Makeup | Soap and Glory's One Heck Of A Blot Powder

You will have seen me mention Soap and Glory's One Heck Of A Blot Powder in my haul video back in March and I have used it in my video about my 'Everyday Smokey Eye'. But I wanted to make an ode to it on a blog post because GAT DAMN THIS IS GOOOOD. LIKE REAL GOOD.

 Soap and Glory's One Heck Of A Blot Powder

I have been using MUFE's HD Powder for roughly a year and a half now and I never found any powders to be just as good. Then my grubby little hands got a hold of this beautimous creature from Soap and Glory.

Before I picked it up, I had actually wanted to try it for ages (because of Essie Button.. but everything I have ever bought is because of Essie Button, lets not lie...) but could not justify buying another powder when I was using one that I got on with so well. However, when it appeared in my staff shop for £1, AND was the last one lying around, I had to quickly snap it up before anyone had even noticed.

I just use my Real Techniques Bold Metal Brush 100 and swipe it across the powder and lightly press the product into my T-zone. It gives an amazing matte veil on your skin, without looking cakey or flat. Just lovely. It's not as heavy as the MUFE one which I think I actually prefer?!! (I hate saying bad things my beloved MUFE powder!) This is definitely going to be another staple for my makeup bag. I reccommend this powder to anyone. Honestly, this is ground breaking stuff guys!


What other powders should I try? Anything as nice as this, or better maybe!? Hook me up in the comments below.


See you tomorrow for a YouTube vid


Ciao x

Video | Chanel Lipsticks Collection

Chanel lipsticks. I could daydream about them all day. I just want them allllll, is that so much to ask for?!


Watch my 'Chanel Lipsticks Collection' video

Isn't the packaging just to die for?! I feel the urge to buy more now that I've filmed this video.... Must. Resist.

I will see you Sunday for another blog post and the following Monday for another video.


Ciao x

Makeup | Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow - THE NEXT BEST THING

If you were expecting me to rave about the perfect bronze and highlighting palette, i.e. Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow, then you are WRONG! (Sorry, don't mean to sound rude...) I'm gonna talk about the next best thing

Sleek Face Contour Kit - Light

This isn't an exact dupe for CT but it is bloody amazing for a drugstore product!

The bronze shade is the perfect shade for contouring; not too grey, not too orange. It adds a good depth and gives your face them cheekbones that you've been longing for. It is definitely darker in shade than CT, even in the light shade, but it isn't noticeable on the skin, especially if you blend it in good and proper! The Sleek shade has shimmer in, which suggests it can also be used at the high points of your face, but not nearly as much as CT. Saying that, I still use both for contouring my face and I love the effect.

The highlight shade is more pink-y than CT but it still looks beautiful; I use it on the tops of my cheeks, down my nose, inner corners of my eyes and on my cupids bow (basically everywhere...). I would say it's not as pigmented as CT but I guess that's the price you pay for drugstore products and I can't complain because the palette has lasted me for aaaaaaages.


Any contour and highlight products I should try out? High-end or drugstore, not too fussed! Comment below your reccs!


Ciao x

Video | Everyday Smokey Eye

A different everyday make-up look I occasionally (take note of occassionally!) do for work or if I am allowing myself to go shopping at the weekend!


Watch my 'Everyday Smokey Eye' video

I tried to make the video under 10 minutes, but it literally is impossible for me to shut my mouth up! But anyway, I guess I'll see you next Sunday for another blog post.


Ciao x

Skincare | Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Mask

A sample that I got ages ago but I should have used it sooner? Check.

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Mask

Now, when everybody bangs on about Aromathery Associates, we immediately switch our brains over to one of the most indulgent bathing products our there. The oils. OH GOD THE BEAUTIFUL OILS!
Now, as you can imagine, when I got this sample of this SKINCARE product from AA in an Elle magazine I was a bit like... "errr what is this abnormality? They only make them beautiful bath oils..." So I put off using this sample.... until recently when I noticed it in my many Birchbox bags full of samples....

What I would like from a hydrating face mask:
- not visible, shiny or greasy to the eye when it's on the skin
- plumps out my dry, flakey and crepe-y skin to look smooth
- actually does it's flippin' job

TICK, TICK AND TICK.

I have never tried a hydrating mask that does wonders like this has! It sinks in straight away but it WORKS. Like actually WORK WORK! I thinks it's the hyaluronic acid ingredient that does the job, but as long as it does something to my woeful skin, then I'm not fussed!


