ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CREAM CONTOUR KIT

TRIED & TESTED

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

CREAM CONTOUR KIT 

Contouring will never ever go out of fashion, and I will never ever get tired of it, I am constantly trying out new products when it comes to contouring but I think I just found my holy grail...

The Anastasia Cream Contour Kit is AMAZING, and I never thought anything would come close to MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15 my underage highlight! My sister bought this home for me from New York, after being so impressed with the Powder Contour Kit I was so excited to try this. The consistency is so smooth, but not too creamy, which I prefer, and they are so blendable! You literally need the tiniest bit and it goes such a long way (as you can tell from the pre blended photo below). 

I used a Beauty Blender to blend out my highlight, and a dense contour brush I bought from Supedrug's very own 'Revolution' brand to blend out my contour, these two together blend out your work so beautifully and flawlessly! The kit comes with 6 blendable shades, and there are 4 different kits to cater to everyones shade; Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. I got the Light Palette, and the Medium Palette is next on my wish list as them shades are a lot warmer, and I prefer a warmer contour for everyday, but I am still in awe of my Light Contour Palette none the less.

This was the final result, with all the other puzzle pieces added of course! If your of beginner when it comes to contouring and want to treat yourself to a really good product, either one of the Anastasia Contour Kits are AMAZING to start off with, I swear by them & my LA Girl Pro Conceals!

aimeesmalex

SEPHORA HAUL

SEPHORA HAUL

My sister come back from New York with a crazy amount of make up for me, mainly all Anastasia Beverly Hills as it is SO hard to to get here in the UK, as I don't really like ordering make up online, so I was so happy to see what she come back with for me!

Anastasia is one of my favourite make up brands, I went to the states April just gone and stocked up but since then she has released so many more products, and I was just dying to try all this newness.

First let's talk about the Illuminators, they are amazing, I got 'Peach Nectar' and 'So Hollywood' - I love Peach Nectar, it compliments my blush so so well, it is just amazing. So Hollywood is the perfect shade, I don't like anything too silver or too gold, this is the perfect sheen, I don't know how she can venture into literally any direction with make up and just do so so well at it.

Next, the Liquid Lipsticks, which I am amazed at, literally as soon as you open it the applicator shoots up because theres so so much product that's been given, so worth the money. I always feel a need to reapply lipstick, even if it's quite obviously still on my lips, but with these I was so amazed. I went to reapply after Dinner and it had not budged at all! I got shades 'Pure Hollywood' the perfect nude, it reminds me of TOWIE's Chloe Lewis, who's lip combos I just adore. I also got shade 'Sherbert' which is a limited edition shade, and mixed with Pure Hollywood really is a dream come true... I would apply a balm before hand as they are quite drying, as they leave a semi-matte finish so it will pick up on chapped lips.

Finally, let's talk about the Cream Contour Kit, after being SO impressed with the Powder Contour Kit I made sure this was first on my sisters hit-list for me! I have the Light Palette, and haven't used it so much, but am finding the colours really bendable and long lasting. I will be doing a full look and review come to the weekend!

I WILL BE DOING REVIEWS WITH FULL LOOKS & SWATCHES IN FOLLOWING WEEKS TO COME, WITH ALL THE PRODUCTS SHOWN.

aimeeroseXO

THE WINTER EDIT: BOOTS

WINTER MUST HAVES

BOOTS

We all need a pair of boots, or two or three, in our winter wardrobe, and there are just so many to choose from! I like to have one of everything so a pair of thigh highs, a heeled ankle boot, a chelsea boot, etc. so I am prepared for whatever the British winter has in store for us! Firstly, my favourite boots, which I got last year and they still look amazing is the Stuart Weitzman 'Lowland' boots in Black, which can be purchased from Russel and Bromley. I get so many people ask about these boots and compliment them, they really are amazing. Heres a look:

These boots are quite pricey, and sell for around £600, usually when I tell people where they are from they frown! However the high street has exact copies, I have seen very similar in ALDO for £120, and some from Public Desire for around £40, so this is a boot anyone can own really. These were gifted to me last christmas, I probably would have opted for a cheaper alternative had they have been out of my own pocket! (I'm really not joking). I don't want to take anything away from Stuart Weitzman's creation though, I do love these boots and they feel and look AMAZING!

(Public Desire 'Joy' Boots. £40)

Moving onto Chelsea Boots, I picked up the cutest pair of Tan Chelsea Boots from ALDO the other day, that I have been waiting for them to come in stock for quite a while. When it comes to ankle boots I normally opt for a heeled ankle boot, I think they look smarter and like the longer leg look that a heeled boot or thigh high can create, but since I've started University (running for trains all the time) and driving (can NOT be done in heels for me) I've realise a flat boot is needed. I also have gone into winter with more of a casual style, last year and even this summer just gone I was always the over dressed one, whilst I still hold that title, I have become a lot more casual in the way I dress.

The Ankle Boot Heel, a love of mine, and I've got my Black ones (ALDO, also in picture above) but I need a Tan/Camel pair, I got a lovely pair last year from Miss KG that will still see wear throughout the winter, but they are more of a beige, I'm looking for a darker shade. I feel everyone should go into the winter with at least one pair of heeled ankle boots, I think they look so smart and with all the support around your feet and the chunk of the heel, it really makes heels bearable for a daytime wear!

I'm a firm believer in boots throughout the whole winter, I love what they can do to an outfit, and believe that each style can create a whole new outfit. ALDO and Public Desire are my favourites for Boots this season!

aimeeroseXO

GUIDE TO MAKE UP BRUSHES

GUIDE TO BRUSHES...

