Make up haul & Olympia beauty show

Hope you’ve all had a good week! I attended the beauty show at The Kensington Olympia yesterday so thought I’d upload my mini haul. 

I worked on the All that Jazz stand and had a spare 20 minutes to stop by the Nyx stand & a few others to grab a few bits for my kit. 

I simply had to grab the new ombré blushes! 😍 are they pretty or what?! I Obviously purchased them just for eye candy. I don’t think I could bring myself to actually use them! 

Ombré blushers 

Blushers

Ill upload the shade names when I’m back in the salon tomorrow! 

Nyx butter glosses 

These are my absolute favourite lip glosses! I have loads of them. Nude shades – Tiramisu & Madeline are my most used shades

I went for 2 wearable coral shades- Sunday mimosa & creme brûlée 

Nyx pro foundation mixer 

I decided on warmth & dark to add to my kit. I think I’ll use those the most. They do have a few other shades but They weren’t for me I’ve also added a pic to show you guys how they work. But I’ll have a play and let you know how it goes 

Crown brushes

Numbers C519 & C514 which I purchased to use for foundation & eyeliner 

Provoc 

Concealer & corrector palette & brow pencil 

I loooooove Provocs semi permanent gel liners (black & champagne are my favourites see them Here)  so wanted to try thier brow pencils. 

It was the launch of their new corrector & concealer palettes so I picked up one of those to try out. 

Did you attend the show?

 What did you pick up? 

I’ll get some swatches up for you guys ASAP! 

Hope you enjoyed the make up porn 👍🏼

Sam 🙂 x 

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Make up classes

I’m a sucker for a make up class, I can’t help it. I just love to learn! Can’t be a bad thing can it? Surely not. 

When it comes to make up & make up application I want to learn as much as I possibly can. I love it!

 I honestly think when it comes to make up- no matter if you are a make up artist or just apply your own, you are always learning. There are so many different products & tools on the market and more being released all the time so just when you think you are on top of your game another technique is discovered/rediscovered (baking for instance, which has been used in drag make up for years, has recently become famous again) or another product or tool is released claiming to make your make up life easier…. 

This is why I love to attend classes,  I’m already a qualified MUA and have attended lots of other accredited courses but to be honest I find I’ve learned a hell of a lot more from working make up artists at the masterclasses they hold than I ever did in college. 

I love picking up little tips and tricks from them that I might not have thought of. Like a product I use regularly another artist might use it in a way I haven’t thought of, or they might have a brush that is typically for one thing but they find it works better used another way etc. Little things like that. 

This week I attended a class ran by a lady who did my bridesmaids make up on my wedding day just over a year ago. 

As much as I love a dramatic smokey eye & strong contour á la PLouise it simply isn’t for everyone, which is why I’ve always admired Jaimies work. She creates the natural ‘no make up, make up’ look so well when it comes to her bridal clients and her night out make ups are beautifully done with glowy skin, subtly smokey eyes & soft but flattering contour. And I simply wanted to see what it takes to achieve the above mentioned looks. 

The class was held at the Brentwood kitchen and began  with prep and then application of various brands of make up (illamasqua, Mac and Charlotte tilbury to name a few) & lashes accompanied by a lovely iced coffee and home made Victoria sponge 😋

Makeup + cake + coffee = HEAVEN! 

I learned some fab tips when it comes to application and decided on a few more make up purchases (of course 😉)  after seeing her work her magic. 
I really enjoyed myself and look forward to attempting to recreate the look we were shown at some point this week. 

The final result 

I’d definitely recommend attending Jaimies future classes to anyone. And I look forward to attending another in the near future I think there may be a Christmas one coming up. 

I also attended a seminar in London this week with my favourite Youtuber Amy of ‘Amy’s make up box’ so I’ll be writing another post to tell you all about that one 🙂 

Are you a make up artist? 

Are there any classes you would recommend? 

Today’s face

Base:

 Becca shimmering skin perfector in moonstone

Mac prolongwear foundation in NW15

Maybelline fit me concealer on 15

Contour:

Benefit Hoola bronzer 

Highlight: 

Mac soft & gentle 

Eyes:

Urban decay Eden primer 

Urban decay Naked smoky palette, shades combust, whiskey & radar

Peaches and cream pigment in selfie

Provoc eyeliner in 90 (black)

Urban decay perversion mascara on black 

Brows:

Illamasqua brow gel in strike 

Lips: 

Nyx high voltage lipstick in stone 
The finished look

If anyone would like a review of any of the products mentioned above, leave me a comment & I’ll get right to it 

Sam X 

Olympia Beauty Haul & a quick catch up part 1

I’m baaaaaack!  

