Monday, July 2, 2012

Beauty SOS!



Why hello, and welcome to the first ever Beauty SOS post! This is the first in a series of posts which will go up on roughly the first Monday of each month from now on, and is a chance for me to call upon your great wealth of beauty knowledge in order to further my own beauty collection in an educated, informed fashion. It's also a chance for you all to do the same, and will hopefully become a little space each month for us to share our biggest and best beauty secrets.

Let me explain.

I am constantly on the look-out for fantastic new beauty products, and while I have tried and tested a great many in my time, there is always something or other that is missing from my collection. Whether that's because I haven't ever bought them, or I've bought the wrong one, didn't get on with a product for some reason or can't get hold of it any more, it all comes down to the same thing, and that is that there are some great big gaps in my collection that need to be filled. So, I thought, what better way to have my requirements met than to ask you lovely ladies for your words of wisdom. I can't think of anyone else more qualified to give them! Therefore, each month, I'll be asking for your recommendations on the specific types of products I'm after, and requesting your tips on various beauty related topics - as well as offering to do the same for you in return.

So, without further ado, here is the first installment!

1. DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES.
 Help!!! I have recently, out of nowhere, started getting really dark circles under my eyes, and no matter what lengths I go to, nothing seems to have the strength to send them back to wherever they came from. I've tried various under-eye creams to treat the problem, as well as industrial-strength concealers such as my beloved Benefit Erase Paste in Shade 02 (which I had always thought was the best out there until now), and all to no avail. So if anyone thinks they know of something that could help with this, whether it be a treatment or a cover-up, or even a makeup strategy, then please, I beg of you, leave me the deets in the comments box below!

2. MATTE BRONZER
I'm on the look-out for a new matte bronzer, having smashed my lovely L'oreal Glam Bronze to smithereens on the bathroom floor. I loved it, and while I could buy a new one, I think it's time to take the opportunity to try something new. I don't want any shimmer, and it has to be a shade I can contour with, too - unless you happen to know of two amazing but separate products, which would also be of great assistance.

3. NEUTRAL MATTE EYESHADOWS
I adore my Urban Decay Naked palette, but it just doesn't have any matte shades, and I am finding myself , more and more recently, wanting to save my pretty shimmery shades for special occasions and nights out, and go for something a little bit more natural looking during the day. It's mainly because if I use the glitzy ones on a more regular basis then I feel that I look just the same when I want to get all dressed up and create a look that stands out.

4. BLOCKED PORES (NOSE).
This is one that has been the bane of my life for many years now. No matter what I do to try and rid myself of them, they are always back to how they were within an hour or two. They are not horribly noticeable or anything,  but it still really annoys me, as my nose feels slightly bumpy to touch, and when I apply my foundation, it tends to cling and emphasise them even more. I just hate them, basically.

So there you have it, the four things I ask of you for the month of July! Please do leave me a comment below if you can recommend any of the products I'm after, or have any related tips! I'd really appreciate your participation.
Also, please feel free to leave me your own requests, and I will do my best to help you with them and give you some suggestions.



18 comments:

  1. I heard Montagne Jeunesse do charcoal pore strips that are amazing :) I've been meaning to try them myself xoxo

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    1. They sound interesting, I'm definitely willing to give them a go! I've tried the Biore nose strips before and they were ok, but could be better.
      Thanks for the tip :)
      Mel xx

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  2. ginseng works well for under eye circles :)
    i have a little at-home recipe for an under eye mask, i just don't have it on hand at the moment (i'm at work. on blogger. ha ha, i'm a slacker!) maybe this can be my next post inspiration??
    at for the matte bronzer, bobbi brown makes a phenomenal one that comes in different bronzey-shades. they're perfect for contouring! they're spendy but last FOREVER. it's been two years and i still haven't hit the bottom of the pan with mine.
    for your blocked pores, try an at-home facial steam, followed by a baking soda scrub. if you're feeling adventurous, add some juice from a squeezed orange! this always clears up my skin -- it's amazing!