So this is my first post in ages! I've been so so busy, but I'm back with a guide to brushes. I believe that your make up is only as good as the brushes you use, and no this doesn't mean you have to go and spend hundreds on all different make up brushes, however I would fork out on specific brushes that are going to really improve your make up.

I myself am a die hard fan of all Sigma and Real Technique brushes and couldn't physically complete a look without my beauty blender, but you don't need 5 brush holders full of expensive brushes, I do have a lot but it took me sometime to build my make up brush collection, and I first began with the basics.

1. Real Techniques Core Collection - You can get for as little as £15 on eBay or even in Superdrug! You get 4 brushes which is really good, I love the contouring brush which I still swear by with my LA Girl Concealer for defining my cheekbones, and a nice fluffy powder brush to set your face! The one brush in this kit that I absolutely love is the Buffing Brush, from this you will get the most flawless finish and it really buffs your foundation into your skin, as apposed to just letting it sit on top.

2. Blusher Brush - I don't believe you need to splurge on a blusher brush, just use a nice fluffy brush, always some sort of shape, whether it be domed or angled, but any nice fluffy brush will do whether your spending £3 or £30, any will do! I usually pat my blusher on with the face of the brush then apply my shimmer highlight with the angled hairs.

3. A Beauty Blender - Okay, so this is a NEED for flawless-ness (if thats a word)! I will never get a really good blended finish without one of these, not nessecarily for foundation, but for highlighting your under eyes it is an absolute need. Please do not be fooled by the sponges in the shops that simply just look like the beauty blenders, a beauty blender is so soft and squeezy, the others are so hard and just do not do the same job. These can be found on Amazon, I use the little pink one. PS- Kylie Jenner uses these, need I say more...

4. Fluffy Blending Brush - For any key eye look you need a fluffy blending brush to blend the whole look and make it look flawless, avoiding harsh lines in the crease. I don't nessecarily think you have to spend money on these, like the blusher brushes, you can get eye kits on eBay but you want to look at the brushes. Your looking for something like a Sigma E40 (MY FAVOURITE) or a MAC E17 brush!

5. Angled Liner Brush - Again, don't spend money, just consider the size of the angled brush. This can be used for both brows and liner.

You don't need every single brush Sigma, MAC, etc. have released, it really is not about expense at all, just make sure you have a few key essentials and your done without an empty purse! Once you have the essentials then look to build your kit so you never feel like you NEED anything just a want to treat yourself every now and again. 

 

These are my newest brushes that came in the post today, I already had a few of the Sigma ones but I really have use them to their last legs, they are still going though! The Real Techniques set I wanted to try out as I love the look of the sculpting brush, I love dense brushes, I feel they blend so flawlessly, that's why I'm not really lusting over the bold metals collection much!

What other brands should I try?

aimeeroseXO

HIGHLIGHTER GUIDE

HIGHLIGHTER GUIDE

Whilst building my collection I have picked up my fair share of highlighters, and with the ever so apparent trend that is 'strobing' there are still tons more out there that I want to get my hands on!

My loved highlighters that I store in a little bin in my dresser drawer, so they are always close by, and they are...

1. Benefits Watts Up Highlight - THIS IS AMAZING, and used by the queen herself; Mrs Kim Kardashian West! It is a gold tone highlighter that applies lovely to the skin, a cream base product that you just dab where you wish to apply, lasts all day flawlessly.

2. Urban Decay Naked Illuminated 'AURA' Highlighter - If you see my previous blogpost on this, you know how much I LOVE THIS! Everyone go buy please!! It comes in two shades, which I also love as everyone likes different highlighter whether a more silvery tone or pinky tone.

3. Sleek Contour Kit - Everyone needs this in their life, it is £7 and it is amazing. The contour shade is the perfect shade, and the highlighter is amazing, and for £7 you really can not beat it.

4. Urban Decay Naked Flushed - This palette goes everywhere with me as it has a blush, bronzer and highlighter, and I LOVE the highlighter in this palette, it is similar to sleeks but just sits on top of the skin more naturally.

5. Benefit Girl Meets Pearl - This is a more pinky, liquid highlighter, similar to their 'High Beam' but has more of a pink tone to it, with more shine, I so love this but feel it needs to be applied carefully as it can take foundation and whatever else is underneath off the skin, I apply this before my foundation and dab a tiny bit on over the same areas with a beauty blender, after foundation is applied.

6. Benefit Fine One One - Another little gem that I carry everywhere, it is a tiny little compact, like a pan sick, with a highlight shade, blush shade, and an orange shade to compliment the blush, you swipe this on your cheek and blend nicely with a duo fibre brush, and it applies so beautifully.

7. MAC Strobe Cream - Not considered a highlighter as such but this aids the skin and enhances highlight, I apply this all over my face as a primer, but apply extra to the highest point of my cheekbones, bridge of my nose and middle of my forehead so when I apply my highlighter after my foundation, in those area, I get a really good colour pay off because the skin has been primer effectively.

8. Revolution Highliter Palette in shade 'Radiance' - I LOVE this! The third darker highlight shade is the EXACT to MAC Gold Deposit and it honestly just is so so beautiful. It is £8 and you get three amazing huge highlighters, definitely a winner!

So these are my favourites out of my collection, but there are many others I want so badly, so here's my highlighter shopping list...

1. BECCA 'Champagne Pop' - This was in collaboration with one of my favourite youtubers; Jaclyn Hill and it honestly just looks amazing.

