Two years ago (where has that time gone) I wrote about 'What's in my Makeup Bag', showing you what I was using. Well, many moons have passed and I must say that there have been some significant changes and thought it would be fun to see how much it has changed in the past two years. Although some items won't technically fit in my Makeup Bag, they do travel with me as part of it. So here goes, the 2017 edition of what's in my Makeup Bag.

As you can see the Makeup Bag itself has not changed because I just love it so much. As mentioned before, I got this from Primark. I purchased it long before I did the original post so it's very unlikely that you'll be able to find this, although I'm sure you can find similar elsewhere.


Before I apply my makeup, I use the Babyskin Instant Pore Eraser, to prime my face. However, for Christmas, I got a MAC Prep + Prime, which I've started using occasionally so I keep both on me. I have upped my game a little bit in terms of the foundation that I now use. If you've not read the post before, I used to use the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation but after I walked into a Space.NK stored, they used NARS on me. That's it, I switched over. I roughly started to use the NARS foundation 6 months after that post and I still have the same one. I use my Real Techniques Foundation brush to apply this and it gives me really good coverage. I only started using the Collection concealer because of the amounts of people who were raving about it, so that was another switch. Similar to foundation, I use the Real Techniques Concealer brush or occasionally, I'll use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Something that hasn't changed, I still have kept with my Rimmel Powder. I know the packaging doesn't look appealing and I've hit the pan but it is how it is. Still going strong though. I normally use the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I absolutely love my Real Technique brushes. Don't know what I would do without them.


I love Makeup Revolution's palettes, whether it's eyeshadow, contour or blush but they are becoming quite popular in my collection. Not that I use them everytime, I love these two. First, it's the blush palette called Sugar and Spice. I only bought this late last year but I'm so glad I did. There are lovely variations of blush colours and you can easily use the shimmy ones as a highlighter. Such amazing pigmentation and can blend fairly easily. Love it. I also use the the Ultra Cream Contour Palette. Again, only purchased very recently, you can see that it's had some usage (sorry for not cleaning that for the pictures). I'm still fairly new to contouring but the cream formula is really easy to use. Once again, I use brushes from Real Techniques, using the Blush Brush for blush and the Sculpting Brush for contour.


Moving onto eyes, I actually use quite minimal stuff. As you can see, I don't have any eyeshadow pictured. I don't normally opt for eyeshadow if I'm putting together a quick makeup look and normally use them for events/special outings. Don't get me wrong, I love eyeshadow and all the looks you can create, I just don't normally go for it for everyday looks. Anyway, let's focus on what I do use. At the top, where all of the detailing has smudged off is the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil, which I've had for quite a while now. I got quite a light colour as I didn't want to have really dark brows against my pale skin but I really love using this. For mascara, I love and use the widely-popular Maybelline Lash Sensational. It's so incredible, making my lashes so long and curly. In terms of eyeliner, I primarily use the Avon Glimmerstick Diamonds. I've used Avon's eyeliner for quite a few years now and I never get bored of them. Not that I use it everytime, I also have the Barry M Liquid Eyeliner. This is so good to get a fierce wing, just need a bit more practice.


For lips, my absolute favourite is Mehr from MAC. This is quite a subtle colour that it doesn't overpower a pretty basic look but you can tell that you're wearing it. Previously, I used the Rimmel London Kate Moss lipsticks, which I still own. I'm just really into this shade so much. Like eyeshadow, I do normally change up the lipstick if there is a special event/occasion, but this is the standard one on most basic occasions.


To finish this all up, I use the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray, so that everything stays into place. I didn't have this in the last post. It's something that I only got last year and it's definitely something that I'd recommend people to buy if they don't own some sort of setting spray. It really does help keep your makeup intact and doesn't make my face feel too wet from it. So glad I invested into this.

There you go. That is the 2017 update of What's in my Makeup Bag. It has amazed me how things have changed, not just in terms of the contents of my bag but how my writing and photography has changed since the original post. But that's what Blogging is about, developing and becoming a better creator.

Do you use any of these products? Is there anything you'd recommend?

Look after yourself,


This blog post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own and honest!

I've seen many people rave about the Artis oval brushes for a while, but I couldn't justify spending £60 + on one of their brushes. I longed for a drugstore brand to bring something out but when Primark had upped their game and added an oval brush to their collection, I was so pleased. I would often go to my local Primark store and they never had it in stock, whether it be because they didn't actually sell it or it was just sold out all the time, and I never saw it. I started to give up looking but only visited Primark once a month. Then I saw that Makeup Revolution had released a range of oval brushes, I jumped straight to the Superdrug website. I saw that they were all out of stock but managed to swoop some a few days later. I opted to go and collect from the nearest store, the next day. I literally couldn't wait to get home to open them up. I purchased the Precision Contour set and unknowingly, bought two of the Oval Face brush (there was already one in the set).

Price:
This brush is slightly more expensive, retailing at £9.99 from Superdrug. They also sell a set of three brushes (this and two smaller brushes) which retails at £19.99, so can be worth buying the set if you are looking to use different brushes for different things (foundation, blush, contour etc.)


Durability:
Just like I did with the Primark brush, I had to feel what the brush was like to hold. Differing from the Primark brush, the bristles (even though there are more due to its size) felt like they had more room to move, where you could lightly pull your finger through them with ease. Unlike the Primark one, it appeared that the bristles on the outside were more angled. When I applied pressure to it, there was a bit of give, and it began to bend slightly just under the head of the brush. Due to this brush only bending slightly when under pressure, application of foundation/powder sound be rather easy going on the brush itself.

Effectiveness:
Once again, I applied my regular foundation to test the the effectiveness of the brush.

I would say that this brush has done slightly better in terms of the coverage. Although you can still see some blemishes, they aren't as visible. I didn't have to keep topping the brush up with foundation, putting it on my brush initially was enough for full coverage! As expected, the brush felt very soft on my face and it applied foundation really nicely.

Summary:
If you want to spend a bit more money on brushes, then I would recommend these. It does work out at better value for you to get the set of the brushes, as you will get more for your money. Although they seem to have been built a little better, I would still recommend that you just place some support on the neck of the brush, as I would be gutted if it broke.

Overall score:
9/10

So out of the two brushes, I personally prefer the Makeup Revolution one. It did feel nicer, it applied my foundation better and seems to be a little stronger. As stated before, the Primark one is a good alternative and I'm sure it does work for other people. I will still keep it in my collection and I'm quite positive that I will be able to find another use for it, but should anything happen to the Makeup Revolution brush, then Primark will do the job just fine.

Do you own any of these brushes? What do you think?

Look after yourself,


This blog post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own and honest!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. You find yourself eating lots of food, being able to relax but most importantly, it's being able to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Gift giving is such fun. You spend weeks in advance finding and wrapping them up, which can be a little stressful at times, but it's always a great feeling to see their reactions and in return, it's always great to see what you got.
Look after yourself,


This blog post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own and honest!