Neutral Zone 

With Spring time being just around the corner I decided to create a soft nude look on the eyes and lips. The warmer it gets the less I want to wear a full face. It’s something about light colors that suit everyone’s skin tone, especially when the suns out. Below you’ll see my creation as well as the products I’ve used.

     

Products used:

Ex1 foundation (shade 300)

Dr. Brandt Pores no more Primer

L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer (brunette)

L.A Girl Orange Corrector (for under eye area)

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (NW35 for dark spots)

Maybelline Fit Me concealer (shade 25 Medium)

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Bronzer (Dark Tan)

Charlotte Tilbury Blusher (shade Ecstacy)

Becca & Jaclyn Hill Highlighter (champagne pop)

Stila Eyes of the window eyeshadow palette (mind)

Rimmel Super Curler Mascara

Clinique Skinny Stick eyeliner

L’Oreal Super Slim felt eyeliner

NYX lip liner (shade ever)

Nars Audacious lipstick (shade Brigitte)

Gerard Cosmetics Gloss (nude)

Hope you all enjoyed this almost spring look. Till next time.

xx, Gwen

2015 Favorites 

Happy new year everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating, now let’s get ready to tackle 2016! I wanted to quickly mention some of my favorite products of 2015 before we become bombarded with all of the 2016 releases. Here goes…

  

From top left to bottom right

Makeup Forever Ultra HD – Foundation (shade 128) *Disclaimer I’ve only been using this foundation for a month but I already love it! It has an amazing satin/natural finish to it. 

Chloe eau de parfum – This is my third bottle, need I say more? It’s a bit floral with a clean undertone. You must smell it! 

Schwarzkopf Biotin Volume and Texture Powder – This bad boy works miracles on my limp hair, just sprinkle some on my roots and boom instant fullness! 

Charlotte Tilbury Swish and Pop Blusher (shade ecstasy) – I will forever love this blush because one I bought it in London and two because it is such a gorgeous peachy/pink shade which is super easy to blend. 

L.A Girl Pro Concealer (orange correcting shade) *disclaimer I also just purchased this about 2 months ago but it has changed my face routine dramatically! I use this to correct my under eye darkness and any other dark pigmentation around my face before applying foundation. It’s a definite must have in my opinion!  

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution (shade red carpet red)- This lipstick is such a gorgeous shade of red (think Marilyn Monroe). The non drying matte formula is the selling point for this lipstick, oh and we can’t forget about the rose gold packaging! 

Mario Badescu Aloe and Rosewater Facial Spray – This spray is amazing, it instantly refreshes your face during the summer time and helps hydrate your face during the winter time. Also a staple when flying! 

Qtica Nail Growth StimulatorI am a nail biter (mostly when I’m nervous or stressed) so I go through periods where my nails look that of a 8 year old boy but, this product has helped my nails growth tremendously. 

Smashbox Photofinish Pore Minimizing Primer – I discovered this primer in the beginning of the year and it has replaced my Benefit Porefessional. I feel that it really smooths out my pores around my nose and cheeks and doesn’t leave a residue. 

Maybelline FIT Me ConcealerI was actually surprised at how much I loved this concealer. It’s a bit more fluid than what I would normally go for so for that I like it on lighter makeup days. The coverage is great and the price is even better! ($8.99). 

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion – I was in need of a new moisturizer and my roommate recommended this one to me. I really love the consistency (not too thick not too watery). It also has SPF 30, a great two in one! 

Those were all of my favorites during 2015! What were some of yours? 

We are looking forward to sharing more content, giveaways and interacting with you all this year. Here’s to a great 2016!

xx, Gwen 

Charlotte Tilbury 

Well, Well, Well guess who finally caved and bought some Charlotte Tilbury products. Yes you guessed it, little old me (Gwen). I have been wanting to try some of her products for about a year now but as you may or may not know they are pretty pricey. I am the kind of girl who will save her pennies for a few months and prance my way into a shop excited to bring some new goodies home.

On to the Brand, or shall I say the woman behind the brand. Charlotte Tilbury has been a makeup artist working in the fashion and beauty industry for over 20 years. She attended the Glauca Rossi school of makeup in London, took all of the tips and tricks she has learned and created her own line of skincare and cosmetics. Her products are loved by many celebrities as she often creates the looks for red carpet events and photo shoots. Well then on to what I purchased right?

I picked up the setting powder, blusher, concealer and lipstick. Below you’ll find further description of each product and my final thoughts. Also isn’t the packaging to die for? Such a sucker for anything rose gold!   The Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is described as a breathable micro-fine powder with soft focus made to blur away lines and imperfections. It also has rose wax and almond oil which keep the skin hydrated. I have been testing this powder out for about two weeks now and I love the velvety texture of it. I also love how it is very lightweight and does not give that sort of caked on powdered look.

The Cheek to Chic swish and pop blusher is meant to provide a youthful flush of color on your cheeks. It has a creamy and buildable formula along with a light flex technology made to provide a luminous finish. I chose the shade Ecstacy and I feel it is a great peachy pink color, especially on sun kissed skin. It it suggested that your swirl your brush around the outer part of the blush blending it towards the temples of your cheek bones, you then pop the middle shade onto the apples of your cheeks (hence the name swish and pop).


The Retoucher Concealer is described to have ultra covering, and color correcting texture with a hydrating complex of black tea which provides moisture to the under eye area. It is also made with a lipo-siliconic compound made to create a natural veil of color blending seamlessly into the skin diminishing the look of lines and pores. I personally think it does a great job at illuminating the under eye area (if you like that Kim Kardashian sort of look as I do) but I have not noticed any of the other claims.

Matte Revolution lipstick is the last item I purchased in the shade “Red Carpet Red“. What’s really unique about this lipstick is the square shaped tip making it a bit easier for application as it mimics a lip brush. It is also infused with lipstick tree and orchard extract which keep your lips hydrated. It was also created with 3D glowing pigments which create the illusion of fuller and wider lips. As a self proclaimed lipstick lover I truly love the formulation of this lipstick. It wears well (for a good 5 hours with mild eating) it does not feel drying and the shade I chose is the perfect red!

Hope you all enjoyed this haul/review of my new found loves. If I had to choose two products out of the four as total must haves they would be the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder and the Matte Revolution Lipstick. The Blusher and Concealer are products you could find from other inexpensive brands.

These along with her other products are available on her website Charlotte Tilbury . Although I  purchased my items at Selfridges in London because you are able to book an appointment and have a makeup artist apply the products before making your final purchase.

Till my next post,

xx, Gwen