Full Face: ELF Cosmetics

ELF cosmetics can be a bit of a pain to get a hold of in Ireland, but I managed to order mine through Iherb.com

Shipping is calculated by weight & mine ended up being around €5 so it didn't break the bank. 

It was a mixed bag of results- some great products that I will continue to use & some products that will go straight in the bin...

Moisturising Foundation Stick €5.43
I tried the colour "Natural". To try & gauge the correct shade for me I googled swatches of the shades & luckily "Natural" was a perfect match. I am delighted with this foundation & would definitely re-purchase. As it is in Stick form it is slightly more cakey than liquid formulas, but that is to be expected. I will use this mainly for travelling as it can be taken in carry on luggage without counting as a liquid.

The formula was perfect for my skin type, nice & creamy, without high-lighting any dry patches. To apply I swiped over my forehead, down my nose, across my cheeks & a dab on my chin (you can use more or less depending on the coverage you want) I then blended out with a buffing brush.

Bronzer Palette €5.43
I ordered the shade "Bronze Beauty" . Unfortunately one of the pans in my palette was smashed when it arrived, but I emailed Iherb & they gave me a full refund on the product. I emptied out the smashed pan & just used the other three (I wasn't going to go to the trouble of trying to re-press it as it was very similar to the other three shades anyway). I think the shade of this palette is slightly too dark & red-toned for my skin, but in terms of formula I really liked it. Will keep for when I have a darker tan.

Blending Brush €2.72
This Brush was actually smaller than I was expecting & I would describe it more as a contour brush due to the narrow shape of the bristles. Would'nt use it for setting powders etc, but seems to work ok with contour/bronzer etc.

Blush €2.72
I got the shade "Candid Coral" as I heard this was supposed to a dupe for Nars' "Orgasm"- my favourite all-time blush. It turned out that this wasn't really a dupe as the colour was much more peach toned than "Orgasm" but still really pretty. Will definitely keep using & think I will order more colours to try as well.

Eyeshadow Trio €2.72
I decided to try "Bronze Bonanza" as it seemed to be the most neutral choice. It's super cute & dinky. I used the lightest shade in the trio to highlight my cheekbones, browbone & inner corners of the eye. Then used the bronze shade in my crease & under my lash line. The let down in this little trio is the dark brown shade unfortunately. It was so hard to get any pigment on my brush- I really had to dig into it & then spend ages building the colour up on the outer corners of my eye.

Intense Ink Eyeliner €2.72
I thought I ordered the black colour, but it was the navy one that arrived. So not sure if it was their mistake or mine! Because this is a felt pen doing a winged liner is a bit tricky- the pen can tend to skip on the skin due to the nib being so rigid, also the nib is very long making more detailed work that bit harder. When I managed to get my wings as even as I could I was fairly happy with the result. Until I used a setting spray. This eyeliner is not one bit water resistant- I LIGHTLY sprayed my face after I had finished my makeup like I usually would, but the eyeliner smudged up the eyelid & even on to the brow bone. Even after I did a tidy up, 10 minutes later it had smudged again. Despite not being water resistant this eyeliner stained my lash line after I removed it. So I would give this pen a miss if there is any possibility you are going somewhere it might rain or you might sweat. Otherwise for the price it's ok, but it's not something I'll be using on a regular basis.

Lash Extending Mascara €2.72
I saved the worst for last... This mascara is terrible. There is no product in the tube! Even when swiping the wand on the back of my hand nothing came off, so this is going straight in the bin. Pretty happy with most of the other products & it was so cheap I'm not going to cry about it, but I won't be trying anymore mascaras from ELF. Had to use a mascara from a different brand to finish off this look.

All in all, this was a natural day time look for me. My favourite products which I tried from ELF was the foundation stick & the blusher. The worst was without a doubt the mascara! I will definitely be trying more products from the brand as the price point makes it easier to justify if a product doesn't perform very well.

