April 2015 Glossybox- Iconic Hollywood Edit

Aloha!

I've been reading endless posts, about these beauty box subscriptions for quite some time now and for £10 a month, you can see why the lavish idea is appealing.. However with three or more brands out there, sending out these treats, how on earth are we meant to decide which box to buy?? Originally I was gonna subscribe to Birchbox because they tend to include more high-end products but the theme of Glossy's April 15' Edition won me over in a heart beat. I mean, 'The Iconic Hollywood Box Edit' was a really fun idea and brought me back to student life. When I was studying make-up, one of our moduals was make-up through the decades and of course, the iconic winged eyeliner and red lip was always a fav. I think it's safe to say many people will view red as a very, if not the most, empowering lip colour and will never go out of style. Okay I went on a little tangent there but what can I say? I'm passionate! Back to Glossybox, they sent out one of four pastel coloured boxes (yellow, green, orange or blue) that each have a different quote, from our beloved Audrey or glorious Marilyn, written inside the lid. I must say it was beautifully wrapped and well presented plus the box is good quality and sturdy so I'll deffo be keeping it for some kind of storage. The box also came with cute little cards that had a detailed price list with product definition, a 25% off Finery voucher and the editors letter. 

Okay so enough about the packaging, WHAT'S IN THE BOX? The best product they sent me was a full sized Lord & Berry Lipstick Pencil (Kiss). It's an extremely creamy, orange-based red lip crayon that's highly pigmented and strikingly bright. I'm in love with the shade and it glides glides easily onto my lips, without drying them out. The only downside is you need to re-apply it throughout the day but I reckon you could solve that with a little Lipcote. My second fav is the Astral Original Face and Body Moisturiser (I've never come across the brand before so I'm glad they sent me this). Okay so it looks and feels exactly like Sudocrem, which initially put me off but after using it as part of my night time routine I've discovered it's improving my skin. Even though I've only been using it for four days my skin feels more supple and hydrated and I've actually started putting it on my tattoos as they tend to get a tad dry sometimes. Color Club Barley There Nail Polish was also amongst the wrapping, I'm sooo happy they sent me this because I find it impossible to find the perfect nude for my complexion. They tend to either be too pink or too brown but this one is perfect for me. What's more, I applied it Sunday morning; it's now Wednesday and I'm still chip free! 

Okay so the last two products I'm not overally keen on... I received a Rose IDC Body Lotion, which would be nice if you liked rose and body lotion but it's sad to say I don't. (I'm more of a body butter kind of girl!) They also sent a POP Beauty Kajal Eyeliner Pen (Black) but it wasn't really black, it was more grey and a bit 'wishy washy'. I mean if I'm doing a smokey eye I might pick it up because it smudges easily but I wouldn't buy it. Although I wasn't keen on these two products I'm so pleased with the other three that it makes up for it. Plus, I'm sure there are people out there who would enjoy them. Excluding the pretty packaging and cards inside, the total value of the box is £28.08, which is pretty good going considering I paid £10. Not only that but it's a fun pick me up for those dull days.. Like when I'm tired from working all day and I'm greeted by this little beauty, it's exciting to pull open the ribbon and discover what goodies I've been sent to me, so I think overall it's a great experience. 

Neeks x

  

The Red Lipstick Foundation

The nature of today's post is very different from the beauty related topics I would usually write about but this is an important and sensitive issue that needs to be addressed; suicide. This week, it will be 3 months since I tragically lost someone very close to me. A special someone who was a beloved twin, sister, auntie, daughter, grandaughter and friend. Someone who had everything to live for but just couldn't cope. Unfortunately, there is not enough professional help out there for those who really need it. This needs to change.

Brittany's incredible family have set up The Red Lipstick Foundation to offer support to anyone who has been affected by depression and suicide. Whether you're a family in need of support or a victim of depression that needs help, you can talk to people who have been through similar traumatic experiences and can relate to your situation. ''The Red Lipstick Foundation is dedicated to supporting families bereaved by suicide and passionate about education for awareness of mental health issues" you are able to find/ contact them via their website, Facebook page and read honest and heart felt posts on their blog. Many people have already got in contact, which is encouraging, so let's keep spreading the word, please like/ share so we can get to as many people as humanly possible and hopefully reach those who need help. 

It's become more apparent to me that sometimes those with the biggest smiles are in the most pain. It's important to know that you are not alone and although it may not seem like it now, things will get better. Find somebody you trust and tell them how you're feeling. Making that first step can sometimes be the most difficult, but has hard is it may seem, once that first step has been made, each step after that will get slightly easier; a day at a time. 
                                                            

A little bit about Brit:

Anyone who knew Brittany will be able to tell you what an intelligent, courageous, young woman she was. Brittany seemed to have a strong love for life and everything around her, from the smallest insect to the tallest tree, Brit had the most genuine caring nature and always put others needs before her own. This kind and effortless, caring nature made her approachable to everyone who knew her and she would always be there to offer advise or a shoulder to cry on. Brittany's vibrant presence never failed to brighten up a dull day, and like most 19 year olds, she often had wild nights out with her friends. Brittany was quirky and stylish and was commonly known for her hilarious sense of humour and, of course, red lipstick. 