Any other masks I should get my hands on? Let me know; I'm a bit pathetic when it comes to face masks so I need help perrr-lease!


Ciao x

Video | What's In My Bag - Celine Trapeze

A lavish purchase I made back in the Summer and it has broken me and I would like to cordially invite you all to see the contents of it!

Watch my 'What's In My Bag' Video

Hope you liked me harping on about random crap-ola I keep in my handbag and I'll see you on Sunday for another blog post!

Ciao x

Skincare | The Body Shop Vitamin Energizing Face Spritz

Now that we are going in to spring time, I wanted to let you know about a beautimous product that makes everyday that less painful (especially when I have to drive to work for an hour and a half, sit at a desk for 8 hours and then drive home for an hour and a half. Woe is me.....).

The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz

Energizing is the perfect word for this product; it gives me LIFE!!!
The citrus-y smell is amazing! It's not that "cleaning product" smell, just the perfect amount of orange and lemon goodness. It's aimed at people with dull skin and that's my skin in one word. DULL. So when I pair this with the Una Brennan Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Serum, it gives my face a 'living person' look to it (instead of a 'road-kill' kinda look). 

I urge you all to try this - nothing can go wrong when it's The Body Shop. I have a video on my skincare routine where I mention this spray so give that a watch too.


Any other spray-toners-that-give-you-life purchases I need to make? Let me know your reccs! Otherwise I'll see you on Sunday for another blog post!


Ciao x

Video | Haul - Fragrance, Makeup, Skincare, Hair

HAULIN' AND BALLIN' (not).

I've picked up a few products that I want to show you - makeup, skincare, fragrance.... Some of the products I've mentioned previously but who gives a damn?!

Watch my haul video!

Hope you like the video - please like, subscribe to my channel and follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @abbylawbeauty.


Love y'all


Ciao x 

Makeup | Illamasqua Cream Blushers

Happy first of March beauts!

Coming in to spring and I literally can not wait. I hate Winter and Summer; they're the demons of all the seasons.

THAT'S THAT. LETS GET ON WITH THE POST.


Illamasqua. Oh beautiful, beautiful Illamasqua. I just love this brand. They're so ON IT. The products, the colours, the packaging and PLEASE can we not forget the formulation of the nail polishes. OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Anyway, a while ago they had one of their infamous sales on and I was not gonna let that slip away from me. So I ordered some goods. Twice. Within two days.
In came the delivery and out came one of my hideous pig squeals; I was just so pumped to see my products.

The Illamasqua cream blushers 
Before ordering, I had never encountered the beauties that are cream blushers. These Illamasqua ones are powder-blush-lovers converters. I apply them with the Real Techniques Stippling brush and the combo is just perfect. The amount of pigmentation and the blendability makes applying them a doddle for novices like me. The colours I have are Promise and Dixie. Promise is my favourite of the two; a blue-toned pink to give that natural cute rosy look. But I will love both colours forever and ever. I just love the effect they give to my skin - not too dewy but not flat and powdery.


What other brands have cream blushers offerings? What colours shall I check out? I need more. MOOOORE!!!!


See you tomorrow for my video and Sunday for my next blog post


Ciao x

Video | Get To Know Me Tag

New video I hear you cry? Why yes, of course!

Watch my 'Get To Know Me Tag' Video to, well... GET TO KNOW ME!

I tag all of y'all to do this video and I will have a new blog post on Sunday, so I guess I'll see you then!


Ciao x

Makeup | The Eyeshadow Palettes I Couldn't Live Without

Eyeshadow palettes are easily collectable in the makeup world. I had over 15 palettes at one point before I needed decided I had to have a clear out.

Here are some I can't live without.

 

Urban Decay's Naked Basics Palette
I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THIS BEING IN MY MAKEUP BAG. Every look I do, I will definitely use a shade from in here. I once said, "As soon as I hit pan on one of the shades (apart from my shattered Crave, sad times), I am getting a new one". Now that being said, I have had this palette for god knows how long and it is still going strong!!! The light matte shades(Foxy and W.O.S) I will use all over my eye lids and the last two shades (Faint and Crave) I will use for crease shades depending on the how heavy the look is. Look how sad the last shade(Crave) is :( It shattered a while ago.

Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette
The second installment of the Naked palette's range - and by far the best. This palette has everything I need.... EV-ER-Y-THING. I can use this palette for toned down everyday looks or amped up got-somewhere-to-be kind of looks. It makes me so happy. Suspect and Snakebite are my favourite shades because they're the closest dupe to the next palette... 

