Elf Brushes. Yes or No?

Elf brushes have always been talked about as being good quality and I don't know about you guys, but I am convinced with brushes you get what you pay for. So, I had to try for myself to see if they were any good or not. At £3.95 a pop I decided to get 3 and the Lip Exfoliator (Can you tell Emily Noel from YouTube is being my guide here ? ;))

Overview of the brushes I got!

 
BUT have I been converted?? First up the Powder Brush!
1)

Powder Brush Close Up

 The Powder brush is soft yet firm enough, picks up hard pressed powders well and is good at tapping off excess from loose powders. It's a lovely brush and I love the cut of it, I haven't tried it with any cream or liquid products because to be honest...I kinda think it wouldn't work with a liquid foundation very well as I feel the bristles are almost too soft/not dense enough for that. Overall, great brush for a great price, would I recommend it for blush? Just, Powder all over the face? Absolutely, Contour? Urr...I feel as though it's too wide for that but you could! All over blending? Heck Yeah!


2) Small Stipple Brush;

Front View

Side View!

 The only trouble with elf packaging! The Plastic cover it comes in squishes the brush! So my brush is more of a fan shaped, still I love this brush. On first touch I was worried the bristles were too soft but on Emily's recommendation I powdered through trying x2 different creamy blushes on my cheeks with this. It's fantastic. It is very small, but I feel as though this makes for a better application! It's small & cute but gutsy, it picks up product from the pans well and distributes across your face and cheeks wonderfully, makes even the stickiest "cream blush" glide onto your cheeks. I am SOLD. I will be buying these for all my friends for Christmas!


3) Small Tapered Brush;

Small Tapered Brush sideways on

This brush. This is the pick of the bunch for me. The size is just perfect for getting right in that contour line y'all know you need! For even the smallest of faces and cheeks, this is amazing. Soft bristles, blends out powders so nicely (I tend to do a lil' back forward blend and it just blends in even the darkest contour powders beautifully :')). If you're looking for the Perfect Contour/Highlight brush this HAS to be it! Again, some friends' will find this in their stockings!

Overview of the brushes;
Good Quality Bristles
Good Quality Handles
Look Nice
Don't shed all that much (only expected with new brushes)
Packaging they come in can squeeze or alter the brushes shape for a little while
They're like never in bloody stock online!? -Seriously Elf please just get up to date with suppliers, I almost didn't bother!
Elf almost always have a code or promo on their site so you may even get the brushes cheaper or with free shipping! Woo!

 The last thing I got was the Lip Exfoliator...

Close up on the exfoliator

 I love this product so much. It is now a Holy Grail Product of mine, it's so deeply exfoliating-almost harsh on lips, so if you don't like really hard exfoliators then don't go for this. If like me you suffer with crusty lip syndrome sometimes and you lips almost feel itchy, this is great! Going to get rid of all your scuffiness plus where it's made of all sugar and oils etc it tastes amazing! It reminds me so much of the Lush lip scrub but it is in a much more accessible lipstick form. I cannot express my love for this product it is simply incredible. A***!


So that's it for my lil' tiny elf haul! Hope you like my mini reviews of the products, quite a lot of love in here!
See you in the next one, it feels great to be blogging again x x x

LOTD: Shopping at Hobbycraft and Crafting for the rest of the day afterwards!

So Yes, I ventured into Hobbycraft once again! Well...I was after some modge podge type stuff (as I cannot find modge podge here in the UK for the LIFE of me) and I saw they had something similar online and thought, Well, why not have a little shop round? And I am  so glad I did! BUT that is another story! :P

Ma Full-Poutey-Face :*

My idea for what to wear/how to style it, I needed something easy to chuck on that would still look cute. I picked this leopard print jumpsuit I own from Topshop and grunged it up with some army boots and a top knot. My face, was quite easy but looked really, really nice and glowey!
I wore Dainty Doll shadows (if you can get hold of the yellow, I'd recommend it!!) and really just did a nice bronzed contour with Nars' Laguna, Physicians Formula Pearl Highlighter and Benefit's Rockateur (which, I still haven't totally figured out yet, haha!) I then slicked on some Nars' larger than life gloss in Place Vendome and then stuck some of the MUA one direction balm (I think I got...someone loves Watermelon??-Not sure, sorry!) But then whacked on some Avon super extend mascara and Elf max coverage concealer (which, if you do not already know I majorly LOVE-check out my elf haul/review here:http://januarybeautyful.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/elf-haul-august-2013.html).

