THE BEST FROM MAKEUP REVOLUTION

Ah Makeup Revolution; A beauty blogger's new found friend. I can understand why though; Low rice and AMAZING quality (what's not to love?). Today I wanted to add my 2 pennies worth and talk you through my top picks and why I love them.






First up is the Iconic palettes. I love these as they are such good dupes for the Naked palettes from Urban Decay yet they are a fraction of the price.




On the same lines of the Iconic Palettes I also love the new Iconic Pro palettes which have 12 shades in which are super pigmented and really blendable. The have been compared to the Lorac Prom Palettes.




Even more eyeshadow next but they're all matte in the Flawless Matte palette. I have green eyes and finding the perfect eyeshadow palette for my eye colour has proven difficult but not anymore thanks to Makeup Revolution.




My next pick is actually their VIVID BAKED BRONZER IN GOLDEN DAYS, seeing as summer is just around the corner I find that this bronzer adds the most perfect amount of bronzing to my face. I have a lot of problem with bronzers as I am quite pale but Makeup Revolution have definitely hit the nail on the head







What are your top picks from Makeup Revolution?

Concealer 101

My Brushes 101 seemed to go down really well so I was thinking of making this into a little series on Charlotte's Corner. Today I wanted to discuss Concealers and what the different ones do.

Creamier consistency concealers such as the Rimmel Lasting Finish one is great for covering any spots/ blemishes/ pigmentation. This consistency is not good for under the eyes as it is quite heavy and can cause creasing.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer is one of my favorites for under the eyes as it is fairly light and has good pigmentation.

Highlighting pens such as the Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi are really good when cream contouring or for highlighting under the eye's.

Last but not least is long lasting concealer. Budget friendly versions include the cult classic Collection Lasting Perfection which is super creamy and high coverage, then you have the MAC prolongwear concealer that is pricier but does a great job at everything- undereye concealing and highlighting, priming the eyelids for shadow, covering redness. JUST FAB!

My Foundation Routine

So I love wearing makeup and one thing that I love applying strangely is foundation. I wanted to share my foundation routine with you because some people might be interested or looking for a new foundation or maybe looking for a way to apply their foundation.

So as you can see I own a fair few foundations and they're just my mostly worn ones! They all have different qualities and uses so therefore I chose different ones depending on what look I'm going for so let me talk you through each one and why I love them;

• Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Nude with SPF 20 is a great everyday medium coverage base. I prefer to apply this with a brush as I find that way I get the nicest texture and finish which is very much satin as it feels smooth on the face, I would say that this foundation is more on the dewy side. It definitely does not last for 25hr so therefore I always try to get the most wear out of it by setting it with a powder and using a primer.
• M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid is a great maximum coverage foundation and I love applying this with a damp beauty blender as this is the way that I get maximum coverage. This foundation does have SPF in it but for me it doesn't create flash back so it's great for special occasions.
• Rimmel Match Perfection is a great low to medium coverage dewy foundation. I like wearing this when I'm just running errands or if I want to look highlighted. I have dry skin and sometimes it can look really dehydrated so this foundation really adds some extra glow!
• L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Matte foundations is a great long lasting bullet proof low end version of Estee Lauder Double Wear. I love wearing this when I have a lot to do or when I'm going to work as work can sometimes get really hot and like I said this foundation is BULLET PROOF.
• Next is L'Oreal True Match and I love this at is super dewy and adds a really nice glow to the skin, It's water based so does feel like it adds extra hydration back into my skin. I prefer wearing this when my skin looks super dry as to not look like a grease ball!

What are your go to foundations and how do you apply them?

M.A.C Lipstick Collection

 PATISSERIE 

 VELVET TEDDY

 FLAT OUT FABULOUS 

 CREME D'NUDE

 CYBER

RUBY WOO

What I look for in a blog

So, I know that my blog isn't crazy awesome of anything but I thought I would write this post to help aspiring bloggers like myself to give you all an insight into a reader's perspective.

