Beauty – Hollie Edmeades

January Favourites

31st Jan 2021Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I love a favourites post. So many products and trends get spoken about online so I feel like a favourites post is the best way to see what people really love, not just what they tried once and liked at the time. This is unlikely to be a monthly thing because I wouldn’t want to force it, but when I have that epiphany and things naturally stand out as something I’ve been loving that’s when I know a favourites is overdue. I hope you like these kinds of posts as much as I do, and keep on reading to see what I’ve been loving this month.

VIEVE

I did a whole post on VIEVE if you’d like to read my in depth thoughts on the brand, but spoiler alert: I love it. I think the standout product for me are the Modern Matte Lipsticks but I’m always surprised at how often I use the Essentials Palette. It’s just so versatile and even a super quick everyday eye looks finished and curated even when I only use two shades. VIEVE have just announced that they are releasing some blushes next month and I’m both insanely excited and terrified for my bank account.

Nabla Cupid’s Arrow Liners

I’ve needed new pencil eyeliners for a long time so when I heard about the Cupid’s Arrow range from Nabla I thought “why not?”. I bought the shades arrow 2 (brown) and arrow 4 (black) and I really like them, they’re a perfect balance between creamy and long lasting, They are some of the softest pencil liners I have ever used but seem to last a long time in my waterline and certainly don’t make me look like a panda by the end of the day. I’ve heard good things about Nabla so I’d like to try out some more things from the brand soon!

Monki High Neck Jumper

This is not a new piece in my wardrobe but one I’ve been reaching for again and again this month. I’ve been actually getting up and dressed virtually everyday working from home this month, I wrote a whole post about this recently if you want to know my how I got on, and this Monki jumper has been a staple for me. I am obsessed with the colour, it’s that perfect neutral tone that doesn’t wash me out which is such a blessing! It also goes with everything: I can wear it with all of my skirts and trousers as well as under little pinafore dresses. Kind of a sneak attack favourite and not something I ever thought I would be gushing over when I bought it, a practical purchase that has turned into something I don’t want to be without – the dream!

6 Minute Diary

I found the 6 minute diary on Amazon whilst looking for some kind of gratitude diary. I should start by saying that I am not into manifesting or The Secret, I just can’t get on board with it but I do love the first part of that philosophy which says that thinking positively is a helpful habit. I don’t believe that thinking about my dream house or car or career will make it happen, but I do believe that thinking about it will make me happier than dwelling on the negative would. When I saw the 6 minute diary I thought it would be a great aid, particularly as you use it first thing the morning and last thing at night meaning that I should start and end my day on a positive note, no matter how lockdowny my day has been. The diary definitely forces me to think of the good rather than the bad, which during lockdown can easier said than done!

The Mandalorian

I’ve been watching The Mandalorian with my boyfriend via Teleparty (previously Netflix Party) over these past few weeks and I had no idea how much I was going to like this show. I have seen all the start wars films but I’m still not super knowledgable on it so I wasn’t sure how much I would like The Mandalorian, but there’s so much to love about it. The show looks amazing visually and I always get lost in the episodes which is so important for me. The writing is also fantastic, it never feels convoluted and I’m never questioning the decisions made by the characters. The casting and acting is superb, and Baby Yoda is a genuinely incredible addition to my life. I felt like such a basic bitch when I fell in love with him but I actually cannot contain myself when he is on screen, I make these weird squeaks and I gasp anytime something mildly perilous happens near him. My boyfriend actually sent me a stuffed Baby Yoda and he sits on my desk when I work from home, he’s just so cute. I’m nearly done with season 2 and I’m actually getting a bit sad about it 😦 clearly I could go on and on, so yeah it’s a favourite!

My blog

I’m really enjoying getting back into writing again, it’s undoubtedly giving me something to do and occupy myself with which is welcome right now! I’ve always said to myself that my blog is something that is there for me when I need it, I try to not feel guilty when I don’t post on it for months because I started it for me so if I haven’t got time to write I’m not going to force myself! But at the moment I am making time for it and loving it.

I hope you enjoyed that post (which mainly ended up being about Baby Yoda, no regrets) and if you did it would be great if you stuck around and subscribed and followed my Instagram – I’m trying to do some reels and it’s going…. interestingly..? Also if you have anything you’ve been loving this month definitely let me know!

Top 5 Makeup Products

24th Jan 202128th Jan 2021Bethany WilsonLeave a comment

First up, a little introduction from me: I’ve been chatting with Beth from Being Beth about collaborating on a guest post for a couple of weeks and I’ve been super excited to share this ever since. Beth also has a Beauty/Fashion/Lifestyle blog (which you can find here) so if you like my posts I think you’ll like hers too! I’ve also done a guest post on her blog so make sure you hop over there and give that a read. I hope you love Beth’s post as much as I do.

Over the years I have accumulated a range of makeup essentials which has grown and grown so it’s about time I narrowed this down to my top 5! When it comes to buying makeup, I attempt to limit myself to products I know I will regularly use, and also, I try not to spend too much money by buying products that are more affordable and worth the money.

MAC In Extreme Dimension Mascara

Over the festive period, I decided to treat myself to the MAC advent calendar and it did not disappoint! I received a mini product of this mascara and it’s incredible so now this is my go-to mascara which I use daily it provides volume, lengthens, and adds an amazing curl to your lashes which is always an essential in my makeup bag.

