Bourjois ‘Golden Rose’ Little Round Blush Pot…

Come in, come in…

Are you well? It feels like an age or two since I last sat down and conjured up something remotely beauty related, and if truth be told I do believe I’m having withdrawal symptoms – or at the very least, showing minor signs of madness at having hardly opened the laptop this week! But then again I’m always bleating on to other bloggers about not persecuting themselves with guilt. So with that in mind, I shall merely apologise for my absence in replying to your abundance of lovely comments and get right to work on reviewing this little pot of prettiness from Bourjois...

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Okay, so after a friend showcased this little purchase for the first time a number of weeks ago , I knew I had to check it out for myself – particularly as the subtle rose glow on her cheeks looked super pretty. Needless to say, she’s a fair-skinned blonde so these beautiful pink tones give her complexion a radiant glow. However, quite often with my dark hair, many of the pink tones can often look a little harsh and doll-like on me.

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What Bourjois Say…

“Our timeless blusher has been around for almost 150 years and have made Bourjois famous worldwide thanks to its amazing texture and packaging.

The baked texture transforms when applied to the skin into an ultra-fine pressed powder, which is easy to apply and blends impeccably. One stroke of the brush reveals the irresistible aroma of the rose scented powder.

Its built-in mirror and brush is perfect for touch-ups on the go!

The Little round pot blush exists in 12 shades to match all skin tones”

Source: Boots Website

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The Colour Choice…

(Image Source: Makeup Alley)

Oddly enough from browsing the colour choice online there seems to be better colour range in their blushes than in some of the foundation choices, so you’ll certainly not be stuck for choice. My local Boots only carry a small range however if you visit the website the choice becomes so much more vibrant and vast. I settled for Rose D’Or (Golden Rose) simply because it was the colour my friend had choosen and I adored it on her skin so much!

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Let’s Talk Packaging…

Cute, chic and perfect for popping into the handbag – that’s exactly how I’d sum up this compact little pot. Though don’t be fooled by its petite appearance as you get a healthy little mound of blush along with a cute blush brush. Okay, so I’m not usually a fan of the enclosed applicators or brushes, but it could be a handy dandy little tool on a night out with the girls as well as the compact mirror. It’s small but everything you need all in one!

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What About The Formula…

As far as blushes go, it’s lovely. In fact I’ve very little grumbles about it at all. Okay it’s cheap and cheerful drugstore stash however the texture is really velvetty and although it has the lightest hint of rose gold shimmer in it, it won’t leave you resembling a 1970’s disco ball *phew*

The staying power is reasonable, as it lasts anywhere between 6-8 hours on me and hasn’t transferred onto my hands when I’ve touched my face. Another little bonus is the scent – like most Bourjois products it has a beautiful light perfume aroma that I can only describe as smelling slightly vintage… in a non musty way of course 😉

As for pigmentation, a little will go a looong way. It’s very buildable and easy to apply. I use a Real Techniques micro fibre blush brush which always seems to put just the right amount of colour on my cheeks without going OTT.

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Pro’s

At £7.99 (from Boots) it’s affordable yet good quality for a drug store range.

Compact & great for popping into the handbag.

Fantastic colour range online.

Comes with a cute little brush and mirror… all you need for beauty on the go.

Very pretty packaging with a little magnetic closure.

Beautiful velvety texture.

Buildable and easy to blend.

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Con’s 

Perfume scent may agitate overly sensitive skin.

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Overall Thoughts…

Lightweight, velvety and not too harsh on the purse strings. A great buildable blush with plenty of colour choice that gives a beautiful natural glow to even the fairest of skin. I love it!

Have you tried the Bourjois Blush Pots yet? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter

Cheerio Chums…

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Catch me on:

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*Self purchased product – no affiliation or sponsorship links included in post*

Advertisement

Websites For Free Makeup & Beauty Samples….

If you’re as obsessed about beauty (and blogging) as I am, you’ll know only too well how long your wish list is and how expensive sampling new products can be when you’re loading a shopping basket in your favourite makeup store – not all of us have the cosmetic budget of Kim Kardashian *sob*

One question I get asked pretty frequently, particularly from new bloggers, usually evolves around approaching brands to review samples which can be especially daunting when you’re working hard on building a community of regular readers. However both consumers and bloggers are using dedicated websites to request free samples more than ever before – okay, so for some freebies you may have to answer questionnaires etc but if you’re eager to try something for zero spend then surely it’s worth a few minutes of your time?

