Tried & Tested - Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Flat Contour Brush #301

I didn't think I needed anymore makeup brushes, I have a pretty decent collection but a recent browse through Boots changed my mind. I spotted the Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection and well I simply couldn't resist. The long sculpted handles, the pretty metallic colours, the fresh fluffy heads. Do you blame me? Of course I wanted them all but I managed some serious self control and picked just one, the Flat Contour Brush #301 - £22.

I did have my sights set on the NARS 'Ita' which is a huge £43(!!) so the Real Techniques was slightly more affordable. Yes, the heads are totally different - the NARS being longer and thinner but I decided to throw caution to the wind and give this one a go instead. 

I couldn't wait to crack the brush out of the box and boy oh boy I wasn't dissapointed at all. The head is super dense but so beautifully soft. The kind of soft that makes you want to swirl it around your face for ever and ever. And ever. You know what I mean. 

The handle is lovely, but really rather long.  Not something you can pop in a small makeup bag for on the go touch ups. This brush is suited to sit proudly on your dressing table. 

The head is cut perfectly. It fits into the hollows of my cheeks like a dream. It's also pretty good for contouring the side of the nose too. The bristles pick up just the right amount of product too. I'm in love. Maybe just maybe I'll finally crack contouring with this beauty. 

This is the first Real Techniques brush I have purchased. Would I be temped to buy any more? Hell yes. For the price this brush is really rather lovely. It looks great, does its job perfectly and is easy to use! 

A massive thumbs up from me! I think I might go back and get the huge fluffy powder brush which looks too good to be true. All for research purposes of course *cough cough*. 

There was almost a negative. When I initially got the brush out of the packet I was annoyed to see that stuck it its side was the clear glue dot that held it in it's place in the box.... However there was no need to panic. Wrapped around the handle where this glue dot stickly sat was a tiny strip of clear plastic protecting the pretty handle! Amazing and well done Real Techniques! 

Overall a beautiful brush at an okay price. Looks great, does it's job, what more could you ask for! 

I'm off to practice my contouring! 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

January Favourites

I know it's been a long month but, for me, I feel like January has just flown by. I cannot actually believe it's February already.

Going through my old posts I totally forgot to write a December Favourites post - oops. To make up for it I've added a few products in this one I used and loved throughout the festive season as well as January. 

So, let's crack on. Here are the products I've been using and loving throughout January. 

Soap & Glory 'Whipped Clean Shower Butter' - £7

The smell of this body wash is beyond good. It's the kinda scent I could sniff all day long. Soap & Glory never fail to deliver with their scents and this one is beautiful. It's a super soft and moisturising shower cream packed with goodness and smelling of pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla. If you suffer from dry skin you need to try this. Yum. 

Soap & Glory 'Sugar Crush' Body Srub &  Body Buttercream - £8/10.50

Some more Soap & Glory products that smell good enough to eat. These are fresh & citrusy - the scrub has the perfect amount of scrubby bits and the body cream is rich, thick and does a great job! Love using these - great products for the price. 

Elemis 'Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Skin Softening Salt Scrub' - £36.50

One of my most loved body products ever. Yes it's pricey but it's bodyscrub perfection. This beautifully packaged scrub takes exfoliating to whole new level. For me this is the ultimate bath time treat. I use this as soon as I get in the bath so that I can really take advantage of the serious moisture it delivers and the sublime spa like aroma. Something i'll repurchase again and again. Can you tell I love it?! 

Younique 'Illuminate Clean' Facial Cleasner - £30

I am a huge face wash fan, I just prefer actually washing my face using a product and good old water than any other method. This wash is packed with horse chestnut, ginkgo biloba and super leaf extracts (not that I know what super leaf extracts are, but they sure do sound good). It's beautifully creamy, really soft and leaves my face feeling clean without drying it out and making it squeaky. A little goes a long long way. Can't get enough. A firm favourite. 

Agave 'Healing Oil' - £16

I got this moisturising hair oil a few months ago in my Birchbloggers Breakfast goody bag and have pretty much used it everyday since. A few drops brings my frazzled DIY dip dyed hair back to life. It has a really interesting smell, very unique but totally appealing. I add a few drops to wet or dry hair which makes it easier to comb through and adds serious shine and softness. A really lovely product and something I enjoy using. 

Origins 'Pinch Your Cheeks' in Coralberry - £14

I got this as part of a gift from a very lovely friend at Christmas. It was something I'd had my beady eye on for a while so I was chuffed to receive it. It's a tiny tube but you literally need the smallest dot to give your cheeks the most amazing flushed glow. It has serious staying power, a beautiful colour and it's a blush I have been reaching for all the time. I can't wait to use this in the summer too. 

So there are my favourite beauty products from January! Which products did you enjoy using the most last month? 

I'm off to soak with my Elemis salt scrub, 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

*please note I am a Younique presenter but all opinions are honest and my own - I would never recommend or write about something I didn't truly love. 

Hate the player, not the game

This is a random post but I really wanted to try hard to put something in words, almost get something off my chest.

I had a situation a few days ago which I can't stop thinking about. An acquaintance who I share an interest with decided to blame the interest rather than herself for the fact that she hasn't succeeded in it. She didn't apply herself. Didn't take the time to read or listen or learn. She sat back expecting to reep major rewards whilst she had given it probably 5% of her attention. And when the rewards didn't come she didn't blame herself but the hobby instead. She lost her cool. Decided to shout from the rooftops negatively. 

This got me thinking. Nothing is life is free, we all know that. If you want something you have to work at it. Have to pay some attention. Dedicate a percentage of time to it. 

It's like writing a blog. If you want a beautiful blog you need to take the time to capture some great images. To write posts that are beyond the norm. It just doesn't happens by magic.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes we'll fail at things. Not everything goes our way all of the time but the most important thing is that we're truthful and honest to ourselves. That we've given something the effort and devotion it requires in order for it to be successful. Multi million pound sportsmen didn't just wake up the top of their game. The practised and trained day in day out. 

If something doesn't go your way don't just throw your toys out of the pram. Have a look at you. We all have the potential to do great things but we've gotta work at it. It might make you feel better to point the finger and say this didn't work because of X, Y and Z but at the end of the day if you didn't apply yourself then you should be turning around that pointy finger and pointing it firmly at yourself!! 

Be the best person you can be, you deserve at least that! Don't wimp out. Don't sit back and expect good things if you're not prepared to work at it. And never blame someone else when you really should be blaming yourself. 

Annnnd take a deep breath Emma. That's it. I'm off to count my nail varnishes or something much more lighthearted!!! 

Remember today is the first day of the rest of your life. Go get 'em kids. Be kind, work hard and the good stuff will follow. 

Love Emma 

XOXO