NEW Ideal Flawless CC concealer sticks - Review

Wow. It's been ages since I've posted anything on here. Since then I haven't stopped purchasing goods from Avon and I have to say it only gets better. I'm always left amazed at how far Avon has come in my twenty so years of life. 

The latest treat I bring to you is the Ideal Flawless CC concealer sticks. At first glance they don't seem to be any different from what is already out there on the market. But price wise and in terms of quality I think they're not only a bargain but also a great addition to the Ideal Flawless range. 

They're cute, pocket sized and pack a punch in the pigmentation department. At the moment there are only three shades available (neutralising green, illuminating lilac and softening yellow). Yet for the beginner this is all you really need.

So here's a quick guide on how to use these three gems;

Green - Counteracts any redness especially acne scars. 

Lilac - Fights dull looking skin.

Yellow - Tackles the bags.

The consistency can be very waxy however I find it isn't harsh on the skin, glides on well, and blends well also. First impressions of these sticks are that they create an even canvas to then apply your favourite foundation. As someone who suffers from acne I find that even the most full coverage of foundations doesn't always cut the mustard. So for any ladies or gents out there who feel they aren't getting the best out of their fancy foundations give these a try!

Strobing; Lights, Camera ... Action.

Whilst Kim K solidly holds the world title for contour queen there is a new make-up trend which is taking over Youtube and it has nothing to do with glow sticks and Ministry of Sound. Whereas with contouring your goal is to emphasise the contours of your face strobing focuses on illuminating the high points of your face with very minimal contouring. In the end they both tie into each other as they are both effectively contouring your face whether it is bringing more light to your face or emphasising the shadows of your face.

Avon doesn't as yet have 'illuminating' products such as highlighting products but the same effect can be achieved with some tips 'n' tricks. The following things will also help you if you're not a fan of having a million and one make-up products.

@thealexbox

The best example I've come across (thanks to LetzMakeUp) comes from Alex Box's* Instagram page. Alex's work is incredible and has featured with many well known design artists as well as featured on the cover of Vogue magazine.

Taken from Alex's instagram account @thealexbox

So what products can we use to recreate this strobe effect?

Avon doesn't have any specific products for 'highlighting' however there are several products you can upcycle to use for highlighting purposes and tips 'n' tricks. It helps keep you within budget and allows you to use products for multiple purposes. Now that's what I call getting bang for your buck.

Depending on your skin tone you will want to keep to colours close to your skin tone. Paler skins can keep to pale pinks, pearl whites and cool white/blue tones. Olive tones will follow suit with topaz/gold colours. Richer darker skin tones the same with mocca colours. 

Chopsticks Eyeliner in Smouldering Silver

Easy as apple pie is to grab yourself a white eyeliner. If your eyes are close set using some white eyeliner in the inner corner of your eye can help bring that space forward and therefore reduce the shadow created by the bridge of your nose. You can also use this colour along your brow bone and rub it in to illuminate that section. Depending of the consistency of the liner you can also use it along your cheekbone and jawbone to illuminate.

Supershock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow

The Supershock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow is of a cream consistency and so the blendability (yes people we just created a new word) is much more flexible. The particular shade Pink Party on very fair skins would work wonders.

Colortrend Flirtycase Smoketastic

By far my favourite Avon product which is holding a firm spot in my current non existent make-up bag. Four creamy shades which blend together incredibly well and can help you create indefinite looks. I tend to use the lightest shade on the inner corner of my eyes and the brow bone. As I have a yellow tone to my skin I could easily use the coppery tone as a wash across my eyelids or the lightest cream shade.

Ideal Flawless Concealer Stick

This item has been featured on this blog before in our bronzer post "Bronzers; How-To's, Do Not's and When, Where and Why." Whereas we advised you use a darker tone to contour in this instance you'd use a lighter tone that that of your skin tone to highlight.

MagiX Multi-Benefit Illuminator

Got bags? Had one too many the night before or simply couldn't put that book down? Are you behind on Game of Thrones? This nifty little tool is perfect for illuminating under eyes but can also be used to illuminate other areas of your face.

Anew Lip Restoring Colour Balm in Silky Pink

Another pearly translucent product to help bring the shine to your lips. Any lipgloss, balm or lipstick that has a pearly quality to it will help add to the strobing effect.

So there it is. It isn't as complicated as it may seem. Just to recap you're highlighting the high points of your face. Blocking out the shadows and bringing the recessed parts forward. Top places to highlight are; inner corner of the eyes, brow bones, forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin, cupids bow and lips.

Alex Box site : http://thealexbox.com/
Alex Box Instagram : @thealexbox

NEW Kiss Proof Lipstain, candles and more ...

A new Kiss Proof Lipstain pen is featured in Brochure 11 and me being me I just had to try it. I have a rather ridiculous amount of make-up already, for a girl who doesn't usually wear make-up, but the great thing about a lipstain product is the wearability of the product. Unlike a conventional lipstick or lip gloss it won't fade, smudge or bleed and most importantly won't transfer onto glasses or your partners face!

So let's take a closer look at the new lipstains ... 

