Travel Makeup Bag

As you read this I will currently be enjoying the sunny weather in the lovely Butlins Resort in Skegness (it's a family holiday, hoepfully it is sunny).

So while I was working out what to post in my first week back after my really, really, REALLY long hiatus I thought I would show what was in my travel makeup bag.

I will forewarn you that this is a long one, so it might be best to get a snack and a cup of tea just to keep you going.

The makeup bag was a freebie from the Clarins stand when I purchased 2 items in Debenhams, so I thought this would be good for a makeup bag.

October & November Favourites 2015

I apologise for my sporadic posts and long absences but as stated things at work have been so busy and I am currently on 8AM starts working in a Portacabin till after the New Year with no specific month when we can move back to our old building.

So to make up for that I am going to try and post everyday in December (operative word is try), and to kick us off is a double favourites post.

August/ September Favourites

Welcome to a beauty favourites, if you have read my Hiatus Explained! post you will know why this is jam packed with things.

MUA Extreme Curl Mascara

As you know I am a mascara fiend (I'm a makeup fiend as well - it's a problem I know). So while I was in my local Superdrug I was perusing the MUA stand and came across their extreme length mascara. I will admit that the packaging pulled me in (yes I am a sucker for pretty packaging)

MUA Whipped Velvet Blusher

I have become an absolute blusher fiend since becoming a beauty blogger, it is such a magical little product, just by using a small amount it can bring warmth and colour to a dull face. On the block is a recent release from MUA it is their Whipped Velvet Blusher.

MUA Pressed Powder - Shade 1

I am always on the lookout for a great powder that is going to set my makeup, not oxidise on the skin, not going to appear cakey, and will keep my makeup on my face. So while I was in my local Superdrug I decided to give the MUA pressed powder compact a whirl.

Empties (Bumper Edition)

As I said in my New Year's post this is the bumper edition of my empties (I have been keeping them from August onwards, time to get rid and quick methinks!)

MUA Complexion Matte Primer

I am always on the lookout for a good primer, so when I saw this in my local Superdrug for £4 I thought I have to try this.

The description for this primer is that it is good or normal/combination skins as well as oily skin, so this was really right up my street.

I've been testing this out and it applies to the skin well and is silicone based so does feel quite oily when applying to the skin, the tube is small (7.5ml) but does last well and the price isn't too bad either (£4.00).

The primer has been put through its paces as my region of the UK has been experiencing soaring tempratures over the last couple of days so it is having to fight sweating (which it failed at, but it has been exceptionally hot so I will let it off a tiny bit).

I do like this primer, it makes my face matte and it does cover my pores really well, the packaging is nice in its simplicity. The product starts an orangey colour and does go clear on the skin making it ready for when you apply your foundation. You only need to apply a small amount as it can become quite greasy if you apply too much.

I like this primer it does help keep your foundation on for longer and I have noticed that it does stop my face becoming to shiny so it does do what it says on the tin. This is a primer I would repurchase again.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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MUA Blusher

Since becoming a beauty blogger I have made myself step out of my comfort zone when it comes to makeup, and one of those comfort zones is blusher. I am not a big big fan of blusher it scares me (yes a beauty product scares me).

While I was in Superdrug I was being nosy at the MUA stand and just thought I would have a look at what they have in the shape of blusher, and I came across these little beauties for £1.

Lolly is a pale pink colour that has glitter running through it, this is very light on the skin and adds a nice pop of colour on the cheeks.

Cupcake is a matte peachy shade that is very pigmented so only a small amount is needed on the brush.

These blushers are really pigmented, and for £1 they are really inexpensive. The blushers also blend really well and doesn't leave any harsh lines behind. Out of both of these I have to say that cupcake is my favourite, it gives a really nice flush of colour on the cheeks and applies really smoothly.

These blushers are fantastic if you are just starting out with blusher and don't want to spend a fortune on blushers.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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July Empties 2014

Welcome to my July empties, I know my posts have been few and far between but I am trying to get back in sync with them, so let's get on with the show.

 First is skincare/ fragrance:

Johnson's Baby Shampoo - I use this mainly to clean my brushes as it isn't harsh with them, I have a larger bottle that I have started using now so it has already been repurchased.

The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub - I got this as part of a set for Mother's Day off of my stepson, and I am absolutely in love with it and I will be repurchasing this.

Forever Yours Purse Spray - I bought this for £3 in Superdrug just as a perfume that would fit in my bag, and it smelled so lovely.

