How to apply eyeliner like a pro

Applying eyeliner may seem scary, especially if you're a newbie. Once you've got the hang of it however it literally is like a walk in the park. Liquid eyeliners are great for beginners in my opinion as they flow really easily and there isn't the stiffness you can get with some gel or kohl eyeliners. Try to hold your hand as steady as possible, pull the eyeliner from the inner eye keeping it close to the lashline, to the middle, stop if you need to and continue to the outer lashes. If you're struggling here's a video tutorial showing how to apply the eyeliner. I used Makeup Gallery Pro eyeliner which is only £1, stays on all day and looks great. You can get the eyeliner from all good Poundland stores or online.

July monthly beauty favourites

We're almost halfway through July and Summer has finally made an appearance. Whilst we were waiting for the sun I was busy rediscovering some old favourites that I had long forgotten about - and a few new gems.

Clarins True Radiance foundation
I bought this ages ago and loved it but since abandoned it for many other foundations. Whilst they have all performed pretty well, I recently rediscovered my love for Clarins True Radiance. It has excellent coverage and gives a gorgeous dewy glow that leaves my skin looking fabulous. Grab it for £27.50 at Boots.

Nars Audacious mascara
I recently received this in Look Incredible June beauty box (see my review here) and simply loved it. The mascara really separates my lashes out helping to define them and gives them a bit of a curl. Highly recommended. It's a little pricey but it's good for a little splurge now and again. Get it for £21 at House of Fraser.

MUA highlighter in Pink Shimmer
This is another product I tried a while back but have since been trying lots of new highlighters.MUA Undress Your skin in Pink Shimmer is a lovely sheeny pink highlighter that leaves a long lasting subtle pink shimmer. It literally lasts all day without fading and doesn't look too over the top. I love it and I don't know why I haven't worn it for so long! You can watch my full review below. Grab it for a budget friendly price of £3 at Superdrug.

These are my current favourites, what are yours?

Salon Science helps to restore radiance to hair with their new range of hair care

What the brand says
Salon Science have come up with a innovative new range of hair products that blend the use of science with beauty. The award winning brand Salon Science uses the science behind what makes a product work with the hair to create products that are designed for hair loss, anti ageing, repair and radiance and hydration and scalp sensitivity.

The products are enriched with next generation plant stem cells and bio-active technology to help get even the toughest hair under control. In the same way that beauty brands create anti-ageing and enriching creams for the skin, Salon Science products have the same concept.

The new range of products include:

PhytoCellTex Swiss apple for anti-ageing and restored volume

• Enriched with Plant Stem Cell technology, the product is designed to thicken and protect fine and fragile hair. 

AnaGain Organic Pea Sprout for targeting hairloss

• Organic pea sprout helps to encourage hair growth at the root and prolong the lifecycle of your hair.

GSP-T Swiss Grape for repair and radiance

• If your hair is overprocessed and frazzled the Swiss Grape will help to restore it with powerful antioxidants. It should also help to brighten the hair which is great for those who dye their hair.

AquaCacteen Organic cactus for scalp relief.

• There's nothing worse than a sore itchy scalp which leaves you scratching all day. AquaCacteen Organic Cactus hydrates the hair and hydrates the scalp so it's healthy again.

The Lowdown
For the purposes of the review I am testing GSP-T Swiss Grape. The product has quite smart packaging with a scientific looking design. I haven't tried any new hair products for a little while so in this review I'm focusing on the shampoo, conditioner and Reprotectant Thermal Creme. I really like the unique applicator top that pushes down like a step, it's not something I've seen before. The shampoo quickly worked into a rich lather and the conditioner had quite a silky consistency. Both products smelt fabulous, I believe there was a hint of grape but as grapes don't tend to smell it's hard to say. After washing my hair smelt lovely with a perfumed scent.

Before drying my hair I sprayed on the thermal cream. The spray nozzle makes it really easy to direct onto whatever part of hair you desire and it has a really lightweight consistency. The spray has the same scent as the shampoo and conditioner. I did think my hair seemed a little more tangled than it normally is after washing when using the thermal cream as opposed to my normal product.

The next day my hair was easy to manage and style. My hair was shiny after use, although I wouldn't say there was much difference to my normal hair products. Over time the products may have more of an effect.

