Smokey Wing Tutorial

Product Details:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette - Burnt Orange, Primavera and Cyprus Umber.

Maybelline Gel Liner

Makeup Geek Cosmetics Eyeshadow - Corrupt

MAC Eyeliner - Feline

Ardell Lashes - Demi Wispies 

Brush Details:

MAC 224

MAC 219

MAC 211

Morphe E17

MAC 210

This look was inspired by a particular photo on instagram from makeup artist Keilidh Cashell. I'd never tried anything like this before but I loved how effortless it looked on her so I decided to try it myself and let me tell you I didn't want to take it off. 

Using a MAC 224 brush I blended Burnt Orange from the Modern Renaissance palette into my crease and all over my lid, I also used a Morphe E17 brush to blend this shade on the lower lash line. I then used a MAC 219 brush to add the shade Primavera to the inner corner of my eye. 

Next I started on the smokey wing. I used Maybelline Gel Liner and a MAC 210 brush (the perfect combination) and did a normal wing making sure that I didn't take it too far out. I then used MAC Feline Eyeliner and lined my waterline. 

The next step is smoking out the wing which requires some patience. Using a MAC 211 brush and the shade Cyprus Umber I began Going over the edges of the wing creating a gradient. I also did this on the lower lash line. Then I repeated this step with the Corrupt eyeshadow but kept it closer to the wing itself. I then repeated this again with the Cyprus Umber eyeshadow and again with Corrupt to make sure that the original lines of the wing were seamlessly blended out. 

After this was complete I popped on some mascara and some Demi Wispie lashes!

Let me know if you've used any of these products and what you think or if you have tried something similar yourself. See you soon!

Rebecca x

Soleil Tan De Chanel Review

Good morning queens! I'm super super excited to be writing this post, I've been wanting to write it for so long! If you read my Mini Duty Free Haul or follow me on Instagram and saw this picture, you'll know that I bought the Soleil Tan De Chanel a few weeks back. When I bought this I was so happy as I've wanted it for so long and I've heard amazing things, so after using it for a good while I'm ready to share my thoughts. 

When I first opened it, I died and came back to life it was SO PRETTY. Part of me wanted to smother my face in it and the other half never wanted to use it. I've been using this so much recently and I absolutely love it so here are my thoughts on the product and how I personally use it.

The product itself is a cream bronzer that can be worn alone, over foundation or on décolletage for a bit of tan, this product has so many uses! It has a mousse consistency when you touch it with your fingers but it applies like a cream product. In the pot it's very thick, so you can have a big swirl of your brush in there but you can look back at your pot and it looks like you've used barely any. However, when applied to the skin it blends out so quickly and seamlessly it's actually almost fool proof. 

I love the colour of the bronzer because it's a warm colour so it doesn't look ashy however, the shade of the bronzer is actually the same shade as my favourite NARS foundation (I'm shade Stromboli) so when using this foundation I steer clear of this bronzer as it doesn't show up on my skin. But when I use my Clarins Skin Illusion foundation (shade 110 Honey), it shows up on my skin as this shade of foundation is lighter than my NARS one. 

I take a MAC 188 brush (displayed in first picture) and swirl it in the product for about 3 full swirls (?) I then apply this straight to my skin. I start at my ear and drag it downwards under my cheekbone and then back up onto my temples and across my hairline on my forehead, creating a 'C' shape.

After the product has been applied evenly in a 'C' shape, I use the same brush and circular motions to blend in the product. Note that I am someone who hates cream bronzers or cream contouring! I find it time consuming and I much prefer to bronze and contour with powder products. This is super easy to blend out which is why I love it so much it literally takes me a few seconds. When there is not much product left on the brush I just sweep it once over the bridge of my nose so that my face actually looks like it's been in the sun. 

Those are my thoughts on the Soleil tan De Chanel, I absolutely adore this product! Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments below! See you soon!

Rebecca x

Modern Renaissance Spotlight Eyes

It may seem that I'm late jumping on the Modern Renaissance bandwagon but the reality is that this post is just extremely overdue! About a month ago I purchased this palette in a little pre-holiday Cult Beauty haul and oh my goodness it is just luxury. The eyeshadows are pigmented and blend out like an absolute dream! Plus, a palette with warm tones in it? You already know I'm about that!

