Blank Canvas Cosmetics Double Ended Brush Set Review

Today I have a brush review you, Blank Canvas Cosmetics Double Ended Brush Set. 

This set contains 10 full size quality eye brushes in a compact leather case. This brush set has pretty much every brush you need for eyes when doing makeup. 

This set contains E32 & E33 brush - double ended tapered crease blender/smudger, E25 & E26 - blending duo brush, E23 & E24 - double ended pencil/flat shader brush, E27 & E28 - double ended mini detailer/eyeliner brush and E30 - double ended brow/spoolie brush.

 I love how this kit is compact and travel friendly, perfect if your on the go or if your a makeup artist like myself it's perfect for your kit! I can also fit a few more brushes into this case along with the brushes included which is dead handy!

The brushes I get most use out of on the job are - E32 I love this brush for applying eyeshadow into the crease of your eye. E26 is a pefect brush for blending eyeshadows along with E25. I love E23 pencil brush for applying eyeshadows to the outer corner of the eye or underneath the eye and E24 for packing on eyeshadow to the lids!

All these brushes wash well except one! I found that blending duo brush E26 looses it's shape a lot after you wash it so I would be careful when washing this brush in particular other than that they all wash and dry well back into their shape.

I don't store these brushes like I normally would in pots because these are double ended if I were to store them the way I normally do some brushes would become damaged so I like to store these in the case they came in.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics not only have great quality brushes but their also so affordable! It has become my favorite brush brand to use on both myself and clients along with Real Techniques brushes.

This brush set retails at €61.74 which is affordable considering you get 10 brushes and every brush you really need for eyes. Blank Canvas Cosmetics are an Irish company and with my dealings with them their customer service is superb and their orders are quickly dispatched and delivered. They also ship internationally.

www.blankcanvascosmetics.com

Madam Makeup Look #1

This has been a popular look of mine on my facebook recently for the past couple of weeks since creating it. So I thought it would be the perfect look to share for my first 'Madam Makeup Looks' posts that I will be posting weekly here on my blog. Madam Makeup Looks will consist of pictures of the look I did along with 'how to' and product list that most people find handy! when wanting to create a similar look on themselves. This look is of a golden smokey eye, some contouring and a pink lip. 

Product list & how to . . . 

When starting my eye makeup I like to do my brows first as I find your brows frame your eyes. So to begin I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Eyebrow Kit. I used two products from this kit on my brows, the wax and the darkest powder for brows to define and fill them in. 

As a highlight on the brow bone I used a white kohl pencil from Rimmel London as a base followed by MAC 'Vanilla' eyeshadow. 

As my transition colour in the crease area of my eye I used the matte beige eyeshadow from my Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Eyebrow Kit.

To define my crease I then applied a small amount of MAC 'Swiss Chocolate' eyeshadow.

On the lid I applied 'Half Baked' from my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. This is a gorgeous gold eyeshadow, probably my favourite gold eyeshadow to use! You can mix this eyeshadow with a mixing medium and it really makes the golden colour pop on the lids!

I then lined my upper lash line using my beloved Catrice Liquid Liner! This is my favourite liquid liner to use as the applicator is sharply pointed which makes it easy to get clean lines. Good for beginners and also very affordable! I flicked my eyeliner out a little also.

To define my eyes even more and to add definition, I smoked this look out using 'Blackout' from Urban Decay Naked 2 palette on the outer corner of  my eye blending slighting into that gold eyeshadow.

To finish off this eye look, I applied Catrice Gel Eyeliner in black to my waterline, and 'Blackout' eyeshadow to my lower lash line. I then added 'Sultry Lashes' from Penney's another favourite of mine! and one coat of mascara! 

Moving onto my face I first applied a small amount of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer all over my face ensuring my hands were clean.

I then applied Faces Cosmetics Creme Perfection Mineral Foundation using a buffing brush from Real Techniques.

I used a concealer palette that I bought of Light In The Box to highlight my face. I used the lightest shade in this palette underneath my eye area in a V shape blending outwards over the tops of my cheekbones. I ran a little down the center of my nose and in between my brows. 

To set my foundation and concealer that I had used, I applied some Catrice Translucent Powder mainly to my T Zone area of the face. 

To contour my face I used Sleek Makeup Contour Kit in 'Light'. I used the dark matte bronze powder in this compact to add warmth to my face using a large powder brush. I applied this where the sun would naturally hit - across the forehead, across the center of the nose, and tops of my cheekbones. I then went in with a smaller contouring brush and began to contour, under my cheekbones, my temples, down the sides of my nose and along my jawline.

