...not you, no, the products on her MAC wish list.

10. If you ask her how much longer she is gonna be then boy, you've started world war 3 and that's your cue to grab that ladder and get yourself out of that hole you just dug for yourself. Amen.

11. If your new white tee is still white then you don't hug your girl enough.

12. The launch of a Limited Edition range or product is a big deal; she gotta have it even if she hate it.

13. We refer to our 'Make-Up Idols' by their first names, get to know Jaclyn, Nikkie and Shani on a personal level.

14. If we move in together, respect that all the make-up and storage comes too.

15. When you ask for nudes the only thing she sends will be Velvet Teddy and Brave by MAC.

16. Naked means something completely different.

17. You make her cry with those Huda lashes and that clean cut liner then just accept the fact that you'll be sleeping on the floor; preferably on another planet.

18. You know the difference between Ruby Woo and Russian Red.

19. Definitely do not, I repeat, DO NOT tell us we own too many products.

20. But most importantly, you love her no matter what.

I hope you liked toady's post, I loved writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it!

Urban Decay 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' Palette

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be writing this post and seeing as it's Friday, I thought it would be the perfect time to do it.

I'd be very surprised if you didn't know but just in case you don't, Urban Decay have released their Limited Edition 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' range in collaboration with Disney. The range consists of an eyeshadow palette and 5 lipsticks. Yesterday I purchased the eyeshadow palette so I thought I would share with you my first impressions and some cute lil swatches seeing as I have so much to say about it.

Before I say anything, look at that beautiful packaging. I have to say that Urban Decay have pulled it right out of the bag with this one and the packaging they have designed for this special Disney edition. In comparison to the 'Naked: On the Run' palette it is a very decent size; slightly less practical for the professional side of things but I am certain that I am not the only one who has completely fallen in love with it never the less.

As we open this bundle of beauty, we are greeted with this adorable quote, related to the film 'I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours'. There is also a mirror saying 'We're all mad here' which I believe is fricken cute to say the least. Although I don't see myself using this mirror often, it is a beautiful touch to the Alice theme.

'I knew who I was when I got up this morning, but I must have changed several times since then.'

Ok...let's just take a minute for my favourite part (except the actual shadows of course) How beautiful is this feature!? Instead of just a regular palette they have paid attention to detail and gone all out with Disney in mind, I absolutely adore this delicate butterfly and the stunning colour choices.

As we explore further into the palette, the excitement continues. I AM OBSESSED!

Seeing as the packaging was a huge hit, standards were high for the shadows themselves. At first glance the shadow holders almost look holographic and 3D but it is all totally flat; clearly this really doesn't make a difference because I am head over hills for this palette...it's just too pretty.

Round of applause to whoever created these names, let's just take a look (from left to right):

- Looking Glass

- Hatter

- Lily

- Heads Will Roll

- Time

- Reflection

- Gone Mad

- Duchess

- Bandersnatch

- Dream On

- Dormouse

-Paradox

- Kingdom

- Salazen Grum

- Chronosphere

- Metamorphosis 

- Cake

- Chessboard

- Royal Flush

- Mad

Like almost every Urban Decay palette there is a brush; one side for blending and the other for the lid most often then not. Ready for swatches?

Look Glass, Hatter, Lily, Heads Will Roll & Time

Reflection, Gone Mad, Duchess, Bandersnatch & Dream On

Dormouse, Paradox, Kingdom, Salazen Grum & Chronosphere

Metamorphosis, Cake, Chessboard, Royal Flush & Mad

All the swatches I did of the palette were first touch only, so there was no layering or pressure involved. As you can more or less tell there are a mixture of matte, satin and shimmery shades which is perfect for creating an eye look with the handiness of just one palette. The pigmentation is amazing as expected from Urban Decay and I can definitely say that this is well worth the money (£43).

So there you have it, the 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' palette everyone has been ranting and raving about. Word of advice, get hold of this ASAP because stockers are selling out fast and being a limited edition palette, you really don't want to miss your chance.

What do you think of Urban Decays new range?

Applying Make-Up During Labour?

Good Afternoon fellow blogettes...

Over the past couple of days I have been reading more magazines both online and offline, feeling really inspired by the beauty articles...of course. I feel like one of the best places to find and gather inspiration for anything is by reading a bunch of magazines and bookmarking things that you instantly think 'yes, this has inspired me to...'

So, for todays post I decided that I wanted to talk about something that had the internet talking for a while because of how extrodianary it may have come across to a large majority of people!

"Beauty Blogger Applies A Full Face Of Make-Up In The Middle Of Giving Birth"

 
Although I discovered this a good couple of months ago, I came across it again feeling so inspired by it. Ok, the reaction from most people was negative but I couldn't understand why some readers would feel so negativley about someone using their hobby/profession as a distraction? Is it just me? For those of you who haven't heard anything about this and therefore sat wondering what the hell I am rambling on about then lets take it back to basics.

Once Upon A Time...just kidding! A 27 year old professional make-up artist shared on social media, images of her applying a full face of make-up during labour, from lashes to contour. Pictures were captured of her laying in a hospital bed with brushes, products and palettes arranged in front of her. She explained on instagram how she had taken some of her favourite products with her in her hospital bag to then look absolutley fabulous when welcoming her 'princess' into the world.

It has caused so much uproar over social media purely because it's not something people often choose to do, I mean there are always other ways of taking your mind off the pain such as reading, listening to music etc. But isn't it just totally your choice?

Of course there are always going to be people who see this in a negative way but that's maybe because they wouldn't do that themselves and think of it as an odd thing to do. As a make-up lover myself, I honestly think it's a genius idea...gold star to you girl for being original and doing what you love in time of pain. She said "I was pausing during contractions and picking up where I left off once the contractions paused." Make-up is a big part of her everyday life so who are we to judge what she chooses to do?

I felt like this was something I have been wanting to talk about on my blog for a while because I wanted to know what you guys think about it, even if it's something you wouldn't do, would you still express your negative opinion about it towards her?

I hope you have an amazing long weekend and as always, leave your comments and thoughts below.
Until next time...