Budget Beauty: Catrice Prime&Fine Smoothing Refiner



The Catrice Prime and Fine range consists of this primer, an illuminating base, a highlighter, an eye primer and a translucent loose powder. This range prepares your skin for makeup and reduces the size of your pores and fines any wrinkles or lines you have. I have the highlighter and this primer. I haven't got the illuminating base product as it looked quite shimmery and I didn't want to look like a disco ball but I might try it out soon.

Anyways this primer is very soft and "fluffy-like" and it feels light on the skin. When I first put it on I was sceptical as it felt very oily on my skin but as it settles it makes your skin feel soft and moisturised, the oily feeling goes away and thankfully it doesn't make my skin break out. This is great for foundation as the foundation just glides over my skin and stays put and doesn't fade or slide over my skin during the day. I don't have very visible pores so I can't really comment on that front but it does eliminate the site of fine lines like the ones under the eye area. My concealer that I use used to settle in the lines under my eyes after a while and this primer stops that from happening. My eyeshadow doesn't crease at all anymore and it doesn't stray from my eye area. I find my blush stays on for longer too and its easier to blend when I wear this primer. It creates a moisturised, smooth base for makeup and makes all makeup stay on for longer. Even with all the makeup on you can feel your skin is softer and smoother and you can visibly see a difference in your skin as it smoothes and fines everything out.

It comes in a small jar but you literally need a little bit for all areas so this product will last for a long time and at only R54.90 a pop I think its pretty worth it for such a great product.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Cosmetics

What's On My Nails #5 // Absolutely Blue

Essence Colour & Go Absolutely Blue - R24.95

Tip Top Nail Chic Protein Base Coat - R41.50

The Essence Colour & Go range is a quick drying nail polish. Personally I don't find it dries all that quickly but it dries quicker than normal nail polish. The colour I got was Absolutely Blue, I was stuck with this colour and a minty colour when I bought this. Eventually I put down the minty colour and I got this instead because I have a minty colour already and I had nothing like this colour - it was pretty hard to put down that mint colour though! This colour is like a powdery, blue and almost bordering on slight purple. I love this colour, its so pretty, feminine and it draws attention to your nails without being too "in your face".

I first tried this colour without a base coat or a top coat and it lasted a day literally - that was my fault too but generally Essence nail polishes don't have the longest staying power - I wish Essence nail polishes lasted for longer than two days because they have such great colours. I then applied this Tip Top protein base coat, that I got when I bought this Essence nail polish, the second time I painted my nails and this really makes a difference! When you remove your nail polish it makes the nail polish just glide off instead of you having to vigorously rub it off and it also protected my nails from getting stained. It made my nail polish last for an extra day too which is great for the Essence nail polishes.

All in all I think I'll only buy Essence nail polishes because of their wide range of beautiful colours and because they are very affordable but I wouldn't buy it if you're looking for something that'll last longer than two days. The Tip Top Protein Base Coat is excellent, easy to apply and at R40 a pop its very afforable for a product that works so well. Tip Top also have a wide range of colours and the base coat has convinced me to try their nail polishes out very soon.

xxx

Links below:

Essence

Tip Top - their Facebook page

Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder

Catrice Cosmetics Multi Colour Compact Powder - R44.95

The Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder is very unique as its a blend of compact powder, bronzer and blush all in one thats not overly pigmented. I use this on my cheeks when I don't want any proper blush or bronzer and it gives a lovely bronzey, pinky but natural colour to your cheeks. It looks natural because of the pale compact powder mixed in, this one is particularly for light skin. I have used this all over my face and it stops shine but it just doesn't look right when I put it all over my face. I'm not sure what it was that made it look odd but it really didn't look at all natural. I think its best suited for a little bit of dusting here and there on my skin and is great for some slight colour to my cheeks, it may look great for some people all over their face but its just not for me. It is a great product though and I always reach for it when I'm not in the mood for heavy blush or bronzer.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Cosmetics