Had a pretty much non stop weekend with make up classes & the Olympia beauty show.but I’ll give you a quick run down of what I’ve been up to & what I’ve been buying this week 😊 

Saturday make up class at the Essex hair & make up academy. 

  

I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel at Essex hair and beauty academy in Brentwood (just off the high street) I’d recently attended a ‘mastering eyes’ course which helped me a great deal so I booked another as eye make up is something I personally struggle to get right. It was a very informative day. I’d definately recommend them for make up training to update your skills or to try something new. I’ve improved so much since attending and the prices are really reasonable. 

   Some of what I learned on the day 
 Myself & my fab model Bahar 🙂 make up by me 

Sunday Olympia beauty show: 

I had the pleasure of working the show with Nail Harmony (Gelish) 

  Show selfie 😎 
It was a busy day but I had fun as always & managed a quick shop around at the end of the day. 

The Nyx stand was packed all day long! I literally couldn’t get near it till the end of the day. I purchased a couple of lip sticks, butter glosses & eyeshadows from there. 

Then went onto Inglot for the black gel liner everyone’s been raving at me about. 

Lastly to Beauty B cosmetics for a Z palette, brush egg, a couple of La girl concealers & Milani blushes (my first ever Milani purchases!! I was so excited to see them there) didn’t spend a great deal but it was enough to keep me happy for a few weeks. 

Here’s my mini Olympia haul! 

   

    

Did you go to Olympia? What did you pick up? I’d love to hear from you 🙂 

So I’m currently de potting everything I can get my hands on and sticking it in my z palette! Don’t ask me why I’ve only just bought one, I don’t know where I’ve been either 🙈  

 
I’ll get some swatches of my purchases up from for you guys asap. 

Enjoy the rest of your week Oh and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram Here 

Sam 🙂 x 

30 day blogger challenge: Why I started blogging.

First of all sorry I haven’t been around all weekend! 

I have been furthering my education so to speak. Hopefully what I have learned will also benefit you guys in the near future. But I don’t want to spoil the fun 😏 

So, why I started blogging. I briefly explained this in my first ever post, see it Here but ill go a little more into detail. 

  

Me in ‘velvet teddy’  🙂 

I’ve always loved make up, what girl  doesn’t? But in the past year (don’t ask where I’ve been) I properly discovered M.A.C cosmetics. I blame whoever thought it a good idea to put one 10 minutes from my house! But anyway, there I was minding my own business shopping on a Saturday then BOOM! There it was right in front of me, the black sign with those three white letters. I was like a moth to a flame, I tried to fight it but next thing you know I’m in the queue with my vanilla pigment & velvet teddy lipstick in hand talking to the counter girls about the next new product launches. 

As you can guess it spiralled from there and into other brands, and my obsession for palettes began. Then foundations, then primers, then eyeliners. You catch my drift? 

So a few months and a few thousand pounds later my sister in law asks me why don’t I start a blog? I have the make up collection, the make up & brand knowledge so what was stopping me? 

It made sense. I’m honest, very opinionated (you’ll often find me on the loose women Facebook page upsetting people with it) I don’t fall for the hype, I seek out and buy the latest make up & beauty items, and I love talking about them. So here I am! You lucky lot! 

Although I’m on a spending ban this month, I thought the 30 day challenge would  help me write about a few different things and my readers will get to know me a bit more and have a better idea of what’s yet to come.  

What has kept me blogging and not giving up after the first 2 posts? You guys! Each and every like or follower makes me happy. If I’m a saddo then so be it. I think it’s amazing people out there actually care what I’m writing about and genuinely want to see things written by little old me. Hopefully My babbling can keep you all entertained for a few months yet (at least) 😉

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! 

Sam 🙂 x

30 day blogger challenge: My everyday make up.

  
Just a little post on the make up I use on a daily basis. 

Yes it’s a lot for just daytime and no I’m clearly not a natural beauty. But oh well we can’t have everything in life can we? 

