Skin Care

Throughout my teens I tried all the different facial washes, masks and wipes, but none of them seemed to work, many friends of mine went on pills designed to help their skin - and they worked! But for some reason I was never tempted to resort to fixing my skin that way, part of me always thought it was because of what I ate or was due to my hormones. 

But now I realise, my skin was just a bit of a bitch. 

Then in 2007 I found 'Dermalogica' and their products made my skin so much better! I still had spots and the monthly break-outs but it was nothing a good concealer couldn't fix, however as I got older my skin was changing and it needed more moisturising products. I had never moisturised my skin until I was 17, thinking back I'm horrified! But at the time my skin just felt so oily that the thought of putting on something moisturising seemed pointless and quite terrifying! 

It was at this point (aged 18) that I went to uni where I was too poor to keep buying the fancy dermalogica products I'd been using, instead I used any cheap cleanser I could find, and oh boy did my skin pay for it! 

In my 2nd year of uni I decided to do something about it and went into the 'Aveda' shop in Leeds - and I have never looked back!

Their Enbrightenment facial brightening cleanser is the work of the gods! It has done me proud through the last 2 years and I couldn't dream of using anything else. Now my skin is less prone to breakouts and I think it is due to:

a) being 21 and my hormones 'settling' down

b) using my toner and moisturiser twice daily 

c) Using a natural and good quality face wash 

d) Using high quality foundations and concealers.

The main things I have found throughout all the years of struggling with my skin are that drinking water, avoiding touching your face/picking at spots AND not using cheap make up can all really help improve your skin. 

Now that rant is over! Here is what I use on a daily basis (except for the face mask that I use once every 2-3 weeks):

Meow

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A Summer Glow

Summer is apparently here so I have been having a play with my make up trying out different summery looks. Bronzer has always been a close friend of mine so I've been using LOTS of that, my 'Avoir La Peche' palette from sleek has also been the basis of most of my looks using peachy, orange and brown colours to create a really warm look. These colours also are fab for making any eye colour pop.
So here is my 'Summer Glow' look:

The eyes:

 Big Fake Lash - Collection 2000, A very battered Rimmel black eyeliner for the waterline all around the eye and the Avoir La Peche Sleek palette for eyeshadows.

The skin:

My beautiful primark Kabuki Brush - best £1.50 I've ever spent!
The Lips:

Meow
xXx

I've got it covered.

Concealers - they can be your best friend or a complete pain in the arse!
Having struggled with bad skin throughout my teens I have tried various types of concealers from sticks, creams, gels and liquids. But recently I've realised that I've never compared my concealers to see which was better, I just tend to grab what's nearest and hope for the best. So here it is...

CONCEALER vs. MOLE 
dun dun duhhh....

Mole pre cover up:

Mole after using 'Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch concealer' in shade natural 2:

Mole after using 'Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer' in shade Medium 3:

Mole after using 'UNE: Skin-Echo Concealer' in shade E01

Mole after using '17 Hide & Chic Eye Brightening concealer' in shade light beige

Mole after using 'MAC Studio Finish concealer' in shade NW20

Mole after using 'Bobbi Brown Corrector' in shade Light Bisque (correcter is not a concealer I know but... well I don't care)

RESULTS:
Bobbi brown correcter really cancelled out the darkness of the mole and I know from using it that it is fab for covering up any scarring or dark circles so... I think I'll cheat and make that #1. Shortly followed by Mac, this concealer gives a very even coverage and isn't patchy so that is going to be runner up!
Now... the rest.
In a way I feel using my little mole was a bit cheeky, first of all this mole is on my hand, and secondly most concealers are designed to be used on blemishes. As a result some of the concealers I love and swore by didn't turn up too great in this test, but for under eyes and blemishes they work fine. The Collection 2000 illuminating concealer did me proud and gave my skin a lovely brightness and although it didn't completely cover the mole it gave it a good try.
One shocker was the Collection 2000 lasting perfection, that stuff when using on top of my foundation could cover anything!! But alas on my mole it didn't seem to do much. 17's under eye concealer did okay but didn't give as even a coverage as the collection 2000, which was surprising as they are both in the same price range.
However...
There is one that I knew would do badly, and that one is the UNE concealer. Urgh I HATE the stuff! It smells like vanilla yoghurt (normally I would like this but in a concealer no. Just...no.) it also is way to liquid-y (new word) and no matter how I've applied it using brushes/my finger it still looks uneven and covers nothing at all. It also separates throughout the day - so basically it is really s###!! Also it was really pricey!!

So to conclude, in the battle of CONCEALER vs. MOLE the winner was...

Bobbi Brown Corector <3 shortly followed by MAC studio finish concealer.

So maybe it is true - high end products really do cut the mustard! So dig out your dosh ladies!

Meow!

xXx

Lets get tangoed

Sleek brought out another wonderful palette over Easter full of beautiful orange/peach colours, but I've only just got around to trying it out!

Some of the peachy colours make my eyes look quite tired but I really enjoyed wearing the orange, it's a pretty intense look but with thick eyelashes and plenty of eye liner I think it could be pretty wearable for a night out.

I teamed it with some white eye liner in my waterline to intensify the orange and an unhealthy amount of mascara.

Meow

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