Sunday 25 January 2015

New Make-up Brushes.

 
Although I wash my brushes every couple of weeks on average, I found them to become worn out and loosing the quality they once had when I first bought them around a year ago, therefore I decided to invest in a whole new set of brushes from Real Techniques!
 
I had not up until this point ever tried any of the real techniques products so wasn't sure on what to buy, this is what I went for in the end:
 
 
1. Duo Fibre Collection [here]
 
2. Travel Essentials [here]
 
3. Core Collection [here]
 
4. Starter Set [here]
 
 

 
 At the moment I have found myself using the Duo-Fibre face brush the most as it gives even, perfect coverage for the face using powder, the brush is soft and blends the powder perfectly against my foundation base.
 
I have also been loving the multi-task brush for my blush and the buffing brush for bronzer with the contour brush to blend.
 
The only brush I haven't yet used is the pixel perfect eyeliner brush as I am still on the hunt for the perfect gel liner!
 
 
I would highly recommend these beautiful brushes as not only are they amazing quality and a great feel in your hand when you're applying, Sam and Nic Chapman use them throughout the real techniques Youtube channel and their personal channel on tutorials as they are the founders of Real Techniques [more on the story of real techniques here] - this allows you to learn how to use your brushes to the best of their abilities and apply the techniques and tips in your make up looks!
 
The brushes are more expensive in the UK than in the US due to the fact the business is an American business and therefore VAT, distributor mark up and shipping charges apply to UK prices. However, the brushes are of excellent quality and definitely worth the price.
 
For anyone new to the real techniques range or to make up brushes entirely, I would recommend the core collection to begin with as a starting point to slowly build on and I guarantee that over time you will grow to love the brushes and expand your personal collection.
 
 
Until next time, Toni. xo
 


Sunday 18 January 2015

5 Things I Love About The iPhone 6.

I have been a huge fan of all apple products for around 4 years now and I have had the iPhone 3G, 4S and now the iPhone 6 and I am a bigger fan than ever!
 
 
The model I own now is the 64GB iPhone 6 in the regular size, in the colour space grey. Not only did I instantly fall in love with the colour and the overall appearance of the phone, I knew straight away I had to have the 64GB as all the phones I have owned in the past I have struggled for storage space and I've found myself having to delete my own media to allow for an iOS update.
 
Things I Love:
 
1. The screen size! In the past, the screen has not filled the surface of the phone it does now and I've always wondered why, this phone's surface area is mainly the touch screen meaning it displays things so much bigger and of better quality.
 
2. The camera quality. I know phones will never have the equivalent quality of a camera but I found with this model the quality from previous apple products has improved dramatically! Even the front camera automatically lightens the picture and focuses straight away without having to tap to find the face or zoom in and out several times to get it the way I want. I especially love the slow-motion and time lapse camera settings.
 
3. Light weight! I have never had a phone so big and so light all at the same time, everything is so packed into such a thin yet large phone it is surprising how little it weighs when resting in your hand. Comparing it to my old phones really emphasises the difference.
 
4. The curved edges and smooth back. It is such a lovely feeling phone when resting in your hand, although it was a huge size increase from my iPhone 4s, I have quickly adapted due to the smooth metal and rounded edges making it so easy to move around in your hands and use. Also, I found the back doesn't get as hot as the previous apple products I have owned when it is on charge at the same time I am using it. This is a big help as I used to have to stop using my old phone when it got too hot as it would start to burn my hand!
 
5. The overall design and look of the phone! I have had so many compliments about how lovely the phone looks, the way the home button blends into the front of the phone, the smaller buttons, thinner build, nicer colour, bigger camera, better speaker quality and clearer microphone.
 
 I honestly think that this is the best product apple have created yet and I am extremely happy to have invested in one.
I hope this has helped anyone wanting help and advice on whether to opt for the phone or not, I would highly recommend the phone to anyone who has or hasn't had an apple product in the past, the changes and improvements stand out dramatically and it is super user friendly!
 
 
Until next time, Toni. xo
 


Saturday 10 January 2015

My Everyday Eye Make-Up.

I get asked a lot how I do my eyeliner and eye make up in general and it is a bit of a strange thing to explain so I thought I would just show you exactly how I do it. I'm no expert and I'm not saying this is the right or best way to do your make-up, this is just the way I do an easy, everyday look.
 
First I always make sure I have no product on my eye lid when I begin because I find that the makeup lasts longer on my eye when it is applied straight to clean and clear skin.
 

This is the eye liner I will be using throughout this demonstration for my winged eyeliner. It is called 'Stay Precise' Liquid Liner in the colour 'Black' by No.7.
 
 I will then draw a thin outline of the wing I want. I usually start with the bottom line, drawing from the corner of my eye, very slowly outwards and gradually upwards. For the top line I start from the middle of my eye and slowly upwards to the point of the bottom line.
 
 
 Then, still using the Stay Precise Liquid Liner I simply fill in the wing with single strokes going from my eye outwards until I am happy with how it looks. Note: it doesn't have to be perfect! There is plenty of time for touch ups.
 
 To complete the flick, I draw from the inside corner of my eye to the edge of the wing, adjusting the thickness as I go to make sure the lines match up.
 
I then go to eye shadow, using W7 In The Buff Palette starting with the colour 'Buff'.
 
 Following along the flick and going right up to the brow brown, I cover my eye lid with this colour as a base.
 

Still using the W7 Palette this time with a brush and the colour 'Chocolate'.
 
 I lightly brush this colour though my crease and upwards towards the brow bone, again using the flick as a guide. It is important to always take darker eye shadows upwards to avoid your eye looking droopy and small.
 
 Going onto the colour 'Storm' now, using a brush again to apply.
 
With a darker colour I find it easiest to apply it very gradually, blending as you go to make sure you get the look you want. I apply this half way along the flick line and upwards, still following the wing.
 
For just under my brow and on the brow bone, I use The Body Shop's Radiant Highlighter. 
 
You only need a very small amount of this as it spreads very well and gives a beautiful, bright shimmer. 
 
Next, onto No.7's Extreme Length Mascara in the colour 'Black'.
 
Applying this only to my top lashes, on both sides to build up layers and keep it lasting longer and giving the perfect length and volume to my lashes.
 
For my bottom liner I use Avon's Kohl Liner in the colour 'Black' which provides a long lasting pencil liner and smudge tool.
 
I apply the liner along my water line from corner to corner, smudging outwards into the wing and onto my bottom lash line.
 
Using the No.7 Extreme Length Mascara again, I apply lightly to my bottom lashes.
 
After touch ups this is my final look, easy, quick and still very effective!
 
 

 
Products used:
  • No.7's Stay Precise Liquid Liner in 'Black' [here]
  • W7's In The Buff Eye Shadow Palette [here]
  • The Body Shop's Radiant Highlighter [here]
  • No.7's Extreme Length Mascara in 'Black' [here]
  • Avon's Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in 'Black' [here]

 
Until next time, Toni. xo