Bobbi Brown: Brightening Nudes collection

This collection looks amazing. My favorite piece is the Brightening Finishing Powder which I think will be a perfect highlighter.

"I CREATED BRIGHTENING NUDES FOR THOSE

MOMENTS WHEN YOU WANT TO BRING OUT YOUR

NATURAL SPARKLE. FROM THE FINISHING POWDER

TO THE GLITTER-INFUSED GLOSSES,EVERYTHING IN

THIS COLLECTION IS DESIGNED TO INSTANTLY

ILLUMINATE YOUR COMPLEXION.."

- BOBBI BROWN

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing powder £40.00
Shade: Brightening Nude

"This all–over powder instantly illuminates to give skin a healthy–looking glow. It's infused with a skin brightening blend of mulberry, grape and scutellaria extracts, as well as sodium hyaluronate to help keep skin fresh and smooth looking."

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks £18.00
Shades: Blushed Rose, Calyspo Coral, Chocolate cherry

"Bobbi's best–selling, multi–tasking cream colour just got even better. It's now in a mirrored flip–top compact for on–the–spot application. Blend it on the apples of your cheeks for a just–pinched look. Blot it on your lips for a soft, stained finish. For drier skins, be sure to moisturise skin first."

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss £17.00
Shades: Lilac Pearl, Pink Lilac, Pink Opal

"Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips. Wear alone or on top of your favorite Bobbi Brown Lipstick." 

Bobbi Brown Crystal Glitter Lip Gloss £16.00

"Infused with fine, light reflecting flecks, this limited edition gloss gives lips a glimmering shine that's perfect for day or evening."

Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadow £19.50
Shades: Ballet, Mica, Silver Moon, Sunlight

"Bobbi's fresh take on glitter lights up eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter. Now in four limited edition shades that are perfect for both day and night."

Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper and Hair Touch Up, £14.50
Shades: Auburn, Blonde, Mahogany, Rich Brown, Clear

"Cream-gel formula effortlessly defines and fills in brows, while controlling and shaping them. Now features a new, shorter brush for more definition."

Bobbi Brown Brow Kit £35
Shades: Dark Brunette, Light Blonde

"Well-groomed brows instantly give you a more a polished look. It's easy with Bobbi's new Brow Kit featuring two shadows-Cement and Birch Eye Shadow-to define and fill in the brows, a two-sided mirror (with one side magnified) plus a mini tweezer and brow brush."

Bobbi Brown Rose Gold: Bobbi's Spring Pick £60.00
(Limited Edition)

"Inspired by Bobbi's love of Rose Gold, this limited edition set is the epitome of pretty.  Luminosity and definition come together for an eye look that's equally classic and fresh. Features our much-loved cream shadow and gel liner formulas; a super lengthening mascara; and the skincare you need to pamper the delicate eye area. Set includes:
• Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner 3g
• Rose Gold Long-Wear Cream Shadow 3.5g
• Black Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara 6ml
• Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover 30ml
• EXTRA Repair Eye Cream 7ml
• Mini Dual Ended Ultra Fine Eyeliner/Cream Shadow Brush
• Rose Gold Makeup Bag"

Available from Bobbi Brown counter and online at:

www.bobbibrown.co.uk

10 Tips and tricks.

This are my 10 tips and tricks, just things that make my life easier.

1.Prevent skin from being stained by hair dye.
If you have ever died your hair dark colour then there is a high chance that you ended up with hair dye staining your skin. To prevent this in future apply some vaseline or thick cream around your hairline and on your ears. Once you washed your hair take some tissue and just wipe it off.

2.Dry, damaged hair? 
Olive oil is your friend. Wash and dry your hair and then apply some warm olive oil. Leave it on for about and hour, or as long as you want, then take some mild shampoo or baby shampoo and wash it off, finish of with some finishing serum or something that contains silicones, they will seal the moisture in your hair.

3.Powder on top of liquid=as good as cream.
Cream products have better staying power than powder products, but if you ever run out off your favourite cream blusher on bronzer then you can apply your powder blusher/bronzer on top your foundation, but make sure you will blend out any hard edges.

4.Milk of Magnesia as primer.
If you suffer from oily skin and you want your face to stay matte for a whole day then Milk of Magnesia is a great primer. It might sound absolutely ridiculous but Milk of Magnesia is a top kept beauty secret of some of the greatest make up artists, also it helps with acne.

5.Baby powder as finishing powder.
It might sound crazy, but baby powder makes an amazing setting powder, especially if you suffer with oily skin, it will absorb the oils and leave your skin matte all day long. Make sure that you use an unscented baby powder.

