Prime and shine

Eye shadow is definitely one of my favourite stages of make-up. I love experimenting with colours, shapes and seeing how with different blending techniques you can manipulate the appearance of your eye shape. The one thing I used to struggle with was getting it to stay as perfect an our later as it did when I first did it. Especially with colourful looks it really didn't look good when the colours sunk into the creases of your eyes! So I invested in primers, the first primer I used was a cheap one from Asda, I didn't really see a huge difference so started using different kinds of eye shadows and although some eye-shadows do stay better than others the problem wasn't solved. I then decided to try the primer thing again but this time I did some research and heard about the Urban Decay eye-shadow primer potions. I got myself one and only then did I realise it was fully possible to have long lasting eye-shadow! I sort of became obsessed and started out trying different eye-shadow primers and after having tried almost every eye-shadow primer out there i have found the best two (even better than the Urban Decay one...)

1. Benefit Stay Don't Stray

This stuff will literally keep your eye-shadow unmovable for hours on end. Perfect for a night out where you are likely to get all hot and your make-up could melt, this will keep it in place.

It prevents creasing if you have particularly oily lids and  prevents smudging. LOVE this stuff and there is a darker shade for darker skin tones.

2. Helen E Stage eye-shadow primer

This primer I only got introduced to recently but I already love love love it! It gives even the most subtle eye-shadow colours more pigment. Its great for making colours stand out and the matte texture really helps keep the shadow in place. There is only one colour of this but I find it works perfectly on my skin which is dark, if anything it helps to make the shadow stand out more. 

So... just had a thought whilst writing this... Is mixing primers allowed? I definitely know you can mix face primers, so I'm officially going to go and try out mixing these two shadow primers and see how well it works. It can only be twice as good right?

Mwah x

The Rouge lip

When I think red lips, three main stars come to mind, Rhi Rhi, Rita Ora and Scarlett Johansson. red lipstick is an essential in everyone's beauty kit! No matter your complexion the right red is enough to complete any look! 

Scarlett Johansson is a timeless beauty with such a classic look. She is one of few people who could get away with picking the brightest shade of red and rocking it because of her super bright pale skin. This isn't to say only pale people can wear bright red lipsticks but the luminosity in her skin is really accentuated with the lipstick. As you can see below, her skin is tanned but she has a very illuminated complexion which has been highlighted with the under eye concealer trick which makes the red lipstick look absolutely amazinggg on her skin!

I find when it comes to darker skin tones a red with very slight purple undertones gives the same effect. The more purpley and less orangey, the less dramatic but still gives a lovely finish. Here Kerry Washington is owning the red lipstick and it really does brighten her complexion without looking too overly bright and that look is really not hot.

 For those with very rich dark skin tones the same applies, look for shades with a more berry like finish IF your going for this look but don't let anyone say you cant rock a Ruby Woo as the statement bright red look is also very hot, just more daring and gives a different effect, maybe not for everyday wear (or maybe, if you like). If you have a darker skin tone and still want to rock the bright red colour naturally, the way to avoid it looking too POW is by lining and filling in your lips with a colour that matches your skin, then applying the red over it. When you blend it in the red will still be as bright but it will blend more naturally in a gradient effect so there isn't an obvious clash between your dark skin and the bright lip colour. If you have dark lips make sure to line them with a colour that is in-between the colour of your lips and the colour of the lipstick your applying. This gives a better finish and makes the lipstick last longer.

My pick of amaazzee red lipsticks: Top 3

MAC Ruby Woo - Perfect for bright matte lips and suuuper long lasting

TopShop Lips in beguiled - Lovely finish, and long lasting deep red 

Helen E - Caribbean - A very moisturising sexy red 

Mwah xo