The Blank Canvas Master Series Palette One was not on my radar really, I must admit. I just never really felt the need to buy it.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have lots of Blank Canvas brushes in my collection so it’s nothing about the brand, the need just never really hit me. I have seen so many people talking about how lovely it is since it’s release though and when I saw they were having a sale, I bit the bullet and took one for the blog π
So, just to change things up format style, I thought I would give you my first impressions on the Blank Canvas Master Series Palette One. You still get to see swatches in this post, but I also have an accompanying video showing you the palette in action here.
It comes with 12 eyeshadow shades. One shimmer and the rest are matte. I would describe the shadowsΒ overall as a warm. You also get a really nice dual ended brush with it. It has the E40, a flat brush and the E41 a soft domed blending brush. Both are really soft and are the only brushes I use in the video (other than an eyeliner brush).
You can of course see how they apply on the eyelids in the video, but I did do swatches as well so you can see them up close:
I have a few stills of them in action on the lids aswell:
I am overall super impressed with the Blank Canvas Master Series Palette One. The shades are soft blendable and easy to work with. I got it on sale unfortunately, but Blank Canvas have discount codes up all the time if you like what you see. You can get it directly from their website here for β¬34.99. May I add their shipping is really good too. My order came within two days which is very impressive!
https://i2.wp.com/beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/maxresdefault-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=17201280Gemhttps://beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Logo.pngGem2017-01-13 14:00:552017-01-12 23:33:40Blank Canvas Master Series Palette One
Hylamide is a fairly new brand to me. I’ve used a couple of products from them in the past few months and have been dipping in and out of using them. The Hylamide HA Blur has come out on top and so I wanted to share it with you.
I know silicone is not the best thing to be using on your skin. But for me, makeup primers that contain it tend to work the best. Silica does dry out your skin though and can absorb too much of the natural oils.
I need a barrier to not only help my makeup last longer, but to keep the natural oils at bay and make my pores less visible. The Hylamide does all of this, but in a different way to most. It uses Hylauronic Acid.
It comes out of the tube white and quite thick.
As you work it in to the skin, it starts to become more pliable and gel like.
It feels like skincare going on first and then it becomes more like a primer with a texture similar to the likes of Benefit’s Porefessional (which I love).
It doesn’t feel drying or uncomfortable on the skin. It does however, glide over enlarged pores and fine lines making them less noticeable. As well, as leaving a smoother, more matte base to apply your makeup on top of.
I use probably a double pea sized amount, what’s the next measurement after pea sized? Ha!
I pat it into my finger tips and them push it into my skin with both hands.
Before application:
After application:
I find my foundation glides really well over the top of the Hylamide HA Blur, and it does work well at keeping the shine at bay for my oilier skin. I think even if you have dry or more combination skin, it would work well for you too as Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturised. So, using it won’t dry out your skin. I think this is a good point for all skin types really. Even though I have more oily skin, it can still get dehydrated and flaky. Hylamide say you can mix it with your foundation or use it on top too. I’ve yet to try that method of application myself.
Overall, I am a big fan of it! You can pick up Hylamide HA Blur from the Deciem website here for β¬19. Look Fantastic and Boots also sell the brand. This particular product is not in stock on the websites at this exact time though π
I’m like a broken record, I know, but I have pretty oily skin and as a result of this makeup, as much as I love it, doesn’t particularly love me. It sinks into my skin, oxidizes and just doesn’t hang around too long. So, as a result, over the years, I’ve tried and tested lots of different ways to make it last longer on my visage. I’ve done a post about this in the past, but I’ve updated and added some different steps, so I thought I would put together all of my Long Lasting Makeup Tips in video form and demo them on my mug π
Before Makeup
After Makeup
There is a lot of long lasting makeup steps in the video, I don’t expect anyone to do them all, unless of course you’re really oily like me. But if you struggle with your makeup slipping and sliding, or have a special occasion, some of them might help you a little. You can click on the video up above or go to my YouTube channel here to watch.
