FOTD - Sunset Eyes Or The Perfect Summer To Autumn Makeup

A few weeks back I visited Barcelona for a few days with my family. We did all the usual touristy things, of course, but I also took advantage of the fact there was a Sephora a short walk from our accommodation, because they are annoyingly not in the UK for some reason. Most of the brands were things I had access to back home, but one was not, that being Kat Von D, which excited me SO much. Her products are stunning and I've wanted them for ages, so, as a result, I bought an eye shadow and a liquid lipstick, which is showing extraordinary restraint.

The eyeshadow is called Thrasher and it is the most perfect gold I have ever seen. The swatch I took of it just made my heart fill with joy. I wanted all the eyeshadows, but I felt this would be the most versatile. I created this look a little while back on a beautiful Summer's day, which was incredibly hot, hence the visible sweat in these pictures (it passes as dewiness, right?).

I started by priming my eyes with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I then used Red Ochre from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette in the crease (I use a few shades from this palette). I then used Cyprus Umber from the aforementioned palette to deepen the crease, pulling it in to the outer third of the lid. I then used Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Gold on the rest of the lid, setting this with Kat Von D's eyeshadow in Trasher.

I then used So Susan's Haute Light Highlighting Pencil on my waterline and in the inner corners of my eyes, setting the inner corners with Primavera from the Modern Renaissance Palette. Next, I used Cyprus Umber from the same palette underneath the lower lashes, extending it a little under the tear duct. I finished by applying mascara and creating a cat eye with liquid liner.

 For my skin, I first primed with Benefit's Porefessional. I then used Mac's Mineralize Concealer under my eyes and around my nose and mouth, setting this with Mac's Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I then used Benefit's Hoola to contour with and Sleek's Life's a Peach as blush. I highlighted with Subsolar from Sleek's Solstice Palette, and sweat, a lot of very attractive sweat.

For my lips I first lined them using Mac's Boldly Bare. I then used a nifty new product from MUA called Colour Enhance Lacquer, which is basically a white liquid lipstick. I applied a layer of this to my lips (which looks so odd), then immediately layering over a liquid lipstick of my choice, I used Mac's Dance With Me, which creates a lighter version of the colour, and it's looks super good with so many colours and still dries matte. I finished by using Make Up For Ever's Mist and Fix Setting Spray.

I was super happy with how this look came out, I think Thrasher is just incredible and really makes a statement.

Urban Decay's Moonstone Palette - The New Prettiest Thing I Own

So I turned 22 recently, which is a little depressing, because turning 21 is supposed to be becoming a real adult, but that's not true. I was still at University when I turned 21, and everyone knows that Uni students aren't real adults. Now I have to pay council tax and I don't have the government lending me money anymore. Regardless, I got this beautiful palette for my birthday, which is the one bright spot in my otherwise dreary, adult existence. I am joking, sort of.

Urban Decay's Moondust Palette is the newest in their long line of beautiful, beautiful things that I have to own. They have created another box of jewels that is a marvel to behold.

As per, the packaging is gorgeous and on point, with this dope galaxy design on the box.

The back of the box shows a hint at the pretties inside and it's all sparkly and great.

The actual palette is sturdy, but not too large. It's also so incredibly sparkly. Practical and pretty.

It has a proper hinge with a good sized, decent mirror.

And then the jewels. The goods. The best bit. Hey there, gorgeous eyeshadows, what are you up to later? (Being applied on my face, obvs).

From the Left: Specter, Element, Magnetic, Lightyear, Granite, Lithium, Vega, Galaxy. Photographed with Flash.

From the Left: Specter, Element, Magnetic, Lightyear, Granite, Lithium, Vega, Galaxy. Photographed without Flash.

First off is Specter, a sheer pale pink absolutely brimming with silvery glitter.

Specter is less pigmented than all the other shadows, but this works in its favour, as it looks great as a wash of sparkles over other shadows, or as an inner corner highlight. If you want it to really pop, use it over a like coloured eye pencil.

Element is such an exciting and beautiful colour (which is saying something in this palette). Element is sort of an orange with a pink duo-chrome and silver glitter. The orange only appears in certain lights (not in flash photography apparently), but it is there and thus makes this a great and individual eye shadow.

This is an ideal lid shade that is by no means subtle, but is more wearable than the other shades in the palette.

Magnetic is a purple with a blue duo-chrome, which is the best kind of duo-chrome. Again it is filled with silver glitter.

This shadow will change based on what base you use, you can leave it bare (like in the pictures), or use a sticky white or black base, both will look stunning.

Lightyear is a friggin cool Emerald shade, which exemplifies the term 'jewel tone'.

It swatches beautifully, and will make an eyeshadow look if used on the lid, or as a pop of colour underneath the lower lash line.

