Soft Valentine’s Makeup

2017 is the only year since I started blogging that I didn’t create a Valentine’s themed makeup look but other than that it’s pretty much a yearly tradition. This is my first Valentine’s Day in three years being single (shoutout to all my fellow single babes!) and I’m okay with that. I’ve been doing much better these past few months and I’m not the kind of girl that relies on a man. I believe things will work out the way they’re meant to… or at least I hope so!

For this look I wanted to create something dreamy and sweet but not overly pink. I opted for base products that would give a subtle glow and look smooth and seamless on the skin. I didn’t go bold on the lips or eyes and kept an almost totally neutral palette, adding pops of colour to the cheeks and lips.

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Lotion Senstive

2. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

3. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

4. L’Oreal True Match Lumi in W1-2 Porcelain Ivory – I haven’t spoken about this foundation on my blog too much. I have had it for almost a year now and it’s the one I am using as my everyday foundation most days and want to finish up next. The formula is light and easy to blend and perfect if you like glowy, hydrating foundations.

5. Urban Decay Primer Potion

6. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10

7. Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Setting Powder – I find the L’Oreal foundation slightly too glowy in the summer on it’s own so I set my cheeks, nose and chin with powder.

8. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte

9. Shaaanxo The Remix Palette – I used the shade Clarity as a base shadow all over the lid and the shade Buttercup in the crease mixed with a small amount of The Body Shop bronzer.

10. MAC Naked Pigment – Naked was applied over top of Clarity.

11. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara – I was sent this mascara by a blogging friend and I have been enjoying using it! The brush is small allowing you to get into all the lashes and the formula isn’t wet and smudgy. This gives a lovely natural look but a second coat really adds oomph.

12. Makeup Revolution Blush Queen Palette – I used the third shade in the top row and applied it using a Detail Fibre Brush from xoBeauty which is my favourite to use with this palette. The brush picks up a combination of colour and shimmer and gives the loveliest finish.

13. xoBeauty Radiant Glow Powder – Aurora – Usually if I’m using a blush with shimmer I won’t apply highlighter as well but this one from xoBeauty has a beautiful pink shift and isn’t blinding so it blends in with the blush nicely.

14. The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist 

15. xoBeauty Liquid Lipstick – Carpe Diem – This is such a unique shade of lipstick; a muted lilac. The colour isn’t too pale for me (but is probably better suited to lighter skin tones) and when it fades a little it looks more pink. The formula of these liquid lipsticks is gorgeous and they have a delicious creme brulee scent!

The Finished Look:

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Are you doing anything to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, whether you’re single or part of a couple? 💕

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Valentine’s Makeup: Berry In Love

February 14th is the day of lurve and it is fast approaching, this Wednesday can you believe! Whether you chose to celebrate Valentine’s Day or not I wanted to share a makeup look I created that you could wear on the day or for any other special occasion. I didn’t go for traditional pinks and reds, I wanted to change it up a little and incorporate two of my favourite things: silver eyeshadow and a bold lip.

Makeup Used:

1. Simple Kind To Skin Rich Replenishing Moisturiser – My go to day moisturiser and has been for years. This soaks into the skin well and doesn’t cause any irritation.

2. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – I fill my eyebrows in with this pencil and they are done! Simple but effective!

3. Makeup Revolution Ultra Face Base Primer – This primer has been a saviour with all the warm weather lately, it definitely makes my makeup last longer. A few tiny dots is all I need for the entire face.

4. Max Factor Lasting Finish Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – This foundation always applies so nicely and the coverage is great! It wears well throughout the day and it is my current favourite (it has been for a while now).

5. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10 – This concealer works well with every foundation I have tried and I love how easy it blends into the skin. The concealer is not drying or cakey feeling and like the foundation, lasts well throughout the day.

6. Revlon Colourstay Quad in Addictive – I used the cream shade (top left) as a base for my eyelids before going in with MAC’s Silver pigment. I wore the pigment previously on it’s own without a base shade and it didn’t last that well.

7. MAC Pigment in Silver – I have always been drawn to silver more than gold (though I do wear both on my eyes). This pot of pigment will last me a long time, small amounts applied in a dabbing motion with a small shading brush are the most effective although I am yet to try applying this with my finger. I love the frosted look silver gives my eyes.

8. I ♡ Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter – This is my favourite highlighter! I knew it would be perfect for this cool toned look because it pulls purple but still looks natural and gives a lovely glow.

9. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – Holy grail mascara alert! I am currently using shade 001 Black but I normally use 003 Extreme Black. I do notice the difference, and I do prefer Extreme Black just because it gives my lashes more intensity. When this mascara dries out it is at it’s prime! The tube I’ve got is still slightly wet so I can’t wait until it dries out more.