Alternatively there are ‘Luxury Sample’ sites where you can purchase a range of high end creams, lotions and potions that you’ve been wanting to try before taking a risk spending £££’s on the full size product – and potentially not liking it as much as you hoped! In fact I’ve lost count of the amount of times a product has been raved about in reviews, and after purchasing  it myself have discovered it just wasn’t for me. Needless to say it’s pocket wrenching clearing out a makeup stash crammed with stuff you don’t like or never use *sigh*

So for those of you who are eager to give the freebie sites a go – or toying with the thought of investing in some luxury samples, here’s a comprehensive list of some of the most popular UK sites I’ve found from around the interwebs…

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LATEST FREE STUFF

This site is crammed full of current freebies that some of the biggest household names in beauty (and beyond) are offering. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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MAGIC FREEBIES

Claiming to be the UK’s most popular freebie site, Magic Freebies have a wealth of beauty, food & lifestyle goodies. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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WOMEN FREEBIES

Another UK based website that is aimed specifically towards women. Women Freebies host a collection of free samples & competitions for you to try your luck at. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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STUDENT MONEY SAVER

With literally hundreds of deal and savings on there website, Student Money Saver is designed to help those back-to-schoolers save £’s on everyday essential and cosmetic treat. There’s even a section dedicated to helping you make money! Hmmm, sounds intriguing eh? *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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THE SAMPLE SERVICE

Ben Nye, MAC, Laura Mercier, NARS, Chanel – are only but a few of the high end brands that you can purchase samples off from this site. Selling ONLY genuine articles this is certainly the place to go if you’re itching to trying some of the best in beauty before taking the risk of spending your hard earned cash on the full size. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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LATEST MAKEUP 

Showcasing the latest beauty & makeup gifts in magazines, as well as coupons and freebies from some of the leading names in British beauty – this is definitely a site to keep a watch out for all those makeup goodies you’re eager to try. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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LATEST IN BEAUTY 

Choose from a range of new and exciting beauty products for a fraction of their normal retail price – better still if you try it and like it you can purchase the full size at a discounted price or take avail of current offers. Sounds tempting? *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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SAMPLE BEAUTY

Retailing luxury samples and discounted full size products of makeup and beauty products – enabling you to save pressure & money of committing to full price products. They also sell makeup brushes too! Although many of their products are Sample Beauty packaging to help pass savings onto customers, the still insist all products are 100% authentic and genuine – with receipts to back it up. *CLICK HERE* to check it out.

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A FEW TOP TIPS BEFORE SIGNING UP….

NEVER EVER give out payment information for free samples.

Considering setting up a new email account solely for sample sites so you don’t clog up your own inbox with freebie emails.

Always read the small print before committing to anything and make sure to correctly check/uncheck the relevant boxes if you don’t want to be bombarded with unwanted junk mail.

Have you tried any freebie or luxury sample websites? What’s been your experience? Is there any you’d recommend? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter!

Cheerio Chums…

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No 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation… The Secret to Dewy Skin?

Is it just me or is shopping for foundation is bizarrely similar to dating?! Quite often you’re looking for perfection where it really doesn’t exist. Of course I mean that in the most realistic terms, as for months now I’ve dabbled in a menu of drug store foundations, some of them close to being a keeper whereas others are best left on the shelf. Okay, it’s only makeup so maybe that’s exactly why my expectations need to come down to earth just a teeny bit. Am I expecting too much from yet another little 30ml bottle of face base?

One things for sure, I’m done with matte foundation. Actually my skin is done with matte foundation, well at least for the time being anyways. After weeks of smearing an assortment of creams, lotions and potions on my face to combat the dryness and itchiness seemingly caused by a selection of matte foundations I finally succumbed to admitting defeat. So after drifting into Boots with a complexion resembling the Gobi desert, a kindly consultant took me under her wing and offered me wonderful pearls of wisdom amongst the perfectly arranged shelves of the No 7 counter. In fact, can I just take a moment to say how blooming fabulous the No 7 staff are?! There’s a few ‘high end’ makeup brands that could really learn a thing or two from their customer service. However, without climbing aboard my soapbox, get yourself settled for my thoughts on the No 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation…

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What’s The Hype?

