NOTW: Leighton Denny 'Sundae Gir'

I've never tried any of the nail varnishes from Leighton Denny, so when I received a gift set from my Nan, I was really looking forward to try them out. Here are some photos and my thoughts on one of the colours, 'Sundae Girl'. 

I usually steer away from pale pink shades on my nails as I am very pale and sometimes it can make me look immortal; not a good look. However, there is something about this shade that I really like and I think I'll love it even more in the summer when I have a tan (fake obviously- ginger's don't tan).

Formula wise this nail varnish is very nice. You'll need about 2-3 coats to achieve full opacity. Follow up with a top coat of your choice and you are set! The colour lasts for about a week which is really good by nail varnish standards of staying power. However, don't be naive and not expect any chips- they're a give in!

This colour is also very on trend for SS14 as pastel shades including lilac, mint, baby blue and nude are key in fashion and beauty. So if you're not brave enough or can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe for the season, you can achieve on-trend nails very easily and cheaply!

All in all, I would recommend this colour and brand to anyone looking for something a little different to what the drugstore has to offer. However for £11; would I buy more from the range? Maybe if I wanted to treat myself or for a special event like a graduation or wedding. But for everyday? Probably not. 

'Sundae Girl' is available to buy from the Leighton Denny website here for £11.

What do you think of this nail colour? Have you tried anything from Leighton Denny.

Thank you for reading! 

Paris x

My Make-Up Brush Collection.

Over the years and becoming increasingly more obsessed with beauty, I have expanded my collection of make-up brushes; and branched out to more than just the Superdrug range. So I thought I'd show you my current make-up brush collection and include a mini review of each brush and what I would typically use it for.

I'll start with face and base (that rhymes!) brushes. These are the first 7 brushes from the left in the pictures. 

Body Shop 'Face and Body Brush': I got this brush for Christmas about 2/3 years ago and it's a really great multi-purpose tool to have in your make-up bag. It's great for applying powder and bronzer, particularly in the summer when you want to add an all over bronze to your skin easily. This brush retails for £16 at the Body Shop here: http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/brushes-and-tools/face-body-brush.aspx

Real Technique's 'Expert Face Brush': This was my first purchase from the Real Techniques range after watching Pixiwoo's YouTube videos for a while and wanting to try them out. (As you can tell I really liked them as they feature very heavily in my collection.) This brush has short, compacted bristles to allow you to really work your foundation into the skin to achieve a very natural finish. It usually retails for £9.99 in Boots or online. However, it is currently on offer for £6.72 from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-Expert-Face-Brush/dp/B007O7AZBG/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1391366323&sr=1-2&keywords=Real+Techniques

Real Technique's 'Setting Brush': I typically use this brush to apply highlighter and blusher due to it's size. The intended and original purpose as a setting brush means you can control make-up application to specific areas. So for example, if you get oily patches around your T-Zone, this brush will make a much easier and precise job of applying powder to the area and mattifying. Here is a link to where you can purchase this brush for a usual price of £6.99: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-RLT-1413-Setting-Brush/dp/B007O7AYYE/ref=pd_sim_beauty_3

Superdrug 'Blusher Brush': This is probably my oldest brush in my collection. I typically use it for fancy dress make-up now because the bristles aren't as soft anymore and I'd generally prefer using my other brushes. However, when it was a key part of my make-up routine, I did really like it and I was in school at the time so was cheap enough. Here is the link to where you can buy the brush (even if it is for fancy dress): http://www.superdrug.com/make-up/superdrug-blusher-brush/invt/560510&bklist=

Real Technique's Buffing Brush: This brush is my current favourite for applying and blending my foundation. The bristles are longer than the Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques which allows a more gentler application. I really love this brush and I would recommend it to anyone. I couldn't find a link for the individual brush but it is part of the 'Sam's Picks Collection' with other lovely brushes which is what I received for Christmas this year and is really great value for money. Here is the link to where you can purchase this from Feel Unique: http://www.feelunique.com/p/Real-Techniques-Sams-Picks

Real Technique's Multi Task Brush: I use this brush in a similar way as I do my Body Shop brush. As the name would suggest, it's great for applying a variety of products. I would usually use it to contour my face and blend out any blusher if I've accidentally applied too much. Again, I couldn't find an individual link for this brush but here it is as part of a 'Travel Essentials Kit' from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-Travel-Essentials-Kit/dp/B004TSFEBY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391369105&sr=8-1&keywords=real+techniques+multi+task+brush

Real Technique's Pointed Foundation Brush: I must admit, I've never used this brush to apply foundation because I'm happy using my buffing brush. However, I do find this brush good at applying concealer under the eyes and on blemishes. It's tapered brushes make it more controlled and targeted on blemishes. It's also delicate enough to use around the eyes. This brush is also part of the 'Sam's Picks Collection' kit mentioned earlier which is also available from Amazon from this link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Kit/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391369259&sr=8-1&keywords=real+techniques+pointed+foundation+brush

I'll now go on to review the remaining 7 brushes that I use for applying eyeshadow, brow powder and eyeliner. I'll try and condense it down as much as I can from now on, as I understand this post will be quite long.