10. Elizabeth Arden – Luscious Raspberry – This lip sample was given to me by an old work colleague and the colour is absolutely beautiful – the name suits the shade perfectly! This is a cross between a lipstick and a gloss, it has the colour payoff and feeling of a lipstick but it applies like a gloss without the sticky feeling. It feels nice and creamy and lasts all day.

The Finished Look:

What do you think of my Valentine’s Day makeup? Do you have any special plans for Wednesday?

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Seventeen of ’17

Previously I have written Sixteen of ’16 and Fifteen of ’15 so it only seemed right to continue this theme! There have been some extremely special moments throughout 2017 and also moments that have been difficult but this post focuses on the positives and sees me discuss what defined my year.

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#1. Steps reform + release new album

Steps are my favourite band and on January 1st 2017 they announced they were back. The band originally split up in 2001 and got back together briefly in 2012 for a #1 Greatest Hits album, a Christmas album and two tours. In March 2017 the band announced new music and their long awaited fourth studio album Tears On the Dancefloor was released the following month. The album was re-released in October. I have had the album on repeat since April and it is my favourite album of 2017!

#2. My 22nd birthday!

22 isn’t a milestone birthday but it was special for me as I got to celebrate my first birthday with my boyfriend. I had a massage in the morning as a gift from my mum and in the afternoon my boyfriend picked me up and we went for a walk. We ate pizza for dinner down at the lakefront before he took me on a drive. It was a lovely, relaxing day.

Related post: My 22nd Birthday!

#3. Winning Stash Matters giveaway

I was over the moon when I saw I had won this giveaway! There were so many brands and products I had never tried before and I still use lots of the products on a daily/weekly basis. (I will admit I haven’t tried the eyelash curlers yet though, sorry Stashy!)

Related post: Stashy’s Giveaway Prize + First Impressions

#4. First Valentines Day

This was another super special day as it was the first Valentines Day with my boyfriend and the first time I’ve ever had a valentine. We gave each other soft toys as presents – great minds think alike – and the card he gave me was so sweet. We went for another walk, this time around a lake and I can still remember how beautiful the sky was afterwards.

#5. Winning a polaroid signed by Vanessa White

Vanessa White is one fifth of British girlband The Saturdays (my favourite band after Steps) and on Valentines Day she held a Twitter competition where she was giving away signed polaroid pictures. I was lucky enough to win one of 40 I think it was. A signed Post It also arrived with the picture.

#6. Fit Bit Zip in Magenta

I found my Fit Bit on sale for $29 in March and I have been wearing it most days since it arrived. It is interesting to see how many steps I walk each day and how that equates into distance and calories. My Fit Bit is basic and doesn’t have a sleep tracker or heart rate monitor but I like that I can clip it on and don’t have to wear it like a watch. I’ve heard so many stories about the bands snapping and having to be replaced. The battery life is good too, I’ve replaced the battery once in nine months.

#7. Going to the cinema

Up until this year I hadn’t been to the cinema since about 2007. It got expensive and most movies end up on TV anyway. I have been twice this year and I really enjoyed the experience both times; I saw Logan and IT. Maybe I should go more often?

#8. Saying ‘I love you’ for the first time

I was the one to say ‘I love you’ first and I felt so brave when I did it. Technically it was written not said aloud but I meant it. I didn’t know if my feelings were those of love as I had never felt that way before but I have said those three words countless times since!

#9. 3 years of blogging

In June I celebrated my third blogging anniversary. Three is my favourite number so it felt even more legendary.

Related post: My Three Year Blogversary!

#10. Trip to the MAC counter

I don’t have a MAC counter in my city but ended up at one unexpectedly in July. I got two items, a lipstick in the shade Show Orchid and a travel sized Studio Moisture Cream. I actually didn’t end up paying a cent as I had gift cards and my boyfriend paid for the rest.

#11. Buying a DSLR

Also in July I took the plunge and purchased a DSLR camera. I settled on the Canon 700D as it has a flip out screen so if I ever wanted to try videos or use the screen for difficult, hard to reach angles I can. I love practicing with the settings and using my camera when I can. I’d love to snap some festive, Christmas photos and share them after December 25th.

#12. Essie Glow Your Own Way

This nail polish is one of the most photogenic products I have worked with. I bought it on a whim back in August and it is subtle and glamorous at the same time. It’s easy to apply (a pain to remove) but that doesn’t detract from how nice it looks on. Essie polishes are some of my favourites!

