What's in my August Makeup Bag?

Another month, another 'What's in my Makeup Bag?' here at The Beauty Ideal.

I'll start off by saying I don't really feel like I've changed up my makeup all that much this month, I've been in one of those 'this works for me, I'll keep at it' moods, resulting in not many makeup-related purchases either. 

Great for my pocket, not so great for the blog. 

To be fair though, it's about time I cooled it with the constant spending. I have more makeup than I need and I should probably start dwindling that before adding more to it from here-on-out.

Here's to trying eh...

First off I've been combining my trusty Benefit Porefessional (£24.50 for full size) and Maybelline's Babyskin Instant Fatigue Blur (£7.99) to diminish pores and perk up my complexion a little bit. I've been struggling to sleep recently and my skin's showing it. The blend of these two help me look semi-human again.

For foundation, I've been enjoying Maybelline's Fit Me (£7.99). I'm still waiting for the Matte + Poreless version to be released in the UK as I'm dying to try it out but for now, this one works well enough for coverage and longevity. SEVENTEEN's Phwoarr Paint (£5.49) has been my go-to under-eye concealer and I find that it also works well on blemishes because it doesn't cake on my skin. I love it. 

To set all that good stuff in place it's been an old favourite - Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot powder (£12.00). I actually forgot I owned this (it'd been left in an overnight bag) and I'm glad I now have it back in my life.

For contour & highlight, you know I've been obsessed with Maybelline's Master Sculpt (£6.99). It works for both my pale and tanned complexions and I love both of the shades. It's a great budget contour kit. To add a little rosiness to my cheeks it's been nothing but Makeup Revolution's Matte Blush in Nude (£3.00). A nude blush with a hint of pink to compliment any complexion.

Brows only consist of Makeup Revolution's Ultra Brow Kit (£7.99). I've used this pretty much every day since I bought it back in May. It's excellent at creating brows when you've not got much to begin with or just filling in sparse areas. I love the enhancing cream to give a really sharp look to my brows - it makes me feel all Daenerys Targaryen. 

For eye makeup, I've been trying to get back into using liquid eyeliner and my favourite for easing me back into the process is Rimmel's Scandaleyes Precision Micro Eyeliner (£5.49). Liquid eyeliner in pen form is always much easier to get the hang of so I'd recommend this one if you're still trying to perfect that cat flick. The nib on this one is small and thin so it's easy to build on if you need to.

Since buying them off Ebay, I've been obsessed with my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (£4.59). A complete bargain from the seller I bought them from and absolutely amazing when it comes to adding some oomph to your lashes. They're honestly the best curlers I've ever used. For mascara, I've been trying to like Benefit's They're Real Mascara (£19.50). I'm still on the fence about it, the formula's just so wet. I might like it a little better when it's dried out abit.

Last up is Rimmel's Lasting Finish Lipstick In Asia (£4.99). Still under that mauvey-pink nude umbrella, only on the darker side. I've been trying to get use out of the 25 other lipsticks I own that aren't Essence's Cool Nude.

I have to say I'm fully looking forward to the fast approaching Autumn/Winter. I can go back to donning my jumpers and coats and no one will bat an eyelid. 

Lauren

xo

July Favourites.

Sorry this post is late! I've been so off my blogging game recently - ugh!

I just feel I've been so busy doing everything else in life that I've kind of neglected my blog, partly because I've had no time and partly because I've just been so unsatisfied with it. I'm now on a work vacay so I'm hoping to get it back up to scratch.

Ok, on to the favourites.

My first favourite of July comes in the form of Maybelline's Classic Volume Express Waterproof Mascara (£4.99). I've been using this stuff non-stop this month as it gives me long, full looking lashes with zero clumpiness. And it's cheaper than your average drugstore mascara - winner.

Second up has, of course, been my Fullips (£6.99). I've been obsessed with this thing since I got it and it really does offer an impressive temporary fix to smaller lips. I got the medium size and it works perfectly - see this post here for more details and results.

So I went into LUSH not long ago to pick up a birthday present and came out £30 poorer on items that I'd bought for myself - I did get the birthday present though so I gave myself a pat on the back. I picked up this, the Tea Tree Water (£4.25 for 100g). I've incorporated this into my skincare routine and my skin's been loving it. It reduces the size of blemishes overnight and keeps them at bay too. I plan to pick up the bigger bottle next time I'm in-store.

Lastly is the Real Techniques Bold Metals Flat Contour Brush (£22.00). I've been meaning to pick this bad boy up ever since the line was released but alas, bills got in the way. I finally managed to get my hands on it and it's now the only brush I use for contour. It really gives a clean, angled look to the cheekbones without making it look muddy or dirty. I love it, it's well worth the steep(er) price tag.

