Contour 2 by Contour Cosmetics | Beauty

I've been wanting to try countering for such a long time now but finding the right products has been a real struggle. I've had my eye on the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit for some time now but it's not the easiest to get hold of so I thought I'd look a little closer home and find a UK brand. 

Contour Cosmetics wasn't a brand I'd really heard of before but I came across their Instagram and Twitter pages and sawdust how popular their contour kits were so I wanted to try one for myself. I opted for Contour 2 as the shades, though slightly darker, are much cooler than Contour 1 and I definitely prefer that over a more orange, warmer look. 

Now my initial impression of the palette was the there seemed to be a wide range of shades, definitely one to suit most skin tones and that the formula upon first use was far creamier than I had expected, making blending so easy and seamless. As mentioned, there is a varied range of shades in this palette and for me, I've been trying out the top row and the first, lighter shade from the bottom. The other two darker shades are definitely scary looking for me personally, but I'm sure on darker skin, or those who use fake tan, they'd be perfect. 

I'm still far from an expert at contouring but this palette just makes it so easy to learn; I use it with a flat top Spectrum brush and a Beauty Blender sponge and it's the perfect combination. If you'd like to me do a tutorial on my Youtube channel then leave a comment and I'll try to film that so you can see just how well this palette works. I'm definitely a contour convert now. 

Jaclyn Hill x Becca Champagne Pop Highlighter

I have to admit, I've only been watching Jaclyn Hill's videos for a few months now but I can happily confirm that I am a fully subscribed viewer now - her makeup is just always flawless! So, as soon as I heard of her collaboration with Becca, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to finally try one of the much raved about highlighters; sadly it sold out fast on Sephora so I waited. And waited. It finally became available on Space N K last month so I jumped on it and finally the famous Champagne Pop was mine.

This collaboration couldn't be more perfect. Jaclyn practically invented the term '#highlightonfleek', so what better way than to bring out one, insanely good product that is completely her. After all, her highlight really is ON FLEEK! Champagne Pop has now become a staple in my everyday makeup routine and it is my absolute favourite highlighter and I very much doubt anything will beat it. It's the perfect golden toned, champagne highlight that shows up beautifully on the skin once applied. The overall texture is very creamy, despite it being a powder, and you only need the tiniest amount to get that incredible highlighted effect.

This does steer more towards an evening highlighter, but if you use a lighter hand, it's perfect for the day also and layered over a cream highlight, it's gives an even more intense glow. I would highly recommend this to everyone and if you can get your hands on it, do!

Have you tried Champagne Pop yet? What are you thoughts?

Detangling Hair Brushes

If you have long or thick (or both) hair then you'll definitely know just how annoying tangles and knots can be, especially after coming out of the shower. I have average length but super thick hair so it's prone to getting tangled with even the slightest gust of wind or a day outside. After it has been washed is the worst though, its a tangled mess and I used to spend absolutely ages tugging through it causing pain and just general annoyance! I've now found that the combination of a good conditioner and a great detangling hair brush works well and prevents damaging my hair.

I seemed to have accumulated quite a collection of hair brushes, all with detangling claims, so I'd thought I've run through them all and give you my thoughts on each one in case you are in the same position I was with struggling to tame your locks. 

First up is the Tangle Angel, which I'll admit I initially thought was more of a gimmick than anything else but having used it it quickly became my favourite! It is designed by renowned hairdresser Richard Ward with two purposes; the wings to hold for a firm grip for added control and detangling, and the handle for everyday brushing. I think it's a great concept and the design looks really nice as a dressing table addition also so that's an added bonus. The bristles are soft and flexible and are arranged specifically to target tangles, as well as the antibacterial properties they have too. 

Next is the Wet Brush, which I actually got with March's Look Fantastic beauty box in the miniature size. As the name would suggest, it is great for using on wet hair but can also be used as an everyday hair brush if needed. The design is is bit underwhelming compared to my other brushes but I suppose it's more about what it can do than what it looks like. It has flexible thin bristles, great for damage prone hair, and the soft tips are both gentle and comfortable on the scalp. The mini version is also handy to throw in your bag if you are prone to getting tangled hair throughout the day! 

