Basic Makeup Brushes for Beginners

This is a guide for those of you wanting to invest in makeup brushes for the first time, but don't know where to start. The brushes mentioned are the very minimal basic must have for a full face makeup.  

1) Shadow Brush

A flat shadow brush is used for the application of eyeshadows to the lid. This brush should ideally be a tapered flat brush, with rounded corners. I find that natural hairs pick up product (eyeshadow) better than synthetic hairs.

2) Blending Brush

Blending brushes are a must for smokey eye looks. It is used to blend out the edges or the crease to give that effortless blown out look. The blending brush is a round dome shaped tapered brush, that works well both with natural and synthetic hairs.

3) Smudger Brush

Smudger brushes are small and have densely gathered hair, but can come in different shapes. For a beginner I would suggest a Pencil brush (pictured), as it is multifunctional. Pencil brushes are used for precision application and blending. This brush is tapered to a pointy tip like a pencil, hence the name. Once again natural hairs are best.

4) Angle Brush

Although I personally prefer a precise liner brush for lining the lash line, the angle brush is best for its multifunctional quality. This brush can be used for applying gel liners, tight lining and also for filling in brows. This brush is flat, tightly packed with a straight angular cut. They are best with synthetic hairs.

5) Blush Brush

When it comes to blush brushes there are tones of shapes and sizes to choose from. However, Ive found that a brush like this will save you from investing in a bronzer and a contour brush. This brush is round and slightly tapered on the edges. Will work well with synthetic or natural hair.

6) Foundation Brush

And finally the foundation brush! Now, if you're like me then you'll be using your fingers to apply foundation half the times. However, not all foundations apply well with fingers. Or we just want it for the sake of it ;)

Its always best to go for a functional brush, such as a buffing brush (as above). A brush like this can also be used for cream contouring and and powder setting after foundation.

This is a round, densely packed brush with lightly tapered edges. This brush must always be synthetic!

I really hope this has been helpful for those of you just getting into makeup. 

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Double Winged Gold Glitter Eye Makeup

Here's a quick and easy way to glam up a simple eye makeup. All you need to do is add a second winged liner and some glitter to the lids.

1. Prime: apply your choice of primer to the lid (Urban Decay primer potion).

2. Lid: with a flat shadow brush apply a gold shimmery shadow all over the lid, up to the crease (Half Baked from the Naked palette).

3. Crease: using a blending brush deepen the crease with a tan eyeshadow (MAC's Texture).

4. Outer "V": deepen the out corners of the eyelid using the tan colour. Apply it in a "V" shape and blend it out.

5. Highlight: with a flat shadow brush highlight the brow bone and the inner tear duct area (Virgin from Naked palette).

6. Lower lash line: Smudge on the tan (Texture) colour to the lower lash line using a pencil brush.

7. Glitter: use your finger to lightly apply glitter to the lid (MAC's Reflects Antique Gold). Do not pass the crease. I did not use any adhesive for this step, as we're going for a light application.

8. Liner: apply liner of your choice (Stila Smudge Pot in Black). Angle the wing on a straight line from lash line to the end of the brow. Draw a second line extending out from the lower lash line. Keep it slightly shorter than the top line. Line the water line with the same liner.

9: Lashes: apply mascara (Benefit's They're real) and false lashes.

10: Brows: fill in your brows (Dipbrow pomade Medium Brown).

I hope this has been easy to follow.

Have great day! xxxx

**I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned on this post. These are products I have purchased myself and enjoy using**

Easy Inexpensive DIY Facial At Home

Facials are not just expensive, but a salon visit can also take up a good portion of your day.
Did that stop me from getting a salon facial every month? Of course not! Well, not until I started doing my own facials at home. And I'm not talking about our daily skin care routine, but that extra bit of deep cleansing and pampering that we all need at least once a month.
I wanted to come up with an easy way to do it my self and get that salon quality result at home.
So the method I use is easy, inexpensive and doesn't require any fancy products. All it requires are just three additional steps to what you would normally do for your daily skin care routine (exfoliating, steaming and mask). So perfect for those with busy lives or just lazy, like myself.
I personally do this facial once a month and love the result. You may do it as frequently as once a week, if you need to.


