Dramatic Plum Smoky Eye Look

Sometimes you've just gotta go for it. I felt like it was time to step away from the neutrals for a bit and go for something a little bolder. I went for a deep purple and gold smoky eye with a defined edge and lashes, oh the lashes!

A couple of close-ups here. The gold on the top lid is a loose pigment so I could get the super shimmery gradient, and underneath is a pressed shadow because it's less likely to go walkabout. I ran a bronzer along the top of the shadow to help blend and give a flattering edge, and a black shadow over the gel liner to make it smokier. I left my brows au natural, other than some gel to tame, because I have more than my fair share as it is.

 This was my first time using Jinnylash falsies, and I have to say I found them very comfortable. They have a very thin clear strip so they fit pretty easily.

Hope you like!

These are the products I used:

Foundation - Maybelline Fit Me in 130
Concealer (as eyeshadow base) - So Susan concealer quad (darkest shade)
Contour - Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light
Blush - MAC Powder Blush in Royal Sunset
Bronzer - Rimmel Natural Bronzer
Eyeshadow - Sleek iDivine palette in Glory (light gold shade)
                  - Sleek iDivine palette in Bad Girl (dark purple and black shades)
                  - Barry M Dazzle Dust in Old Gold
Liner - L'Oreal Superliner Gel in Golden Black
Mascara - 17 Peep Show in Black
Eye Primer - Absolute
Brow Gel - Maybelline Brow Drama Gel in Medium Brown
Lipstick - Maybelline Color Sensational Nudes in Tantalizing Taupe
Lipgloss - Beautiful Movements Lipgloss in Nude

Marylin Monroe Inspired Makeup

So I watched a tutorial by Lisa Eldridge the other day which was a Marylin Monroe iconic look video (watch it here) and I got all inspired. It's not an exact recreation, it's a more wearable version, and slightly quicker to create. Hope you like.

I tried to keep the main points; the dewy skin, the winged liner (not liquid, apparently!), the red lip and arched brow. I did some contouring, but as my face is so round, if I did as much as her I'd just look stripey.

Here's a close up of the eye and lip. 

And here's what I used:

Foundation - Maybelline Fit Me in 210
Countour & Highlight - Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light
Eyeshadow - Sleek iDivine palette in Au Natural
Mascara - Soap and Glory Thick & Fast
Liner - Rimmel ScanalEyes in Nude
Brow pen - GOSH Long Lasting Brow Pen in Dark Brown
Lip colour - Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Striking and Standout (outer edges)

May Glossybox

I've been getting Glossyboxes for a while now and I absolutely love them. It's like a little present every month (a present that I pay for, but still). The May box was a 50th birthday celebration for Superdrug and I got 5 full size products and 2 samples, that was an awesome surprise.

The products I got were: 

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturiser in Cocoa Radiant
Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Very Black

GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Blueberry Ice

B. Sheer Conditioning Lipstick in Flamingo

Garnier Oil Beauty Lotion (sample)

Ghost Eclipse (sample)

My standout product was The Max Factor primer. I've been hunting for a primer that works for me for years. I have super oily skin so I've been concentrating on ones that promised mattifying properties. This product doesn't promise a matte finish, but delivers it for me. I gave it a proper test on a hot day through a dance class, and although I was shiny by the end, my foundation hadn't moved. It can be worn on it's own to improve the overall look of the skin or to anchor makeup. I feel like it holds my makeup a bit better than (dare I say it?) Benefit's The Porefessional, but doesn't provide as smooth a base. 

I loved this box and several products have become immediate staples. If you're interested in Glossybox, you can visit their website here.

(This is not a sposnsored post.)