Beauty Beginner Series: The Face

This post will be slightly different to the usual, but please bare with me, there is a point to this post.

It occurred to me the other day, that I've been posting all of these posts about face makeup etc, and saying where to apply certain things, but I haven't actually included a labelled picture of the face, explaining where everything is (e.g. apples of cheeks, hollows of cheeks etc).

This image will be something that should help you with the past posts, and will also help you with future posts, for example, when I go onto explaining how to apply eyeshadow, contouring and highlighting etc.

Oh, I just wanted to say, now that it's the run up to Christmas, things are going to be hectic for me, especially at uni, as we have an important assessment two weeks after Christmas, so I wanted to say that I am going to post a new Beauty Beginner Series post every two weeks, instead of every week. I'm sorry to do this, but I hope you understand.

Beauty Beginner Series: What is Blusher?

First off, let me please apologise for missing last week's post of this series. Things have been a bit hectic at uni, so I didn't have time to write up a detailed post.

Secondly, I thought this week, to continue on from the previous two posts in this series, as they were both about face products, I would try to answer the question 'What is Blusher?' So, let's get into it.

For a lot of people, blush is one of those love or hate products. When used correctly, it can give your face a healthy, natural colour and glow, but when used wrongly, the phrase 'clown face' comes to mind!

Like, foundation and concealer, blusher comes in many forms. Powder blush are probably the most well known and most used type of blush, but there are many more.

• Powder Blush is good any type of skin, but is slightly better for oily and combination skin, as it helps to absorb some of the oil.
• Cream Blush gives more intense colour than powder, so only a little is needed. It also needs to be blended thoroughly, to avoid any harsh, obvious lines. Fingers are the best way to apply cream blushers, working from the apples of the cheeks outwards. As cream blush contains more moisturising ingredients, it is usually considered best for dry skin.
• Gel or Liquid (or Tint) Blush is good for adding a slight glow to the cheeks. They are not usually as pigmented as powder and cream blushers. They can work well for anyone who has oily to normal skin, as they last long, and tend to be oil-free. These are very fast-drying though, so you have to really blend them quickly. 

Whichever type of blush you choose, make sure you choose one that matches your natural skin tone and colour. You can tell what colour blush you should get when your cheeks have their natural rosy glow to them, after you have been out in the cold, or have just been doing exercise. The easiest way of choosing your perfect shade, is to give yourselves a good smack on the cheeks (sounds cruel, but it's true!). Don't go smacking yourselves so hard that your cheeks will just go red though! That won't work. Lightly pinch your cheeks, and this should give you the colour blush that you should be buying. It may be best to do this bit at home, though, just avoid any strange looks off other shoppers!

Blush should be applied after foundation and concealer, and then blended out with a brush and a little of the powder you have used to set your face with. If you can, it would be better if you apply blush with a proper brush, rather than the poxy thing that comes with it, but if you can't, then just use the brush that came with it. (E.L.F. do some reasonable quality blush brushes for £1.50 that you beginners can't go wrong with, plus Christmas is coming up!)

To apply blush:

• Dap your brush into the blush, and tap off any excess; it's always best to start lightly, then build it up if needed
• Look in the mirror and SMILE! This will help you to determine where the apples of your cheeks are
• Apply the blush onto the apples of your cheeks, blending well.
• If you've put too much on, then go over it with a bit of translucent powder, and this should sort it out
• This video will show what I mean more.

I hope this helped you, and if you have any questions, please let me know, and I will try my best to answer them!

I ♥ Fall TAG

When I saw this tag video on YouTube, I knew that I wanted to do it, so I thought that this would be perfect for my first 'tag' post. Also, it's slowly coming to the end of Autumn, so I thought I had better do it quickly. The tag comprises of 10 questions, all based on autumn/fall. There are several about Halloween, and yes, I know Halloween has been now, but imagine that it hasn't yet, please! I wasn't tagged by anyone, but knew I wanted to do this, so here we go!

1. Favourite Fall Lip Product? 
I'm not really a big lip product person, I just tend to wear lip balm, as my lips get really dry and chapped. So, I would say my favourite lip balm is strawberry Chap Stick, or the new Vaseline Pink Bubbly.

2.  Favourite Fall Nail Polish?
Hmmm, just lately, I think it's got to be Essie's Ballet Slippers or Essie's Brooch the Subject.

 3. Favourite Starbucks Fall Drink?
Now, this may come as shock horror to you, but I don't drink coffee, or tea, for that matter. I just don't like them. The only hot drink I will have is an occasional hot chocolate, so that's probably all I'll order.

4. Favourite Fall Candle?
As Bath and Body Works aren't in the UK, I've been on the lookout for a great range of scented candles, and I think I've finally found some; Rosie Loves Candles. I am in love with their Parma Violets scent at the minute, not very autumn-y, but I love the smell of it.

5. Favourite Fall Scarf or Accessory?
I love a good, cosy scarf in the autumn. I haven't really got a favourite, just as long as it is warm and cosy, and soft, I'll love it!

6. Haunted House, Haunted Hay Ride or Haunted Corn Maze?
Where I live, there isn't anything like these, so I've never been anything like them, but, I can't stand it when people and things jump out at me, especially in the dark. I just hate that feeling it gives you. So, even if there was something like this around me, I probably still wouldn't go. I know, I'm a bit of a whimp!

7. Favourite Halloween Movie?
Well, that's easy! The Halloweentown movies from Disney.

8. Favourite Candy to Eat on Halloween?
There's no particular sweets that I have to have, but I do love a toffee or chocolate apple this time of year, so I would probably say that.

9. What Are You Dressing up as for Halloween?
I was miserable this year, and didn't dress up as anything. Mainly because I wasn't doing anything for Halloween this time.

10. What is Your Favourite Thing About Fall?
The weather! The colours! The clothes! Boots! Layering thick cardigans and scarfs! Lighting the fire and being warm and cosy!


I tag anyone and everyone to do this. Thought, it'll have to be quick, as autumn/fall will be ending soon! :D

October Favourites

Yep, it's time again! October Favourites!

1. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - this has been on one of my favourites before, but I've really been loving this this month again

2. AUTUMN!! - I have been loving that it is autumn again! Just lately, it has really felt like autumn, with the sun and blue skies, and crisp, sharp air. I love the weather, the clothes, boots, and the colours! (I heart fall tag, coming up!)

3. Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream - LOVE this stuff! It's a really full coverage BB cream, but it feels so good for the skin. Only draw back is it is only available in one shade, and it's a Asian brand, so it's difficult to get hold of in the UK. I got mine from YESSTYLE

4. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - this is great for days when my skin is dry, as it doesn't tend to stick to dry patches as much as a lot of other foundations and BB creams etc.

5. Vaseline Pink Bubbly petroleum jelly - Vaseline with a hint of colour, and a lovely smell and taste? What more do you want in this cold weather!

6. Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers - a gorgeous light pink colour, that's great for this time of year (I think anyway!). I got mine from Fragrance Direct for £1.99!

7. Barry M Bold Waterproof Eyeliner - a really nice, pigmented, soft eyeliner. Goes on so smoothly, and stays

8. Taylor Swift RED - been waiting for this album for ages, and I am so glad it's finally come out. I am in love with it! Favourite tunes off it include: Red, All Too Well, Begin Again, and I'm loving The Moment I Knew and Come Back...Be Here off the deluxe edition

9. Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser - I use this after my morning and night skincare routine, and it just adds that extra hydration that my skin has really been needing lately. When I put this on at night, quite generously, I don't have any dry patches in the morning. Even thought it's hydrating, it is still a really light moisturiser and doesn't make my skin oily either!