Product Review: Make up Revolution, The Flawless Palette.

The 'Flawless Palette' by Make up Revolution is £8 in Superdrug

I've always found the cheaper drugstore eye shadows to be pretty hit and miss; they are either very powdery and have a lot of fall out, or have absolutely no pigment at all. This mentality was solidly fixed in my head until I came across Make up Revolution's 'The Flawless Palette' in Superdrug; my mind has been changed forever.
    This palette contains 32 gorgeous neutral shades, and a mixture of matte, satin and glitter finishes.  If you're like myself and tend to stick to browns and light shimmers on the lids, don't be afraid of the deep burgundy and green shades!  They look amazing for an autumnal look, and are a really good way of getting that subtle pop of colour.  The majority of eye shadows are very pigmented and buttery to apply, and with such an extensive range of shades this really is the perfect palette to take you from day to night.
    Aside from the colours, the packaging is rather beautiful too!  Surprisingly for a drugstore brand, the palette is very sturdy and compact, and has a very large mirror on the inside (perfect for travelling!). I love that the eye shadows fill the entire space, and no room is left for those annoying foam applicators that are never used and just get in the way.  The shiny black plastic makes the overall feel of the palette very luxurious and high-end, when in actual fact this will only cost you £8!  I know, I couldn't believe it either...

Have you tried anything from Make up Revolution? I'd love to hear about any other amazing products of theirs.

Amour, Ellie xxx

My Favourite Nude Lip Combo

Everybody these days seems to be looking for that 'perfect Kylie Jenner nude lip', and I am definitely no exception!  Nude lips can give any make up look an element of sophistication and elegance, as long the 'nude' is right.  By this, I mean not too yellow that it looks like you have jumped straight from a 90s pop video, and not too powder pink that you look like a life size Barbie.  I prefer to opt for brown-peach nudes, as I feel like they compliment my olivey skin tone, whereas other shades wash me out.
    Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 'East End Snob' £3.99- My first stage in creating a perfect nude lip.  I've really been getting into using these recently, as they not only give you the opportunity to create the look of fuller lips, but also help your lipstick last longer.  The colour is so versatile and once blended, you'll find that it can be worn under virtually any nude colour lipstick.  There has been a lot of talk in the blogging community that this shade is the drugstore dupe for the 'Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk'.  I haven't tried that (yet), but would be interested to know if it really is the perfect match!
    L'Oreal Exclusive Nudes in 'Barely Golden by Eva Longoria' £6.99 - First of all, have a look at that packaging; this is probably the most high-end looking drug-store lipstick I own and is a pleasure to take out of my hand bag when I am on the go.  The formula is really creamy, hydrating and has a lovely golden sheen running through it that makes the lips look really full and lovely.  In my eyes, Eva's nude is perfect for every day wear (plus, who wouldn't want to look like Eva Longoria?!).
    L'Oreal L'Extroadinaire Liquid Lipstick in '500' £8.99- I have to admit, I don't feel this step is always necessary and am often quite content with a more matte look using just the products above, however when my lips are feeling particularly dehydrated or it's a special occasion, who doesn't love a little gloss?!  I love this dusky-pink shade dabbed across the centre of my lips to create a full, healthy look. Sadly, I do have to disagree with the 'liquid lipstick' claim and brand it as more of a 'highly-pigmented gloss'; it just doesn't have the lasting power as some of it's competitors (Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets, £8.99).  Nonetheless, I love the colour and it looks perfect on its own or on top of lipstick.

What is your favourite nude lip combo? I'd love to know!

Amour, Ellie xxx

Product Review: Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer

Rimmel's Fix and Perfect Pro Primer (£4.99)

I rarely use primers, not so much because I don't like them, but because I'm lazy and just see it as another step in my make up routine (that already takes waaaay too long!).  On those occasions where I have an extra long day ahead of me, or even the odd night out and I feel a primer is necessary, I look for only one thing; the ability to keep my skin looking fresh for as long as possible.

Enter: Rimmel's Fix and Perfect Pro Primer.
 