I wear a mixture of high street & high end, and what I use at the moment I’m pretty happy with. It has taken me a very long time to find out what works for me and what doesn’t. But one thing I have learnt over the years is just because something has a designer name on it doesn’t mean it’s a great product. 

So here’s what I use on pretty much a daily basis for everyday/work and what I use each product for

Base:

 

• Illamasqua skin base shade SB03- applied all over to create an even base 
• Mac Pro longwear concealer NW15- used to cover any redness 
• Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer shade 1 light – applied under eyes to brighten & cover dark circles
• Ben Nye Banana setting powder- to set foundation

Blush/contour/highlight

  

• Illamasqua blush in Lover – used on cheekbones to give a flush of colour
• Mac bronzing powder in matte bronze- used to define cheekbones & shade sides & tip of my nose.
• Mac mineralize skin finish highlighter in soft & gentle -used sparingly down the bridge of the nose & on cheekbones 

Eyes/brows 

  

• Make up academy (MUA) eyeshadow in champagne- used on brow bone, Los & along lash line to brighten my eyes.
• Mac factor false lash effect mascara in black- on top & bottom lashes to open up the eye. 
• It cosmetics brow power in universal Taupe- used in soft strokes to fill in any sparse areas & lengthen my brows slightly.

Setting spray 

  

• Mac prep & prime fix+ make up prep/fixing mist -used before applying my base and after Ive applied everything to keep my make up in place & keep it looking fresh & dewy.

Another amazing product I couldn’t live without, for tips on how I use it click Here

Sorry for the horrible car selfie!  I hate posed pictures and this certainly isn’t one of my finest 🙈 

What are your go-to products for your day look? 

Let me know in the comments 🙂 

Tomorrow’s post is : My beauty wish list. It will be a long one, no question about it 😉 

See you then 

Sam 🙂 x

30 day blogger challenge: my make up brushes

  
I never realised just how important make up brushes were until about a year ago. 

I’d always used my hands and a sponge applicator until I discovered the real techniques brushes on the pixiwoo channel. They literally changed my life. And I’m not exaggerating. It’s amazing how those tiny wooden sticks with fluff on the end can completely transform the way you apply your make up.

 I went on a bit of a mad one a while ago buying brushes in all different shapes and sizes and by different brands, high street & high end until I finally learned how to use them and what each one was for. It was an expensive mistake put it that way. As a lot of them I don’t even use. 
I’ll go through my favourites just to show how many from my collection I actually use regularly to hopefully give you an idea of what not to waste money on if you only wanted to invest in maybe one or two.

I have a mixture of brands from high end to high street: Real techniques, Mac, Sigma, Royal & Langnickel, Bare minerals, Lancôme, Illamasqua, Japonesque etc. And I used to be a firm believer in ‘buy cheap buy twice’ but to be completely honest with experience it isn’t necessary to spend a lot. 

 My Real techniques collection 

My ‘couldn’t live without’ brush has to be the real techniques buffing brush. (5th from right) 

I use it every day to buff in my foundation, it gives nice even coverage but can also be used to apply blush/bronzer/powder.

The expert face brush is a close second. (4th from right) I use this on the days where I need extra coverage. 

The sculpting brush (far right) is perfect for those that are new to contouring. But I personally prefer the actual contouring brush (3rd from right) it’s just a matter of preference. 

The stippling brush (second from right) is good for achieving that ‘airbrushed’ look. I use it on a night out where I sometimes wear a bit more make up. It’s also nice to apply cream products (cream blush or highlighter) 

  Mac contouring brush & real techniques sculpting brush. 

I do use my Mac contouring brush occasionally, it gives a more precise contour (if you like the really chiselled cheekbone look then this is for you) but I’d say it’s probably best for a make up artists kit rather than an everyday make up brush. So In my opinion don’t bother, it is on the pricey side too at just under £40.

 Eyes  L-r Sigma blending e25, Mac 239,253,212 & royal & langnickel bc445

The Mac 253 & 212 push liner brushes are my favourite for lining. I can’t apply liner to save my life wether it be from a pot,liquid liner, cake etc but these little lovelies make my life easier. The push liner gives a nice soft line for daytime when used with black or brown eyeshadow, also a perfect look for older ladies as it’s less harsh than a dark black liquid or pencil liner. 

The Mac 239 is again one I use every day, perfect for packing colour onto the lid. But it isn’t an essential. There are many more that will do the same but it was a brush I THOUGHT I needed months ago. 

