New makeup brushes

So for a very long time now I've been using the most cheap basic brushes and my fingertips to blend in my base makeup and a standard blusher brush for contour and blush, and I was getting a bit fed up of having streaky makeup. I knew it wasn't my actual makeup and I needed new brushes.

So I went on good old eBay to see if there were any good sellers. And I found an excellent one (who I will link down below) selling brushes similar to real techniques brushes. I was going to buy the real techniques ones until I found these, as I wanted to see how I got on with buffing style brushes before I went and bought the whole core collection.

I randomly decided to photograph these outside...

They are synthetic brushes and I have been using each one for a different thing:

(Left to right)
Blusher,

Contour (it is angled, but you can't see it...)
Handbag powder brush
Foundation and powder

Concealer and foundation

 

They're really soft but take a long time to dry when cleaned, so beware!
I'll leave the links to the set, the individual buying option, and the eBay shop.

 

Brush set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Blue-Pink-Gold-Flat-Top-Foundation-Angled-Blusher-Face-Powder-Makeup-Brushes-/400499630142?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Make_up_Cosmetics_Make_up_Brushes_PP&var=670101072184&hash=item5d3fa3603e
Individual brushes: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-Cosmetic-Stipple-Fiber-Powder-Blush-Brush-Foundation-Makeup-Tool-/161004745301?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Make_up_Cosmetics_Make_up_Brushes_PP&var=460165444437&hash=item257ca17255
eBay seller: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/makeyourselfbeautiful

 

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx

 

Autumn OOTD- a cold day at sixth form.

I thought I'd just share an OOTD today, as I quite liked this outfit and thought it was worth sharing.

 

Outfit

Shirt and Skirt- Primark

Jumper- Next

 

Makeup

MAC Studio Sculpt- NC20

MAC Select Moisture Cover Concealer- NC20

MAC Sheertone Blush- Dollymix

Maybelline Baby Lips- Cherry Me

Maybelline Colour Tattoo- Pink Gold

 

If all my makeup disappeared...

Then what 10 things would I repurchase?

 

1) MAC Studio Sculpt foundation. It's new to my collection but I think it's safe to say that this is my new holy grail base. I don't have good enough skin for light coverage foundations and find the gel formula perfect for dry skin as it doesn't settle in dry patched like liquid's do. It doesn't cause breakouts and is surprisingly gentle on sensitive skin.

 

2) MAC Select Moisture-cover concealer... it does what it says on the tin, conceals, covers, and is moisturising- good for people who struggle with concealer going dry and patchy.

 

3) Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me... to be honest, I would buy any tinted lip balm again but this is my favourite at the minute!

 

4) Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. This is just a beauty blogger classic, and rightly so! It's brilliant and I've not yet found a better setting powder... It's also good for lazy days with a bit of concealer underneath!

 

5) No7 Maximum Volume mascara... I just love this, and have used it since I started using makeup as it's a nice natural everyday mascara

 

6) Colourworks eyeshadow quad... I use one of these colours for my eyebrows and couldn't live without it! I completely ignore the other colours and I don't even know if you can still buy it but I would repurchase if I could!

 

7) MUA Heaven and Earth Palette... I only use neutrals on my eyes so this would be all I would need for eyeshadow!

 

8) Benefit That Gal Primer... this is brilliant for when you don't have time for a full face of foundation as it just gives you a little pick me up

 

9) MAC Costa Chic Lipstick... it's my favourite everyday lippy, couldn't live without it to be honest...

 

10) Clear mascara! For eyebrows and trips to the swimming pool!

 

 

 

So that's everything I'd repurchase after having a breakdown over having no makeup... is that sad? Leave me a comment letting me know what you'd repurchase... or create a blog post about it!

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx

Moving out of your comfort zone.

I decided to write this blog post after auditioning for my last ever school show this week. This is because, although I've been in the shows since year 7, I've never actually auditioned for one. This is because I have a huge fear of singing created by some not very nice people putting me down in the younger years. This year I convinced myself I would audition, and then I woke up on that morning to find my voice had gone. However, I still went ahead and auditioned and realised how much of an idiot I had been by stopping myself the previous 6 years of school!

 

Now, the audition wasn't the greatest and compared to everyone else in the room I felt a lot worse, but I genuinely didn't care for once. All I cared about was that I'd actually stood up and did it for the first time. It didn't matter that I was all croaky, couldn't reach the high notes and had never even heard the song before- I did it, and I was proud. I still don't know what the outcome is, but to be blunt, I don't really mind. I'm writing this post in the hope that at least one person will try and leave there comfort zone, for me it has always been singing in big groups behind my extremely talented friends, for other people it might be even getting involved in shows, or art, or anything that you think you'll enjoy but are too scared to try.