Valentines Day Inspired Make-Up #2 RED LIPS

Aloha! 

So I know this is a bit last minute but a lot of people seemed to like my valentines day inspired make-up with nude lips post and I had a few requests to do one with red lips, so even if it's too late to try this for V.Day this is a pretty classic red lip look that you can wear whenever you want so all is not lost! My idea behind it was for it to be 40's/ 50's themed with high arched brows, deep set eyes, flicked eye liner and red lips because I think it has a fun and exciting vibe to it. Anyone at all can wear this make-up and it's very achievable even if you don't have the same products I am using. Also I'm not really sure what's going on with my parting today (Center? Off- center? Cow's lick?) who knows aha, anyways enough of that let's begin! 

Face: So today I actually did something slightly different to usual, which makes a change, I started off with my Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser (very similar to the POREfessional for those who want to read my comparison click here) I then mixed my Bourjois Radiance Reveal Foundation (for my review click here) with my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation partly because it's that time of the month wear my skin breaks out and the Double Wear foundation has higher coverage. I mixed it with my Bourjois foundation to darken it a bit as it's slightly to light for me. I then used my all time favorite stippling brush to buff the foundation in for a more even application. Usually I would apply my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer under my eyes but the Double Wear foundation has a high enough coverage that I don't need to, instead I just applied it to any obvious blemishes. I then added my bronzer and blusher, I always do this before I set my make-up with powder as it seems to blend everything more evenly and also seems to stay in place for longer. The bronzer I used is the Superdrug Solait Maxi Bronzer (light) because it doesn't make me look orange and is good value for money! The blush I use is (of course) Top Shop Afternoon Tea Cream Blush. This is my favorite blush at the moment and seems to go with every make-up look I do so deffo a must for those looking for a versatile blush. Lastly, I set everything with Kryolan Translucent Powder and dab some Benefit High Beam on the cheek bones, this paired with the blusher gives off a very glowey/ flirty vibe when you smile. 

Eyes: I always start by filling in my brows with the Rimmel Eye Brow Pencil (Hazel) first as it gives me a frame to work with. I then prime my eye lids with the Original Urban Decay Primer Potion and begin to apply my eye make-up  (All the shades I used are from Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette). I began by using a big fluffy brush to apply Naked all over my eye lids. I then worked Buck into my crease, to give the appearance of a deeper socket, and Darkhorse in the outer corner for a more intense smoked effect. The next motion I'm about to do is something that I do with pretty much every eye make-up as it really does lift your eyes and make them appear bigger. I do this by taking my chosen highlight (in this case it's Virgin) and I highlight under the brows, in the inner corner of my eyes and a dab in the very center (trust me it works!). I think that flicked eyeliner really compliments red lips (very 1940's/50's) so personally I find the easiest way to do it is by taking my Rimmel London Glam Eyes Liquid Liner and drawing a line from my outer corner outwards. That way you have a point to work towards and it makes for a nice transition between the lash line and the flick. To keep in with the V.Day theme long sultry lashes are key so you can either use mascara; my all time fav is the Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara as it lengthens, separates and volumises my lashes or of course you could actually apply false lashes. 

Lips: So my tip with wearing red lipstick is to firstly find the right shade. If you're fair skinned it's safer to buy a blue-toned lipstick and if you have dark skin then an orange-based lipstick will really make your lips pop! Secondly, alwaysssss use a lip liner! Red lipstick is notorious for bleeding and the fairer you are the more noticeable it will be to your Valentine. I used the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip-Liner (Red Diva) it's great in that it's creamy and dries matte so you could wear it on it's own and it will stay put for hours without drying your lips out. I found that together the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick (01) and Exaggerate Lip Liner were an almost perfect match. 

How are you spending your Valentines Day? Red or nude lips? 

 Neeks x

January Favs- Lippy's

Aloha!

Every make-up addict has a vice.. For some it's brushes, for others it's eye shadow but for me it's lipsticks. And no matter how many shades of 'coral pink' I have I don't have THIS one. I actually counted my lipsticks the other day, 55 in total, I think it's safe to say I don't need anymore. However, this didn't stop me from purchasing 3 new lipsticks to ease my way into the new spring/ summer 2014 trends. 

And from left to right our first summery shade is the Bourjois Rouge Edition (17 Rouge Millesime) £7.99). Perfect for everyday click here it's quite light and glossy yet gives you a sweet splash of colour. Our next shade is the Rimmel Kate's Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick (107) £3.99) I absolutley love this, with a simple eye make-up it makes a nice statement during the day but also could easily be worn at night time. It's a blue based red so for all you fair skinned ladies this will look beaut. The only trouble with it is it bleeds really easily so make sure you line those lips! And lastly we have Rimmel Kate's Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick (110) £3.99) deffo one to watch out for the new 2014 spring/summer trends. Bold orange matte lipsticks are in- along with simple eye make-up and a fresh complexion. This lipstick particularly looks amazing on dark skin but pretty much anyone can wear it, don't be scared to wear bold lipstick! With the right shade it's sure to turn heads. 

Light and glossy or bold and bright lips? Let me know! 

Neeks x