Slam Dunk Festival: Beauty

Yesterday I mentioned about attending my seventh Slam Dunk festival up in Leeds on Saturday. I spoke all about what I find most comfortable to wear and what I think works well in terms of 'fashion'. You can read all about this post here.

Today I'm going to run through what I'm planning on taking in terms of Make Up and Haircare. I've had some massive make up mistakes that i've learnt from over the years at Slam Dunk - nothing humilating but just not using make up that fits in with a long, hot day when you need your face to stay in place for a good 12 hours or more. I'll be bringing up my tips throughout this - these are by no means tips that would apply to you but they're things that I know to steer clear of.

FACE - Prep

 

The POREfessional Primer Mini - Benefit - I actually own so many of these sample pots that travelling is so so easy when it comes to choosing a primer. I'd of personally taken my MAC Prep and Prime but its just too big to cart about with me.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 150 Buff - I was told how amazing this was from Carly on Carlys  Beauty World and was sold as soon as she said it really did last 24 hours for her. Although my aim isnt to keep it on that long - its going to be a loooong day and I need some ultimate staying power on my face!  Sadly the bottle is glass so I don't intend on taking this with me so I found this teeny Dior sample pot which I've now poured some in to take with me on the day/for the next day.

Face 2

- I totally forgot to include my Hoola Bronzer by Benefit in this photo so just pretend thats in there ;)

Fake Up - Benefit -This is a dream to use, it covers up undereye bags perfectly and really soothes your face as well giving great coverage - this is what I tend to use as my top up rather than reapplying shed loads of foundation.

Cupcake Blusher - MUA - Superdrug - Not normally my blush of choice but with this being so slim and small, I think its a must for Slam Dunk as it'll hardly take up any space in my bag! 

Gimmer Brow - Benefit - Now my aim for this is to use solely as a top up - my eyebrows are usually very good to me on public outings and stay in place so I'm hoping if I use my Browzings by Benefit in the morning before I leave, I can just use this to define in the day. 

Stay Matte Powder - Rimmel - This has yet to be used out of the house and if I'm honest I'm dreading taking this out as powder has a tendancy to smash everywhere but I cannot find a powder that isnt break able (and loose powder is a no no with drunk Stevie okay?) If you do know of one thas affordable please tell me cos I don't want to take this at all but I kinda have no choice if I want my face to stay where it should! 

EYES

 

High Impact Mascara Sample - Clinque 

Collecion 2000 - Fast Stroke Eyeliner

I decided to go super simple with my eyes this year - mainly because I just can't be bothered battling with panda eyes or worrying if my make up has ran. If you comfortable with shadows and usea good eye primer, then I'm sure you'll be fine but I recently used a Maybelline Colour Tattoo when the weather was hot and it was all over my eyes by the end of the day so I'm choosing to stay well away this year!

LIPS 

Collection 2000 - Berry Crush Lip Stain - Lipstick is just a big no no for me at a festival. Its messy and I constantly feel like its falling off my face or on my teeth. This stain is really easy to apply and its fairly faint on me. I have since realised I could take a lipstick for the afterparty so no doubt I'll opt for my trusted MAC one. 

BRUSHES

Real Techniques Mini Trio - Easily the best invention for any outing. I will be taking larger brushes in my bag for the next day but for during Slam Dunk these are a complete dream!

Blusher Brush taken from a Benefit Blush - These fit the size of the MUA blushers perfectly so I'm going to use these to apply it! 

HAIRCARE

 

Loreal Matt&Messy Salt Spray 

VO5 Ultimate hold Hairspray

Tangle Teezer

Perfect just to keep my hair looking presentable and tame throughout the day. I usually take abobble and throw it up by the end anyway!

BAGS

 Disney Villians Make up Bag - Purely so I dont have any make up spillages in my bag

Studded hangbag - USC - This is a bit bigger than it looks in the photo - but I'm one of those girls that actually likes to carry her stuff and I usually buy merch etc so this is perfect for it throughout the day.

I'd just like to point out I am taking the obvious things like face wipes (terrible but perfect for travel), moisturiser (dry skin will most likely occur), deo, perfume etc etc. I just don't put these up - I would recommend taking a small travel deodrant as it can get pretty hot but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to use deodrant!

