Halloween Series: 'Va-va-voom Vampire' Make-up look

This is the final addition to my Halloween Series! I have really enjoyed doing it but I am also aware that the make-up looks I have done previously are quite time consuming. Therefore, I wanted to post a make-up look that is simpler, quicker and with products that are more accessible and have a sexier finish! My gorgeous friend Amy kindly agreed to model this look for me... so, let's jump right in!

STEP ONE

I cleansed and moisturised Amy's skin with my Garnier: 'Micellar Cleansing Water' and Simple: 'Vital Vitamin Day Cream'. Once the moisturiser had soaked in I applied Rimmel: 'Lasting Finish- 25 Hour' foundation all over her face. I then used Collection: 'Lasting Perfection' (Fair, 1) concealer under her eyes to help with brightness and Maybelline: 'Cover Stick' (Vanilla, 02) on any blemishes or redness. I then set this with Rimmel: 'Clear Complexion' powder and added a slight contour under the cheek bones, on the temples and upper forehead with Accessorize: 'Baked Bronzer Duo' (this was only for sculpting, not to 'bronze'). I didn't apply any blush to the cheeks because I still wanted a more ghostly, pale look about the skin. I still added some highlighter onto the top of the cheek bones and brow bone, as this look is still supposed to be a bit glam!

STEP TWO

I applied several layers of Maybelline: 'Color Tattoo' (Metallic Pomegranate, 70), which is a plum coloured cream eyeshadow. I blended lots in-between each application. Not only is it absolutely beautiful and easy to blend but it also increases the longevity of powder eyeshadows (which means they won't budge as easily if you're dancing the night away)!

STEP THREE

I then grabbed my trusty Urban Decay: 'Naked 2' palette. I applied 'Tease' (a muted purply-mushroom shade) onto the outer corner and crease and blended this in to the cream eyeshadow. I then added 'Busted' which is a shimmery dark brown shade onto the same area and blended. I also popped it on the lower lash line, but focusing on the outer corner for a 'wider-eyed' effect. 

STEP FOUR

Once all of the other colours were nicely blended I added to the sexy smokiness with 'Blackout', a matte black shade. I folded a piece of tissue in half and placed the edge against the eye to create a straight line (the outer corner of the eye to the end of the eyebrow is always a good guideline). I wanted there to be a defined wing, but still softly blended. Like the dark brown, I applied the black to the outer corner of the lower lash line and blended them together.

STEP FIVE

Then I moved onto eyeliner. I applied black, pencil eyeliner onto the water and tight line, I also brought the soft pencil onto the lash line and slightly below, once again focusing on the outer corner, and smudged it. After that, I picked up my Collection: '24 Hour Felt-tip Liner' and drew a reasonably thick line on the top lash line, flicking it out on to outer corners.

STEP SIX

I then applied several coats of Maybelline: 'The Colossal, Go Extreme Volume!' mascara to her naturally, long, curled lashes (the lucky bugger). And that was the eye make-up complete!

STEP SEVEN

LIPS TIME! I applied Sleek: 'Cherry' (No.790) all over the lip, using a lip brush for precision and then straight from the stick for colour intensity. 

STEP EIGHT

I then applied Rimmel: Starry Eyed (No.128), using a lip brush, onto the outer corners of the lips and blended the deep red and purple together. I went over this quite a few times so all of the colours were vibrant but still nicely blended.

STEP NINE

I then picked up a small paint brush and some fake blood and dripped the blood from the corners of Amy's mouth. We were going to use some fangs but we had a bit of a disaster, so feel free to add them but it still looks vampire-like as it is!

That's the finished look! 

Here are some more photos for you...

I hope you have an amazing Halloween and my 'Halloween Series' has helped you out! 

Speak soon!

Isabel x

Halloween Series: 'Cracked Doll' Make-up

As you are all probably aware... it is nearing Halloween! I thought I would do a collection of posts to help you out with make-up, food and drink ideas for any parties you are going to or hosting! So, here is number one...

