Real Techniques

I've been eyeing up these brushes for months now and have read and watched nothing but good reviews. It seems that all of our favourite beauty bloggers and vloggers are loving these brushes and rightly so! They were designed by none other than Sam Chapman and Nic Chapman from Pixiwoo. Would you expect anything other than greatness from these two beauty gurus?

As i've never tried these brushes before, I wanted to get a selection to try out. I was browsing through the Feel Unique sale and they happened to still stock the Sam's Picks collection which i believe came out quite a while ago. They came in a simple yet chic transparent box, allowing you to see the product first hand. The back of the box was made up of information about Real Techniques and Sam Chapman, the make up artist behind these brilliant brushes! The concept behind these products is fantastic. There are online video tutorials that are uploaded to Youtube that can assist you on how to create the perfect look with these brushes. You don't have to be a professional! I really like the appearance and structure of the brushes, the funky colours are fun and the way the brushes have been designed makes it easy to handle them when applying make up.

The set came with 6 different brushes.

• Multi Task Brush
• Buffing Brush
• Pointed Foundation Brush
• Setting Brush
• Essential Crease Brush
• Fine Line Brush

Multi Task Brush

Like the name suggests, you can use this brush in a multiple of different ways. A great contouring brush but also great for applying blush and other powders to the face. Looking side ways on, the brush isn't as wide as you'd think which is why i think that it's perfect for contouring and sculpting the face! Bringing out the best in your cheek bones.

Buffing Brush

This was the brush that i was most excited about. The Buffing Brush, a great product to use for really working your foundation into the skin, resulting in a flawless finish. I just much prefer these kinds of brushes when applying foundation more than using a regular flat foundation brush. The product feels much more blended into the skin.

Pointed Foundation Brush

This brush is quite small and i don't think that i'll be using it for foundation. However, it's great for blending in your concealer. The pointed end of the brush allows you to get right in the corners of your eyes when blending in your under eye concealer.

Essential Crease Brush and Fine Liner Brush

The Essential Crease Brush and Fine Liner Brush are the eye tools that come with the set. Great for applying eyeshadow to the crease of the eye as it's quite tapered, fantastic for precise application. The Fine Liner Brush is quite sturdy, you can achieve a great feline flick with this. I personally prefer to use these to apply my gel eyeliners than angled brushes, but that's just a person preference. It's quite similar to a MAC  210 brush, they do the same job. 

Setting Brush

This is a very fluffy setting brush. Great for setting under the eyes to stop your concealer from creasing and anywhere else you may have concealed.

I'm seriously impressed with these brushes and definitely will be purchasing more in the future! They're super soft and retail at such a affordable price! Nic's Picks are coming out on the 1st October 2014 and they look stunning, so keep an eye out if you're interested and grab and buy as they're limited edition!

A little afternoon trip to Sephora

I'm currently visiting my other half in Abu Dhabi and while he went to play Golf with his friends, I took a little afternoon trip to a beautiful shopping mall called The Galliera. A home to many of the world's most luxurious fashion brands. However, being the beauty obsessed person that I am, I walked straight into Sephora! It's just an amazing place and every make up lovers dream. I had to hold myself back from going too mad, so I only bought a few bits. Nonetheless, products i'm very excited to possess!

The first product I bought is the Sephora Professionnel Number 13 Rounded Crease brush. You can never have enough eye brushes. It's extremely tapered and is great for applying shadow to the crease but will also be a fabulous blending blush. Sephora brushes are brilliant and there is a wide selection of all different kinds of brushes, all at a great and affordable price!

The next product i was very happy to get my hands on is one of the Make Up Forever Aqua Cream eye colours and it definitely won't be my only one! What a gorgeous texture, blend and pigmented product. I've only recently heard about this and was desperate to start trying out more cream shadows, so i was pleased to see these sitting on the Sephora shop floor. I got one in number 14 which is a gorgeous bronzy, rusty metallic yet not too overbearingly shimmery shade. Finally, they're easy to slip into your handbag and very quick to apply!

I've desperately wanted a new blush as well as a highlighter. I came across Benefit's Rockateur blush which gives you both a radiant complexion and a subtle 'pop' of colour on the cheeks. It comes with a small brush however i can't see myself using it. Furthermore, i was drawn to the the packaging. I like the idea of the box and was even further attracted to the detailing on the soft and buttery formula.

 
I couldn't leave the counter without picking up my very own Sephora card. I'm very much looking forward to grabbing lots and lots of beautiful make up products in return for lots of points! Unfortunately i won't be able to use this in the UK as there is sadly no Sephora, but i'll be making the most of it whenever i pop over to Bahrain or the UAE!

So that's what i bought from Sephora! Hope you enjoyed!

Ella x

All-In-One Instablur Eye

Before i start can i just say how excited i am for this product? I'm already a huge fan of The Body Shop's All-In-One Instablur. So when i saw the Instablur Eye sat on the shop shelves i didn't need to think twice before grabbing it! Like the original Instablur, the finish is beautiful. It conceals and primes around the eyes and results in a gorgeous smooth and silky finish. (I can't stop touching under my eyes, super soft!)

One of the great things about this product is that it's a tinted concealer, this allows for the product to blend evenly into your skin tone, resulting in a natural look and is great for concealing under the eyes. Furthermore, the product primes the skin, making it easier to apply other make up products on top of it and further perfects the finish. 

Finally, it can also be used as an eyeshadow primer. I'm a big fan of eyeshadow primers, they intensify the colour of your shadows and helps them last longer on the eye. A great product if you tend to get oily eyelids.

Overall i really like the Instablur Eye. It's a great formula and it can be used in a multiple of different ways! Go and get yourself some!