“Let your skin be luminous and lovely, with a gorgeous, natural glow. No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation is specially formulated to lift and firm your skin at the same time as giving you a smooth and even coverage.

A facial in a foundation… containing three key components (moisturisers, firming and brightening complexes), this foundation visibly firms, lifts and brightens skin, leaving you with a youthful complexion.

The foundation has been developed to be used alongside the New No7 Lift & Luminate Skincare Range for great results.

It’s unique brightening complex works to boost your skin tone, to help even out and reduce the appearance of age spots, making skin look younger. Skin looks and feels instantly lifted, minimising pores and imperfections.

Plus, it contains SPF 15 to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.”

*Taken from Boots Website*

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Application Results

As you can see from above, here’s half my face with the foundation applied and half without. I find the colour I opted for (Warm Ivory) is great for my skin tone as it’s slightly warming without being too yellow toned. It doesn’t leave any harsh lines around my jaw or hair line, isn’t patchy and applies reeeeeally well when using fingers lightly to blend. It feels incredibly hydrating and moisturising which is exactly what my skin needs right now after feeling so tired & dull.

Stippling Brush: Didn’t work out for me – personally I find a foundation brush better suited to heavier formulas, but that’s just my preference.

Blender Sponge: Again, if you like a slightly lighter coverage then a sponge will definitely be better suited for you. Blends lovely however just retains a little too much product for my liking.

Finger Application: Perfect. The foundation smoothed out like a dream and the lighter the strokes the better it looked. Built a beautiful base and covered the flaws seamlessly.

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Formula

If you like a stiff formula that isn’t going to run down the back of your hand as soon as it’s dispensed then this will undoubtedly impress. It’s firm straight from the bottle yet blends like butter. Really impressed with the coverage, not  patchy and worked incredibly well with concealer on top or underneath.

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Staying Power

Okay, so it’s not a 24 hour  fool-proof formula, but then who wears their foundation for that length of time anyway?! Combined with a great primer and setting spray expect this foundation to last approx 8-10 hours, which is long enough for me. And, it stay’s beautifully dewy and moisturising right to the end.

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A Few Freebies

Considering that my face was quite patchy, dry and dehydrated, the consultant was quick to suggest a few key products that would “work wonders” for helping to even out my skin tone and clam the red areas which are pretty much confined to across my cheek bones, bridge of my nose and chin. Having offered me a few testers to take home I jumped at the chance in hope they just might help my face adapt better to the foundation.

I’m my honest opinion I was absolutely flabbergasted at the difference both these primers made in such a short space of time. The Airbrush Away Primer (the green one) has been outstanding at camouflaging my red patches whereas the Colour Corrector Primer has been fantastic at evening out my entire complexion and prepping it for the base.

On days’ I’ve chosen not to wear these there has been a significant difference in how the Lift & Luminate reacts on my skin as it doesn’t tend to stay put quite as long nor does it do such a seamless job in covering my flaws.

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Pros

Dewy

Hydrating

Lightweight

Buildable

Moisturising

Great for young or mature skin = evens out skin, firms & brightens

Impressive range of colours for fair-medium tones

Pump action bottle pushes all product up from the bottom = no wastage

Quality feel to the packaging, a great compromise from over spending on high-end.

Easy to repurchase with so many Boots stores on the high street.

Consultants have all been friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable.

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Cons

At £16.50 its a little more expensive than most drugstore ranges (but worth the extra investment)

Needs a great primer and skin care routine to really see benefits… then again doesn’t most?!

Wouldn’t recommend for oily skin

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The Final Verdict

What do you think? Personally I love it, though it doesn’t surprise me as No 7 have never disappointed me on any of their skincare or makeup range. It’s a great compromise for high-end without the eye watering price tag, and of course easily accessible with Boots stores being so widespread. Most definitely a winner – I’ve found a new favourite foundation staple! *woo hoo*

Have you tried the No 7 Lift & Luminate foundation? If so, what’s been your final verdict? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter

Cheerio Chums…

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Monthly Favourites & A Mini Ikea Haul….