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a make-up artist so don't expect too much ahaha! 

This is my brother's beautiful girlfriend, Zara. She very kindly agreed to model this look...  

So if you want to find out how I achieved this...keep reading!

STEP ONE

Prepare the skin so you have a fresh, clean base. I did this by using my Garnier- Micellar Cleansing Water to remove any excess oil and left over make-up from the day before. I then moisturised Zara's skin with a light, day cream by Simple and used a lip scrub from Lush to exfoliate her lips. 

STEP TWO

Once the moisturiser had soaked into her skin I just applied a basic base onto the left side of her face. I used Rimmel-Match Perfection Foundation (100 Ivory), Collection- Lasting Perfection Concealer (1 Fair) as a highlight under the eye and on any blemishes. I then set this with Rimmel- Clear Complexion Powder, added a slight contour with a bronzer from Accessorize and a light flush of NYC- Cheek Glow Powder Blush (650 NoLiTa Pink) and finally put a little bit of Benefit- High Beam Highlighter onto her cheek and brow bone. 

STEP THREE

I then did a 'smokey eye' using my Urban Decay- Naked 2 Palette. I applied 'Booty call' (a light, shimmery pink) all over the eyelid,  'Tease' (a light purpley-brown) into the crease and outer corner of the eye and then finally layered 'Busted' (dark brown) and 'Blackout' (black) into the outer corner with lots of blending. I also brought these two shades underneath the eye to continue the 'smokiness'. To add even more depth, I used a black kohl eyeliner pencil in the water and tight line. I then curled Zara's eye lashes and added a couple of layers of mascara to the top and bottom. I also filled in her eyebrow with Revlon- Colorstay (500) in the shaded labelled '3' on the back. 

Okay, so that is the 'pretty' side of look done...now for the 'doll' side! (Eeeek!)

STEP FOUR

Using a white eyeliner pencil (I used one by Barry M), map out where you want the 'break' to be. 

STEP FIVE 

Fill in the remaining area with white face paint (I used one by Snazaroo).

STEP SIX 

Once you've applied one layer of face paint, let it dry and then add another. Keep layering until you are happy but I left some patches that weren't as well covered to show wear and age. After this I cracked open my MUA- Winter Forest eyeshadow palette and dipped a fluffy eyeshadow brush into 'Slate' and applied this around the outside of the face. Using a lighter shade (Dove Grey). I lightly contoured under the apple of the cheek to create a shadow (giving the illusion of a plumper cheek). I continued this technique into the creases either side of Zara's mouth and under her bottom lip to make them look fuller. 

STEP SEVEN

I then attended to Zara's other eye! I put a light wash of 'Dove Grey' eyeshadow all over her eyelid with 'Slate' in the outer corner and crease, blending them until they appeared soft. After that, I drew a thin line as close to Zara's lash line as I could with my Collection- Extreme 24 Hour Felt-tip Liner, this is to hide the fake eyelash seam. I then applied some rather huge eyelashes (Eylure- Exaggerate No. 145) on to her top lashes and some more lengthy ones onto the bottom lash line (Eylure- Lengthening No.35). This was quite fiddly considering neither of us have really used fake eyelashes before! 

STEP EIGHT

Once we'd finished faffing with the lashes, I applied quite a lot of blusher onto Zara's cheek, trying to emphasise the apple. I also created the typical 'love heart' shape lip associated with dolls by using a lip brush and a red lipstick (Bourjois- Rouge Collection No.13). 

STEP NINE

I then filled in her other eyebrow with a dark brown shade from the Revlon palette I had used earlier on (I also mixed in some of 'Dove Grey' as well to make it bolder). I then grabbed my felt tip eyeliner again and went around section mapped out beforehand. 

STEP TEN

Start adding the cracks! Remember there would be some holes alongside tiny and deep cracks. But really just go for it, don't be scared!

STEP ELEVEN 

With a small eyeshadow brush I got a little bit of 'Dove Grey' and went over some areas to add shadow and wear. 