So the first thing I like is that its easy to control. I don't want things to be popping up in my face and distracting me from the content, I'll just click off the blog.

NEVER EVER, EVER have music on your blog, if I'm at work or College and your favorite song starts blasting out you can bet your mascara collection that I will not be returning. Also your music taste probably isn't the same as mine.

I personally prefer Black text on a white background especially if there is a lot of text!

That leads me on to my next point, I don't want to be sitting there for hour reading about how great the pigmentation in your favorite blush is. Just get to the point!!!

My 3 Favorite Blogs:

http://littlefickleblog.blogspot.co.uk/

http://shonaelizabeth.blogspot.com/

http://autumnleavesblog.co/

I hope you liked this post, please let me know if you found it useful and if you would like me to do more posts in this category

My Holiday Skin Care

This year I'm going aboard. Woo Hoo!!! So therefore that means that my Skincare will temporarily Have to change because of the hotter climates.

Here is what I'll be packing in my skincare bag;

 Bioderma Micellar Water in Sensibio H2O in 100ml travel sized bottle which was incredibly hard to get hold of seeing as I live in the U.K 

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage which will be going in my carry on bag as the air conditioning and altitude make my eyes really puffy
 Garnier Micellar Water in the morning 

Simple Kind to Skin Light Moisturiser 

Superdrug BB eye Cream

 Origins Super Spot Remover just in case!

REN ClearCalm 3 Anti-Blemish Clay Cleanser decanted into a pot (and is all I now have left!)

Haircare Routine

In recent times, my hair has not been in the best of conditions. From copious amounts of box dyes ranging from Ginger to Black then having it striped and bleached blonde, to ombre, it's fair to say that my have has been through a battlefield full of harsh chemicals. That's probably why it's a good idea to devise an amazing haircare routine that will hopefully restore your hair to a natural or better condition. Just a little note before we start is that these products work for me and my hair type, style, colour and condition. This post will not tell you what will work for your hair, as I don't know the type, style, colour and condition your hair is in. However I do hope that you can get some tips if your hair is like mine which is dry, short, damaged and wavy.

My hair care essentials are definitely a good shampoo and conditioner. I must admit I have tried many of Shampoo and Conditioners are I believe I have got the best Shampoo and Conditioner strategy going. I use the Tresemme Silky Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner all over my scalp. This helps restore moisture back to my hair and reduce breakage. Next I go in with the Pro-Voke purple Shampoo at the ends of my hair to maintain the blonde ombre.




About once a week I use a mask on my hair and the one I like to use is L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Pro-Keratin Refill Hair Masque– an intensely nourishing hair treatment designed to specifically treat your weak, damaged hair. This masque is deeply nourishing and conditioning, and will leave your locks so luscious and soft – lovely!

My Daily Number

SHOWER TIME
1. Shower Gel - Soap & Glory Clean on Me
2. Moisturiser - Victoria Secret Pure seduction
3. Shampoo - Tresemme Silky Smooth
4. Conditioner - Tresemme Silky Smooth


DIRTY FACES
5. Cleanser - L'Oreal Perfecting Milk
6. Exfoliator - Homemade recipe
7. Serum - Avene Hydrating Serum
8. Moisturiser - Simple Hydrating
9. Eye Gel - Superdrug BB eye cream


HAIR MATTERS
10. Oil - Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Oil
11. Styling - Charles Worthington Texturising Spray


MAKEUP OF THE DAY
12. Primer - L'Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer
13. Foundation - L'Oreal True Match Lumi
14. Face Concealer - MAC Prolongwear
15. Eye Concealer - Rimmel Wake Me Up
16. Brows - MUA Ever After -Penny
17. Brows - MUA Clear Mascara
18. Eyeliner - Collection Super Felt Liner
19. Mascara (top lashes) - Benefit They're Real
20. Mascara (bottom lashes) - YSL Baby Doll
21. Face Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte
22. Bronzer - Bourjois Poudre Duo
23. Highlighter - Bourjois Poudre Duo
24. Blusher - MAC Peaches and Cream
25. Lips - MAC Creme D'Nude