Granite is such a cool shade, you want a smokey eye, look no further than this eyeshadow. It's a gunmetal eyeshadow on glitter crack.

It's so buttery, just smudge this around your eyes and go to a rock concert - the only truly appropriate location for this shadow. Apply it over a black cream base for more of a punchy look.

Lithium is a topaz shade with silver sparkles and it's perfect.

Want a neutral look with a bit of a kick? This is your shade. I predict myself deviating towards this shadow a lot this Autumn.

Vega is a royal blue with a turquoise glitter. Another glorious jewel tone.

Much like Lightyear, this is a look in itself. Put the two together in a look and you have some mermaid goodness.

To finish is Galaxy, which is a shadow with a dark base with a blue and green shift. If you think about the colours in anything galaxy print, this has them. It's beautiful.

For real impact, apply over a creamy black base. But play around with other cream bases for different effects (like a shimmery blue base to bring out the blue sparkles).

This is a look I created using Element on the lid and Specter in the inner corner. I applied Element over a concealer, which really muted the shadow, making it more wearable. I really want to try this shadow over a creamy, shimmery eye pencil, I think it will really pop.

I created this look using Galaxy over a creamy black pencil, with Specter in the inner corner again (I told you it worked well there). Galaxy just explodes over a creamy black base, this looked so good in person.

So, this palette is bomb, I love it and am so excited to play with it more. All the shadows apply really well and are pigmented even without using a base - but I would really reccomend playing with different coloured creamy bases. The Moondust Palette retails for £35, which is pricey, but if you - like me - have a birthday coming up, or simply want a payday treat, I would so reccomend it. And there's always Christmas (this would work so well for Christmas and New Year's looks).

FOTD Graduation Makeup - For When I Wanted To Look My Absolute Best

Over a month ago, now, I graduated from University. The ceremony was wonderful, I got to celebrate the with all my favourite people and be incredible proud of my friends and myself. I never thought that the day would mean so much, but it did.

I knew that the photos from the day would be around for the rest of my life, so I figured it was probably a good idea to look the best I could. I had a gorgeous dress, picked out my favourite jewellery, carefully painted my nails and curled my hair into perfect old hollywood waves. All that was left was my makeup, and as a point of pride, it had to be on point.

I knew I wanted a pinup-esque look, with slightly-above-neutral eyes, winged liner, red lips and extravagant lashes. I was so anxious that the makeup would go wrong (we've all had many bad liner days), fortunately, everything went well and I felt somewhat blessed.

To begin with, I needed perfect skin, so I started with my usual primer, Benefit's Porefessional. I then used Mac's Mineralize Concealer in NC20 under my eyes, around my nose and everywhere where I had discolouration. I set this all with Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20 by Mac. I then contoured with Benefit's Hoola, used Nars' Super Orgasm for blush and highlighted with Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone.

For my brows I used Mac's Cork on the inner section and Inglot's 329 for the rest of the brow. For the eyes I started by priming with Too Faced Shadow Insurance, I then used Mac's Cork in the crease, using Inglot's 329 to deepen the crease. I then used Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha on the lid, setting it with Illamasqua's Pure Pigment in Ore.

I then used So Susan's Haute Light Highlighting Pencil on my waterline and in the inner corner. I set the inner corner with Inglot's Body Pigment Powder in 180. Next I lined the lower lash line with Inglot's eyeshadow in 329. I then used Bourjois' Pinceau Liquid Liner for my winged liner, finishing with Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara and applying Huda Beauty's lashes in Sasha.

For my lips I initially created an outline just slightly bigger than my lips with Mac's Boldly Bare Lip Pencil, then applying Sleek's Matte Me Liquid Lipstick in Rioja Red. I finished by using Make Up For Ever's Mist and Fix Setting Spray to keep everything in place, it being a big day and all (and it worked, my makeup didn't budge all day).

And here's me with some Prosecco in my gown and cap looking really proud of myself. My nail polish is Barry M's Coconut Infused Nail Paint in Flamingo.

To close, this is me and my friends after throwing our caps in the air and laughing because we were very bad at it.

Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks - I'm Still Only Using Liquid Lipsticks

I recently bought a couple more of Mac's Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours from the Duty Free (the only positive part about the airport experience), so I figured I'd do a post about them, as they are rather lovely.

I've been riding the liquid lipstick train for about a year now and have had no desire to get off. I always get perfect lips with not too much effort, as long as I first line my lips with a neutral shade (my go to being Mac's Boldly Bare). Real lipstick seems like way too much effort now. I also get to fake that my lips are bigger than they are with matte shades.