Dove Original Deodorant (mini) - As you know in last months favourites I was reacquainted with an old friend which was the Dove original deodorant, I finished a mini as I use them for when I go on a night out as they fit into my clutch bag brilliantly.

Next is wipes

Boots Double Sided Round Cotton Wool - I love these, they are so soft on the skin especially when using with my micellar water to remove my makeup

Handy Wipes - These are fabulous I bought them from our local Home Bargains and they are just all purpose wipes and because they are small in size they fit perfectly in a handbag.

Baby Wipes - Another pack of baby wipes, I get through a lot of these as I use them on my vanity to wipe up any messes or wipe my hands from any makeup just until I get to the bathroom.

Next is cosmetics:

MUA Pro Base Fixing Mist - As you know this is my 2nd bottle of this setting spray which I would repurchase but at the moment I am trying out the Avon Setting Spray.

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara - I am gutted to say goodbye to this beauty, it is rare for me to repurchase a mascara but this one I will. It worked brilliantly on my lashes and the large brush just grabbed every one of them.

Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket (Waterproof) - This is another mascara that I am sad to be getting rid of, it is such a lovely mascara and will be one that I am repurchasing.

GOSH Prime n' Refresh Illuminating Eye Roll On - I didn't really find that this did anything for me I loved the delivery system with the massage type balls but it just didn't work for me.

GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer - As you can see from the picture the bottle is still half full, the formula just turned really watery in consistency (alarm bells telling me that this needs to go)

Collection Primed & Ready Primer - I didn't like the feel of this primer as it did feel quite greasy once applied to the skin and the price as well for the amount of product wasn't that great either.

SEVENTEEN Fade Away Concealer - I liked this concealer, but it's been dossing in the back of my drawer for a while now and has seen some better days.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dry - I love this top coat but once you get past the brush the product is just pointless and it becomes messy trying to get it out of the bottle.

Last but but not least is the Look Beauty Ooomph Lashes Mascara, it's not really finished I only just opened it a couple of days ago but when I did it was all dried out just like the Accessorize mascara, so this has put me off buying any mascaras from the Look Beauty range.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Travel Makeup Bag - London Edition

As you know if you follow me on Instagram I went to London on Tuesday and just came back yesterday (that's why the blog was a bit quiet, if you were wondering). Being the beauty blogger that I am (it still feels weird calling myself a beauty blogger), I took some makeup.

On with the makeup bag, the theme for this bag is minimal (this is a dirty word in my vocab when packing), as we are only taking 2 small suitcases (1 for clothes and the other for shopping).

The makeup bag I am using is from Primark, I think it was either £1.50 or £2.00, it's quite spacious, you can fit quite a bit in there.

I do love how roomy the bag is so if you were going away for longer you could really fit a lot in before it starts to pull at the stitching.

As you can see I did fit a lot into the bag, I mostly chose things that were waterproof (due to the hot weather, it hit 27 degrees yesterday) and that were quick to apply.

I chose to use MUA Matte Perfect primer to prime my face ready for my base, I've been playing around with this and it seems pretty good, and doesn't feel to slick on the skin. For my base I chose the Avon Ideal Flawless CC Cream with an SPF of 50 as it was hot down there and I wanted something light on the skin so it wouldn't be too cakey on the skin. Concealer was easy I had Soap & Glory's Kick Ass Concealer, the main reason as it covers both under eye and any blemishes on the face.
To set my makeup I packed the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder in Vanilla, the powder smells really fruity (this is because it has fruit therapy in the product), it applies really well onto the face.
I also took some bronzer and I also grabbed another Bourjois product which was their Chocolate Bronzer in Medium, this was quite pigmented and you only need a small amount of this. I also took a blisher in the shape of Natural Collection Blusher in Pink Cloud.

For the eyes I packed the sample of Urban Decay Anti-Ageing Primer Potion that I received with my Naked palettes (I received 3, 1 with each palette so I put it all into one small pot). I am loving this primer, and I wanted to buy it while I was in Selfridges but couldn't see an Urban Decay counter.
I also packed 2 Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks in Trespassing Taupe and Bluffing , there was also the Avon ColorTrend Colour Elements Eye Duo Stick in Fire. These were packed as they were quick to apply and they were light (didn't want dark colours as it is Summer, let's get some brighter colours in there). I also packed Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Eyeliner in Nude, we were walking so much this was good just to take some redness out my eyes so I still looked bright and bushy tailed.
As the weather was roasting I thought it best to take a waterproof mascara so I chose the Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black. This is a lovely mascara that applies well and stayed on all day, really impressed with this.