Orlane Vivifying Lotion

I got this Orlane Vivifying Lotion out of a Glossybox when Glossybox was still in South Africa so this is only sample size. The Orlane Vivifying Lotion preps your skin for other treatments for your skin. It's alcohol free and is suitable for all skin types and also maintains the skin's natural pH balance. I apply this one a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my skin, its also great at removing makeup although that's not what you use this product for but still you can use it to remove makeup as its not harsh. It really tones, smoothes and cleans the skin and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and healthy. For the record I have combination/oily skin and this doesn't make my skin too oily at all, it actually moisturises it so lightly but thoroughly, even now in winter when my skin is more dry/combination it manages to keep any dry areas at bay. This is definitely an all round product meant for all skin types and for all seasons. Best Glossybox sample ever.

xxx

Links below:

Orlane Paris

Budget Beauty: Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara

The Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara - R44.95 - is one of my favourite mascara's ever. This one is particularly for length and you get one for curl too. I have short eyelashes so I always look for a mascara that'll lengthen my lashes a bit more, I've never understood a mascara that's meant for curling because I've never heard of a curling mascara that actually curls properly and stays curled. Anyways, I love this brush of this mascara, I really hate those plastic brushes. Either it's just me and I don't know how to apply mascara with a plastic brush or its the plastic brushes that puts too much mascara on and it just looks clumpy and gappy on me, whatever the reason I stay away from plastic brushes. I prefer the fibre brush. It combs through the lashes and grips them while adding the perfect amount of mascara without clumping and making my eyelashes stick together which is exactly what the Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara does. This brush is quite big but its not awkward so you can do your bottom lashes and those tiny lashes on the inner corner of your eyes. I usually apply one coat of this and its enough but if you really want the dramatic effect you can add two. I like that it doesn't make my lashes look dry and wiry like some mascara's do as the formula is very creamy. All in all this affordable mascara really does lengthen your lashes while making them look full and healthy and the fact that its a fibre brush is such a bonus for me but it doesn't beat my Maybelline Great Lash mascara and I doubt any mascara will.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Volume Plus+ Length Mascara

What's On My Nails #4 // Vamp It Up

Avon Speed Dry+30 in Vamp It Up - R87.95.

This nail polish is a very dark red colour, like red wine. I love this colour as a true red doesn't suit me at all but dark reds do. I must say I wasn't expecting much from this nail polish, I usually trust high end nail polishes more (even though this nail polish is as expensive as a high end nail polish anyways). One coat literally dries in 30 seconds, no word of a lie and the colour is the colour you see in the bottle with two coats. The pictures make it look almost streaky and patchy but when you look at them "in real life" its a solid colourand its a cream finish like most nail polishes. It's really lovely to apply as it spreads so easy and you don't need a lot on your brush. The nice thing is that you can apply it slowly without having to rush in fear of the nail polish drying before you've covered your whole nail because it's very "liquidy" if that makes sense? It's not sticky or too thick, its just right. I tested how long it lasts and without a top coat it lasts two days which isn't too bad and with a top coat it lasts about four to five days, thats a bonus for me because I take my nail polish off eventually during that time frame whether its chipped or not. I really like this nail polish even though I think the normal price is just a little too expensive since it doesn't last very long without a top coat and I see this month its on offer for just R50 (which is more suitable) and I'm tempted to get Swift Sherbet and Smoky Plumes added to my collection although I'm having doubts about Smoky Plumes (its a greyish purple colour but I'm not sure if it'll suit my skin)! Oh and its also worth a mention that these nail polishes contain volcanic rock so that it hardens nails and allows nails to dry quicker.

