What's In My Make Up Bag? ♥

 I love, love, looove this make up bag from Primark. It's actually meant to be a toiletries bag that you hang on the back of your door, but I thought it would be perfect as a make up bag. Only costing £4.00 from Primark and being an excellent Cath Kidston dupe, well, I had to have it! 

 All of these products are my must-go-to items in my make up bag at the moment. I'm loving Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, and it is so beautiful mixed with Mac Strobe Cream...perfect duo. I find that as my foundation is so long lasting, I'm not really having to use my L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer, but It's such a lovely product that I always pop it in my make up bag just in case. My favourite concealers are Benefit Erase Paste and Collection Long Lasting Concealer. I never used to be a big fan of the Erase Paste- I didn't feel it did anything for me...ah, so wrong I was! I suffer from terrible red/blueish bags under my eyes, and I find that this product really diminishes the blue and red tones. I then blob a little Collection Concealer on, and I look awake and bright eyed. My favourite highlighters are Estee Lauder Double Wear Highlighter, perfect for above the eyebrows, and Me Me Me highlighter, which looks a real treat on the cheek bones. I always finish the look with a touch of Rimmel Stay Matte Powder as I have oily skin occasionally, and a little Rimmel Sun Shimmer in the Summer- it's also perfect for contouring as it has very little shimmer to it. 

On my eyes I am loving Estee Lauder Double Wear creamy eye shadow pots in Ivory Lace. It stays put all day, and has such a natural, beautiful shimmer. I also enjoy L'oreal Colour Appeal Star Secret Trio eyeshadows (what a mouthful!) when I fancy a smokey eye. Favourite mascaras are L'oreal Telescopic mascara for super curled and separated lashes, and L'oreal Double Extension Renewal Mascara for extra length. I also really love my H&M Light Brown Eyebrow Pencil....an absolute bargain, lovely colour and stays put all day. I always curl my lashes with Primark lash curlers...absolute bargain at £2.00. 

I am currently using Real Techniques brushes; the Buffing Brush and Contour Brush being my favourite. I recently bought some Italian Brushes from a Company called Kubo Beauty. They retail around the £13 mark, but I know are also available in TkMaxx at the moment for a little cheaper. I'm not sure how I feel about them yet- the concealer brush is lovely, but I find the powder brush is a little dry and irritates my skin at times...shame, because they look pretty impressive. 

I've also been trying Seventeen Shimmer Palettes which are new to the collection- I'm not really that impressed. It has little colour pay off and the pigmentation is really pants. I am however loving the Estee Lauder Double Wear blusher....it is such a gorgeous colour, but I think it was limited edition because I can't find it to be available anywhere!

What are your favourite things in your make up bag? I'd love to know!

Real Techniques- Your base/flawless Core collection ♥

I've always been a massive fan of the Chapman sisters, and absolutely love their you tube channel. I've heard  so many amazing things about Samantha Chapman's Real Techniques brushes, and I thought it was about time that I got my hands on them!

 I was really after a foundation and powder brush, which separately retail at around £9.99. I then saw this brush set retailing at £21.99. This seemed much better value, as you get four brushes and a case/stand. The Core Collection contains Detailer Brush, perfect for covering perfection and applying lipstick; a Pointed Foundation Brush to build coverage; a Buffing Brush for full coverage of powder and mineral foundation; and a Contour Brush to apply highlighter to contour.

 The brushes are so soft and light. I also find that you don't get any stray brush hairs, which sometimes happens with other make up brushes. I've used every brush, and so far I'm really impressed. I have to say that the pointed foundation brush is a real winner for me. I have quite large pores,and I think my skin looks so dewy when applying foundation with this brush. 

 I think this a great brush collection for those wanting to get more experienced in applying make up, but also for those who are already experienced but want to expand their collection. You can also visit www.realtechniques.com to watch step-by-step tutorials of how to use the brushes.  

You can purchase the Core Collection, retailing at £21.99 from Boots.

Have you tried the Real Techniques brushes?

Getting eco was pretty good, really...

I'm in love with my new make-up brush. It's so soft on my face, and it's even better by the fact that I know it's great for the environment. My brush is from the range Eco Tools, a company which use earth-friendly materials and donates 1% of sales to For the Planet. Launching in 2008, their sales have grown massively due to huge popularity because of their lovelyjubley brushes.

 

I bought the powder brush and absolutely love it.

Eco tools say the powder brush is:

"This must-have is ideal for applying and setting your face makeup.  Our ultra-soft, cruelty-free brush delivers an even, all-over dusting of powder.  This brush features a recycled aluminum ferrule, a sleek bamboo handle and our zip-top reusable pouch."

My face never looks too caked after using this brush, and leaves a lovely, natural finish.

Very impressed.

Retailing at £9.99 at Boots.

Love, Sophie Olivia x x