LOTD: Pretty in Pink

Today's subtle look using Illamasqua Aura Palette, Benefit Roller Lash Mascara and OCC Digitalis Lip Tar

Working with my beloved beauty blender I did my foundation, contour and blusher. So far this application sponge is worth its weight in gold. 

Sitting in the DPD depot that unexpectedly closed early on me is my Illamasqua order of their new gel contour sticks. 

Applied with the side of the palm, this intriguing gel gives a sculpted contour with a soft natural finish. 

Prepare for a massive review once it arrives! Co Taylor 

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

After reading many raving reviews I went in and tried it for myself. I could not walk away without it, I love the new Roller Lash mascara by Benefit!!!

For starts, the packaging and the tube itself is absolutely gorgeous! I love that it looks just like the curlers my grandma used to use. 

The mascara's goal is to curl the lashes as well as pick up small fine lash hairs stacked underneath your long lashes (baby lashes). I personally have thin, blonde, sparse lashes that are quite short so any mascara that tells me it will give me a long curly lash look immediately excites me. 

The brush itself has that nice eyelid curve as well as two different lengths of plastic finger-like bristles that only hold a small amount of mascara. The bottle is designed to only allow the minimum amount of mascara on. The wand to minimise wastage. 

Upon first review...

I am very pleased with that lifted look and that look of length it provides. No clumping no heavy mascara feel. It even picked up the pathetic excuse for bottom lashes that I have and made then look half decent! 

I look forward to showing you more looks using this mascara!!! XO Taylor

LOTD: my signature look

I always do a smokey eye with a red lip. This is the look I always do when I want to showcase my personality! 

This is Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow -!: MAC blush in Melba, all applied with the Beauty Blender. 

On my eyes in Illamasqua eyebrow cake, Maybelline duo jumbo pencil for Big Eyes, MAC Stay Cool eyeshdow, and Maybelline Collasal Lash Mascara.

My lips, of course, are Redrum by Jeffree Star Cosmetics. 

I start my new job tomorrow and I believe this look is the one I will do to walk in and  really let people see who I am!!! Tonight I will prep my skin with the Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque for a glowing complexion tomorrow. I hope they are prepared for me!!!! Xo Taylor 

Black and White Nail Art

Using a thin nail art brush and Crayola craft paint pots, I did some fun nails! 

Beauty Blender

Bloggers and Magazines have been raving about the ease of usages and the flawless finish the Beauty Blender sponge provides and I finally mustered up the cash to grab one for myself.

Purchased at Space N.K. for £18, my Beauty Blender came with a bar of cleansing soap to keep the sponge in pristine condition. 

Buy your own Beauty Blender at beautybay,com here, click me.

As per the instructions that came with this wonder sponge, I soaked the sponge in warm water for it to expand. I panicked at first sight thinking goodness this sponge is extraordinarily small, how am I going to do my makeup with this! The sponge doubled in size after being soaked in water.

Before being exposed to warm water, the sponge was small and rattled in the container

after being soaked in warm water, the sponge could not even fit in the container

I towel dried it and then worked away with my favored foundation, Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation. As instructed, I dabbed and pressed the foundation into the skin with very little pressure.

I was extraordinarily impressed with the flawless smooth finish the sponge provided. My foundation sat as if I had already used a setting powder and what I found most impressive is that I only used half the foundation I would normally need to get this full coverage. I assume my fluffy foundation brush grabs most of my foundation but I was pleased knowing using this sponge will extend the time between buying foundations because I need less. 

Paired with my sponged on foundation is MAC powder blusher Melba also applied with the Beauty Blender, I felt I was better able to blend the blush to a softer finish. On my eyes is Mayebelline Collasal Lash Mascara and my lower lashes is white liquid eyeliner by Illamasqua. On my lips is the lovely lip tar Digitalis by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. 

The last thing I needed to test here was if the sponge cleansing soap worked as well as advertised. The directions simply said to swipe the beauty blender against the wet soap and then run under water until the water runs clear.

Well the sponge is clean, I tested it on a white piece of paper and received no residual makeup but my sponge is stained after the first use. My response to that is simply "meh". Nothing stays as gorgeous as when it is brand new and I feel that this sponge has proved it is worth the frightening price tag. I have ordered non branded sponges similar to this off ebay to compare the quality of the two. Once I receive those, you will know my verdict.

I hope you enjoyed this post and though there was a long pause in between posts there I plan on being active again. Just this week I accepted a position at Pluck It! Beauty in Belfast, Northern Ireland where I will start this upcoming week. I have been encouraged by my new boss to express myself vividly through makeup so prepare yourselves for many LOTDs in the near future!

XOXO Taylor

Super Smokey Eyes

I have been battling with my skin as of late and have avoided wearing makeup. Sorry for lack of posts!

For Valentines, I sucked it up and went all out with a super smokey eye and red lips. I had a chiseled perfect contour going on as well.

For this look, I did baked contouring using Illamasqua Skin Base foundations in 001 (white) and 013 (medium/dark tan) with my skin tone 006 (pasty white girl) on top.

I used the Illamasqua Semblence palette from their Multi Facet Range to do my blush and brows.

My lips are Redrum by Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

My eye makeup starts with NYX Jumbo Pencils in Black Bean and Milk

I then patted in matte black eyeshadow Blackout by Urban Decay

Used They're Real mascara by Benefit paired with Eyelure Lashes

Once I got all bundled up and ready to go, the look was complete!

Earrings from ASOS, Scarf by Ed Hardy, Glasses by Prada

picture is from my instagram, follow me- taytayfully

LOTD: Illamasqua Aura Palette

Today's look is all about the Illamasqua Aura Palette. 

To buy the Aura Palette or simply explore the Multi-Facet collection that it is in, CLICK HERE. 

Alongside the Aura Palette, I used Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in my current shade, 07 and LUSH lip/cheek color sweetly named, Prosperity. 

 This dusty rose cream color works perfectly with this palette 

and is extremely hydrating!

You choose the coverage, it has a natural smooth finish and lasts all day, what more could you ask for? 

In depth, the Aura Palette has everything to give you a flawlessly contoured daytime makeup look that is bright and refreshing any time of year. Just add your choice of mascara and lip color to make this look your own.

The colors are very pigmented, very smooth and the cream contour, hollow, is absolutely impeccable. It really gives the appearance of shadows on the face rather than lines of darker skin tones. The blusher is quite- one small pat is enough for that English Rose blushing glow. This palette would be amazing for a Bride.

The results...

This look is very natural in comparison to what I prefer but it is dewy and soft and because my entire look was four products (foundation, palette, lip color, and mascara), it was very fast and easy to do. I truly do recommend this palette to anyone looking for that quick fix to a flawless makeup look!

With my new haircut comes new products I use to keep it looking awesome.

MY WEAPONS OF CHOICE

Bumble and Bumble City Swept spray wax

Sebastian Professional Trilliant heat protection and shine spray