Week Two - Concealer #theSOproject

So I have joined the #theSOproject YEY... just a tad late, better late then never shall we say!

I first found out about the project after being asked a few times whether I was part of it, I was then curious to what it actually was! So I took to google/twitter & after researching I found this amazing project that aimed to help younger teens/make up newbies/make up fanatics but don't necessarily have the knowledge that other's would with years of experience.  This is where #theSoproject steps in, applying tips, tricks & knowledge of makeup and bloggers own personal experiences of what works best for them.

I'm here, listed as part of #theSOproject, Thank you Stephanie

Here is what the next few weeks will consist of: 

The weeks include (in order):

Skincare

Concealer - This Week! 

Foundation

Bronzer

Blusher

Mascara

Eyeliner

Eyeshadow

Lips

Make up tools

Concealer is used to cover areas on your skin whether it be dark circles, skin blemishes or any spots that you feel you need to cover but many people don't realise that you can use it for contouring... Kim  K is a big fan of this 

Being born with a natural light complexion with freckles, I went for a darker shade than I usually would as I love to have hide the fact that I am paper white with a tan but to also soften the definition of my freckles for a refreshing finish. This concealers darker shade can also be used for contouring on lighter skin tones, which is a great way to emphasize your facial features. 

I'm not quite Kim K, but I tried it out myself...

I have applied it under my eyes, tip of my nose and creases on the side on my nose to contour & also touching up any blemishes that I may have on the day. This concealer blends in so well, I use either a foundation brush or stippling brush to blend into my base makeup for the perfect finish. 

My Tools: Benefit Fake Up, Real Techniques Stippling or Foundation Brush

Any questions feel free to leave them in the comments or tweet myself & I will get back to you asap! 

Leave your links below, I hope you have enjoyed your this post, it's exciting to be apart of such an amazing project. 

With Love, 

Hello Flawless Foundation

As some of you may know, I am a benefit convert with the goal to try to fill my makeup bag of all the beautiful benefit cosmetics that I can get my hands on.

I've visited the benefit counter a few times leading up to and on my actual birthday, I'm so hooked from the presentation to the packaging to how the product applies. 

This brightening liquid foundation builds from a light to medium coverage for a natural complexion. This beige shade gives me a natural luminous complexion that creates the perfect base for my makeup. 

With a sleek silk touch, this foundation glides on so smoothly with no extra oils which leaves your skin with an even coverage for you to warm up with either your bronzing powder or brighten with a blusher. My personal favourite. 

How to find the perfect match for your skintone?

You can easily step into any department store and be bombarded with a million & one choices as soon as you walk in for various brands that have different shades, coverages and skin types with each one owning unique titles - meaning that when switching brands can be a bit tricky because what was once your shade for one brand is totally different with another.

Whether you are new to wearing foundation or a total pro, I would always recommend going to have a colour match with the brand of your desire to make sure you are paying for something that you are going to use, as this can save time and also a lot of cash monies!

Colour-matching foundation is different for everyone. Once it's on, however, the end result should be the same: that your face, neck and body are unified in colour. 

If your face is already the same colour to your body (jealous), choosing a foundation is as easy as matching the colour to your face. But, if like most people including myself who dream of a tan or just a healthy glow, your face is different colour to your body (either paler or darker) it's not good enough to match it to your face alone. You will have to consider matching your desired foundation to your body.

When your face is PALER than your body - this is my main problem as I love to have a tan but this will fade considerably more with the use of cosmetics and cleansing, but don't worry this is common as people are vigilant about using sunblock on their face, yet tan their bodies. In instance, to get the perfect match to create a unified look, match your foundation with a warmer part of your skin - this will mean that you will end up buying a foundation that is darker than your face. This may sound a bit scary at first, but remember its all about the end result which will ensure that your body, neck and face will be the same colour. Perfect.

When your face is DARKER than your body, don't be tempted to lighten your skin with a paler foundation to match your body, this will leave your skin with an ashy effect making you look ill and aged. Which is what what you want to avoid altogether. It is essential to match your foundation to the colour of your face, and then warm your face and neck up with either the same foundation or a bronzing powder, this will give you a closer tone to each part. 

Hope you have enjoyed this post, please leave your links of your experiences or favourite foundations!

With Love, 

 

Birthday Aftermath

So I'm now into my 3rd decade, which is scary to think about as all I've known is being just a teenager. I have to think hard and officially grow up. Pressure is on!

I was like a big kid as it worked up to my birthday & what are kids like when they know it's their birthday... Excited so with having a few days off work too this just made it even more exciting with not having to go to work! So I stayed up until midnight spending time with my boyfriend, as I was only a teenager for just a little longer.

Wow, I cannot believe that I have finally turned 20! My birthday was actually so amazing that it has to be the best birthday so far & one to remember as people say!

