#SBBC – What I Take When I Travel

Day 3 of the September blog-a-day challenge started with the exciting news that I now have 300 wonderful followers. I think I’ll do another giveaway at 500 followers. I’ve been blogging 10 and 1/2 weeks and I still can’t get pver the fact that people actually read what I write!

Anyway, into today’s post. I take so many things when I travel so I decided to just show 7 of them. I tend to over-pack and take everything including the kitchen sink, you just never know when you’re going to need that bright pink eye liner you bought when you were 13.

• The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream is multi-purpose, I use it in place of my moisturiser and foundation in the morning saving my precious space in my bag and time for enjoying my time away.
• I always have a concealer with me, I’m currently using an MUA one and it’d be one I took travelling as it’s cheap and easily replaceable.
• Nail polish, I always take the nail polish I’m wearing seeing as I’m prone to chipping and I’m guaranteed to need to touch them up.
• They’re Real – this mascara literally goes everywhere with me, I may be busy travelling but that doesn’t mean I can let my lashes go!
• L’Occitane Hydration Cream – I always take a sample size moisturiser with me for night time skin-care. I take a full skin regime but this is the most important part for me as I get really dry skin.
• DKNY Be Delicious Perfume – This is my all-time favourite perfume and it holds a lot of memories from weekends away so I always refill and take along my sample size one whenever I travel.
• Lip Balm – The Figs and Rouge Lip Balm is a current favourite as it works really well but can also double up as a cheek tint,

There are literally so many more products I take but we’d be here all day! Hope you’re all having a good Tuesday!

#SBBC – The Bad-Ass Biker Look

So I have no ‘It’s in the Bag’ for you tonight but I do have a sexy new biker jacket to share with you. I decided to go all out and create a Bad-Ass Biker look especially for the occasion. Now I’m not very ‘bad-ass’ as you can see, aside from a few tattoos I’m pretty low-key.. normally. But here it is anyway!

I’ve had my eye out for a biker jacket for weeks now and when I saw this one in New Look for just £39.99 I knew I had to have it. It’s bang on trend for Autumn and it’s practical too. It’ll keep me warm enough without making me overheat. I love the zip detailing on this jacket, it’s also really fitted and it’s so flattering. It nips me in at the waist too. It also has fab creases at the elbows which look fantastic. This will probably be my favourite Autumn piece.

I kept the outfit simple to let the jacket and shoes speak for themselves. I just popped it on with a simple vest top and skinny jeans. I love these shoes which I’ve had a while but I think the cute bows make it a more feminine outfit whilst still looking ‘bad-ass’.

To pull of this look I believe your makeup needs to stand out and make a statement too. For me, only a smokey eye and red lips would do. I used my Benefit Smokin’ Eye kit for the eyes. I used a No7 black metallic eyeliner across the whole of the top lid and 3/4 of the lower lid. I also used my new Body Shop Eyebrow Kit to define my brows a bit. I applied a couple of coats of They’re real and a bit of Benefit High Beam under my brow.

I applied plenty of M.A.C. powder blush in Mocha for a flushed, ‘I just got of a motorbike’ glow. Followed by highlighting my cheek bones with even more High Beam.

A slick of MUA Shade 1 lipstick over a Barry M Lip Liner and I was good to go, to go where I don’t know seeing as I’m still sat here and now in my pyjamas! I can’t wait to do this look again over the weekend!

August 2013 Heroes

How the heck did September get here?! This year has gone so fast it’s unreal and I’ve officially been married 6 months today 😀

I’ve tried so many products this month that it was really hard to decide which were actually my favourites but I’ve whittled it down to theses ones. August has been a fantastic month beauty wise and I could go on all day if I was to mention all my heroes  of this month.

Benefit Rockateur Blush

This has been my perfect blusher for the summer, it is rose gold so is the perfect blend between a bronze and flushed result for my fair skin. It has a beautiful shimmer to it and parties all day and night without slipping. This blusher is seriously hardcore and I’ve worn it nearly every day in August. You can see my full review here.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir Perfume

This one only made it into August for the last week but it has landed itself straight into my favourites, originally I promised my self it was for special occasions due to the price, well going to work, the park and church is special right?! Full review here.

Anatomicals Spray Misty for Me

This face spritz has been a total heroine for me in the humid UK heat. It’s set my makeup into lasting all day, it’s cooled me down in our melting office and it’s done it all with some humour and an amazing smell. Full review here.