I actually bought this primer way back in 2010 when my make-up bag was becoming more equipped, however I finished the tube and never really considered repurchasing.  Recently, the product has come back on the beauty blogging radar, so I thought I would pick it up from my local Boots and give it another go.
    The product itself is very creamy and feels almost like you are applying a moisturiser. If you're looking for good pore blurring ability, I wouldn't recommend this primer as the best for that job; try a silicone based product like Maybelline Baby Skin or Benefit Porefessional.  In terms of helping make up last just that much longer and keeping that pesky shine at bay, this is definitely your guy.
    What I love most is the thin consistency, it sinks in with ease and doesn't feel as though you're adding just another layer on top of your skin.  It is so simple and doesn't claim to do anything it doesn't do! Priced at only £4.99 in Boots, this primer a lot more more effective than some higher-end brands, and for a quarter of the price, you can't really go wrong!

Have you tried this primer? What do you love/hate about it? I'd love to know!

Amour, Ellie xxx

Life Hack: Lip balm for Highlight

I applied Superdrug's 'Little Green Tin' lip balm across the tops of my cheeks to create a dewy highlight

Recently, I've found myself ditching the traditional powder or cream highlighters for something a little different and definitely more natural looking.
    For me, London Fashion Week is not only a time to oggle at the dreamy clothes and shoes, but also the many beautiful make up looks by the extremely talented make-up artists.  A glossy, natural highlighted look took the catwalks by storm during the SS14 shows, and after a quick bit of research, I was surprised to discover the magical product behind this gorgeous look, was lip balm!?
    Since this knowledge has come to my attention, the generic highlighting creams and powders have been resigned to the back of my make-up draw, and the lip balms have been bought way forward!  I love the effect of dabbing just a tiny amount over the tops of my cheek bones to create a glowy make-up look.
   I really love that this technique doesn't involve adding any extra colour to your skin, unlike some cream and powder highlighting products which can often leave your make-up looking heavy and cakey, especially during the winter months.
    You may be thinking 'Surely adding lip balm to your face makes you look more greasy than glowy?!'.  This was a concern of mine too, so I only apply the balm to the tops of my cheeks and avoid my T-zone as this is where I become oily.  My balm of choice is usually Superdrug's Little Green Tin as it isn't too sticky, but another great product for the job is Maybelline Baby Lips in 'Hydrate'.
    So ladies, if you love a natural, dewy make-up look for daytime, save your pennies and use up those lip balms you have at the back of your drawer!

Do you have any weird yet wonderful make-up tips? I'd love to hear them!

Ellie xxx

Product Review: Nars Audacious Lipstick

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Audrey (£24)

I have lusted after the NARS Audacious Lipsticks for a very, very long time; wishing and longing that their price range fell into the budget of a student (£24).  Alas, they do not, and so I have never been able to get my paws on one.  That is, until I was given the shade 'Audrey' by an amazing, amazing friend of mine (pippibee.blogspot.com, check her out!) for my birthday.

   What an incredibly lucky girl I am.

   Honestly, this is the most beautiful lipstick I have ever seen.  'Audrey' is a gorgeous deep plummy colour that can be worn liberally for a bold evening look, or dabbed over the lips for a pinky-plum daytime look.  The finish is smooth, light, and dries quite matte so the colour doesn't budge and looks just as good during hour 4 as when it was first applied.
   One of my favourite things about the lipstick is the packaging.  As usual, NARS have used their signature branding, matte black with a shiny 'NARS' written on the side;  what I really love is that the lid is held on by a strong magnet (which also creates that satisfying 'click' when the lid is popped back on).  This little mechanism means that there is no chance of the lid falling off and creating an expensive mess in your handbag.
   I wore the lipstick for the first time a couple of evenings ago, when my family and I went to watch my little sister in a show.  I received so many compliments on the colour and I wasn't left with that annoying ring around your lips you sometimes get after wearing a bold lippy.  It couldn't be more perfect!

Have you tried any of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks?  What did you think?  Have you got any recommendations of colours I should try?!

Amour, Ellie xxx