Step 1: Cleanse

Wash your face to remove any dirt or makeup you may have on your face. I find that a soapy (foaming) face wash is the best for a squeaky clean result. My personal favourite is the Simple Vital Vitamine foamimg cleanser.


Step 2: Exfoliate 

• To prepare your scrub, mix one teaspoon of granulated sugar with one teaspoon of olive oil. This should be enough for a full face.
• Use the scrub to exfoliate your skin in a circular motion. Start at your chin area and work your way up to the forehead. Scrub for two minutes.
• Wash off.

Step 3: Steam

• Steam you face over a bowl of hot water for ten minutes. Use a towel over your head to lock in the steam, just as you would to clear your sinuses.
• Once done, gently pat dry the moisture from your face.

Caution! Please be careful when handling hot water. Keep some cold water at reach in case of emergencies.

Step 4: Mask

• Apply a mask immediately after the steam treatment. You may choose to use any mask of your choice based on your skin. So if you have dry skin you may wish to use a moisturising mask, etc. I have normal skin so I use anything I'm in the mood for at the time. I'm currently loving these Superdrug's masks in sachets. My favourite out of these is the "Apricot Exfoliating Self-Heating Mask". 
• Leave it on for ten minutes or until it dries.
• Once completely dry, remove the mask either by peeling or washing off with lukewarm water (depends on what mask you use).
• Pat dry.

Step 5: Moisturise

Moisturising is a MUST!

Use any moisturiser you are currently using. I personally use the "Protect & Perfect Intense" range by Boots No7. I have been using this range for years and love it.

Step 6: Admire your face ;)

I hope this has been helpful. If you try it out, do let me know how you've found it.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day! XOX

**I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned on this post. These are products I have purchased myself and enjoy using**

My Top 10 Makeup From 2014

My interest in makeup started a few years ago, and with every year that passes by my obsession multiplies, as does my makeup collection. So it hasn't been an easy task for me to narrow it all down to just ten products, that I've enjoyed throughout the year 2014. However, I did get there eventually.

1) Lorac PRO Palette

I hoard eyeshadow palettes like I hoard any other makeup products, but rarely would you see me using shadows on my lids. Until of course this little baby entered my life. It is very difficult to pick a favourite colour from this palette, as they're all so good. This is my ideal smokey palette.
The texture of the shadows are very buttery, and all the colours are highly pigmented. It does kick up a bit of powder, so its best to just tap off the excess to avoid fall outs.
I bought mine from Hong Kong last year, at a ridiculous price, but no regrets. Can't wait to get my hands on the Pro 2.

2) Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

Now guys Makeup Geek needs no introduction. By now everyone has heard of the famous MUG eyeshadows. I started collecting mine when they were first launched but made most of my additions in 2014. The loose pigments are good, however, the eyeshadows are better. The shadows have good pigmentation and most of the shadows are buttery and soft to the touch. If the customs (to receive these in the UK) wasn't so high I would have purchased more.

Colours from top, left to right; Coco Bear, Razzleberry, Neptune, Corrupt, Latte, Mango Tango, Peacock, Preppy, Simply Marlena and Dirty Martini

3) Revolution Awesome Metals

Does this look familiar? That's right! They look very much like the "Stila Magnificent Metal Foil Finish Eyeshadows", and they perform just as good!

These shadows are actually sold as dupes by a UK based brand (Revolution) that specialises in dupes at very affordable prices. I get mine at Superdrugs (Marble Arch, London), but they do have a website.
These shadows have that very wet spongy feel to it and are highly metallic. Although they come with mixing primer I use them dry, and works just as well. I bought just two shades (£5 each), but they do have other colours.