Products used :)

Thanks for reading guys! Hope you liked this post, if you think I should start doing an Outfit of the day once a week...let me know, yeah? :) x x x

E.L.F. Haul August 2013!

Well, Elf had a 60% off code, which I did link on my fb page (Like it to get regular codes and sale notices from me-Button in the sidebar :) ) and I could not resist. After my last haul which you can see here: http://tinyurl.com/qb5c396 I really wanted to try more of their eyeshadows as the pigments had impressed me a lot.

So here's what I got!

All the Products in my haul :)

Matte Eyeshadows in Charcoal & Mint

Let's start with the very first thing I tried, the Matte pigment style Eyeshadows in Mint & Charcoal.
I wore them as a smokey eye and cannot lie....I am so in love with these I am going to buy any other colours there are as soon as I get another money off code (and get paid...haha!)! These were super easy to blend, lasted aggeeess, were smooth, nicely pigmented. The only thing, as with all pigment-ey type products is the application isn't always easiest as you get fall out and you can easily tip the product everywhere (that may have occured with the black one all over a friends' mum, oopsss! :S) but if you're very, very careful and have a makeup wipe at the ready for just in case moments, you'll be fine :) Like in my last haul with the studio eyeshadows, I took out the sifter from the top. Overall: A++

Mint in middle/Lid section & inner corner, Charcoal as
wings, crease and along lower lashline

Studio Pigment in Innocent Ivory

 Carrying on with eyes, Studio Pigment in "Innocent Ivory": As you may have read I did quite like these from my last haul, but this colour. WOW. I do not know where to start with it, well...It's not White! Let's start with that! It's a really pretty Iridescent Pink! I almost screamed with delight when I swatched it upon arrival...it's soooo super pretty! I feel all fairy like and cute when I wear it XD AND it works really well on it's own or atop a darker colour as a shimmer adder :D

Innocent Ivory and nothing else on the lids :)

Cream Eyeliner in Punk Purple

Now moving onto the cream eyeliner in "Punk Purple": This wasn't AS pigmented as I had hoped, seeing the product in the jar...but it is a little bit buildable and is a very pretty colour. That aside-it has AMAZING staying power, I had to really scrub to get it off at the end of the day! It lasts until you take it off with no smudging or moving around and is most definitely waterproof. I am very impressed with this. Overall: A- (minus for the pigment issue...)

Single Eyeshadows Pebble on the left & Amethyst on the right...

Some, single eyeshadows...shall we? I bought the colours "Pebble" & "Amethyst": Upon first swatch these were so dissapointing...but Pebble is a really wearable soft, taupe colour (making me think now, do I need to buy Nars' Alhasa Shadow?) and I think it blended really easily into my crease...it's not as buildable as I'd like but that is due to the colour of the product rather than the actual product itself. Amethyst is a similar story really but I prefer the colour :) Overall: C...mehh, they're nothing overly special.

Innocent Ivory on centre then Pebble blended out through crease

Amethyst Swept across my lids...

Glitter Eyeshadow in Night Owl

Last eye product-the Glitter Eyeshadow in "Night Owl": I bought this because I tried Urban Decay's Glitter Shadow in the shade "" and I thought this could be a good dupe for that...It is not. I don't know why they've marketed this as a glitter eyeshadow there is not NEARLY enough glitter on my lids for my liking, the actual eyeshadow has pigmentation, the grey is very strong but there is minimal glitter. Not hugely impressed but the shadow is of very good quality. Overall: C.

Night Owl on top of Amethyst...

Swatches of (L-R) Pebble, Amethyst, Night Owl & Punk Purple Liner.