2. Anastsia Beverly Hills Highlighter - I NEED EVERY SHADE.

3. MAC 'Soft & Gentle' - I don't own any MAC highlighters and feel like I am missing out.

4. MAC 'Gold Deposit' - Because only one would not be enough

5. theBALM 'Mary Lou-Miniser' - Everyone raves about it, I NEED IT!

6. Clinique Chubby Stick Highlighter - This looks so easy to use and perfect for strobing.

I have to leave my highlighter hit list there, although I'm sure that will double the size by the end of this week!

aimeeroseXO

BUDGET BEAUTY: SAVING MONEY IN MAC

BUDGET BEAUTY

SAVING MONEY IN MAC

I've started a new segment called Budget Beauty, where I will be telling you how to save money across all brands, but heres some tips on how I save money in MAC, making room for more MAC!

1. Travel Sizes - So MAC have a few items that they do in travel sizes for £10, now the tip is to buy these instead of full sizes because your getting more for your buck. For example, you can pay £30 for a 50ml bottle of MAC Strobe Cream, or you can pay £10 for a 30ml Travel Size Strobe Cream, so if you were to spend £30 on travel sizes, in actual fact your getting 90ml, which is almost double!

2. Back to MAC - This is probably a tip you have all heard of, but if you return 6 empties from MAC you will receive a free lipstick, the shade being your choice completely. I am starting to do other peoples make up now, so I'm thinking of depotting all my lipsticks and returning all the cases.

3. Buying Singles - We all love MAC Eyeshadows, but we don't just want one, we want them all, and how can we afford this? Refill Pans! Create your own palette, and save £3 per eyeshadow, which adds up to a lot over time! You can buy empty make up palettes for as little as £2.89 on eBay, why not fill one of them up with MAC Eyeshadows and pay just £10 per shadow, instead of £13. Also, not to mention it makes it SO much easier.

4. Samples - Each time you buy something you are entitled to receive a free sample, they do not offer this, however if you ask they are more then happy to give you one. I think samples are great as they save you splurging on the whole thing without having even tried it. For example, when I bought my Studio Fix I asked the worker if I could have a little sample of Face and Body as I didn't want to spend on a foundation I could potentially hate!

5. eBay - There are so many people out there who try make up that just doesn't work on them so then they go onto sell, and eBay also have a few outlets for this. I personally have not tried this as I know their are fakes out there, and I don't really have a good eye for whats fake and whats not until I receive it there and then infant of me, however I have heard of many people who save LOADS buying MAC products from those who didn't like them or online outlets. A lot of Beauty Blogger either giveaway or sell products such as MAC, and you can trust they are real.

6. Priorities - Don't go in MAC and think you need everything, because lets be real here when it comes to lips and shadows a lot is the same, if not extremely similar. I always TRY to pick one of everything, for example, if you are just starting your collection pick ONE Nude Lipstick (I suggest  Creme Cup), pick one Liner that can go with any colour lip (I suggest Subculture), pick one Blending Shade (You'll only ever need Saddle), etc.

7. Department Stores Online - If you are a student you can get 10% places like Debenhams and House of Fraser who stock MAC Online, also people don't really think to shop for MAC on these websites, so you always find the sold out products such as Spice Liner, Velvet Teddy Lipstick, it's all on there! They also have special brand days, where you get percentage off as well as still being able to redeem student discount.

8. MAC Pro Card - If you are a professional, you are lucky enough to be blessed with the MAC Pro Card which gets you 40% off any purchases.

9. Duty Free - Need I go on? You can always get some good deals when your in duty free, or even if you have a friend that's travelling, give them a list!

10. USA - This is a long shot, but if your going out to the USA, or even have a friend that is, hold on, because the savings out there, it is just unbelievable. MAC is an American company so it is cheaper anyway, but with the pounds to dollar exchange rate you really are saving yourself a heck of a lot of money!

They are my top ten tips for saving money in MAC, do you know any others? Or know any trusted discount sites to buy MAC from? Let me know!

aimeeroseXO

THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE

HIGHLIGHT HEAVEN

I am so excited to share this product with you as I have only had it a few days, but I AM IN LOVE! We all know how big highlighters have become in all make up trends, and honestly I think I have found my holy grail... Urban Decay Illuminator in 'Aura'

Okay, let's just take a minute to appreciate this beauty, and take a breathe before I show you a swatch of this beautiful product! I love a pinky gold highlight, they compliment blusher so so well, and heighten the cheekbones flawlessy, and also blend into your skin a lot easier then a silvery highlight would. This product is multi purpose, if you swatch some on your hands and then moisturise it leaves your body with the most amazing glow, as well as putting it on top of your eye make up it enhancers any colours shadows making it look super shimmery, and I love a shimmery lid!

So this is the swatch, and you must understand my obsession, right? It is just so unbelievably beautiful, I will doing a blogpost on all my favourite highlighters, because there are some cream products and I know a lot of people prefer cream highlights, but expect to see this baby at the top of this list. I love it for its colour, shimmer, staying power, and multipurpose use, definitely recommend!

What's your favourite highlighters?

aimeeroseXO

GET THE LOOK

GET THE LOOK

So recently I have started practicing make up on faces other than my own, and I thought I'd use this for my blog, and each time post a 'Get the Look' with step to step guides on how I completed each look... This is a really easy look, it looks much harder then it is, and is so easy to recreate are home!

