Charlotte Tilbury

Hello :-)

I recently decided to go to Selfridges.. Just for a browse.. Ha. As if that ever results in NOT buying anything. Maybe for some. Not me. I had always wanted a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, and had been looking for a pretty neutral colour that you can wear during the day. Therefore, after trying out loads of them on the back of my hand I took a liking to "Walk of Shame".

I need to just say as well, the packaging for the lipstick is just divine. Rose Gold. Who doesn't like Rose Gold?! Not to forget, but the lipstick itself is amazing. Easy to apply, stays on for ages and looks FLAWLESS. Yep. I mean, even though it was £23 I was still able to justify buying it in my mind. Basically just telling myself I needed it and that my life would not be complete without this beauty of a lipstick.

Yes, in the photo above I am wearing "Walk of Shame" and I LOVE IT. I'm also wearing NARS blush in "Orgasm" (I know weird name, not the first to point this out) but it is incredible. Hands down my new favourite blusher. 

Jo - xo

2015

Wow! I honestly can't believe it's already 2015. Time honestly goes by so quickly, I think the first time I realised this was when I was 11 years old and was just drawing near to the end of my Summer in Ireland. 9 years later, here I am, at uni in London. I just turned 20 on Wednesday which is nuts. No longer a teenager. Both sad and glad that my teenage years are behind me, a lot of lessons learned.

This year I hope to figure out what it really is I am passionate about, as I'm not too sure I'm going down the right path. I don't expect to wake up and just know. Life always throws unexpected things your way, it's just about how you react and deal with them.

I know I haven't posted on here in a while, but it's honestly because I've been so busy and so frustrated and stressed. I think I'm actually procrastinating now. Oops. I find that being forced to do something that I was once passionate about makes me despise it more and more everyday. I'm finding it hard to deal with this realisation but also wondering if it's because it's not what I should be doing. I have started researching other possibilities and making enquiries. Something definitely needs to change.

20 is definitely starting off with a lot of awakenings, and adult situations which I feel I'm still too young to be dealing with. It does frighten me slightly that I am in my 20's now, I'm officially an adult now I think. Your 20's are meant to be your most selfish years and that's how I plan to keep them. Trying to find out who I am. I never really understood in movies when I was younger and a character would say "I need to find myself" or something along those lines, but now, I really do understand.

I'm not going to promise I will post on here weekly, because that would never work. However, I will promise to post on here when I am up for the occasion and I am not painfully busy or struggling with what is going on at that moment in time.

Jo - xo

ZOEVA

Greetings,

Every now and then I do believe that it is a good idea to splash out and get something that your heart desires. (Especially when you've been thinking about it for a long time.) The Art student/Makeup lover in me knows a good brush when I see one. Therefore, as my makeup brush collection was not quite impressive as it should be, I thought, why not?

Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Set 

Can I first off just say that I am in love. These brushes are incredible, honestly so amazing! They also look pretty which helps. Who else is a huge fan of Rose Gold?! because I am! I've been using them everyday since I got them and I can safely say that I don't think I'll be going back to just using my hands to do a brushes job. No more icky foundation fingers for me anymore! That shit goes everywhere. On a more serious note, the variety of brushes that comes in this pack is literally everything you would need to create your makeup look. They make applying your makeup so much easier. The brushes are so good for blending too! I feel as though my eyeshadow game has levelled-up! Now, I know these brushes are super pricey but they will last a very long time if you look after them properly. They come with covers on them, so my advice is that you put them back on after using them. They are also better than MAC brushes so far, for me anyway, so I definitely think they're worth it. If your Birthday or Christmas is coming up, maybe this is something you could ask for :-)
They are truly excellent brushes and I can say that as both an Art student and a Makeup lover! Don't worry though, I won't be using them to paint! That would be tragic.

Thanks for reading.

