Oh, Sleek. I’ve been a fan for a while but now you just stole a piece of my heart for good with the launch of the #MyFaceMyRules campaign, together with the charity Ditch the Label, which fights bullying worldwide.
With a huge 75% of people thinking women look better with no makeup*, there is no wonder makeup shaming is a real thing. Having suffered from acne for way too long an relying on makeup to make my face look closer to how I felt inside (read pretty, confident, glowy and pain free), I have heard all sorts.
And if I hadn’t said it clearly enough: No, I am not hiding behind a “mask”. No, I am not doing it for men. No, I don’t need attention. No, I don’t dislike the way I look. No, not a whore. Or a clown. And no, I don’t have too much time in my hands. Thanks.
Sleek is supporting my statements. MyFace. My Rules does what it says on the tin: it’s MY face, I will make it up as I want. And for whatever reason I want, for that matter.
Here’s the strong campaign video which stars real Sleep Makeup customers and sums up how I feel:
At the campaign launch, the Lifeproof foundation also came into play. Now, I am quite particular when it comes to foundation so I am always nervous when a brand I like a lot comes up with a new one. What if I don’t like it?
I can assure this is not the case here. This is a generous medium coverage foundation which is highly buildable into full.
It is sweat proof, oil free and has soft focus elements for a great finish which is not dewy or matte – it feels super natural, a little goes a long way and it certainly lives up to its “life proof” name.
It comes in 24 shades and you can find out yours online. It costs an amazing £ 8.99 (30ml) but at the moment there a promotion on the Sleek site, for only £7. Bargain!
I’ve also been using the Hydrating Primer, which is super lightweight with a moisture-rich formula. The foundation glides well and fells great! It costs £7.99 (20ml) and is the perfect base for the Lifeproof foundation!
*Survey conducted by Ditch the Label and Sleek Makeup. You can see the full Makeup Shaming: the data behind the trend report here.
There is also a Sleek Makeup customer survey on YouTube that I can totally relate to.
Happy birthday! 2017 marks 10 years of EcoTools and 
Airbrushed finish: duo fibre that works well with powder, creams and liquid foundation, to buff that base right in. Personally, I think this one could be a bit firmer but does a great job creating that foundation for the makeup.
The sturdy canister is great to protect brushes while in transit. And looks great on a dressing table.
This lovely 
Every season there are a couple of brands that will launch a product that stays with me for a long time. GOSH is certainly of them.
They are always focused on genuine Nordic ingredient, and are always introducing new ones into the lines. This season, meet the dandelion.
My favourite is the 001 Highlight Vanilla, which is a fabulous discreet highlighter, perfect to use alone or underneath a powder one for amped-up glow.
For the eyes comes the Volume Serum Mascara, which has the finest comb brush I’ve ever seen.
In the eyeliner department, there’s a fabulous super pigmented Giant Pro Kajal (vegan friendly, £7.49), the Giant Pro Double Ended Liner (£10.99). Durability is great and application easy, although I struggle a bit getting definition with kajals.
Now, the Eye Xpression eyeshadow quads (£8.99) are super useful: perfect size to have on the go, fabulous, versatile shades with the exceptional quality of GOSH shadows. Warm neutral BackToNature has become a fixture in my makeup bag.
Never thought I’d openly talk about wearing my subversions and perversions, but hey, here we are.
Subversion is a classic eyelash primer, white in colour to coat all lashes previous to receiving the mascara. The formula is creamy and the brush is a medium size, with bristles the pick all lashes.
Perversion is the ultra black mascara with a large brush. Despite the fact the brush is almost on the too large side for my taste, it does work very well. The formula is creamy and thick, and it gives decent separation and superb volume, lacking a bit in lengthening.
I got those (plus my all time favourite Eyeshadow Potion Primer) at the launch of the new Urban Decay shop at Carnaby Street, London. The European flagship store in split in two floors of all UD colourful fabulousness.
And I hear Urban Decays is opening three more stores in the UK by the end of the year: London King’s Cross (24 Nov), Nottingham (1 Dec) and Liverpool (9 Dec).
Stop press. I have succumbed to something liquid on my lips.
I was at The Apartment over LFW and Collection had a fab area. Amongst other goodies to pick up, were they yet to be launched (and now on the shelves) Velvet Kiss lipsticks.
Since the first time I had my eyebrows filled, I never looked back. It did feel a bit weird at the time, but soon, weird became not having them filled.
The tiny little tapered brush spreads the gel beautifully on the brows and its precision tip does a great job of shaping them; creating a fab lift and defined arch is easy-peasy.
Anyone who knows me in person will know I wear eyeshadow and eyeliner pretty much every day.
I’ll start with Urban Decay Naked 2. Now, I have 3 and Smokey, but they don’t quite measure up. The mix of earthy and gold tones, in shimmer and matte, are perfect for any occasion. Add a matte black and voilá: you cannot go wrong.
The 
Sleek has a couple that really work for me. The iDivine eyeshadow palette in ‘A New Day’ mixes beautiful golds and browns in shimmer and matte, as well as a bit of pinkish earthy tones, for an all-round look. The browns are dark enough for a lovely smokey that is not too heavy.
The 
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And they are all quite affordable, ranging from £6.99 (Makeup Revolution) to £38.50 (Naked 2).
Summer usually asks for a lighter foundation, which for me is s problem as they tend to have less coverage.
Durability wise, I’d say it stands a full work day with some wear; in warmer climates, it looks great for at least six hours.
Lipgloss hasn’t been a thing for me in a long time.
The classic Lancôme Juicy Tubes were an integral part of discovering makeup for me, but I felt I grew out of them, in a way.
Start with the packing, a cute bullet that keeps a surprise: a ridiculously soft sponge applicator in a conical shape, which delivers the right amount of product and helps contour the lips.
I tried Apricute and Cherry Symphony and the pigmentation is very decent: a somewhat buildable tint (which is said to get more intense the more you shake the bullet) with a lovely sheen that is in no way sticky. My hair hasn’t caught once!
So good tat even my little forest friend wanted a piece of it – I had to be pretty nifty in removing them from the tray! 😀
They come in an amazing 14 shades, including the limited edition Mint to Be, cost £18 each and can be purchased online and at retailers nationwide.
Here I am again going on about how amazing Charlotte Tilbury makeup is.
The formula is a great glossy black and is not too wet, which is great for application control.
I am totally sold. Of course, it carries a premium-ish price tag, but worth every penny.
So Many Lovely Things 