Mac Pro Longwear Concealer

Dark spots? Scars? Acne? 

Trust me, been there done that.

 

I had been searching for a good, high coverage concealer in Boots for a long time and finally gave up hunting for something that clearly doesn't exist. A good concealer in my eyes is difficult to find, especially when you're using it for coverage purposes.

 

Mac seems to be a popular and trust worthy brand in many people's eyes, so I opted to buy Mac's Pro Longwear Concealer and I am glad I made that decision. I put 1 pump of the concealer in a small circular container (which was originally a Mac tester pot) and use my No.7 Concealer Brush dab it onto any places I want to cover up, which is mainly darker scars on my forehead. I have found that layering the product over the area is key to making it look natural, even though this takes a little extra time to do.

 

The concealer is light weight, has brilliant coverage and lasts all day so no touch ups are necessary. A little product goes a long way and I think it is perfect for camouflaging. I haven't used this under my eyes because this shade would be too dark for that purpose and I prefer slightly lighter, natural coverage for the under eye area.

 

Have you tried any other products that cover up pigmentation effectively?

 

Priyanka xx

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush Vs Max Factor Creme Puff Blush

Over summer, my favourite blush hit base.

 

And when my makeup hit base, man, I can get teary eyed.

 

I have been loving the Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush in Santa Rose for a very long time. It is the perfect natural blush colour which also does the job of contouring my face quickly due to the way it compliments my, slightly tanned, skin.

 

The blush is incredibly easy to blend into the skin and has a smooth and flawless finish, even when you aren't trying hard. The product is very buildable, can be removed off the skin easily with a tissue (if you feel you have applied too much) and lasts all day. Even during the summer, when my face has been sweaty, this blush has not budged even the slightest off my face. I would say this colour would look great on pretty much any skin tone.

 

After my favourite Rimmel blush had run out, I felt adventurous and wanted to try something new. On another trip over to boots, I picked up Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink but was a little disappointed with the product.

 

When I headed out, I wanted something that would do the job of a higher end product but for a drugstore price. I heard that these blushes where similar to the Hourglass Ambient Blush but I found that it looked overly bright and powdery on my skin. I found that I was taking a ridiculously long time to blend the blush into my face and even after all the time put in, I usually had to wipe some of the product off my skin again because it didn't look quite right.

 

Overall, I would heavily recommend the Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush to everyone out there! It really is a perfect blush for giving you a  luminous healthy and natural glow all year round.

 

Would you recommend any blushes that you have found give a healthy boost to your face?  

 

Priyanka xx

New Buys | Argan Oil and Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

And we encounter it again.

 

The disappointing time of your life when your mascara has run dry and needs replacing yet again -unless you want to be slightly lazy and use it anyway (even though it could start infecting your eyes).

 

We've all been there haven't we? (Even you boys....) 

 

Every time I go back to Boots for a new tube of mascara I try something new because there are always new releases from all companies in the drugstore and usually a simple mascara does the job. This time I decided to go for Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara £7.99 and it seemed to be an especially good purchase. The wand of the mascara does magic on my eyelashes! The bristles are firm and slightly curved meaning it makes it incredibly easy, and non technical, to grip onto all my eyelashes so that they are equally covered in mascara.

 

Well, maybe that's just me with the whole equality thing...

 

Also, I have been loving OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Reviving Dry Oil as a spray to use on damp hair before blow drying simply because I have been finding that the heat from the hair dryer can dry out my hair a little too much, leaving the strands at the front of my head a little frizzy. I found that by adding extra moisture to the hair strands first reduces the number fly-aways.

 

Have any of you ever tried washing out your old mascara wand and using it to comb your eyebrows in the morning? Trust me, its a good trick!

 

Priyanka xx

Easy and Natural Contouring

 

I have introduced my makeup (and myself) to a little more contouring. I know. It is really down to the basics here.

 

To honest, applying layers of foundation then concealer then bronzer then blush then highlighter is not the most ideal habit to go about every single morning at 7 am for me. However, since the summer has arrived and I have been ditching my foundation on daily runs,I have decided that a little dimension to my face is definitely required.