Friday… Is that reeeeally you?!

What a fricken week. No seriously, I’ve had some whoppers in my time but this week pretty much takes the crown for being so utterly draining on the well being. Drama’s… yep, a whole week of drama’s. Needless to say the week kicked off with my SD card going AWOL… literally all my beloved pics & vids are gone & I’m gutted beyond words. After that episode it all pretty much went into a landslide thereafter. Thank heaven’s for hilarious hubby’s who know just what to say and do to make you burst into fits of laughter – Steve, you’re one in a million ❤ Really you are!

However good news, as today I’m finally getting the Cortisone injections (I’ve waited for sooo long) to help ease my pain! To say this is the highlight of my week really does sum up the past 7 days, eh? Steve, bless his cottons, is accompanying me this afternoon and of course staying with me so I don’t freak out too much. I’m sincerely hoping this isn’t as painful as what I imagine it to be but if it helps I’ll be utterly over the moon… keep all crossed for me gals!

So if you fancy a few minutes of procrastinating, why not grab yourself a cuppa and have a catch up with my monthly favourites, including a teeny tiny Ikea haul, that I’m actually rather chuffed with! For those that love neatness and organisation you’ll get me! 😀

Thanks for being such a supportive bunch, your comments and chatters over this past few days have really helped to keep me going so thank you folks – you certainly are an awesome bunch of blog buddies!

Wishing y’all a fabulous weekend ahead; don’t forget to stop by and say howdy in the comments below! I’ll see y’all Sunday for my usual catch-up 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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The Manicure Menu: Lush Lilacs…

If there’s one colour I always feel drawn to when shopping for nail polish, it’s lilac. Okay, so some often see it as a bit wishy-washy but in my opinion it’s beeeeautiful. Girly but not tooooo girly, soft enough to go with most outfits, a great everyday colour, works in summer, works in winter… particularly in some of the gorgeous icy shades *swoon*

So to pay homage to such a versatile shade, I’ve showcased some of my very own luscious lilacs and prettiest purples! Sitting comfy? Then let’s take a closer peek at today’s mani menu…

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Barry M Chameleon Nail Polish in Lilac

A gorgeous icy- grey is what this can only be described as. It really is a stunning multi-tonal shade that has to be seen in real-life to be fully appreciated! I quite often wear these colours in winter as they’re just so fresh and crisp, however these cool tones are equally beautiful for summer months and go with so many outfit colours too! Ideal for those who love metallics but prefer just a slight whisper of lilac. For extra longevity coat nails with a layer of micro sparkle polish… it’ll help lift the icy tone, bring out the metallics and keep your colour as long-lasting as possible!

*Click Here* To Shop The Barry M Stash

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Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Prickly Pear

For me this is the classic ‘lavender’ tone. It’s so darn pretty, and surprisingly beautiful on soft tanned tootsies – if anything it makes the tan stand out just a little bit more. A classic holiday shade, this is one shade of lilac I never get tired of wear. The formula of the Gelly Shine could be a little thicker in my opinion as it can be quite streaky unless several coats are applied, however if worn correctly & with a high quality top-coat this can look amazing. I love it ❤

*Click Here* To Shop The Barry M Stash

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Rimmel London 60 Second Super Shine in Lovey dovey

I love, love, LOVE this colour. Rimmel always seem to get their shades bang on trend, and how cute is the name?! A classic soft berry shade this beautiful polish can actually look quite deep compared to the bottle. For me this is the perfect playful purple shade for summery themed nails. It’s bright and beautiful – a treat to wear all year round in fact. Check out the huuuuge range of colours on the Rimmel London website in the link below!