Lovely smelling products that left my hair easy to manage. I can't say there was much different to my normal hair products however.

I give it 3/5

Get the shampoo for £7.33 at Boots
Get the conditioner for £8 at Boots
Get the thermal creme for £8 at Boots

Advantages

• Has a lovely perfumed scent that leaves your hair smelling great
• Four different ranges that work to help eliminate different hair problems
• Hair was smooth and easy to manage once dry

Disadvantages

• After initially applying the products my hair seemed a little more tangled than normal.
• I didn't notice much difference in shine when compared to my usual products.

Top tips on how to have a great pamper night

Whether you've had a awful day at work, the kids are running you ragged or you need your stress levels to take a hike - sometimes there really is a need for a good pampering.

Even if you're feeling fine there's always an excuse for a bit of me time. So put your feet up, make a cup of tea and note how to have the best pampering night ever.

Turn on the tunes
Pampering nights should be a little chilled so a little Ed Sheeran or Justin Beiber is perfect. This isn't mandatory though if you want loud sing along girl power songs go for it, it's your night after all.

Set the tone
Candles really set the mood and they smell ah-mazing! Whether it's tea lights, the latest Yankee Candle or Jo Malone, light as many as you can to get a warm, serene background to relax in.

Snuggle down
No pamper night is complete without a lovely warm snuggly dressing gown to burrow down into. Whip on your pjs and then settle down into your fluffiest terry robe.

Remove your makeup
As amazing as makeup is, you certainly shouldn't leave it on when you don't need it. Leftover makeup can clog pores resulting in spots or blackheads which you really don't need. Makeup removers come in many forms, the best in my opinion being micellar water and makeup wipes. Feel the relief when that makeup comes off after a long day!

A bubble bath for one
Probably the best moment in your pamper night has to be the moment you sink into a warm bubble bath. Set a few candles up alongside, slip on some tunes, lay back on your bath pillow with a good book and relax. If you don't have a bath you can still chill out with a long shower, happy in the knowledge that you haven't got to cut it short to run out of the door.

Exfoliate those dry areas
It's important to regularly exfoliate your skin in order to get rid of dead skin. Use your pamper time to give both your face and body a real servicing; you'll help to improve your circulation and reduce the amount of spots/blackheads you might get. It's also great for sustaining a good tan in the summer.

Condition your hair
Conditioners are fabulous for calming your hair and adding extra shine and moisture. Using shampoo alone will leave your hair feeling knotty and tangled so I can't stress how important it is to condition during your pamper night. Try Yes to Blueberries Smooth & Shine conditioner (£5 at Asos)

A close shave
I don't know about you but everything seems to feel much lighter when I've shaved. After you've whipped your hair into a lather, get down to shaving your legs, armpits and bikini line (if that's your bag). You'll feel great and ever so smooth.

Give hair extra Tlc with hair oil
After shampooing and conditioning your hair make sure you use hair oil to give your hair more shine and moisture. I recommend Macadamia Natural Healing Oil (£12.95 at Beauty Expert)

Keep it clean
When it comes to cleansing I keep to a pretty religious schedule. Cleansing is great for removing any leftover makeup, oil or dirt leaving your skin feeling soft and clean. Use a flannel and warm water to get the best results.

Face masks
Face masks look a little funny but they do wonders for your skin. Invest in a clay mask for the best results as they help to suck up the badness in your skin preventing spots forming. Stick some cucumbers on your eyes and you'll really look the part.

Get moisturising
With your skin cleansed and exfoliated, and made pretty with a face mask it's time to seal the deal. Cleansing and exfoliating is great for ridding your skin of dirt, oil and dead skin but it may also remove some of your skin's moisture. To avoid your skin getting too dry apply a good moisturiser after to get the goodness back into your skin. Moisturising your body is just as important to keep skin soft and supple. I recommend Eve Lom Moisture mask (£65 at John Lewis) for your face and Clarins Eau Ressourcante Silky Smooth body cream (£26.55 at John Lewis) for your body.

Netflix and chill (literally chill)
Netflix is one of my favourite past-times and I don't know why I didn't discover it earlier. I've lost many a hour watching box sets of Dexter, Gossip Girl, Bates Motel and others to name a few and don't regret a minute of it. The world of media is perfect for getting lost in, what more could you want on a night (or day) that's dedicated to you.

