Barefaced Liar Beauty Blog

Burt's Bees Lip Balms Review

2012-02-13T13:01:00.000Z

I have several Burt's Bees lip balms: Pomegranate Oil, the Cooling lip balm and the tinted lip balm in 'Rose'.

I particularly love the 'Cooling' balm as it has a pretty matte finish so it is great for wearing under other lip products. At first I wasn't keen on the idea, as it has a minty smell and I thought it would be too tingly. However it is very moisturising without appearing greasy or glossy on the lips, which is something different and very handy before applying matte lipstick. I am not sure if they sell this seperately as I got it with a gift set and I haven't seen it.

The tinted lip balm also has a different texture to a standard lip balm; it is much thicker and more like a lipstick. I love the sheer colour it gives my lips making it easy to apply without a mirror and it gives a slight natural sheen. There does appear to be shimmer in it, however it isn't visable or gritty on the lips.

Lastly I own the pomegrante oil lip balm, which is more of a thin texture compared to the other two I own and despite the bright colour of the product there is no tint. I think this is a good, moisturising lip balm, but I personally don't like the smell or taste it leaves and much prefer the other two balms. I could use a vaseline and have a similar (slightly less moisturised) effect. This is from their untinted standard lip balm range.

Overall I love the Burt's Bees lip products and think they have great products for a reasonable price.

High End To High Street - How To Get The Winter Trends On A Budget

2011-11-17T13:12:00.000Z

I recently purchased some products that inspired me to do a trends blog showing drugstore products that you can use to recreate these looks on a budget.

Deep Red Lips

Gucci Inspiration

Firstly a trend that is huge for not only this autumn/winter, but that is also perfect for any cold season, or dramatic evening look. The trend is dark plum red lips. There are several ways to wear this look so I will try and cover as many as I can.
1) Wearing the lip colour normally using a lipstick that isn't matte. The products I would recommend for this would be the Sleek Makeup Sheen Lipstick in Cherry £3.99, which is highly pigmented (see my Sleek haul for a full review) or the MUA (Make Up Academy) Lipstick in Shade 1 £1. They are both creamy and I have provided a swatch below for both.

2) Another more wearable way to wear this lip is to use the lipstick as a stain by smudging it lightly into your lips with your finger with minimal product instead of using a lip brush and lots of product. You can then use a lip balm such as vaseline over the top, or a tinted lip conditioner such as the Sleek Pout Polish in Perfect Plum £3.49 to top up the colour throughout the day.

3) Finally you can use a lip liner, either on it's own with a lip balm, without a lip balm to create a matte lipstick effect, or under a lipstick to add colour and help it last longer. An inexpensive product I would use would be the Natural Collection Lip Liner in Plum £1.99.

Barely There ('No Makeup Makeup')

Versace on the runway

This is a great look if you want something chic and delicate for the daytime, especially if you are in a rush. I have chosen some great high street finds that are perfect for this look.
1) For the lip you can simply use vaseline or a lip conditioner of your choice. If you wanted a more nude lip I would suggest either Collection 2000's Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream in 2 Powder Puff £3.99 for a matte effect, Barry M's lip gloss in Barely Nude £3.99 if you love to use gloss or 17's Mirror Shine Lipstick in Bee Hive £4.19 for a natural wash of nude with a soft texture.

2) With regards to eyes I would suggest using a clear mascara to redefine lashes after powder/foundation but to keep them looking natural. For this I use MUA's Mascara in Shade 1 which can also double as a brow set.

3) Subtle contouring can be done to define your cheekbones and the best palette for the job is the Sleek Face Contour Kit which is the product that so many beauty bloggers and vloggers talk about, and with good reason. There is a matte bronzer to define under the cheek bone and a peachy highlighter for your cheek bones and/or brow bone to give you a glow.

Fake the perfect bone structure like the models at Jean Paul Gaultier

Metallic Eyes

Chanel Cream Shadow Metallic Eyes

1) For this look I would choose a cream shadow as a base and then use eyeshadows to complete the look. A recent drugstore discovery was the 17 Wild Metallic Eyes in Wild Nude £3.99, it reminded me of Chanel's Recent Illusion D'Ombre cream eyeshadows, particularly 82 Emerveille, so for a fraction of the price I couldn't resist.

Sleek Makeup Haul and Mini Review

2011-11-12T19:37:00.002Z

Finally I took advantage of the 3 for 2 on all makeup products in Superdrug and bought some Sleek Makeup products as I don't have this brand in my local Superdrug and really wanted to try some of the range. I got the lip conditioner in the colour 'Perfect Plum', a sheen lipstick in the colour 'Cherry', and my most wanted product from their range: the Contour Kit in 'Light'. I like the packaging, for a highstreet brand it is really good quality, especially for the price.

