Drugstore Foundations

If you are anything like me you will go through a lot of foundations,  so Its always nice to find a foundation you love at an affordable price. Today I wanted to talk about some drugstore brands as I have tried so many high price and low price foundations and I like to think I have found some amazing ones for a much easier price. 

Maybelline

When asked what my favorite foundation is, it is usually the Maybelline 'fit me matte + poreless'
foundation. The low cost of this foundation is only a bonus as I love it for many more reasons. 

This is the foundation I will use on the majority of my clients and myself as the coverage is amazing. Personally, I think this foundation is medium coverage, but it is very buildable and easy to achieve full coverage. It is a matte foundation but not drying on the skin at all, and because of it being a matte foundation it provides such a flawless finish to the skin. They have a brilliant shade range, especially for a cheaper brand. My favorite shades are 125 120 220 250.

Another foundation that I love from Maybelline is their 'Superstay 24 full coverage foundation'. Again I would say this foundation is more of a medium coverage but is still very buildable. This foundation gives off a much more luminous finish to the skin and lasts brilliantly throughout the day. This isn't a foundation I would use a lot so I'm less familiar with their shade range but I love the shade 30sand on myself. 

NYX

NYX is such an amazing brand for so many products but one of my favorites from them is their 'Bare with me' tinted skin veil. This foundation is very low coverage, almost like a tinted moisturiser. I love this for creating a more natural finish on the skin, or for someone who doesn't like too much coverage. I started using this on myself last summer as I get even more freckly than usual and don't like to cover them up too much, I found this perfect for that as it just gives us the smallest amount of coverage and leaves the skin lovely and luminous. I love the shades 'natural soft beige' and 'golden caramel' from this range.

There are so many foundations available from drugstore brands and these are truly the best Iv came across.

Chelsea xx

Time at home

As you all should know, we can't leave the house other than for essential reasons. This means coming up with lots of ways to keep us busy during this time. I don't usually have much free time with spending my week studying at university and my weekends working all day, so I am trying to appreciate this time to do some things from home I haven't had time to do before. I am using this blogpost just to share what I have been doing and some things going through my head, maybe someone can relate.
One of the main things I wanted to use this time to do was create more makeup looks on myself. I love being able to sit down and just play with makeup, or doing my favorite glam on myself. This may seem a little extra for sitting in the house, but not only does it pass the time and create content for my page, I feel much better about myself. It can be hard to remember a glam version of you when spending all day in joggers and no makeup on, so I find it nice just to take 2 or 3 days out of the week gettings some glam on.
I have also been creating some quick tutorials for my Instagram page, this is very scary for me as I am a perfectionist and I love putting my skills down, but I have been enjoying It so much. Using iMovie on my Macbook, I have taught myself how to edit and each one I do I add in something new, for example, background music or a voiceover. Creating a voiceover for the first time was terrifying, It wasn't perfect but I am so proud of it and got really good feedback from it which is always encouraging. I don't usually have time to do these so I am appreciating the time at the moment to learn the confidence to create this style of content.
Something that I have invested my time and money into a lot lately is skincare, I love learning what my skin needs and nourishing it with good products. This is something that keeps me feeling much better during this time, by looking after my skin more I am seeing better results and therefore feeling much better. Another benefit to this is that there is usually a little package arriving in the post every so often which keeps a bit of excitement in life! I usually purchase my skincare products from Kiehl's or LookFantastic. LookFantastic is an online brand that provides all things hair and beauty which is brilliant to feel inspired by lots of skincare and haircare or makeup products.
In the first few weeks, I was feeling so energetic and doing a workout every day, sometimes twice a day. This motivation is quickly running out and I am struggling to keep active, which is so annoying because I love working out but Its finding that willpower to do it. Everyone in the country, including us are baking a lotttt to pass the time, which I think is impacting my fitness motivation! When I do a workout I usually try to watch some Instagram lives or videos, It feels more like a 'PT' session and keeps me going better. I have also done yoga for the first time in my life since being in quarantine. I couldn't believe how much focus and strength it takes, and how good it feels to do.

