create those contours

Contouring is one of my favourite things and if I could muster the brain power to get it into that song from The Sound of Music (you know the one!) then I would. But I can’t so I thought I’d blog about it.

So, a few of my friends have asked me, WHAT IS CONTOURING?

Well, I will tell you.

Contouring is basically where you sculpt the face, creating shadows to make parts of your facial structure more prominent; normally the cheekbones, jaw-line and nose.

Like I've said contouring is about creating shadows. Now, shadows are cool in colour, having blue and purple undertones, SO, the most realistic contours should replicate this. therefore you choose products that are cooler in tone, rather than bronzers and blushes which can make your complexion look ruddy (redder than normal, almost dirty).

The contouring products that are out there come in creams and powders and choosing the right one for your skin is very important. I myself prefer to go for cream contouring products as I find them more easily blendable but I have been known to use the odd powder here or there, SO, these are some of the products I have used and I hope you might find these reviews useful.

1. M.A.C. Pro Sculpt Cream £18

Everyone knows how much I love MAC - almost as much as I love contouring so when I saw the MAC Pro Sculpt Cream online I just had to try it, so I took a trip to my nearest store and tested away.

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream

The product comes in two shades (one darker and one lighter) and they are so unbelievably creamy. This texture means they are easily blended into your base. However both shades are quite warm, which, for my skin tone is not ideal. However for warmer skin tones this would be perfect. Also the texture of these creams is perfect for dryer skin types, but when used with a translucent powder on top is perfect for all.

2. & Other Stories Contouring Cream £10

This was the first contouring cream that I used and I fell in love. I really cannot fault it. It has been carefully created to suit all (and I mean ALL) skin tones out there. 

& Other Stories Face Contouring Cream

Although the product looks very brown in the palette it is a perfect mix of pigments which means that it is not going to make you look like you’ve had a fight with a sunbed. The mix of tones creates a cooler/ashier toned contour which is flattering to all skin tones (pale through to dark). The texture is slightly less creamy than the MAC Cream but when applied with a brush it blends out beautifully to create gentle contours. It can also be built up to create a more dramatic effect.

3. MAC Pro Longwear Eye Shadow in Fashion Fix £17

An eye-shadow you say? YES! An eye-shadow! I've been looking for a taupe colour for contouring for ages and have I been able to find one? NO!!! 

MAC Pro Longwear Eye Shadow in Fashion Fix

But then I found this eyeshadow and I love it :D one you've put on your base, set it with a powder then apply your contour with this (otherwise the pigment will stick and clump awkwardly, not what you want!). So, one you're powdered, use an angled blush brush to define the cheekbones and jawline (if you want too), the angled brush will do all the work for you and you will be left with smoothly defined cheekbones!

4. Blush Professional Contouring Palette £11.44 (price correct at the time of publication)

This palette is wonderful - actually a lot of blush professional products are wonderful - but this was the first one I bought! For the price it is amazing value for money and has everything you need in it to sculpt the face.

Blush Professional 6 Colour Contouring Palette

The palette contains a white (highlighter), beige, flesh, brown and two pink powders. Use the brown powder for contouring - using your angled blush brush - but use it with caution, you don't need to use much as it is well pigmented. If you use too much you run the risk of looking slightly muddy. You can the gently use the flesh and beige tones to blend out and neutralise the colour for smooth contours. The pink shades can be flushed onto the apples of the cheeks for a healthy rosy glow! I did however find the white powder quite chalky and matte so I didn't like using it as a highlighter, but, all in all this palette is great for the price.

Well, I could talk about contouring all day so I will stop there! Let me know if there are any wonder products you would recommend and I may just test them out!

Much love

R x

find your foundation

A good base is key for all other make-up you wear. Also, the better your base the more youthful you will appear, after all no-one wants to have flaky or in contrast a shiny face. Just like choosing skincare, you should match your foundation too your skin type. This post will try to break down (hopefully) some key points on choosing the right foundation!

1. KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE!
There are lots of skin types, and much like choosing your skincare routine, you should be equally as aware of your skin when choosing foundation.

Normal - neither too dry nor too oily. If you have barely visible pores, a radiant complexion and little sensitivity you would have a 'normal' skin type. You are lucky as you can choose almost any foundation to wear (you lucky thing you!)