I promise, promise, to attempt to get back to doing regular posts in the next few weeks. Sorry again for being crappy.

Lauren

xo

June Favourites.

It's favourites time again!

I can't believe June's nearly over already. I feel like every time I blink another month goes by.

Unfortunately, the end of June has been pretty sad for me since I had to say goodbye to a dear old friend. My beloved kitty passed away this past Saturday so an honorary mention goes out to her - but she doesn't need it, she'll forever be my favourite.

First up is Makeup Revolution's Ultra Cover & Conceal Palette (£6.00). I'm still in awe at the price of this. I've been using it daily to gain that Kim K highlighted look (though not that dramatic) and it's great because even when I'm self tanning it goes dark enough for me to still be able to get use out of it. I recommend wholeheartedly.

Secondly is another Makeup Revolution fave (I know, I know) and that's their Single Powder Blush in Sugar (£1.00). £1.00 though?! Makeup Rev, you kill it!

This shade is the perfect colour for any skintone and adds just the right amount of rosiness without looking clown-like.

My scent of the month has been Marc Jacobs' Dot (£67.50 for 100ml). My Mum picked this up for my birthday back in April and I've only really just got into using it. It's a glorious mix of jasmine, vanilla and musk and it's one of my favourites from the Marc Jacobs range. I also love all of his bottle designs - though they are a nightmare to travel with.

Lastly has been a film fave and that's Divergent. I loved the book series and I was holding out hope for the films, and I'm pleased that I enjoyed Divergent. I've yet to watch Insurgent but I'm holding it in good stead also. Not to mention Theo James is beautiful and I ship Four and Tris so much, so much. 

Lauren

xo

What's in my June Makeup Bag?

I actually forgot that I do these monthly makeup bag posts this month otherwise I would've posted it sooner. 

I'll start off with my primer of choice this month and that's been Revlon's PhotoReady Perfecting Primer (£11.99) - this makes my skin feel soft and prepped for foundation and it helps prolong my makeup. It's one of my favourites from the drugstore.

Following on with a new foundation love of mine and that's Makeup Revolution's The One Foundation (£4.00). It's a tad pale for me at the moment because I've been self-tanning but it's so cheap it's just a matter of remembering to pick one up. It blends beautifully and dries to a matte finish - perfect for oily skin in warmer weather. 

Makeup Revolution's Ultra Cover and Conceal Palette (£6.00) has also been living in my makeup bag this month. This palette is amazing for highlighting and because I don't self-tan too dark I can even get mileage out of it when I'm not my usual transparent self. I've been loving it for covering dark circles and general highlighting.

For powder, it's been my go-to holy grail - Bourjois' Healthy Balance Powder (£8.99). I own this in several shades for my different stages of self-tan and I just love it. It doesn't cake no matter how much you apply and I'll never get used to the delicious smell of it.

For brows, I've gone back to an old favourite in the form of Sleek's Eyebrow Stylist (£5.99). I was obsessed with this last year because it made doing my brows so quick, but then I started preferring the powder look. I've gone back to this recently and I'd forgotten how much I loved it - I also love that it has a spoolie on the other end. 

For contour and highlight, I've been obsessed with Makeup Revolution's Ultra Sculpt & Contour Kit (£3.50). It includes a contour shade, a highlight shade and a shimmery bronzer and I love all of them. All the shades can work for any skintone and can be built up and blended out. A must for any makeup collection.

For blush, Makeup Revolution's Single Blush in Sugar (£1.00)has been my all time fave. I rarely use anything else nowadays. A highly pigmented rosy shade that brings a lovely flush to any face. 

My eyes have been a simple affair of late - I've just been blending Naked 2 from my Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (£23.00) into the crease and under the lower lashline before adding a fair few coats of Maybelline's Classic Volume Express Waterproof Mascara (£4.99). I've been leaving out the faff alot recently because as much as I love full eyeshadow looks, I've been finishing work pretty late recently and I'm too tired to be scrubbing it all off for ages. 

To finish, I've been literally obsessed with Collection's Cream Puff Lip Cream in Angel Delight (£2.99). A moisturising lip cream that dries matte, lasts for ages and smells like marshmallows. Angel Delight is a dark nude shade which would suit any skintone and any makeup look. I think I need to pick up a new one I've been using it that excessively.

I've been wearing much simpler makeup through the course of June, I've been so busy with work and stuff that I've not had much time to do full on shadow looks or perfect my winged eyeliner. Hopefully, I feel a little calmer through July and I can get into it again.

Lauren

xo

May Favourites.

I'll start off by apologising for not posting in a fair few days, I just feel like I'm having such a bad time with content and photography at the moment - it never seems to go right!

