Bronzer Basics: How to Choose and Apply for a Sun-Kissed Glow

image credit

Achieving that perfect sun-kissed glow is easier than you think, especially with the right bronzer. Whether you're a makeup novice or a beauty enthusiast, understanding the basics of bronzer can transform your makeup routine. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the right bronzer for your skin type and tone, and how to apply it flawlessly for that natural, radiant finish.

Choosing the Right Bronzer: From Cream to Powder

When it comes to bronzers, the market offers a variety of options, from powders to creams, each suited to different skin types and desired effects.

Powder Bronzer: Powder bronzers are a classic choice and are perfect for those with oily or combination skin. They provide a matte or slightly shimmering finish, depending on the formula. This type of bronzer is ideal for those who want a buildable product that allows you to gradually intensify the color.

Cream Bronzer: On the other hand, cream bronzer is great for those with dry or normal skin. Creams blend seamlessly into the skin, offering a dewy, natural-looking glow. They are especially beneficial if you prefer a more hydrated look or if you are working with mature skin, as they don't settle into fine lines.

Liquid Bronzer: Liquid bronzers are the perfect blend of cream and powder, offering the blendability of a cream with the long-lasting finish of a powder. They’re versatile and can be mixed with foundation or applied directly for a more intense bronzed effect.

Tinted Body Products: If you're looking to extend that glow beyond your face, consider using a body highlighter. These products can be applied to the shoulders, collarbones, and legs for an all-over radiant look that enhances your bronzed complexion.

Selecting the right bronzer isn’t just about formula—it’s also about choosing the right shade. For those with a makeup for light neutral skin tone, a bronzer that is just one or two shades darker than your natural complexion is ideal. Opt for shades with a neutral to slightly warm undertone to avoid looking orange or too ashy.

Application Techniques for a Flawless Finish

Once you’ve chosen the perfect bronzer, it’s time to master the application. The key to a flawless bronzed look is knowing where and how to apply the product.

1. The "3" Technique: A foolproof method for applying bronzer is to imagine the shape of the number 3 on your face. Start at your forehead near the hairline, sweep the bronzer down to your cheekbones, and then along your jawline. This technique ensures you hit all the spots where the sun naturally kisses your skin.

2. Layering: For a more natural look, it’s better to start with a light layer and build up. With a cream bronzer, use a dense brush or a makeup sponge to blend the product into the skin, creating a seamless, second-skin finish.

3. Don’t Forget the Neck: To avoid any harsh lines, blend the bronzer down your neck. This ensures that your face matches the rest of your body, creating a cohesive, sun-kissed appearance.

4. Highlighting: Complement your bronzed look with a body highlighter on your collarbones and shoulders to catch the light and add an extra glow.

In conclusion, the right bronzer and application technique can make all the difference in achieving a radiant, sun-kissed look. Whether you opt for a cream, powder, or liquid formula, or if you extend the glow to your body with a highlighter, these tips will help you achieve that flawless finish.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

What Are the Different Mascara Brush Types and Their Benefits: A Guide to Perfect Lashes

Mascara is an essential tool in the beauty arsenal, enhancing the eyes by defining and dramatizing lashes. The type of mascara brush you choose can significantly impact the final look of your lashes. The brush is not just a tool for application; it can define, volumize, lengthen, and even separate your lashes to create a myriad of effects. Understanding the benefits of different mascara brush types is crucial to achieving the desired outcome for your lashes.

There are various mascara wands, each crafted to meet specific needs and lash types. Nylon brushes are known for their dense bristles that offer dramatic volume, while molded silicone or plastic wands allow for careful lash separation, leading to a more natural appearance. Thin brushes with short bristles provide precision, ideal for minimal mess and detailed work on the lower lashes. In contrast, thick brushes with long bristles are synonymous with significant volume. The latest innovations in flexible brushes accommodate the natural shape of the lashes for a full volume effect with a single stroke.

Discover the intricacies of various mascara wand shapes and sizes to explore mascara brush types that best enhance your unique lash type.

Understanding Mascara Brushes

Choosing the right mascara brush is crucial for achieving the desired effect on your lashes, whether you're looking to enhance volume, curl, length, or thickness.

Material Differences

Mascara wands can be crafted from various materials, including nylon, plastic, and molded silicone. Nylon brushes are known for their flexibility, while plastic wands offer precision and crisp separation. Silicone mascara wands are revered for their ability to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth application.

