WHAT’S UP IN BEAUTY: MY SUMMER FAVES

**********This post contains gifted and non-gifted items. Gifted mentions may also be present. All links used are affiliate.********** 

Beauty favourites: summer 2020

Beauty favourites. It’s been a while. Remember the good old days of monthly favourites? I don’t want to commit to that, but there’s been a few bits I’ve been using EVERY SINGLE DAY lately and that must count for something. Welcome to (not) monthly favourites reimagined.

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPARKLE: GLITTER MADE EASY

The BEFORE picture

Simple sparkly New Year's Eve tutorial for hooded eyes

I can almost hear you all shouting at this title. Putting together glitter and easy in one sentence almost never ends well. Thankfully with the little product, I’m about to introduce - it’s easy and wow and it takes less than a minute to apply. It almost feels like Glitter Gods are finally listening to feedback! Without further ado let’s get ready together this New Year’s Eve! 

FREEDOM WEEK #3 - FREEDOM MAKEUP LONDON PRO 12 AUDACIOUS MATTES PALETTE

Good morning :) Happy weekend to you all.  Part 3 of the week long extravaganza that is my week with Freedom is here. Make yourself a cup of tea/coffee, we may be here for a while :)

Today I'd like to speak to you about my favourite little palette from Freedom London. Nars lookalike, Pro 12 Audacious Mattes Palette. As you all must know by now, I collect matte eyeshadow palettes. Not only do I think that matte eye makeup is MY THANG, but also because it just looks better on me. I'm not so proud owner of sad eyes and matte eyeshadows look 100 times better on :)

Packaging: 

12 shadows enclosed in rather cheap plastic with clear lid. Will this survive travelling with? For the first few month maybe but I would suggest depotting to a Z-palette or other. Eyeshadows are placed and branded with a famous way Nars eyeshadows are "formed".

Formula:

Quite incredible feel when first swatched. Formula is almost creamy in touch, shades are pigmented, although some better than others. The top row shades are very similar with a slight different undertones to them. They go on well on a lid, blend beautifully with a little fallout experienced only from the last dark grey shade. All shades swatch great, second row being full of transition shades. Some shades may dissapear a little when blended but altogether this palette is now my go to for transition, in crease shades, because of the ease of blending and creamy formula. Amazing !!

Colour range:

Pro 12 Audacious Mattes Palette is a definition of matte neutral palette with all the shades similar, borderline neutral with a little warmth and cool tones mixed in to create a perfect daytime palette or a transition shades palette.

Top row - matte highlight shades from light neutral, through cool and warmish light beige. Great as a setting powder for eyeshadow primer and to open up an eye in the inner corner :) 1st and 3rd shade are almost identical and I honestly see only a microscopic different in an undertone.

Middle row - light to medium beige/brown and taupe. 1st & last shade little warmer and 2nd and 3rd light to medium taupe. Great to use as a transit colours, in the crease of above it to open up a look a little. They all blend and swatch great, nice pigmentation. I haven't experienced any fallout.

Bottom row - in general you will find here shades that can be used to deepen the crease, all over the lid for a matte smoked effect or in outer corner to add dimension. I experienced a little fallout with 4th shade. Again pigmentation and blending is excellent. Can't fault them. I really like the last shade as we don't always need a black.

I am giving this palette a great score of 4* out of five for being a perfect transition colours compilation. All the shades blend amazing, have a good to great pigmentation and it's a perfect add on to any collection. It's so important to own at least one all matte, neutral palette to be able to create a range of daytime to evening looks. These days palettes are lacking transition shades sometimes and with a great quality at an amazing price, look no further than Freedom Makeup London Pro 12 Audacious Mattes Palette :) 

Let me know what your thoughts are at this little gem :) And if you're looking to add this on to your collection, click here to buy for £4.00 only. Freedom is now widely available in larger Superdrug stores, have you checked it the counter came to yours yet? Let me and others know in the comments below :) Both website and Superdrug now offer 3 for 2 across all makeup, so if there ever was a time to shop - it is now :)

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Dorota x

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Strobing is a thing - battle for the glow.

