Lipstick Tag | Revlon, Rimmel + MAC.

L-R - Back Row - Revlon Mauve It Over, Really Red + Black Cherry. Middle Row - MAC Shy Girl, Russian Red + Hang Up. Front Row - Rimmel 101, 111 + 107.

1. When you were a child, did you use your mother's lipsticks?

I did once or twice. My mum tends to wear brown lipsticks or dark ones and as a child they never really appealed to me. Saying that I do remember trying them on.

2. How old were you when you bought your first lipstick?

I must have been about 10, I got a little set of minis (no idea where from) that I loved and they were all different colours. I mainly remember there being a couple of frost finish ones.

3. Pink or red lipstick?

Red, hands down!

4. The most expensive lipstick you have ever bought?

My Chanel lipstick, it was £25, but I got it on sale for £22.50.

5. And the cheapest?

Any of the ones from MUA or the BC ones from Bodycare.
You can see the cheapest ones I own in the photo below. None of them cost more than £2.50.

6. Do you use a lip brush to apply your lipstick?

Nah, I'm too lazy for that. I've always meant to try it though! It would really be a good idea though as I don't have the steadiest hand.

7. If you had to recommend a lipstick, which brand would you recommend and why?

Probably Rimmel or Revlon, they both have a great range of colours and finishes. The quality is brilliant, the price is affordable and they tend to be on offer in Boots of Superdrug.

I tag everyone! :)

FOTD | Red Lips.

Another quick FOTD for you today. This is quite a simple look, bold lips and winged liner. I'd say it's my go-to make up really as it's simple, easy and classic!

Although saying that it takes me a while to get it just right, and a lot of products evidently!

MAC Venomous Villains - Bite of an Apple Blusher | Review.

This is a blusher I've had for a few months now, as usual I've just been lazy with my reviews! I picked this up brand new from ebay for £18. Probably a little more than I was willing to pay but it's my first MAC blusher and I absolutely adore the packaging. I was a little late in hearing about this collection (it came out in 2010 I believe) and I was really disappointed, I'd seen lots of these products in make-up collection videos on YouTube and I really wanted some for myself.
This blusher is called Bite of an Apple and it features the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I would have loved to get most of the Maleficent collection, I think it had the most beautiful colours and packaging. The nail polishes look especially stunning! Maybe I'll hunt them down sometime.

"MAC" Brush Set.

Ok, so this post is perhaps going to be a slightly controversial one. Last month I purchased a set of brushes from ebay for £12. The controversial thing is that it's a set of fake MAC brushes. I don't feel bad buying fakes things once in a while because I do usually buy everything from the actual companies.

I didn't have many make-up brushes before, I had a powder brush, a blush brush and a couple of random eyeshadow ones. All of which are very cheap, but I still use them as they have lasted well and do the job!
I wanted to experiment a little and try out a few different types of brushes but didn't want to spend a lot. So ebay it was! These brushes have since been removed from the sellers shop as they apparently sold the maximum quantity they were allowed, although I have a feeling there were perhaps some legal reasons...Who knows. All I know is that they are great quality, and I'm very, very happy with my purchase!
What did I get? Well here we go.

 

Beauty Blogger Tag.

I feel like doing something a little different so it's time to answer some questions!

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?  
Well I've had this blog for about 3 years and I was originally sporadically posting my photography here, but I neglected it for a couple of years but I'd say I'm back for good this time! I still occasionally like to post my photos here as it's one of my main passions. I enjoy having something structured to do as I'm pretty lazy most of the time so I find it motivating to have something to write about.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?  
The first beauty blog I followed was Beauty and Baggage. Seonaids blog is fantastic, so many interesting, honest reviews that I find really helpful. Along with beautiful make-up looks, photos and fantastic style. Ok, I think I'm finished gushing now!
On YouTube it was Grav3yardgirl or Bunny Meyer, she's just so inspirational in so many ways. I guarantee she'll make you laugh and she makes me feel better no matter what mood I'm in. 

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?
It was probably the Naked palette, although it was a gift from my boyfriend I did ask for it. I think it's totally worth it! See my post here.