So this is the make up I did on Lily for her 18th birthday party. I began with priming by spraying MAC Fix+ and then prepping the skin with MAC Strobe Cream. Once the skin was ready I began concealing areas such as under-eyes and other areas I wanted covered before the foundation went on, I used Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer to conceal and of course my beauty blender.

Next, foundation, I used MAC Studio Fix NC25 mixed with MAC Studio Sculpt NC40, I mixed these foundations as Lily was tanned so I wanted the foundation to be the right colour. I always suggest mixing foundations as you get the best of both foundations, I have been loving mixing MAC Studio Fix with Rimmel Lasting Finish, it stays in place ALL DAY!

So once the skin had its base, I began to highlight the under eyes and T-Zone. Using my holy grail, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15, seriously there is no under eye concealer, I have all my friends and family HOOKED on this concealer! I apply loads under the eyes, as I love that really highlighted under eye for a night time look, however with this, and also with heavy eye make up, I always opt for a soft, subtle contour. Using Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Powder), using the darkest shade I define a line, then blend blend BLEND with the lightest contour shade, I also use the highlight shades to set the ender eye concealer, using the same beauty blender, so Prolongwear is still lingering, creating a super long lasting highlight! For blush I used the amazing Dior Rosy Glow, another holy grail, and highlight I used my new obsession Urban Decay Illuminated Highlight in shade 'Aura' LOVE THIS!

Moving on to eye, I prime the eyes with MAC Studio Fix Concealer, Concealers are great bases for eyeshadows, I suggest cream concealers, and not liquids, but either way it's going to work, these as primers have no effect on the colour of your shadows like some eye lid primers do. Using my MAC Warm Neutral Palette I started with 'Lemon Tart' all over the lid, then I took a card, lining it from the corner of her eyes, diagonally up towards the end of her eyebrow and took my Sigma E73 Brush with 'Dance in the Dark' creating a sharp defined line, also brushing the faded remains across the lid creating a darker effect. I then moved on to my Urban Decay Naked Palette packing Gold shade 'Half Baked' on until I was happy with the colour pay off. To blend all this I took my favourite tapered blending brush, Sigma E40, and blended this out with my favourite blending shade MAC 'Saddle'. To finish the eyes I went in with Half baked in the inner corners, TIP: Shimmer shades on the tear ducts creates a wider, more awoken eye, and then used 'Saddle' across the bottom of the eye. On the Lips is MAC Subculture Liner, and MAC Ravishing Lipstick, and the look was then finished with a spritz of Fix+ and some Ardell Wispie Lashes!

Hope you love this look as much as I did.

aimeeroseXO

KHROMA BEAUTY: KOURTNEY KARDAZZLE PALETTE REVIEW

KHROMA BEAUTY

KOURTNEY KARDAZZLE PALETTE

I literally was so excited to find this in TK Maxx for just £6.99 after hearing about the Kardashians Beauty line 'Khroma', my first impression looking at it I just thought how handy is that! In one tiny, easy to carry around with you palette, you get 8 eyeshadow shades, 4 shimmers and 4 mattes, and then below you can pull out two blushes and a highlighter. The 'Kardazzle' Palettes come in 3 different styles, you can get Kim which is a really smokey palette, Kourtneys which is the one I have, and Khloe which is very similar to Kourtneys...

So this one is quite gold, bronze on the eyes and nice subtle blushes, I honestly love it! I couldn't believe the pigmentation in the shadows, and they come out so well on my eyes, I have had so many compliments on my eye makeup since using it.

 

The blush colours are so flattering, I use the lightest blush right on the apples of my cheeks, and then the darker just at the end near my contour to compliment my cheekbones, and of course the highlight at the highest point of my cheekbones. The colour pay off is amazing! If you can't get down to a TK Maxx or you can't find one in your local one, these are available on Amazon, however they are little bit pricier on there, so for this palette your looking at about £14.99 but honestly, it is so worth it.  This is by far the handiest item in my kit!

aimeeroseXO

ALL HAIL JACKETS

WINTER ESSENTIAL JACKETS

So I just added to my collection of Bikers, and realised my LOVE for Jackets, they can improve the most simple of outfits, whilst being practical too. It's not like most coats that cover up most of your outfit, a jacket has a similar effect of a coat, but enhances your outfit much more. I literally have leather jackets in every colour you could imagine, but I recently bought this Mustard Suede Jacket from MISSGUIDED at £40 and I am just really loving the Suede Biker this season. So I'm definitly bringing the SS15 Suede trend with me to Winter, I loved Suede in the summer but the dark Suede Jackets and other garments I am seeing... It's definitely coming to my wardrobe this winter!

As soon as I got this jacket in the post I am immediately fell in love, and looked online for must-have jackets, that I have just fallen in love with! Lets start with Suede...

   

Firstly, I LOVE this Camel Suede Biker Jacket from TOPSHOP, I want it so much but trying to work out if £185 on a Suede Jacket is so neccesary... Moving onto this ZARA beauty!! It is a Leather Overshirt, with a Suede look to it, I LOVE this and I LOVE Khaki so it's a winner. The next Jacket is the exact Jacket I just bought from MISGUIDED but this one is a Dark Chocolate Brown, which I have never seen a Biker Jacket in this colour so I love the fact it is unlike anything else I have seen.

The next Jacket taking AW15 by storm is the bomber, whilst I don't think the styles for me, I've seen a few I just might try out...

  

So these are the Bomber I would definitely opt for, a Silk Bomber. I tried the puffy ones on in Topshop and it just did not suit me, but I love what MISSGUIDED has done, this is a such a fab twist, making Bombers so wearable. I love all three of these colours, especially the Grey, but I am definitely going to try this style Bomber out this Winter.

