Sunday 1 February 2015

January 2015 Favourites


Hi everyone! :) I'm back with my most reached-for makeup products of this month. I realise this post is quite long so if you like you can skip to the products you are more interested in. 

Here are pictures of the products both opened up and closed. 


I will talk about these products starting from top left to right. 

Too Faced Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer
This bronzer is absolutely amazing for those of us with pale skin as it is not as dark as most bronzes and I think the fact it has bits of peachy blush tones through it helps. There are slightly shimmery parts through this bronzer but once transferred from brush to skin, it is not at all noticable. It blends absolutely flawlessy and I like to apply it with my Urban Decay Powder Brush to my neck and chest area depending on what I am wearing.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Eyeshadow Palette in  'Flawless'
This, along with the other palette in the picture were my first Makeup Revolution purchases and I can honestly say they are everything I expected and so much more. This palette contains 32 eye shadows, all neutral colours (browns, blacks, golds, silvers, dark blues & deep burgundy) all in a range of mattes, shimmers, dual tones and glitter.  The pigmentation of these eyeshadows is INSANE! They are better quality than the much raved-about Sleek eyeshadows and definitely competitors with Inglot. As I mentioned in my previous blogpost, Makeup Revolution is not yet available in Superdrug in Ireland but it is available to us & worldwide online at www.makeuprevolutionstore.com 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Perfect Topping'
There is nothing on this earth I love more than a highlight, and MAC doesn't disappoint with this Mineralize Skinfinish. It is in the new packaging and comes with an embossed design in the powder but eventually this will wear away with use. It creates just the perfect amount of highlight on the face, without your highlighted areas looking like a disco ball. Again, probably better suited to paler skin but would look beautiful on anybody. Absolutely adore this. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation 
This is a foundation I have used for years now and always end up coming back to it. In previous months I had been using MAC ProLongwear Foundation but just before Christmas I switched back to this and fell in love all over again. I suffer from pretty bad acne, and this covers everything so well without looking like you have just covered your face in cement. The shade I use is '103 True Ivory'. I also like to pair this with the Maybelline Baby Skin Primer and NYC Loose Powder in Translucent. I find it lasts all day and I never, yes NEVER have to touch up my powder due to oil breakthrough. 10/10 for me. I apply all my foundations with a Beauty Blender sponge. 

Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in 'Hot Spice'
This palette comes with the most beautiful peach toned blushes I have come across. There are 8 blushes inside but 2 would be considered highlights in my eyes. There are a mix of blushes to suit every skin tone and the pigmentation is perfect for a blush. These are all powder blushes but I have seen recently on the MR website that they now do a cream palette too if cream is your preference. The blushes are long lasting and don't change colour when the skin oxidises. I use my Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply this product. 

NYX Long Lasting Dewy Finish Setting Spray
For me to switch from MAC Fix+ then this product must be good! Also, it's about €6-7 cheaper! It gives out a really light spray and dries quicker than the Fix+. It leaves a very slight dewy finish to the skin, which I like because as a person who suffers acne I don't like my face to look to shiney as it can cause my face to look greasy. All round amazing product. NYX isn't too easily found in Ireland, although more and more pharmacies seem to be stocking it as time passes, I pick my NYX products up in Foody's Pharmacy on Harcourt Street (at the Luas stop, beside Starbucks).

Fuschia Lipgloss in 'Mint Cherry'
I got this sample sized product as part of a free goody with the purchase of my Fuschia makeup brushes. Looks beautiful over any blue toned red lipstick. It does however have a VERY strong mint scent off it (hence its name) so if you don't like mint or just don't like scented lip glosses in general then I'd avoid this, but for me I love mint and it is the exact same smell as my favourite chewing gum (Green Wrigley's Extra) :). 

Fuschia Eye Dust in 'Bliss'
Again this is another sample product from the goody bag I recieved and to be honest, for a sample size it has a huge amount of product, I can't see myself finishing it anytime soon! It is essentially a loose eyeshadow pigment, no picture does it justice but it is the most beautiful glittery champagne pink which I like to use on the inner corner of my eyelids to brighten the eye. Should I ever run out of this product, I will definitely, definitely purchase a full size. 

Sleek Brow Kit in '818 Dark'
I went through a stage of being a bit of an eyebrow kit hoarder, and would buy more and more barely using the ones I had, until I came across this one. Holy moly. It is the best I have ever used and trust me I have used ALOT. I was quite afraid of using anything on my brows that wasn't powder as I felt it would make my brows look too severe and almost cartoon like, but the gel\cream product that goes alongside the powder is perfect for defining the shape of the brow and then brushing upwards to blend it out. It's safe to say I won't purchase an eyebrow kit for a long time to come. 

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in '461 Creme De Rouge/Scarlett Creme'
This is a beautiful red lipstick with blue undertones, which as we all know, makes our teeth look super white and who doesn't want that, right?! It is so rich and creamy in texture and doesn't dry the lips out at all, so for somebody with constantly chapped lips this is amazing! Also, the blue undertones in this par well with the Fuschia lipgloss, hence why they both made the favourites this month as I haven't used one without the other. 

Penney's/Primark False Lash Applicator 
This is just a tweeter on steroids to look at, but it makes applying false lashes a million times easier, even for those of us who consider ourselves experts at this stage, no mess and can reach right into the inner corner to stick the lash down. I think I paid about €1.50 for this too, bargain!

