Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Monday, 7 April 2014
Tools of The Trade
I remember being a right nosey little rugrat and rummaging through my Mum's makeup drawer and finding all sorts of brushes and sponges knocking around there but not having a clue what any one of them was for. Did that stop me from smushing them against my face and hoping the leftover powder or blush would rub off? Like hell it did.
I'll never forget her blush brush which always had the sparkly remnants of her Barry M bronzer/blush of it on it being the best brush I'd ever seen because of the sheer size of it. Seriously, compared to the size of the blush or bronzer brush I use now, that thing was mahoosive! I have no idea why such a big brush was needed but apparently it was and I'm still sure she has that knocking around somewhere although she knows better than to pull it out in front of me. Just call me 'Brush Police'. Seriously, I've been known to go in to full on lecture mode if someone pulls out a raggedy and filthy looking brush out and start attacking their face with it.
With that being said, I like to make sure my brushes are always clean and I have them in an order where I know that the ones I use most are in one pot and the rest are in another. I like to call it an organised mess but I'm sure my Mum would use other words so we'll just gloss over that.
My go-to brushes have always been Bobbi Brown but recently, I've been reaching for this handy set from Crown Brush of synthetic brushes which has really impressed me.
The 16 Piece Professional Set from Crown Brush has seen a hell of a lot of love from me over the past few months although there are some clear frontrunners while others could probably be switched up for something else.
The set contains the following brushes:
Chisel Powder
Chisel Blush
Tapered Blush
Deluxe Chisel Fluff
Deluxe Shadow
Flocked Sponge
Oval Fluff
Angle Liner
Chisel Fluff
Brow/Lash Groomer
Sable Liner
Eye Shadow
Pro Spoolie
Sable Lip
Pointed Smudger
Deluxe Soft Fan
Sounds like everything you could possibly need, right? Well, kind of.
My most used face brushes are the Chisel Powder, Chisel Blush and Deluxe Soft Fan while my most used eye brushes are Angle Liner, Oval Fluff and Eye Shadow but the others are a little unloved by me, sad to say. They are great brushes, don't get me wrong, but once you find brushes that you can work with well and do what they're meant to, everything else becomes a little blurry and I'm sure I'm not the only person who does that. It's just human nature and we're creatures of comfort (or is it habit? I always forget but you know what I mean!)
While I may not make as much use out of the brushes as I probably could, or a professional makeup artist might, I have to say that they are all incredibly soft and do make applications a whole lot easier.
The brushes that wouldn't have gone amiss in this set would be a foundation brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow blending brush and a duo-fibre stippling brush. If those badboys were in this set, it would be an altogether all rounder for everyone; makeup artist or makeup newbie.
I love makeup brushes so if there are some particular ones that you think I should have in my stash (if I haven't already got it) then let me know in the box below!
You can pick up this Crown Brush 16 Piece Professional Set for £39.99 from HERE.
Amrita xoxo
*PR SAMPLE*
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Lipgloss Loving
I'm not really one for lip glosses and having had a long, long, love affair with matte lipsticks, I've found myself throwing the odd lipgloss in to my bag and being on my merry way.
Now I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who finds lip glosses as a bit of faff because if the formula isn't right and is one of those sticky ones then you'll have that dreaded 'hair-stuck-to-your-lips' look going on which nobody can be pull off. However, I've had these three lip glosses on rotation in my hand bag and they have never let me down.
Introducing...
L-R: Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipgloss in Pure Gold, Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss in Streak and Guerlain Gloss d'Enfer Maxi Shine Lip Colour in Rose Splatch
The applicators:
I'm not a fan of lip glosses in a squeeze tube because you can't really control how much comes out or where it goes so sponge tipped doe foot applicators are my favourite because they go with the lip shape and give more precision. The Guerlain applicator is my favourite of the three because it's slightly more 'spongey', if that makes sense, and has more of a bend to it so really goes along with the contours of your lips.
Swatches:
Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipgloss in Pure Gold - £18.00 - Available HERE
While I love using this lipgloss on its' own because the fine shimmer looks nice, it is actually best used to add a touch of dimension to a lipstick by dotting it in the middle of your lips and blending it out with your finger so it's not too glossy or shiny. Although some Bobbi Brown lip glosses do have that glue-like tacky texture to them, this is most definitely not the case with this beauty so make sure you give it a swatch next time you're at a counter.
Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss in Streak - £14.00 - Available HERE
This is my ultimate go-to everyday lip gloss because it has a balm-like feel and isn't remotely sticky, until you try to wipe it off with a tissue because then you're asking for trouble. Although the colour isn't as pigmented on the lips as it looks in the swatch above, I do really like most of the shades in the Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss range. It lasts a good few hours before needing another coat and does add a light wash of colour instead making it good for most skin tones. My only issue with these glosses is that once applied, they do tend to look very similar so if you've got one or two then that's more than enough.