Just in case something takes your fancy, I’ll link any reviews I have done in the past of the products I talk about in the video.
I really really hope you find something helpful within my waffling. These are by no means my personal long lasting makeup tips. I’ve just picked them up along the way on my makeup journey and tried and tested them on my skin.
As always, thanks for watching and if you have any other long lasting makeup tips to add to the pile, please do comment. I would love to try more π
When I say top five eyeshadow brushes, I don’t mean you have to run out and buy these specific brushes. I just mean having similar brushes in your life will make your eyeshadow application a little bit easier.
I’m a firm believer in letting your eyeshadow brushes do the work for you. Obviously, makeup lovers tend to accumulate alot of brushes over time, but if you take care of yours, I think 5 (or so) will get you through any makeup look.
First and foremost, you need a blending brush.
Blending brushes can be used for pretty much everything.
The Mac 217 is probably the most infamous blending brush, but most brands have their own version of them nowadays. I use a blending brush for applying my crease colour and blending it out softly . As they have a rounded top, you use the higher bristles to apply the products and then diffuse it using the whole of the brush. It’s handy to have two blending brushes in your collection so if the one you are using gets too much product on it, you can switch, but you can always just wipe it off as you go. Noone wants a muddy crease line do they? π A blending brush works just as good for applying colour all over the lid to, so it’s a bit of a multi tasker in your arsenal which is never a bad thing.
For more defined crease work a tapered brush will come in very handy.
These are just examples of what I use, but again anything similar you can get your hands on will work fine. You just want a soft(ish) brush with a more pointed top. It will let you isolate the colour more when adding it to the crease, so you get a more distinct line there, but you can still use it to feather out the colour if it’s looking a bit too harsh.
A flat brush is a great one to have in your collection too and is definitely a part of my top five eyeshadow brushes list.
Something you can pack colour onto the lid with. It’s great to have a bigger one and a smaller one, but whatever your budget allows is really ok. You just don’t want something too big, unless you’re just using it for washes of colour all across the lid.
I think a pencil brush is another essential brush to have in your collection.
Like a blending brush, they can be used for a plethora of reasons. To apply colour under the lash line, above the lashline, in the tear duct, on the brow brone, or for applying very precise lines in the crease, if you are being particularly fancy.
Finally, I think an eyeliner brush is a must.
I think which one you choose comes down to comfortability really. Whether you are a bent liner brush gal, a straight thin brush, or one of an angled variety, there’s one of to suit all.
There are so many brands out there now that do fab eyeshadow brushes, for all different uses and price points. Sigma, Zoeva, Louise Young, Real Techniques, Mac the list is endless. And us Irish have some fab brands on our doorstep like Nima Brushes and Blank Canvas Cosmetics which is pretty brilliant.
When it comes to real hair or synthetic, just remember don’t apply liquid products with real hair brushes, it will soak up all the product and it will probably damage your brushes in the process too. Synthetic brushes are much more suited to this and you can apply powder with them aswell.
There you have it my top five eyeshadow brushes. I hope that was somewhat helpful, if you’re in the market. If you have any more questions, just ask me in the comments sure π
https://i0.wp.com/beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image.jpg?fit=940%2C940&ssl=1940940Gemhttps://beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Logo.pngGem2015-08-05 14:32:492016-08-30 14:07:12My Top Five Eyeshadow Brushes
I was lucky enough to the head of the launch of the newest Irish tan on the market a while ago. Simply named The Tan, It was created by the beauty powerhouse duo The Jenns who own the very gorgeous Vanity Rooms in Stepaside.
Let me start by saying…I bloody love this tan! I am down to the bare bones of this bottle of their Super Hydrating Liquid Gel Tan already.