BODY BEAUTIFUL
26. Deodorant - Dove Roll On
27. Perfume - Marc Jacobs Polka
28. Hand Cream - Soap & Glory Hand Food


TAKE IT OFF
29. Micellar Water - Garnier Micellar Water
30. Cleanser - L'Oreal Perfecting Milk
31. Serum - The Body Shop Serum in Oil
32. Face Wash- Neutrogena Visibly clear
33. Toner- L'Oreal Velvet Toner

The Spring Edit // Budget Friendly

NAILS: Rimmel London Rita Ora polish in Wild-er-ness

LIPSTICK OF CHOICE: MUA Peachy Keen

OUTFIT STAPLE: H&M Maxi Dress

Ultimate Beauty Wishlist- Highend Edition

MAC Lightboost Pen

MAC Lipsticks; Russian Red,  Hue,  Heroin,  Please Me,  Yash,  Honey Love,  Mehr,  Media

MAC Warm Neutrals Palette 

NARS Lagona

NARS ITA Brush

NARS Creamy Concealer

NARS Sheer Glow

NARS Multiple Stick

Estee Lauder Double Wear Eyeshadow Base

Laura Mercier Loose Powder

Urban Decay Primer Potion 

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Dior Nude Air foundation 

Urban Decay Naked Concealer 

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon 

So basically the whole of Selfridges.

If you have any of these products please let me know your opinions on them.

Brushes 101

I'm a strong believer in that, you need perfect tools to create a perfect job. I also believe that the brushes you use can really make or break a makeup look. You wouldn't expect a professional painter to come and decorate your house and not be equipped with the correct tools. In this blog post today I am going to be talking all about brushes, from the right ones for you to use to my favorite budget and high end picks.

SOURCE

Lets start this off with the bare essentials, which ones you need for the different areas.

The first one I want to talk about is a foundation brush. Theses brushes can come in so many different shapes and sizes so it basically comes down to personal preference. I recommend trialling some different ones out first. Your choices are as follows; A traditional foundation brush is a flat brush and will give you more coverage. A buffing style brush will help you blend the product in, this will give you medium to full coverage and will make your makeup look flawless. Your next choice is a sponge, I personally prefer a sponge as it can work with any product as creams, powders, liquids etc. The sponge can give you a coverage, anywhere between sheer to maximum.

Next is a blush brush which is generally round and have super soft bristles so that it doesn't disturb the makeup thats already been applied. It also needs to be big enough to cover the apples of your cheeks. Real techniques Multitasking Brush is an excellent blusher brush.

Having a separate bronzer brush is important as you don't mix the colours even though they are almost identical.

If you are anything like me then you probably prefer filling in your brows with a powder, I like to do this with an angled eyeliner brush and the MAC 266 is excellent as it's quite dense so I can have complete control opposed to a fluffy one which would get the product everywhere.

For eyeshadows I like to use a fluffy brush so that I can avoid harsh lines however a fluffy brush doesn't always pack as much colour as I like, therefor I opt for a flat packing brush which is denser so it doesn't absorb the product.

Now that we have covered the basic brushes we now need to know how to clean them. This is the best way that I have found to cleaning my brushes. First I start by mixing olive oil and antibacterial liquid soap in a bowl, about a 50p sized amount of each cleans 10 brushes, and then I wet my brush in lukewarm water and the dip it in the mixture and swirl in the palm of my until the water runs clean. The oil really helps break the makeup down and the liquid soap helps really sanitise the brushes. I make sure my brushes are regularly cleaned as to avoid breakouts and allergic reactions.

My favorite budget brushes without doubt have to be the Real Techniques Brushes by Sam and Nic from Pixiwoo. I must say I am quite in love with Nics Picks. From the Higher End of the brush spectrum I do love the brushes from Bobbi Brown and MAC.

