Easy Peasy Manicure

Elegant Touch Fake Nails in Stiletto 003

About a year back I put myself on an acrylics ban. I wore them constantly for nearly 2 years and as a result, my natural nails were damaged. 

In an attempt to repair my talons,I have worn nothing but polish on them ever since but you just can't achieve the perfect cat claws without a little help and that's where fake nails have been a god send.

There are enough nails for 2 full applications in each pack. Glue and a small emery board is included making it as easy as can be.

Simply select a nail that will fit your natural nail and apply some glue. Ensure the nail is positioned straightly and press down firmly for around five seconds to bond. Repeat until you have a full set. The manicure will stay intact for around a week (tried and tested)!

Now all you have to do is slick on your favourite hue and you're good to go. How about this beautiful holographic nail varnish from 17? 

The Make Up Tag

What foundation do you use?

Revlon Colourstay. It's the longest lasting, highest coverage foundation I've ever used. Nothing beats it.

How about concealer?

I'm pretty easy to satisfy when it comes to concealer because my foundation is so full coverage. I mainly use concealer to brighten and highlight so I love the Maybelline Eraser concealer. I've also recently discovered the Autograph Ultimate Wear concealer which I've practically been living in.

What do you think of false lashes?

My name is Hailey, and I am addicted to lashes. In all seriousness, I'm an everyday wear kinda girl. I just don't have the lash power to balance an eye look otherwise.

What brand of mascara do you use?

Anything. If it's wet and black, it'll do. I literally use it to colour my top lashes and add definition to the lower line.

Sephora or MAC?

A null question considering I don't shop in either. In fact, I have never purchased a MAC product. Shock horror gasp, I know. If I'm honest  (and a little harsh) I'm not willing to spend  £15 on a lipstick they've wiped over an animals face.

What makeup tools do you use?

Ooh so many! However most of my collection is good old Real Techniques. Such good quality brushes!

I've had my eye on Morphe brushes for some time now though so stay tuned for a future post!

Do you use an eyeshadow primer?

I switch between primer and concealer. At the moment I've been using Revlon Colourstay Concealer for a base and setting it. It gives incredible wear!

What is your favourite eyeshadow?

The Sultry shade from The Balm Nude'tude Palette. Perfect crease colour. Also shout out to LOC eyeshadow stick in Champagne Problems - such a beautifully pigmented colour that is perfect for brightening tired eyes.

What do you think of Pigment eyeshadows?

Can't deal with the fallout.

What is your fave lipstick?

Ooohhh toughie. Probably a combo - Rimmel Cappuccino liner with Bourjois Lip Velvet in Don't Pink Of It. Love me an ombre lip!

What is your fave blusher to use?

I don't typically wear blusher but if I were going to it would probably be a Daniel Saunders Watercolour one.

Do you like drugstore makeup?

Give me drugstore over high end. Any day.
The only thing you can buy better high end is eyeshadow. Everything else, drugstore brands can replicate and surpass.

Name a makeup crime you hate.

People that do  their brows weird. Overdrawn, angular, pointy, uneven = brow suicide.

Do you like colorful shades of makeup or neutrals?

Neutrals all day long.

If you could leave the house with just one makeup item what would it be?

My ABH Dipbrow.

Could you leave the house with no makeup on?

I could but I rarely do. I just prefer my face with makeup and I don't think there's any problem with that.

In your opinion, what's the best makeup line?

I think I would say Revlon. It's the stand I find myself at all the time.

Comment if you do the tag - I'd love to have a nose! 

Model Co More Brows

I love brows. The bigger, darker and thicker the better. Only thing is I'm not exactly channeling Cara Delevigne in that area; so I rely on lovely little products like this from Model Co. This fibrous brow enhancer is perfect if, like me, you want more texture in the brow area. 

The colour Medium/Dark is very ashy toned, which I love as too much warmth looks unnatural. The wand has a teeny tiny spoolie on the end which holds just enough product; you can be quite firm with it without creating accidental splodges in your brow.

I apply ABH Dipbrow in Ash Brown until I have my desired shape and colour and then 'clean up' the edges with a liquid concealer. I brush this through my brow twice, once straight after Dipbrow and once after my make up is complete which builds a really natural looking texture.

