Makeup Your Mind - Makeup and Beauty Inspiration and Tips - Festive Makeup Menu.

Hi!!!

Blogmas Day Sixteen is one for the makeup fans - or for those trying to buy Christmas presents for the makeup fans (I get it, navigating beauty counters isn't as easy as it looks). Hopefully, whoever you are, you'll find some inspiration from this Christmas Makeup Menu, be it for creating new looks, buying gifts or treating yourself. There's a mix of high-end and high-street products, so there's something for everybody.

FACE:

Rimmel London Match Perfection Fix & Perfect Primer, £6.99

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation £30

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £3.99

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold £4.99

Rimmel Match Perfection Powder, £6.99

Collection Glam Crystals Glitter Eyeliner £2.99

Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray £23.50 (currently reduced to £18.80)

These are, in many ways, the staple products in my collection. I don't always wear a full face of primer, foundation, etc. but when I do, I use all of these products. The foundation is amazing and is medium coverage (however it is buildable) so it's a good bet for most people. I swear by Collection concealers and Rimmel powders, and even when I'm not wearing the rest of the products, I will probably still be wearing those. The Sleek Blush is a great budget dupe for Nars' bestselling blush and it is really highly pigmented. I couldn't possibly post a Christmas makeup menu without encouraging you to wear glitter on as much of your face as is humanly possible. I love wearing glitter in the same way I'd wear a highlight - on the highpoints of my face - but I also love the glam rock inspired way of wearing it under the eyes (and I will sure as Santa's beard is white be sporting that look throughout December). I've recommended some glitter eyeliners which I'll elaborate on in the 'eyes' section but, in short, I think they're amazing. I also wanted to mention, for those looking for a more chunky glitter, that I've heard wonderful things about the glitters from The Gypsy Shrine (I haven't tried them so they aren't in the big official list but I certainly wouldn't mind finding some under the tree!). The setting spray boasts temperature control qualities and it does make a difference to how long my makeup lasts.

EYES:

Rimmel Undercover Eyeshadow Primer £4.99

Lancome Doll Eyes Eyeshadow Palette, £39.50

Sleek Eyeshadow Palette, £8.99

Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow, £5.99

Lancôme Doll Eyes Hypnose Mascara £24.50

Collection Glam Crystals Glitter Eyeliner £2.99

There are so many options for eye makeup that I have decided to stick to what I get the most wear out of.

There's more glitter - I advocate wearing glitter all year round, everyday if possible, and so of course I have squeezed more glitter onto this makeup menu. I swear by glitter eyeliners for making sure your glitter lasts and stays exactly where you want it to and Collection offer a great colour range and great quality glitter liners at a very reasonable price. There's also my all time favourite mascara, Lancôme Doll Eyes Hypnose, which would make a wonderful present for someone if you have a bit more to spend. It's formula is wonderful and it really is black (win). I've included Rimmel's eyeshadow primer because you hardly want your eyeshadow to melt off your face on Christmas Day. I'm also going to recommend two great eyeshadow pallettes. One is from Lancôme - it is their Hypnose Doll Eyes palette and it is gorgeous. The colours are well pigmented, the formulas are really lovely to work with and are buildable and if you're looking to create a more natural, neutral but enhanced and maybe smokey eye, I'd highly recommend this (maybe one to put on your Christmas list?). The other is a bit of a cheat but anything from Sleek - their mattes palette is amazing for creating more neutral looks and their brights are simply wonderful. Sleek offer great products with great colour selections, especially for the price. If cream eyeshadows are more your thing, or you're looking for a good coloured base for your powder eyeshadow, then check out the Maybelline Colour Tattoos (great value, last for ages as a product, last for ages on the face and are great for when you don' have loads of time or tools available to you).

