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.

May Favourites 2015

Another month down, another long list of favourite bits and bobs I have to share with you all! So sit bkac, grab and cuppa and take a quick trip to the land of YouTube to watch me in action!

I'm SORRY for the crappest editing ever!!!!

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Maybelline Lasting Drama 24H Automatic Gel Pencil Review

Eyeliners. To be quite honest the amount out there is a little too overwhelming for me to even think about. Pencils, khol pencils, liquids, felt tips, gels.... the list is endless.

I don't use eyeliner everyday, I'm not very talented in the department of application and my eyes are fairly small so it isn't a vital product in my make-up bag but now and again I like a bolder look so eyeliner is a must.

As of yet I haven't found a 'holy grail' eyeliner that stands out above the rest of them and has me going back to buy over and over.

 I own a fair few don't get me wrong but I normally just pick any old one out and add a tiny bit to my lower lash line when needed!

I spotted this new product from Maybelline last week and the sound of it immediately had me interest. I've tried gel liners in the past and even though they seemed to have a better staying time they always seemed a bit messy and a bit more effort then others. So to see a 'gel' liner in pencil form seemed like the best mix of the two for me.

Another product added to the 'Lasting Drama' range, there is already the Gel liner and the gel pen eyeliner but now there's a gel PENCIL! (Like I said before.... there are soooo many different kinds of liners!)

This looks like your usual khol pencil but you have all the goodness and glam of a gel liner without having to have a pot and brush at the ready - hence the 'automatic' in the title! 

For me this has been a god send, like I said before I don't wear eyeliner everyday but I have actually been using this all week!

Half way through my working days if I've used a bit of my usual eyeliner I always notice that the amount I have applied has disappeared but with this hours later it is still there in a great bold line. Amazing staying power.

I'm so impressed with this product, the only thing that I was a little confused about was the fact that when I seem to twist the bottom to reveal more product nothing happens.

 So I'm not sure whether you only get what you see when you buy it or if mine is broken - either way will 100% be repurchasing this when I'm all out and I may even give the pen version a try too.

From what I remember this was £4.99 - I can't seem to find it anywhere online yet but I'm sure it will be on the likes of Boots & Superdrug soon enough.

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This Week I'm Loving.... #19

The Testing

A couple of weeks ago you may remember me tweeting about needing a book! I was stuck at Victoria train station waiting for my delayed train and the thought of a two hour journey with a phone with about 13% battery was not great. 

So I popped into WHSmith and had a rummage through the books, I ended up heading to the "young adult" section... which I am NOT embarrassed by.... and picked out this dystopian society themed book - The Testing. (I know, I know...but I just love them!!) I try and find time to read everyday but it's normally just before I'm about to go to sleep so I end up dozing off and reading the same sentence 4 times before I give in and hit the hay, so I haven't read alot yet.

 I'm just over 100 pages in but I am loving it! I can't wait to see what happens and I've noticed it's part of a trilogy so no doubtI'll be straight onto those if I enjoy this.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

You may already know that Buffy is my favourite TV show of all time. I could watch it every single and never get bored! This part week or so Buffy has been my go-to show when I'm bored or blogging - mainly seasons 2 and 3 which are 2 or my favourites. If you've never watched Buffy then get off your phone/laptop/ipad right now and get watching!

Quiz Up

This is an app I used to have years ago, I think I must have deleted it when getting a new phone or when I needed memory (seriously does ANYONE ever have spare memory on an iphone or are we all always constantly deleting things to take one shitty photo?) Anyway I totally forgot about it until I saw Tanya Burr tweeting about it and I was straight to the app store! I have been obsessed with playing this - it's addictive.... Buffy & Disney are my fav...obvs. (Username : Kirstie Saunders..... challenge me!)

Maybelline Colour Drama Lipstick - Berry Much

I'm a HUGE fan of this collection, so when I spotted a new shade in my local store last week I snapped it up! Berry Much is a gorgeous dark purple shade, a little darker than MACs Rebel, the formula is fabulous and it lasts for hours.