There are SO many Jackets on the High Street that I am just loving, but these are the next on my hit list, that I find are all so on-trend and so wearable for everybody! 

aimeeroseXO

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

I had to share my skincare routine because I just love it and it makes my skin feel amazing. It's the Boots Own Range Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Line. Anything teatree I love on my skin as it really cleans your pores and makes your skin feel so fresh and clean.

So I just restocked and found Boots were doing 3 for 2 so everything come to around £15, this included; Exfoliating Face Scrub, Day Moistriser, Night Cream, Exfoliating Pads, Clenser/Toner and a Face Mask, all in the tea tree witch hazel line. I use this every morning and every night... So in the morning I will use the Face Scrub, scrub my nose area with the Exfoliating Pads, then the Cleanser with cotton wool, and finally the Day Moisturisers. The Daytime Cream is amazing, it is like a serum, it makes your skin so so soft, its shine control so if you have oily skin or perhaps blemish prone skin it is perfect for you! At night, I will cleanse first to get my make up off, then use the Scrub, Pads, the Mask (Not overnight) and finally the night cream, which claims to repair imperfections over night.

My skin type is pretty normal, I don't get oily and I get an occasional spot but I always think products that are known for spot prevention, such a tea tree, are always the best for really cleaning your skin. I am so amazed by this skin care line as I was contemplating the Body Shop, who charge £16 for a tiny tea tree moisturiser, so I am glad I found Boots.

I would SO recommend this skincare line, and the two other products in the photo shown above, are my MAC Fix+ which is a spray that really revitalises the skin before, during and after a full face of make up, and then my strobe cream which I use 10 minutes after the day cream to prime my foundation!

aimeeroseXO

WINTER HEEL EDIT

THE WINTER HEEL EDIT

Looking through all the high streets A/W15 collections, I am OBSESSED with the amount of gorgeous heels there are, and whilst I can't justify buying them all, I can show you guys in the meantime. So let's start with MISSGUIDED...

  

Look at all these beauties, whilst a peep toe doesn't seem to wintery, the designs on them are perfect for the winter, for example, the fringe detailing, lace ups, chunky heels, etc. Also the colours are so nice, obviously I had to include a staple black and nude, but I love the other colours. Berry red shades are really big this fall so I loved the fringe detailing as well as the colour, and moving onto the Grey pom pom Barely Theres, this is my Grey, I just love the mink Grey shade, I love everything Grey! I loved the Cobalt Blue Lace Ups as I see these in ZARA a while ago and obviously like everything in ZARA they completely sold out, so instead of searching them on eBay and paying triple the price, Misguided is your style steal!

& of course, Public Desire...

You'll probably notice a lot of online boutiques are very similar in the shoe department, so a lot of what I loved on missguided can also be found on public desire, but I found the beauties from before on Public Desire in KHAKI. Khaki is always a favourite winter colour for me, and I LOVE the Aqua Azzara Style of the shoe. Perfect!

Next, Topshop...

So I don't know if the first ones really count as heels, but I've seen them a few times, and these are just the perfect smart/casual shoe, they look so nice on! The next shoe is a Rose Gold Lace Up, how could I not?

Thats everything on my Winter Heel Wishlist, as if it is not enough!

aimeeroseXO

THE INS & OUTS OF CONTOURING

THE INS & OUTS OF CONTOURING

Another very requested post, is all about contouring, now I've blogged about contouring a few times before, leaning more towards the products I use, and they are still to date my most viewed posts, with growing views every single day, so I thought I'd do another post on contouring but lean more towards the rules, because you can look at all the charts people make on the internet, but the truth is everybody has a different shape face and not all people want to define the same things, and highlight the same parts of their faces so much.

For example, I did my sisters make up on Saturday evening, and of course I got my contouring kit out, but I wasn't following no chart. The charts you see on the internet, let them tell you where to apply the make up, but don't let them control how much you apply, for example if you have a larger forehead that you don't necessarily want to highlight, you want the tiniest bit of light concealer in the lower middle, but you want to contour with a darker shade a larger majority of the forehead to create a smaller illusion, and vise versa with smaller foreheads, apply less contour and more concealer, the same works with noses, chins, etc. Any parts of your face that you think are large, create your own middle, apply the light concealer only to even out the look then apply more of the darker shade to create the smaller effect.

Contouring the nose is always a tricky step, some people feel fine with their nose but don't really want to enhance it, and others either think there nose is too big or too small and want to use contouring as a way to change their nose. I would always say that you should always contour your nose just to put some colour into the middle of your face, because you have an eye each side with a pale under-eye highlight, you need some colour in the middle regardless. My advice would be to apply contour to the sides of your nose, and a highlight down the middle, and keep blending until you are happy with the way it all looks, whether that involves adding more light or dark shades. It really is trial and error, but the tip is just blend blend blend!

So this is my beeeeeautiful sister, and as you can see her contour is very subtle. I believe in everything in portion, so while the flash downplays it a little bit, her eyes were quite dark and very heavy, so a major contour was not necessary. I made the main part of the contour focusing on her cheekbones, she had her hair slicked back so I really wanted to focus on her cheekbones, and defining that line more then anything. However, you can also see there is a bit of colour blended into her nose just to even out the under eye highlight on each sides, but nothing that really changed the shape of her nose. I also lined her jawline with a darker colour to define her jawline, creating a shadow, I did the same under her lips to create a more fuller appearance from the illusion of a shadow underneath.