Tom Ford's Eye Colour Quad in 01 Golden Mink
This is one of the most luxurious makeup products I own. Ben got this for me as a surprise one Christmas and I have loved it ever since. This will only make an appearance for them special occassions where I actually go out after 10pm. The two bottom shades are the one closest to Suspect and Snakebite in the Naked 2 palette which is why I love them so much! The glitters are my everything - they make my eyes pop when I push them on to the centre of the eyelids with my ring finger.

Charlotte Tilbury The Rock Chick Colour-Coded Eye Shadows Palette
This isn't like the last three palettes - it's grey toned... DUN DUN DUUUUN!
I'm more of a brown-neutrals gal, but this palette is the perfect side-step in the eyeshadow world that isn't going to kick me out of my comfort zone. The buttery-ness is to die for and the pigmentation MAKES the palette. The glitter shade has hardly any fall-out, making it perfect for all over the lid or just pressed on to the centre. A beautiful palette from a beautiful lady.


Wow a really long post... But I had to get all I have to say about my faves out there for the sake of humanity!


See you tomorrow for my 'Get To Know Me Tag' video on my YouTube channel and next Sunday for a new blog post


Ciao x 

 

Skincare | Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster

Post about my recent life saviour? Easy. 

Up until I paid for this expensive-but-completely-worth-every-penny serum , I was living a miserable life with crepe-y, dry, flaky skin. Now a gurl can't live her life like that for long.

Then comes in Sarah Chapman's Intense Hydrating Booster and saves the day!

It's extremely moisturising, BUT not in an oily way; it's just an amazingly effective serum! In fact when I smoothe this into my skin, it dries pretty much straight away. Because of this, I use it both morning and evening and I know for a fact I will keep using it for both (well... alternating with my Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Serum). When I first used it in the evening, I woke up the next morning and ran to the mirror to look at my skin... I could have fainted/cried/died with happiness. Never has my skin looked so good. I can not say more good words about this jewel of the skincare treasure chest.

Definite repurchase, but only when I have the dollar ;)
I bought this in the January sales on FeelUnique.com with 15% off so it was a little bit cheaper. I would say though, Feel Unique always seems to have discount code offers quite often and especially if you sign up to the emails!

If you wanna hear me blabber on about the skincare products I have been using recently, watch my latest skincare routine video.


I truely hoped you liked this post! My YouTube vid that is being uploaded tomorrow will be my everyday makeup routine so keep a close eye at 7pm GMT.


Ciao x

Makeup | Benefit's #RollerLash Salon On Wheels

I'm posting on a Tuesday evening - a bit impromptu but I just can't keep this from you guys...


As I walked past my office window, a piece of pink catches my eye....

THE BENEFIT #ROLLERLASH SALON ON WHEELS!

After running down the stairs, out the door, pushing people out my way and up the salon stairs, I was greeted by a Benefit girl who was extremely welcoming (even though I was the ONLY one taking pictures and I felt all eyes look at me). I was looking around with my jaw WIDE open with awe at the set up of the salon. I took a seat and I was completely in my element. 

She explained how the mascara worked and to be honest I didn't believe what she was saying because of the excess marketing Benefit have used for this launch.... UNTIL SHE HANDED ME A CLEAN BRUSH AND THE PRODUCT...

OH MY GOSH. MY EYELASHES WENT AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS ABOVE.
The lengthening factor was strong and it thickened my badboys up nice and proper. I asked for a clean brush so I'm going to use it with a different mascara formulation to see if it is in fact all in the brush.


But as it stands, I'm completely sold - guys I need this!

This is being launched 26th of February and I'm gonna run to my nearest Benefit salon after work and bagsy mesen one. 


Hope you liked this impromptu blog post! My normal Sunday posting will still occur and my video will be up on Monday evening. 


Ciao x

Skincare | Bravura London Purifying Calendula Toner

This time we gon' talk about skincare.

I was running dry of my Pixi Glow Tonic and I was just about to order some more. "NO! We want to try a different toner!" I thought to myself. So off to Caroline Hiron's blog I go (my comfort place when I'm in need of skincare resurrection) and her Acid Toners Part One YouTube video was bought to my attention. Lets be honest, I had already watched it and just forgot about it.... Sorry Caroline. I also looked at the corresponding blog post and clicked through to the link for Bravura London's Glycolic toner.