xxx

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant - R165 from Edgars

The Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream is a miracle worker. It's am intense cream that helps with dry skin or minor burns and chapped lips, think of vaseline or that baby petroleum jelly and that's what the texture is like. I mainly use mine for my lips especially in winter. I put it on at night and the next morning my lips are so soft and almost plump looking. You can also put a little bit on before you put on lipstick and I swear your lipstick goes on so smoothly and it makes your lips look lucious! I have to admit the smell is quite potent, it's like a medicine smell but luckily you do get a frangranced one now and the cream is very hard to get out of the tube because of the stiffness. This one is the skin protectant and it also comes in a jar but you do get one that is specifically a lip balm and you get it in a tube and a jar. I chose the original because I've tried and tested it before and I'll never look back. Also another good thing about this is because I only use it for my lips you literally need the tiniest amount to put on. My sister got this about two years ago and hers is still going strong. Really theres not one bad thing to say about this product except the smell but theres a fragranced one out so no complaining and I heard the fragranced one smells great!

This is definitely worth the buy if you suffer from dry skin and lips and I'm adding this to my winter routine!

Happy Friday and I hope everyone has a fab weekend!

xxx

What's On My Nails #3 // It's All I Can Blue

Catrice Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in It's All I Can Blue - R34.94 at Dischem - is almost like a denim blue colour and it's similar to Nails Inc Baker Street but a shade lighter that a lot of bloggers rave about.
Applying this nail polish is a dream, it glides on so smoothly and the brush is soft and thick so it covers your whole nail. In this picture I only applied two coats and it had very strong colour but in some areas it was light so to be safe next time I'll put three coats on. The nice thing about this nail polish is that it isn't too thick so you can apply three coats without your nail looking thick. Also I find when you put three coats of colour on your nails the nail polish chips quicker; which brings me onto the lasting power of this nail polish. This nail polish lasted about three days before it got the tiniest of chips in the corner of my thumb (that's with a top coat) and with me and my bad habits I start to pick at the nail polish once it has a chip in - don't ask why - which causes even bigger chips and I think it only chipped because I was trying to open a box at work and the corner of my thumb nail bent a bit. Anyways for me three to four days of nail polish lasting is enough for me. I eventually get bored of seeing the same colour on my nails after about three days and then remove it anyway so if a nail polish lasts that long for me I'm sold. I'm really in love with this colour and Catrice has a very big range of colours that I'll definitely get more of (I've already got Take Me To Coral Island).

xxx

Budget Beauty: Catrice Defining Blush

This is the Catrice Defining Blush in Peach - R35.95. I got this at the end of February and have been using it since. I find I reach for this most times than other blushes own. It's a very pigmented colour so you don't need a lot otherwise it'll come out an extreme pink on your cheeks and possibly make you look like a Barbie doll - literally just sweep your brush lightly through it and thats more than enough. I first move my brush sideways along my cheeks and then in circular motions to properly blend it in. It's quite a matte powder so there's no shimmer but it's not so matte that it leaves your cheeks looking dull, if that makes sense? It makes your cheeks have a rosey, peachy, healthy glow. It's very soft to the touch and it stays put for a long time which is lovely as I hate always having to touch up my make up. I also love the packaging. It's so simple yet attractive and the see-through case makes your eye catch the colour of the blush. I always think that packaging is important - if it looks crappy no one is even going to bother to even look at it as it didn't catch their eye. All in all another good product from Catrice - are they ever going to disappoint me?

Happy Monday and I hope everyone enjoys this week!

xxx

Catrice Fresh Skin Make Up

Carice Fresh Skin Make Up - R49.90

I got the Catrice Fresh Skin Make Up at the end of February. This was the first thing I tried from Catrice Cosmetics and I think this and the blush I bought really made me want to worship Catrice. It's like a tinted moisturiser and I usually wear this when I don't want to wear a lot of make up. It gives a very light coverage and it moisturises the skin. I always worry about tinted moisturisers because they tend to make my skin look really oily and it makes me break out. I decided to get this because it said "oil free" on the packaging. This is all that I've wanted in a tinted moisturiser. It moisturises the skin while not being oily and it offers a light coverage that doesn't wear off for about 6 hours which I think is good for a tinted moisturiser. I got a colour that is a bit dark for me. I got mine in 030 Honey but the good news is it gives me a bronzed look that doesn't look funny and completely mismatched, thank goodness! I think it was a really good buy and if you look at how much stuff I got from Catrice end of last month you can tell I was swayed. Also Catrice has such lovely packaging, it makes you want to buy things just for the packaging. Seriously, if you have a Catrice stall in any shops near you go take a look please!

