The ULTIMATE Top 5 Brushes!

We all have those makeup brushes that we use all the time, the ones that we always find ourselves grabbing and those we feel we couldn’t live without. When I find a high quality brush I just have to have more than one in my collection. Four out of five of the brushes that I have featured on this blogpost are very affordable with the exception of one and I find that the durability and quality of these brushes are worth raving about. The fact is, most brushes that we find in the drugstore are manufactured in the same factory as those that are overly priced. There is nothing worse than when we spend a lot of money on brushes that don’t live up to our expectations. Most high end brushes tend to shed after a few washes.

F22 HD Dome Face Brush(HD Collection) €14.99

From left to right, the first brush I use is the ‘Blank Canvas Cosmetics F22 Buffing Brush’. I bought this brush over a year ago and it is still in great condition. There hasn’t been one bit of shedding and it is still as compact and soft as when I first used it. I use this for both applying my base whether it is a primer or a liquid illuminator and also for my foundation. Due to its compact bristles, this brush gets the most coverage out of any foundation, from the lightest to the very high coverage foundations. It is perfect for blending out your foundation as it requires minimal effort, it’s almost like the brush does all of the hard work. It blends everything out so effortlessly and it also allows you to build up the coverage without any cakeyness. What I love most about this brush is that it doesn’t soak up the foundation, I find this happens with a lot of foundation brushes.

Primark P.S Beauty Powder and Blusher Face Brush €2.50

For both setting my foundation and bronzing up the face I always use my ‘Primark Powder and Blusher Face Brush’. This brush is of serious quality at such an affordable price. One side is more compact, dense and smaller in size which is perfect for setting your foundation with powder. It is not as large as the opposite side so it is perfect for getting into the crevices of the face such as around the nose and it is also great for setting the under eye area. The opposite side of the brush is amazing at bronzing up the face. What is great about this brush is that it is quite fluffy so there is no worry about harsh lines or applying too much product. Because of this, its blends everything out seamlessly and it is very easy to build up the intensity. I would highly recommend stocking up on all the Primark Beauty brushes as I have every one and they are definitely comparable to the high end brushes on the market.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics: E25/E26 Blending Duo €11.99
Now this brush might surprise you, can you believe that I use this brush both on my eyes and also on my face in a variety of ways. I use it mainly for blending out my eyeshadow. I use the F26 side first for the initial blending out of the base eyeshadow, this is one of the only blending brushes that I find actually blends out the eyeshadow without having to blend and blend and blend for what feels like days upon days. Even when I am using very neutral colours I still use this as it gives such a blended and seamless eyeshadow look. The F25 side is great for blending when you are using harsher shades and creating a dramatic look. Now for the surprise, I also use this on the face for contouring my face using both creams and powders. It is also the perfect shape and size for applying a highlighter to the high points of the face. No matter what type of product you are using, from a powder to a cream and even a liquid. Because of its size and its rounded shape, I find it's perfect at setting the under eye area with a powder and also blending away any fallout from your eyeshadow.

Real Techniques Shading Brush €11.99

For the eyes I always use the ‘Real Techniques Shading Brush’. This brush is perfect for both applying a light layer of eyeshadow and also for packing on eyeshadow for a more dramatic and intense look. This brush has very compact synthetic bristles, it is perfect to use for both applying the eyeshadow and also blending the eyeshadow out with just a few swipes fur to its rounded tip. You always know you’re going to get such great quality at such an affordable price when you are purchasing any ‘Real Technique’ brushes. I have multiples of both their face and eyeshadow brushes, I highly rate all their brush sets.

MAC 266 Small Angled Brush €22

Last but not least, the eyebrow brush I use every single time I fill in my brows is the 'Mac 266'. I have had this particular brush for years now. It was one of the first travel sized brush sets that I received. It has survived countless of travels and washes. It is perfect for applying both wax and powders, it has natural bristles and is also angled so it is great for creating both a natural and structured brow. The angled brush makes it easy to shape the brow especially around the arch of the brow. It is not as dense and compact as most eyebrow brushes out there, therefore, it is easy to build up the intensity of the brow shape and also the ease of cleaning the brush as the product doesn’t get trapped in the tightly compact bristles.

