March on Blue Sky and Bunting

Some of you may know I write another blog, Blue Sky and Bunting. I thought I'd start doing a monthly round up so you can see what's been on there and if there's anything you fancy a read of.

My boys favourite pancake recipe from Annabel Karmel 

A look at one of my favourite brands for keeping your children entertained, Play Hooray

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I can't believe I've never reviewed this. Maybe I have and I just can't find it. But if I can't find it I'm worried that you won't be able to and well, it's a great product. I was sent it when it first came out which is why I'm so surprised that it never made it onto the blog though may go someway to explaing way Collection don't send me things anymore. My bad.

I recommend the Lasting Perfection concealer a lot because I feel that I seem to be asked about overspending more and more. People spend an awful lot of their money on products that disappoint and with the increased interest in beauty this is only getting worse. And though I love the Clarins Instant Concealer - I don't use it every day. Why should I? I need something quick, easy and cheap that I can slather on in the 2 minutes I get between one of the kids crying, peeing or selfishly needing to be taken somewhere. So more often than not I'll use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and this is why.

1. Coverage - for the price, and indeed for any price, the coverage on this concealer is pretty amazing.

2. Price - this is an incredible price. I always encourage people to spend to suit their products and though my absolute favourite product is nearly 5 times as much as this if I had to cut back on something this would be the concealer I'd go for.

3. Application - does foot applicator makes this easy to just dot on where you need it and blend with either your fingers or a brush. It doesn't sit in wrinkles and blends well with a buildable coverage should you need it. Apply after foundation or just on it's own on moisturised skin.

4. Longevity - lasts as long as most good concealers, longer than some and if you set it with a powder, well, it should be there all day.

5. Ethics - Collection is a UK brand that is cruelty free (including not being sold in China) though it can't confirm all of it's ingredients haven't been tested on animals as some may have been for medical (not cosmetic) purposes. Brands that don't sell in China are sadly not as easy to find as you may think.

It's not all wonder though - this can oxidise, if in doubt go a shade lighter as this tends to darken with age. This seems to vary from tube to tube as does it's tendency to seep from the lid slightly when you screw it closed. There are limited colours available in this would be lovely to see a wider range. I'm usually a medium 03 - for me to be a medium in anything should tell you how small the colour range is. That being said I have the entire colour range in my kit. It's a good reliable concealer - can cover most things blends well and incredibly easy to work with.

Having just written this I've seen I have reviewed it. The original review is here. I'm an idiot.

What You Need to Know - Collection Lasting Collection Concealer

• £4.19
• 5ml
• 6 shades
• Cruelty free
• Other products from Collection: Cream Puff Lip Cream, Lasting Perfection Foundation, Shimmer Shades
• Available from Boots and Superdrug

Empties 2018 - 1

A new numbering system for my empties videos but the same format! All products, previous reviews and mentioned features are listed below. If you haven't already then do subscribe to my YouTube channel and come and say hi on Instagram.

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Mane n Tail Conditioner
L'Oreal Studio Pro Boost It Volume Mousse
Therapie Equilibrium Bath and Shower Essence 
Alpecin Double Effect Shampoo 
Eau Dynamisante 
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks
Origins Make A Difference Plus 
NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara 
Clinique Fresh Pressed Pure Vitamin C 

My current favourite mascaras

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Mane n Tail Conditioner 
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara 
Origins Make A Difference Plus

Veil Cosmetics Complexion Fix

I bought this on a whim and that's how I always make my make-up mistakes. And the worst thing is I was suckered in on something about which I should know better. One of my absolute top make-up peevs is when I ask someone what their favourite concealer is and they say, 'touche eclat'. Touche Elcat is not a concealer it's a cream highlighter which may be fine for those who really don't need a concealer or who have bags and not dark circles but it's going to add lift to anything that you want to cover. Basically the same can be said for Veil Cosmetics Complexion Fix.

Now, I do not have the right colour for me. I have N2 which, I'm assuming, stands for Neutral 2 and what I probably should have is P2, Pink 2 which will be better for dark circles. However this doesn't have enough ooomph for my redness either. First time I tried it I hated it. Didn't like the plasticy packaging and it was basically like smearing vaguely tinted nothing cream over my dark blue circles. Second time, I didn't hate it so much, it sort of served a purpose though not entirely the one I was after. And so it's continued. You can get ok coverage if you build this up but I sort of don't want a product I have to build up. Also it just doesn't last all day

Instagram Q&A 1 - Part 2

OK part 2. I asked Instagram if they had any questions for me and I got loads of good ones. You can see part one here. I've listed the questions below and any products I've mentioned.