Pro:voke Touch Of Silver Intensive Conditioner

Touch Of Silver is a range I have been using for years now! Anything to keep my blonde looking healthy and bright is cool with me! 

I've used this intensive conditioner once a week for a few weeks now and have been so impressed by it's results. Not only does it make my hair feel so soft and smooth but I've been getting alot of comments on my hair colour! Even my Mum asked me if I had had it coloured again as it looked different! Totally getting me ready for summer!

Ghost Enchanted Bloom Perfume

I was very lucky to be given this as a present from a friend recently (thanks babes!). Such a lovely light, fresh scent for the warmer months! It really reminds me of something I used to wear but I can't put my finger on it!

Harry Potter

One of my favourite things in life now. I can never have too much Potter in my life, in face I'm writing this whilst chilling in my Hogwarts jogging bottoms - totally cool right? I've been watching sooooo much Harry Potter so far this month, I really never get bored of those movies. I'm just praying I can go back to the studio tour and universal studios at some point soon.

Barry M Lip Boss - 5 

I did a post on this earlier in the week (see that badboy here) I cannot stop applying this stuff! Feels great, smells yummy and it's perfect for work! 5/5!

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer

I had totally forgotten about this little bronzer, tucked away with all those other bronzers in my collection. My lovely friend Gigi snapchatted me about it and I was like ooooh my god I have that too and I need it back in my life! Since then I have used it everyday, all the love for this! (I use the shade medium matte)

Soap & Glory Speed Plump Super Moisture Marvel

A brand new product from those genius people at Soap & Glory now. I'm not going to say too much yet as I want to do a whole post and review about it but this is lovely stuff and I'm really enjoying using it.

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Beauty Wishlist : April

Barry M Afterglow Bronzer | Barry M Sunset Nails | Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick | Soap & Glory Hocus Focus | Dolce & Gabbana Dolce | Montagne Jeunesse Foot Buffer | No7 Pop & Glow Duo Blush & Shimmer | Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads 60s | Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Crayon Fushcia Desire

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My Go-To Primers

Primers are something that have become a totally necessity to my make-up routine over the last few years! I can't imagine ever putting my foundation or concealer on now without have primed myself first!
There are a few different primers I use on a regular basis, from high end brands to cheap bargains under £5, so I thought I would share my 5 favourites with you guys!
I'll do these in price order for you guys - from cheapest to ..... not so cheap!

THE EVERYDAY BASE : Nivea Hydration Primer - £4.99

I use this stuff every single day. When my face is clean and after I've used my Liz Earle Skin Tonic I use this as my daytime moistouiser, aswell as first primer! It keeps my face hydrated and smooth without being too heavy or greasy. It works as a great base for then one of the other 4 primers mentioned below! I couldn't be without this stuff, I can't tell you how many I've been through already!

THE DRUGSTORE BEST : Maybelline's Baby Skin - £7.99

Now I have tried out both versions of this and I can't decide which one I like better! The original is a lovely clear gel which gives the skin a lovely smooth finish which helps my make-up sit perfectly. The other is alot creamier and gives the skin a lovely subtle radiant glow. One of the best drug-store primers out there I'd say.

MY NEW FAV : No7 Airbrush Away Primer - £19.50

This I actually the newest primer in my life. I picked it up back in November when it was put on offer for half price! Alongside that awesome price I had a £5 off No7 voucher (Yup this stuff is classed as skincare not make-up apparently) so I got it for literally a quarter of the price! I was so pleasantly surprised by how well this works and it has been the primer I've used for my everyday make-up near enough everyday since buying it. (So I'm glad I bought two!)

THE ULTIMATE FAVOURITE : Benefit POREfessional - £24.50

This is my ultimate favourite primer! I wish I could afford it to use it everyday, but being over £24 a tube unfortunately I'm way too skint to be buying it all the time! I've had loads of these smaller tubes, even though they are tiny they really do last! I save this for when I'm going "out out" or when I'm doing a full-face of make-up! 