Hope you enjoyed this little favourites post,

Love Rouxella x

MY 10 MINUTE FACE

  

Before beginning my internship 2 weeks ago I was definitely one to not wear makeup every day. Especially with it being the summer season there's nothing better than having a makeup free and fresh face as much as possible. But since I am in an office environment every day and  I can't deny that I love getting dressed in a smart and business attire.

It's great finding little gems which I can wear every day without my skin freaking out, but most importantly finding products that last all day while looking natural and feeling lightweight. This speedy makeup routine features only a few key products and takes a maximum of 10 minutes to complete. That's what I love most about these products is that they are all very natural, so there is no worry about harsh lines or spending a long period of time blending and blending. 

PREP

Every morning I begin with a cleansed face using my usual skincare routine. I then follow up by moisturising my face with the 'Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Daycream'. This gives my skin nourishment while also getting rid of any dry patches that I tend to get around the perimeter of my face.What is great about this moisturiser is that it doesn't leave you with an oily/greasy residue on the skin. Even though I have quite dry skin on the perimeter of my face I tend to get oily around the center of my face, especially when I’m wearing makeup.

BASE

I start off by using the ultimate concealer of all drugstore concealers. The Catrice ‘Liquid Camouflage Concealer’ is my absolute favourite for covering any imperfections and to even out my skin. For such an affordable concealer it is very comparable to the high end concealers, especially the ‘Mac Pro Longwear Concealer’. I have a detailed post written on this concealer here. I focus the concealer more on the center of my face and blend it outwards. Around the perimeter of the face I use the 'Bourjois Paris Bronzing Primer'. This is a mouse type consistency and is great for bronzing up the face as it is more on the warmer side. I love to set this bronzing primer with the ‘Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun’, this is the perfect bronzing shade for creating both a natural and dramatic look depending on what you are going for. It blends effortlessly and gives you a perfect bronze glow no matter what skin tone you have. To set the center of my face I have been using a combination of the setting powder and the banana powder from the 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette'. I give this a light sweep down my nose, over my upper lip and chin and with that I am set for the day with no worry about getting oily.

EYES

To prime the eyes, I use my ‘Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft-Ochre’. I don’t know how this product works but it’s a must for anyone who has oily eyelids like I do. Without any base my eyeshadow wouldn’t even last an hour, so using this product is a must and cannot be skipped.

For eyeshadow there is only one palette that does everything, my ‘Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette’ has every shade I could want for a natural eye, no matter if I want a matte or shimmery look. I always use my trusty ‘Primark Liquid Eyeliner Pen’ to line my upper lash line with one quick swipe. I have had this for months now and it is still as good as it was the first time I used it. Every other eyeliner pen I have used dries out after a month, so when I found this little gem I was just blown away. Primark has really outdone themselves with this beauty product for just €2.50. Mascaras differ for me as I am always looking out for the best of the best, I always look for a mascara which separates my lashes while thickening them as much as possible. I always grab my ‘Maybelline Falsies Mascara’ as it does just that in seconds. There is no worry with the mascara transferring to the under eye area throughout the day. It is almost waterproof without the torture of spending hours removing it at the end of the day.

BROWS

For the brows I always use my ‘Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light’. This is the ultimate dupe for the ‘Benefit Eyebrow Kit’. From the packaging to the layout and even the longevity of the product itself. The consistency of the ‘wax’ is creamier in texture and application. Therefore, you have it lasting all day without the hard waxy tug on your eyebrow hairs when sculpting and filling the brows.

LIPS

On the lips I use the ‘Primark P.S Love Matte Long Last Lipstick in Nude‘. It is the perfect nude shade with a hint of pink undertones which is appropriate for everyday and there is no need to spend time lining the lips and being worried about re-applying it constantly throughout the day. This lipstick doesn't dry out the lips like other matte lipsticks. It has a creamy texture and the longevity of this lipstick goes beyond any drugstore lipstick I have tried in the past.

