Beauty blender review

Ok so I'm abit late on the band wagon. But I seriously don't know how I have coped with doing my makeup without the beauty blender. 

The one that I chose to use was macs all blending sponge, (not the egg shaped). Now for someone who uses makeup brushes for everything, I didn't feel I had the need for this. But after seeing it everywhere I decided I had to give it a go. Firstly what I love about it is, how easy it is to use.  You can either use a pat motion or a slight rock motion, to blend your foundation and the finish is just flawless. The area that I absolutely love it for is around the eyes when concealing. The blender is soft on the skin, and also patting the concealer means that you are not dragging around the area. Normally when using a brush or your fingers you end up stretching the skin around the eye area, which is not good for the long term. Also I cannot believe I'm going to say this, but the blending sponge, blends way better especially around the eye area, then any brushes I have tried. 

The reason I decided to try the flat blending sponge as oppose to the usual egg shaped blender is because I assumed that it would give me more control as it is softer. For me this is the case, however I am sure whichever you do try would be fine as the basic principle in the application is the same. 

Also with my mac beauty blending sponge I have found that on application my sponge does not soak the foundation up, which I have read is an issue some people have had with the ones they may have purchased. But with so many different ones on the market I'm sure you can get a quality blender for a great price. 

The only downside with a beauty blender is that dues to hygiene purposes you would have to repurchase after a few months (depending on what condition it's on).  In-between is recommend using a mild baby shampoo to use to clean with. When you do, do so, don't soak the sponge, make sure it's damp, add the shampoo and rub till the products wash out. 

I hope this was useful for anyone who may be thinking of trying the blender, or if like me you have loads of makeup brushes and don't feel the need for it. Definitely give it a try. 

If anyone has used different types of beauty blenders and does feel they have differences, feel free to leave a comment, would like to know other people's opinion on it. 

Until next time. Xoxo

Winter must have products. (Part2)

So this is part 2 of my winter saviour products.  (Look at my previous post to check out my must have reccomendations for lip products for the winter). 

This time I am going to have a quick look at hand cream for dry hands. Rather then naming a few, I will recommend an affordable one vs abit of a splurge. 

My affordable go to hand cream has to be neutrogena hand cream concentrated. (This has a red top, they also have a an original one that has blue top). 

What I love about this cream is that a small amount goes a long way. However for people with more dry hands and or chapped hands, they will need more then the recommended dab amount.  It does however really work soothing the hands (and also has no scent , perfect for extra sensitive skin.) The only negative point for this is that straight after application it can leave the hands a little greasy, but this does not last long. This is currently available at boots online at  a 25% off price, of £2.77, for 50 ml which I definitely think is worth it. 

The other cream that I would highly recommend is Bobbi Brown's extra Hand cream.  Know working in the cosmetics industry and constantly using Ipa, alcohol sanitizer and constantly washing hands can take it's toll and leave my hands very dry. But this cream is an instant moisture burst for my hands. It absorbs really well into the skin, and does not leave any greasy residue behind. It has a nice soft scent aswell. This is available at £22 for 50ml at many large retailers and online. 

What I do like about the creams is (other then the fact that you can choose one depending on budget) that they are both better for slightly different reasons. The Neutrogena is Better for extra dry chapped hands and soothes, whereas the Bobbi Brown cream is better for instant hydration for dry hands. 

If you have any go to products, let me know. Also I'm thinking of doing a post on affordable vs splurge products. What do you think? And any areas you would like me to cover e.g lipsticks. 

Feel free to leave a comment and feedback.

Until next time. Xoxo

My must have lip products.

So with the weather being so cold outside it cannot be good for the skin. Especially the lips, I don't know about you but my lips tend to be very dry n flaky this time of the year. So here I'm going to show a few of my beauty must haves, so you can have a beautiful pout all year round. 

Product number one is lush's lip scrub (my fave is bubblegum, it smells and tastes like candyfloss.  ;-) 

All you have to do is use your finger and scrub on your lips. This helps exfoliate any flaky skin, aswell as adding moisture. 
I do recommend that you store the pot upside down, so that the oils don't settle at the bottom, because then your beads at the top will lose the moisturize (imagine when you take a big sip on a slushy and it loses it's colour, that's what you get). 
This product can be used day or night and is a bargain at £5.50. 

My go to lip balm has to be nivea essential care (they have different ones in the range but I prefer the blue one). This lip balm really helps to heal and soothe dry chapped lips and can be used any time of day, I tend to use it before I go to bed. 

Another product that I absolutely looove is macs lip conditioner. 

What's the difference between this and the balm you say? Well the conditioner helps repair and condition lips and helps seal in the moisture. Also the lip conditioner can be used with or without lipsticks. I love a good matte lipstick, but normally find they can sit abit dry andbitty on the lips, but this makes the lipstick look and sit smoothly on my lips. 

My final go to lip product is accessorize lip balm and tint. These jumbo pencils not only give a lovely natural tint to the lips but also moisturize at the same time. These are perfect for everyday wear and have some lovely colours in the range (couldn't help myself and purchased a few) and if you head over to accessorize site right now you can grab them for a bargain price of £1.50.  

Let me know if you try any of these and how they work for you? Or if you have any go to products, I'm always on the look out to try something new. 

Until next time. Xoxo

Wedding fayre

So here goes with my first blog, if I do ramble on abit bare with me as I am new to this.
Now this blog is going to mainly cover beauty however I will combine that with weddings in this blog as they can go hand in hand.
Also as I work in the cosmetics industry and am set to get married in the summer 2015 I think this is the perfect first post. 

With wedding show season  upon us there are many exhibitions to visit and I can not recommend enough how important it can be. Not only do you get a variety of wedding industry people under one roof, you also get the chance to get great ideas from these shows.
I visited the Asian wedding exhibition at The New Bingley hall in Birmingham.  The spacious venue was the perfect setting for the grand stage decors, the fashion show aswell as the all important make-up artists (see I am still on point :-) ).  These exhibitions are perfect chance to view different make-up artists, see there work live aswell as look at portfolio work. It will also give a chance to have a rapport with your make-up artist and ask some important questions.  When looking to book the important factors you will need to consider are: What your date and time is for the wedding, What looks you like (take magazine pictures with you so the makeup artist can see what looks you like, Your budget for the makeup artist , Try to also book a trial so you can see what works for you.

Be open to suggestions from the makeup artist, as they will understand what suits your face shape, your features and your outfit.

I hope this first post was helpful, If you have any points that may help improve my posts, any suggestions for future posts or just want to comment feel free to.
 Until next time. Xoxo