Helllllooo beauties!
As I was reading through youtube comments on 'beauty gurus' videos, I've noticed a few comments asking about affordable yet quality make up that every beginner needs to start off with!
I feel like this would be a really good post for me to do, as I've only really just left the beginner stage myself so I feel like I know all there is to know, and as I've been wearing make up for 6 years I've tried sooo many 'drug store' (Chemists, Priceline, Target, Big W, K-mart etc) products.
If you want to make yourself a starter kit, a necessity would be foundation, or something you'd like to use a base. This could be a tinter moisturiser, BB, CC or DD cream, or just a regular foundation. Choosing a base is very much dependent on skin type, as if you have an oily skin type, you'll need something long wearing and more of a matte finish, to ensure your make up stays on.
When I was in high school my main mistake was using an oily, low quality foundation, slapping it on and that was it. I specifically remember coming home day after day and thinking 'oh my god.. did I really look like that ALL day?!' My mascara would run all under my eyes and my foundation was patchy and I just looked like a grease ball *cringe*.
Opposite to oily skin, having dry skin means you'll need something quite moisturising so your make up doesn't flake off.. not a good look.
Finding a base to suit you may take time and a few tries, but once you find your perfect match, it's worth it.
For clearer skin, or people who don't feel the need for full, or even medium coverage, a tinted moisturiser or BB,CC or DD cream would be best suited as they come in a range of colours and formulas for different skin types. Also, most have at least SPF 15, so you're protecting your skin whilst looking flawless!
People who want some coverage, whether it be light or full, will want to go with a foundation. I prefer liquid, as cheap powders often appears caked looking, and a bit dry no matter what the skin type. For a lighter coverage, a personal favourite of mine is Loreal True Match. This is also build-able so it can be suited to most peoples preferences. Having oily skin myself, I don't find this to be overly greasy, and actually think it's staying power is amazing, especially when set with Face of Australia Translucent Setting Powder. For a fuller coverage, Loreal Infallible is my holy grail. Another highly raved about foundation is Chi Chi's Fabulous and Flawless.
As a beginner, I don't believe concealer is a must, unless your preference is to wear it on it's own or with a light powder. Maybelline are my favourite affordable concealers. Instant age rewind is perfect for under the eyes, and also highlighting, while I prefer the Super Stay 24hr concealer for blemishes. Both are great on top of foundation or by themselves as just a bit of spot coverage.
A powder that has recently been popular is the Australis Fresh and Flawless pressed powder, and is compared to the Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I have and use both, but prefer the Mac option as its better quality, but for an affordable dupe, I wouldn't look past Australis fresh and flawless. Just remember to use a light hand or it does get quite caked.
I would definitely recommend a concealer and powder combination for beginners!
I haven't tried a high end mascara a prefer to drug store ones as off yet. I'm perfectly content with trying Maybellines entire range. They're affordable, and can be waterproof or not, I'd pick a non waterproof any day. Also, there is a massive range. My favourites over the past 5 years (yes, I still remember) have been, Volum' Express Smoky Eye Mascara, Great Lash Big Washable Mascara, Illegal Length Fibre Extensions Mascara, Volum' Express The Colossal Washable Mascara, Full 'n Soft Washable Mascara.
It's so crazy to think how many I've loves from the one brand. It makes me want to go out and repurchase them all! (Which I probably will now)
Honestly a base and a bit of lash is all you need where you're young, contouring and falsies is not an every day necessity for most, and I remember the feeling of wearing make up for the first time. It was rather daunting, you didn't know if people would judge you or if it was considered normal in your age group or school, so you may want to start off small (that is just how I felt as a 12-13 year old beginning high school)
One major tip - if YOU want to do it, and it makes YOU happy. Do it.
I'd really like to know if this has helped anyone making the decision on how to start their make up journey! I'd also love to know what type of things people would like to know about. I'm thinking of uploading some videos here, what type of things would you like to see? Empties, reviews, tutorials?
Please let me know on here or on my Instagram, (listed below) It would mean the absolute world.
Thanks for reading, lots of love xxx
Instagram: @annax_beauty
Personal Instagram: @annakogge
Personal Tumblr: annakogge.tumblr.com
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Every Day Make Up Routine
Anyway, this post will be all about my every day make up routine - how I apply, what order, quality of the products and all that jazz!
Firstly, I do usually use a primer - I stopped using Benefits Porefessional or other similar products such as L'oreals Skin Perfection as my t-zone is super oily and the two just didn't bode well for all day wear. I would really love to find a really good primer for oily skin so any recommendations in the comments would be amazing! Yesterday, I did try using the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray as a base and it didn't seem to do anything negative so maybe I'll try take notice of if that works!