Hope you enjoyed this post on my quick everyday makeup routine,

Love Rouxella x

My Favourite 2015 Beauty Products!

Hello lovelies,

It's that time of year where I begin to reflect on what products I've used on a constant rotation throughout the year of 2015 and what products I found myself using on the regular. I definitely used these products more than any other products in my collection. These are products I tend to use weekly if not daily. I don't think I could not have any of these products in my collection after noticing how much I actually use them and how in love I am with every single product shown. As you can see these products are for an array of purposes and some are from the drugstore and others are more high end. I definitely have more drugstore than high end in my collection but I absolutely love the feeling of finding a high end/drugstore product which suits me perfectly and a product which I fall deeply in love with. 

These are just a few of the products which I used the most this year and I know that I will use just as much for the coming year of 2016;

Sleek Cosmetics Eyebrow Kit: This is definitely my number 1 used product of 2015. Even if I'm not wearing makeup but I am still going to town or to college I always like to fill in my brows as I have naturally blonde eyebrows and even though I dye them I love having that definition while still being natural. €10.99 // Here

Mac 'Give Me Sun' Bronzer: Without a doubt, this is my favourite bronzer of all time and worth every penny. I remember when I first bought this I was like will it really be worth over €30 but I am so glad I bit the bullet and went for it. Even though I am on the paler side this is just magical and gives such a nice warm glow to the skin. It doesn't matter if I am wearing full coverage foundation or if I am wearing just a bit of concealer, It just gives such a warmth to the skin without looking very orange/too heavy. €31// Here

Mac 266 Eyebrow Brush: I've had this brush for over 5 years now, It is still in perfect condition and it is the best brush that I have found for my eyebrows and it is great at getting that defined yet still natural eyebrow shape. I have quite naturally thick brows so I absolutely love filling them in and really showing their real shape. I also use this brush for under the bottom lash line for eyeshadow and it is also perfect at creating that very popular sharp cut crease. €22 // Here

Mac 187 Duo-Fibre Stippling Face Brush: This is a great brush because of it's versatility and again like my other Mac brush I've had this for years now, I really do think it is luck of the draw when it comes to Mac brushes. Sometimes they are perfect and other times you might get a brush which just shreds and shreds. I use this brush mostly for bronzing up the face and neck area as it doesn't pack on the bronzer. It distributes the bronzer very evenly and naturally, This gives you the ability to build it up to your prefered preference. €47.50 // Here

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder: How much have I raved about this powder in my blog posts. It is so inexpensive while still being an outstanding powder at really setting the foundation without looking powdery and cakey. It is perfect for us girls that tend to get oily throughout the day. There's nothing worse than feeling yourself getting more and more oily during the day and having to constantly top up on powder in order to control the oil. With this magical product I don't need to do all of that, I do it once and that's it for the day. Its truly amazing! €5.99 // Here

Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer: This concealer is the best drugstore multi-use concealer that I have found. It comes in close second to my 'Mac Pro Long Wear'. It is perfect for both highlighting under the eyes for that brightening 'Kim Kardashian' look and also great for covering some imperfections instead of wearing a foundation. At just €3.99 it is an absolute BARGAIN. // Here

Bourjois Paris Bronzing Primer: This product is a great dupe for the 'CHANEL SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL' Bronzer. It is incredible for bronzing up the face either on its own or what I do is I set it with my Mac 'Give Me Sun' bronzer, they are the most perfect and beautiful pairing. This is great even on it's own with no foundation or anything, It creates a natural bronze look without looking like you actually have bronzer on your face. €12.99// Here

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan: This tan is just 'WOW OH WOW'. I have really grown to deeply love this tan and I always go back to it no matter what tan I start to use. It gives a perfect shade of tan without looking orange or too dark. I find that this tan almost develops more even after I wash off the top layer. Its applies so evenly and I never have to worry about streaks or any patchiness when applying this tanning mousse. I love that it is tinted, therefor I can see where I have applied the tan and If I have missed a spot. I leave this tan on all night as I like my tan to be quite dark without looking orange. Marissa Carter is the tanning goddess so whatever product she releases I just know instantly that I will absolutely love it. This is also perfect for tanning the outer perimeter of the face, it gives the most natural bronze look and doesn't wash off as soon as you cleanse your face. €7.99 // Here

