Review (SFX): Sculpt Gel

Hello All,

I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!

As my first post of 2015, I'm going to talk about my favourite special effects product which is Sculpt Gel.

Sculpt Gel is a silicone make-up product that can be used to create almost anything from lacerations to burns and scars. Its a great alternative to wax and much easier to use. There are colourless versions of sculpt gel or there are flesh coloured ones. I prefer the clear ones as it is easier to match with the skin of the person to whom you are applying it to, but its down to personal preference.

It comes in 3 parts, A and B are the main components and C is a softener. Mix parts A and B equally in weight or volume and they will react and start to slowly harden. Add part C if you are applying make-up to an area which needs more flexibility such as the neck. Only mix small batches at a time because if it hardens on your palette while you are still working then it can no longer be used.

Using a blunt tool such as a metal or plastic spatula, apply to the skin sparingly and build up by adding more until you have achieved the shape of the laceration. Adding too much at first will cause it to be too heavy if you are using it on the face and it will droop.

It takes a little time to harden completely so you can speed the process up by using a hair dryer.

Once it is dry you can start colouring it using grease paints or whatever you like to use. It stays flexible and is resistant to water and sweat so is really durable.

I use it for just about anything but using it to make deep looking cuts is my favourite use for it. It creates a really realistic looking wound and it blends in to the skin easily.

To remove it, I use my spatula to get underneath the gel and gently peel it away from the skin, it can sting a bit if used on areas of the body with hair so be very gentle and use a make-up wipe on the skin as you peel it away to cool down the skin. To remove any left on the skin a make-up wipe can be used or a stronger remover.

You can buy sculpt gel from most special effects make-up providers such as Mouldlife and PS Composites.

Thanks for reading!
Here are two very different examples of what can be created with sculpt gel (both by myself, please have a look at my facebook page for more goriness and blood: facebook.com/bethhaggarmakeup)

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

 

 



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

Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

Rimmel have recently launched a new foundation range called 'Stay Matte'. They describe it as a 'lightweight liquid mousse' and they claim it leaves skin 'shineless' and 'cakeless'. And let me tell you they are not lying! I was really excited to try it as I have been searching for a mattifying foundation for what seems like forever and none of them have lived up to their word. But my search is over! My skin turned instantly matte when I applied it and felt silky smooth.

I was a bit sceptical of the bottle as it is a tube and not a glass bottle with a pump like their other foundations were so I thought it wouldn't last half as long as a glass bottle would. However, there is the same amount in these tubes and a little blob covered half of my face so you really don't have to use much at all.

It is thick in texture but blends flawlessly and doesn't feel heavy at all. You don't have to apply a powder over it however I still do just to set it. It also doesn't feel dry so people with dry skin would be able to use this and also wouldn't have to use powder. For people with oily skin like me it is a dream come true as it just instantly left my skin shine free. 

To apply it I put a small blob on my finger and start on one side of my face and blend it out across my cheek and nose and up to my temple and down to my jawline and chin and then do the same on the other side. I then use a tiny amount for my forehead and nose. A little goes a long way with this foundation so I'm hoping it will last as long as the bottles as they last me a long while. 

I am really happy with this foundation and would recommend it to everyone, I never stay with the same foundation but I think I will stick with this one!

Review: Swap your MAC for Maybelline!

I've been using Maybelline's Master Drama kohl eyeliner recently and I have got to say it is the best pencil eyeliner I have ever used. I like my eyeliners to be intensely black and this one is in the colour 'Ultra black' and the name definitely doesn't lie. It also claims to stay on for 16 hours, I wore it for about 12 (16 hours is a long day!) and it didn't need topping up at all. It is really soft so glides on effortlessly and is great to smudge to get a smokey look, however it is quite easy to get your hands in a bit of a mess when handling it! The best thing though is the price, £4.49!

Maybelline Master Drama in Ultra Black

Now MAC's eye kohl is fine... but that's all it is. Fine. It doesn't wow me. It doesn't have an intense colour and I've found that when I wear in the waterline, it smudges off really easily which isn't good if you have particularly watery eyes or in the winter where the cold air and winds make your eyes stream. I have nothing against MAC products, I use them daily at college but I think you can get products that work just as well for a lot less money. This eyeliner costs £14.00 which in my eyes is ridiculous! I have also found that it is quite dry and hard and so is great for getting a sharp line, I often use it more than gel to get a sharp finish, but is very hard to smudge if you want more of a smokey look. 

MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder
(yellow dot is so I know its mine when I use it at college)

Thanks for reading!
Beth

All opinions are my own. All photos taken by myself.