Sunday 27 August 2017

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette & Fuel Vice Lipstick

I have been waiting for this palette to be released for months, and it was worth the wait. I don't have any of Urban Decay's other palettes as they have never really stood out to me - there was always a couple of shades that I knew I would never use and although they work out much more cost-effective than buying individual Urban Decay eyeshadows, I preferred to spend my money on the colours I knew that I would get good use from. However, as somebody who loves (all I wear) warm-toned eyeshadows, I knew that this was the one for me.


The Naked Heat palette includes 12 eyeshadows, with a mixture of shimmer and matte formulas, in a range of warm-toned orange and red based shades. This sounds super scary to the most experienced make-up buffs, but they are so gorgeous and the shade selection provides everything you need to create a summery sunset-inspired smokey eye, which has been everywhere this season. This palette really is FIIIIIYAAA ðŸ”¥

The formulas are creamy, pigmented and extremely easy to blend. If you're a fan of warm-toned eyeshadows, then I'm sure you'll love this palette as much as I do. These shades look great with every eye-colour and although I have dark brown eyes, I know orange and red tones really make those blue eyes pop!

I also love the packaging of this palette as it has a thick plastic casing, which makes it a lot more hard-wearing compared with the cardboard packaging like the other Naked palettes. Although it makes it heavier, it definitely feels more expensive. Another bonus is that the palette comes with a large mirror and a double-ended brush, which is handy and feels just as high-quality as their full-price brush range.

I have used this palette almost every day since I bought it, and have really enjoyed experimenting with colours that were initially a bit out of my comfort zone. I've been wearing these eyeshadows both in the office and out for cocktails, and you can definitely build them up for a bolder evening look.

I also couldn't resist one of the lipsticks in the collection, which is a limited edition peachy-nude in the shade 'Fuel', which compliments the bold colours in the palette extremely well. I've never been disappointed with Urban Decay products and this is no exception. The consistency is creamy and it's very pigmented, one swipe and you're ready to roll! 

Source: www.temptalia.com



What are your thoughts on this palette? What has your favourite Naked palette been?

Friday 25 August 2017

Iconic London Illuminator

Favourite highlighter of all time? I think so. When I saw an offer on Iconic London's site for £10 off, I knew I couldn't resist this little beauty any longer...


I hadn't heard of this brand until I saw it advertised on Instagram and although this product instantly stood out to me, I thought it was super pricey and as it is not stocked in any stores local to me I wasn't able to try before I bought, which is a major no-no for me usually. However, with the discount the usual £29.99 cost was brought down to £19.99 and that was enough to sway me, specially knowing pay-day was just around the corner.

This product is really versatile and can be added to moisturiser, primer or used on it's own for a magical gleaming glow, that I am sure was created by some kind of mythical creature (this is the only explanation). I bought the 'Original' shade, which is champagne toned, leaving a metallic golden sheen but there are three variations in total. 'Shine' is pink toned, leaving a pearly finish, which would be beautiful on fair skin tones and 'Glow' is a warmer terracotta tone, leaving a deep golden shine, which would be gorgeous on those of you with darker skin tones.

After a little bit of experimentation, my favourite way to apply this is to put a couple of drops (a little goes a loooong way) on to the back of my hand, swirl a small highlighter brush into the product, then I apply to the tops of my cheek bones, brow bones, cupids bow and along the centre of my nose. I then take a beauty blender and dab (no rubbing!) over the areas to blend into my skin. You can also easily build the intensity up if you're looking for a blinding glow.

Since I started using highlighters, I have always reached for powder products, but this is a game-changer and I can see why it has become a cult product in the beauty world. Using a liquid highlighter gives a more natural, dewy finish and I find it lasts longer than any of my powder products and blends much more seamlessly than a cream highlighter. You can even go in with a powder highlighter afterwards to set the liquid and create a budge-proof glow.




If this is still out of budget, I can recommend Topshop's Glow Liquid Highlighter in Phoenix, which is a great alternative, but not a complete dupe as it doesn't carry as much pigmentation or blend out as seamlessly. Apply the product in the same way I have suggested for the Iconic product and it will look gorgeous!

Tuesday 22 August 2017

L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara VS Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I'd already heard so much about these mascaras before I bought each of them, but are they worth the hype? Let's find out!

Too Faced's Better Than Sex mascara has been around for some time longer than L'Oreal's Paradise range (featuring a new mascara) which only came out in the UK earlier this month after quickly becoming a blogger favourite in the US. I personally don't have a different mascara for the day and evening as I want my eyelashes to look as long as possible all day long!


I purchased the Too Faced mascara a couple of months ago after searching endlessly on Google for 2017's "Best Mascaras". This one came up in lists again and again so I took the plunge and bought the cheekily named mascara at my local Too Faced concession in Debenhams. I was initially really pleased with the effect - it was lengthening, volumising, didn't clump or smudge. However, one of the cons that I had noticed popping up in the reviews I'd read was that it dried up in the tube quite quickly, which I would have to agree with! Unfortunately, it doesn't go on to my lashes as smoothly anymore and it's a lot harder to work with. 

