Current Beauty Favourites

When I started this blog (previously A Yellow Brick Blog) back in 2013 I talked about make-up a lot. Probably 85% of my content was talking cosmetics whether it be favourites, hauls or a review. I lived for it and spent so much money on tying out the latest releases, top trends and recommendations from other bloggers to feed my addiction!

Over the last couple of years this has slowly faded away, not only do I not really have the budget to be buying new products every single week but I have also become a creature of habit and once I've found a few products that work for me I will use them religiosuly until they are empty!
So I wanted to share with you all some of my FAVS right now that I have been using constantly!

Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter - Kitten
Highlighters are my thang! I have been obsessed with using highlighting products since I tried out a cream highlight from (maybe) Illamasqua  back in 2008/2009! I have bought countless different powders, liquid and creams over the last 8 or so years and this new release from Stila is up there with my favourites!
Kitten is such a classic shade from Stila and this version of the Heaven's Hue is the perfect finishing touch to any make-up look! I used to use the highlight from my Charlotte Tilbury contour kit everyday but I've now switched to use this on my cheekbones, down my nose and under my eyebrows! If you get the chance to check out the Heaven's Hue Hilighters.... do it!

Beauty Blender Sponge
Well.... I'm not too sure how I actually lived without this. I swore by using a buffing brush to put on my Facebook .... until I discovered a damp beauty blender! This is now the only way I apply my foundation and concealers, game changer!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
This was actually an influenced purchase... I haven't had one of those in a while! I had finished my with my Age Rewind Concealer (I think that's what it's called) from Maybelline and as the Fit Me was on offer and I had seen Brittney Saunders using it in her videos I thought I would give it a go! This is the perfect 'wake up' for my skin. It brightens up my eye area and transforms my tired face immediately! Where it has been so hot recently some days I have just been wearing this without foundation to brighten my skin and get rid of any fatigue on my tired-ass face!

Make Up Forever HD Foundation
I must say this has been in my make-up collection for a long while now BUT it can only come out to play when I have a tan! The shade I have is way too dark for my natural skin colour but when I have fake tanned, this mixed with a bit of my darker True Match foundation is amazing! Such incredible coverage and perfect for a night out.... it was also my go-to for the IOW Festival earlier this month! 

Nivea Daily Express Hydration Primer
*Holy grail alert* - this is my favourite skincare product to use every single morning. Once I've washed my face in the shower and used a toner I pop on this super light primer moisturiser to melt into my skin before I start my make-up routine. It feels fab and my skin just loves it, I'm not one for thick cream on my face so this formula is perfect, plus it feels really refreshing - I highly recommend giving it a go, especially throughout the summer!

Rosie For Autograph Eyeshadow Quad - I Feel Like A Million Dollars
I'm a sucker for nudes, bronzes and general neutrals when it comes to eyeshadows. I love my Naked palette from Urban Decay but this has actually been my go-to for the last few months. The whole Rosie range is super pigmented and fantastic quality!

Blank Canvas F33 Extreme Contour Brush*
I was sent this brush to try from Black Canvas a few weeks ago and I think I've probably used it every time I put on make-up. It is the perfect brush for applying my Charlotte Tilbury contour powder, definitely an everyday product for me now!

Zoeva 317 Wing Liner Brush
The perfect brush for applying eyebrow powder. That is all.

Birthday MAC Haul

As I woke on the morning of my 26th birthday bright-eyed and bushy-tailed I did my usual morning routine -  you know just some light yoga and a shot of healthy greens...... and by that I mean I casually lay in bed, avoided getting up and checked my phone for any exciting Kardashian news.
And BING there it was - a surprise MAC voucher waiting in my inbox for me from my lovely boyfriend (Lots of brownie points for him!)!

Of course this voucher did NOT last long and no sooner had I got it, it was gone. Although I must admit it was a tough choice picking from my never-ending wishlist!
Here's what I decided on.... 

Strobe Cream

This has been on my wishlist for so long now. Every single photo I had seen of it online looked so stunning - I'm obsessed with a perfect glow and that dewy, natural look and this cream looks like the perfect way to create that. I can't wait to play around with this stuff!