I then took the pink highlighting powder in this kit and applied some to the tops of my cheekbones to give a little glow to my face.

To add a little colour to my cheeks on a blush brush I applied a small amount of this product to the apples of my cheeks blending this slightly into the area I highlighted.

Brushes used: Real Techniques Buffing Brush for foundation. Sigma F70 Concealer Brush for concealer. Sigma F20 Large Powder Brush for applying translucent powder. Blank Canvas Cosmetics F16 Large Contour/Powder Brush to apply matte shader when adding warmth to my face. Real Techniques Contour Brush to contour and highlight. Sigma F40 Large Angled Brush to apply blusher.

Irish Brand Human+Kind - 100% Free From Chemicals

 Irish skincare brand Human+Kind is delighted to distinguish itself from the vast range of skin care alternatives with their unique 100% natural, restorative ingredients that provide a simple and organic solution for everyday skin care needs. Enriched with pure oils and extracts, Human+Kind’s skin care formula's eliminate all of the unnecessary chemicals and artificial additives while retaining remarkable quality and effectiveness! Recent scientific advances have proven that the use of natural components, such as Jojoba, Achmella and Onopordum found in all Human+Kind products, decrease the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions, clogging pores and irritating the skin.

 

Methylisothiazolinone (MI)- a chemical used to preserve the shelf life of many beauty products is being blamed for a massive rise in dangerous allergic reactions. Skin experts say manufacturers should urgently remove the chemical from skin products as contact allergy to the preservative is reportedly at epidemic proportions.  In some cases the ingredient has caused rashes, lumps, blisters, itchy eyes and facial swelling.

I tried the Body Oil from Human+Kind and absolutely loved everything about it from the product itself to the beautiful packaging. These products are for you if you have sensitive skin!

New Inglot PRO Store Opens This Weekend In Dublin

The long-awaited INGLOT flagship store in Dublin city centre opens this Saturday, September 28^th, at 11.00am.  An exciting launch week for this sixth store in the INGLOT Ireland group will see professional make-up demonstrations, customer make-overs, exclusive new product launches, and master-classes from Jon Hennessey, the international make-up artist to the stars.

There are free goodie bags for the first 50 customers at the new INGLOT store on 1 South Anne Street (corner of Grafton Street), which will stock the full INGLOT cosmetics collection and make-up accessories, as well as products that are exclusive to the new flagship store.  A make-over studio, brow bar, and a spacious private studio, which will host parties, make-up courses, and professional master classes, is also part of the latest new Dublin INGLOT store.

Exclusive products at the new INGLOT ‘Pro Store’ include INGLOT's new Mattifying Powder 3S range of pressed and loose powders, the professional Zuca make-up case, a beautiful portable professional make-up station which are all top sellers in INGLOT stores worldwide.

Top make-up artists around the world use INGLOT to create the latest celebrity look, and INGLOT’s extensive colour range and quality product formulation has drawn a loyal Irish following of professional make-up artists, and students.  The INGLOT Pro Store now allows everyone with a passion for make-up to use the highest quality, professional cosmetics and applicators, to perfect their look. 

INGLOT Ireland stores are staffed by fully qualified make-up artists who help customers experiment with colour, and guide them through the extensive range.   Stores offer make-overs, bridal packages, and personalised tutorials, as well as treatments including eyelashes, manicures, and brow shaping.

The brand’s face and body collection includes a priming base, foundations, concealers and blushers, complemented with a selection of body illuminators and bronzers.  For beautiful eyes there’s eye-shadows, protective base, eyeliner, brow-liner and mascara; and a range of nourishing lipsticks, liners, lip-paint and gloss to deliver truly luscious lips. 

Accessories, from brushes and applicators, to make-up bags, tweezers, false eyelashes and nail art are all stocked, and there’s also a range of facial toners and gentle make-up removers, to complete this unique one-stop-make-up-shop!

The Irish INGLOT business is owned and operated by Geraldine and Jane Swarbrigg, who first brought the exciting global brand to the Irish marketplace in 2009.  The first INGLOT store opened in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin, and, with a rapidly growing fan base for the innovative make-up range, new stores quickly followed in Dundrum Town Centre, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, and in the Jervis Shopping Centre in the city, as well as the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick city.

There are over 400 INGLOT retail outlets across the world in cities including New York, Dubai, London and Sydney, and the range is still produced in Europe by the INGLOT family, as it has been for over 25 years, in the company’s own state-of-the-art production facilities.

Here is a sneak peek of the new Pro store spotted by Kirsty MacDonald MUA.

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Review

Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter – 1 HOUR TAN is a revolutionary, express, self-tan mousse that develops into a beautiful, natural-looking tan in just 1 hour!

