How I Clean My Makeup Brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes is one of those necessary tasks that we all have to do. We have to do this to get rid of all of that bacteria from our face that is transferred onto our brush every-time we use it and left to accumulate over time. Here is how I keep my makeup brushes nice and clean, to help avoid any pesky break outs!

1. Firstly, I run my brushes gently under warm water;
2. Next, pump a small amount of your choice of cleaning product into the palm of your hand;
3. Carefully swirl your brush in your hand, and occasionally add some water to lather it up and give your brush a thorough clean;
4. After you feel all of that dirty, oil and left over makeup product has been washed off the brush, gently rinse it under the warm water;
5. Squeeze the excess water out, and if the water released is dirty still go ahead and give your brush another wash;
6. Shape and slightly dry your brushes with a cloth or paper towel, before laying them down flat to dry overnight

Top Tip: try not to let the water seep above the top of the bristles, as this can make them come away from the glue and ruin your brush! 

My Trusty Makeup Products

Hello My Lovelies!

Today I wanted to share with you my trusty makeup favourites, e.i. The stuff I can't live without.

I could not live without mascara, so finding a really good one is high up on my list of priorities. I have finally purchased this Maybelline "Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara" and it was well worth the £7.99. 

 My favourite foundation in the world is the No.7 "Essential Natural Foundation". I have this in the lightest shade, and life was made so much easier by the colour match they do! I believe this foundation is one up from a BB cream and has a really natural, dewy finish. It is currently on offer for £9.95.

My trusty concealer is great for wakening up my eyes! Again coming from No.7, this is the "Instant Radiance" concealer and I think this is a good dupe for the YSL concealer. RRP; £13.50

To apply my foundation, I use this brush from The Body Shop. I'm not sure of the name or price of this brush, but it works a treat! 

Using the Real Techniques "Buffing Brush" I literally buff my face which makes my foundation look even more natural! This brush comes in a set of four, and I got the whole set for £11 on offer in Boots!

Finally, from Real Techniques, these two Duo Fibre brushes are my life. I love the eye brush and contour brush. They pick up loads of colour and are super soft. 

Love from The Blogging Box xx

New Makeup

Hello Everybody!

So as you will have noticed, I have not been active in what seems like forever but I'm back now, and here are the new makeup additions to my makeup bag. Also, I apologise in advance for the bad picture quality, it will soon improve.

"Watts Up Highlighter" - Benefit

On my birthday (which was a couple weeks ago) I received this amazing highlighter as one of my presents from my parents. It's champagne colour gives me a nice warm glow, which is still natural. It comes with a handy blender on the opposite end of the packaging allowing you too "sculpt" the product to your desire. Although it is a little on the pricey side, I would say the highlighter is definitely worth the purchase! 

"Roller Lash" - Benefit

This was the first time I spent this much money on a mascara, but I love it! Although it claims to be "super curling", I have only seen a slight curl but to me it is no major issue. The wand spreads the product evenly on my lashes, and with little to no clumps. I look more awake after I use this which is a bonus if you're like me and have a lot of early starts (school, work etc). 

"Velvet Teddy" - MAC

After hearing many reviews about this lipstick, I attempted to find it in my nearest store which proved difficult. I then received it for my birthday and I am in love with it! This product is long lasting and doesn't dry my lips as much as I thought it would-as it's a "Matte" finish. Overall, it's a lovely colour and one of my favourite shades!

"Blankety" - MAC

Bought in Germany with Everything Anything, "Blankety" was my first ever MAC purchase. It's such a lovely nude pink colour, and is part of the "Amplified" collection/range. It has a little shine/shimmer to it and I wear it to work.

"Popcorn" Lip Scrub - Lush

In case you didn't already know, a Lip Scrub is basically like a lip exfoliate but at the same time it moisturizes it. To use it, gently rub the scrub onto your lips (with a clean finger) and then rub your lips together-here comes the best part! You can lick this off your lips because it's literally made of sugar! This one smells and tastes like popcorn but you can get many different flavours!

