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My Magical Make-up Kit – Laura!

By Lina on January 12, 2010

Hooray! It’s the first instalment of ‘My Magical Make-up Kit‘ for 2010! For those who aren’t aware of the little feature series I’ve been running on this blog, ‘My Magical Make-up Kit‘ consists of my most make-up forward (and normally fashion forward too, goes hand in hand really) friends letting us in on their must-have products and make-up treasures that keeps them looking beautiful 24/7. I dunno about you, but I love looking through other peoples make-up bags so this is always quite exciting for me.

For this instalment we have my uber stylish and gadget savvy friend Laura! Laura is a graphics designer, photographer, DJ and successful club promoter with the most cutest style (cat patterned tights, anyone?). I love her quirky fringes and statement lips, but best of all I love her general appreciation for John Hughes film and Twin Peaks and all cool stuff like that. I think we first met when a mutual friend recommended me to do some make-up for a site she was working for. It transpired I was too lazy or something to sort my act out to do it in the end but we’ve stayed in contact ever since (good ol’ Facebook) and run into each other every now and again so it’s all gravy. Seriously, Londeners, you must check out her DanceMagicDance night, it’s a really good night that she co-runs and the fact that ladies run it makes it all the better I say!

Laura’s Magical Make-up Kit

“(1) Before putting on any make-up I always use Sephora’s Smoothing Primer. It’s a gel, very easy to apply. It leaves my skin very soft and makes both the concealer and foundation run smoothly. Unfortunately there are no Sephoras in the UK, so I always buy this little one whenever I travel.

(2) Concealer is one of the most important things when applying my make-up. I’m quite pale and any little spots or imperfections look massive on my skin. I also tend to have eye bags (due to anemia and lack of sleep), so I need something with good covering qualities. I’ve tried loads of concealers and so far my favourite is Rimmel’s Hide The Blemish (Ed – My best friend also swears by this concealer!).

(3) I’m lucky enough to have a pretty good skin, and therefore I try not to wear very heavy foundation. Most of the times I just wear a tinter moisturiser, and whenever needed I use Benefit’s Some Kind-A Gorgeous, which has a nice creamy texture and a powder-like finish. It’s quite light and easy to apply and it lets my skin breathe. Plus the packaging is so cute!

(4) I only started using blushers a few years ago. I’d never really liked them and the reason why I bought the first one was to try and stop people asking if I was ill (yes, I am THAT pale). Now I pretty much feel naked when I forget to use them. I have a couple, both from Bourjois, and my favourite is Rose Coup de Foudre.

(5, 6, 7) My mouth is my favourite part of my face and I always pay loads of attention to it. I have quite thick lips and darker colours tend to suit me more than pale ones. At the moment I’m quite into matte-ish lipsticks and I pretty much never wear lip-gloss or anything too shiny. I have a stupid collection of lipsticks, and my favourites right now are MAC’s Impassioned (5), Christian Dior’s Rouge Bingo (6) and Bourjois’s So Delicate matte tones (I own both Rose Poudre and Rose Veloute) (7).

(8, 9) I wear glasses most of the time, and therefore I try not to wear heavy make-up on my eyes. I don’t normally use any eyeshadows, I just use a khol pencil for the bottom bit of my eyes (8, Manic Panic’s Black Khol) and mascara for the upper bit (9, Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash).

(10) My favourite make-up product is Benefit’s High Beam. I found out about it in a photoshoot and had pretty much had to run to the shop to buy it. It’s the best thing in the world. It gives you a natural glow. I usually apply it on my cheeks and also on the upper bit of my eyes.

(11) Finally, I’m crazy about painting my nails. I have tons of different colours and sometimes I even like using two at the same time… I buy loads of Barry M because it’s cheap and they last quite a bit. At the moment my favourites are Mint Green, Bright Red, Marshmallow Pink and Black.”

So that’s what Laura has in her make-up bag to make herself look so delightful! I already love a lot of what Laura has mentioned in this post (great minds..), but Rimmel Hide That Blemish is probably definitely going to be my next cosmetic purchase as my best friend has also been raving on about this for years and I guess it’s time to start believing the hype now. How bloody amazing that it’s Rimmel and will only cost a fiver though? That’s pretty rad. Also, big high five for the Bourjois So Delicate Lip Creams! I’m always raving on about these so good choice, lady!