Due to the fact I don't live with my boyfriend, I haven't seen him in 5 weeks which is very hard. I notice a lot of people still seeing their boyfriend/girlfriend and their friends but I just don't believe its worth it. I am also missing my sister a lot as she lives in Manchester, I haven't seen her in a while and I would have been over to visit her around this time. I'm missing my two other sisters and my lovely little nephew, my grandparents, my friends, and everyone from work. Thankfully with facetime, we can all still keep in contact and kind of see each other, but we are all going through the same thing which makes it easier. As much as I am missing all of these people, I am feeling so thankful that I can spend much more time with my parents.

All of this is something that none of us has ever gone through before, and somedays fly and you have brilliant days, but other days can be hard, hard to find any motivation, but just do what you can to try to enjoy yourself.

Stay safe x

Hair Care

Hair Care 💕

As we are all spending more time at home at the moment, It's important to look after YOU. We don't usually have so much time to ourselves, so use it to look after yourself and practice some self-care. 

To give my hair some life I have been using these products. 

The Joico 'Blonde Life brightening mask' does exactly what it says on the tin, brightens and gives intense hydration. I love this to give some moisture back to my hair, after going blonde I have found my hair to be much dryer, especially If use heat on it. Every so often I wet my hair and cover all of my hair in the mask for a few hours (as long as I can cope with a wet head really...). After using it my hair feels and looks so much healthier, it gives it a gorgeous shine and has it feeling less dry, even the ends! I would definitely recommend to any blondes! 

After washing my hair with the Joico 'Blonde Life' shampoo and conditioner, I always use their 'Brilliant glow brightening oil'. I try to keep this to the ends of my hair, to help the dryer ends feel more hydrated. I only use half a pump of this, I find its plenty and prevents too much being used making the rest of my hair greasy. 

Lastly, before drying hair/ whilst it is still damp I lightly spray with the Revlon 'uniq one'  hair treatment. This has many benefits for your hair, but I mostly love it for how silky smooth it leaves my hair once blow-dried. It also acts as heat protections and hair colour protection in sunlight (if we ever get the chance to be out in the sun).

Look after your hair, and yourself x

Skincare Masks

How to choose the right mask for you...

When looking at which masks to purchase, I try to think about what my skin is currently lacking or what I would like to improve. I personally have normal-dry skin, and l love to keep it super hydrated therefore I tend to always go for a mask that is going to give me that. I also like to add some clearing masks to have at hand for when my skin isn't behaving how I would like it to. 

Another tip on how I like to choose my masks is to think about any problems you have with your skin when wearing makeup. For example, are there little dry areas that you can't get rid off or so an area where your makeup just won't sit? I am no skin expert, but this is usually due to your skin rather than the makeup. Look up some masks that are good for this problem and go from there. There are so many masks available for so many different goals, so you are likely to find something to help.

Sometimes just to keep my skin feeling refreshed I like to use different masks that I wouldn't always go for, lately, I have been loving avocado masks they definitely brighten up my complexion!

My favourite brands for masks:

• Sephora                                                                 
• Garnier
• Tropic
• Kiehl's

Good websites to browse for masks:

• Look fantastic
• Cult Beauty
• BeautyBay
• Kiehl's

              

My daily makeup

What's on my face...

I often get asked what makeup I use on a day-to-day basis, usually nothing or else very little is the answer. I love keeping my everyday makeup looks natural and fresh looking, something more dewy rather than a more full coverage look.

I always start my day with a skincare routine, which is available read on my blog if interested. Once my skin is feeling hydrated, I will usually go ahead with my skin makeup. 

Firstly I like to use an illuminating or brightening product. Currently, I love using the No7 Skin Illuminator to give a natural glow. Sometimes this is all I will use on my face if I have some tan on already. 

For my base I will use either the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, all depending on how much coverage I want/ need that day. I love both of these as they both feel so light and look so subtle on my skin. 

For concealer, I currently use the Revolution Conceal & Hydrate Radiance Concealer to brighten or add more coverage in certain areas. 

Most days I will only use a cream bronzer to add depth to my face, which is always the Maybelline Superstay Foundation stick, however, I will sometimes use a powder bronzer lightly over top to set it. Lately, I have been using Iconic Bronze Ibiza shimmer bronzer or else MAC give me sun. Either of these products give a lovely warm touch to your makeup. 