L’Occitane Hydration Creme 

I reviewed this a while back but rediscovered it about a week into August and fell in love with it even more than the first time. It leaves my skin with a gorgeous dewy glow fit for the summer. I also noticed a huge improvement to the quality of my skin. I couldn’t afford to invest int he full size this month as much as I wanted to, so my wonderful husband managed to get his hands on another sample for me, that’ll keep me going another few weeks!  Full review here.

MUA Undress Your Skin Flawless Primer

This primer has been used every single day since I bought it, it’s soft and velvety and provides an amazing base for a day’s makeup. It feels amazing and performs wonderfully. Full review here.

MUA Lipsticks

These are my favourite budget find of the month. At £1 each I still fully intend to get the whole collection. They last well and don’t dry out my lips. The colours are also lovely. Reviews here, Red, Nude.

I’m looking forward to seeing which products rock my world this month and I’ll be sure to let you know at the start of October!

 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara Review

I received this sample of Bad Gal Lash Mascara when I purchased Rockateur weeks back. I’m so in love with They’re Real that it’s taken me this long to try it out.

Naturally, I am going to have to compare it to They’re Real, it’d be weird if I didn’t. (Pssst, links to reviews of Rockateur and They’re real are at the bottom of this post).

I don’t feel that this mascara is in the same height of heroism as They’re Real but then again it has been out much longer and Benefit have certainly progressed since then. That said, it is still a fantastic Mascara. It lasted well all day and had a more subtle and natural result than They’re Real.

It was quick to use and speedy to dry, brilliant for those mornings when you just can’t get out of bed and end up rushing around like headless chicken, yeah that’s me most mornings if I’m honest. It has a lovely big brush that coats every single lash in one small swoop.

It didn’t clump or smudge either, so by time I get to the school gates after my hectic morning, I look like the primed and organised mum I’m supposed to me, thank goodness for Benefit!

I’d still go for They’re Real above all else as I do like my lashes to REALLY stand out but this is a product that we be part of my handbag hero group while I have the sample size.

Try it: £17.50 http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/

Rockateur – https://nakedbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/benefit-rockateur-cheek-powder-blush-review-and-launch/

They’re Real – https://nakedbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/reach-for-the-stars-benefit-theyre-real-mascara-review/

It’s in the Bag – Professional Special

I can’t believe it’s that time of the week again, this week we delve into the rather large professional Kit of Essex-based makeup artist Kelly Rendall of Kelly’s Beautique. She can be found on Facebook  or contacted on 07568 053608 if you wish to find out more.

Without further ado let’s check out what she has lurking away! The kit is literally brimming with products galore and today we’re going to check out her top 4.

Elemis Softly Softly moisturiser

Kelly has found through experience that this is by far the best moisturiser to apply before applying makeup. It soaks into the skin efficiently leaving it fresh, revitalised and radiant. It helps the foundation to glide on effortlessly, resulting in a beautiful flawless finish.

Beautiful Brows

This is a semi-permanent brow kit, Kelly confidently states that beautiful Brows should be very proud of this product as there is no other kit like it. It includes 3 stencils – sleek, natural and bold – and they are all fantastic. You also get your colour choice of powder, a highlighter, 2 brushes and an amazing set of tweezers. Every single lucky lady she has used this for has adored it. It frames your face and eyes and is perfect for everyone from brides to everyday wear. It does exactly what it says it will do “Guarantees you have beautiful brow every time.”

Benefit High Beam

This one is now on its third appearance on the It’s in the Bag series, that says a lot. This is one of Kelly’s favourite Benefit products, she warns not to pass over the little guys, those that are maybe less well-known in the range. Kelly tells us that High Beam is great for highlighting cheek, brow and jaw bones and you only need the smallest amount to define your best features. It also helps to brighten up the whole face and looks amazing in wedding photos. I can vouch for how amazing this product is myself!

 

Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara

Kelly says this product alone proves  that you don’t need to spend a fortune to own a fantastic mascara. It’s one of the best  waterproof ones she has ever used, it doesn’t clump and produces outstanding results. The brush is perfectly shaped and sized to get from root to tip and the best part is it really is 100% waterproof and as a result Kelly uses is for every bride.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Kelly for letting us see what she uses and sharing her advice. I hope to have Kelly back for some more professional themed posts soon. If you’d like yo get involved with the series and have a link to your business or blog please email me on tams.watt@hotmail.com.