Morphe 35B Colour Burst Palette

Eyeshadow palettes are one of those things I can’t help but buy so many palettes and so little space to store them, so I attempt to limit myself to only buying palettes that I see as essential. This Colour Burst palette is essential throughout the past few years, I have loved to experiment with my makeup looks and different styles of makeup, so this palette was perfect to add a pop of colour into everyday looks.

Unfortunately, just as I was searching for the link to this palette, I’ve discovered it is no longer being sold however Morphe sells a range of beautiful palettes that are perfect for making powerful everyday makeup looks.

Over on my blog I’ve written a full review of this palette so definitely check it out if you are interested!

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Following on from the last product have you ever created a lovely eyeshadow look in the morning and by the afternoon it is not as good as it was in the morning? This product is incredible applying this primer as a base before applying your eyeshadow is a real game-changer. I know this is more on the expensive side but it’s definitely worth the money. I tend to use this product more on days when I know I have either a content creating day, a long day out the house, or just when I’ve put a lot of effort and time into my eyeshadow.

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner

Let’s talk eyeliner! Every had the bad day where your eyeliner just does not want to work out – pretty much most days for me! Over the years I have used a range of eyeliners and constant removal can be harsh on your eyelids especially if you have sensitive skin, so I went on a search for an eyeliner that will last all day but also easily removed without causing any pain. I’ve been using the Soap & Glory Eyeliner for 3 years now and it’s the best one I’ve used its easy to apply, not harsh on the skin, and gives a long-lasting finish.

MAC Del Rio lipstick

Lipstick has the power to bring a whole makeup look together plus it helps give you a massive confidence boost so for me this Satin Lipstick from MAC is essential. The shade ‘Del Rio’ is the perfect balance between a nude and also a slight splash of colour to add to any makeup look or even your go-to outfit. This lipstick is extremely moisturising which I always love in a lipstick as over the years I’ve had a lot of products which end up drying out your lips and it completely ruins the overall finish, however, this one leaves your lips feeling soft and is long wearing with only little touch-ups needed throughout the day.

Thank you so much for reading. I have loved working with Hollie to make this guest post, this is something both of us have never done before and we have really got to know each other over the last couple of weeks. Make sure to check out Hollie’s post over on my blog!

Also follow my Instagram @beingbeth_ for regular updates throughout the week and subscribe to my blog Being Beth if you would like to see more posts like this all based on lifestyle, fashion, and beauty.

I hope you have a lovely rest of your week.

Beth x

VIEVE: My New Muse

10th Jan 202116th Jan 2021Hollie Edmeades1 Comment

Jamie Genevieve has fast become my favourite makeup artist to follow. Her talent is undeniable but the thing that draws me in is the love she has for what she does. So of course when I heard she was launching her very own brand I was instantly excited because I knew it was going to be built on that same love.

VIEVE burst into the beauty world at the end of 2020 and I’m just as excited about them now as I was when the brand first launched. VIEVE has fast become one of my favourite makeup brands and one that I am constantly keeping and eye on to see when new products are set to drop. The aesthetic is classic but I think it stands out in the market and the heart at the centre of VIEVE is clear.

They launched with the small but beautiful Essentials Collection containing lipsticks, lip liners highlighters and an eyeshadow palette alongside two makeup bags. I restrained purchasing for a few weeks, watched the reviews roll in and eventually bought my first VIEVE products at the end of November. The price point is mostly on par with other high end brands, similar to Anastasia Beverly Hills and Urban Decay, which I think generally matches the quality of the products and packaging.

The Nova Glow Highlighters

I surprised even myself when a highlighter was the first product I bought from VIEVE. I’ve been going off highlighter recently seeing it as brilliant for a night out but not so much for everyday, and considering I haven’t had many nights out recently I had been passing over my highlighter brush. But after seeing the reviews I thought this highlighter could be the one for me, and I was right.

I bought Holy Chic, the middle shade of the three available, and love the way it looks on my skin. It can be built up to be blinding as anything, but it’s also super easy to get that nice lit-from-within glow which is my favourite way to wear any highlighter. Even if we ignored the perfect shade and balance of glitter and shine, he best thing about this highlighter is the lack of cast – so when you turn your face away from the light you wouldn’t know it was there – and it really helps to give that golden hour glow.

It is worth mentioning that each highlighter costs £27 which is comparable to lots of high end brands. I did slightly choke at the price when I first saw it particularly because you can get very good highlighters for much less but I have absolutely no complaints and don’t regret paying that much for it!

The Essential Palette

A neutral palette was always on the cards from Jamie, but despite that this didn’t set my imagination alight immediately. Eventually I asked for this for Christmas, again after seeing the performance reviews, and I’m really glad I did. The quality was never in doubt for me but only after using this a few times have I seen the versatility in it.

The first thing that hits you when you get this palette in your hands is how enormous the pans are! You get 31g of product in total, that’s 3.1g per pan and for comparison Huda Beauty’s Obsession Palettes give you 0.9g/pan and a Naked Palettes come in at 0.95g/pan. This is great to see, especially considering the price of the the palette is £43, but personally it doesn’t bother me too much because I don’t buy palettes with the intent of using them everyday until it runs out. I like trying out new things and having fun with my makeup rather than buying totally for practicality but if that is how you buy makeup then it’s a big plus for you! Personally, it’s a nice feature rather than a make or break.