To add a pop of colour I love using MAC extra dimension blushers either in Cheeky Bits or Fairly Precious. Both of these create a pink/peach glow on my cheeks.

I try to stay away from powder but I find it essential to make everything last and stay in place so I use a small amount of Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder under my eyes and in my T-zone.

To finish off my skin I add a small amount of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty light wand to my cheeks for a dewy glowy effect. 

For my eyes, I don't tend to use any eyeshadow, if I do maybe some bronzer and a pressed shimmer shadow all over the top lip to add to the dewy effect but nothing in particular. 

If I don't have eyelash extensions I will use some of the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara to bring out my lashes. 

I usually try to tint my eyebrows every 3-4 weeks which means I don't need to go in with anything other than some NYX control freak eyebrow gel to give them some shape. 

Last but not least I will use a shimmery lipgloss with a slight tint to it for some colour on my lips. Currently, I love Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb FU$$Y or Jordanna Ticia Enchanted lipgloss.

And that's what's on my face,

thanks xx

Matte Wings IGTV

IGTV

I uploaded my first IGTV, covering my most recent look - Matte Wings. The video is a basic step-by-step tutorial for anyone interested in how |I created this glam.

I will leave the link to it below, hope you can check it out.

Thanks, x

Link to IGTV - 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9-GgdZj14V/

Matte Wings

Self-isolation means plenty of time to get into some makeup looks.
Today I created this look inspired by one of my favourite artists, Jasmine Welch. I wanted to do a  super glam look full of drama, which ended up as this matte winged eye with bronzey skin.

Products used-

@makeupatelierparisuk T01S pallet 
@inglot_cosmetics freedom system 351, j325
@tatti_lashes TL9 
@no7uk skin illuminater 
@maybelline fit me matte and poreless 220, superstar foundation stick 60
@makeuprevolution conceal and hydrate c3
@maccosmetics cheeky bits extra dimension blush
@iconicbronze Ibiza shimmer bronzer& golden galaxy highlighter 
@rimmellondonuk stay matte translucent powder 
@nyxcosmetics_uk control freak eyebrow gel 
@illamasqua brow cake thunder 
@peachesmakeup borderline lip liner
@nyxcosmetics_uk suede matte lipstick fetish
@jordanaticiacosmetics enchanted gloss

Iconic Bronze

I was recently reached out to by the amazing brand Iconic Bronze to see if I would be interested in working with them and trying out their products.

A little bit about the company and how they brand themselves...
Iconic Bronze is an Irish based brand, who formulate and manufacture their products in Ireland.  Their products are vegan and cruelty-free, which is always a winner and something the brand is proud of.

Being a makeup artist and someone who loves all things beauty I of course was excited by this opportunity, and couldn't wait to try out some of their products.

So far, I have only tried the products which you can see in the image to the right. Their bronzers and highlighters. Earlier this week I received a PR package from the brand which included some information about the products sent. I LOVE to be bronzed and glowy so these excited me so much when they arrived, and I had to try them out.

The bronzers are so gorgeous and warm-toned, one of which includes a shimmer in the middle of the compact- this, I love. After trying them out on myself I found that a little amount of product goes a long way to give a gorgeous bronzed glow.

When I tested out the highlighters on my arm they amazed me at how shimmery they were. However, this initially concerned me as usually a highlighter that swatches the way they do creates a metallic shadow on your face if the highlight isn't being hit correctly by light. This was not the case, the highlighters have an almost creamy feel to them which melts perfectly into the skin creating the perfect highlight!

I can't wait to try them out more, as well as their other products.
I'll keep you updated on my thoughts x

Skincare

Lets talk skincare!

Something I would get asked regularly from both clients and followers is about my skincare routine. I am no expert but here are some of the things that work best for me.

I think the most important thing is to create a routine and to stick to that routine as best as you can.

When purchasing skincare, I usually pick something thats going to keep my skin well- hydrated and products which feel good on my face! By keeping to products that hydrate my skin I feel it helps my makeup sit so much better and more skin like which is something I love.


My day time routine -

Every morning I will wash my face using the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess cleanser. It has quite an oily feel to it which I love as it just melts into your skin. I do this every morning to allow my skin to be fresh and ready for my skincare.