Brush Shapes and Sizes

Brush shape contributes significantly to the final look of the lashes. Common shapes include the hourglass, which builds volume and curl; the comb and cone for precision and separation; the ball or round brush for targeted application; the curved brush which enhances curl; and the S-shaped brush that fits the contour of lashes for uniform coverage. Brush size also impacts application, with larger wands offering more volume and smaller ones providing precise detail.

Bristle Types

Bristles can be dense, short, spiky, or fine and fluffy. Dense bristles work best for thickness, while short and spiky bristles can reach the root of lashes for added lift. Fine and fluffy bristles are excellent for a natural, soft look. The type of bristle and molded designs impact the mascara's ability to define and separate lashes. A ball-tip wand is particularly useful for catching fine lashes at the corners of the eyes.

Specific Brush Types and Their Functions

Mascara wands come in diverse shapes and designs, each with a specific purpose to enhance the beauty of the lashes, from offering volume and length to precise separation and curl.

Classic Wands

The classic mascara wand is a staple in makeup kits due to its versatility and ease of use. It typically features a straight, cylindrical shape providing consistent coating for both volume and definition. The standard brush allows for easy application to upper and lower lashes, including those hard-to-reach areas, thanks to its tapered end.

Curved Wands

Curved wands are specially designed to mimic the natural shape of the eye, aiding in the effortless curling of eyelashes. The curved brush acts to lift and bend straight lashes for a more dramatic curl. Options like the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara illustrate the benefits of an s-shaped brush in delivering both curl and volume.

Precision Tips

Precision-tipped wands, such as micro or skinny brushes, target small and lower lashes with greater accuracy. The precision of these brushes is exemplified in products like the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, known for its tiny brush that easily reaches lower lashes for a defined look without smudging.

Innovative Designs

Innovative mascara wands take many forms such as comb brushes, ball-tip wands, and bubble brushes. Each innovative design has a unique purpose; comb brushes aid in the separation of lashes, ball wands like the Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes offer pinpoint precision in coating each lash, and flexible designs work to distribute mascara evenly and prevent clumping.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

• Different mascara brushes can dramatically alter lash appearance.
• Selection should be tailored to lash type and the desired effect.
• Innovations in brush design offer precise application and versatile looks.

Choosing the right mascara brush type can greatly enhance one's makeup routine. Different wands offer varied benefits: from volumizing with a thick, fluffy brush to providing precision and reach with ball-shaped tips. For those seeking length and flexibility, nylon wand brushes are a popular choice. Ultimately, the perfect mascara wand is one that aligns with the desired effect, whether it’s to elongate, define, or amplify the natural beauty of the lashes.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

4 Ways to Style Individual Lash Extensions

One of the most popular treatments in the beauty industry, lash extensions have changed over the years –moving from strips of lashes made from a fake synthetic material to the modern individual lashes crafted from a fluffy PBT silk material which closely resembles the look and feel of your natural lashes. It’s not just the lash products that have been innovated but like most industry's there are trends that have emerged leading to even more lash products. Consult your client and depending on their wants adjust your thickness, length, curl and even colour to suit their needs. This blog highlights four different ways that individual lashes can be styled to create different looks with different lash products.

1. Natural lash extensions for an everyday style

(Pinkfishes Classic Lash Extensions in 0.10 thickness Credit: @thelashcompany_aestheticsessex) 

Lash extensions don’t have to be dramatic – they can also be used to enhance your client’s natural features for a subtle but elegant everyday style. Classic lash extensions involve applying 1 lash extension to every natural lash which means you could enhance your clients lashes but very naturally. Depending on how subtle your client would like the extensions to be consider doing the following to create a more natural lash extension. Firstly, using a lighter thickness will make the lashes appear thinner, you could use a 0.10 or 0.15 lash extension to do this.

Choose a flatter curl more similar to your client's natural lashes, curls such as B & C will be less curly making the lashes look more natural as opposed to dramatic. Use shorter lengths, this one might seem obvious for creating a more natural look but don’t use extensions much longer than your clients' natural lashes. Consider using brown lashes, they mimic a closer shade to a natural lash as opposed to jet black lashes, so will therefore appear more natural on a client's eye.