*Click Here* To Shop The Rimmel London Stash

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Avon Nail Wear Pro 

This colour always reminds me of Parma Violets, do you remember those strange little sweeties that taste suspiciously like wild flowers? Natually it smells nothing like them but as for the nail colour it’s a stunner. Soft grey undertones make it such a great colour for everyone. It’s not too girly, yet still eludes a touch of sweet femininity. Is there any colour this shade wouldn’t work with right now? Okay, so the formula could be a little longer lasting considering it’s branded as a ‘pro’ product, however with a great top coat it’s pretty resilient up to about 4/5 days before any wear or tear starts showing. Pretty standard, but the tone wins me over every time 🙂

*Click Here* To Shop The Avon Nail Wear Pro Stash

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New York Color In A Minute Nail Polish in Prince Street

Okay, so it’s not (exactly) lilac… but…. never-the-less it’s SUCH a gorgeous shade of purple that’s perfect for a night on the town, a rich sassy colour for summer or deep dressy tone for winter. All in all it’s the ideal purple, and if truth be told one of the most popular shades I ever sold in bridesmaid dresses when I owned my bridal suites. But then, who could resist such an amazing shade? It’s a collection staple for sure as not only does it work well with bright coloured outfits, it also works incredibly well with neutral colours too. A pop of Prince Street & a pair of nude peep-toe stilettos = utterly stunning gals ❤

*Click Here* To Shop The NYC Shine In A Minute Stash

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The Close Up

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Are you a fan of light lilacs & playful purples? Have you any recommendations for beautiful lavender nail colours? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a chatter! Wishing y’all a fabulous weekend

Cheerio chums…

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Keeping Up With Karen…

Haaaaaappy Sunday chums 🙂

Well, it is here as it’s a bank jolly holiday weekend which can only mean a cause for celebrating one thing = an extra lie in with no alarm set *happy sigh* Though, these days as much as I try my darndest to revel in another few hours sleep I seem to find it really hard, particularly as I’m up from 5am every morning, so waking at 8am feels like I’ve wasted half a day already! Needless to say I’ll be knuckling down to test out a few of my new acrylics and glitter powders… oooh what excitement for a magpie like me 😀

However before I even contemplate moving a muscle it’s time to take an hour to absorb myself in some blog buddy catch up with the help of a big mug of milky coffee. Slllurrrrp. However, if you’ve a recent blog post you’d like to share then pop it in the comments below, I’d love to know what some of you guys have been up to this past week or two so feel free to drop me an update! Talking of which, here’s a quick recap of what’s been happening on Confetti & Curves the last few days…

 

My Top 5 Favourite Nude Lipsticks

Mondays post saw me take a rummage through some of my more subtler shades of lippy as I picked out my current favourite nudes *ahh hmm* There’s everything from MAC to Makeup Revolution in this lovely lot so there’s something to suit every budget! So if you’re on the nude for a staple neutral shade then this just might be the post for you… shopping list at the ready gals 😀

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Behind The Blog featuring Honey In A Gold Pot

Our first Behind The Blogger of the week was the lovely Stefhanie from Honey In A Gold Pot as she takes us on a quick peek behind the scenes of her super stylish beauty and lifestyle blog. This gal is everybit as sweet as her blog name so if you’re on the look out for a fabulous new blog to feast your eyes upon then get yourself over & check her out!

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Product Fails

Time to raid the empties stash as I make myself comfy for a quick chatter about what beauty buys have ended up as fails. Don’t forget, just *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss a future upload!

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Behind The Blog featuring Coast To Coast With Alexis

Thursday post featured the gorgeous Alexis from her beauty and lifestyle blog Coast To Coast with Alexis as she stopped by for a quick chatter about life beyond blogging. If you haven’t already checked this gal out then make it a priority to get yourself over and hit that follow button – she’s fabulous!

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Sweet Endings, Embracing Change & New Beginnings

Fridays post was a bit more personal than my usual beauty ramblings as I updated you guys with a few changes that’ll be happening over the next few months. Time to move onward and upward with a couple of exciting new challenges and projects…

As always, thank y’all so very much for the abundance of support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

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Saturday Night Makeup featuring Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Midnight Plum…

I know what you’re thinking… it’s that time of the year when shop shelves are lined with flip-flops, beach bags & bikini’s yet I’m still obsessing over deep berry shades when I should be shopping for colours like ‘bubblegum’ and ‘watermelon’. Thing is gals, when I’m glamming up for a night out I’m always lured back to the deep sultry tones regardless of whatever season it is. Oddly enough (as many of you already know) I’ve always been slightly intimidated by wearing darker lip colours. Maybe it’s my pale skin, or maybe I’m just not nudging myself enough to try something new more often? However, on a recent swatching session in Boots my eyes were drawn in by the gorgeous purple packaging of the Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick range. It’s a purple vision, wouldn’t you agree?! *happy sigh*

