Face Of The Day: Purple If You Please

Hello lovelies, my sister is down from uni and I roped her into being my photographer for today. 

This is just a quick face of the day post using a few of the snaps she took of me this morning. 

My camera is currently in Boston by way of New York,

 which is why I have been a bit slow with the posts this week. Not to worry, I plan on putting my lil sisters smartphone to work!!!!

Products

Murad Perfecting Day cream spf 30

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturizer Walnut

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark 

Mac Studio finish concealer - eyebrows

Mac moisture cover concealer - under eyes

Nars Blush in Taos

MAC Liner pencil in Magenta (tha boss!!!!)

MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous (tha cross!!!!)

Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in LUST

Soap and Glorayyyyyyy Thick and fast Mascara

L'Oreal Made For Me Natural eyebrow and duo eyeshadow for dark skin tones  (the one with the photo of Kerry Washington 

Lust on lower lash line, mascara on top lashes only

#PurpleIfYouPlease

April Favourites

Hey lovelies, I am tucked up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining cats and dogs outside. 

So I have decided to share with you what were my favorite products for the month of April. 

Some of these products you might have seen before, some of them are new. 

Everyday Favourites: 

Armani shades - between low glare in the mornings and the dazzling sunlight in the afternoons, having these bad boys in my hand bag have been a necessity. 

Jack Wills umbrella - did you know umbrellas are pricey? Like seriously this umbrella was "12 and it was half price!!!!. I came to the rude awakening, that I have never actually purchased  an umbrella, (when I bought this umbrella).  I mean for an every day product, they are pricey, especially if you want a sturdy one to hold up against these hurricane rains /tornado winds we seem to be getting these past few months. 

Body Favorites:

Garnier 7 day Intense moisturizing lotion - good moisturizer not to light and now to heavy  perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Spring. 

 Dove Hibiscus and Almond shower cream - has been keeping my skin clean as well as soft. Sanctuary body spray - great for spritzing on the go, as well as topping up during the day, the scent is very light. I know you are wondering why I have two body scrubs/exfoliators as well as exfoliating gloves. Exfoliating gloves are the business, I use them every day, with my Dove Almond and Hibiscus shower cream.  

There is a method to the madness with the 2 body scrubs. Gigi No Bump Scrub - is for use in delicate areas such as the bikini line and decolletage.  The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub this is for use every where, but I moistly focus on the back of my thighs and arms with this. 

Face Favourites:

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - medium coverage plus spf, this has been my regular base not that the morning have been lighter. 

 Garnier Micellar water -this has been a great makeup remover, plus at 400ml for £4.99, this has been great value for money. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - great face powder on its own as well as topping up my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 

 Murad perfecting day cream with spf 30 - it goes on and gives my skin a grey  tinge, which does not last. My skin totally absorbs it  and it leave no residue, plus it doesn't interfere with the application of my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer which contains spf 20.

 (I am all for the spf, I am going to be as well preserved as possible, no leather face here. Moisturizer, water and spf are my friends) 

Hair Favourites:

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion - I've been using this for years. It works great as a hair moisturizer I just continue using it. 

Almond Oil (decanted into the Tresemme liquid gold bottle) - this is what I use to seal in the moisture of the Olive oil hair lotion. 

There you have it my April favourites,

xxx

Birthday 2014 - OOTN

Yesterday was my birthday  (25th January)  there was a lot of love via calls, texts, cards, champagne and cake, cake, cake cake. Shout out to my aunty M for being the first call of the day and to G for being the first text of the day. Usually I am awake and my skype pops off at midnight  with my friends calling to sing me happy birthday. This year I was asleep so the skyping/calling had to wait til the morning. 

Face 

Laura Mercia Tinted Moisturiser - Walnut

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Deep Dark, Dark deep (whatever they are calling it these days)

Sleek Blush - Flushed#

Rimmel Brow Pencil - Dark brown

Kate Moss by Rimmel lipstick - 22 

Dress - Little Mistress via House of Fraser

Shoes - Call it Spring

Happy Birthday my fellow January births,

 back to the celebrations now.

xx 

The Skin Project - Moisturiser

                                                 

The first post of the skin project for the New Year is all about moisturising. 

