Drugstore Foundation Rundown: My Favorites

Drugstore Foundation Rundown: My Favorites

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Hi all, I hope you are having a fantastic week. Today's blog post is perfect for all you makeup newbies, or foundation addicts like me. Out of all makeup products, I find foundation the most daunting. When I hear the word "foundation", an image of a young girl plastered with a white, powdery mask appears. However foundation can be fantastic for creating an even base or adding a glow and life into dull skin. When you understand what shade suits you, whether you are cool or warm toned, and what sort of finish you like (matte, satin, dewy), foundations are fantastic. 

While I do think it's worth while to invest some money into a higher end foundation on some occasions, there are plenty of fantastic foundations in the drugstore - you just need to know what your looking for. I will share with you my all time favorite drugstore foundations, and hopefully this gives you a little more knowledge and confidence to go out and pick your own.

For myself, I gravitate to satin/ dewy foundations since I have dryer patches (and oilier areas I powder), however if you are oily you might want to gravitate towards foundations with a matte finish. Try to look for foundations with a yellow undertone - a lot of drugstore foundations are ink toned, however yellow toned foundations usually look more natural as there is less of a contrast between your foundation and neck. 

I also tend to lean towards foundations with a light to medium coverage that is buildible, as I am younger and have reasonably okay skin, I prefer not to wear unnecessary coverage - however if you would like too, of course go ahead! Foundation is very personal, so make sure to try different finishes/coverage to see what you like most.

I have narrowed my favourite drugstore foundations down to four:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation: This foundation is my all time favorite, as it gives a medium coverage and is looks so dewy and beautiful on the skin. I apply this with a buffing brush for a lighter coverage, however this foundation is buildable. If you are more oily skinned steer clear as there are a lot of reflecting particles, but if you are dryer this one is great.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum: This foundation has a light coverage and is more of a satin finish, so it suits most skin types. I love this one on "good skin days" - when I don't feel like a medium coverage and want something that feels light on the skin. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation: The shade is a bit iffy, however if you want a good drugstore foundation that is less dewy and reflective than the Rimmel Wake Me Up, this one is fantastic. This one is great if you are into more liquid foundations and a medium coverage.

Rimmel Matte BB Cream: This isn't essentially a foundation, however I did want to include this as it is a great BB cream for those of you with oilier skin. This isn't fully matte - however if you are looking for a BB cream with a medium coverage that doesn't give you that greasy, sunscreen look, this is a fantastic option.

If you are nervous and confused when it comes to drugstore foundations - you are not alone! I do hope that this helped you filter through the mass of foundations in the drugstore and has given you some good options to try out. Make sure to do some research before purchasing a foundation, and remember that everyone's skin and preference is different. Good luck with your foundation shopping! 

Alice xxx

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ASOS Beauty Haul

ASOS Beauty Haul

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Hi all! I hope you are having a fantastic week so far. Another haul, which is great for all of you, however not so great for my bank balance. In saying that, I will still share with you all what arrived in the mail and justify my purchases as restocking of products that I love, with a few little extra bits and pieces here and there :)

If you have been living under a rock, ASOS is essentially a very popular online shopping website that stocks multiple brands for both men and women, and sells all things from designer shoes, inexpensive clothes, bags, and they have a fantastic selection of makeup as well. 

I've come to the realization that makeup is generally cheaper via the Internet, and ASOS  is fantastic as it sells brands that may not be sold where I live, or brands that are sold where I live (such as Rimmel) however at UK prices (so they are much, much cheaper than popping into your local Farmers store and buying a $30 foundation that should really be $15.) And what's even better, ASOS has free international shipping and usually takes less than a week to deliver, so there are no month long waiting sessions. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (a repurchase)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (another repurchase)

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation 

Rimmel Scandel Eyes Shadow Paint

I will report back once I've tried the products a little more, however after swatches, I can say that both the foundation and liquid eye shadow look very promising. 

If you have an Instagram, please do follow me as its a fantastic way to stay updated on new blog posts. If you have a blog of your own make sure to let me know in the comments and I will be sure to check it out! 

