Road Trippin'

This weekend me and the boys headed down to Cork for a Muay Thai Boxing event. We thought it would be a good motivation trip before heading to Thailand to do the same ourselves with the natives. Eek. The boys were there to support some of their Thai Club friends and they did really well so it was a good trip all round. 

Here is the makeup I wore. It was a little rushed 'cause I did it at half nine in the morning and it had to last me until midnight. My outfit, I went for Topshop Joni jeans, a Topshop crop top and a flannel shirt I picked up in Singapore. I also had Timerland style boots from Penneys on.

Kiss Me Quick

Today, for Valentines Day, I decided to do a smokey eye without being too strong. A cut crease look with a subtle highlight and a thick flick of black gel liner. I customised my own lashes by cutting eyelure 202 lashes in half and layering them at the outer corners of the lash line.

I kept the skin quite simple (still full coverage, obviously) with a well blended contour and a hint of a peachy-pink blush on the apples of the cheek and the lips just HAD to be red with the day that's in it. Product list below.

I also got spoiled by my boyfriend with a bunch of red roses and a steak dinner. (No picture of the dinner because I'm the biggest fatty ever and launched straight into it) hehe. 

Hope everyone has an amazing day, be it celebrating a relationship or celebrating being single, have a good one! 

Face Products

Foundation: Revlon Colourstay Foundation mixture of Buff and Natural Tan

Concealer: MAC Select Cover Up NC20

Powder: MAC Studio Fix Powder NC20

Contour: MAC Sculpting Powder Definitive and KIKO Bronzer 101

Blusher: MAC Peaches and MAC Pink Swoon

Highlight: MAC Whisper of Guilt

Eye Products

Eyebrows: MAC Dipdown Gel Eyeliner and Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

Eyeshadows: Inglot 373, 390, 357, 329, 63

Brow Highlight: Inglot 46

Mascara: Inglot False Lash Mascara

Eyeliner: Inglot Gel Eyeliner 77

Lashes: Eyelure 202

Lip Products

Lipliner: Inglot 59

Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo

Love Jen xxx

Top Ten Brushes for My Makeup Bag

I got a request off of one of my lovely friends, Rachel, to do a blogpost on my top ten favourite, can't live without, makeup brushes of all time, so here it is guys.

#1 Crown Brushes C427, Tapered Duo Fibre Blush Brush. €12.65

I love using this brush to apply foundation. You can use a standard Foundation Duo Fibre Brush to do this but I prefer the shape and size of this particular one. It is domed in shape and a smaller size than the normal version, perfect to get into all areas around the face. Blends the product perfectly and quickly. This brush can also be used to apply powder, contour, blusher, highlight or bronzer.

#2 Sigma F25, Tapered Face Brush. €21.20

This brush is excellent for applying powder, loose or pressed, to the face. It has a tapered finish so it is very easy to apply powder to the outskirts of the face, but also the perfect shape for under the eyes. It can also be used to apply Bronzer.

#3 Sigma F40, Large Angled Contour Brush. €13.89

This brush is my favourite to apply a good contour to the face. Simple to use and the goat hair does not pick up too much product so it is almost impossible to over do on your sculpting.

#4 Sigma F35, Tapered Highlighter Brush. €15.35

There is nothing about this brush I do not love. There are many uses for this brush. It is the perfect size and shape to contour, highlight, apply blusher or even apply a small amount of powder under the eyes to prevent your foundation from creasing.

 

#5 Inglot 31T, Gel Eyeliner Brush. €12

This brush is my Holy Grail when it comes to eyebrows. I use a gel eyeliner to fill in my eyebrows and I find this brush perfect for the task. It can also be used to apply gel eyeliner. I wouldn't reccommend this brush to be used with shadows as it is made from Taklon. Because of this, it may cause downfall from any powder based products. The only downfall on this brush is it does tend to fray, meaning you may need to purchase a new one every few months.

#6 Sigma E35, Tapered Blending Brush. €10.23

If your looking for a good brush to blend out any stubborn edges, this is the one for you. Slightly stiffer than your average blender, it helps to blend out colour on the eyes effortlessly. I would not reccommend to apply the product directly with this brush as you may not have control on where the shadow goes. Instead, apply with a smaller brush and use the E35 clean to blend.

#7 Crown C250-0, Mini Liner Brush. €2.04

Other than being the cheapest brush, on the planet, this brush is so teeny it is perfect to apply the perfect flick eyeliner. You really can't go wrong.

