The Right Tools for the Job...

I am a big believer in the philosophy "pick the right tools for the job and your products will work much harder for you"...ok, ok, that's not exactly from the lips of Aristotle or Socrates but you get the jist!

FACE

Sigma F82

I've flirted with an entire range of foundation/base brushes in the past, I've tried a the flat foundation brush, the duo fibre stippling brush, sponges, beauty blenders etc and this brush delivers the most flawless base. It buffs in without streaking and can leave you with an undectable but perfect base.

MAC 129

If you're just beginning to build up a set of brushes, this should be near the top of your list. It's a dense, soft blush brush that places colour and blends with ease.

MAC 130

Not an essential, but a bloody good extra. It can blends under eye concealer in a heartbeat and can be used with a multitude of products, this foundation, concealer, cream blush, highlighter, powderong in specific areas.

MAC 224

Another essential brush, the 224 is not only a fabulous blending brush but acts as a wonderful concealing brush, used in a light blending motion it can give you a soft focus effect to die for.

EYES

MAC 239

One of the most useful tools in your kit if you want to pack of colour and get the best out of your shadows, the 239 is the perfect brush to get started with.

MAC 209

I find this the perfect partner for gel eyeliner, it's precise enough to create a thin line but can hold it's own if you fancy something a little more dramatic. It's also incredibly useful for doing specific cover up jobs on any blemishes you may have (obviously sanitising inbetween!).

R&M Eye Define (MAC 208)

Although this brush is no longer available, the MAC 208 or any small angled eyeshadow brush will do the same job. This is an absolute eyebrow essential if you like to fill your brows in. It's gives you a lovely natural look whilst still looking neat and tidy. Use it to add colour under the lower lash line too.

Sigma F45

An absolute lifesaver for those with more hooded eyes or those with smaller socket spaces. It can give you precise crease colour placement and blend out with ease.

LITTLE EXTRAS

Shu Uemura Lash Curlers

No7 Brow and Lash Brush

Tweezerman Tweezers

I couldn't live without these three tools in my everyday routine. Lash curlers make any mascara work that little bit harder and Shu always come up trumps, An eyebrow spoolie is a must for keeps brows in shape, and Tweezers are a no brainer for those who like to look groomed.

All brushes available from:

www.maccosmetics.co.uk (MAC)

www.love-makeup.co.uk (Sigma)

www.shuuemera.co.uk (Curlers)

www.boots.com/ (Spoolie & Tweezers)

If you want to know how to look after your brushes, click here for a cleaning tutorial! That's what I'm off to do now...

Laura xx

Hot Shots 003.

Despite my terrible track record, here's another glimpse at what I've been up to this week.

(top-bottom)

Macaroons - Iced Coffee - Extra Glittery Polish - Victoria Sponge Cupcake - Re-discovered Earrings - Dress for the Weekend - Lasting Perfection Concealer Brilliance

xxx

Video: Products I'm Loving Right Now

It's another, less messy, more normal video today!

Products Mentioned:

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair

Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Powder Puff, Cotton Candy & Fairy Cake

Bourjois Delice de Soleil

MAC Harmony Blush

ELF Mineral Blush in Coral

Schwarzkopf got2b Sparkling Shine Hairspray

Tiny Tower!

xxx

Video: Look Your Worst

Right, I may live to regret this, but I let Hannah loose on my face and create me a natural party look for any occasion...

I kid, I kid, It's the Look Your Worst Tag...

Jump on over to YouTube to watch this in better quality!

Laura xxx

I Like Short Shorts...



Shorts: Topshop

Jumper: Topshop

Vest: Primark

Bag: Topshop

Shoes: Zara

Rings: Accessorize/Primark

I appear to be a bit of a 'Topshopper' today, Despite the fact that Topshop has largely fallen out of favour due to it's astronomical pricing, I appear to have bought a few lovely things lately. I bought the shorts to wear on holiday, and even though they are ludicrously short to wear without tights, I like them.

Right, must dash, I'm off to hopefully see The Inbetweeners film!

xxx

Good Enough to Eat: Collection 2000 Cream Puff

Recently, Collection 2000 seem to be upping their game, several products have become buzz worthy in the past few months, and I finally decided to see what all the fuss is about and give the new Cream Puff lip creams a whirl, with a name like that, how could I refuse!?

NARS-esque matte packaging sets the tone for the product, good quality, matte, and lovely!

I plumped for Powder Puff (left) and Fairy Cake (right) and couldn't wait to give them a go.

They are unlike anything i've seen either in the high street or in the realms of high end make up. It's a lightweight, matte lip cream that leaves a lovely finish to the lips. If you're a sucker for sweet smelling products these do not dissapoint, hello sweet cream cakes!

(l-r Fairy Cake, Powder Puff)

(Fairy Cake)

Whilst they don't leave your lips looking like they've been out in the desert for weeks, they inevitably will highlight even a hint of chapped skin so make sure you prep well before applying, Fairy Cake is far more forgiving than Powder Puff, despite diligent preparation it still called out even the smallest bit of dryness on my lips.

For £2.99 these are a novel little product that can add a hint of something different to your everyday look, a must have? I wouldn't say so, but they're good fun and smell good enough to eat, i'll take some to takeaway please!

Laura xxx

Blog Takeover: Aveeno Positively Radiant.

It's been a little hectic at Beauty Spark HQ recently so I decided to leave a few products in Hannah's safe hands.

I'll let her take it from here...

Instantly Aveeno's new Positively Radiant sounds appealing, who wouldn't say yes to radiant bright skin?

The Daily Skin-Brightening Moisturiser and the Daily Exfoliating Cleanser were given me to get my beauty blogger hat on for a day!

Daily Skin-Brightening Moisturiser:

What did I like?