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It’s in the Bag!

Tonight I’m looking into our reviewer and photography student Maisie’s makeup bag.

I was excited when I first caught a glimpse of this kit, I’ve already spotted some old favourites and some that I’m now eager to try! Maisie has a beautiful natural look that I often envy, she looks effortless but from a first look at everything she uses it’s clear that time goes into her flawless appearance.

There’s a really good range of budget and department store brands in Maisie’s kit, everything from Benefit to L’Oreal.  In no particular order, tonight I’m going to look at her top 3.

First up is the Thick & Fast Mascara by Soap and Glory. Maisie confesses that she’s tried out a lot of mascaras but this is by far one of the best. The reasons behind this are numerous, starting with how easily it builds up without any sign of clumping. It also creates long lashes in no time at all. Maisie uses it along side They’re Real mascara for greater definition.

Next up is a product I’m not dying to try – Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Lotion. This is an interesting product in that it does so many different things and can be used in several different ways. It can be used as a cheekbone highlighter, mixed with moisturiser to brighten skin or mixed in with foundation for an on-trend flawless dewy look.

Maisie loves that this product softens fine lines and reduces the size of pores without any shimmer added into the mix. It creates a lovely matte finish which suits he overall look. Maisie applies it over Porefessional but under her foundation for an effortless flawless result.

Last up is a foundation that I myself have struggled with but having read Maisie’s prep I may give it a go again using the products she uses as a base first. Maisie adores this foundation, she achieves a an even airbrushed result every time, especially after using Hocus Focus first! This again doesn’t contain any shimmer that Maisie isn’t a fan off so it’s utterly perfect for her.

I’ve really enjoyed tonight’s snoop and want to say a huge thank you to Maisie for her time tonight. Next week we look into a local makeup artists professional kit, I’ve just had everything over for it and it’s going to be a good one!

Collab with Blushing Beauty – Drug Store vs Department Store

The lovely Olivia at Blushing Beauty approached me a couple of weeks back about doing a collaborative piece together. We decided to put drug store against department store to create an evening look.

I opted for department store and if I’m honest most of my items are Benefit or MAC so there isn’t a huge range but still they are department store. My evening look is usually just a bit heavier but similar to my day look. Seeing as I do have to go out today I decided not to try anything to out there and stick with the smokey eyes and elegant lips.

Here is what I used:

Benefit: Hello Flawless, Fine-One-One, Bad Girl Eyeliner, Satin Finish Lipstick, They’re Real Mascara, High Beam, PoreFessional, Smokin’ Eyes, Cupid’s Bow
MAC: Powder Blush in Mocha

I mixed the PoreFessional in with the Hello Flawless foundation to create an airbrushed look in a flash. I always create smokey eyes for the evening as they’re not something I often can get away with during the day. I used a lighter grey across the whole of my lid then a darker one in the corner. I used a very pale pink for below the brow line. I also applied some high beam under my eyebrow. I applied Bad Girl liner across the whole of my top lid and 3/4 of the way (outside to inside) on the bottom lid. I applied 2 coats of They’re real and tidied my brows with the brow wax in the Smokin’ eyes kit.

For my cheeks I used Benefit Fine-One-One as a base and to create a highlight and contour. I then applied  MAC’s powder blush over the top for a deeper result.

I used the Cupid’s bow pencil to define my lips, I also used the darker side as a lip liner then applied Benefit satin Finish lipstick in Satin Snap which is an understated neutral shade.

I curled my hair using my GHD’s, I also blowed dried it using Guy Kremer Serum and set the whole hairstyle with Guy Kremer Hairspray. Blushing Beauty will be recreating this look using drug store brands this afternoon so go and follow her and keep an eye out for that. I’m really looking forward to seeing how well the budget look comes off, I’m sure it’ll be beautiful! Thank you Olivia for working with me on my first collab!

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: Benefit Rockateur Powder Blush Review

A huge welcome to the new kid on the block!

Yesterday I was blessed enough to get my hands on the new Benefit Box O Powder 6 weeks before the official launch. I have had quite a few of the Benefit face powder boxes and I have adored every single one and Rockateur did not disappoint!