So after priming my eyelids and setting them with a cream eyeshadow I used a MAC 224 brush and the shade Burnt Orange and blended this into my crease using back wards and forwards motions.

I then used a MAC 217 brush and the shade Realgar and packed this onto the outer corner and inner corners of my eyes, leaving the centre of the lid free from any shadow. 

I then used the same 217 brush and the shade Red Ochre and repeated the previous step to add more depth and dimention to the inner and outer corners. 

For the centre of the lid I used a MAC 242 brush and the shade Primavera and packed this in the centre and then buffed the edges with the 217 used previously.

For the lower lashline I used my favourite undereye brush from Morphe which is the E17 and the shade Realgar and just buffed this on the lower lashline. 

I finished off the look with a quick sweep of Morphe Gel Liner in Slate using a MAC 210 brush and a pair of Ardell Demi Wispie lashes!

Let me know what your thoughts are on this palette and leave a link to any looks you have done with this palette too! (I love a little inspiration!) See you soon!

Rebecca x

Tutorial: Yellow and Black Double Wing

When I visited my nearest NYX counter recently I picked up the Vivid Brights Liner in Vivid Halo and remembered a look that Desi Perkins did a long time ago (link here) that I wanted to recreate which is this double wing with black and yellow liner. 

After priming my eyelids and applying a cream coloured eyeshadow (as usual) I used a MAC 224 brush and the Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Creme Brulee and buffed this into the crease using forwards and backwards motions and then bringing it down onto the lid as well. I wanted the liner to be the focus of this look so I kept the eyeshadow to a minimum but I still wanted some depth and dimension in the crease. 

Then using the NYX Vivid Brights Liner in Vivid Halo I did a winged eyeliner thicker than I would usually as I was doubling up on colours. This liner was way more pigmented than I expected (I only used one layer) and went on super easy as the tip was very precise.

After the yellow liner was dry I used my trusty Morphe Gel Liner in Slate with a MAC 210 brush to create a smaller wing closer to my lash line than the yellow, for this step it's better to start off thinner and work on it to get the desired shape which should be parallel to the yellow liner. 

After the liner was dry I popped on some mascara and a pair of Ardell Demi Wispie Lashes, I kept the lashes as natural as possible so that the liner was the main focus. Finishing the look off I used a pencil brush to apply Laura Geller Gilded Honey into my inner corner. 

Let me know if you've tried the NYX Vivid Brights Liners in the comments!

Summer Sunset Eyes

 Back again with another eye tutorial! I love this combination of orange and gold on the eyes especially for summer now that the weather is starting to pick up here in the UK.

This complete look is using only eyeshadows from the Morphe 35O palette. I love this palette so much and I've been using it so much recently it ended up in my May Favourites post. 

To start off, I applied concealer all over my eyelids from my lashline to underneath my brow and then set this with the eyeshadow marked number 1 in the picture above. Using this light cream shade allowed me to start off my eyeshadow with a blank canvas. 

Next I used a MAC 224 brush and the eyeshadow marked number 2 in the palette and started in the middle of my crease and used backwards and forwards motions to blend this transition shade, and when there was less product on the brush I blended this up just above my crease onto my brow bone. When doing a spotlight eye such as this one it is important not to blend your eyeshadow too far out on your outer corner as we are trying to keep this eye look rounded and not winged. 

Next up I used a MAC 217 brush and the shadow marked number 3 and blended this directly into the crease keeping it just below the transition shade. I then used the same brush to pack this shade onto the inner and outer corners of my eyes. This shadow is what really makes this eye look have that bright orange look.

Taking a Morphe M521 brush and the shadow marked number 4 I lightly blended this into the inner and outer corners of my lid, this was purely to give the look more dimension but I didn't use too much as I wanted the focus to be more on the orange. 

I then used the burnt gold eyeshadow marked number 5 in the palette and packed this onto the centre of the lid using a MAC 242 brush and blended the edges out with the MAC 217 we used earlier. 