Anyway, I'm coming at you today with my May Favourites. It's scary to think we're nearly into the half way mark of 2015, where has the time gone?! I'll be starting uni and moving into my own place before I know it.

My first favourite of this month has been my Makeup Revolution Naked Chocolate Palette (£7.99). I've been getting some serious mileage out of this palette in recent weeks and I just love all the shades. A definite must for the neutral shadow lover. 

Secondly has been the MUA Pro-base Prime & Conceal Quad (£4.00) - I can't believe how well this works for such a cheap price tag. A dream to use if you suffer from any sort of discolouration in your complexion - I've been loving it for concealing redness and my bruise-like dark circles. 

My contour fave in May has been Illamasqua's Sculpting Powder Duo in Illuminate & Nefertiti (£26.00). The contour shade works so well on pale or tanned skin and the highlight gives a lovely sheen to anywhere you wish to put it on the face. A steep price tag but completely worth it - I'm so happy I received this as a birthday gift. 

Lastly is Maybelline's Color Drama Lip Pencil in Light It Up (£4.99), a beautiful red that'd suit any skintone. I have so many of these lip pencils I've nearly got the whole set! They have amazing pigmentation and are a joy to wear - not uncomfortable or drying in the slightest. I've recently picked up the shade Keep It Classy and I can't wait to wear it. 

I've not bought many new products in May as I'm trying my best to save for when I move out, but I'm enjoying shopping my stash and getting some proper use out of all the stuff I currently own.

Lauren

xo

What's in my May Makeup Bag?

May has been a month of completely re-vamping my makeup bag. I've been saying I've been switching up my products - which I have - but I've come to realise that I've really just been switching it up between the same 3/4 products. Not good. 

So this month I've decided to get some proper use out of the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur (£7.99). I've only used this a handful of times since purchasing and I'm still on the fence about it. It does give tired skin a pick-me-up (which I've definitely been needing recently) but it's not all that great at controlling oils. MUA's Pro-Base Prime & Conceal Palette (£4.00) has been a staple in my everyday makeup routine since I bought it. This is great for counter-acting discolouration in your complexion. I've been getting serious use out of the green and yellow shades for redness and bruise-like under eye circles. I 100% recommend this. 

Base-wise, I've been obsessed with No.7's Beautifully Matte Foundation (£13.50). I love this for it's blendability and it's ability to keep me from looking overly shiny throughout the day - a must for oily skin sufferers. 

To add some extra radiance to my under-eye area I've been loving the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (£5.49). It just brings enough brightness to that area to make me look like I've had a good eight hours sleep - brilliant. To set all that in place I've gone back to an old favourite - Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder (£3.99). A firm favourite amongst bloggers/youtubers alike and for good reason, it's cheap and works well.

Brows have been a mixture of H&M's Eyebrow Shaping Kit (£2.99) and Essence's Make Me Brow (£2.50). I love both for adding shape, colour and texture to my eyebrows. Not to mention you can't complain at the prices. 

Contour and Highlight has come in the shape of Illamasqua's Sculpting Powder Duo in Illuminate & Nefertiti (£26.00) - a beautiful twosome of a non-muddy, non-orange contour shade and a lovely champagne highlight. My blush of choice has been Makeup Revolution's Vivid Blush Lacquer in Rush (£1.00). This stuff is ridiculously long-lasting and is the perfect flush of pink for Spring/Summer. 

Also from Makeup Revolution, their Naked Chocolate Palette (£7.99) hasn't left my everyday makeup routine in recent weeks. There's just so many beautiful shade options to choose from you just can't go wrong no matter what shades you decide to pair together. For the cheap as chips price, it's a must-have. After a quick curl of my lashes, heaps and heaps of Max Factor's False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara (£10.99) is added. A nightmare to remove but wonderfully long-lasting throughout the day.

For lips, it's been nothing but Essence's Long Lasting Nude Lipstick in 05 Cool Nude (£2.30). A Kylie Jenner mauvey-pink that compliments any skintone and makeup look. I love it. 

Lauren 

xo

April Favourites.

I know I said the next time I'd do a 'monthly favourites' post I'd be 22 - I'm not 22 yet (Wednesday 29th), but I've just got so much to do over the next few days I didn't want to miss posting it before April was out.

I figured today was as good a day as any to get it up on the blog -  and I've just finished work for a well deserved week off.

My first April fave has been the Bourjois Silk Edition Powder (£9.99). I thought I'd never find a drugstore powder I loved more than their Healthy Balance but this is definitely a strong contender. It's pretty much the same as the Healthy Balance in that it sets everything in place and keeps your oils at bay but just in a much lighter formula. Seriously, it's hard to tell you've even got powder on your face. 