6.Face cream makes a really good hand cream.
If you have any face creams that you don't use anymore, you can use them as a hand cream.

7.Home made coffe scrub.
This is my favourite scrub ever, I use it on my body and face. All you have to do is get some coffe and add a bit of warm water and you have a all natural coffe scrub. No harsh chemical and you don't even need to go to the shop to get it plus it smell so good.

8.No brush cleanser?
If you ever run of brush cleanser you can use a hand sanitizer to clean your make up brushes.

9. Mineral foundation looking dry and cakey?
If you ever use a mineral foundation and you notice that it looks dry and cakey then use damp sponge like beauty blender or just a regular make up wedge to apply it instead of a brush. Just pick up some foundation with the sponge and stipple.

10.Too lazy to apply a body butter/lotion?
I have to admit that I can never be asked to use a body butter. Instead I use a baby oil after I get out af a bath, I just apply it on damp skin, let it absorb for about a minute and then patt dry my body. Your skin will be smooth as what the baby oil was made for.

TAG: How much is your face worth?

I decided to do this tag because all the products that I show below are my all time make up staples, even that I have enough make up to change my make up routine pretty much every day, but this are my all time go to products. As you may have noticed I didn't included a face powder and thats simply because I haven't found one that I like enough to rave about it. Please note that this isn't an attempt to brag or anything like this.

Make up

Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation - £8.99

Mac Studio Fix Fluid foundation - £19.50

Tri-Pentox Collagen Assist Wrinkle Filler - £49.95

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - £5.99

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel - £29.00

NARS Blush in Deep Throat - £21.00

Kiko Light Impulse face palette in 02 - £19.50

Kiko Full Coverage Concealer - £7.50

MUA Eyebrow pencil in Blonde - £1

Benefit High Beam - £18.50

Total: £180.93

Brushes

MAC 187 - £32.50

MAC 109 - £26.00

Ruby&Millie foundation brush - £11.00

Dior Powder Foundation brush - £23.50

Total: £93

Make up+Brushes = £273.93

I never realised how much my face is actually worth and I have to admit I'm actually shocked, but at the end of the day its my face we are talking about. Also you can see that I use a mix of high end and drug store make up. 

Tag: My makeup story.

1.How old were when you started wearing make up?

I was about 15 and the first product I used was a camouflage cream by Dermacolor which I used as foundation to cover my spots and since I didn't really knew how to apply it, it didn't look very nice.

2.How did you get to make up?

As I mentioned I had spots that I wanted to cover up and thats how I got into the wonderful world of make up and beauty.

3.What are some of your favourite brands?

Oh this is hard, I don't have a favourite make up brand but if I have to pick it would be Chanel, Mac, YSL, Rimmel and No7.

4.What does make up mean to you?

Its a way to express your self.

5.If you could only wear four products on your face, what would they be?

Moisturiser with sunscreen, Foundation, Blush and eyebrow pencil to fill in my eyebrows.

6.What is your favourite thing about make up?

It allows you to cover any flaws and exposes what you really like about your self and also its a confidence booster.

7.What do you think about drug store make up vs. high end make up?

Drug store make up is just as good as high end make up, its just a matter of finding products that work for us. For example I can never find a drug store foundation that matches my skin tone so I have to get a higher end foundations, but I love drug store blushes.

8.What is one tip of advice that you would give to a beginner?

Can I cheat and give 3? First, don't think that you only have to use high end and expensive make up and that drug store make up is bad. Second, make sure your foundation matches your neck and chest, not your face. And third, just have fun and do what you want to do, don't get too obsessed and crazy about the trends and all the do's and dont's. At the end of the day its just some powder and pigment.

9.What is one make up trend you've never understand?

There isn't one, make up is a form of art.

10.What do you think about the beauty community on Blogger/Youtube?

Its amazing, you don't have to buy make up books or go to make up college to become a pro make up artists, its all available for free with a click.

11.Who is your style icon?

I actually don't have a style icon.

I tag everyone who wants to do this tag!

Favourite drug store skincare/make up.

Below is a list of my favourite drug store skincare and make up products.

Oilatum Cream £5.99 from Boots/Superdrug/pharmacy
I raved about this is my Winter Skin care post. Its an amazing all purpose moisturiser thats doesn't cost an earth.

L'Oreal Studio Secrets anti-shine mattifying primer £10.29 from Boots/Superdrug

This is a really good primer for everyone who suffers with oily skin. It mattifies the skin and leaves it smooth and ready for foundation.