LIPS:

MAC Lipstick in Ladybug £16.50

Max Factor Lipstick in Pink Brandy, £7.99

Lipstick is my favourite and so I could have listed at least ten different ones in every colour of the rainbow. I've picked out my all time favourite red lipstick, which you'll have spotted me writing about before if you've been here for a while, because I know December is truly a time for red lipstick to shine. MAC's Ladybug is a lovely blue-toned red in a lustre texture. It's comfortable to wear, has a great finish and is my idea of the ultimate red shade. I've also picked out Max Factor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in the shade Pink Brandy because I have worn it so much this year. It is a great formula and the colour is amazing - it's a peachy pink which is super wearable but doesn't just blend and become my normal lip colour, if that makes sense? You can tell I'm wearing lipstick and you can tell it's a lovely colour but it's on the more natural colour spectrum. It's definitely one of my favourites that is available on the high street. One bold lip, one more natural. One high end product, one high street product. I think I've handled this category well.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful.

What are your favourite makeup products to wear at Christmas? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Leave a comment to let me know.

Thanks for reading.

I hope you have a beautiful day!

GingerSnaps xxx



Makeup Your Mind - Makeup and Beauty Inspiration and Tips - Where to Spend and Where to Save.

Hi!!!

Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you've enjoyed your weekend. Today I have a beauty related post for you. I find posts like this really interesting and useful, and hopefully you'll agree once you've read this one. I've gone through each makeup category and after careful consideration, have come up with some recomendations for you. Enjoy.

Primer: Save

Having used primers from Nars and Rimmel, I honestly think that there isn't all that much difference between high end and high street primers. The consistency of the high end ones may be a little bit nicer to apply, but in terms of staying power, which is what you're using a primer for, I think the Rimmel one is just as effective.

Product recomendations: Rimmel London Match Perfection Fix & Perfect Primer, £6.99

Foundation: Spend

I personally prefer high end foundations - high end brands tend to have a better colour range, much nicer consistencies, last longer, and have a much better finish overall. I think it is definitely worth spending on foundation, and my skin certainly prefers slightly more expensive foundations.

Product recomendations: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, £32.

Concealer: Save

I haven't really got any experience with high end concealers because I've always liked the high street offerings so much that I've never really been fussed by them. I think that the high street has plenty of good offerings and you'll be able to find a range of consistencies and application methods in your local Boots store. The only thing is that the colour range might not be as broad, which will obviously be an issue for some more than others.

Product recommendations: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, £4.19.

Powder: Save

I've only ever used high street powders, although I would like to branch out and try high end versions at some point. I've always been able to find a range of pressed and loose powders on the high street, and so I've always been content saving my money.

 

Product recommendations: Rimmel London Match Perfection Silky Loose Powder, £6.99, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, £3.99, Maybelline Fit Me Powder, £5.99.

Eye Shadow: Save or Spend

I have a lot of eye shadow in my makeup collection and it ranges from MAC and Lancôme to Sleek and Maybelline. I think that deciding to save or spend on eye shadow depends on the colour and finish you want. I rate eye shadows from both ends of the price spectrum, and so I would recommend choosing based on your own preferences.

 

Product recommendations: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow, £4.99, Sleek Makeup I-Divine Eye Shadow Palettes, £8.99, MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow, £13.99, Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Eye Shadow Palette, £38.

 

 

Mascara: Spend

I have to say spend because my favourite mascara is high end, and because I find the difference between cheap and more expensive mascaras to be very noticeable, more so than with most other products. For colour, texture and consistency, and definition and volume, I'd say high end all the way.

 

Product recommendations: Lancôme 'Hypnôse Doll Eyes' Mascara, £24.50.

 

Eyeliner: Save

I'm talking about eyeliner pencils and Kohl pencils here, because I don't like liquid liner and struggle with it anyway. I have found a lot of high street eyeliner pencils have a really fantastic consistency and don't drag along your eye. I have a Kevin Aucoin pencil that I like, but I certainly rate Max Factors offerings and would recommend saving before spending.

 

Product recommendations: Max Factor Kohl Eye Liner Pencil, £4.99.

Blusher: Save

This is because my absolute favourite blush is from Sleek Makeup, a high street beauty brand. I love the Sleek blushers for their colour range, staying power and pigmentation - you only need the tiniest bit to get a strong colour pay off. They are incredible value and I can't see a reason to spend when these are available.

Product recommendations: Sleek Makeup Blush, £4.99.

