CHARLOTTE TILBURY HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER REVIEW + GIVEAWAY *now closed*

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

When it comes to luxury beauty one can list few brands which make such hyped up releases like Charlotte Tilbury. The MUA to the stars believes in creating unique beauty multi-taskers aiming to make you look and feel like a superstar. From ridiculously beautiful packaging through formulas that somehow work so well on most skin types and tones, she has built a company that continues to amaze in its luxurious simplicity. Today, I’d like to talk you through my most recent discovery, already infamous Hollywood Flawless Filter. There’s even a little giveaway at the end of this post that I think you’re going to LOVE! 

ALL EYES ON BECCA: BRAND FOCUS ON RADIANT SKIN

Becca brand focus

My love for Becca highlighters has been well documented across all my channels. Cult Beauty’s doing a little 20% off purchase across the brand so I thought, it’s a great time to introduce you to my radiant Becca collection. If you fancy a gorgeous dewy complexion tonight, check out my picks to give you the most incredible base at a click of ‘buy now’ button!

NEW & NOTEWORTHY BEAUTY

New & noteworthy beauty

Light play

New & Noteworthy is back and I’m super excited to share with you some of my current faves. Some I’ve used for a while but haven’t fully featured yet (bad blogger!) like the hairbrush that changed my life and the condition of my hair! Or an exfoliant I take with me on every work/leisure trip that works miracles. Without any further blabbering, let us all dig in, shall we? 

GLOW ON THE GO: BECCA SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR IN OPAL

Happy Sunday everyone :) Weather is treating us worse for wear this weekend but I love to give myself a little something to keep me going and what's better to brighten up your day than a bit of strong strobing game going on :) 

From left: Pressed Opal, Spotlights Opal (natural light, no flash)

I recently made a little order from Cult Beauty (check them out here) and what grabbed my attention is a little holiday mini set from BECCA :) Glow on the go is a duo of cream and pressed highlighters. I chose mine in Opal :) Opal is one of the most coveted highlighters from BECCA and as I heard so much goodness about it, I just couldn't say no.

Set came packaged in a small box, which I had a problem opening (yes, me and boxes do not play together too well lol). Inside you will find  mini Spotlight (cream) and Pressed highlighters. I really enjoy mini versions of makeup products, as I rarely use up all the standard size and they go out of date :). Set costs £20 so you save yourself a £10 from a full size pressed Opal and you get to try both cream and powder version. It's a win for me :)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights Opal is a gorgeous golden champagne highlight. Cream is intense and super easy to blend leaving you with glowing complexion. I love cream highlighters as I either add them to my base primer or underneath my foundation to the high points of the face. I tried it on top of foundation as well and it looks beautiful. I rarely powder down my face these days as I like the wet skin look so I opt for cream products more and this one is a hit for me. It reminds me a little of Benefit High Beam in formula, not the colour. Applicator is a standard something you will find in most of concealers so easy to use. I recommend blending out with fingers by gently tapping over your foundation, or with a brush if you use it underneath. You get 5g of the product in the set.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Opal is a cute little powder highlight. It goes on slightly darker than cream version, just by a tone though. It has the most gorgeous golden sheen to it and it blends beautifully on the skin. I set the cream highlight with it for the extra wow strobing effect. Use it to highlight your inner corners as well. Absolutely stunning formula glides on easily to a highly polished look. Packaging is so compact, which makes it a perfect travelling companion. You get 2.4g of the product.

To sum up, I can't fault this duo. I find the packaging to be of a good quality and expensive looking. They are a perfect addition to your makeup bag. Off to work/school or for a weekend away? Finally a mini product that takes less space. I can't leave a house without my highlight. I find it makes me look radiant and healthy. Colour itself changes slightly depending on the lighting and gives you the luminosity, that's hard to beat. I am forever in love with The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer but this one just stolen my heart as well. I think I need to try the Jaclyn Hill shade now so I'm off to hunt the internet world for it as it's not available in UK :(. The set gets 5* from me !! 