Tanning if I’m honest is such a faff I don’t enjoy the process at all. The scrubbing, the application…the drying oh the drying. Standing on a towel naked with your arms and legs akimbo in the middle of your bedroom for 40 minutes waiting for tan to dry is one of the most annoying things to do in the world right?
Well I can honestly say you won’t have that problem with The Tan, it dries so quickly, I was astonished, five minutes and I was able to put clothes on without any transfer or sticky residue, hurrah!
So onto application.
My skin started out before showering with some left over tan on from the week before.
Here’s my lovely freckly Irish arm skin in all it’s glory π
Before Using The Scrub Your Body Exfoliating Mitt
I used the Scrub Your Body Exfoliating Mitt from Glove Your Body, with the Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash which I reviewed here. I am loving this combo at the minute when I really want to scrub my skin. The mitt is is gritty but doesn’t pull the skin, and the body wash is lovely and foaming so together they do a great job of getting rid of all the dead skin cells and the remainder or tan or product you may have on your skin without stripping it completely. The Scrub Your Body will cost you β¬9.99 here
It’s not the most photogenic product in your beauty arsenal, but it does its job very well π
After Using the Scrub Your Body Exfoliating Mitt
So next step is applying The Tan. I have been using the Glove Your Body Tanning Mitt to apply my tan for the last few weeks and I have to say I am really enjoying it.
Glove Your Body is another Irish owned company which is fantastic. The Mitt itself is quite big as you can see. Inside, it has little elasticated rings to hold all your fingers in place…I know pretty nifty right? It means your fingers can still grip but you have the handiness of a flat surface on the outside on the mitt itself. The Glove Your Body is really soft and can be used on both sides without any products getting through and ruining your hands. It is also really durable, you can just pop it in the washing machine and it comes out like new! It will set you back β¬19.99 but it will last you a really long time so I for one think it’s worth the investment.
I am not a professional tanner, I just dive in and hope for the best π
So, I apply some of The Tan Super Hydrating Liquid Tan Gel onto my glove.
I find the Glove Your Body doesn’t soak up any of the product so you can do a little a time. I start from the bottom of my body up in small circular motions personally but whatever works for you is a ok π
The Tan gel is tinted so it’s really easy to see which I love, as I am forever missing spots! After application, your skin will already have a hint of colour which is handy if you have somewhere to be straight away. The Tan is a gel formula so it doesn’t slip and slide when you apply it, it soaks in really quickly and you are left with soft non sticky skin.
After Applying The Tan
As you can see my pasty freckly arm already has a bit of colour, and that’s before development.
I tend to leave my tan on to develop overnight but you of course do whatever works for you skin.
The next day, my skin looks a bit like this.
The Tan The Next Day Before Showering
The Tan develops into a night golden tan with no streaks. I’ve applied The Tan now on my skin probably about six times, and it didn’t streak any of those times. When applying it has a nice watermelon scent. It does smell slightly when developing, but honestly I have never ever used a tan that doesn’t yet!
The Tan After Showering
After showering I am left with a nice golden colour much more pleasing to my eyes anyway then the pasty red toned skin after scrubbing π Some people were blessed with lovely porcelain white skin…I was not π
The Tan Super Hydrating Liquid Gel Tan has lovely ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter and Sunflower Seed Oil. The Jenns say this mix helps your tan fade evenly. I think it really does. I don’t find it goes patchy at all, if you stop using it and exfoliate it just disappears.
Overall, I am loving The Tan products. I use their Gradual Daily moisturiser too when I want to prolong my tan and like the Hydrating Liquid Gel it soaks in super quick and leaves you skin feeling soft.
If you don’t like to tan yourself, The Vanity Rooms also offer professional spray tan using their products, so you don’t need to miss out π Well done Jenns, you are a force to be reckoned with. The Hydrating Liquid Gel will cost you β¬19.99 and the Gradual Daily Bronzer is β¬14.99
Also, Glove Your Body is such a handy tanning tool as is the Scrub Your Body Exfoliating mitt, I am completely converted..