#8 Inglot 9S, Flat Eyeshadow Brush. €16

This is my go-to brush for packing on colour to the lid or the brow bone. Because it is slightly stiff in texture, it holds product great and does not cause downfall. This brush can also be used for concealer.

#9 MAC 217, Eyeshadow Blending Brush. €17.55

The 217 is an essential brush to any person who even looks at makeup. You can use it to not only apply product, but also to blend a product out. Only downfall, the price and the longevity. For the price of this brush, you would expect it to last well and clean well, however, it doesn't.  The individual hairs in this brush tend to snap and stain very easily. The Crown C433, Pro Blending Fluff Brush is almost an exact duplicate, without the problems and for a fraction of the price at €7.34. This brush is also great for applying concealer.

(The top brush is Crown C433 and the bottom is MAC 217).

#10 Charles H.Fox 1/4 81460/02

I'm not sure of a price on this brush as I received it as part of my kit in college and it's as if it doesn't exist online. However a precise lip brush is essential to any person who wears lipstick. To get the perfect pout you need to apply your lipstick with a brush. A good duplicate of this brush is the Inglot Lip Brush with the Silver Lid. It prices in at around €18.

I may be cheating a little here as I did say the 'Top Ten' fave brushes, but technically this is not a brush. My major beauty essential for applying makeup is the Beauty Blender, be it the original or a dupe. Simply run it under water, squeeze out the excess water and stipple your foundation onto the skin. The pointed shape at the tip of the sponge, the moist consistency with the water, mixed with your foundation, creates almost a flawless finish on ANY skin. It blends your base out perfectly and prevents the skin from appearing cakey, even when using a full coverage foundation. 

I use the ModelsOwn Beauty Blender. Two sponges for €12 available in Boots.

Hope this helps guys

If anyone else would like to see a certain type of blogpost or has a question to ask, feel free to leave a comment or contact me on my other medias:

www.facebook.com/religionrisingblog

Instagram: @religionrising

Twitter: @religionrising

Love Jen xxx

A New Chapter

Each year we always have our ups and downs but let's hope this year is one to remember! Here is some pics of my makeup from last night that brought me into 2014! Product list below. Happy New Year guys Xxx

                    

                     

                       

Foundation: Revlon Colourstay Sand Beige

Concealer: MAC Full Coverage Foundation W10

Powder: Maybelline Fit Me Powder

Contour: Mac Deep Bronze Bronzer

Highlight: MAC Whisper of Guilt

Blusher: MAC Melba

Brows: MAC Dipdown Gel Eyeliner and Essence Clear Brow Mascara

Eyeshadows: Inglot 393,351, 360, 329, 63, 

MAC Cork Eyeshadow and I used MAC Melba and Pink Swoon Blushers to blend 

Inglot Gel Eyeliner 77

Inglot False Lash Effect Mascara

Eyelure 205 False Eyelashes

Lips: Current Lipliner and Diva Lipstick both from MAC

A Winter Warmth

Here in Ireland, we've gone from a really nice summer into a bitter cold September like the click of a finger, so we never really got a chance to say goodbye to our rare hot summer. With fashion, beauty and makeup we're not fully ready to jump into our big cozy winter coats just yet.

Today on the eyes, I decided to blend out a classic smokey eye with a fun pop of bright colours to bring a bit of life and that last bit of summer into your makeup without being too much.

       

I personally love playing around with colours to change up a neutral eye. On today's eye I blended out a brown and black smokey eye with pink, orange, red and purple to achieve a warm effect to the overall look. I used the same fluffy blending brush with all of the colours as it doesn't matter if the colours mix.

I used a pink toned highlight under the brow to tie in with the colours blended and to add a bit of depth to the look. I also kept the rest of the face quite simple so it is all about the eyes! These colours can look great on all skin tones, just add a little at a time to achieve the effect your comfortable wearing.

Love Jx

Autumnal Shades of Berry

Hi guys!!

Definitely embracing coming into the Autumn/Winter (for the couple of weeks I'll be here anyway) and jumping straight on the bandwagon of the infamous berry lip. These Autumnal shades are an almost garaunteed trend every year. Definitely worth investing in a the perfect lippie for you and your wardrobe, after all, you'll be seeing it next year and for years to come!

I however won't be embracing for too long as me and my other half are heading on an adventure of a lifetime. We have packed in our jobs and are heading to south-east Asia for 4-5 months and then hopefully settling down in Spain. Lots of updates and blogposts from all around the world to be made!