7. Jessie
Eco Tools blenders
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

8. Brooke
Hourglass Brow Arch
Soap & Glory Archery 2 in 1 
Maybelline Brow Drama 
Benefit Gimme Brow 

9. Occy

10. Claire
Origins Gin Zing Tinted Moisturiser
Maybelline Brow Drama
Clarins Instant Concealer
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Bourjois Smoky Stories
Louise Young Eye Trios

How to use an eye shadow palette 

11. Leila
I will answer this eventually I promise

12. Gina
Alcone Anti-Shine
Embryolisse Mattifying Moisturiser

13. Bex
I saw one of these in action the other day and thought this might help with blackheads though it's not cheap (if you wanted one then get in touch with me)
Pixi Glow Tonic

14. Izzy
Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser
Sam Farmer Face Wash
Green People Face Wash
I really like these face cloths
Olay Radient Glow Moisturiser
Sleek Makeup CC Cream

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself.

Instagram Q&A 1 - Part 1

Wow this is much harder than I thought it would be. Editing it down was difficult and it made me realise that the problem with videos is - you miss things. Every time I watched it through to edit it I could see things I'd meant to mention and then didn't and that is, I guess, a good thing, because otherwise the video would be hours long but means I feel that my answers are, in some cases, lacking a bit. But it's my first Q&A and in the spirit of being easy on myself this year I'm going to say you can't get it perfect first time out! Any additional info I've listed below with the products mentioned.

Part 1 is questions 1-6 and part 2 will be 7-14

Thank you so much for everyone who sent in questions. I really enjoyed doing this. Please go to the video in YouTube or to the comments below to carry on the conversation.

1. Gemma (@the_organised_mum)
Mascara (Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara)

2. Becca Leggate
Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach
Clarins Instant Concealer 
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

3. PickleTricky
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
MAC Eye Kohl
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

4. Gina
House of Glam Dolls Glambase Wheel
Illamasqua Hollow
NYX Wonderstick
Blend, Blend, Blend!

5. Gina
Louise Young Powder Blushers (I particularly love Mae, Dolly, Maudie and Coop)
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush (Rose Glow and Cherub)
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush Samples

6. Helen
Spend on skin products - tinted moisturiser, foundation or skincare - a good tinted moisturiser with an SPF is great if you don't need/want too much coverage.
Save on mascaras unless you only wear mascara in which case you can spend a bit more but remember they are mostly the same formula in different packaging.
Don't spend too much on eye shadows - I like Bourjois Smoky Stories and Louise Young Eye Trios
Aim for mid-price and you should get good quality.
Always happy to advise!

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

Top 5 Mascaras

Mascara's. It's an ongoing thing, the quest for the perfect mascara isn't it? And I sort of think that maybe that's the point of it. The journey rather than the discovery itself. I mean. I'm not going to stop trying new mascara's am I? It's all gone a bit existential.

I asked Instagram what they wanted and current mascara favourites was the answer. So here they are. All price ranges are covered and all of these I would buy again. Sadly none of these products are cruelty free. 4 out of the 5 are sold in China which means, there at least, by law their products will be tested on animals. Younique is cruelty free sort of, but they currently can't trace all their products back to definitely not being tested on animals though I think they are in the process of changing this.

How to Use and Eyeshadow Palette

I get asked this a lot. I think eye shadow palettes can be so daunting especially now there are so many to choose from so here's a look at how you can use them in a really straightforward way and a look at some of the ones I had to hand at the time of filming. If you want to go high end I love the Chanel quads - they are beautiful, I like Urban Decay palettes and Sleek Makeup are worth a look at too. But really, if you are new to this, go on a good wearable colour that you like and start from there.

Avon True Colour in Mocha Latte
Bourjois Smoky Stories in Over Rose
Bourjois Smoky Stories in Tomber des Nudes
Collection Smokey Eyes which is an old palette I like Eyes Uncovered which is current or the Work the Colour which looks similar to the Smokey Eyes palette
Collection Style Your Mood
Dior 5 Couleurs in 056 Bar
Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Infinity
L'Oreal Made for Me Naturals in Light Brunettes no longer available but the Colour Riche Quad is nice
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Louise Young Eye Trio in Festival
Louise Young Eye Trio in Studio 54
Maybelline Big Eyes in Luminous Brown
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked Heat

Reviews:
Bourjois Smoky Stories
Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked Heat

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

20 Under £20 - My Best Cheap Beauty Buys

I started this off to test myself. It started off easily and then got harder. I've kept it in the order in which these came to me. Which means sometimes you'll be able to see my train of thought. I tried to keep it varied. I could probably name twenty great black liners for under £20 but I've limited myself - you all know I love MAC Smoulder so I've tried where necessary to go for something less obvious. For certain others, like the product that is first on the list, there is no question that it deserves it's place here. It's unrivalled. I've been recommending it for a decade or so.

What are your favourites? Have I missed anything you think deserves a place? Let me know down in the comments.