Thats my Slam Dunk Face - it looks like quite a lot but by the time I've taken my brushes and 3 top up items that'll be it for the day then! 

Whats your festival face? Do you have a holy grail item you swear by for eventslike this?? 

xXx

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation Review

There's no denying my love for Benefit, Its seems to be the brand that does it for me. Annoyingly the price doesn't always suit my lifestyle but in terms of products, it seems to go hand in hand with my skins needs. 

The Hello Flawless foundation has been a pretty big hit with most users and I agree! 

For me, finding the right foundation has always been a bit hit or miss, I don't enjoy the dewy look on me and I also have phases with hating foundations with glitter in as twinkling at half 7 in the morning isn't my thing. 

                                            

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation - £25.50 - Benefit - BUY

I was first shown this by a Benegirl in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. She doesn't work there any more but I couldn't praise her enough for her efforts and really trying to find products for me. 

She asked me (as they always do) if I wanted to stick to my skin tone or if I wanted to glow. Being a newbie back then, I wanted to glow...who wouldn't?! 

I was matched with the shade 'I'm so Money...Honey'. 

To this day...even now I'm at the last few pumps of this, I will always think its too dark for me. It probably isn't and no one has ever said a word to me about it, but I always feel so silly as having light skin and auburn hair, I just don't think its for me. Its mostly because I'm out of my comfort zone and its mainly all in my head but I just think Honey isn't the colour for me.

Application of this is flawless. It doesn't seem flaky or dewy and if you're looking for that 'flawless' look this is the first one I've found actually fits the bill for me. Its also super great for skin too with an SPF25 content so if you want to take this away you know you'll be pretty protected throughout the day.

The pump does get pretty messed up quite quick but what do you expect from a white product but I think most foundations do this in fairness.

The 'brightening' effects for me as second to non and I feel in a morning (which you all know I know!) it does make me look a lot more awake when I'm really dead inside. This has also lasted me just under a year with about 2/3 pumps a day for a large proportion of the year, I have switched to another in the last few months mainly to prolong this one abit more. 

Not so much a foundation point - But I actually got a sample of the PoreFessional (like I need any more) in my box which I thought was a really nice touch and a great little marketing technique. I don't know if this is a standard thing or if they were doing it over the course of a period of time so don't hold me to this happening if you buy one!!

Overall, I cannot rate this foundation enough. My only personal fault is I do still question if I was matched up to the right colour and I know a lot of my friends have had the same problem at counters too. I do have a sample somewhere of a lighter shade which I'm going to try out before my next purchase but this is without a doubt on my re-buy list and for a matte, flawless look this is the one for you!! 

If you can get a sample of this (they do them, as she gave me one...after I'd bought it..idiot Stevie!) then I'd say do it and give it a whirl as the price tag is pretty steep but for me, it was worth every penny! 

Have you tried the Hello Flawless foundation??

xXx

January Lusts

Its the end of January, you're finally getting paid and after a month of lusting after so many pretty things, its time to treat yourself again! Throughout the month theres loads I want to buy but either can't afford or know I should hold off for a bit,

I'm going to do these monthly posts of a few bits I want to treat myself too throughout the year.

1) Prada Candy Eau de Parfum - Prices start from £30 - BUY

I literally just smelt this whilst on my lunch today and I think its beautiful, its so fruity and girly. Even 5 hours later I can still slightly smell it on me.

2) The Lush Valentines Range - Prices start from £2.95 - BUY

In a few weeks I will be posting all about this range but all I know right now is that I want it all, especially the Massage bar and the Bath Bomb (even though I've heard its pretty boring for the price)... :/

3) Bourjois 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation - £10.99 - BUY

After squeezing the last of my Benefit foundation out and moving onto my substitute of Rimmel. I saw this a few days ago and shamefully tested it on my hand. I found from my quick test it blends it perfectly and the smell of it is to die for. I've since read some reviews mostly positive so I'm planning on making this my next purchase.

4) Vivienne Westwood Watch - £155 - 

Since becoming a watch repairer, I won't deny, I;ve become a bit of a snob when it comes to buying nice one and even worth when it comes to realising how much theyre REALLY worth. Your fancy Michael Kors watch could be made for less than £40 (it was such a kick when i found out)

5) The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine - £23.50 - BUY

Since release day I've wanted to get my hands on this. Being a HUGE Porefessional fan, I love that this is a mattifying powder and can't wait to try this out.

