September Newbies!

Hi guys!

September has been a really exciting month for me (not so much for my bank) because of the new pieces I have been able to add to my collection! Many of the new things I have this month have been on my wish list for a LONG time so I cannot wait to start uploading individual blog reviews, but for now I will show you what's to come.

Firstly the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit. I have longed for this kit as the vast amount of reviews show how amazing it is. Contouring has been a recent craze, so buying everything you need within a handy kit means spending less money and sometimes being able to skip out other steps like concealer. This cream kit is famous for its creamy blendable texture and long lasting effects, so I cannot wait to show you how I use it! My face will be contoured to perfection. 

Next is the Naked 2 basics palette by Urban Decay. These palettes are a long lasting favourite and a staple in many bloggers eye kits. The colours are super pigmented but natural looking, which is ideal for me as I don't usually wear heavy eye make up. The kits colour range is also ideal for creating stunning every day eye looks, so in the long term work out to be a worthy investment. 

My last product this month is the MAC pro longwear paint pot in soft ochre. One of my favourite bloggers always uses this as an eyeshadow base to avoid creasing and product slipping off throughout the day. I personally love the current MAC shadows I own and all of their eye ranges are of high quality, so decided to give this a go. Keep your eyes peeled for a review very soon! 

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out my Instagram page!

Belles Beauty 

August Newbies!

Hey guys!

Thought I would do a blog update on all my latest purchases and what you can anticipate from future blogs! I have been able to sample some different brands lately and here is a sneak peak of some of my faves.

The famous Smashbox photo finish primer. Have used this a handful of times now and have loved the long lasting effect it gives my make up. Cannot wait to try it out with different foundations.

Estée Lauder double wear. I'm sure you may have heard about this amazing foundation but just in case you haven't I will be writing a full review on this soon. The coverage is flawless and it is extremely long lasting! An amazing find!

The new MAC electric cool shadows have recently caught my eye. I finally took the plunge and purchased 'in orbit'. I honestly cannot wait to try this out as the texture and finish looks and feels amazing!

Hope you are having a lovely day and keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram for updates!

Belles Beauty

Core Collection - Sleek Brow Kit

Hello!

Again I'm very sorry for the delay in blogs, been super busy lately! Fortunately I have been shopping for new products to test out and have found some new staple items for my make up bag. Check out my Instagram if you want a sneak peak of whats to come!

Today I am reviewing Sleek's eyebrow kit, a product I have been using for a while as a dupe of the famous 'brow zings' by Benefit. These kits are designed for people who prefer a more structured and defined brow, as the brushes create neat sleek lines. 

The Sleek kit includes a brow wax, powder, an angled brush, a curved brush and a set of tweezers (which alone are AMAZING). I find the angled brush ideal for applying the wax first, as its easy to create the outline of your brow and then drag the product through the rest of the brow to create the shape and then apply the powder to fill them in. For a more natural looking brow I team this product with Benefits 'gimme brow', which allowes me to comb the product through to reduce definition and evenly distribute the powder. 

I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking to invest in an eyebrow kit, as it's easy to use and creates a fantastic defined eyebrow. The tweezers included are amazing, and the compact packaging means you can use it on the go! The price of the product compared to similar kits is great, and so far I have hardly made a dent in the product after everyday use! I will be placing this prouct into my everyday make up bag. 

                         

Sleek Brow Kit - £8.50

Belles Beauty 

Make Up Tutorial - Full Coverage

Hello!

Sorry for the delay in posts, I have been very busy at university and practicing for my dance show! Luckily the show has provided me with the opportunity to test out some new products and demonstrate a look I never really go for. So here is my full face look ideal for combination skin (a little too bronzed for normal lighting).

I begin by moisterising my skin with Origins make a difference +. If you haven't already read my blog review for this product, its absolutely amazing! Great for any skin type, leaves me hydrated, dewy looking and smells fantastic! After applying this all over my face the next step is primer, I have been using benefits Porefessional, but I also love to use MAC prep and prime range or any B primer. I find Porefessional is great for creating a full face as it covers and conceals all pores and any imperfections on my face.