Jo - xo

Tarte & Milani

Greetings,

In the summer holidays, one of my besties flew back to the USA to visit family. Knowing this, I thought 'maybe I should ask her to buy me things that I can't get in Dubai/Ireland/UK' this is one of the best ideas I've had. Great job Jo. So I was online doing some research (Sephora&Wallgreens) and desperately trying to remember some American products that I've previously heard beauty gurus on YouTube mention. There were more products that I could think off the top of my head but I decided to keep it short and sweet.. and cheap! enough.

Products:
1. Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner, 01 Blackest Black
2. Milani Brow Fix Kit, 01 Light
3. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner

For a while, I had considerably gone off using eyeliners in all forms. This is because I always, without fail, manage to get it smudged all over my face. My go to product for creating a top lid eyeliner-wing-look had always been MAC's gel pot liner in Blacktrack just because for me it always lasted the longest on and didn't smudge much. However, this eyeliner by Milani is really good. It is so easy to apply, although, I do wish that more product came out in each stroke. The product comes on quite smoothly and in thinner layers than I am used to, which is not a fault, I'm just used to the thickness of a gel liner. The product is said to be waterproof, which is correct. The only flaw with the product that I recognised was that by the end of the day, the wings had faded quite a bit. However, for $7.79/£4.78 it is definitely a bargain! and is overall a fantastic product and I most certainly would recommend it!

Milani Brow Fix Kit, 01 Light

I think I was in need of an actual brow product as apposed to using an eyeshadow to fill in my eyebrows. Alas, I present to you the Milani Brow Fix Kit. I could not give this product a higher approval! It is incredible. Now, I had asked for the 'Medium' but I am actually pleased that I instead received the 'Light' as the shade 'Brow 2' is the perfect colour for me. I worry that had I received 'Medium' that it would have been way too dark. As you can see in the image above, I use the middle brush to apply the colour (Brow 2) which I LOVE as it is the exact size and shape that you would need. I also LOVE the 'Hi-Lite' as it provides the most subtle amount of shimmer and really completes my whole eye look. Not only does the product provide 2 brow colours, a highlight and a brush to apply the eyebrow colour, it also includes a mirror and a miniature tweezer! This is EXACTLY what any travel/makeup obsessed person needs! I use it everyday without fail. Everyone should go out now and buy it, or try to find it on Amazon if you can't get it because you don't live in the States. Especially as all of that comes for the price of $6.79/£4.17!!! Thank you Milani!

Tarte Light, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Tarte was a brand that I had never heard of until I watched Ingrid Nilsen's YouTube channel, aka - Missglamorazzi. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her, first of all, for all of her videos and content, because she's honestly one of my favourite vloggers. Also, because she is so honest to the point where I would trust her if she told me to buy a product. So cheers to Ingrid because you are brilliant at what you do. When I first used this mascara, I was a bit like 'meh, not as good as YSL Babydoll' so I put it aside for a while. Then one fine day, when I was looking through my beauty bag and saw this beautifully parcelled mascara, I was like 'it deserves a second chance'. From that day on I have not looked back. I use about 2 coats and I must say it makes your eyelashes look phenomenal! It adds colour and thickness whilst separating the eyelashes. This is something I always look for in a mascara, the ability to separate as many eyelashes as possible so that the false lash look is there. I'm starting to worry about what I will do when I've finished the product as I live in London and you can't buy it here. Might have to hit up Amazon... If I have any money left. For $20/£12.28 I would highly recommend it! It is a truly magnificent mascara and even though it is a little more pricey than I'd like, it is worth it. So worth it.

Jo - xo

Life Update!

Hello :-)

So it has been a while since I last posted, even though I said before that I would post at least once a week. Oops. My bad. Life happens you know? I was in Dubai for my last post, which was 2 months ago! I have since travelled to both Ireland & England.