- SPF is a must in moisturiser, especially during the summer so a big thumbs up for sun protection.

- I have quite sensitive, dry skin but this worked well for me as it provided enough moisture but didn't irritate at all, it was perfect under my foundation too. 

- It was a dream to apply, it spread evenly and didn't take long to sink in.

 -I always appreciate a pump on my moisturiser, it's sturdy and won't spill/burst in transit and I always feel like it's more hygenic than a pot.

I'm not keen on...

- The smell...it's a fresh, slightly herbal but clinical smell. It tends to linger under my nose and I'm not the biggest fan.

- In order for this to be radiant, Aveeno have added what can only be described as Cullen sparkle to the product. In some lights I was practically glittering. If you like a bit of shimmer, don't be alarmed. Just be aware that it's there in force.

Daily Exfoliating Cleanser:

What did I like?

- I like that this is a gentle exfoliator. Salt/Apricot & Sugar Scrubs all seem to be too harsh for my skin so the small microbeads worked well.

- You don't need to use loads to work up a good covering on your face, I can see it lasting me a long time!

- I've been using it in the shower which does work well, but I can see it working well with a muslin cloth for an extra exfoliation boost.

- I'd never used a soy scrub before but I did enjoy using this.

- It's a lovely gentle scrub that I can feel really working without going overboard on my skin.

I'm not keen on...

- Again, the smell is just not for me...blurgh.

I just had to do a swatch!!

(l-r)

 Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

Daily Skin-Brightening Moisturising

Hannah xxx

When a beauty bloggers work is never done, it's always helpful to have a willing sibling to take over!

Note from the editor:

I was having a quite browse at the ingredients of the range and was suprised to find that the Cleanser contained Sodium Laureth Sulphate and a whole host of chemicals I wouldn't associate with a natural brand...maybe one to ponder here!

Daily Exfoliating Cleanser RRP £5.99

Daily Skin Brightening Moisturiser RRP £9.99

Also in the range:

Triple Boost Serum RRP £11.99

Eye Brightening Cream RRP £9.99

You'll find this at Boots, Superdrug.

(pr sample)

xx

Recent Bits & Peices...

Top to Bottom:

Striped & Nude Toms-a-likes: £1(!) Primark

Aztec Earrings: £2 Primark

Bracelet: Primark (I threw away the tag and don't actually remember the price!)

Nude Silk Top: £8 Primark

Lightweight Knitted Jumper: £28 Topshop, (Thanks to gift cards and student discount, I managed to pay £2.70...not bad!)

I've had the Primark bug for the past few weeks, i've somehow ended up in there twice in the past few days alone...

I'm in love with the silk top, a real Primark gem, underdesigned and hangs beautifully...something you don't always see!

Ciao for now,

Laura xx

Product Rave: Bourjois Delice de Soleil (That Bronzer in a Can)

Picture the scene: It's the pre-holiday toiletry dash around Boots, anything that promised a hint of bronze was in my basket with little thought.

I don't know if it was the attractive stand baring multiple 'bronzey' gifts or the novelty of a spray on bronzer but I decided to part with my £8.99 and give it a whirl.

Before you all recoil at the Dickinson-esque mess on my hand, I must stress the magic of this product really does depend on a careful, light handed application.

The far to close spray above does however, show you the type of colour you're getting, a slightly red based bronze that enhances a tan beautifully.

Exhibit B shows the bronzer sprayed a good distance from the skin then just slightly rubbed over to get rid of any major differences. The results? Instant tanned skin.

So, why is this a rave?

I've upgraded this from a good review to a rave simply because it's performance 'en vacances'.

Unlike other more liquid based body bronzing products, this went on in a flash and really was a lifesaver in the first few days. It's smells divine, like vanilla and cocoa beans and didn't budge even when it contending with temperatures in the high 30's.

Is it a novelty? Yes. Would I have invested if it wasn't for the pre-holiday toiletry dash? Probably Not.

Has it proven it's worth? Oh Yes.

It comes in a variety of shades, I opted for 12 fair/medium but if you're after a deeper tan you can pick it up in shade 14 olive/tanned skin.

Final Verdict:

A Definite Holiday Must!

xxx

Stepping Out

FACE:

Illamasqua Skin Base in 4+5 mixed.

MAC Harmony Blush.

EYES:

MAC Espresso through brows

MAC Bare Study Paint Pot

Barry M Dazzle Dust in 53 Mushroom

MAC Orb

MAC Feline Kohl Power

Prestige My Blackest Lashes

This is the first time in a lonnng time that I've put anything other than mascara and the odd wash of a neutral shadow on my eyes, and I must admit, I like it!

I've fallen hard again for Barry M Mushroom Dazzle Dust, it's such a lovely mink/taupe (yes, I know) that strikes the perfect balance between dramatic and daytime. MAC Orb just lightens the inner corner and cools down the shimmer shimmer of the DD, a must!

If you can't tell, I'm loving piling on the jewellery this month, a mixture of charity shop finds and high street gems are where it's at!

I'm especially in love with the earrings from Forever 21, my sister lent me them and I've already got on the case to get my own pair.

What's your favourite recent rediscovery? 

Laura x



Jump In The Pool...

Greece was lovely, it was a lovely relaxing getaway with a lovely friend!

As expected, the holiday mostly consisted of lying on sunbeds, eating far too much Greek salad, wine by the litre and general sillyness.

I may or may have not fainted in a pizza restaraunt, not once, but twice.

I have fallen back in love with Maybelline Color Sensational in Ambre Rose (pictured above) but now I'm home I cannot find it ANYWHERE...sob!

Normal service will resume shortly...

Laura xxx

One more thing, just for you K, CHURROS!

xxx