ELF Contouring Blusher + Bronzer Duo in St. Lucia | Review + Swatches.

Over a month ago I picked up some more bargains from ELFs online store, they were having up to 50% off and I think the delivery may have been free also. They're always having amazing sales!
I picked up a few things, one of these was the St. Lucia blusher and bronzer duo (£3.75), I'd read that it's a dupe for the NARS Laguna and Orgasm duo. This wasn't the reason I went for it though, I just think the colours are pretty. I'm easily pleased. If you were looking for this to be a dupe then you'd be out of luck. This bronzer isn't matte and the blusher is too light and too pink when blended.

The packaging however is reminiscent of the NARS packaging, slightly rounded and rubberised casing (not quite as rubbery though, so doesn't get so mucky). It's quite large, but not so large you wouldn't be able to carry it around and you can't really complain though as it's housing two products!
I'm not sure but I had a look on the website again and I can only find this duo in the cream version now.

Real Techniques Brushes Core Collection | Review.

What a glorious day we're having! I hope it's been nice and sunny for everyone?
It's time for another review that I've been meaning to do for weeks and weeks! Terrible I know, but I'm just way behind on everything at the moment.

This review is about the Real Techniques Core Collection of brushes. They are by Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo. This set cost me £21.99 from Boots and had been on my wishlist for a good two or three months before I caved! The main reason I wanted this set was because of the Buffing Brush and as far as I'm aware it can't be bought separately. I'd read so many rave reviews about this brush and I was looking for a new foundation brush so I set my heart on this one.

L-R Contour, Pointed Foundation, Detailer, Buffing.

The other brushes included in this set are the Contour brush, Pointed  Foundation brush and Detailer brush. You also get a little case that turns into a stand. I think it's handy but isn't very sturdy feeling.
I really like using the Contour brush with my Sleek Face Form contouring powder, they work so well together! The Detailer brush is great for using with concealer, especially around my nose and on blemishes. I'm still trying to find something to use the Pointed Foundation brush for as it's too small for foundation. I also find that the Buffing brush is the only thing I need for my foundation application. It's brilliant, slightly smaller than any foundation brush I've used before but you get used to it after a couple of uses.

The Good.

4 brushes + case for £22.
Great quality.
Buffing brush + Contour brush are fantastic.
Easy to clean.
Soft bristles.
No shedding.

The Bad.

Case feels flimsy.
Can't buy brushes separately.

I would probably buy this set again, but to be completely honest if I could have bought the Buffing brush on it's own I would have. They are great quality, but I don't have a use for the Foundation brush as it's an odd size.
Do you have this set, or any others like this?

One last thing, Cosmopolitan are taking nominations for their 2013 Blog Awards. If you think I deserve it I would be eternally grateful if you would recommend me in the Best New Beauty award!? It only takes a minute! 

Sleek Face Form | Review + Swatches.

Hello! How is everyone this week, enjoying the snow, or lack of? It's been pretty snowy here, but not as much as other places. Outside it's bitterly cold and I'm enjoying cuddling up with tea and biscuits, dreading the idea of going out. This is inevitable though as I'm heading up to Kyles' parents for tea very soon!

Last week I was in Superdrug having a wee nosy...really I was looking for Sleeks Face Contouring Kit but I couldn't find it. I'd seen the review of it on Thunder & Threads and I so wanted to give it a try! Highlighting and contouring are things I always skip when doing my make up as I tend to forget if I'm honest. I also didn't have anything to contour with, hence the reason I was seeking out the little duo. 

So I discovered that my Superdrug doesn't stock it....as far as I'm aware, but they do stock Face Form (£10), which is a palette  with 3 different sections (like their Blush by 3 palettes). It has the contour powder, a highlighter as well as a blush in Rose Gold. It's a really handy little palette to have, especially if you travel a lot - it even has a mirror in the lid. It's basically the Face Contour Kit (£6.49) and you get a blusher for £3.51 instead of £4.49. 

The palette comes in four different shades, Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. The two darker shades come with bronzers instead of blushers.

Contour.

Now I don't know a lot about contouring so please bear with me here! 

I really like it and I feel that it's easy to blend, which was a concern I had. Another concern I had was that it was going to be too dark for me. I bought the Light palette as they didn't have the Fair one in stock, I figured Light would work just as well but when I opened it and really thought about it it did look a bit dark. Not to worry though, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it out! I find it blends beautifully and doesn't look silly on my pale skin. Phew! I will say I did use a very light hand when applying this as I was a little scared by it so once I get used to it I think it will look a bit better. I will do a FOTD post featuring this palette soon, promise. 

Swatches to follow.

Highlighter.

This is a lovely shimmery highlighter, I really enjoy wearing this. There is minimal fallout which is great. I have an Elf highlighter that is very similar to this but it goes everywhere and is a bit of a nightmare to control. So this is a much better alternative! The Sleek one is more subtle as well and has a more natural glow to it. It just depends on what your personal preference is.

Blusher.

Rose Gold is a blush I hadn't seen before. I don't tend to look at the blushers very often as I feel I have plenty to get through at the moment. This one is gorgeous though! I'm actually really glad this one is included in the palette. I'd say it's similar to Orgasm by Nars, the colour is almost the same, but it has more gold shimmer running through it. It's absolutely amazing, eeee! Can you tell I've had a lot of sugar today?!

L-R - Contour, Highligher, Rose Gold Blusher. (Probably didn't need to be labelled, haha).