 

Since a very young age I've always been a very anxious, panicky person. As a child I was often on edge and wasn't extremely relaxed. When I moved to secondary school this seemed to move on to being extremely self conscious, shy and quiet, and recently it's amounted to me staying away from a lot of social situations because I'm just too scared to try and be involved. Shyness and anxiety is extremely restricting and it can feel like you just can't get out of it. So I tried to push myself in a situation where I knew everybody, the staff and students, to actually try and achieve a small goal.

 

I know a lot of people will think it's stupid to be scared of little things like singing in a room of school friends, or even going out to the cinema, but for others this is their daily reality. It's difficult for anyone to move away from their comfort zones, but it's important to do so. Even if I still end up in the chorus this year, I'll still know that I at least went for it this time, and made the most of my last year in school.

 

So whatever your fears and anxieties are- whether it be a big thing like performance or something smaller like getting on public transport alone- just know that you're not alone and you can take small steps to get over them. I still have a long way to go to get to a "confident Katie" but little steps just help to get there. I hope this has helped at least one person to know that you can get over fears in order to achieve goals.

 

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends- Review

Today I thought I'd take some time to rave about two products that have actually made a difference to the ends of my hair, unlike products I have used before that never seem to do anything. My problem is that anything that is for "treating" dry and damaged hair seems to weigh down my extremely fine hair, which is awful when I'm trying to create volume without heat to save my already damaged hair! It's like a vicious circle!

 

 

 

Anyway, to get to the point, I have been using the serum and intensive mask from the Herbal Essences "Beautiful Ends" range for around 2-3 weeks now. I first bought the serum on a whim in Poundland (yes, you heard that right, Poundland!) and used it the same night after washing and conditioning with my usual Aussie products. My Aussie haircare is brilliant, and I thought my hair was already a lot better- this somehow improved this further! This serum seems to stop that thing happening where the layers of your hair stick out at the ends and it looks frizzy, conditioning them, and smoothing them out, without weighing your hair down so you look like you've stuck it to your head. It smells great and is easy to just pump onto your palm and rub through the mid lengths and ends of your hair to avoid straightening those fly-aways!

 

 

 

I then spotted the intensive mask whilst in Wilkinson (or Wilko's as I call it) with my mum. We decided to both try it and phwoar is this good. I leave this on for around 5-10 minutes and then brush through it and rinse away. I just like to brush it to let it get deep into my scalp and that way I'm giving my brush a wash too! I use this around once a week, normally on a Sunday, and it just softens and treats my hair. The smell is again beautiful and is lovely to have on your head for 10 minutes, and makes a change from the typical Aussie scent.

 

Overall these products are lovely and I would definitely recommend hunting them out. I'm pretty sure they're stocked in virtually every English drugstore and supermarket, so they're not that hard to find!

 

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx

An Autumn OOTD- An outdoor gig

So on Sunday I went to my friend Brandon's gig. He's in a great local band and I'll leave a link to their soundcloud below, as well as their Facebook page. I thought I'd share with you what I wore for my first OOTD.

 

 

 

(Looking a bit windswept after the gig!)

It was at a local park for charity and it was a mild, windy day, but I catch the cold easily so wrapped up in some knitwear!

 

Cardigan, shirt, trousers and bag- Primark

 

Shoes- burgundy high top Converse

The Gorgeous Chans:
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/TheGorgeousChans?fref=ts
SoundCloud-  https://soundcloud.com/the-gorgeous-chans
 

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx



Handbag Essentials- Autumn and Winter.

So today I'm going to share what I think are my handbag essentials for the colder months. I will be using these things in Sixth Form, but also take them around with me everywhere and are just general daily essentials.

 

 

Firstly, I recommend a cream as hands can get very dry in the colder months. I like this one as you can use it on your hands, feet, body and your face so it's a good all rounder and does the job.

 

 

Next, a lip balm is a good idea to avoid chapped lips. This Nivea one is great as it has a slight tint and shimmer to it without taking away from the moisture, so means you don't have to worry about having zombie looking lips, they still look more alive and moisturised at the same time!

 

A powder is a very good idea in case your foundation wears down or goes a bit shiny, especially good for if you've been running around because you're late! I recommend a compact as it's easier, and this is next on my shopping list, but for now I just carry a powder brush with me.

 

Next is a body spray and/or deodorant as you want to smell nice and fresh!

 

This is a pretty mirror that my lovely friend Eleanor gave to me, and it's a handy size for checking makeup and doing quick touch ups. Great if your school doesn't allow makeup, you can put a little (unnoticeable) amount on in the toilet to avoid detentions!

 

Hand sanitizer- you never know what germs are around! And good to clean your hands before makeup touches to avoid dirt induced breakouts!

 

I just carry a small brush, bobbles and clips for when my hair isn't behaving, or the wind keeps blowing it into my face!

 

This is the little bag I keep it all in, along with lady things, tissues and some painkillers, as these are all handy to have too!

I hope this was helpful or insightful for some people,

Lots of Love,

Katie xxx