Ruby and Millie Brush Set!!

This was a beautiful gift from my beautiful mother and I love it! I have never had Ruby & Millie brushes before, so I was excited to finally try them out. In this kit is a foundation brush, blusher brush, eyeshadow brush, angled eyeliner brush and lip brush. It also includes their special eyelash curlers and a powder puff.
I don't use powder puffs myself and I never used them on clients when I was studying because they aren't the most practical tools. After one use on a client, it has to be washed and sterilised and it just isn't worth the effort when you can use cotton pads to apply powder and then just throw them away!
Although this powder puff is very soft and it is nice on the cheeks ha ha.
The eyelash curlers were tricky to figure out at first but they are really good! They are my favourite so far that I have used!
The brushes have become my latest obsession, they are extremely soft and are really well made, the kind of brushes that will last years if looked after properly! The angled eyeliner brush is my favourite because it's small enough to get really close to the lash line so you don't get the white gap that is always a giveaway! Loved them, reccommend them to everyone!

- Rachel xx

Bright Spring Nails!

Spring is on it's way! YAY!

This calls for brand new nails! The winter nights are floating away, and our brittle, winter nails are getting stronger! :) Here are my favourite colours to brighten up your day!

Clockwise from dark blue varnish : -

- Barry M in Cobalt Blue 291 (dark blue)

- Barry M in Blueberry 306 (pastel blue)

- Rimmel London in pop! 265 (orange)

- Rimmel London in Green Grass 236 (green)

- Barry M in Bright Pink 279 (pink)

- Barry M in Raspberry 273 (red/pink)

- Barry M in Mint Green 304 (pastel mint green)

All £2.99 each!

Brighten up your nails and your day with these gorgeous colours!

Happy Spring!

- Rachel xx

It's only Rock & Roll!

Rock and Roll is here to stay! This style is a classic and will never go away. If you have the right attitude, anybody can pull off the "rocker" look. Although this is a great look, many people think it's all about BLACK, BLACK, BLACK! But it doesn't have to be! Here are a few alternative nail colours that will give you some variety and most importantly keep you rocking!!!

From left to right - Rimmel London in Your Majesty 239 - £2.99
                               Barry M in Racing Green 299 - £2.99
                               Rimmel Pro in Desire 393 - £4.59
                               Barry M in Vivid Purple 161 - £2.99
                               Rimmel London in Black Cab 080 - £2.99

All prices from Superdrug website http://www.superdrug.com/

                                                                 
                                                                ROCK ON!

Will airbrushing ever be eradicated?

The images you see today in your magazines aren't real. Yes, they were real, but since airbrushing came along, photographs have been edited to within an inch of their lives to recreate what is now known as the "perfect" look. With airbrushing you can; tan, colour, cut, lengthen, maximise, minimise, smooth, delete, crop, whiten, darken...the list is endless. But what happened to a natural photograph? The public are slowly coming to realise that the images they see in their magazines cannot possibly be lived up to, but there is still a number of people that still aspire to look like them, a look that they will never achieve. It is such a shame that these are the main images that young adults have access to and believe that they too could look the same. 

But the truth is...

...these models aren't real. Yes, they are most certainly beautiful in real life, but even the beautiful models get airbrushed! Let's not aspire to look like this, because it is impossible.

Here is a video that I think sheds some light on the matter at hand...
Evolution of a model...the truth.


BE YOU. JUST YOU. LOVE YOU.
- Rachel xx

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual Review!

 BOBBI BROWN MAKEUP MANUAL REVIEW

This book has to be my favourite for everything to do with makeup! It claims that it is suited to "everyone from beginner to pro" and it certainly lives up to expectations. Whether you are just starting out with makeup, this book has everything you will need to gain knowledge for your new hobby, passion or career!
The book is split into two parts. The first part is for yourself, how to apply makeup like a professional and gives plenty of advice on everything you need to think about to create that perfect look, including the equipment you will need, what to consider to make your skin look it's best, and how to apply makeup to every feature of your face with step-by-step tutorials to make learning easy and fun!




The second part of the manual is essential if you want to become a professional makeup artist. It contains everything you need to know from breaking into the business and career options to your professional makeup kit needs and advanced makeup applications!
The last part of the manual contains "memorable makeup moments and legends" and is an interesting, knowledgable insight to the history of makeup.  The photography is beautiful and the wording is informal enough not to ake you feel out of your depth. The main theme throughout this book is calming and fun, you get the impression that Bobbi Brown still has a huge passion for her career and it rubs off.

I would reccommend this manual to everybody with a passion for makeup and it would make a lovely gift for the girly member of your family!

Prices started at £20.00 when the book was published in 2008, although prices have dropped now and you can purchase your copy for under £14.00!

New Spring Nails! Barry M to the rescue!

As Spring approaches, so do the changes in fashion. We are slowly getting out of the A/W looks and into the brighter S/S trends! Nail designs are becoming more flamboyant and fun but they are also quite difficult to recreate. But help is at hand! Barry M have created "nail effects", a nail varnish that you put over a coloured varnish and it separates, creating a cool print that is fun and easy to do too! Bravo Barry M!
You start by applying your favourite nail varnish colour (but it works better with something bright and colourful), wait till it has completely dried and then apply the nail effects on top. Watch as you see the colour separate and create a fun, avant-garde pattern everytime! I shall put up the fabulously easy tutorial tomorrow!

- Rach xx

My Favourites - Facial Washes!

I am a big fan of facial washes and have tried sooo many in the past! My skin has recently become the best it has ever looked, so I don't take clear skin for granted now and I make sure it is always looking it's best with a few inexpensive products.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash and Daily Facial Scrub - £4.59 each
An uplifting daily facial cleanser with powerful MicroClear® technology, the formula cleanses deeply to help eliminate spots and blackheads.
The refreshing gel gently purifies the skin without overdrying, while a wave of pink grapefruit uplifts the senses with a burst of invigorating freshness.

This is my favourite facial wash by far, it smells beautiful and never fails to make me feel fresh after using it. The facial wash leaves skin incredibly smooth and is very gentle on the skin. It did exactly what the product information claimed it would, and my make-up goes on beautifully after using this!

The daily scrub - I also like the daily scrub as the beads that make the scrub are very, very fine so it doesn't feel gritty like some scrubs do. It was also very gentle on my skin but I tend not to use exfoliators or scrubs everyday (even it is does say daily) because I don't feel that my skin needs to be scrubbed every day. I will normally use this product when my skin feels a little rough or when it looks a little dull and I want to revive it!

Me To You.

Welcome!
I have created this blog to share tips and advice and recent trends with you! My name is Rachel and I studied as a make-up artist for two years. During this time, I became educated in trends, looks, and fun make-up! I also have a passion for anything "beauty" which is why I created this blog! I hope you all enjoy this and have fun with it also!

- Rach x