Eyebrows on Fleek; The Products

Everyday I put something on my eyebrows as they deserve as much attention as the rest of your face.  I have slowly been collecting new products for my brows that I need to share.  I started with just a matte brown eye shadow but nowadays you need a bit more oomph and definition.

I have 3 eyebrow pencils in a range of prices and one brow kit in my collection.  So whatever you budget, I've got you covered.

Above, first of all is the Primark, P.S Loves Brow Pencil that is sharpen able and has a decent spooley brush on the other end.  At £1 this is an absolute bargain and I use the colour medium everyday in the week as it doesn't require much precision.  I usually draw on a few rough strokes and the brush on the other end blurs any sharp edges so that you haven't got harsh lines.

Next along is my newest product, the Maybelline Brow Satin £5.99, which is thinner and is twist up with a smaller nib.  The other end has a dome sponge applicator and brown powder in the lid which softens the look once applied.  I love this one as it is a subtler colour with my blonde hair and it is very similar the ABH brow wiz.

Finally we have the Anistasia Beverley Hills Brow Wiz which I paid €22 for a while ago and the delicate brow spooley on the other end has snapped off which is annoying.  So once I have draw on fine lines with the micro nib in medium, I have to use a seperate brow brush to remove excess product.  It does give a really defined brow which is perfect for a night out.

The below brow kit is from MUA and I was given this as a gift in the shade Fair to Mid.  You can pick this up from Superdrug for £3.50.  I like this because it has all the tools you need including a brow wax to set your colour and style in place.  When mixing the two top colours this matched my natural brow colour and the lighter shade can be used as a highlighter on the brow bone.

I hope this is helpful in picking out your brow products and if there is anything you think I should try, let me know.

Jamberry Nails - The New Nail Wrap Trend

You may have heard of Jamberry Nails through Facebook just as I did but you might not be sure what this is or how they work.  Basically they are vinyl wraps for your nails, activated by heat and pressure with loads of amazing patterns and colours.  They are great for people who don't have time to wait for their nails to dry or want to wow without all the effort of nail art tools.  I love that I can do my nails and not worry about damaging them for weeks.

I am still working on my timing and technique but they last for at least two weeks for one application.  Jamberry was created by 3 sisters in America that wanted a salon experience at home and it arrived in the UK in May 2016.  I have tried samples, then a whole set, twice now and they have all lasted at least 4 weeks before I took them off!

Take a look at my end results below...

2nd Sample "Tiki Hut"

1st Sample "Sorbet" 

May Exclusive "Floral Fusion"

After 2 weeks

After 2 weeks with Flash

"Blushing Floral"

"Blushing Floral" with Flash

The Application

After prepping your nails by removing nail varnish, pushing the cuticles back, filing nails and cleaning the nails with an alcohol wipe.  To apply the wraps, you basically cut them to size if necessary, heat the back for a few seconds with a hair dryer, place on the nail with tweezers and apply pressure across the whole nail.  To finish of you need to cut off excess wrap, file down the edge and heat the nail with a hair dryer again applying pressure.
Full details and videos in the link below;

https://lianecook.jamberry.com/uk/en/help/how-to-apply-nails

They are priced at £15 per sheet or 4 for the price of 3 which means they will be £11.25 per sheet.  There are also some premium wraps at £17.50.  On each sheet you get enough for 2 manicures, 2 pedicures and 4 extra wrap that be used for a pedicure or ascent nails.  I think this is good value for the length of time they last.

Choose from over 300 designs here; https://lianecook.jamberry.com/uk/en/

My favourites are anything floral, sparkly or pink but I also love the striking geometric print ones.  Jamberry also offer a Junior size for children or smaller finger nails and you get more on the sheet!  Search for Jamberry on Instagram and it will give you a world full of inspiration.

The Ultimate Affordable UK Dupes for Kylie Cosmetics

Ok, so the hype around Kylie Jenner's lip kits, lip glosses and metal mattes seems to grow with every launch.  I did get sucked in there for a minute but I've decided not to waste any more of my hard earned cash on Kylie's products.  I know, shock horror but it's seriously a lot when you think about it with international shipping at $14.95.

So I have now set about to research and find the most affordable and best dupes available in the UK.

