Glossy Red Lip Tutorial

 

Two posts in one day? What is this madness.

Today I've got a make up tutorial inspired by the newest addition to my fragrance collection. I know, I know, I must stop buying perfume. CK One Red Edition is a provocative and seductive scent. It has an extremely addictive fresh and fruity fragrance making it perfect for everyday wear. The bottle comes in a clear glass which is topped with a red metallic cap and comes in a glossy red box. This is a very feminine fragrance without being overly girly. It feels quite grown-up and uplifting. Composed of white amber, sensual patchouli, juicy watermelon and violet leaves to create a vibrant, intensifying blend.

I wanted the make up to look fresh like the fragrance so I've opted for a medium coverage foundation and just blusher for the base. To keep in with the powerful, feminine feel of the scent I have gone for my signature winged liner look. And to celebrate it's name, Red, I've gone for a glossy red lip for maximum impact. I have also applied some blue liner to my lower lash line to incorporate the 'electric atmosphere' the scent creates. Read on to see how I achieved the look!

1. Apply a primer to keep your base in place all day. I used the Revlon Photoready primer as it gives your skin a flawless finish in photographs. Follow by applying your favourite foundation.
2. Conceal any blemishes you may have. I used Seventeen Phoawr Paint under my eyes and on my chin where I had some redness.
3. Because you'll be wearing a bold lip, you don't want the rest of your face looking washed out. Apply blusher to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy glow.
4. Next we're moving onto the eyes. I've filled in my brows with the Soap & Glory Archery Pen in Brownie to frame my face.
5. This look wouldn't be me without a feline flick. I've used the Seventeen Tattoo Me liner to create the winged liner. I find it best to start from the outer corner and work inwards. Go back and create a thicker line if desired. Always do the flick last and keep checking your whole face in the mirror to make sure both eyes are symmetrical!
6. Follow with lashings of mascara. I'm using the Alexa Chung Mascara for Eyeko.
7. Next, I'm using the Urban Decay Electric palette and taking the shade Chaos (bright blue) to line my lower lash line.
8. Lastly, time to get lippy. Apply red lipstick directly to your lips for an intense colour. I'm using L'oreal Colour Riche in the shade 461 which is a blue toned red. Layer on top some clear gloss to complete the look.

If you could create a make up look inspired by your favourite fragrance what would the look be? 

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Urban Decay Electric Palette | Review & Swatches

So pretty. Look at all those colours. Time to hide your Naked palettes because the new Urban Decay Electric Palette is here! I've never tried anything from the brand before so was super excited to test this out. Read on for a full-on, photo heavy UD Electric palette review with swatches. 

The packaging of this palette is so pretty. The cover features a multi-coloured smoke-screen print on a black background. The packaging feels really sturdy and it has a large mirror inside. I don't normally use the brushes that come free with palettes but this double ended brush is excellent quality. 

These eye shadows are pressed pigments so the colour pay-off is extreme. I've never tried an eye shadow as intense as the 12 featured in the Electric palette. I'm so impressed with how much colour comes off with just one swipe. The formula is really long lasting too. The shades allow for 12 hour wear without creasing or fading - and that is without using a primer. The colours are a mixture of mattes and shimmer. Each one has a velvety- smooth texture which makes them easy to blend. The shades are - 

Revolt - bright metallic silver with shimmer

Gonzo - bright turquoise matte with floating tonal pearl

Slowburn - bright red-orange matte with floating pearl

Savage - bright hot pink matte

Fringe - bright metallic teal

Chaos - bright blue matte with floating tonal pearl

Jilted - bright metallic purple with blue shift

Urban - bright metallic purple

Freak - bright green with gold shift 

Thrash - bright lime green matte

My favourite shades are Revolt, Slowburn and Fringe. I'm really impressed with the quality and pigmentation of the Electric palette. It's not cheap but it's definitely worth the price tag. I recommend you check this out in store, my photo's don't do the hypnotic colours justice. Just don't blame me if you spend 50 minutes in Debenhams staring at the colours followed by getting dragged away by security guards. 

The Urban Decay Electric Palette* (�38) is now availalbe to buy from Debenhams, Feel Unique, House of Fraser and Beauty Bay. 