Firstly, the colour is perfect, it looks quite dark in the box but when you apply it, it is much lighter. It is a rose gold with a satin finish. I’d describe the shade as somewhere between a blusher and bronzer. I’m quite pale and so I can’t usually get away with bronzer as I just look ridiculous, however this shade is perfect for me as it is still fairly pink but gives me a gorgeous sun-kissed look.

I know a lot of people dislike the brushes provided in Benefit blushers but I always love them, in fact I keep them once them once the powder is finished. They’re always gorgeously soft and I manage to get an accurate application to my cheek bone. This one has also had a redesign, it’s a new brush that is more accurate. The overall result of this one is quite natural and very pretty.

It lasts really well, I put it on yesterday about 11:30am and it was still there at 6:30pm looking lovely. I also like to ad a bit of high beam to define my cheeks and it works well with this one too.

Have you ever noticed how good all the Benefit blushes smell too? This one is just as good as all the others. It smells wonderfully fragrant, which makes it feel even more luxurious.

There is clearly less powder in this one than most of the others, Benefit do print the weights on the front of all the boxes so they have made that clear, they also assure us that it will last just as long as you need less each time. The price is still the same as all the others even though it has less product but the formula used to make this costs more. It uses the latest ‘prisma technology’ which combines all the best bits of a cream, powder and baked blusher. This product really does work so I forgive them for the lower amount of product and it wouldn’t deter me from repurchasing it.

It’s out on sale from 7th September 2013 and retails at £23.50 so get that in your diaries now. It’s also out in time to make it onto the Christmas list… if you can wait that long!

www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Benefit Rockateur is the second product to receive the Naked Beauty Seal of Approval!

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It’s in the Bag!

A day later than normal but today we’re delving through graphic designer Becky’s bag. I’m so blessed to work with Becky, not only is she incredibly talented at what she does, she loves makeup nearly as much as I do.

Peeping into Becky’s makeup bag, the first thing I notice is a few of my own favourite products, including Benefit’s High Beam highlighter. Becky uses a fantastic range of budget and more pricey items. Today we’re going to look at her top 3 in more detail: Benefit High Beam, L’Oreal Double Extension Mascara and Max Factor Facefinity compact.

Becky loves the L’Oreal Double extension because in her words it gives her ‘massive eye lashes’, I’ve seen them and she’s not exaggerating! Not only do the results rival many more expensive masaca it also lasts all day with not a single ‘panda eye’ in sight. It also reasonably priced at around £12. It also lasts a long while without getting all crumbly. This is Becky’s must-have mascara and she’s totally in love with it. This is definitely one I am going to have to try, discovering fantastic products from friends is exactly why I do these posts.

Becky know’s her best feature is her gorgeous peepers and so she likes to highlight and draw attention to this area. Becky has found that Benefit’s High Beam is perfect for this. She uses it below her brow and cheekbones to high light those oh so lovely features. Becky has had this pot since December and it still has plenty left, it only needs a little at a time and so has lasted forever, well forever in terms of beauty items. This is the one product that Becky’s makeup bag always contains.

I say: Add a little bit under your shin and jaw line to make you face appear slimmer.

Lastly, we look at the Max Factor Facefinity Compact. This item is great to carry around, it has the brush and mirror all included so it is amazing when you’re out and about. It’s oil and fragrance free as well as containing an SPF of 15 to help protect your skin from the sun. It leaves the skin with a satisfying glow and satin finish. Becky usually applies this with a brush rather than the pad included as you really don’t need very much to achieve a good coverage.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing what Becky uses and Becky, thank you for letting me snoop through your bag!

 

Pocket full of posies

Reviewed by Tams

Benefit Posie Tint – Poppy Pink Lip and Cheek Stain Review

Until this product I had not used a lip & cheek stain before and I was pleasantly surprised. It was really easy to blend into the cheeks and lips and as lasted a long time.

It is quite a pale colour so really nice if you just want a natural bit of colour and of course it is multi-tasker too. It is really handy to keep in your handbag for lip and cheek emergencies.

It looks a really bright colour in this photo but once blended down it is barely noticable, but it can be built up for a deeper colour. It does dry really quickly so you have to be quick of the mark to get it blended in. It doesn’t transfer easily which is also great.

This is one of my top pics for festival essentials.

Try it: £24.50, www.feelunique.com