Lipstick: Save or Spend

I am a lipstick lover. Lipstick is my most used and probably most loved makeup item. My collection ranges from high street to high end and I like them all for different reasons. Ultimately I look for nice colours, a comfortable texture, a quality finish and staying power. I have found this at both ends of the price spectrum and I think it depends on what colour you want, quite how much you fancy treating yourself.

Product recommendations: Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick, £7.99, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine, £28, MAC Cosmetics Lipstick, £16.50, Rimmel London Colour Rush Balm, £5.99, Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain, £7.99., Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick, £2.99.

Setting Spray: Spend

I think that you get what you pay for with setting spray. I think it's worth spending a bit more because it really does make a difference to the staying power and finish of your makeup. I find it so useful, and it means you can go out without worrying about your makeup moving it's way down your face.

Product recommendations: Urban Decay 'Chill' Setting Spray, £23.50.

 

I hope you've enjoyed reading this.

What are your favourite beauty products? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading. Speak soon.

 

Have a beautiful day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx



Makeup Your Mind - Makeup and Beauty Inspiration and Tips - Three Christmas Makeup Looks.

Hi!!!

Who's excited for Christmas? I know I am and I'm very excited for all of the fun things I've got going on this week (and onwards to the New Year). As a big ol' makeup lover, it only seems natural that I'll be doing lots of fun and festive looks and I thought that you might like some inspiration for makeup that you could try out. So, I've been sat by our lovely Christmas tree with the open fire crackling away coming up with some ideas. I have three looks for you today and so hopefully you'll find something for you.

(I'm by no means a professional but I really enjoy makeup and creating fun looks. Please feel free to adapt and change these looks based on what you prefer, what you think suits you best and all that jazz)

Gold and Rubies - A Red Lip and Gold Eyes.

• First things first (I'm a realist) you'll want to get a nice base going. Apply a primer all over your face with your foundation brush of choice then apply your foundation with this same brush (applying the primer with the foundation brush first will help your base blend better). Then apply your concealer under your eyes, around your nose and over any blemishes you have. Go ahead and set it all with your choice of powder and then apply a light dusting of blusher over the apples of your cheeks. If its going to be a long day (or night) then spritz on some setting spray to help keep your base looking fresh.
• For this look, gold tones on the eyes will be lovely. Take a metallic gold cream eyeshadow and apply some over your eyelid with your ring finger (as it will be more gentle on your eye than say your index finger) and then blend it out with a brush to soften the edges and make sure it looks as lovely as possible. Keep doing this until you build up the intensity of gold you are looking for. Curl your lashes and add some black mascara to both your top and bottom lashes.
• Finally, your lip colour. With a name like "Gold and Rubies" what else could this look feature aside from a red lip. Apply a few coats of red lipstick and bam, you're done.
• Recommended Products: Rimmel Match Perfection Fix and Perfect Pro Prime Primer (HERE), Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (HERE), Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (HERE), Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (HERE), Sleek Rose Gold Blusher (HERE), Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray (HERE), Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in 24k Gold (HERE), Lancôme Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara (HERE), MAC Ladybug Lipstick (HERE), Real Techniques Brushes (HERE).

O Christmas Tree - Forest Green Eyes.

• Once again, you'll want to start with your base. Primer, foundation, concealer, powder, blusher, the optional setting spray.
• The main focus for this look is the eyes - we're taking our inspiration from the lovely Christmas tree which is of course evergreen. Take a pale green colour on the inner section of your eye, then take a brighter, truer shade of green over the middle section of your eyelid and then take a dark green on the outer corners and underneath your lower lashline. Now, blend. Lots of blending, up and out and blend between the shades to create a lovely progression through the hues. Now, as always, mascara, top and bottom lashes.
• There a few options for lip colour here. I think a plum or burgundy toned lipstick would look really pretty, as would a red but I also think that a really nice, natural pink shade would also look great with the colours going on here. So, take your pick and see how you feel.
• Recommended Products: Rimmel Match Perfection Fix and Perfect Pro Prime Primer (HERE), Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (HERE), Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (HERE), Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (HERE), Sleek Rose Gold Blusher (HERE), Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray (HERE),  Bourjois Smokey Eyes Eyeshadow Trio in Vert Trendy (HERE), Lancôme Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara (HERE), Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in Crush (HERE), MAC Ladybug Lipstick (HERE), Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in Boy (HERE), Stila Lip Glaze in Starfruit (HERE), Real Techniques Brushes (HERE).



