My Summer Proof Everyday Makeup Routine

As a makeup addict my everyday routine switches up quite often and obviously I always like trying new products. It has been unusually warm for England these past few weeks so I thought I would tell you my current makeup routine that lasts through hot weather!

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SKIN

I don't use a primer everyday as it isn't good for your skin, it blocks off the pores. However if it is really hot and I want my makeup to stay put or I'm going out for the night I'll use the La Roche Posay Mattifying Pore Minimising Primer or Smashbox photo ready - both of which I highly recommend.

After moisturising and priming (I will do an everyday skincare routine soon too!) I go straight into foundation. At the moment I have gone back to my old faithful L'oreal True Match, this foundation is really nice and covers up any redness I have on my face. I tend to apply this with my real techniques expert face brush, I can't begin to say what a difference a good set of brushes makes to your makeup. I buff the foundation in focussing on the center of my face where most of my redness is.

Next up I am using the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer. Although it looks yellow on first application  it does really well at brightening up under my eyes and cancelling out any darkness leftover from my lack of sleep (yeah, I struggle at that). I have already raved about this  concealer in my last post but it's so good, you should defo try it if you are in need of a new under eye concealer.

If I have any blemishes I tend to use the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, it's a thick well covering concealer that tackles most spots well. Plus it's super cheap - CAN'T BEAT THAT.

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EYES

For eyes I am really enjoying this L'oreal eyeshadow in Little Beige Dress. This eyeshadow has such a nice finish, its almost creamy when you apply is and has a sheen to it, rather than a glitter, it's almost metallic looking! I did break mine though which makes me want to cry  little makeup addicted tears.

I am using the Benefit They're Real Mascara at the moment which is just aaaamazeballs. It's so volumising and lengthening.

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HIGHLIGHT

For highlight I am using the Jelly Pong Pong highlighter in this nice bronzey shade which makes a change from my usual cool toned highlighters, it highlights what little tan I accumulated during London's heat wave the last few weeks and gives that JLo gloooow factor. (As if.. She is a #WCW everydamnday)

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POWDERS

I am still using the body shop Honey bronzer to warm up my complexion. Because I am so pale I find it really hard to find a bronzer which defines my face but doesn't make me look really weird and like I have painted mud onto my face! This bronzer doesn't do that, it has a really light matte finish (which is *essential* in the sunshine there's nothing worse then glittery contour). I apply this with a fluffy brush which i squeeze into a thin shape and brush under my cheekbones and around my hairline to warm up my face.

I am loving this blush contraption I got in a glossy box. It's so easy to use and the pink colour is super pretty and fresh looking. The best thing about this blush is it stays on FOR AGES, even on a hot day when things get a little sweaty (tmi).

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LIPS

For Lips I am using M.A.C Creme Cup which is a subtle pinky nude shade that even us pale girls can pull off.

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That's All For Now Folks

X

UK Drugstore Makeup Haul

I think we all know what it's like, you pop into Boots to pick up one thing (A top-up of my favourite drugstore foundation) and you come out with a hefty bag of things! WOOPS! 

Here's the list of things I bought on my recent accidental drugstore haul!

Starting with the thing I went in for, my L'oreal true match foundation. I have raved about this before and despite trying a selection of other brands I still came back to this guy. I love the creamy formula, it's not too matte and not too glowy (Or shiny & sweaty looking as some can turn out!). The coverage is excellent, it evens out my skin tone and cancels out any red looking patches and blemishes meaning I have less concealing to do too.
                                                                                                                                      

Next up I finally picked up the Maybelline Instant Anti Age Rewind Concealer. I am really late to the party with this one, I have been reading about it on many beauty blogs for a while and at last I realise what the hype is about. The sponge applicator makes it super easy to apply, I use it under my eyes to brighten the area and it does a really great job. Plus its got a really light feeling formula so it doesn't crease up and end up looking wrinkly by the end of the day which is naaaaaht a good look. I am a bit freaked out by the questionable hygiene of the sponge applicator but I try and keep it as clean as poss! All in all, this is a great product and well worth a try if you are in the market for an affordable brightening under eye concealer.
                                                                                                                                    

I also picked up a lipstick from the L'oral Collection Exclusive range (Yes, the one I rave about last post!) This time I tried out one of the nude shades. After many swatches on my hand (I always leave boots with multi-coloured hands covered in makeup looking like a loon!) I decided on the shade J-Lo, this is truly a nude shade, really close to my natural lip colour with added shine. I like this lipstick and I recommend it but I am nowhere near as obsessed as I am with dear Blake.
                                                                                                                                     