Of course being a tad wary as to the shade name ‘Midnight Plum’ I instantly assumed it would be something of a striking blackcurrant colour that my pale pink lips would shrivel in fear of. Much to my delight the swatch proved a little more sheer than the name suggested, so into the basket it went with the matching lip liner *kerching*

Come Saturday night, the plans to catch up with the bestie felt like the perfect opportunity to test out the Colour Sensational Midnight Plum to see exactly how it would perform. From experience, swatching lippies on the back of the hand is a bit risky as quite often it looks so very different on the lips due to the colour of skin. Low and behold it turned out a little darker than I thought but not dark enough to make me whip out the baby wipes and start scrubbing.

Moving onto the rest of the make-up I decided to opt for more of a soft platinum shade on the eyes with blended berry tones on the outer crease to give a little bit of depth. Considering that the lip colour is quite a deep rich tone I tend to like to keep the rest of the make-up softer. I seem to live by the rule of having either feature eyes or feature lips but never (or very rarely) both.

For this I used the gorgeous Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 palette, the super-duper dupe to the Urban Decay Naked 2. If you fancy checking out another one of my recent looks with this palette *Click Here* for more info! The soft cool shade of a champagne/platinum made the perfect all over coverage whilst the Boots Seventeen Eye Shadow Trio in Enchanted Smoke lent the best blend of soft plum to compliment the lip colour without taking away from the overall look

Onto the cheeks and I opted for yet another raved about product from Makeup Revolution; the Ultra Blush Golden Sugar Palette. I LOVE this palette. The pigmentation is utterly gorgeous & it adds a perfect wash of colour to the cheeks with a subtle hint of dewy highlighter. I choose a slightly more mauve shade (as you can see with the halo of dust!!) again to compliment the berry tones of the lips and eyes.

For those of you who love to keep your brows on fleek, you should really check out this Brow Duo Pencil from Billion Dollar Brows. One end is a concealer, and probably one of the best for covering up a multitude of brow sins… and I have many!! *sigh* The opposite end is a highlighter, and although I’m not a fan of highlighting under the brow this is such a subtle yet effective product it gives the under brow a slight lift without any horrid over-reflective obviousness. At £20 from Beauty Bay it’s one of the most expensive pencils in my brow collection but it works!

Considering that I’m hoarding a small army of mascara’s, I decided to start using up some old favourites that haven’t seen the light of lashes for a number of weeks. For those of you who are on the lookout for a super affordable ‘HD’ mascara that adds length but still allow the lashes to retain a natural looking whispy-ness then I’d highly recommend you part with a mere £6.99 and invest in the Seventeen Falsifeye HD. This also comes highly recommended by the lovely Wayne Goss, and if it’s good enough for a celebrity MUA then it’s certainly good enough for my ‘mere mortal’ lashes 😉

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The Finished Look…

I have to admit, for a plum lippy this really wasn’t as crazy as what the name ‘Midnight Plum’ conjured up. If anything it seemed more of a deep raspberry (but without grumbling) that worked perfectly for me! As for longevity this is certainly worth the money, I applied it at 8 pm and by 2:30 am it was still going strong – and after a few nibbles and glasses it held up much better than I expected! It didn’t feel drying or uncomfortable, though I did run a little EOS balm over my lips every couple of hours to keep them feeling fresh rather than reapply which prevented any dryness and flaking. For £6.99 this really worked its socks off, felt incredibly comfy on and smelt like the inside of a sweetie factory… what’s not to love?! I’ll certainly be topping up my collection with a few more shades pretty soon!

Are you a fan of plum whatever the season? Have you tried any of the Maybelline Colour Sensational range? Whatever your thoughts do let me know in the comments below, or simply stop by and say a quick howdy!