6) Nina Ricci La Tentation Eau de Toilette - Prices from £40 - BUY

Being a big Nina Ricci fan already, I was curious to how her new fragrance was going to smell and it does not dissapoint. Its still  got the fruity undertones (obviously with the apple shaped bottle) and full of sweetness. The bottle is a vivd pink with a unique texture to it. This will hopefully be a purchase over the next few months.


Have you tried any of these for yourself? Let me know what you think.

xXx

This weeks beauty buys

So I've been a teeny bit naughty this week and bought a few new make up purchases that I've had my eye on for a couple of weeks.

As I'm fortunate enough to get paid weekly I hand my rent to my boyfriend in installments 3 times in the month meaning that 1 week I'm left with a slightly larger amount (minus smaller bills) .

So why not?

 

 In my defense, All the Rimmel products were 3 for 2 in the offer currently running in Superdrug, so I did take advantage.

I've dabbled in a few Rimmel bits here and there but I keep hearing great things about such an affordable range of products. 

Firstly I bought the New ScandalEyes Mascara: Rockin Curves - £6.99 - BUY. I've always loved their mascaras so I know I can't go wrong here. You've probably seen the advert for this on TV as it seems to be everywhere at the moment.

Secondly...Lipstick...Kate Moss. Need I say more? Everyone girl and her mother seems to love Kates range (I have far too many of her nail varnishes) I bought this in Shade 107 in the Lasting Finish range in a beautiful deep red shade.£5.49 - BUY

and my final Rimmel buy comes in the form of a Lasting Finish Colour Rush in shade 600 - On Fire- £5.99 - BUY. Its one step away from coral but just about peachy enough to not quite hit a red shade. Or at least this is what I'm hoping when I try it. 

 Maybelline - Baby Skin: Instant Pore Eraser - £7.99 - BUY

Stepping away to my slightly indecisive purchase, it took me 3 days of constantly walking into Boots to decide if I could tear myself away from my Benefit Porefessional Primer to try this one out. In the end, I obviously said 'go on then' mostly because its a new products by them and the Baby Skin range is HUGE and I'm hoping this is going to a decision that genuinely pays off.

REVIEWS - These will follow over the coming week or so when I've had a chance to give them a try.

Short and sweet today but let me know or link me to what you have been buying this week??  

xXx

Christmas 2013

I hope you all had a great Christmas this year and got everything you asked for. For me, this year marked the first where I honestly wasn bothered about anything in particular I did/didnt recieve and cared more about the gifts I bought other people.

That doesnt mean I wasnt truely grateful for what I got, but as I hadnt asked for anything, I wasnt expecting anything either.

I ended up with lots of new things from my family, friends and Jamie which were all incredible and I know I'll use it all, especially the amount of baking things I recieved.

When it came to Beauty / Perfume items, I usually ask for a range of more affordable bits but realised this just ends up in my make up drawers so I asked for products that have become my daily routine this year so I know everything will be put to good use.


Heres a quick run down of some of the Beauty gifts I got...

Boots No7 Illuminating Mirror - Link - Ive been after this for a good few years now after having my old housemates hand me down one and since leaving it at home in July, I finally got my own.

Secondly comes my beautiful Benefit addiction. These were gifts from Jamie and my Parents.

The 'best of benefit' (link) set is ideal for any bene-newbie or someone that just wants to top up their collection without buying the full sizes.

The set includes

The Porefessional Primer
They're Real Mascara
Hoola Bronzer
Boi-ing Concealer
High Beam Highlighter.
Benetint Cheek Stain


The second set is an amazing perfume, Crescent Row (link) miniatures set. I originally asked for Laugh with me Lee Lee as this is a perfume I've owned already, but for the same price my mum bought me this with 4 to chose from, ideal for my handbag and each include their own box so you don't even feel like you're getting abit cheated for the small size.

This set includes:
Laugh with me Lee Lee
Ring my Bella (fastly becoming my fave)
Under my spell Noelle
My place or yours Gina

Although I love The Body Shop, I never seem to shop there as often as I should so to get all these was amazing.

