Collection #FaceTheDay Palette | Review

On the go a lot? Want something handbag & travel friendly? Or simply just want to try something new without breaking the bank? This is the Collection #FaceTheDay Pro Palette which I think your all going to love and need!

For me Collection is a brand that I've never really delved into, yes I've tried the Lasting Perfection Concealer but thats all. When I had a few Boots points to spend I wanted to try something that was A, new. B, different and C, from a brand that I wanted to get to know more. 

I spotted this palette that retails at £6.99 (although it was on an introductory offer!) and thought why not give it a go! For £7 getting a highlighter, blusher, bronzer and 4 shadows is amazing I think! 

The packaging of this is absolutely fine and I wouldn't of expected any better or worse! Its sleek, black and you can see the products- what more could you want? I love that you can see in because it makes it easier to spot amongst other palettes, plus I feel like if I see the products I'm instantly inspired by what look I'm going to create. 

The packaging is also super light and slim making it really easy to take with you travelling or just to shot in your handbag if your wanting to touch up throughout the day or perhaps go from a day to night look. 

Whenever I stay at my boyfriends this is usually what comes along with me in my makeup bag. If I'm not sure what were going to be doing the next day this is perfect as I can create a really natural and toned down look or go for something abit more glamourous. Its also handy meaning I don't have to take individual face products as well as a big eyeshadow palette.

On to the actual products. 

Highlighter: This is so so stunning. Its a really natural champagne shade with a little bit of gold running throughout. This dusted lightly makes the perfect natural looking glowy base or you can wet your brush and go in for that 'wow' effect!

Bronzer: For me this is such a perfect bronzer colour; this isn't too warm nor too muddy its just like the perfect every day bronzer shade. If your dark haired and have a bit of a medium skin tone then this will work perfectly for you however if your really fair and pale I'm not too sure if this would come across a bit too umpa lumpa. 

Blusher: Again another stunning product. This is a very bright and girly pink however used with a light hand it can also be toned down. This reminds me a little bit of NARS Orgasm just less in your face. 

Top Row: The first shimmery neutral shade is more of a yellow based iridescent gold which is so pretty either all over the lid or for highlighting the brow bone. I've also used this as a highlighter too! The next shade being this shimmery mushroom brown shade is also just as lovely. This one isn't too pigmented as you can see from the swatch but I actually like that. I usually use this one all over the lid if I'm just having a 1 shade simple eye look kinda' day. 

Bottom Row: The lighter shade in this row is again a golden shimmery colour which is a bit less pigmented but in turn is also more glittery. This one I go in with a wet brush and use it in the centre of the lid if I'm creating a halo eye. It really stands out and looks so pretty! The darker shade is the darkest shade in the palette. This is a very true chocolatey brown which looks incredible in the outer v. 

All of the eyeshadows are shimmery however it makes for a very simple and pretty look. You could always use the matte bronzer as a crease or transitional shade too! 

Overall I'm super impressed by this palette and I definitely want to check out more of the Pro Palette range! 

Paige, x

Products I Regret Buying

When it comes to products everyone has a set idea or thought of what it will be like and sometimes products adhere to that or even bound over your expectations, but sometimes they don't. 

Barry M Afterglow Light Bronzer - Now I did actually get this free when I spent over a certain amount on Barry M but I'm just going to include it anyway. My eyes literally lit up when I seen I could also pick this up and for free too however when I actually applied it it was so orange its virtually unusable. I usually use cool tones to contour and then a warmer shade to bronze so I imagined this to be perfect but sadly its not; I think ill just have to use it as an eyeshadow to get my use out of it! 

NYX HD Finishing Powder - This was one of the first things I picked up when a NYX store came to my local Boots and I was so excited to try it as I've never tried a loose powder before. I originally tried to 'bake' under my eyes using my Real Techniques Complexion Sponge however it immediately caked up and looked disgusting. Even my poor sponge looked awful and needed a good wash. 

Barry M Flawless Light Reflecting Concealer - I had such high hopes for this concealer and don't get me wrong I do like it however if Id of known what it was like I wouldn't of bought it. Firstly the applicator is awful its like a brush that doesn't give you enough product and what it does give you is really sheer. If your looking for something to use day to day with not too much coverage or brightening properties then go for this. However this isn't what I was looking for. 

Rimmel Provocalips Lipstick - My friend Sarah really likes these (blog here) and after spotting this shade I thought I would give it a try. Its essentially a liquid lipstick with a hydrating balm. When I first applied it I loved the colour however when it dried it looked awful; it was patchy in places and very thick in others. Even with the balm it looked shocking.