First up let's start with the original matte lip kits;

Candy K

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in STOCKHOLM £5.50
• NYX Lingerie Lip Cream in PUSH UP £6.50
• NYX Matte Lipstick in SHY £5.50
• Barry M Matte Me up Lip Crayon in DRESS REHEARSAL £4.99
• Maybelline Colour Sensational Liquid Lip Colour in NUDE THRILLS £6.99
• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in CARMELLO £16

Dolce K

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in ABU DHABI £5.50
• NYX Lingerie Lip Cream in BEDTIME FLIRT £6.50
• MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer in TRANQUILITY £3.00
• New Look Pure Colour Liquid Lipstick in MINK £3.99
• Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in BIRTHDAY SUIT £4.99

True Brown K

• NYX Lingerie Lip Cream in BEAUTY MARK £6.50
• NYX Matte Lipstick in MAISON £5

The valentines specials;

Koko K

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in ISTANBUL £5.50
• NYX Lingerie Lip Cream in EMBELLISHMENT £6.50
• Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in NUDE FLUSH £6.99
• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in BACI £16

Poise K

• NYX Matte Lipstick in WHIPPED CAVIAR £5
• NYX Suede Liquid Lipstick in TEA N COOKIES £6.50
• Stila All Day Lipquid Lipstick in PATINA £16

Mary Jo K

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in AMSTERDAM £5.50
• NYX Suede Lip Cream in KITTEN HEELS £6.50
• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in FIERY £16

Additional lip kit shades;

22

• NYX Suede Lip Cream in ORANGE COUNTY £6.50
• L'Oreal Paris Infallable Matte Max Lipstick in DISTUBIA £6.99
• Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in ORANGE SHOT £6.99
• Stila Colour Balm Lipstck in VIVIENNE £16

Kourt K

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in TRANSYLVANIA £5.50
• Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in POSSESSED PLUM £6.99
• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in CHIANTI £16

NYX Transylvania

Expossed

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in LONDON £5.50
• Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in SEDUCTION £8.99

Dead of Night

• MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in POTENT £3.00

Glosses;

Like

• NYX Butter Gloss in GINGERSNAP £5.00
• L'Oreal Paris Infallable in INVINCIBLE SABLE £9.99

Literally

• NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in NATURAL £4.00
• Maybelline Colour Sensational High Shine Gloss in ICED CHOCOLATE £6.19
• MUA Luxe Whipped in SPRY £3.00

So Cute

• NYX Butter Gloss in MADELINE £5.00
• Rimmel London Apocolips Lip Laquer in NUDE ECLIPSE £6.49

Metal Mattes;

Heir

• Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in DOLCE £16

King K

• NYX Wicked Lippies in MISCHIEVOUS £5.50

Reign

• NYX Wicked Lippies in WRATH £5.50
• MUA Luxe Metallic £3.00
• Stila Magnificent Lip Gloss in GARNET £7.50 in sale
• TECHNIC lipstick in TOFFE old lipstick from a set with N07 Perfect Lips Pencil in 20 Nude

My Old Lipstick

 

Majesty

• MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in POTENT £3.00 + any blue eyeshadow

Where to buy;
NYX and other make up brands; www.boots.com
MUA and other make up brands; www.superdrug.com
Stila; stila.co.uk
Loads of cool make up including NYX; www.feelunique.com

How to Save Money

Everyone has something that they want to buy but you can't always buy it now because you may not have enough money.  Whether this is a new outfit, a holiday, a new car or even a house, you need to save up to afford it.

They are so many successful ways of saving and using one or a combination will get you to your goal.

Please be aware that I am by no means a financial advisor and I am not regulated by the FCA.  I take a lot of day to day tips from www.moneysavingexpert.com, they have so much help on all aspects of finance.

My steps below will help you on your way;

1. Set yourself a realistic goal in a realistic time frame so the more you need to save usually the longer it will take
2. Seek out a suitable place to save your money; either an ISA, bank account with interest, a savings account or a bond
3. Be consistent in your saving so that you can calculate and predict what you will be getting
4. Only save what you are able to, meaning don't leave yourself short, you can always add to your savings after your exspenses
5. Make compromises, if you really want something in the long run you can make short term changes such as having a homemade lunch instead of going to the shop
6. Keep track; check on your savings to show to yourself that you can achieve your goals although if you are scared you will spend it, check at the end of your goal time

My top tips when saving;

• Look for the highest interest rates for saving, building societies usually have better rates
• Spend half, save half method
• Small amounts each week, for example £5 X 52 = £260
• An increasing or decreasing amount each month or week e.g £1-£52 a week or in reverse
• Setup a standing order for the day you are paid straight to your savings account so you can't spend it
• Pay off any debt first
• Spread your money as you have up to £75,000 approx compensation for each bank/building society should anything happen with the financial compensation scheme.