Colours; Rose Gold, Black Diamond

4) Hourglass Ambient Powder

These powders took the makeup world by storm, and makeup lovers went crazy over them. So naturally I had to get my hands on them. I finally found a store that carries Hourglass in the UK, and of course had to order one. I bought mine for £38 from Space.N.K.
This range claims give a diffused look based around certain flattering lightnings. Each shade has its own effect. Unfortunately, I didn't notice any such effect on myself. I find that if anything it actually takes away from that glow I would normally get from my finished makeup base. So, how did it make it to my top ten? Well, this powder does an excellent job of being a good setting powder, as it does not leave your face powdery or dry. Therefore, this is perfect for those who don't like wearing powder, such as myself.

Colour; Dim Light

5) Wet n Wild Bronzer

Speaking of powders, this Wet n Wild bronzer is a very interesting product. This is labelled as a bronzer but at the light end of the spectrum, therefore, a highlighter. Now, this powder does what the HG ambient powder claims to do. Strange? I know.
It has a very fine glowy finish, without any shimmery flecks. The effect is so subtle that it can be worn all over the face, by those with light to medium complexion. For darker complexion this is perfect as a highlighter.
Wet n Wild is not available here in the UK. You can however, get hold of it through Amazon or Ebay at a higher price than it is in the US.

Colour; Reserve Your Cabana

6) Benefit Hoola Bronzer

This again is another product that needs no introduction, as its been around forever, and is very popular amongst makeup lovers. I've been in a love hate relationship with this bronzer, but really started appreciating it in 2014. These days my day to day makeup is incomplete without it.
The Hoola bronzer is a matte cool toned brown with sheer coverage, also mostly suitable for those with light to medium complexions, if used as a bronzer.
I paid £23.50 for mine, and is available anywhere Benefit is sold.

7) Bourjois Healthy mix Serum

I love a good light coverage foundation, as I'm not a huge fan of full coverage. I have found myself reaching for this foundation over my "Nars Sheer Glow" and "Maybelline's Fit Me", which is saying a lot. The only drawback is the lack of shade options. I have only come across six shades, which isn't ideal for a product like this.
Although it is a light coverage foundation, it is certainly buildable. The finish, I dare say, is very similar to the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. That's right! It has that same film like finish once settled. I do not find it drying, as some would describe it, but then I don't find the Double Wear drying either.
I paid £10.99 from Superdrugs.

Colour; 53 Light Beige

8) Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks

This lipstick in a tube just shouts out "Trend". It is very opaque and velvety matte yet creamy, everything we want in a lipstick these days. Oh, and they wear off with a stain too, so very long wearing. The texture is a mousse like consistency, very similar to the NYX soft matte lip cream, only better, much better!
I paid £8.99 each from Superdrugs.

Colours; 07 Nude-ist, 05 Ole Flamingo

9) Mac Retro Matte Lipsticks

Ever since Ruby Woo entered my life I've been in the search for similar lipsticks. So when Mac introduced a tone of colours in Retro matte I just couldn't contain my excitement and had to get these. Yes, they are very drying, and with so many good quality creamy matte lipsticks out there why bother with these? Well, these have a finish unlike any other mattes out there. Drying for me is a small price to pay for the look. I bought mine in Beijing and paid a little extra than Mac stores here. They are £15.50 here in the UK.

Colours; All Fired Up, Flat Out Fabulous

10) Nars Audacious Lipstick

And finally my favourite of the "favourites"! Very Opaque, long wearing, creamy, almost matte (but not). The colour wears off nicely, and comes off clean when wiped off, without staining.
I love this lipstick so much I almost have no words to describe it. Its just PERFECT!
There are a total of forty shades, ten of which are exclusive. And with forty shades there's something for everyone. I personally love the nudes.
I paid £24 at Selfridges.

Colour; Anita


I really hope you've enjoyed reading about my thoughts on these products. Let me know if you've tried any of them and what your thoughts are.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful day. XOX


**I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned on this post. These are products I have purchased myself and enjoy using**