Related post: Essie Nail Polish in Glow Your Own Way

#13. Job at the library

In August I changed jobs. I’ve loved reading and going to the library since I was a child so it’s nice that I am able to work in a place that makes me happy. I am part of the customer services team and believe or not the majority of my days are not spent putting books away. Since I started this job I have been in a much more positive place.

#14. One year anniversary with my boyfriend

Quite a few of these highlights are about me and my boyfriend but they are truly some of my most memorable and happy moments of 2017. At the beginning of September it was one year since we first met in person. We didn’t spend the day together but I did receive a cute text message.

#15. Boyfriend’s 25th birthday

I think I was more excited about my boyfriend’s birthday than my own! I jokingly thought about doing 25 presents as he turned 25 and then as I began coming up with gifts I realised it wasn’t actually a stupid idea. He didn’t know what I had planned and I had a lot of fun buying all the gifts, wrapping them and revealing the surprise.

Related post: Boyfriend’s Birthday Surprise!

#16. NYX Cosmic Metals – Fuchsia Fusion

Hands down this is the prettiest lip colour I own! I have a few fuchsias but this takes the crown. Pink – check, sparkles – check. This is so sparkly and pretty without looking unnatural. The formula is not sticky and comfortable to wear. The pigment is outstanding!

I love this photo and it shows the colour/sparkle.

#17. Music

2017 has been a whole lot better for me music wise than 2016. There were some musical comebacks from 90s artists: Steps, Martine McCutcheon and Shania Twain as well as great original material from Una Healy, Dua Lipa and Vanessa White. The majority of artists I listen to are female but a special mention goes to Shane Filan who released his third album in 2017. His voice is beautiful and so easy to listen to.

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What have been your favourite moments of 2017?

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My First Valentine! ❤

Whether you love it or hate it it was Valentine’s Day on Tuesday and I wanted to do a post about my first ever Valentine’s experience. Technically it’s my second (I had a dinner date with a girl friend last year) but my first in a relationship and with a boyfriend. I’ve always liked the idea of Valentine’s Day despite having always been single before. Some people might find the cards cheesy and the gifts gimmicky but I’m quite a soppy person (in a cute way) and it’s nice to have a day to celebrate love.

My boyfriend and I have been together for five months and while that’s still kind of new I always mention to him how many weeks/months it’s been since we met – each one is a little milestone! As you may know, this is the first relationship I’ve ever had and I’m so grateful everything has been positive and to share these experiences with someone like him because he’s truly lovely.

Presents

I got my boyfriend a cute card covered in cats (we post cat memes and GIFs to each other’s Facebook walls all the time) and wrote a rather sweet message in it as well as a bag of Sour Skittles and a plush dog toy holding a heart. I joked the dog even has ginger hair like me!

I told my boyfriend he didn’t have to buy me anything as it was only my birthday three weeks ago and Christmas a month before that. He insisted on getting me a present and gave me a lovely card and one of his soft toys. He told me it’s one he’s had for a while and he wanted me to have it. It’s also a kitty; Jaguar to be exact! *melt*

Outfit

It’s full on Summer in New Zealand so I wanted an outfit that was cute and weather appropriate. Last year I purchased a playsuit on ASOS and I have been loving it over the past month. I paired the playsuit with a cropped, sparkly, black cardigan.

Hair

I love the way my hair looks when it’s curled. I don’t curl it very often but I want to start making good use of the curler I got as a Christmas present from my brother. Curls don’t tend to stay in my hair for very long when I do it myself but I think I may have found a solution. I tied my hair in a ponytail and divided it into two sections. I curled one section at a time and when I untied my hair I had almost perfect curls. There were a few strands I missed but this method was so easy. I set the curls with hairspray which also made a difference.

Makeup

For makeup I based it on my recent Summer Makeup Menu which was inspired by peachy tones. I switched it up slightly and opted for more of a smoky eye and bronzed face as I wanted more glam.

Products listed below in order of application:

1. Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
2. Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel
3. The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Mist
4. Max Factor CC Cream – 40 Fair
5. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair
6. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte
7. Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ Palette
8. Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara
9. Dainty Doll Powder Blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine
10. MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Revved

The Finished Look:

Celebrations

My boyfriend picked me up in the afternoon (we hadn’t seen each other for 10 days, one of the longest times we’ve gone without seeing each other) and when we got to his we exchanged presents, I got given a red rose and caught up on cuddles. We talked and caught up with other, in between affectionate touches, before dinner; pizza if you’re wondering, and chocolate cake for dessert. We sat outside for a while (more cuddling) then went for an evening stroll around one of the lakes. The lighting was so nice after our walk, it was almost dark and my boyfriend described it as ‘atmospheric’ which suited it perfectly.