(Pinkfishes Brown Flat Classic Lash Extensions in 0.15 thickness Credit: @pinkfisheslashco)

2. Thick lash extensions for extra volume

Natural beauty aside, let’s consider the way that lash extensions can be used to create volume and enhance a more dramatic look. Russian/Volume lash extensions involve applying a number of lash extensions that have been made into a fan onto each natural lash, this technique was developed on from classic lash techniques and used to create bolder lash extensions. Whilst using the Russian volume technique there are also various products you can use to increase the dramatic effect of lash extensions. When it comes to thickness, you actually want to use lighter lashes to create more dramatic lashes. This is because the thinner lashes you use the more you can use in one fan to create a great dimension of fan. We recommend using Mega Volume lash extensions in a 0.03 thickness as you can create a fan with up to 20 lashes on using this thickness!

(Pinkfishes Mega Volume Lash Extensions in 0.03 thickness Credit: @pinkfisheslashco)

Whereas if you are using a heavier thickness such as 0.10 we would only recommend using 3 lashes in each fan. In terms of the curl why not try a D or U Curl lash extension as they will give the effect of lashes being lifted – the same effect a lash curler would create! Finally, of course you could also increase the length of the lash extensions you use to create a clear transformation. At Pinkfishes we offer up to 20mm lash extensions. When creating dramatic lash extensions, it is very important to consider what your clients natural lashes can hold and perhaps use a combination of the above to ensure the extensions are also healthy.

 (Pinkfishes Mega Volume Lash Extensions in 0.03 thickness, lengths 13-18mm Credit: @bethanyrosebeautyy)

3. In-between lash extension when you want the best of both

Many clients won’t know what they want and may even contradict themselves. They want extensions that enhance their own but aren’t too long or they want an everyday style that’s also great for going out. There are various ways that you can enhance Classic Lash extensions, decrease the effect of Russian/Volume Lash extensions or even combine the two for a perfect in-between style! Firstly, to create a more dramatic classic lash extension try increasing the thickness you use so that the lash extension is more prominent, use a longer length or choose a curlier lash. To create a more natural Russian lash extension, use a thicker lash and decrease the number of lashes per fan, for example use 0.07 lashes to create a 5D Fan. You could also use a flatter curl and decrease the lengths used. Alternatively, you could create a Hybrid set which is a combination of Classic and Russian eyelash extensions in one set. You can adjust what percentage of the set is classic or Russian depending on how natural or dramatic your client would like the set to look.

(Pinkfishes Hybrid Lash Extensions in 0.15 Flat and 6D Pre-fanned lashes Credit: @emhlashesandbrows)

4. Creative lash extensions

You can go even further than the basic techniques and use specialist products to execute beautiful creative lash extension looks. You can use M Curl lashes to create an eyeliner effect on your client's eyelid as the curvature of the extension makes the lashes look flicked.

(Pinkfishes M Curl Lash Extensions Credit: @extendedldn)

You can use coloured and glitter lashes to make the extensions pop. Why not try pre-made spikes to add wispiness to your set or try out wet lashes to make your clients lash extensions appear wet!

(Pinkfishes Pre-Made Spikes Credit: @beautybyylucy)

Overall, in an ever-developing industry there is a lash extension style for everyone. Check out Pinkfishes, the eyelash specialists, range of eyelash extension products to see what styles you can create.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Christmas Gifting with Emolyne Cosmetics

If someone you are buying a gift for loves makeup, then a brand that has the attention of Vogue is definitely one to look at and that is Emolyne, a brand I was first introduced to back in 2022,

Emolyne is the British beauty brand that is empowered by the belief that beauty is for everyone, and as such, they create makeup that celebrates every ethnicity, gender, age, and lifestyle. anedit of lipsticks, lip liners and nail lacquers is available in the same 30 matching colours and some of the most beautiful eyeshadows I have come across, there is something for everyone.

The Lip products are sold under three different categories - Velvet Lip, Defining Lip and Gloss Lip and each of those 30 shades works as a matching trio.

Choosing your shade might, or a shade leaves you spoilt for choice because they are all just so stunning and if you can't decide what will or will not suit you, helpfully there is a Lipstick shade finder on hand to help and this is what I used to choose the shade I have - Uganda.

Uganda is a cool toned mauve shade and anyone who knows me will know, I have a shade type when it comes to lipsticks and this is it. A velvety, semi-matte, highly pigmented and long-lasting lip colour which really is long lasting, matches with its liner and gloss perfectly, they can be worn one their own or together, depending on your preference. As you can see, the Lipstick is packaged in a very luxurious glittering metal golden glittery case and it pops open when you press the E button on its top. The lipstick bullet is embossed with the brands E logo and is curved perfectly for an easy application.

