Review/Tutorial: Get a sparkly make-up look with Kryolan's Glitter Gels

I bought a few glitter gels from Kryolan a little while ago and have only just had a chance to try them out. They are great for creating dramatic fashion looks or for a sparkly party look, so they are really versatile. The particles of glitter are really small and the gel is clear so they are easy to use, they do dry quite fast however!

I had a play around with them and created two looks, one subtle, and one very dramatic.



Subtle:

 

 

To create this look, I used a plum red three quarters of the way across my eye lid. Then I used a dark navy blue and started where the red finishes and blended out towards the outer corner and blended the line between the red and blue, lined the crease and blended. I took the blue under my eye and brought the red down too just from the inner corner. I then applied a dark blue eye pencil in my waterline.



To apply the gold glitter, I squeezed a blob on my hand and used the end of a brush to dab it over my eye lid, and in the inner corner. Be very careful when using it close to the eye! I then applied mascara and its as easy as that!


Dramatic:

 

 

 

To create this look, I used a dark, steel grey and applied it over my eyelid but not taking it past the crease, then with the excess eye shadow on my brush, made the winged shaped, not taking it past where my eye brow finishes. Then I took a fluffy blending brush and blended the lines until there was a graduation of shadow and not a solid line, I then applied the grey under my eye as well. I finished off by using a white pencil in my water line and applied mascara.

I applied the glitter in the same way as before, using the end of a brush to apply it, but this time I graduated the amount. I started from the inner corner of my eye, applying quite a lot and then applied less and less across the eyelid.

 

I think both these looks are ideal for Christmas and New Years Eve parties and the glitter is very effective contrasted with the eye shadow.

 

 

 

For more pictures, visit my facebook page at www.facebook.com/bethhaggarmakeup

 

BethFX

 

 

 

 

 

 



Review: Lord & Berry Bronzer

Hello all,

Can you believe its December?? I can't, I should really get started on my Christmas shopping I think! Now I know that Lord & Berry isn't exactly a budget brand, but I just needed to say something about their bronzer! I got a free sample of it in 'Sienna' in my November Birchbox and it has now become something I use daily.

I have a very pale complexion and my cheekbones may as well not exist and I was struggling to find something that would allow me to add structure to my face, dark blushers just look like a dirty mark on my face even when I've sat there blending it for 5 minutes.

I was very cautious of using a bronzer as they don't often bode well for pale skinned people, but I was pleasantly surprised when I dusted this on my cheekbones. It is a very subtle colour but easily buildable, it blends flawlessly and it has a matte finish- so no tell tale shimmery cheeks! It is just right for me as it allows me to subtly accentuate my cheekbones and I use it to add more shape to my forehead as well by brushing it up from my temples and onto my forehead.

I will be using it through winter as it has a matt finish and can be used subtly enough to create a soft, healthy glow that won't leave people thinking that you still think its summertime..

 

 

Anyway I hope you enjoyed reading this, please follow my blog if you haven't already! And if you could give my facebook page a like I would really appreciate it ---> facebook.com/bethhaggarmakeup

 

BethFX

x

 

 



Products to fix dry/damaged hair

Hello all,

Many of us are no strangers to split ends *looks at straighteners accusingly*, and if you are like me and can't live without heat styling tools, then I have a list of products that have definitely improved the look of my hair and it feels much less damaged.

First off, there is no way to fix split ends, you are just going to have to have a trim and then try to prevent them in the future, these products are great at doing that:



Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect shampoo £3.89 http://www.boots.com/en/Pantene-Repair-Protect-Shampoo-400ml_1330229/
This shampoo has really made a difference to my hair and unlike other brands I have tried, this one has made a noticeable difference, my hair was dull and had no shine whatsoever but now it is shiny and looks healthy. It doesn't smell of anything in particular, just a typical shampoo smell but I don't mind shampoos that aren't fragranced too heavily because anything you use afterwards that has a smell won't be mixed with it.



Schwartzkopf Got 2b Guardian Angel heat protect spray £4.07 http://www.boots.com/en/Schwarzkopf-got2b-Guardian-Angel-220C-Heat-Protection-200ml_1116560/
After washing, follow with this heat protect spray and spray it generously through damp hair. It gives your hair a great shine and as it isn't for use on dry hair you can use a heat styling tool after you have blow dried and it still protects, and up to 220 degrees - perfect for GHDs!