Fuschia Makeup Brushes
I loved all of my new brushes but these two stood out for me. The top brush, which is an eyeshadow blending brush fits perfectly into the crease but isn't entirely 'fluffy' it does have a bit of stiffness to it so it is perfect for a defined smokey eye as you can use it to get your shape and to blend. 
The second brush is considered a blush brush but I find it perfect for contour. It fits right into the hollows of my cheeks and picks up just the right amount of product. The hairs are so soft which makes the product blend easier and doesn't move any face product you already have on. 
Unfortunately these brushes aren't named or numbered so I can't give exact details, so hopefully the picture is good enough!

That's all for this months favourites, I'll post a new one next month! 

Follow me on Twitter & Instagram @RockMeGlamorous

Thanks for reading! S x

Friday 23 January 2015

Makeup Revolution London Haul


Today I received my order from Makeup Revolution London and thought I'd show what I ordered and some swatches to go with it along with my first impressions.
 I bought my first Makeup Revolution purchases in London back in November as they are available in most Superdrug stores in the UK, unfortunately here in Dublin, I have to order online as the two Superdrugs in Dublin don't seem to stock MR. I instantly fell in love with their 'cheap and cheerful' products. The quality of their products is absolutely amazing and their lipsticks actually start at just over €1! As I loved them so much I decided after Christmas I was going to try some more so I ordered the full 'I Am...' makeup palette collection, the I <3 Makeup Lip Geek lipstick in 'Babydoll' & I <3 Makeup Wow Gloss in 'Too Cool For School'.

'I Am...' Collection. (each palette comes with 6 shimmer & matte eyeshadows and a lipstick all in one - perfect for on the go!)

'I Am... Sexy'

How the palette looks when opened 

Swatches of the 6 eyeshadows in this palette, the first 3 don't seem to be as pigmented as the others, but the first 2 would make very nice highlights. 

Close up of the lipstick included with the palette, unfortunately neither the lipstick nor the eyeshadows have names. 

Swatch of the lipstick, a lovely red with pink undertones. 

'I Am... Powerful'

Palette when opened. 

Swatches of the eyeshadows. These eyeshadows seem to have better pigmentation than then previous palette, the shimmery purple on the far right has a gorgeous blue/black undertone to it which would be fabulous on a smokey eye. 

Close up of the lipstick. 

Swatch of the lipstick. A gorgeous deep red with plum undertones. 

'I Am... In Love'

The eyeshadows included in this palette. A cool toned pink vibe in this one. 

Swatches of the eyeshadows. Again, not great pigmentation in a few of the lighter shades. 

Close up of the lipstick included. 

Swatch of the lipstick. An absolutely stunning baby pink. 

'I Am... Naked'

The eyeshadows in this palette. Yep, you've guessed it like all other brands, they're applying the 'Urban Decay - Naked' feel to this one! 

Swatches of the shadows. I feel these have the best pigmentation of all the palettes both in light and dark colours. 

 Close up of the lipstick included. 

Swatch of the lipstick. A muted nude. 

My first impressions of these products are that they are a fantastic concept, having eyeshadows and a carefully selected lipstick for the look all in one palette is so handy. Some of the lighter shadows could do with being just a little more pigmented, but overall they seem very creamy and easily blended. Absolutely not complaints on the lipstick front! 

The cost of each of these palettes is usually €7.56, but at the moment they are on sale for €6.30 each or you can buy all 4 Palettes for €12.63!! Incredible value!

I <3 Makeup 'Lip Geek' in the colour 'Baby Doll'
Can we first of all, just take a minute to appreciate the absolutely gorgeous chrome pink and purple packaging! Fab! 'Baby Doll' is a very similar colour to MACs 'Creme Cup'. A lovely dusky/nude pink. 

I absolutely adore these lipsticks and will definitely purchase some more. So creamy! These lipsticks are usually €3.78 but at the moment they are on sale for €2.51!! 

I <3 Makeup 'Wow Gloss' in the colour 'Too Cool For School' 
Again, this packaging is amazing! I decided to purchase this lipgloss because I felt it would pair well with the Baby Doll lipstick, which it did! 

These are swatches of the lipgloss and lipstick side by side. 

Swatch of both products combined. Perfect!

Again, I am definitely purchasing some more of these lipsticks in the future, really creamy and not sticky which is always good! 

The I <3 Makeup 'Wow Gloss' in colour Too Cool For School' is normally €3.13 but is on sale at the moment for €2.51!!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and found it helpful. Check out www.makeuprevolutionstore.com to start your addiction! 

Tuesday 13 January 2015

Christmas 2014

I know I'm a bit late with this post but better late than never! The following few pictures are of makeup & beauty related items a received or purchased over the Christmas period. 

Fuschia Makeup
I purchased this brush set from the Fuschia stand in my local Lloyd's Pharmacy in Leopardstown Shopping Centre. The set costs €45 and I also received a free goodie bag of some beautiful samples.

MAC Cosmetics
I was bought these beautiful MAC goodies by my boyfriend, a Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Perfect Topping' and Viva Glam Rihanna Lipstick. The Skinfinish is €30 and the lipstick is €19.50 with all proceeds going to the MAC AIDS fund.

Penneys/Primark Haul
I purchased some beauty essentials in Penneys last week. I bought 2 sets of nail art pens (€2.50 each),  nail art decorations (€1.30), some cotton buds & cosmetic buds (both €1 each), cotton pads (0.75c each), makeup brush cleaner (€2.50). I also picked up two iPhone covers and an iPad sleeve. 

Thanks for taking the time out to read my first ever blogpost and my apologies if it's a bit all over the place because I haven't quite got the hang of it just yet! Be sure to check out my Twitter & Instagram @RockMeGlamorous. See you in my next post! Sarah x