Moisturising is the process of aiding the body's natural hydration of the skin. Moisturising  prevents the upper layer of the epidermis from getting dry through loss of water which occurs naturally through evaporation. When the water in the cells within the epidermis (top layer of skin) is lost,  the skin tries to pull water from the lower layers of skin. This loss of water  will cause the skin to become dry. When moisturiser is applied to the top layer of skin, the skin absorbs it, the hydrating agents  within the moisturiser helps the water already present within the skin cells. Composition of products along with skin type determines the effectiveness of a moisturiser, ie whether or not the skin will absorb all or some of the product. Eg My skin type - Oily will absorb 50 - 90% of a light moisturiser, but only 30 - 45% of a rich moisturiser.

Since my skin is Oily I tend to go for light and oil free formulas. Price is not a determining factor for me in relation to buying a facial moisturiser. I usually test the products first and if I like how it feels on my skin after it has been absorbed then I will buy it. Sometimes I like it a product after trying it once, other times it might be after 3 or 4 tries the love comes. One thing I wont do is force a product, if it leaves my skin greasy, oily or with any sort of film/coating it is a no no for me. 

My current moisturiser for the daytime is the Origins GinZing moisturiser, which is a light hydrating formula. It has a semi gel like feel, spreads very easily and absorbs very quickly into my skin. After application my skin feels plump and supple without looking greasy. The Origins Ginzing moisturiser layers up easily under my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural and the MAC Studio Fix finish. 

                                         

Review

In the evenings I apply the Boots Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All Bright (pictured above) as my night cream. This product is another face cream with a gel like consistency. It has a bit more body to it than the Origins GinZing, but it goes on light and absorbs quickly. I have been using  these creams for almost 7 months and I am still happy with both of them. 

Happy New Year to you all, for more about #TheSkinProject read posts by the other participants and the creator Lianne @ www.thebrunettesays.co.uk.

Be Re-newed

xx

My travel Makeup/Skincare/Bodycare UK August Bank holiday

You already know about my disastrous experience at Notting Hill Carnival. What you do not know is, before I went to London, I had to attend my Godsons christening. Which meant I had to do a bit of cross country travelling, therefore I had to break out my travel goodies. 

Body - Garnier Minerals Clean Sensation anti antiperspirant, Nivea Pearl Beauty gentle care antiperspirant, L'occitane Plum Blossom skin moisture gel (travel size), Marks and Spencers Coconut hand and body lotion (decanted into a travel sized bottle), The Body Shop Shea Butter Shower cream (travel size), Burberry Body Eau de Parfum, Elizabeth Arden Red door Revealed Eau de Parfum. 

Face - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural lift and Sculpt Morninga Cleansing Balm (sample size), Origins Modern Friction (sample size), Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (sample size)

Hair - Organics Olive Oil Hair Polish Finishing Mist

Makeup - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep dark, MAC Blot Powder, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara (travel size), Clinique High Impact Mascara (travel size), The Body Shop Super volume Mascara (travel size), 

Stuff - Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango antibacterial gel (decanted into my purell 60ml pump bottle), Wet Ones anti bacterial wipes, Avene Eau de thermal spray.

See you next time lovelies.

xx

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC says:  "A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day".  Mac is known for it's Mineralize Skinfinishes  such as Soft and Gentle & Gold Deposit and Comfort, these can be used as  highlighting products blushes and eyeshadows. 

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: MSF Natural powders are very popular in the beauty community. The Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is a lightweight powder which can be worn alone or over foundation. They apply very smoothly to the skin, give a natural luminous glow. When the sun hits your skin the minerals reflect and help to bring out the natural dimensions on your skin.  I usually apply using kabuki brush, since I find that this gives the most even coverage upon application.  Another good point about the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder is the fact that it doesn't oxidize, like many others do.  Mac offers several different shades in the range,  from very light to a medium dark.  This is definitely a must have product for me I used it every day I had classes while I was at uni and even now I carry it with me everyday to work along with my blot powder.  The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is a product I always recommend it to others and when my friends are stumped on gift ideas Christmas/birthday they just pick me up one of these. 

The negatives: there is no mirror in the Mineralize compact, for others this is an issue. For me not having a mirror is not an issue, my Blot powder compact/Studio fix compact/Rubie and Millie mini Brush set all contain mirrors. I also have a small stand alone mirror in my bag.