I flew with my Dad and Sister to Ireland to be reunited with our Mum and to see all of our Irish family. Although, we kept it very quiet as I had come up with this amazing (If I may say so myself) idea to surprise 3 of my cousins of whom my sister and I are closest to.. *cough* Meabh *cough* The plan went accordingly and we even have a video to prove it! I don't think I had ever been so pleased with surprising a person before! Let alone 3 of them! I think I cried of happiness.. Yep. Our time in Ireland could be described as short and sweet. I feel like we're never there for a significant length of time, and even if we are it never feels like it. I thoroughly enjoy being in Ireland and seeing all of my Irish family, always a comfort.

With my mum flying back to Dubai, my dad and I travelled to the UK. Leaving Ciara in Ireland with my best gal cousins. We flew to Bristol, rented a car to Bath and sorted out some stuff there before heading up to London. My dad and I had to move a total of 7 boxes and 2 suitcases from my friends flat on one side of London, to my new room in halls on the other side. I can tell you now that it took 2 stressful and very, very sweaty trips.  Then I knew it was time to say bye to my dad again for another 3 months! Lucky for me, I have the crying gene (thanks mum) so of course, I cried like a baby when it came to saying that final bye to my dad. Yallah December.

However, on a brighter note, I was presented with the challenge of decorating a new room. Hardly a challenge! I quite enjoy decorating rooms. Think I've played too much of The Sims. Anyway, after living here for almost 2 weeks, I can say that I have settled in and my room is definitely feeling more homely. Oh, almost missed out the reason why I moved to London! I was accepted for my first choice of a University which is London College of Communication UAL (University of the Arts London) :-) I am very excited about this, and nervous, which is completely normal for a Fresher! Even if it is round 2. I don't start for another 2 weeks though, but I do have a project to crack on with.

It has been fantastic being back in the UK as I have been able to meet up with friends from Dubai who live in London or are just passing through, as well as my friends that I made last year in Leicester! I've also been attempting to make new friends here in halls and it is going great. I feel like living in London, and it being my first year here, that it is completely acceptable for me to be taking tourist photos of everything. I mean now is the time to do it. I'm hoping to see a lot of friends and family being in London, as it is a popular place that is always buzzing. That's one of the reasons that I chose to apply to London, there's just always something going on! I think I missed that being in Leicester, it's not quite as big. Moving to Leicester from Dubai, I wasn't expecting to miss the whole big city vibe but I did! So glad to be in London now and obviously it is probably the best place for a creative person, so many resources.

No matter where you are I think it is very important to appreciate all that is around you. Even living in London now I find myself missing little details from Leicester that I never imagined I would. You learn something new about yourself every time you go somewhere different.

Jo - xo

Kylie Jenner Inspired look :-)

Hello internet friends,

I would like to apologise for not having posted anything in quite a while. I don't really have a valid excuse but I will say I have been busy with work at a Summer Camp which I actually finished today. Alas, my Kylie Jenner inspired look...

So, I don't know about you but Kylie Jenner has been rocking it recently! She may be 2 years younger than me but I still idolize her! She just knows. You know? I would like to point out that my main focus for this look was on the lips, Kylie's lips are looking very plump these days and to help achieve that look I'm going to show you how I have recreated it.

I began by picking a photo of her to reference..

