Contour Chronicles - MAC Harmony Blusher

Hi Everyone!

As a fairer skinned girl, I do struggle to find a contour shade that doesn’t pull too orange toned or muddy. So I thought I’d run a Contour Chronicles series along side my Concealer Chronicles. Starting with MAC’s Harmony blusher.

As I’ve already said, I have fair skin but I think, when taking about any skin, undertone is also very important to note. I’ve yellow undertones; so don’t fall into the palest category, which mostly describes those with pinker undertones.

To keep consistency, I’m going to be using my MAC 168 brush on my face & the Real Techniques Duo-Fibe Eye Brush to contour my nose. If I’ve found a brush that I think creates a better result for the product in question I’ll be sure to let you know.

MAC describe this Harmony as a 'muted rose-beige brown'.

This blusher applies beautifully. It’s soft & buttery in texture & does not produce fallout. This shade is good for my paler skin – it shows up without looking heavy or unnatural.  It is a good neutral shade that leans very slightly on the warmer side. I find that if I use the Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Contour Brush instead of MAC’s 168 brush it picks up less product & allows me to apply the powder more lightly, giving me more control over the amount product I use. This in turn allows me to eliminate the extra warmth.

Products Used:
MAC Harmony Blusher

Nars Pure Radient Tinted Moisturiser in Finland

Maybelline Eraser Eyes Concealer in Light

B. Set Sheer Pressed Powder in Medium

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder in 01

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Eyeshadows from Vice 3 Palette (tutorial here)

GOSH White Eyeliner - no longer available & in my Project Pan

L'Oreal Super Liner in Black

Soap & Glory Brow Archery in Brownie Points

MUA Clear Mascara as brow gel

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara in Black

Bobbi Brown Blusher in Nude Pink

MAC MSF in Porcelain Pink

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 01 Personne Ne Rouge !

I don’t know why I prefer a cooler toned contour shade with my warm toned skin! Maybe it’s to do with me also being of a lighter complexion – who knows!

MAC’s Harmony blusher is £18, while the 168 brush & Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Collection are £27 & £23 respectively.

What product(s) & brush(s) do you use to contour with?

Tania Xx

Ingredients:

TALC, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ZINC STEARATE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL [+/- SILICA, MICA, TITANIUMDIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), BISMUTHOXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090), CARMINE (CI 75470), CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289), CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS (CI 77288), FERRIC FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510), MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742), RED 6 (CI 15850), RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410), RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007), YELLOW LAKE (CI 19140), YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)].

VIDEO: Neutral Look Using The Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette

Hi Everyone!

So I've been loving my Vice Ltd & Vice 3 palettes & have been really enjoying creating some looks with them. I wanted to share a neutral look I created using the Vice 3 palette.

Do you have the Vice 3 palette?
What are your favourite shadows & combinations?

Tania Xx

What I’m Thankful For – November 2014

Hi Everyone!

I couldn’t let this go by without writing about how thankful I am for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in laying their lives down for Queen & Country, so that we might live in (relative) safety.

Every November we take two minutes out of our daily lives to remember these heroes, along with those who have fought & returned home to us. This year though was a little different for me.

I need to preface the following with a little about the experiences of one of my family members. My Great Uncle Cec fought in Burma alongside the Gurkhas. He spoke very highly of them, their bravery & the dedication they showed. My Great Uncle, himself very brave, was twice being mentioned in dispatches.

I live in a town with a prominent Gurkha community. In the lead up to Remembrance Day, those who fought with the British Army come together proudly in uniform to raise funds for The Royal British Legion. I walked past them a few times on my way to work & it was this presence that triggered the following…

…So now I’ve set the scene, let’s get into the details!

I am thankful for each & every person who goes protects our country, be it in the police, armed forces or any other role. There is no way to express my gratitude for their selflessness.

In the case of my Great Uncle, those he fought with, some of whom laid down their lives, did this so that he & so many others could come home, have a family & live in safety. If my Great Uncle had not come home safely, he would not have married my Great Aunt (who’s war efforts involved intercepting enemy messages & sending them to Bletchley Park to be decoded) or had children. As a result, my life would’ve been very different.

