Hey everyone, I'm writing this post to ask for your help. I love blogging, but I feel like I don't know what kind of posts to write! I'd really appreciate it if you guys would comment on my posts; send me a message, whatever you like really - just to let me know if you have any requests or ideas.
It would be so helpful to me! I am definitely willing to review any products you're unsure about or anything like that, plus to do more tutorial-type posts. Thank you! xxxxxx

Get Glowing for Spring!

Benefit 'High Beam'

 These past few days I've just been feeling a bit 'bleurgh'... I'm sure you're all familiar with that feeling. Sadly, my face is also looking a bit 'bleurgh'. I'm usually alright in terms of blemishes, I only get a few spots every now and again (touch wood) but my skin has generally been looking a bit paler, with some discolouration around my eyes and nose.

Left: MAC Cream Colour Base in 'Pearl' Right: Benefit 'High Beam'

Normally, my NARS Sheer Glow keeps me looking a bit more healthy, but yesterday; when applying my base makeup, I still looked a bit dreary. I decided to use a highlighter that I've been neglecting for a while: I applied Benefit 'High Beam' to my cheekbones, and voila - I looked instantly more awake!
I can't believe I've neglected my highlighters for so long. They're perfect for brightening the skin and giving a generally more luminous complexion. MAC Cream Colour Base in 'Pearl' is another one of my favourites.

Thoughts: Collection 2000 Cream Puff

In terms of lip colour, I usually go for pink, glossy lipsticks (as shown in my most recent blogpost: http://blackeyebeauty.blogspot.com/2012/02/top-neutral-lipstick-picks.html). Recently, though, I have been getting into a product that gives a very different colour and finish.
The Cream Puffs by Collection 2000 are a product that I've seen quite a few beauty bloggers talk about. They are comparable to the NYX Velvet Matte Lip Cremes, in that they are a moisturising lip cream that give a matte finish to the lips. I chose the shade Angel Delight, a dark brownish colour. I love it! It's very pigmented, and cheap as chips at just £2.99. The only problem is that there is a very limited choice of colours, in fact I think there's only 4 shades available. Despite this, in my opinion, you'd do well to pick one of these up!

Top Neutral Lipstick Picks!

Left to right: GOSH 'Darling', 17 'Beehive', Natural Collection 'Rose Petal', MAC 'Creme D'Nude', MAC 'Hue'

I've never been one for dramatic makeup looks, I prefer to stick to more natural colours on my lips. My perfect colour would be somewhere between a nude and a pale peachy-pink.
Here are a few of my personal favourite lipsticks to wear during the day. There are a couple of MAC ones but they are mainly cheaper 'drugstore' brands. I apologise - they are very similar, I tend to go for the same shades!

1. MAC lipstick in 'Hue' (glaze) - the perfect daytime peachy shade
2. MAC lipstick in Creme d'Nude (cremesheen) - a creamy nude
3. 17 Mirror Shine lipstick in 'Beehive' - most glossy lipstick ever! Peachy-pink colour, similar to 'Hue'
4. Natural Collection Moisture Shine lipstick in 'Rose Petal' - a more matte pink with coral undertones
5. GOSH lipstick in 'Darling' - a matte nude-beige

How to: Make your own Paint Pot

Left: MAC Paint Pot in 'Bare Study' Right: Homemade Paint Pot

MAC Paint Pot in 'Bare Study'

I use my MAC Paint Pot in 'Bare Study' almost everyday, either as a base for my eyeshadow or simply to create a natural look for my eyes. They are a very popular product on the blogosphere, and I have been looking to invest in a few more. However, as they are expensive, I realise that it may be wise to find a cheaper alternative!

You will need:

• 1 x depotted eyeshadow (in any colour)
• Vaseline
• A plate or any other wipeable surface
• A small plastic container
• Spoon

Step 1:  Put a dollop of Vaseline onto the surface.
Step 2: Spoon the contents of the eyeshadow onto the surface and mix into the Vaseline.
Step 3: Continue to mix the two together until you get to the thickness you desire.
Step 4: Place your homemade product into the container and you're good to go!

After applying my homemade Paint Pot

My Skin Saviour!

During these dreary winter months I have been neglecting my skin somewhat. I usually remember to cleanse and moisturise of an evening, but often forget to apply a moisturiser in the morning - or simply cannot be bothered!
However, I have recently discovered a product that saves SO much time - the Garnier B.B. Cream! Mine is in the shade 02 Light, and it claims to have 5-functions-in-one. In contains an SPF, moisturises, clears blemishes, and also acts as a foundation for your makeup.
I have been applying it every morning for the past few weeks for school, and it is a beautiful light base, much more natural than the Nars Sheer Glow foundation I usually use. I have also noticed a difference in the actual condition of skin, as it feels smoother and I am getting less spots.
All in all, a fab product, I'd definitely recommend it! Perfect for lazy girls like me!

NARS Laguna Bronzer vs Soleil Tan de Chanel

Left: NARS Right: Chanel

I happen to be extremely fair-skinned, so the invention of bronzer is a gift from the gods! I apply it using an angled blush brush across my cheekbones, and dust it lightly across my forehead and down my nose.
NARS bronzer in 'Laguna' has been a favourite of mine for a while for contouring too, but more recently I have discovered the Moisturising Bronzing Powder from Chanel. Mine is in the shade 62 Terre Epice which provides a more natural-looking glow to the skin.