Shimmering Facial whip in Lilac Petal

Next up lets talk about the Shimmering Facial Whip in "Lilac Petal":
As I am sure you're aware, I LOVED the first colour I bought "Spotlight"...this is no exception though I probably wouldn't of named it Lilac Petal, in person it looks more pink but on camera it does look lilac so I guess that makes it ok but aside from that I LOVE this too! Lasts a good amount of time doesn't make me look greasy, stays well, nicely pigmented....can be difficult to blend so work with little and build :) Overall: A

Before & After Lilac Petal Shimmering Facial Whip

Maximum Coverage Concealers in Porcelain & Sand

Now, last but certainly not least-The Product I spent literally Months trying to get my hands on!-The maximum coverage concealer. I bought the shades "Porcelain" & "Sand". These concealers do exactly what they say they should: They're blendable, wearable, customisable coverage and they're very highliy pigmented meaning you only need the smallest dot to cover stuff! They do last very well throughout the day too. If you can get these, definitely do-I think they're an acne sufferer must have. Overall: A+

Before & After Porcelain around my eyes

Before & After Sand on my cheek's spots

Before & After Sand on spot on chin

Swatches (L-R) Sand, Porcelain (Concealers), Lilac Petal Shimmering Facial Whip.

I would say this has been a good haul all in all! :P As I said I do always post discounts/baragains on my facebook page so if you haven't liked it yet...Why not? haha! You can click the link in my sidebar just up there>>>

I am sorry it takes me aggeess to write these reviews/hauls but I like to go into detail and really try the products before telling you about them so you can make an informed decision :3

Have you got any new elf products, did you try the new baked palettes?? Let me know as I missed out on them due to lack of funds! x x x

20.8.13 LOTD, Dallas Bronzed whilst saying Goodbye...

Everyone knows what its like to lose a loved one, everyone knows how hard it is to say goodbye but those who do not get the chance often feel worse for not getting the chance. I can honestly say that any kind of pet can touch your life, your goldfish, your dog, cat, iguana-whatever it might be. But, there's something about a horse... something very different. They depend on you to keep them healthy, they're very time consuming, very costly but the rewards you get in return is second to none. The joy of hacking out or going for a drive in my case... you get to explore places in different paces. In beautiful surroundings no car can reach. Smudge taught me practically everything I know about horses, riding and driving and I cannot explain how much she means to me. She's ever so patient and always enjoyed what we were doing. She was the perfect pony to learn with. For that, I thank her with all my heart and I just hope she knows how much I love her and she means to me. How thankful I am to her for teaching me. Her & of course I couldn't of done it without my Aunty & Uncle who own her. I will always be so, so thankful to them for all the time and effort they put into my enjoyment and success! We won so much together, I have over 12 rosettes I won with her, a couple of trophies and Shields. But those experiences are invaluable.
 So, on the day I decided to say goodbye to her, for that last time...I had to wear makeup that was country girl enough, I thought! Also...some waterproof mascara!

My full Bronzed up face :')

My neutral Eyes...

I wanted really neutral makeup that would look nice on camera :) For my eyes I used Elf's Innocent Ivory eyeshadow & Pebble single eyeshadow (stay tuned for my Elf Haul & Review coming hopefully next week!). I then used Maybelline's the rocket volume mascara first, then coated it in the Collection's Killer Curves waterproof mascara to give them a touch of waterproofness. For my face I used Milani's Bronze Duo in 01 Sunset City, Aveda's Bronze Patina Stick and then Benefit's Dallas Ultra Plush gloss on ma lips :).

All products used

So, that's it :) I am sorry this was a tad sad of a post, but I hope you won't mind too much, I love you all and Thank you for your support x x x

Nomnomnom Polos :')

I'll love you forever...<3

ELF Haul Review :') See my Hits & Misses + Have I found a Dupe for Bareminerals??

Similar to my most recent MUA Haul ( http://tinyurl.com/prlb7t8 ) Elf had a fantastic offer of 40% off every shop with a special code (they advertise them freely on their website, so, be sure to have signed up to their mailing list and check their site regularly!) So I had to get a little Haul ^.^

Everything I bought out on the grass :')

I bought the Flawless Finish Foundation, Personal Blend Foundation, Duo Cream Eyeshadow in “Coffee & Cream” and “Olive”, Shimmer Palette, Cover Everything Concealer, Hypershine Gloss in "Vixen", Shimmering Facial Whip in "Spotlight", Luscious Liquid Lipstick in “Baby Lips”, Lip Shine in "Honey Do", Studio Pigment Eyeshadows in "Magical Maroon" and "Naturally Nude".

