Today's Face

Recently I have been testing out new products from both the drugstore including new eyeliners and concealers, as well as continuing to use my favourite products like my MAC foundation and Lancôme Mascara. I have photographed today's makeup look which I hope you will find inspiring!

 

MAC Mineralise Moisturise SPF 15 Foundation in NW15

 

 

 

MAC - £28.00 - http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/24923/Products/Face/Foundation/Mineralize-Moisture-SPF15-Foundation/index.tmpl

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair' 

Available at Boots - £4.19 - 

http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer_1436032/

 

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC15

MAC - £20.50 - http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/159/473/Products/Face/Powder/Select-SheerPressed/index.tmpl

Soap and Glory 'Love at First Blush' Multi Shimmer Blushing Powder

I bought this blush as part of the 'Powder Puff' Palette around Christmas which is now unavailable, however this blush can be purchased alone.

Soap & Glory - £11.00 - http://www.soapandglory.com/makeup/face/blusher-bronzer/love-at-first-blush

 

Lancôme Hypnose Custom-Wear Volume Mascara in 'Noir 01' 

Available at Boots - £22.50 - 

http://www.boots.com/en/Lancome-Hypnose-Mascara-Custom-Wear-Volume-Mascara_12683/

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in 'Birthday Suit'

Available at Boots - £15.50 - http://www.boots.com/en/Benefit-creaseless-cream-shadow_1321779/

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen Carbon Black Extreme

Available at Boots - £6.00 - 

http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%C2%99-Supercat%C2%99-Eyeliner-pen-Carbon-Black-Extreme_1450229/
 

The Body Shop Born Lippy - Strawberry

Available at The Body Shop - £2.00 - http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/skincare/lip-care/born-lippy-pot-lip-balm-strawberry.aspx 

Currently listening to...

As tonight is one of my favourite award ceremonies of the year; the Brit Awards, I thought I would round up my favourite artists and bands at the moment. I have grown to love music over the past few years, as it can instantly lift my mood or help me relax. My music taste has become quite diverse; varying between relaxing guitarists like James, to heavier rock bands. I hope you enjoy these artist recommendations and the Brits tonight if you are watching!

James Bay

 

 

After hearing 'Hold Back The River' on XFM, I was desperate to listen to James' other songs, as I just loved everything about the track! After searching him on Spotify, I was surprised to learn that James has not yet released an album, but I absolutely love his EP. After listening to him for a few weeks, I recommended him to a friend and then discovered another friend loved him too, which made me very happy!

 

I really hope James releases an album soon and I am so pleased that he won the Critic's Choice Award at the Brits!

 

Listen to 'Hold Back The River' here:

 

 

Listen to 'Scars' here:

 

 

Nothing But Thieves

 

 

Nothing But Thieves are a fairly new rock band from Southend, England who are due to release their first album this year. I was lucky enough to see this band live (see pictures underneath videos) and I must say they are amazing! 

 

All of their songs are great, but my personal favourite is 'Lover, Please Stay' which never fails to give me goose bumps with Conor's stunning vocals. Also, their newest single, 'Ban All The Music' always has me singing at the top of my lungs.

 

I hope that Nothing But Thieves continue to grow and that I get to see them live again soon!

Listen to 'Ban All The Music' here:

 

 

Listen to 'Lover, Please Stay' here:

 

 

Nothing But Thieves on Friday 20th February 2015:

 

 

Royal Blood

 

 

Royal Blood are a rock duo from Brighton, England. I only heard this band a few months ago, (again on XFM) and to be honest, I was quite frustrated that I hadn't heard them before as they are just genius! They have definitely helped me to discover my love for rock music, and my favourites on their album have to be 'Figure It Out' and 'Come on Over'. I really hope that Royal Blood win an award tonight, they truly deserve it!

 

Since becoming a firm fan of this band, I am desperate to see them live, please bring out some more dates Royal Blood!

 

Listen to 'Figure It Out' here:

 

 

Listen to 'Come On Over' here:

 

 

Let me know in the comments what your favourite artists and bands at the moment!