THE HIGH END SPLASH : Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - £29

When on holiday in Florida I decided to treat myself to a few make-up bits that either were 1. more expesive in the UK or 2. weren't sold in the UK. I've wanted to try LM for soooo long and was so happy to finally be the owner of the primer! 

This is a light creamy base which I use when I feel like treating myself a bit or if my skin is feeling a bit dry, it keeps my skin hydrated and leaves my skin feeling like silk. If you have a larger budget to work with this is definitely something to try out. I cannot wait to try out the silk creme foundation.

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August Favourites 2014

Whatssssuppppp! Wait... do people still say that? It always reminds me of Scary Movie... anyway....

I really wanted to film this as a video but time has slipped away from me so unfortunately it will just be the written word this month, I hope that's okay for you lovely people!

It it September - the month I have been looking foward to most this year.... it's only a matter of days (15 to be precise) until I'm on a plane to Florida - wahhhooooo! 

Anyway with a new month beginning it means it's time for me to share with you my monthly favourites for the month of August!

Of course it's mostly beauty related... I mean why else are you here reading this?... but in true Kirstie style there's a few random little picks in there too!

First up, a BIG love of mine which throughout my whole time doing this blogging lark I've always bigged up to the max. Yes I'm talking about Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, I'm an Isle Of Wight girl so am of course a big lover of Liz Earle and their products and this has got to be my favourite. For a few months now I have been trying out and using other cleansing products but coming back to this this month has reminded me of how amazing it is and how I should really never stray from it.
Next Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix*, you may remember I did a post on this a little while ago and my love for it hasn't died! I use this one a week, it's a little harsh for anything more, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth with a gorgeous brightened look, definitely the perfect scrub for me. 
Skincare find of the month has to Aveeno's Skin Relief lotion. This has rescued my dry and itchy legs and made me feel a whole lot better - this is one that is going to be repurchased alot I feel.

Hair favourite this month have to be the Richard Ward The Chelsea Collection Keratin Volume Shampoo & Conditioner*. I've using this these for the last couple of weeks and have found a new fav to rival Lee Stafford! These two leave my hair so light and airy, like doing backwards hairwashing - you know when your hair feels really light and free of product, after every shower I can run my fingers through my hair before I've even gone near it with a comb or a brush. It's so managable and dries super quick aswell. Dry, my hair feels soft and I definitely can see and feel a difference in how quickly it gets greasy too!

Make-up now and my favourite product from August is the new Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer in cool rose. I've used this probably every day since purchasing it at the beginning of August, another great product by Maybelline they've really gone up in my books over the last few months.

Montagne Jeunesse face mask sachets have to be in my monthly favourites this month - how they haven't made it into one so far is a mystery to me! These are my faourite little pamper treat and tend to do one a week! These are normally around £1 (and sometimes on offer for even less) total bargains! My favourites have to be the hot spring sauna and the clay fabric mask ... I've got a few newbies here too which I can't wait to try out!

A food favourite now! I have a major sweet tooth but I have been trying for the last few months to avoid the chocolate temptation that is constatnly in my mind and stomach!
In doing this I have been finding alternatives to tackle the sweet tooth that controls my diet and in so found these Boots Shapers Blueberry & Yogurt Nougat Bars.
These are soooo good, a chewy yogurt flavoured bar with yummy blueberrys dropped in - these have become my evening sweet snack (normally when watching the first look episode of Hollyoaks on E4!) they need to start selling them by the box!

TV fav's this month have got to be Long Island Medium, Scandal, Hollyoaks & Pretty Little Liars! I'm not sure I can cope with waiting 4 months until I can see more PLL.... that show is so addictive - I need answers! Long Island Medium & Scandal are both new shows to me, I found them on Netflix and was hooked after the first episode of both - love love love.