So, there you go, contouring isn't always about sticking to the rules, it is about what works for you, whether its the shape of your features, or the look you are going for. Any more questions, you can contact me at aimeesmalex@gmail.com. Thank you for all your emails whether its questions or blog post requests I'll always find the time to get back to you all.

aimeeroseXO

WHATS IN MY MAKE UP BAG?

WHATS IN MY MAKE UP BAG?

If you follow my Instagram, you'll know I have a huge collection of make up, which i STORE IN MY Acrylic Muji Drawers and my Ikea Malm Desk, so what items do I prioritise and take on the go with me in my make up bag? Well, I always like one of everything, incase I find myself staying at a friends house, my worst nightmare is having no make up in the morning. These aren't necessarily my favourite items, but reliable items I can always have in my bag, but not worry too much about that they aren't on my desk at home when getting ready.

Foundation wise I like to take my Revlon Photo-ready Foundation, I really like this foundation, I find it so reliable and long lasting, and love to take this everywhere I go. Concealers I take my Wake Me Up Rimmel Concealer to cover under eye circles, and I have two of these one for on the go and one for at home because I love them so much, and the same with my next concealer which I use as an under eye highlighter which is my holy grail MAC Prolonger Concealer in NC15. 

I love blush, I could never be without it, on the go I take the most convenient tool in the world, and it is the Clinique Blush Stick, I am more then sure that they have now discontinued it which is a shame, because it is such a good idea! So it has blush in the lid of a little kabuki brush case, and you just twirl in the lid and there is blusher on the end of your brush ready to apply! 

I also always take my Sleek Contour Kit as it is a small compact bronzer, as well as an amazing highlighter, I also pop the highlighter on my lid and bronzer through my crease, I like a multi purpose product! I have the worlds smallest make up bag so I'm trying to fit everything in, although I can't whittle down my brushes too much, always take an eyebrow brush, buffing brush, bronzer brush, a blending brush for my create, and of course my beauty blender!! Finally, I take my Rimmel Wake Me Up Mascara (FAVOURITE MASCARA) everywhere with me, as well as my Chanel Eyebrow Pencil.

These are products I like to take on the go with me, and don't mind being without when I'm getting ready to go out out, all products I can rely on, and not feel to extravagant wasting when I am on the go!

aimeeroseXO

FAKE TAN PHILOSOPHY

FAKE TAN PHILOSOPHY

Okay, so I am the biggest fake tan fan you will ever meet, and no not because I am from Essex, but because I have the palest skin and I just feel so much better with a tan. I wear fake tan every single day of my life so have been through my fair shares of DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to tanning so here is my Fake Tan Philosophy: A guide on which tans to use and exactly how to apply them. I always say that fake tan is like contouring, it is so anticipated by many as such a tricky thing to do, but once you've got your technique it's the easiest thing to do.

Lets start with some application tips...

NUMBER ONE RULE: Always use a mitt or something to protect your hands, and if you do feel like using your hands, make sure you wash them thoroughly after. However, if you do make that mistake every now and again like me, and the fake tan makes your hands look absolutely ridiculous smother them in toothpaste and wash off, it will come off straight away.

HANDS & FEET: So these are the two most difficult places when applying fake tan, it can always go funny between your fingers and toes, etc. My top tip for completing the natural look with matching hands and feet is to use a kabuki brush, yes a make up brush. Apply a little fake tan directly on the skin and buff with a make up brush, preferably one you are not going to use on your face. The bristles are going to evenly spread the fake tan into all the nooks and crannys. When your hands and feet are a state, it really can ruin your whole look!

FACE: It's never a good look to have an orange neck and white body, however an orange face isn't always the way forward, we need to find the balance... I apply fake tan directly onto my skin, but only a little bit, then I grab my normal face moisturiser and buff it into my face with a kabuki brush as though I am moisturising my face. Fake tan can dehydrate the skin so the moisturiser doesn't just only apply the fake tan evenly, it also takes care of your skin whilst doing so.

BODY APPLICATION: Always mix an instant with a moisturising cream, not too much, but this will really even the tan, and make sure your skin doesn't look dry. Also when prepping always use a scrub, or an exfoliating glove, the dead skin will just peel off and mix with the tan, it is gross! Just go get a pair of glove, or a scrub, my favourite pre-tan scrub is coconut oil mixed with sugar, it gets your previous tan off too!

MAINTAINING YOUR TAN: If you are constantly re-applying tan like me, or just genuinely don't want the hassle of having to scrub for hours to get tan off,we just want it to fade evenly after a shower right? Well, the trick is to keep moistening your skin, don't let your tan dry and crack to the point where you need to scrub it off, keep it smooth so it can just fade all by itself.

Moving on to the tan's to buy...

LOOKING TO SPEND A LITTLE ON TAN: Instant wise you want St.Moritz or Cocoa Brown, these two are amazing tans, which I reach for regularly when I want an instant glow, where they are instant they don't last more then 2 or 3 showers (which is good for instant) but they just fade, and you don't need to scrub, but I would still recommend maintaining by moisturising your body as after a shower the water drys your skin and crack the tan.

LOOKING TO SPEND A LOT ON TAN: My absolute favourites is the Fake Bake Instant Airbrush Spray and my newly found favourite the James Reed express tan, I always combine the two as James Reed develops after a little while so mixed with Fake Bake its just a long lasting instant tan. I love how flawless Fake Bake Airbrush is, however I love the James Reed Express Tan Mask because it is so hydrating, it is like a serum, so it hydrates your skin, there is no need to moisturise with it because of the hydration the serum provides, your skin feels softer then any moisturiser could achieve, it is amazing! Another tan I love is Xen Tan however I find this is not a tan you can reapply with, you must scrub off your layer and start again if you wish to wear consistently.