Using a Morphe E19 brush I used the orange shade (number 3) and blended this on the lower lash line. Popped on a thin line of Morphe gel liner in Slate, some mascara and applied some Ardell demi wispie lashes. Demi wispie lashes are great for when you want your eyeshadow to show through your lashes but still want to have defined lashes. 

Hope you enjoyed this, let me know what your favourite eyeshadow looks are this summer! See you soon!

Rebecca x

Everyday Eyes

Back again with a little eye tutorial! This one is for one of my everyday eye looks. This is my personal eyeshadow look for when I can't decide what I want to do, when i'm not feeling very inspired or when I just want something simple. I understand that this may not be an everyday eye look for some but it works for me!

After priming my eyelids using a concealer and setting with a cream eyeshadow I use Makeup Geek eyeshadow in the shade Creme Brulee as my transition colour. Using a MAC 224 brush I use backwards and forward motions from the outer corner to the inner corner of the eye and gradually move it up into the upper crease when there is less product on the brush.  

Next I used Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Frappe with a MAC 217 brush to sculpt out my crease using the same backwards and forwards motions. To do this I keep my eye open and looking down into the mirror so I can see where I am focusing the eyeshadow so I dont go too far either way. I turn the brush vertically to make sure the eyeshadow blends seemlessly rather than focusing too much into the crease. I then go back in with the MAC 224 brush and blend the two shadows together further.

I repeat the last step using the Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Cocoa Bear. By using 2 or 3 colours in the crease area it gives the illusion of a deeper socket. After this step I use the same 217 brush and pack the Cocoa Bear eyeshadow all over the lid between the crease and the lashline. 

I then use a Morphe E23 brush and the Makeup Geek Frappe eyeshadow and blended this on the lower lash line, this brush is small enough for the lower lashline but fluffy enough to blend the eyeshadow seemlessly. 

I used a MAC 210 brush and Morphe gel liner in the shade Slate to line my lashline before applying mascara (Benefit Rollerlash of course!) and then apply my favourite false lashes which are Eylure lashes in the style 157. 

To put the icing on the cake I pop Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter from theBalm on the inner corner of the eyes using a pencil brush. This is my favourite product for an inner corner highlight as a little goes a long way and I do like that bright glow in the corner of my eye.

So that's my everyday eye look for when I've no idea what look I want to do. What are your favourite everyday looks? What are your favourite products to use? Let me know in the comments! See you soon!

Rebecca x

Hangover Makeup

If you're lucky enough to have a full day of doing nothing when you have a hangover then you are winning, because for most of us that isn't the case. After a night out, sleep is a must so getting up early to do a burgundy smokey eye is the last thing on anyones mind. I just throw on some makeup that'll make me look more awake but isn't too time consuming because I need that extra hour in bed.

Moisturing is always key after a night out because it's highly unlikely that you stumbled in and did a full evening cleanse, tone and moisturise routine before your head hit the pillow (we're all guilty) so putting the moisture back into your skin is a good way to start. I use La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo it's hydrating but it's not thick in consistency which makes it perfect for under makeup. 

L'oreal True Match foundation is great as a hangover foundation because of it's luminosity so your skin will appear brighter and more awake. The coverage is good too but the foundation itself isn't very long lasting. Concealer is a must to hide your tired eyes, Maybelline Eraser Eye is my favourite. 

No one has the time or the effort to use one powder for baking and the other for the rest of the face so a light dusting of the holy grail Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder is a quick and easy way to set the foundation. 

Bronzer is good for putting colour and warmth back into the skin. MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Give Me Sun is my new absolute favourite.

I find that brow pencils are easy to work with to create a good shape without the effort of a pomade and brush. For hangover days (and hangover days only!) I sway away from my beloved dipbrow and just lightly define my brows with a MAC brow pencil in Lingering. 

Last but not least is a coat of mascara to try and make my eyes look more awake!

That's my recipe for hangover makeup, I suggest you pair this makeup with Netflix and carbs. Let me know what your key products for hangover makeup in the comments below! See you soon!

Rebecca x

Pop Of Colour Tutorial

I finally got round to using my Neptune eyeshadow from Makeup Geek. I love bright colours but on a day to day basis I never reach for them which is probably why I've put off trying this eyeshadow for a long time. I was inspired by a makeup tutorial video that makeup artist Karen Gonzalez (iluvsarahii on instagram) did a while ago (link here). 