Typical Avon trademark style packaging I bought three pens in the shades Raspberry, Strawberry and Hazelnut. In my initial test runs I would say the colour you get out of the pen is very similar to the colour on the bottom of the actual packaging. Of course you can vary it between a lighter and darker application and I was very happy with my choices. So happy in fact that I took the Raspberry pen on a night out and ended up loosing it!

:'(

During my night out I didn't find myself re-applying the lipstain too many times however it is a very precise application. Some could say that's a good thing for creating the perfect pout others would disagree that it doesn't give you any leeway. You can't apply it in a traditional sense that you rub/dab a little to the centre of your lips because the way the product has been packaged itself doesn't allow for it. Because my lips are quite a pale pink that didn't really cause a problem for me as I find myself needing quite a bit of colour! Over all I really liked this lipstain and will invest in some more in the future ... once I've used the ones I already have.

My next purchase was a candle with mandarin, apricot and fresh lemon scents aptly named 'Zest'. A three part range will be launched in Brochure 11 for the Home Store section. I absolutely loved this candle because the scent is so refreshing and helps change the mood in any room. Also helps that I love citrus fruit scents. There is a bigger candle in a thick glass and a diffuser set the reason I chose this little tin candle is that once I'm finished with the candle I can melt and clean out the residue and use it to store hair bands or bobby pins! Lord knows how many of those we go through.

The last item from my small loot is the Big & Daring Volume Mascara. The wand is insanely big, wide and curved to give your lashes that bump we so often need. I was never really a fan of the more commercially sold mascara's and even from a very young age can remember sticking to an Avon mascara which was the SuperShock Mascara because the wand was as straight as an arrow as were the bristles. Subconsciously I probably picked this to avoid that hairy spider leg effect we see on so many girls. I will say it does take a certain wand and formula; primarily one that doesn't clump or go on too thick. But that's just a personal preference.

In some ways it almost feels like I've upgraded my make-up choices and styles since I was a teen. I'm more willing to experiment with bolder lip colours and different eye make-up. Looking at this brush from its side profile you can really see it's built to deliver a whopping impact. I'm able to reach both inner and outer corners and layering isn't a problem either which has been in the past.

All in all Brochure 11 is going to be filled with great items and these are just three I think you should all keep an eye out for.

Make-Up Limits; Tips 'n' Tricks

Ever been in that situation where you tell yourself you have enough make-up but keep buying more? Then you end up with mountains of make-up and a lighter purse?

We've all been in that situation and if you are new to make-up well here's a newsflash ...

NEWSFLASH: YOU WILL AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE PURCHASE MAKE-UP YOU HAVE NO USE FOR. OR AT LEAST PURCHASE MAKE-UP YOU ALREADY HAVE. OR DON'T NEED!

Make-up I have no use for? Make-up I don't need? Blasphemy!

There's always an occasion to wear glitter on your eyelids and you definitely need twenty varying shades of red. (Make-up aficionados everywhere will be reeling at that last statement but bare with me.) Not everyone can afford to have endless drawers full of make-up and to be honest a majority of us ladies don't need it.

In this day and age space is everything so monopolising your collections [synonym : control] what make-up you buy and how frequently you buy it will not only help you actually get through the make-up you have (because make-up doesn't last forever) it will also help you stay well within budget.

Buying larger palettes as oppose to single colours or smaller collection palettes is absolutely up to you but you need to be honest with yourself. If you're not going to use it frequently then is it really worth buying? Ladies this isn't the stone age we don't need numerous amounts of everything to establish our wealth and means.

'Spring cleaning' your make-up not only helps you sort out the ancient from the most recent additions, it also gives you an opportunity to evaluate what you're using (and needs replacing), what you don't use (and can give away) and what you need (this is where you go shopping). 

Making a list or at least checking the products out online and/or taking your time to decide in store also goes along way from returning home with arms full of make-up. It may look cool on your Instagram but I bet you won't be so keen to share your bank account balance after that shopping spree will ya?

On a final note you know yourself well enough (or at least we hope so) to know how you go through things. If you go through a particular mascara within a month but your fav lippie lasts ages then the next time you go to top up your make-up avoid buying the lippie. Think of it as money you can save for something or 'invest' somewhere else.

If the concept still seems impossible to you then please remember ... 

YOUR MAKE-UP DOES NOT PAY YOUR BILLS! 

OR YOUR HOLIDAYS!

... and you wouldn't want to go without either. Well technically you can't avoid paying your bills.

Make-Up Storage: Instagram, IKEA and DIY

So much make-up so little space for storage. What do I do?

Your younger sister steals it, the pets destroy it and the toddlers have it for brunch. Not to state the obvious but it's almost like the cosmos is out to get your make-up! So what do you do when you have lots of make-up but not much space to store it in?

Storage tips 'n' tricks

Assess how much make-up you really have and how much of it is used on a daily basis. Maybe you have a routine and like to mix it up a little every now and then. Or maybe you're completely ambivalent and just take each day as it comes. You can either buy a unit solely for your cosmetics, take storage ideas off of Instagram or Pinterest or create one yourself!