The colour scheme of this palette is neutral but in no way boring. The shade Lavarock makes this palette really special for me, it is described as a warm brown but the purple tint makes it look cooler toned to me. I think it adds another dimension to the palette but plays so nicely with the rest of the warm shades. I find all of the shades pigmented and easy to work with, the mattes are creamy and shimmers impactful. The palette is a joy to use.

The Modern Matte Lipsticks

The Modern Matte Lipsticks are the standout VIEVE product for me (which is saying a lot!). I thought my matte lipstick days were behind me, I love the sophisticated look of a matte lip but cannot abide the Sahara Desert feeling that accompanies it. I cannot emphasise how comfortable these are to wear, they don’t last through eating but I would rather apply this multiple times a day than spend 10 minutes wearing a drying matte lipstick.

The two shades I have are Power Suit, which I received for Christmas, and Vieve, which I bought myself on Boxing Day after being totally converted to the formula after one day’s wear. Power Suit is a burnt orange that makes a statement without being high maintenance and Vieve is the perfect pale nude, it can look a little bit concealer-lips if I don’t use a darker liner with this one but I love the effect it gives when I do.

The formula and shades of the Modern Matte lipsticks are perfect, there are 5 shades in total, all nudes, and I’m trying to restrain from buying them all (I don’t need them, I don’t need them…). The lipsticks come in at £19 each and are worth Every. Single. Penny. They also have my favourite packaging of all of the products with the sleek black and gold, magnetic closure and VIEVE embossed onto the bullet. No complaints, never change these ❤

The Modern Lip Definers

At first, I didn’t think I could justify buying a lipliner. They cost £15 each and lipliners are notoriously easy to get for a third of that price, but again I have to say I love these. They are the perfect mix of pigmented and creamy but they don’t feel like they’re going to slide off! I have the shade Velvet Sands and its a perfect my-lips-but-better shade and goes well with all of my nude lipsticks.

I’m still unsure if I can justify the price tag of these, but I am eyeing up the shades Brat and Rumour… so if I fancy treating myself then they may end up in my basket!

The Essential+ Makeup Bag

There’s not a huge amount to say about a makeup bag, but I am really pleased I bought this! It was £25 so not inexpensive but it is quite big and the perfect size for keeping my everyday face in. The PU leather and PVC top gives it a really nice look, super happy with this!

As you can tell I’m a huge fan of VIEVE and think the quality of products is outstanding, I really don’t have any faults to point out. It’s rare that jumping straight in and buying new makeup, particularly from a new brand, is the right decision for me, but VIEVE’s current products have given me confidence in the brand and if the future launches peak my interest I’ll definitely give them a go. Speaking of new launches, what could be next? Personally I would love to see a colourful palette from VIEVE as well as a bronzer and maybe some lashes further down the line! I think Jamie would absolutely smash these and I can’t wait to see them, I’m sure they’re coming!

My 2020 Favourites

3rd Jan 202116th Jan 2021Hollie Edmeades1 Comment

It feels like I’ve broadened my horizons over this last year. I think I’ve shaken it up in many areas including but not limited to my makeup routine, my skin care routine (see: actually trying to have one and my clothing. A lot of these came quite late in the year but they’ve made such an impact that I couldn’t not mention them. This is a bit of an eclectic post, featuring single products and longer term changes, thoughts on last year and what I hope to continue for 2021, but I hope there is something in here for everyone.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless filter

I’ve heard so many influencers and makeup artists talk about Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter but it was only after seeing Jamie Genevieve use it that I realised how much I needed it. The reason it’s a must-have for me? I haven’t worn foundation since I started using this product. It is not a foundation substitute, there is no coverage it just has a very light tint that evens out your skin tone a little and makes you look glowy. I love it because it wears so nicely throughout the day and gives my cheek products something to hold onto so they stay on for longer – I always feel like they fade so quickly without some kind of base to hang onto! Bottom line: it’s worth the price tag for me.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Ritz

I’ve loved Ritz since the day I got it. It’s such a low maintenance but high impact product that makes getting ready in the morning so much easier. This product has given me an answer to that question I ask myself every morning I haven’t quite engaged my brain: “What am I going to do with my eyes today?”. It’s quick and easy to apply and goes with almost everything. I can also layer it on to get something really impactful or add just a touch on a no-makeup makeup day. See my full review on Ritz and Colourpop as a whole here.

My fringe

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So I technically got my fringe cut in at the very end of 2019 but I feel like she’s really come into her own in 2020 (it might sound odd that I refer to my fringe as a separate entity but if you saw what she looks like when I wake up in the morning you would be doing the same). Having a fringe totally changes the way my face looks, and I know that’s not groundbreaking but it’s interesting when it’s your face! I also feel like just wetting and blowdrying it in the morning makes me look so put together, equally if it’s greasy af then I can look a shambles! I kept trimming during the first lockdown but by June I was almost ready to let her go, but she’s had a resurgence and I’m loving it.

Skincare

Trying to have an actual skincare routine has totally changed my skin. I’ve tried to do a little bit more research last year into what makes a good skincare routine and the thing that has really stuck for me is double cleansing. Any day I wear makeup I use an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to try and get all of the makeup off. I’ve also been experimenting with active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs as well as Vitamin C, but I’m still working on getting the balance right. I have a long way to go in this area but I’m excited to learn more this year, my skincare wishlist is long!