    -alexandra
    http://alexisinodak.blogspot.com

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    1. You are literally my beauty saviour, haha. You have cures for everything.
      What should I do with ginseng exactly?
      I am DEFINITELY trying out that baking soda/orange juice scrub, I have seriously had this problem for years. No one else can see it, but I can, and that's enough!
      I've never tried anything Bobbi Brown but have been meaning to, perhaps this is the excuse I need!
      Mel xx

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  3. Matte Bronzer- try bare minerals warmth- great product, can be pricey, but lasts forever and can be used for bronzing or contouring. As for eyeshadow, it's not all matte, but has a good range of mattes- the MUA Heaven and Earth palette is beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Chloe, I don't mind spending a little bit more and investing in a good product that lasts. I've never bought anything from Bare Minerals, but there's a counter in my local House of Fraser so will pop in for a swatch and see what I think.
      Mel xx

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  4. This is such a great idea Mel!! but i need to get my thinking cap on and shall likely reply to this properly later on in July!
    rach xxxx
    rivasoave.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ok, look forward to any tips you might have :)
      Mel xx

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  5. I love the Too Faced Matte eye collection for matte colours, they have some really lovely neutral colours too :)
    xx

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    1. Thanks hun, I will have to check that out, as I've never tried anything from Too Faced! Hmm, all these recommendations are clearly going to make me spend!
      Mel xx

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  6. The bourjois chocolate bronzer is brrill; I don't ever wear bronzer other than to contour and I love it. I bought the lighter shade and it's perfect even when I'm tanned.
    Can't help with the other three I'm afraid; as I'm also constantly on the hunt for them!

    http://xhannahsaidso.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Ooh, I've been wanting to try that one too, and it's a lot cheaper than the others I've been considering!
      Thanks for the recommendation :)
      Mel xx

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  7. I love Benefit Hoola for a matte bronzer, I love it to contour as well as give a golden glow if I fancy it. It also lasts forever...I've had mine for the best part of three years and used it everyday and I've only recently hit pan!
    I'm still on the quest for the holy grail under eye concealer...I like MAC studio finish although you do have to be weary of it settling into fine lines... If you get any amazing recommendations for under eyes please let me know, or blog about it because I'm still not entirely happy with what I use!!

    -Alice
    shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk

    x

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    1. Thanks Alice, that's top of my list along with Nars Laguna! I've actually got a sample of it on it's way to me in the post, so will see how it works out :)
      I will definitely let you know about under eyes, but as yet no one seems to have any pearls of wisdom! :( Shame, that was the one I most wanted help with! Ha, typical.
      Mel xx

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    2. I hope you like the sample - good idea to get things in samples, I'm such an idiot and normally just go for it and get full size then if you regret it you really regret it!!

      Under eye darkness is evil and seemingly impossible to get rid of!!!

      x

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  8. I love the boujois chocolate bronzer, I saw that the pixiwoo girls used it a lot and thought i'd get it- its really nice and not too orange which is what I heard a lot about NARS laguna.
    Also matte eyeshaddows, I was on this quest too and I have found the stila in the light palette amazing - although I dunno if you'd need it with the naked palette but it has the right ammout of matte/shimmery shades. I often find the U.D shadows had too much glitter and a lot of fall out where as the stila palette has none of that.
    Also try Natural collection individual eye shadows, they are so cheap but really good quality :) I love the one called 'milk chocolate' I think :) xxxx

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    1. Thanks for the ideas Cate, I think I am definitely going to give the Bourjois a try as lots of people seem to be recommending it! I ordered a sample of Benefit Hoola to try out, which arrived this morning, so I'll see how that goes, though I'm all for a cheaper alternative! Being the shopaholic that I am, I'll probably just end up getting both, it's a miracle I've been so restrained and sensible enough to research it thus far! Ha.
      I have heard great stuff about the Stila palette and I am definitely popping that on my wishlist too - I completely agree with you about Urban Decay, so pretty yet way too much glitter and fall out. I hate getting bits of glitter on my face!
      Mel xx

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  9. For bronzer Try Bonjous Delice de soleil mineral bronzer.
    http://www.bourjois.co.uk/catalog/make_up/complexion/foundation/delice_de_soleil_mineral_bronzing_foundation
    It's matt and comes with a face powder and a bronzer so you can mix your desired shade yourself!
    I use is for contouring every day, and when I really want to look like a bronzed goddess, I use just the bronzing side of the powder.

    I love it!

    ClaireRebecca.x
    www.glitterview.blogspot.co.uk

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