Take it from a tanning novice, these products combined do the job and do it well π
https://i1.wp.com/beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IMG_6184.jpg?fit=1541%2C1600&ssl=116001541Gemhttps://beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Logo.pngGem2015-07-20 17:24:262016-05-16 21:18:30Tanning with The Tan & Glove Your Body
January has been and gone, we are officially into 2015, where is the time going? The end of a month means monthly favourites in my world, and so I am here to divulge some of the things I have been loving and using throughout the month of January 2015.
I firstly have something I have already prattled on about here so I’ll keep it short.
You can read the full review if you want my full opinions on Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Nude Foundation, and to see it on the skin. This has been the only foundation I have pretty much used in the month of January though. It is cheap,has good medium coverage, long lasting…and I like it! That pretty much sums it up π
Up next I have one of my Christmas presents.
My Accurist rose gold and black leather watch. I have been wearing this nearly every day since I got it. I think it’s very classic but understated and seems to go with everything. It’s also light and comfortable. It is actually a man’s watch, but I like bigger watches so this appeals to me. I want one of these in every colour π
I am a big believer in washing your face thoroughly before bed with a cleanser or a face wash whatever you use. I wear waterproof mascara and liner alot and these can be a pain and a bit messy to take off with a cloth or you hands so I like to use an oil based makeup remover just on my eyes to make washing my face then a little easier.
This Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover was on sale in Boots. I think it was less than β¬3, so picked it up to try. It does a really great job. I don’t even look when I am doing it. I just soak two cotton pads in it and gently rub my eyes with. It does the job really great. It’s also meant to condition your lashes which is a plus. If you are looking for an affordable paraben free range, give the Botanics in Boots a look.Β I really like the face wash from this range too, I really recommend them.
I think I mentioned this in a favourites post gone by, but I am throwing it again because I have not been able to get enough of it this month.
This is the Yonka Invigorating Dry Skin Toner, which is an aerosol toner. Do you like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir? Well then you’ll love this. It smells sooooo nice and earthy and it is really calming and hydrating on the skin. It contains lovely things like Lavender and Thyme (hence the smell) .It’s pricey but I need to buy a full sized bottle of it!
I have a couple of duo items up next.
The first is the Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter and then these funny little exfoliating mittens that I randomly picked up in good oul Penney’s. These two together for me are a match made in heaven. The wash is really emollient and moisturising on the skin and feels really luxurious. I’ve found using this with the exfoliating mittens really nice, as although I am getting rid of any dead skin cells with the abrasive gloves, the wash keeps the skin feeling nourished and looked after. The Whipped Cream smells of almonds which I am not a fan of, but I suck it up π
My next duo are for the lips.
This is Rimmel’s lip liner in Eastend Snob and on of the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick Charms in Bitch Perfect. How pretty and tiny are these lipsticks? We both got the little trio of lippies for Christmas. Mine is mashed a bit, sorry. I did that after a few alcoholic beverages and didn’t twist the bullet back down properly.
I am not really a nude lip person very often. But just something about this duo made me feel comfortable. Perhaps because it’s more of a pinky nude, so I don’t feel completely washed out. I’m pale enough as it is π Eastend Snob is a great liner to have if you are looking to slightly over draw your lips or you just want to even out your lip line.
My last favourite for this month is the Fuchsia Pro Collection Palette.
I have been reaching for this so much of late. It’s great that an Irish brand are doing these pans that you can put into a zpalette and customise the colours to suit yourself. I had never really used the Fuchsia brand until we were kindly gifted these at a blogger Christmas Party. This one was prefilled, I did not choose the colours, but the colours in it are lovely. There is something for everything and everyone from cool tones to warm, neutrals to brights and shimmery to matte. The colour pay off is really nice and they blend well too. They also come in an array of colours and finishes. I will be investing in more for sure.
There you have it. January summed up in beauty products. That’s what we are here for, right?