You can have a gander at more of Laura’s work on http://laurah.co.uk, and don’t forget to check out her amazing night DanceMagicDance, the place for all the hip young things who like to party to good music in East London. Honestly, it’s really fun.

This entry is filed under My Magical Make-up Kit. | 7 Comments

My Magical Make-up Kit – Dec ’09

By Lina on December 7, 2009

I’ve been quite short of time these last few weeks due to various other responsibilities and I haven’t been able to do as many reviews as I would have liked to. It’s been really difficult actually as I’ve been looking after my epileptic autistic brother whilst my parents are away and I honestly have hardly had time for anything else (or a social life!). Anyway, my parents should be getting back today and my life will resume (thank God!), but until then here’s a little post to continue the “My Magical Make-up Kit” series I’ve been running on this blog – this should tide you over till I get cracking with my reviews! In this weeks instalment… my OWN magical make-up bag!

For those that have read any of these magical make-up kit posts might already know the first post of the series was my old make-up bag, and I did promise back then that I’d do another post with my current one. Well, here it is! Can’t guarantee it’ll be current for much longer as I’m always changing my products but for now, it is!

Clinique make-up bag

My Magical Make-up Kit – MINE

(1) Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (4.5) – Love love love this foundation, it provides a healthy finish to the skin, neither too dewy nor too matte, and has pretty good coverage for such a light foundation! I’ve tried the Max Factor Second Skin (albeit, only in a sample size) and wasn’t too impressed; the colour was all wrong and it was a little dryer than this.

(2) Boots No7 Instant Radiance Concealer (II) and Kanebo Concealer Brush Type (CB02) - I tend to use the Kanebo one more (which is annoyingly discontinued in the UK now) as it’s more subtle than the No7, but sometimes when my make-up is too dark or I have dark shadows the No7 pen is perfect. The Kanebo one is also slightly more moisturising..

(3) Studio Sculpt Concealer (NC42) – I don’t really wear concealer at all, only if have a spot, which is possibly only once a year, or a rash that the concealer highlighter pens and foundation can’t even out. However, this is a great concealer for when I do need it, covers everything, stays on quite well and doesn’t cake! Much better than the foundation of the same range.

(4) No7 Essential Palette (Canvas) - This is a limited edition palette that got sent to me around October, it’s full of brown matte shades and I really love one of the shades in particular. A nice mushroom brown which I use all the time for when I’m wearing strong lips or even liquid liner!

(5) Lancome Artliner - A black liquid liner. I heard rave reviews about this so rushed out and bought it after discovering it had been re-introduced back into Lancomes range after briefly being discontinued. It is good, stays on really well (no running or smudging!) and fairly easy to use but still not convinced this is the best out there. The best I’ve ever used was a Chanel one that got discontinued, the liquid liner with a brush. It was tricky to use but the black was gorgeous and its finish was beautiful. Plus it didn’t budge.

(6) Benefit Bad Gal Eye Liner, Waterproof (Black) and MAC Eye Kohl (Smoulder) - I’ve been using the MAC one for years, it’s brilliant. Really great for lining the waterline (although doesn’t stay forever!) and lovely for creating a smokey eye. The Benefit Bad Gal is good also, the best thing about it is that is really doesn’t budge but not amazing on the waterline. It works well for smokey eyes. I prefer using the MAC one, but try mostly using the Benefit one as it really doesn’t budge once applied and that’s quite a necessity.

(7) L’Oreal Lash Architect (Black) – Okay, so my only cheat in here. I don’t actually have this in my make-up bag as I’ve run out, but it’s the best in my opinion of the high street ones! Creates gorgeous big fluttery fake looking lashes! Brill.

(8) No7 Colour Perfect Trio (Graphite) - Another product I’ve been using for years. This is actually discontinued but I found a brand new one a few months back in my drawer so I’m still in luck. I only ever use the black shade which is meant for lining, I use it as a black eye shadow. Brilliant sooty black that is the right mix of creamy and matte with outstanding pigment. Great for creating really dramatic smokey eyes!