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Top 5 Most Used Make Up Brushes

I know not everyone is into using make up brushes but I'm a firm believer they make your make up look so much better. Investing in good quality brushes is a must have for me. I can't believe I've been blogging for 3 years and I've never once mentioned my make up brushes. This post is long overdue but I hope you enjoy it!

The Make-Up Brush Company Eyebrow brush

I've had this brush for 3 years now (can you tell by the ingrained fluff?) but it's still going strong. My brow hair is quite long so I have to brush them everyday otherwise they look wonky. 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I'll always use a brush to apply foundation; I prefer the finish and coverage you can achieve. This buffs foundation in so quickly and feels lovely and soft. Although I do find this hard to wash, I just can't get it back to white!

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Angled Eye Shadow Brush*

I'm not a massive eye shadow wearer but I love this brush because it does it all. Use it to swipe on colour across the whole lid or it's fluffiness makes it great for blending colour in the crease. Also, as it's slightly angled it's perfect for creating a smoky eye!

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Designed to use to contour the face but I really love using this to blend concealer. I often find that using my finger to blend in concealer actually removes make up from the area I'm patting. This brush allows for a higher coverage and a more flawless finish. I'll never apply concealer with my fingers again. This brush is only available in the core collection but I think it's well worth buying just for this! 

Japonesque Blush Brush

I wear blusher pretty much every time I put on make up and the shape of the brush is perfect for blusher. Japonesque brushes are extremely soft and enjoyable to use. The natural fibres distribute colour evenly so you can never go OTT with blusher! 

What's your most used make up brush? I'm all up for extending my collection! 

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Would You Go Bare-Faced? #BeautyDebate

Going out into the world completely make up free scares me. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that but being bare faced makes me feel vulnerable. I'm not as confident but more importantly I'm not as happy. Aint nobody got  time for that.

I know for some reading, you don't have this problem. Some of my friends my age don't really enjoy wearing make up and only wear it on special occasions. The main reason I wear make up is so that I feel better about myself, good make up empowers me. With a red lip I feel like I can achieve anything. I would never rock up to work sans make up. I don't think I'd look as professional, is that bad? This leads me onto another question I have - Do people treat you better when you wear make up? A topic for another #BeautyDebate I think..

I want to know your thoughts on this weeks #BeautyDebate...

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Hayfever Make Up Tips

Hayfever sucks. I pretty much get it all year round but it's especially bad in the summer months. So for all you fellow hayfever sufferers out there I have some really helpful make up tips to get you through all the sneezing.

1. Start off by preparing yourself for that pesky pollen. I use eye drops in the morning to stop them getting itchy and irritated. You can buy eye drops specially for hayfever such as the Opticrom Hayfever Eye Drops. 

2. Prep the skin with a primer like the Revlon Photo Ready Primer. Layer on top the Revlon ColourStay Foundation for a long lasting base that won't budge all day. Make sure when applying foundation that you don't go right up to the lash line as will avoid irritating the eyes further.

3. For concealer, opt for a yellow based shade as it will help counteract any redness around the eyes and nose. I like the Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer as it doesn't look cakey on. 

4. Next apply a creamy blusher. This is a better option over powder blush if you get watery eyes. Powder based formulas tend not to stay put as well if eyes are running. This bright pink one from KIKO is gorgeous and gives the skin a healthy flush.

5. If you're an eye liner wearer the newest addition to my make up collection is A-mazing! The Seventeen Tattoo Me liquid liner is a semi-permanent which really does not budge. Great if you have itchy eyes as you don't have to worry about rubbing them. 

6. It's also important to go for a waterproof mascara like the Collection Does it All Waterproof mascara. Just apply it to the top lashes as it can irritate the eyes if you put it on the bottom lashes. 

7. Finish with a lip product of your choice. I've gone for the Tanya Burr lip gloss in 'Let's Travel The World' which is a coral-red, perfect for summer!

There you have it - a  simple, waterproof make up look with a few tips for hayfever sufferers. Here is a really useful video with make up artist Aimee Adams on how to achieve a waterproof summer make up look. 

