Current Favourite Lip Combo.

I've been reaching for these same two Mac products ever since I've bought them and I'm so glad I did.

I would reccomend this lipstick to anyone looking for a slightly deeper nude tone however, after reading a lot of other reviews a lot of people have had problems with the shading against their skin tone and found it's left a grey undertone to the skin's colouring. So when I went in and found the lipstick, I tested it out first on my hand and made sure to check it under different lights to check it complimented my complexion- turns out I'm one of the lucky ones who can wear this tone! 

I asked a friend who I was with about lip liners and if she could suggest any good matches for Velvet Teddy, as I wasn't having much luck finding one to match close enough to what I wanted - she reccomended 'Whirl' as it's one she had seen paired with this lipstick before and sure enough as soon as I tested it against the lipstick it was perfect! 

Ever since purchasing the products I haven't been able to keep them out of every make up look I've done - some how they seem to go with anything and everything - including a darker smokey eye or even a slight pink natural lid!

Thank you Mac and well done on some of the best lip products I've ever used. 

Until next time, Toni. xo

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

 



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