Recently I have been using the Tropic Skincare toner mist, and their "skin feast" moisturiser. These smell so amazing and give my skin a gorgeous glow. I have only been using these two products the past few weeks but so far they seem to work perfect under makeup.

My next little gem is the Olehendriksen truth serum. I use this after moisturising and it just adds the perfect brightening boost.

Eye cream is my most favourite part of the routine, this one in particular from Kiehl's.
To finish I gently apply moisturiser to my neck using the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum cream -its not for your bum bum unless you really desire to use it there - as well as their lip balm. Both products smell so good feel so lightweight.


Night time routine -

I will always start off my evening/ night time routine by using a cleanser even if I haven't worn any makeup during the day, just to ensure my skin is clean.

2-3 nights a week I will use a mask after cleansing. Recently I have been loving the deep hydration mask from Tropic Skincare. It feels so refreshing and hydrating on my skin, it also smells like yummy berries! I also love using sheet masks, some of my favourites are usually the Sephora or the Garnier sheet masks.

After cleansing or after using a mask I will then go in with my favourite essentials. The No7 hydration mask has saved my skin, it is a mask but I prefer to leave it on all night. A combination of this product and the Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate oil leaves me waking up with the best skin.

I finish my night routine with the Lineage lip sleeping mask (I also love this during the day if I'm wearing little or no makeup).

That concludes my guide to glowing skin,

Chelsea xx

How I became a make-up artist

What got you into makeup? This is a question I find myself being asked by many of my clients, and even sometimes outside of work.

This question always takes me a while to think about, and a while to answer even though I get asked it so often. Truthfully, I'm not entirely sure!

Going waayyyyy back to when I was in the first few years of high school, I was rubbish at makeup. I wasn't aloud to many discos when I was young so therefore I never really needed to learn although I still would try my best for random days of school or going into town on a Friday evening. I still remember using a very pale and very yellow shade of 'MissSporty' foundation, this phase ended when I came off the bus home to my male cousin telling me I looked like a member of the Simpsons - In the bin it went. After that me and my best friend Ciara moved onto dream matte mouse, that weird dry foundation mouse in the glass pot. This didn't go well either, most of the time I asked Ciara to do it for me. 

My older sister Ellen was really into YouTube and bloggers, before it was really a thing, being a younger sister I also developed a love for it. I still remember watching the og's like Desi Perkins and Christen Dominique all filming for their YouTube in one huge warehouse where they all had their own little offices decorated like a home. 

My friends in school thought I was crazy, because nobody watched YouTube at this point, or at least not religiously watching the same people about their lifestyle/ fashion/ makeup. But I didn't care, I loved it and loved experimenting with different techniques I had watched. Everyone now is glowing to the gods, but I seen on youtube someone used highlighter, so in I went to my mums makeup box where I found a little cardboard box from no7. "illuminator". The next day in school I proudly wore my new fascination of highlighter on my cheekbones as people asked "whats this new white glittery stuff we have on today?", white glittery stuff was not the look I was going for.

So between not having any makeup skills and falling in-love with YouTube, I think I just developed a passion for it. I became more and more interested, and determined to perfect my skills. I came home from school trying out 3 or 4 makeup looks on myself (my mum for sure thought I was crazy), learning how to stick on Primark lashes and get my under eye concealer brighter than a 15 year old probably needed. This led to makeup lessons with Paddy Mcgurgan, to practicing on my friends and family, getting an amazing opportunity of working as a makeup artist and Eden Beauty, to becoming a self- employed makeup artist.

I suppose thats how I got into my DREAM career!

xx

New fav lippies

DOLL BEAUTY 💕

I have been recently been trying out a few of Doll Beauty’s new lipsticks.
The packaging itself is pretty & pink life everything else from the brand - which I love!
The formula of the lipsticks are quite a bit matter than I usually tend to use which I didn’t originally love about them, however I tend to make the lips super glossy after lipstick anyway. I have been using them for a month or so now and I have came to love the matte effect of them, it actually helps them to last much longer on the lips!
I also love every shade in the range which is rare, they have a variation of different nudes and pinks- all which look amazing on everyone 💗
All in all, I’m a huge fan x