Overall, it was a beautiful day and I’m glad I had someone special to share it with!

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How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day Makeup Menu

Happy Monday beautiful people! With less than six days to go until Valentine’s Day I wanted to share a makeup menu I have created based around a few keywords: cute, girly and flirty. The inspiration comes from the lipstick used in this look and my love for the colour pink. Soft, feminine pinks are a change from the traditional colour of red associated with love.

It doesn’t matter if you’ll be celebrating with someone special or on your own, this look is appropriate for day and night – it shows you’ve put effort into your makeup and would be a really cute look for a daytime date. Of course if you still want to go all out to impress someone, by all means do!

1. Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser –  Before applying my moisturiser I sprayed a couple of sprays of my Vitamin E Face Mist (not pictured) just to cool down my skin as it’s summer here and it’s hot and to provide an extra bit of hydration. The face mist helped my moisturiser go on smoothly and keep my skin more nourished.

2. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – This foundation makes my makeup routine so quick. I squeeze a little strip onto the back of my hand and dab the product onto my face before blending it in with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. The foundation blends in easily and doesn’t apply patchy or leave brush marks.

3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ’15 Fair’ – I have told you with how much I like this product numerous times so I will keep it short. It conceals, it covers redness and spots and has never broken me out. An all round winner!

4. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer ’01 Light Matte’ – This bronzer has completely changed the way I do my face. Before I started using this product I felt sometimes my face looked a little flat. This helps to add a hint of colour to my cheeks and it is extremely difficult to go overboard with, which when you’re a pale girl is a godsend! I lightly dust this bronzer into the hollows of my cheeks, over my forehead, chin and jawline using my Real Techniques Blush Brush. This brush is so fluffy and light and applies the product beautifully.

5. Dainty Doll Powder Blush in 002 My Girl – This is one of the first opportunities I have had to wear this blush properly and it doesn’t disappoint! The colour in the pan looks quite light but once applied to the cheeks, it is pretty pigmented. The beauty with Dainty Doll blushes is a little goes a long way and they can be applied more heavy handed if you’d like. My Girl is the perfect soft pink for any girly look.1. Shiseido Accentuating Eyeshadow in Ruby Dazzle – This eyeshadow belongs to my mum and originally I was going to go for a purple look on my eyes but when I swatched this colour I knew it was the one. The colour looks bright in the pan and it does translate on the eye but it’s such a gorgeous, pinky-red that it works and doesn’t look scary.

2. Maybelline ‘The Falsies’ Mascara – I’ll admit it’s been a while since I’ve used this mascara as it is such a pain to remove but when I think of flirty, I think of long, dark, fluttery lashes. The brush on this mascara really allows me to get into each lash and wiggle the brush to get that fuller effect.1. Dainty Doll Lipstick 004 Material World – This is the makeup product the whole look was centered around. This lipstick is described as a lilac pink and the light colour doesn’t wash me out, in fact it adds a nice warmth to my face. The lipstick is lovely and moisturising and when I think of girly, this is the type of shade that springs to mind. A firm favourite in my collection!

Clockwise – Left To Right: The finished look, a close-up of my eyes and swatches.

Be sure to let me know what you think of this look! Hopefully it will help and inspire some of you if you’re stuck this Valentine’s Day! 💗

FOTD: Valentine’s Inspired Look

Seeing as tomorrow is Valentine’s Day I thought I’d experiment with my makeup a little bit and create a Valentine’s Day inspired look. Let’s dive straight in!

Products I used (and the order I used them):

• Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser – Today I opted for moisturiser over primer. Depending on my plans for the day or how long I’m going to be wearing make up I switch between the two.
• Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation – 100 Ivory
• Australis Concealer Stick – Light
• Thin Lizzy 6 in 1 Professional Powder – Light
• Chi Chi Billion Dollar Wallet – Heiress
• Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara – Black
• Dainty Doll Blush – 001 Hippy Shake
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – 720 Fire & Ice

Stages of make up application.

Shadows 1, 6 and 8 were used for today’s look and you can see a swatch of how they look blended in the picture of my wrist above. The white acts as a base, the shimmery pink adds sparkle and the burgundy adds colour while still keeping the look neutral.

The finished look!

*Eyeliner would also work well with this look. I don’t wear eyeliner because of my glasses and the fact that I’m hopeless at applying it 😛

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Be sure to let me know what you think of today’s look and if you’d like to see more posts like this!

Also, I hope all my gorgeous followers have a lovely day tomorrow!!! Whether you’re celebrating with someone or not, don’t forget to spread the love ❤

Chanelle x