My Everyday Face

Starting with my eyes, I use Sultry from The Balm Nude'tude Palette to 'contour' my eyes.  Using a fluffy brush, I sweep it onto my crease and under my lower lashes, blending out as I go. To get a halo-esque effect I use LOC Eyeshadow Pencil in Champagne Problems on the centre two thirds of my lid, using my finger to lightly blend into the crease colour. Before moving on to my brows, I apply a coat of mascara to my lashes.

After brushing through with a spoolie, I use ABH Dipbrow in Ash Brown with a Beauty Bay angled brush to fill in my brows. When I'm happy with the shape, I clean up using a detail brush and Revlon Colourstay Concealer. 

My foundation is a fairly full coverage affair. I apply Revlon Colourstay to my face and neck using a beauty blender. For brightening my under eyes, I use Autograph Concealer. I also apply to my chin, forehead and bridge of the nose. For contouring my cheekbones and temple area, I use LA Pro Girl in Beyond Bronze. Check out my contouring post here for a more in depth explanation. 

Using Soap & Glory Instant Retouch, I set everything in place. For that extra glow,  I've been loving Sassy from the Nude'tude Palette applied with the Spectrum Tapered Brush.

Going back to the eyes and brows, I run a brown eye gel through before another coat of mascara on my lashes. Then it's lash time - I always wear Demi Wispies in the day.

Finally, the lips need some colour. This look is so simple, you could pair any lip with it. However, I have been loving this lip combo which is a Rimmel liner in Capuccinno, topped with a Primark Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Nude.

March Birchbox Review

Birchbox Beauty Box Subscription 

Love it....

This Works Sleep Plus Hair Elixir and Model Co More Brows

I've always been a fan of the This Works Pillow Spray. It has gotten me through many a sleepless night, so I was super pleased to discover this in my box. The concept is that your hair holds the fragrance longer, therefore prolonging the effect. Bring on the next sleepless night! 

Being that I look like Phil Mitchell without make up, brow products are essential and I'm always up for trying new ones. This Model Co More Brows is a gel containing fibres that mimic hair. I really like that the colour is an ashy brown and the spoolie is teeny meaning extra precision. 

Try it...

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Baume and Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm

I am a sucker for hair products that promise to leave your hair looking amazing. This balm promises to seal split ends and leave everything looking soft and glossy! 

Confession - I almost threw this in bin it pile.

I'm a very lazy person so lip balm really isn't my thing. The balm is tinted so I swatched it and I got a little surprise. It went from nothing to baby pink? When I read the product description I found out it adapts to your PH levels and creates a pigment that's individual to you. So, just for being all techy specky, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt.

Bin it...

Amika Nourishing Mask and Polaar Ice Source Moisturising Gel

Another hair mask, another body moisturiser. Welcome to the drawer of samples I'll probably never use. 

Verdict

On the whole the box was ok... I feel like I've got my £10's worth but I don't feel particularly overwhelmed by how good it is? Still, I'm definitely looking forward to being beautifully rested with my brows on fleek! 

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan

Is it me or does it feel like the wind and rain are somehow never ending? Thick black tights covering pasty skin seems to lose the novelty after Christmas. 

I've always loved the tanning mousse from Cocoa Brown so when I saw this gradual tanner, I was eager to try it.

The product is smooth lotion, which is tinted so you can see the application. It absorbed quickly and there was no greasy feeling after. There's a tropical scent to it but let's face it, every fake tan gives you the Eau De Biscuit smell at some point.

The glow after just one application is amazing. I've never had such a good colour payoff from a gradual tanner. My skin looks and feels amazing. 

Autograph Ultimate Wear Concealer

M&S Autograph Ultimate Wear Concealer • Light •£7

I wandered into my local M&S with the full intention of nabbing some Rosie H-W goodies only to be greeted by a "coming soon" banner over a stand... Grrrrrr.

 Not wanting to leave empty handed I thought I should see what the permanent Autograph stand had to offer me. And besides, I needed (ok, wanted) a new concealer.

Firstly, can we take a minute to appreciate the packaging. It feels so timeless and classic. So high end for a high street price. 

I bought the shade Light, but there is also a Medium shade. As you can see from the swatch, it is lighter than my tone but it's perfect as a brightener.

This concealer is so creamy that I actually did a little squeal of glee when I first swatched. It glides on so effortlessly. It blends like an absolute dream and it cost less than my lunch?! £7. Only seven English pounds. Amazing!