My Fresh Face

Turning 26 has made me more conscious about how I look and the image I portray. I decided, along with a new approach to my skincare, that I needed to look a little more fresh and natural with my makeup. 

I had been using Bourjois foundation, but found I looked a little fake and it tended to wear off in the afternoon. On my trip to Boots I ended up having their colour match done and I bought a Foundation, Powder and Concealer from the range. Apparently my skin is cool vanilla. 

I also bought myself a foundation brush as I haven't ever used one. I have really noticed a difference. I feel my skin is not so clogged, and I don't look like I'm wearing lots of makeup. It's so much easier to put the makeup on with a brush as well. I have taken a photo to show my transformation. 

I was even asked at work the other day what makeup I use, so I take that as a sign that I've achieved the look I was going for with my makeup. I am still a big fan of Bourjois and I use their blusher, lipstick and mascara along with a natural collection eye liner to finish off my everyday look. 

My Makeup Story Tag

I spotted a great tag for YouTube earlier and had to join in on my channel. I would love for fellow vloggers to join in. If you do, please leave me your links in the comments!

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Makeup Course

A few months ago I bought a hair and makeup one day course on a whim from Groupon. When I remembered a few weeks ago upon receiving an email from the company I wasn't too sure I wanted to attend the course anymore. I am interested in marketing and events again and not really wanting to get into beauty as I did a few months ago. However, I have already paid for the course, and it would be good to learn a few tips and tricks to use on myself. The email I got from the company gave me a list of things I would need to take with me and I didn't have quite a lot of them so I made a trip into town.

I have never had makeup brushes before as I don't really see them as necessary, but I am quite looking forward to seeing how different makeup application is with them. The biggest bargain was the foundation and powder brush from H&M which only cost £2.99. I also got my makeup mirror and lip brush for a couple of pounds each as Boots are currently doing their £5 off no.7 vouchers again. I have never used a pintail comb before so it will be interesting to see how it helps when doing my hair.

Overall I am quite excited for the course, although also a little nervous as I don't know what to expect from it. I will do a post next week to let you all know how I got on and what I learnt.

What's in my (New) Bag?

I absolutely love my current handbag which I bought myself from River Island on New Year's Eve.

I'm a typical woman (think I have got even worse since having had Cameron), and I manage to stuff full my bags, no matter how big they are. This is what is currently in my handbag:

Purse, Organiser and ID

 I love my purse. I got it as part of my Christmas present from my best friend and it is so nice and big and girly. I don't have a Driving License Photocard at the moment as it was stolen so I have to carry round my (very unflattering) passport for ID. I like to be super organised but to be honest, I use my Notes app on my iPhone more than this organiser.

Makeup

I never leave the house without my makeup bag (I don't care if this makes me sound vain). I have all of my everyday makeup in my bronze makeup bag and then I have a girly eye makeup palette, a bronzing palette with a mirror built in as well. I also carry round my mini hairbrush, dry shampoo and hairspray so that I can fix my hair when I am out and about. I also always have my current nail varnish with me so that I can fix chips if I need to.

The Essentials

I carry around sunglasses even when it is not a nice day as it could become sunny and I might need them when driving. I have a couple of pens on the go, a pair of tweezers, a pack of tissues, some mouthwash and baby bonjela for Cameron as he is teething again!

My Gadgets

As well as my iPhone (not pictured as I take photos with it), I also have my iPod shuffle and a mini digital keychain.


What's in your bag?

Project 365 #22 making myself pretty

Tonight my boyfriend came round and I made an extra effort after having had no time for the past week. I curled my hair, fake tanned and did my nails and makeup. Apparently I smelt like a biscuit... Can't win...

Product Review: 17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer

I recently posted a beauty wishlist and said that I would most probably break my spending ban to buy the 17 primer, and a few days later I did.... I hadn't bought a new primer since my last one (maybelleine) had run out before Christmas so I was in need of one....