After priming my eyelids with MAC Prolongwear concealer and setting it with a cream coloured eyeshadow, I blended Makeup Geek eyeshadow in the shade Creme Brulee into the crease using a MAC 224 brush. 

Then I used a MAC 217 brush with Makeup Geek eyeshadow Frappe and focused this more into the crease itself and also used this shade all over the lid. 

Next I used a MAC 210 brush and Morphe gel liner in the shade slate to do a bold winged liner to bring the eyeshadow look together. 

I used Benefit Rollerlash mascara on my top lashes and then applied my favourite lashes which are the Eylure 157 lashes (these are exclusive to Superdrug!) 

For the bottom lashline which was the main focus of the look, I used the Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Neptune wit a MAC 219 pencil brush and smudged it from the outer corner of the lower lash line to the inner corner. I also used this eyeshadow in the waterline and to finish off the look I used the Benefit They're Real mascara in Beyond Blue.

Hope you like this makeup look let me know how you incorporate a pop of colour into your makeup! See you soon!

Rebecca x

How To: Flawless Base

I love a flawless, bronzey, full coverage base for any makeup look! I've tried and tested so many products over the years and these are the best that I've tried so far.

So I'll take it step by step and explain the products and how I apply them. So get yourself a cup of tea and some munch because it's going to be a long one!

PRIMER

Most of the time I use a primer just to make my makeup last longer and to make my skin look more awake. After moisturising I mix MAC Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage and a small amount of MAC Strobe Cream between my fingertips, smooth it all over my face and leave it for 5-10 minutes before applying my foundation. The Skin Base has a slight radiance to it which brightens my skin but I add a small amount of Strobe Cream to give my skin that extra glow (definitely something I need on a Monday morning).

FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER

I then apply MAC Studio Fix with a MAC 188 brush in circular motions and then take a damp Beauty Blender to blend all the foundation together and remove any excess to avoid any areas looking cakey. It's important to use the same area of the Beauty Blender so that product is picked up and deposited evenly on the face. I have used so many foundations and I always come back to this one, I find that the coverage is full enough without being too thick. I used to use Estée Lauder Double Wear but it was so full coverage and so thick that it made my skin bad.

I then use Maybelline Instant Age Eraser Eye underneath my eyes and blend it out with the same Beauty Blender. This concealer is truly amazing it's so lightweight with a great coverage. 

POWDER

The first thing I do after blending out my concealer is set my undereyes using the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder with a Real Techniques Setting Brush. This powder is flawless as I've mentioned before, it's so silky and I've never seen a crease under my eye since using this. 

I then set the rest of my face using the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural with a MAC 129 brush. This powder has a slight radiance to it which makes it look natural on the skin (do not worry this is not like putting a highlighter all over your face!). I always set my foundation with a powder but I still want my skin to look like skin and this powder is perfect for that as it doesn't make me look cakey at all.

BRONZER 

After setting my face I use the NARS Bronzer in the shade Laguna with a MAC 168 brush just under my cheekbones as a contour then up to my temples and blend it into my hairline for bronzed skin. This bronzer is my absolute holy grail, I'm on my second batch already and will definitely repurchase when I've finished this one! It's a beautiful warm brown but it doesn't look orange on my skin which is what I love about it. 

HIGHLIGHT

This is probably my favourite part of my makeup because I love a strong, popping highlight! First I mix MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow with theBalm Mary-lou Manizer with another MAC 188 brush (not the one used for foundation as this could end in disaster!) on the tops of my cheekbones and just above my eyebrows. Then for a more intense highlight I take a fan brush (the one in the picture is just a cheap one - you can use any fan brush!) and take the Mary-lou Manizer alone and apply it to my cheekbones, tip of the nose and on my cupids bow. 

So that concludes my flawless, bronzey, glowy base routine! Let me know if you enjoyed reading this as I could do more "How To" posts (I have a lot of tips to share!) also let me know what your favourite base products are as I am nosey and I would love to know! See you soon!

Rebecca x