BEAUTY THINGS I SUCK AT

Hello!

Today I'm going to be writing about beauty things that I suck at. Obviously I'm not a professional make-up artist so don't think I'm particularly skillful at anything to do with beauty, but there are definitely things I suck at a lot more than others.

1. Eyeshadow

I love the overall look of eyeshadow when it's done well, however I cannot seem to master the art of eyeshadow. I know what colours go well with which, and how to blend etc, but I just can't seem to project my knowledge onto eyelids. The most I can do is one colour, with a darker one in the crease, but even then I still don't like how I've done it. Mastering the look of eyeshadow really comes down to what brushes you use and what eyeshadows you use, I have only ever used in-expensive eyeshadows and brushes because I'd rather spend my money on a lipstick etc, but I think this may be one of the reasons I suck at it-I don't use the right tools and brands.

An example of where I go wrong with eyeshadow:

2. Contouring

Unfortunately I can't use the excuse that I don't have the right brushes for contouring because I do, I have the Real Techniques contour brush, but I am always unsure of how much bronzer to use for contouring. I don't want to go over-board and look too bronzed in one particular place, but I also don't want to look like a failure at contouring-where is that in-between? My current bronzer is Bourjois Paris chocolate bronzer which is very good, but when contouring with it I can never seem to make my cheekbones look defined. I know I don't apply too little because when I look in the mirror you can see a clear difference in skin tone, however no change in face shape is there so I'm completely stuck on what I'm doing wrong.

An example of where I go wrong with contouring:

3. Painting toenails

When it comes to painting fingernails I'm not too bad because I paint them quite often, and thankfully have the talent of being able to paint with both hands. Toenails, on the other hand, is not the same situation. For some reason my line of sight is not the same for my toes as it is for my hands, I always seem to end up with nail-varnish on the sides of my nail, and a very streaky looking nail. Why is this? You'd think that painting toenails would be easy and the toenails would cooperate, but mine don't seem to agree. Also, I don't have short toenails so they aren't hard to miss and ruin, yet I still manage to find a way of mucking them up, even though there is plenty of nail to paint on!

An example of where I go wrong with toenail painting:

 

 4. Lip Liner

I don't usually wear lip liner, but on the rare occasions I have, it has never gone right first time. I also can't use the excuse I have a bad lip liner because I don't, however I can't follow the shape of my lips at all; I either end up going round the outside, missing my lip line, or not going close enough to the edge. I also can't match lip liner with lipstick well, the difference in the lipstick to lip liner is too big, and looks way too fake for my liking. In addition, as my lips are quite shaped and big anyway, lip liner tends to make them appear bigger and look as if I've had collagen, I can't line my lips in a way that my lips won't look any bigger/smaller.

An example of where I go wrong with lip liner:

 There are many more small things I suck at in the beauty world, however these are my main weaknesses and things that bring my make-up ability down. Obviously the photos were slightly exaggerated and I am not that bad, they just show the main faults when doing these beauty related things.

 

JANUARY FAVOURITES

Hello!

I've been liking quite a few things in January, not so much makeup and beauty items, but a range of foods, drinks, soaps and accessories.

1. Mac Vanilla Pigment

Although I got this pigment in November for my birthday, I've only just started using it, and honestly it's the best beauty product I've ever used. If you didn't know, this is a very iridescent white pigment which most people use as a highlighter (including me), and by applying this along: the nose, inner eye corners, brow bone, cupids bow, and cheekbones it really transforms the shape of your face. This adds a beautiful shimmer to your face, without looking too tacky and over-powering, it also looks gorgeous in the sun light as your best features are shown.

2. Jacksons Sencha Green Tea with Lemon

Last week I was ill with a very annoying cold, and apparently this tea was meant to help. In all honesty, it didn't help very much, but I did find a new love for it. The taste is quite odd and not something I would usually like, but I surprisingly did like it a lot! I can't say too much about this because it's just tea, but after having it for a week on end, it's one of my favourite tea flavours.

3. Flappy Bird Iphone game

 This Iphone game has tested my anger very well, and leaves me feeling very frustrated after playing. The game is very simple, you tap a bird to make it fly, but you have to guide it through some tubes without hitting them because if you do, then you die. It's hard to explain but it leaves me entertained for hours, as well as annoyed. If you do have a phone that supports the app, please get it and you will understand what I, and the nation have been going through.

4. The Devil Wears Prada DVD

 Even though this is a 2 film collection, I am obsessed with The Devil Wears Prada film, the whole concept of the movie makes me so happy, and is almost like my dream life. The movie is basically about an ordinary, plain women who looks for a job which every girl dreams of having without realizing how good it is, however she gets the very special job in the huge fashion company, this then changes her whole attitude towards life and becomes a very fashionable women herself. Her friends then leave her after her attitude sucks, but she eventually realizes the job isn't right for her and leaves. Whilst all this is going on, she is also involved in multiple love situations. In short, watch the film.

5. Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer 

For the past few months I have been using 17's instant glow bronzer which was ok, but I had been after this one for a while, and finally got it last week-best decision ever made. The 17 one was way too orange, and very hard to blend in where as this one gives a subtle bronzed tone without looking too tacky, or splodgy. 'Delice de Poudre' claims to smell of chocolate, I personally can't smell the chocolate however everyone else can. Anyway, this is my favourite bronzer I've ever tried, and is perfect for that sun-kissed look.