Then just do your hair however you want, I went for pigtails!

FINISHED! 

Here are some more photos...

Speak soon

Isabel x

MY SEPTEMBER BEAUTY FAVOURITES!

These are my September beauty favourites...they seem to have covered multiple areas of beauty too! YAY!

SKINCARE

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I used to spend aaaages taking my make-up off with a face wipe and always found that my skin felt tight and my eyes stung slightly. Despite the intense eye rubbing I still found residue make-up left around my eyes in the morning. This probably meaning I had also missed some facial make-up somewhere (my poor pores)! But since discovering this product it has made my night time routine a lot easier... and less painful! All I do is pour some on to a cotton wool ball (or pad) and press onto my eyes (closed of course) and leave it there to soak in a tad to loosen the make-up, then wipe. I repeat this until all of the make-up has gone. I then carry on with this method but wipe my face and neck. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean, without any irritation and also removes water proof make-up really easily.

MAKE-UP

'Chopper' - Urban Decay: Naked 2 Palette

I can't even describe how much I love this eyeshadow! It is a beautiful, shimmery, goldy-bronze shade. It is extremely versatile, I use it day and night. 

During the day time I apply a light wash all over my lid and then add a lighter, champagne shade into the inner corner of my eye and apply several layers of mascara. To bring the look into night time I add a dark brown to the outer corner and smoke it out, then apply some black eyeliner and create a  flick! It is perfect for clubbing...when the light hits it, it looks blummin' b-e-a-utiful! I also love this shade because it is perfect for the autumn season! I have paired this eye shadow with a warm, berry toned lipstick before and it looked awesome...so I'm sure I will be recreating that look in October and beyond! 

Benefit 'They're Real!' Push Up Gel Eyeliner

I won't write about this for too long as there is a more in-depth review in my previous post. I still thought it was worth a mention, because it really is AMAZING! I have used it almost every day since I bought it at the beginning of the month and it hasn't disappointed me once! It makes my life much easier in the mornings when I'm doing my makeup, a lot less faff basically! It hasn't dried out at all and I'm pretty sure that there is still a lot left in the container. Lovely jubbly! 

Maybelline New York: The Colossal- GO EXTREME VOLUME! Mascara

So, this is the mascara I mentioned earlier (the one I like to use when I wear 'Chopper'). Firstly, I curl my lashes... this makes a HUGE difference to my lashes and the effect that the mascara gives them at the end. What I like to do is to use my hair dryer to heat the eye lash curlers slightly before curling, like a hair curler, the heat will make the curl last longer. Once the curling is done I add one layer of the mascara, making sure i wiggle from the root. I then leave this to dry and then add another layer. This mascara has a massive wand, which helps create the volume. Although it is large, the product is still evenly distributed and therefore isn't clumpy on the lashes, which is where I've had issues with other volumising mascaras. I think the packaging is also pretty darn cool too!

HAIR

Schwarzkopf: got2b POWDER'ful (Volumising Styling Powder)

I stumbled across this product by accident and instantly fell in love with it. Long story short, my friend coloured my hair and the conditioner made my hair soooo soft that I couldn't do anything with it! So, she suggested I back comb my hair a little and then add this to the roots. I mean, I usually do this anyway when I want volume...but use hairspray instead. Ever since that day I haven't '

hair sprayed'! I do worry sometimes that I have missed a bit when I'm rubbing the powder in... my hair is dark and this product is white... not a good mix really! All I would say is that a little goes a long way... I found out the hard way when loooooads flew out the top and made my hair REALLY sticky! But still, I love it and it gives my hair the boost it needs on those 'newly washed hair' days.