I seem to have gone a bit Mango (link) crazy with this gift set from my manager and the shower gel from my family along with the satsuma one which smells amazing.

The perfume set was actually a gift from my uncle who didn't even know how much I love TBS' White Musk (link)  (it's quite old lady-ish I know but I love it) so to receive this I now have 3 bottles and couldn't be happier. The fragrance mist will also be super handy for a daily top up without drowning myself in perfume.

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a sick adiction to Soap and Glory so much so, we have a box in our bathroom purely dedicated to the stuff so it was always going to be a sure present to get me for christmas.

My grandma bought me this Bright and Bubbly Gift set (link) which includes:
Hand Food
The Righeous Butter
Clean on Me
The Scrub of your life
A pink wash scrub


I also received two full size versions of Clean on Me Body Wash and Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath.

Boots No7 Ultimate Gift Set - Every year No7 release this amazing set full of full sizes of their best products but at the price of £65, its not exactly something I can just splurge out on so I waited until it went down to £32 as a star gift and asked Jamie if I could have it as one of my presents.

I've always considered the boxs' contents as a bit too 'old' for me but the depressing thing, at 22, I think protecting face creams are now my calling in life so i'm excited to give all these a go, however, at the smallest price of £9 for individual items, they will have to be used more sparingly...or at least until next christmas :)

The No7 Ultimate Collection includes

Blissful Body Wash
Completely Quenched Mosturising Body Lotion
Sumptuous Bath Soak
Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion
Beautiful Skin Dry Skin Rescue - This will  a god send in the summer
Protect and Perfect Day Hand Cream
Protect an Perfect Intense Day Cream
Protect and Perfect Intense Night Cream
No7 Lash Adapt Mascara
No7 Lipgloss

 

 A few Full Size Benefit Goodies off my Mum.

The Porefessional Primer - My everyday go-to product, I get through this at a depressingly fast speed

Hydra Smooth Lip Color - I'm yet to try this or any of Benefits Lipsicks but I was given the shade, Air Kiss, an intense pink shade which I cant wait to try.

Thats my top christmas beauty gifts, hope you are all having a fantastic New Year (we just booked Harry Potter tickets so thats my first resolution ticked off)

VAT Free Shopping at Debenhams

So its basically a 20% off sale on beauty and fragrance selected items at Debenhams at the moment. I've become a huge lover of the department store over the last 12 months and I'm dying to get myself at least something as some of these are a great little deal.

I've picked out a few of my favourites that I've either owned, own or really badly want!!!!

1) Benefit: The Pore-fessional. £20.42 - One of my favourite items ever. Last ages and its perfect for days when you don't have time to cover your face in foundation as a quick cover up.

2) Paco Rabanne: Lady Million - £30.42 - £50.17 - My favourite perfume had to make a cheeky appearance somewhere. I'm literally on the last few spritz of mine (and have been for quite some time) as I can't bare to let go.

3) Clinique 3-step Introduction Kit - £16.67 - Firstly, you need to know your skin type before purchasing these so I'd always advise going to a counter girl as this is always the most effective route for not spending money on something unsuitable for you. I've got the Type 2 set and minus the smell (I do plan on reviewing this) Its great at making your skin smoother and feeling fresh.

4) Jimmy Choo: Flash - £30.00 - £38.33 - I have a sample of this perfume from a goodie bag I received and its beautiful. Really tempted to pick this up whilst its on offer.

5) bareMinerals Prime Time - £17.50 - I'm a bit of a rookie when it comes to the bareMinerals range but I'm planning on making a purchase soon and as you've already seen I'm a lover of a good primer and with a large variety of primers (also in the sale) it makes it more appealing knowing one will probably suit my sensitive skin.

6) Urban Decay Smoked Palette - £29.17 - UD was one of the very first higher end product I bought about 4 years with the potion pot and I've still got it now. This kit contains 10 eye shadows, an eye pencil and a mini potion primer. Such a great deal. I've been dying to venture out on my eye colours but haven't quite found some that I love but the grey 'asphalt' shade in this is beautiful.



This is just a few of my picks but I could of carried forever. Get over to www.debenhams.com to check out the full range for yourself.

Have you got your eye on anything in the sale that I've missed?? Let me know cos no doubt I'll want to buy that too!!

Stevie-Leigh X