Monday 29 July 2013

Put on your war paint.

Every now and then people ask me how I started my blog. I tell the story of how I tried to start a beauty blog, managed a post or two and then realised I didn’t know nearly enough about beauty to write a blog on it. And the longer I’ve blogged for, the more I’m aware of that. There’s a LOT to know about beauty, you guys. I mean, I know the basics – I wear makeup most days, I know how to do different things with my hair – but I’m still clueless when it comes to brushes, blushers and lipsticks. I like what I like, y’know?

The thing with beauty products is that I am INTERESTED, if not knowledgeable. I love finding out what are other peoples’ hero products, and in turn love to pass on my favourites. Which is what I figured I’d do.

OPI Rapid Dry TopCoat
Best topcoat ever. BEST TOPCOAT EVER. I can’t say it enough. When they say rapid dry, they mean it. This stuff is touchdry in less than a minute – it means I can paint my nails just before I go to sleep. And I do! And it never smudges! It’s not the cheapest topcoat out there, but it’s worth spending a bit of money on. It helps your manicure last longer, too. But mostly it’s that quick drying magic I love.


Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
So, I’m a high street girl. Clothes, shoes, makeup. High street all the way. But Rimmel’s finest is nowhere near my face by the end of the day and I realised that it’s become time to invest in something a bit more… well, good. At the Witch Skincare bowling event a couple of months ago, Lisa Valencia did my makeup and told me to invest in some Laura Mercier. And, after a disappointing colour mixup at Space NK, I am now in possession of this awesome little tube. The first time I wore it to work my colleague – who I was picking up at 7am – remarked how fresh faced I looked. It’s magical. It’s not heavy, but has a lovely matte, flawless finish. Am definitely a convert to the good stuff.

Boots 17 Tattoo Me Liquid Eyeliner
Some days you do your makeup and think with concern ‘This has got to last me until at least midnight.’ Not possible, right? WRONG. Well, I can’t vouch for the rest of your face, but this stuff will keep your flicks intact until the next morning. I don’t know what it’s made of. Maybe tar. But it does not come off. It’s incredible. I mean, if you mess up your eyeliner, you’re totally screwed, but hey. Not my problem. (I don’t use this every day, FYI. Because its indelibleness scares me)


Moroccan or Argan Oil
Ever since I’ve started using a Moroccan type oil on my hair, it’s been so much more manageable. Brushes slide through it with ease! Frizzies are a thing of… well, not the past, but there are less of them. I don’t really understand how an oil can be non-greasy, but it isn’t. I feel weird if I don’t use it now. And my hair feels gross. I am loving Aldi's own at the moment!

Revlon Ultimate Suede ColorStay Lipstick (no. 10)
I am not a lipstick person. I keep debating writing a post about how I am not a lipstick person. I put on lipstick and feel like a little girl who has been playing with her mums makeup. It’s just not for me. But the other day I was on my way somewhere and felt a bit peaky, so I grabbed this at the Boots in King’s Cross. And I love it! It doesn’t feel like REAL lipstick because it’s super moisturising, like a lipbalm, and the colour isn’t THAT far off my natural lip colour. It just makes me look a bit more healthy. And I like a lipstick that doesn’t make people squint at me and say suspiciously ‘Are you wearing LIPSTICK?’ which usually means ‘It looks weird!’


Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil
I'm a kohl girl 4 lyfe but lately it's been so hot that I've been abandoning it. However, I keep hearing amazing things about the 24/7 black eyeliner, and due to my love for Urban Decay's coloured liners, I figured I'd try it out. I've only been using it for a couple of days but it is so far smudge free! I am impressed.

Carmex Clicksticks
I bloody swear by Carmex. My lips hardly ever get chapped any more and the lime one smells of mojitos! You can FINALLY buy the clicksticks in the UK, but my American friend Cat ships them over to me. They are about a third of the price in America - it's outrageous. I'm off to the States again in November, I'll be bringing back a suitcase of the passionfruit flavour. Yum.

Light Up Mirror
I got sent this recently to review from Pebble Grey and it's come in so useful already! No more squinting at my iPhone in selfie-mode in the back of a dark cab, hooray. The lights on this mirror are super bright, too which is so handy.


Now I desperately need a pretty new makeup bag to keep everything in. Seen any good ones lately? I'm eyeing this Manoush one at the moment.
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6 comments

  1. Oooh I know exactly what you mean about the lipstick thing. I feel the same sometimes and it makes me really self-conscious. Especially because it often ends up on my chin! Ha. Failing a being a woman one step at a time.

    But I do love the way it looks on other people so I keep experimenting. I'm sure one day i'll be able to swatch it on and look fine.
    x

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  2. My blog started as a beauty blog, too. It seemed like a good idea at the time but I hardly ever write about make-up these days. I need to try that 17 liner, it sounds amazing. x

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  3. I love that eyeliner! However I am constantly messing it up if I rush and end up having to remove my whole eye makeup :(

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  4. Love these recommendations, that Revlon lippy sounds perfect!

    Maria xxx

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  5. I love reading about what other people use in their makeup routine but I'm not really a fan of beauty reviews. I just want solid overview like this. Might try out the eyeliner and foundation you recommend ... oooooh...

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  6. Ooh, I'm in the market for a new top coat so I might have to give the Rapid Dry one a try :)

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