What I'm Loving On My Face This Summer

Hello lovelies, these have been my go to products for summer. I've mentioned before that mineral powder is fabulous for hot and humid weather as it does not slide off. I particularly like Laura Mercier mineral foundation as I find it has the best coverage and really leaves skin super flawless. You can wear this over your regular foundation for extra staying power. I dust a bit of bronzer and pop a bright peachy/pink blush on the apples of my cheeks and I'm good to go. I don't like to fuss with too much eye makeup so I start of with a cream base like Maybelline Colour Tattoo which again won't budge, then top off with my new obsession Urban Decay Moondust in Spacecowboy. This gives the most gorgeous sparkle and works over top any eyeshadow. For lips I line and fill in with Urban Decay 24/7 glide on lip pencil in the shade Native, this pink is perfection and looks more natural than a nude. This won't come off it really does what it says. I top off with Mac plushglass in Fashion Fanatic, a bubblegum pink plumping gloss that is not sticky. Last but not least a slick of Benefit Gimme Brow to keep unruly brows in place.

What are your favourite products to use this summer?

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation | Review

Hello lovelies. So I caved and bought the Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation. I have heard so much about this foundation but being a true devotee to Bare minerals I was hesitant to try it. I got the shade Rich Vanilla which is a tad too dark for me, will be perfect when I'm tanned. The powder itself is so finely milled it buffs onto skin like silk for a gorgeous glowing ( not shiny) complexion.

Description from the LM website here

Oil free and water-resistant

Apply as a buildable foundation or a pigmented powder

Pure Pearl Powders and Mica impart a soft focus effect creating a natural, healthy, youthful glow

Zinc Oxide works as a sunscreen agent to block the sun's harmful rays

Contains anti-aging properties

Apply Mineral Primer to skin prior to application to enhance SPF 15 protection

Use with the Blending Brush for flawless application

Use with the Face Brush for more coverage

Non-comedogenic

0.34 oz./9.6g

This works wonderfully over any foundation as a luminous setting powder or if in a slightly darker shade, to add some colour and dimension to your skin. It has an almost invisible texture that gives  medium to full coverage in seconds. I prefer to wear this over a BB cream like Rachel K or Garnier for bit more coverage. I find that this doesn't cake up or get chalky around my chin or nose. It makes my skin look so smooth and healthy. I like to apply this with the real techniques buffing brush as I find this picks up and holds the right amount of product.
Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation comes in eight shades. The container has a nifty twist and lock cover that's easy to open and close.
I must say I am rather impressed with this foundation and if you are on the fence about trying it, I say try it!

Watch my video below to see how I apply it.

Thank you for reading
BlondeTeaParty x

Current Face Base

Hello lovelies apologies for being MIA. I thought I would come back with my favourite topic foundation. I do love a flawless face, don't we all? It has been a while since I strayed from my beloved Bare minerals but I had heard so much about the Laura Mercier mineral foundation and ofcourse those of you who watch  LisaLisaD1 will know it is her holy grail foundation. She always has this beautiful glow to her skin and now I know why. I took the plunge and bought the shade Rich Vanilla which is perfect for when I'm self tanned. In hindsight I should of got Sand which is one shade lighter. Never the less it is a gorgeous warm colour that brings my face to life. The texture is so fine and it buffs into the skin like silk. The finish is absolutely stunning. Skin looks smooth and radiant. It doesn't get oily or chalky during the day and doesn't disintegrate at all. It looks perfect all day long. I am truly amazed by this foundation. I have been pairing it up with the Garnier BB cream for oily/combo skin which is phenomenal for a BB cream. The coverage is medium to full. It mattifies the skin, covers imperfections and stays put all day. Winner! I pop on some Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer in the shade light under my eyes and away I go. This takes less than five minutes to do in the morning.

What is your current face base?




Thanks for reading
BlondeTeaParty x

FOTD- Back to Work

Happy Friday lovelies! This was my first week back at work after the Christmas holidays so I thought I would share with you my current makeup routine. Its pretty basic but exactly what I want for a work day. As I am mostly client facing in a corporate environment, I need to look fresh and natural. This is also a great look for interviews. People will see you and not your makeup. The Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation here is the perfect combination for of light weight yet full coverage foundation that looks completely natural. I use the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer because its nice a affordable and does a very good job at disguising my dark circles and pigmentation. I have oily skin so I have to set my foundation with a good powder, Benefit Hello Flawless is the perfect powder, its smooth and silky, add a touch of coverage but doesn't make you look like a chalk board. It has a natural matte finish that I love. For cheeks I like to keep it bright and pink for a bit of pick me up. Physicians Formula Happy Booster blush in the colour Rose is the most gorgeous combination of pinks with a touch of highlight for that just brings any tired face to life. For eyes I keep it simple, a base like MAC paint in Bare Canvas cancels out any redness on my eyelids and provides a clean neutral base for my eye shadow. I am using Makeup Geek Simma Shimma shadow all over my eyelid to give that pop of brightness. Its a champagne shade that looks beautiful when used as light wash of colour.