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger? 
1 - Being able to review things and helping other people find things that work for them, for example I have very pale skin and I like to share when I find a foundation that actually matches! It works both ways too obviously.
2 - It's nice to find people who are passionate about similar things.
3 - I love going out and buying new things to write about, that's an obvious one I think. It does make it easier to justify buying things! 
4 - It gives me something to do other than waste my time perusing the internet randomly. I feel very productive when I'm blogging.
5 - Speaking to new people and as cheesy as it may sound, making new friends. :)

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger? 
So many things, even just in these past few months! I used to just watch YouTube videos about make up and things. I then found the blogs of the YouTubers. I've learned lots of tips and techniques for applying my make-up properly, I'm getting much better at applying eyeshadow. I've also learned to swatch things a lot more before buying. I usually swatch things a couple of times before I commit to buying now, I like to think about it and know I'm sure. Saves a lot of money not impulse buying all the time. Another thing is that just because something it hyped up or expensive it doesn't mean it's the right thing for you specifically. There's probably a lot more things.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?
I've changed the way I apply make-up as I mentioned before. It does take me longer to get ready if I'm putting make-up on though! I take better care of my skin, I only used to mosturise when I really had to. I do spend more money on beauty products now, but I'm not really buying clothes any more so it's alright I suppose.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?  
Well I'm still starting out, so I'll just talk about what I'm doing at the moment. Write about what you like, what you know and what interests you. Chances are there will be other people out there with similar opinions and beauty likes. Don't worry if you don't have many followers, it doesn't mean you have a bad blog or that no-one is reading it. As long as you're enjoying what you're writing, that's what matters! Also, you don't have to go out any buy loads of new things, you could start by writing about your Holy Grail products and things you've maybe overlooked in your collection. Reply to all comments you get, be friendly and comment on other peoples blogs too!

Name your top five brands!
Rimmel, MAC, Elf, MUA and Collection 2000 probably. Bit of a weird mixture, but I have a wide variety of brands, they're the ones I have most products from I'd say.

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!
1 - A classic red lipstick - my favourites are Really Red by Revlon, 111 by Kate Moss Rimmel and Russian Red by MAC.
2 - Naked palette, really does live up to the hype if you like a nude or smoky eye.
3 - MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation in NC 15 - best foundation I've used so far.
4 - Any Aussie hair product, be it shampoo, conditioner or styling products. They are all fantastic and smell so yummy.
5 - Batiste dry shampoo in the scent Boho - if they ever stop making this I'll actually cry. It smells amazing and works wonders on my hair.

Yup, so that's it. I tag everyone because you should all do this, it's interesting and I want to see your answers! Comment if you're going to do it or if you already have :)

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MAC Russian Red Lipstick

I absolutely love red lips! I can't seem to make myself buy anything else recently, it's red or nothing. My collection has been building up pretty quickly. Recently I have been looking for matte lipsticks more than anything (see my post on mattes here). Also, I'm really loving the Kate Moss matte collection at the moment!

I am always looking for reviews on lipsticks and I love looking through blogs and reading about what people are buying. I always love the colours that Eating Lipstick has, I wish Black Cherry by Revlon would be in stock in just one of the shops I've been looking in!
Beauty and Baggage suggested that I try Russian Red by MAC. I like to see things in person before I buy them, so when we were in Glasgow I had a look at it, as well as Ruby Woo. At that time I couldn't decide so I left it for a while as I knew that I would be going to Edinburgh this week so I could visit the counter there. After swatching them again and getting my mums opinion I decided on Russian Red.
It really is a true red, a lot of people would describe it as a universal red as it suits most skin tones. I'm very pale and it suits me nicely. I've worn it a couple of times since buying it, and I must say I do like it a lot. Perhaps not as much as Really Red from Revlon though, I find it lasts better.

Birthday goodies.

It was my 23rd birthday on Sunday. Oh my, I still can't believe it. I really don't feel that old and I can't believe how fast this year has passed. It's insane.
The year is definitely getting better and better as it goes on, for me it did not have the best of beginnings. That's in the past though, and so, onward!
Does that even make sense?