Alice xx

ASOS: http://www.asos.com/

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Real Techniques Brushes - Review / My Thoughts

Real Techniques Brushes - Review / My Thoughts

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Hi lovelies, I hope you are doing well. Today's blog post is all about Real Techniques makeup brushes - which I can already tell you, are my favorites. The brand was created by Samantha and sister Nic Chapman from youtube channel Pixi Woo. Their brushes are synthetic and cruelty free, and there is a wide range of brushes for all types of makeup application. I purchased two of their sets (you can buy individual brushes however). The first set was the core collection, and the second is their starter set. I love these brushes in general and I see a visible difference on how well my makeup is blended and the application. 

Real Techniques Core Collection

Out of the 2 collections I own, this collection is my favorite. I absolutely love the buffing brush for applying foundation or bb cream, and the contour brush is the perfect shape and size for contouring with bronzer. I also love the detailer brush - it comes in handy when covering pesky red spots. The only brush I do not use on a daily basis is the foundation brush - mainly because I'm not so keen on the classic paint brush style, but if you are this one is a fantastic size and I do quite like using it on my friends. Keep in mind that it will give you a fuller coverage than the buffing brush.

Real Techniques Starter Set

I would honestly just purchase this for the Deluxe Crease Brush. Instead of using it to blend out eye shadow in the crease (which it also is fantastic for), I absolutely love it for blending concealer under the eyes. The base shadow brush is a fantastic dupe for the mac 217, and  love using the detailer brush for smudging eyeliner/shadow on my lower lash line. The liner brush is also fantastic for applying the gel liner. Not so keen on the angle brush - its a little too large to create false hairs when filling in my eyebrows, but I do really like it for applying shadow on my lower lash line. 

If you are a beginner in makeup or your starting to build your brush collection, both these sets are amazing and you're almost sorted! I will leave a link to their website so if you are interested in their brushes make sure to click the link. Love you all!

Alice xxx

Real Techniques Website: http://realtechniques.com/

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What's on my (Friend's) Face No. 2

What's on my (Friend's) Face No. 2 

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Hi all! As promised, another "What's on my (Friend's) Face" post today - these seem to be so popular with you all, and I absolutely love doing them. Last month I did my friend Bridget's makeup, to see that click HERE.

This month I did one of my best friend's Nathalie's makeup - she is absolutely gorgeous, and her eye lashes are so god damn long and thick! Since last month's makeup was a little lighter and more natural, I decided to go a bit crazy with Nat's makeup (and she was very willing to as well!). I love how it turned out - the bronze smokey eye and the bright orange lips look amazing, especially on her. 

I decided to do a really shimmery smokey bronze eye look - it looked amazing on her eyes, and she pulled it off so well! I kept it pretty smokey and "messy" - I made sure there were no clean crisp lines, and everything was blended out nicely, The key when doing a eye makeup look like this is to layer and blend, layer and blend. I focused most of the darkness on her outer v and her lash line, and also put quite a bit on her lower lash line to balance the heaviness on the top. 

I was originally going to do a nude lipstick since the eye makeup was heavy and smokey - however Nat insisted on this orange lipstick and after much hesitation, I actually love it! It looks amazing on her, and goes well with all the bronze on the eyes. 

Products used:

Revlon Colourstay Foundation in True Beige  mixed with Rimmel Wake Me up Foundation in Soft Beige

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Wet N Wild Blush in Perlesent Pink

Sax Eyebrow Kit

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze

Urban Decay Naked Palette - eye shadows in Smog (all over the lid and blended into lower lash line), Darkhorse (outer v) and Virgin (inner corners)

Maybelline Gel Liner in Black (smudged into outer upper lash line)

Maybelline Colossal Mascara with Maybelline Great Lash on top

Wet N Wild lipstick in 24 Carrot Gold  (A really good dupe for Macs Moronge lipstick if you are looking for one on a budget)

Thank you Nat for being an amazing model and an amazing friend, you are so gorgeous and lovely and amazing! I wish I was so good at taking pictures as you are, your honestly a natural in front of the camera, and thanks for letting me go crazy on your makeup. I'm so fortunate to have such willing, beautiful friends :) 

Soon I will be doing a final room tour so look forward to that, and if you have a blog of your own, let me know in the comments and I will make sure to check it out. Love you all! 