Easy to apply this first-of-a-kind formulation combines hi tech accelerating agents, which are activated upon contact with skin and speed up the tan’s absorption and development, to deliver a rich, cocoa brown tan.

After just one hour, Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter -1 Hour Tan can be rinsed off and the tan will continue to develop for up to three hours, giving a gorgeous authentic, golden-brown tan lasting up to 5 days. If you prefer a deeper, darker cocoa brown coloured tan you can leave the product on your skin for up to three hours and then shower.

Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter – 1 HOUR TAN does not leave the ‘biscuit smell’ associated with traditional fake tan. This smell results from DHA (the active tanning agent in tan) coming into contact with air on the surface layers of the skin. The accelerating ingredients in Cocoa Brown carry the product into the skin, so no DHA is left to linger on the skin’s surface and therefore there is no tell-tale smell.

It contains natural extracts of the deliciously scented Tahitian Gardinia, which leaves a subtle floral fragrance on the skin.

Cocoa Brown was formulated with all skin types in mind but particularly dry/sensitive skin and contains the highest grade vegetable derived DHA (tanning agent) not the synthetically produced kind.

Finally, you’ll notice that Cocoa Brown’s luxurious formula on application, glides over your skin. The mousse is light-weight, fast drying, non sticky and gives streak free results that last for days.

I have been using this tan since it launched and absolutely love it! Before discovering this tan, the tan I used was St Moriz. I have dry skin especially on my legs and my arms, when I used this tan for the first time I loved how it applied but hated how it wore off, I was left blotchy and looked like I had scales on my arms and legs for over a week. I tried everything to try get it off and couldn't! I later found out that I had applied too much of this product to my skin and that's why it was wearing off how it was.

Second time round up until now I apply a light layer to my skin using a tanning mitt. I make sure my skin is well exfoliated and moisturised beforehand as this is a mousse and even though it say's it's suitable for dry/sensitive skin I still find it that little bit drying it you don't prepare your skin beforehand.

I've gone through bottles of this tan and Cocoa Brown's Night & Day Tan which is similar but I do find the 1 Hour Tan better. As the name suggests this tan develops a nice natural tan in just one hour but you can leave it on up to 3 hours if you prefer to be that little bit darker then wash it off. What I like to do is apply it after I have showered at night time then the next morning I wash it off and I've got a lovely glowing tan. 

Applying it properly now, I haven't had any problems with this tan going blotchy or flaking when wearing off. I like to apply tan 2-3 times a week exfoliating and moisturising my skin in between. I did find that this tan transfers onto clothes when you first apply it so make sure to be wearing something dark or old before you wash it off. I love how it doesn't smell like other tans which can be really unpleasant and it's not sticky either which is bonus!

This is before and 1 hour after - being Irish as you can see I have very pale blotchy skin (please excuse the bruise on my leg also). Here is the tan after 1 hour of application. It's lovely and dark just how I like it but not orange. This is a must have tanning product for me! You can find it in loads of pharmacy's around Ireland, Penney's (Primark) here in online or you can get it online! This tan is around €7.99 for a bottle, BARGAIN! 

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick Haul

As I told y'all in my last post when I have some extra case I like to pop into MAC and stock up on some new products for my makeup kit. Here are 3 more new lipsticks I recently added to my kit . . . 

MAC Candy Yum Yum, Up The Amp and Ruby Woo.

MAC Candy Yum Yum is a neon pink lipstick! That I had been after for such a long time. It was once Limited Edition but then MAC added it to their permanent line so I finally got my hands on it! Ruby Woo is probably my favourite red lipstick to use on both myself and on clients, it's a blue base red so perfect for people that are pale and also makes your teeth appear whiter which is an added bonus. I also found a gorgeous red lipstick recently similar to Ruby Woo but for half the price, keep a look out on my blog for that soon ;) 

RiRi Hearts MAC Collection - Fall 2013!

Rihanna will release her Fall 2013 RiRi Hearts MAC Collection in October.

After the success of her RiRi Hearts MAC Summer Collection 2013, this collection is slated to release on October 3rd! It will feature an array of eyeliners, brushes and mascara, along with more of what you've come to love from the previous collections - Rihanna's signature lipsticks!

Wait until you see the products and packaging ... I WANT IT ALL!

Here's what is available in RiRi Hearts MAC Fall Collection 2013.

Lipsticks: Talk That Talk - Dark Plum (Retro Matte), Riri Woo - Matte Cool Red (Retro Matte), Who's That Chick - Mid-tone Orange (Frost) and Nude - Cool Nude Cream (Matte).