Love J xx

See Stars in Her Eyes

In the summer months, our makeup doesn't tend to stay on our face as well as other months of the year, so we need a little helping hand when it comes to staying put all day long. I've put together some of my favourite eye products I've been using the past couple of months to keep those eyes looking fresh till dawn.

An eyeshadow primer is vital in these summer months to keep your eyemakeup lasting all day. The lids of the eyes can get naturally oily,  no matter what skin type you have, so to control these oils a primer must be used. I love MAC Paint Pot in the shade Painterly for my skin, however this is a very light shade so it won't suit all skin tones. There are primers specifically made for the eyes which are good such as the Urban Decay Primer Potion or Inglot Eye Primer amongst others but I find the Paint Pots work wonders with soaking up any excess oils. Concealers can be used also but I would avoid using them if you have very oily lids.

If you know me at all, you know that eyebrows are, in my opinion, the most important part of your makeup. They lift the eyes, frame the face and really finish a look, if done right. I love using MAC Gel Eyeliner in the shade Dipdown to give my brows a defined, sharp look without being too much. I firstly define the arch and extend it into the tail. I then fill in the top of the brow, lifting it at the arch slightly to brighten the eye area. Using the excess on the brush I lightly fill in the outer half of the brow. Next, i use a spoolie brush to even out the colour and disperse some of that product into the inner part of the brow giving you a beautiful, natural ombré brow.

Using a gel liner through the brows in the heat is best as it is generally more water resistant than your average brow pencil or eyeshadow. This is perfect for if your out in the sun, in the pool on your holliers or just want your makeup to last that extra stretch.

Lastly for the brows, I am addicted to Catrice Eyebrow Filler. Like a mascara for your brows, this product has a small amount of pigment in it so when brushed through the brow hairs it adds a bit of colour as well as a beautiful texture. It also helps the brow hairs to stay in place keeping them perfect and sharp all day long.

These days I am loving a simple eye with a colour pop on the lip, but we all need a little bit of colour on those lids, just to keep it interesting. Under the brows I love using MAC Pigment in Pink Opal, a soft pearlescent shade that can be applied sheer or packed on for a more intense colour! 

On the lid, to add an extra bit of glow and sparkle, I love the MAC Pressed Pigments. My favourite shade is Warming Heart, a perfect soft gold shade with an infusion of fine glitter. I bring this colour up to the crease of the eye with a dense synthetic brush to get the best colour payoff. A little bit of a matte brown, around two shades darker than your skin tone, into the crease with a fluffy brush works wonders. It will break up the sheen of your lid and highlight colour aswel as giving definition to the shape of your eye.

Most days I like to wear my eyes quite bare, but if I'm looking to put in a little extra effort I love to add a classic 50's flick to give extra definition and to shspe the eyes. To do this, I use Inglot Gel Liner in the shade 77. This is by far my favourite eyeliner to use as it is jet black and it is 100% waterproof so it can be used on the lid or waterline and it will last all night long! 

This product has one downfall. It does tend to dry out quite quickly in the pot. When this happens I use a droplet of Inglot Duraline and mix it in with a small section of the liner to cream everything back up again. Good as new!! 

Duraline can also be used as a primer, to pack on pigment or glitters and to add moisture into dried out products such as gel liners, matte lipsticks, mascaras ect.

And last but not least is my all time favourite mascara, the Inglot False Lash Effect Mascara. The brush in this mascara is probably the best I've come across. I'm not a fan of Inglot mascaras in general, but this one really lengthens your lashes, adds volume and is jet black. I also found this mascara to last very well. I have gas mine around four months and it has only dried out now. Usually, I find myself changing mine every few weeks but this one lasts amazingly!!

Any questions just ask

Jx

It's a Fine Line to Love

Right now, I'm obsessed with winged eyeliner! Blended into a smokey, dramatic eye or paired with a bare lid and a colour pop on the lip, I'm hooked!

My personal preference would be the INGLOT Gel Eyeliner in the number 77 (jet black). A trusty reliable that lasts all day without smudging and can be used on the top and bottom waterline.

MUA Tip: I find a lot of makeup brushes are too thick to achieve the fine lines I'm looking for, so I often use fine paint brushes to apply the product. Thinner and cheaper! Can't go wrong!

Jx 

He loves me, He loves me not!

Get the look:

This look is probably best with an almond shaped eye. If you have a hooded eye or the crease of the eye is not visible when open, you should definitely avoid this look. Instead you should focus the darker colours towards the lash line and blend up into lighter colours. This will compliment your eye shape a lot more.