Updated Skincare Routine

As with most things in beauty, things change.You may remember my post a while back about my skincare routine, things have changed so much since then. In this post I'll be talking you through my new and improved skin care and what I do of a morning and how that differs to what I do of a night time.

 Lets kick this off in chronological order, in the morning. From the moment I wake up I head straight to the bathroom and start my skincare routine. One thing that hasn't changed since my last post is the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit face wash. I like this face wash as its hydrating and really helps battle acne and blackheads.The way in which I use the face wash has changed though. I start off by patting my face with COLD water.The cold water will help get the blood circulating and after a night asleep my skin can often feel lethargic and look fatigued so therefore I need to get blood to my face to liven it up. After applying the cold water I then go in with the face wash working it into a creamy lather all over my face.Once there is a lather I then tip tap at my face which will aid the blood circulation. When I feel like the face wash has done its job I will then rinse it off with a damp muslin cloths. I prefer muslin cloths as they are softer and more gentle on the delicate areas around the face rather than a rough coarse flannel.


 Once I have finished washing my face I then like to pat my face dry, I'm always careful to pat instead of rub as this will help avoid wrinkles in later life. Once my face is dry, I go straight in with my moisturiser. I don't cleanse or tone of a morning as I have already do that of a night time. The moisturiser that I use is one of two. The first one I like is the Simple kind to skin hydrating moisturiser. This helps with my dryness and because its not got any harsh chemicals in it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. The second one is Nivea rich moisture day cream. This one is definitely load thicker than the Simple one however if my skin is feeling dryer than usual I will choose the Nivea one Of a night time there is more products involved. First things first I start off by removing my makeup.


I know most people despise facial wipes but I cannot hide the fact that they are they most effective way to initially remove makeup, I generally just use a generic brand such as the superdrug ones and always ones for dry/ sensitive skin. After the initial makeup removing has taken place, I go back in with the same face wash as the morning. After washing my face for the first time, I go in with a homemade face exfoliator. The recipe consist of Honey and Castor Sugar. I dig it out of the pot and start massage it into my face. I don't always exfoliate as it can be very agitating for my skin.


 After exfoliating I go and wash my face again as I feel like after a long day I need that extra clean. Once I feel clean I then go in with the L'Oreal Cleansing milk and this is great as a cleanser for sensitive skin as it hydrates and soothes so your skin never feels agitated. I use regular cotton pads from boots as I find these to be the softest. Once I have cleansed I use the L'Oreal Velvet Toner and I feel like this does a solid job at removing any impurities.

 Once I've toned I go in with my Simple Moisturiser and then go in with an eye cream. My most recent favorite eye cream has been the Superdrug BB 5-in-1 eye cream.

April Favorites 2015

Hello! Long time no blogging, I'm so sorry for my absence recently but unfortunately things have just been a bit hectic recently but now I'm back. FOR GOOD!

April has been such a good month for me in the beauty department because I've finally managed to experiment with different products as the weather has gotten warmer.

My first favorite this month has been the L'Oreal Infallible 24 hour Matte Foundation. My skin is very dry however I find that in the warmer months my skin prefers matter foundations. I was a bit skeptical about this product at first seeing as the corresponding primer really broke me out, but after picking it out in Superdrug as part of a three for two promotion it became a standout product this month.
                         

Makeup Revolution have really knocked the ball out the park for me this month. Most importantly the eye shadow pallets, of course everyone knows of the iconic pallets (you know the Urban Decay Naked Dupes?) but a recent launch of theirs has made their way into my favorites this month. Its of course the Iconic PRO 1&2 pallets. The pigmentation of both the matte and the simmer eye shadows plus how well they blend is truly comparable to M.A.C eye shadows.
                        



At the start of the month I went into Boots and somehow managed to pick up the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in the shade " Don't Pink of it". Whilst being more matte then velvet this liquid lipstick has most certainly been MY shade this month!