Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I'm quite a firm believer in "if something isn't broken, don't fix it" so really, I shouldn't have even needed to purchase this Real Techniques Expert Face Brush because my love for the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is still going extremely strong and gives me my perfect foundation application. 

However, when I met Sam from Pixiwoo (the creator of these beauts) at the Avon launch she gave us a little heads up about this brush coming to Boots and so there was no justification needed and it was top of my list.

This brush is extremely firm in terms of density and is made up of short "ultra plush" taklon bristles. It's quite wide and has been created to give you the perfect experience when applying and blending cream or liquid foundations. I've used this a few times now, with liquid foundations and yes it is brilliant, but as yet it isn't even close to how much I love my buffing brush which comes as a part of the Core Collection. Personally, I wish they sold the Buffing Brush separately like they do this, as I would probably stock up for life. Thankfully, the Real Techniques brushes are made with synthetic hair, which I find wash up really well and tend to last longer whilst staying extremely soft anyway.

Although this brush is super soft, I think because it is a lot more dense it seems to takes a little bit more work when applying my foundation, which is probably why I'm not getting on with it as much. There's no doubt about it that it's a great brush and I will continue to use it, it does give me a great flawless finish which looks beautiful but my hearts still with the Buffing Brush for now.

 If you're on the hunt for a really amazing foundation brush, I would strongly recommend the Buffing Brush, although if you're quick, Boots have them on 3 for 2 so you could just do what I did and get both!

This brush costs £9.99 and is available in Boots.

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques brushes? What's your favourite? 

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Japonesque Eyelash Curlers

As much as I'm not so much all about the full on lashes any more, I most definitely still like them to look neat and have a nice shape to them. Without any product or curling before hand, my lashes are pretty much small lifeless stubs and so regardless to whether I am going to go all out or not, I feel the need to curl them is always necessary.

I saw the Pocket Pink Go Curl Eyelash Curler* advertised and remember thinking it was super cute. It's very dainty and is the perfect tool to carry around in my make up bag as it is so compact, pretty and does a really good job at curling my lashes. 

Though it does do an extremely good job, with it being so small it isn't the easiest eyelash curler I have ever used. It's convenient in size, but not so much so in practicality. When I curl my lashes, though I shouldn't be, I am often quite rough but with these, you can't really move them around much or see how close to the root you actually are. 

It don't think it is a product that will last forever in my collection, as it is very plastic and therefore also quite delicate. If I do go in with too much pressure I do worry slightly that I may break/crack it. 

This curler does come with a refill, which is kept at the bottom and is very handy. I always manage to lose my refills which can be such a pain! As well as this being really convenient, Japonesque also offer their customers free refills for the life of the product, which I think is great customer service and a definite pro when deciding whether or not to make a purchase. 

To be honest, the curl in my lash does pretty much always stick around, regardless of what product I use and this product is no exception. A lovely little curl is kept throughout the day and I don't really ever feel the need to re-curl, although with it being so small it's no struggle to keep in your bag just in case.

The Heated Pink Mini Curler* is absolutely beautiful. I can't tell you how much I love this. I'm not new to Heated Eyelash Curlers, in fact I remember getting a set when I was about 13 and thinking I was the absolute bees knees! 

I've owned a couple of No7 ones in the past, which I have always been pleased with although I lost half of my last pair and never got round to repurchasing them.

This is a very welcomed addition to my make up bag and I absolutely love using it.

It's a nice size for use and so easily gives you a comfortable curl. With a simple battery operated on/off slider, the curler heats up but in no means to burning temperature which I know is what some people worry it will be like. I find them so safe to use confidently, I hold the comb so close to my eye and don't feel any heat at all. The heat from the coil really is minimal but enough to do an extremely good job on my upper lashes! 

These are meant to be perfect for "hard to curl" lashes, which I imagine would be true. Like I mentioned before, my lashes aren't great naturally but I don't find it hard to get a curl on them either, maybe this is why this tool works extra well for me.

Unlike standard eyelash curlers, I feel absolutely comfortable with using this throughout the day without the worry of my lashes sticking on the squeeze! It literally is just like an eyelash comb, so no squeezing or pinching involved! 

I really do love these and the fact that they're a Pink rubber finish is a huge bonus to me.