 
The price point.... ohhhh the price point. What a glorious sight. This was post Christmas I was looking, so my purse and pockets were running v. thin. Anyway, didn't need too much self-convincing so I bought some.

When I received them, I started using them straight away. No messing. By day 2, the hormonal spots I had were pretty much gone. Now if that ain't a sign that this toner's for me, then I don't know what is! BY GOD, I LOVE THIS STUFF!

However, I did notice in the inci list that it has lemon juice in it... I was wary of this, and I don't like to use lemon juice in products because it can be extremely drying on my skin. But seeing as though it has done my skin some justice, I'm currently not too fussed about it for now.

I want Ben to try the Salicylic Acid because he has more oily/acne prone skin, so might have to purchase that soon. If you want me to list the ingredients, comment down below and I shall.


I talk about this toner in my YouTube video which is being uploaded tomorrow evening. It is my first video and if you would be so kind, please subscribe to my channel and like my video.

Youtube Channel - abbylawbeauty


Any toners you recommend? I've only used 3 different ones in my lifetime, so I want to try a couple more to spruce moose up my routine(thumbs up if you get The Simpsons reference).


But anyway, I'll let you eat your Sunday dinner now... Ciao x

Makeup | My Favourite Eyebrow Pencil - The One No One Talks About...

Hi beautiful people

I have been wanting to write a blog post about this eyebrow pencil since I discovered it 4 years ago...

The No 7 Beautiful Eyebrow Pencil

The main reason I love this is because of the colour. It is a perfect match for me! I have black/v. dark brown hair and I do not believe in filling in my brows with a dark brown (this can look orange on me) or a pure black shade (normally looks like they're drawn on with a liquid eyeliner lol). So grey eyebrows for me it is (I mean it's not white grey - more of a dark grey/soft black).

I have fallen in love with the formula of this eyebrow pencil; it stays put all day, does not move/sweat off. Just a quick and easy product to use everyday for me. The spooly is nothing to shout about - I'll use it here and there - but generally I will use a separate spooly brush to just soften out the colour a bit.

Sometimes I will use this on it's own, but other times I will use the pencil to frame the eyebrow shape at the top of my brows and fill in the rest of my brows using an RMK Eyebrow brush and BECCA's Eyebrow Filling Powder called Ash just to "bolden" up my brows a tad.

I have tried and loved the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Granite as well, and it is similar shade to this No 7 eyebrow pencil. But seeing as I can pick this up from around the corner in my local Boots store, it just makes it all that much more convenient.

At £7, who can fault me on this one? Plus you'll collect 28 Boots points as well....

What other brow products suit black haired people out there?

Ciao x

No 7 Beautiful Eyebrow Pencil

RMK Eyebrow Brush

BECCA Eyebrow Filling Powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Makeup | 'MY' Everyday Nude Lipstick (MY In Capitals)

Hi

Here I am, 7pm GMT on Sunday again, as promised.

I wanted to talk about my discovery that will and already has changed my life drastically; MY PERFECT EVERDAY NUDE!

The reason I am making such a huge deal out of this is because it has taken me 4.5 years to find a nude that isn't too pale or brown that compliments my skin colour. 4.5 YEARS.

Lo and behold, Burberry Lip Velvet Lipstick in the colour Peony Rose.


 

Matte packaging. All that needs to be said.

When I saw the Burberry counter I let out a hideous pig squeal. The lady on the  counter (the only one of two in the UK at the time - Boots, Meadowhall in Sheffield) was this gorgeous Australian woman who used to be a freelance make-up artist for MAC. She saw that I had MAC Rebel on and presumed I wanted a bold lipstick. Now, I did set myself a goal that day to get something (or two!) from the Burberry counter, but I wasn't feeling the "bold lipstick buying vibe". So I picked up Peony Rose. This was after dwindling the choices down and picking this range of lipstick because of the matte packaging because I felt like going for a lipstick - a matte one.  I swatched them all on my hand and Peony Rose stood out to be the best lipstick colour for me. That's that. LITTLE DID I KNOW THIS WAS ACTUALLY THE PERFECT LIPSTICK I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE SEAS HIGH AND LOW FOR! Life changing! (Okay calm down now Abby...)

I also picked up a Burberry Iconic Colour Nail Polish in the shade Gold No. 447. But that's a story for another day ;)

What's your favourite everyday nude? I need to do more investigation to see if I can get more choices.


Ciao for now x