There weren't many things I wanted this year, but then again my thoughts are never organised enough to realise what I want until it's too late, so I did better than usual! I've had my eye on the Naked palette by Urban Decay (do I even need to say who it's by at this point?!) for quite some time. It may be apparent that I'm (sort of) new to make-up, beauty etc, and the thing I've heard people rave about the most is the Naked palettes. I've read a lot of reviews and seen many a swatch and I just fell in love. My wonderful boyfriend was kind enough to buy me it, and I couldn't be happier. It came with a little pot of the primer potion as well as a brush. I probably won't go on about it much more as I doubt I could add much more insight into it than others already have done. It's totally worth the hype! I've used it a lot this week.
I also got another palette from my friend, this one is by Technic. It's amazing too, it has a good range of eyeshadows (both neutrals and brights), as well as four blushers and a few lip colours. I'm really looking forward to using it.

We also went to see Maximo Park in Glasgow and spent the day browsing the shops.We did venture into Frasers, but it was super busy and I get a bit freaked out by that. So I stopped by the MAC counter as well as the She Uemura one, but like I said it was very busy as it was Saturday. We also went to American Apparel and Urban Outfitters, I love going there because we don't have those stores where I am. On Sunday as few friends came up to the flat then we went out dancing. Lots of fun! Then on Monday night Kyle and I went to Nandos with my parents and my little sister. She was very excited which was very cute. Overall, I had a great weekend!
Photo time!

Getting ready to leave.

Paul Smith of Maximo Park.

I heart Autumn

SO, I love watching various tags on YouTube, and the one that has been going around lately is the I heart Fall/ Autumn tag. I really want to do it, so instead of video form I thought I'd do it in the form of a blog post!
I've not actually been tagged, but hey...

1. Favourite Fall lip product?

I love dark colours for Autumn - I also love to state the obvious. Had you noticed? My favourite dark lipstick is probably Hang-Up by MAC. Shoddy photo time!

Hang-up (creamsheen) by MAC.


2. Favourite Fall Nail Polish?



Because I work with food I'm not allowed to wear nail polish at work, so I hardly get the chance to wear it. Which is sad. I would probably go for a classic black or burgundy though. My favourite black is by Barry M. Which reminds me, I used to use my mums one, so I'll need to get my own!

3. Favourite Starbucks Fall Drink?



 I don't really drink Starbucks, if I'm going for coffee or hot chocolate (which is very rarely) I prefer Costa. I would like to try out this Pumpkin Spiced Latte everyone is going on about though.

4. Favorite Fall Candle?
 

Well, I very rarely buy scented candles, so I'll have to pass on this question. I hate cinnamon or spice flavoured/scented things. Cloves, EW. Those seem to be the usual candle scents for this time of year.

5. Favourite Fall Scarf or accessory?



 I need to get myself a snood or a circle scarf. Might get my mum to make me one! I love them though. Fingerless gloves too, those ones with the little mitten flap things.

6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?


None really, only ever been on the haunted house ride things in the fairground. They're not all that scary, but I reckon the other two would be horrible!

7. Favourite Halloween movie?

Hmm, Hocus Pocus probably, predictable answer, I know. It's one of my favourite films ever though, not just at Halloween. I even went to Salem and Marblehead last year and saw some of the filming locations. Dream come true! I also love Beetlejuice and The Shining. 




8. Favourite candy to eat on Halloween?



 My mum had these hard candy things with little pumpkins on the wrapper a couple of years ago. They were orange and had orange sherbet in them. Other than that I don't know, Scream Eggs? 

9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?!


 I hinted in my last post what I will be dressing up as. So you can guess from that, and there's another hint in this post too! I don't want to give it away just yet...

10. What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

Well, I just love the feel of it, it's very hard to describe. It's cooler and I can start layering and wearing black without people thinking I'm odd. I wear black all the time regardless. I love the smell in the air, I think it's the cold air and crunchy leaves or something. That's another thing, crunchy leaves, it's so satisfying to stand on a nice, big, crunchy leaf. Also, Halloween, my birthday, and the day after that Guy Fawkes night. FIREWORKS!!!

I tag everyone!

That's pretty much it. Keep an eye out for a Halloween post tomorrow. I hope my costume is successful! Have fun :) 

I'll leave you with a painting from one of my favourite artists, Gil Elvgren. It's very appropriate. 

Gil Elvgren

For more Halloween/random photos go to my personal Tumblr page.

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