Secondly, I apply foundation with a damp Real Techniques Blending Sponge. I use L'oreals Infallible 24 HR. I have written about this previously and the verdict is still the same - very much in love with this foundation! Although the colour match is now a bit off as I've tanned up recently in the Australian heat, it still covers excellently, as well as lasts me relatively well at work. I am a Lifeguard at an outdoor pool, so on the hot days I generally leave with all my make up sweated off but this one did pretty well considering! I won't say to much as I've already rambled about this product, but I will say one thing I think I forgot previously - it doesn't get caught up in all those fine moustache and forehead hairs! Using cheaper foundation when I was younger, that was my biggest issue! It would always ball up and go orange just in my moustache area, although I most definitely don't have a mo...
I'll be repurchasing this tomorrow at Pricelines 40% sale! *tries to contain excitement*
Thirdly, concealer! I genrally use MAC NW20 for spots and under eyes, and don't use a lighter concealer to highlight. Again, so far this is my holy grail concealer and with the 'banana' shade from the Australis contour kit... oh my god IN LOVE. Match made in heaven. I've said more about that in the previous two posts so if you want to know more about my concealing - head on over to those posts.
Again, this is applied with my Real Techniques Blending Sponge.
Fourthly, I do a super light dusting of MAC Studio Fix, just to set my foundation. I absolutely love this for setting or a foundation with a tiny bit of concealer on those days I don't want to put on a full face.
The order of the following doesn't really matter but genrally, I'll do contouring fifth! I do contour in my everyday make up routine, it just depends on the occasion on how heavily I do so.
To contour I'll either use Bahama Mama from The Balm, or any brown from the Australis Contour Kit. I haven't decided what contour colour is my favourite from that kit so I usually just mix it up!
Using one of those shades, I'll draw a thin and light line from the top of my ear towards the joining of my top and bottom lip, but I'll stop almost directly in line with the outer corner of my eye - perhaps a little closer the ear. I blend it upwards, as not to disturb the (somewhat) 'harshness' of the line - and not defeating the point of contouring. I've been using Australis' Bronzing Powder in Sunkissed, just to bronze up the cheeks, forehead and border of my face.
I use Frat Boy Blush by The Balm over where I bronzed on my face, just to warm everything up a little bit more and I find those two products actually mix nicely.
I use Mary Lou - Manizer on my more intense days, or lately I've substituted that for the Essence Bloom Me Up Shimmer, as its so subtle yet beautiful. Before that I used a Napoleon Perdis Mosaic Gleamer.
For brows, I use Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in Blonde and I cannot do brows at all, my natural brow is really dark so even the tiniest bit really emphasises how dark they are are they look drawn on - so I wont go into an more detail about that.
I use Maybelline Colossal Smokey Eyes Mascara, and again I don't think there is a lot to say about the application of this. I don't curl my lashes as they're already naturally curled so doing so just makes them get in my eyebrows and look super weird. I wrote about that mascara on mu previous post so check that out for more opinions on that!
Lastly, something I should do first but for some reason I always forget about to until the end - weekly or when needed, I use my Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum just lightly as I find my lips can get sensitive afterwards, and then smother my lips in my HOLY GRAIL LIP BALM! (not pictured) I am IN LOVE with Sportsgirls Smooth Operator Paw Paw Multi - Purpose Lip Balm, and it can also be used as a hand/cuticle moisturiser! I literally have 7 of these floating around my room and beauty room.
BRUSHES -
To Set Face - Real Techniques Buffing Brush
To Set Under Eyes - Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush
To contour - Real Techniques Contour Brush
Blush - Real Techniques Blush Brush
To highlight - Bodyorgaphy (no name) Fan Brush
Brows - Bodyography (no name) Spoolie
- Benefit Brow Zings Brushes
Instagram: @annax_beauty
Personal Instagram: @annakogge
Personal Tumblr: annakogge.tumblr.com
Monday, 3 November 2014
Everyday Favourites!
As a new account, I feel like I need to add to my monthly favourites of October, and give more of an in site to the products I love.
Real Techniques brushes are the absolute best! Firstly and most importantly, they fit my budget. I bought my brushes in Priceline, which is more expensive then if you are to buy them online, but there was a massive sale on so I got lucky. The brush in the photo is my powder brush and is a buffing brush. It came in a pack of 4, called "Your Base Flawless Core Collection 1.0 pack", and that was originally $45.00 (I cannot remember the deal I got but it was considerably less). I love using it in conjunction with my transparent Face of Australia powder, as the combination always ensures my skin is smooth and never caked on, as the brush is so dense it stops to much product getting on the brush. This brush is also perfect for thicker foundations that need to be really worked into the skin!