Agave healing oil £16 for 60ml https://birchbox.co.uk/agave-healing-oil-treatment-2194 (this product is a bit pricey but it is a lot cheaper from Birchbox than the official site!)
This is an oil treatment for dry and damaged hair and it works wonders and smells great, warm a small amount in your hands and apply to damp hair, I use it mainly on my ends because those receive the most damage and I have quite oily roots. I tend to use this if I'm letting my hair dry naturally.




Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle leave in conditioner £14 https://birchbox.co.uk/shop/beauty-protector-protect-detangle
This is a really great product, its a leave in conditioner which protects from heat and also helps to detangle your hair among lots of other things! It smells absolutely amazing and it adds a brilliant shine to hair, it comes in a spray bottle to its really easy to apply, again I just use this on my roots as it tends to make my roots quite oily. I will alternate between this and the Got 2b heat protect spray.


I hope these products help you as much as they have helped me!
BethFX

Budget Beauty: Collection 'Work the Colour' eye shadow palettes

Hello all,

Sorry its been a while, my old laptop was getting extremely slow and frustrating to use so I had been waiting to buy a new one and that moment has arrived! Hurrah! I'm going to revive my blog with reviews of affordable high street beauty products called Budget Beauty. I hope you enjoy!

 

Collection 'Work the Colour' eye shadow palettes

 

 

 

 

I really love these mini palettes, I discovered them only recently and I can't believe how good they are. They are only £3.99 each and the pigments of the shadows are really strong and they are really blendable. I've been using the nude palette almost everyday as its really easy to create a subtle look for work, and the palette is small enough to carry with you so you can easily add more drama for a night out.

 

They all contain subtle shades to darker shades so they are really versatile, they also come with a highlighter. On the back of the palettes is a guide on how to use three colours to create a great eye make up look if you are un certain of what shades to put together, the actual shadows also have the numbers 1-3 on each row.

 

Purple

The purple palette contains an almost white colour, two shimmery pale pinks in a warm and cool tone, a pale pink highlighter, two shimmery lilac tones in warm and cool and three dark purple shades that go from a strong blue tone purple to a more brown toned purple. These colours are perfect for a pretty purple smoky eye or a pale pink nude look.

Blue

The blue palette contains a shimmery snowy white, a shimmery silver, a pale baby blue, a natural tone highlighter, a shimmery blue toned silver, a dark navy, a shimmery dark royal  blue, an almost black blue and a black. These colours are great for those who want to be a bit alternative in their eye make up but can still create a subtle look.

 

 

Nude

The nude palette contains a warm white colour, a shimmery medium nude tone, a shimmery champagne colour, a warm neutral highlighter, two shimmery taupe colours in warm and cool, a gold shimmery brown, a very dark black brown and a black. This palette is great for those who need a versatile palette who need to turn daytime looks into night time looks. 

 

I think Collection is a really underrated brand and I hope that more people try out their products despite the low prices, I am very happy to try out cheaper brands and if the products work, its win win!

 

I hope you enjoyed my first little budget beauty review, more to come soon!

BethFX

 





July 2014 Glossybox Review

Hello!

Sorry its taken me a while, but here is my review of this month's Glossybox.

It was really exciting this month as the box had an American theme, so the box had a really cool design on it representing the American flag and all the products were from America.

(Sorry for the poor quality, had to use my phone!)

Item 1
'Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd' Mineral lipstick
This lipstick is such a pretty colour, perfect to use all year round, really. It contains natural ingredients and vitamins so its not full of harsh chemicals and it protects against the sun to prevent lips drying out. Unfortuneately no colour of lipstick ever seems to suit me so I gave it to my friend and she really loves it!

Item 2
'ABSOLUTE New York' Perfecting eye shadow primer
This primer is oil free so is non-greasy but also not drying. It creates an even skin tone so eye shadow will appear more vibrant and true to its colour or you can wear it alone. 

Item 3
'Carmex' Lip balm
I'd never used 'Carmex' before but have heard a lot of positive things about the brand so I was really happy that I got to try it- and I loved it! It feels really natural and really conditioning and it contains menthol which leaves a cool sensation and you can feel it working. 