There is a bit of fallout after swirling the brush around in the product, but that happens with most powders.

 Til next time my lovelies........xx

Spring Beauty Essentials

Brita fill n Go water bottle - this water bottle comes with a filter in the top. so as you drink the water gets filtered for impurities. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - a light powder which enhances my natural skintone, keeps down the shine and gives me a soft shimmery glow. I have been using this without fail since 2010. This is my go to present when my gf's don't know what to buy me as a gift. As you can see I already have a backup for when this one finishes.

Body shop Raspberry Body Scrub - flaky skin is a spring time no no, this body scrubs smells like jam doughnuts but it gets the job done.

Zara Rose edt - a nice scent to spray during the day, perfect size to carry along in my hand bag. 

Body Shop Shimmer Brick - this I use over my cheek bones to enhance then a little. Sometimes I use with a kabuki brush all over my face if my MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation is looking too heavy.  other times I use the individual shades and make a lovely smokey eye. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 02 - lovely vibrant Fushia lipstick. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 22 - Red lipstick with Orange undertones.

Nails Inc Warick Avenue - a pink polish is never out of place in the spring

What are your Spring Beauty essentials? 

Comment below and let me know

xx

My 11 most reached for Beauty products.........

    This is a tag that has been around in the online beauty community for a while with beauty bloggers and vloggers. I find that with beauty being such a huge area we are constantly trying to find ways to set ourselves apart, however there is nothing wrong with conforming at times. Beauty tags in my opinion are a great way to find out what products, persons with similar interest are using. Other bloggers may be using a product you are using but in multiple ways, where as you may be only using it one way. These tags are a quick and easy way to share information. 

My 11 most reached for Beauty products

Victoria Jackson face palette (£20 with 3 other products) - 16 eye shadows, 6 lipsticks, a translucent powder, a bronzer and a blush.  -------> do not buy

L'oreal Made for Me Naturals, Brow and Eye Duo, Dark Skin Tones (£7) - 2 eye shadows and a brow powder.

Mascara - at the moment I am using the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara (£10)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark  (£18.50)one of my girl friends aka the pageant junkie put me onto this a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. It gives me life!!!!! 

Estee Lauder  Bronzing brush  (£23) - a kabuki brush (but you know everybody is trying to be fancy)  when I bought this brush I though damn this is expensive, but its been 3 years and it works just as amazing now as it did the first day I bought it. 

Avene Rich hydrating creme spf 20 (£10.50) - this is what I am currently using as sunblock/spf protection. (trying to be as well preserved as possible for as long as possible, lol. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter hand cream (£7.50) - This hand cream is rich, but absorbs into skin very very easy. There is none of that greasy feeling after application. I absolutely love it. I am going to admit I have 3 of these as backups, no I am not shamed. They are always giving these away in magazines and I cop the freebies. Ain't NO shame in this L'Occitane game. 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil 004 Black Brown (£2.99) - if you do not have one of these -----> you need to get your life. 

Black eyeliner - at the moment I am using Maybelline Khol express water proof eyeliner glam black (4£4.99) - a blatant copy of the Urban decay 24/7 eyeliner, it does the job.

Coloured Eyeliner - I do not discriminate, in ratation i have from Urban decay -> Lucky, Lust, Electric, and Covet, H & M eyepens -> Bronze, Dark Grey, Maybelline Khol Express waterproof Eyeliner pencils -> Metallic Blue, Metallic Green, Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definers -> Pink impact, Aqua sparkle, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil -> Navy Stain, Barry M Khol pencil -> 19, Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye liner pencil -> Azure Shimmer. 

Lip Balm - At the moment I am using Blistex lip massage, Nivea Pure and Natural milk and honey, Blistex Daily lip conditioner.

miss mai

xx

Comment below and let me know what products you reach for most often (even if its your grandmas face cream, wink wink)

How much does your face cost.......