The Body Shop's Vitamin E Lip Care (£4.50) has been a saviour to my lips this month - they've just been so bloody dry! I like to pop this on before bed and let the Vitamin E really work it's magic. Results? I wake up with baby soft lips and not a dry patch in sight. 

My brows have been loving the Essence Make Me Brow (£2.50) all throughout April - and so have I! It makes my most arduous makeup task a complete doddle. I've just been wearing this on it's own most days. It provides just enough colour and texture to get away with.

Lastly has been a TV (or Netflix) favourite and that's Once Upon A Time. I am completely, ridiculously, embarrassingly hooked on this show. I mentioned it in a previous post and a couple of days later decided to give it a proper go - I've never looked back since. If you're into fairytales and stories with a twist then you need to give this one a watch - and Robert Carlyle is outstanding as Rumplestiltskin. 

It's been a relatively quiet month this one - well, until this weekend when things are probably going to go slightly downhill on the quiet front. 

Happy Birthday to me! 

Lauren

xo

What's in my April Makeup Bag?

We're well into another month now so it's time to switch up my makeup and get some use out of my collection. 

Primer-wise, I've been really getting into Benefit's The Porefessional (£24.50 for full size). I tend to have a love/hate relationship with this product - I'll have weeks where I use it constantly and then think to myself 'this is awful, why am I using this?'. I think it works better on skin types that are more normal/dry, if my skin's having a dry spell then this is my go-to. 

As you can tell from this post here I've been getting my fake tan on in recent days, so I've been able to get some use out of foundations and concealers in darker shades that have been tucked away during Winter. Hello again Bourjois' Happy Light! (£11.99) Now, I'm still not sure why I never picked this foundation up in my usual shade because I actually really do like it. It provides good coverage, lasts well and doesn't stick or cake to dry patches. Pricey for a drugstore foundation but I reckon anyone can get along well with it. 

I've also been using Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer (£6.99) to cover any dark circles and blemishes, but neither have been too prominent recently *touches wood*. I like this one because it works well on both and I'm not having to use three different concealers each day.

I've been setting my under eye concealer with the highlight powder in SEVENTEEN's Define & Conquer Contour Kit (£5.99) recently and I'm glad to finally have a use for it, so much so that I've hit pan majorly on that side. Since I've been tanning, I've been able to get away with using the contour side of this with a heavier hand and I've been loving the sculptured cheekbones I've been getting from it. This palette gets a huge thumbs up from me.

I always seem to come back to cream blush in the Summer, I just love the way it looks in sunlight. Rimmel's Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tint in Sunkissed Cherry (£4.49) has been my go-to lately. It lasts ages and you only need the slightest amount to cover both cheeks.

For highlight, I've gone back to an old favourite - Makeup Revolution's Radiant Light In Exhale (£5.00). I switch between this and the S&G one all the time and I always think one is better than the other. I just can't tell anymore, they're both stunning.

To set all of that in place my Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder (£12.00) has been fab. Again, another product I always forget how much I love before I start re-using it. 

For brows, my love this month has come in the form of Essence's Make Me Brow (£2.50). An amazing dupe for the Benefit version and cheap as chips too. It's great for setting brows in place, or if I'm running late just a quick brush through to give a little colour and definition. 

For eyes, Makeup Revolution's Naked Chocolate Palette (£7.99) has been my love. I can create so many different shadow looks with just this one palette it's hard to justify ever buying more. My favourite shades this month have been Tob-le-rone, Frosted Choc and Sweet Shop. 

A new thing I've been liking the look of is eyeliner in my waterline. During my college (obsessed with black eyeshadow and pale foundation) days, I wouldn't dream of leaving the house without lining my waterline with black. As I've gotten older - and more bothered about it congealing in my tear ducts - I've abandoned eyeliner in the waterline altogether. Recently, I've been using the Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Liner in Taupe (£3.99) to line my waterline. It's not as harsh as black but still gives that finished feel to an eye look, not to mention it's waterproof so that 'gathering in the inner corners' thing is completely avoidable.

If I had to recommend a high end mascara to anyone it would be Clinique's High Impact Mascara (£17.50 for full size). It separates and lengthens lashes so well and it's my mascara go-to for days when it's all I can be bothered wearing on my eyes. Note to self: pick up the waterproof version - soon. 

Lastly it's lips and I feel like Revlon's ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry (£7.99) hasn't left them since I bought it. I apologise for the mentioning of this but it is the perfect Kylie Jenner mauvey-pink lip. It lasts ages, smells like mint and ridiculously comfortable to wear throughout the day.I need to pick up more shades of these. 

This has probably been the longest blog post I've written in what feels like forever, sorry for my rambling.

Lauren

xo