Happy Friday everyone and I hope you have a great weekend!

xxx

ColorTrend Nail Enamel

I ordered these two from Avon as it was a buy one and get one free. I love both these colours because they very summery and pretty. My favourite colour would be Mint Ice, it reminds me very much of Essie Mint Candy Apple except a bit more greener. The colours shown on my fingers are coated about three times. They aren't very pigmented and the pink one - Sweet Sundae - on the first coat looks like clear nail polish with just one coat. They also chip very easily even with a base coat and a top coat on which is quite irritating because I like nail polish to last for about four or five days at most, so when it doesn't last long it disappoints me very much. There are more negatives with this nail polish than positives. The only positives is the colour you get after about 3 coats. I do like these nail polishes though because of the colour despite the negative bits and I like the cute little boxes that they come in. Overall a good and bad product from Avon and maybe if they lasted longer I'd be sold... So I guess I'm leaving the decision up to you guys if you'd like it or not :)

xxx

*PS - sorry for the dark images, the colour of the nail polishes weren't showing up very well in the bright light.

Budget Beauty: Make Me Blush

Woolworths Make Me Blush Lip and Cheek Tint - Cherry Cherry R49.95

I was watching TV and I saw that Woolworths was advertising a new make up range. I didn't think much of it until I saw this baby in Woolworths when I went winter clothes shopping. For a cream blush it is quite cheap as some cream blushes range from R100 and over. rsonally I don't like the little container it comes in. I think they should have made it black instead of white but thats just me being fussy. I think the white makes it look cheap - I like cheap products that look expensive ;) It was R49.95 so I can't really ask for much I guess. It doesn't look like theres much cream blush in here anyways which is disappointing because the colour is amazing but I will say that it will last a long time as you don't need to use a lot.

What I do is rub a bit on my finger - its a wonderful creamy, soft texture - and then dab it onto my cheeks - I don't put it on my apples of my cheeks as I find the colour is too bright and harsh for my apples. I then use my kabuki brush to blend it in little circular motions. The colour doesn't come out as red as what the product looks like, it blends in to a lovely rosey, flush of colour that looks completely natural. I find myself reaching for this nearly every morning as I like the way it looks dewy on my cheeks and not powdery like powder blushes can do.

As a lip tint it does work well but you have to add a lip balm before you use this as it doesn't blend very well on your lips on its own. It gives your lips a stained cherry colour thats not too bright or light. When I bought this I only saw two colours available and that was like a coral colour and this one that I have which is Cherry Cherry. I chose my Cherry Cherry one because I knew I wouldn't use the coral colour on my lips. I'm not too sure if there are more colours available and hopefully there are because I wouldn't mind laying my hands on a pinky coloured one!

With that being said I think this product is definitely worth it and a good make from Woolworths. As always Woolworths has impressed me again!

xxx

Pantene Clarifying Shampoo

I was sceptical to try this shampoo because Pantene as a whole just does not do amazing things for my hair. I was surprised by this shampoo though as it does what it says it will. Generally a clarifying shampoo is used to clean your hair of left over hair products that weigh your hair down and makes it look greasy.
You definitely don't use this shampoo as an every day shampoo because your hair will feel like hay its so drying. I use this every month or so when I can feel my hair is weighed down and oily.
It literally leaves nothing behind but hair that looks fuller and cleaner. I try not to put conditioner on all over my hair - you're not supposed to anyways- I just put conditioner on my very ends. You don't need to use a lot of shampoo, a tiny dollop in the palm of your hand will go a long way. I will say though that I don't like how dry it makes your hair but I understand why since its a clarifying shampoo. But still...