What do you think ladies? Are you as obsessed with highlighters as I am? Has this mini duo stolen your hearts as well? You can buy it from Cult Beauty here :) Let me know your thoughts and I will see you here on Tuesday :) 

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Dorota x

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New in: Sleek Solstice takes strobing to a new level

Hello my beauties :) It's the weekend again. Who's here planning to catch up on their beauty sleep? Tell me it's not just me? I have a girls night in today so although we're not going out it'll probably be a long one :) I'm excited so I plan on napping throughout the day to save energy for later. I was thinking long and hard on what look to go for tonight. Girls night are best to showcase your skill so I decided I'm going to be a little lazy yet fabulous and I'll just strobe the hell out of my face !!! That's right :) Strobing has been on everyone's lips for few month now. As you probably already know I love me some highlighter and I adore glowing skin so it's just my thang ;)

From left: Ecliptic, Hemisphere, Subsolar, Equinox (daylight, no flash)

When a new highlighting palette arrived at my doorstep few weeks ago I rejoiced. I am a total bore when it comes to highlight, I always end up wearing Mary-Lou Manizer. I just bloody love it !! Yet when I saw the sleek (get it??? lol) gold packaging, I behaved like any self respecting beauty addict with my eyes wide and lips forming to whisper YOU'RE MY PRECIOUS :) Sleek Highlighting Palette in Solstice is a stunner. As with any Sleek palettes inside you'll find a mirror and a brush. Ok - that brush, just throw it out. It's rubbish, bristles are so hard and scratchy and it will not blend the highlighter on your skin. Just throw it out, don't forget to think of me, as I just saved you some trouble :)

Back to the palette itself. 4 large pans with all the highlighter goodness you'll ever need. Different tones will work better for different people but in my opinion all can be used to create an amazing PRO STROBE LOOK :). I also love the names as each shade is somewhat representing the general theme of the palette. Stunning :)

Ecliptic is a top left shade in the palette. It's the only cream highlight you'll ever need. Trust me :) It's an amazing champagne highlight that blend to perfection. No nasty glitter just a full on glow.

Hemisphere is the top right shade. It's baked lilac/silver highlight. It's the one that's most visible on the skin. It will give you the wow effect you need. Just be gentle as a light hand is needed with this one :)

Subsolar is the left bottom shade, it looks a little yellow in the pot but it blends out to a lovely beige highlight. It's powder but when swatched it feels almost creamy. Such a lovely daily shade. This one isn't as out there as Hemisphere.

Equinox is the right bottom shade in the palette. It's another baked highlight but this time the tone is warmer. It's a gorgeous peach and my favourite of them all. Don't get me wrong I love them all for different things but I like some warmth to my highlighter.

What do you think? I'm in love with this little palette and have been using it non stop. I am probably visible from outer space as the shades are a pleasure to work with as well as being total stunners. 

If strobing is your thang, don't miss this one out. Available now Sleek website for £10.00.

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Dorota x

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New in: Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette review

Hello my beauties :) How's your week been so far? I'm recovering from the second offset of the most ridiculous cold. I lost my voice for few days but I'm finally on the mend. Autumn is really upon us, world outside looking all grey and depressing. So I come to you with a bit of sunshine, better yet it's healthy and won't break the bank.

I picked up this little trio recently browsing online on Superdrug site. I thought to myself, I really want to try one of Tanya Burr's new products. I didn't want any eyeshadow or the nail polish and I don't wear lipgloss or fake lashes, so I was most interested in her "contour palette". Why quotes you ask? It's a lovely cheek palette, contour it is not. 

Packaging: I have to admit, I love it. There's an obvious hint at ABH or Zoeva, as this is made of a strengthened cardboard. I love rose gold and this looks super adorable. Great addition to any collection. It's also quite light so makes a good travelling companion, weight wise anyway. What I'm not so sure about is the actual size as you could certainly make it thinner and smaller, like Sleek trio perhaps? Inside you'll find a mirror, which is always a plus. The palette is super cute and aims perfectly at the type of market Tanya attracts. Inside you will find a bronzer, a blush and a highlighter surrounded by beautiful rose gold and pink accents :)

Formula: I've known better formulas. Nevertheless products are creamy to touch, only a little chalky when swatched. They aren't super pigmented, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They're easily buildable and you get a less chance of giving yourself a horror when applied with heavy hand. 

Bronzer, Beach Bronze is is a lovely warm yet still neutral tone. It's not too orange but also not cool toned. It's also satin finish with some glitter particles to it. This is where I have a problem with it. Tanya has been a beauty blogger for years and to advertise this as a possible contour palette is a little white lie. You can warm up your complexion in no time and it's lovely for that. Glitter is not really visible on the skin, giving it a satin like finish. I say it again, contour it is not.

