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.

Make Up Revolution Pro Primer Aqua Priming Base Review

Make Up Revolution Pro Primer Aqua Priming Base*

It was only a few years ago that primer became a 'thing' in my make-up bag. 

I remember stumbling across the Smashbox photo finish primer whilst travelling the US back in 2012 and wondering how I have ever put make-up on without that game-changing first step.

Since then I have tried SO many. From your everyday bargain drugstore brands to the products with prices that make your eyes water!

This, however, is something fairly new to me. A priming spray. 

I've only ever tried one other and I hated the scent so much I only used it once so didn't really get to see how well it worked!

This, Aqua Priming Base from Make-Up Revolution is one of their snazzy new products which they were kind enough to send to me to try out!

This lightweight spray has been working wonders, it's so easy to use and has been making my morning routine that little bit shorter each morning as it sinks into the skin so quickly which I love!

I can't wait to use this during the hotter months too (remember those?) it keeps my skin feeling hydrated without seeming to add any excess oils and seems to do the job of keeping my make-up on!

For only £6 this is definitely worth a try, especially if you're someone who doesn't wear alot of make-up throughout the day or wants a product to help freshen up your skin.

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Barry M Flawless Original Primer

My everyday primer ran out.... and Barry M released a brand spanking new product - coincidence? I think not!

Yes, I was in need of a new primer and seeing this newbie out on the high street made the decision oh so easy - let's try it out.
I'm a big fan of Barry M but when it comes to face make-up they aren't the first brand that pops to mind.
 Nails and lips, yes - primers and foundations, no. So I thought I'd bite the bullet and give it a chance.

I'm not overly fussy with primers, I have my favourite (POREFessional) but it's just not in my budget right now to use daily so I only use my miniatures of it when I'm heading on a night out and want my make-up looking extra special.

I've tried alot of what the high street has to offer over the last few years and am always keen to try something new when it's released.

This is one of 3 primers Barry M has added to their collection. There is the Original, the Colour Correcting and the Brightening - something for everyone!

Smoothing and mattifying this white cream feels amazing, creating a lovely base. It's silky and soft (plus it's oil-free) and has my skin feeling ready and raring for my foundation in seconds. 

I've really been enjoying using this and it's become a well-loved member of my daily make-up routine already. My foundation looks better than it has done in a while and lasts all day long which I'm really impressed with.

The primer is priced at only £5.99 which is alot cheaper than other drugstore brands attempts that I haven't liked as much! You can find it here on Boots.com.

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Current Beauty Favourites

YAY! Beauty talk once more here on AYBB - I've missed it!
Time to chat all about my current go-to's in my crazy stash of beauty goodies (I really need another clearout ya know!). These are my current favourite products, everything from primers to perfumes, so sit back, relax, maybe even grab a cup of tea and settle down to my ramblings!

First up - my ultimate perfume pick of the moment! Yes I've spoken about this a couple of times already so I won't chat for too long, it's Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge. 
I'm in love with this stuff and I'm already sad about the thought of it running out!
I've been getting so many compliments on it and even a few of my friends have popped it on their christmas lists already! 
Next up Rimmel's Good To Glow highlighter. This is such a bargain and gives the perfect shimmery glow under or over foundation! If you like a good shimmer this is the stuff for you, you only need a tiny bit aswell which helps it last for ages. I've had this for months and months and I don't even think I'm half way through yet.

2 Products from theBalm now. The Nude'tude eyeshadow palette and the Bahama Mama bronzer - two of my most used products of the moment.
The bronzer has been in my daily routine since the day it dropped into my lap, it's such a gorgeous matte shade and I've found it perfect for contouring - plus... cute packaging right?
The eyeshadow palette is also a delight to the eyeballs isn't it! I love all the cute names and the netural colours are perfect for me and my un-adventurous eye make-up style!
Another Rimmel product I have been using daily is the Lasting Finish concealer. I pop this in a triangle under my eyes, around my nose and on a couple of blemishes to help cover all those dark and red areas! I love this just as much as my Seveteen Phowarr Paint I used for so long, it really does cover and last.

I recently stumbled back across a few Benefit minis I had stashed away from Christmas and I thought it was about time I put the to good use. The Porefessional primer is my ultimate favourite primer (like ever), using this for Bestival was a life saver (I tend to save it for when I'm wearing a full face of slap) - it really does makes an incredible base to pop everything onto and helps to keep it on alot longer than others I've tried!
The Stay Don't Stray primer is also something I have been using alot! Years ago I never used to bother with eyeshadow primers but they really do make a world of difference, this tiny pot has lasted me for weeks now so I can imagine the full-size woud go a long, long way.

Another primer (yes another one guys!) which I have been using daily is the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. This is what I have been using for everyday work days and it is a beaut. It's very creamy which is great for this weather change we are having as my skin has been getting really dry, it helps to keep it hydrated! My dry skin and make-up is never a good mix.