Highlight, Deepen and Colour brushes by Jemma Kidd: These brushes came as part of a set with a cute little pink leather pot which was lost many years ago in the days where I just stuffed everything into a dirty, worn out make-up bag. I scoffed at brush holders. (Ha, how times have changed.) Anywho, I have a large fluffy blending brush which I use for, you've guessed it, blending. I have a shorter, tapered brush which I used for my crease as it packs in a lot of shadow precisely. I have a basic shadow brush for applying any kind of shadow. These brushes are now discontinued but there are probably even greater versions of them elsewhere.

Liz Collinge 'Eyes' brush: For my brows, I use a small, thin eye brush from Liz Collinge which I actually stole from my Mum years and years ago and have been using it ever since. It's not a proper eyebrow brush, but it does the job!

Body Shop Eyeshadow brush: I also have a rogue Body Shop eyeshadow brush which is very flat. This is great for applying eyeshadow as liner to define my eyes but not with a harsh liquid or gel liner. The brush itself is very soft and is available here: http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/brushes-and-tools/eyeshadow-brush.aspx

Real Techniques 'Fine Liner Brush' and 'Essentials Crease Brush': Finally, my Real Techniques collection does expand further. I have a fine liner brush which is great for eyeliner and fast becoming my go-to tool for eyeliner as opposed to using the brush that comes with. I also have an essentials crease brush which I use for blending and sometimes applying an eyeshadow to even out the eye or add a wash of colour. Both are available from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-Fine-Liner-Brush/dp/B007O7AZ3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393175223&sr=8-1&keywords=real+techniques+fine+liner+brush and here is the crease brush part of a starter kit: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-Starter-Kit/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_2

So there you have it! My complete make-up brush collection! Phew!

I hope you have found this post useful and I'm sure in a year or so, I'll have plenty more brushes to show you!

Thank you for reading!

London Town

A couple of weeks ago, I took a train up to Central London and had a lovely day exploring. I don't go into Central very often but I live about 35 mins away so should probably make a conscious effort to! Anyway, whilst there, I walked along the South Bank, passed the Savoy hotel (and marvelled at how great it would be to live there), walked through St. James Park, said 'hello' to your Majesty at Buckingham Palace, strolled around a cute little market in Picadilly and then went to 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' museum- which I might add, is incredible! I finished off my evening with dinner at Chiquitos and Leicester square and a leisurely stroll back to Waterloo to catch a train home. Phew- long day! However, I did vlog it all and take a few pictures.

My personal favourite photo from the whole day!

Here is the YouTube video that I put together of the day:

Have you been to Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum? What did you think of it?

Thank you for reading!

Paris x

January 2014 Favourites | New Video!

I recently uploaded a new video to my channel where I talk about my favourite things I have used/purchased in the month of January. Hence the name; January Favourites ;) I spoke about a range of things from beauty products, clothing and my favourite music to listen to.

Here is a link to the video for you to see what I ramble on about:

I hope you like the video and remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE :)

Thank you for reading!

Paris x

Black Cherry.

Hello everyone!

So I went to the pub for some drinks last night with a few friends and I thought I'd show you the make-up I wore. My flatmate said I looked so glamorous for going to the pub which I do admit to be somewhat true. Nevertheless, I do love playing with make-up so what did she expect from me?!

I decided to go with a simple lid colour and a dramatic cat-like eyeliner. I used 'Venus' from my Urban Decay Basics and 'Vanilla' from Soap and Glory to even out the skin tone on my lids. I then went in with 'Naked 2' with a touch of 'Faint' from the UDB palette through my crease to define my eyes more. 

For the eyeliner, I used my Miss Sporty Studio Lash liquid eyeliner in Extra Black. Once that had dried and set, I went over it with a black eyeshadow (I used 'Crave' from my UDB palette). This made the eyeliner darker and slightly smokier on the edges. 

I applied my favourite false eyelashes of late which are the Vintage Company 'Betty' corner lashes. I picked these up in Boot's for £6 and I absolutely adore them. They suit my eyes much better than full length strip lashes and are less time to apply than individuals. 

For the pièce de résistance of this look, is the lipstick. I love dark/berry tones lips for the winter season so I went for this lip paint by Barry M. It's in the colour Black Cherry - 160 and is available in Superdrug for around £4-5. Please note that it's the lipstick with the pink packaging, which is Barry M's Ultra Moisturising Lip Paints. This lipstick is very moisturising so be careful it doesn't transfer onto the skin but eventually it'll matte and look great. 

                 

For the skin, I used my usual combination of Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and my Sleek Face Form palette to contour, highlight and add a natural flush. 

So there you have it, a very glamorous almost 1940's make-up look worthy of drinks in a swanky bar and even in your local pub! I wouldn't wear this to dinner mind, it'd probably end up all over my face whilst I'm eating. Isn't that a lovely image to end this blog post on?

Let me know if you like this make-up look and if you have tried Barry M's lip paints or any of the other products I have mentioned!

Thank you for reading this post!

Paris x