The Pocket Pink Go Curl curlers cost around the £10 mark and the Heated Pink Mini Curler around £12.50.

The full Japonesque range can be found online here and can be purchased in John Lewis, Boots and I have more recently spotted them with free UK delivery on Hair HQ.

Do these Pink beauts make your lashes flutter?

xx

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Japonesque Travel Sized Make Up Brushes

Okay, hands up I have a statement to 100% retract. Once upon a time, I may have said that in my opinion a brush is just a brush. I know right? How dare I? Over the past few months I have got so absolutely brush happy and the brushes I have now tried have just proved to me that a brush is not just a brush and can in fact completely change the way your make up both looks and feels.

A few weeks ago, I received a rather special Japonesque package containing a Travel Angled Foundation Brush*, a Travel Blush Brush* and a Travel Brow and Lash Comb*.

I have heard so many raves about Japonesque brushes and after my local Boots store recently beginning to stock them I was becoming more and more intrigued and I was therefore especially excited to receive them. 

I only became aware of Japonesque, like I said more recently when I started to read more and more raves about there products however, they have been around for a considerably long time (20 years!) and now that they are available to buy in more accessible stores like John Lewis and Boots, I think that they are going to become even more popular than they already are.

I'm obviously no expert when it comes to brushes, but I'll try my best to give you the low down and my opinion.

Travel Blush Brush 924
This is a super tiny handled Blush brush, that is perfect addition to my collection as I'm currently going through a slight blush obsession. I find that using it directly sometimes picks up maybe a bit more product than I like, but it works absolutely perfectly at blending colour out on my cheeks.
It's described as being perfect for contouring, but to be honest I prefer something even smaller.
The quality of this brush is really good and the brush itself is incredibly soft.
It retails at £24, which I think for a travel sized brush does seem a little steep but they are the same quality as you would get from the professional long handled brushes and being so compact always comes in handy for me.

Travel Angled Foundation Brush 914
I've recently been raving so much about my Real Techniques Stippling and Buffing brush when it comes to applying foundation and currently, I'm afraid nothings going to quite beat them, however, this travel sized angled foundation brush really is one of the better additions to my brushes as with its tiny little size and flat angled shape it really gives me such precision to my final touches around my harder to apply areas such as around my nose, my eye area and around my brows which otherwise end up covered in product themselves.
It really is so handy, and if you're looking for an angled foundation brush to apply your full foundation then this is advertised at being perfect for building colour- both sheer and full coverage.
This brush retails at £19.50, which I think is pretty reasonable for a good quality foundation brush.

Travel Brow/Lash Comb 844
I can't tell you how many Brow and Lash combs I have, I think it's one of those brushes that comes in almost every set you own. In saying that, it's the one brush that I reach for every day- whether I'm wearing make up or not.
Brows are a huge deal to me and the very thick tight bristles on this comb my brows and put them into shape perfectly. I don't use the Lash comb so much and in my opinion that is one tool that does pretty much does do the same job as any other. It works perfectly well to separate and get any unwanted clumps out of my mascara. On occasion, I might also use it on my brows to work through them out inwards to make sure they are combed through perfectly.
This comb costs £9.75, which is considerably cheaper than the others.

I must say, if you are interested in these brushes, you must really be aware that they are super travel sized. If you are looking for professional quality brushes but want to save money by going for these, they might not be for you. The full length of these brushes is no bigger than six inches, and although they are perfect for me and are now some of my go to brushes when it comes to keeping in my make up bag and for work purposes, it is personal preference and if you like a longer brush you might find them harder to work with.

There are 20 brushes in the travel sized brush range and I especially want to try the Travel Stippling Brush.
The full ranges are available with more information on the Japonesque website.

These are available to buy now, and in the UK are available in John Lewis and Boots. 

Have you tried any Japonesque brushes or are you tempted?

xx

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Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman- Core Collection, Blush & Powder Brush

Today what started off as a quick trip into Boots for some essentials, turned out to be rather the opposite as I soon became aware from posters everywhere that they are in fact running a mix and match 3 for 2 promotion on hair, make up and accessories. 

If you're anything like me, then I'm sure a 3 for 2 offer makes you extremely happy.

I was holding out getting these until my Boots points built up a little more but when I saw lashes and nails apart of the offer I dashed straight straight down the aisle to the brushes.