Nail painting
I love a leisurely hour painting my nails. I try to get creative sometimes with interesting nail art designs but it's just as fun to liven up your nails with a bright colour you haven't used for a while.

Pillow spray
Once your hair is shining, your face is soft and clear and your body smells great you're probably thinking about settling down for the night. Try a pillow spray before you go to sleep to give you a good night's sleep. They smell great and contain elements that will help you drift off.

Handcream
Hand Cream is amazing, especially in Winter when the fluctuating temperatures make your skin go mega dry. Apply it onto dry skin to give it extra moisture and leave it feeling smooth again.

Finally, sleep
If you've completed all of the above you're probably a little knackered. Pampering is fun but it can sure be hard work when the focus is all on you. Try and get a early night and jump into bed. Try and avoid too much TV and mobile phone before bed to increase your chances of getting to sleep quickly. Finally let yourself drift off content that you look and feel great!

I hope this post helps you rediscover yourself and how important it is to take care of number one (that's you in case you were wondering)!

Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails and Blooming False Lashes Review and Competition

With the warmer weather Summer is the perfect season to let your hair down, dress up and have fun.

Not one to miss a party Kiss have released their new strip lash Blooming Lash and collection of Gel Fantasy nails.

Nothing can transform a look more than beautiful long lashes. As great as it is mascara can only do so much in improving the look of your lashes. Kiss Blooming Lashes is perfect for finishing the look and adding that little bit of glamour.

The new lashes have been designed with Multi-angle technology so you can get a number of lashes on a single band. Unlike some lashes however these don't look heavy. I like how natural Blooming Lash look as I think the bulkier lashes are so obviously fake and tacky looking. There are already two designs in the collection; Lily and Daisy but Peony seems a lot thicker and darker. The lashes do look really natural and didn't feel heavy like some false lashes can. They did stay on for most of the day but started to peel at the edges around 3pm (don't you love that).

If you hate your nail polish chipping then the new collection of Gel Fantasy nails will put your pet hate to rest. The range is super bright with a lovely ultra-smooth finish and can last up to a week. The new designs include Freshen Up, Painted Veil and Rock Candy.

I don't often wear false nails as they really irritate me but these looked so pretty I couldn't resist. Whilst they're all great designs my favourite has to be the sunset pink nails with glitter at the bottom. Each pack has 24 nails that come in varying sizes which is perfect as it fits a range of hand sizes. As I have tiny hands it's good there were lots of little nails. You can apply them with adhesives or glue depending on which option you prefer. In my opinion glue is the better option as adhesive pads don't tend to last very long.

The nails generally fitted quite well although there were a few that had a slightly off shape and cut into my fingers slightly. The nails are not too long and are quite shiny, although not as much as real gel nails.

The nail glue is very strong and keeps the nails put for days. I also found it was really hard to get the nails off and took me about a half hour which wasn't fun. Depending on how much you like false nails you may want to give the adhesive pads a go.

To celebrate the launch of these products I am giving you the chance to win two of the new Gel Fantasy nails Painted Veil and Rock Candy. To enter simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions. The competition will run from 24th July 2016 to 24th August 2016 starting and finish at 12am. UK only. Good luck!

If you don't want to wait you can get Rock Candy for £6.99 at Boots here 
Painted Veil for £6.99 at Boots here
Get Freshen Up for £7.99 at Superdrug here
Get Peony for £6.12 at Superdrug here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to minimise pores

Enlarged pores can be a pain, especially if you suffer from them a lot and they start to become the only thing you focus on every day. Pores are tiny hair follicles in the skin that don't cause any issues until they become clogged up with dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Blackheads and spots are also prone to enlarging pores, especially if you squeeze them. The easiest way to reduce your pores is to prevent them getting enlarged in the first place. Whilst this may sound easier said then done it is possible. Here's how.

Take a steam bath
Steam is great as the pressure of the hot air, oxygen and moisture help to open your pores and clean them out. Boil a kettle and ensure that the water is piping hot before pouring it into a bowl. Place a towel over the top and place a few aromatic rose herbs in so you can inhale the aromatic scent. After having a steam bath exfoliate your skin so you can get rid of as much dirt and dead skin cells as you can to minimise the appearance of your pores. What's even better is that steam is completely free!

