FAVOURITES SERIES - Eyeliner

I've decided to do a Favourites Series - All the products I usually post about, are those I would consider to generally be my favourites, but this is just a way of grouping them up which will hopefully help you see how I categorise them.

This is going to be a straight to the point, no fuss series with as many pretty pictures as I can take (as usual!)
So to start off, here's a quick breakdown of my favourite eye liners:

1. Inglot AMC Gel Liner
PROs: This liner couldn't get more true in colour, the black is highly pigmented and the gel sets matte so doesn't budge or bleed.
CONs: The only drawback is that it dries a bit too quickly, the pot seems to remain airtight for a good amount of time but when I have scooped some out onto a mixing palette to use, it does dry very fast and results in a bit of wastage.

2. Illamasqua Obsidian Eyeshadow with Sealing Gel
PRO's: We all know that Illamasqua eyeshadows are highly pigmented so with a few drops of their sealing gel you have an instant true black liner which you can customise to your preferred consistency.
CON: This doesn't apply to me but for some people mixing the shadow with gel might be an extra step they would rather not do - out of convenience.

3. NYX Fat Marker
PRO: This is a foolproof liner for those new to or not so confident with working with eyeliner, the product is just like a thick felt tip liner so fits nicely into the hand and gives you good control.
CON: The pigmentation is naturally not as deep as that of a gel liner would be, and also this might be abit difficult to purchase in stores as the UK doesn't have a great amount of NYX stockists. (Avaliable online at www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk)

4. Avon Super shock gel liner
PROs: This is a gel liner in a pencil form, so it's perfect with those who aren't great at using a fine liner brush with their gel liner. This formula set's nearly waterproof and does not move al day. Probably the most affordable product of the selection.
CON: It's setting power means you have to work with it very fast if you want to so something like blend it out.

I use a whole load of other eye-liners too but unfortunately they didn't make it to the top of my list! Let me know if you would like to see them though.

xXx

Oil Slick

If you find your skin is shiny after just a few hours of having make up on, or your skin is prone to blackheads and has open

pores you would be one of many who has tried every oil reducing, pore minimising product under the sun without much luck.

Along with the kitchen sink, in my handbag I always carry a blotting powder to touch up those shiny areas whilst I'm on the go. I use MAC's blotting powder, which is a fine pressed translucent powder. 

 Another cheaper solution for shiny skin is to use a set of blotting papers, there are a number out there which soak up the oil but most of them have a talc layer which transfers onto your skin leaving it looking dry and cakey..we all love cake but we don't need it on our face thank you!

Introducing to you TATCHA Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers.

These blotting papers are the mother of all blotting papers.

Each pack contains 30 all natural, powder free, fragrance free, oil free sheets which are handmade in Japan.

The biodegradable sheets measure up at 3.75 inches across which is almost double the size of a normal sheet, it means you can use a single sheet to cover the whole of your face and you can even use the other side! You really do get the most out of them.

They are made with the finest grade of abaca leaf for strength and absorbancy. Most importantly they don't remove your make up..what more could we ask for?

The papers have real gold flake pieces stiched into the lattice lines, the flakes don't transfer onto the skin, a combination of the two mean the sheets won't tear mid-blotting..besides the fact they make them look really pretty!

History lesson...

'This 300 year old beauty secret of the geisha comes from the heart of Imperial Japan. For centuries, gold craftsmen in Japan have used handmade papers to protect the precious metals they would hammer into wafer thin leafing which would be used to enrobe the palaces of Imperial Japan.

Their gold-leaf artistry transformed the supporting paper into aburatorigami, an incredibly soft, strong and absorbent leaflet ideal for removing excess oils from delicate skin.'

In the UK you can buy the sheets from Space NK in store or online for £11.50, or outside the UK via the Tatcha website.

#AllIWantThisChristmas Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar

To mark the fact that it is under 100 days until Christmas I thought it was only right to start my Christmas list..purely to make it easier for those who are buying for me of course!

This year Selfridges have bought back the ultimate gift for any beauty lover...

The Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar is a gorgeous gift set as well as an advent calender, which in my eyes we all need regardless of our age! Plus, why not replace the sugarfest, bulge enhancing, traditional chocolate advent calendar with one full of beautifying goodies?

 

This calender is full of 25 gorgeous designer miniatures to brighten up the cold winter days in the run up to Christmas.

Each door will open to one of these products:

Lancôme Teint Miracle 03 5ml, Trésor eau de parfum 7.5ml, Miracle eau de parfum 5ml, Hypnôse Drama Mascara 2ml, Hypnôse Classic Mascara 2ml, Absolu Nu 302 Mini, Mini Juicy Tube 19 – Lychee, Visionnaire 7ml, Génifique 7ml, Génifique Yeux 5ml, Rénergie Lift Volumetry Day 15ml, Eau Micellaire Douceur 50ml, Bi–Facil 30ml

Giorgio Armani⁄Emporio Armani Armani Code Femme eau de parfum 3ml, Emporio Armani Diamonds eau de parfum 5ml

Kiehl's Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 7ml, Kiehl's Crème De Corps 30ml, Kiehl's Hand Salve 30ml, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 4ml

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 20ml

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb eau de parfum 7ml

YSL Belle D'Opium eau de parfum 7.5ml, Rouge Pur Couture Mini, Khol Pencil Mini

My personal favourites from the list would be YSL Belle D'Opium and Lancôme Génifique.

I absolutley love YSL Belle D'Opium, which is the relaunched version of YSL's original Opium parfum. It brings back memories of my childhood with my family and the strong mature scent of parfum in the air when all of my aunties we're getting ready for a evening of partying.

Get your hands on one at Selfridges this year for £80.00, but get it quick because it's a guaranteed sellout!