Makeup Revolution: Fortune Favours the Brave eyeshadow palette

Earlier this year Makeup Revolution teamed up with British Beauty Blogger to create the beautiful Fortune Favours the Brave eye shadow palette. This thirty pan palette encased in sleek gold packaging contains a beautiful range of matte, shimmery and sheeny shadows in gorgeous neutral and deep jewel tones.

Botanics Hydrating Eye Serum review

I recently picked up a new eye cream to replace Pai's Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream, which I liked but wasn't wowed by. I opted for something cheaper but still offering me hydrating and mostly natural ingredients; the Boots Botanics Hydrating Eye Serum, Tripple Age Renewal.

Disappointing product: L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer

L'Oreal's Lumi Magique concealer promises to brighten eyes and conceal imperfections as well as highlight areas of the face. I have some fairly noticeable eyebags so thought that this would be perfect for me.

Collection Eyes Uncovered Smokey Purples

 
I love purple eyeshadows. They are an easy way to wear colour and I find that purple tones really bring out the green colours in my eyes. It can be hard though, to find good purple eyeshadows, particularly on the highstreet. So I was really pelased to pick up this little affordable eyeshadow palette from Collection.

Disappointing prodcts: Kind Natured Colour Care Coconut & Shea Conditioner

I'm always on the hunt for a nourishing conditioner for my dry ends. I love using natural formulas as I find that they tend to be very nourishing.

Rosie for Autograph Summer Rose

Since I picked up the original Rosie for Autograph fragrance a year or so ago, I have been reaching for it on the daily. So when I heard there was a new Rosie for Autograph fragrance that 'Summer Rose' I knew I would love it.

No7's Protect & Perfect Intense Facial Sun Protection spf50

It's safe to say that summer has finally hit and for me that always means it's time to up the anti in the SPF department. When I'm searching for a summer SPF I look for something with a high protection from both UVA and UVB rays. No7's Protect & Perfect Intense Facial Sun Protection SPF50 fits the bill.

Seventeen Shimmer Brick in Pink Bronze

Shimmer bricks are such a wonderful multi use product. They work as a highlight, bronzer, eyeshadow and even a sheen blush if the formula is right. I picked up this pretty pink toned shimmer brick from Seventeen a month ago when they had a buy one get one half off offer.

In the pan there are four gorgeous rose gold highlight shades. The last swatch in the image above is the four colours together. Each colour is well pigmented and very shimmery. They give off a nice highlight sheen but there is some detectable glitter so one to be weary of if wearing in sunlight.

The formula is oddly a bit stiff, it feels hard in the pan rather than creamy like a lot of good powder formulas I have. That said it is well pigmented and applies well, it just is perhaps a tiny bit chalky.

The real let down for me is the colour. While I love the beautiful rose gold highlight tones, they are far too dark for my super pale skin. I think that as a highlight palette this would work well for somebody with darker skin.

I can still use this shimmer brick as eyeshadow and if I'm feeling adventurous I'll reach for the lightest shade as a warm highlight but it's not a formula I would write home about so perhaps it's one to skip. Makeup revolutions shimmer brick packs much more of a punch!

Seventeen instant glow shimmer brick, £4.99

Disappointing Product: Topshop Smoke Stick

I love the idea of eyeshadow sticks. A quick and easy product that helps to create a one step makeup look. Build up a smokey eye in seconds. Unfortunately so many of the eyeshadow sticks or eyeshadow pencils that I've tried end up looking crease, too sheer and rough in texture on the lid.

I picked up three of the Topshop shadow sticks in a gift set and was excited to Tey out the gorgeous metallic shades. A peak nude,  a champagne shimmer and a deep chocolate bronze.

These swatch ok and are nicely pigmented. The lighter shades have a beautiful metallic shimmer while the brown is a little less shimmery but not matte.

Unfortunately when applied to the eyes these were pretty awful. While the formula is creamy enough it applied very patchy and sat on the skin rather than blending in. When blending out the product looked smudge and uneven. I can't comment on the lasting power because I haven't worn these enough to test it out.

These are issues I've had with similar product before so I'm not surprised. I think I may just be very picky with cream eyeshadow formulas, I'm looking for something smooth and blend able with an even pigment that sets down.

I love the No7 Shade and Define sticks, they're brilliantly smooth and long wearing. I would recommend those over the Topshop Smoke Sticks any day.

Topshop Smoke Sticks, £6.50

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Matte-Lip

 

I've been on the hunt for some of the matte dusty pink/nudes that have been so popular in the last few months. So when I spotted these adorable little matte lip crayons from Soap and Glory I snapped them up. 

Makeup Revolution Salvation Palette Girls on Film

I have so many neutral eyeshadow palettes now, that I'm really spoilt for choice when I sit down to apply my makeup. Recently though I've really been reaching for the Makeup Revolution Girls On Film palette.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV Intense Legere

Protecting your skin from the sun is so important and thankfully sun protection seems to be becoming more popular amongst cosmetic brands. That said, it can still be hard to track down a daily moisturiser with a good broad spectrum protection. La Roche-Posay's Hydraphase UV Intense Legere has answered my praise with a lightweight formula and broad spectrum protection.

Perfect every time fluffy American pancakces

I'm a sweet breakfast kinda gal. As much as I love saussages, beans and eggs, I'm never craving a full English for breakfast. I'd rather have waffles, chocolate cereal or a big stack of pancakes! This recipe is one that I've used for more than 5 years and I always come back to it.

Le Soft Perfume: Parisian Rhapsody and Etre Ici Et Ailleurs

I love solid perfumes; they seem to have a more gentle scent than most perfumes and are of course perfect for travelling with. Unfortunately they can be hard to find but I think they are becoming more popular on the high street. I recently purchased two Le Soft Perfumes; Parisian Rhapsody and Etre Ici Et Ailleurs from Sabe Masson and I think they're great.

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner

 

I love a felt tip liner for quick and easy liner application and this one from Soap and Glory has been my faithful friend for years now. There are a bunch of great options on the highstreet now but not all are made equal. 

L'Oreal Brow Artiste Shaper

While I love using a powder on my brows for a natural and full shape, and I reach for a brow mascara when I really want to pump up the volume, day to day I always reach for a pencil because nothing builds up shape and quickly defines like an eyebrow pencil. L'Oreal's Brow Artiste Shaper in Brunette has been my brow pencil of choice for a year or so now and I've repurchased it over and over. 

Makeup Revolution: Vivid Shimmer Brick Radiant

 

In a recent Makeup Revolution order, I picked up this gorgeous shimmer brick for just £3. I don't own any other shimmer bricks and couldn't say no to the gorgeous golden shimmers for such a low price.

Benefit Tinted Lash Primer & Roller Lash

I have been using Benefit's Tinted Lash Primer for a couple of months now and I really like it on its own as a low key brown mascara. It's perfect for the office and quick, easy makeup routines. Certainly a lighter formula than the original They're Real mascara but it still adds a good amount of length and definition.

I realised recently that I'd never actually used it as a lash primer so I gave it a roll with Benefits Roller Lash.

Dewy and glowing: easy highlighting tip

Today I wanted to share a quick highlighting trick that I've been doing in the past few weeks. This little step helps my highlight look really natural and dewy. 

Origins Out of Trouble mask

I am a mask addict. There's nothing better to perk up the skin and erase a multitude of skin sins than a great mask. This one from Origins I actually picked up accidentally but I have grown to love it and reach for it whenever my skin feels 'off'.