The mac formula smells like almonds (which is great), and applies slightly drier than the other liquid lipsticks I use (MUA, Sleek, Kat Von D, Nyx), this is not a bad thing, though. Instead of feeling like a thick layer of liquid on the lips that dries to a slightly crusty matte, they apply and dry really comfortably, feeling nicer during the day. They wear really well, the only enemy being greasy food, and then, only the centre of the lips fades away. They retail for £21, so quite a bit more pricey than the MUA and Sleek ones that are my go to, but the formula is nice enough for me to justify it. Also, the range of colours is really good.

From Left to Right: High Drama, Dance With Me, Feels So Grand, Rich And Restless

High Drama

High Drama: This colour applies the most patchily out of the ones I have, but that can be attributed to it being super dark. Two coats does the job, three if you are doing close up, flash photography. Honestly, one looks fine in person if you apply it carefully. This colour is great if you don't have time to do much else to the rest of your makeup; it makes a look. I'm going to be wearing this all Autumn.

Dance With Me

Dance With Me: This is my favourite (possible of all my lip colours). It's a slightly darker, blood red, but not too dark to steal attention from the rest of the makeup, but dark enough to make a big impression on it's own. Again, a tad patchy, but fine for real life.

Feels So Grand

Feels So Grand: This is a perfect daytime red. It's just a bit brighter than a typical red that I would use (I always tend towards darker shades). This is a great standard red, that's not too intimidating. It also applied perfectly with one coat.

Rich And Restless

Rich And Restless: This is a beautiful peach shade that looks incredible with tanned, bronzed skin. England is actually having some Summer at the moment (meaning I'm sweating it out in my room with all the windows open), so this is a perfect shade to wear. It also complements strong eyes really nicely. I would say this needs two coats to look good in person, which very bright shades often need.

Overall, I really like Mac's contribution to the Liquid Lipstick game. They just feel so much nicer during the day and actually layer really well, rather than getting really crusty upon reapplication. They are pretty expensive though, so if you're near an airport, take advantage of that Duty Free, otherwise, see it as an investment piece and get yourself a damn good red.

Gilded Makeup - Because Black And Gold Is The Best Colour Combination

Today I'm showcasing a look I did a little while ago which I'm choosing to call 'Gilded Coal Makeup'. It was inspired by me buying Illamasqua's Liquid Metal Palette, which is gorgeous, if not a little impractical as cream shadows always crease for me. In the palette is a beautiful, bright, true gold - as in, not too yellow toned.

Black and gold is one of my favourite colour combinations, so I figured I'd pair the two in a look. This could be a kind of District 12, Katniss Everdeen Ceremony look, if the Hunger Games is still relevant. Otherwise, I thought it looked dope.

I started by priming my lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance, of course, this kind of look needs a good primer. I then used Urban Decay's Perversion Eye Pencil all over my lids, blending out the edges with a slightly denser, fluffy brush - my favourite is Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush. Using the same brush I set this base with a black eyeshadow from Inglot, then blending the shadow out towards my temples, up to the start of my brows and to an extended point on my nose. I deepened the colour by keeping packing on the shadow as it takes a while to get black eyeshadow really dark on the skin.

Now comes the fun bit. I took the gold shade - Electrum - from the Liquid Metal Palette and applied it as winged eyeliner, both on the lid and under the lower lashes with a fine, angled brush. I connected the two in and extended inner corner and created a double wing at the outer corner. I then set this with Barry M's Dazzle Dust in 10 (a gold). I sharpened the lines using a black liquid liner. I then applied Electrum on the outer two thirds of my brows, brushing the hairs upwards. I again set this with the Gold Dazzle Dust, also brushing it on my brow bone.

Next, I curled my lashes very thoroughly as I was not going to be using proper mascara. I started by applying a white lash primer, I then topped this with Electrum, applying it with a spooley. I then set this all with the Gold Dazzle Dust. I made sure to do this to both sides of my lashes and had to do it a couple of times to get the full effect.

For my skin, I primed with Benefit's Porefessional, used Mac's Studio Fix Powder Foundation, Nars' blush in Outlaw, Benefit's Hoola to contour and Topshop's Glow and Sleek's Subsolar from the Solstice Palette to highlight.

For my lips I started by lining them with Perversion Eye Pencil, I then used MUA's Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Potent all over the lips. Then I applied Electrum in the centre of the lips, setting it and blending it out with the Gold Dazzle Dust.

I then decided to spruce the look up a bit, because I was a little dissatisfied. I started by applying proper mascara on my lashes (after all that work), which immediately changed the look. I then used Inglot's Eyeshadow in 50 to soften all the edges of the black eyeshadow.

I finished by applying the red eyeshadow to my cheeks to tie the look all together.

I actually quite liked this look by the end of it. I have no idea if this could be themed for a costume, but hey, it was fun to do and looks pretty damn cool.