Item 4
'Colour Club' nail varnish in Glossy Seal
I really loved the colour of this nail varnish and its exclusive to this month's box to go with the American theme. It did go bubbly when I applied it however it was probably shaken up a lot and also it was a very hot day so that may have contributed to it. However that was about a week ago and I'm still wearing it now with hardly any chips so its very long wearing!

Item 5
'Dr Bronner's Magic Liquid Soaps' Lavender bar soap
As soon as I opened my Glossybox the smell of lavender filled the room! This soap smells amazing and it contains lots of moisturising ingredients. Mine is currently in my wardrobe giving my clothes a lovely scent!


I really loved this month's box and really hope they do another themed box!

Hope you enjoyed this review and thanks for reading.

Beth x

My first Glossybox (review)

Hello all,

Sorry its been a while, had a bit of writers block, and that paired with an uneventful life leaves you feeling a bit stuck on what to write about.
However, my boyfriend surprised me with a 3 month subscription to Glossybox, a box you receive every month full of lovely beauty treats, I got my first box through the post today and I love it! I'm looking forward to the next two! 

Before I talk about the contents, I just wanted to talk about the packaging as it was just so nice! A pale pink, glossy box (obviously) and then inside was black tissue paper with a ribbon tied around. I really do like nice packaging so I had a bit of a nerd-out about it haha. They don't have to make such an effort as it'll probably end up getting thrown away but it gives a more glamorous feel and for someone with no glamour in their life its quite a nice experience! I'm definitely keeping the box though, its big enough to put bits and bobs in, even somewhere to keep make-up or nail varnish! 

You receive 5 items, and they said 3 of which would be actual size but in fact all but one were actual size so you get really good value for money. 

Item 1
'Rituals...' Qi Gong deodorant spray
This smells really great, a perfect summer scent. I'd love to get a body spray or perfume version to use throughout the day!

Item 2
'L'Oreal Paris' Volume million lashes in Black
This is a really great mascara, it has a plastic brush with loads and loads (you could say millions) of bristles and it fans out your lashes and lengthens them, it also has a 'de-clump' wiper in the bottle which is handy and actually works.

Item 3
'So Susan Cosmetics' Concealer Quad
This concealer is really creamy and really blendable. I like that it has a white so you can use it to highlight as well. However I like my concealers to have quite a lot of pigment and this one is very light in its coverage, but it is so lightweight that it makes it perfect for summer when you don't want to wear too much make-up.

Item 4
'Nailgirls' 3-in-1 base coat, top coat and nail strengthener 
Very handy! Now you can be confident that your nails will be protected and strengthened and also have a great shine!

Item 5
'Teeez Trend Cosmetics' Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush
I've never heard of this brand but this is a really good little eye shadow brush, its really soft and you could easily use it to blend your eye shadow too.

So that's it! These are some really nice products which will also last a long time, I'm looking forward to getting even more great products and trying some that I wouldn't have normally tried. It also came with a little magazine which I shall look forward to reading later :)





Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!
See you soon
Beth x

An Announcement!

Hi all,

Haven't posted in a long time and I can only apologise for that, but, I have an announcement to make!

I have started making YouTube videos! I know I'm a make-up artist but I just find make-up tutorials so boring, so my videos are just of me creating various looks sped up, so you can see the process of how I create various make-up (plus, if you asked me to talk to camera, it would be the most awkward thing you would ever see). I have done two so far and I plan to carry on. 

I've put the link to my latest one below, I really hope you like them and please do subscribe! 

See you soon,
Beth x


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzbujub0llQ 

How to: smokey eye using eyeliner

Just a quick tutorial for you today on how to create a smokey eye using a pencil eyeliner, handy for when you're in a rush or just need a more subtle look. 

I used a cheap eyeliner because they are easier to smudge due to the fact the pigment is not that good but it gives a nice slate colour which I like. I also used a 'smudger' but a cotton bud would work just as well. 

Step 1: Apply a line of liner on your upper lash line, it doesn't have to be neat.

Step 2: Start smudging along the line.

Step 3: Begin smudging upwards, as far as you like and into your preferred shape, you can keep to your eyelid or you can wing it out. Make sure it doesn't look patchy. 

Step 4: Then use your finger to get rid of any defining lines so it blends out nicely.