What kind of look do you wear for work?











Thank you so much for stopping by & taking the time to read my post.
BlondeTeaParty x

Beauty Favourites 2013

Hello lovelies. Welcome to all the products I have been loving during 2013! Not only do I love these products but I actually have used them continuously throughout the year. These are staples in my everyday routine and what I find the most easy and quick to use. Below is my video explaining each item in detail and why I love it. I've got some new goodies that I am absolutely in love with  to share with you in my next post! How exciting! What are some of your favourite beauty products from last year?

Thank you so much for stopping by :)

BlondeTeaParty x

Christmas Day Makeup

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you had a wonderful day filled with joy and love, lots of good food and if you were lucky, a pressie or two *wink wink* I thought I would share with you the makeup I wore yesterday.

 

Here is what I used

 

Face

 Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay in place makeup in Dawn 2w1

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20

Benefit Hello Flawless Powder in I'm as cute as a bunny honey

Benefit Blush Rockateur

Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray

                                                                         
                                                                               Eyes
                                          Makeup Geek Eyeshadows- Coco Bear in the crease
                                              shimma shimma as highlight and inner corner
                                                                   Moondust on eyelid.
                                                     Rimmel Scandalize Black Kohl Pencil
                                                          Katy Perry Lashes Sweetie Pie

                                                                               Lips
                                                   Rachel K Lip Plumping Gloss in Lolita
                                                                          















Happy Christmas thank you for reading.
BlondeTeaParty x

November Favourites

Hello lovelies, pinch punch first of the month!! I'm in full on Christmas mode now Yay! let the festivites begin. Here are my favourite beauty products from this month.

                                            The Wet Brush here

                                            Maybelline Instant Anti-Age here

                                            Benefit Hello Flawless Pressed Powder here

                                            Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne here

                                            Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Bronze here

Nars Blush Deep Throat here

                                            Nyx Xtreme Lip Cream Nude Peach Fuzz here

                                            Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki here

Hope you enjoyed my post let me know what some of your November favourites are! Time to decorate the tree!














BlondeTeaParty x

Cult Classic- Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

Hello lovelies! Every now and then I shop my stash and fall back inlove with old favourites I haven't used in yonks! Well this morning I re-introduced my face to the glorious wonder that is Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick. This award winning five bars of luminous colour for cheeks and eyes got us hooked. Many brands followed suite with their own versions but nothing came close to the 'Brick'

There are five shade variations to choose from

Bronze shimmer for a deep bronze glow ( this is my favourite and is the one I'm wearing in the picture below
Pink Quartz - soft, warm pink glow
Nectar - soft coral glow, great in combo with peach tone blushes ( I need to have this!)
Rose Shimmer - soft, rosy glow. Great for pale skinned gals
Beige Shimmer - candlelight glow works well with pink,neutral and peach blush shades

I love how this product is so versatile, the bronze shimmer in particular acts as a bronzer, highlighter and blush all in one! Plus the brush I use with it contours at the same time in one strategic sweep!
I love using this as a sheer wash of colour on the lid as it requires zero blending and really pulls the look together.
This is definitely a must have for summer but I must say its gorgeous for the winter months too because it just brightens up a dull, tired face.

So if you have one, dig it out of your stash and give it a go! You will swoon at the sheer delightfulness of your glowing cheeks!


What have you re-discovered recently that you haven't used in ages?













BlondeTeaParty x

Friday Face

 

   Hello lovelies! Happy Friday!! Hope you have all had a splendid week. I sure have as I have been off from work, yahoo! I thought I would share with you my Friday face. I have really been enjoying trying out lots of different tones of brown all over the eyelid, paired with warm cheeks and copper lips. What have you been trying out lately or have you been sticking to ye ol faithful?

 This week has given me a chance to play with my makeup and try out some different looks.