Concealer, Foundation & Honey Do Lip Gloss Swatches

Foundation: My first annoyance is that it is way too dark, though it's the second to last colour (Porcelain was out of stock and I usually stay away from the name as it suggests a pink undertone). Very annoying-though it does have a nice yellow tone that matches my skin, so I don't look tooo out of place :). It did cover but only after a VERY good shake and mix, so, please shake it before you use it. I had to use quite a bit to get more coverage the first time-but the second time I needed hardly any (suggesting it just takes a good mix and shake). It doesn't last overly long though...maybe 4 hours? Rather disappointed with that, though its worth noting that the packaging is very nice and the pump of good quality. It did start with having the semi-matte finish it promises along with even-ing out skin tone but it does not last all day. Overall: D –will be good for those who don’t need/like a medium-heavy coverage/good for photoshoot as it looks perfect for about 10 minutes.

Cover Everything Concealer: This comes out a LOT lighter than it looks in the pot, this is a good concealer, nicely pigmented. It does cover everything well, but! It’s too light and brightening for spots really, I found myself covering spots with the concealer (after applying foundation) then applying a swipe of foundation over the top to make it a tad darker (The problem worsened by the dark foundation). Though, it did last very well (considering the heat and the slide-y foundation). It does do everything it promises on the box! but maybe next time I'll buy medium instead of light. Overall: B (worth the money, just make note it’s very light-I would’ve preferred something more skin coloured-great for under eyes though).

Superglossy Lip Shine “Honey Do”: The first thing I noticed-even when I opened up my package-was a very strong fruity smell. That was from this! WOW DOES IT SMELL! It’s not a nasty smell like the Hypershine, but it is fake and a bit overpowering. I am not totally sure if I liked this product as I don't think I have ever used a gloss so THICK-but it wasn't sticky or gloopy! It wasn't very pigmented at all but did have a nice shine to it. Plus, it was long wearing :) Overall: C (not enough pigmentation for me and I couldn't stand the smell for more than a minute :S)

Personal Blend Foundation: This is a mineral powder foundation. You get 4 colours which you can mix and match (I like to just mix them all together). The shades are quite different between them but once blended together do not make a HUGE difference of your actual skin colour (unless you only use the two darkest shades). The actual powder is quite nice, blends nicely-isn’t matte after 2 hours though :/ (but it is only meant to be a mineral foundation-I don’t think it’s meant to be matte) It does feel weightless & I like using it atop sheer liquid like a tinted moisturiser (which are slightly too rich and shiney for my skin) It is true to the colour shown in the powder (so be wary, it’s not that sheer!) which means it has a nice medium-full coverage (if you like to build) without looking cakey, if anything I thought this is just like Bare minerals Powder XD I am pleased with this but I do have a REAL annoyance with the packaging!! It's so difficult to get the bloomin' powder out with the silly little strainer thing it has on it. I am not very pleased with it at all-They definitely could've made this better-I just took the sifter out. Overall: A* (After using for a week, I'd say this is a DUPE FOR BAREMINERALS. NO JOKE. See my Bare minerals makeover and review here: http://tinyurl.com/brf7t6x )

 (Pictures of my whole made up face are at the end :) )

Shimmer Palette (First 4) Shimmering Facial Whip (last-spotlight)

Shimmer Palette: I have worn this palette NON-STOP for the last week and a half now. I LOVE it, they're so creamy, so dreamy! So soft but are very highly packed with shimmer so be warned!-A little goes a long way. It dries to a gorgeous shimmer on the face and stays really well. It doesn't move very much around your face so your pores won't end up being like the Blackpool illuminations (which is always nice :)). The different colours are not that noticeable in the swatches but on the face are and I feel it adds really nicely to the look your wearing (Today, I am wearing a Pink and White Eye with the new Sleek Candy Blush by 3-Dolly Mix-and So I used the deeper pink shade of the palette on my cheeks and it really just ties it all in). Overall: This is most likely my new FAVOURITE product from this haul A*

Shimmering Facial Whip: I wore this to Kelly’s Wedding Reception (makeup post here: http://tinyurl.com/lgj4wkg) and I really like it! It’s very pigmented so you only need a tiny amount. It lasted all night looked really pretty (didn’t move and make me look really shiney elsewhere). I can easily compare this with MAC’s – and Benefit’s Highbeam type products. Overall, I am so pleased with this: A* -GO BUY IT! XD

Cream Eyeshadow Duos

Look How Pretty it Looks!!