Next I like to gradually build a layer foundation as it provides a base for my contouring products (which do double up as a concealer). If you find that you have red circles or any discoloration in your skin you may want to apply a little concealer first to ensure these areas are covered before this step. I have been using Estee Lauder double wear as the coverage is full and the look is flawless every time. I apply this with a stippling brush all over my face to ensure maximum coverage without any streaks. Now I can start to apply a little concealer where needed, this is usually under my eyes, around my nose and on any blemishes I want to cover. I apply this with a brush or applicator wand and then dab them with my finger until blended in. This technique doesn't waste any product and again ensures maximum coverage.

At this point I fill in my brows, I have been using Benefit's 'Gimme Brow'. Its simple and easy to use and looks beautiful on newly groomed brows! Many products use a brush to outline your brow which creates a sharp edge, this wand applicator allows you to simply comb through your brows for a more natural look. 

After the base is completed you can start to contour and highlight.I have been using the Smashbox contour sticks which have amazing coverage and blend in to create a flawless lifted look. I use the highlighting stick under my eyes, down the centre of my nose, on my chin, cuspids bow and across the lower half of my forehead. I then take the contour stick to carve out the sides of my nose, around my hairline and in my cheekbones to create definition. You can use the bronzing stick to blend this contour, creating a more natural look, but under the dramatic stage lighting I didn't do this. To set this I have used Benefit's Hoola bronser and MAC's loose powder. I simply dab these onto my face with a stippling brush and then blend with a powder brush to ensure nothing will move!

Blush is next, and again I have used a product featured on a previous blog review, the famous Sleek Rose Gold blush. I use real technique's blush brush and lightly build this on the apples of my cheeks and drag a little bro duct towards my hairline. You can then add a little powder highlighter over this is you want. MUA's powder highlighter is fantastic for adding a little sparkle, or alternatively Benefit's 'Watts up' for a champagne shimmer. 

For my eyes I have only used two products! MAC's eye shadow in 'All that Glitters' is my favorite eye shadow. It looks very natural on my skin and adds a beautiful shimmer to my eyes. I apply this in my crease and then blend out. Next I apply Benefit's High Beam Highlighter on my brow bone and bland this down to meet where my eye shadow ends. This product is also very shimmery, so they compliment each over and look very natural and glamorous. The lashes used are from the naturals range of Ardell. They are super easy to apply and come with glue which lasted throughout the night under intense lighting.

Finally I use lip products to finish the look. Here I needed a bright red lip to last throughout the night. I firstly used MAC lip prep + prime to prepare my lips, then I used MACs Riri Woo lipstick. This bright red covers the lips and can be followed up with Topshops Velvet Lips in 'Velveteen Ribbon'. I applied a little Rimmel clear gloss over this also to finish the look and add a little shine. Finally a few sprays of MAC's Fix it to ensure the look will last! I hope you like the finished look!

Product List:

Origins Make a Difference + Moisteriser
Benefits Porefessional
Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru
Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer Shade 1
Benefits Gimme Brow
Smashbox Contour sticks
Benefits Hoola Bronzer
MACs prep + prime transparent finishing powder
Sleeks Blush in Rose Gold
MAC eyesadow pot 'All that Glitters'
Benefit's High Beam
MUA's Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter
Ardell Lashes
MACs Riri Woo Lipstick
Topshops Velvet Lips in Velveteen Ribbon
Rimmel Gloss
MACs Fix it Prep + Prime

Belles Beauty

Sleek's Rose Gold Blush

Hello!

Hope everyone has been enjoying a glimpse of sun if you had any this weekend. I have again decided to focus on a staple product within my collection, a must have in my eyes.

One of my previous blog posts has given you a glimpse of my favourite blush palette, again a Sleek product. Their 'Pink Lemonade' blush palette is super pigmented and perfect for a cheeky pink summer glow which is very similar to their Rose Gold blush. This product has to be my favourite blush of 2015, and has been used throughout the winter, spring and summer so far and is still an all time favourite.

The blush is buildable, which sounds obvious as all blushes ultimately are, but I find this product looks amazing when applied lightly and then can be touched up or layered throughout the day. It adds a subtle but super cute sparkle to any look and brightens the face. As the product is super pigmented only a little is needed, which means the product should last ages. I haven't even made a dent and have been using this regularly, which is an added bonus for my bank balance. 