Love from The Blogging Box xx

Head to Head - Rimmel Mascaras

Hello everybody,
So my last 'Head to Head' seemed to be popular, so I have decided to write another one... On Rimmel mascaras! Hope you enjoy!
Before we compare products, here is just a summary of each product!

Rimmel London-'Volume Flash Scandal Eyes Mascara'

I purchased this mascara when a close friend recommended it to me. I love this product, and might even find myself purchasing it again. Although, I do find that throughout the day I need to top it up, as it does wear off! This is about the only negative thing I can say about this mascara!  

Rimmel London-'Scandal Eyes Rockin' Curves Mascara'

This mascara was a gift at Christmas last year (2014), and I have loved it ever since-despite the fact that I have somewhat replaced it with the 'Volume Flash'! I find the wand makes it super easy to apply, however it can clump quite frequently! 

The Wand

Both can 'glide' through your lashes smoothly, but the 'Scandal Eyes, Rockin' Curves Mascara' has a curved applicator, which does make the mascara spread more easily over your eyelashes.  I find that with the 'Rockin' Curves' mascara, the very end of the wand tends to leave a small clump of mascara on my inner eyelashes, which can be very irritating. However, the 'Volume Flash' mascara's brush does go through your lashes easier, and tends to clump less. I definitely prefer the 'Volume Flash'.

Above: Volume Flash Mascara Wand

Above: Rockin' Curves Mascara Wand

Texture/Consistency

'Volume Flash' has a ever so thicker consistency than 'Rockin' Curves'. I think that the 'Rockin Curves' mascara has a stickier texture and I believe this is why it can be clumpier. 

Packaging

I find the 'Volume Flash' a more attractive packaging than the 'Rockin' Curves' and I think this is because it's simpler. The 'Rockin' Curves' has a textured "body" and to help create the scales effect, the colour scheme is red and black. I just think the 'Volume Flash''s solid colour design makes it stand out more, and so much easier to read! 

Above: Rockin' Curves Mascara 

Above: Volume Flash Mascara

I hope you have enjoyed this 'Head To Head', and I do promise that not all of them will be on Rimmel products!! if you would like to read my other 'Head to Head' review on Rimmel Foundations, please click here.

Love from L xx

Head to Head-Rimmel Foundations

Hello Everybody!

Hope you are all having a lovely day, today I thought I would do a 'Head To Head' with my Rimmel
foundations, Match Perfection in the shade 101 Classic Ivory and Wake Me Up in the shade 100 Ivory.

Wake Me Up Foundation, RRP £8.99

I love this foundation! The only reason why I purchased it, is because of the good reviews everyone has given it. 'Everythinganything' had told me some really good stuff about this, and let me try her foundation out-as we are a similar shade. I find this foundation gives me a really 'awake' look, which is good as that's what it claims to be 'Skin Brightening'. However, what puts me off is that it has a low very light coverage and it sparkles in the sun, like full on glitter! I end up looking like a vampire when it's sunny, which I know isn't often in Britain but still! With this foundation I find a little goes a long way, as too much can leave you looking orange in my opinion.This foundation has an SPF 15, and as much as I love it, I doubt I will be purchasing this again. 

 

Match Perfection Foundation, RRP £6.99

This foundation feels like a higher-end one, and has a medium-light coverage but is definitely build-able. It feels very light on your skin, and I would recommend this to people who want a high-end foundation, but do not want to pay as much for it. Rimmel also do a Match Perfection Concealer (RRP £5.99) and Match Perfection Powder (RRP £5.99), so if you buy this foundation, you can use the 'correct' or 'more suited' powder and concealer for your face. I have not purchased any other Match Perfection products other than this foundation. 

As this is the first proper review, I promise I am not as pessimistic as I may sound in this 'Head To Head'. 
I'll love ya and leave ya!