Mac 'Soft Ochre' Paint Pot: This is a must for me whenever I wear eyeshadow, my eyelids are the bane of my life as they tend to get oily throughout the day and any eyeshadow that I apply will just crease instantly and just lose its structure if I don't apply a base. This base is perfect for canceling out any discolouration on the lid such as redness or any little veins that you might have. It is also a light coloured base so it allows you to see the true colour of the eyeshadows you apply and really allows them to be intensified. The staying power of my eyeshadows when I use this base is just amazing and it will definitely be a repurchase if I actually use it up in 2016. I've had this for ages now and I am constantly using it, It also still hasn't dried out which is a major bonus. €21 // Here

Mac 'Viva Glam II' Lipstick: When I first bought this lipstick I actually kind of regretted buying it as I felt it didn't suit my skin tone or it wasn't really the colour that I would normally choose as it has a kind of greyish tone to it. But I started using it again this winter and oh my lord it is now my most used lipstick for definite, I just love that shade range now and I have really started to experiment with the more darker and grey-ish toned lipsticks as I feel they are so easy to wear and they really suit my lip shape which thankfully I was blessed with a more fuller lip shape. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves 'Velvet Teddy'. €20 // Here

Primark Eyeliner Pen: How impressed am I with this liquid pen eyeliner? Majorly impressed. I've had this for a few months now and I use it every single day that I have college and it still hasn't dried out one bit, with most eyeliner pens they always end up drying out after 1-2 months and you haven't even used up all the product inside the pen. This was so affordable at just €1.50/€2 and I will be forever repurchasing it as long as they have it in stock. The pigmentation is an insane black and it is so easy to apply. You can create both a thin and thick line very easily but I have to say I'm not talented enough to create a well defined thin flick as the pen isn't very slim. // Here

Hope you enjoyed this little insight into what 

products I love for the year of 2015.

Love Chelsea x

Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick, Yes Please!

Photo Credit: Ashley_Rudder

Hello Beauties,

Mac has been working on this launch for quite a while now. I have been waiting for Mac to launch a matte liquid lipstick range for the longest time now so when I found out that they have been working on this collection to launch I was way too excited. I’m sure I jumped around my room for way too long because of this announcement. They have still not released much information about the range so I am still in the dark about the date of their launch. All they have told us with regards to when it will be launching is that it is set to release this winter.

But of course I had to do my research and stalk the blogs and Instagram accounts to try and find out more information about the collection. The textures of these lipsticks are described as a rich suede matte finish that is totally blowing up in the world of lipstick finishes. It is a weightless liquid lipstick and its Colour-Flex Technology allows these liquid lipsticks to stay on for over 8 hours. Now that is some serious staying power in terms of liquid lipsticks. I am definitely one of those girls that put off wearing dark colours more often due to being worried about it transferring onto my teeth or wearing off unevenly when I am talking or eating. It also states to be non-feathering; this means that it is not meant to move away from the lip line or seep into those little lines around the perimeters of your lips.

There are colours to be released. The collection includes an array of shades from the really pale pinks to those dark winter shades. I am very intrigued about the darker shades as it is coming into the winter months.

Colours Include;

Divine-Divine (Light Pink Shade)

Personal Statement (Barbie Pink Shade)

To Matte With Love (Coral Pink Shade)

Tailored To Tease (Medium Barbie Pink Shade)

Re-Collection (Lavender Shade)

Oh,Lady ( Purple Pink Shade)

High Drama (Plum Shade)

Dance With Me (Dark Red Shade)

Feels So Grand (Red Shade)

Fashion Legacy (Orangey Red Shade)

Quite The Standout (Pale Coral Orange Shade)

Rich & Restless (Coral Peach Shade)

Mademois-Elle (Pale Pink Milkshake Shade)

Back In Vogue (Light Baby Pink)

Lady-Be-Good (Light Baby Pink)

I Hope ye are just as excited as I am for this well anticipated launch, I am a matte lover so this is music to my ears. Hope ye enjoyed this post!