The colour seems to suit my pale NC15 completion perfectly throughout the winter, and also adds a beautiful glimmer to tanned skin in the summer. I find no need to add extra highlighter on my cheek bones as the product covers this also. The product is commonly known as a dupe for the popular 'Nars Orgasm blush', at a fraction of the price. Overall the product is extremely well priced, packaged well and delivers a beautiful, lasting glow to the face. Definetly worth a purchase!

(I have tried to capture how beautiful the colour is! Still doesn't do it justice!) 

Sleek blush shade rose gold - £4.49

Happy shopping!

Belles Beauty 

MUA Lipstick

Hello everyone!

Been posting all about my latest purchases recently so thought I would share a product that I have had for a long time instead! I am a big fan of a nude lipstick, and although I do own many red shades that I dare to wear sometimes I am generally very plain Jane. I tend to find a product I like, use it for ages and ages and then move on to my next love.

Currently MUA's lipstick in shade 11 is that product. I have owned so so many of these and at £1 it's a a amazing product! The formula is creamy and looks fantastic. It lasts throughout that day only needing a little reapplication every now and again, and the colour suits me so well. The packaging is plain but looks really good, as they haven't tried to be too fancy or experimental, sticking with a black and silver theme. I love that you can see the lipstick colour at the end of the tube also, which unlike other brands makes it easy to find the shade your after.

They only list their colour shades with numbers which i suppose keeps the purchasing of the product simple, and it's easy to find your shade at the counter. I highly recommend all of their lipstick range as they are so cheap but so durable. 

MUA lipstick Shade 11- £1 (amazing!)

Belles Beauty 

Smashbox Contour Stick Trio

Hello guys!

I seem to be making a habit of buying products I don't need and falling in love with them, which is excellent for my love of make up but not good with my bank balance! My latest find is Smashbox's contour stick trio. With the latest craze in achieving the ultimate Kim K highlighted to perfection look I have also been on the search for a new product to use other than lighter shades of concealer which can prove difficult when blending the whole look together.

Overall these contour sticks are amazing and have gone above and beyond my expectations. I have read many reviews about them and snapped at the chance to try them out at the bluewater Smashbox counter, along with all the other products I could get my hands on! The make up specialist on hand was so so helpful, spending over an hour testing the products on me, colour matching, showing me how to contour and where and everything else. She gave me samples of the Smashbox foundations, primers and told me to go home and experiment before I made the purchase which is something I would always recommend. I simply loved the look of the contouring she had done and had to buy them to try them myself.

The kit includes three sticks; a highlighter stick, contour stick and a bronzer stick. There is also a sharpener included and an information leaflet on where to best apply each product to suit your face shape. I don't think I will ever know what shape face I have but it's fairly similar for each one, and after being given a demonstration at the counter I didn't need this. 

I have been apply this product after primer and foundation as they provide amazing coverage also so I feel no need to use concealer. They blend so so amazingly, simply using your foundation brush or a buffing brush smooths the product out and looks amazing. I tend to apply a little at a time and add as and where needed. The highlighter stick doesn't crease under the eyes and looks natural and glowing on my face. The contour stick doesn't go muddy or patchy around the hairline or on my cheekbones which is a problem I had with powdered kits. The bronzer is an added bonus for giving yourself a summer glow, or even blending the product in if your slightly paler. 

I personally use a MAC Foundation and concealer in shade NC15 so thought the one colour range available may be too dark for me, but they really do match any skin type and blend so easily to give a flawless look.

So, if your feeling like a splurge and want to indulge in the latest contour craze I would seriously consider giving these a go! Well worth the investment as they live up to their expectations.

Smashbox Contour Stick Trio - £35

Remember to keep an eye on my Instagram page!

Belles Beauty

Core Collection - Origins Moisturiser

Hello!

Hope you have had a lovely sunny weekend! I have been very excited to do this blog as I have fallen in love with a new product, and it's part of my core collection making it an everyday essential! I enjoy testing out new products especially when I notice the benefits from them as quick as with this new find.