FRAGRANCE 

Zara - 'Femme' Eau de toilette (100ml)

I have had this fragrance for a while, this one actually being a re-purchase. But as I have only been blogging this month, I thought it was still appropriate to include it, even if it has been a favourite for a few months! I have quite a few fragrances, most of which are quite sweet, with a couple more sophisticated scents, like my Roberto Cavalli (in the gold packaging) and Calvin Klein, Euphoria. This fragrance by Zara, I believe, sits in the middle. It is quite sweet, with a dominant vanilla scent. But some how it isn't sickly...? I would say it is my signature fragrance and I have had quite a few compliments when I'm wearing it. All I would say is that it doesn't last incredibly long on my skin, but for £10 or so I can deal with re-applying!  

Speak soon

Isabel x

PRODUCT REVIEW: Benefit 'They're Real!' Push-Up Gel Eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner is a pain in the derriere (to put it politely). No matter how many times I do it, something always goes wrong, whether that be smudging or a lack of symmetry...it just doesn't agree with me! I have been 'rocking' the cat-eye liner look for quite a few years now and have tried a few High Street liners.

MY EYELINER HISTORY

If I cast my mind back to 2008, my first liquid eyeliner was one by 'Miss Sporty', it had a light blue lid and a thin brush to apply a slim line (not that I really achieved this 'slim' and streamline look- it was more like a Sharpie attack!) Although it was troublesome, I proceeded to use it for a couple more years. There was then the release of  'felt tip liners'... this is just what I needed...something simple, quick with great precision. Of course, being a full time student I didn't really have the disposable income to branch out into the wonderful world of high end make up and stuck to the good ol' High Street, repurchasing  the Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner time and time again... I loved this product. Despite this, it did have the tendency to fade and/or transfer into the crease of my eye throughout the day, so I was constantly checking and wiping that away.
After reading a lot online I discovered the craze of gel eyeliner and bought myself a pot, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Liner. It definitely had longevity in comparison to the other products I had used previously but I still found it quite fiddly. So, you can imagine the excitement (and relief) when I heard about Benefit's They're Real Push Up Liner! I had put off buying it for a while because of the price, but then I just said to myself, "Foooock it!" and took the plunge and treated myself. HALLELUJAH!

The Review:

LONGEVITY

It has a waterproof formular which means it won't budge easily. I put it on at 9am and it lasts all day until I take it off at 11pm, or even later if I've been out and about, with my Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. Even when its been humid it hardly fades, yes there have been points where it has but it is still pretty much in tact and waaaaay better than the other eyeliners in those sweaty conditions (kinda gross...sorry).

Tip: You're eyes are delicate (captain obvious strikes again) so I would advise not using a face wipe to take this product off! If you do, you'll be scrubbing for a while and quite aggressively... OUCHIES!

APPLICATION

To access the product you have to twist the bottom section of the packaging and the product comes out of the soft, silicon nib. The first time I used this product it was quite blobby, so I would advice wiping any excess off before applying to the eyelid. I love the angle of the nib as it is already pointed and gives a good guide line to create a flick on the outer corner of the eye, which is my preferred look on myself as it gives an elongated effect to the eye area, making them look more awake and larger. As I've previously mentioned, in the past I have had trouble with symmetry when applying eyeliner, but this product works like a dream! The nib is soft and flexes with application, allowing fluency to the line.

PACKAGING

The packaging is very sophisticated. It is curvaceous, black with orange and white writing. It is a wider cylinder than my previous Collection felt tip liner, it's easier to hold and therefore makes my hand steadier when applying. I love the way you have to twist the product out, it means that the product doesn't dry out, which is what I've found with the pot of gel eyeliner.

PRICE

Yes, this is quite expensive, retailing at £18.50. However, because I use it pretty much everyday and it lasts all day long it is worth the money. I completely understand that quite a lot of people may not be able to afford this product but like the majority of High End products, a cheaper version becomes available on the High Street. Maybelline have just brought out a product which is very similar called 'Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner Pen' which is significantly cheaper, £8.99 in Boots.

Overall, as you can probably tell... I LOVE THIS EYELINER!!! Once this one has finished I will be trying the Maybelline one (saves me some pennies) and I will let you know how I get on with it! Please let me know your opinion on this product and similar ones... I am intrigued!
Speak soon
Isabel x

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