(9) Kanebo Exclusive Bio Natural Golden Finish Refill (BGF-53) - My favourite bronzer. I use it for contouring as it’s a little dark as an all over bronzer but perfect for subtly defining my features. The texture is beautiful, soft and wonderfully blendable, but alas as I mentioned above Kanebo is discontinued in the UK now..

(10) Bourjois Mineral Radiance Powder (05 Dore) - Another favourite bronzer, one I actually use as a bronzer! Provides a matte finish but not drying, and ever so light! Love this product.

(11) Benefit Coralista - I’ve recently been only reaching for this when doing my cheeks! I love the sheer coral shimmer is gives and find it really polishes off my look. Great for if you have statement lips and want the rest of you face to be light but groomed.

(12) Bourjois So Delicate Lip Creams (51 Rose Poudre and 53 Rose Veloute) - These lip creams are ace, ace, ace products. Perfect for a matte pale lip. Lasts amazingly well. Provides the look most pale matte lippys just can’t.

(13) MAC Amplified Lipstick (Girl About Town) - My favourite lipstick. It gives amazing colour (a bright pink) and lasts comfortably on so well. Beautiful on, too.

(14) YSL Shiny Lip Plumper - I have two of these and the shade has rubbed off on both, whoops, sorry. But anyway, I really don’t do glosses anymore but it’s useful to carry one around just in case! These aren’t bad, they look pretty on but don’t wear too long on unfortunately.

(15) Burt’s Bees Lip Balm - I got sent this and love it! Great lip balm that I use religiously. Keeps my lips nice and smooth and it’s not crack city if I don’t use it for a few days.

And here are my favourite, most used brushes!

Obviously I have tons of brushes from being a make-up artist. But in all honesty I only really use a handful, and sometimes only even two! The only time I really use an excessive amount of brushes is when I’m doing smokey eyes or elaborate eye work, but in general these are the four most reached for brushes!

(1) Ruby and Millie Eye Brush Large – A great brush for applying a sweep of colour all over the lid, and even within the socket line. It picks up product beautifully and perfectly covers the lid, leaving the brow and above socket line area.

(2) Bare Escentuals Angled Face - Perfect brush for contouring and blusher! I get perfect blush every time I use this baby!

(3) Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush – The best foundation brush I have ever used! You only need a little product with this to get flawless, even coverage. Invest in one today!

(4) Bare Escentuals Feather Light - This brush is very similar to MAC 187, but with less hairs. I love it for applying Benefits’ Coralista and any other shimmer product that you want a light hand with. You can also use it for blusher.

There you go, my make-up bag and favourite brushes! Most of these products have already been reviewed on here so if you want to read more about a product listed just simply have a search on this blog and you’ll most likely find it!

This entry is filed under My Magical Make-up Kit.

My Magical Make-up Kit – Tashfia!

By Lina on November 11, 2009

Wow, I’ve finally found my asthma inhaler and I can now breath without the risk of dying! Hooray! Sorry I’ve been away for a few days I just can’t seem to shake this sickness, and without an inhaler certainly hasn’t helped. Anyway, incidently I found my inhaler in a handbag I seldom use, actually it was last used at my cousin’s weddings about a month back (shows how often I take it), and it just so happens the grooms’ sister (also my cousin) is doing this weeks instalment of My Magical Make-up Kit!

Tashia is a very chic young thing who works for Louis Vuitton and resides in Leeds, despite being related we felt a specialer connection over our mutual love of make-up and Girls Aloud – you know how exciting it is to find a fellow make-up fanatic! Like kindred spirits! She has been super busy organising her brothers wedding of late so I’m amazed she’s found the time to get this done (bless her the sweetheart), but I for one am glad she has as it’s soooo fun looking through her magical make-up kit!

Tashfia’s Magical Make-up Kit

“These are all the things I cannot live without! I’m sure a lot of them are really obvious like the Touche Eclat…duh! And others you maybe thinking um, WTF?! But they work for me, doll! Hope you like my cappucian monkey make-up bag, it was a gift from my bestest friend ever who now lives in Tokyo

kisses xxx”

(1) Dior Transluent Loose Powder
(2) Dior Longoptic Mascara in Black
(3) The Body Shop Facial Blotting Tissue in Rose
(4) Mac Pigment in Mauvement
(5) YSL Eyeliner Pen in Black
(6) Chanel Concealer Stick
(7) Bourjois Illuminating Blush in Rose D’or
(8) Stila Illuminating Shine Powder
(9) Chanel Lipstick in Rouge Noir
(10) Chanel Eyebrow Definer in Brun
(11) Creme de la Mer Moisturiser (my guilty pleasure!)
(12) Palmers Cocoa Butter Chapstick
(13) Chanel No19 Eau de Toilette
(14) YSL Touche Eclat

There you go, lots of delights to feast your eyes on that WORK. I’ve heard great things about The Body Shop powdered papers so am definitely going to invest in some now!