 

Products Used

 

Face

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation 4.0

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer Light

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder 001

Benefit Rockatuer Blush

 

Eyes

YSL pencil Dessin Du Regard

Too Faced Natural Palette Push Up

Too Faced Natural Palette Sexpresso

Maybelline One by One Mascara

 

Lips

Bare Minerals Natural Lip Colour Bellini

MAC Lip Glass Amber Glow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading! Blondeteaparty x

Easy Makeup Look for Fall

Hello lovelies here is another easy breezy makeup look for fall. I hope you like it. All the products I used will be listed below.

Face
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation Golden Fair
Bare Minerals Blush Avant Garden


Eyes
Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in the crease
Mac Teddy Eye Pencil on lower lash line
YSL Dessin Du Regard Eye Pencil top and bottom lash line
Maybelline One by One Mascara - Black

Lips
Bare Minerals Natural Lip Colour - Bellini
Bare Minerals Natural Lip Gloss - Wild Honey

My Top 5 Setting Powders

Hello lovelies. This post is all about my favourite face powders ever! Being an oily skinned girl, powder is absolutely essential for me to keep my makeup from sliding off throughout the day. I have tried and tested so many powders throughout the years and I have come to the conclusion that these five are the best I've used so far. I will ofcourse never stop trying out new makeup but these will always be in my makeup arsenal. There are so many powders available now that all do different things from hydrating, illuminating, mattifying, invisible etc you just have to look at Hourglass Ambient lighting powders! There is a powder for each part of you face! you may want a moonlit glow one day and a candlelit glow the other. It all depends what you want to achieve with the look of your skin.
For me personally I like a smooth, soft focus, matte finish that will last all day.

Lets get this powder party started!

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder is the cheapest of the lot at just £3.99 it does exactly what is says on the tin! This powder is super soft and blendable, never cakey or chalky. This is my everyday go to powder. Great value and good quality for a drugstore brand.

2. Double Perfection Compact Natural Matte Powder Makeup which I think has now been reformulated and named Mat Lumiere - Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF 10. This retails at around £39 mega expensive but totally worth it. This has to be the smoothest, softest powder I have ever used. It airbrushes your skin to perfection. You can literally pile this on and it will never look cakey. It gives  just beautiful soft and velvety matte skin. This is great if you prefer extra coverage over your foundation.

3. Bareminerals Mineral Veil is so finely milled its practically invisible! This is probably the most light weight finishing powder out there hence the name veil. It really is just like a veil of perfection. It instantly smoothes away pores like magic. Its so light you don't even feel it. I love this for the summertime when its baking outside and you want to have as little as possible on your face. Its great at holding back oil and keeping skin looking fresh.

4. Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural this is a beautiful powder, it has coverage, its matte but not flat as its mineral based, it gives a really nice soft glow that isn't shiny. I love to use this when I want a bit more coverage or to warm up my skin. It feels light,silky smooth and no caking!

5. Last but not least Mac Prep and Prime loose powder- this powder is bright white when you look at it, but totally undetectable on the skin. Super light weight, blurrs pores and keeps skin matte. Mac has recently come out with a compact version which I'm desperate for. This is great if you don't like the feel or look of powder or you foundation is already heavy coverage and you don't want to add anything more to it but just want to keep it in place. 

 

Do you have a powder that is Holy Grail status?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlondeTeaParty x

 

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer

 

 

Hello lovelies. New to my collection something which I have been coveting for ages! Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess in 03 Medium Deep. This is the most luxurious bronzer (apart from chanel de solei) I've ever owned. First of all the packaging is so classy and glamerous, I love the tortoiseshell lid and the box it came in is just pure sunshine.It comes with a rather good size half moon brush. The colour is perfect for light to medium skintones. It's oil free and provides a natural matte finish, perfect for us oily gals! It has a huge mirror which you can see your whole face in brilliant! The texture is super soft and fine. It's so easy to blend, it just glides on effortlessly. You could use this in the summer instead of setting powder its that good at controlling oil. I use it as my contour and as an all over bronzer to warm up my complexion. This is going to be fantastic in the summer to use on shoulders and decolletage as its big enough you don't need a separate bronzer for you body or worry about using up your face bronzing powder. It's an all in one and I absolutely adore it.Thanks Mum :) Teehee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlondeTeaParty x

 