Ps: Hope you’ve all had a fabulous weekend, and thanks so much for all the super supportive comments on yesterday’s catch up post, such a thoughtful bunch ❤

Cheerio chums…

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10 Handy Makeup Application Hacks Everyone Should Know About…

Regardless of whatever level we’re at when it comes to make-up application, it’s fair to say that there’s nothing quite as satisfying than finding a nifty little tip that really helps make life a whole lot easier. Thankfully the internet is awash with beauty secrets and handy hacks, some a little more surprising than others – in fact in some cases I often wonder who the heck was drunk enough to give them a go in the first instance. But hey, why ask questions if it works a treat, right ladies? 😉

So for those of you who love uncovering the simple solutions in life then check out these 10 handy make-up application hacks that every make-up maven, beauty blogger and cosmetic craver should know about…

#1: Embrace Your Inner Scrubber…

Using a lip scrub before applying your favourite lippy will help get rid of all the nasty dead skin, make your pout feel softer and in turn help your lippy to apply much smoother and stay on a whole lot longer.

I would personally recommend Lush Lip Scrub (the bubblegum flavour is deeeelish) as a prep and putting a light coat of Lip Cote over your lipstick after application to help keep your pout looking perfect for as long as can be. If you’re a fan of wearing bright red or dark plum shades it’ll also minimise any messy colour transference too!

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#2: Bye Bye Concealer Crease…

If your concealer is prone to settling into the creases under your eyes try mixing it with a little eye cream before applying. Once mixed, smooth it out with a concealer brush for perfect coverage. This helps to add hydrating to under the eye area, hopefully minimising the effects of creasing!

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#3:  Keep Your Head Up…

To help make your eyes look bigger, tilt your head back and slightly raise your eyebrows when applying shadows. Applying a shadow right on the crease can actually make your eyes look smaller so aim for the tilted area just above the crease and it will make your eyes appear that little bit bigger & brighter!

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#4: Lay It How It Is…

If you find yourself a bit of a slow starter in the mornings or quite often pushed for time, then get into the habit of laying out your makeup the night before. It’ll only take a few minutes but will shave precious time off in the morning so you ultimately avoid groggily rummaging around your stash at the break of dawn. It’s a simple tip but surprisingly one heck of a time saver!

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#5: Get Your Nude On…

Are you often intimidated by some of the more intense lippy shades in your collection &  find yourself quite often avoiding using them? If so, invest in a simple nude liner. Applying this as a base will help tone the colour of your boldest lippies down but it’ll help keep your finished look fresh for so much longer!

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#6: Milk It…

Oily skin affecting your foundation? Word has it that applying a light layer of Milk of Magnesia over your moisturiser before applying your makeup actually helps to mattify your foundation by soaking up excess oil. I personally haven’t tried this one yet but it’s something I’m oddly curious to give a go pretty soon!

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#7: Keep It Neat…

Are you prone to smudged panda eyes under your lower lashes? Apparently the secret to avoiding this is by not using oil based moisturising eye creams but switching to a gel instead which helps eliminate the messy transference of mascara & liner running down to under your eye area!

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#8: Blurred Lines…

Avoiding nasty un-blended lines when it comes to wearing bright eye shadow shades by applying a nude/skin tone shadow to your crease and brow bone as a base. This will help make those eye-poppin’ colours blend seamlessly together without any obvious lines.

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#9: Dot To Dot…

  

Are you still finding it hard to master the perfect liquid liner? Find your flicks regularly more keek than on fleek? If so try using a series of little dots, starting with where you want your flick to end and then working your way towards the lid. All you have to do is simply join them once your done = viola, perfect liner!

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#10: Powder Perfect…

Has your favourite powder compact developed a strange hard coating in areas making it pretty much ineffective? If so it’s more than likely a transference of natural oils from your fingers or make-up brush. To remove this hardened layer simply take a strip of clear sticky tape, place it over the hardened patch and rub the back (non sticky side) down with your finger. Peel the tape off the hardened area and it should restore your caked powder back to normal!

Have you got any top beauty or makeup hacks that you’d like to share? Have you tried any of the above hacks out? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter 🙂 Wishing y’all a fabulous weekend!