For lips I packed the Hawaiian Tropic Lipgloss in Island Berry, this has an SPPF of 25 so was protecting my lips from the sun while also adding a wash of colour as well. I also packed 2 lipsticks, Soap & Glory's Super Color Fabu-Lipstick in The Missing Pink, which is one of my all time favourite nude pinks, and Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Rose Tweed, which is another nude pink but a tiny bit brighter.

 I took some retractable brushes with me as well so I could apply the powders as well as the CC Cream (a full summary of these brushes can be found here).

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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June Favourites

I will admit I haven't got that many favourites this month so it might be a short post.

VO5 So Smooth Control Cream
This I used quite recently, but I have had it for ages (I think that is the old packaging), I applied this to damp hair before blow drying my hair, I then put the straighteners through my hair and it just made such short work of straightening my hair. This goes down as a repurchase when it runs out as it was that good.

The Body Shop Mango Body Butter
I bought the small version of this body butter as I wanted to try it out, and I completely fell in love with it, the moisturiser is just so buttery and just melts into the skin. The scent just lasts for hours and it's such a great moisturiser for summer.

Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette - Iconic 3
This I bought from the Superdrug website, I had read and heard great things about the Iconic palettes and that this one was a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 3 for a fraction of the cost (I have the Urban Decay Palette on the way so can't wait). The shadows are just so pretty, and I will admit I am set in my ways when it comes to eyeshadow (browns are my thing), so this was just a break from the norm and added a bit of colour to my day.

MUA Blusher - Lolly
I have started to dip my toes into bronzer (that was a great experiment and went well), so I have started with blusher. I bought this one from MUA for £1 (inexpensive so if it went wrong it wouldn't break the bank. This applies well and blends well on the skin as well, this is quite a darkish pink and gives a great pop of colour to the cheeks.

The Body Shop Chocomania Lip Butter
I love the chocomania range (as you all well know), I have had this for a while and thought I would finally start to use it. The lip butter smells gorgeous and feels really buttery when applied to the lips. The staying power of the lip butter is good and fiind myself only applying every so often.

B. Nail Polish - Peach Melba
With summer somewhat here I thought it was time to apply a bright colour to coincide with the warm weather. This is a lovely orange coral shade that becomes opaque after 2 coats, the brush is absolutely huge and applies to the nail really well. I love the size of the brush, I've never seen a nail polish brush that size.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick - Rose Tweed
This is a lovely pink nude colour, this applies really well to the lips and just goes on in just one swipe. The colour is great for when you just want a natural lip colour.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Deepest Purple - M.U.A.

I love my nail polish (I think you can tell by the amount of nail polish based posts on here), I loved this colour from MUA. The swatch above really does not do it justice, the polish is a dark plum creme.

The polish on the first coat is streaky (this is mainly in part due to the size of the brush), the second coat takes away the streakiness of the first.

This is a great colour for autumn when the dark nights start rolling in and the darker seasonal colours start coming in.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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April Favourites

Welcome to my April Favourites, I am sorry I know I am running 2 days behind so expect a bombardment of posts this weekend to catch up.

I haven't got many favourites this month, I've been on a use up month at the moment, I will admit there are mostly nail polishes in the post as I have used some great ones. Now on with the favourites.

Mark Hill Anti-Humidity Spray - When I do straighten my hair I have nightmares about my hair just frizzing out so this spray helps keep my hair frizz free, which for me is always good. It feels really light on the hair and doesn't feel like it is going to make my hair greasy by adding more product onto the hair.

Dove Original Antiperspirant - I always have a bottle of deodorant in my bag it is one of my bag staples. I had a travel sized of the dove orignal and forgot how great it smells so I had to go out and buy the compressed version.

Models Own HyperGel (Cornflower Gleam) - I aabsolutely love this light blue colour it looked brilliant on the nails and applied so well. I wore it for 4 days before I took it off to change the colour and it hadn't even chipped. I think if I left it on it would've lasted a lot longer on my nails.

Butter London (HRH) - This I wore to match an outfit I was wearing for a colleagues leaving party. This is a gorgeous purple colour and reminded me for the Cadbury's wrappers for Dairy Milk. The brush was quite small but allowed to get into the hard to reach bits.