Also from Real Techniques, I have the blending sponge which is apparently quite a good dupe for the classic Beauty Blender. This is my second one, as the first one ripped after a vigorous wash (oops), and I'm still loving it. I find it easiest to wash when I'm in the shower, as I can work it through gently the continuous water flow just flushes out all the makeup thats been soaked into it. My favourite thing is that I don't have to wait for it to be dry to use it. I've read and seen many comparisons on the Beauty Blender vs Real Techniques, and I honestly can't see that there would be much of a difference as I'm so 100% satisfied with mine! Saying that, I will try the Beauty Blender one day, when it's more accessible to me in Australia and I don't have to pay ridiculous amounts for shipping!
L'oreal Skin Perfection has taken over Benefits Porefessional! This product just smoothes out my whole complexion and makes bumps and pores way less noticeable so my foundation can glide over! Benefits Porefssional always made my t-zone more oily then usual, and although that is just the nature of my skin so I'll never be able to fully stop that, L'oreals Skin Perfection definitely holds the oil off for a bit longer! Over all not only is it cheaper, it's more effective so what isn't there to love?!
Maybellines 'Colossal Smokey Eye' Mascara is definitely up there with the high end ones. I went through 3 Benefits 'They're Real' before hurriedly buying a cheaper one after I'd run out. Little did I know how much I'd love this mascara! I'm very picky with mascara, my lashes are quite long, so I need something to accentuate that and not just make them spidery or clumpy..I find this formula works perfectly on my lashes! I love the brush too, I don't hear of many people who like plastic brushes and I'm definitely one of them! This brush and formula combination is literally a dream! I'm excited to buy more from Maybellines Colossal range and see what they have in store for me!
Mary-Lou Manizer, is hands down my favourite highlighter. Granted I am new to the make up world and haven't tried as many as some, but this one is perfect for me. I know this highlighter has been done to death so I won't say too much but my favourite thing about it is how build-able it is! One dusting and you can get a gorgeous light sheen, very subtle and beautiful. For a special occasion you can pack it on and it really makes your whole face look radiant! Also, amazing to double as an eyeshadow and really brighten your eye area!
The last thing I'll speak about is the Chi Chi Nudes palette! This is apparently a really good dupe for Urban Decay Naked palettes (not sure which one, they're too expensive for me at the moment), but probably only a quarter of the price at $22! I love this for every day, just casual bronzes or you can smoke it up with some darker shades for night time. The colours are so pigmented and the overall quality is really astounding. I'm really impressed with the brand Chi Chi is becoming. I only ever hear fantastic things about them and I can't wait to get my hands on some more products including their Fabulous & Flawless Foundation!
Lots of Love little pandas xx
Instagram: @annax_beauty
Personal Instagram: @annakogge
Personal Tumblr: annakogge.tumblr.com
(I feel like I've missed a lot of key points about these products as I'm a bit sick and I feel like my brain isn't functioning so leave me a comment if you'd like to know more about something)
Sunday, 2 November 2014
AC ON TOUR | Highlight & Contour Kit
Yes, yes, we all know what this is... I've jumped on the bandwagon and decided to post the classic photo of the most recent beauty must have... The 'AC ON TOUR | Highlight & Contour Kit'.
I've had this since Monday and have only used it twice, but for a very casual look, and more just so I had an excuse to try it out finally! I haven't used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette, so I can't make any comparisons, but I don't think they need to be compared because this is an amazing product!
The powder isn't at all chalky, which is one of the many things I really liked about it. I found it to be really bendable. I've recently been using Bahama Mama by The Balm, and while I love that as a contouring shade, it is really hard to blend if you accidentally use too much of a heavy hand.
My favourite shade in the palette in the top, centre colour, or the 'banana' dupe. It really set my eye concealer, and it prevented it from settling into my fine lines! My MAC pro longwear concealer (as mentioned in my previous post) and this powder is a match made in heaven!
Although I cannot say a lot about this wonderful palette as off yet, I was too excited by it to keep my first impressions in! Overall, I'm super impressed and highly recommend it - especially as it is only roughly $16 AUD!
Lots of Love sweet peas xx
Instagram: @annax_beauty
Personal Instagram: @annakogge
Personal Tumblr: annakogge.tumblr.com
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