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation £9.99 from Boots/Superdrug

If you have a comob to normal skin they you will love it. It provides a long lasting medium coverage. Also they have really good shade selection for people with pale skin (NC15 and lighter).

17 BB Cream £6.99 from Boots

This is perfect if you want something that will give you a medium coverage and will not feel heavy on the skin or look cakey. Also it gives a bit moisture.

Rimmel Match Perfection concealer £5.99 from Boots/Superdrug

If you need something to cover dark circles and make the under eye area more radiant then this is perfect. It cover the dark circles and minor discolouration without looking and feeling heavy. Also it comes in a handy squeeze tube with a brush application.

Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge £4.99 from Superdrug/Amazon

Perfect for applying heavy liquid or cream foundations. You will get the most beautiful finish with this sponge. Also its a much cheaper dupe for the famous Beauty Blender.

EcoTool Powder Brush £9.99 from Boots

I have spent years looking for a perfect powder brush and this brush it just amazing. Its the right size, not to dense, soft and easy to clean. Also it doesn't shed.

TAG: Products that I don't need and will never buy

I found this tag on someones blog few days ago and decided to do it. Basically you have to mention 5 products that you will never buy or you think you don't need and explain why.

1. 100-in-1 products. I always stay away from products that claim to do thousands things at a time mainly because I find that in the end they don't do anything at all.

2.Body scrubs, I like it rough and most of the scrubs you can buy are not rough enough for my skin, plus very often they are full of nasty ingredients. I much prefer a home made coffe, sugar and salt scrub.

3.Another MAC brush, I have two(109 and 187) and the 109 sheds like crazy since I got it and the 187 has started shading after about a year of using it. The money that MAC is asking for their brushes is just ridiculous, I much rather get either Dior, Chanel or MUFE brushes.

4.Revlon Photo Ready foundation, I have tried it on the back of my hand few times and it looked like I covered it in glitter and it made my hand itchy and red.

5.Clinique skin care products and foundations, I have tied their 3 step which have done nothing at all and every single Clinique foundation I tried was just a disaster, they were either too dark, too orange, cakey, hard to apply-just a mess overall.

My top 5 Fashion and Make Up crimes.

1. Orange face is just a no no, I don't see a reason why anyone would want to walk around with a orange looking face. Its ok if your face looks orange due to a bad fake tan, it can happen to anyone, but wearing a foundation that is too dark and looks orange on you is just a massive make up crime for me.

2. Eyebrows drawn of with black eyeliner. I don't mind people shaving they eyebrows off, but before you do it get some practice on how to draw them back on. Below is a great tutorial.

3.Blonde hair and strong black drawn on eyebrows just looks wrong. If you need to fill in your eyebrow choose a pencil or an eyeshadow that will match your hair colour and ideally something thats lighter.

4. Legins and short tops. No matter how amazing your bum is, lets keep it covered in the public. Short tops and leggings just don't go together.

5. Suite/Smart outfit and trainers is just a complete no no for me.

MAC Marcel Wanders 2 Collection for Spring 2012

This collection looks amazing!!! Beautiful shades and stunning packaging. Also I love the limited edition 187 brush. More details on the collection here.

Mac Studio Fix Fluid vs Revlon ColorStay (Oily/Combo)

Overview

Let me just start by saying that I love both foundations equally. There is a lots of misconception that Revlon ColorStay is a dupe for Mac Studio Fix Fluid. The main difference between this two foundations is the fact that Mac Studio Fix is very blendable but Revlon ColorStay sets as soon as it touches the skin. The whole Studio range was created in mind with make up artists that need a foundation that is very blendable and gives them a lot of time to work with it.



Packaging


Both Mac Studio Fix and Revlon ColorStay come in a standard 30ml glass bottle. Also both of them doesn't come with a pump when you buy them, but you can purchase a pump for Mac Studio Fix from Mac Store or online, but theres no pump for Revlon ColorStay.