MUA (Frozen Yoghurt) - This was such a different colour for Spring, it wasn't a pastel purple but it was just a hint darker then a pastel purple. It applied to the nails really well and dried really quickly.

Models Own Speckled Egg (Magpie) - April was Easter month and Models Own brought out their Speckled Egg collection. This was a gorgeous turquoise blue with speckles. It applied really well and looked amazing on the nail the speckles really did look good.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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MUA Eyeshadow Primer

Every time I tried to get a hold of this primer in Superdrug it was always sold out this I thought could be for 2 reasons

1) £2.50
2) It must be good it has been sold out for weeks.

On a trip to Sheffield to the Meadowhall Shopping Centre I managed to snag a tube.

It states the it will create a perfect canvas for eyeshadow while it also hides imperfections.

The colour of the primer is a nude skin colour and once added to my lids it did blend in very well with my skin. I dabbed onto my eyelid and with my finger blended it in, but I noticed that my eyeshadow creased very quickly which isn''t a great look.

Overall not one of my favourite eyeshadow primers, and one I won't be repurchasing again.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Make-Up Monday (24.02.2014 - 03.02.3014)

Welcome to the last Make-Up Monday of the month, and the last in the series (if you want the series to continue please leave a comment below).

So let's get on with the show.

Here's the products that are featured this week:

• GOSH Velvet Touch Primer - Clear
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - This is a trial size which I just want to finish up, I have a medium size tube ready to go once this has finished.
• SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation - Ivory - Again another product that I want to finish up (if it stays in the bag I'll use it.
• L'Oreal Eau De Teint Foundation - Porcelain - A good foundation and with the primer and face powder in the bag this might me my holy trinity of face products (we'll see)
• Natural Collection Pressed Powder - Cool  - This is a really good face powder and cheap as well so bargain!!
• SEVENTEEN Hide Away Concealer - Extra Fair -  A makeup product that I have had in my stash and am wanting to use up.
• Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer - Light
• Soap & GloryTM It's About Prime Eyeshadow Underbase
• L'Oreal Color Appeal - Platinum Beige
• MUA ColourBlast Eyeshadow Tint - A Girl Like Me
• Natural Collection LashCare Mascara - Clear
• NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray - I have only just started using this as my Collection Fix Me Up has just been used up.
• Bourjois Fan-Tastic Volume Mascara - Fan-tastic Black
• KIKO Lip Base Primer
• Collection Work The Colour Eyeshadow Pencil - Hot Chocolate
• Collection Work The Colour Eyeshadow Pencil - Vanilla Sky
• Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Eyeliner - Nude
• MaxFactor Dip-In Eyeshadow - Posh Pink
• Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Holidays Mascara - Ultra Black
• Miss Sporty Studio Colour Mono Eyeshadow - Romance
• Avon Big Colour Eye Pencil - Cocoa Gleam
• Soap & GloryTM Super-Colour Fabu-LipstickTM - The Missing Pink - I love this lipstick for a natural look especially when I'm at work.

Hope you like the selection, is there any products there that you have tried and loved?

If you want Make-Up Monday to return in March please comment below.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Make-Up Monday (17.02.2014 - 23.02.2014)

Welcome to another installment of Make-Up Monday.

The products I'm using this week are:

• SEVENTEEN Flawless Poreless Primer - New product I am trying out
• SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation - This doesn't have much left in so it's just a case of using it up
• Soap & Glory SuperFabulipstick - The Missing Pink - I love this lipstick it's such a nude type of colour on the lips.
• NYC Showtime Mascara - Black
• SEVENTEEN Hide Away Concealer Cream - Fair
• L'Oreal Eau De Teint Foundation - Porcelain
• Natural Collection Mono Eyeshadow - Willow
• Avon ColorTrend Eyeliner - Shimmering Silver
• MUA ColourBlast Eyeshadow Tint - Bring It Back
• Collection Fix Me Up Long Lasting Make Up Fixer
• SEVENTEEN Miracle Matte Concealer Crayon
• NYC Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil - Black
• Natural Collection LashCare Mascara - Clear - A staple in my make-up bag.
• KIKO Lip Base Primer - New product I am trying out
• Avon Eye Primer - Light Beige - Another staple in my make-up bag
• Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder - Translucent
• NYX Love In Paris Palette - Madeleines and Macaroons - New product I am trying out
• KIKO Eyetech Look Eyehadow - Grigio Tortora Perlato - New product I am trying out 

Are there any products there that you have tried and loved?

thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Make-Up Monday (10.2.2014 - 16.02.2014)

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Make-Up Monday

As you can see there is another bumper week of products:

• SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation - Porcelain - I've used this previously and it wasn't too bad, I don't think there is much in there so it's more of using it up.
• Beauty UK Prime FX Foundation Primer - This is a brand new product that I wanted to try.
• Natural Collection Pressed Powder - Cool - Have used this before and it is good, testing it out some more.
• L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara - Black
• Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR - Eternal Gold
• MUA Colourblast Eyeshadow Tint - A Girl Like Me
• MaxFactor Wild Mega Volume Mascara - Black
• Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - Sultry - Have been wanting these for ages.
• Rimmel Apocalips - Eclipse
• KIKO Eyeshadow - Matt Beaver Brown - Brand new and trying it out for work for a natural look
• Rimmel ScandalEyes Eyeshadow - Bad Girl Bronze
• Rimmel Lipstick Lock
• Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner
• Avon Lid Primer
• Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer - Light - Love this concealer always a firm favourite.

Some of these products are old favourites, and new testers.

Are there any products that you've used and loved, or used and hated?

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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January Empties 2014

Welcome to the first empties post of January 2014.

As you can see I have used quite a lot of products up, some I liked and some I didn't. So lets get on with the show.

1. No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser
I love this brush cleaner, the price is really reasonable (£8) and it works really well on spot cleaning my brushes. I will definitely be repurchasing this.

2. Superdrug Oval Pads x50
These are good but not to use on my face as they are just a bit too rough, so I use them to clean my brushes with the No7 brush cleaner.

3. Bodycare Square Cotton Wool Pads x50
I loves these cotton wool pads as they are so soft, so when I near a bodycare store I stock up on these little beauties.

4. SEVENTEEN Stay Time Long Wear Primer
I wasn't that impressed by this primer, it became so sticky, and it just smelled so clinical, I won't be repurchasing this again.

5. Simple Face Wipes x7
I bought these for a trip to London, and had a few left so I finished them off, they were quite a good pack of wipes (I'm currently using the larger pack at the moment), they didn't break me out and weren't too bad on the skin. They removed my make up quite well as well as my eye makeup.

6. The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Polish
This was a christmas present from 2012 and I finally managed to get around to using it, and it was a really good body scrub, made the shower smell of ginger, and made my skin so smooth.

7. MUA Pro Base Fixing Mist
I did like this setting spray, and I would repurchase this again as you get quite a lot of product in for £5. I did keep my make up on for quite a while.

8. Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturiser
You know how much I love this moisturiser (I am currently on my 2nd tube), and it works so well on my face (I even had my mother buying a tube to help her dry skin). I will obviously repurchase this again.

9. SEVENTEEN Doll'd Up Mascara - Black
This was a good mascara, and I did love it, and it worked well, not sure if I would repurchase again though as I already have quite a lot to get through.

10. Superdrug Round Cotton Wool Pads x50
I bought the travel size for my trip to London as I didn't want to take a massive pack or take so many and run out. These weren't too bad on my face, and I would repurchase again (I bought a triple pack for £3 recently from Superdrug, Good Times!!)

11. Sure Clear Pure Crystal Deodorant
I am fickle when it comes to deodorants and doing what they say on the tin, and to me this one did fail to stand up to expectations. I don't think I would repurchase this again as I have a load of deodorants that need using up.

12. L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution.
I love the L'Oreal micellar water, it works so well on removing my make up, and I will definitely be repurchasing (I have another bottle in the bathroom ready and waiting for me to finish with the Garnier bottle)

So that is my empties for January 2014,

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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BLOGMAS 14: M.U.A. Pro Base Fixing Mist

This I bought on impulse, I'd bought myself some foundation and thought the idea of a product that would keep my make up on all day and not flake off or cake was a really good idea.

It claims that it gives up to 8 hours fixing time, it also moisturises your skin. it also claims that it will protect against heat, humidity, cold, and windy weather conditions.

I've been using this for over a week now and I am really impressed with it, it has become one of my staples (I've even got my mum using it). It makes my make up last for ages, and even though I do have a lid primer on it also helps stop my eyeshadow from creasing.

It is so easy to apply, you shake the bottle, hold it at arms length and then spray across your face, this holds my make up in place really well and it also helps to keep my eyeshadow from creasing (the lid primer helps as well but this just gives it that extra boost)

I would repurchase this again

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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