The sigma e25 & R&L bc445 are my favourites for blending. Blending used to be something that was hit and miss for me but these brushes literally do all the hard work for me. So id definitely recommend them, they are reasonably priced too. I picked up the R&L brush at the Olympia beauty show for less than £6. And the sigma was less than £10 although customs charged me £14 for the set I purchased 😬 

Crown & karla brushes are on my wish list but if you’ve tried them let me know your recommendations! 

So they were my brushes! Hope you enjoyed! 

Do you have any favourite brushes that you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments! 

Tomorrow’s post is my favourite mascaras. 

Sam 🙂 x

30 day blogger challenge: things that stress me out

As I pre warned you yesterday this could be a long one. 

I’ll add things as I think of them. 

Driving! 

People who can’t drive, people who think they can drive, people who are on their phones whilst driving, people driving, just driving in general really.

No one on the road is my friend. 

Lateness! 

I didn’t take 2 hours to get ready to wait for you for another 2 hours. Respect my time! 😬

Know it alls! 

We all know them but it’s the ones that go on even when you 100% know they are talking crap that really get my goat. 

Shopping! 

Especially for make up. You go to a shop knowing exactly what for. You walk over and notice there’s one left. You can’t believe your luck! Until you open it and some evil little troll decided to try before they buy.

My eyebrows! 

You know those days when your eyebrows won’t cooperate with each other? That’s mine everyday! It started with an ‘on the phone plucking eyebrows’ incident which as a girl, we all know will end in tears. It resulted in 2 non matching brows and they haven’t matched since. That was 2 years ago! 

Ever heard of the ‘eyebrows should be sisters not twins’ saying? Yep, well mine aren’t even related! 

And it stresses me out Every.Single. Day! 

Tomorrows topic is my make up brush collection. Which ones I rate and hate in my collection. 

Sam 🙂 xx

August empties/ favourites

Here’s my first empties post!

In my entire life I don’t think I’ve ever used up an entire product before getting bored half way through and buying something different. But I’m on a spending ban enforced by myself in an attempt to try and use up the products I already own. (I did start last week but an unexpected trip to Tk Maxx set me back)

My first is:

Mac prep & prime fix+ (£17)

It’s quickly become one of my ‘can’t live without’ products. I now use it literally every single day. It had been in my kit for a while and I just assumed it was a setting spray hence the name ‘fix’ BUT I did some googling and discovered some uses that make up artists swear by. And they’ve changed my life! Okay maybe not my life exactly but my usual make up routine. Heres how I use fix+ :

Spritz some onto your face before or after your chosen moisturiser for an extra moisture boost (or both if your skins really suffering)

Spritz onto your foundation brush to help your foundation glide on more smoothly  

Spritz onto the face after applying foundation and concealer & allow to dry before applying powder to keep your make up in place longer

Spray onto your eyeshadow brush before applying your chosen eyeshadow to really make the colour ‘pop’ and intensify the colour

Use it to thin cream or compact foundation for a more sheer coverage (decant product, never spray into the compact)

I’ll definitely be repurchasing, it’s been a godsend for my usually dry skin. I would certainly recommend trying it if you haven’t already.

Have you tried any of the above tips or have any of your own to add?

Urban decay: Naked skin foundation in shade 2.0 (£27)

I allowed the consultant at the UD counter to match me up for this foundation. Which I should have known would be a mistake as no make up counter assistant ever selects the right shade for me wherever I go (#annoying ) however, it was okay to use on nights out as I go a little darker for evening make up.

So! Coverage was okay, I normally like something a little thicker so the liquid consistency took a little getting used to but it’s buildable which was good for me. I apply it with the real techniques buffing brush, allow to dry for a few minutes then use a beauty blender to add extra coverage where needed. And voila! ‘Naked’ skin that looks flawless and even, without the cakey look that some other foundations can give when they lie and say their product is buildable 😬

I will purchase this again after the spending ban 😉 but a lighter shade that will suit my pale complexion.

Stila stay all day 10 in 1 beauty balm (HD illuminating beauty balm spf 30 £26 duty free)

I purchased this on my flight to Cuba a few months ago. I used it whilst on holiday and it gave a lovely glow with a subtle hint of colour. I don’t usually leave the house without make up at home but this gave me the confidence to go foundation free so that’s definitely something that impressed me.

