My Everyday Face | Makeup Routine

03
OR/AND 

For my base I like to mix L'Oreal Infallible - review here - and True Match - review here -  as I like the coverage - and need the paleness - of the Infallible but like to add a bit more radiance with the True Match. My new favourite product is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder as it adds such an amazing glow to my fairly dry skin. The shade I have, Luminous Light, has a slight shimmer to it, which allows it to double up as a highlighter too. It doesn't cling to any dry patches and you can touch it up as many times as you like without looking cake-y. I wouldn't recommend this for those with oily skin, as much as it could add to the shine. I also wouldn't recommend to those with very pale skin as it can make my skin look a bit darker than it really is. I'm definitely going to look into trying a different shade as they're totally worth the more luxury price tag.

My eyebrows are definitely not my best friend. I’ve tried more eyebrow products than I can count and suffered many eyebrow disasters. However, I finally feel like I’ve settled with products that work for me. A full eyebrow products test and review post coming soon.

The BY TERRY Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks are possibly my favourite products in my makeup collection. They are so easy to work with and look great with anything. I definitely want to purchase more soon and I highly recommend them to anyone. I really love the way the L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara makes my lashes look. It’s very black and dramatic without being clumpy, although it is quite hard to just apply a small amount for a more natural look.

Recently, I’ve really been enjoying trying and experimenting with new lip products and the matte lip look - although as you can see I still can't keep away from the gloss. My new favourite lip products at the moment are from Charlotte Tilbury. Jade and I had a naughty spree in the store in Covent Garden a few weeks ago on a trip to London, the staff were so lovely and helpful and I'm so pleased with what I came away with. Although these products are matte they are still very creamy and don't dry my lips out as much as other matte lipsticks - full review here. Also, the packaging is beautiful.

What are your go to products at the moment?

~Lucy xx

Makeup Menu #1 | Festive Beauty

As the festive party season is upon us I thought I’d share with you all my beauty essentials 
for this time of year that will see you through any festive occasion from a 
Christmas meal to a New Years party.

FACE

At every event this party season there’s going to be pictures taken so to prevent yourself looking overly shiny never go without powder - I’m forever in love with the Rimmel Stay Matte - even if you usually would skip it as you may look great in person but the camera will pick up any shine and multiply it by ten. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little highlighter to still have a healthy glow - I’m currently loving the Topshop highlighter, review here. You also want a good concealer as the same with shine the camera will pick up any blemish even if its only small. For this I love the Collection lasting perfection concealer but I don’t need to go into detail as everyone and their mother knows about it by now.

EYES

For eyes I’m still loving my Stila in the light palette - review here - as you can create subtle, natural looks perfect for a low key affair but you can also create serious glamour which would fit perfectly for a New Years bash. I’ve also been loving the Maybelline master drama chromatic pencil in vibrant gold for a hint of gold sparkle under the eyes. If you’re going for winged liner this season then you have to get your hands on the L’Oreal super liner perfect slim, I’ve never used a product that makes winged liner so easy and I’ve repurchased this countless times.

The best drugstore concealer

It’s been known for a while in the beauty world that the best drugstore concealer is the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, which is most likely why you can never find it in the aisles of boots for it’s always sold out. However, I’ve recently been trying out a new concealer which I prefer to the Collection one *gasp*.

The Revlon Colorstay concealer is more moisturising and less thick than the the Collection concealer, meaning it isn’t drying on the skin and doesn’t emphasise any dry problem areas - which is my biggest niggle with the Collection Lasting Perfection, it covers a lot but if you have a blemish thats drying out or your skin is on the dry side it just emphasises that. The Revlon Colorstay is also suitable for under the eyes and for the rest of the face because although it is lighter in texture and more moisturising it still packs a lot of pigment to cover dark circles, blemishes and redness. It is slightly more expensive though and I also struggle to find this in my shade in Boots as well - it’s always when I’ve completely ran out too.

What’s been your latest discovery from the drugstore?

~ Jade xx

Face of the day #3 | 02.03.14


Products used:
Topshop highlighter ~ crescent moon

It's finally beginning to get warmer in England - despite the still miserable weather forecast of rain - which means fresh, spring time pink lipstick can be worn again - not that you can't wear it at any point of the year as there aren't any rules to makeup. I picked this particular one up from boots the other day and have been loving it. It lasts a good four hours and doesn't dry out the lips, also the colour is gorgeous. Satin taupe has been mentioned a number of times here on Aquapearl but now those of you that haven't bought it yet - though you definitely should - can see why both Lucy & I love it. It's just great.



Are you looking forward to spring makeup trends?

~ Jade xx

My top ten favourites of 2013


For a lot of this year I was using Rimmels Match Perfection foundation in shade 100, Ivory which I did like and was great for the summer as it is light weight and sheer, but buildable. However, when it came to buying a new foundation I wanted to try something new as I wanted a bit more coverage and I wasn’t so keen on the smell of the Match Perfection. So, I went for the popular Healthy Mix foundation. I had tried this before but wasn’t amazingly impressed as it seemed to go patchy throughout the day; but I wanted to give it another go as it has been re-formulated since then, and my skin has changed also so I was keen to see if it suited me any better. And so far, I have been enjoying it!

Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick | Review


Jade and I went into town last weekend and I wanted to get a new lipstick. I wanted one that would go with anything and that I could wear everyday.

I didn’t want to spend too much so I went for the Collection (Collection 2000) lasting colour lipstick in number 8 ‘sweet tart’ priced at £2.99.



I really like this lipstick. The lipstick lasts a while and the colour pay-off is great. As it is only £2.99 I don’t have a problem with having to re-apply a few times. Its that perfect pink colour that gives your lips that extra bit of oomph. The texture is creamy and moisturising and it smells like classic American candy. 




I will definitely be going back to get a few more of these lipsticks and I recommend you do too! :-)

What’s the best drug store lipstick you’ve tried?

~ Lucy xx

Photography information

Canon 600D with 18-55mm lens, Canon 24mm lens or Sigma 70-300mm lens. Canon EOS M with 18-55mm lens or Canon 24mm lens. Any edited photos are edited using Photoshop CS6. Picture source is given for any photo used that is not directly ours.