eBay Make Up Brushes!

Hello and Happy 2015- lets get things going with a good cheap find shall we?

So, when I was a poor student and I was really getting into playing around with make up I decided to get some brushes from eBay- I didn't have high expectations for these at all, I expected shedding and poor application but gave them a go anyway.  To my surprise these were actually lovely- nice soft brushes good for blending both powder and cream eye shadows, I also got a new buffing brush at the same time- god knows why, I already have far too many, again not expecting much from these but well over a year later I'm still loving these!

So, I got a 4 pack of eye brushes containing 3 fluffy style brushes, great for applying and blending and 1 pencil brush. The 3 fluffy brushes are great, they apply colour really easily and evenly, blend like a dream and wash up great too! The pencil brush is something I've learnt to love- I use this for a smoky close to the lash line kind of job, it's also great to apply colour under the eyes! These wash up great, they're still looking really new after a wash and seem to dry pretty fast too! I can't say these are on par with mac or Zoeva but they are a brilliant cheap and cheerful alternative if like I was- you're a little short on cash and wanting something for your eyes!

I also got a buffing brush, and believe me when I say it's the most dense brush I've ever had my hands on! This is something I had to really practice with, it's great for the more sheer foundations or something not too thick- I love using this with the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum or Rimmel True match! This buffs in your base until its so natural looking you wouldn't believe you're wearing any make up! It's density can be a little off putting to me occasionally as it is more work to blend and buff with this but I do find myself reaching for it on a 'no make up- look' kind of day! I've found washing this a bit of a pain though- really have to give it some welly to get it clean and takes a pretty long time to dry too!

I couldn't find the exact match to what I've got but these are pretty close! 

Have you tried any cheaper make up brush alternatives?

M x

Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencil in Red Essential

As someone terrified of wearing a bold lip this purchase was a little out of my comfort zone... but probably the best beauty buy in a long time! 

I'm always browsing for a perfect lipstick/colour, usually this is a red that won't bleed or transfer, will last all day and slightly vampy- not asking for munch huh!? 

I spotted this is all the usual highstreet stores and did the classic 'I'll buy it when I've read reviews' and to cut a long story short I was out the next day to pick one up...

I can't really rave about this enough- the colour and formula are spot on for what I've been looking.

The formula is a matte finish but its not at all drying, it glides on really smoothly and stay put all day! I've started teaming this with Rimmels lip liner in Obsession which just gives a slightly more berry finish to it and helps me stay inside the lines! 

Red Essential is one of those 'classic reds' that will always look  on trend, its also versatile in the way you can wear it as a simple matte red lip, vamp it up slightly like I have been doing or even finish with a clear gloss for a touch more glamour! 

I honestly think this range is amazing, I'm 100% going to be picking up some more colours shortly, I've heard it's a pretty spot on dupe for the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, which I've been eyeing up for a long time- now I don't actually feel the need to buy any as I know this is what I'm looking for.

Well done Maybelline, another great product! 

Have you tried these? If so what colours should I grab next?

M x

Faux Glow... The High-street Edit

When it comes too my base make up, all I want is a glow. Sometimes subtle, think lit from within,and sometimes a little more! Either or, for me this is my perfect finish for make up. I've tried and test several handfuls of products said to give the aforementioned healthy glow and here are my current top picks from the high-street/drug store!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation:

I've loved this foundation for a while now, it promises healthy dewy glowing skin; there are light reflecting particles in this which add the prettiest glow. This really balances out redness and uneven skin tone, it covers nicely and isn't too heavy wearing. I'd say this is perfect for normal or dry skin, possible stay clear if you're on the more oily side! This for me is a go to in the colder months to perk up my skin a little, possible a little too dewy for summer!

Bourjois Java Rice Powder

If I explained how long it took me to track this down you'd think I was mad! I read so many amazing reviews of this I had to get my hands on it and it didn't let me down. A quick swipe of this over my face and I'm left looking radiant; I love using this especially to set my under eye concealer, it holds it in place and a really brightens the eye area! This is so finely ground that it applies like a regular loose powder, with a very subtle radiance! I'm loving applying this with the Real Techniques Duo Fibre brushes so that it's really natural!

Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick

I'm a pale human and bronzers used to scare the hell out of me, I have a irrational hate for orange, overly tanned faces (shudders) I found this and its lighter shades really appealed to me! This is so easy to work in, I swirl the colours around on my Real Techniques blush brush and have a dust over my cheeks and temples to add a lovely glowy bronzed finish, perfect for summer!

Body Shop All In One BB Cream

This a recent addition to my collection, I love a light weight base, I always go for light/medium coverage foundations so this was right up my street. The colour matching in this BB Creme is what really gets me, is comes out white and matches your skin tone perfectly. I've found this just helps too even out the redness, it doesn't quite cover any blemishes (thankfully I have none at the moment) or under eye darkness but a blob of concealer if fine! I love how light this is, gives very light but radiant coverage, perfect for a lazy day with a little brightness for good measure!

Any recommendations of products you use to get that glow?

M x