Lip Liner - Soar
The Kylie Jenner classic. I cannot believe it's taken me this long to invest in it! I LOVE MAC's lip liners - they are the best - and I'm so glad to have another nude shade to wear daily with Velvet Teddy/Brave.

Lip Liner - Nightmoth
Like I had said in my recent post I really wanted to buy a new lip liner to go with my Ariana Grande Viva Glam lipstick and THIS is the perfect shade!  Seriously dark, this plum shade is the best base for it - and also gorgeous on it's own!

Lipstick - Brave
Another product which has been on my wishlist for months and months.
 I saw a gorgeous picture on Pinterest of someone wearing Soar & Brave together and since then I have been wanting to purchase them both - and now I have! I know this is going to get some serious wear, it's such a pretty colour - perfect for everyday!

Eyebrow Pencil - Lingering
This was a total random purchase! But I've just had my eyebrows done and felt like trying something new for them! I quickly tried this out and am so impressed by how easily it works on filling in my sparse areas and how little you need! 

What's top of your MAC wishlist?

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New Eyebrow Favourite : Threads Eyebrow Pencil

I know a few of you have been patiently waiting for this post since I started tweeting about my 'new favourite eyebrow product' last week and the time has finally here for me to share!

 All hail my new eyebrow favourite. THIS is the pencil of dreams.

Threads Brown Illuninata Brow Pencil*

I had been stuck in my eyebrow rut for a while - the same couple of products, the same 'okay' look that I was overly impressed with each morning when I headed out the door .... so this came at just the right time!

This is a semi permanent pencil from Threads (not as scary as it sounds I promise!) and don't worry you can get it off haha!
This has transformed my everyday make-up and made me feel so much more confident about my brows! 
After overplucking as a teen part of my eyebrows are sparse and as much as I've tried to grow them... they just aren't coming back so penciling them in is kind of a must!

This pencil is waterproof and sweatproof and I can totally see a difference using this than when using my usual drugstore pencil. Even after a long day at work they are still totally in place, not smudged or faded at all - which is a problem I had had alot before.
It comes in 2 shades - Black & Brown, I have been using the brown.

The pencil is easy to use but it works alot better when the nib is sharp, it is so pigmented and just a few strokes in and my eyebrows are completely transformed (and you can't even really tell that I've added onto my actually brows... plus it has a handy brush on the end too!)
After I've created the shape I want, I just go over the to with my HD Brows powder and Bob's your uncle!
It comes off easily with my Cleanse & Polish which is great too - I really, really am SO impressed with this!

At £15 the Illuninata pencil isn't the cheapest but also isn't the most expensive brow product I've bought/tried and for something that's made such a difference to my make-up each day I think it is totally reasonable!

Threads collection is now available instore at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge so if you're London based go and check them out!Plus you can buy it online here and also find out more about the brand and their range - here.

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Beauty Wishlist : February

Tangle Teezer Blowdry Brush

For years now I have been a fan of the Tangle Teezer - I own 3 and don't know what I'd do without them! So seeing a new product from them has got me very excited! A blowdry brush - finally! It's not the easiest thing trying to blowdry your hair with a brush that doesn't have a handle so I cannot wait to get my hands on one of these!

Burberry Rain Or Shine Blush

I've never been much of a blush person, I've said this many times on here before! But after trying a few products from Make-up Revloution and buying Nars' Orgasm - I am slowly learning to love them! This looks like such a pretty shade for spring, perfect for simple, everyday looks.

Soap & Glory Archery D-I-Y Brow Bar

My HD Brow palette is slowly starting to run out so I have been checking out what's out there on the highstreet to try and this newbie from S&G caught my eye! 4 shades and 2 small angled brushes for only like £12? I need this!

Chloe Love Story Perfume

I tried this out in Debenhams a few weeks ago and fell in LOVE (excuse the pun!). 