Silver Bells - Silver Glitter Eyes and Bright Pink Lips.
 
• You guessed it, the first step is all about that base (am I not just hilarious?). Primer, foundation, concealer, powder, blusher, the optional setting spray.
• You will need: lots of silver glitter. What can I say? I'm a glitter girl at heart. Don't be scared by the prospect of falldown, I'm going to share one of my biggest tips with you right now - glitter eyeliner. Using the applicator that comes with your silver glitter eyeliner, apply the amount that you want to your eye and blend in across with your ring finger. As with the gold, you can build up the intensity to suit you. Then pop a grey kohl eyeliner on your waterline and under your lower lashine. Finish off your eyes with some black mascara on your top and bottom lashes.
• Lipstick is always a fun part of makeup and one of my favourite shades to wear is a bright fuchsia pink. Apply a coat or two and you're good to go.
• Recommended Products: Rimmel Match Perfection Fix and Perfect Pro Prime Primer (HERE), Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (HERE), Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (HERE), Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (HERE), Sleek Rose Gold Blusher (HERE), Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray (HERE), Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner in Hustle (HERE), Max Factor Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal Grey (HERE), Lancôme Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara (HERE), MAC Show Orchid Lipstick (HERE), Real Techniques Brushes (HERE).

That's all for today then. I hope you enjoyed this and that this has given you a few ideas for some makeup looks to see you through the festive season.

What are your plans for the festive seasons? Do you have a favourite look for the festive season? Have you got any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Be sure to let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for joining me today, I'll speak to you all soon.

 

I hope your day is beautiful.

 

GingerSnaps xxx



Makeup Your Mind - Makeup and Beauty Inspiration and Tips - Festive Day Makeup

Hi!!!

How are we all today, guys? It's December now, which means it's Christmas time now. Christmas time is my favourite time of the year. I like to try and make everything special, and that includes my makeup. I want to share some of my tips and tricks for festive daytime makeup.

(These ideas are just that - ideas. If these ideas don't suit you, I do apologise, but at the same time, they are just things I like to do. Please be nice about what I say. I am very passionate about makeup.)

If I feel like it, I pop on some primer and foundation. I don't do this everyday, but I do always use concealer. I use Nars Pore Refining Primer (HERE), either Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (HERE)- find my review (HERE) - or No7 Instant Radiance Foundation (HERE), which I had match made. At the moment, I'm still using Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (HERE), but want to switch to something more moisturising, as its becoming too dry now its Winter.

Obviously, red lipstick is an item of makeup most people associate with the festive season. I, however, don't have the energy to keep up lip liner, lipstick etc. unless I'm going out, out (Mickey Flanagan fans?). Therefore, I like to choose something which has more of a balm texture, as it is more comfortable for the day, and is easier to maintain.

 I recently bought a Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm, in the colour The Redder, The Better (HERE). So far, I like this product but when I've used it some more, I'll review it. It does work as a balm nicely, smells like vanilla and, considering it's a balm texture, it lasts well.

 

I find that a brown eye goes nicely with a red lip, but I like to keep it soft and pretty during the day, rather than packing it on to a highly intense pigment.

One of my favourite palettes is the Sleek iDivine Ultra Mattes V2 "Darks" Palette, (HERE). When you get these palettes, the cellophane sheet over the shadows has the names of the colours on it. If you keep this, I use "Paperbag" or the brown shade, all over the lid, blending it loads into a very soft brown, yet still layering it for staying power (does that make sense? - apply, blend, repeat, repeat, repeat. Yeah?). Then I use either "Pillow Talk" or "Dune", to highlight the inner corner and under the brown bone.

Then it's lashing of mascara on my top and bottom lashes.

 

From there, I tend to add some blusher - usually a peachy/pale coral shade, as I find some pink blusher worn with red lipstick can be a bit much.

I don't really have too much of a preference. I will recommend Sleek Blushers to you though - they have a great formula and colour range.

 

I also powder over my skin with my Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (HERE) - best thing ever!

