Everyday Makeup

I for one love the look of makeup and how it makes me feel, don't get me wrong, I also love being bare face and having no cares in the world. Sometimes I tend to go over the top with my makeup so lately I've been trying to tone it down. Here's what I've been wearing lately.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation 

In these winter/spring days my skin is very pale and this foundation had a foundation that matched it perfectly! The coverage is low-medium but can be built up to the coverage of your choice without caking. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer

As I've stated before, it's not my favourite concealer but hey it gets the job done.

Sleek Trio Palette

I think I just repeat myself and products a lot. Beautiful shades and they blend so well. That highlight though.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

I just the look of clean and tidy brows. With an angled brush that can be accomplished thanks to Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Maybeline Falsies Mascara

Remember when everyone through a phase that they wouldn't wear anything but this mascara? Those were the days.  It pushes up your lashes and coats every single one.

Drugstore Beauty Favourites

If you are anything like me then you hate spending a ton of money on products that are quite frankly over priced. I like to be a smart investor when it comes to beauty and so drugstore brands are usually my go to. Over the years I have had encounters with products that are amazing and others that are not so amazing. I have rounded up my top drugstore beauty favourites into one post for your enjoyment. 

Sleek Trio Palette

I am OBSESSED with this Sleek palette and it is placed at the top of my 'most used' drawer of makeup for easy accessibility.They all blend beautifully together and the highlight just shimmers it way to my heart. Over the top? Yes. Do I care? No.

Soap & Glory Hand Food

Soap and Glory just seem to be slaying with their products lately. Although I am not a huge fan of their skincare, Hand Food  is the best hand-cream I've used in a long,long time. The scent is also very pleasing.

Real Techniques Beauty Blender

I never could bring myself to order a Beauty Blender online so I took a trip to Boots and found this beauty. I have heard that it is a close second to the Beauty Blender. The flat side of this sponge is very helpful when blending concealer under the eyes. 

Carmex Lip Balm

Hands down my favourite Lip balm of all time! Period. After application you can feel a tingle in your lips and it also peels the dead skin on your chapped lips. I'd say some of you are grossed out hehe.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

I have been using this for nearly a year now and don't plan on changing just yet. It has more of a yellow undertone which is perfect for me and it lasts for hours. Surprisingly it smells fruity
...delicious.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick

Easily applied lipstick and no fuss caused. Although it is matte, it still nourishes the lips with moisture. Win Win I think.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blusher

I bought this a while back but only recently began to use it. It reminds me of the Mac Skin Mineralise blushers but a lot cheaper. It is super pigmented so only a small amount is need for application.I love the darker pink veins that run through it. 

What's your favourite drugstore products?

Night on the Town Glam Edit

Believe me when I say that I'm not a party girl, never have been and never will be. I rather snuggle up to a cosy fire and catch up on a series or two of TV shows that I'm apparently "missing out on". Although I lean towards dramatic makeup anyways, I do like to go all out for these rare occasions that I leave my house at night.There are certain products that I tend to grab for certain events.  

Face

For nights out I prefer my L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation. It is medium to high coverage which is buildable to your suited preference. A small amount goes a long way, if too much is applied it cakes up on your skin.. Not a look we're going for! 

For concealer, lately for everything I've been using the  Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer to brighten the under eyes and conceal those dark,not designer, bags. I can't say I'm completely content with this product but it works for now until I purchase a new concealer.

For blusher, I have been loving this Seventeen Cheek Stamp in ''. I usually use a brush not the actual stamp because I prefer the bush blended look. It is super pigmented so using a light hand is essential unless you want to look like a clown.

For bronzer, I prefer my Hoola Bronzer by Benefit. I save this for special occasions because I'm OBSESSED. I bought this ages ago but have only recently noticed its beauty. 

Eyes

If you know me then you know I love the Urban Decay Vice Palette 4. The bright shades are very pigmented and are gorgeous on the eyes. I love a good smokey eye so I do. Whether it's dark or bright..it has me won over. 

My second go-to palette is the Naked 3 Palette. The pinky tones show a true girly side to the brand and can be built up to the desired look.

Lips

I'm not too fussy when it comes to lipstick. Usually I swipe on a nude lippy and I'm good to go. Never was bothered with the whole lip liner fad, although I appreciate the beauty and tidiness it brings to a look.

