My Everyday Makeup University Edition || Winging It

Lets take a closer more in depth look into why these bad boys are firmly in my routine when I want a quick 'wake me up' morning look.
Just a little PSA these aren't quite the fresh out the PR box shots that you get on a lot of other blog posts, simply for the reason that these products ARE actually used almost everyday. They have all been tried and tested for a while so are well loved (aka a lil grubby) and aren't by any means brand new, which in a way lets you guys know when I say what I like about these products you know I mean it.
My everyday make up needs to do two things for it to be in my routine:
1. Been fairly quick and easy to apply (no time to be faffin')
2. Keep me looking fresh from the majority of  the day
If this is also what you look for in everyday routine then take a look these products.

The corrector I use is the Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector in Light to Medium Peach. It's thick, and it's creamy, which does mean that if you have oilier skin I would set it down but for me I have a normal to dry underage area so it actually protect my skin from any drying full coverage concealers I want on top. An added bonus also being that the  thickness of this product means you only need a tiny bit, I've had this little pot for ages and it will last me for quite awhile it's the perfect colour fo cancelling out dark purplish tones (which I do indeed have forever and always) so banishing them makes a huge difference.

The two concealers I use are  both from Urban Decay. I am very firmly sitting pretty (metaphorically) in my Urban Decay boat loving life. What makes Urban Decay concealers my favourite you ask, well I love the formulas and the lasting power, as well as the marketing of the product. I feel like Urban Decay is really one of those brands that does what it says in the tin, for example the first I go in with is the Naked Skin Concealer in Medium Neutral. It is described as weightless and light diffusing which I definitely agree with. Not only is it light under the eyes but also adds a lot of light to the under eye area. Now comparing it to the All Nighter Concealer in Medium Light Warm which is aptly described as a full coverage concealer and you can defiantly see a difference in the coverage. Both last me all day with minimal creasing and on my skin, thats a massive achievement.

After that, I do my brows using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown. I had been a long time use of the Anastasia Brow Pomade but I just needed something that was a bit quicker and easier to use when on a tighter timeframe. This pencil is fab because on one side is a spooly brush, and on the other is the pencil with a tiny nib which enables you to replicate the look of hairs. One thing I would recommend is trying to getting the perfect colour match as it will make a big difference on the overall look, and will mean you'll spend less time blending out you the colour. From there I will follow up with the Benefit Ready Set Brow. I really like this mainly because of the shape of the spooly brush. At the end of the day clear brow gel is clear brow gel, the only thing that makes this a favourite of mine is the easy application. It has a side with longer bristles and the other with short bristles. I use the shorter side to do the front of my brow because I don't like too much product in the section.  I prefer them to stay more bushy and then use the longer bristles to shape and 'glue down' the longer brow hairs on the arch and tail of the brow, whist simultaneously praying to the gods I won't end the day with crazy brows. Non-crusty and easy to use, another favourite combo.

I will then finish off with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in Very Black. I'm not too fussy when it comes to mascara. I don't find a huge difference between drugstore and high end mascaras so a mascara like this does me just fine. I do enjoy the shape of the brush as it is slightly curved which allows me to really get close to my lash roots, as well as the bristles being longer towards the outer edges allowing me to have more fanned out outer lashes giving a slight angled cat eye effect. I think definitely my favourite thing about this mascara is that it has really short bristles on the underside, which means that you can coat your bottom lashes without getting any product underneath onto your skin therefore saving you a heck load of time trying to wipe any mistakes away.

Finally, if I really feel like pushing the boat out I will use something on my lips like the Dior Lip Glow in 001, this product has to be my most repurchased high end product simply because it is so perfect for everyday use. It's designed to match the pH of your lips so the colour comes out slightly different on everybody, but there is a lovely universal gloss or 'glow' that it gives to your lips which is not to much but still noticeable. When I rave about this product to other people I like to describe this product as 'perfecting' simply because I feel it perfects the look of your lips making them look even more healthy and full.

If you fancy checking out how I like to apply these products and what they do to ma face, check this out:

I do just want to note that for an everyday makeup routine there may be different things and products that you would use to enhance you features, so if unlike me you're blessed with non death looking under eye areas then a corrector and two consumers might be a bit much for you. If you just find a few things that you want to do to your face and concentrate on them it can make your whole routine more streamlined. That may be a foundation to even out skin tone or you like to enhance your eyes a bit more, on a whole it's individual for everybody.