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Cooling + Refreshing Beauty Products You'll Need This Summer

It's getting hot and about time to. Humid days can play havoc with your beauty regime - taking you from greasy to creasy in minutes. As the thermometer starts rising; it's time to find ways to stay cool, refreshed and hydrated.

I've discovered a whole heap of products to help get you through the warmer months. In the summer go for products which contain soothing ingredients such as aloe and cucumber. Gel based products are nice and light-weight, stay away from heavy creams. I also like to keep these beauty bits in the fridge for extra boost of coolness!

Burts Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint and Rosemary Body Wash*
A cool shower combined with a rejuvenating body wash is a great way to cool down after a hot day. This minty cleansing wash leaves skin feeling smoothed and refreshed; an energising boost for body, mind and spirit.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist*
Face mists are my new favourite skincare item. This is great for soothing sun-sizzled skin. The refreshing spray leaves skin ready for the next step in your skincare routine.
Revlon Parfumerie Surf Spray
Part of the new Parfumerie range this nail polish mimics the cool shades of the sea and also has a surf spray scent.
Dr Organic Aloe Vera Body Butter
If you're suffering from sun burn reach for an aloe vera based moisturiser. This luxurious cream contains Shea Butter, sunflower oil and vitamin e.
Murine Hayfever Eye Drops*
With the British summer comes the dreaded hayfever season. I suffer really badly from it so anything to help ease symptoms i'm going to try! These drops help relieve irritation and redness. Two drops in each eye and symptoms are gone within a few minutes, although it does sting slightly at first.

Aveda Foot Relief

Don't forget about your tootsies! This herbal formula gentle exfoliates and revitalizes tired and stressed feet. The salicylic and lactic acids smooth tough skin. I like to smoother my feet in this before bed, so good after a long day on your feet.
Shu Uemura Depsea Water Lavender Mist
And my love for face mists continue. This is more of a refreshing spray than a toning spray like the Jurlique one mentioned above. This in the fridge = perfection.
Burts Bees Peppermint Lip Balm*

As you know, I'm a lip balm hoarder. I use lip balm all year round but my lips need extra attention in the summer as the sun can dry them out. This stick of minty goodness feels really refreshing and does a great job of hydrating lips.

No7  Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask
Skin tends to get dry from all the sun so it's important to keep it re-hydrated. After cleansing I apply a generous amount of this all over my face. This thick, creamy mask leaves skin super soft and smooth.

What are your must have products in the summer? 

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Is This a Dupe For By Terry Ombre Blackstar?

I'm a sucker for a highstreet dupe. After hearing Lily and Anna rave on about the ByTerry Ombre Blackstar I immediately added it to my mental wishlist. Then after heading onto the SpaceNK website to find out they are priced at �28 a pop my love for them lessened.

Not one to give up I marched to Boots in search for a Ombre Blackstar highstreet dupe. I was meet with the Max Factor Flipsticks which are a double ended eyeshadow stick. I wasn't too impressed with the pigmentation of these but the Revlon ColourStay Shadow Sticks were better versions with more colour pay-off but still quite different from what I was looking for. The new Seventeen EyeEye crayons look like a good budget buy. They are waterproof shadow sticks which are smooth to apply and come in 4 shades. The winner for me though were the No7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define Liners.These creamy sticks are really easy to use and come in 8 wearable shades. The two I have are Black Shimmer and Gunmetal Grey. You can use these all over the lid or the tip point makes it a great eyeliner. The more natural shades in the range would be good for highlighting and using in the corners of the eyes. The formula for these are impressively long-lasting and smudge-proof.

No7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define �8.00 available from Boots. 

I've got my eye on a few other shades from the range, are you a fan of these stick style eyeshadows?

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Are expensive beauty products worth it? #BeautyDebate

I ask myself this question all the time. I see a new product but its way out of my budget or I'll need a new foundation and consider investing in a high end product. Are expensive beauty products worth the splurge though? I definitely think it depends on the type of product. Base items such as foundation or concealer can often perform better if they are more expensive. Other items like blusher or powder I don't think you have to spend a lot of money on. Plus the Highstreet has really upped its game within the last few years. Brands such as Seventeen, Collection and Revlon are launching great products which turn into cult beauty buys. I think drugstore brands are leading the way in the beauty industry. As you know I love a good bargain and I'm a Boots gal at heart; however, there are some beauty products (EL Double Wear Light) which I'm happy to pay a bit more for because I know they really work.

