Contouring 101

Everybody seems to be getting into contouring these days, and every brand has a different contouring product on offer, that it can be hard to know which ones to go for. I have chosen a few of my favourite contouring pieces to hopefully help your decision making process. 

Most of my products are powder, but I do have one creme bronzer I like to use for a natural contour in the summer time and that is the CHANEL Soleil de Tan. For me this contours as well as bronzes as I have fair skin, but I definitely need to be as light handed as possible when using this, but it is great for a natural looking bronze and contour. A highlighting product I like to use with this is the MAC Prep and Prime in the shade Light Boost. I don't only use this product when contouring, but it definitely brings out any contouring done. This is a yellow based highlighter and is great to use on the under eye area.

One of the first contouring products I bought was the Daniel Sandler Sculpt and Slim. This is another natural looking product, and I do find the contour shade to be more of a bronzer shade. I do really like this product, but it has definitely been neglected since I upgraded to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. This is a very similar product but the finish is just like nothing else I have used. I cannot get enough of the highlight shade in the palette, and the contour shade is perfect for fair skinned girls like myself. 

Another much raved about contouring powder is one that left me a little disappointed when I first started using it. It is the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. This is formulated with brown, grey and red pigments so is definitely more of a contour shade than a bronzer shade. This creates natural looking shadows and looks great in photos, but I do find it a little harder to blend compared to other products.

The final product is the most recent in my collection and it is the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit in the shade light. I have been really enjoying this palette, but I have to say that the contour shades are much better than the highlight shades. I don't know if the highlight shades show enough on fair skin, but the contour shades are perfect. I mostly use the middle shade and the shade on the left side to build on top of this. The shades are really natural looking and blend perfectly. I apply this with the new Real Techniques Bold Metals 301 Flat Contour Brush, and then blend it in with the Real Techniques Contour Brush. 

My Favourite Eyeshadows

I know what I like when it comes to eyeshadows, so all in my collection are pretty similar. I like browns and neutral shades and love golds. I never really venture outside of these shades I know I like. I have dark blue eyes so golds really compliment them. My first favourite is the B-E-A-utiful Charlotte Tilbury Golden Goddess Palette. I adore this palette for so many reasons. Firstly, in true Charlotte Tilbury form, the packaging is sleek, and also perfect for travel. All four shades are beautiful, and you can find a highlight shade and a crease shade as well as a neutral shade and a glittery gold. The quality of these are also amazing. They blend perfectly, there is no fall out and they stay put all night. What more could you ask for?

Another palette I love is the Make Up Revolution Iconic II Palette. This is a great dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette but for a fraction of the price. Although there is a teeny tiny bit of fall out, the general quality of these is really good and they stay put. You get twelve great shades for just £4! 

The last powder shadow I love is from MAC and it is the shade Honey Lust. I don't have too much to say about this other than it is another great shimmery golden bronzed shade, but we all know how great MAC eyeshadows are anyway don't we.

One of my favourite cream shadows is the CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in the shade Initiation. This isn't as dark as some of the other shades in my bronzed collection, and it is slightly more sparkly and really brings out blue eyes. I love the consistency of this shadow and I really really love the shade. I had never really looked at CHANEL eyeshadows before purchasing this one but I am now definitely keen to try some more. 

Next is another Charlotte Tilbury shade, but this time in pencil form and it is the Colour Chameleon in the shade Champagne Diamonds. This is another gold rather than bronze shimmery shade. It feels really smooth and doesn't drag or scratch your skin at all. My one and only bugbear with this product is that it seems to run out really quickly. You can see how tiny my one is now, and I just find this getting smaller and smaller rather quickly.

Last is one of my most used shadows, the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in the shade Bronze Moon. This also goes on so smoothly and blends really nicely. It is slightly darker than the other eyeshadows mentioned but stays put all night long. These are pretty pricy but well worth it I think.

February Favourites

Okay so I just have to start this post of by saying, where the hell is this year going, how are we in March already?! Crazy. Anyway, time is running away and it is already time for my February favourites. I have definitely been loving make up products this month, probably because I was so unable to enjoy them last month!

First up is something I fiiiiiinally managed to get my hands on after being on Cult Beauty's waiting list for what felt like forever. Obviously I am talking about the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit. I have only used this a handful of times as I don't see it is an every day wear-to-work kind of product, but when I am going out I have been reaching for this every time. I definitely prefer the contour shades to the highlight shades, as I do have individual highlighters I prefer, but I do like the banana shade for setting my under eye concealer. The middle contour shade is my favourite, and then I use the one on the left to build my contour a little more. The best thing about this is how buildable and blendable the product is. I was worried I would be covered in harsh lines but that is just not the case with this. I think it is definitely worth the splurge. My only criticism is that the highlight shades are a little light for mega pale girls.

Next are two eyeshadows I have re-discovered in my stash and they are the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon, and CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in the shade Initiation. Both of these shades are quite similar, but I would say the By Terry is a little darker and less shimmery. I have actually been enjoying wearing them both alone or blended together. Everyone raves about the By Terry Ombre Blackstar's, and I know they are eye wateringly expensive but I really think they are worth it. They go on so smoothly, blend perfectly and stay put all night long. I find the same with the Chanel shadow, but I do love the ease of the pen applicator you have with the By Terry.