The Defining Lip Liner is smooth and creamy when applied and again, the colour payoff is incredible, so much so that I often wear the liner and the gloss day to day and then the lipstick if I am going out. The gloss, again in the shade Uganda is a high shine gloss which is neither sticky or tacky when applied and is infused with vitamin E for a silky and hydrating finish.

The lipsticks are priced at £23, The Defining Line is £15 and the Gloss is just £17, all really affordable and just stunning.

If eye makeup is more your cup of tea, when Emolyne also has that box ticked too and I shared a reel over on Instagram of two the Eyeshade Cremes (£24).

In the shades Pemba Shores and Benin Bronze, these are two of the most wearable shades for someone who likes the more natural look. Pemba Shores is a warm gold shade which has a multidimensional finish. Then we have Benin Bronze, which as the name might give away is a deep bronze shade and again, it is a creamy shadow with a multidimensional finish.

Both of these Eyeshadow Creme's are easy to apply with your finger, a brush or even a makeup sponge, depending on the look you are going for, but because they have such rich pigments, you only need a small amount to really make your eyes pop.

The last product to share is the Lashline Lacquer (£19) and it is available in two shades - Kalahari Brown or BoBende Black and I have the Kalahari Brown, which is an earthy brown shade and perfect for my colouring as I find a black is too harsh.  With its smudge-proof felt tip liquid eyeliner, this liner dries quickly, so if you are wanting to smudge it, you will need to be quick because once it is there, it is not budging and it is waterproof! Thankfully easy to remove with eye makeup remover!

As you might have guessed from this post, all the shades are named for African countries or landmarks which makes it all the more special and the brand owner, Emolyne, being half Ugandan, half Danish but based here in London decided to create a brand that would cater to those looking for coordinated colours and that she has most definitely done.  Each product is also vegan friendly, cruelty free and paraben free.

You can find the whole Emolyne collection right here and as well as lipsticks and other products I have shared, there is also a selection of nail polish to choose from too.  So if you like everything to match, this brand will be the one you need!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit Dupe

It is well known now that I love a good Aldi Lacura beauty product and in recent months there has been some brilliant releases, from the exciting Sweet Angel Shower Gel, which may or may not be similar to Snow Fairy from Lush, Their BHA Toner which is aid to be similar to Paula's Choice, through to their Charlotte Tilbury inspired lip launches.  Today it is another inspired product and the Lacura Lip Kit.

Said to be inspired by the Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit, £28. Looking at the packaging, you can see that similarly just like Kylie Cosmetics, the Aldi Lacura version is housed in millennial pink packaging with the lip print and inside it contains two products a matte liquid lipstick and liner duo. 

Priced at just £4.99 each, there is a choice of three different shades, my local Aldi had just the one shade in stock and thankfully, the one I wanted in Nearly Nude, which is said o be inspired by the shade Kylie.  The other options are ‘Just Peachy’ which is similar to ‘Sweater Weather’ and then the shade ‘Velvet Sugar’ which is inspired by he shade Twenty’

As expected, both of these products are really impressive, described as having a long-lasting formula and of course it is Vegan.  

The liner which is more of a pinkier brown shade than it looks, glides onto the lips as thought it is a balm, it is so soft and smooth, easy to smudge if the need arises and it does wipe away if a mistake is made, but you need to do it before it settles.  However, what it does is create a great liner for your lips and it works well with other lipsticks too.

Then the liquid lipstick, I adore it, there ive said it.  It is bright, it is pigmented, it glides smoothly onto the lips without being taut and whilst it does dry down quite quickly, it is a definite liquid lipstick which some might want to add a gloss too, depending on which type of finish you like, But the colour is also slightly more Pink than its inspired offering, so something to have in mind.

As you can see from the swatches above, which are not edited, both the Lip Pencil and the Liquid Lip do give good colour pay off and they work with other products that you might have in your stash.

Each one of these Aldi Lacura lip kits is priced at £4.99 each and in comparison to the Kylie Cosmetic Lip Kits are priced around £28, it is quite the saving!  As with most Aldi Lacura products, if you spot them in the middle aisle, grab them as quickly as you can if you want to give them a try because they never hand around for long!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Pixi Beauty On-The-Glow Bronze Sticks

Meet the On-The-Glow Bronze Sticks from Pixi Beauty which I absolutely love using, i'm definitely more of a bronzer girl than a blusher girl and these are just divine.