Alice xxx

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Birthday Makeup

Birthday Makeup

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Hi lovelies! I hope you are having a fantastic week! As promised, I am showing you the makeup I wore on my birthday. I have already done another blog post which features photos from the day (as well as my outfit if you are interested), to see that click HERE. I'm really happy with how the makeup turned out, we went out for lunch so I didn't want to make it too dramatic and crazy. Overall I'm really happy with it and I've almost mastered my winged eyeliner (almost... not quite there... yet...).

For my makeup I kept a really fresh face; no foundation, only concealer. I focused mainly on my eyes - I used my trusty Urban Decay Naked palette and added a small winged liquid liner to my lash line, and LOTS of mascara of course! 

Products used:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Sleek Blush Trio in Lace  (I used the far right color - a matte coral pink)

Elf Brow Kit

Elf Brow Gel

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barley Branded

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Sin, Buck, Smog

Maybelline Master Line Liquid Liner

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight

For my hair kept it really simple - I threw it in a low bun and curled a few loose pieces. 

I used Sin (index finger) all over my lid, Smog (middle finger... haha) on my outer V, and Buck (ring finger) in my crease as a transition color. 

I hope you enjoyed having a look at the makeup I wore, I was really pleased with the result. Maybe it gave you some inspiration or guidance, but in saying that I really believe that what makeup you wear, should be the makeup that you love the most. So it you wanna wear bright blue eyeshadow in the day time cos that's your thing - go ahead! Love you all! 
Alice xxx

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July Favorites

July Favorites

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Hi lovelies, I hope you are having a great week. It is sadly the end of my favorite month, July. So as usual I am going to share with you my favorite beauty products of the month - and a few extra bits.

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash

I've been loving using this cleanser in the morning before moisturizer - it doesn't dry my skin out, and it still leaves me with soft, clean skin. I also love how it goes into a creamy lather, therefore I only need a small amount. 

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

I had been lacking in any good makeup brushes; like most people I had collected the odd $2 one here or there. I finally bit the bullet and decided to invest in some good quality brushes - and I can see a noticeable difference. 

Some of my favorite brushes:

RT Buffing Brush (I like to use this brush to blend my concealer and foundation)

RT Contour Brush (for contouring of course, and to apply powder precisely under my eyes and on my T zone etc)

RT Delux Crease Brush (instead of using this for my crease, I've been using this to blend concealer under my eyes and around my nose. I also love to blend cream eye shadows with this brush)

RT Base Shadow Brush (I use this to apply a wash of color on my lids or to blend eye shadows out or apply shadow to the crease)

Rimmel Stay Matte BB Cream
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

This has been my go- to face combination of the month. I had always been hesitant of BB creams - primarily because I didn't want that greasy, sticky, "sunscreen" look. However when I saw this "matte" BB cream from Rimmel, I snatched it up immediately and have been loving it. It is also a thin consistency which means two things - it can be a little messy, but its super light on your skin.

I have been loving mixing this concealer with my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer for under my eyes. It's one shade lighter than my actual skin tone, so it highlights and conceals my dark under eye bags.

NYC "Sunny" Bronzing Powder

I have been loving this bronzer for contouring my cheek bones, but also blending it into my crease. It may sound weird, but if you think of it a bronzer is essentially a matte brown powder. This color is not orange at all, but still isn't too ashy. 

Sleek "Au Natural" Eye Shadow Palette

I have been loving this eye shadow palette by Sleek, particularity for its variety of light and dark matte shades. The shadows are rich and pigmented, and there is no fall out (which I find I have when I use the Urban Decay Naked Palette). It has a fantastic variety of light and dark shades, matte and shimmers, so if you are wanting an eye shadow palette for a good price this one's a winner.