This entry is filed under My Magical Make-up Kit and tagged My Magical Make-up Kit - Tashfia. | 2 Comments

My Magical Make-up Kit! – Charlotte

By Lina on October 28, 2009

Another week, another excellent instalment of My Magical Make-up Kit! This week we have one of my best pals Charlotte showcasing us some of her top make-up essentials. Charlotte is a super cool gal who shares my love of pretty guitar/band boys and we often stalk them at gigs, blagging our way in (although Charlotte gets away with it more as her job is representing these bands) and then staring adoringly at them from afar. One of my fondest memories of her is rolling around in the hay with pretty boys we met at Download festival, my pretty boy turned out to be a disaster and hers turned out to be not very memorable – as in neither of us could remember much about him (this was probably due to buying £2 rounds; we had a nice, generous barman).

Anyway, make-up wise the thing I love about Charlotte is that she’s very thrifty! Always one to hunt the bargain she lets me on all her new found high street treasures – I do believe she was the one who introduced me to the now infamous Sleek Palettes waaaay before I started seeing them all over the net with rave reviews, so you should definitely be finding yourself some great good quality budget pieces here, perfect for the credit crunch..

Charlotte’s Magical Make-up Kit

“(1) Maybelline Pure Mineral Foundation & Kabuki Brush – Vanilla Rose

I started using mineral foundation about a year ago as I read it was better for us girls with enlarged pores. There are lots of mineral foundations on the market now but you’ve got to check the ingredients list carefully to make sure it’s talc free, as this one is, otherwise the talc clogs your pores even more. I like the way it feels like I don’t have anything on my skin as the liquid types can be a bit greasy to the touch.

(2) Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer

I cant say it makes a huge amount of difference, but then again most wonder products seem to have little effect on me, but I like to use it occasionally for special occasions as I think it helps the foundation last that bit longer. Best of all it smells heavenly, like Angel Delight. Yum.

(3) No 7 Naturally Nude Blush Stick

One of lovely Lina’s very kind donations to my kit. I’d always used powder blushes but have started getting into cream ones more at her recommendation. This one goes on especially nice, all creamy and a very natural shade of blush for everyday use.

(4) Maybelline Volum’ Express – Black, Waterproof

Mascaras with big fat brushes tend to win plus points for me. I stick to black and waterproof for most occasions. Particularly useful for gigs, festivals, and general emotionally fraught female life when tears could come at a moment’s notice. My crying face is unattractive enough without the addition of panda eyes.

(5) Body Shop Eyelash Curlers

These babies have lasted me over 17 years. I heat them up with a hairdryer first to get extra curl.

(6) MAC Ruby Woo lipstick

My one luxury and I took in a dress I wanted to match the lipstick specifically to. Good staying power and a nice bright red that always gets compliments from the boys and the girls.

(6) Maybelline Satin Collection – Empire Red lipstick

This is a little darker than the MAC and more moisturising so it’s slightly usurped the MAC. It doesn’t have the greatest staying power, which is where the next item comes in essential use.

(7) Lipcote

Best discovery ever. Seriously, no lipstick ever stays on my lips and I end up looking like a prize fool post drinking, eating, or just general movement. One coat of Lipcote over lipstick and you have to take a toothbrush to it come the end of night to scrape it all off. You need this in your life.

(8) Sleek Divine Mineral Based Eyeshadow Palette (The Original)

Spotted this whilst browsing in Superdrug a few months back. The variety of colours and excellent price tag appealed to my thrifty ways. Even better the colour stays put for hours, no creasing or flaking like most. Highly recommended.”

As predicted, some great tips from Charlotte. I can’t believe I never thought to heat eyelash curlers with a hair dryer before?! So simple yet so effective! Right, I’m off to buy some Lipcote.