 Cream Eyeshadow Duo “Olive”: At first I was thinking Nars' Paramaribo (as I almost always do with a green eyeshadow duo :P) But I was so disappointed with this! It pretty much creased as I put it on!! (I even had a good-well trusted-primer on!) Also, on my hand it was swatched all pretty and green and brown, but when put on my eyes all sort of merged into a bronzeyy colour (which was nice, but if I wanted that I would’ve bought that!)

Olive...Apparently...

Cream Eyeshadow Duo “Coffee & Cream”: This was a similar story, unfortunately...It just creased (not as quickly as Olive nor did it merge as quickly as Olive...but it did crease) It also did merge into one weird colour. Not very happy. Swatches beautifully but on the eyes (even with UD Primer Potion) Goes EVERYWHERE but where you want it... Overall rating: E (after trying these and the Jumbo Eyesticks....is there any point me bothering with the studio cream eyeshadows?? :L)

Coffee & Cream Duo, slightly better than Olive...

Studio Pigments above, 2 Lip products below

Luscious Liquid Lipstick “Baby Lips”: This colour is gorgeously nude and glossy. It had a nice minty smell and was not sticky at all. It wasn’t very noticeable on the lips but I am not sure if that’s because I picked a colour very close to my own lips shade. It didn’t feel heavy and lasted well and like stated on the packaging-was soothing! I am not totally sure if it softens or hydrates but the tops of my lips did feel soothed from their hay fever stinging. It did last well too (only to disappear after 3 hours cos’ of my drinking out of a mug). Also, as this is called a “liquid lipstick”….I wouldn’t call it that, I’d call it a gloss! This didn’t dawn on me until I started writing this, as I liked it so much, I didn’t realise that when I first bought it I assumed it’d be a lipstick form. Overall: B (just wish there was a more punchy colour).

Hypershine Lipgloss “Vixen”: This was a lovely colour but quite sheer so I had to use a lot to get my desired effect, I think I’ll pop a lipstick underneath next time to amp up the colour a bit. It did however, have a very wet-look shine and was a nice wearable colour. My only real complaint is that it has an awful smell! This does fade quickly (thank god) But it can be a real turn off to me picking it up :S. Overall: B (Wish it was more pigmented & smelt nicer :L).

Pigment Eyeshadow "Naturally Nude": These pigment eyeshadows are so richly pigmented :') The only thing I dislike about these is the annoying packaging, you need to take the sifter out as it does not let ANYTHING through and that is....really, really annoying D: (similar to the Personal Blend Mineral Foundation's packaging). I do love the actual product though. They almost look duo chromed/multi-tonal. Naturally Nude is gorgeous on the eyes on it's own though be warned, the swatch on the website is a LOT lighter than it is in person, in real life it's a deep gold.
"Magical Maroon" is a lot darker- I was hoping it would be a tad more Burgundy. That's just my own preference though, it's still a gorgeously pigmented dust. The formula is quite thick though, so, be wary that it can be a bit grainy and tough on lids at times (especially on the sensitive hay fever suffering eyes at the moment). Considering they're a pigment, the fall out isn't too hard to clear up, nor does it come as a surprise we have fall out. Overall: A -very nice product, I will be buying other colours after I come back from Holiday! XD

Magical Maroon Lining my eyes.

Full Face with Flawless Finish Foundation, Olive Cream eye duo, cover everything concealer, vixen hypershine lipgloss & a light dusting of personal blend powder.

Flash on, Dark(ish) room

Smiling!?

BRIGHT LIGHT ROOM!

Full Face with Personal blend foundation (over moisturiser only), Honey Do Lip Gloss, Coffee & Cream eye duo, Magical Maroon pigment (lining eyes), Shimmer Palette & cover everything concealer.

Flash On, Dark Room

Flash On, Light/Brighter Room (very overcast day)

Flash Off, Light/Brighter Room (very overcast day)

Overall, I am pleased with my haul I had 3 misses, 4 hits and 2 mehhs. Not bad really! Plus, I just love trying out new products so it's not like it was a chore to do this :) I am intrigued now as to whether elf actually make any eye products I'll like (apart from the pigment of course!) so when they next have an offer I'll make sure I buy lots of different eye stuffs :) Thanks so much for reading this guys! xxx