I managed to pick up the Core Collection £21.99 that I mentioned I wanted in my previous Real Techniques post, the powder Brush for £12.99 and due to the amazing offer got the blush brush £9.99 for free! 

In total thats six brushes for just under £35, which I think is pretty good!

The Core Collection comes with a detailer brush, a pointed foundation brush, a buffing brush, a contour brush and a case. I've already taken these out and decided to put them in a new brush holder to keep them all together.

They're all so incredibly soft, and I can't wait to use them! The Real Techniques stippling brush has quickly become one of my faves and so I'll be sure to let you know how I get on with the new additions.

If you're unable to get to a Boots store, fortunately these are available online here, if you was thinking about getting some before- then with this offer it's definitely worth considering!

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques Brushes? Whats your favourite?

xx

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Bare Minerals SPF15 Original Foundation

Believe it or not, sometimes I much prefer to wear a natural looking face and on days where I'm not going anywhere particularly special or am wearing quite a casual outfit I think the barely there look is just perfect.

Today was one of those days, just running a few errands and popping out for a quick lunch I'm just wearing a slouchy jumper and leggings and feel the quick, hardly no effort, barely there look was quite fitting.

On a day like this, the product I will now always reach for is my Bare Minerals Foundation.

For years now, so many of my friends have raved about the Bare Minerals products and I kind of always just disregarded them, assuming that mineral make up wouldn't be for me.

I'm actually really annoyed, as will happily admit- I was so wrong, and really wish that I had given it a chance a long time before now.

I received this in a goodie bag that I was given at the "I'm a force of beauty" campaign launch which I blogged about here, and I am so, so grateful!

The shade I was matched to, is not my natural shade but it perfect for me when I am fake tanned, which is essentially always. The shade is N30 Tan and I don't think it couldn't be any more perfect for me. It goes really well with the colour that Xen Tan Dark Lotion gives me which is fabulous.

It doesn't give amazing coverage, but certainly covers small blemishes.  On days when I choose to wear this foundation, full coverage isn't really what I'm really going for anyway.

I apply a small amount with my Bare Minerals Full Flawless Face brush and use a swirling motion to buff it into my skin. I can't begin to explain how quick and easy it is to apply, its so effortless which I absolutely love.

On the skin it feels so incredibly lightweight and soft, I wish all of my make up felt like how this product does.

Whats brilliant about these products is that they can very easily be mixed in order to create your perfect shade. Like I said, I was matched to this shade and it works well for me but I think its important to get matched at a counter in order to get the perfect shade for you, as there really is so many.

It includes an SPF15, which is fantastic, and I really wish I had not just assumed this wouldn't be for me as I think it would have been such a good product for me when I was away in Thailand.

When I go back to work, this will be the perfect product for me. There is nothing worse than being in such a dehydrating and busy environment with a full face of make up, and so this will now be such a relief to my skin- allowing it to feel, and look so great as well as being super lightweight. Another bonus is that with it being mineral, I won't have to ditch it at security because of the liquid restrictions, which is where a few of my products have unfortunately ended up in the past.

Bare Minerals foundation costs £24, which may seem quite a bit but a little goes such a long way and I think it will last a very long time.

The Full Flawless Face brush costs £19. If you read my Real Techniques brush post, you'll know that I said I don't like spending too much on brushes, but this really is so soft and lovely to use that I may have to retract that statement! I think in terms of brushes, it is true and you do get what you pay for (note I have admitted I was wrong twice in this post!) 

For more information, visit the Bare Minerals website here. 

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Tweezerman Tweezers- Pretty In Pink

I was recently given the opportunity to review a few items from Feel Unique and being such a fan girl of the site, I was a very happy girl.
 I'm sure you're aware that I am a huge fan of Feel Unique and continue to recommend them for there quick and super reasonable service. It's the first site I will go to when I want a product, but want it a little bit cheaper. I always, always purchase my Xen Tan from there, as the price literally cannot be beaten. It also helps that they offer free delivery and there is always some kind of discount code floating around the web!

Since the day I came home from school and plucked up the courage (no pun intended) to ask my mum if I could borrow her tweezers, my eyebrows and I have had such a love hate relationship.

Through the years they have been both over plucked and under plucked (mostly horrifically over plucked) and to be honest it's always been quite traumatic subject.