Spoilt was an understatement. I got so many lovely gifts and I am so grateful by being surrounded by such generous people. I love them all!

The day started off a little like this...

Morning cuddles with this handsome chap! *silly faces* (don't mind me with no makeup, all fresh faced)

It's a tradition in my family on every occasion that we can to all sit down and have this beauty of a breakfast! Yes, I'm a lover of fresh salmon! So posh!

As they were doing work next door & making so much racket where my dining room was, we had to eat this on our laps in another room, but this was only a little a minor alternative.

My mother & I then made our way to Hanley for a little spree of the shops, I always love taking a trip to The Potteries, Stoke. Reminds me of my childhood when we went out as a family for all occasions.

I'm safe to say I got spoiled rotten! I'm totally obsessed with Benefit Makeup & everyone I know, knows it! I bought a few products with my birthday money that I have wanted for a while.

I am in love with my first ever Michael Kors watch, my Boyfriend, Ryan got me this. A gorgeous genuine orange leather strap with a beautiful diamond encrusted face. I am so shocked & it just shows how much he adores me, love him to pieces. He also spoiled me further with one of the bags that have popped up on my wishlist a couple of times and also a delicate Pandora ring with my birthstone, peridot.

Leave your links of posts of your own new purchases! Love fashion & beauty tips too :)

With Love, 

Fake Up Benefit

Officially a benefit convert, I love everything that comes from the range from the Crease-less Eyeshadow to every day Foundation. 

As I have been on the hunt for a good concealer, when I got the chance to test out this NEW benefit Fake Up from LookFantastic I was so excited! With the promises to give you a smooth, natural complexion I was eager to try for a natural look to makeup!

As a lover of all things beauty related, this Fake Up Concealer had the perfect application with a smooth hydrating finish. With ingredients including Vitamin E and apple seed extract which helps to hide dark circles and also diffuse fine lines. A beautiful 2-in-1 concealer stick.

Being born with a natural light complexion with freckles, I went for a darker shade than I usually would as I love to have hide the fact that I am paper white with a tan but to also soften the definition of my freckles for a refreshing finish. This concealers darker shade can also be used for contouring on lighter skin tones, which is a great way to emphasize your facial features. 

I have applied it under my eyes, tip of my nose and creases on the side on my nose to contour & also touching up any blemishes that I may have on the day. This concealer blends in so well, I use either a foundation brush or stippling brush to blend into my base makeup for the perfect finish. 

After attending the #midsummermeet in Manchester where benefit attended and gave an amazing tutorial on contouring it got my attention to invest in new makeup materials and also change my makeup routine, for the better. With the recent purchases of Real Technique Core Collection Brushes and also new makeup that I  have yet to try out. 

This concealer is great to carry in your makeup bag or purse as it is in the size of a lipstick. Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. 

I am truly in love with my new find & so thankful to LookFantastic for sending me this sample, my new must-have product. I adore all benefit cosmetics.

As it is my birthday I have taken near enough a week off work including the bank holiday (lucky me), but my apologies for not posting every day like I promised myself I would, lets put it this way - a stressful week.

Remember to leave your links below, need more blogs to read to fill in my time off work! 

With Love, 

Shopping Trippppp

So today I went shopping, I love this... of course. Jumping at any opportunity I can for a good girly gossip and a little spree of the shops on the side. 

I went with the intention to get my brows threaded (as I have never had this done before) and to purchase from the long list of all the beauty and makeup products that have intention of buying so it was only right to head into Boots first.

Always eager to try out new products and gain experience of different techniques, I definitely recommend getting your makeup done at one of the counters as I know every girl loves to get their makeup done professionally. I intended to purchase from Benefit that day so when the lovely girls came over to my bestfriend and I and offered a make over I happily accepted. Who wouldn't! 

| Me and my bestfriend, Georgina | 

This is my finished look, I love it and I have got to thank the lovely beautician for her time and effort. I am amazed with the results that stayed put all day long, even after a day of shopping.

 

I was that amazed that I got some cheeky purchases, I had to hold back just a little bit...

 Sun Beam Highlighter | Brow Zings | Free Sample of Potent Eye Cream | Ribbon sprayed with LEELEE Benefit Perfume 

I had the pleasure of being in the company of this little monkey during our shopping trip, as exhausting as she is, she always brightens up your day with her 'silly' moments. After being downgraded from the start of the day by sitting in the back of the car but also having to listen to One Direction, yes I said it... 1D.... she's 2 by the way.

| This little girl is such a poser |

| So Lady Like. |

Diet Coke had a promotional campaign running that you get a free Diet Coke and also take part in getting your photo taken in a walk-in photobooth, amazing exhibition. 

Here are some of the photos that we got! 

All complete with a Diet Coke, Marc Jacobs Style

After a tiring day of entertaining a 2 year old whilst shopping I hope you have enjoyed my blog post, feel free to leave me your blog links below. :) 

With Love,