Step 5 (optional): Apply your liner in the waterline and on your lower lash line then smudge it to create a smokier look.

Step 6: Apply some mascara then you're done!

Hope this helps some of you! Thanks for reading.

Beth x

How to: Polka Dot Nails

I just want to say that I am no expert on nail art, there are probably people out there that can create the Mona Lisa on their thumbnail, very impressive, but who wants that on their nails? Anyway, I came up with an easy way to put dots on your nails. It really makes your nails stand out and its just something different and fun, so please read on...

You can use whatever colours you like, I used a navy blue and white (navy for the base and white dots) and I alternated it on my thumb and ring finger. 

So, first off, paint your base colour. Wait for them to dry thoroughly and then use either a pencil or a cocktail stick and then use some blue tack to make a small ball and stick it firmly on the end, making sure it won't fall off! 

Then you can dip it into the nail varnish or use the brush and paint the blue tack, you don't want it to be dripping off, you just want to enough to just cover the blue tack.

Then carefully press it onto your nail, push down harder if you want large dots and only lightly if you want small ones. Repeat until all your nails are complete! You can be completely random with your dots or you could do them in patterns, like dominoes or dice etc. (I went with random, as you can see). 

This is a very simple trick that everyone can use!

My polka dot nails using Rimmel nail varnish in 'rhythm and blues' (part of the 'Kate' collection) and 'Porcelain' (part of the 'Brit Manicure' collection)

Thanks for reading, 
Beth x

How to: Katniss Everdeen Make-up from Catching Fire

The Hunger Games is one of my favourite film series, and when Catching Fire came out I was really looking forward to seeing what make-up I would see as the make-up in the first film was so colourful and very random! And I was not let down. The make-up looks they created for Katniss were really beautiful and played a big part of her costume. I think Katniss would be a great character to cosplay as so if you are looking for inspiration then I hope this helps! 



The Tribute Parade

In this part of the film, Katniss has very dramatic make-up. She has jet black eyes with an intricate gold pattern underneath and around it, very long eyelashes and defined brows. Her lips are a natural coral colour while her foundation is her natural skin tone with some shading and blush. 



Eyes:

Use a normal eye shadow brush, and a highly pigmented black eye shadow and create the shape. Start from the inner corner of your eye and curve it up towards the arch of your eyebrow and out towards the end of your eyebrow. Then curve it down to the outer corner of your eye. Next, fill it in, making sure it isn't patchy, use a fluffy blending brush to achieve this. I also blended the line so it looked more 'smoky'. Then, use the edge of your eye shadow brush to create two flicks on the outer corner. Next, bring the black down underneath your eye, right to the inner corner and then extend it out onto your nose. 

Then use a black kohl pencil in the water line. 

Next, dot a gel or liquid liner on the top line of the eye shadow to create a dappled effect. 

Now for the gold. I used a gold liquid liner but I think a gel liner would have been better. I used the liner's own brush but you can use your own if you prefer or if you're using a gel, start from the inner corner of your eye and follow the eye shadow all the way up to the flick, then branch off with one flicking up, and then two flicking down. Then use a small liner brush and shade in between the gold and underneath so it makes it stand out. 

Next, apply some false lashes. Apply an eyelash glue along the lashes, wait for it to dry a little bit and using your fingers or tweezers carefully place them as close to your lash line as you can, holding them in place until they are dry. Then apply a little mascara to join your lashes with the false ones, and apply some mascara on your bottom lashes. 

To finish off the eyes, fill in your eye brows, keeping a natural shape.

Face:


Use your normal foundation and apply it as you usually would, being careful around the eyes. I do eye make-up first before foundation as I can rid of any fall out without having to remove the foundation. 

Then apply a powder to get rid of any shine.

Then use an angled blusher brush and a dark blusher and shade underneath your cheekbones and jaw line.

Then apply an orange/pink blush on your cheeks.

Lips:

Use a lip brush to apply a neutral colour such as a natural pink or coral with some clear gloss over the top. 

Capitol Party at the president's mansion 

In this part of the film Katniss has dramatic eyes again. She wears bold orange eye shadow with an elegant flick of eyeliner top and bottom with white separating them and long eye lashes. Again, she has a natural skin tone with shading and blusher. Her lips are a pale pink.