I am thankful for our heroes – those who have fought bravely & those that continue to do so. I’m thankful for the nurses & drs who care for our wounded – they deserve the best possible care for their sacrifices.

“Never was so much owed by so many to so few” – Winston Churchill, 20 August 1940.

Tania Xx

You can view October's post to find out why I'm thankful for my GP here.

Concealer Chronicles - Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Eye Concealer

Hi Everyone!

It’s been a while since I posted my first in my Concealer Chronicles series, looking at the Estée Lauder Disapear Smoothing Cream Concealer. So I thought it was high time for part two!

I always like to preface reviews with my own personal physiology – I have inherited my Grandad’s darkness under the eyes, which are also dry. I use the La Roche-Posay Hydrating Eye Cream at night, which I have found really helps this dryness.

The Maybelline Instant Anti-age Eraser Eye concealer only comes in 2 shades in the UK, Nude & Light. I have the shade in the shade Light. This concealer can be purchased from Boots, Superdrug & most supermarkets for £7.99. You can often pick this up in 3 for 2 offers, so that’s worth looking out for.

The concealer is applied directly using its sponge applicator. I then use my ring finger to blend. I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they don’t like the sponge applicator & that they remove it. I rather like it though as it makes my ‘makeup-on-the-go’ (literally putting my makeup on in the car!) days simpler. Personally, I have nothing against the applicator. I find that it evenly distributes product & is easy to use.

Before showing you the pics, I must apologise for the lighting - I've been putting off writing this post as, with the fatigue I am experiencing at the moment, it has not been possible to wear & photograph the concealer as I'd like & did in the Estée Lauder post. You've all been so supportive & understanding that I thought you'd rather have what I can manage than have me push myself too much. Sorry - off on a tangent!

Initial application

The slightly dryer (though still fine for use on my under eye area) formula helps the longevity of the conceler – even without powder I can last a full day without creasing & only minimal lines becoming evident!

End of the day (between 6-8 hours later)

So you can see by comparing these two pics that there is little difference between the wear of the concealer from the start to the end of the day.

I only apply this concealer under the eyes. It is too dark to take it down to create that highlighted Kim K look – the shade Light is very yellow (even for my skin tone!) & it wouldn’t look right!

So, I would give this concealer a 4/5:

The price is good, it blends well & stays put throughout the day. However, two shades is not enough for the vast array of skin tones in this country. 

I hope you have found this helpful – I’m looking forward to putting together the next instalment for you all!

Have  you tried this concealer? If so what did you think?

What are your concealer recommendations?

Tania Xx

Ingredients:

WATER / AQUA, AMMONIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, ACRYLATES CO-POLYMER, BEHENETH-30, PHENOXYETHANOL. ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, AMINO-METHYL PROPANOL, SIMETHICONE, TOCOPHEROL, SORBITAN LAURATE, SORBI-TAN PALMITATE, HYDROGENATED PALM GLYCERIDES, SORBITAN TRIOLEATE, SUCROSE PALMITATE, MAY CONTAIN [+/- BLACK 2 / CI 77266] FIL B41641/1

#SpoonieSpeak Twitter Chat

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to write this additional post to let you all know about the #SpoonieSpeak chat I’ve set up.

I've noticed a gap in the Twitter sphere for a chat for 'Spoonies', that is, those suffering from a chronic condition.

There are currently two chats. The first being the #HAChat run by @wegohealth which takes place every Tuesday at 3pm EST. The second being the #SpoonieChat run by @DawnMGibson on Wednesdays 8-10pm EST (this works out 12-2am UK time!). This chat was never going to be something I could feasibly be a part of!

I know from experience that going out when you have a chronic condition isn't always easy! This was something that conversations with my 'Spoonie' friends confirmed.

I felt that it was important to create an environment where people could come together as friends to chat about all subjects, not just those that are 'Spoonie' specific.

Friday & Saturday nights are the ones where people typically go out. I decide one of these would be a great choice, as they are the times those with chronic conditions are most likely to feel left out.

From this, #SpoonieSpeak was born! 

'Because not everyone can go out on a Friday night #SpoonieSpeak is a chat for spoonies who want to feel like they're out with friends while still in their onesies!'

So grab some snacks & your favourite beverage & join us every Friday 7-8pm GMT, we'd love for you to join us!

Tania Xx