Addiction

I think I have a problem.  I had to get Kylie Jenner lip kits like my life depended on it. 

So badly, that one day in February I had a look on eBay to see how much they were going for; £50, £60!  I then started bidding on some that were starting at £25.  This wasn't too bad until they started going up and over £40.  I lost a fair few and then all of a sudden I won Mary Jo K!  This isn't exactly my first choice and I'm not sure if I will sell it on so haven't used it at the moment.  This was my first time bidding on anything and I was not very good, I tried bidding odd pence but ended up with whole pounds.  I then got into bidding frenzies and raised my maximum bid so I won Posie K and Candy K!  I knew that the sellers didn't have delivery of the kits yet so I contacted them and paid once they had them.  I really do not condone this method of purchase as I hadn't initially thought they could be fake products that could cause me harm or if I got conned.  I have also paid over the odds, not quite £50 each though.  Luckily I haven't had any problems.  Kylie's website has now been improved so much that it is simple to buy from it when she releases a batch, it's just a case of being I the right place at the right time.

I waited patiently for each lip kit to arrive and excitedly tried them out.  At first I wasn't sure as Posie K came out pretty dark on my lips, I think this is because my lips are very pink anyway and every time I apply the lip kits I feel like they look a little different depend on lighting and base.  You get more true colour if you use the liner underneath to fill in your whole lips.  I think I will also try the kits with concealer underneath to block out my natural lip colour.  The pigment of both the lip liner and the liquid lipstick is amazing.  The liquid dries quickly and rarely transfers but the liner is amazingly soft, gliding on smoothly.

Candy K is also darker than I thought it would be but it is a perfect nude on me and lasts all day.  Part way through the day my lips did feel quite dry so as I read somewhere that Kylie recommends re hydrating your lips so I put some clear lip balm on top which works a treat.

I love looking at pictures of people wearing the different lip colours as they look unique in everyone.  This is where I stumbled across the following blog; http://www.mollysmind.org/lipkit-love.html where they explain what date and times worldwide that the kits will be restocked.  I saw that the 6th restock was coming up on 12th March so I thought I'd set an alarm and go on the website and see how quickly they sell out, (this time it was 30 minutes) but I suddenly wanted Koko K.  I put this in my basket and went to checkout, it did take a few minutes to load but I was able to calmly enter my details and I just got it delivered the other day!  I love this colour the most although it did stain my lips darker than the original colour.

In conclusion I have a love hate relationship with Kylie's lip kits but so glad I have them as they are good liquid lipsticks and liners. 

The next restock is on Monday 28th March, good luck.  Check out the times here; http://www.mollysmind.org/lipkit-love.htm

Life Updates

So the Mini Make Up Tips Monday series is over but I will be delivering more tips along the way.  I thought I would just give you a quick life update.  I am concentrating really hard on my job as I have an exam relating to it next month and I really want to pass!  Last time I did a similar exam I was 2 marks away from passing then couldn't retake.

On the beauty side of things I'm still loving highlighting my cheekbones, brow bone, nose and cuspids bow.  I feel light it sculpts and transforms my face along with carefully placed bronzer.  I am really annoyed with my Anastasia Bevelery Hills Brow Wiz as the brow brush/spoole has snapped off and they want nothing to do with it as I didn't buy it online!  I only use it at weekends and usually keep it in the box, I have now had to cello tape it together so it looks horrid.  Still love the working end though, it's great as it never needs sharpening.

Mini Make Up Tips Monday; The Finishing Touches

So once you have done your base and eyes you need to finish off your make up look.  I usually use a whole range of products to take my make up to the next level.  My top tips include;

1. Bronzer in a Matt neutral toned shade a few shades darker than your natural skin tone.  This should be swept around the hairline, temples, under the cheekbones, either side of your nose and under your jawline.  This will bring a healthy glow to your complexion and create chiseled features.  But remember to blend well otherwise it you could look like you have a dirty face.
2. Blusher is something I don't use often but love to switch up my look with.  Just gently sweep your favourite shade on the apple's of your cheeks whilst smiling, this can be shimmery to bring a glow to your cheeks or just a bright pop of colour that say compliments your lipstick.
3. Highlighter is by far my favourite finishing product as I love to add glitter to my cheekbones, grow bones, bridge of my nose and Cupid's bow.  I fell like this is the thing that makes me really glow and look skinnier in the face.
4. Most of the time I want my make to last all day so I use a setting spray to set my make up as I don't usually re apply throughout the day.  I just use the MUA one from Superdrug that costs about £5 but worth it.