A lipstick I have been loving this month is the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in the shade Bitch Perfect. This is the perfect pinky nude which is the kind of shade I love. I also really love the formula of these, and of course the rose gold packaging is to die for. I already have a few more shades from this range on my wish list.

Finally I have another rediscovery, but this time a hair product. I have been loving the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. I went off this for a while, as it does leave my hair a little crunchy and knotty. However, the volume and oomph this gives my hair is worth the crunch. When my hair is looking a little flat and lucklustre (which is most of the time) this is my go to product to bring it back to life. I have never tried the Oribe version, the price tag just puts me off massively, but I have heard through the grapevine that this is a pretty great dupe for that but at a fraction of the price.

My Most Used Highlighters

One of my most used beauty products and also one of my absolute favourite things to use is highlighter. I definitely have way more than I need but I love the effect I get when I use it and different ones give such different finishes. Here are my most used.

Chanel Blanc is a great multi purpose product as this can be used as a normal highlighter on top of make up, or underneath as a primer and makes a brilliant illuminator. This is my favourite way of using this as it just gives a really natural dewiness and glow through your foundation. The Topshop All Over Glow is a cheaper alternative for this.

An old favourite of mine is Benefit's High Beam. When I worked for Benefit this was my holy grail product. I still love this, although I do now prefer more bronzed highlighters compared to pinks. This is another great multipurpose product though, as I have sometimes mixed this with powder eyeshadows to make a cream one and I have also mixed it with lipgloss to cheat plumper looking lips. If you prefer more of a cream highlighter to liquid, then the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter is a great dupe and half the price of High Beam. 

When I am after more of a bronzed glow I go for Benefits Hollywood Glo. Now it might be a bit unfair talking about this one because I am not sure if Benefit still do it which is such a shame. This liquid highlighter is the perfect colour for a natural sun kissed glow with just the right amount of shimmer to it. However a great dupe for this is the Topshop Glow pot which is another cream highlighter. This is slightly more pigmented so a little goes a long way.

There are three powder highlighters I love and I probably tend to use these on more of a day to day basis as I find them a bit more natural looking. My most used is the Mary-Lou Manizer from The Balm. This looks beautiful in the light and I always get compliments from people when wearing this. I like to use it every day on my cheek bones and down my nose. Another similar product to this is Benefits Miss Popularity. This is the same shade as the Mary Lou Manizer with a bit more shimmer and is a loose powder rather than pressed. It has a small applicator with it so I find it really great for using on my brow bone and the inner corner of my eye.

Last but not least is my favourite highlighter of them all and it comes in the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Palette. This is definitely a high end product so I tend to try and save this for when I am going out or really making an effort with my make up. I cannot rave about this product enough it is so natural but makes such a difference. I love both the bronzer and the highlighter and it is definitely worth the splurge.

L-R Charlotte Tilbury, The Balm, Miss Popularity, All Over Glow, Chanel, Hollywood Glo, Glow, No7, High Beam

The Winter Face

In the winter time I like to disguise redness caused by the cold and make the most out of my make up staying put and not sliding off my face like it tends to in Summer. My every day routine tends not to change very much, but here is a break down of my current make up routine.

Firstly, I like to use a primer. I know its not for everyone but I think it really helps my make up go on better and does help it last a lot longer. For every day wear I just like to keep it cheap and cheerful and use the Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser. This is good because only a tiny amount is needed and it helps make up sit better on the skin.

For my base I have recently gone back to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. This is perfect for day time wear as it is so buildable. If I want a light natural base I can achieve it, and if I want to build it up to conceal a little more I can also do that. It keeps my skin looking flawless but natural and gives me a natural glow even in the colder months.

I use two concealers which may seem a little excessive but I like to use a lighter one under my eyes and a slightly thicker one for any redness or blemishes. My favourite under eye concealer is the Maybelline Eraser Eye. I love this stuff - it conceals but doesn't sit or crease in any fine lines. It also lasts me all day. For redness and blemishes I love the Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer. This is great because you only need a small amount to get a great coverage. 

I always set my base with a powder and I am currently loving the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder. This is so finely milled that is doesn't make your skin look cakey or flat but just really helps prevent shine and helps set your make up.

On my eyes I use the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze. This is a lovely bronze eyeshadow with just the right amount of shimmer and it lasts all day. I much prefer a cream shadow for the day time as it is much longer lasting. I always use my Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner as I feel naked without this and then I like to use my Loreal Telescopic Mascara on my top lashes. I finish of with Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara. This stuff is brilliant because it does not cause any fall out or smudging underneath the eye even by the end of the day.

My favourite brow product at the moment is the Soap and Glory Brow Archery and I use a bit of both shades Blondeshell and Hot Chocolate. I am somewhere in between these so I tend to use mostly Blondeshell and then a little bit of Hot Chocolate for the ends. I set these with a £1 clear mascara from Miss Sporty and I love it.