Colour Range


Mac and Revlon has really wide selection of shades and I think that pretty much everyone will find a good mach for them in both Mac and Revlon. If you are familiar with Mac then you know that their foundation shades are divided into two groups, NC (Neutral Cool) and NW (Neutral Warm). NC is more yellow/blue and NW is more pink/peachy which makes it really easy when it comes to selecting your foundation shade. However both Mac and Revlon lack really pale, almost white shades or a white foundation that could be mixed with darker shaded. If you have a Mac Pro card then you can get Mac Face and Body in white, however Face and Body dosen't have a good coverage. My shade in Mac is NC15 and 150 Buff in Revlon. Below is a colour chart for Revlon ColorStay vs Mac Studio Fix:

Ivory: NW15/ NC15 lightest of the bunch
Buff: NC20 best match for fair NCs
Sand Beige: NC20-25 with somewhat neutral undertones
Nude: NC25 with peachy undertones, definitely not for pinks or true golden
Natural Beige: NW20 tends to run pink
Medium Beige: NC27 between Sand Beige and Golden Beige
Fresh Beige: NW25 with pinky undertones
Golden Beige: NC30 with truest yellow/olive undertones
Warm Golden: NW30/NC30 with somewhat neutral undertones
True Beige: NW30 with pinky undertones (for Fresh Beige in summer)
Natural Tan: NC40/NC42 more neutral than golden caramel
Early Tan: NW35 with somewhat peach undertones
Rich Tan: NW35 with pinkish undertones
Golden Caramel: NC40/NC42 more golden than natural tan
Toast: NW43/NC45 with neutral undertones
Rich Ginger: NW45 very peachy-pink
Caramel: NC45 seems to run true to color
Cappucino: NC50 slightly more peach than Caramel
Mahogany: NW50/NC55 the darkest of NWs but not extremely peachy
Mocha: NW55 seems to be very cool toned, almost grey undertone


Coverage


Mac Studio Fix allows you to bild up the coverage which means get a very light coverage or a full coverage depending on what you need. Revlon ColorStay gives you a very full coverage without much ability to sheer it out unless you mix it with some moisturiser or primer (I recommend the second). Also when applying Revlon ColorStay with a brush it can look patchy because it sets very quickly and becomes very thick.

Staying Power


Both Mac Studio Fix and Revlon ColorStay are long lasting foundations. Mac Studio Fix stays flawless for up to 15-16 hours, also it doesn't oxidise on me. Revlon ColorStay starts to wear off after about 10-12 hours which I think is still pretty good but it oxidises after about 7-8 hours which is a no no for me. I set all of my foundations with a setting powder.

Application/Finish

As I mentioned Mac Studio Fix is very easy to apply with either fingers, brush or damp sponge and doesn't need a lots of blending. It gives a really nice finish, its somewhere in between natural and matte. Revlon ColorStay is more runny consitancy, but as soon as it touches skin it becomes really thick and hard to blend. I usually apply it with a damp sponge. The finish it gives is at first dewy(thats because I apply it with a damp sponge) but after few seconds it sets matte.

                                            

                                      

     

       

Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj for MAC

Many of you probably know that MAC have been raising funds for fighting HIV/AIDS for years now through the Viva Glam range. For past two years it was Lady GaGa and Cyndi Lauper. This year is Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj. The Viva Glam will consist of bright yellow pink lipstick in Viva Glam Nicki (Satin) which I think will be just amazing and clear lip conditioner which as you can imagine will be promoted by Ricky Martin. The Viva Glam Range will be available from March 2012 in UK and it will be available till February 2013.

Cold Weather Skin Care

It has been absolutely freezing in London for past few days. I always had a oily/combination skin, but since for about three months now my skin more normal/dry. However since its got freezing in London my skin is definitely dry. Below is a list of my skin care products that I use everyday.

Because its really cold outside, I try to avoid cleansing my face with water in the morning so I instead I use a micellar cleanser. I either use La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution or Kiko Cleansing Water. Both of them are equally good.

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution £11.50 from Boots
Kiko Cleansing Water Micellar Lotion £6.90 from Kiko


After cleansing my face with the micellar cleanser I slather on a good thick layer of Oilatum Cream, which is just an amazing moisturiser. I discovered this products thanks to Pixiwoo sisters. I allow it to absorb for about 2-3mins and then I apply my foundation. Also when my eyes feel bit puffy I use the Tri-Pentox Age Defying Serum. And since I have a dry skin, I skip primer, so for me Oilatum Cream is a moisturiser and primer in one.

Oilatum Cream £4-6 from Boots, Superdrug and various pharmacies
Tri-Pentox Age Defying Eye Serum £42.95 Currently only available from eBay

 
I think that we all need sunscreen in winter as much as we need it in the summer. And since it has been really sunny in London for past few day I haven't left the house without SPF.