Origins is a brand I have never previously used. My sister and mum both use their famous 'gin zing' exfoliating cleanser which has worked wonders and does smell amazing! I have finally run out of moisturiser so decided to take a chance and invest in Origins 'Make a Difference +'. This moisteriser is aimed specifically for dehydrated skin that needs help to repair and stabilise its natural moisture. I personally have combination skin, and would avoid any product aimed for dry skin types as they tend to leave excess oil after use, but this product has been perfect and so far has worked wonders!

The formula is fortified with Rose of Jericho, orange oil and watermelon complex which deeply moisturises and repairs. The smell or the product is amazing and I have fallen in love with the texture and consistency. It feels smooth and easy to apply and doesn't leave any sticky residue which is ideal for applying before make up. The claims to deeply moisturise and rejuvenate have all been fulfilled and I can notice the difference after only a few days use. My skin feels fresh, and my dry patches have all but gone! I also have felt less oily throughout the day and my make up has lasted longer then ever before, proving skin that is cared for and moisturised is the best primer you can buy! 

I would highly recommend anyone to buy this product or visit their local Origins counter and talk to the consultant there who can offer you advise on what best to suit YOU! As I have said before everyone is different so finding what works for you is essential to achieving flawless, healthy skin. The prices can be a little high but I will definitely be repurchasing this, and I can already tell the product will last as a little goes a long way. Well worth an investment.

Happy shopping!

                    

Origins Make a Difference Plus - £34.50

Belles Beauty 

Don't forget to check out my Instagram page!

Mix Up The Voltage!

Hi Guys!

Sorry for the delay in blogs, been buying so many new products and been swamped in so many testers I can't keep up! I'm currently trying to find a new foundation and moisturiser which exceeds my love for MAC which is proving difficult.

Today I am reviewing Lip Voltage's 'Mix up the Voltage', a non injectable lip plumper which you are able to customise to your needs. I spent so long trying to find this product and finally was able to get one from a salon in Manchester, a lot of effort but so worth it! The product consists of a clear gloss and another tube of the plumping drops which contain peptide and collagen. These drops stimulate blood flow and create fuller, plumper lips without any injections or long procedures. I honestly couldn't believe the results of the product, it worked almost instantly and the results lasted a long time and stayed natural looking. 

I personally have only added one drop of the solution into the gloss at a time, as I find this gives me the desired natural looking results and hurts enough for me! The packaging doesn't lie when it says 'warm tingle' which I find to be an understatement! I would advise you to start with one drop and add more if you need to, which will avoid hours of numb, tingling lips which you can't feel! 

The solution works really well over and under lipstick, making it a perfect product for glossing or just using as a plumping base. I usually use this over my lipstick and then later on you can reapply as needed, although I have never needed to as the plumping effects do last. I would suggest moisturising the lips prior to using the product to avoid stinging, as if you have dry lips the product can target these areas and hurt even more. 

Overall I love this product and would highly recommend this to anyone looking for fuller lips without the hastle and risk of injections or other procedures. It works perfectly and is build-able to your desired look! 

Lip Voltage ft. Dream Weave Mascara (Blog Soon)!

Lip Voltage Pump up The Voltage - £15.99

Happy Plumping!

Belles Beauty 

Core Collection - Real Techniques Brushes

Hello!

Today I am reviewing the real techniques core collection brush set and blush brush. These were some of my first real techniques purchases and some within the collection have remained my ultimate faves! 

Firstly, all the brushes within the collection have lasted me such a long time! I have taken them abroad many times, washed them monthly (if not more) and used a few in the collection throughout the day, everyday and NEVER have the brushes shed, lost shape or gone tacky. They all remain super soft and do their job beautifully (you can tell I'm a real fan). 

The blush brush remains one of my favourites, and has for a few years now. I find the shape of the brush picks up enough product and allows an easy, even application even in a rush. The brush is soft, with a slightly rounded pointed tip, giving you the perfect angles to apply product directly on your cheek bones and a light dusting over the rest of your face if necessary. I find either over smiling or pouting when applying blush really helps to zone in on the areas I need to apply to achieve a flawless glow. I especially love using the brush with Sleek blush, so anyone looking for a new product to compliment the brush should give my last post a view! I only use this brush with powdered blush, so any gels or creams can be applied by hand or with a stippling brush. 