Finally there's the Tangle Teezer standard and compact versions. This was the first detangling brush I ever bought and it's what really changed my opinion and opened my eyes to how terrible regular hair brushes are. I tend to use the standard style for everyday brushing as I find it's really comfortable to hold because of the Palm-sized shape and it's very gentle on the scalp, while I use the compact version for keeping in my bag during the day, it's the perfect size and the design is my favourite of the lot, who doesn't love a bit of Lulu Guinness print?! 

So to recap, though I do use all of the brushes I own, I feel they are all great for different purposes. My favourite is by far the Tangle Angel, I didn't think much of this when I bought it but from the first time I used it I've never really wanted to reach for anything else, it's a great all-rounder, especially on wet hair. For wet hair I'd say the Wet Brush works but isn't my favourite. For everyday use, my Tangle Teezer is the front runner and as this is the one I've had and used the longest, I think i'll always be loyal to it, despite the Tangle Angel almost taking its place. For on the go it's definitely the compact Tangle Teezer that I reach for most often as this tends to be kept in my handbag. 

Do you struggle with tangled hair? Which brushes have you tried that you'd recommend? 

February Beauty Favourites '15

Happy March everyone! I'm pretty glad to see February go as it always seems like such a filler month for me. That being said, it did fly by and we're now already on March, where has this year gone already! 

This month I've sat down with an accumulation of January/February favourites (I explain in the video my filming schedule) and I have honestly loved using each and every one of these products. I hope you enjoy the video and don't forget to let me know what your beauty favourites have been this month! 

The Weekend Post #1: Top 5 Online Beauty Reads

As well as writing a fashion and beauty themed blog, up there on my top things to do, especially at the weekend, is reading other beauty blogs. It comes pretty high up on my list of things to do, alongside eating, sleeping and catching up on my latest TV love (currently it's The 100). I could spend hours trawling through my Bloglovin' feed reading all my favourites and so I thought why not share 5 of my favourite beauty reads for you to enjoy also. Grab a cup of tea, set aside a few hours of your Sunday and get reading...

Vivianna Does Makeup | You probably all already read Anna's blog so it takes no introductions. Every time I see a new post of hers appear in my feed I instantly drop everything and prepare myself for a good ol' read. Not only is Anna well versed in everything base related, I can also relate to her self-proclaimed 'noob' attitude when it comes to eyeliner; I've definitely learnt a lot. 

Nouvelle Daily | Nouvelle is an online magazine/blog that every beauty lover should read. And then read some more. The photography is what really stands out for me here too, besides the content of course. 

She's In The Glow | This is a really recent find for me but one that I've been reading non-stop since discovering it. They can tell you what's what in the world of hair, beauty and even teeth whitening, as well as the products you actually need backstage; it's a great read! 

Refinery 29 | Whatever beauty-related topic you want to read about, it's almost guaranteed that it'll be on this site. Think Daily Mail-style but minus the constant spew of Kardashian mishaps and Coronation Street stars. It's a more refined (pun totally intended) version and one that I find myself constantly heading to in times of beauty need! 

Temptalia | The name is very apt for this one, you will want to go and and buy everything. If you want to see reviews and swatches on the newest and best products on the market then this is definitely the site to go to. It's great for researching new releases to solves that ever burring question: "Do I really need this?" The answer will always be yes. 

...and there goes the remainder of your Sunday afternoon. I did warn you that a cup of tea may be needed! Check back next week for my favourite fashion blogs. It'll be a good'n! 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua | Review

When it comes to foundation, I like something lightweight with a good light-medium coverage that doesn't look too heavy or matte. Basically I like my skin to still look like my skin, just better. I've been using, and really liking, the YSL Touche Eclat foundation for sometime now but I do find it isn't quite as dewy as I'd like it to be. Cue, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, a water-based, lightweight foundation that is perfect for the whole your-skin-but-better look. 

This foundation definitely leans more towards the tinted moisturiser end of the spectrum in terms of its coverage and longevity but for me, that's exactly what I wanted. It blends into the skin really well - I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush - and the colour (B20) is a perfect match for me so that's an added bonus! As for the wear; I have pretty normal skin with a slightly oilier t-zone and I find this foundation does stick around for quite a long time and doesn't leave my face looking too greasy like I've found to be the case with some foundations. However, as this foundation is water based, if you have oilier skin I wouldn't really recommend it as it may just slide right off after a couple of hours. For me and my relatively normal skin though, it's a match made in foundation heaven and I predict that this is going to be my go-to base for some-time now. 

Have you tried Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation? What are your thoughts?