Cheerio Chums…

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My Everyday Makeup…

Regardless of whether I’m getting ready for a long hard day at the office or simply mooching around at home, I usually always tend to start the day off by making myself look a little less scary with the help of a few affordable make-up goodies. That’s right gals, it’s time to showcase those staples I reach for on days when I just want simple results using the essentials in my growing cosmetic collection. Having been asked (quite a few times) recently what products I tend use most often when I’m not glamming myself up with lashings of liner and shimmer, I thought it would be a fun idea to give y’all a run through of what I’ve been using most this past month.

For anyone eager to check out any of the products featured I’ve listed everything in the description box underneath the video directly on the channel… all you have to do is *Click Here* to be virtually whisked off to the Confetti & Curves YouTube haven where you can find out all the juicy details on the make-up I’m using… as well as procrastinate a little longer by catching up on some of my previous videos. Why not eh?! Oh, and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss a future upload 😉

What make-up products do you find yourself reaching for every day? Do you have any daily staples or favourites you recommend we check out too? Whatever your thoughts, do stop by and say a quick hello in the comments below. We do love a good cosmetic chatter here on Confetti & Curves. Thanks for watching!

Cheerio chums…

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Bargain Acrylic Make-Up Storage Finds….

 

I’m pretty sure we’re all in agreement that there’s nothing more sweeter in the run up to pay day than spotting a few great bargains to add to the wishlist… especially when they’re super pretty storage items to hoard all your favourite beauty goodies in. So if you’re on the hunt for a new home to stash all your most treasured make-up essentials then look no further than this lovely lot….

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3 Drawer Coloured Organiser 

For those of you who like a pop of colour in your storage this gorgeous little 3 drawer acrylic set is perfect for adding a pop of girly colour to your vanity table or makeup area. Available in a multitude of eye catching shades, it can be built up to create a mini stack or simply housed on it’s own for those little bits n bobs. I love it!

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Dust-Free Brush Holder

For those amongst us who are conscious about keeping their brushes as clean as can be, here’s a surprisingly sizable device for doing just that. The Dust-Free Brush Holder allows you to store your most treasured collection of brushes in a safe and hygienic clear acrylic case, best of all those pretty little pink pearls come included in the package too!

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Clear Acrylic 4 Drawer Organiser

Having received a whopping 4.5 stars out of 121 reviews it’s a given that for a mere £14.97 you’re getting a great product for such little investment. Acrylic storage can be pretty pricey but this looks a great storage solution that lets you see what you need at a glance, when you need it!

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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EF Lipstick Organiser Stand Display

Lipstick storage is always a bit of a hassle for me but I can imagine just how pretty this would look filled with my growing lippy stash. What a sassy accessory for any beauty bloggers vanity table!

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Discoball 360 Degree Rotating Cosmetic Organiser

Personally I think this would be a fantastic solution to house a few of my daily staples so that they’re easy to reach. Eye make-up remover, toner, brushes, balms, cotton pads – you get my drift ladies. Everything at your fingers tips at a mere swivel. It’s like a mini cosmetic stand you can fill with all your very own favourites 😀

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Brush Holder for Air Drying

Even though it’s an essential chore of any make-up maven, weirdly enough I actually really enjoy washing my brushes. However what I don’t enjoy is finding a decent parking space for them all to air dry afterwards. This takes away all that unnecessary hassle, giving you a neat little solution to allowing your brush collection to air dry perfectly without the risk of any mishaped bristles or water residue lying in the roots of the brush. Pretty neat eh?

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Hompo Roll Up Hanging Travel Cosmetic Bag

Okay, okay, so it’s not acrylic – but this find was way too nifty not to mention. For anyone planning their jolly hols or find themselves on the move then this would be the ideal temporary storage for your range of travelling cosmetic essentials. For only £5.99 it’s clearly a great little purchase for any budding mobile beautician or jet setter!

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

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Eyebrow Pencil / Lip Pencil Holder

This is a great device to store all your pencils on, allowing you quick access at a mere glance. Whether it be lip, brows or eye liners. In fact you could have a little segment for each. Or if you’re really organised, you could colour co-ordinate instead 😉

*CLICK HERE* to check it out

Are you a fan of acrylic storage? Have you uncovered any great bargain finds? How do you store your collection of beauty goodies? Whatever your thoughts we’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by and say a quick hello 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

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