My attitude towards clothes

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My style has changed every year since I was about 18. It’s partially trend lead but also depends on who I’m seeing on my Instagram feed and what I’m doing at the time. This year I swung away from the super girly stuff and looked for different structures and silhouettes, I dabbled in the puffy sleeve and I don’t think I’ve worn skinny jeans all year (certainly a positive change). Where do I stand now? At the moment comfort is King but feeling good in what I wear is Queen, and sometimes she wears the trousers (pun not intended but definitely appreciated). A great example of that compromise is one of my typical work outfits: a skirt, jumper and boots with a chunky heel – comfortable but I feel confident.

Getting stuck in in the kitchen

I’ve tried to do more in the kitchen over the last year but the lockdown in March really got me into cooking and baking. I’ve made curries, pizzas, chillis and pastry dishes as well as baked cakes, brownies, more cookies than I can count (not more than I can eat of course) and have a pretty good bread recipe in my repertoire. One of my favourite bakes has been these amazing lemon and blueberry oat bars, they’re similar to flapjacks but are light and flluffy. They’re not too bad for you in the grand scheme of things but still taste amazing with a cup of tea in the morning!

One of the main things I love baking and cooking for is when I’m feeling in a bit of a funk. It gives me something to busy myself with, it’s enjoyable, it feels productive and I (usually) get something tasty at the end of it. I’m writing this with a stomach full of homemade pizza and a slice of lemon cheesecake in my hands, so all in all a very positive change and something I want to continue to work on this year.

Exercise

I’ve always had an inconsistent exercise routine. I suppose routine is a strong word for going to the gym 4 times a week for a month, then not at all for 6 weeks, then everyday for 3 weeks, then not at all, the- you get the picture…

When lockdown hit I started running again with the help of Couch to 5K – which I cannot recommend enough as a side note! I’ve done it twice now and think it’s the best thing to get you running from a standing start. My mum and I did the programme and vowed to continue once it was done – long story short we haven’t… But we’re going again now! The best way for me to sum up running for me is that although I might not love it whilst I’m going, I almost always feel better when I come back than when I left. I was also really looking forward to getting into some classes at the gym this year but that clearly won’t be happening for a while yet.

I would also love to get into yoga and I’m going to try again this year (she says optimistically less than a week into 2021). My main issue is that I’m entirely inflexible and therefore pretty rubbish at yoga. Additionally, getting more flexible and better at yoga is a slow process so it’s hard to see the changes. This all explains why I’ve never done it for longer than a week or two in the past! I tried a few times to get into it in 2020 and it never stuck, but hopefully the fact that I will be working from home for the foreseeable future will give me time to really give it a go. Place your bets as to whether or not I’ll be saying exactly the same thing next year…

Is there anything you loved in 2020? Or any changes that you’re hoping to carry forward into the New Year?

Colourpop Haul and Review

3rd Dec 20203rd Dec 2020Hollie Edmeades5 Comments

I’ve been wanting to try out Colourpop for years but I never pulled the trigger on my orders because of the threat of customs and extortionate shipping fees. All the way back in March I decided that was the day I would bite the bullet and go for it, but about two days later the world fell apart and my order was indefinitely delayed. Of course there were and still are much bigger issues to deal with, but finally getting this order was the tiny cherry on the total shambles of a cake that was lockdown. Finally, here we are with a nice little order and my thoughts on the products! Keep reading to find out my experience with the ordering process, shipping time and what I think of the products.

Ordering and Shipping

I made my first order after much deliberation on 17th March and eventually cancelled it and got my money back around 10 days later once it seemed inevitable that my package wasn’t arriving anytime soon due to Coronavirus restrictions. I contacted customer support a few times over the 3/4 months that I was ordering, cancelling and reordering and they always replied promptly, I think within about 48 hours each time.

I eventually reordered in July after emailing and finding out that they had resumed shipping from their warehouses. My order came to $81.40 which included shipping and customs at $14.40 and a $5 discount code. I ordered 8 items which came to $72 (-$5 discount) which I think is good value so long as the products are good quality and I wanted to order a good amount to make the shipping worth it!

On shipping: it seems expensive but I don’t think $14 is too bad considering it includes customs too, so there were no nasty surprises when it arrived! I ordered on 9th July and it arrived on the 17th so pretty fast delivery all things considered.

(Full disclosure: yes I have been using these products for a full 5 months and have only just got around to writing about them… I really have no excuse but 2020 is a write off okay, cut me some slack!)

The Products

As I mentioned, I ordered 8 products totalling $72. There is 1 product that I haven’t used: a lipstick I got for my sister as a birthday present – fairly self-explanatory why I haven’t used it! I’ve tried out the rest of the products for a good while now (understatement of the year) so I’ve got a good idea about how I feel about them.

Super Shock Shadows ~ $6 each

I couldn’t have ordered from Colourpop without trying out their Super Shock formula. This was Colourpop’s cult product line when they first launched and I’m so happy that it lived up to the hype. The cream-to-powder formula is totally unique to me and applies beautifully with your finger.

I wore this shade ritz almost every single day for the first few months I got it because it gives this amazing wet look glittery shimmer on the eyes. It’s low maintenance but super impactful and perfect for summer or for that extra special something when you’re wanting to dress up.