Also I noticed you can use this product if you've dyed your hair a certain colour and maybe its gone too dark. It almost strips some of the colour away which for me is perfect since I dye my hair brown but it comes out way too dark. So that's an added bonus to this product.

All in all its a thumbs up from me and I'd definitely repurchase it.

xxx

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate

Oh. My. Goodness. This lipstick! It astounds me, really, it's so amazing. It's soft and lasts for a long time. I got the shade 05 and it's like lip colour except better. I always go for colours that are my lip colour because most lipsticks just don't suit me. Which is why I bought this colour. find when I apply this it almost goes on like a matte lipstick but smoother which is why I put lip balm on before because I like that glossy look - not over glossy look, just moisturised look. I have to reapply this about 3 times during the day which is a lot better than most lipsticks. It survived the "tea test" too - that's when you have a cup of tea and your lipstick is still on by the time you've finished your cuppa tea - and that is the ultimate challenge for lipsticks.

I find myself reaching for this lipstick a lot over my other lipsticks. The packaging of a lipstick is also important and there was something that just drew me in with this little tube. Maybe the matte black with the red "Kate" on it? Or the sturdy look of it - where you can through it in your handbag and it won't break or the lid won't pop off.

I would recommend this lipstick for all girls that love a good great lipstick. Especially this colour if you're into subtle colours like me :)

xxx

*Sorry for these horribly blurry images - me and the camera were cleary not working well together!

Link: Rimmel

Daily Hair Care

My hair, like my skin, goes through stages of being dry and then oily. At the moment my hair is quite dry because I recently dyed my hair. I usually match my hair products to whatever "mood" my hair is in. We all know hair is dead so whatever you do to your hair, it is only improving the outer layer of your hair.

With that being said I'm going to share my hair products that I've been using recently to combat my dry hair and if you know me you'll know that my pet hate is washing and styling my hair. That is why I've got my hair down to two washes a week - bonus!

Left to right: Dischem Heat Protection Spray - R34.95, Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - R45.95, Batiste Dry Shampoo Spray - R35, Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner - R19.95, Trevor Sorbie Ultimate Moisture Mask for Thick Hair - R99.99

Dischem Heat Protection Spray - I use this before I blow dry or straighten my hair. I try not to apply any heat to my hair as my hair is quite thick and it frizzes so easily and heat makes it worse unfortunately. When I have to blow dry my hair this heat protection spray really does the trick. It leaves my hair soft and my hair doesn't frizz as much as it normally would. I was surprised as it was so cheap. Definitely will repurchase this when it's finished.

Avon Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - Leaves my hair so soft but manageable. I didn't even feel the need to put conditioner on that's how soft it was. Really a bargain and will definitely repurchase this again

Batiste Dry Shampoo Spray - This stuff is a real little beast. It soaks up all the oil and when you rough your hair up to get the white, powdery residue out your hair. It leaves your hair looking like you have washed it and not an oily slick - sounds gross when I put it that way. I bought the small bottle first because I wasn't sure if it really would work. Definitely going to buy the bigger bottle when it finishes.

Avon Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner - I applied this on the tips of my hair and my word this stuff is great. My ends of my hair are very dry and this conditioner smoothed those ends out and made them soft - best conditioner so far!

Trevor Sorbie Ultimate Moisture Mask for Thick Hair - I'm in love with this mask. Usually hair masks make my hair limp and oily and just dead looking but not this mask. My hair was shiny, straight and soft. Don't apply this to your whole head though as it will make it oily. Only apply it to the ends of your hair and leave in for 3 minutes.