Mascara now and I'm going to link you directly to my review on this one - here!
 After a month of using the L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Feline I am still a fan and I think I might actually repurchase this one (which when it comes to mascaras is almost unheard of with me!).

Last but not least my favourite lip liner (a god send in pencil form). Whirl from MAC is incredible - that is all you need to know.
 I pair this with Velvet Teddy for the ultimate nude lip to suit any skintone, hands down one of the best purchases I've ever made from MAC.

What have been your favourite beauty products lately? 

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NEW Rodial Make-up : First Impressions

Did someone say NEW make-up? 

Rodial are known for their amazing high-end skincare products and over the past year I have fallen in love with everything I've tried! Now they have decided to widen their range of make-up so I was super super thrilled to be asked if I'd like to give them a go.... life can be pretty sweet you know!

I've been sent 7 of their snazzy new products ranging from an eyeliner to a gorgeous contouring powder! So sit back, relax and check out my first impressions and thoughts!

 NEW Rodial Make-up featured: 

Instaglam airbrush primer*

Instaglam compact deluxe contouring powder*

Instaglam compact deluxe trandlucent HD powder*

Instaglam highlighter*

Hyaluronic cheek sculpt*

Glamolash mascara skinny*

Smokey eye pen - brown*

Rodial have really set the high-end tone nicely with this make-up range. The boxing and packaging is all super sleek and professional looking - such a treat for me! 

The first thing I decided to try out was the instaglam airbrush primer!

You may remember my post from a couple of weeks ago about my 5 favourites that I'm a big fan of primers! I cannot do a face of make-up without one and I am constantly on the look-out for newbies to give a go!

I was chuffed that this was included in the products sent to me by those lovely Rodial people - they know me well! The primer itself has a clear, smooth moisturising consistency which reminds me alot of the Laura Mercier primer.

It has a lovely scent, the same as the scent to The Hangover Mask from Rodial - fresh and slightly fruity and makes a lovely smooth base for my foundation and concealer to sit on!

This is perfect for these colder months for me as it is slightly more moisturising that other more sillicone based primers I have so it's great on those pesky dry patches!

Next up it's the hyaluronic cheek sculpt (yup, that's a long old word isn't it!) This was actually the only product I had a little "ooo what do I do with this?" kind of thought with when opening it!
When I popped a swatch onto my hand to check it out I thought - woah that's bloomin' bright - panic!  But after blending it I saw it turn into a gorgeous glowing tint which I was super excited to plaster onto my face!
The product is made for the apple's of your cheeks. the coral shade adds a subtle and pretty glow while the hyaluronic acids helps to plump up the skin - so this is great for all ages!

Favourite new product alert! I have been looking for a new face powder for a while now! I got bored of all the ones I owned - the only one I felt did a good job was my elf HD powder but I normally only use that for a "night out" - it's a loose powder and gets super messy too which annoys me!

So when I saw this instaglam powder I did a little excitement quiver (if you've watched a certain TV show you'll know what that is!) - a gorgeous HD translucent powder perfect for everyday use!

I have literally used this everyday since trying it out, I use the powder brush from real techniques to glide it over my foundation - which gives me a flawless finish and helps my foundation stay on all day. It is priced at £52, which yes is a little expensive compared to my usual budget but this has worked so well for me and I don't have to use alot so I feel like it would last me a long while which totally makes it worth it!

Another compact now, the instaglam contouring powder. Contouring is something I have been playing around with alot over the past few months it really seems to have taken over the beauty world!

This is a beautiful matte sculpting powder which makes defining and contouring as easy as 1,2,3. Rodial themselves have written some great tips on how to use the powder - here.  

I have now added this into my daily make-up routine alongside either my Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter from theBalm or the cheeky little product below- they both make a great pairing!

An Instaglam highlighter now! It's not actually that often that I use a pen highlighter, I normally stick to powders or my fav skin wow from seventeen. These are normally pink based shades and I don't really own alot of things that are yellow toned so I was looking forward to seeing how it was with my skin.

 This is great for illuminating certain aspects of my face - I love using it to slim my nose down (yes, I'm quite vain like that!) and it is also lovely to use alongside eyeshadows, it's fab in my tear ducts and on my brow bones.

Damn the mascara making a mess!

 The eye duo I've been trying out are the smokey eye pencil in brown and the Glamolash mascara. 
I have fairly small eyes so I rarely use heavy eyeliner as my eyes become non-existent, so a brown shade is great for me as it isn't as harsh as black. This is great for just lining the eyes alone or smudging to create a smokey eye effect and it lasts, like seriously lasts for hours! It is £17 but honestly, for me, is so much better quality that any eyeliners I've tried from high street drugstores.
 Practice makes perfect so I'm going to try out lots of different looks with this pencil.

Mascara is a must for me - all day, everyday. I have the shortest more stumpiest eyelashes which are pretty much the bain of my life!  This has been amazing used alongside my regular mascara. Once I've lengthened them I use this to really plump them out and gain a great flutter, I'm really impressed with it.