Real Techniques core collection (another staple set within my make up range) includes four brushes that I feel form the basis of your make up needs. The buffing brush (the holy grail of brushes) is a dream for applying any foundation or powder. I love to apply my foundation and then gradually blend in concealer with this brush, giving a flawless full coverage look. Alternatively, blotting powder onto problem areas, buffing and reapplying product throughout the day, smoothing product and reducing creased, cakey looking product are only a handful of wonders this brush can do, maybe because the brush is so dense (or maybe because it's magic). I honestly love this brush, and if I could only have one brush for the rest of my life, this would win every time. 

Love affair over, the collection also includes a pointed foundation brush, detailer brush and contour brush. I use the contour brush with powdered highlighter and sometimes a bronzer for my cheekbone area. I find this brush to be a mini version of the blush brush, so ideal for focusing on smaller areas and targeting prime highlighter areas. 

The detailer brush again is durable and has many uses. Sometimes I apply my lipstick with this brush, to give a subtle colour and shine to the lips when I want a more natural look, alternatively applying concealer closely around the brows, under the eyes and in the creases of nose is another handy trick made easy. I also intend to maybe use it for when I purchase the Anastasia Beverly Hills dipbrow, the latest addition to my ever expanding wish list. 

Finally the pointed foundation brush, with one obvious use being foundation application. The small brush allows you to build an even coverage, and the tip allows you to reach under the eye and in creases in the skin easily. 

Overall I can safely say I LOVE my brushes. I haven't yet mustered the courage to invest in the real techniques bold metals collection but I'm sure when my brushes fall apart (which seems a long way away) I will be forced into an investment.

Real techniques core collection - Boots, £21.99

Real techniques blush brush - Boots, £9.99

Happy shopping!

Belles Beauty 

Core Collection - Sleek's Pink Lemonade Blush Palette

Hello!

Today I am reviewing Sleek's blush by 3 Pink Lemonade palette. This trio of intensely pigmented blushes is used within my everyday make up look to achieve both a natural shine and cute pink going out look.

The palette contains two powder blushes; icing sugar and pink mint. 'Pink mint' (far left) is a bright pink colour with a small shimmer to add a healthy glow to your look. You need very little product for it to be noticeable on your skin and it really looks amazing and lasts all day. It's build-able for the evening to give a n intense yet shuttle shimmery touch. 

'Icing sugar' (far left) is one of my all time favourite blushes! It's a dark pink with lots of shimmer and a hint of rouge. It looks really lovely on my skin no matter how tanned I am and always lasts the whole day. It's super pigmented so a little product goes a long way, and the palette is reasonably priced anyway making this a bargain! This looks lovely for an everyday natural look, but again can be mixed with the other palette colours to create a new colour. Love it! 

Finally the middle product, 'Macaroon' is the only cream blush within the palette. It's a dark pink without any shimmer. It blend perfectly and the texture feels light and airy on the skin making it a suitable every day blush. 

Overall this palette is amazing for anyone's make up bag. The combination of products are all fantastic alone and combined to achieve the desired look. I would highly recommend these blushes (and any blush from Sleek) as they last, are durable and suitable for all looks. 

Sleek Blush by 3 - £10

Hope you love it as much as I do!

Belles Beauty 

Benefit's High Beam Highlighter

Hope your having a lovely weekend!

Today I am reviewing Benfit's High Beam Highlighter. A bottled, liquid product that is easily applied to highlight areas of your face and add a sparkle!

I love this product. I currently own the mini highlighter, which can be purchased within many of the Benfit sets on offer. The 'Best of Benefit' is my personal fave for any Benefit newbe looking to try out the best selling products within their line. This highlighter is a pearly peach color, giving a subtle but effective glow to applied areas. I use this product every day on my brow bone to finish off my make up. It really compliments my skin tone and gives a pearly shine, making by brow area look perfectly shaped and cared for!