The lip conditioner was £4.29 and it is very pigmented. It is perfect for the plum vampy lip trend for autumn and winter, but without the hassle of lipstick and also looks less harsh for wearing at college, as I will. It isn't sticky, has an SPF of 15 and has a sweet vanilla scent that isn't too offensive, I personally don't mind it and it doesn't last long. As for the longevity, I haven't used it enough to tell, but so far I love this lip conditioner, feels great and I love the colour. As for the price, it isn't great as the lipstick was actually cheaper, but you do get a lot of product for your money.

Pout Polish in Perfect Plum

I then got the lipstick in Cherry which is also a beautiful deep red colour, I have been looking for a colour like this for absolutely ages and for £3.99 I was pleased. I like the colour, very on trend and the formula is a sheen as opposed to matte (see 'Vamp' for the matte version of this lipstick from Sleek). I like the texture and the colour, so again, a lovely product, and I got this one free so I was very happy!

Lipstick in Cherry

Finally I purchased the Contour Kit in Light, which everyone said great things about, and although I am a little late, I have been searching for a highlighter and a matte bronzer, so I was so delighted to find this in Superdrug. I bought the last one out in that shade too, so it was even better. I really like the colour of both, the highlighter being a light shimmery cream colour and the bronzer is light, not orange at all and suits my complexion perfectly. For £6.19 you can't go wrong really, there is a lot of product, no cheap brush you will never use, and it is a two in one product, perfect!

Contour Kit in Light

Love the Sleek brand, so overall would definitely recommend anyone to check out the brand. There has a been a lot of hype in the past for their contour kit and the pigmentation of products and I can vouch for the quality of both. Very happy customer!

40 Beauty Questions + Answers

2011-09-02T22:07:00.000+01:00

SKINCARE
-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice: once in the morning, once at night.
-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Combination skin
-What is your current facial wash?
I use Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel to remove makeup as it foams, then Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser which is a cream cleanser to stop my face drying out and rebalance moisture levels.
-Do you exfoliate?
About twice a week if I remember.
-What brand do you use?
Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It
-What moisturizer do you use?
Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser, but I only use it on the dry areas of my face and neck.
-Do you have freckles?
Not really, but I have a few faint freckles on my forehead, probably from the sun.
-Do you use eye cream?
Not really, I just use my Simple Moisturiser at night.
-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
I do get regular breakouts around my chin and sometimes on my nose, but it isn't really acne.
-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No, but I'm guessing it's for acne prone skin.

MAKE-UP
-What foundation do you use?
Everyday I use the Witch Anti Blemish Tinted Moisturiser, but if I wear a foundation it would be Collection 2000 Perfect Finish.
-How about concealer?
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection.
-Do you know your undertone color?
I'm not 100%, but I'd say I was more neutral.
-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I like them for special occasions when pictures will be taken, such as when I wore them at prom, but only subtle ones personally.
-Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?
I am aware, but I never really stick to that, I keep them until I use them up or they dry out really.
-What brand of mascara do you use?
Bourjois
-Sephora or MAC?
I'd love to visist a Sephora!
-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No
-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
I prefer brushes to fingers, so for everyday I use a foundation brush, a big eyeshadow lid brush for concealer and a powder brush.
-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Only if I feel I need my makeup to stay in place for a long time.
-For the face?
Again, only when necessary, not everyday.
-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I love No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in 65 Truffle
-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
I like both, I swap between them depending on how I feel.
-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never because I don't line my waterline.
-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Not a fan of loose pigments at all, prefer a pressed eyeshadow.
-Do you use mineral makeup?
I don't own any mineral makeup.
-What is your favorite lipstick?
I love my Dior Addict in 578 Dior Kiss.
-How about lipgloss?
Not a huge lipgloss fan, but I like the Bourjois 3D Effect glosses.
-What is your favorite blush to use?
I like the 2True lip and cheek stain in Blush, a sort of Posie Tint dupe.
-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
I prefer trying and seeing before buying, so no.
-Do you like drugstore makeup?
I love it!
-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Not very often, there aren't any near me.
-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
I'd love to.
-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
I try my best, but I'm no expert.
-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
When you can see lipliner.
-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I do prefer neutrals for myself, but I like collecting colourful shades too.
-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Alexa Chung always looks effortless, I love the barely there look and she can pull it off.
-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Concealer probably.
-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I'd prefer not too, but if I felt I needed to I would.
-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I certainly prefer myself with makeup, it's me, but better.
-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
I love Bourjois for drugstore because of the quality.
-What do you think of Makeup?
I love makeup!

My Everyday Makeup Routine

2011-09-02T21:38:00.000+01:00

Just a quick overview of the products I use on my face everyday that I can't live without.