 

I sometimes can watch hours and hours of YouTube videos and still not really know how to contour properly simply because I haven't tried. Well, that definitely was the scenario when I surprised my mum by cooking stir fry noodles for her birthday....only that the noodles ended up over cooked and way to sticky for a stir fry and the whole thing didn't taste like...noodles. It's because I have seen her cook millions of times and always thought it was easy. Apparently not.

 

Concealer: I first cover up any dark spots with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. On my face, these are mostly all on my forehead and a few on my chin which means that these are the slightly lighter areas of my face, useful for contouring at the same time (how cheeky).

 

I then conceal my under eye area with Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. I have figured that a highlighting concealer is better to use under the eyes because it is more natural and does not become cakey as it doesn't have such a thick consistency. I have been trying to apply this under my eyes by dotting the product in a wide triangular shape, this way I can highlight above my cheek bones at once.

 

Bronzer: I have always been a fan of Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder (as well known as the 'chocolate bronzer') forever. The product has lasted me for such a long time which is great! This applies very naturally on my skin and I can build it up depending on how strong I would like the shadows under my cheekbones to be. I also apply a little near my hair lines and blend it down to my neck.

 

Blush: I have very much come to a conclusion. I need blush and mascara to then actually look alive. No, it really isn't the same without them! I apply blush with a 'fish face' first then add a little more to the apples of my cheeks as I smile.

 

At least this will be a handy lesson learnt for the future.

 

Is there any little tricks that you have learnt along the way? If so, I would love to know!

 

Priyanka xx

Prom Photos 2015

Everyone was talking about prom, dresses, shoes, hair, makeup and of course suits since last year and it has already passed by.

 

Not only was the venue very beautiful, but everyone looked gorgeous... even effortless; but I know that the boys took at least a few hours to look as smart as they did!

 

The day was hot and sunny but I must admit that the night didn't last as long as I hoped it would have lasted as the DJ called out the last song at 11 pm. Now that is a little early don't you think?  There were food bites, drinks and the all special 'Prom King and Queen' who also shared a dance together.

 

It was lovely to see that people I have seen almost every day, for the past 5 years of my life, all came together to dance and share this last night before people move away and our year group is lost to a new herd of students.

 

If I had one last wish for everyone it would be: never forget these years.

 

Priyanka xx

Winter Glow Makeup Routine

 

It's nearly Christmas!

 

And 2015 (what!?)

 

And

 

I have a cold.

 

Great.

 

 

 

I have made some little changes to my everyday makeup look because I want to look fresh and good on camera as I am going to Spain for Christmas!

 

- Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation £9.99 - I recently bought this because I was convinced by all the good reviews out there, it has a medium coverage and a slightly dewy (and glowy) finish which is the perfect texture for me.

 

- Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19 - Do you know how much I love this? It had a great coverage for dark spots and works well under the eyes. Personally, I find it can be a little drying under the eyes but if you mix it in with your foundation it is fine. Also, I get through a tube of this stuff really quickly so I'm always making trips to Boots to get more which is a little annoying.

 

- Rimmel Match Perfection Illuminating Concealer £5.99 - For the extra glow in the inner corners of my eyes   

 

- Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder £3.99 - To set my concealer and minimize shine

 

- Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder £7.99 - I have had the same one for 3 years (not an exaggeration) and have used it everyday and it has not run out yet. Now that's what you call a miracle.

 

- Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush in Santa Rose £3.99 - I have used this forever and I can't get enough of the natural flushed look 

 

- Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara £7.99 - I would say this is Maybelline's best mascara (I think its the brush that really makes me like it)

 

- Rimmel London Scandaleyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner £5.49 - Perfectly natural but I find it is a little fidgety to apply

 

 

I hope my experience had  helped anyone looking for new products to add to their routine. I personally get excited to apply my makeup now especially with my new foundation.

 

What is your favourite drugstore product that you would recommend?

 

Priyanka xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and Glowy Everyday Foundation

I'm getting older. It's a fact. It's really terrifying but it's happening.

It seems as though as I'm getting older, the more picky I'm getting with how I look all the time and that means my makeup routine has changed quite a lot since summer began.

I have been loving L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation because its very light on the skin but also gives a hint of fresh faced colour which is great since my tan is wearing off and my radiance is dying out (how incredibly sad).

I apply a little (less than a whole pump) of the foundation on the back of my hand and then use my finger to dot it mainly under my eyes then a little more on my chin and forehead.