When applying I usually spread a thin layer of the product all over my lower brow area and leave to sit un-blended for a minute or so. I find the product starts to dry giving a lasting effect and even more glittery glow when I eventually blend the product in. This product could also be used on check bones, cupids bow or down the center of the nose to give a lasting shine.

Hope you love the product as much as I do! Keep your eyes on my Instagram page for updates on new reviews.

Belles Beauty 

MAC prep + prime lip base

Hello!

Happy Sunday and hope you have had a bright and sunny weekend! Today I am reviewing the lip base from the MAC prep and prime range. I have used many products from this range and I do feel it really suits my skin type and has never let me down (so far). 

This creamy lip product aims to prepare the lips for applying lipstick and other products, or just something to apply to give the lips a healthy glow. I invested in this product at the start of winter, knowing my lips do get very dry and crack easily, proving a major issue when I want to apply lipstick or lip liner. I find this product does exactly what it states to do, applies a layer of super hydrating, moisturising cream to the lips. It makes my lips super smooth instantly and provides the perfect base for any lipstick (especially MAC). It's very easy to apply with the wind up packaging, meaning you also know exactly how much product you have left. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who loves lipstick, has dry lips or is just looking for a balm type product. Love love love this and will definitely be reviewing the rest of the prep and prime range soon! 

Keep your eyes peeled for more reviews soon!

Belles Beauty

Core Collection - Mascara

Happy Monday everyone! 

Hope you are not feeling too glum this very windy day after the weekend! I want to carry on focusing on the core collection pieces of any make up bag. The things I personally feel are must have items for creating an everyday look or a glam going out full face. 

Mascara is difficult to reccomend because there is such a wide variety of brands, wand styles, colours, price tags and ranges. You can soon find yourself buying every product in order to find one that really suits your taste and needs. I will be looking at my favorite mascaras, both drug store and high end, as it doesn't matter how little you have to spend, there is still a product available to you!

Firstly we have False Lash Effect Mascara by Max Factor. This mascara promises full lashes with a natural look. I use this mascara every day almost, as the wand is perfect for this type of application. The mascara has never gone clumpy and the product has also lasted me a long time which is also a bonus. The wand to the mascara is very thick with lots of bristles which separate the lashes as you apply and create a lovely natural look. I sometimes use this mascara after I have applies one layer of another in order to separate the lashes and even out the product. Definitely worth a purchase for anyone wanting to just apply one coat for a natural look, or anyone wanting a mascara for a night out that wants to build product to create a false lash look without clumps!

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - £10.99

My Shade - Black 

Next under the spotlight is L'Oreal Paris False Lash Telescopic Infinite Length Effect Fibers mascara. What a name! The want to this mascara is longer and thinner, with the bristles in six lines across the applicator end. The wand also has a pear shape, meaning that it curls with the lines of your eyes, making application easy and smooth.This also means applying to lower lashes is a lot easier, because the smaller brush coats every lash. I often blot mascara on the sides of my nose and just above my eye when applying mascara, but this shapes wand avoids this as it bends to reach all lashes with one stroke. The product has lasted me and stayed dewy and wet (sounds weird) but many mascaras tend to dry up and loose their shine after a few applications, but this one hasn't. The wand never goes clumpy, only builds excess product at the mascara tip which will need to be wiped away ever so often which isn't an issue.

Again an amazing mascara, ideal for everyone!

L'Oreal Telescopic - £10.99

My Shade - Magnetic Black

Finally Benefit's Bad Gal Lash, my higher end mascara. I feel this mascara has been neglected after the appearance of Benefits False Lash effect and their newest Roller Lash Mascara. This mascara wand is the biggest of the three, which on my eyes gives an amazing look to my lashes, The formula is always evenly spread on the brush, and I have never had any issues with clumping or slightly too much product building on the wand tip. The product has also always evenly coated and separated my lashes, leaving me with the perfect natural yet bright eyed look. I really do recommend this mascara to anyone who wants a quick but effective application in the mornings!

I always have fuller, longer looking lashes when using this product which I love!

Benefits Bad Gal Lash Mascara - £17.50

My Shade - Black 

I hope this has been helpful to you and hopefully you love some of the products as much as I do!

Belles Beauty