Guerlain Gloss d'Enfer Maxi Shine Lip Colour in Rose Splatch - £22.50 - Available HERE
Similar to the Urban Decay Naked Lip Gloss, this Guerlain number has a balm like texture and doesn't feel remotely sticky or tacky so I often find myself swiping this on with minimal makeup because it adds a very light touch of colour and the shimmer is barely noticeable. It's even my go-to lipgloss for a night out if I've gone to town with heavy eye makeup and want a lip that is pared down and low maintenance. I've picked up a few more of these Guerlain lip glosses and none of them have left me underwhelmed so I'd recommend these if you're looking to treat yourself and want something that ticks all the boxes.
Other lip glosses that I think should get a special mention although they weren't featured are:
Benefit Ultra Plush Lipgloss in Dandelion, Revlon Colourburst Lipgloss in Peony and Origins Drink Up Lip Balm in Pink Guava.
Are you a fan of lip glosses or will you be sticking with your lippies?
Amrita xoxo
*PR SAMPLES*
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Products I've Used Up - 006
This is a massively overdue post - I'm talking 6-7 months overdue - because I fell off of the blogging radar and lost my mojo to write so these empties have been sat on my desk for a while as I've had the intention to write this post for a very long time.
I've somehow amassed a pretty hefty amount of foundations over the last 6 months but these three are ones that I've repurchased a couple of times since they were first introduced me so I figured it was about time I gave them their 5 minutes in the spotlight because it's definitely deserved.
*Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF15 - 4.5 Warm Natural
I was first introduced to this foundation a few years ago when I was interning in the Bobbi Brown Press Office because it was one of their newest launches and was said to be perfect for those with normal to oily skin who were after a medium coverage base. I gave it a try and while I loved the finish, I found that it faded a little sooner than I was used to. Now, while I know that foundations will fade over the course of the day and that's one of the perils we all live with, this foundation began fading after a few hours so by the end of the day I looked a bit drained. To be fair, I did try this foundation for the first time during summer months so that probably didn't play in my favour and I couldn't try it again in the winter because the shade was too dark but I would recommend this foundation for those who are more 'normal' on the skin type scale and want something that doesn't look too cakey.
FYI, I think this foundation has since been discontinued because I can't seem to find it on the Bobbi Brown UK website but try your local counter.
This was first recommended to me but one my clients who swore by it and had to keep ordering it from Amazon as it wasn't yet available in the UK so I had to make a guesstimate to which shade I'd be when asking my cousin to purchase this for me from the States but there were some pretty good swatches online so it wasn't too hard to figure it out. The gel-liquid formula glides on to skin and has light to medium coverage so can be layered up if you're after something a bit heavier but I wouldn't go any more than two layers because it has a bit too much 'slip' to it. This was a big winner for me during the winter months because it gave me a bit of a glow without making me look oily, whereas in the summer this was a massive no-go. My oily skin combined with this foundation was a recipe for disaster and had me reaching for my trusty blotting tissues more than I usually would throughout the day. For cold and wintery days it's great but for sweaty summer days it's a hell-to-the-no.
This foundation is bloody amazing and I don't really say that often because foundations are always so hit and miss for me, and probably for most of the female population. This launched at the beginning of 2013 (or maybe at the end of 2012) and alongside a range of 'Long Wear' products from Bobbi Brown who are known in the biz for it. Long Wear Gel Eyeliners and Long Wear Cream Eyeshadows are just two of the products out in the beauty world which women everywhere have invested in at least once in their life so when this foundation came out, I was all over it. As I am 4.5 Warm Natural at the height of summer when I have a bit of a tan, 4 Natural is perfect for me during winter so I gave this a whirl and absolutely loved it. It's a medium coverage foundation which lasted me all day with minimal fade and didn't require a lot of touching up either so if you're an oily skinned gal on the hunt for something that will help, try this because it's perfect.
Are there any foundations out there any of you would recommend for me and my oily mug? Drop a comment below or tweet me (@6inchstilettos) and let me know because I'm always on the hunt.
Amrita xoxo
NOTE: Products marked with * were PR samples
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Candle Loving - Timothy Dunn 'Tiger Eye'
Up until recently I was never really a candle person and used to hand my mum all the candles I received so she could use them around the house but nowadays, I've been stashing them away from her sticky fingers. Maybe it's me growing up and starting to nest - even if it's just in my own room - but I love candles and have a few that I have on rotation for those days when you just need something to add that touch to your space.
I had never tried Timothy Dunn candles until last year when I was invited to a Glossybox dinner at The Ivy Club and there were a few in our private dining area. They looked beautiful and the light floral scent really set the mood for the nice evening we were having so when I was sent a candle shortly afterwards, I was chuffed. Who wouldn't be? It's a blimmin' gorgeous candle!