After hearing that L'Oreal's new mascara was a potential 'dupe' for TF's Better Than Sex mascara and almost half the price, I decided to give it a go. Although there are similarities with the packaging and brush (I am a fan of the bristle style wands), I wouldn't say they are a dupe, but I do in fact prefer the Paradise mascara! Again, it's lengthening, voluminising, doesn't smudge or flake and is a better 'wetter' (still quite dry) consistency compared my Too Faced mascara. I find it dries very quickly and therefore it's not very buildable - you have to work very quickly if you want to build it up as it sets pretty damn quick. It also contains some lash nourishing ingredients, including castor oil,  which is an added bonus! I can't comment on the 'curl factor' of either mascaras as I usually curl my lashes before applying, and I also recently treated myself to a pre-holiday LVL treatment, which keeps eyelashes permanently curled for up to 8 weeks.

So - Is Too Faced's much hyped mascara actually better than sex? I'd have to say no, unfortunately not, but if you're in the market for a fantastic, affordable mascara then I would highly recommend L'Oreal's latest offering. I know this is the one I will be reaching for every morning from now on...


Comparison of applicators: Top - Too Faced. Bottom - L'Oreal.
Have you tried either? What do you think?

Monday 21 August 2017

Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base

I am in love with this - I can't believe it has taken me so long to buy it...

This product is perfect for achieving the bronze goddess look that has been so popular this year. The creamy, almost mousse like consistency is a dream to blend and apply, resulting in the most gorgeous sun-kissed glow. It dries down slightly leaving a velvety finish and can be worn on bare skin, under or over your favourite foundation.


My favourite way to apply Chanel's Soleil Tan De Chanel is by using a firm synthetic makeup brush (I use Real Technique's Sculpting Brush). After I complete my pre-makeup routine (cleanser, moisturiser, primer) I apply my liquid foundation and concealer (Current favourites: NARS' Sheer Glow Foundation & Creamy Concealer). I then swirl the brush into the product and use a combination of patting on to the skin and gently blending on areas that would naturally be hit by the sun, like my cheeks and forehead. I personally avoid the nose as I like to use a contour and highlight to give the illusion of a slightly slimmer shape. I would definitely recommend applying this before any powder products, but have had no problems with applying powder over the top to set my makeup and I also use additional powder contour and bronzing products over the top to compliment my chosen look (see my Summer Look post here).

This also works amazingly as a transition between contoured areas. I use it to blur the lines of cream contour and create a super bronzed, glowy look. In the pan, the shade does look quite orange and slightly sparkly, which initially put me off. However, I am such a sucker for products that continuously get amazing reviews time after time, that this pay day, I decided to treat myself. I'm glad as I did as I have using it every day since I bought it and you get so much product for your money. Although it is pricey, it works out much cheaper per ounce than many other bronzers, so I'm hoping this little gem will last me a while.

The packaging looks like glass but is made from sturdy thick plastic, which I prefer as it's lighter for travel and means no sinking-heart feeling if you accidentally drop it! The lid features the famous gold Chanel logo, and looks gorgeous on my dressing table.

I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a luxury cream formula bronzer - it is beautiful!

Saturday 19 August 2017

FOTD - Summer Makeup Look

I'm all about bronzed glowy makeup this summer. I find that some makeup looks amazing on camera but in person, it's too heavy and looks harsh. With this in mind, I've put together a look that will take you from selfie to city. There is nothing better than that 'lit from within' look and I am confident that I've found products you will love. I have a little more time to get ready at the weekend and enjoy taking this time to experiment with new techniques and products. This weekend, I decided to experiment with combining cream, liquid and powder products and it's safe to say I'm a huge fan and this combination of formulas helped me to create a flawless result.


Product details: (exact match products or dupes are linked where possible)


Everybody has their own preferences in the order they apply their makeup, but mine always follows the same routine. Follow the below steps to get this look:
  1. I always start by cleansing my face then applying moisturiser, followed with primer.
  2. Apply foundation, concealer, cream contour/bronzing products (in this case MAC Pro Sculpting Cream as a contour, then blended out using Chanel's Soleil Tan De Chanel).
  3. Set with powder and apply powder contour/bronzer products.
  4. Use beauty blender to apply liquid highlighter to tops of cheek bones, eyelids, brow bone and along the nose, setting with a light dusting of powder highlighter.
  5. Apply blusher.
  6. Fill in brows, and use spooly to blend.
  7. Apply eye pencil in and under waterline, mascara and liquid eyeliner.
  8. Finish off my applying lip liner to entire lips.
If you have any questions at all, please leave a comment below or on Instagram.

Thursday 17 August 2017

MAC - Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick

When I first saw MAC's new Viva Glam range, I loved the colour of the lipstick but wasn't familiar with Taraji P. Henson, who is the face of this release, but after recently watching Hidden Figures at the cinema, which is Taraji's newest film, I went straight out to buy it! I was also swayed to treat myself as all money from the sales of this lipstick goes towards helping women, men and children living with HIV/AIDS.



This lipstick is a matte medium/dark fuchsia with a pearl finish. It's definitely a statement lipstick when applied directly from the tube, but can be patted on to give a more subtle stain finish.