I originally ventured to the Chanel counter in order to try out the infamous Bronze Universel. However, as I suspected, it was far too dark for my skintone, and instead the MUA recommended the Moisturising Bronzing Powder. It comes in a beautiful velvet pouch with a free brush too, which is a bonus. I've tried out the brush and it is questionable, but then again it did come free. In terms of packaging, I definitely prefer Chanel. It is just so sleek! It is quite a lot lighter in colour than Laguna, and it is slightly shimmery.

NARS Laguna is a cult favourite on beauty blogs and channels, and unlike Tan de Chanel it is completely matte. It is a fair bit darker which is great for contouring, but when I apply it all over my face, being so fair it can be a bit 'much'.

For darker skintones I would definitely recommend Laguna (or for a cheaper alternative, try the contour shade in the Sleek Contour Kit), but for pale girls like me I'd try Terracotta.

My favourite YouTube beauty gurus

Over the past year or so, I've really been getting into the whole YouTube beauty community. I've become obsessed with checking my subscription box everyday to see if my favourite girls have uploaded a new video, and there are some gurus who I watch religiously.
I thought I'd do a 'share the love' type post about the most down-to-earth and helpful beauty gurus who I have come across on YouTube. I watch mostly UK-based gurus because they are easier for me to relate to in terms of product availability, but there are a couple of American girls who I love too.

10) UglyFaceOfBeauty - Gracie is one of the most confident girls I have ever come across, and I really admire that in her. She posts great, relatable videos about products I have easy access to and she is hilarious! Love that girl!

9) missglamorazzi - Ingrid is so cuteeee and bubbly, which makes her really easy to watch. She makes regular beauty videos but she also has a vlog channel (TheGridMonster) where she makes LOADS of vlogs, lots with her boyfriend Luke. Check her out!

8) meganisobel - I think Megan is so sophisticated, her videos are quite calm so are very easy to watch. She does not have ridiculously excessive amounts of makeup and all of it gets used, so she is an example to us all!

7) FleurDeForce - Fleur is another London girl, she is so stunning... I want her hair! She has a really calming voice (lol) which is one of the reasons why I LOVE watching her videos. She is also friends with Ingrid (missglamorazzi).

6) glitterkiss11 - Chloe is a Canadian girl who makes fashion and beauty videos. She talks really fast and is so funny, which is why I love her! Her videos are also quite short and sweet, unlike some other gurus who make like 20-minute videos. Please.

5) ShonaShortcake - Shona is 18, so quite close to my age which makes her easy to relate to. I love her sense of style, the only problem is that nowadays her videos are few and far between!

4) Sprinkleofglitter - Louise has (quite) recently given birth to Baby Glitter! Well her real name's Darcy, but regardless, she is sooo cute. Louise is so funny and makes great beauty videos, but I also enjoy watching her vlogs.

3) zoella280390 - Zoe is Louise's close friend, and also makes beauty videos. I love her because her favourite place to shop is Primark! She does lovely videos without making me lust after designer labels, and she's so pretty!

2) ViviannaDoesMakeup - Vivianna is so gorgeous, and I often buy products solely based on her recommendation! She lives in the UK, which also makes her easy to relate to. I am obsessed with her hair aswell!

1) ThePersianbabe - Barbara is definitely my favourite! I love love love her videos, she is so pretty and her style is amazing. She is living in London like me, and her videos are so easy to watch, she influences me so much!

Thoughts: Benefit 'That Gal' Face Primer

I recently took the plunge and purchased a product that I have been lusting after for a while. The Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Face Primer has rave reviews on the blogosphere, so I wanted to try it out for myself.
I bought it whilst in Brussels, in a Belgian department store called Inno. It cost me €29, but it retails for £21.50 in the UK (where I live). It's obvious what you're spending your money on: the packaging at Benefit is super-cute (although a tad unnecessary).
Actually getting the product out of the container is a little bit confusing, you have to remove the lid and twist the base until the product comes out of the holes at the top (get it?)
When the product finally did emerge, I was shocked - it was bright pink! I was a bit like wtf I'm not putting that on my skin. However, once I blended it into my skin with my fingers, it actually looked very natural. It smooths your skin and illuminates your face really nicely, and made my foundation go on a lot easier. It's only 11ml, so whether it's worth the money, I don't know. It's definitely very different to any other primer I've seen on the market, but I've yet to decide whether it's THE best.
Overall, a lovely product that I would definitely recommend if you have very fair skin like me. I'm not so sure how it would look on darker skin tones, as like I said, it is bright pink...
I'd also like to try the Smashbox Photofinish primer, so if I do invest in it expect a blog post later.

Lots of love xxx

Welcome to my blog!

Hey everyone,


Welcome to my blog! My name is Hope and I'm a teenage Londoner, still at school but I love to dabble with cosmetics the likes of M.A.C., Benefit and Barry M. I hope to update this blog once or twice a week and enlighten you a little bit as to my thoughts and views about various products, plus show you a few looks you can achieve with a budget. Bear in mind I am only 15, so I don't have any sort of income, and all products mentioned have been bought with my own money that I have saved up.
I am an aspiring beauty journalist, so this blog will be my creative outlet for the time being I suppose... In the future I hope to go to work experience at as many magazines as possible! I love creative writing, AND makeup, so this blog seemed to be the perfect way to satiate my materialistic ways!
Please let me know about any posts you would like to see in the future,


Lots of love xxx