Beauty Trends - Liquid Highlighters

I'm back with another beauty trends post! This time I want to discuss liquid highlighters. They've been around for quite some time, but it's only recently that we're seeing brands of all shapes and sizes release their own take on the trend. 

Liquid highlighting isn't my first choice for a few reasons. Finding a formula that works alongside your foundations and other make-up is quite the challenge. Who else has done a full face of make-up only to trip at the last hurdle with a dodgy liquid highlighter?! That, and the more subtle finish is generally what steers me away. Because of this, I don't own a huge amount of them in comparison to my ever-growing powder highlighter collection, but the ones that I do own caught my eye. 

Colour Pop Crystal Collection Liquid Highlighters

Shades L to R - Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, Aventurine & Amethyst 

If you know me, you'll know I'll buy pretty much anything Colour Pop releases. I was particularly interested in the 'Crystal' collection as it was a whole host of products that Colour Pop had never created before. Since the price is always right, I decided to pick up all four of the liquid highlighters to put to the test. 

I've tried them a variety of ways, mixing them in with my foundation and using them as intended, a liquid highlighter. With them being that on-trend holographic effect, mixing them with foundation isn't a great option as they alter the colour of my foundation. However, they were beautiful as an actual liquid highlighter! I was pleasantly surprised when I dabbed on the product to my cheekbones and was left with a beautiful duochrome luminosity. Yes, they are subtle, but the shift in colour makes them much more interesting than your average highlighter.

Cover FX Custom Cover Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

These are genuinely a game changer when it comes to liquid highlighters. They don't come cheap, but they certainly pack a punch. This is the only liquid highlighter I've found that isn't subtle and provides an intense glow with one drop! There's quite a few different shades, but I opted for a classic icy champagne colour. I'm not sure you'd need more than one of these unless you're a die-hard fan, but as far as liquid highlighters go, these are in the lead!

Urban Decay Aura Illuminating Mix-In Medium

This is a two-in-one product from Urban Decay, but all about 'that glow'. The prime function of this product is to mix it in with your foundation to create an illuminated base, but you can definitely use it to light up your cheekbones with an ethereal glow. I prefer it as the mix in medium, but it definitely adds a slightly radioactive looking effect if you add too much so be careful! As you can probably tell, I can't resist the more unusual shades of highlight so if you're like me, you'd love this tone of blue glistening on your cheekbones. 

That's all I have for liquid highlighters! I know so many people who opt for these over the powder option, it really depends on your preference! I'm sure there's one that suits everybody's taste, whether it's mixed in with your foundation, or dabbed on the high points of your face. Let me know in the comments any that you've found that you love!

Urban Decay Afterglow 8 Hour Highlighters

I recently 'over-indulged', and purchased the majority of the new Urban Decay Summer collection, including all three of the new highlighters! As a self-confessed highlighter junkie, and an Urban Decay fanatic, I obviously had to purchase all three shades. 

First up is 'Sin'. A golden, champagne shade. I believe this is everybody's favourite so far, I guess since it's a classic highlighter shade, it's the easiest to wear. I feel like I can never have 'too many' champagne highlighters.. Anybody else feel the same?? The consistency is super buttery, and quite thick, (if that makes any sense??). I find this to be very long lasting, something which I generally struggle with, with highlighters. 

Next up is 'Aura', a frosty pink shade. Although I don't wear them as frequently as I do other shades, I do love pink toned highlighters, particularly with cool-toned makeup. Like 'Sin', the consistency is a dream. I don't mind wearing very frosty highlighters, even though they may not necessarily flatter my skin-tone, but this would be even more perfect for fair-skinned ladies and gentlemen. I'd say this is slightly more glittery than other highlighters I own, but realistically, who doesn't want to be drenched in glitter??

I actually never intended on purchasing 'Fireball', as it looked a little too unwearable for me, however, after trying it on my skin, I fell in love with it! It's gets better every time I put it on, and it also looks incredible dusted over the top of your blusher too! This one is definitely more of 'glow' finish than the other two. It has a unique blue shift in the light, which would normally not be something I'd want on my cheekbones, but somehow, it works!! (At least in my opinion..).

 

(From L to R - Sin, Aura & Fireball)

You can purchase these highlighters at www.debenhams.com. 

New in Beauty: Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette

Hello!

As I'm sure most of you are, I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay, and I can't help but immediately get my hands on any new products they release.

Urban Decay was the brand that really got me into experimenting with colour, and the first 'pricier' coloured palette I ever picked up was last years Vice 3! Well here we are, hundreds of palettes later, and we're now at the Vice 4 palette.