Using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I use little circular motions to blend it into my face. This brush is amazing for blending a little product evenly across my whole face; if you haven't brought a Real Techniques brush yet, the chances are your missing out!

I also dot the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer under my eyes and on any blemished and blend it in with my brush.

If I feel that I'm need a little more waking up I put a little bit of Rimmel Match Perfection Highlighting Concealer in the inner corners of my eyes.

That's my base done.

Now for the rest of my face...

What is your favourite day to day foundation? |Do you have any tips and tricks on how you apply it?

Priyanka xx

August Favorites 2014

Personally, I think that the photo looks like something exotic from Ibiza but that's just moi.

I'm so glad to be doing my first ever monthly favourites; hopefully they will be coming every month with things beauty, fashion, food, books and everything I have been loving!

This month I have been loving...

 1. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation - This foundation I picked up in Boots because I needed a darker colour to fit in with my summer, tanned skin (yes, I actually tanned). I did spend at least 45 minutes with a by-then-a-very-annoyed-friend-that-needed-to-get-home to find a  colour that actually fit me, but we succeeded at the end. The foundation is low coverage and gives a lovely hint of natural colour which I find is great for an everyday look.

2. Marry M Gelly Nail Paint in Greenberry - I'll keep it quick. I love this colour so much, it reminds me of summer and every nail polish in the world should be this colour. That's kinda what I mean.

3. Superdrug Witch Hazel Mud Mask - This mask is great for clearing out my skin; I use it twice a week and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. It hardens quite a lot which might be a little stripping for people with more sensitive skin but I use a honey mask straight after it to renew the lost moisture back into my skin. Every time I use this mask I feel lovely and refreshed and it smells good.

4. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - This is a major upgrade from the sponges I used to use to apply my foundation with. I was pretty sure that this brush was going to be great because of how many people use and love it. It blends foundation and concealer out very well and makes it easy to use a little product all over my face.

5. Calcot Manor The Lazy Evening Dry Body Oil Spray - This is the best smell ever. It smells of summer, the sun, the blazing heat, the golden coast of Los Angeles and the long drifty, lazy, beautiful evenings in California under the blazing stars. Well, that's how I would describe it to you because I used it through the whole summer last year and every time I spray it on now it reminds me of that place, I really wish I was right now, and makes me smile every single time. If you don't believe me, go and buy it yourself.

6. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - I miss reading a good, exciting book. From when my mock exams started I couldn't get into a book and enjoy it but this really has been bringing me back into the flow. Its action packed, unexpected and exciting. Plus, on the cover it  says ' a must for the fans of The Hunger Games'... so you can see it has been calling for my eyes.

7. Calvin Klein Jeans Sunglasses - Its only a short time in the year that you can wear sunglasses and I love my white ones, they go with pretty much everything :)

8. Ikea Milk Frother - Coffee? No this makes more than milk, water and instant coffee granules mixed together. It makes it look like a posh cappuccino especially with a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. Really, it  changes home coffee forever.  

I hope that you have found something here that you fancy trying out... and if you already have let me know what you thought about them!

Priyanka xx

Concealers: My Buys So Far

 

If I could only have one product in my makeup bag it would be a concealer. 

 

I always feel like if I get the right concealer then that's really all the coverage I need for an 'every day' look, but a good concealer has taken some time to reach and in my opinion they are also hard to track down especially since everybody's skin and preferences are different.

 

So here are all the concealers I have tried from the drugstore:

 

1. Collection 2000 Cover Up stick: This is the first concealer that I have ever bought. On top of that It is the first makeup product I have bought by myself (anything before that would not have been more than a lip gloss or nail polish). I would have said it was wonderful back a few years ago because I had never tried anything else but now I can tell you that it has a good coverage but it quite dry and cakey especially under the eyes. When I went to cover up a spot it made the spot stand out more due to the fact it was thick and flaky.

 

2. 17 Hide Away Concealer: My most regretting boots trip ever. I tried to make this concealer work so much. I really put all of my effort into blending it out differently, with a sponge, under the eyes, on spots but no where did it look close to nice. The packaging and consistency of the concealer looks nice at first but when I applied it to my skin it was orange, cakey, and looked like it would flake off my face. Also, I tried to wear this on the hottest months and it made me feel so self conscience about myself that I would barely look at people in the eye because it was rubbing off all over the place and I looked gross. I also tried covering up spots but it left then even worse. After this I have been put off 17 products - I haven't even dared to look at their makeup section since.  