Treat yourself,

Lyl Mandy

NYX Lingerie VAULT Review + Swatches || Winging It

Hello there,

So lets kick things off with a little review of a product thats come out just in time for the gifting season this Christmas. On a whole I personally L O V E the brand NYX I think their products are such good value for money and their campaigns are so exciting and fun. NYX are never afraid to do something different for example bringing out a bold coloured eyeliner collection and in that respect, it also means they are more versatile for loads of different skin tones which always a major plus in my book.

Moving on to the Lip Lingerie Vault 01 itself, when looking at the publics reviews I notices quite few people complaining that all of their lip products had dried up inside so that was something I really looked out for. I can happily report that none mine had dried up (phew), but what I was slightly disappointed about whenI first got the vault is the packaging itself. Now NYX is a drugstore brand so I wasn't expecting the packaging to be anything ground breaking, and I do like the slick black and clear panel so you can see all the colours inside, but the actually quality itself was pretty poor. Mine and all the rest on the shelf were scratched and scuffed to pieces which did not make them look as nice. This may have just been subject to the batch my vault was in ut I thought I would mention it just incase you were wanting to order this online as a gift for somebody.

Now the lip products themselves on a whole I really did enjoy. It was so exciting trying each individual colour and finding new colours that I fell in love with and ones which maybe weren't my colour (here is me acting like a kid in a candy store swatching them) Of course with most bulk beauty not every colour suited me but because a large amount of these colours are "nudes" of some description I did find that the majority (20/30) I did really like.

One thing I did find is that the consistency of these lip products are not the same throughout the the whole collection. Many of the lighter, white-based colours came out less pigmented and streaky at times wheres as there was. less of a problem with the darker and more coloured shades. I also found that the colours that had a more grey/purple undertone tended to be more dry and patchy when applying.

This vault has 6 exclusive new shades (Tainted, Lie to Me, Mesmerizing, Mi Amor, Out Ready, Raw Emotion) and body did they do good! The colours on a whole are very nice and I think this would be the perrrrfect gift for a lip junkie.

My Topic Picks:

For a full swatch on the lips of all 30 colours paired with some cheesy smiles and music click here!

Treat yourself,

Lyl Mandy

Day to Dark, Light to Night || Winging It

Turning your everyday makeup look into something a bit more special in the evening is easy peasy with only a few products necessary, perfect for those times when your getting ready round a friends or last minute plan come about.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Medium Neutral 

NARS Blush in Luster

NARS Contour in Paloma 

Soap and Glory Brown Archery in Brownie Points 

Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Brown 

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Naked 2 and W.O.S (from Naked Basics Palette)

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner in Black

Rimmel Kate Moss Mascara in 004 Eye Rock Jet Black

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rosé

Just keep these bad boys in your bag and you should be good to go:

+Soap and Gloey Wonderbronze Blush Brick 

+ No. 7 Eyeshadow (bottom shade) Forest Fruits Trio or Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Diamond Dog

+ NYX Creme Matte Lip In Copenhagen 

Why do I look so scared?? Lol

                                                            

Treat Yourself, 

Lyl Mandy xo       

Brown To Blonde Balayage || Winging It

After months and months of googling 'caramel balayage', saying to my friends "I really want to dye my hair guysss" and trying to explain to my dad that I'm not going to leave the salon with bright purple hair, I finally did it. Now for some people this may not seem like a very big deal but because of the type of hair that I have, I never thought it would be possible to lighten my hair without causing some serious damage and breakage because of the bleach. I owe it all to my fabulous hairdresser Ashley who helped me find the perfect caramel blonde shade to match my existing hair colour and my skin tone, as well as introducing me to the OLAPLEX treatment which was mixed into the bleach to help rebuild the disulphide bonds in my hair that had been broken when colouring, blow drying and brushing my hair. I really do owe a lot to this treatment because not only has it saved my hair from being a split-end(ed) mess, it has also made my hair look shinier and stronger that it was pre-dye.❤️                    

The main reason for this post is becaus I wanted to document the process and the change but if you have any questions feel free to ask. 

Before:

During:

After:

I was definitely apprehensive at first but I am now over the moon with it. If it's something you want to get done but are maybe having reservations my tips would be, find a hairdresser that you fully trust and have known for a little while and always remember that things can always be rectified if you don't like it first time. 