Smashbox Primer Water

Well this a new one isn't it! I love, love, love the sound of this stuff! I'm a big fan of Smashbox' primers so I'd happily fork out to try this out.

Embroyloisse Gold Cream

Hailed the miracle from many a celeb this stuff is now available from Boots - I've heard alot of goo things about it and have gone to purchase a couple of times now.... have any of you tried it?

Fleur De Force The Glam Guide

Out of all the youtubers out there Fleur is one that I have been watching constantly for years now. She seems genuine, clever and has a real gift for what she does! I feel like this book would be right up my street - it seems mature and full of useful tips and information. I think I'll be popping this in my amazing basket on payday!

Zoeva Rose Golden Eyeshadow Palette

What can I say? This is beautiful and I want it.

Neal & Wolf SILK Blow-dry Lotion

I've been using a few products from this brands for months now and I'm kind of obsessed with the scent - I would really love to try out some more from them and this is definitely the next one on my wishlist.

EOS Summer Fruits

I cannot get enough of the 2 I already own and summer fruits sounds like a lovely scent to have for the upcoming spring months!

Whats on your wishlist right now?

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This Week I'm Loving... #5

Dance Moms

I started watching this back in like 2011 when it first started and be obsessed with it from the first minute! I love dance and this show is amazing! I have started watching it again this past week and have had some serious marathons - I get so so into it, I need them all on DVD! (I wish I still danced!)

HD Brows

Finally! I've had my eyebrows re-done and I LOVE them! (Thanks Mellisa!) I get so paranoid when my eyebrows aren't done and I had left it wayyyy to long this time to get them done so it feels fabulous to have a great shape and colour back!

Lee Stafford Ubuntu Oils Light Oil Repairing Mist

Now... I had totally forgotten that I owned this! Other products from the range I have completely used up or use every week, but for some reason this little spray had been living at the bottom of a basket - poor bugger! My hair has felt so, so dry lately and as I am getting it bleached next week I really want to get it in a half decent condition for it!  I've been using this everyday - it's so light-weight that it doesn't feel like an oil or heavy at all! It has made my hair so manageable and soft - it will definitely be staying in my daily routine for now!

Bounty's

Oh god, I know - I'm meant to be being good but I had a bounty the other day and my love has been totally re-kindled. They aren't the most popular chocolate bar are they? But I really like them!

Fake Bake Beyond Bronze Shimmer Brick

This has been in my life for years and years and years. I bought it when I saw Billie Faiers used it (I always love her make-up) I literally use this every single day - there is hardly any left, I need to find a new one! Hands down my favourite shimmer brick that I own.

Red Lips

I have being wearing a red lip so much this past week or so! I have so many favourites....

Cheryl Stormflower Perfume

I've had this perfume since October and after getting some newbies over the Christmas 

season I stopped wearing it for a bit. BUT, this week I decided to get it back out again. Everytime I wear this I have someone ask me what it is, it's like nothing else I own and I'm going to be gutted when this bottle runs out!

Start Your Day With Katie 

I have lost count by how many times I've talked about this book! So many you ask what it is when I post pictures from it on instagram, twitter and facebook! A lovely quote for everyday of the year - it keeps me motivated and makes me smile every morning! This month I have been in desperate need of this!

PAYDAY!!!

Hallelujah it has finally come - after waiting from 19th December until this week I finally have a few pennies again! I have literally been living off pennies this past couple of weeks and it has had me seriously down in the dumps! Payday I love you!

What have you been loving this week?

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Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Styling Gel Review

Brow gel, a new concept and a new product to me and I feel seriously behind!

 Really.... what kind of a beauty blogger am I?! Terrible!

 This newbie product from Rimmel seemed right up my street, especially as 1. I'm on a budget and 2. this is my first eye brow gel product so I picked it up without even thinking twice!

There weren't many shades to choose from but Medium Blonde seemed perfect for me anyway! 

Brow This Way (love the name) comes in a small mascara type tube and is priced at £3.99!

The brush is about half the size of a mascara brush (obviously... you don't want half your forehead a medium brown shade!) and I've found it really easy to apply.