Combination - a skin type which is dryer in places and more oily in others. It tends to be that the cheeks are drier and the T zone (nose, forehead and chin) are oilier.  This skin can look shiny with overly dilated pores with increased risk of blackheads.

Dry - dry skin can look almost dull, with almost invisible pores. It can feel tight and there is greater risk of lines and wrinkles.

Oily - this skin type is prone to more blemishes. With more open pores and increased sebum production spots and blackheads are more easily formed. Excess oils mean skin can appear shiny.

Sensitive - sensitive skin can show up through redness, a burning sensation and itching. This may be due to a medical issue and if you are unsure of why your skin is so sensitive then seek medical advice.

2. CHOOSE A FOUNDATION TO MATCH YOUR SKIN

Cream Foundation - ideal for normal, combination and dry skin. Perfect for more uneven complexions as it provides heavier coverage. The finish of these foundations is dewy with a medium to full coverage. For application use a sponge or stippling brush. A brilliant cream foundation is the MaxFactor Whipped Creme Foundation which provides a demi-matte finish whilst also giving hydration as well. At £9.99 it is also decently priced.

Liquid Foundation - ideal for all skin types but best suited to dry and mature skin. With a light to medium coverage this foundation comes in a variety of finishes from matte to satin. If you have oily skin then choose a matte finish and if you have drier skin then go for a more satin finish as this will provide more moisture. Apply with a foundation brush. I love the MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation. It is a creamy, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. It is long-wearing and water-resistant. As with many premium brands this foundation is pricey at £25 but you do get 40ml for that which is 10ml more than most foundations so cost effective!

Pressed Powder - perfect for oily skin types. They provide a matte finish with light to medium coverage. They absorb excess oils whilst evening the complexion. Apply with a densely packed powder brush for great coverage. I don't tend to use these so this was hard for me to review, but the one powder foundation that keeps coming up is the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation. At £32 this product offers a lasting full coverage with no oil - so it is perfect for oily skin. It also has light reflective pigments which help mask imperfections thus evening out the complexion.

Mineral Foundations - great for all apart from oily skin. These foundations are great for those with sensitive skin. They provide a demi-matte finish in a light to medium coverage. For best application I would suggest using a kabuki brush to buff it onto the skin. Bare Minerals has the best mineral foundations out there. The "weightless foundation provides adjustable sheer-to-full coverage for a flawless look". It is, like the MAC foundation £25 for a 8g. It is definitely worth the money though. Your skin will look great. 

Tinted Moisturiser - for normal to dry skin. Suitable for those who need extra hydration with a hint of colour. A sheer to light finish with giving a 'no make-up' look. Apply with a foundation brush. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 20 is a great tinted moisturiser. It evens the complexion without hiding the skin beneath. Coming in at £33 for 50ml it is the priciest product on my list but after trying a sample of it I would definitely recommend it as it feels and looks great on the skin. 

BB Cream - ideal for all skin types, but especially good for blemish prone skin. The active ingredients in BB creams help to reduce blemishes whilst providing a light to medium coverage. Apply with a foundation brush. Garnier have produced (and correct me if I am wrong) the first British BB Cream. At £9.99 at Boots this product instantly ‘perfects’ the skin giving a light and sheer coverage meaning imperfections look blurred with fine lines being softened. Your skin will look luminous, smoother and more even. Definitely a more dash than cash product - it is brilliant value for money!

3. COLOUR

Pink Undertones - choose a yellow based foundation to counter-balance the cooler tones in your skin.

Yellow Undertones - and (surprise surprise) in contrast choose a pink toned foundation to counter the warmer tones.

It may also seem obvious but don's choose a shade too pale, or too dark. This will look false, the perfect base should just disappear into your skin.

Most premium brands will stock more shades than high-street brands. If you cannot justify or afford a premium brand and can't find the right shade from a high-street make then buy a couple a mix them! I am a firm believer in mixing foundations, this was you will get a truly personalised shade to match your skin. 

Always test a foundation on your jaw, as this is the 'truest' representation of your skin colour. Always double check this in daylight, shop lights skew colour terribly! If in doubt ask a friend you trust!