     Hey guys I'm coming to you with a post today, which stems from a tag I saw going around on the Beauty Blogs called "how much does your face cost."  The concept is that you get together the makeup that you would reach for on a day to day basis, on the days that you wear makeup and add up how much everything costs. Here I am going to go through mine bear in mind that some things may be used interchangeably eg foundation and tinted moisturiser or the eye shadows. However these are my staple  most used products here goes:

1. Mac Studio Fix  Powder + Foundation compact NW45 £19.50

2. Benefit "that gal" brightening face primer £21.50

3. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark £18.50

4. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil 004 black brown £2.99

5. Rimmel The max volume flash mascara £3.99

6. Clinique Plum Seduction eyeshadow palette

7. Mac Studio Finish Concealer spf35 £13.50

8. L'Oreal Glam Bronze Bronzing powder £7.99

9. Boujois mineralise blush 74 Rose Ambre £5.99

10. Victoria Jackson eye palette part of a set that cost £20 (no longer available)

11. L'Oreal Made for me Naturals Brow and eyeshadow £2.99 (no longer available)

12. Sleek blush in Sahara £4.30

13. Sleek blush in Sunrise £4.30

14. Sleek blush in Flushed £4.30

15. Mac Prep and Prime eye Dark  £12

16. Hello kitty lip balm in blackberry £2.99

17. L'Oreal eyeliner 13 Noir intense (jet black) 4.50

18. Urban Decay tinted moisuriser £17

      This may seem like alot of stuff but remember things like blushes are used interchangeably please do not for a second think I wear 4 blushes all at once, chuckles to myself.  this revealed a things 1. I only bought 5 things on this list the total cost of those items £37.79,  the total amount of these items £168.34, and two of the items on this list are no longer available lol. Now the idea of this is that you find a dupe (cheaper version/own brand but with similar quality) for these products which costs less. 

    I quite like alot of these products here but there are two definites that I will be checking dupes for  primer - Gosh primer £12 from superdrug and Accesorize minieralise blushes which are a really good dupe for the Mac mineralise skin finish natural  which costs £6.50 also at superdrug. The tinted moisturiser you guys know I absolutely hate so I will be upgrading that with the Bobbi Brown oil free tinted moisturiser in May.

xoxo

Kae-Toya's Top Makeup must haves.

    For this post I must big up ma gf Kady....................before I went to university I was never big on the Makeup vibes. But Kady and I lived together for one year and at the end of it I was changed.............she always says she created a monster and yep she is kinda right, but I'm not doing drugs................so lowe me. :)

1. MAC studio fix foundation plus powder in one.

2. MAC lipgelee  in Moistly..............works for everyone

3. The Body shop shimmer cubes........you should get as many of these as you can, the can be used dry or wet and the colour payoff is awesome. you get alot of product for the price.

4. Rubie amd Millie i tools.........these are the travel make up brushes. Rubie and Millie brushes are the shyt............. cosmopolitan UK has compared them to MAC brushes for many a spend vs splurge. As the owner of quite a few I can tell you they are worth the money.

5. Sleek makeup palettes.............great colours, great payoff, great makeup brand, great price.

6. Bourjois Paris makeup brushes...............these are great brushes and are a great price.

7. Bourjois blush...................again great price and great product.

8. Urban Decay 24/7  glide on eye pencils.....................the best eyeliner I have ever used in my life hands down............................a great alternative to this is the Maybelline khol express waterproof eye liner pencil great product at a greatttttttttttttt price........... I mean come on £18 on one eye liner....................( can you see my waiting in earnest for the urband decay xmas eyeliner set............... I can lol)

9. Sleek hide it concealer with spf 15.................great product great price.

10. MAC prep and prime eye...................:)

11. Benefit concealer brush...........:) great item..................expensive but worth the price.

12. L'oreal Made for me naturals eye and brow shadow.

13. Mac mineralize skin finish natural....................this was recommended to me by a friend.  This is a product I will never stop using.

14. L'oreal glam bronze..............dont be sleeping on the bronzer........its great for a highlight and on top of a matte powder can be used to bring life to the face.

15. Estee lauder kabuki brush....................works great minimum shedding..............love love love this.............a great alternative is the jemma kidd kabuki brush which I also own.................love love love that brush as well.

16. Benefit that gyal face primer......................it works.

17. Maybelline Colour definer waterproof shadow stick...............great as an eye shadow primer to make the colours pop more. Great alternative to mac shadesticks.

xx