A little update

Just to let everyone know that I am still around :) my laptop broke the otherday do I can only access te internet off my iPhone at the moment. Hopefully I will be back to blogging soon!! Gem x

Real Techniques Core Collection

Sorry about the stock photo but when I bought these I couldn't wait to try them out and totally forgot about photographing them.

I waited a while to get these brushes as I had to save up, and they were worth the wait! I love all the brushes in this collection but there are some I prefer more than others. My absolute favourite brushes from the collection are the Buffing Brush and the Contour Brush.

Buffing Brush

Takes a while to get used to using if you are like me and used to using your fingers (slap on wrist). Now I wouldn't go back to doing that, this brush gives an even finish and moves liquid foundation around easily. The finish is more medium when using this brush so I use the Stippling brush over areas where I want full coverage. I think it may be better if it was slightly larger, but still a great brush. 

Contour Brush

I use this for contouring and also for blush and it is perfect for both as I like more precision when applying blush. The size is perfect and it picks up product lovely and blends marvellously. 

Detailer Brush

This is the brush I have used the least out of all of them, but it is still good. I use it to apply lipstick, but it can be used for concealer.

Pointed Foundation Brush

I use this for blending in my concealer under my eyes and also to blend my highlighter in. It is too small to use as a foundation brush in my opinion, but very good for the uses I mentioned above. 

I love the case it comes in too, although it does feel a little bit flimsy.

Overall a great brush set and a great price. It is £21.99 in the UK and available in Boots stores and online at www.love-makeup.co.uk and www.boots.com

Gemx

Elf Studio Blush Pink Passion

Look how pretty this blush is! Its a bright blue toned pink, and looks really scary in the pan but is lovely when applied. If a light hand is used you can achieve a lovely pink flushed look, perfect for spring. It can also be built up for a stronger colour if you want, though you could be at risk of looking like coco the clown if you overdo this colour, or the girls from Geordie Shore haha.

It lasts well, I use mine with a liquid foundation base, and it lasts a good 3-4 hours before I would need to reapply it.

It is a steal at £3.50, available from eyeslipsface.co.uk

Rating: 5/5

Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara Review

What Soap and Glory say: 

This false lash effect mascara creates amazingly, longer, fuller, fabulous lashes. Featuring SUPERFILL™ False Lash Fillers, SHINE AMPLIFIERS, NOFLAKE24 technology and super-fine no-clumps natural wax film formers. *While we don’t feel it’s ladylike to brag, we’re feeling particularly bullish about our mascara. (And hope after trying it you’ll agree that it’s absolutely marvelous.)

I love mascaras and at the moment I have five on the go, but out of them all, this seems to be the one that I use most. 

I got it free with the March edition of ELLE UK, admittedly I only buy these types of magazines when they do freebies. 

I would say I have medium length lashes. They are straight and never seem to curl even when I use a lash curler. If I want them curled I have to use the curlers after I have applied my mascara. I know most beauty experts will frown upon this method but this is the only way I can get them to curl in anyway. 

There is an art to applying this mascara and it takes practice to get right, but once you have the results are great. The brush is huge and you definitely need to scrape off the excess on the wand before you apply. I like to apply about three coats to get the effect I like, which is dramatic thick lashes.

It doesn't clump for me and I use three coats, sometimes I add another coat once it is dry and it still doesn't clump. Once it dries it doesn't flake or smudge at all. I wear contacts and flaking mascara is a big problem for me as it can irritate my eyes, so this mascara is great as it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. 

It costs £10, which is more than I like to pay for a mascara but I think this mascara is definitely worth the price as it doesn't flake or clump and gives lovely thick lashes. I have tried Lancome Hypnose Drama which costs £8 more than this one and Thick and Fast is so much better in my opinion. I will definitely be purchasing this mascara again as I love it.

This is with three coats of Thick and Fast, as you can see no clumping. I am terrible at applying mascara, I can never put it on my bottom lashes with out smudging and this mascara is no exception. If anyone has any tips let me know :) I have one eye bigger than the other and it is quite noticeable in this pick to me :(

Another shot where you can see how natural and thick it makes my eyelashes look. Excuse the brows, I am growing them out to hopefully get them shaped professionally :).

And here is a full face shot with the mascara on. I think it looks dramatic while still being quite natural, something I look for in a mascara. Again my eyes look really different in this photo, but for some reason I don't have eyes that match haha. 

Face: Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation, Collection 2000 concealer in light

Eyes: Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara

Cheeks: ELF Studio Blush Bronze Duo 

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait 

Overall I love this mascara, HG? I'm not 100% sure yet, but it is pretty close. 

Pros: No clumps or flakes, lasts without smudging, thick longer lashes.

Cons: Price? £10 Maybe a bit pricey for some. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara is £10 and available from Boots in the UK. Go to Soapandglory.com for more info.

Gemx