Paige, x

Cheap Treat Tuesday

When looking through my make up collection powder is something that is seriously lacking; I have the odd powder bronzer but no actual powder for all over the face.  As you all know I love the dewy look however sometimes I do over do it a little- i.e. getting too happy with MAC Strobe Cream!

I was originally just going to pick up a Rimmel one however I came across this palette and thought why not, it surely cant be that bad! I got this for just under £5 which is such a bargain especially as it comes with six different shades!

I like this because it has the really pale shades all the way up to bronzing and contouring colours. So far I'm really loving this palette. I use the white to set my under eye concealer, the two middle shades for all over my face and the warm shades for bronzing. I love going in with an over sized powder brush and just giving my face some colour! For the price I didn't expect much especially in terms of pigmentation- but as usual I was wrong. A light hand really takes the product far and seeing as the pans are huge this is going to last me so long! 

I think this is a great palette for beginners, people who don't usually wear powder or just anyone in general! I personally don't think its worth paying well over double the price of this for the likes of an Anastasia one as this is honestly amazing!

Paige, x

LA Girl Pro Concealer

After watching Chloe (Glitteralittle on Youtube) mention these concealers that she uses for contouring and highlighting I wanted to have a closer look! I picked these up on eBay for only £3 each! 

When it comes to contouring and highlighting I feel like you can never have too many products in your collection! They're all so different and create completely different looks. my favourite being a slightly bronzed dewy look. Therefore to create this I like to use cream products! I picked these up in the shades Porcelain and Toast, which is the shades Chloe uses. 

For highlighting I purchased the shade Porcelain; which is extremely light however it works as it blends like a dream and just really brightens up the whole under eye area. With this I'm not sure if its just a one off but I feel like its quite hard to get the product out but when it does eventually its so creamy and the fact that only a small amount comes out means its so easy to work with and you can build it up if you want! I especially love the way that its dispersed through a brush too which means its so easy to just 'draw' on your face. I also use this on my forehead, chin and down my nose which is so handy especially with the brush!

Toast is the shade that I picked up for contouring; its just the right colour and doesn't have any orange undertones or show a 'muddy' effect. This blends so beautifully and really does create a bronzed glow. I think this is definitely my favourite way of contouring, its quick and does the job perfectly!

 I really like these concealers and want to try the green one next!

Paige, x

The Balm Haul & Review ; Mary-Lou Manizer & Bahama Mama

The Balm is a company which I've seen, heard and read so much about and is a brand that is constantly raved about here in the beauty community. With brands that I cant get in person I tend to shy away from a little bit as there's only so much you can rely on the swatches on Google for however when it came down to The Balm I didn't hesitate. 

I'm obsessed with highlighters so that made the Mary-Lou Manizer first on my list and I also needed a new contour shade. I was originally going to repurchase Benefits Hoola however I noticed this was a dupe hence why I picked it up!

As for the packaging oh my god they're to die for; don't get me wrong the likes of MAC and KIKO are my favourite types of packaging but these are so cute. They really remind me of Soap and Glory with their play on words and vintage effect. Mary-Lou is a very sturdy compact and has such a huge mirror, Bahama Mama is cardboard and whereas I don't mind I think it would of been better in other packaging. 

The products themselves are stunning too and will definitely be a staple in my make up bag. The highlighter is a beautiful golden champagne colour which is my favourite colour for a highlight! It's shimmery but doesn't have huge chunks of glitter in either. I feel like this is such a natural shade and a little certainly does go a long way. Seeing as you only need a little amount of product I think its worth it for the money as it will take you ages to get through! It's also extremely blendable which is great for us heavy handed girls! This can also be used in different ways; such as on the eyes with Bahama Mama in the crease. I dont feel like this makes me look oily either which is a bonus and I actually prefer this over the MAC Soft & Gentle highlight!

As for the Bahama Mama Bronzer I personally wouldn't use it as a bronzer but more for contouring. It's quite sheer but buildable- I like this with a contour shade just in case you go in too dark to start with! On my skin tone this doesn't look muddy or have any orange undertones and is just the right 'tan' shade. I like to use this with a natural hair brush as I find that it picks up and transfers the product much more naturally and effortlessly. I don't particularly find that the staying power is that great but I don't mind touching it up throughout the day. 

All in all I love these two products and can't wait to try more from The Balm Cosmetics!

Paige, x