After a lot of time and patience, my eyebrows are finally, kind of how I want them. Wider, straighter and fuller.

I have had HD Brows in the past and a couple of waxing treatments, but other than them few times I have always been a plucker. 

It's easy, I feel in control and it's a lot more reliable as you can just pluck your strays as and when you see them. I always pluck my brows at night time so the redness can disappear whilst I sleep. 

Up until now, the tweezers I have used have been nothing special as I never really thought there was a difference between a £2 pair and a £20 pair. To be honest, I was happy with my cheap and cheerful set, until I started using these and realised that what I had been using was in fact an extremely blunt and not very precise pair.

I must say, I have always eyed up Tweezerman tweezers in the past, the beautiful designs always catch my eye whenever I see them. I can't believe they have so many different versions of what I have always thought was a pretty standard tool.

When I picked these, I picked them because firstly because I have heard such good things and wanted to see why they were so raved about and secondly, they was Pretty in Pink and I thought they would look lovely in my make up bag, now I've used them I'm not sure I could go back to my £2 little pair. Okay, I could, but what I mean is I'm not sure I will ever want to.

They are slanted, which is the style of tweezer I always use and are so incredibly precise when plucking. They literally (I have no idea how) grab the smallest of hairs every single time. I can't stand when you have a hair coming through and it looks like a dot, and fortunately these little wonders grab them first time saving me a lot of aggravation and picked at brows. 

They're really sharp and have quite a narrow tip, which I guess is how they are so precise.

At £20, they are a little more pricey than most tweezers but I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to try these and would really recommend them if you did want to spend a little more on a pretty amazing, award winning little tool for your kit. 

If you are interested, these are available here on Feel Unique and are available in a range of different colours and styles.

What do you use for your brows? Are you a plucker?

xx

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Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman

Hey dolls,

I'm sure if you ask any beauty blogger or YouTuber, they will tell you that Pixiwoo videos were probably one of the first and more than likely one of there favourite beauty videos that they watch and I am in no way different.

I have loved watching Nic and Sams videos since the very beginning and was absolutely thrilled when I met them last year- fan girl!

I was so excited when I saw the girls video a few months ago telling the world the news that Sam was releasing her own Brush collection, Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman.

I was contemplating buying these online for a while, and then I heard the news that larger Boots stores and online (here) were going to stock them- eek!

After reading so many raves about the Stippling brush my search began!

I looked in a few Boots stores in London and unfortunately they didn't have them but today there was one left standing alone on the shelf in my local store and it had to be mine. I decided to treat myself using my Boots points which made it double exciting. 

As much as I love make up, I've never really been one for getting excited about a brush. I use what does the job well, but wouldn't dream of spending a fortune on them. To be honest, I just don't have the money to spend lots on a single brush.

I haven't used or seen any of the other brushes in this collection, but from the softness and stand alone finish of this Stippling brush I can confirm that on first impressions it is a dream and the quality and price point is wonderful. In Boots, this brush costs £11.99.

It's just the right size and the dual fibre bristles feel so incredibly soft to touch.

I'm not so sure on the Pink, I like pretty plain brushes, but in all fairness it does have a really nice finish to it so I can completely get over that. 

I really want to try the Core Collection now and think I might put my remaining points towards it and treat myself. 

I'm so excited to use it, and I'll be sure to let you know how I get on!

For more information on each of the brushes, and yes, of course tutorials have a little look on the Real Techniques website here.

Have you tried any of Sams Real Techniques collection?

xx

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Models Own Eyelash Curlers

I've never really been one for curling my eyelashes- well I used to be and then I kind of just stopped?

I've been meaning to get some eyelash curlers for a while- I have heated No7 ones but they don't quite do the job I don't think, so whilst in Boots trying to figure out what to get on 3 for 2 (as if I had to get anything) I decided that these little beauts would be my third and free thing. They really are quite beautiful and pink.

Models Own Eyelash Curlers- £6.00

Oh my gosh, what a lovely difference they make. My lashes look so much better and really think they open up my eyes tons. My boyfriend even asked me if they was falsies- yay!

Mascara- L'oreal 4D Lash Architect

I really like the shine in my hair, I washed my hair with Liz Earles Shampoo & Conditioner and I'm sure its all down to that. I'll make sure I do a review shortly.

I hope you're all fantastic.

xx

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