I also ordered the shade slave2pink a super bright and shimmery hot pink. This looks great all over the eyes either in a really structured shape or more blown-out and relaxed. I really liked these and am glad I took the plunge and ordered, even for Ritz on its own! I would order some more super shock shadows if I saw a really unique shade that I thought I would get a lot of use out of. Top tip though, make sure you really close the packaging tight on any Super Shock formulas, apparently they can dry out if you don’t!

Super Shock Highlighter in Flexitarian ~ $8

Another Super Shock formula but this time I can put it allll over my face. This shade flexitarian is so incredibly metallic but definitely works for everyday, just don’t pile it on unless you’re going for the robot look. I apply this with my finger as well because of the creamy formula and I think the warmth from my fingers helps to blend it out. I love that this shade doesn’t leave a cast when I turn my face, it melts into the skin and shines in the light. Another one that I’ve been using everyday!

In A Trance Shadow Palette ~ $12

I’d been looking for a pastel eyeshadow palette for a long time so when I saw this as part of Colourpop’s Tye Dye collection I thought it was the perfect palette to try out. Being pastel shades these were always going to take some building up but they’re much more pigmented than I expected and they blend nicely too. The only thing I’m not super happy about is that some of the mattes are flecked with microglitters, for example that bright pink shade in the top right should be a stunning, summery matte but instead has glitter running throughout. It’s not a deal breaker but I don’t understand why they couldn’t leave this shade matte! This is a common theme with Colourpop shadows so just something to watch out for.

Beast Lux Liquid Lip

I’ve gone off matte liquid lipsticks in a big way, they’re generally drying, uncomfortable and just look bad within half an hour of wear. Having said that… Belle is my favourite Disney princess… so I think that explains why Beast ended up in my basket! Seriously though I did love the colour on the website, it’s a nice darker nude but still wearable. More importantly it is pretty comfortable. It never seems to totally dry down but it still has a soft matte finish so it wasn’t drying at all, as a result of that I did find that the colour wore off when I ate or drank anything but I would prefer to reapply than feel uncomfortable! Similar to the Super Shock Shadows, I would buy another shade from this range if it was incredibly unique but it’s not a new go to formula for me.

Aquarius Lippie Stix

Another classic Colourpop product, I was super excited to try the Lippie Stix. A low maintenance lipstick, the glossy, slim product seemed like a perfect ‘throw in your handbag’ product. It is incredibly comfortable, almost like a lip balm or non-sticky gloss, but for me it does emphasise the texture on my lips so you can tell if I haven’t exfoliated. I’ll definitely use this one with other products but I don’t think I’ll buy another shade in this formula.

Forth Ray Beauty Raydiate Vitamin C Serum

I’ve heard good things about Colourpop’s skincare line Forth Ray Beauty so was excited to try out something from the line. I needed a new vitamin C serum and had heard that it was a cheaper alternative but still just as good as high end vitamin C serums. I do like this one but I can’t notice a massive difference in my skin, it doesn’t tingle or sting which is great but I’m not convinced that it does a great deal… it does make my skin look glowy but no different to my Glossier vitamin C serum. Again, I like it, I’ll use it all up and enjoy using it but I’m not seeing massive results. Then again it’s not breaking me out so that’s a plus!

My favourite products are definitely the Super Shock Shadows and the In A Trance palette, and even if some of the products aren’t new favourites I’m not discouraged from trying more from Colourpop, in fact I can’t wait to try more!

The Palette Tag

27th Jul 202027th Jul 2020Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I don’t have hundreds of eyeshadow palettes, don’t get me wrong I still have too many! Because of this I find it quite hard to answer the question “what is your favourite palette?”. I saw this tag on Youtube and LOVED the idea so I wanted to write about it myself because I’m not ready to hear my voice on a recording/see how awkward I am on camera yet! With that being said, keep reading to see some of my favourite colourful powders.

Newest Palette

My newest eyeshadow palette is the In A Trance palette from Colourpop. I just did my first ever order from there and I’m really excited to try everything out! I have taken this one for a little spin already and, based on first impressions, I like it! I’m gonna need to find a way to wear these shades everyday.

Oldest Palette

Believe it or not, I STILL have the OG Naked palette in my drawers. It’s one of the first ‘proper’ makeup products I ever got! Safe to say I haven’t touched it in a while, I think it’s more an artefact than a makeup product now, maybe she’ll be worth a fortune one day…

Most Expensive Palette

There’s not a massive amount of variety in the prices of my eyeshadow palettes, most of them sit around the £40 mark, but I think when I bought the Tartlette in bloom palette it was a little more pricey than the rest. Although the prices may have changed now so the most expensive I own might be one of my ABH palettes instead? So either one of those two!

Most Inexpensive Palette

To be honest, I totally forgot I owned this palette. I was really surprised to find the Revolution Reloaded Newtrals 2 palette at the back of my drawers. This palette was only £4 when a bought it and looks incredibly similar to the Modern Renaissance by ABH. I haven’t used this one in a while now but I remember quite liking the formula.

Most Everyday Palette

I own a fair few ‘everyday’ palettes, but the NYX Ultimate palette is probably the most ‘everyday’ palette I own, it’s neutral but nice and versatile too. I can get lots of really nice daytime and evening looks from this palette, which also makes it the perfect travel palette.

Most Colourful Palette

My Morphe x James Charles Artistry palette has to be the most colourful palette I own. This palette is great to have on hand, it’s not got the most cohesive colour story but that it isn’t necessarily it’s main selling point. For me, it’s purpose is for it to have everything you need when you need it rather than to inspire you in and of itself. I always know it’s there when I need something bright.