What's your hair routine?

xxx

Budget Beauty: The Fragrance Boutique

The Fragrance Boutique in South Africa (see link here) sell high end perfumes in their own packaging and bottles and sell them for a lot cheaper. All the oils have been imported from Grasse in France and they sell brands like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Chanel and everything you can think of. I've had Dior before and Chanel and they smell exactly the same as the original.

This one that I have now is Dolce & Gabbana The One for women and the 50ml bottle for womens perfume is only R250 - that's nothing compared to the normal prices of high end perfumes. It's a warm, floral scent with a strong sweet smell to it that does die down when it dries. It's a very feminine fragrance. In the top notes you can get a smell of peach, bergamot (my favourite), mandarine and lychee. So the top notes are quite fruity but not so fruity that you smell like a walking fruit if you get what I mean? In the heart notes you smell madonna lily, exotic fruits, jasmine, muguet and plum. The base notes are filled with vitiver, vanilla (another favourite), dry amber, musky notes and mossy notes. All in all the fragrance is a floral, fruity smell but the floral smell is a lot stronger. I quote: "It's a vibrant floral touch of warm citrus notes." and this describes the scent perfectly. The smell does last for a long time and you get whiffs of it as the day goes on.

The Fragrance Boutique is a very smart idea for those you want high end perfumes but can't afford it. Of course you don't get the beautiful packaging of Gucci or Chanel but you do get the scent and that's what people notice.

Now go out there and get some high end perfumes for a lot cheaper!

xxx

*PS - my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and people of Boston. Be strong Boston, we are all praying for you!

Budget Beauty: Feeling Beautiful



Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask - R39.95 from Dischem stores



As you can see by how used this is I've had this mask for quite a while - since last year to be exact - and I'm in love with it. I got it from one of the local Dischem stores. The Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask (you can see their range of products here) has avocado and oatmeal in it and this one is more suited for oily/combination skin as it draws out all the excess oil from your pores. Generally I have oily/combination skin but in winter my skin gets very dry so I wouldn't recommend you use this in winter as it does dry your skin out and leaves it feeling tight in winter. Trust me, I know from experience!

Basically what I do is I wash my face and pat my skin dry and I apply this mask all over, even on my neck. I let it dry completely and then thoroughly wash it off. You can feel it drying on your face because you start feeling like you can't move your mouth or crease your forehead so that's a sign when you need to wash it off. It's a very thick consistency so you don't need to worry about pouring a lot into your hand as it spreads very easily and as a bonus this mask lasts for a very long time.

Once you've washed it off you can feel your skin is softer and smoother. I wouldn't say that you can visibly notice a difference (well you can in a way because you don't have those shiny bits from excess oil but I mean pimple wise I don't see a difference.) but you can feel the difference in your skins texture which is nice as make up goes on so much smoother and more evenly. It does remove oil very well and you can feel your skin is oil free and matt for about two days - which for me in summer is a big yippee! If your skin is very oily, even in winter, I would suggest putting cream on afterwards because of how tight it makes your skin. I apply this mask once a week or once every two weeks depending on my skin.

Freeman has a wide range of products, which you can see in the link I put up, and I'd definitely try all their products out and repurchase this avocado and oatmeal mask again.

Have you tried any Freeman products?

What face masks would you recommend?

xxx

Bioderma Sensibo H2O

Bioderma Sensibo H2O - R152.50

I was so happy to hear that Bioderma was in South Africa and in a local chemist of mine. My sister got it first and then told me and I just thought I had to get me some of this stuff that I've heard so many people speaking of! Anyways this stuff is just the bomb. I got mine for sensitive skin because my skin has it moments where it wants be horrible.

Bioderma removes make up like a dream. I battle to remove my eye make up especially and this stuff just does it in two swipes - so impressed! - instead of me having to constantly rub my eyes vigorously to remove make up properly. You can feel the difference in your skin because it just feels so much cleaner and softer. Now that the southern hempishere is going into winter I'd have to put cream on afterwards but in summer I can tell this won't dry out my skin.