Lipglass: Riri Woo - Cool Red.

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil: Riri Woo - Cool Red and Talk That Talk - Dark Plum.

Smoked Cocoa Eyeshadow Quad: Muted Mid-tone Grey (Matte2), Mid-tone Cool Champagne

 (Veluxe Pearl), Black With Silver Pearl Pigments (Lustre) and Black Charcoal (Satin).

Her Cocoa Eyeshadow Quad: Bright Bronze Gold (Lustre), Soft Peach (Satin), Warm Antique Gold (Veluxe Pearl) and Chocolate Bronze (Lustre).

Lustre Drops: Barbados Girl - Rose Gold Shimmer.

Powder Blush Duo: Hibiscus Kiss - Cool Coral Blush and Matte Neutral Bronze Duo.

Blush: Bad Gal Gone Bad: Warm Copper (Satin).

Cream Color Base: Diamonds - Soft Pink Beige With Gold Pearl Pigments.

Liquid Last Liner: Point Black.

Mascara: Gigablack Extended Play.

Veluxe Brow Liner: Deep Brunette and Deep Dark Brunette.

Brushes: 187SE and 282SE

I really want Talk That Talk lipstick and Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo! 

Sleek Makeup Lip 4 Lipstick Palette - SHOWGIRL 857 Review

These palette's are new from Sleek Makeup. When I was in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago on a weekend away I picked up 3 of these palette's from Superdrug. Today I'm going to review this palette called SHOWGIRL 857 which consists of 4 lip products hence the name 'Lip 4'. This palette includes 4 lip colours as well as a little brush applicator that I didn't keep as I like to use my lip brushes from Blank Canvas Cosmetics when applying lip products to myself or clients.

The compact itself is very handy for travelling with as it's small in size so would be perfect to toss in your handbag while on the go. It also contains a mirror inside which could come in handy on the go! As I said I didn't keep the lip applicator which was included as it was useless so if you had a lip brush you could just pop that in your bag along with the palette! 

I think if you are in a country that has a hot climate these lip colours would melt very easy so I would keep them in a cool dry place at all times.

I swatched one colour and nearly drowned my makeup brush when swatching the next as you can see from the picture! All these colours have a slight different texture. The top left hand corner and the bottom right hand corner ones seem to be like a normal lipstick and then the other two seem to be like lipgloss but more gloopy than your normal lipgloss. 

The two shades that I described as being gloopy don't last very long on the lips as the other two shades, but are very very pigmented so I'm not sure if I would wear the 'gloopy' ones over a lipstick like you would a lipgloss.

A little bit goes a long way!!! .... as these are extremely pigmented you really just have to pick up the smallest bit on your brush.

I also found when swatching this palette on my arm that they stained a little but not so much on the lips. I think if your into bright lip colours this palette would be for you! 

These palette's in the UK are 8.99 each. Which is very affordable I think considering your getting 4 different lip shades.
The palette includes 5.4g of product.
This palette is Cruelty-free which is ALWAYS  a good thing!
Travel friendly.

Mini MAC Cosmetics Haul

I love love love MAC Cosmetics! Every time I have money to spend on makeup for my kit MAC is the first place I hit! Here are a few products I recently added to my makeup kit . . . 

 Lipsticks; Girl About Town, Myth and Morange! Paint Pot; Painterly! Select Cover-Up; NW20.

MAC Lipsticks are my favorite lipsticks to use on both myself and my clients! <3

Perfect Match Gel Polish & Nail Lacquer Haul

I done a UV Gel Polish course otherwise known as 3 Week Manicure course back in August with Asu Nails And Beauty Supplies/Training Academy. The product we used throughout the half day course was Perfect Match Gel Polish and this was the product we would have in our kits! I went for a deal with Asu which was implements and other products I needed in my kit, as well as 6 Perfect Match Gel Polishes and education which meant the actual course for a total of €125! I then bought 2 extra polishes on the day. Perfect Match now have over 120 colours to choose from with new collections coming in every season so it was very hard to choose 8 colours. Here are the colours I went with to start my kit off! I'm hoping to pick up more Autumn/Winter shades in the next coming weeks.

Coral Carnation, Moon River, Butterflies, First Love, Lovers Embrace, La Princesse, Flawless White and Queen Of Drums. 

You also receive a Dare To Wear Lacquer of the same colour with each Gel Polish which is perfect for painting your toes with to match your 3 Week Manicure. These are €16.95 each from Asu Beauty Supplies if you wanted to buy individually, they also do offers too! I've done quite a few manicure's since I've qualified in this treatment and I love all these colours and can't wait to pick up some more!