The On-The-Glow Bronze sticks are priced at £18 each and are available in four shades, the sticks aim to give you a sunkissed and healthy-looking complexion to skin all year round so it's a much safer way to achieve that holiday glow. The shades are:

• SoftGlow
• WarmGlow
• RichGlow
• BeachGlow

I have WarmGlow and BeachGlow which I was kindly sent to try. If you are familiar with the On-The-Glow Blushers, then they are packaged in the same tubes. 

The  texture is described as giving the skin a hint-of-a-tint and they are easy to use the sticks are perfect for cheeks and lips. The solid tint is formulated with fruit extracts, vitamins and oils which includes

• Fruit Extracts nourish & renew
• Ginseng revitalises & balances
• Aloe Vera soothes & calms

They come together to give the skin antioxidant protection, if you are familiar with Pixi Beauty you will know that a lot of their makeup is skincare based so it's really lovely to use.

What I love about each of these shades is how easy they are to use, minimal effort is needed, they can be applied as light as you want them to be or you can build up your coverage. Then depending on how you like your blusher to look, it blends effortlessly with your fingers or you could use a brush or sponge.

The swatches shown above are, as always unedited and the photo was taken in the natural light. That is one swipe of each bronzer on the back of my wrist, so you can see how pigmented they are. The top swatch is BeachGlow, a cool shade and is perfect for adding that pop of colour and the second swatch is WarmGlow and it is definitely a lighter shade of the two, but it works well with BeachGlow, almost like a highlighter.

If you’re not sure that these shades are for you, there is two other shades to choose from. These Pixi On-The-Glow Bronze Sticks are priced at £18 each and they are on sale right here with Pixi.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

How to Use Printed Photos to Enhance Your Makeup Skills

Nowadays, the tactile experience of holding photo prints has become somewhat rare. However, their tangible presence and clarity make them invaluable, especially in professions demanding precision and growth.

Image credit

For makeup artists and enthusiasts for instance, printed photos can be a significant asset. From providing visual inspiration and evaluation to tracking your progress, photo prints can play an indispensable role when developing your makeup skills.

Using Printed Photos for Inspiration

Printed photos are not only stunning to look at, but they can also provide budding makeup artists with inspiration, encouragement, and new ideas.

In fact, you could even use some printed photos as a makeup muse. Makeup is as much about artistry as it is about technique. And like any artist, sourcing inspiration is pivotal. Photo prints of diverse faces, makeup trends, art pieces, or even nature can ignite the spark for your next innovative look.

If you tend to stick to the same palette when creating new makeup looks, the vibrant hues of a printed image can serve as a reference point for curating your makeup palette. Whether it's the gradient of a sunset or the myriad colours in a bird's plumage, photo prints can guide your choice of eyeshadows, lip colours, and more to new, unexplored horizons.

Evaluating Your Work with Printed Photos

While it may not be the most enjoyable practice, being able to scrutinise your makeup application is key to refining your skills. Photographing your work and studying the photo prints allows for a detailed analysis. From the symmetry of eyebrows to the blending of contours, you can spot areas that need improvement.

Plus, for those considering makeup as a career, curating a professional portfolio is crucial. High-quality photo prints of your best works can make a compelling case for your expertise when presented to potential employers or clients.

Track the Progress of Your Makeup Skills

Every artist evolves, and this journey is worth capturing. By maintaining a chronological collection of photo prints of your makeup looks over time, you can witness your growth, changes in style, and improvements in technique over time.

Also, as you experiment with novel makeup styles or techniques, having printed references of your initial attempts versus your latest endeavours can serve as motivational benchmarks. They not only highlight your progress but also encourage you to keep pushing the boundaries of your makeup looks.

Make the Most of Makeup Workshops and Tutorials

If you're attending a makeup workshop, often, there are crucial takeaways, be it a specific technique, a look, or a trend. Having these insights as photo prints can serve as a quick reference guide, making your practice more effective later down the line.

Prefer to learn about makeup and technique online? Printing these step-by-step guides in the form of images or screenshots can make the learning process more tactile and immersive, as you can place them beside your makeup station for easy reference.