Music wise OF COURSE I'm going to say Ariana Grande & Taylor Swift. Yes my 2 favs have released new music and I am obsessed. 
Taylor's first single of the new album Shake It Off is amazeballs.... that girl can do no wrong, roll on October when 1989 is out!
And the album I have been waiting for all year My Everything from Ariana Grande is everything I hoped it would be - I've had it on repeat since downloading it the second it was available on iTunes and I'm just praying she goes on tour here in the UK! My favourite songs are Break Free, Break Your Heart Right Back, One Last Time.... and of course Bang Bang!!
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Maybelline NEW Baby Lips Electro - Pink Shock Review

Oppsie ... I've bought another lip product! It's not my fault okay it's a very sad addiction!

I've been looking forward to this new range coming out for a while now so when I saw it in Boots of course I bought it.... like the sucker I am!

Yes it is the brand spanking (to the UK) new Baby Lips from Maybelline.

Now I've only picked up 1 so far but for only £2.99 it probably won't be long until I cave in and buy some more!
Now these are so much more up my street than the original collection - I love a bit of colour so anything bright and funky I'm going to love! 

The Electro collection consists of 4 different shades. This one 'pink shock' instantly caught my attention (Although I seriouly want to get my hands on Berry Bomb but it wasn't in store ... sad face!)

A lip balm that gives you up to 8 hours of hydration and a fabulous flash of neon! Perfect for summer and hot days where minimal make-up is key!
I definiley think the colour develops more the longer it is on aswell! It's been fab to have in my work bag, replacing my lip butters and vaseline tins!

Another product under £3 which has secured itself in my daily routine for the summer! Have any of you tried these out yet?
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Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer Review

 NEW Baby Skin alert!
You may remember how much I love the original (read here) - I bought it as soon as it came out and used it everyday until it ran out earlier this year! Since then I have been using just my Nivea Hydration Primer most days but I have been really missing using Babyskin alongside it so I have been waiting,waiting,waiting for this beaut to be released!

 This new version of Babyskin by Maybelline is the Instant Fatigue Blur - definitely what my skin is in need of at the moment. Recently I have had alot of early mornings with work - 7am starts are painful and I feel like my skin always looks a bit pants after a 5.30am wake up call! (even after plastering my face with my favourite bases)
This stuff comes in two shades - Cool Rose & Apricot. I went for the cool rose as I thought it was super pretty, like a pinky highlighter-type primer, which is my kinda thing!

The texture of the product is alot creamier and more lotion-like than the original pore eraser which I wasn't expecting when I first squirt it out... definitely wasted a bit, darn it!

I just use my fingers to put this on. Dot it all over my face and blend it in. It glides onto the skin easily and leaves it feeling silky and ready for the rest of my make-up to get slapped on my face.
I know this can be worn on it's own but for me it's not enough coverage, I like to wear foundation I feel a bit nakey without it! (and this doesn't cover my horrible bags either, not that I was expecting it too)
It gives my skin a lovely even fresh glow, and definitely makes it look less dull even when I'm lacking sleep! I'm all about glowing skin - I will use anything and everything!

Sorry that the lighting looks different in these - they were literally taken 2 seconds apart.... 

 This is a water-based primer which helps make the skin feel hydrated, perfect for the draining summer months. I work within an air-conned building so sometimes I feel like the moisture is being drained from my skin... anyone else feel this pain?

This gives a fab base for the rest of my make-up and helps it stay on all day! For £7.99 I am super happy with this purchase, thanks Maybelline! (Find Baby skin here!)
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Favourite Summer Lips : Part 1

We're in July, the sun has been shining (on and off) and it's finally appropriate to wear the brightest colours possible... in both clothing and on our faces!

I love love love buying lip products, I literally have an addiction (it's been an issue for a while now...) and I love nothing more than a gorgeous fun bright shade! So I thought I would share with you, my lovely readers, my current go-to lip products!

I managed to narrow  it down to just 10 so I thought I'd do it in two posts, sharing 5 in each, so here is part 1!  

I have a mix of lipsticks, lipglosses and lip crayons - all great fun summer shades which are always top of my pile this time of year! 