Well, I think I could go on and on but I will leave it there. I hope this has been helpful, let me know of any products you like and I will try and review them if I can.
Comment below. Much love,
R x

bravo worthy brows

Cara Delevingne has set the bench mark when it comes to the ultimate eyebrow. Now I've seen some people tweet about how she "doesn't pluck her brows" but she probably spends more time on her brows than any other part of her body.

Eyebrows completely frame your face; I mean, without them you'd look really weird! But, what's the best way to get the perfect brow?

Well, I don't think there is a perfect way, and I wouldn't say my way is best, but people tell me my brows look good so, I just want to share the products I use to get statement brows everyday.


MAC eye brows - £13

This was my first eye brow pencil. I bought this after someone used it on my brows.

The statement-

"Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, 

deepens/fills in colour. Creates striking arches. Easy to tote around. No sharpener needed."

The product is great, the consistency I found is somewhere between a cream and wax. It is firm which allows for precision, you can really draw on individual hairs (if you have time!). It comes in 6 shades, from fair through to almost black so there is something for everyone. Yes it is expensive for a pencil but if you can afford it, get it as it really is a brilliant must have make up bag piece.

MUA Pro-Brow Ultimate Eyebrow Kit - £3.50

This is my eyebrow wonder product.

I sometimes get weary of cheaper brands expecting the quality to be less but, MUA have really got it right with this product. In your palette you get three shades of brow powder; which can be mixed together easily on the skin and a finishing wax for shape and hold. Also included is pair of tweezers and a small brush. I personally use a different brush with a longer handle as I find I get more control out of a longer handled brush. I'd also suggest that using a translucent finishing powder to hold the brow powder for longer.

You can grab this product in Superdrug or online at www.muastore.co.uk 

For £3.50 it is a real bargain meaning everyone can have fabulous brows!

If anyone else has any brilliant brow products please comment below as I'd love to hear about them.

R x

which red?

Every little girl has watched their mum put on red lipstick and it is my belief that every woman should own a red lipstick.  However there are so many available to but which begs the question; "Which one do you buy?". 

Buying red lipstick can be scary so the most important thing to think about is finding a shade that suits your skin-tone best. I have compiled a list of skin tones and suggested what colours will go best with this skin tone! I'll also give a few amazing products I have tried and tested myself.

The Skin Tones

Porcelain: Ultra-light skin tone which tends to have cooler undertones. This skin tone looks best with a cooler red. Try one in a plum or burgundy tint. If you're looking for something more daring I'd suggest a warm red.

Fair: A light skin tone with cool undertones also is again suited to a cooler red but don't be afraid to be bold with a warmer toned red.

Beige: A skin colour with yellower undertones which is most suited to a warmer red. 

Olive: Warm reds look best on this skin colour with green undertones. This skin tone is best for a 'true' red as well (think pillar box red/London bus red)

Caramel: Cool reds are most wearable wearable as they will contrast brilliantly with the warmer tones in your skin, but warm reds also look gorgeous too.

Dark:  Cool reds are meant for you, don't be afraid to wear a deep wine red shade as this will look incredible with your skin as it will contrast the warmer tones in your skin.

If you're unsure of your specific skin tone just remember;

Warm Skin Tones: orangey reds, warm reds and brown based reds.
Cool Skin Tones: pink tones of red, berry reds, brick reds, bluer tones of red and plum tones.

The Lipsticks

TOPSHOP £8

I really like this lipstick. They are really well pigmented and come in a variety of finishes including, matte, creamy and velvet. The range has about 6-8 shades with warm and cool tones. My favourite one is probably 'Screen Siren' - it's a really lovely true red and will look great on everyone!

M.A.C £15

I'm ever so slightly obsessed with M.A.C products. Mainly due to their sheer number of shades, not just in red but in every colour! They are richly pigmented and again come in variety of textures and finsihes. They really do have staying power as well, and will last even longer if used with a good lip liner. My favourite shade is "Ruby Woo" it is their classic red shade. Wear it with pride.

Chanel £25

A timeless favourite with many women. Chanel have been famous for making the ultimate red lipstick. There moto; "One red, one style". Yes, it's £25 but it will be a true investment. It has a radiant and satiny finish and brilliant staying power. The shade I suggest; 'Incandescente (97)' as it will suit all skin 

tones and go perfectly at any occasion!

There are of course many other brands to choose from out there but these are 3 that I have used in the past. Feel free to comment below with any other recommendations.

Much love

R x