Brows

Anastasia Beverly Hills is the mother of all brow products, to die for. I use Dipbrow Pomade in 'Dark Brown' with an angled liner brush for fleeky eyebrows.

What's your go to Night Glam Makeup?

Exfoliating 101

We all desire super soft and smooth skin but we can be quite lazy when it comes to maintaining our skin! Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin from the body and the results can be amazing. Now that winter has our skin dehydrated and lifeless, we should be taking extra care of it. 

What should we use for exfoliating?

There are many products and tools that can be used for exfoliating such as Lush' Ocean Salt, exfoliating gloves and brushes. 

How should we exfoliate? 

When exfoliating, use circular movements. Not only does it remove dead skin cells, it also stimulates your blood. 

How many times should we exfoliate? 

We should only exfoliate 2-3 times per week because we don't want to irritate the skin and create more problems. 

Follow up care after exfoliation?

After exfoliating, make sure to apply your favourite moisturiser to lock in moisture and keep that soft silky skin!

What Acrylic Nails Taught Me

                                      

As you seen, if you follow me on Instagram~ BeautyxSteph ~ that I got acrylic nails nearly two weeks ago. As it was my first time doing so, I was so excited! This nail biter was finally gaining claws. There are both pros and cons to getting acrylics. I certainly know more about nails now more than I ever did!

Length 

The longer the nails, the better they may look but is it worth limiting daily activities? Even though I have the 'manageable' length there are still some acts I can't do! Buttoning up my shirt for school has become a real pain let me tell you.

Natural Nails

Even though they can destroy your natural nails from continuous application and such, I have no urge to bite my nails which is unusual for me because I always feel like biting my nails! Maybe this is the start of a beautiful friendship with my nails. 

Shape

I never realised there are so many different styles of nail shapes.Coffin, Almond, Stiletto..... Shall I continue? Maybe not. I prefer the coffin shape to show off my slim fingers.

Regrowth

Only after nearly two weeks, I am seeing major growth and it tears me up. I drives me crazy to see acrylics that are in badly need of refilling. It's not a pretty sight in my opinion. 

I think after this experience, I will wait a while before I will get nails again as I think the nails will need nourishing time. 

Hunting For A New Foundation

                         

Foundation is one of those products that you can either get fabulously right or completely wrong. There are so many factors that contribute to the perfect foundation such as whether it be a day-time foundation or night-time one. I'll never forget my little "phase" of when I was 12 and I would wear the completely wrong shade for me (obviously borrowed it from Mam because I wasn't as makeup savy as I am now) and just looking back on pictures makes me cringe. But hey, we all got embarrassing moments in our lives.

Luckily for you beautiful readers, I have created a list of important factors that are what you must look for in a foundation. 

Texture 

Believe me when I say that the texture of the foundation effects your skin. There are usually labels on the packaging of what skin type it's for. So if you're skin is dry.. get a foundation suitable for dry skin.Simple. You'll see the difference. It is made especially for your skin. Use it.

Shade

We'll all been there and done that, used all the shades that never match our skin tone because they cost too much money to waste. Here's some advice, get the makeup sales-assistants to test the foundations so you buy the perfect one on the first attempt! Score! 

Coverage

This totally is up to your taste and what you like. Some may prefer light, sheer coverage and others prefer a more full, opaque coverage. 

What foundations are your favourites?

Spring Essentials: Beauty Edition

Ahh finally Spring has sprung, although it doesn't seem it with the weather we've been having lately. It is time to adjust our beauty routines for the new season and try new things. I have been seeing so many products/styles I would like to try. Lucky for you, I've rounded up some of my faves.

Zoeva En Taupe Palette!

I feel as if these neutral shades would be beautiful and appropriate for everyday use.

 

 

Yes To Coconut Polishing Body Scrub!

Recently I am OBSESSED with coconut scent products and especially in scrubs.After Winter, my skin has been very dry and needs a pick-me-up.

 

 

 

Half up-Half down Hairstyles

There seems to be a more relaxed vibe to hairstyles this season which I love because it takes less time to do!

 

 

 

O.P.I New Orleans Jambalayettes Collection!

The colours scream Spring to me. Ugh gorgeous.

 

 

 

                                                 (Pic Sources BeautyBay & Pinterest)