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

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

Kelly's Hen Do on Sat, Outfit, Makeup, Nails, THE LOT.

Kelly's Hen Night is this Saturday! (WOOO!) I am a little excited. Her theme is Neon. I kid you not, Neon. Here's my ideas for my makeup & a picture of my outfit (and, it's not on because I don't want to ruin the full effect :P).

 So, This is the Idea/design I came up with :P

Hen Do Neon Design I call it: La Neon.

 And these are all the products I found (that I own) That I thought would be suitable for creating a look along those lines...

Main Items Found for look

(from Left - Right) LOOK's "Flirty Flick" L:iquid Eyeliner (amazing stuff that doesn't budge!!) Model's Own "Luis Lemon" #137 Nail Polish, Barry M "Dazzle Dust" #76, Barry M "Fine Glitter Dust" #10, Lush Cosmetics' Cream Eyeshadow in "Lifted", Illamasqua's "Eurydice" Lipstick, Pop Beauty's "orange" eyeliner pencil, Hello Kitty "Starry Lipgloss" & The False Lashes are (eyelure's) Katy Perry's Self Adhesive "Darling" 's.

 I then also found these! (don't know whyyy I didn't look in my Sleek drawer first!?)



The Pout Polish is "Lemon Meringue" (but is not available anymore and dissapointingly doesn't smell like lemon meringue :P). It's actually not as pigmented as I was hoping! -But I'll mix some of the Barry M Dusts into it and then we'll be talking! ;) .



I also like the look of the eyeshadow slightly hidden behind it "Sand Dollar" from the relatively new Lagoon Palette. Doesn't that pink next to it look gorgeous? I can't wait to sink my teeth into that design ;) (I very often like to pick a square of the palette, act likes that the only quad I own and try and come up with a cool mix-Works a treat when you're in need of inspiration!)




And finally, I completely forgot I own a 168 colour palette! (Thank you Guy! ;) ) Opened it up and found this whole line of GEMS!

And Now, a picture of the outfit...all ready to rock & ruin ;)

My Neon Outfit XD (the pink shoe's my phone btw :P)

 *Just a quick side note: My first EPQ meeting with Bridget went so well! She loved my ideas! XD

Palette Collection Review #1 E.L.F. 100 Colour Palette

So, I bought this palette in TK Maxx (though, lately they seem to be running really low on beauty pickings :( ) for around £7.99. Totally worth it for the amount of colours you get in this! Below I have a picture of shadows with the tick (AMAZING!) shadows with a cross (Don't even bother looking twice at D:) and some without either (neither amazing or bad, worth a play every now and again). As you can see from the picture its a shame that there are hardly any good purples :'( But a good selection of browns/bronzes etc and lovely Blues! I have actually drawn these on top of the palette too, so, when I am working quickly I can know which shadows to not bother with and which ones to rush into! Overall Tasha rating: B+

E.L.F. 100 Colour Palette