So, all in all I am LOVING these new products from Rodial - the prices are definitely more than your usual high street brands but sometimes paying more really pays off and I believe with these it does, the powders espescially!

I hope you liked this post - let me know if you've tried any of the make-up range from Rodial or if you would like to know anything else about what I've tried out!

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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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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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January Favourites

A new favourites post! I feel like I haven't done one of these in forever!
 I decided to skip December's, it was just after Christmas and new year and I total just blanked on what I had been loving for the past 4 weeks so thought you guys wouldn't mind.... and probably wouldn't notice if I gave it a miss!
Saying this I am so excited to be back doing these - they are some of my favourite to write and definitely some of my favourite to read! I love seeing what everyone has been loving each month - I always manage to have a list as long as my arm of things I want after reading everyone elses!
So these are the things I have been LOVING over the past 4 weeks!

First up Nutrasome Thickening Shampoo by Revlon! This is something I bought on a whim at the beginning of the year after my friends cousin had said she'd been using it and her hair had grown a lot.... Like a lot a lot!
 So I thought why not give it a go! Now it isn't the cheapest of shampoos being just over £8 but I have to say I have been so impressed! The smell is strong and I find quite masculine but I use my normal Lee Stafford conditioners afterwards so there is no problem there. But that is something you have to do... Condition! This stuff leaves my hair feeling a little dry and brittle in the shower but after I condition as normal it feels lovely, just like using my normal shampoo and conditioner!

Now down to it....  I have noticed that my hair does feel thicker - when putting it up or plaiting it I can tell that there is definitely more hair than I had before - top marks Revlon! 

Growth - I haven't seen anymore than usual I don't think so far but it is definitely time for me to get my roots done, so it has grown somewhat!

I will definitely be re-purchasing when I'm done with this bottle, then see how I feel after that! 

Next up is my Stila Natural Beauty Eye Shadow Palette! This is one of the amazing presents I got from one of my Blogger Secret Santa's - the gorgeous Chanelle Jade! 

This palette is so up my street, I'm not that adventurous when it comes to eyeshadows and their colours so neutrals are always winners!

This palette is so gorgeous, not only does it have some lovely brown shades but also some pink shades that I have been obsessed with! 

This is up there with my naked palette as go-to palette for a glam natural look!  

As you all probably saw back in my Boots sale haul I invested in the Powder Trip set from Soap And Glory! This is a beaut of a set and a total bargain! The powder that is up there in my favourites this month is Glow All Out! A gorgeous luminizing face powder which I had actually been after for a while!

I'm a sucker for anything that gives me a glow and this stuff is a fab subtle powder that I can use not only on certain areas on my face but all over! I just wish I had it separately so I could pop it in my make-up bag easily!

This was obviously going to be in here - Maybelline's Baby Skin. I bought this at the end of last year and have use it more or less everyday since, I love it! Instead of explaining about it all over again ... Here's my review.

Non-beauty favourite alert. Ryvita Minis! I am addicted to these little beauty's! I've been trying I shift a few lbs since the beginning of the year and so snacking has become a big no-no along with bad fatty treat like crisps and chocolate.
So I have been trying to find healthier alternatives to help beat the cravings! These are so yummy (I'm a major ryvita fan as it is) and they have been in my lunchbox (aka my bag) near enough every work day! My favourite flavours are Salt & Vinegar & Sweet Chilli.

January means the return of my favourite TV shows! Wooohoooo! My top 4 shows at the moment are  Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals & The Following. And that would have probably been bloody obvious if you follow me on twitter - these shows are amazing, I am obsessed. Like totally obsessed. If you watch any of them - tweet me, I love talking to others about these shows!


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Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Review

Hello, hello, hello - is that a new primer I spy?
First it was baby lips and now Maybelline have released a new primer - Baby Skin!
All I did was spot this product from the corner of my eye and it was in my basket before I could even check out the price tag!

This is an instant pore eraser - lightweight primer. Now we all know how much I, Kirstie, love a good primer! I think I am actually addicted to buying them! 

This isn't like other primers that I own, this is a clear gel type formula (so if you aren't a fan of that type of primer then this is not the product for you I am afraid!).
 You don't need a lot - a pea-sized amount spreads a long long way. I apply it all over my face focusing on my forehead and nose the most!

This stuff helps to reduce pores (duh it says it on the tube!), makes your skin feel perfectly silky smooth, look more refined and perfect for make-up application!
I more or less always wear make-up if I am going out so, for me, I probably won't wear this on its own (because lets face it, that's a waste if I'm just sat at home!) but if you just want something to help shrink your pores and give your skin a quick pick me up - this is great!

My make-up glides on with this as a base and I can see this taking over as my daily primer!
This stuff is £7.99 for a 22ml and I highly recommend it for all you primer lovers out there - the days where I just put foundation on my face are definitely a long distant memory now!

Have you tried out Baby Skin yet? What are your favourite primers?

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