The great thing about Bioderma is it doesn't leave you feeling like you have to wash off your make up remover. Some make up removers feel like they "sitting" on your skin. Also another great thing is that it dries out your pimples and visibly makes your skin clearer - yay!

Personally I think this is a super great product and I'll definitely repurchase it again ad again.

xxx

Budget Beauty: What's On My Nails #2 // Perfect Nude

I love a perfect nude nail polish, I go out my way to look for nudes or pinky nudes. I really love them as they are so classic and easy to wear.



Essence Nude Glam - R34.95


I found this beauty about a month back and I haven't worn it yet and I wanted to smack myself that I didn't wear it sooner. This is Essence Nude Glam in 01 Hazelnut Cream. Its a beautiful creamy colour with a purple shine to it when the light catches it which is the 'Glam' bit to the nail polish. I was a bit skeptical at first about the purple shine to it but I bought it anyway. Its a very subtle shine and if light doesn't catch it you don't even notice it as you can see in the photo.

What I also love about this nail polish is the brush. Its a wide brush so it covers your nail perfectly without having to apply a million strokes for your nail to be covered with a tiny brush. I apply two coats as the first coat is a bit too light and slightly streaky but you can get away with one coat.

I've missed my nude nails so much and I'm so glad I've found the perfect nude with a great consistancy, brush and colour.

What's your perfect nude?

xxx

My Essence Eye Routine

As you may have noticed I have changed my blog name and address to "dimples and beauty" as it seemed to be more related to the type of posts that I do than my last blog name.

Essence 3-in-1 Concealer



Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base

I was putting on my makeup yesterday and I realized that I was using all Essence products so I thought I'd show you how I do my eye makeup using one brand. Firstly I always apply concealer on my eyes. I use the Essence 3-in-1 Concealer. This is real handy as its for 3 uses. The pink to cover dark circles for the eyes and the green to cover any redness and the normal concealer to put over the green and pink. I use my Cala 513 Concealer Brush to apply this and it comes out really well. Next I apply my Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base all over my eyelid. I have very veiny eyes so this hides my veins and makes eyeshadow go on smoothly without creasing it and it makes the eyeshadow last longer. I blend this in with a sponge as I find a brush just doesn't do it.

Essence Eyeshadows from left to right: 35 Party All Night Metallic Effect, 06 Metropolitan Sparkling Effect, 02 Blockbuster Matt Effect

Swatches of Essence Eyeshadows

My eyeshadow brushes from left to right: Mac Eyeshadow Brush, Essence Eyeshadow Brush, Essence Smokey Eye Blender Brush

These eyeshadows are soft and creamy and apply so well. I use no. 02 as an all around eyeshadow for my whole eye. It's a lovely matt, natural colour and its perfect as a base colour and I apply this with my Essence Eyeshadow Brush for this as its a flatter, biggish, softer brush that reaches my whole eye. Next I apply no. 35 eyeshadow in the crease of my eye to create a very subtle smokey eye for during the day. I use my Mac brush to apply this in my crease and then I use my Essence Smokey Eye brush in circular motions to blend it out properly. For a night look I use 06 Metropolitan in the outter corner of eye and in my crease of my eye and blend it in with my smokey eye blender brush. Using my Mac brush I line my upper lash line with whatever colour I am using in the crease of my eye.

I then apply my Essence Multi Action Blackest Black Mascara from root of tip to really lengthen and volumnise my lashes.



As you can see it's an extremely subtle look for the day. I don't like wearing heavy make up during the day, I like it natural :)


So that is basically what I do for my eyes nearly every morning. I stick to the same colours with whatever eyeshadows I'm using. I find with my eye colour being hazel, coloured eyeshadows just don't suit me and in any case I love natural colours.

What do you think of my eye routine?

Do you do anything similar?

xxx