Workday Morning Routine

Hello beauty babes! So I thought I would keep you up to date with my everyday makeup look for work and how I like to get ready in the morning.
As if getting up early isn't hard enough it's cold and dark too now! There is nothing more excruciating for me than my alarm going off at 6am and having to get out of my warm, snug bed! I hate getting up early, no I really hate it! First things first I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth whilst in my mind cursing the ungodly hour. I then put the TV on so I can watch 90210 while I have my breakfast, I find this eases me into life again and calms me down, plus I like looking at the makeup the girls wear!
 I put the kettle on and my porridge in the microwave, I curse the ungodly hour. Now I check the time on the TV, at 6:45 nearing 6:50 as I'm already engrossed in 90210, I head to my room to do my makeup and get dressed. I have to be out the door by 7:25 to get the 7:34 train. Once I start on my makeup, time goes out the window, I don't check my clock at all! I find doing my makeup such an enjoyable, soothing ritual. I do the same look everyday bar my lips. I like to look fresh and awake, so pink blush, no eyeliner, curled lashes and lots of black mascara! This look is quick, easy and appropriate for a corporate work environment.

Here is what I use starting from my skincare:

Bare Minerals Purifying Facial Cleanser
Bare Minerals Multi-Wrinkle Repair Serum
Rachel K CC Cream in Neutral

Foundation Estee Lauder DoubleWear in Dawn 2w1
Concealer Collection 2000 in medium 3
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001
Bourjois Chocolate Bronzing Powder
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Antigua
Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Power in my socket line to define eye
Mascara Maybelline One by One
Lips NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Nude Peach Fuzz
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray



What's your daily routine?







BlondeTeaParty

Foundation Frenzy!!

Ok, I am having major foundation issues. I've gone from buying a ton of foundations to now narrowing it down to just two that I like best. I want to decide on just one! Can you believe it? me the foundation fanatic having just one? I'm torn between Estee Lauder Double Wear and Bare Minerals Matte. I go to sleep thinking about it! Off topic but this reminds me when I was at school and I had pencil case problem haha I would switch out my pencil cases daily because I couldn't decide which one I wanted to use! I'm weird I know!

So every morning I go through a mini battle of which foundation I am going to use, shall I use a BB cream underneath? primer or no primer? beauty blender? brush? and all throughout the day I'm checking my face in the bathroom mirror, in the mirror in my bag, in the cloak room mirror, taking my picture at lunchtime, I could go on! I scrutinise my face on an hourly basis! I love the coverage and the smoothness of ELDW, it completely eliminates my pores, stayes put, never have to touch up. Bare Minerals I have been loyal to for over 10 years but sometimes it just doesn't want to work! Did I get a bad batch? Sometimes I apply it with MAC's Fix Plus sprayed onto my kabuki brush for more coverage but you have to work quickly and sometimes it goes patchy at the centre of my face. Today I'm using it normally and  it looks ok but  it can look a tad chalky and it tends to dissappear on the sides of my nose and chin and after lunchtime blotting it just look yuk!

On my days off I rarely go for the DW as I feel its too much makeup for just pottering about or is it?
I think I'm going mad! I need help! How many foundations do you own? what do you use everyday? Do you have different ones for work, day off, going out? what do you look for in a foundation?

I always think, right If someone comments on my makeup today, that will be the winner! No one ever does haha

Maybe I should just use which ever one I feel like on the day and quit stressing about it lol
I still have an urge to try the Laura Mercier mineral powder and Estee Lauders Maxium Coverage foundation. Have any of you tried these?

If you are a foundation freak like me, then you will understand my woes!

My Top Must Have Bronzers and Blushers

Hello lovelies happy Tuesday!! So today I thought I would share with you my most favourite, simply must have bronzers and blushers. Some are cream and some are powder.

Bronzers

 

I rotate these beauties all year round I think they are the perfect tones of brown with Benefit Hoola being a little bit cooler (haha nice rhyme) The Bourjois and Chanel De Soleil have a warm light tone that is great for fair skins. Neither of these have any sparkle which I like. I enjoy layering cream and powder textures for a long lasting finish, this really locks in your make-up.

Cream Blushers

I love a cream blush! I have oily skin, but personally I feel cream blush sticks to the skin longer rather than powder that easily wears off. On the left you have Nars PennyLane which is a delicate pink with a slight sheen. This is such a pretty blush that's so subtle on the skin.
In the middle is Chantecaille Aqua blush in the colour Enchanting. This is a bright pink colour that turns to powder on the skin and does not budge! It feels like cold water gliding onto your skin that drys to a matte touch. This is perfect for the summertime, being by the pool or beach because this will not come off till you remove it with a cleanser. Last but not least is Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera, which is a bright peach shade, really gorgeous on tanned skin. This one is the creamiest of them all and can feel a bit sticky if not set with powder. Gives a lovely pop of colour to the cheeks.