What they say:

"17 Photo Flawless Primer helps you achieve picture perfect preparation"

What I say:

This is my new favourite primer. Maybelleine's primer is good but at double the price, I won't be going back to it now. The primer says that it helps foundation stay put for longer but I haven't noticed it staying any longer than when I wasn't using a primer to be honest. However, it does make my skin so much smoother which allows for a better application of makeup, as well as making my pores look smaller and my skin overall look smoother.

The primer comes out a little watery at first but once I had rubbed the tube between my palms to warm it up a bit it came out nice and thick and I only needed a pea sized amount for my face.

I am really happy with this product, and for under a fiver I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a primer which won't break the bank.

Frontcover Palette

I have fallen in love with Frontcover cosmetics lately and got a nail set in the sale (which I am actually pretty disappointed with). When my mum came back from Newcastle she had bought me the mini palette set in the sales and I love it!

For a start, I love anything in miniature, so I was already sold from the outset, but the colours in the palette are gorgeous and so well pigmented, and it comes with a handy metallic cover for the palette and the amazing shadowline which turns the eyeshadows into eyeliner! One of my favourite presents!

Do you love Frontcover? Did you get any of the sets over Christmas or in the sales?

My Makeup and Nail Varnish Collection

As I am doing a one day makeup course in February I thought I should really have a sort out of all my makeup and nail varnishes and arrange them a bit tidier.

I decided to do this yesterday, whilst my boyfriend was over.... He was a little shocked at how much makeup I had, and if I am honest, so was I!Since becoming pregnant with Cameron, I have barely gone out and definitely haven't had use for half the makeup I seem to have collected over the last couple of years. I had a sort out and threw some of it away and then put the rest into these cute makeup bags that I got from Primark.

One of my new years resolutions is definitely going to be to experiment more with my makeup and nails!

30 Day Beauty Blog Challenge: Day 23 — Your best bargain makeup item

It's got to be the MUA (Makeup Academy) range from Superdrug. This range has products that only cost £1 but are actually really good value for money. I love their nail varnishes, and eyeshadows and at £1 each I can actually get a full range of shades in both for less than a tenner, bargain!

Have you tried the range? Do you love it as well?

30 Day Beauty Blog Challenge: Day 22 — Your beauty tips for a big night out

As a mum, I don't often go on big nights out. When I get a night away from Cameron I am more likely to be found in front of a film or pampering myself than drinking in a bar. However, it means that when I do get out, I like to make that extra effort, especially when it comes to beauty and makeup.

In the morning or the night before I will wash my hair using a deep treatment shampoo, exfoliate and shave. About two hours before I am due to leave I will have a quick shower again (mainly to wash off anything Cameron has managed to smear on me!) and then moisturise all over and fake tan. I use St Moriz as I absolutely love it and it is so so cheap!

I get dressed, often in a short dress as my legs are my best part (my boobs are tiny!).

 My favourite going out dress is bright pink and one shouldered, that I won off of Rachel's blog competition.

After I am dressed I will apply my makeup. For a night out I usually up the ante a bit and go for smokey eyes and false eyelashes. I apply all of my makeup first and then add the false lashes, before adding more mascara and eye makeup to cover up the joins!

Finally, I will spritz myself in lots of perfume and a glimmer spray such as Soap and Glory's Easy Glistening Dry Body Oil. It gives my legs a sexy sheen.

Just before I leave I will add my sky high heels and a final slick of lip gloss and I am good to go!

30 Day Beauty Blog Challenge: Day 01 — You with makeup on

Well this shouldn't be hard as I never really go out without makeup on. I was even wearing makeup during labour, and had my best friend and birth partner add a tiny bit more for my after birth photos.....

This photo is one of my most recent from a photoshoot with Carl Lewis (from Carl Lewis Photography). I always do my own makeup for shoots and here I am just wearing my normal everyday makeup.