Hi everyone,
Today's post is all about makeup sponge's V's brushes. 

It's really a personal choice about which you prefer to use and what works best for you.  I'm sure you have all seen the Beauty Blender and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge being used by all the famous bloggers and plastered all over  Instagram., it's really become massive in recent years.  Sponge's are not only used for foundation but for contour, highlight and even blush.

So, what are these sponges?  The Beauty Blender is an egg shaped sponge with a sharp point and comes in lots of different colours. The Miracle Complexion Sponge is a similar shape but has rounded sides and a flat and only comes in orange.

Both these sponges are used mainly to apply liquid foundation and are supposed to leave your foundation looking flawless.  I, personally, do not like this method to  apply foundation all over my face, essentially you're just soaking up excess product, that's what sponges are designed to do so it's actually doing the opposite of what you want it to do, you'll end up taking off product and not buffing it into the skin, which is why you need to use a brush.

I love to use a Kabuki brush, my favourite brush to use is the Zoeva Buffer brush, it presses the foundation into your skin, which minimises the appearances of large pores (that, and a good primer of course).  You need a dense bristle brush that will push the product into the skin.  I do however use a sponge afterwards to soak up excess product and to blend concealer into the eye area.  I have to say, my favourite sponge to use is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for a few reasons.  Firstly it's a lot firmer than the Beauty Blender, I feel like it soaks up and spreads the product better.  Secondly, the flat edge moves around the contours of your face better than the rounded part of the Beauty Blender.  Thirdly, its definitely the more affordable option, at £5.99 compared to the Beauty Blender, prices start at £17! 

What's your preferred method?  Let me know below in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

All my love

Anita xo

Anita Makeup Artist & Hairstylist

Hi everyone,

Today's blog post is all about getting that summer glow with my top picks to achieve it.  I have to say that my top products change constantly but there are a few that have definitely stuck, carry on reading.

1. My first pick is an amazing base. I don’t like to wearing foundation every day, I prefer a light coverage so my go to product is the Mac Cosmetics Prep & Prime Beauty Balm.It’s a creamy formula that gives you that soft glow.You can use a makeup brush or a sponge depending on how heavy you want the coverage and although this is not the cheapest of products, a little goes a long way.It’s a good investment for those days where you need to rush out of the house, £25 available at Mac in John Lewis or online.
2. To achieve a flawless finish to the skin you need the right beauty tools. My personal favourite is the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge. You can use this wet or dry, use this with cream or powder products and it’s a steal for £5.99, available to buy at Boots or Superdrug and online.
3. You also need an amazing concealer to use with your base.  My favourite, most affordable brand is Makeup Revolution and their latest concealer. Conceal and Define is honestly one of the best concealers I’ve ever tried.  It is creamy, easy blendable and full coverage without giving that cakey look.You can apply a number of ways, with your fingers to warm it up and use a patting motion, a fluffy concealer brush, pushing the product into the skin which will give a heavier look or with the trusty Miracle Sponge which can give both a full coverage and a lighter finish depending on how much you blend it out.  Again, this product is a steal at £4.00 available from Superdrug or online.
4. Everyone needs an amazing powder to set your base.  I love a translucent loose powder, mainly because you are adding a very fine layer to set your base and not adding anymore colour to the skin, this helps your base to still look glowy but without adding too many layers.My top pick is the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.It’s not the cheapest of powders at £29, but it’s definitely one of the best.Available to buy at John Lewis or online.
5. In order to really achieve that summer glow you need a beautiful blush.  My absolute top pick for this is the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick.I love the colours Rose and Apricot, they are universally flattering shades, and give that added shimmer to complete the look.They are available to buy individually, at £35 or in a limited edition palette at £55.Although not the cheapest of blushers, its staying power is amazing because of how pigmented it is, really making it worth the money. Available to buy in John Lewis or on line.
6. My final pick to really finish off that look is the perfect pink and nude lipstick.My quest for this really has been far and wide and I think I own 20 plus lipsticks that 'almost' look the same, I do have a winner though and it comes in the form of a limited edition Mac Cosmetics x Nicki Minaj lipstick in the shade The Pink Print and Nicki’s nude.They are an amplified crème lipstick which means it will need to be reapplied throughout the day, they are however very pigmented.Perfect for a summers day and what’s more, it comes in limited edition packing!

I hope you all have a #glowing summer!

All my love

Anita xo

Anita Makeup Artist & Hairstylist

Hi everybody,

Today's post is all about that amazing Bobbi Brown palette that you may have seen on my Instagram feed. 

I wanted to share my bargain buy with you!  

I remember it was about 10 years ago is when I really started paying attention to brands like MAC and Bobbi Brown, mainly because they were really catering for olive and darker skin tones.  My favourite all time blush was the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose, I used this every day,  I'm all about that shimmer! But when it ran out I remember I didn't replace it, I suspect it had something to do with its hefty price tag, at the time it was approx. £25.  Instead, I replaced it with a cheap (£4) Accessorize blusher that I found in Superdrug, it done the job but nothing like that Bobbi Brown glow. 

So recently, whilst browsing through my Instagram feed, I came across a beautiful picture, my heart skipped a beat and my love affair with Bobbi Brown was reignited! 

The limited edition Highlight & Glow Shimmer Brick Palette. There are 3 shades; Rose, Copper Diamond and Apricot.  They say they're universally flattering shades and I have to say I agree so , without a second thought I ordered it (plus I love a limited edition palette).

It does not disappoint, all of the shades look beautiful on the skin and give it that healthy glow.  I have amazing highlighters from Anastasia Beverly Hills and Huda Beauty but I don't feel like I could use these everyday, they are more for that full on glam!   I think its a great price for a premium product, you get 3 shades for £55, they are smaller than the individual shimmer bricks, but individually you are looking at £95! If you ask me, its a steal! It is available to buy at www.bobbibrown.co.uk

So if you love that healthy shimmer and glow, then this palette will be your new best friend!

Happy Shopping!

All my love

Anita xo

Anita Makeup Artist & Hairstylist