Left to Right :

Mac Matte Lipstick -  Candy Yum Yum (review)

Barry M Lipgloss - 5 Bubblegum

Make-up Revolution Lipstick - Depraved

Bourjois Lip Crayon - Peach On The Beach (review)

Maybelline Megawatt Lipstick - Flash Of Fuchsia (review)

I love love love these shades and the prices range from £15 (MAC) to just £1 (MUR) so there is something for everyone! Do you own any of them? 

Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 when I will be sharing the other 5 lip shades/products that have made their way to the top of my favourites for summer!

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The 3 Minute, 3 Product Make-up Challenge With Fragrance Direct

Recently I was set a challenge by the lovely people over at Fragrance Direct.

A 3 minute make-up challenge. 

Now being a girl who has worn make-up for over 10 years now and who has her morning routine down, I thought this would be easy peasy lemon squeezy..... until they told me I could only use THREE PRODUCTS - now that is a challenge!

I spend a long time on the fragrance direct site, browsing through and having a good long think at how I could get a good full face of make-up with just 3 products that I could apply in just 3 short minutes.... that's only 180 seconds to go from drab to fab!

So the challenge was fully accepted and I choose the following 3 products....

Maxfactor Whipped Creme Foundation - Natural*

Maybelline Define-a-Lash Mascara - Brown*

Maxfactor Lipfinity - Hint Of Pink*

So products in hand I sat down with my iPhone stopwatch next to me and started the challenge. (Obviously I had cleansed and moisturised my skin before starting) 

Minute 1 : I started by dotting some of the foundation under my eyes and blending to try and conceal my dark circles. I then proceeded to apply the whipped creme foundation to the whole of my face and blend in until it was even!

Minute 2 : I had noticed that the lip product says to leave 60 seconds between each step (the colour , then the balm) so I popped this on now to left to dry! I then grab the Define-a-lash mascara, which I had choose in brown, and started on my eyebows! This mascara turned out to be fab for darkening my brows and filling them! After this I started on my lashes! I managed to do one eye and then minute 3 kicked in.......

Minute 3 : With one minute to go I finished off my eyelashes, I have really short lashes so I normlly spend alot of time trying to lengthen and curl! Once my lashes were done I grabbed the pink lipgloss again and dotted it on my cheeks for a splash of colour, I blended it in and surprising made a great blusher!
It was then time up - my face was done in just 3 minute with 3 products... what do you think?

This has definitely shown me that I don't always need as many products as I normally use (aka alot)! I love using products for multiple uses and I feel like the 3 products I choose actually worked really well together and I managed to complete an acceptable look with just the 3 of them!

A huge thank you to Fragrance Direct for challenging me - it was slightly harder than I imagined it but I'm happy with how the end result turned out and proud that I managed to do my make-up with just 3 products.... it's a first!!
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Maybelline Colour Show Bleached Neons Nail Polish Review : Tropink & Coral Heat

Summer is on it's way and with it pastel and bright colours everywhere!
 Whether it is clothing, hair or well... nail polish - summer is the perfect time to rock any colour you want!

I have been loving all the pastel shades and bright colours that have been coming onto the high street and social media scene this year so far and when I spotted these new nail polishes from Maybelline I knew they were a must for the next few months!

These are from the new Colour Show collection from Maybelline and are called Bleached Neons.
The shades I picked up were Tropink and Coral Heat.

Tropink is a fabulous bright baby pink shade and Coral Heat is a fun summery coral orange.
These colour aren't full-on luminous neons and they aren't subtle pastels they are some amazing place inbetween and I love them!

These are my go-to shades at the moment and I can't wait to see the rest of the collection(these were the only two in my local Boots!) 

They will look amazing in the summer with a tan and with the amazing fashion out there on the high-street at the moment it won't be hard matching clothing to them either!

From what I've seen so far this is another great collection from Maybelline and their Colour Show polishes!

These polishes are £3.99 each and if you are looking for some new summer shades I highly recommend them!

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