MAKE-UP LOOK #6: Lauren Conrad Inspiration

Ever since first watching Laguna Beach back in 2005, I've been obsessed with 'LC' Lauren Conrad. Her effortlessly cool, SoCal beach chic look is so wearable and adaptable that I think every girl loves a bit of the Lauren look! Her clean, everyday make-up is really similar to what I do on a day-to-day basis therefore I've been wanting to show you this for a while. As Lauren isn't a fan of eyeshadow on herself, her make-up is so quick and simple to do- a winged out line of eyeliner, touch of bronzer, flick of mascara and you're good to go! Let me know what you think of this look, hope you guys like it! XO Chloe

 A full list of the products I used can be found on the photograph below. To switch this look up for evening add some false lashes and a red lip :) XO

MAKE-UP LOOK #5: Purple smokey eyes

Today I've done yet another smokey eye look with a twist - a purple smokey eye. I love this look for a night out, as it's a little different than your classic smokey eye and looks fab with most skin tones. I've listed the products I used above but will also list them below in more detail. Hope you guys like it, let me know XO Chloe

Products:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation - I use the colour NC25, and this is a really good foundation for evening makeup as the coverage is quite heavy and really reduces shine so is perfect for oily skin types.
Sheer Cover mineral foundation powder - This is a really nice mineral powder in the colour Latte which really helps to set the foundation, however if you have dry skin and decide to use the MAC studio fix fluid, you might want to skip the powder.
Lancome Blush Subtil in Peach Feast - Gorgeous, long-lasting blush with golden highlighting pigments... lovee it.
Lancome Gel liner in Black Carbon Ink
YSL Volum Effect Faux Cils - I use this almost every day... it's my absolute favourite mascara!
Bourjois Paris eyeshadow in 04 noir precieux - I packed this against the lash line for a really deep, dark purple colour.
No7 Sultry Eyes Palette - This is the palette I used with the bourjois shadow in this look... but unfortunately the separate colours do not have names. I used the darkest shadow on the left over the bourjois to add some depth and shimmer, and then I used the second lighter purple eyeshadow in the crease and blended into the darker shade. I then used the lightest shimmer colour in the palette to highlight the brow bone a little.
MAC lipglass in Curvaceous - I finally finished this look with a nude, glossy lip.

So - another smokey eye look for you guys, hope you like them & please let me know in the comments box below :) Thanks XO

MAKE UP LOOK #4: Smokey for blue eyes

Here I have done a smokey eye which I think is best for blue eyed beauties! Sometimes I don't really like to wear a classic smokey eye as it can either appear too harsh, or often throughout the night wears off and just ends up as one grey mess! So here is a brown smokey eye which really makes blue eyes stand out... for a more intense look, try adding some false lashes.

Unfortunately I used a really old eyeshadow palette from the BodyShop for this look, and neither the colours or palette seem to have a name... however any range of brown/golden colours would be perfect for this look. MAC are probably one of the best retailers for really highly pigmented shadows which is what you want for this look and to steer away from more sheer shadows.

The rest of the make-up I used:
Maxfactor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion foundation: in warm almond 45
No7 Beautiful Brows Pencil: in 15 Blonde
Bobbi Brown Gel liner: in Black Ink 1
Maybelline New York the Falsies Volum' Express mascara: in Black Drama
Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss: in Tropicoral

MAKE UP LOOK #3: Golden Glow

Today I decided to do a really wearable, everyday, natural golden glow makeup look with a very slight golden smokey eye and nude lip. Inspired by a Giselle / Southern California kind of look I think this looks gorgeous with blue eyes as the orangey/golden tones really bring out the blue and make the eyes 'pop'. The products I used are below - a mixture of higher end and drugstore products (with probably too many Bobbi Brown products!). Hope you guys like it, let me know in the comments box below! XO

FACE
1. Bobbi Brown foundation stick in 4.5 warm natural: I used this only as a concealer in areas which needed very high coverage.
2. Bobbi Brown shimmer brick in Beach : I think this is a limited edition palette, but it's gorgeous and such a lovely highlighter - if you can't get hold of this limited edition one then the bronze shimmer brick is also really really good!
3. Bobbi Brown tinted moisturiser balm in medium/dark: this is fab for a sheer, dewy coverage for days when you don't want heavy make-up... perfect for this daytime look.
4. NARS laguna bronzer : my absolute favourite bronzer, I use this for an all over bronzed glow, but also to contour the cheek bones and add some definition to the face.
5. Sheer cover mineral foundation powder in latte: I use this as a light powder just on my t-zone and to set my makeup.