                                                                   Treat Yourself,

                                                                    Lyl Mandy xo

Vintage Vamp || Winging It

A classic vintage flavoured lip with healthy glow-y skin and a soft vampy eye. New obsession.

Skin;

benefit - Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation 

No7 - Skin Illuminator in Beige (mix in with foundation and apply on top as highlighter 

Nars - Steven Klein Ons Shocking Moment Cheek Studio Palette - Laguna(to bronze), Paloma (contour and highlight), Luster (blush) 

Eyes;

Soap and Glory - Brow Archery 

Urban Decay - NAKED 3 Palette - Strange (inner corner base), Nooner (outer 3/4 base), Factory (outer 3/4 blended/lower lash line), Darkside (deepen eye socket) 

            - NAKED 2 Palette - YDK (transition shade), Bootycall (lash line/brighten) 

Maybelline - Lash Sensational Mascara 

Lips; 

Charlotte Tilbury - Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl 

and/or 

Urban Decay - NAKED Lipgloss in SESSO

no lip

CT - Bond Girl Lipstick

UD - NAKED Lip Gloss SESSO

Just a little something nice for the weekend.

Treat Yourself, 

Lyl, Mandy xo 

Brand Focus: Urban Decay || Winging It

If anyone were to ask me what my all-time favourite makeup brand is, I would probably get a little flustered and panic-y because that's a bloody hard question for a beauty addict like me. But after getting my thoughts together, I would most likely go on to say Urban Decay. I rave to my friends A LOT about Urban Decay and have definitely been the enabler for fair few purchases (soz Caroline). So it was only right that I make my first 'Brand Focus' dedicated to Urban Decay.  

UD is most famously known for their edgy designs, cool collaborations, funky names and buttery eyeshadows 'n' liners, and rightly so!  The Naked Collection quickly has become a cult beauty product amongst the community and even the most novice makeup appliers have one of these bad boys in their arsenal.

Bottom to Top: Eyeliners - Goldmine, Whiskey, Stag, Zero
Eyeshadows Diamond Dog, +oil, Moonflower, +oil

Eyes

The smoothness and easy blend-ability of the eyeshadows along with the wide range of fail-safe colours make these palettes a perfect gift or possession for someone starting to use eyeshadow, and with them being roughly £3 a shadow that's not too bad considering their AMAZEBALLZ quality. Whether it be the Naked Basic's or The Naked 3, there is a colour palette for everyone, cool, warm, rosy, neutral, whatever takes your fancy.
Eyeliners...nothing beats an Urban Decay eyeliner lemme tell you that. 3 words, Smooth. Pigmented. Blend-able. It's got to the point now where it's an actual tradition for me and my best friend to buy each other one for our birthdays regardless. So any mates of mine reading this that fancies getting me a gift for the bant, you know what to get yeah :)))
If you're looking for a mascara that gives you a lot of length and volume then look no further, with a large brush the Perversion Mascara does a great job. I will say that for a mascara it is quite expensive and you can get mascaras that do an equally good job that are considerably cheaper.

Lips
I've only ever tried one Urban Decay lip product which is the Naked Lipgloss in SESSO. Now these arent the most pigmented lipglosses by far but they do give a nice wash of colour which also perfecting the look of your lips. Sticky enough to last but not sticky enough to be uncomfortable, a nice medium. The smell and taste leaves something to be desired but hey ho, it's definitely not a deal breaker

I am yet to try anything from their range of face makeup but I have heard very good things about their Naked Skin concealer and I do love me a good concealer so will be getting on that very soon!

Treat Yourself,

Lyl, Mandy xo

Winter Berry || Winging It

Now I'd hate to be the enabler that causes you to crack open the old money box after you fall in love with what I'm about to show you, but I'm going to be honest with you. I have found a real corker of a duo! Singularly these two beauties are cult products in my book, but together they enhance each other beautifully.

top line : lip liner, bottom line : lip cream

The slightly lighter tone of the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Hollywood Honey creates a more soft everyday finish to the lip line instead of a harsh one, and the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen which is beautiful burgundy wine shade adds a bold and beautiful colour to the lips (whilst still being able to stay between the lines). The longevity of both these products are great so you don't have to worry about one of them wearing out before the other, or them both disappearing all together. Along side these winning factors to top it all off the colour itself is bloody beautiful, versatile on a lot of different skin tones (tried and tested) and comfortable on the lips. 10/10 would bang..buy! Buy. 

freckle city over here

Treat Yourself,

Mandy xo

p.s shoutout to my friend Lauren who gave me the idea for this post, this is the bold lip I would recommend Lozza x

My Everyday Makeup Look || Winging It

An 'everyday make-up' post, your beauty bloggers bread and butter, and here I am joining the tea party. 