And theeeeeeeen, I picked up three more shades in the Maybelline Super Stay nail polish range. I still love this polish, the formulation is fantastic, you only need a couple of coats, it dries quickly and its quite hardy.. I can keep this on for about 4 days before the ends start chipping which is pretty good in my books. I went for some more Spring-y shades in the hope that Winter will hurry away, a rosy nude and a pretty pink, plus I got a clear top-coat.
                                                                                                                                                              

Last of all I picked up my favourite pen-style eyeliner from the drugstore, the L'oreal Super Liner. It has a super thin nib meaning you can get a nice thin line and flick. Application is really smooth and easy too. It's not the blackest of eyeliners, if you really want a super black finish I always recommend using a gel pot and a brush.
                                                                                                                                        

That's all for now folks

xx

PS ..LUCKILY I PRE WROTE THIS  as being the smart girl i am I fell over and fractured my elbow yesterday!! Due to this painful & mightily uncomfortable experience blog posts  may be a bit less wordy for the next couple of weeks - (it has taken me about 20 mins to even type this sentence in haha) 

Insta-Catch Up

Here's my Instagram Catch up, in timeline form. A way to show you what I have been up to the last few months!.....

Find me on instagram @dusk_williams

That's all for now folks! 

xxx

My Favourite Lipsticks

Hey guyss,

today's post is another makeup related one as the last one got such a good reception :) 

I am going to talk about my favourite lipsticks. As you may, or may not, know I am pretty obsessed with lipstick - my collection is huge and trying to boil it down to a top 10 was pretty much impossible so I - being the awkward girl I am, have a top 14 for you!! Hope you like it..

Russian Red - M.A.C 

This is probably my most worn lipstick (hence the lack of it left in the tube!!) it is MAC 'Russian Red',

I talked about this one a bit in my last makeup post but it's a beautiful cool toned deep red. This lipstick looks amazing with a pale skin tone and the matte finish means it looks delightfully vintage.

Girl About Town - M.A.C

 Next is Girl About Town, again I showed this last time, but it is a lovely creamy pink slightly cooler than hot pink. Great for an everyday pop of colour especially in the Summer!

Costa Chic - M.A.C

 Costa Chic is one of my lighter lipsticks, it is a light creamy coral colour. I love to use this when I do a dark or smoky eye for a 60's style makeup look!

Morange M.A.C

 Morange is a new addition to my collection but it has gone STRAIGHT to the popular crowd. I realised I didn't have any true orange lipsticks and this really does what it says on the tin, a perfect warm toned orange that reminds me of humid sunsets on tropical islands...oooh soo dreamy!!

Bare All - Sleek

 'Bare all' is my perfect matte nude shade - like 'your lips but better'.

Peaches & Cream - Sleek

 Peaches & Cream is my other lighter toned lipstick, very coral toned light peach, lovely and creamy and great in the summertime!

Cherry - Sleek

 Again - 'Cherry' does what it says on the tin, a lovely true cherry red, really soft to put on and great for Autumn/Winter.

Amped Up - Sleek

 'Amped Up' is an amazing matte hot pink, I love wearing this when I am wearing an all black outfit to spice it up in winter and with white in summer. I always get compliments when I wear this!

Mulberry - Sleek

 Now...Mulberry is a bit of a marmite lipstick - I LOVE the dark berry lip trend but I know lots of people don't.. if you are one of the dark lipped crew then you'll love this sleek rendition, its dark and mauvey-purple without being too brown, I love it!

Sweet Tart - Revlon Lip Butter

 Does a 'lip butter' count? Either way I love this one, the formula is divine.. a creamy smooth shiny lip without being one inch sticky - this just moisturises and gives a nice sheen or buildable colour, I chose light pink which is perfect for spring

Celestial - Rimmel Apocalips

 Once again, this doesn't really count as a lipstick but I wear these lip lacquers as often as a lipstick. These are amazingly pigmented and you can get such a nice line with them, the formula is smooth and liquidy - it doesn't stain but it sits well on the lip and doesn't feel sticky at all. I love this shade for an every-day neutral look.

Passion - Chanel Rouge Allure

 A lovely sheeny buildable red with a slight shine and a warm orangey undetone. Plus the packaging is just..ugh...I wish I came in Chanel packaging.

107 - Kate Moss for Rimmel

 First of all, I hate it when lipsticks don't have names.. its a pet peeve of mine, I like a good name, get on it Kate! Secondly, this is a lovely deep berry red, again perfect for A/W plus the matte smooth texture means the staying power beats others by far.

Big Bang - Rimmel Apocalips
I saved the most dramatic till last! This photo is actually the colour this lipstick is.. ITS PERFECTTTT, ok..so.. as I said the pigmentation  is these are so die for and the pillar box bright red 'big bang' could never disappoint, I'm serious - if you are a fan of a bright red lip - RUN TO BOOTS NOW AND GET THIS..(one tip before you go, be careful when applying - the high pigmentation means one slip and it will be seen from miles away!)