I was sent 'Tiger Eye' which is quite a deep and heady fragrance as opposed to my usual fruity and floral candles that I tend to opt for. Inspired by the regal and beautiful Bengal Tiger the candle is based on amber and orange blossom notes which intertwine with the middle notes of lily and sandalwood before mixing with the base notes of vanilla and patchouli. Sounds pretty sexual, right?
Not only does this luxury candle look like the perfect addition to a dressing table but the fragrance is strong enough that it only needs to be lit for an hour before it encapsulates your whole room and house in its' gorgeous aroma. Deep description, I know, but it genuinely is the only way I can describe it!
The one candle has made me explore Timothy Dunn London home fragrances more and I've got my eye on a few more of the range, namely Blue Rose and Voilette de Lune. It's the start of a beautiful relationship, let me tell you.
You can buy Timothy Dunn candles and other home fragrance products from their website or Liberty London for £42.00 each. It'll be the best £42 you spend though because the candle will last you ages - I use mine A LOT and have only just gotten half way through after about 4 months so it's worth it.
Are there any other candle brands or fragrances from Timothy Dunn London I should try out next?
Amrita xoxo
*PR SAMPLE*
Sunday, 16 February 2014
New Scents On The Block
I love collecting perfumes and I'm known to have at least 7 or 8 on the go at any one time just so I can mix things up a little but my picks are not always the same as some of my friends and family. It's funny how people can smell the same perfume but pick up on the notes in a totally different way which then sways whether they like it or not. There have been plenty of times where I've sniffed a fragrance on a friend and loved it but not been a fan once I've spritzed it on myself. It never fails to baffle but I guess that's why fragrances are always such a personal thing, and also why I hate buying fragrances for other people as gifts - You just never know if they're going to like it or not!
With all of that being said, there are three fragrances which I've recently added to my collection and I genuinely can't get enough of at the moment. Meet the new recruits:
Tory Burch - 50ml - Available HERE
Much like most women, when I think of Tory Burch I think of shoes. And the Take That logo. I wouldn't have pinned a beauty collection to the label yet here we are! The debut fragrance from the brand was launched alongside a very small capsule collection of makeup but the fragrance definitely is my favourite product. It's a floral and citrus tinged fragrance with notes of peony and tuberose mixed with grapefruit and neroli making it ideal for spring when your musky scents get pushed to the back and you crave something lighter and more feminine. The juice is packaged in a weighted glass bottle with orange and gold detailing on the lid which is the only let down. I love the accent colours but hate that the plastic feels so cheap and as if it was the last thing on the To Do list. Does it make a big difference? Not really but if the lid was metal or slightly sturdier it would definitely warrant the price tag of £60 for 50ml.
Rogue by Rihanna - 75ml - Available HERE
I've never really bought in to the whole celebrity fragrance phenomena but probably because I've never really looked up to a celeb and thought "I want to smell like them". With three fragrances already under her belt, none of which I've sniffed before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from her latest fragrance; Rogue. I have to be honest and say that before I even spritzed it I was ready to hate it. I assumed it would smell cheap, synthetic and tacky but after I gave it a go, I was actually surprised to find that I liked it. A lot. There's nothing cheap, synthetic or tacky about Rogue because it smells like a spicier version of Candy by Prada so if you like that one then you will probably like this. With notes like lemon blossom, bergamot and pink peppercorn, it's definitely feels a lot more grown up than her other fragrances. The bottle is simple with studded-esque design in the bottom and rose gold accents so stands out as very stripped back compared to her previous launches. I've been reaching for this more and more recently and actually don't mind telling people it's a Rihanna fragrance either!
DKNY Be Delicious City Blossom Urban Violet - 50ml - Available HERE
There's something really nostalgic about DKNY Be Delicious fragrances and I'm sure we've all, at some point or the other, had one of those apples sat on your shelf because it was our favourite. I had a love affair with the original red apple, then the green and then back to the red but my newest affair is with this Urban Violet version. Imagine a bottle of liquid Parma Violet sweets because this is what it is. I was never a fan of Parma Violets growing up as I liked the one with all the mixed colours or Love Hearts but this sweet smelling fragrance has been getting a lot of love because, well, who can deny smelling like a bag of sweets?!
The notes in this apple consist of mandarin, blackberry and raspberry mixed with the signature Red Be Delicious juice but amongst all of that, the scent of rose and violet is definitely noticeable and settle down nicely. There's also a peony version of the fragrance so if you prefer heavier floral notes with a feminine feel then give that a sniff too.
All fragrances are available now at the links provided above.
What are your fragrance picks at the moment? I'm planning a more lengthy post of all my favourite fragrances soon so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Amrita xoxo
*PR SAMPLES*
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