Blush, Apricot Flush, is a lovely light coral pink shade. It's also a satin finish with a bit of tiny glitter mixed in. It gives your cheeks a nice flush of colour and its pigmentation is medium. I like the colour a lot, as it's perfect everyday blush in my opinion. It doesn't stay on all day and you will need to top it up during a day.

The little icing on a cake is the highlighter :) Champagne Shimmer is just a gorgeous, sparkly golden champagne shade. It's perfect for an everyday highlight as it just glides on effortlessly and it's a pleasure to blend. It's not as pigmented as my love, Mary-Lou, but as I mentioned somewhere above, that's not a bad thing. If you're only just starting with a highlighter, this one is perfect for you. It gives enough glow but not too much, unless of course you build it up.

From left: Beach Bronze, Apricot Flush, Champagne Shimmer

I'll give this palette 3 out of 5*. It's losing 2 stars for being too big, packaging wise - it could be made thinner and for satin finish bronzer, especially given the time collection has launched. Whilst I don't have a problem with satin bronzer in summer, not so much for it in the A/W season.  It's most definitely a palette which will suit the pale skinned as I don't think these shades would suit or even show on darker skin tones. I still find it oh so cute, merely due to it's packaging, as I love Rose Gold :)

You can buy it here.

Let me know what you think ladies? I'm not overly excited, I have to say, but it's a good enough little palette and priced at £8.00 it's definitely worth looking at. Given the product itself,  I would recommend choosing either Sleek or Makeup Revolution to this. They offer a matte bronzer and maybe they're not as cool toned as a proper contour shades could be, they're most definitely a better choice that this one, in my opinion :)

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Dorota x

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Classy daytime to evening look using only Smashbox Shape Matters palette.

Hello ladies. Weekend's finally here :) I had busy week so I'm looking forward to a little break :) What's your plans for the weekend? 

As you know, I am now obsessed with my newest purchase of Smashbox Shape Matters palette. Since I've got it there isn't a day that I'm not reaching for it. I created a very classical daytime to nighttime look for you using the palette. I made sure my full face is done by the use of this palette only. I love the end result and I hope you'll love it too.

Face:

As per usual I prepped by base using Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue in Opal and added Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in 01 under eyes and to add a little coverage around the nose. I set the base using a matte highlight shade from the Smashbox palette.

To contour I used a Contour shade from the palette and a little Bronze to warm up my complexion. Both shades blended beautifully giving me the most natural look. I added a little highlight on the high points of my face. It's such a gorgeous shade, second favourite to my all time love Mary-Lou.

Just to finish off I added a little Matte Blush from Makeup Revolution and set it all with Urban Decay Setting Spray.

Eyes:

I have to admit, I had a lot of fun playing with the eyeshadow shades. I used Vanilla as an all over the lid shade and to set the primer with (standard UD anti-aging Primer Potion). I used Totally Nude as my transition shade just above my crease (if you're lucky enough not to battle with sad eyes, use it in your crease). I then started to darken the outer corner. I used Aubergine and blended it out few times until I was happy with the final colour. I then used Posh, which is a beautiful rose gold shade on the middle of the lid blending it out to the outer corner to provide nice transition of colour. I went back with Totally Nude to blend out any edges. I then applied Champagne in the inner corner mixing it outwards to transition into Posh. I used the brush included in the set for blending. I have to be honest, it's not the softest brush I have ever used but it does the job. I repeated the steps at the bottom lid. 

I wanted to try using the darkest shades wet so my eyeliner today is a mixture of Aubergine and Blackout. I applied it using a Wilko Angled Brush as I don't think you can use the brush included in the set for a precise line. Shadows worked beautifully when used both wet and dry.

I finished the look by applying two coats of Clinique High Impact Mascara.

Brows:

I used wax first (OMG I LOVE THE WAX IN THIS PALETTE SO MUCH) and brushed by brow hair. I then applied a light brow powder shade to the front of my brows very lightly and then building intensity in the top of my arch. I used darker brow powder shade lightly to line the arch below.

Lips:

I kept my lips simple using a new Essence Liquid Lipstick in 05.

