Shopping the Stash Take Two.

It's my favourite kind of shopping, the free kind. 

Products I've Been Loving: 

Vera Wang Princess

Benefit Benetint

Prestige My Blackest Lashes

Barry M Lipgloss in No 11

MAC Fleur Power Blush

The Lowdown: 

First of all, I am a big fan of mini perfume rollerballs & this mini Vera Wang Princess is no exception. It was lost in a handbag for a little while but it's now back with a vengeance. It's a pretty, no offensive scent that perks me up throughout the day. I've also managed to find a bargain 100ml bottle AND a rollerball for £33.14, here, amazing!

Now, me and Benetint have a long standing relationship. Along with High Beam, they were amongst the very first make up products I possessed. I often forget about this old favourite, I mean it is the right of a beauty blogger to stray isn't it?! But, I've been reaching for after work if i'm going straight on to something else just to perk me up. Similarly it's been a gem for a quite post gym spruce up. I can never be bothered to put on a full face after showering/hair drying at the gym, but similarly I don't want to look like the living dead if I have a quick coffee after. My only gripe is that is it not the friend of the chapped lip. Looking like you've been scoffing raspberries isn't something I strive to achieve...

Moving onto a sad tale. Prestige My Blackest Lashes has to be one of my all time favourite mascaras, and they only went and discontinued Prestige in the UK didn't they!? So sad. Therefore I rave about this cautiously, I adore it and I rue the day this runs dry.

MAC Fleur Power Blush has won a place in my heart thanks to the recent purchase of the Real Techniques Blush Brush as it applies like a totally different blush when coupled with such a soft, feathery applicator. I've really been shunning lots of shimmer recently and sticking to soft matte shades, it's a trend I can see continuing! 

Finally, Barry M Lipgloss in No11 is firmly back in the mix thanks to a bit of friend envy. One of my lovely friends whipped it out the other day and I was instantly cooing over how nice it is. Low and behold I definitely had it in my collection. It's a soft coral pink that leaves a subtle shine without being too sticky or gloopy, the fact it smells like pineapple only elevates it further up the rankings, yum. 

What have you been rediscovering recently? 

xx

The Real Deal.

Without a doubt, Real Techniques have taken the place of most of my MAC brushes, and I'm developing a bit of a habit... 

I decided on a whim to pick up the Expert Face Brush and the Blush Brush. 

Both brushes are made with taklon fibre so they're super soft, I could just brush them against my cheek with nothing on and that would be enough to justify the purchase. They also receive bonus points for their 100% cruelty free status. 

I find that the Blush Brush gives a much softer application than my MAC 129 brush, therefore it's been perfect to apply any matte blushes that I have (I'm talking MAC Fleur Power, Frankly Scarlet etc) as it creates a much more diffused effect. I'm not so keen if I want to whack on a bit of shimmer though, I find this works against itself and doesn't apply enough product if I want to pack it on. 

The Expert Face Brush was a completely novelty purchase. I have a multitude of densely packed foundation/cream blush brushes and I really didn't need another one. It's a lovely brush and I love having it in my brush pot (not a good reason to buy a brush) but I really need to find a proper use for it. I have a serious RT Buffing Brush habit when it comes to foundation or liquid concealer and my Sigma F82 has monopolised the cream blush corner. I've tried the brush for both of these uses and I'm still happier with the alternative. I might give this a whirl with foundation as it's the only thing I haven't tried it with yet. I still adore it though!

Overall, if you factor in quality and value, you really cannot go wrong with the range. I certainly haven't had enough yet and I see more in my future...if I can justify it! #beautybloggerproblems. 

Quick Fire Review: Real Techniques Kabuki

Did I need it? No? Did I get it anyway...well, yes.

I own lots of brushes, but I've never got my hands on a Kabuki. Considering I'm currently locked in a pretty serious love affair with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, It only seemed logical to snap up RT's Kabuki offering.

The Lowdown.

As you'd expect, it's pretty dense, super soft and I could just sit and stroke it against my cheek all day. However, what makes this just a little bit special is the fact that it opens out into a larger, more narrow brush. What's not to like about a 2 in 1!? 

I have mainly been using this to sweep a bit of powder over my base (Origins VitaZing FYI) and I've even found if I'm after a very subtle contour, flip this baby out and you're away. 

Costing £11.99 it really can't do any wrong, although I will mention if you were after a more traditional super dense kabuki, you might want to consider a different option. 

Laura xx

Real Techniques.

If you don't know about Pixiwoo, 1. Where have you been? 2. Go and educate yourselves now! 

One half of the dynamic make up duo, Samantha Chapman bought out her very own range of brushes in 2011, and I have been fighting the urge to indulge ever since. 

When I found them on sale for £17.99 on Love Make Up , It tipped the balance. They were mine. 

I plumped for the core collection. Containing four essential face brushes, each made from ridiculously - rub it on your cheek - soft taklon fibres, they'd act as a therapeutic tool if nothing else. 

Luckily, that's not the case. 

A quick rundown. 

Contour Brush. 

As far as contouring goes, I've stuck strong to my MAC 168. I haven't picked it up once since this took up residence in my brush kit. It's the perfect size to really contour into the hollow of you cheekbone, it picks up just the right amount of colour and blends beautifully. 

Pointed Foundation Brush.

I'm not really one for flat foundation brushes, and this hasn't really changed my mind. But it's an absolute winner for cleaning up under the eyes or getting right into the corner of your nose. It's the perfect shade and density to place the product without streaking. 

Detailer Brush.

Despite the large collection of brushes I own, I've never felt the need to use a small concealer brush like this one. However, this little brush is perfect for precision touch up's to create a (cliché warning) flawless face. 

The synthetic fibres make it brilliant for using with most concealers and place the product well. 

Buffing Brush.

I've saved the best till last. I love this brush. It's soft, it's dense, it's delicious. 

I've used it both with powder products and cream products and it's a dream to work with, it's blends and buffs with ease and is just a lovely tool to have. It's not as dense as my trusty Sigma F82, but the extra flexibility is welcomed. 

Negatives? 

Overall, I can't really say a bad word against the brush set. I'm not raving about the pointed foundation brush, but that's personal preference. The brush performs just as well as the others and is made well. 

The design of the brushes might not be to everyone's taste, but they certainly cut a distinct silhouette. You won't be confusing these with another brand anytime soon. 

My one gripe is with the case/stand. I just can't get over the fact it feels like a shoulder pad. It feels cheap and doesn't do what's nestling inside any justice. But, if that's my only issue, we're doing well! 

Obviously aimed at beginners, they're clearly marked with what they do and the box is clearly labelled with instructions/tutorials etc. 

Value for money is obvious, four top quality brushes for under £20, we're not doing too bad. I have noticed they are back to £20.99 now, but I'd still pay happily. 

Sam, I applaud you. 

xxx