Simple and easy contouring - Illamasqa Hollow.

I am sure you all know by now most of the do's and dont's of contouring so I wont bore you with that! When it comes to contouring everyone has their own preference. I usually use Illamasqua's sculpting duo which is amazing, especially for a night out. However, I wanted something quick and easy for a more natural day time look. I decided to go back to Illamasqua for more and purchased a cream pigment in Hollow and their pure pigment loose powder in Furore. 

Often I find that contour shades are really dark and although a little bit usually goes a long way, going overboard is easily done and I find myself taking it all off and reapplying. If it has an orangey tone to it its also a definite no. I particularly like contour shades with earthy, grey, warm tones. I usually use powder, but I wanted to try something different so I choose a cream pigment for a change up. I apply this to my skin after my liquid foundation but before any powder products. This product is really great for contouring, especially for pale skin. I really like the fact it is highly pigmented, yet still so subtle! Its really blendable and you can build up the colour quickly and easily. 

When it comes to highlighting my skin, I am VERY fussy. I like my highlight to be sheer with a good dose of shimmer. Not too glittery but enough to give my skin a radiant, healthy looking glow. I often find that highlighters can give a powdery, unnatural finish which I really dislike. I used to use Topshop's unbeatable powder highlighter in Moonshine but since they have discontinued it I have found it really difficult to replace. Until I found Furore. Its a really soft loose powder which is really easily blendable. I usually dust it across my face and then build it up on my nose and cheek bones to give a slightly more pigmented finish. It also doubles up as an amazing eyeshadow and brow highlight too. 

Selfridges beauty haul.

Okay, so you could say I went a little bit cray in Selfridges recently. I spent 4 HOURS deciphering between one brand and another, and had a whole face of makeup applied by 3 different girls. 

However after weighing up my options, I always seem to be drawn back to Illamasqua. 

Illamasqua is definitely one of my favorite beauty brands. They are a UK based brand, influenced by the dark, heady culture of the 1920s Berlin clubbing scene. Their products are high quality, highly pigmented, innovative and cruelty-free, and they are fairly reasonably priced. 

My first ever purchase was their Eyebrow Cake, which I now use religiously. It costs £15.50 around last me about 8 months (every day use). 

My latest additions include the Skin Base Foundation (repeat purchase), Glamore Lipstick in Rosepout, Concealer in CC115, Pure Pigment Loose Powder in Furore, Cream Pigment in Hollow, the angled brush, blush brush (which I am currently using as a foundation brush) and eye shadow blending brush. 

Another brand I am really into at the moment is Charlotte Tilbury. I love her collections, and the individual looks which can be recreated so easily. I have got my eye on a couple of her gorgeous eye shadow palettes, but for now I bought the Lip Cheat Lip Pencil in Pillow Talk and the Full Fat Lashes Mascara. 

Anyway, I am really happy with all of my recent beauty purchases, and in the coming weeks I plan to write individual posts on most of them, so I wont go into too much detail now! 

What have been your most recent beauty splurges? 

Lucy x 

Public Desire

I have been meaning to write a post about these for awhile now. I absolutely loveeee my PD Cameron boots. It has taken me so long to find a nice pair of casual black boots (which are also comfortable and easy to wear everyday). I love the chunky Doc Marten style platform on these, but for a fraction of the price. 

I discovered Public Desire about a year ago and I really cant get enough of their designs. Most of which are under £30. They have recently added a few pairs of over the knees which I think may have to be my next purchase. 

If you haven't already, check it out! 

Lucy x

January blues.

So the festive season is long gone, and winter has officially kicked into full swing. I just wanted to share a couple of products which are helping beat the January blues. 

My skin is feeling pretty dull at the moment, so foundation with good buildable coverage is a must. I am currently using Diorskin Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup and Illamasqua Skin Base. Chanel's Natural Finish Pressed Powder is the perfect translucent  powder to set and mattify liquid foundation. 

I'm a girl who never goes a day without nude lipstick, pretty much even when I am indoors all day I will still put my nude lippy on. I swear by Rimmel for nudes. Especially the Kate Moss 03 which is a staple in my makeup bag. Recently I decided to try something new and bought Illamasqua Glamore Nude in Rose Pout. Unlike many of Illamasqua's famously matte lipsticks, this one has a more luxurious satin finish, and glides on really nicely. 

Iv been using Mac - Naked Lunch eye shadow a fair bit recently. It has a really nice cool pink tone to it, and works really well with a lot of the taupe shades in my Naked 2 palette. It can also be used to highlight areas of the face, and is really easy to blend. 

I was lucky enough to receive a new watch strap from my Larsson and Jennings for Christmas. Its a gorgeous black  leather strap, which almost feels like suede as it is so soft.  I love the amazing quality and design of it, and it feels as though I have a whole new watch! 

What products are helping you beat the January blues? 

Lucy x 

Ibiza Vibes

Summer is nearing and I am currently obsessing over crochet! I have to admit I have always been a little bit in love, it channels relaxed yet cool 90's vibes so perfectly. I spent my past two summers in Ibiza where crochet is literally on every stall at every flea market so I am a little sad that I wont be returning this year to pick up some gorgeous one off pieces. But after scanning ASOS I think these beauts will do just fine while I endure a summer of English weather.

                         

& Other Stories Punk Bouquet

I am loving & Other Stories, so when I popped to Regent Street the other day I couldn't resist a treat or two. The punk bouquet body mist which has been made with tiger orchid and lotus flower smells amazing. Although I have a million hand creams which I admittedly rarely ever use, I was enticed by the clean, minimalist design of this one and knew it would look good on my beauty shelf. Although it serves well as a good conditioner, the hand cream could maybe do with a little more scent though. But overall I love both products and everything about this brand. 

March

I am really struggling with my student budget this month, especially as I am so hung up on some delightful pieces I have spotted this month. On my hunt for the perfect watch, I stumbled across Larsson & Jennings (better late then never right?). I honestly cant believe it has taken me so long and I am absolutely head over heels for their gold chain metal watch. Last weeks mini heat wave has given me a taste for summer, and I cant wait to stock up on chunky sandals. The Windsor Smith "Puffy" sandals have stolen my heart, there are cheaper versions around however the cleated sole never seems to be as perfected. I am in love with these Topshop shorts brand new in, and could not resist buying them at work last week! Also I found this long 100% silk shirt in H&M @ Selfridges, identical to the likes of Boutique but half of the price! Also I am in desperate need of a new powder foundation brush, and have got my eyes on Eve Lom Complexion range.

Powder Foundation Brush  £38 Space NK Apothecary

Chain Metal Watch £215 Larsson & Jennings

Puffy Sandals $119.95 Windsor Smith

Monochrome Zig Zag Shorts £22 Topshop  

Grey Silk Shirt  £39.99 H&M

Eternal Optimist by Essie

A shade named after my own heart, I literally adore this nail varnish. A delightful dusky, pinky nude perfect for the coming autumn months. When it comes to painting my talons I can sometimes get myself in a bit of a nail crisis. However I always find Essie easy to apply and dry in no time! The glossy finish made me feel like I had stepped straight out of a salon. Shade 23 which also happens to be my lucky number, is it slightly weird that I got a bit excited about that? I literally cant put this stuff down. I may be sticking to this one for awhile.