Love Chelsea x

Pink Summer Vibes!

Hey loves,

As its coming into the summer months I have been really trying to incorporate colour into my makeup, my wardrobe and also into the layout of my bedroom. It really does brighten up your mood and creates a sense of relaxation and unwinding. I am definitely the type of person who goes through different phases with regards to colours. Since this post is all about the summer vibes it has to do with colours that are bright and are colours you would normally associate with 'summer'.

Lately I have been obsessed with the colour pink, and I think this is the perfect colour from coming out of spring and into summer as it is definitely a colour to brighten up the face and your style. I have put together a few of my favourite 'pink' beauty products which I have been loving lately and definitely products which get me into those summer vibes.

Essence Unforgettable Kiss Duo Blush:

This blush gives the most soft and gentle flush of baby pink to your cheeks.It is perfect for that naturally fresh look that we all strive for in these summer months. And how pretty is it though, seriously so sweet! This was part of essence's valentines limited collection so I don't know if its still available (sorry).

Sleek Blush in 'Pixie Pink 936':

For those who rather a blush which is more noticeable and brings that real flush of pink to the cheeks now this is perfect for you. It is the most amazing bright fluorescent pink which can be applied to the cheeks with just the slightest touch as it is quite pigmented.

Sleek Pixie Pink Blush €5.99 // Here

Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadow in 'Gold n'Rose':

This eyeshadow needs no words.. It is just the most beautiful eyeshadow that gives an almost liquid/foiled effect to the lid. I just want to have the whole collection right now! I am blown away with the longevity of this eyeshadow and the pigmentation is outstanding. Apply either wet or dry to the lid, I like to apply it with a damp stiff brush for maximum colour payoff and little fallout. 

Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadows €4.49 // Here

Lancome Juicy Tube 'Pamplemousse':

This is one of the mini juicy tubes from the travel set and I have loved these lip glosses for years now. This give the most intense shine and they are also known for their pleasant taste. They are quite sticky so a little goes a long way. This colour is the perfect neutral shade with that hint of pink/mauve.

Wet n Wild Lipstick in 'Bare It All':

This is the most perfect 'me' colour. If you know me you know I LOVE that "Kylie Jenner" pinky/mauve lipstick colour and I was so delighted when I saw the 'Wet n Wild' counter in Penneys. This colour is known for being the most accurate dupe for 'Mac Blankety'. For just €2.99 you cannot go wrong. It definitely is a matte lipstick and it also lasts ages. What I love about these lipsticks is they dont dry out my lips what so ever.

 Mac Blush in 'Pinch o Peach':

This is my first ever blush from mac and as you can see I have used it quite a lot. What I love about mac blushes is that you get your value for money as they last forever. This is definitely a must have for me as it gives such a nice and neutral pink colour to the cheeks. It is so versatile, It is gorgeous for a natural look and is also perfect with a bronzed summer look.

Soap & Glory Hand Food:

This is by far my most well used and favourite drugstore hand moisturizer. Lately my hands have been going through this crazy dry spell which I have never had a problem with before. Seeing as it is coming into the summer months where our nails will be constantly a standout, I believe its key to nourish our hands to the max. This is perfect for us girls that are on a budget yet don't want to sacrifice quality and its the perfect size to throw into your handbag. 

Hand Food €7.69 // Here

 Soap &Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream:

Us girls know how much effort we have to put into our routine from shaving the legs and then exfoliating the legs and then moisturizing the legs and on top of that even tanning the legs. Its serious maintenance which I hate with a passion. But I do have to say moisturizing every few days does make such a difference and this sugar crush body butter from Soap & Glory is a current favourite of mine. Its a real thick formulation and intensively nourishes the skin and is great for applying the night before to let it soak into the skin nicely.

Sugar Crush Body Buttercream €14.69 // Here

Essence Colour & Go Nail Varnish in '':

This is such an easy colour to pop on and it instantly puts you in that summer mood with that pink/coral shade. Now these nail varnishes do take a bit to dry but the colour payoff is seriously crazy and they are so affordable at just €1.49. Can someone say bargin?