I hope you like the finished look. I think it's a perfect daytime look but it can also look nice in the evenings if you perhaps add a statement lip. Let me know what you think in the comments below :)

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Dorota x

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Weekday me. What's in my makeup bag #2.

Hello ladies :) Today's Thursday and I have placed a spending ban on myself 4 days ago. It's already been a challenge but the plan is to stay on it as much as I can and start showing more love to my existing humongous collection. I decided I will continue to give my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette some time to remind me why I fell in love with it in the first place. 

This week my makeup bag has been dominated by Naked 3. I've chosen the rest of the products to compliment the tone of the palette. I am very much in love with naked skin at the moment. I don't want and need coverage. I want my skin to show. So I started testing a brand new tinted moisturiser by Bare Minerals. Complexion Rescue is something else. I only wore it few times so I'll leave my thoughts for a full on review but so far so good, I'm very impressed with it. I wear it in shade Opal  . That's a perfect shade for me (phew!!! as this was an online shopping indulgence). It's light, it feels great on my skin and is surprisingly long wearing. I can pat myself on a shoulder for deciding to take a plunge on this one.

I already gave you my first impressions on Correct and Conceal Palette from Freedom Makeup (check out my previous post here). I continue to use it and I'm really liking this palette. I've been using it non stop recently and it has few matte highlighting shades that I'm enjoying at the moment. It gives me a coverage and a highlight in one, which is always great. 

The Balm Desert Bronzer is also very new in my collection. It's a sample, I only just received in my August Birchbox (for a review click here) and I love it. It's a perfect summer bronzer. It's got a stunning colour with a satin finish. Perfect to give your complexion just a little bit of tan. 

The Matte Blush from Makeup Revolution is a brand new add on to my collection. I'm hard in testing and I hope to have a review for you this weekend. I decided to use Divine as it's got that light pink shade that's surprisingly fresh on the cheeks. Perfect pigmentation, easy to blend, matte. I'm impressed and there's 5 more to feast your eyes on. I'm loving it !!!

I decided it's time to try this whole "my lips but better" trend and join in. I chose Freedom Makeup Pro Lipstick in Whispers. It lasts 2-4 hours, it's moisturising and gives me that perfect pink nude pout. Love it !!! Also for £1 per shade it's a sin not to get at least 1.... or 10 :) I reviewed lip products from Freedom before, for a review with swatches click here :)

I created a light, almost angelic look inspired by the gorgeous Chloe Morello latest tutorial using Naked 3 palette(watch here). I wanted naked skin look. Glowing skin with defined yet light cheeks. Lips that are my colour just a little better and eyes that are full of sparkle. It's a very daytime look, it would look gorgeous as a wedding makeup if what you're going for is delicate and natural.

For my base I used my fingers to blend a little of Complexion Rescue in Opal. I added some coverage underneath my eyes using Correct and Conceal Palette from Freedom Makeup. I also used the lightest pink shade to highlight my nose, chin, cupid bow and forehead. I then lightly added some The Matte Blush from MUR in Divine on my cheeks. Then to bronze up my complexion i lightly dusted The Balm Desert Bronzer on my forehead, nose and on cheekbones - not contouring, just adding some colour and glow.

I created this look using 4 shades from Naked 3 palette. I firstly applied Urban Decay Original Primer to my lids and dusted Strange (matte) all over the lid to help me with blending. I then started to blend Limit (matte)just above my crease (I don't tend to blend in the crease as much because of my hooded eyes - so the good trick is to create an illusion and blend just above). I then intensified the "crease" with Nooner which is another matte shade. I also blended it in the other corner, very lightly just to add dimension to the eye. The sparkle you see in the inner corner and middle of the lid comes from Dust. Dust is a gorgeous shimmery shade but also very tricky. I won't lie to you, there's a lot of fall out. I applied a little of UD primer and then pressed Dust on it with my finger. I then finished the lower lid by applying Limit all over and dust in the inner corner, slightly blending it outwards. Little coat of mascara and voila. I applied a little of Freedom Makeup Pro Lipstick in Whispers to complete this angelic look.

I hope you enjoyed browsing my current makeup bag. I plan to switch it up weekly from now on to show you a little more of my collection and create some looks that I tend to opt for during that particular week. Hope you enjoyed it and I'll see you next time :)

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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