LIPS&EYES
6. Bobbi Brown gel liner in black ink - alternatively MAC, Clinique, Lancome and Maybelline do good gel liners too.
7. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Bone: I use this just under the brow bone to highlight.
8. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Beach Honey: Used on the outside of the crease
9. Bourjois ombre a paupieres eyeshadow in number 08: I use this as an eyeshadow base all over the lid which helps the colour to stick, however this shadow is also really nice when used with a wet brush for a more intense look.
10. Bourjois intense extra in 01: I love this eyeshadow! It's packed with shimmer and super glittery so I use this above the crease, up to the brow bone to highlight and open up the eye. I also used some of this on the tearduct / inside corner of the eye.
11. L'oreal infaillible stylo waterproof eyeliner in chocolate addiction: I used this on my bottom lash line and in the water line.
12. Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes mascara in black.
13. Rimmel London Stay Glossy lipgloss in Non-Stop Glamour 120
14. No7 Brown Pencil in 15 Blonde

MAKE-UP LOOK #2: Cat Eye

Last week was one of my besties 21st's, so we went on a night out in Liverpool! Here are some photos of my make-up from the night (posey photo alert!) and the eye make-up I used to achieve a cat eye look.

Eye products used:
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper: used all over the lid, and up to the brow bone
MAC eyeshadow in Handwriten: swept through the crease and brought up to a wing in the outer corners
No7 Amazing eyes pencil eyeliner in 05 Black: used to line the eye and smudged with the sponge end
Lancome Ink Artliner in 01 Black Carbon: applied with an angled brush from the inner to outer corners of the eye, slightly winged up towards the temples, and on the water line.
YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Shocking mascara and MAC eyelashes.

Other products used:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC25
NARS laguna bronzer
MAC satin lipstick in Myth

IT'S STARTING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS..

Don't know about you but I cannot WAIT for Christmas...

I've had my final lecture at Uni now and I'm planning on heading home for Christmas TOMORROW !! So excited I can't wait... Mostly for the food. This year my sister and I are cooking the Christmas dinner as my mum will have only just come out of hospital - so it's bound to be eventful and I will definitely do a blog post about it after Christmas. Anyway - for now I thought I'd share with you a few of the stocking fillers I am hoping to unwrap this Christmas Day... (OK so I'm expecting a lot here!) As I haven't actually been able to buy ANYTHING recently (due to the student loan not being at ALL large enough) a lot of what I'm wanting from Father Christmas is beauty bits and bobs that I otherwise would've liked to buy myself these last few months... So if you're looking for present ideas for a friend/sister/mum/girlfriend here are some of the things I'm lusting after.

1. Rihanna's 'Talk that Talk' album.

For last year I got Rihanna's 'Louder' album and it was literally the soundtrack to December-January last year... now I need a new injection of Rih Rih

2. O.P.I nail varnish in 'Bubble Bath'

So like I said a while back, I've been lusting after this milky-pink nude for everrr and I haven't been lying about no money - so yes, I'm still wishing for it!

3. Nars blusher in Laguna

My make-up stocks are running low at the moment, and the student budget isn't stretching enough to re-fill it. Therefore I'm asking Father Christmas to bronze me up instead with Nars Laguna

4. Diptyque scented candles

This is where I become an old lady. This summer I redecorated my bedroom at home and I'm obsessed with my new white, flow-y minimalistic room! I currently have burnt out almost all of my candles apart from a BEAUT Laura Ashley one that's still going. So I'm thinking it's time to build a collection of Diptyques... and at £40ish a pop, it may take me a while!!

5. MAC 187 foundation brush

I already have quite the collection of Bobbi Brown make-up brushes that I bought last December - however, my set didn't come with a professional foundation brush! So after using my trusty Eco-tools brush for what feels like an eternity I feel like I should finally get a 'proper' foundation brush... and everybody is always saying MAC's 187 is thee best.

6. MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation

I've been wanting to try this foundation for an age now. Yes, I love my Bobbi Brown skin foundation - but for winter I feel like a little more coverage is necessary .. plus change is always good. I need to get colour matched though at a counter - so if anyone knows what the colour match is with Bobbi Brown in 4 Natural ... Lemme know!

7. Moroccan Oil

This little treat has been on the beauty scene for YONKS now and I am ashamed to say I am still yet to try it. But now the time is right! The winter chill and blustery days are making my hair dryer than ever so hopefully Moroccan oil can be my saviour.

8. YSL Volum Effect Faux Cils Shocking mascara

I've said a million times there is one mascara that I absolutely love and that's YSL volum effect faux cils. I've been out of that now for quite a while, and have seen they've bought out a NEW one adding 'shocking' to the name.... I just have to try.

 



So if there is anyone out there with bundles of cash they just need to part with... treat me!

1. Macbook Pro

2. Oversized Mulberry Alexa

3. Range Rover Evoque

4. Great Dane puppy.... nawww

Don't sweat it..

Elle France March 11

Okay so it's August and apparently 'SUMMER'S HERE!!'

Now the sun may not be shining over England, but the temps are definitely rising and people are jet-setting off to higher climates to catch some sun before winter kicks in again. I must say- I LOVE summer, it is definitely my favorite season but with the humidity and heat come the same problems every year... SUMMER MAKE-UP.

