Dior Make-Up Brushes

Hello lovelies!

I've never been one to spend a lot of money on make-up brushes until I watch a YouTube make-up tutorial. Pixiwoo  make-up tutorials persuaded me to take the plunge and invest in some expensive but essential brushes. And luckily I managed to get this Dior brush set in the Debenhams Christmas sale. 

Make-up tools are just as important as the make-up itself, it needs to be applied properly, so I thought I'd buy this mini Dior set with the most essential brushes I need for everyday use. I don't actually wear a great deal of make-up, so it seemed silly me buying a set with loads of brushes in that I'll never use. 

As soon as my brushes were delivered I ripped them open and first impressions were good. I love the black patent case, it's only small so it snuggles perfectly in my make-up bag along with everything else. The Dior set has four compact size brushes -a blush, powder foundation, eye shadow and lipstick brush.

Dior Blush Brush

This is so soft on my skin! My skin is SO sensitive and gets irritated easily, I've found these brushes super soft on my skin and it distributes my blusher evenly and gives me a natural finish.

Dior Powder Foundation Brush

I used to apply liquid foundation with my fingertips and although this brush is for powder foundation I have been using it with my MAC liquid foundation. Again it is very soft and evenly distributes my foundation lightly and gives you a natural soft finish to your face.

Dior Eye Shadow Brush 

The bristles are very flexible allowing you to experiment with your eye shadow, the brush is pretty thick so I do have to use another eye shadow brush to define my eyes.

Dior Lipstick Brush 

 This brush is precision cut, it's perfect to give you a defined lip shape and colour. 

I am totally impressed with these brushes, I love the metal cover which makes them feel like good quality. They're just what you need for everyday make-up application. I'm a strong believer in 'you get what you pay for' and after originally using No 7 brushes, I have completely converted to investing in make-up tools that are more expensive and more practical! They give you a flawless cover, they are super soft and the bristles don't fall out - 5* recommendation from me!

Jess 

xxx

Product rave - Lancome Hypnose mascara

In my opinion this mascara is 5*. My new favourite addition to my ever growing make-up bag.

I have been hunting around for a decent mascara for some time. I always think that eye make-up deserves a little bit more money spent on it, so I usually went for Dior or MAC. I was given a Lancome gift set and I have only just got around to test a few of the items – this one being my favourite.

The benefits:

• No clumps YIPPEE!

• Long lasting – when it comes to the end of the day I don’t have any smudges.

• Wide-eye effect. I have huge eyes as it is, but this mascara gives me a more dramatic and voluptuous look.

• Smooth application.

• Easy to remove, I’m not aware that Hypnose is waterproof. But still, it comes off easily. 

 

My lashes don’t exactly look like the ones off the ad (because mine are real, meow!) but they do look pretty damn good if I do say so myself :)

The Beauty Box

Over the past year the trend of the beauty box has grown enormously, beauty product lovers across the country have joined in the growing development of new and exciting products that get sent directly to your door every month, how exciting!

After not a lot of persuading (me being a HUGE beauty addict myself) I signed up to Glossy Box. I subscribed online, the price is reasonable at only £10 + £2.95 p+p per month. Each month I will receive a box full of new sample, travel and full size beauty products to ‘try before you buy’. During your registration, you have to answer a series of questions regarding your skin and hair type and the kind of products that you usually buy, this is because Glossy Box will try and send you out products that are suitable for you, bonus!

 First impressions: When my box arrived I was extremely impressed, it comes very well presented with ribbon and tissue wrapping paper – the perfect little gift to surprise you each month. With the presentation being at such a high standard, it would be suitable to give as a gift to friends or relatives.

Advantages: The products that get sent out for you to try are tailored to suit you, and you can give a review back to Glossy Box on the products to receive Glossydots (points that you can accumulate to get a free box – think of it as a Boots advantage card). There are many popular brands such as Dermalogica, Paul Mitchell etc, whilst introducing you to new up and coming brands. The box also comes with a guide about the products, the price, offers and where to purchase if you wish to do so.

Disadvantages: You may receive the odd product that doesn’t appeal to you, save them and give them to your friends as a gift.

July Glossy Box

I received: 

Collin Resultime – Regenerating Collagen Gel

Paul Mitchell – Texturising Sea Salt Spray

Monu – Extra rich night cream

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics – Lip Frosting

Kryolan – Satin Powder (SP333)

Elizabeth Arden – Visable Difference Skin Balancing samples.

Make-up by Laura Dawson

I'm a lucky girl, one of my best friends is a make-up artist (which is extremely handy) and she has done my make-up today using Benefit products.

The products that she has used includes:

Face:
- The POREfessional balm which minimises the appearance of pores
- Play sticks
- Hello flawless oxygen wow!

Cheeks:
- "Sugar rush flush" face powder
- Bronzing and highlighting face powder duo

Eyes:
- "They're real" mascara
- "Big beautiful eyes" contour kit 100% recommended***

Eyebrows:
- Brow zings

Lips:
- Bella Bamba ultra plush sheer bright watermelon lip gloss

Apologies for the poor quality of the photograph, they were taken on my phone.

Laura specialises in bridal and special occasion make-up including proms, graduations and nights out. She is also a mobile spray tanner using LA Tanning solution in the Chesterfield, Derby and Sheffield area, if you would like to contact her about any enquiries you have please call Laura on 07714582812.

Jewellery and make-up storage

Hello!

I have a mild form of OCD when it comes to organisation, I’m not the tidiest of people but when it comes to my prise possessions, (make-up and jewellery) I have to have everything in order and neatly presented.  

I have tried many storage devices that work, but aren’t exactly pretty, they’ve mainly been ugly boxes or a jewellery holder in the shape of a human body, I found this big and bulky and my jewellery never actually stayed on the holder. 

I stumbled across this heart shaped glass dish from a small boutique in Chesterfield called Moo Moo. It mainly sells lots of vintage home ware and modern silver jewellery. I initially bought it because I’ve never seen a design like it, then I thought it would make a contemporary lipstick and lip gloss holder! I can’t remember how much it cost because they sell it in about five different sizes; it was around the £20 something price range.

I bought this vintage looking jewellery hook from Next for only £12, I think it looks stunning against a plain background and adds that extra glamour and decoration to the room. I can display my favourite necklaces and bracelets for everyone to see!

Love Jess x