Face

Instead of foundation I like to use a tinted moisturiser for everyday wear as it is light weight and I feel more comfortable in it. I use the Witch Anti-Blemish Tinted Moisturiser With Witch Hazel Extract which is £5.99 from Boots and I wear 01 Light. This is my favourite product because it provides a good coverage for a tinted moisturiser and doesn't break me out which is brilliant.
My favourite concealer is Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 02 Light which lasts all day and covers pretty much anything. I can't live without this product and have repurchased about 7 times now over the past year or two. The price helps too...only £4.19!
I always use blusher because I like to look like I have a healthy glow, as I am fairly pale. My favourite everyday blush would have to be No7 Natural Blush Cheek Colour in 10 Soft Damson. This doesn't have an amazing pigmentation, but it is a natural blush and I agree it gives a nice flush and stops you having to worry about over applying, especially if I'm in a rush. It isn't the cheapest or best drugstore blusher at £9, but it is a nice product to buy if you ever get £5 off No7 vouchers from boots, making them £4.

Eyes

I like to keep my eyes simple and easy for everyday so I usually just stick to mascara, my choice is Bourjois Volume Fast and Perfect mascara, which is usually a steep £11.99, but is apparently £5.99 from Boots at the minute! Definitely wouldn't go crazy about this, but mascara is my least favourite makeup item and at £5.99 it's a bargain.

Lips

I also like lips to be nude for everyday so I stick to my MUA lipstick in shade 11, which is a lovely 'lip colour but better' colour for me and only £1. If I don't even want a lipstick, I use Vaseline Rose and Almond Oil for a pink tint and to combat foundation lips which is £1.73 from Superdrug.

Autumn/Winter 2011 Makeup and Nails Trends

2011-09-02T14:26:00.001+01:00

So Autumn is nearly here and as I look out of my window I see clouds, lots of clouds; so in England it basically is here! Here is a very detailed beauty trends guide with looks seen all over the catwalks for autumn/winter and also how you can make them wearable:

Nude Face
This is a huge trend seen all over the catwalks on the likes of Valentino, Versace, Balmain, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Elie Saab, Georges Hobeika and Alexander Wang to name just a few! This is a perfect trend for those in a rush because it is all about the perfected face with simple eyes, cheeks and lips. Less is more and you don't have to be a makeup artist to nail this look. To make it wearable have bare or minimal mascara on eyelashes, keep lids clean with a neautral tone if you can't leave the house without eye shadow, chose to wear lips bare, with a moisturising nude lipstick or soft pink stain, and a subtle pink flush on the cheeks.

Wearable 'barely there' face from Valentino

Balmain face chart showing the simple eye and lip combo

Elie Saab face chart makes the 'no makeup' makeup go from day to night with a slick of nude gloss

Burberry kept models fresh faced with a perfected face and dewy skin, essential for the look

Vampy Lips

Deep toned lips in a range of dark plums, purples and reds. Keep them modern and easy to wear by using a stain instead of a lipstick, as seen on the catwalk at Luca Luca. This look is still going strong and has been spotted on the runway of Gucci, Miu Miu, YSL, Giles and Ralph Lauren. Remember to keep it up-to-date and wearable by using minimal eye products or blush and wearing lashes clumpy.

Giles face chart keeps it simple with a pop of red and big lashes.

YSL goes bold with a purpley blue lip, but barely there on the face and eyes

This is a very wearable version of the vampy lip from Gucci: Burgundy lips and lashes

Luca Luca make the vampy lip suitable for daytime with a deep red stain that doesn't need reapplication

Big Brows

Again, this is still a big trend, especially for the winter seasons and was seen all over, including Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta and Jean Paul Gaultier. Double trend and wear a barely there face with strong brows (Alexander Wang and Jean Paul Gaultier), or with orangey red lips and soft untouched brows (Ralph Lauren).

Big brows and dewy skin at Alexander Wang

Natural brows keep this strong lip looking wearable and less harsh at Ralph Lauren

Oscar de la Renta make their arched brows the statement and double trend with nude makeup, lip gloss softens the look

Coloured/Jewel/Metallic Smokey Eyes

Jewel eyes are the new smokey and were seen on the models of Vera Wang, Chloe and D&G, but the most modern smokey is a sweep of metallic over the lids! It doesn't require as much expertise as you think either; just one colour will work as seen at Chanel, Derek Lam, Cavalli and Cacheral.

Bronze shimmer at Chloe

Chanel models wear super metallic silver with nude lips and a fresh face

Strong metallic eyes at Roberto Cavalli is worn with simple lips and face, but make it wearable by adding a subtle flush of colour to the lips and cheeks

Orange

This is a huge trend for Autumn/Winter, especially with a lot of rust hues seen in fashion, this look ties in or adds colour to a plain outift. Thakoon have a strong tribal orange eye shadow, but Matthew Williamson and Rodarte make it very wearable. Orange was popular on the lips for Spring/Summer, and while it still is, the most modern look is to take the orange onto the lids or cheeks. Runways featuring orange in their Autumn/Winter shows were Donna Karan, Rodarte, Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel, Thakoon and Armani Privé.