Forget contouring - strobing is a new thing. I have to say when I first heard the name I thought I must have stumbled upon a kinky website. Little did I know that my daily makeup routine has now a new name and it’s so IN!! Strobing is highlighting but highlighting as you've never done before. It’s a glow on crack :) Rules. There are none. Do you need to buy new products? As long as you already own a liquid/cream highlight, dewy foundation, glow setting powder and powder highlight - you are set to become a strobing Queen or a King - Manny MUA takes strobing to another lever (I want Manny to be my GBFF). 

Let’s talk how to. 

1. Firstly start with liquid highlight. After you prep your base apply the highlighter to the highest points of your face: cheekbones, chin, bridge of nose, cupid bow, over the brow bone etc. Or go for a full glow and apply it to your whole face. I do ! 
2. Apply your dewy foundation. I recommend Rimmel’s Wake Me Up or NARS Sheer Glow whatever your budget. Use a sponge or a Stipling Brush and only press the pigment to your face as you don’t want it to move the highlight underneath. Don’t own any dewy foundations? Don't worry, just add one drop of oil : sweet almond, coconut, avocado, marula, jojoba, whatever you have next to you. So one drop to your foundation will not affect it’s coverage but it will make it dewy. After application ensure you take excess oil out by gently pressing with a tissue.
3. Set your foundation with a dewy powder. I recommend Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette if you’re on a budget or Hourglass Ambient Light if you’re not :) it will set your makeup well but won’t give you a matte finish. Press the powder into the skin. Use diferrent shades around the face to give it that strobing contour look.
4. Powder highlight time. Use something like Freedom Pro highlighter or Mary-Lou Manizer to highlight highest point of your face as you did in step 1. 
5. Look in the mirror. You have turned in to a strobing queen. Any celeb would be worthy of that glow. Someone get me onto a red carpet now !!!

Does it take a lot of product - sure. Do you actually apply a lot of product - not at all. You swap certain items for their dewy counterparts. Don’t be afraid of strobing and if it turns out not so great? Take it off. It’s just makeup :) I, myself have a certain love for highlighters. I adore dewy skin look so I always try to apply at least two of the above rules to my daily routine. And my skin never looked better.

Products I own and love and are perfect for strobing:

Makeup Revolution Highlighter Palette in Radiance Light - I use these powders as a setting powder to create a slight contour look to the face but only by using different shades of highlight. I only ever once tried the Hourglass but as dupes go MUR did an excellent job. Get it here for £8 

MUR Radiance Palette Swatches from bottom: Breath, Exhale, Glow

From Left: Breathe, Exhale, Glow

Jelly Pong Pong All Over Glow is an oil-free, lightweight aluminising gel. Perfect for any skin type. I apply it under foundation over the primer and even mix a little with the foundation for added dewiness. It gives a subtle glow. Available here for £10.

From bottom: Jelly Pong Pong, Kryolan for Glossybox swatches

Kryolan for Glossybox Highlighter in Cashmere is a lovely cream product in a champagne like shade. It’s a creamy version of Mary Lou (just a little more subtle). Use it under of above your foundation for a cheeky glow without glitter. Lovely :) Unfortunately this isn't available but check out Kryolan for more awesome products here.

Mary-Lou Manizer is a cult product for a reason. The glow you can get from this little product is beyond anything I’ve seen. Light highlight, sure, just make sure you use a very light hand as this product can be built up. Ever wonder if you’re visible from outer space? Wearing Mary you can be :) Get it here for £17.49.

Freedom Makeup London Pro Highlighter in Brighten gives a really good shine. This is the cheapest of the bunch and at £3 you get an amazing highlight to rival it’s more expensive competition. If you’re new to strobing start with something like this. It’s pigmentation is really good yet there’s a less chance you end up rivalling xmas lights as it can be a case with heavy hands and Mary-Lou :) Get it here.

From left swatches of Mary-Lou Manizer, Blushing Hearts, Freedom Makeup Pro Highlighter

Lastly I’d like to include a blush. Makeup Revolution Blushing Hearts in Peachy Pink Kisses is an incredible highlight. Mix all shades together for an awesome glow to your cheeks as a blusher. Or use separate shades to highlight parts of your face. This is a multitasker and the results are super pretty. At £5 it won’t break the bank either. Buy it here.

Have you tried strobing yet? Or, as myself, you have been using it forever just calling it what it is - extreme highlighting? :) I would love to know your thoughts on the subject. Have you used any of the products I mention? Do you know anything I ought to try yet? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading and see you next time.
Love,

Dorota x

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