Benefit Girl Meets Peal Illuminator:

A key in these summer months is that natural dewy look. Me personally I like to use a matte foundation all year round and then create that dewiness with my illuminator and highlighters. For the days that I don't want an intense powder highlighter I like to use this liquid illuminator for that natural yet highlighted glow.

Girl Meets Girl €35 // Here

Hope You Enjoyed This Blogpost,

Love Chelsea x

STAY PUT! Going Out Face Makeup.

So as ye all know no matter if its really hot outside and youre spending the day out or you're going out on a night out, we all want our makeup to stay in place and not slide off our face! Using certain primers and products definitely make a HUGE difference in relation to the lasting power of your makeup, but no worries my beauties! i have a few products that are a holy grail to me when im going out and when i know that ill be taking a few(lot) of pictures!

Firstly, make sure the skin is freshly cleansed and clear of any dirt and residue. In my opinion, The lasting power of your makeup depends all on the base, the moisturiser and the primer! You should always moisturise your skin before makeup as it hydrates the skin and gets rid of any dry patches you may have on the skin, In my case i will ALWAYS prime my skin, when i'm going on a night out there is two primers that i like to use..

• Benefits Porefessional Face Primer.

I use this on my T-zone as i tend to have larger pores here and this primer makes them look way smaller while still letting my skin breathe. This primer is also good for mattifying the skin, this stops my face getting oily.. therefore my foundation stays put longer and looks flawless!

•  Mac Prep+Prime Skin Base Visage.

This is an absolute must when it comes to going out, this creates such a smooth base for my foundation and not only that, it primes the skin, i put this all over my face and it keeps my foundation on waaaaay longer, before it i use to come home and my foundation around my t-zone would be mostly gone but now it stays on throughout the night and i don't need to powder as much.

Next is foundation, for me, this is very important, I need a long lasting and full coverage foundation for my nights out. I feel as though these are the foundations that last the longest throughout the night and i also need a foundation with a very low SPF so there is no flashback when im taking photos. My go to and my love is the Mac Studio Fix Foundation, the colour i use is NW20, this is perfect for when i have my tan done. This is my favourite and all time no 1 foundation, the way it lasts and how it covers my imperfections is just amazing and if i used any other of the foundations i have now i don't think id get the same lasting power and the same coverage as i do with this.

Powder for me is the biggest step when it comes to putting everything into place and keeping the shine at a minimum, my favourite and no 1 repurchased powder since i stated wearing make up is the 'Rimmel Stay Matt Powder In Translucent', This is also a well raved about product in the blogging and youtube community and i can proudly say its a must have for anyone who likes to keep the shine and oilyness at a minimum. I really do want to try the Mac Studio Fix powder to use to set the foundation but also use when i don't want to wear a liquid foundation, i have yet to try this though.

Picture from the rimmel website as i've used all mine.

For eyes my two favourite primers are the Urban Decay Primer Potion and Macs Paint Pot in Soft Ochre. If im just going out for a meal or to town during the day i will just use the primer potion but if i want that long lasting eyeshadow i will use both primers.

• 'Urban Decay Primer \Potion'

This is A MUST whenever i put makeup on, if i don't use this then my eyeshadow will last literally about 20 minutes as my eyelids are quite oily and if those suckers aren't primed then they just wont last! This is a matte eyeshadow primer which has zero shimmer and i've had this tube for well over a year now and it lasts ages!! It creates the best base and it stays put all night.

• Macs Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

I got this at christmas and i've only came around to using it just within these last 2 months and i've came to realise that this product is just wow. It cancels out any discolouration or blue little veins on your eyelid and is great over the primer potion to give a smooth and even base before you put on any eyeshadow. This is a warm toned skin colour and is also matte. These come in a variety of shades and are perfect for effortless eyeshadow looks! A must have in my opinion.

If ye would like a blogpost on my actual makeup when i go out please let me know! 

Hope ye liked this post,

Love Rouxella x