6. Lush Bath Bombs

I'm more of a shower person, and have only recently discovered how much I love baths. Over the past week I've loved having baths with Lush bath bombs, or bath bombs in general, it's so relaxing and is a great time waster. This bath bomb is called Melting Marshmallow Moment, I clearly haven't used it yet but the juicy candy smell is very enticing. The bath bomb which I have used is called Honey Bee, it left my bath smelling of a sweet caramel and honey, and my skin as smooth as ever. I really recommend Lush bath bombs, or anything from Lush as it's very affordable, and does great things for your body.

7. Rings

The last thing I have been loving recently is rings. I have 3 midi rings, and 1 full ring which I am constantly wearing as a set. Eversince I got these I have not taken them off due to the feeling that my hands were glamorous, and designer. Most people ask me if my midi rings get annoying, but half the time I don't even notice I have them on because they're so comfy which is odd to say the least about a ring, however it's true, most the time I'm oblivious to the fact my rings are only half way down my hand!

These favourites were quite random and varied, but oh well, they are what I have been loving throughout January.

EXPENSIVE WISHLIST

 Hello!

The other day I realised I hadn't written a wishlist in quite a long time, and as I seem to keep finding nice things online I thought I should share them on here. However, I have always had an expensive taste and today I went mad and found loads of beautiful, expensive things online that I love a lot so decided to dedicate this post to those things!

1. Nike Air Force 1's

I have actually ordered a pair of these, but they haven't arrived yet haha. Anyway, I really like the simplicity of these white trainers, and because of this they look good with everything and would make a dressy outfit more casual, and as they are white they can't clash with anything. I wouldn't wear these for sporting activities however because they would get way too dirty, and I'd rather not pay £50 for some shoes to get ruined on the first day.

2. High Neck Lux Playsuit

At the moment I seem to be loving classy playsuits, and after seeing this one from Topshop I think I've grown to be very fond of them. What I love the most about this particular playsuit is the very square shaped bodess, it makes the playsuit appear a lot more edgy but not in a weird way. Also, I love how plain this is because that means you can style it with nearly everything and dress it how you want. I wasn't expecting the pricing to be so high at £55, however it does look very good quality and the finish looks lovely.

3. Eyeshadow set in Rosewood Glow

If it wasn't for Tanya Burr's Victoria Secret makeup tutorial, I wouldn't think twice about buying this Dior set because the colours look pretty bland. However after seeing Tanya apply them, they look extremely gorgeous together, and really widen up eyes to make them appear bigger then they look. Also, this palette would suit every eye colour because they're both off grey with tinges of purple and pink, which suit all eye colours.

4. Metallic eyeshadow in Champagne Quartz

I'm really loving neutral tones at the moment, and especially 'champagne' colours, they even out eyelid tones but add a light coral shimmer to them which looks so pretty and darling. For 1 eyeshadow I think £17 is a little too much, however it is expected as Bobbi Brown is a high end brand, but I can guarantee this eyeshadow would be very good.

5. Saffiano leather mini bag

 Not in a very long time will I get this Prada bag, especially at £600, but I can still dream. Anyway, I've been loving small bags ever since I got my Ted Baker Tinicon bag, and have been looking for another small one for a while, then this beauty appeared-but happened to be a little out of budget. This Prada bag comes in pink, light blue, turquoise and black. I originally wanted this in black but there was no picture, however I really like the pink and light blue ones too.

6. Jo Malone Cologne in Vanilla & Anise 

 Jo Malone is a very well known brand when it comes to fragrance, however I had never looked at their site until today out of curiosity, and the scents sound delicious. One of my favourite scents is vanilla so of course this would be my scent of choice, but the description Jo Malone gives of the fragrance makes me want it even more;
"Vanilla orchid forms the perfect counterpoint to the oaky caramel-rich vanilla bourbon, spiced with star anise. A warm and enveloping scent." The downside to Jo Malone is definitely the pricing, £78 for a 100ml bottle is not what I would willingly spend on a perfume. This would probably have to be an 17th birthday present or something because at my age it is a little unreasonable to spend that much on posh perfume.

7. Pandora Valentines ring 

Lately I've been loving rings more then ever, and at the moment I wear a quad set from Dorothy Perkins which are lovely, however I think it's time I got a special, designer one. The thing I love the most about this ring is the way it's so clean cut, but has a little pink diamante heart adding a cute touch and sweetness to the appearance. Even though this ring is for Valentines day for men to give to their lover, I would happily buy this for myself and wear it with pride knowing that it wasn't bought for me by someone who loves me, haha.

8. River Island black platform boots

I don't own any simple, sophisticated boots so these are perfect in my eyes. I really love a chunky heel, I prefer them more to stiletto ones as they're much easier to walk on, and go with more. Anyway, these black boots can transform a casual outfit to a classy outfit without looking too dressy, and still being comfortable because of the easy-to-walk on heel. For £50 I would expect these boots to be long-lasting, and the heel to not wear away easily. However as the outside is suede these wouldn't be good in rainy/muddy weather.

Obviously I will probably not be getting most of these any time soon, but I will certainly buy the lesser expensive items asap.