Smallest Eyeshadow Palette

My smallest palette is definitely my Naked Basics palette. I don’t really use this one a lot but it is a good one for travel and super easy to store. Because of that I can’t imagine that I’ll get rid of it any time soon, it’s not exactly getting in the way or taking up space!

Best Memory

I think my Morphe x Jaclyn Hill palette has the best memory attached to it. I remember opening this one on Christmas Day a few years ago around the time that it first came out and I was so incredibly excited! This is first palette that I got crazy excited about when I was starting to learn a little more about make up. The formula of these shades is still phenomenal, I really need to use it more than I do because it’s just so good!

Most Worth the Hype

I think the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam palette is totally worth the hype. I find the formula has great colour pay off but still easy to work with, and the shimmers are super metallic making this a great all rounder.

Least Worth the Hype

I think the Tarlette in Bloom palette is.. okay..? I really liked it when I first got it and still think the softer neutrals are nice. But the darker colours are nigh on impossible blend and the colour pay off is meh at best. I think it’s fine, but I never reach for it anymore.

Favourite Palette from a Favourite Brand

Anastasia has one of the best eyeshadow formulas I have tried and the Soft Glam palette has my favourite colour story of all their palettes. I hate to repeat myself but I don’t have the biggest collection in the world and I wanted to be honest! I love my Modern Renaissance as well but I just feel like the Soft Glam stepped it up a notch with the blendability of the mattes and the amazing shimmers.

Most Used Palette

Purely because of how long I’ve had it, the ABH Modern Renaissance is my most used palette. It was my go-to for such a long time and even if it has been displaced I still find myself picking it up fairly often.

What’s next on my Wishlist?

This one wasn’t in the original tag but I thought I would add an extra category! (I know, who do I think I am?). The next palette on my Wishlist is the Melt Gemini palette. I’ve seen one girl I follow talk about it relentlessly and the formula looks insane. I also recently found out that it is stocked on Beauty Bay and I am actually a Gemini. I feel like its written in the stars, an inevitable purchase. The only thing holding me back (other than spending the money!) is I’m not sure if I’ll use it enough..? Like I say though, I think it might be inevitable especially because I’ve just graduated so it might just accidentally fall into my basket as a graduation present to myself. Rereading this, I’ve written so much about this palette that I can see how excited I am and how desperately I’m trying to talk myself out of buying it! Wish me luck…

I hope you enjoyed my take on the palette tag, I really enjoyed writing this one. I’m getting more into makeup again recently and I’m loving it!

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Glossier Haul and Review

7th Jul 20206th Jul 2020Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

Glossier is one of my favourite brands, I love the aesthetic and the products that I’ve already tried so I really wanted to try some more. I’ve been trying to save in lockdown and it was my birthday recently so that perfect storm (nice pun, kind of… sorry) led to a sizeable order! I’ve been trying these out for the last month or so and (spoiler alert) am loving it all! Keep reading to see my thoughts.

Cloud Paint Duo in Puff and Storm

I’ve already tried one cloud paint in the shade Dusk and I love it! Dusk is a really wearable nudey pink shade so I wanted to try something a little bolder, and bold is definitely the word for the colours I chose! Puff is a super light pink shade and Storm is a much darker dusty rose shade. Although somewhat intimidating, the creamy formula means that these shades blend seamlessly and give a perfect, low-maintenance flush to the cheeks. The best way to apply these is with your fingers to let their natural warmth blend the product in. I love all three shades, particularly storm blended together with dusk, such a dreamy combo!

Niteshine in Pale Pearl

If you had told me before I tried this product that Glossier had a wet-look, metallic highlighter in their collection I would have laughed because of their super natural aesthetic. And yet, that’s exactly what Niteshine is: wet-looking and metallic on the skin for a stay-all-day shine. Part of the Glossier Play line, Niteshine is a fun pop of sheen to add some luminosity to your everyday makeup. Again, this blends seamlessly with the fingers and adds such a pop to the highpoints of the face without being obnoxious.

Wowder Duo

When Wowder launched I didn’t hear much about it, good or bad. It was only after one of my favourite influencers talked about how much she loved it, second only to her Hourglass powder, and since Hourglass is a little out of my price range I decided to try Wowder instead! I really like this as it doesn’t look too powdery on the face and sets me down all day. The brush is also really nice, not an essential by any means but still nice to have!

The Treat and Perfect Duo

The Treat + Perfect Duo has been a great addition to my skincare routine. The Solution has become my everyday toner but I only use it at night and am sure to wear suncream the next day because the acids make your skin very sensitive to the sun. Having said that, I’ve experienced no irritation and my skin has been baby soft ever since I started using it. My texture has definitely reduced if not totally vanished and my skin feels brand new every morning. I’ve (touch wood) not had a big break out yet so the Zit Stick is yet to be put through it’s paces but in all honesty I’m happy to wait a while longer before I need to use it!