Best of: Beauty Sponges

Real Techniques (€7.99 Boots.ie)

• My second favourite sponge & the one which I have purchased multiple times- this is the one I use on a daily basis
• Expands by a good amount when wet & is very soft
• Has both a flat side (for blending foundation) and a pointed side (for blending concealer)
• This is the sponge that I've found is nearest to the Beauty Blender in terms of quality

Blank Canvas (€6.99 Blank Canvas Cosmetics)

• Similar to The Real Techniques sponge in terms of quality, the Real Techniques is just slightly softer
• Comes in all different shapes
• Mine ripped on the second time washing it 

Lottie London (€5.50 Superdrug)

• The smallest of all the sponges I tested & the second cheapest
• Does expand when wet, but not as soft as some of the other sponges
• Harder to get your hands on in Ireland

Inglot (€12 inglot.ie)

• I love most Inglot products, but this is the worst sponge that I tried (also one of the most expensive)
• Expanded a small bit when wet, but never seemed to dry (would stay wet for days after use even when stored in the open)
• The surface seems to be almost completely smooth with no pores like most other beauty sponges
• Did not blend make-up well at all
• Was too firm on the skin with very little give

Beauty Blender (€18.80 Beauty Bay)

• The most expensive, but the best...
• When wet it gets so pillowy soft & blends foundation like a dream
• The black colour is the best in my opinion.
• The surface has little pores which soak up excess foundation ensuring even coverage

Primark (€1.50 Penneys/Primark)

• I wasn't expecting much for €1.50, but it was alright
• Didn't expand a whole lot when wet
• I found it very like the Inglot sponge in term of the firmness.
• Tended to smear the foundation, rather than blend

The Best of Liquid Lipsticks Part 2: Kat Von D Everlasting Lipsticks

Kat Von D Beauty has only recently become available to us in Ireland (via Debenhams online). It is a cosmetic range from famed tattoo artist Kan Von D of Miami & LA Ink (Who designs all the art work for her products) & one of the products in her range is the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. I've picked two shades up so far:

Lolita

Bow & Arrow

The packaging is my favourite out of all the Liquid Lipsticks I've tried. Black ornate tops with a gothic/floral theme.

The lipsticks are €20 for a full size & €15 for a mini set which also includes a mini Tattoo Liner in Trooper.

I exfoliated my lips as usual when wearing liquid lipsticks & allowed a lip balm to soak in before wiping away the excess. I found the best way to apply this formula is to tap it on with my finger & go around the lips with a lip liner to tidy it up (I used Colourpop's Skimpy)

Once it had dried down I could barely feel it during the day, with only a slight tacky feeling. There was slight wearing away on the inner rim, but this is typical of most liquid lipsticks on me.

This lipstick is definite winner for me. I got around 5 hours wear from one application, but I do feel like this was helped by using a thinner layer by tapping it on with the fingers.

Whats On My Face- Burgundy Kyshadow Edition

My first time using the Kylie Burgundy Palette & I am in love! The formula is amazing! The lights have slightly washed out the colour (lighting is a work in progress at the moment...) But the shades are a really rich burgundy colour- perfect for pretty much any colour eye.

• MAC Face & Body Foundation (Shade N1)
• Jojoba Oil as primer (not shown)
• Milano Baked Blush (Berry Amore)
• Benefit Hoola Bronzer
• MAC Highlighter (Soft & Gentle)
• LA Girl HD Colour Corrector (Peach)
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (Light)
• Colourpop Gel Eyeliner (Get Paid)
• Colourpop Eyebrow Gel (Bangin Brunette)
• Kylie Cosmetics Burgundy Eye Shadow Palette
• Colourpop Super Shock Shadow (Kathleen Lights)
• Kylie Cosmetics Lipliner (Koko K)
• Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipstick (Koko K) 
• Sosu False Lashes (Holly)
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders
• Caudalie Facial Spray 

Pantone Spring 2017 Colours

Pantone is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.

The PANTONE VIEW Colour Planner is a biannual trend forecasting tool that offers seasonal color direction and inspiration 24 months in advance for multiple usages, including menswear, women's wear, activewear, cosmetics and industrial design. Introduced in 2004, 

Below are the Colours which Pantone has forcasted to be popular for Spring 2017. These colours were used as inspiration by the worlds leading cosmetics & fashion brands

Source: Pantone.com

A Mixture of Vitality, Relaxation and the Great Outdoors

From colors that are bright and vivid to those that convey a sense of earthiness, our top 10 colors for spring 2017 are reminiscent of the hues that surround us in nature. 