Kylie Jenner

First thing is first, I primed my skin and diminished the appearance of my pores by using Benefit POREfessional (Absolutely LOVE this product - If you don't have it I highly recommend it, especially for those with oily skin). Then I used my favourite Foundation which is by Revlon (Photoready) in the colour 002 Vanilla, because I'm super pale. I then added some concealer, again by Revlon (Colorstay) in the colour 02 Light, putting it under and around my eye area and anywhere else where there was decolouration. After that, I filled in my eyebrows actually using the colour 'Sexpresso' in the Too Faced Natural Eye eyeshadow set, I then brushed them up to create more of an arched look like Kylie.
Moving onto Eyes, I primed them using Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Lemon Drop which is actually a colour correcting primer so it gets rid of the red/purple colour around the eye area. I put 2 tiny dots on both eyes and used my fingers to gently rub around the eye, making a good base for the eyeshadow.
Now for the Eyeshadow.. I used Urban Decays 'Naked' palette (the first one), and the first colour I used was 'Virgin' which is the lightest colour, placing it all over the lid and tear duct area. I then used 'Naked' and 'Buck' to add more depth putting them in the crease and blending them. I then used 'Buck' and went under the lower lashes, later adding 'Sexpresso' from the Too Faced Natural Eye palette to make it darker but keeping it matte, as Kylie's eyeshadow appears to look matte.
I then used Victoria's Secret Bold Line liquid liner, making more of a winged eye look than Kylie has in the image, however, Kylie usually does go for a winged eyeliner look. After, I layered 2 different Mascaras - Maybelline the Falsie Volum' Express & Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin Curves in extreme black. I find layering mascaras adds more of a fake eyelash look without wearing them. I also used Cliniques bottom lash mascara, you guessed it.. on my bottom lashes.
To create the defined cheek/contour look I used a bronzer first by Rimmel (Sun shimmer) in Light shimmer, blending it into the hollows under my cheekbones (making a fish face makes them easier to define) and either side of my nose but also using the '3' technique on either side of my face. I then used a Maybelline blush (Expert Wear) in the colour 105 Sweet Cinnamon. To add that highlight effect that the Kardashians/Jenner girls always seem to have, I used the product 'Beat the Blues' in Sunbeam by MeMeMe. I placed this along the top of my cheekbones, using my fingers to blend, I also added a small quantity under my brow bones to act as a highlight for my eyes. Then I placed left overs down along my nose and on my cupids bow area. Then to add even more highlight and shimmer, I used Bobbi Browns Shimmer Brick in the colour Nectar placing it over my blush and then using the excess on other areas that I previously highlighted.
Now for the lips.. The most anticipated part right? Well, rumour has it that Kylie uses MAC's lipliner in the colour Whirl, so doing small gentle strokes I drew an outline around my lips, taking it a bit over the natural shape in order for them to look fuller like Kylies. Tip: You don't need to press down too hard with Whirl as it can be quite dark. I then used the liner to fill in the corners of my lips to add more shape/depth for when the lipstick is on. For lipstick I used Rimmels Moisture renewing in the colour 180 Vintage Pink as it actually has purple undertones in it I'd say, which you can see in Kylie's lipstick in the photo. This lipstick is a beautiful colour and I just love how it goes on the lips so easily and the finish that it has.

Below I've include 2 images of the finished look, inspired by Kylie Jenner. These aren't the exact products she uses but they are just what I used in order to try and achieve her look. Can we now take a moment to applaud her and her flawlessness. What a stunner.

Hope this has been helpful in helping you to achieve Kylie's look.

Until next time,

Jo - xoxo

High-End Purchases

Hello,

I realise I haven't had a post in a while, this is because I have been extremely busy with moving and traveling! Also managed to see One Direction in that time and they were absolutely incredible, thanks for inviting me to come with you Meabh (If you're reading this). I am now currently in Dubai, back home with my mum and dad after being away from them for 4 months! So it's nice to be back, despite the at times unbearable weather.

Throughout all of the traveling I have been doing however, I have still been able to sneak in some cheeky shopping time :-) The products that I bought have received such great reviews, therefore, I took it upon myself to try them out myself to see how I feel about them.

The first product I got was Benefits Pore Professional. This product is used as a primer which also aids in eliminating the appearance of pores, so placing it either side of your nose where pores are most visible and anywhere else you feel you need coverage. Personally, I also like to put it on my nose, chin and forehead just so I get a good coverage everywhere. The product makes your face feel amazing! It gets really soft and silky whilst doing it's job. The packaging is also really cool, like everything that comes from Benefit! Definitely the best packaging in the Makeup industry! Although, the product isn't the cheapest I still think it is worth buying. I have noticed that when I have Pore Professional on underneath my foundation, that my foundation/concealer/etc does last longer throughout the day and my skin doesn't get as oily as it usually would. I only have good things to say about this product, so if you're thinking of buying it I would highly recommend it! :-)

Benefit Pore Professional. I bought this in Ireland so it was 32 Euros.