Face

Now to start off I use the No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream this is a new product that I got from the No7 Christmas Advent Calendar and I will for sure be purchasing the full version, because it's been one of my favourite discoveries of 2015. The simplicity of the formula is utterly perfect for my skin. It hasn't got too much fragrance to it so it is good for sensitive skin and it sinks into the skin perfectly. Next I go in with my No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer which is another little goody that I got in the advent calendar, and really just sets a nice smooth base to my makeup. I place it on and around my T Zone and on my cheeks so that I don't have the powder my concealer leaving that glowing look yet still be reassured that it will stay up in place all day. My favourite part  of doing my makeup and what seems to make the most difference to my face is corrector and concealer. I have a teeny little complex with my  dark under eye circles,  I feel like  I could sleep for a thousand years and  they would still be there but, hey ho this is what I use to combat these bad boys, Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener in Bisque 4 does a good job of neutralising the dark tones around my eye and then on top of that I put my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger which is the perfect colour for my skin tone, sometimes I go for a  lighter colour to slightly contour my face but on an everyday basis I like to go for a colour that is going to give me an even base. Then I will take my beautiful Kevin Aucoin The Cream Duo #4 and use the really lovely highlighter on the tops of my cheeks working my way the cheekbone.

Eyes

After that, I tackle my brows using  Soap And Glory Archery Pencil, which is a staple in my routine due to it being so easy to use. I brush the crayon side through my brows to fill them out a bit and then use the pen side to define my arch a little bit more the top them of with the Maybelline Brow Drama to set it all in place. I then take a little bit of Faint eyeshadow from the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette and use this as an eyeliner by pressing it into the lash line then using a blending brush to soften it out giving you a smokey pop of colour to the eyes. A couple of coats of the Maybelline Sensational Lash Mascara and the eyes are good to go!

Lips

Finally I put on the yummy tasting Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector in O1, it's balmy, it's smooth, it's glossy and quite frankly I couldn't ask for anything better I L-O-V-E this product, it is a pleasure to use and on an everyday basis I can't see myself needing anything other than this.

So yeah that is my everyday make-up, on a day-to-day basis I'm at school so I tend to slap on some concealer and after a wave of the mascara wand I have to be out the door, but on the weekends or if I'm feeling like putting in a bit more effort and have a little bit more fun with my makeup then this is my go to gal.

What's your staple everyday go to gal? 

  Lyl, Mandy xo

Lush Cocktail || Winging It

If like me you still haven't quite fully adjusted to life after the Christmas holidays and are in need of a bit of RnR then this is the post for you. Equally, if you're also in LOVE with LUSH as much as I am then it really doesn't get much better than this. I present to you my LUSH cocktails <3. These are tried and tested groups of Lush products that you can pop in your bath together, and will leave you feeling relaxed and smelling good.
 If you live in the UK then you will know that winter has come around very quickly, leaving us (...I hope just not me) feeling a bit dry and lacklustre. So this Lush Cocktail is aimed to help pep up your skin and warm you up inside, hope you enjoy! 

Winter Warmer:

A splash of Beautiful Shower Gel 

Half a Butterbear (or Butterball) 

1 Sex Bomb (not including yourself) 

Lots and lots of hot bubbly water 

Beautiful adds a really nice subtle shimmer, and the peach and apricot add a lovely warmth to the bath. The Butterbear bath bomb is a winter saviour for me, the cocoa butter works wonders on dry skin and the ylang ylang oils are perfect for helping you feel relaxed and unwind. The best bit is, if you have any of the Butterbears left over from Christmas then you can easily break it in half and use it twice. WIN! Sex bomb contains more ylang ylang which is always a good thing and jasmine which is so soothing and looks damn pretty in your bath. 

Treat yourself 

Lyl, Mandy xo