"Reminiscent of the hues that surround us in nature, our Spring 2017 Fashion Color Report evokes a spectrum of emotion and feeling. From the warmth of sunny days with PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow to the invigorating feeling of breathing fresh mountain air with PANTONE 18-0107 Kale and the desire to escape to pristine waters with PANTONE 14-4620 Island Paradise, designers applied color in playful, yet thoughtful and precise combinations to fully capture the promises, hope and transformation that we yearn for each Spring."

The top colors for Spring 2017 fashion are:

PANTONE 17-4123 Niagara

Comfortable and dependable, Niagara leads the PANTONE Fashion Color Report as the most prevalent color for spring 2017. Niagara is a classic denim-like blue that speaks to our desire for ease and relaxation.

PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow

By contrast, Primrose Yellow sparkles with heat and vitality. Inviting us into its instant warmth, this joyful yellow shade takes us to a destination marked by enthusiasm, good cheer and sunny days.

PANTONE 19-4045 Lapis Blue

Conveying even more energy is Lapis Blue. Strong and confident, this intense blue shade is imbued with an inner radiance.

PANTONE 17-1462 Flame

A red-based orange, Flame, is gregarious and fun loving. Flamboyant and vivacious, this wonderfully theatrical shade adds fiery heat to the spring 2017 palette.

PANTONE 14-4620 Island Paradise

Island Paradise is a refreshing aqua that calls to mind a change of scenery. A cool blue green shade that speaks to our dream of the great escape, Island Paradise is emblematic of tropical settings and our desire to unwind.

PANTONE 13-1404 Pale Dogwood

Continuing the tranquil mood, Pale Dogwood is a quiet and peaceful pink shade that engenders an aura of innocence and purity. The unobtrusive Pale Dogwood is a subtle pink whose soft touch infuses a healthy glow.

PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery

Bringing forth a refreshing take, Greenery is a tangy yellow-green that speaks to our need to explore, experiment and reinvent. Illustrative of flourishing foliage, the fertile attributes of Greenery signals one to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.

PANTONE 17-2034 Pink Yarrow

Tropical and festive, Pink Yarrow is a whimsical, unignorable hue that tempts and tantalizes. Bold, attention getting and tempestuous, the lively Pink Yarrow is a captivating and stimulating color that lifts spirits and gets the adrenaline going.

PANTONE 18-0107 Kale

Evocative of the great outdoors and a healthy lifestyle, Kale is another foliage-based green that conjures up our desire to connect to nature, similar to the more vivacious Greenery. And, just as we see in nature, this lush and fertile natural green shade provides the perfect complementary background to the more vibrant tones in the palette.

PANTONE 14-1315 Hazelnut

Rounding out the spring 2017 colors is Hazelnut, a key neutral for spring. This shade brings to mind a natural earthiness. Unpretentious and with an inherent warmth, Hazelnut is a transitional color that effortlessly connects the seasons.

The New Eyes On MAC 9 Series seems to seriously embody this years' Spring colours perfectly:

Source: maccosmetics.com 

Also Kat Von D's Pastel Goth Palette:

Source: Katvondbeauty.com

And the Lorac Limited Edition Brunch Palette

Source: Ulta.com 

February Haul

From Colourpop:

• Crème Gel Liner in Get Paid (€5)
• Crème Gel Liner in Honey Dude (€5)
• Crème Gel Liner in Mr. Bing (€5)
• Eyeliner Brush ($5)
• Colourpop X Hello Kitty Ultra Satin Lip in Tiny Chum (€6)
• Ultra Glossy Lip in Nonsense (€6)
• Ultra Satin Lip in "Calypso" (€6)

From Kylie Cosmetics:

• Burgundy Eyeshadow Palette
• Koko K Lipkit 

($65 dollars for the two combined)

From Blank Canvas:

• Latex free Beauty Sponge (€7)
• Brush & Sponge Solid Cleanser (€14.99)

From The Balm (not pictured)

• Bahama Mama Bronzer (€9 on sale)
• Sexy Mama Pressed Powder (€9 on sale) 

Other:

• Duo Brush On Lash Glue (€8)

My Favourite Brushes

 If I'm applying a full face of make-up these are the Brushes I use every single time. I know these brushes are going to do exactly what I need them to do.