 

3. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer: I was really happy when I bought this back in Canada last summer (followed by my incredible, but short dreamy trip to Los Angeles which you can see here). I was on the internet searching for reviews on concealers for weeks until I stumbled across this concealer that really drew my attention. I think that it really does reduce puffiness around the eyes and hides away dark circles brilliantly. I would still be using this if it weren't for my face being more tanned. In the winter it looks lovely and matt when set with a transparent powder.

 

4. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighing Concealer: I love using this for highlighting my brow bone because it makes me look more awake, for the inner eyes and under the eyes but on top of another higher coverage concealer or foundation to make my eyes 'pop' a little more. The brush is lovely to apply it with and I would recommend using it in conjunction with another concealer for a little more coverage.

 

 5. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer: What's all the hype for from bloggers and youtubers about this concealer? Well if you haven't tried it you wouldn't  know. It has a great coverage and is actually not flaky. Horayy! Its an all round concealer for under the eyes, covering spots, scars and dark skin pigmentation which is great for those that want the coverage without wearing foundation everyday. Its the only concealer that I have bought that looks fine on spots- that is the result of following the newest makeup craze!  AND it last for pretty much all day and tries its very best to resist sweat. Bonus.

 

6. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer: Again this is a lovely highlighting concealer to use with foundation or another concealer, around the inner eyes, cheek and brow bones. I think this has a little  more coverage than the L'Oreal Lumi Maqique but they are pretty similar.

 

I hope my experiences with concealers help find a perfect concealer for you skin.

 

Please let me know any concealers that you would recommend and what they are best for!

 

Priyanka xx

 

 

Boots Birthday Haul!

If you are anything like me then you know how exciting going to boots can be! I mean seriously after constantly seeing bloggers and youtubers doing makeup hauls and favorites there are so many products that I seem to 'need' and have been adding up onto my wish list.

I finally convinced my mum to take me to boots because I had to get a ton of first aid things for my Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition and then treated my self to some beauty products because summer is not TOO far away and on Thursday (20th March) ITS MY BIRTHDAY!

I ended up buying:

-Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Eternal Gold

-Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Green Berry

-Maybelline Dream Sun bronzer in Blonde

-Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

- Boots Oil Absorbing Sheets

-Max Factor Gloss Infinity in Angel Nails 

-Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

-Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punched (that I didn't put into the picture!)

I think that all of these things will look (and work) gorgeous during the summer months and I am so excited to try out all these products because I have heard so many good things about them!

Have you tried these before? Let me know!

Priyanka xx

Product Review: Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof

O.M.G. I have totally been loving this mascara! I purchased L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes during the summer holidays when I went to Calgary, Canada in August (which seems to be such a long time ago!) I needed a new mascara that would last those summer pool dips, sweat, heat, water fights and survive the whole day (since during the summer keeping preoccupied is my biggest concern) and this was the mascara for it!

When I came back to school (unfortunately summer doesn't last a million years), soo many people complimented my lashes! I naturally have long, thick eye lashes but this product emphasized my eyes, created a 'million lashes' (see what i did there?), gave me great volume and length so that I could look wide awake without any other eye makeup like eyeliner.  

The elastomer applicator (wand) is AMAZING as it doesn't leave any clumps or over-load the product on your lashes. Also, I found it could really grip every single lash and coat it will minimal effort which is very helpful for those, like myself, that have limited time in the mornings or are new to makeup.

I like to put on two coats onto each eye, without letting it dry until I'm satisfied with how it looks. 

However (oh no!), I would say the only disadvantage of using this mascara every day is that it can be rather difficult to completely remove. I felt like it was a little bit too harsh everyday and when I went to remove it with a waterproof eye makeup remover (as I found that normal wipes didn't remove anything) and ended up pulling my lashes out in aggression...eek!

 Seriously, I would recommend buying this mascara or a mascara in L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Range which are £10.99 at Boots. Eventhough this is a pricier side for a drugstore mascara it is totally worth every penny!

I know that before I buy a product I always do my research and see other people's views on products so I hope this helps.

Priyanka xx