MAC WISHLIST

MAC WISHLIST

Sorry for my inconsistent posts, I have been so busy sorting out stuff to start Uni but I'm back now, with one post every single day for you guys. I receive so many emails requesting what you want to see discussed on my blog so am working through these requests, and keep them coming to aimeesmalex@gmail.com! So the most requested post was to see what I am lusting over in MAC, I have done this post before, but if your a mac lover like me, you know it is forever growing...

REBUYS

So, these are MAC products I love that I need to repurchase ASAP:

MAC Strobe Cream

(Gives your foundation the most dewy look, lasts all day)

MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick

(A darker nude, like a non-matte Kinda Sexy)

MAC Spice Liner

(Erm, Kylie Jenner?!)

MAC Skin Base Visage

(Same finish as Benefit Porefessional, but more kind to your skin)

MAC ProLongwear Concealer NC15

(The best under eye highlight, your welcome!)

NEEDED NEWBIES

So, these are products that I haven't bought before and want to try!

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

(Erm, again, Kylie Jenner?!)

MAC Stripedown Liner

(A browny lip liner, I need!)

MAC Select Cover Up Concealer

(I'm curious, celebs LOVE this)

MAC Face & Body Foundation 

(A go to photoshoot foundation, I want to know why!)

MAC Soft Ocre Paint Pot

(I need this as an eyeshadow base)

MAC Soft & Gentle Highlighter

(The most beautiful product I have ever watched)

If I went onto MAC website right now I'd have you here all day, if anyone has ever tried any of these products I'm wishing to try, let me know your thoughts!

aimeeroseXO

LA BELLE MATTE LIP CREAMS

MATTE LIP HEAVEN

One of my favourite places to buy American make up, who I have worked with in the past, surprised me with a fabulous gift today which I was not expecting... La Belle UK Cosmetics have created their own make up line, and sent me the matte lip creams to try (they know me so well)! I love matte lip products because generally they are more long lasting, you don't really need lip liner with them, and they are different to most looks you generally see.

I wasn't expecting this package so I didn't get to choose the shades I was sent, and I am glad I didn't as I would have gone for all the nudes and avoided the rest... However, they sent me three shades that are completely out of my comfort zone and that I LOVE! 

The shade 'Wild Child' (the darkest) is like a brown, and it reminded me of the colour Kylie Jenner was wearing on Instagram the other day, when she announced her Lip Kit Line, so here's a drug store steel for Kylie's lip colour!

They are quite long lasting, I had to reapply after I had eaten, but I do that after I eat with any lipstick so that doesn't really bother me, I would say it lasts around 3-4 hours with no re application, which is really good, I find most expensive brands can not hold their original colour pay off longer then an hour. This product is going to last you ages, one dip in the bottle will do your whole lip and more, in fact its too much, I have to wipe the applicator on the bottle first because the product just goes such a long way.

WARNING: Make sure your lips are condition, with ALL matte lip products no matter the brand, the matte dry finish will pick up any flakes or chaps on your lips and highlight them, and it just RUINS the look. I would strongly recommend this product if you love a matte look. or even if your trying something new, I know I'm so predictable but the Nude shades looks unbelievable, seriously the shade 'Bare' is unlike anything I have seen. 

aimeeroseXO

HOW TO COVER DARK CIRCLES

HOW TO COVER DARK CIRCLES...

WITH RED LIPSTICK?!

I know, it's crazy, but it works! I have really dark circles in the corners of my under eyes, I hate applying loads of concealer as I use enough already... anymore just looks cakey. So I found a cure in red lipstick, red cancels out blue tones, like under eye bags, and I'm sure some sort of special product perfectly designed for this is already out there but red lipstick is doing the trick for me!

I apply after my primer, before any concealer foundation, your going to be blending this out so you only need a tiny bit, I apply more heavy in the problem area (corners for me!) and blend with my finger then put concealer on top, I will continue you blending with concealer until I am happy with the colour and then go onto to apply my foundation!

So the bottom of the first picture is the kind of blend you are aiming for before you apply your foundation, I also apply MAC Pro Longwear NC15 on top for a highlight but it also provides some coverage too, this is not essential though. Both these photos have no filters what so ever, so this is a true reflection on how the red lipstick trick pays off...

You can use any red lipstick, any concealer, and your everyday foundation, this will work a treat. Everyones severity of dark circles are different, and I have seen other bloggers trying with nude lipsticks which has worked for their specific needs, so I'm gonna try a few different, and if red lipstick doesn't work for you, try another shade!

Hope this solves your dark circle problems like it did mine...

aimeeroseXO

ARE YOU REALLY STROBING?

WHAT IS STROBING? ARE YOU DOING IT RIGHT?

So, we have recently had to make room for this new make up trend 'Strobing' and all over instagram I have seen different interpretations of the trend, and have had a few girlies ask me exactly what is meant by the term 'strobing'. So let's get it straight, strobing is a trend that is INSTEAD of contouring, if you are contouring and 'strobing'... you are not strobing. A combonation of both is just simple contouring like we all know, and love.

IF YOU HAVE AN OUNCE OF BRONZER ON YOUR FACE, YOU ARE NOT STROBING!