 

I use Real Techniques brushes for application. They are utterly amazing! Find their Boots page  (HERE).

 

So, I hope you enjoyed that. It's a different kind of post for me, and pictures probably would have helped, but hey ho! Anyway, I hope that's been helpful or has inspired you to get a bit festive with yo faces!

 

Have a glamorous day! 

GingerSnaps xxx



All Things Bright and Beauty-ful! - Beauty Product Review - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Review.

Hi!!!

If you read THIS post a little while ago, you'll know that I treated myself to NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc. I'd been eyeing this foundation up for absolutely ages and one of the reasons I was so interested in this foundation was because of all the brilliant reviews that it had from all the wonderful bloggers and YouTube beauty gurus. So, I thought since I used their reviews as an excuse to buy this product, I thought I'd write one so that you can use mine as an excuse to purchase it, as well as all the others.

 

 

The Product. 





 

 

 

 

 

What NARS Promise. 

 

 

In their own words, NARS promise a "glowing, natural radiant finish foundation" that has "sheer" yet "buildable" coverage, that "evens out skin tone". NARS claim that it will leave skin "hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother". NARS also claim that if  "used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture".  

 

According to NARS, Sheer Glow Foundation contains powerful anti-oxidants that will protect against skin damaging free radicals. It also contains turmeric extract that supposedly improves the skin's tone and radiance.

 

NARS recommend this foundation for Normal, Normal to Dry and Dry Skin Types. If you however have an oily skin,  NARS also sell NARS Sheer Matte Foundation, available (HERE).
 

What I think of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.

 

I really love this foundation.

 

This foundation feels beautiful on the skin - it's cool on application and it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It really does make the skin look more glowing and radiant and it has such a beautiful finish. My skin doesn't feel or look cakey or dried out after using it.

Also, it's brilliant for someone like me with sensitive skin because it's fragrance free and dermatologically tested.

This foundation wears brilliantly on the skin and lasts for most of the day (between 5 and 7 hours depending on how hot it is outside)  - please do note that I use this foundation, as I do with every foundation I wear, with primer.

 I apply it at a medium coverage, but it is definitely buildable. Also, if you prefer a lighter coverage, just use it sparingly and consider applying with your hands.

 I tend to apply it with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush - part of the Core Collection (HERE) - or just with my hands. Both give a really lovely finish. I don't think that there is a bad way to apply Sheer Glow.

 

NARS Sheer Glow photographs beautifully. It contains no SPF which is great if your moisturiser has an SPF in (since you aren't supposed to layer SPF's) and also means that it won't flashback in photographs.

 

Something else that really impressed me was the packaging - a sturdy yet elegant glass bottle which is cool to the touch and fits perfectly in my makeup bag as well as looking beautiful on my dressing table with an almost velvety lid. My only issue with the packaging is the fact that the lid does pick up foundation covered finger prints and marks very easily... But you can't have it all I suppose.

 

I can't vouch for the improvement of the brightness of skin and texture that comes from using it everyday because I don't wear foundation everyday - sorry (I don't see the point if I'm just going to Tesco and popping round to see my Auntie). However, since this foundation delivered on everything else, I'd imagine that it would on this, even just a bit.

 

Would I recommend it?

 

I would highly recommend this product to anyone with a normal, normal to dry, or dry skin who is looking for a premium foundation that will photograph beautifully and make their skin look stunning. I cannot recommend this highly enough. It's worth all the hype that it has received. It's my dream foundation to date...

 

Where you can buy NARS Sheer Glow and how much does it cost.

 

 NARS Sheer Glow retails for £30.50 and is easily accessible to purchase at Space NK (website HERE) and Selfridges & Co (website HERE) stores. It is also available on the NARS website (HERE). The NARS website also has a list of stores that stock NARS products - mentioned above and others - and their locations, so its worth a look.

 

The final word.

 

 That's it for today then, guys. I hope that you've enjoyed this post - my first beauty review. If you have enjoyed it then do let me know in the comments. Do you have NARS Sheer Glow? Do you agree with what I've said? And if not, have you got your eye on it? I assume you have.

 

I hope that your day is absolutely brilliant.

 

GingerSnaps xxx