Powder Blushers

Mac Warm Soul is pretty much a universal favourite, but it really is gorgeous! It transforms into a pinky bronze shade on the skin that looks sunkissed and natural. It makes you glow.
At the top is Bobbi Brown Apricot which unlike its name, is a bright cool tone matte pink, perfect for winter days or if you need a bit of a pick me up. This makes cheeks look healthy and fresh.
Last is BareMinerals Ready blush in The Aphrodisiac. This is a peachy/pink shade with a slight sparkle, again really pretty, being BareMinerals it packed full of skin loving ingredients. Its so soft and smooth it just glides on leaving you with peachy keen cheeks.

Check out my video below to see swatches :-)

Have you got a favourite bronzer or blusher? I would love to know.






Thank you for stopping by :-)


BlondeTeaParty x

My Updated Everyday Make-Up Routine

Hello beautiful people and thank you for visiting my blog! I thought I would share my updated make-up routine that I do for work, days off, everyday basically. Its quick, easy and effective.

Products I used are as follows:

                                                               FACE
                                                Income Visionaire Serum
                                                Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 Fair
                                                Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Beige
                                                Chanel Double Perfection Matte Powder Suede 115
                                                Bourjos Chocolate Bronzer
                                                Bobbi Brown Bronzer Antigua
                                               

                                                              EYES
                                                Mac Paint in Bare Canvas
                                                Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara
                                                Eyelash curler from Space NK

                                                            
                                                               LIPS
                                                Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla and Macadamia
                                                Revlon Colour Burst Lipstick in Blush
                                               


Whats your everyday face? How much time do you give yourself to get ready each morning?

Amazing way to apply Bare Minerals Matte Foundation!

As you may know I love my BareMinerals, have been using it for years! I was so delighted when Matte came out, because I have really oily skin and it really is true to its name. Nothing and I mean nothing keeps my face oil free like this does. I literally don't blot till the end of the day! wow!
I have fallen head over heals inlove with this application method. I know alot of people have problems with the coverage of BM matte VS the original So applying it this way gives alot more coverage in one go.
Ok so what I do is spritz Mac fix + on my kabuki brush then swirl it into my BareMinerals and it turns it into the most wonderful consistency that covers in one swirl, tap and buff motion leaving skin utterly smooth and unbelievably flawless! My skin looks super smooth, beautifully matte and it doesn't budge all day! Perfect for the summertime. I finish with a spray of Urban Decay de slick setting spray. Watch my video below to see how I apply it.

                                          

My current foundations

So here are some foundations that I currently own and use intermittently. For work I use Estee Lauder DoubleWear Light, this stays put all day and does not get shiny once set with powder. I had been using Revlon Colourstay for combination/oily for a long time, nearly a year!! I have never finished a bottle of foundation since this one! It is very long lasting, stays fresh and doesn't oxidise. Sometimes it can look to makeupy if that makes sense? Then there is Laura Mercier Silk Creme, the rave reviews for this was unbelievable so I had to try it!! This takes alot of getting used to and the application method is key. I have applied this with fingers, an assortment of brushes and a sponge. The best way this works, I find is with a sponge. It is very thick in consistency, but spreads like a dream. You really don't need alot at all. I find if you put just a bit too much it gets cakey throughout the day. Just a small amount spread lightly with a sponge give a beautiful finish. This does get shiny during the day and I have to blot several times but it does look beautiful in pictures! I set this with MAC Mineralize and normally wear this on the weekends. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk this is great if you have a perfect complexion or had a late night and want to look fresh. I haven't found the best way to apply this yet, it doesn't give me enough coverage and it makes my face shine like a disco ball. So I only ever use this on super skin days. Lastly Chanel Double Perfection Matt Powder Foundation so I got this off EBay as it is not sold here in the UK. I wanted this so badly as Cupcakekissesxxx on youtube swears by this.

This does not give me any coverage and does not last till lunch time! My face literally eats this up.

I really wanted to love this so have tried it again and again, wet , dry, brush, sponge but to no avail.

I think this for me just works for touch up during the day of as a setting powder.

The quest for the perfect foundation continues.

What are some of your go to foundations? and how do you like to apply them?