Reduce pores through toning
Toners are good for helping to minimise pores as they are able to get deep into the skin, cleaning out oil, dirt and dead skin cells. If your pores are already quite large however then it's unlikely they will shrink back down to their original size entirely however the toner will of course help. A lot of toners contain alcohol or peroxide which can actually dry out your skin so aim for products that are all natural. I recommend Balm Balm 100% Organic Witch Hazel toner (£14.50 at Feelunique)

Use baking soda to create a homemade exfoliant
Baking powder is great as it's cheap and creates the perfect homemade exfoliant. The exfoliant will help remove dead skin cells which can clog pores and improve your appearance. Baking soda also contains a natural antiseptic which will help to ward off any pesky spots. Mix 4 heaps of baking soda with water, apply all over your face and leave for 3 minutes. Rinse off with cold water to close your pores and then wait for the results to show.  Repeat the process weekly to keep your skin looking clear.

Get working on these tips and you'll soon have skin you can be proud of.

Maybelline NY Bricks Bronzer in Blondes Review

What the brand says
Even if the sun doesn't shine this Summer Maybelline has it in hand with their NY Bricks bronzer. Whilst most bronzers and highlighters come separately Maybelline has combined them in one compact to give a warm glow.

The palette is available in one shade Blonde.

The Lowdown
I saw this and thought it was so cute with the delicate multicoloured shimmer bricks. The shimmer bricks have fabulous glitter pigmentation and even the bronzer has quite a bit of sparkle within it. Strangely enough the product has the most amazing perfumed smell which is quite unusual to find in most cosmetics.

The bronzer is quite a light tan brown so doesn't look too dark when applied. The shimmer bricks are very pigmented although the two lightest shades, the gold and pink are quite light. The gold bronze shimmer is the strongest and has quite intense pigmentation. When I applied the shimmer I swirled all the colours into one. The result was quite a muted version of the strongest gold/brown shimmer and it leaves a lovely sheen on my skin. I applied the bronzer on my forehead, under my cheekbones, along the side of my nose and on the side of my jaw. It really warmed my face up without making it look too dark and it looked like I had a lovely glow from catching the sun.

A lovely little product that does exactly what it claims to, it gives you a lovely glow without having to resort to burning yourself in the sun!

I give it 4/5

Grab it for £7.99 at Superdrug

Advantages

• You get a bronzer and shimmer in one so effectively you get double for your money
• Leaves skin looking bronzed with a lovely glow
• The shimmer bricks can be used separately or together for different looks
• The bronzer isn't too dark so it's good for fair skin

Disadvantages

• Surprisingly there is only one shade so there's not much choice for variation in your look

In flight beauty essentials

Your tickets are booked and your suitcase is full of assorted bikinis, vest tops, shorts and cute little dresses. It's almost time to pop on your sunglasses and head to the airport, but before you go don't forget your in flight beauty essentials.

Knowing how to keep your skin hydrated is important on a flight, especially if you're going long haul due to the pressure and recycled air. If you're flying short haul you won't have as much time to invest but your skin will still benefit from these tips.

So what in flight beauty essentials should come top of your list?


Whip out your face mask
What better time for a face mask is there then when you have to spend hours sitting in a seat! There are many face masks available and so many are full of amazing benefits that your skin will soak up. If you're in it for the long haul you may want to try a Sleeping mask, these provide intense hydration for hours and counteract the effects of being stuck in a enclosed environment for hours. Try Shiseido Sleeping Mask (£33 at Harrods) for long haul or Natura Bisse Oxygen Finishing Mask (£33.30 at Neiman Marcus) for short haul.

