March Favourite Posts

What a month! I don't think it could have been any busier. I've managed to do 18 (19 with this post) blog posts this month. My aim was to blog every day but I'm not disappointed as without that goal I wouldn't have done this many. As well as my blog I started my Makeup course and so far have had 4 lessons. I've learnt the basics of foundation application, how to line a lip and eye among many other skills. Next month I'll be able to put those lessons to the test on models (aka my friends). I'm watching more and more YouTube tutorials than ever before so if YOU have a channel where you show how to apply makeup plz leave your linkies for me.

 

Makeup Academy (MUA) 3 in 1 contour pen

I was very excited to get my hands on these 3 in 1 contour pens by MUA. They are a complete steal at £1.50 each. I bought both the black and dark brown, one for day and one for night. They can be used in 3 ways .. the tip for corners, the edge for a thin line and the flat for a thick line.

Real Techniques Shading Brush

Real Techniques brushes are designed by Samantha Chapman of the famous Pixiwoo. They're synthetic, cruelty free, don't shed and dry really after washing them! I had heard of these but never really used them. Before I started to really get into makeup I rarely used anything other than the brushes that came with the products. Buying a separate brush, never mind one for each section of the face, was alien to me. So when I knew I was going to be starting my course in Level 2 Makeup I thought I was really excited to find out how to use them.

 

EU bans sale of all animal-tested cosmetics

 

Being a huge animal lover this is very good news. As of March 2013 a complete ban on the sale of cosmetics developed through animal testing has taken effect in the EU. The ban applies to all new cosmetics and their ingredients sold in the EU, regardless of where in the world testing on animals was carried out. The 27 EU countries have had a ban on such tests in place since 2009. But the EU Commission is now asking the EU's trading partners to do the same.

John Frieda Precision Foam light ash brown 6A

It's been 9 weeks since I last dyed my hair, see my DIY post here. I wasn't thrilled about my last colour by Clairol as it came out quite brassy. With my skin tone I need an Ashy colour on my hair. I'm naturally dark blonde so trying to find a brunette colour which isn't warm and without a red undertone is near on impossible. I had heard good things about John Frieda Precision Foam in Light Ash Brown. There are 2 bonuses to this product .. firstly the Ash colour and secondly the non-drip formula. There's nothing worse than when I'm applying a colour and it ends up on the carpet.

Five Minute Friday: Remember

Not heard of Five Minute Friday? Check out Lisa's blog http://lisajobaker.com/ and add your name to the blog hop once you have posted. I don't always particapate because some topics I can't think of anything to write.

**********Bloggers post for 5 minutes flat about a set topic and they aren't allowed to edit or backtrack on their words. It's about the love of the written word and just letting it flow***********

Benefit World Famous Neutrals review

Benefit Cosmetics mini haul

I was very naughty a couple of weeks ago and spent around £40 on Benefits online shop. It would have been more but Benefit had a Thursday special on through their Facebook page. I couldn't really say no ;) It felt like forever waiting for them to come as I ordered before the weekend and then when they arrived on the Wednesday I wasn't home :'( so had to wait even longer. I've been wanting They're Real Mascara for months now but it's just such a lot of money compared to what I normally spend on a mascara, I'm use to spending £5-£8 not £20. I've been wearing it for a couple of days now and really see the difference, really worth the extra pounds I feel.

Milestone Giveaway

THANK YOU!! I can't believe I've had over 10,000 page views on my blog in just 8 months. I am so thankful to all my readers, especially those of you who read frequently and keep in touch with me through your comments and on Twitter/Facebook. As a way of thanks I wanted to do a small Giveaway for you; a few products I've gathered together which I think you may like -

Benefit Counter Debenhams

This is a follow up to my previous post, Clinique Counter Debenhams. After visiting the Clinque counter to get my foundation and blusher done I headed over to my favourite brand Benefit. I've had my makeup done by a Benefit artist before but this was when their counter used to be in the centre of Debenhams, Norwich and was much smaller. Now it's on the edge and looks more like a store than a counter. It even has its own Brow bar and Waxing Salon.

Clinique Counter Debenhams

I have been doing a bit of market research into how other Makeup Artists work. I have only ever had my makeup applied twice and both were many years ago. I was pretty nervous, if I'm honest, about approaching anyone so I decided before hand what I was going to get done by each artist. The easiest place to start would naturally be the counters in a department store where the makeup artists work on commission so are always looking for girls to sit in their chairs and try the makeup.

What's in my bag?

This is my first What's in my bag post. I love reading other peoples as I'm very nosey about the people behind the blogs; seeing what someone carries in their handbag is a very personal thing. I've left out the sanitary towels and floss. Nobody wants to read about them, right?

 

My handbag is HUGE! I tend to carry about a lot of stuff during the day so need something which will hold everything. This one is from Avon, yep they don't just do hand creams ;) I have another handbag from them too but this one is the most recent. It has 3 inside pockets and lots of room.

Makeup Consultation form

My first homework set on my makeup course is to create my very own Consultation Form. You may have filled one of these out when visiting a salon. Consultation forms are used in many industries, beauty, medical, buying a new car. Everybody wants to know your business and forms can be tedious for you but very important to the person collecting your information. As a makeup artist you need to find out as much about your client as possible before you can start the session. It's important to avoid any cross infections, protect the clients own health and safety as well as your own and of course your reputation or that of the employers.

Percy & Reed London Finishing polish review

 

A new month a new magazine! Glamour have 4 products by Percy & Reed London free with their £2 magazine this month. Considering this product retails at £10 it's a huge bargain. I would have loved to buy all 4 but I'm on a budget, something to tell you about in a future post. I chose the Finishing polish over the others as I have thick unruly hair and it always needs taming. When I get the chance to try a new product which will keep my lionesses mane under control I have to have it.

 

Wilkinson Sword Quattro Bikini Razor review

 

A very different post today for you my lovely readers. I've being do quite a few makeup reviews and I don't want to bore you so I thought I'd talk about a staple in my bathroom cupboard. Every woman and man owns a razor, unless you like the o'naturale look or like many women and "some" men now get waxed. I've used so many different razors including my boyfriends. If you have never used your boyfriends razor you won't understand the pain it causes them, literately! So if you can avoid using his do.

MUA Undress Your Skin highlighter review

 

New addition to the Makeup Academy range Undress Your Skin highlighting powder. What the

say ... Undress your Skin Highlighting Powder is a lightweight baked powder designed to provide sheer coverage and a radiant soft-focus effect to transform your complexion with luminescence shimmer. The Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder perfects any look by creating a natural, healthy glow that is suitable for all skin tones.

O.P.I Nail Envy Review

I've been complaining a lot lately of how frequently my nails break and flake, nail polish has no staying power. It was suggested I try Nail Envy by a few bloggers who swear by it. So on my way out of the cinema the other week I popped into Boots and hunted high and low but eventually I found it. My mouth fell open when I saw the price, £18.65!!! Seriously?? At that price I expect a bucket of the stuff.

February Skincare Empties

 

Where did February go?? It's such a short month isn't it? I have surprised myself at how many products I've finished in such a short time. One of these products has actually lasted me 2 months, maybe longer, can you guess which one? I'll let you think about it for awhile.

 

It's been a great month, I've gained new followers and new friends. My social life went BANG! Out atleast twice a week and I'm off out again tonight. Stuart is probably wondering if he even has a girlfriend bless. I start my course on Monday, I'm so excited I could burst!! Keep your eyes peeled for future posts all about my experiences as a 'mature' student.