I asked on twitter your thoughts on this weeks #BeautyDebate and received a really mixed response - thank you for taking part!

So what are your thoughts? 

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Father's Day Gift Guide 2014

It's very nearly Father's Day (June 15) and it's the celebration day I struggle with most. I'm always unsure of what to buy my Dad! I've decided to create a Father's Day gift guide this year to help me you decide what to buy your Dad. So whether your Dad is classic, loves his music or is into his grooming products I have something to suit him.

I absolutely love Ted Baker packaging, it's very original and always looks great in the bathroom! The Tour de Ted range pictured above is created for the modern man who likes to look after himself. You can purchase Ted Baker products from Boots and it's currently on a 3 for 2 offer. Not on the Highstreet is the online gift shop for personalised gifts. If you have a D.I.Y Dad he'll love this personalised hammer.  One for all those classic Dad's out there - a fragrance that dates back more than 200 years. The Woods of Windsor scent is inspired by orange groves and spices. It also has subtle hints of nutmeg and clove combined with base notes of oakmoss and patchouli. Maybe your Dad fancies himself as a bit of a chef or maybe he's a music lover; guitar salad servers from Urban Outfitters are such a unique gift idea, I've not seen anything like these before! I don't think you can go wrong with a book on Father's day, I spotted this one on Amazon which I thought would be perfect for my Dad. Drink More Whiskey is a book about all things whiskey from it's origin to it's difference in quality.

Let me know what you're getting your Dad and if you have any nice plans :)

p.s have you had a go at guessing what nail polish I'm giving away for a chance to win it? GO GO GO!

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Spellbound Nails Cremes and Holo Toppers

Hello lovelies! I have such exciting news to share with you. Having my own website, where I could sell all my pretties in one place without all the horrendous fees Etsy tacks on, was one of my goals for the new year. AND I DID IT!! I worked tirelessly and 6 months later my new shop is up and ready for orders!

Spellboundnails.com will now redirect you to the new website so come check us out.

Did I mention we open with 5 new creme collections and 2 new holographic toppers!!! So many polishes, so little time so forgive me while I spam you with nail polish pics ... lots more after the break so keep reading. :)

The Darks are deep, dark cremes perfect for any Spellbounder. Based around witchcraft and magic ... whether real or make believe.

Swatches courtesy Over The Top Coat

I was going to attempt to do these swatches myself but 25+ polishes quickly proved far too much for me so I shipped out samples to my bloggers who were wonderful with testing and swatching them for me. :) Here is another look at The Darks.

Swatches courtesy Painted Nubbs

What is more perfect for summer than some neons? The Brights are a collection of neon cremes. Yes, you read that right - neon cremes. Wear them over white in two coats like shown above or 3 coats alone.

The Lights are a collection of surprising bright pastel cremes. These are stunning in pictures and even better in person. Hard to believe, right?

Swatches courtesy Fairly Charming

The Naturals are like a vacation around the world. Taking names and inspiration from things like San Pedro Morning (the khaki polish) to the Mediterranean Sky (the blue polish). Follow the link to check out the rest.

Swatches courtesy 4Boys 1Mom Lacquer

The Neutrals were specially created to be perfectly neutral. These polish go with any outfit, adding a hint of class and elegance, all without getting you in trouble at work.

Swatches from Painted Nubbs, Over The Top Coat, and 4Boys 1Mom Lacquer

You may be wondering about the holographic topper seen in all the above collages. Here is Holo Back Girl! in action. If a holographic topper could be simple that's what this one is. It's a gorgeous scattered holo that dusts your nails in sparkle.

Did I mention that you get a free full size bottle of this topper with the purchase of one of the full size creme collections??

You can also buy this separately if you're just looking for a scattered holo topper. :)

And last but not least ... Here Comes The Smolder. In more ways than one. I'm not sure a holographic topper gets better than this. It has silver holographic hex glitter and a heaping of scattered holographic. The depth and smolder it adds to you polish is stunning!! Seriously, if it can look like this in pictures just imagine how it looks in person.

Until next time,
Ashley

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