Relax those eyes
Your eyes are one of the first parts of your body to feel and look tired. Whilst you have a little snooze why not try a mask designed specifically for the eye area to give targeted hydration. Try Elemis Absolute Eye Mask (£32 at House of Fraser)

Makeup wipes
Whilst you may want to look great on the plane, it's likely that full face of makeup will fade and sink into your skin as the flight goes on. Streaky mascara, eyeliner and tired looking foundation is never a good look. When you've settled into the plan use some gentle makeup wipes to get rid of all your makeup so you can prep your skin and relax. Aim for wipes full of goodies like Vitamin C to refresh and brighten your skin. I recommend L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Revitalift Rejuvenating Makeup wipes (£4.99 at Beauty Expert)

Moisturisers are go
Moisturiser should be top of your list to counteract the effects of the altitude and cabin air. Moisturiser will help to keep your skin hydrated stopping it drying out. Try Elemental Herbology Moisture Milk (£42 at Feelunique)

Final touches
As the plan comes in to land you probably feel fabulous. Whilst your skin looks great it's still good to add the finishing touches so you have a little bit of glamour as you head towards your destination. Aim for a CC cream with a hydrating base to brighten your skin. A CC cream is great as it's quite lightweight and they normally have a good SPF. Try Lancome City Miracle CC cream with SPF50 (£29 at House of Fraser) Finish off with a tinted lip balm to add colour but keep your lips moisturised. L'Oreal Sexy Balm is perfect for adding some sexiness to your look (get it for £4.99 at Boots). Check out my video review of the Sexy Balm here.

Have a great flight ladies and I'm sure you'll look even more fabulous when you leave the plane then you did when you boarded!

Skinbreeze Rejuvenation Serum review

What the brand says
If you've tried what seems like every ageing cream to exist and still pulled at your wrinkles in despair then seeing the 'next best thing' in age repair probably makes you recoil inside.

Skinbreeze Rejuvenation Serum claims to be different through the use of neuropeptides that reduce the signs of ageing by using neurotransmission to contract the muscles. The contraction helps to make the muscles relax, thus releasing  the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The serum is designed to be used over 30 days for the best results.

The Lowdown
Whilst I'm still relatively young (not quite 30 yet!) I do have quite deep fine lines. I have tried quite a number of age repair products over the years and have reviewed quite a few on the blog. Regardless of whether they're a cream, serum or light machine I've had very little results with these products. I am a little sceptical if this will do anything but every little helps!

It has a really unique design and actually looks a bit like a syringe which is different to most anti-ageing products I try. It kind of gives the impression that it's like botox and is going to work incredibly well. The end of the product has a little teat which you can take off to reveal the dropper. This is a good idea to keep the product clean. The see through packaging also means you can see how much you have got left.

I applied the serum under my eyes, on my forehead and between my eyes where I get quite bad frown lines. The serum is very light and there was no tingling or soreness after I applied it. I noticed quite a difference under my eyes after applying where the skin looked a lot more taut. I didn't notice too much difference in other areas but I'm hoping it will have more of an effect as time goes on. So far I'm impressed and I'm looking forward to trying this out.

I have had a brief look online and it's a little difficult to find the product but I will let you know in my final review where you can get it.

I will use this over a 30 day period and will document my progress every 10 days to show you if the serum is having any effect. Keep tuned for the final review!

Check out Skinbreezer serum here

*pr sample

Win a Iphone SE worth over £300!

I love treating all my lovely readers at Glitz and Glamour Makeup and today is no different. I have teamed up with Three to give you the chance to win a brand new Rose gold Iphone SE. The new phone which is a favourite amongst celebrities is a cross between a Iphone 6/Iphone 6s but has the size of a Iphone 5 so it's perfect for smaller hands.

The handset will come unlocked and you'll even get a Three sim with £10 credit preloaded. This is an amazing prize that you won't want to miss!

Key features include:

• 12 megapixel camera
• 4g activated

To enter simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Spread the word and have fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
iPhone SE competition with Three – Ts&Cs.
1.      These terms and conditions are the rules which apply to this competition. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the following terms and conditions.
2.      This competition is run by Glitz and Glamour Makeup in conjunction with Hutchison 3G UK Limited, operating as Three, Star House, 20 Grenfell Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1EH.
3.      To enter the competition entrants must follow the Rafflecopter instructions before 12am on 18 August 2016.
4.      Entrants must be aged 18 or over.
5.      This promotion is open to residents of the UK, except for Three employees, their families or anyone else associated with this competition.
6.      No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.
7.      Winners agree to participate in publicity as Glitz and Glamour Makeup and Three may require.
8.      The prize on offer is a 16GB iPhone SE (rose gold) and a Three Sim card loaded with £10 of credit.
9.      The prize is only as stipulated and cannot be transferred and/or exchanged for cash.
10.  Confirmation of the prize will be made by email to the winner by 19th August 2016.
11.  Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, Glitz and Glamour Makeup and Three reserve the right to offer the prize to another eligible entrant. Failure to respond and/or provide an address, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize.
12.  Glitz and Glamour Makeup and Three reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. If we do this, we will publish the amended terms and conditions on the competition page.
13.  Glitz and Glamour Makeup and Three reserve the right to end this promotion at any time, and without notice.