 

Kathryn x

 

February Beauty Favourites

Throughout February, I have found myself reaching for these products frequently. Some of these products are new to my makeup bag after reading great reviews about them, whereas some are my ultimate holy grail products that I have re-purchased several times.

MAC Mineralise Moisture SPF 15 Foundation

 

This product has become my favourite foundation to wear on a day to day basis. I love light foundations as I think they are much easier to apply and blend, and never seem to have that 'cakey' look or texture that many heavier foundations have. I wear it in the shade 'NW15'.

 

I apply this using the 'DIOR BACKSTAGE Professional Finish Fluid Foundation Brush', (find it here http://www.boots.com/en/DIOR-BACKSTAGE-Professional-Finish-Fluid-Foundation-Brush-High-Coverage_1281368/?cm_mmc=pla-_-google-_-PLAs-_-Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Luxury+Beauty) and apply the 'MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder' (reviewed below) to any shiny or oily areas, as I find this foundation to be a little dewy.

 

This foundation is perfect for either daytime or evening as it provides a sheer glow, however I recommend using a primer (I use 'Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer, find it here http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-PhotoReady-Perfecting-Primer_1251374/) to ensure that it stays in place.

 

It is available to buy from: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/24923/Products/Face/Foundation/Mineralize-Moisture-SPF15-Foundation/index.tmpl

 

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder

 

 

 

I love this product for setting my foundation and concealer before applying bronzer and blusher. I purchased this shortly after my foundation as I found my foundation to be a little dewy for me but I still loved the coverage. I also find it perfect for setting concealer under my eyes as it keeps it in place all day.

 

It is available to buy from: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/159/473/Products/Face/Powder/Select-SheerPressed/index.tmpl

 

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in 'Plum Jam'

 

 

This has become my 'go to' lip product over winter due to its gorgeous berry shade. As I have a pale complexion, I would not usually opt for dark toned lipsticks, and generally stick to nude shades, however the glossy look of this product has converted me. You apply the product in the same way as a lipstick, however the result is more like a lip gloss without the sticky texture. Another pro of this is that it can be touched up so easily, and is ideal to pop in your handbag.

 

It is available to buy from:

http://www.soapandglory.com/sexy-mother-pucker-gloss-stick

 

Lancôme  Hypnose Custom-Wear Volume Mascara

 

 

 

I have been using this mascara for a couple of years now and I must say, it is one of the best mascaras I have tried. I have used both drugstore and high-end mascaras, but I always return to high-end mascaras as I find I prefer the formulas and applicators. This may be expensive for mascara, however if you are looking for a good one, please invest in this! I swear by it, it provides both length and volume without looking clumpy and doesn't flake.

 

It is available to buy from:

http://www.boots.com/en/Lancome-Hypnose-Mascara-Custom-Wear-Volume-Mascara_12683/

 

Soap and Glory Supercat Carbon Black Extreme Eyeliner Pen

 

This is a new addition to my makeup bag, however it has become one of my favourite products and I know already that I will be re-purchasing it when it sadly comes to an end. This is the easiest eyeliner I have ever tried to apply due to its fine and precise felt-tip like nib, which means that it is easy to create a clean line and flick.

 

However, I am by no means an expert at applying eyeliner. As I am relatively new to using liquid eyeliners, I find that sometimes I want to tidy up a little line or mark that is out of place. To do this, I use the 'Estee Lauder Take It Away LongWear Eye and Lip Makeup Remover' (find it here http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/684/27274/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Cleansers-Toners/Take-It-Away/Gentle-Eye-and-Lip-LongWear-Makeup-Remover/index.tmpl) with a cotton bud to get rid of any imperfections.

 

Another advantage of this product is that it never smudges or runs, so no touch ups are necessary!

 

It is available to buy from: http://www.soapandglory.com/makeup/eyes/eyeliner/supercat

 

What are your current beauty favourites?

 

Kathryn x