Create Your Own Vision Board

Creating a mood board using photo prints of desired makeup looks, textures, and colours can be a powerful visualisation tool for your makeup journey. Whether you're prepping for a specific event or imagining a seasonal look, these boards can be your guide whenever you need it. By including advanced makeup techniques on your vision board,this can also serve as daily motivation to improve your skills.

There’s no denying that the journey to makeup mastery is an ongoing one, filled with experiments, learning, and evolution. Incorporating photo prints into this voyage not only provides tangible inspiration and reference but also celebrates milestones and benchmarks.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

WANDERLASH mascara

When it comes to a desert island product I would have to take, it will always be mascara. It is my favourite makeup product and I absolutely love trying and testing new brands. The latest item to my collection is the Bella Wanderlash Mascara.

This mascara is already a cult favourite with so many and has already amassed a beauty guru fan base with the likes of MUAs Hannah Martin, Nicola Chapman and Celine Bernaerts, all of whom give their coveted seal of approval. So if is good enough for them, it should be good enough for me right?

Housed in a gilded styled tube, WANDERLASH is not only vegan and cruelty free but it also boats of being free from 30+ disrupting ingredients such as fragrance, parabens, silicones, talc and sulphates.

WANDERLASH delivers a long-lasting, clump-free, instant false lash effect that leaves lashes upright and plump all day long. How? Designed specifically for a gravity-defying lift, the concave-curved wand has special lifting brush technology and is packed with intricate waved fibres that capture every single lash, submerging each in its curl-defining formula. The end result? Lifted lashes otherwise only achievable in the salon, that beg to be fluttered.

Rich and creamy in texture and intensely black in colour, the formula boasts a dynamic, unique blend of innovative active ingredients.

• Jojoba Oil promotes length,
• Hemp Extract hydrates and conditions and
• Blackcurrant encourages a thickness effect. 

Also brimming with vitamins and potent antioxidants, each ingredient has been selected for their ability to nourish, protect and anchor follicles for longer, healthier, cashmere-soft lashes. 

The perfectly curated wand allows for buildable, effortless lashes which do not clump after a few applications and on my lashes, which are quite long, it isn't heavy and doesn't make my lashes feel weighted down, so that is a huge plus point.  It also lasts pretty much all day, if I apply it at 7.30am as I am leaving for work, it is still in place until the early evening when I am done for the day and on occasion, I haven gone out after work and have not had to re-apply.  Removal is also an easy task, I always use an eye makeup remover before cleansing and it comes away easily with no need to over rub the eyes.

It is fair to say that I really like this mascara and at £28 it is really worth trying.

Plus it has added ingredients to care for the lashes. Hemp Extract (to condition & hydrate), Jojoba (to promote lash length) & Blackcurrant (to promote lash thickness) 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

MAC Cosmetics Mystery Beauty Bags

MAC Cosmetics has released two MAC Mystery Beauty Bags for April and they are available right now. Worth over £90, each Mystery bag costs just £40.

This isn’t the first time MAC has offered Mystery Bags, but they do always sell out really quickly! 

The first MAC Mystery Bag, titled Ace Your Look and it is worth £95. Described as being an exclusive 6-piece set full of fan-favourites. 

Includes a full-sized Lipstick in the neutral shade Taupe Of The List alongside 5 other products.

The second MAC Mystery is titled Bag Bring The Beauty and it is also worth £95.

This exclusive 6-piece set is described pas being full of fan-favourites and it includes a full-sized Lipstick in the neutral shade Lookin’ Like Wealth.

Both mystery bags are currently available with MAC Cosmetics for just £40 here! 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Essence fix & LAST Jelly Primer

Essence is one of those brands that doesn't get as much love as it should. I am a huge fan of so many products, especially their mascara range, but new to my stash is the fix & LAST Jelly Primer and it is pretty impressive.

Essence Fix & Last Make-up Gripping Jelly Primer is, as you would expect, designed to provide extra-long makeup hold whilst at the same time, give a smooth, fresh finish. What I was really intrigued by was the term 'Jelly' because having tried a jelly cleanser, which wasn't much of a jelly but still a great product.  

“The fix & LAST make-up gripping JELLY PRIMER is the perfect partner in crime for all beauty lovers who are looking for extra-long hold. Simply apply the transparent jelly texture, wait a few seconds until it is absorbed into the skin – and the gripping effect for perfect make-up hold is activated! The primer also provides moisture and can be worn with foundation or on its own. Either way, it creates a smooth, fresh finish.“

Described as being a primer which is quickly-absorbed and has a transparent jelly texture, this primer is also said to add moisture, it can also be worn with foundation or on its own as it helps to create a smooth, fresh finish. 