That's all for now folks! I hope you like this kind of post - comment below if you do!

Whats your favourite lipstick?

See you soon!
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEee
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My Daily Makeup Essentials

Hey Guys,

Thought I'd do a beauty related post since I haven't done one in so long! Today's post is 'My Daily Beauty Essentials'. Almost all the makeup items I use on a daily basis are from the highstreet/drugstore and are easily accessible from Boots/Superdrug/online etc.

Starting off, foundation.

Now, in terms of skin, I am quite lucky to not have many troublesome areas or regular skin problems.. My main focus when looking for foundation is that it suits my very pale skin tone and that it has buildable coverage. I have tried a lot of different foundations in my time - luxury (NARS Sheer glow is a dream however my budget is far too strapped for that to be a regular on my dressing table) & highstreet and have finally found my perfect match!! L'Oreal True Match in Fair is the best highstreet foundation I have ever used!!(Take note pale girls) The colour choice is good in the foundation and the lightest colour suits my very pale skin tone perfectly. The foundation smooths and blends really well & gives an even look without looking heavy. I really, really recommend you give this a go if you haven't already!!!

Next, concealer,

 now if you haven't heard about Collection lasting perfection concealer - Where the heck have you been?! This extremely cheap concealer is AMAZING, the coverage is really really good, it brightens under eyes and covers red marks amazingly. The only problems I have is that 1) The tube runs out too quick!!!! 2) The colour selection is pretty low (I can find my colour fine, but as an MUA a low colour choice is annoying).  Apart from that this is honestly the best concealer.

If you have more stubborn spots or marks to cover the MAC studio finish concealer is also really great, the thick high coverage concealer covers spots and dark patches really well. However, I really wouldn't recommend using it under your eyes as it is too thick and tends to crease throughout the day!

Moving on to face powder,

my go to is Rimmel Stay Matte  in transparent - does what it says on the tin and doesn't cost the world. Plus the 'transparent' colour choice is a dream come true for us pale girls.

Again, if you are looking for a powder with a lot more coverage and don't mind spending the money the MAC Studio fix powder plus foundation is really good. It gives you coverage and it completely mattifies your look.

For blush 

I love Sleek makeup. Sleek are an amazing brand sold in Superdrug in the UK, their eyeshadows (you'll see this later) and blushes have amazing pigmentation. I love the colour 'Rose Gold' which gives a subtle pink flush with even more subtle gold shine.. lovely for Spring & Summer!

For eyeliner,

 I always use liquid or gel, for Gel I like Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eye Gel (I use a different brush as the one given is LAME) - make sure you allow this to dry on your lid before you blink too heavily and it will stay on all day!

On the days when I am feeling lazy (see: most days!!) I like the L'Oreal Super Liner, the tip is really thin and it lends itself well to my signature winged eye look! 

For Mascara,
to be honest I am still searching for the perfect one!! I loved Benefit They're Real but I didn't love the price tag, I loved the YSL shocking volume but that is EVEN MORE expensive. So, now I flit between different Rimmel and bourjois mascaras... any tips would be great!

If I am using eyeshadow,

which is mainly for a simple brown crease colour or a smoky eye if I am feeling daring, I always use the Sleek eye shadow palettes - particularly Au Natural for everyday matte shades and Storm for shimmery smoky shades. Honestly, these eyeshadows sooo good. They are bendable, highly pigmented and SO much cheaper than MAC.. give them a go!!

For lipstick

 I tend to go for either a bright red or bright pink - I have highstreet & high end versions for both shades..
For Red I either use

 Sleek Vixen - Shiny pillar box red

MAC - Russian Red - (MY FAV) Matte Slightly darker than pillar box red

 or CHANEL rouge allure- Passion - Shiny pinky red.

For Pinks
I either use

Sleek - Amped - Matte Hot pink

or MAC Girl about town - Shiny blue toned pink.

I hope you liked this kind of post, very wordy but that's because this is my THING haha - if you want to see more like this feel free to request makeup specific posts below:)

What's your fav mascara?

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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BTW if you don't already pleeeeease follow me on bloglovin' http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3931762/dusk-darling-style

If you have done - make sure to leave a comment with your bloglovin link so I can follow you back!

Follow me on Twitter!! :)

Follow me on Pinterest!! :)

Follow my Tumblr!! :)

The Little Mermaid On Ice

Apologies for my absence, 

As some of you may know I am a free lance makeup artist and I have been doing the makeup for a fantastic show this week, I thought I'd show a sneak peek at what I've been up to and show you my brand spanking new website (shameless self advertisement)

SEE MORE IMAGES AT www.duskwilliamsmua.com 

I will be adding my portfolio shots this week, for now here are the press images from the show!

LOVEEEEEEE

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