It's either blotchy and uneven, moved half-way across your face or melted off you completely; so not the beach babe vibe you were going for eh? So to keep your face in place this season, go sheer and waterproof for the ultimate regime that will not budge!

1. After applying suncream, skip foundation... or if you need that extra cover switch to an oil free or tinted moisturiser instead. Less oily- less slip and slide across your face with the addition of sweat.. niice.
2. Rather than applying powder to beat the shine, use blotting papers. Powder can clag and become cakey in the heat, where as blotting papers simply 'suck-up' the shine!
3. Use a gel-liner or waterproof eye-liner rather than pencil. That smokey eye effect that is achieved perfectly with a pencil may quickly become panda eye effect with the perspiration and humidity of a hot summers day. My favorite gel-liner that wont budge: Bobbi Brown Gel liner in Caviar Ink 27.
4. Finish your eye make-up with waterproof mascara- a definite if you're hitting the beach/pool. Mascara down your face = not cool.
5. Avoid sticky lip glosses and opt for a lip stain or tinted lip balm with SPF to keep your pout hydrated in the heat.

...and voila!

In my beauty bag...

These are my "semi-basic/kiind-of everyday" beauty essentials..

yikes it looks like alot doesnt it?!

At first glance there seems to be ALOT of products for everyday wear,

however- there are a few variations of the same product within my routine..

1. YSL Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare brush.
I first bought this product within a set with the YSL Top Secrets foundation, but for me- the foundation seemed too heavy and claggy so I now just use the primer.
I don't tend to wear this everyday- but it works really well as a base for foundation, therefore I use it mostly when going out a night, when I use a little more foundation and base make-up.

2. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.
This foundation is now a staple within my beauty bag. It's around £30, so it's not the cheapest of foundations- but it really is the best I have found. Wearable for day and night, the coverage is realitively sheer, yet buildable for evening make-up. It also has quite a runny/wet texture, so doesnt feel claggy or caked- however, it does sometimes require a little matte powder over the top to keep the dewy'ness at bay.

3. Bobbi Brown Corrector.
This is the perfect product for undereye dark circles and bags. I spoke to a Bobbi Brown make-up artist about having dark-circles constantly and never being able to find the right product to cover them- YSL Touche Eclat did nothing!
As you can see, I am literally scrimping on the last morsel of it and desperately need to purchase some more because it is a definite MUST-HAVE.

4. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer and Sheer Finish Loose Powder.
This concealer works well on any blemishes, and is also applied over the Bobbi Brown corrector.
The loose powder also lasts foreverrr and is the only powder I use as it covers well without feeling cakey at all.

5. Maxfactor Bronzing Powder
Even though I do often get abit heavy handed with the St Tropez, I'm not a massive user of bronzer- so I find the Maxfactor Bronzing Powder works well. I apply a small stroke to my T-Zone for the days when my skin looks dull.

6. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks.
I LOVE this little pot. Applied with a blusher brush or fingers, straight ontop of foundation (no powder) it gives a fresh rosy glow. I use this blusher in the Summer the most, when I don't tend to wear powder; or it is perfect for those summer days in which you don't bother with foundation. It can also double up as a lip tint, and although I don't often wear lip colour I have on occassion used this as a light pink stain.

7. Chanel Powder Blush.
This is the blusher I use when using powder and often in the winter.
Its lasted me literally an ageee, and I use '99 Rose Petale' which is nice and light pink in colour.

8. Lancome Ink Artliner- Long Wear Caligraphy Gel Eyeliner.
I have started to wear more Gel/Pen liners, rather than Pencil- just because I find it has much better staying power and does not smudge like you can find with some pencils. I apply this with a Lancome eyeliner brush and once you master the technique it works really well and stays all day without smuding, cracking or crumbling.

9. YSL Easy Liner for Eyes.
This pen eyeliner is perfect for understated liner. The pen produces the thinest line possible, to which you can obviously build upon. I use colour number 1. which is black, however if you want a deep black colour, you do have to build upon the first line as it comes out more grey.

Tip: To stop that annoying re-print of eyeliner you can get on your top eyelid- apply the Bobbi Brown loose powder on your lids before applying liner.

10. YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara.
I have of course, blogged about this before- so you may be aware that this is my favorite mascara in-the-world. I must have tried hundreds of mascaras before this one, both expensive and cheap- and never really seen a huge difference. I ended up always sticking with a £4 Rimmel Volumising mascara, as I really didnt notice a difference between that and a £30 Bobbi Brown one. However, after using this- I will never return back to the days of Rimmel Lashes. (Well, unless the £30 pricetag bleeds me dry...)

11. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Crystal.

Like I said before, I tend not to use lip products - largly due to the fact my pout isn't anything to shout about. However, for the days where Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm just isnt enough, it's always good to have a super-shiny gloss and this Bobbi Brown one does the trick. High-shine gloss with no sticky, gloopy-ness - all a small pout needs !