Highlighting and Contouring

I am by no means a master at contouring but I know that, I personally find it quite interesting learning about other peoples methods of chiselling and luminising. Since this picture of Kim Kardashian arose on online newspapers and social media, makeup lovers were sent into a white concealer related tailspin.  What is this dark bronzer and white foundation combination and does it offer an explanation to Kim's cut glass cheek bones. . Since watching this amazing contouring video from Wayne Goss, I kind of got the rough idea and devised my own slightly hodgepodge method of highlighting and contouring. I understand that contouring basically aims to enhance your natural bone structure by using an amalgamation of white concealer with a foundation at least a couple shades darker than your skin tone. I definitely have next to no cheekbones and a lil round face and I have noticed that these little tips have really added some definition to my face.

1. I start by applying a stiff brown cream pigment from Illamasqua across my cheekbones, along the jawbone and down both sides of my nose. This adds definition to these areas and works to slim the nose and face by defining the cheekbones and slimming your nose. I apply it using a thin, flat brush and find the best way to line your cheekbones is to feel your face and use the hard cheekbone as your guideline for tracing your face.

2. I now highlight my face using a mixture of the white skin base lift with a concealer. This product is really brilliant and helps to transform a runny concealer into a stiff, whiter and brighter mix which is applied down the nose and up to the forehead, around the nose, in a V shape underneath the eye to completely brighten and highlight this area, and above the cheekbone to luminise this area. I then blend this slightly before stippling on my foundation.

3. I recently bought this touché éclat highlighter which completely inspired this post which completely inspired this post and the lady that worked there gave me a card detailing exactly where to highlight. I use the touché to brighten under my eyes and it really is amazing. I am always really self conscious about my skin so I feel this method helps to add more coverage and just generally make my makeup last as well as defining the bone structure.

5. After applying my powder, I add a bit more definition to my face using my mac harmony blusher. This is a matte brown blusher, which I apply to the hollows of my cheekbones. I literally only need to use a tiny amount as it is extremely pigmented so this has lasted me a year without even hitting pan.

5. Finally is  my two highlighters, the first is the Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold, this was a present and it is just the best makeup ever, it is soft, buttery and shimmery rather than glittery, I dust it along my cheek bones, under the brow bone and above the brow bone and in my cupids bow. The freak laboratory highlighter in 'Stucco' is equally brilliant but a cheaper alternative which does a really similar job!

Skincare essentials for blemish-prone skin

I briefly mentioned my troubles with my skin in a previous post so I thought I would do a post on what has worked for me and got my skin to an acceptable stage (i.e still a few spots but a LOT better than it once was :))

1. In terms of cleansing, I use a dermalogica face wash from their clear start range. Now this cleanser may not be for everyone, neither may my routine but I thought it would be good to share what has worked for my skin. I have used this particular cleanser for about 3 years now and it really does the job. I wear quite a lot of heavy coverage makeup so to have a cleanser which pretty much removes all my foundation is always a winner. It's a gel formula, which I find suits my skin well, I have used more creamy cleansers like Liz Earle and the Ren clay cleanser however, whilst the cleanser themselves were quite good, they just didn't seem to remove all traces of makeup from my skin and I found myself having to double cleanse sometimes. This cleansers lasts me a real long time and it's really quick and fuss-free to use, I know I shouldn't but I do often use this in the shower before school and cleansing is done in a second! I order mine online from beautyflash where it retails at £13 and comes with free Dermalogica of your choice.

2. For toning, I use a La-roche Posay exfoliating toner, which removes any final traces of makeup but also does a great job of clearing up any stubborn spots. I only use a little bit of this on a cotton pad, just to sweep over my face and a little does go a long way. I was recommended this by my sister, who is truly my skincare and makeup soul mate and I think I ended up using pretty much all of hers when we were on holiday because I had run out of spot treatment creams and this really did the job. Best of all, it is even available at our little boots (although not so little as now, Smashbox, Benefit and Bumble and Bumble has arrived *does happy breakdance * *shouts to the hills* ) and currently cost £9.60 and lasts a lifetime.

3. For moisturising, I have recently started using a caudalie light moisturiser on the recommendation of my sister. I really struggle with choosing a moisturiser because sometimes the combination of my face wash, spot cream and toner means my skin can sometimes be a dry old patchy mess so I am always on the hunt for a moisturiser that actually moisturisers dry patches without clogging my pores and making me break out but this moisturiser has really done the job! It hasn't broken me out, moisturises any dryness and acts a great base for makeup, woop diddly doop!

4. This is a very unglamorous product but still a valued member of my skincare routine none the less. DUAC is the only thing that properly targets and treats any blemishes and it's free from the doctors. I must have wasted so much money buying useless spot treatments over the years that literally did zilch, but if you're struggling with your skin, go to the doctors and they will usually prescribe you something like this. Be wary it is very drying, especially if you have sensitive skin (I learnt this the hard way) so use sparingly and I tend to only use it at nighttime.