Eyes:

Using an eye shadow brush, apply a pale yellow eye shadow all over your eyelid up to your eye brow. Then use an orange eye shadow and apply this over your eye lid 3 quarters of the way in and not past the crease. Then take a fluffy blending brush and blend this upwards and out towards the outer corner, curving it down from the end of your eye brow to the outer corner of your eye. Then with the blending blush take a small amount of a red eye shadow and blend it into the outer corner and in the crease.

Then use a liquid or gel liner and very thin brush and line along the lash line and flick upwards and out, in line with the eye shadow. Do this for the lower lash line as well. Apply a bright white pencil or eye shadow between the flicks. Then line the water line with a black kohl pencil. 

You could use false lashes again, however I just curled mine and applied mascara.

Then fill in your eye brows, keeping a natural shape.

Face:


Use your normal foundation and apply it how you would normally. Then apply a powder to get rid of any shine.

Then using an angled blush brush and a dark blush, shade under your cheekbones and jaw line. Then apply a pink blush on the cheeks and dust lightly over your forehead, nose and chin.

Lips:


Use a lip brush and a apply a natural pink or light pink colour on your lips.

Wedding make-up 


Katniss is forced to wear her wedding dress on TV and this is make-up she wears with it. It is very pretty
and elegant but also carries powerful imagery as have the others. She has a silver smoky eye with winged eye liner and long, feathery lashes, her foundation is natural with shading and blusher and pale pink lips. In the scene, she spins and her wedding dress is transformed into a 'Mockingjay' outfit which sends a very controversial message. Her make-up is also made to reflect that of a mockingjay with the feathery lashes.





Eyes:

This a design that you can very much make your own. If you don't have the right accessories (like me) such as the lashes and/or the gems then you can find other ways to achieve this look. 

First, take an eye shadow brush and apply a black shadow along the lid, not all the way up to the crease.

 
Then apply a shimmery silver above the black, and then a very light silver above that. Then take a blending brush and blend these together taking it out towards the outer corner of the eye making a curve. Then apply a white, pearly shimmer underneath the eyebrow and blend this down to the inner corner of the eye. 

Next, using a black gel or liquid liner, apply along the lash line, quite thinly, and wing it out and up towards the end of your eye brow. As I didn't have gems, I then dotted four dots of liner on my lower lash line. You could also use a silver for this.

Then, apply some false lashes or lots of mascara and fill in your eye brows, keeping a natural shape.


Face:

Use your normal foundation and apply as you would normally. Apply a powder to get rid of any shine. Then use an angled blush brush and a dark blusher and shade under your cheekbones and jawline. Then apply a pink blush to your cheeks and lightly over your forehead, nose and chin. 


Lips:

Using a lip brush, apply a baby/pale pink and then apply a pearly white shimmer to the middle of your lips and blend this out.

How to: The basics of highlighting and shading

It is very useful to know how to highlight and shade a face correctly. You can enhance certain facial features and hide others, you can also change the look of a person's entire facial structure. 
Now, I have a round shaped face so I like to shade under my cheekbones to give the appearance that I do actually have them and under my jaw. 

• The key is to shade where shadows naturally fall and highlight where light naturally hits the face.

Here is a picture of where to highlight and shade on the face:

These are the areas that I like to shade and highlight on my face, I hollow out my cheekbones using a dark blush and then use a light pink on the apples of my cheeks. Or if you prefer, you can use a foundation that is two tones darker than your natural shade and use that to shade. Apply it with a foundation brush or your fingers and then blend. To highlight I use a foundation that is two tones lighter. 

Depending on your face shape you may not want to highlight certain areas, for example if you have a prominent chin you may want to shade it instead to make it look less prominent. If you want to make your nose look narrower then you can highlight down the middle and then shade on the sides and vice versa if you want to make your nose look wider. 

I also like to highlight under my eyebrows because I think it really helps to make your eyes stand out and it also helps to define your brow shape. Highlighting your cupid's bow also really helps to define your lip shape. Shading your temples and jaw line can also help to make a round face more structured by making it look more square, however if you have a square face and want to soften it then highlighting your temples and jawline can achieve this.

So you can achieve just about anything with this technique!

Hope this helps you and hoped you enjoyed reading.

Bye for now,

Beth x

facebook.com/bethhaggarmakeup