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.

FOTD - Gay Pride Makeup

As Gay Pride is happening in Brighton this weekend I thought I'd share the look I wore to London Pride. I worked the morning of and the day after Pride, but I desperately wanted to go, as it would be my first ever Pride.

I had a wonderfully time and it felt so good to be surrounded by people in my community. One of my friends also went in drag and had so many people coming up to him to appreciate it, it was great.

I wanted to have really done skin, so I started with Benefits Porefessional as my Primer. I then used Mac's Mineralize Concealer under my eyes and around my nose and mouth. I used Mac's Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation over the top of this. I contoured with Benefits Hoola and highlighted the tops of my cheek bones, my cupid's bow, my nose, my chin and my forehead with Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone - the more plastic looking the better. I then used Nars' Super Orgasm as my blush.

 I outlined my lips with Mac's Boldly Bare, slightly overdrawing them. I then used MUA's Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer in Serene as my lip colour. On my brows I used Mac's Cork on the inner section and Inglot's 329 for the rest of the brow, I then used No7's Lash and Brow Perfector to keep all the hair's in place.

For my eyes I started by priming my lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I then used Cork in the crease, deepening it with Inglot's 329. I then drew a fine line under the lower lashed with 329. I then applied Lit's Glitter in Champagne Wishes on the lid, using Lit's Clearly Liquid Glitter Base. I then used So Susan's Haute Light Highlighting Pencil on my waterline and in the inner corner, setting this with Inglot's Body Pigment Powder in 180.

To finish, I drew a cat eye with Bourjois's Pinceau Liquid Liner, applied Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara and used both top and bottom false lashes, both from Eylure, setting everything with Make Up For Ever's Mist and Fix Spray.

To complete the look, wear excessive amounts of sparkly jewellery, completely curl your hair and wear a dusky pink, faux satin, slutty Prom dress. The handsome man with a purple glitter beard is optional, but recommended.

Happy Pride!

Violet Chachki Inspired Makeup - I'm Still Obsessed With Drag

So, I love a good gay club, and recently loads of Drag Queens from Rupaul's Drag Race have been appearing at my favourite one. A couple of weeks ago, the winner of Season 7, Miss Violet Chachki herself was there. I got to meet her and get a couple photos. It was brief and I was super drunk, but she said my makeup was cool, so it was pretty awesome.

The makeup look I did was inspired by a look she posted on her instagram. Very pin-up and cool as heck. (Also, the nose ring is fake, for the record).

Let's start with the skin. I primed with Benefit's Porefessional, which I still adore, and then I used Mac's Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20, which, again, I still adore. I then used Revlon's PhotoReady Cream Blush in Coral Reef on my cheeks and contoured and highlighted with Sleek's Contour Kit.

For my brows, I used Mac's Cork eyeshadow with a small, bristly angled brush for the inner part. I then used a dark brown from Inglot with a tiny, sharp angled brush, for the rest of the brow. Next, I used a cotton bud to crisp up the lines. I finished with No7's Lash and Brow Perfector, to set the brows, and tidied the hairs with a spoolie.

Now, the eyes. I primed using Two Faced Shadow Insurance. In the crease I used a red eyeshadow by Inglot in 382 and darkened it with a black eyeshadow, also by Inglot, in 391. I used the same black to draw a thin line under the lower lashes, winging out under the tear duct. On the lid I used a base of Nyx's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk - which I also used in the inner corner and on the waterline - and set it with a white eyeshadow, again, Inglot, in 373. I then did this giant ass wing, using Bourjois's Liner Pinceau  Liquid Eyeliner, á la Violet Chachki. I finished with L'oreal's Volume Million Lashes for my mascara and a pair of thick, flared out, Eylure lashes.

For lips I used Sleek's Matte Me Lip Cream in Rioja Red, cleaning the lines using No7's Lip Pencil in Fire, and then going back over it with the Lip Cream.

And there we go. I love this look, like a whole lot. And Violet was an absolute darling. For reference, the nose ring is from River Island.

Bonus picture with Violet and me.

Post Exam And New Job Haul - AKA I Splurged And I Don't Have To Feel Guilty

So this bitch now has money due to her new job - as a baker at Sainsbury's, unglamorous and my arms are covered in burns, but moneeeyyyyyy. As a result, this here haul. It's a small one, cos I don't plan on being ridiculous, but these are things I've wanted for a while, that are a little pricier, that I can now afford. 

From Left to Right: Mac False Lashes in 43, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!, Benefit's Porefessional and Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!

This applies really beautifully, the doe foot applicator making it very easy for precision. It's super pigmented and feels pretty great on, like, it's not moisturising and it's a bit sticky, but it doesn't feel crusty, which is nice. I tend to wear it in conjunction with Mac's Boldly Bare Lip Pencil to give it depth - and I over-draw my lips with it too, cos I think it looks hot. This is my go to colour at the moment and I love it.

Mac False Lashes in 43

These lashes are just lovely, they're real natural, being a dark brown colour rather than black and being Mac, they have a super thin, clear band, which is more comfortable (I slept in these babies). They just add a touch of thickness and length, which is great. I'm only wearing liquid liner here, and that was only to disguise the inner corner of the lashes. They're more expensive than the lashes I would typically buy, but I think they're worth it.

Benefit Porefessional

This is what my skin looks like normally, I know, it's horrible.

This is what Porefessional does to it. I've got pretty oily skin, so it mattifies it, which is great. It also smoothes my pores, which I need, and is a great base to a foundation. I also slept in this and it held, which is great.

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

I love how this feels on my skin. I really don't like how liquid foundation feels on my skin, but because my skin is not great, I feel I have to for coverage. This foundation negates that need. The coverage and wear-ability is great (guess what, I slept in this too). This is perfect for summer, being light on the skin, but also providing the coverage I need. I am so happy with this investment.

And, yes, I'm wearing a blanket. Having the heating on in Summer is for rich people.