Brimnes unit from IKEA

Just like the gorgeous unit above Instagram was flooded with ladies showing off their highly organised cosmetics storage. Youtube's most popular make-up guru's have all done vlogs of their own cosmetics storage painstakingly showing each drawer and how they've organised individual pieces of make-up. While a unit like this can be quite handy (literally as you have everything within reach) it might not compute with everyone's budget.

Muji Storage Boxes

This next idea is also favourited by Pinterest, Instagram and Youtube make-up guru's. Whether you plonk your boxes on the bathroom sink (providing there is space) or if you prefer to keep them inside drawers these boxes are easy to clean and allow you freedom to mix 'n' match or swap out items whenever you want.

decoratingyoursmallspace.com

Lastly DIY hacks have to be the most fun you'll ever have when it comes to organisation and clearing up your stash. Ideas like the one provided above are perfect for creating something that's unique and individual to each person's style, needs and homes. You can easily find supplies from your local pound shop and craft stores or go online!

The trick to remember is that whatever storage idea you chose it must;

A - protect your make-up (from sisters, pets and toddlers)

B - store your make-up appropriately (to prevent damage)

C - allow easy access (for you) and flexibility to change (items when needed or location)

Pinterest is a great site for gathering ideas be it for units or DIY hacks. If anything watch a few YouTube videos. Gurl.com is a great channel which offers DIY hacks all the time!

Being Product Conscious; Your mind, to your wallet, to your face.

With everyone out to make money how can we keep ourselves safe?

The same way consumers are willing to pay big bucks to get their hands on the latest MAC cosmetics collections other consumers hustle to get the same type of make-up for less. Much less. However what these consumers aren't realising is that they could be putting their health at risk just for the sake of beauty. 

A campaign has been launched by the City of London Police warning online shoppers about the dangers of buying counterfeit beauty products which they've stated 'could put their lives at risk'. Gives the motto 'beauty is pain' a whole new meaning. These 'knock-offs' were tested and found to contain urine, rat poison and cyanide among others things. These products are made in unofficial and unhygienic factories which are being sold on household known websites such as eBay and Amazon.

Det Supt Maria Woddall commented;

"Criminals are exploiting every opportunity to fool customers into buying counterfeits. Not only could these products have serious implications for your health but by simply going online and buying your personal and financial information is at risk." - London Evening Standard

The easiest way of keeping yourself safe is by reminding yourself 'if it appears to good to be true it usually is'. Spotting the signs aren't as hard as you would think. Yes some people may sell their unwanted make-up on the internet for a quick buck but then again a majority would have tried the product in store, returned it or given it to a family member or to a friend. Common sense will take you a long way.

NEW Blush and Bronze Trio; Review, Compare & Contrast

It's basically a 3-in-1 but what makes it so special?

I was able to get my hands on this new Blush and Bronze Trio and try it out before it becomes available in Campaign 10. Having previously tried some of Avon's bronzers and blushes I really wanted to see how this one would differ from the rest.

I haven't seen this Avon Shimmer Block Bronzer
 in any recent campaigns so I'm not sure if it has been discontinued.

To start off with I wanted to list the bronzers and blushers I've tried from Avon.

• Avon Glow Bronzing Pearls - You get a subtle touch of colour to your face but it requires a few applications for a stronger look.
• Avon Glow Blusher Bronzer Duo - The translucent powder isn't as translucent as it appears in the picture and has too much sparkle for me. You really have to be careful where you place this otherwise you end up with a very sparkly face.
• Avon Shimmer Block Bronzer - The block has some great colours ranging from dark to light. (see image on the right) however I found that no matter what brush I used or even if I used my fingers it wasn't really pigmented enough and I couldn't get it to transfer onto my skin.
• Avon ColorTrend Cheeky Powder Blush - By far my favourite blush from Avon I purchased a Coral coloured blush. You do have to be a bit careful as you can end up with clown cheeks.
• Avon True Colour Blush - Yet another great product from Avon again it is highly pigmented but if you tap off any excess you should be fine.

Blush and Bronze Trio

I have incorporated this into my daily make-up routine and am thoroughly pleased with it. All three shades are highly pigmented and the translucent powder does have some sparkle but not as much compared to the Avon Glow Blush Bronzer Duo which I was really happy about. It is the easiest contour and highlight kit I've seen and as straight forward as they come. 

Campaign 10 is packed with beauty how-to tips including how to use this blush and bronze trio kit. Run the highlight shade on the back of the highest part of the cheekbone and beneath eyebrows to get an instant and needle free lift. Use the sculpt shade beneath cheekbones, tip of the chin and corners of the forehead. Finally use the blush shade on the apples of the cheek and work outwards. 

I use my All Over Face brush working from light to dark as I'm not one for having many tools cluttering up my already small storage area where I keep my make-up. To get the contour shade in the right place I would suggest pinching the bristles flat to apply it where you need it and then blend it out. The same goes for the highlight shade.

If you're the type of person who doesn't fancy having a million and one beauty products this will definitely help you keep your space junk free. It even has a built in mirror so you can pop it in your bag to top up or intensify your look if you're heading out for the night after work.

The Blush and Bronze Trio will be available in Campaign 10 for £6.00 usually priced £8.00.