Finally I use a bit of the Body Shop Honey Bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks, and some Mary-Lou Manizer from The Balm on the tops of my cheek bones and down my nose. My all time favourite blusher is Dallas by Benefit and my current one has so far lasted me three and a half years and I haven't even hit pan despite using this every day! 

Finally on my lips I always go for a nude and I am currently loving Shy Girl from MAC with some of Tanya Burr's lipgloss in Chic. I always set my make up with Avon's Setting Spray which gives my skin a more dewy finish and helps keep my make up lasting that little bit longer.

January Favourites

Monthly favourites are easily one of my favourite posts to read so writing my first one of the year is very exciting. Unfortunately, I have been battling with Perioral Dermatitis recently so have actually been having to avoid both skin care and make up as much as possible so most of my favourites this month are actually non beauty favourites. 

My first favourite of the month is actually a cook book and it comes from blogger Deliciously Ella. I have been reading and using recipes from her blog for quite some time now and they are honestly all amazing. Her book was released this month and I just love it. All of her recipes are free from refined sugar, meat, gluten and dairy. One of my new years resolutions was the same as it is every year, to be healthier and watch what I eat. I usually fail some time near the beginning of the month but since using recipes from this book I have not been struggling at all and have really been embracing a sugar and dairy free lifestyle. My favourite recipes are definitely her raw brownies, and sweet potato and spinach salad. I highly recommend checking this out! The book itself is also beautiful and I find myself just flicking through looking at all of the drool worthy beautiful pictures.

A beauty related product is the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturiser. I re-discovered this after running out of my regular No7 moisturiser and forgot how much I love it. It is oil free but feels so hydrating when you put it on, without leaving a greasy film on your skin. A little goes a long way and my skin just loves this stuff. As with all Clinique products it is great for sensitive skin and fragrance free so with my skin being a nightmare at the moment, this moisturiser has been a life saver!

A face mask I have been using this month is cult favourite Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Mask. What I love most about this is how gentle on the skin this is despite being a clay mask. As I have mentioned, I have been extra careful with my skin recently, and once this has set and needs to washed off it melts away so easily meaning I don't have to rub my skin until it is red raw. It has also worked brilliantly on all of the little pimples I had on my forehead. I now understand the hype around this product and prefer it to other popular clay masks out there. 

A fashion favourite has been my beautiful Daniel Wellington Classic York Lady Watch my boyfriend got me for christmas. I had my eye on this watch for so long but could not justify spending the money on it at the time and I was lucky enough to be given this after so much longing. It's a classic and need I say more - I love it!

My final favourite is another christmas present and it is my One Line A Day Memory Book. I am very sentimental and keep things from most places I go. I used to keep a diary but haven't done for years due to laziness but this I have been writing in daily. It is a really cute gold lined note book dated for five years that you can write daily memories or things you are thankful for. I love the idea of this and think it would also make a great gift. I personally love reading over things like this and think it is just such a cute keepsake. 

Top 5 Foundations

Foundation has definitely got to be one of my favourite beauty products, and I am constantly looking out for products to give me flawless, oil free but dewy looking skin. Not too much to ask for right? Here are my five favourite foundations for different occasions.

Estee Lauder Double Wear is an old favourite of mine and for years was my every day foundation. This is great for oily skinned girls like myself because it provides a lovely matte but not flat finish. This product is also without a doubt the longest lasting foundation I have ever used. Although I now find this a little heavy for every day wear, I will always reach for this on occasions I need my foundation to last a whole day. It's also great for occasions you know you're either going to be crying or sweating or getting into a situation likely to remove your make up, trust me this foundation will not let you down. There is also an amazing shade range for this foundation so I am sure there is one to suit everyone.

Next is Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. When I first got this it took a bit of getting used to because I find this to be pretty high coverage. I like to use this for nights out when I am after a higher coverage and flawless but natural looking skin. The consistency of this is quite a thick creme but it blends in beautifully on the skin. Plus only a tiny bit is needed so this lasts for ages.

I have two every day wear foundations I go between, and the first one is a cult favourite, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I love the finish this gives my skin, it really is dewy skin in a bottle. It provides enough coverage but not too much, it just gives that 'your skin but better' look. I thought I wouldn't get on with this at first because everyone talks about it being great for girls with dry skin, which it definitely would be, but I thought I would end up an oily mess at the end of the day. However, as long as I set this with a good powder then it does the job perfectly and lasts me the whole day.

My other daily foundation is the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. This is very similar to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk but with a bit less coverage and a more matte finish. I personally love the finish of this more so than the Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua foundation as it gives a bit more coverage, and I need the slightly more matte finish. 

Lastly, I wanted to include a powder foundation and my favourite is the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. Although I only bring this one out occasionally, I think it is great to have a powder foundation either to wear on top on foundation for extra coverage or staying power, or to wear alone on top of moisturiser for a more natural finish. Sometimes when I am on holiday and I don't want to be caked in make up but I also want my skin to look a little better and less greasy I reach for this. When worn alone it looks really natural but can also be used to provide great coverage over a regular foundation.