This entry is filed under My Magical Make-up Kit and tagged My Magical Make-up Kit - Charlotte. | 4 Comments

My Magical Make-up Kit! – Hanna

By Lina on October 22, 2009

Yes, another instalment of the ‘My Magical Make-up Kit‘ series, and this week we have the gorgeous Hanna! I’ve known Hanna for quite a while and I remember in my early make-up days I did some hideous practice make-up on her involving lots of dots around her eye – naturally I blamed the eyeliner; if it was darker I’m sure the make-up would have a been a masterpiece! But yes, needless to say the pics didn’t quite make it to my portfolio.. Here’s what’s in her bag of tricks.

Hanna’s Magical Make-up Kit

“My entire makeup collection has lots of different brands in it but I put my favourite bits on here…

(1) MAC Fluidline Gel Eyeliner (Dipdown) – Because it doesn’t smudge or flake like every other eyeliner I’ve had.

(2) MAC Concealer(s) – I’ve got 4 different ones and I love them all – Studio Finish in the little pot and the crayon being my favourite of favourites. I can never find the right colour for my skin tone anywhere else…

(3) MAC Powder – Stays put all day (ed – I think it’s Select Sheer!).

(4) MAC Eyeshadow (Concrete) – The best colour I’ve found to do my eyebrows with.

(5) Rimmel Glam’Eyes Mascara – Goes on nicely and doesn’t give you spider eyes.

(6) [Primark] Blusher Stick – I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it but it’s from Primark. It’s really nice – blends well and has a subtle, natural finish that makes you look flushed rather than slapped.”

What a great make-up kit, I’m loving the inclusion of the Primark Blusher Stick as I would never have thought to try their make-up range out but now I’m definitely gonna bag m’self one! And how much am I loving the make-up bag – where’d you get it, Hanna?! Simply adorable.

This entry is filed under Mac, My Magical Make-up Kit, Primark. | 1 Comment

My Magical Make-up Kit! – Amie

By Lina on October 12, 2009

Some of you may remember reading I post I wrote a few weeks back about my magical old make-up bag. It was essentially just the products inside my old make-up bag, which started off a new feature series I’ve since been working on called ‘My Magical Make-up Kit’. This new feature will include, on a hopefully weekly basis, a new make-up bag from one of my most make-up forward gal pals allowing us to have a good ol’ nose to see what products they simply can’t live without. So to kick start it off, my dear friend Amie has submitted her magical make-up kit…

Amie’s Magical Make-up Kit!

(1) YSL touche éclat

(2) Body Shop Concealer – It is one for dark skin, a chunky pencil, but I use it for drawing my eyebrows in, it really defines them!

(3) L’oréal Blusher – Sent by your kind self, colour is rosewood, and I love it!

(4) 17 Soft Felt Pen Eyeliner – A MUST!

(5) Ancient red lippy – I’m not even sure what brand it is…maybe Lancome? I think it has been discontinued annoyingly because it is the most perfect red I’ve ever come across…tips for replacing it? (it is down to a stub!)

I know you asked for 5 only, but I wanted to also shout about Benefit Bad Gal Mascara which I LOVEEEEE but was at the bottom of my handbag and missed the photocall!!

So there you have it, Amie’s beloved make-up kit. You can also read more about the lovely Amie from her fashion blog ‘She wore WHAT?!‘, it will guaruntee to make you laugh till you wee yourself a little (and you can be damn sure to pick up a few styling tips along the way too)!

This entry is filed under My Magical Make-up Kit.

My OLD Magical Make-up Kit!

By Lina on September 26, 2009

Many, many moons ago I took some pics of my make-up bag with the intention to blog about its’ contents. Okay, so really it was only about a year back but I’m such a chop and changer with make-up this stuff seems practically prehistoric to me now! And obviously, this is only about half a percent of my kit, but I do remember squishing in a few choice products that I thought were newsworthy or pretty looking at the time.