However now I’m home and tan-less I can no longer wear it alone & team it with my normal foundation on those days where your skin needs a little pick me up.

It would be lovely for a make up artists kit as it’s perfect under foundation for a nice dewy, slightly illuminated effect (similar to Mac strobe cream)

Will I repurchase? If I can find it again yes! I haven’t seen it anywhere since 😦 So if anyone knows where I can pick one up please let me know! As id definitely like to add it to my holiday make up bag.

Embryolisse lait-creme concentré 30ml (£13 boots.com)

What can I say, it’s amazing stuff, it instantly smooths my normally dry slightly flakey skin, and creates a smooth canvas for me to apply my make up. It also doubles as a primer (and has many other uses such as cleanser, make up remover, repairing mask, after shave cream, baby care product) My make up stays put all day without looking dry and it works great on my make up clients too as it stops shine on oiler/combination skins so it’s a win-win situation. Although the packaging was a bit pants as its a metal tube, so even when you squeeze a little out it still floods the cap.

Have you tried it? Let me know why you thought in the comments

I have already repurchased the larger-gold limited edition tube from boots.com £20 (pre spending ban!) the tube has been updated on the larger tube so no mess with that one.

George under eye concealer (Asda £4.50)

This baby Rivals the YSL touché éclat for me. NO LIE! And at £4.50 it’s a total bargain. There’s no reason for you not to try it. I use it after my correcting concealer to brighten my eye area and it can also be used for highlighting. A little really does go a long way and it does exactly what it says on the tube. I can’t remember what made me buy it as id never normally pick up a supermarket own brand (make up snobbery I know, I’m not proud of it) but I’m so glad I did. I can honestly say I love this product and I can see this being one of my make up bag staples.

September 30 day challenge.

In an attempt to blog more regularly I’ve created my own little September 30 day challenge. The posts will be short and sweet but I hope you guys will be able to get to know me a little better.

So if there’s anything you’d like to know or see here leave a comment for me 🙂

Sam x

Urban Decay: Naked smoky palette, review & swatches

 It’s here! Sorry this is a little late! Been a manic week!   

I actually recieved this on the 3rd just before store launch so I’ve been itching to swatch this baby since it arrived. 

First Impressions: The packaging is gorgeous,it looks and feels expensive. I think it looks so much nicer than the other naked palettes too. The colours look amazing and I’m already inspired just after a little peek. The looks you can create are endless. 

  
  I’m also loving the brush. There’s a small pencil brush which is great for fine details/lining the lower lashes etc one end and a blending brush the other. 

  
 The colours: There are 4 matte, 4 satin & 4 shimmer shades shown below with & without flash.

Matte shades: Top to bottom: Thirteen, Combust, Whiskey & Password

   

   

Satin shades: Top to bottom (Whiskey, Password,)Smolder, Black market, Dagger & Slanted

   
    

Shimmer shades: Top to bottom (Slanted), Armor, Radar, Dirtysweet & High

   
    

To be completely honest I wasn’t overly impressed with the pigmentation of the satin shades, they needed layering quite a bit which is a shame. However, I’m not normally a fan of shimmers but I’m loving Armor, Dirtysweet & Radar. They apply exactly how they look in the palette. 

Combust & thirteen are ideal base shades for all over the eyelid.
Whiskey is a perfect transition shade.
High is lovely for highlighting the inner corner of the eye & brow bone.
  
   
Top to bottom- Thirteen, combust, whiskey, password, Smolder, black market, dagger, slanted, Armor, radar, Dirtysweet, high.

I Had a quick play and did a soft smokey eye this morning using a few colours from this palette.
   
 
I’ve been partying pretty hard this weekend trying to relive my youth so excuse the dark circles (I’d call them bags but they are more like suitcases under my eyes!)
Eyes: Thirteen all over the lid up to brow, High on brow bone & inner corner, Whiskey in the crease & outer corner also used as liner on bottom lash line, Dirtsweet on the lid. Mascara is too faced better than sex in black
Face: Urban Decay naked foundation in 5.0, collection lasting finish concealer in fair. Mac prep & prime loose powder to set, Illamasqua blush in lover and Mac soft & gentle for the highlight. 

Have you purchased the smoky palette? What did you think? Let me know, would love to hear what you guys thought 🙂 

I have a few posts coming this week (lots of birthday make up purchases!) so keep your eyes peeled. 
See you soon 🙂 x