L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation Video Review

You may have seen Lancome's miracle cushion foundation, lusted after it but realised it wasn't quite in your price range. There's an answer in reach now though with L'Oreal's version of the cushion foundation - L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion foundation. The foundation uses the same concept as Lancome but is so much cheaper and works so well! Check out my video review in my latest get ready with me video.

Get yours for £14.99 at Boots

MUA Pixel Perfect Multi Blush Pink Blossom review

What the brand says
Summer brings sun (well sometimes), longer days, holidays and lots of exciting new makeup products.

MUA's latest release is no exception with the unveiling of their new Pixel Perfect Multi blush. The powder blush is available in four shades; Cherry Charm, Coral Spice, Peach Bloom and Pink Blossom. Depending on whether you want a light flush or darker glow there is quite a lot of variety in the available shades.

The Lowdown
For the purpose of the review I am testing Pink Blossom. It has a rich colour spectrum, with a mixture of blue, dark pink, light pink, peachy  gold and silver combined to create a unique effect. Throughout the whole blush there is a subtle shimmer running through it. With so many different colours I'm curious to the kind of finish I'll get, especially as I wouldn't say all of these colours are what you'd normally expect in a blusher.

The effect of this blusher is very very light and it did take quite a few swipes to get the effect I wanted. The finish is a very natural glow that looks barely there. Surprisingly despite the addition of blue in the colour spectrum the result is a warm flush, you don't need to worry about looking blue!

A good product if you're going for the natural look.

I give it 4/5

Get it for £3 at Superdrug   here

Advantages

• Great value price of £3.00
• Gives a really natural rosy glow

Disadvantages

• In order to get a visible glow you do need to swipe the product quite a lot which takes a little longer then normal.

Most disappointing beauty products June 2016

I always buy a product with high hopes at what it can do and how it can improve my look. When a product fails to live up to its potential it's a massive disappointment especially if I'd read rave reviews! I bought quite a few new beauty products in June and there were a few that really weren't worth the money.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Face Base Primer
For some reason virtually every product on the Makeup Revolution website has rave reviews which is always a bit suspect - what company has great reviews on every product?! I do love their products though and was expecting a lot of the Ultra Face Base primer. Ultimately though the primer didn't live up to my expectations. It was supposed to be oil free but I think my t-zone was just as oily as it ever was. I also didn't think it made my makeup look fresh for any longer then normal.
Get it for £5 at Superdrug


Revlon Ultra Volume mascara
Not long ago Revlon launched a whole collection of new mascaras that were each designed to do a specific thing. The collection was broken down into five mascaras; there was one for volume, length, definition, volume and length and the ultimate all in one. I bought the Ultra Volume mascara and was expecting massive lashes. The result was quite thin lashes that did not look volumised at all. Massive waste of money in my opinion!
Get it for £6.99 at Superdrug (reduced from £9.99)



MUA Luxe Strobe and Glow highlight kit
As one of the newest highlighter kits to come from MUA I was hoping to get a gorgeous glow with this product. Sadly it wasn't to be - the powder didn't really do much and the cream gave a bit of highlight but nowhere near as much as I'd expect. Good if you like your highlight very, very natural - but isn't that defeating the object of applying highlighter?! If you want to see a full review of this head over to Youtube here.
Get it for £5 at Superdrug

Nail of the day: Barry M Gelly Hi-shine in Dragon Fruit

There's nothing better than a Summer's day with a beaming sun, a pretty dress and cute summery nails to match. Barry M Gelly Hi shine nail paint in Dragon Fruit is a gorgeous baby pink shade that will look perfect with that little tea dress. The varnish is quite sparse when I applied it and it took a few layers to get my desired finish. I also found that if you didn't have a lot on the brush it would create lumps which affected the finish I got. When I sorted out the lumpiness issue the finish was smooth with a lovely shine.