I had actually forgotten about these pics, and this feature idea, until my friend Hannah tweeted on twitter about her magical make-up bag that transformed her into a bona fide hotty within 20 minutes! So OF COURSE I was dying to know what was in this bag of tricks.. she kindly let her secrets out, and I was reminded of how one of my favourite things ever was looking through friends’ make-up bags; I just LOVE it. So, as an on-going feature idea I’ve decided to start a “My Magical Make-up Kit” series, which will, at current, start with my most fashion and make-up forward friends showcasing us what delights are in their trusty magical make-up kits! Oh, the excitement!

To start with, I’m gonna do my old make-up bag, with major emphasis on the word ‘old’ – I’m not sure I even use any of these products anymore! Although, in fairness, that is largely due to getting bored rather than the products themselves so it’s definitely worth being checked out. In a few days I’ll feature my new, current kit, so don’t worry! Those treasures are all coming sooooon.

My Magical Make-up Kit

(1) Kanebo Cream Finish Foundation – I actually quite liked this foundation. It was very moisturising and provided a good, satin finish which sunk nicely into the skin so you weren’t left with that horrible ‘mask’ effect that sits on the surface which lots of other cream foundations can leave you with.

(2) Revlon Skinlight Illuminating Wand - Oh, how I LOVED this product, I was sent a bunch when I was make-up artist which saw me through for a while but sadly it got discontinued (why??) and I have used them all up now and have none left. Booo. It’s just a great high lighting pen, I preferred it so much more to the infamous Yves Saint Laurents Touche Eclat but I guess not enough people tried it out in the first place to realise this. The reason I liked it so much was that it was very moisturising; the shade that suited all skin tones (no1) had a gorgeous pearly finish to it that blended beautifully with a dewy base and really worked on making your complexion ‘pop’ with it’s subtle, beautifying spotlights contouring.

(3) Body Shop Concealer Crayon – An actually really decent concealer from The Body Shop, I even repeat bought this quite a few times but stopped as you needed a special sharpener (that you bought separately) which I for some reason kept losing, no matter how many times I re-purchased. The concealer itself is fairly creamy and covers a lot, although you will need to touch it up somewhat as its not immensely long lasting.

(4) Pop Jam in Beach Time – Just a pretty goldy light bronze cream gel that I used on the cheeks – it is an all over product but I found it does crease when used on the eye lids. A good product actually, very dewy and looked great on peaches and cream Caucasian skin that had caught a slight tan (obviously not talking about myself here, referring back to a model who looked fab when I put it on her). Although it did look nice on me too, but just a tad too pale to look bronze enough I thought.

(5) Juicy Tube POP in Popsicle - A really bright, pink gloss from the POP range. Great staying power and pigment which POPS, hence the ranges’ name, and I really should wear it more often.

(6) Pop Lip Jam - I can’t remember the shade of this lip gloss but it looked devine on with a good consistency of not being too sticky. However, if my memory recalls it didn’t last very long on.

(7) Revlon Skinlights in Golden Light – A pretty good illuminating product, nice to mix in with bases but I actually tend not to use it too often. Some of the darker shades have too much red in them, but the lighter ones are fab.

(8) Jelly Pong Pong Supermodel Stain in Slenderella – Check out the review HERE, a decent product, especially good for when you’re short of time and need a trusty product to swipe on the lips and cheeks. Phenomenal staying power and stays looking fresh for quite a while. It is a matte finish product, but interestingly doesn’t dry the lips/cheeks out either!

(9) Stila Smudge Pots - I guess this is pretty similar to gel eyeliners, however you can also use it to smudge smokey loveliness all over your lids. Quite a good product, but two major flaws; sets uber quick so you had to a have skilled, fast hand that can blend well, and also the product dehydrated within a couple of months to the point of not being usuable anymore. They wouldn’t let me take it back despite having spent a FORTUNE the week before which they had remembered. Not good.

(10) Christian Dior Show Girls Mascara – Outstanding mascara! Definitely in my top 5, if not 3. Gives you big, lush, long, gorgeous lashes just like er, erm, well, a showgirl! A bit pricey though for something you use up so quick though.

(11) Yves Saint Laurent L’Eyeliner Noir (liquid) - I’ve actually got this reviewed on HERE, but a quick summary is; great brush, nice inky colour and texture, but RUBBISH at staying on. Runs all over the place and doesn’t last a second on the waterline (although you’re not really meant to do that but I do).

So that’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed a rummage in my old make-up bag, current one will be posted soon!