I hope that was in some way helpful if you’re looking to make a Glossier order, equally I’m sorry if I’ve made you want to make a Glossier order! Although if you are looking to try some new things and you fancy some everyday makeup bits to enhance your natural gorgeousness, Glossier is a great option. Maybe you’ll thank me later? Thank you for reading x

My Skincare Routine 2020

6th May 2020Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

Since we’ve been in lockdown I’ve taken the opportunity to spend some more time over my skincare in the morning and the evening so I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing. For some context, the general purpose of my evening skincare to repair and nourish my skin and the purpose of my morning skincare to prepare it for makeup and make it nice and glowy. As for my skin type, I have pretty normal skin that can sometimes be a bit sensitive. My skin isn’t prone to break outs (she says with a second head currently growing on her cheek) but if I do get spots they tend to be around my chin which I believe are mostly down to hormones and diet (*cough* stop eating chocolate *cough*). I also have a fringe which means I do get some lumps, bumps and general texture on my forehead but no one sees that so I’m not too worried about it!

Evening

To take my makeup off I’ve been loving using my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm recently. I’ve only started using it regularly over the past month or so (hello lockdown!) since I’ve been home and had access to my bathroom to do my skincare but I am totally converted! I used to use micellar water and I do still like it for a quick and easy makeup removal but the Clinique balm literally melts the makeup off my skin and leaves it feeling clean but not tight. I also remove the oily residue of the balm with my Face Halo and I really think it makes all the difference. Face Halos are made of microfibres and can actually be used to take off makeup without any other cleanser, just water! I do love the Face Halo for that too (you can read more about it in my review post here!) but using it with an oil based cleanser means I can remove my makeup without scrubbing my skin too hard. Equally, I’ve used the balm without my Face Halo before and as nicely as it removes my makeup I definitely feel like that oil residue stays on my skin. So all in all, an oil based cleanser is definitely my favourite for removing makeup but I definitely like to take it all of with a Face Halo!

For my double cleanse I’m currently using the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, again removed with a Face Halo. I’ve only started double cleansing recently and I’m definitely a convert, I don’t think my skin has ever felt this clean! I definitely like this cleanser but I’m not sure if I would buy it again. I’ve just bought The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser and I’m looking forward to trying that soon! The best thing I can say about the Glossier Cleanser is that it cleans my skin and (as far as I can tell) hasn’t broken me out, which might not sound like high praise but that’s exactly what I want from a cleanser!

Next I tone with the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner on my reusable cotton pads I got from amazon. I like it, it’s okay, I’ll be honest I bought it because it was pink and looked nice and wasn’t too expensive! I’ve learnt a little more (emphasis on little!) about skincare recently and the main thing I’ve learnt is that alcohol is generally not good for your skin and after closer inspection I saw that alcohol is the first ingredient on the back of the toner bottle. For that reason I don’t think I’ll be repurchasing and next on my list is the Glossier Solution or the Pixie Glow Tonic so fingers crossed I can try those soon.

After toner I slather my skin in Glossier’s Super Bounce serum. It’s so nice and moisturising but extremely light on the skin and sinks in so nicely. After toner my skin can tend to feel a bit tight (most likely due to the alcohol in it!) so I love using this serum afterwards to make my skin feel hydrated again. Because I have fairly normal skin when given the choice between moisturising or oil control I always go for moisturising because the last thing I want to do is suck all the moisture from my skin and dehydrate it! Like I said, I do think this is a really lovely serum but I might try a different one before I repurchase it.

Next up in my routine is eye cream and I’m currently working my way through my Clinique All About Eyes eye cream. Again, I do really like this one but so long as eye cream is nice and moisturising I’m not too fussy about it! With all that in mind, I don’t think I’ll repurchase this one as I think I’d like to try something different when I finish it.

For my night time moisturiser I’m using up a sample size of Glossier’s Priming Moisturiser in Rich. I do really like this moisturiser because I find that it sinks in pretty quickly and is nice and moisturising. The only thing I’m not loving is the perfumey smell although it hasn’t irritated my skin as far as I can tell, it’s just personal preference! Pretty similar story here as well: I do like it but probably won’t repurchase.

I am looking to add some AHA/BHA acids to my evening skincare to deal with the texture on my forehead and cheekbones but I’m planning to do some research before putting too many acids on my skin. I would definitely like to try The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + 5% BHA Peeling Solution when it comes back in stock!

Morning

I tend not to do a full cleanse in the morning, usually just wash my face with water in the shower or run a damp Face Halo over my skin.

Next I pop on my Glossier Super Glow Serum. Another Glossier product that I’ve been really liking, Super Glow is a vitamin C serum that gives your skin a nice glow. It’s also not too potent so doesn’t irritate my skin which is great! I haven’t really used enough of this to consider repurchasing and will probably do some more research into vitamin C serums before I do.

I’m still using my Nivea eye cream, it has a nice pinky colour to counteract dark circles so it’s great for tired puffy eyes in the morning. Equally great for puffy skin is the L’Oreal Hydra Genius moisturiser, so nice and cooling in the summer! I’m not going to be repurchasing these products because they are not cruelty free so I’ll be finding some alternatives when the time comes!

I’m on the hunt for a great sun cream for under makeup but until then I’m using up a garnier sun cream. It’s super important to use sun cream everyday and especially after putting active ingredients like vitamin C on your skin. Like I say I’m just using this one up and have my eye on the Kao Biore Watery Essence Sunscreen to try next.

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Beauty Favourites

19th Mar 2020Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I’ve been really getting into makeup again recently and have really enjoyed trying out some new things with the products I already have. In wearing makeup nearly everyday again my favourite products have really stuck out and so I thought I’d write about them and talk about what I’ve been loving recently.