This next product I purchased is the YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) Babydoll Mascara. Now, before anyone judges me for buying this, I just want to say that I bought it with Birthday money I still had, and I did do my research before getting it. I don't regret buying it at all! This is hands down, one of, if not, the BEST mascara I have ever owned. The wand is really flexible and you're really able to get a root-to-tip application which you don't necessarily get with all mascaras. Not once have I poked myself in the eye with it! Also, you really get product on every eyelash, and they separate quite well too. So it is quite hard to get the spidery eyelash look! Unless you do numerous coats! The packaging is obviously lovely as it's from YSL! I love the sleek gold appearance of it, it looks super sophisticated. Like me. JK. Honestly though, if anyone is looking in to buying a new mascara and you've got money you don't mind spending, then I would also recommend purchasing this mascara, or even going and asking if there's a sample sized version of it so that you can make up your own mind about it. However, it is definitely one of my new favourite products.

YSL Babydoll Mascara. This was bought in Ireland too, 34 Euros.

As I travel quite frequently, you can imagine that I spend a fair amount of time in airports. To waste time in airports, you go to the duty free right? Who doesn't love a good browse in the duty free shops? I mean, I LOVE Duty Free, so much Makeup!! Which brings me to the next product... When I was in Dublin Airport the other day, I may or may not have stumbled into the Bobbi Brown area. Now, I have never owned a Bobbi Brown product before, but have always wanted one, which I'm sure is the same for every other makeup interested person! Everyone knows the name 'Bobbi Brown'. For a while though, I have been eyeing up this certain product - Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, looking for a colour which I would love (Nectar). However, I never purchased it as I own a MAC product quite similar which was limited addition and my sister decided to take it and use most of it, and when I got it back there was hardly any product left. Sad, sad times. This justified me being allowed to purchase the Shimmer Brick. Even in the airport, I tried it on with help from a very kind woman working there! Telling me not to go overboard when applying it! After looking at it on my skin for a few minutes, I knew I was getting it. I just accepted the fact that I wasn't walking away without it. No regrets. I really, really like this product. I can honestly say, that after staying away from blushers for a while because I didn't like how they looked on my skin, that now, because I feel like my skin is so much better, I feel comfortable wearing them again. This Shimmer Brick adds colour and of course, shimmer to your face, making it look healthy and glowing! and now that it's summer it just completes my summer makeup look! This product is fabulous because it can also be used as a highlight, or a touch of shimmer to add over a blush. Again though, if you don't mind spending the money, this is a product I would recommend as it is likely you will have it for a very long time. Unless you go overboard, which the kind lady in Dublin Airport said not to.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar. 36 Euros.

Following the last product, this next one was also purchased in Duty Free, this time, in Heathrow Airport. Now I have heard a lot about this product and was very interested in it.. The Clinique bottom lash mascara. My bottom lashes usually look ridiculous when I apply mascara to them, as they end up looking longer than the top ones and I look like some sort of creepy doll. To deal with that issue, I would actually have to try and pick off the mascara on the tips of my bottom eyelashes, which I know sounds kind of gross but I did it. Sorry not sorry. Anyway, so I went to Clinique to check it out, asked the woman how much it was.. 10 Pounds! Now, I know this product isn't the same size as all other mascaras which are usually about 10 pounds too, but for a High-End product, I was pleasantly surprised. So of course, I bought it. Oops. Again though, I am without regret, the wand on the mascara is so tiny that you really can get at every bottom lash, darkening the areas you please. I like to put more of it on the outside bottom lashes as I think it looks prettier like that! But that is just my opinion. Obviously, if you decide to buy it, you can do with it as you please. 

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. 10 Pounds.

Luckily I didn't buy anything else, although I was tempted. For now though, I shall leave you with this post. Thank you for reading it. 

Jo - xo