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner

This is my first felt tip liquid liner I've ever used, and I don't know why I haven't discovered these earlier! This liner is so easy to apply, and it lasts all day which means no messy touch ups. I also love how it drys to a semi matte finish, and you can make the line thicker or thinner depending on the pressure you apply.

I hope you enjoyed having a wee nosy into the products I have been loving, and if you have a blog of your own let me know in the comments and I will check it out!

Alice xx

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What's in my Makeup Bag (Updated)

What's in my Makeup Bag (Updated)

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Hi all, I hope you are having a fantastic week so far. One of my earliest (and most popular) blog posts was a "What's in my Makeup Bag", and since then I have bought and tested a lot more products, so what's in my makeup bag is now very different. 

I hope you enjoy taking a peek in my makeup bag and seeing what I've been loving recently. Don't forget to let me know what your favorite makeup products are in the comments, I love to try new things out.  I've tried to cut down on the amount of makeup I keep in my makeup bag- instead I organize most of it in drawers, but this is just my everyday essential products.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation - Soft Beige, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer - Light, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - 01 Fair (New Favorite!). 

I also forgot to take a picture of the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent.

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder, Milani Baked Blush in Luminos.

Swatches (bottom to top): Milani Baked Blusher - Luminoso, Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder. 

ELF Brow Kit - Medium, Elf Clear Brow Gel.

Maybelline Color Tattoos (left to right): Bad to the Bronze, Barley Branded.

Swatches (left to right): Barley Branded, Bad to the Bronze.

Maybelline "The Falsies" Mascara, Rimmel Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil - 061 Jet Black.

Clinique Chubby Stick - Curvy Candy, NYX Butter Gloss - Tiramisu, Maybelline Color Whisper - Lust For Blush.

Swatches (left to right): Clinique Chubby Stick - Curvy Candy, NYX Butter Gloss - Tiramisu, Maybelline Color Whisper - Lust for Blush.

Don't forget to comment what your must have makeup products are, and if you have a blog of your own please let me know as I would love to check it out! Love you all!
Alice xxx

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Sleek Haul! + Swatches

Sleek Haul! + Swatches

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Hi lovelies, I hope you are all having a fantastic week. So yesterday in the post, my Sleek makeup package arrived - and you have no idea how exited I was. I had heard so much about the British brand, and was desperate to try some products out myself. I (somehow) restrained myself to buy only 2 products, however when I opened them they were so gorgeous and the product was so pigmented, I know I will get some more in the future. 

The first product I got was the Sleek Blush By 3 palette in lace. This has a beautiful orange peachy shade, a shimmery coral/rose gold shade, and a bright pinky coral shade. All three colors are absolutely beautiful, and the pigmentation is amazing.

Another thing I love about this makeup brand is its simplistic packaging. Both palettes were very thin yet sturdy, and had a matte black look with shiny black lettering. 

Next, I got the Sleek i-Divine eye shadow palette in au natural. This palette is beautiful - it contains every nude shadow you could need. The palette has everything from a matte white, matte black, shimmery browns and taupe's, and other matte transition colors. The texture is smooth and the shadows are pigmented. I love this eye shadow palette more than my urban decay naked palette, simply because the color and finish selection is better and more diverse, and there is absolutely no fall out. 

If you are a beginner to makeup, the back of the product contains suggestions on creating your eye shadow look.

Beautiful right! Some of my favorite shades are cappuccino, conker, moss, and regal.

Top row (left to right): nougat, Nubuck, cappuccino, honeycomb, toast, taupe.

Bottom row (left to right): conker, moss, bark, mineral earth, regal, noir.

 Nougat, nubuck, cappuccino, honeycomb.

Toast, taupe, conker.

Moss, bark, mineral earth.

Regal, noir.

Overall, these products definitely lived up to my expectations and are worth the hype. I will do some future makeup looks featuring these palettes, and hopefully in the future I will get some more. Love you all!

Alice xxx

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