5. This is a really fun face mask but equally lives up to it's claims. I was so pleased when I found it in my local TK Maxx (big up) for about 6 bob and was intrigued to see how it worked. It comes in a powder form in a sachet and you have to mix it with water and apply to your face with the wooden spatula provided. It is very sticky and I usually tend to mix it all up in a container and dispose of any leftover mask when it has dried. (be careful it blocks sinks so it's best to put it in the bin to avoid any sticky messes) It then starts to rubberise on your face and after 20 minutes, you can begin to remove it! This is when I noticed the miracles and magic that had occurred, my skin felt completely clear of everything (makeup, moisturiser, dry skin etc) and smooth and silky. I also found that makeup application a day after using it was amazing and my skin had a quite a dewy appearance to it, which was nice.

About a month ago, I got me some CORNROWS, after seeing this picture of Phoebe from Made in Chelsea, I went to my local hair extensions shop to see if they could do something similar. They were so friendly in there and said that the braids would be relatively simple to do. They charged just £10 and lasted around two weeks, without coming loose when I washed my hair! I really liked my braids and felt they definitely added something to outfits! I think I will get them done again but maybe go for side cornrows for something a bit different.

Holy Grail Foundation

Mac Strobe Cream, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 

This foundation has remained a firm favourite in my make-up bag for quite some time now and it's actually the only foundation I have actually repurchased time and time again. After a brief dalliance with Illamasqua Skin Base in the summer and a disappointing romance with Estee Laude Double Wear Maximum Cover, I found myself going back to my old Bobbi Brown ways. I definitely don't have the best skin and it can be quite dry in places thanks to a cocktail of different acne creams but it's fair to say this foundation is a definite staple for creating a good base. The coverage is medium to full and definitely build able and overall the foundation does a great job of concealing my spots without looking to matte or cakey. I find that a combined use with my mac strobe cream adds a hint of dewiness to the foundation to avoid a heavily made up look.  I  use this with my pro long wear concealer, a bobbi brown face touch up stick and my mac studio fix powder and my makeup really does last throughout the whole day, which is a big selling point for me. The fact that my skin is properly concealed gives me more confidence and other foundations I have used in the past have never lasted properly and have left my skin looking patchy and generally gross halfway through the day, so to find something that actually does what it says on the packaging is a real winner for me! 

In terms of colour matching, I am quite pale but find the shade 2.5 perfect for me all year round. When I am particularly pale, I sometimes have to blend some of the foundation around my neck to avoid the dreaded tideline but when accompanied with my bronzer and highlighter, the overall look is natural with a hint of tan/colour to my otherwise light complexion! Whilst most foundations have yellow or pink undertones, Bobbi Brown tends to argue all people have yellow undertones in their skin therefore all there foundations are created with yellow tones and I have found their colour match with me to be great, so perhaps the yellow theory is right! 

Retailing at £31, this isn't the cheapest foundation however I have a theory that your foundation should be the one thing you splash the cash on, especially if you have spot prone skin like myself as more high-end foundations apparently contain better quality, less reactive ingredients than drugstore versions, so I don't mind spending a bit more so my skin doesn't suffer. Equally, it lasts me such a long time and I use about two pumps of it a day! 

Love Amanda 

xxx

1. whistles medium shiny croc clutch 

I have been lusting over these whistles clutch bags for I don't know how long and every time I look they seem to get more and more pretty. They come in a black version and the sizes vary from to small and medium, but I was instantly drawn to the shiny, white version. Monochrome is currently having a massive fashion moment and this little bag would compliment any all-black outfit.   I don't, however think I will be purchasing this anytime soon as the £60 price tag makes them slightly unreachable! 

2. premium marabou feather gilet 

This Topshop feather gilet has completely stolen my heart. Faux fur gilets were really popular last winter especially (remember these?) and I like the way in which they can instantly be quite a transitional piece. This gilet in particular could be layered over leather jackets in winter but similarly paired with black shorts or playsuits in the summer. 

3. Acne Rita Leather Jacket 

All I can say is mmmmmm. Their leather jackets look almost too nice and hurt me to even look. This is an extremely extravagant favourite and I think I will be sticking to my trusty Topshop leather jacket for now! 

4. Black Lace Bralet 

Lace Bralets are another item experiencing a huge fashion moment and I can't help but be drawn to their prettiness. I really like when they are worn with high waisted skirts or midi skirts, with either a duster coat or leather jacket thrown over the top so you don't feel to cold! 

5. Mac Fix+ Spray 

I have been wanting to try this since forever, apparently it doesn't properly 'fix' your makeup but instead just adds a hint of dewiness to your face base, which is always welcomed for me. I think this would be particularly handy for refreshing my makeup throughout the day but also spritzing over my face when my makeup if all done to avoid any cakey foundation patches.

6. Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap 

This lipstick is such a matte, bold pink it would instantly create a statement make up look. In terms of lipsticks, I usually stick to more neutral pinks and oranges but this image of schiap paired with a natural base and neutral eye makeup I was instantly in love! 

7. JOLIE Double Strap Heels 

I LOVE the versatility of these shoe/boot/sandals, and could definitely see them being worn both day and night, either casually with black skinny jeans or more dressy with a skirt or shorts. They also have a mule type vibe, which instantly attracted me as mules seem to be a must-have shoe this summer!