Another ELF order

So my second ELF order arrived yesterday, a bit late because of Christmas.  This time I got the Mineral Lipstick, Liquid Lipstick, Powder (again), Studio Stipple Brush and the ordinary Eye Brush.

I got the Mineral Lipstick in Rich Raspberry and the Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry which is a new shade I think.  The Pressed Powder is Ivory.

I'll do some reviews on these products soon as I've tried all of them out already :)

Some photos from Christmas

My Christmas tree!  You can't really see it properly though :P

Cupcake!  I thought this was so cute that I had to put it up here. I couldn't eat it all though :S

Here's my cat, biting the Christmas tree.  He keeps attacking it lol, and biting fake berries off the wreath thing.  I'm calling him the Grinch because he kept trying to steal and open everyone's presents :P

Him again, I thought he looked funny :)

Happy Christmas & New Year everyone!

Gift Ideas Under €10

Here are a few ideas for gifts under €10, some of these would be good Kris Kringle/Secret Santa presents, or as part of a present.  You can still buy from some online stores in time for Christmas, just make sure to check first.

ELF Beauty Book in 'Sparkle Eyes': €6.80 - eyeslipsface.co.uk

Gogo Phillip Swallow Charm Necklace: €4.04  asos.com

Studded Click Purse: €9.99 New Look

Nails Inc. Limited Edition in 'Haymarket': €10.76 asos.com (lots of other colours available)

Knitted Bobble Trapper Hat:  €8.39 New Look

Gold by Giles - Nail Wraps: £7.99  New Look (might be only in UK)

    Barry M - Lip Paint Set: €9.41 asos.com

Happy Christmas!

Review: Make-up Brushes

It can be hard to find good brushes.  There are loads to choose from and sometimes the really expensive ones aren't as good as you expected.  Here's a little about brushes I've tried out, what to buy and what not to buy.

1. Eyes Lips Face: Total Face Brush and Blending Eye Brush  
          

      

                            Total Face Brush           ELF Blending Eye Brush

I bought these two brushes from eyeslipsface.com about a month ago.  I'd heard really good things about ELF and these were part of my first purchase from them.

I like the Total Face Brush.  It's big and fluffy so it doesn't take off your foundation when applying powder, which is good.  It can be used for any powders, bronzers, shimmers etc.  The only thing I didn't like was that the brush sheds a little but.  It's not a big problem though and overall I thought this brush was very good.

The Blending Eye brush has a smallish, fluffy head.  I quite liked this for appyling eyeshadow all over the lid.  It's a blending brush though and I thought it did quite a good job of blending around the eye, but it can be used as a general eye brush too.  The only thing is that this brush is a little bit big so you should be careful when applying dark shadows so that you don't end up putting on way too much.  This brush also sheds a little but I'd imagine that after a bit more use this might not shed as much.

I've only tried out two brushes but I really like them.  I've heard that some more of their brushes are brilliant so I want to try a few more out.

I've ordered a couple more ELF brushes for Christmas and I'll post about those when I get them!

2. Stila: Crease and Liner brush

I love this brush!  I use this everyday, it's the perfect brush for eyeshadows.  One end has a crease shadow brush and the other end has an eyeliner brush.  I use the crease side the most.  It has tightly packed bristles and doesn't shed.  I find that it picks up eyeshadow easily and applies the colour really well.  It's precise and puts the perfect amount of product onto the lid.  You don't have to use this in just the crease, it can be used as a general eye shadow brush too.

  

I don't really use the eyeliner side much.  When I wear liquid eyeliner I do a very thin line.  This brush is for doing a thicker, 60's style line or for wearing with false eyelashes I think.  You could use it for a thin line if you wet it though.

I use this brush dry, for doing small details around the crease. I put a small amount of the darkest colour into the crease using the eyeliner end of this brush.

Overall I absolutely love this brush.  The only negative thing is the price- it costs £21 (although I got mine for around €6 online).  I think it's worth the price because it's amazing quality.

Boots 17: Powder Brush

I bought this to use as a powder brush, but it wasn't good.  It applied the powder in patches and wasn't packed tightly enough so it bended a lot when I was using it.  I use it to apply blusher now, which is much better.  It applies the blusher quite well, not too dark and not too light.  I don't really like this brush though, but it does work.  It doesn't shed much either.

I think it cost around €5 in Boots.

More Brush Brands!

Here are a couple of very popular, reasonably priced brush brands; Sigma Brushes and Crown Brushes.

  Sigma Brushes:

Sigma is a really popular brand at the moment.  They have every kind of brush and tool available and they're not that expensive. I've heard really good reviews on their products.  The product I've seen recommended most often by bloggers is the Complete Kit.

It costs $90 which works out to be around €68.  For a complete set of 12 brushes this is great value.  You save $53 on individual prices.

This set is often recommended as it has everything you need.  

There are loads more brushes and products available on the official Sigma site: here

You can buy the Complete Kit here: here 

This set would make a great Christmas present.

Crown Brushes:

I've heard quite good things about Crown Brushes.  They're an affordable brand but they are good quality.  They sell good sets, such as the Purple Rain set, £30.  They also sell individual brushes, make-up, and have quite good sales.

Christmas Beauty Gift Ideas!

Need an idea for a Christmas gift for someone?  There are loads of different make-up gift sets out in time for Christmas this year.  Here are a few I've picked out which would make great Christmas presents.


1. Stila 'In The Light' eye palette - €33.60
2. O.P.I Gold & Caviar Duo - €20
3. Soap & Glory Graffiti Print Minis Set - €18 (on sale €14)
4. Benefit 'I'm Glam Therefore I Am'- €39.68
5. NARS Holiday 2011 Lipstick - €23.54
6. Too Faced 'Beautiful Dreamer' - €49.09
7. Nail Rock Duo nail wraps - €13.45
8. Barry M Lip Paint Set - €16.14
9. NARS 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' Nail Varnish set - €29.59
10. Nails Inc 'In The Crowd' Mini Nail Polish Set - €53.13


All products are available from asos.com and usual official stockists of each brand. 
Images from asos.com

Review:ELF Beauty Book Neutral Edition

I posted a few weeks ago about the ELF Beauty Book I had bought.  I've tried out most of the colours by now so

The palette I bought is the Neutral Eye Edition.  I think there are some new palettes available for Christmas.

Here's all the colours.  The colours are a bit different in real life though.  Top row from left; cream, gold/brown, metallic brown, dark purple with grey/brown undertones.

Second row from left: peach/nude colour, pink, purple/pink, purple.

Bottom row; brown/peach colour, rust, mauve, dark purple with black undertones.

I found that these eyeshadows were good quality.  They were generally well pigmented and the colours in the palette complement each other well.  Most of the colours have some shimmer in them, which I liked, and there are a couple of matte shades too.  I used the ELF Eyelid Primer underneath the eyeshadows which made them show up much brighter and made them last longer. 

ELF Eyelid Primer

                                  

It also comes with a mini eyeliner in Coffee, which is a dark brown colour. 

I really like these shadows.  I've been using this palette loads since I got it.  The packaging is really nice too, and there's a guide which shows how to contour and highlight too.  It's only about €6.80 I think and you get 12 shadows, an eyeliner and a mini brush/applicator.  This would be a really good idea for a Christmas present.

:)

It's friday! :D

This weekend I'll be posting more, because I haven't posted anything in ages(sorry lol).  I've been trying out the ELF Beauty Book..review and tutorials to come I think :)