Nima Foundation Brush €18

Available from Nimabrush.com This Brush is suitable for liquid & powder foundation. I tend to use it with my heavier coverage foundations if I need a flawless finish e.g Estée Lauder Double Wear.

Real Techniques Powder Brush 1401 €18.99

Available from Boots.ie I use this Brush for blending my contour as the bristles are quite tightly packed. I also use it for applying loose face powder if I need to set my foundation.

Inglot 4SS €22

Available from Inglot.ie I use this Brush to set my under eye concealer & eye shadow primer.ive a,so heard of people using this as a foundation Brush, so seems to work well with liquid & powder products.

Real Techniques Blusher Brush 1407 €14.99

Available from Boots.ie A standard tapered blusher brush. The tapered shape means it blends the blusher without much work from you.

Anastasia Eyebrow Brush 12 £17

Available from anastasiabeverlyhills.co.uk This brush is double ended with an angled eyebrow brow brush on one end & a spoolie on the other. This Brush is perfect as the Brush is so small & skinny it can create really precise lines. Works perfectly in conjunction with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade. 

Blank Canvas F28 Contour Brush €8.99

Available from blankcanvascosmetics.com This brush has long thin bristles which I like as it gives a nice precise & sharp contour line. This brush isn't suitable for blending the contour, but great for laying down the initial line. For blending I use the Real Techniques Powder Brush above. This Brush is also great for applying highlighter, especially if you just want to apply it to a very specific area e.g side of the eye contour or the very top of the cheek bones.

Inglot 37R Fan Brush €40

Available from inglot.ie €40 might seem a bit steep for a fan brush, but this one is worth every penny in my opinion. This one is quite dense for a fan brush meaning that it can pick up more product than the average fan brush & gently lays down highlighter without disturbing the foundation & underlying products.

Avon Shader Brush (As part of a set) 

I got this as part of a set from Avon.co.uk a few years ago, so not sure if it's still available, but the shape of this brush is perfect for applying a nude base colour. The flat but fluffy shape means it can lay down a good amount of product & blend it at the same time.

Inglot 6SS x2 €20

Available from inglot.ie This is my absolute must have eye brush. I always use two of them when doing my make-up, the first one for my transition shade & the second one for the lightest shade of my eye look. The shape & size of the bristles means that it can lay down a lot of product with less movement so it's gentler on the delicate skin of the eye. This isn't suitable for the more intricate work nearer the lash line as it's a fuller brush, but it's perfect for crease work.

Blank Canvas E42 Pointed Crease Blender €7.99

Available from blankCanvasCosmetics.com This is the brush that I use after my Inglot 6SS brushes. I use it for blending a deeper colour into the crease (not the deepest colour though) I then use it to blend the same deeper colour on the lower lash line, it has a slightly narrower brush head than the 6SS, so I can do a bit more detail in the crease.

Blank Canvas E23 Pencil Brush €7.99

Available from blankCanvasCosmetics.com This is the perfect multi use eye brush. It's great for applying inner corner highlight & brow bone high light. It can also be used for smudging deeper colours on the lower lash line.

Blank Canvas E24 Flat Shader Brush €7.99

Available from blankcanvascosmetics.com This a small shader brush with quite stiff bristles making it perfect for laying down glitter shadows to the eye lid for smokey or halo eye looks.

Inglot 10s Brush €18

Available from inglot.ie This is a very narrow brush which I use to apply my deepest crease shade & for blending under the eye. The very fine tip means it can right into the crease to create a lot of depth. I usually This brush with very dark brown or black shadows.

Real Techniques Bold Metals 201 Pointed Crease Brush €16.99

Available from boots.ie I use this Brush for applying a solid colour to the crease or dark shadows to the outer "v" of the eye lid. The short compacted bristles of the brush make it ideal for application of strong dark colours.