My overall verdict is that this nail varnish is a bit of a pain to work with as it has a odd formula. I did think the other shades in the range applied a lot better.

Have you tried Dragon Fruit? If so what did you think of it?

Get it for £3.99 at Superdrug

Win a beauty bundle to celebrate Glitz and Glamour Makeup 1000th post

Glitz and Glamour Makeup has hit a monumental milestone - the 1000th post! To celebrate hitting 1000 posts I've got a new competition for you all to win this fabulous set of beauty goodies. The prize includes:

• Collection Eyes Uncovered Let Your Eyes do the Talking
• Toni & Guy Classic Shine Gloss Serum
• Makeup Revolution pink nail varnish
• Avon Supershock mascara
• Makeup Revolution Iconic 1 Eyeshadow palette 

Terms and conditions
To win all you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. The competition will run from 10 July to 11 August 2016 starting and finishing at 12am. UK entrants only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate lipstick in Wine 107 review

What the brand says
Leading lady Kate Moss has teamed up with Rimmel to create a new collection of colour enriched lipsticks. Enriched with Ruby Powder to intensity the colour the lipsticks have a velvet matte finish.

There are currently 4 shades in the collection.

The Lowdown
I'd heard a lot about these lipsticks, especially the lipstick in 110 as I read it rivalled a Mac lipstick. Unfortunately when I was looking for it I couldn't find it anywhere, so I had to settle for 107 instead.

The available colours are quite limited which is strange for a fairly new collection.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in 107 (Wine) is a deep plum shade. It has a really nice fruity scent although I can't quite put my finger on what kind of fruit.

It has a really creamy feel and glides onto my lips so easily. It has a matte finish and up close the shade has a slight sparkle going through it so it's not a flat colour. The colour is really bright on my lips and would be perfect to finish your look on a date night or night out with the girls.

It was still visible after eating but not long after that the colour had pretty much gone which was really disappointing. However I found when I applied the lipstick and didn't eat the colour stays put for a number of hours even after drinking (strange I know).

I really like the colour of the 107 lipstick and if you're not planning on eating it does last for quite a long time. It has a nice matte finish and doesn't feel drying on my lips.

I give it 4/5

Get it for £5.49 at Superdrug

Advantages

• Has a pleasant fruity scent
• Really creamy formula that glides on really easily
• Bright, eye catching colour
• Lasts quite a few hours if you're not planning to eat whilst wearing the lipstick
• The lipstick doesn't feel drying

Disadvantages

• If you eat this shortly after applying it the colour doesn't last
• Only available in 4 shades

My blogging routine

Like anything in life if a blog is to thrive then dedication and commitment is the key. At the start of 2016 I decided to focus a bit more on Glitz and Glamour Makeup and improve my readership and social media following.

In order to improve the status of my blog I have a blogging routine that I repeat every week so I can have a good life/work balance.

Gathering my thoughts
At the start of the week I come up with the topics I want to write about the following week. I research what's popular and what I think will help my readers on various issues. Once I've come up with a total I'll start to research deeper into the article and start to write a draft of the final copy.

Time to schedule
By Friday I've normally written all of my posts and I'll just be adding the final touches. Sometimes if I'm busy in the week going to events or out with friends I won't have everything written by Friday so it could extend into Saturday. At the moment I write 5 posts a week which are scheduled from Monday to Friday. I don't write any posts for the weekend so I can give myself a bit of a break. I schedule my posts as if I wrote them all on the day they were posted I wouldn't get anything done!

Snap happy
I love coming up with pictures to go alongside my blogs and like to be quite creative. I tend to take most of my pictures on the Friday after work. Normally I'll post one picture per article but if it's a makeup review I can post a lot more. I also use a free image stock site like Pixabay if I need to top up my images. Picmonkey is my goto site for editing as it's mostly free and has lots of options to get my pictures looking fabulous.