Vichy Capital Soleil 50+ Hydra Cream It looks like it has been discontinued or its not available in UK
La Roche-Posay 50+ Anhelios XL £16.50 from Boots




Sometimes after I do my make up my skin still feels bit dry then I spray it with Lush Breath of Fresh Air toner. I absolutely love this toner.


Lush Breath of Fresh Air skin toner  £3.57/100gram or £7/250gram from Lush



Usually in the evening I want to take my make up off as quick as possible. Kiko Pure Cleaning Gel Foaming Cleanser its great for taking make up off and cleansing the skin. It doesn't dry out the skin and its very gentle. Also every few day after I take my make up off I pour some of the cleanser on face cloth and exfoliate the face.


Kiko Cleansing Pure Gel Foaming Cleanser £6.90 from Kiko


And this is it, I keep my skin care very simple and to the minimum. Also I think that you don't have to spend lots of money to have a lovely looking skin.

xoxo :-)

This week favourites.

I decided to do weekly favourites. Every Friday or Saturday I will be sharing with you things that I loved particular week, wherever its a foundation, cleanser, pair of jeans, food, drink or song that I loved in the certain week. I will do my best to do it every week.

Mac Studio Fix Fluid
No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream
When I mix them both, I get just the perfect finish.

Kiko Light Impulse Face Palette in 02 Tangerine Glow
I love the blush and the bronzer from this palette

Oilatum Cream
It got ridiculously cold this week, this cream is perfect for my dry skin.

EcoTool Powder Brush
Really nice big fluffy and soft powder brush

H&M Chunky Scarf
As I mentioned its ridiculously cold this week, I love this scarf,
its really big and keeps me warm, oh and it goes with
everything.

H&M Faux Fur Hat
It keeps me warm, simple as that

Brown Primark Belt.
Looks really nice with black skinny jeans.

Zara light sheet t-shirt.
I love Zara t-shirts, the quality its amazing. This one is
very nice and sheer, look great with pretty much everything.

Lady Gaga - Marry the Night

I have to admit that I love the music video even more

than the actual song - It's just amazing.

Chanel Spring-Summer 2012 Haute Couture Show

This is just mind blowing, amazing cloths, great show and very nice make up.

xoxo :-)

Make up / Accessories Storage

Today I want to show how I store my make up and accessories, personally I love this kind of posts or YouTube videos. The main piece is the 5+2 chest of draws that I got from Argos. When I was buying it I intended to use it to store clothes, however the draws are not deep enough.

On the top of it, starting from the left I have a chest of three draws that I got from Poundland a while ago, on top of it I have my No7 Iluminated Mirror.

Next to it I have my ELF Brush Cleanser, two candle glass holder containing all of my brushes, some kabuki brushes, eyelash curler, tweezer and petri dish. Then I have some tissues, next to it I have my hand sanitizer and two glass jars, in the bottom one I keep some make up sponges and in the top one I have cotton pads and q-tips.

In the first draw of the plastics chest of three draws I keep all of my concealer and some line/pore fillers.

In the second draw I keep eye/eyebrow products.

In the last draw I have most of my lip products(rest of them are probably in my bags) and small scissors.

In the left top draw in my 5+2 chest of draws I keep accessories that I mostly wear and few wallets.

In the right top draw I keep most of my skin care products that I use all the time.

The second draw is my favourite, thats where I store all of my make up.

Staring from the left:

Blushes

Bronzers/Contouring products

Face powder in the front, sponges and powder puffs and empty Mac Studio Fix compact.

Primers/Foundations/Tinted Moisturisers/BB Creams and Cosmopolitan Make Up Sponge

The third draw is a home to more accessories that I don't wear that often, some sunglasses and lighter/summery scarfs and belts.

In the fourth draw I keep my underwear, but since is not that exciting I will skip it.

And finally the last fifth draw contains all sorts of random make up/skincare and body product that I either don't use very often or I just don't like them. Also there are some samples laying around.

Next to my vanity I have a glass shelf;

Staring from the left, router, bag with product back ups, two bags with product boxes(I like to keep all boxes, so when I'm doing a review I can just grab it and check things like expiry date or the what the product claim to do) bag with a brush roll and some make up bags. Then I have the ELF Beauty Encyclopaedia Face Edition which I have used like twice since I got it. Next to it I have two deodorants and my perfumes.

Below the shelf I hanged my necklaces that I wear most often.

So this is how I store my make up and accessories, if you have a post or a video on how you store your make up then feel free to leave a link in the comments below. I'm always looking for new ideas on how to store my make up collection. Also If you want any details about any item that you have seen in this post then feel free to ask.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it.

xoxo :-)