Just one easy swipe across each brow leaves them defined and set in place for the whole day.  I have still been using my pencil for the inner part of the brows as they are a bit thin on the ground after years of being a teenage overplucker, but apart from that this is the only product I've needed!

I love the natural look it gives, compared to my usual thick powders and pencils I've become so comfortable with using over the years, this gives me a great defined shape without a huge amount of product clogging up my brows!

It's lightweight and doesn't feel hard or crispy... my worst nightmare!

I'm so glad I've found this, it is perfect for my brows at the moment where my tint from HD brows has faded a fair bit! I may buy another shade aswell for when my HD brows are first done and slightly darker!

Have you guys tried any eyebrow gels yet? I really want to try the benefit one out now I know I can get along with them!

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Hi Impact Brows - Eye & Brow Palette Review

Eyebrows are such a key thing when it comes to doing my make-up and feeling confident with it.

 They really do frame your face and as a teen I hardly even thought about mine and how they looked - I just plucked those strays ones and avoid any form of uni-brow. 
But.... over the last couple of years I have become very conscious of my eyebrows and what they look like and try my hardest to keep them the best I can.

I have HD Brows done regularly and it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. I'm look constantly at new eyebrow products and reviews of them but I always seem to stray back to the same old, same old which I have become rather bored of - queue this new beaut in my life from Hi Impact Brows. 

This is a 4 shade eye & brow palette from Hi Impact Brows. That's right it's an all in one which is super handy if you are on the go, have a small make-up bag or don't like too many products!

Hi Impact Brows - Eye & Brow Palette*

The packaging is a slick, shiny black rectangle compact small and simple enough for all cosmetic bags. (There's nothing worse than a handy product which comes in ridiculously large packaging) 

 Armed with a mirror and brush also this has got everything you need for eyebrows both and home and on the go!

I've always used my elf eyeliner brush for my eyebrow powders but this one included has worked fabulously, it's slightly thinner so it makes it easier to be precise and not overload the product.

 The shades left to right :

Blonde

Cinnamon Brown

Chocolate Brown

Black

The colours can be used individually or mixed together to create a perfect shade for everyone and anyone's eyebrows.

Not only good for brows though these powders are great for both a subtle daytime eyeshadow look and a gorgeous smokey eye! (The black works great as an eyeliner!)

  
These are mineral based powders and are said to be long-lasting and anti-smudge, I definitley need this as I'm forever accidentally wiping my forehead and therefore my eyebrow/s which has had some hilarious/unfortunately consequences for my face! (Like that woman in the movie Just Go With It hahaha!)

Top to bottom : Black, Chocolate Brown, Cinnamon Brown, Blonde.

So I tested out the shades and decided Cinnamon Brown is the perfect shade for me at the moment - I love the warmth to it!
My eyebrows are really sparse at in the centre and I've been trying to grow them back for years - this is why eyebrow products are so important to me - I look ridiculous without! Also after a couple of weeks my HD Brows tint does tend to fade and my eyebrows are so naturally light that its nice to easily be able to fake the colour each morning!

This stuff applies like a dream and is so easy to build up to help get the shape and density right for you! I normally use a pencil and then a powder but the quality of this is so good that it's the only product I need to fill them!

To find out more head over to DeeandCo, this beaut retails for £17.99! 

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POTW #10 : HD Brows

Week 10 of POTW and this week it's technically not a 'product' but it's the best thing from my week so - it's my Product Of The a Week (my blog, my rules you know!) - it is HD Brows.

HD Brows is an awesome treatment which if you haven't heard of yet ... where have you been?! I've been having HD brows done since November 2012 and since then I haven't looked back!

It includes tinting, waxing, threading and plucking! They help get your brows into a fantastic shape, especially if you've ballsed them up yourself (like me!) and train them to stay in that gorgeous shape!

