blotting Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Posts

Handbag Makeup Essentials

Ok, handbag makeup essentials is a bit of a broad statement. And very much up to the individual who owns said bag and makeup 🙂

These are my interpretation of handbag makeup essentials. For your everyday ‘throw everything into’ bag. I know the evening out bag generally consists of just powder and lippie. These are the products that you carry around, just in case. In case you get stuck at work late and have to go out after. Or you’re just out, and then decide you want to go out out. Or, you just want to refresh your makeup and maybe add some more definition.

I have oily skin, so for me blotting sheets are a must. Although I’m constantly running out. I generally pick up the Catrice or Essence ones. Super affordable and do the job perfectly. Even if you’re not super oily, these are just great to have. I have been known to use tissue too though. If you split 2 ply tissues apart, the one layer does a darn good job at blotting! I have another alternative here too if you want to check it out.

Once your base is ready to receive another layer of makeup, don’t go too crazy. Less is more. If you pile it on, it’ll probably just move around. A light concealer will work if you have blemishes or under eyes that really need more covering, or your foundation has rubbed off anywhere. I generally like having a more liquid formula of concealer on hand, it’s easier to blend over anything that’s already there.

Depending on your preference, a powder is nice to have around, whether it be a translucent or something with a little more coverage. It’s good to powder your nose, but it’s also nice to have if you need to set your lids to jazz them up a little. I prefer to use a brush to set with, just because it adds less product to the skin. Just preference though and another thing to carry 🙂

This brings me on to another handbag makeup essential, an eyeliner! Whether it’s just a flesh coloured one for a more natural look or a black or brown for more intensity. A slick of liner across the lash line, or blended out all over the lid, can really help define a simple makeup look. Kohl is great if you want to create a really quick smoky eye, as it works on the lid and in the water line too.

By no means is bronzer a handbag makeup essential, but it is great for adding more colour to the skin and adding some definition to the eyes too. I carry one because I have a mini. Mini products are a handbag’s best friend 🙂

If I’m being completely honest I have all of these plus mascara, eyebrow powder, highlighter… I could go on, don’t judge me, I like to be prepared. I was a scout growing up.

I’ll add two more things into my essentials kit though. A brighter (or darker) lip shade. A slick of fresh statement lippie and a bit of powder and you can be good to go for the night.

Lastly, I’ll add in a setting spray or even just a facial mist. Again, I have a mini one that I just refill. Something that you can refresh with. But also set with and to take away the powdered look which really helps when touching up. Urban Decay do travel versions of their setting sprays here.

And there you have my handbag makeup essentials. Too much? Probably 🙂 What’s the one makeup product you always bring with you? (Handbag featured was part of recent haul video here, if you’re curious).

xxx

October 18, 2017/by Gem

Makeup

Benefit Porefessional License to Blot

I’ve had the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot for a long time now.

It’s something I actually pick up quite a lot and just forgot to ever talk about it. It an unusual little product.

Its looks a bit like a pritt stick for your face 🙂 When it comes to comes to marketing and packaging the Benefit team are some of the best in the business, they really are and the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot is a really innovative little product.

According to Benefit: ‘This instant oil-blotting stick with tiny invisible blotting spheres mattifies shine for up to six hours after application. The specially designed triangular tip targets shiny zones: the sides of your nose, forehead and chin. Oil has finally met its matte!

The Benefit Porefessional License To Blot is pretty much designed to throw into your handbag for blotting on the go. It comes in a retractable tube and the product itself is in a triangular shape so it can get around the contours of your face.

The product itself has like a balm texture to it, it’s colourless, so would work on any skin tone. It does have a scent to it, but it’s really very slight.

So does it work?

It definitely blots off any excess oil you might have creeping through your foundation. It also softens the look of any pores that might come through aswell. You should really use a light hand with it and pat it onto the skin as Benefit encourage you to, as it can leave a silicone like film over the top of your makeup. It doesn’t however promote caking like adding powder might do. The fact that you’re applying the product from the tube can get a little grubby as you’re left with makeup marks on it after use, so you have to be sure to clean as you go. I can’t say that it keeps the skin matte for six extra hours, not on my skin anyways, but I would say at least half that time for sure.

I sometimes use the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot in a way it’s not intended too also. Because it works for minimising the look of pores and it is good for blotting, I’ll use it in conjunction with whatever primer I have on the go in my real problem areas on my T-zone before applying foundation (and even sometimes after foundation, if my skin is really acting up).

Overall I really like the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot. It has its flaws but overall does what its supposed to do and may I add at €21.50, it’s cheaper that the primer, but kind of does the same job 🙂 You can pick it up from Debenhams here

xxx

April 15, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Makeup

Benefit They’re Real…in Full Colour

So last night, I was very lucky to attend the launch of Benefit Cosmetics new release into the makeup world…They’re Real…In Full Colour. Benefit are releasing their best selling mascara and the push up liner that coincides with They’re Real in more colours!

There is already the duo you love in black, but in July things are going to get a bit more colourful! Us bloggers were lucky enough to bring the whole collection home with us. Thanks so much Benefit for their generosity. I thought I would photograph straight away them all to give you a sneak peak 🙂

David LaChapelle did the visuals for the campaign. There is no post production on the images which is pretty amazing, in his words, “This isn’t illustration or digital. It’s live,it’s real”.

First up we have the They’re Real Mascaras.

There is three in the collection now. They retail for €26.

The black one where this all originated from of course.

We have a brown one for those who just want subtle definition.

And then a blue one, I think this will be lovely paired over a black mascara.

Then we’re on to the liners…my favourite part 🙂

There is five colours to choose from now again available in July. They are waterproof gel liners and retail for €25

Of course there is the original They’re Real Push Up Liner in black.

Then we have a brown one.

There is a blue one.

A green one.

And finally there is a purple one.

Here are all of the They’re Real Push Up Liners swatched on my hand.

They are all very wearable colours as you can see. I especially love the green and the purple ones. They are all matte and very pigmented. I have never used any of these before so I am excited to try them out. I am in love with the Benefit Roller Lash which I reviewed here not too long ago, so if these are anything like that I will be happy.

Benefit were also kind enough to add in something extra to our goodie bags.

You know if you read Beauty Nook regularly I am an oily skinned so and so this The Porefessional License To Blot excites me greatly. I love the primer already so I am sure I probably will! It is a blotting stick! You can use it under or over your makeup to help blot any excess oil…this could be a dream product for me :).

So there you have it. The new They’re Real…In Full Colour line-up in all its colourful glory. Let me know if anything tickles your fancy.

xxx

May 15, 2015/3 Comments/by Gem