Despite the Jelly looking bright pink in colour, it is actually a light pink transparent jelly, so it is perfectly good to be used with both cream, gel and powder products. Essence recommend applying the primer, and then waiting a few seconds being applying makeup, to allow it to fully absorb, by which point that ‘gripping’ effect is said to be ready for your foundation.

With it's pump action bottle, you only need just the one pump of the jelly primer and I really like the texture, it does have that jelly look to it, but when massaged onto the skin, it turns to a gel like cream and it does a great job at holding my makeup in place and all for just £4 and it is also Cruelty-free & vegan-friendly.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Lacura Eyeshadow Primer

I love a good dupe and one brand who seemingly gets it good on most occasions is Aldi with their Lacura range. The last addition to my stash comes in the form of the Lacura Eyeshadow Primer, which you might say looks and sounds similar to the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion.

With its similar designed tube, though different in colour - Urban Decay use their purple shade where as Aldi Lacura have chosen to use an Ombre purple and blue colouring, but the jewel-like cap on the tube is almost identical. One of the biggest differences being the price £3.99 v £19.50, assuming the Aldi offering is worth its money.

Prolong the look of your eye makeup with the new Lacura Eyeshadow Primer. This primer glides effortlessly onto the lids to create the perfect canvass for makeup application.

I have tried many eyeshadow primers over the years and always end up coming back to Urban Decay because it is just so good, but then came Lacura!

With its incredibly soft applicator, Lacura has managed to create something which doesn't hold too much of the primer, so there is no wastage. Formulated with polymer technology, this formula has a super lightweight texture and it features a finish which prevents creasing and locks in your makeup all day.

I adore the shade of this primer, incredibly light and not at all noticeable once it has been applied to the lids, of which, you need the smallest amount.  Once applied, you don't even notice it is there, it doesn't dry or feel heavy and after a few seconds, you can apply your eyeshadow.  It does create a crease-free base and impressively, I have found my eye makeup stayed in place for 6-7 hours before I needed to re-apply, so it got me through a day of work, but if going out in an evening, there would be a need to re-apply.  With Urban Decay, I do get a slightly longer wear, but in reality for me, there isn't a lot to choose between the two.

For £3.99, the Aldi Lacura Eyeshadow Primer is one to pick up if you see it in store or even online.

 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

GloWish Blur Jam Smoothing Primer by Huda Beauty

Aside from a few palettes, Huda Beauty isn't a brand I am all that familiar with, though I do see products featured across my social media of course.  Over the past month or so, I have been using a product that not only grabbed my attention with its name - Blur Jam, but it is incredible.

The GloWish range is described as being a line that exists at the intersection of flawless finishes and skin-loving ingredients to reveal a natural, easy-glowing look.  To that end, GloWish Blur Jam Silicone-Free Smoothing Primer is said to instantly mattifying to provide a perfect, breathable and shine-free base.

For anyone, who like me, has oily combination skin, a primer is an absolute must-have product if you want to keep your makeup in place (along with a finishing spray) and over the years, I have tried countless primers in the quest to find the perfect one, both with and without silicone.

Blur Jam is silicone free as well as featuring no fragrance or alcohol and it is made from a 90% naturally-derived formula and is Vegan Friendly. All of that aside, it does contain a powerhouse of ingredients which includes:

• Damascus rose water: Soothes, clarifies and locks in extreme moisture
• Prickly pear: A rich source of vitamins and antioxidants to provide intense hydration
• Cactus flower: Hydrates, calms and soothes skin while supporting a strong skin barrier

For me, the best part about this strawberry jam looking primer is its texture because it is exactly as I hoped it would be from the name and it is a lot of fun.

As you can see, it is bright red, looks very much like jam and spreads just as easily (without a knife of course) and all without being sticky, tacky or icky on the skin, in fact it is the exact opposite and is soft, smooth and really lightweight on the skin as well s hydrating.

It instantly smooths the skin and is great for mattifying the complexion, all of which are amazing because, even if you decide not to wear makeup, you can still use this primer on its own.  However, it really does help to keep that shine at bay and my makeup too.

Priced at £29 it is a really great primer and I am glad I have a back up!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.