The minute I spotted that stunning packaging, I wasn't bothered what was on the inside, I just had to have it. Luckily for me, it's jam-packed with beautiful, brand new shades.

(Top row, left to right).

(Second row, left to right).

(Third row, left to right).

(Bottom row, left to right).

How beautiful are those shades?! That's all with one swipe. I'm so impressed. 

There's a large amount of shimmers, some being glittery, some shimmery and a few duochromes. There is a few mattes too, making it a little more wearable if you're not digging a vibrant look, or if you simply need a crease shade! 

The texture of the shadows does vary, with the ones with larger chunks of glitter being slightly 'drier', however they're just as pigmented as the softer shadows, so it's nothing to worry about.

I'm very pleasantly surprised with how much I love the blue/green row! I fancy creating a mermaid look with those.

The palette is limited edition, so I highly recommend picking it up ASAP if you're considering it! You can purchase it here.

Will you be picking this up? Which is your favourite row of shades?!

The Perfect 90's Nude Lip

Hello!

Today I'm bringing you a super exciting post, as I've found the 90's lip shade. (Or the Kylie Jenner shade, whatever you want!).

I only recently picked this up, but it was certainly love at first swatch. Yep, that's a thing.

Not just for the shade though, the formula is beyond perfect. Whilst it's a matte finish, it's super moisturising. Say goodbye to flaky lips!

This is new to Urban Decay, and part of their 'Matte Revolution' lipstick collection. The shade is very fitting to it's name of '1993'.

As you can see from the swatch, it's a perfect blend of browns, pinks & nudes. Similar to MAC's Whirl lipstick, but not half as drying. 

It retails at £15.50, so the same price as a MAC lipstick, but the quality is so much better, and rate this higher than any lipstick I own! If this isn't the shade for you, then I still highly suggest checking out the other colours in the range as they're incredible lipsticks.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in '1993' - Debenhams

Have you tried this lipstick out? What's your favourite 90's nude shade?

INTERGALACTIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK

Quite an impromptu post today! I hadn't intended on taking pictures of my look today, but as I had plenty of time to get ready before work, I began experimenting! 

I'm a huge fan of Shaaanxo, and her make-up looks always inspire me, and I learn so much from them, so I decided to create a similar look to one of her own tutorials. I rarely experiment with colour, but I am trying to branch out, so I went for her 'Purple and Blue' eye look. 

I started with my Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, and placed that all over my lid, up to my brow bone.

I then took my Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush from the 'Nic's Picks' collection, and put 'Shade 24' from the MUA 24 Shade Immaculate Collection Palette into my crease, and slightly over the outer corner of my eye. 

From the same palette, I took 'Shade 10', and patted it on my eyelid using the brush that came with the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. 

I then took the same brush, and to add some glitter/highlight, I patted on Bare Minerals Glimmer Eyecolour in 'Chameleon' in the centre of my lid.

Using my other Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush, I dampened it with some water, and applied the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in 'Intergalactic' into the outer corner of my eye.

I then highlighted the inner corners of my eyes with 'Shade 1' from the same MUA palette with my Elf 'Eye Crease Brush'.

Going back to 'Shade 24' which I used in my crease, I then took my Real Techniques 'Eyeliner Brush', (again, from the Nic's Picks collection), and lined my lower lash line, also joining it together with my outer corner. 

To do my winged liner, I used the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in 'Black', and applied that with the Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush.

I hope you enjoy this make-up look, and let me know if you try it yourself! Should I do more make-up tutorials? 

URBAN DECAY VICE 3 PALETTE

I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay cosmetics, particularly their eyeshadows, so I was thrilled when my boyfriend got me this for Christmas! 

I'd been eyeing it up so many times in work, occasionally sweeping the shades on to my hands as I walked past.. (shh!).

For a girl who is a sucker for a nude palette, but also wants to dabble with some new shades, this is perfect. As you can see, it's a mixture of matte nudes, shimmery nudes, and shimmering jewel tones. All are very wearable in my opinion, and can be built up to suit your desired look. 

As with all Urban Decay shadows, they're velvety smooth, and glide on to your lid like a dream. I always use my Urban Decay eyeshadow primer as a base to make the shadows pop, and last longer. 

On the lid, 'Bobby Dazzle' & 'Lucky', on the crease, 'DTF'

As I was only popping to the shops today, I opted for a simple shimmery nude look. Ps, I'm not make-up genius, this is just how I've worn and applied a few of the shades.

The palette comes in a little pouch, and has a huuuuge mirror inside. It also comes with a lovely little double-ended brush! Bonus.

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette - Buy Here

I hope you enjoyed this post! What other beauty posts would you like to see from me? And are there any other eyeshadow palettes I should try?