Post promotion
After putting my blog posts together I head to Buffer to promote the previous weeks post which I schedule to go out on Twitter. I promote  each post 5 times a day but mix the posts up so they're not too repetitive. I then head into Facebook and schedule posts that were published two weeks ago to go out daily. I do it this way as my blog Facebook page is linked to Twitter and if I promoted the previous weeks posts in the same week there would be too much of the same content.

Once I have my blog posts scheduled and my posts promoted my blog is complete for another week. What does your blogging routine look like?

Seventeen Let's Face It Palette in Fair Review

What the brand says
Seventeen is on hand to help you improve your complexion with their Seventeen Let's Face It kit. With two concealers, a compact powder and a blush this compact has everything you'll need to get your face on point.

The palette is available in two shades, fair and medium.

The Lowdown
I have tried many concealers in my makeup journey, and the most recent was the Bourjois Radiance concealer which I did really like. I'm always up for trying something new however and this compact has been begging to be used for a little while now!

I like the amount of product available in the palette and its small shape means it'll fit easily into your overstuffed makeup bag. The palette has a pink toned concealer, a yellow toned concealer, setting powder and a rose cream blush. I'm hoping that the concealers work together to cancel themselves out and completely conceal any blemishes. The palette also comes with a mirror and a small double sided brush. This palette is currently only available in two shades both are which are more aimed at fairer skins. Those who are abit darker probably won't be able to use this which is a little unfair.

I tried the pink and yellow toned concealer together and contrasted it with the yellow toned concealer on its own to see if I'd get a different result. I felt the results were fairly similar although the yellow toned concealer seemed a lot lighter on its own. Obviously I want my blemishes to be concealed and not highlighted so applying the two shades together appears to work better.  The enclosed brush although not amazing was good at getting into the small areas around the eye and apply the concealer and powder. I was quite impressed with the finish I got by using the two concealers and the powder and my dark circles were really well concealed. Initially the finish is quite nice but as time passes it comes a little cakey and then gradually the concealer fades away. I would say it lasts around 4-5 hours.

I applied the blusher with my fingers so the warmth of my skin would help it to blend easier. It didn't take too much blending and I love the really natural rosey finish I get. It doesn't even leave that nasty thick cream residue you can get with some cream blushers.

At £5.99 it's pretty reasonably priced especially considering the amount of products you get in the one palette. The products don't last forever but that's to be expected with most products.

I give it 3/5

Get it for £5.99 at Boots

Advantages

• Comes with a mirror and a small brush so it's good for travelling
• Has a concealer, powder and blusher in one so you can save space in your makeup bag when travelling
• Cream blusher blends quite well and gives a lovely rosey glow

Disadvantages

• Has very limited shades
• The yellow toned concealer is too light to use on its own

5 things I can't live without

In life there are a number of things that are vital to life. Things such as oxygen, food and water keep us alive, happy and healthy. There are other things however that whilst humanity probably wouldn't die out if they didn't exist, I simply couldn't live without them. Here's a insight of the possessions most dear to me.

My computer
I've always had a computer since I was like 10 and it's always been really important to me. Whether it's writing my blog, playing a game, filling a survey in or browsing Facebook my computer is the perfect tool for both business and leisure.

My mobile phone
I wouldn't say I'm addicted to my phone as some people are but without it I do feel a little lost. My phone helps to avoid the realms of boredom that lunchtimes can create and I love to browse social media in a spare moment. I also have lots of little apps that make me a few pennies which is a good investment of downtime. Check out my article on my top 14 apps that you can make money on.

My car
I recently damaged the engine of my old car and was left without a car for 4 whole torturous days. I have realised I'm quite dependent on a car to get me around, especially to work as my job is located in one of the most awkward locations to get to on public transport ever. My poor dad had to chauffeur me around for most of the week which I'm sure he loved.

My debit card
I rely so much on my debit card and rarely carry cash. My debit card is my lifeline to the world both online and offline. It lets me buy little goodies and spend my hard earned money.

My makeup collection
I have to say if I left the house without my makeup on I would feel naked. It may sound a little sad but without makeup I feel really uncomfortable and like all my flaws are on view to the world. Makeup just gives me that confidence to embrace my features and make the most of them.

What would you say you couldn't live without? Let me know in the comments below!