So there is the sad truth, and that is why strobing is not something that is replacing contouring for me, as I am in love with the definition and the way contouring can change your whole face, to me contouring is an art!

Another confusion with strobing is actually how to do it? and if you are actually doing it? Many girls have asked me if it is just a heavy highlight on the highest point of your cheekbones, which is true, that is a part of strobing, but you are not done there. Strobing consists of highlighting to the max, and only having your base, a bit of blusher on and a highlighter, however you must heavily apply highlight to the tip of your nose, the middle of your forehead, your cupids bow, your chin and f course highest point of your cheekbone, and remember NO BRONZER!

I feel this trend would not work for people with oily skin, and is seasonal, this is not something I would try in the winter months. I am going to do a blogpost on exactly how to do it showing you it on my own face soon, So please, lets not say Bye to are dearly beloved that is contouring!

So here are some examples of strobing, as much as everyone thinks it is an extreme trend that is going to change your face like contouring can... it's not. It is a more natural trend where you are using highlighter to enhance your current features and highlight, giving yourself a super healthy glow, it doesn't change your face like contouring does.

and here is contouring, so they still have a highlight, but have used the use of a light and dark concealer/bronzer to achieve definition, and an airbrushed finished, and as you can see they are wearing a lot more make up!  

I will be posting my version of Strobing and Contouring, and comparing the two on Friday! I hope this post helped clear the confusion that Strobing has caused among all of us, and would love to see your views on Strobing, me myself love a contour, but I am more then willing to try this trend and will keep to updated!

aimeeroseXO

USING A POWDER CONTOUR KIT ALONE

CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR WITH JUST A POWDER KIT?

Yes, you can! Ever since I posted a photo of my Anastasia Powder Contour Kit on my Instagram I have had loads of emails asking if I could contour and highlight my whole face using just this powder kit. I get it, as ideally I like a powder contour and a liquid highlight, but this is not essential, it can be done with one kit!

In the Anastasia Contour Kit you have a shimmer highlight (Sand), a yellow tone (Banana) and then a pale tone (Vanilla) ... Powder highlights work very nicely on top of foundation as they stick to your foundation really well, giving a matte under eye highlight, that isn't going to crease like a lot of concealers. I have one concealer for covering my dark circles, and another for highlighting, when using the ABH Contour Kit I would still use my general concealer and foundation combo, making the under eyes super sticky to take a powdered highlight.

Firstly I would rub my beauty blender in Bannana and pat the product underneath my eyes, on my nose, and the middle of my forehead, as Yellow is a neutralising colour, especially for the under-eyes it is more likely to cancel out dark circles, and then do the same with Vanilla over the top. I apply as much as I want until I have the intensity I like, I like Powder Contouring as you can control it a lot more, where as using my Pro Longwear NC15 to highlight I know I'm always going to get an over the top highlight, it isn't really suitable for everyday wear, a powder contour kit's intensity is build-able which means you only need the one product for range of different looks.

         

The main question I always get asked about my Powder Contour Kit is mainly how to use this for highlighting, and if it does the job, I feel everyone is extremely comfortable with the idea of a Powder Bronzer to define your cheek bones, shape your nose, etc. but I will tell you how I use this kit on the defining side of things!

I use the darkest shade (Java) to define the line of my cheekbone, then go in with a Kabuki Brush and the lightest shade (Fawn) to blend this out, then use the middle shade (Havana) to define my nose and temples, as well as jawline. I would recommend the ABH Contour Kit to everyone, it is an amazing product, an a fun item to have in your kit, I bought mine in the states but they are avaliable at Cult Beauty Online!

I always ask a little question at the end of my posts, and love the emails I recieve in response to them, so today I'm asking what contouring products should I try? Let me know at aimeesmalex@gmail.com...

aimeeroseXO

SUMMER CO ORD FAVOURITES

SUMMER SUITS

If I had it my way, every top would have matching bottoms, I just love co-ords. They are so fun, and perfect for all year round, but you can not beat a summer co-ord, I have seen so many this summer that I am lusting over! First has to be my favourite little suit I bought for my trip to Amsterdam from NEXT, it was so cute and fab to wear!

I paired the suit with a Black Chiffon Cami I bought from Primark, and a Black Gold Chain Bag by Tom & Eva, and shoes wise I just paired a Black Pair of Gladiator Sandals. I feel when wearing a matching suit, try to always go plain with the top you are wearing underneath, as you don't want the top to take anything away from the suit!

Other Co-Ords I have been lusting over on the High Street and I feel are perfect for Summer, first for Co-ords I always check Missguided!

I love trouser suits all year round, they can be quite wintery for the summer, but the halter neck and the floral print in this first one makes it perfect for a summer evening. This Silk Short Set is perfect for the daytime, especially if your planning to go on holiday, so perfect. Finally, I love this co-ord as I feel you can get away with this in both seasons, the floral makes is acceptable for summer, but the dark florals makes it acceptable for a colder evening!

Next, of course, ASOS!

This first little suit is a MUST. Metallic is extremely in this season, and I just love the concept of a Blazer and Skirt Suit. This next Co-Ord is amazing, and I ask you all to go on ASOS and look at the detailing in this suit, it is so beautiful. This next co ord, is a top and short set, by OASIS available on ASOS, it is so summery and perfect for daytime wear, I love this!

For Co-ords that are a little out of the ordinary I always look to Missguided or ASOS, for simple Co-ords I love Pretty Little Thing and NEXT! Of course, I can not forget ZARA.

aimeeroseXO