Matthew Williamson uses an orange cheek to channel the in colour, making it very wearable with nude/coral tones on eyes and lips

Thakoon use orange and red lids to create instant drama, but don't over do it by keeping the rest of the face blank and dewy

Orange and blue toned pink clash at Donna Karan: subtle colour blocking

Liner

The last makeup look that was on a lot of shows including Louis Vuitton, D&G, Stella MacCartney, Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Anna Sui and Jeremy Scott. Some took a 60's vibe of eyeliner in the crease and pale lips (Anna Sui), while most got creative (Jeremy Scott and Louis Vuitton). You can experiment with your eyeliner, or just go thick on the top (or bottom) lash line as seen at D&G.

Creative liner invention at the Jeremy Scott show

Louis Vuitton use a cat eye with an extra twist

D&G have a classic thick kohl liner which is perfect for day or night, wear with nude or peachy pink lips

Nails

Autumn/Winter 2011 nails are fairly simple to pull off. The looks seen on some of the top catwalks include the 'moon' colour (like an upside down french manicure, seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim), the 'New French' which is a variation of the pink nails and white tips - just use any colour you like, and also the easy to wear nude nail that goes with anything!

Ruffian lead the way with the new french nails and moon nails

Various designers use a dark colour for the nails such as navy, with a nude tip, or inverted it with a nude nail and a navy tip

Simple nude nails at YSL using YSL La Laque in no. 14 Transparent Pink to create a pretty and clean nail

MUA (Makeup Academy) Superdrug Haul and Review

2011-08-31T21:14:00.001+01:00

So unless you've been living under a rock for quite a while now, or are just a newbie in the makeup world, you will have heard of MUA cosmetics! After all of the amazing reviews on youtube I was so desperate to get my hands on some, as I love a bargain. Then one day I'm walking around in my local Superdrug and see the stand tucked away...MUA! I nearly died. So here are my haul purchases and a review of the products I bought.
The products I bought were two lipsticks, one kohl eyeliner, one powder blush, two single matte eyeshadows and finally a shimmery eyeshadow palette, coming to a total of...£9! All products are £1 from the normal MUA range, but for bigger products such as palettes they are part of the MUA Professional line and range from around £1.50 - £4!!
So it's a good start...it gets better.
The pigmentation from the matte eyeshadows are incredible for £1 each for 2g! I had heard great things from their 'Pearl' or shimmer shadows, but I was curious as to whether the matte performed, and they did!
The palette is just as consistent, and even though they are all shimmery, they are wearable for day and night and you can create a good smokey eye as well as an everyday subtle look. It is apparently comparable to the Naked Palette by Urban Decay, but I would never pay £30 for eyeshadow as I barely wear it, and although there are no direct dupes, it has the same idea.
The lipstick range is good and has a moisturising consistency with high colour intensity from the colours I tried, they even have a few red shades which is great for just £1. I chose a fairly nude 'lip colour but better' shade that I wear everyday I love it that much, and a lovely warm coral pink that is a little shimmery, but pretty.
The white kohl eyeliner was just a last minute purchase I saw as I was about to pay and thought "Why not, I've always wanted to try a white eyeliner!?" It actually shows up and is great for using as a base before eyeshadows to get a better colour intensity and highlighting the inner corners of the eyes to brighten them up, but as for the water line, it didn't last extremely long.
I love the blusher, it does contain some shimmer, but not too much and is extremely pigmented!! I love the peachy pink shade too, so I'm very pleased with it, and the other colours are very wearable. It is only 2.4g, but you hardly need any, I know it will last me forever.
The packaging is not tacky and I personally like it; it exceeds my expectations for such a cheap price, plus the eyeliner has a built in sharpener!!! Amazing.
I highly recommend you check out this brand if you live in the UK and you can buy in certain Superdrug stores or online.

Heaven and Earth Palette - 12 shadows with brush £4

Shade 4 Blusher - highly pigmented and incredible value £1

Shade 19 Matte Eyeshadow Single - good pigmentation and quality £1

Shade 20 Matte Eyeshadow Single - an essential black with better pigmentation than some high end brands!! £1

Intense Colour Eye Liner in Snow White - unique idea with sharpener in lid and easy to apply, creamy consistency £1

Shade 7 Lipstick - slightly shimmery coral pink, moisurising and good colour pay off £1

Shade 11 Lipstick - perfect 'my lip colour but better' shade that I love, moisurising and good colour pay off £1