Face Products:

Foundation: Revlon Colourstay Oily/Combination Skin in Natural Tan and Sand Beige

Concealer: Maybelline FitMe Concealer 10 and Studio Finish Concealer NW15

Powder: Inglot AMC Powder 55

Contour: Inglot Pressed Powder 30

Blusher: MAC Melba Blusher and MAC Pink Swoon Blusher

Eye Products:

Brow Filler: MAC Eyeshadow Brun and Cork

Brow Gel: Essence Clear Brow Gel

Highlight: Inglot Eyeshadow 46

Lid Primer: MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Lid Colour: Inglot Eyeshadow 355

Crease Colours: Inglot Eyeshadow 329 and MAC Blusher Melba

Outer Crease Colour: Inglot Eyeshadow 63

Liner: Inglot Gel Liner 77

Mascara: Inglot False Lash Mascara

Lip Products:

Lip Liner: MAC Boldly Bare Lip Liner

Lipstick: MAC Honey Love

Lip Gloss: Inglot Lip Duo 30

Get the Look!! Channel your inner Monroe!!

Before I began this look, I firstly applied my oilatum moisturiser and let it sink into the skin for the duration of the eye application to allow it to work its magic!

Using an Inglot 4SS brush, I buffed MAC Prolongwear Concealer all over the lid from the lash line to the brow in the colour NW20 to act as an eye primer as this concealer does not crease.
Using an Inglot 17TL brow brush and MAC Fluidline in Dipdown, I carved my brow from the bottom of the arch and then downwards to extend the tail. I then cleaned off that same brush in a tissue and used it with MAC Cork eyeshadow to lightly fill in the inside corner of the brow to achieve an ombré effect. Using a Sigma F70 flat concealer brush, I then carved the underneath of the brow with MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW15 to achieve a clean, sharp look and to act as a highlight to the brow bone.
I applied MAC Painterly Paint Pot to the lid from the lash line up to the crease using the same F70 concealer brush to intensify the colour of the eyeshadows. Then, using an Inglot 9S flat eyeshadow brush, I pressed 373 Inglot matte white eyeshadow all over the lid up to the crease, packing on the colour to intensify the brightness.
Using the same 9S brush, I dipped the tip of the brush into MAC Cork eyeshadow that we used earlier and I pushed this colour into the crease above the white, the whole way across the eye. I then used an Inglot 6SS brush to buff out this colour and extend it upwards. I then used a mixture of 329 Inglot matte chocolate brown and MAC Brun eyeshadow, a dark cool brown, in the crease using an Inglot 10S small blender brush to define the crease. I also brought this combination of colours underneath the bottom lash line the full way across the eye.
I lined the lid using Inglot 77 Gel Liner extending the line outwards from the corner of the eye into a thick flick and along the upper and lower waterline. Again using the 10S blender brush I defined the outside corner and outer corner of the crease with a matte black, Inglot 63 eyeshadow. Don't be afraid to go over the liner a little.
I then applied some false lashes. I used Eyelure 202 lashes for this look and applied them with clear DUO Glue, available worldwide. I then applied Inglot False Lash Mascara to my own natural lashes to weave them through the false ones making it look more natural.

On to the face:
My skin feels nice and hydrated now so I can go straight in with my foundation. I dampened my Beauty Blender first and used this with my MAC W10 full coverage foundation and applied the product to the centre of the nose, the middle of the forehead, under the eyes and onto the cheekbones. I used the Beauty Blender to stipple this product right into the skin so there is no residue of any oils on the surface of the face.
I then used MAC NW35 full coverage foundation and the same sponge and applied it to the rest of the face making sure the two colours are blended seamlessly.
Again , using the Beauty Blender, I stippled Maybelline Fit Me concealer in the colour 15 underneath my eyes to brighten the area.
To set all the liquids on the face, I used Inglot AMC Powder in 55 and used my Sigma F25 to apply this to the whole face.
To contour I used my Sigma F35 and Inglots No.30 Pressed Powder underneath the cheekbones, around the hairline, down the side of the nose and underneath the bottom lip to give the illusion that these areas are more hollow. Use this product sparingly as it is very dark and highly pigmented so only a little is needed.
To add a bit of colour to the cheeks I applied Fleur Power Blusher from MAC using a Sigma F15 duo fibre blush brush. This I applied along the cheekbone to achieve the illusion of a natural lift to the face, especially for mature skins.

I lined the lips with Inglot 58 lip liner, focusing slightly on the outer edge of the natural lip line to achieve a fuller lip. I filled in the lips with MAC RubyWoo matte lipstick.


And there ya have it guys. All the steps you need to channel your inner Monroe! xxx