If you're thinking about getting them done I'd say grow them as much as you can before hand! The more brow to work with the better and always make sure it's someone who is a legit HD Brow expert who has been properly trained - they are all listed on HD Brows website, there's a lot of copycats out there! 
It has changed the way I look at my eyebrows, I never do them myself now and I can go for months and months without getting them re-done (unlike at-home plucking) - the last time I went before this week was November (I know - mental!) it really does reduce the amount of hair coming through after a few times!

They are £25 each time but for me it is 100% worth it, eyebrows shape your face and are something I personally think you should invest in - I always feel 10 times more confident with them done and make-up sits on my face so much better in that area!

Have any of you had them done? Who do you get eyebrow envy from? Lucy Hale has got to be mine!

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Would You Rather? : The Beauty Edition

Recently I was tagged by the awesome Emma over at Emsypickle to join in with this Would you rather? tag! I really enjoying posts like these and seeing everyones answers and seeing as it was a Beauty edition I thought why not?! So here we are the Would You Rather Beauty Edition Tag!

1) Would You Rather... Lose all of your mascara, eyeliners, lipsticks and lipglosses or lose all of your palettes and eyeshadows?

Easy peasy first question! Would have to loose my palettes and eyeshadows. I only ever really wear them for a nice occasion or when I got out so I think I couldn't easily live without them .... whereas mascara and lipstick - hell no! 

2) Would You Rather... Chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

This is a tough one! I think I would have to say chop off all my hair! It would look awful but I hate the thought of never being able to cut it again - ewww! And there's extensions, hair pieces, wigs.... so I'd find a way to make it work!

3) Would You Rather... Have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

I'd have to say a coral cheek! I'm not one for blusher - especially pinks, so I would say coral!

4) Would You Rather... Have £1000 to spend all on clothes or all on make up?

Ahhhhh this is a toughy for me .... the thought of going on a major clothing spending spree is amazing BUT I'm going to be sensible and say Make-up. Mainly because it would last so so much longer! After I've worn something alot I'm over it and it will sit at the back of my wardrobe - whereas some fab make-up would last ages... and think how much you could buy with £1000! 

5) Would You Rather... Apply lipstick as eyeliner or eyeliner as lipstick?

I mean pink eyes are quite in and so are dark lips! But I think I'd say lipstick as eyeliner - I could rock that right? And think of all the colours of lipstick there are.... could get some great nudes and make a fab eyeliner!

6) Would You Rather...Only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Oh man.... Well I have neither of these near me haha so would be nice to shop at either! But I think as much as I like Mac I'd like the choice at Sephora with all the different brands (and they have perfumes!)

7) Would You Rather... Only use one eyeshadow or one lip colour for rest of your life?

One eyeshadow for sure! It would be a nice neutral nice colour - I HAVE to have my lip collection!

8) Would You Rather... Wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?

You've got to say summer clothes in winter! Can easily layer up lots (and add some tights... people wear those in summer!) - the thought of being in heat with a huge jumper, scarf and jeans on is horrible!

9) Would You Rather... Have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

I'm such a sucker for dark nails - I think black looks gorgeous all year round.... but I think there is so much more choice with bright nails - pastels, neons, pinks, blues, greens, purples - I'd say bright!

10) Would You Rather... Give up your favourite lip product or favourite eye product?

I have so many favourites that I don't know what to say! I have to keep my fav mascara I'd say - so I'd give up my fav lip product (although that changes weekly!)

11) Would You Rather... Only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

Messy bun! I basically do this everyday anyway!

12) Would You Rather... Never be able to paint your nails again or never use lip gloss?

Am I allowed lipstick and lipbalm? Because if the ban is just on lipgloss then I'd have to keep my nail colours! I cannot stand having bare nails - on both fingers AND toes... gross!

13) Would You Rather... Shave eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in each day?

hahahaha! I would rather shave my eyebrows and then pencil them in everyday! Sharpie... just no!

14) Would You Rather... Live without make up or nail polish?

I would rather live without nail polish! I wouldn't enjoy life without make-up, what would I spend my money on?! and I would look about 14!

I love doing a good tag post - a big thank you to the lovely Emma! Check out her answers here.

I tag : EVERYONE - let me know if you join in!

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