Rimmel’s Lasting Finish foundation

I’ve been gravitating towards this foundation so much recently, partially because it’s the foundation that matches me best at the moment, but I’ve still been really liking how it looks! I’ve been enjoying wearing this foundation on an everyday basis, concentrating the medium coverage formula in the centre of my face and blending outwards. Because this matches me pretty well currently (my pale pale face currently suits the shade 103 – True Ivory) I can quickly slap it on in the morning without worrying about it looking streaky. Like I said, I find this to be a solid medium coverage that covers most of my redness but still lets my skin peak through. All in all, a solid option, especially for that quick application in the mornings.

Too Faced Born This Way concealer

I love this concealer. I use it every time I wear makeup, without fail! This concealer is a little more expensive, but because of the super high coverage I only use a tiny amount under my eyes, a little mark on my chin and nose to brighten my face and on any little breakouts so it lasts for such a long time. I currently use the shade Snow which is a pretty good match right now but would be too light if I really packed it on and will definitely be too light for when I (hopefully) get a tan this summer. Like I said, the coverage is crazy good and although there is a little creasing throughout the day its totally natural and normal so doesn’t bother me and is something I see with every concealer I wear under my eyes.

MAC’s Velvet Teddy

Potentially the definition of a classic, this lipstick has been raved about for as long as I can remember – I think it’s one of the first high end products I ever got! I cracked it out again recently and was reminded exactly why it’s a cult classic. The perfect pinky nude matte lipstick, it strikes a great balance between being comfortable and has decent lasting power and even when it does start to fade it does so naturally without becoming patchy.

ABH Modern Renaissance

There’s a reason we were all obsessed with it when it launched! I’ve fallen back in love with my Modern Renaissance palette this month both for my everyday makeup and for those (admittedly rare) occasions that I head out in the evening. My favourite shade for quick makeup in the morning is Buon Fresco, the lilac colour in the palette. I just put it all over my lid and in my crease, add a little of Vermeer, the cooler toned shimmer, in my inner corner and I’m all done! If I have a little extra time I like taking Cyprus Umber, a really nice brown with hints of purple, and running it along my lash line for a faux wing.

L’oreal Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum

I just had to sneak a hair favourite in because I’ve been loving this product so much recently. This Frizz Killer Serum is the newest addition to the Dream Lengths range and honestly whenever they add something new to this range it immediately peaks my interest. I religiously use the hair cream and now the frizz serum when I get out of the shower and I think they really help my hair to be much less frizzy and fluffy. I have wondered if maybe the combination does weigh my hair down a little but to be honest it doesn’t bother me and I’ll compromise a little volume for less frizzy hair!

Glossier Super Glow Serum

Back to our regularly scheduled beauty favourites, I’ve been really liking the Glossier Super Glow serum lately. I got it for Christmas and have used it almost every morning since. I’m not super well versed in what I should and shouldn’t be using in my skincare routine but I’ve heard that vitamin C serums are supposed to make your skin nice and glowy so I thought I would try one. To be honest my skin has looked a little dead recently but I think that’s a combination of a slightly sub-par diet (university student right here), assignments and dissertation work (again, university) and the corona virus stress is not helping (the most important year of my life so far AND a seemingly unstoppable virus? I think not). All in all not the best! But having said that I think my skin has been looking better overall since I’ve been using the super bounce serum.

Cruelty free makeup

20th Feb 202027th Feb 2020Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I’d love to be that person that can go vegan, but unfortunately I’m not right now. I’ve made a few changes, like I try not to buy beef to eat at home, buy Quorn instead of chicken sometimes and have made the switch to buying soya milk to have in my tea. However, I think the one place that I can try hard and succeed is in my makeup. So I’ve decided to be more conscious about the brands I buy from and the actions I support when I purchase certain products.

In a nutshell, products advertised as cruelty free have not been tested on animals. Although this seems very black and white there are some grey areas to be aware of. Just because a product is cruelty free doesn’t mean that the brand as a whole has a zero tolerance policy for testing all of their products on animals. And even if a brand is cruelty free, that doesn’t mean that their suppliers are. Moreover, if a brand sells their products in China then they are not considered cruelty free as animal testing is required in China.

It can be very tricky to keep up with which brands are cruelty free and which are not, certain brands are certified and some are not. To help with this, there are many website and blogs that regularly update their list of brands to keep readers updated with which brands to support. The two I often consult are Free The Bunnies and My Beauty Bunny.

So why the desire to try and buy cruelty free? I suppose that’s quite self-explanatory really, I believe that testing on animal is unnecessary and unnecessary harm seems wrong to me. Additionally the cosmetics market has become so saturated with products and there are so many brilliant options out there that buying from brands who aren’t cruelty free again, seems unnecessary when I have the choice. I’m not necessarily an animal lover by any means, but again it seems so unnecessary to continue to test on animals so I’m choosing to try not to support those brands anymore.

This doesn’t by any means mean I’m going to purge my makeup and throw away anything that isn’t cruelty free. Firstly, this would be wasteful and would achieve nothing as the product is already bought and the money is in their hands. Secondly, this would be incredibly expensive and I can’t afford to replace all that makeup! I’m going to use up the products I already own and try to find alternatives the next time I need to buy something to replace it.

I’m going to try my best to buy cruelty free but as I mentioned, it can be difficult to research a brand and the brand that company is owned by to guarantee that they are cruelty free. More and more brands are going cruelty free as the demand for these products is rising so hopefully this endeavour will only get easier.