I’m a complete victim for getting sucked into the youtube and blogging world when it comes to buying beauty products. It can be a dangerous habit, one-minute you’re sat watching a four-minute makeup look and bam the next thing you know you’ve got yourself a twenty-four item list stored in your phone notes of the makeup items you’ve managed to convince yourself you need in your life.

When I look at my makeup collection, 95% of the items I own, I purchased after either reading a blog review, watching every other youtuber rave and preach it, or seeing it splashed all over Instagram. But, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this in a negative way, as this is the way I like to purchase products. It’s always a great advantage to be able to see other people’s recommendations online, along with their thoughts on how they got on with them, if they don’t, what they look like, how they last and blah blah blah. I can’t remember the last time I went into Boots or John Lewis and purchased something randomly, out of the blue. Anyway, enough of the rambling intro, I’ve put together a few makeup products I own which I think have received some major hype within the youtube and blogging world and have given the low down on my thoughts.

Ok, so I have no doubt that you’ve heard of this little beauty. It’s safe to say it’s one of MAC’s most famous and popular items, which it has every right to be! It’s almost shameful to admit that I can comment on peoples highlighter and work out whether it’s soft and gentle. It’s a fab natural looking highlighter which looks stunning on all skin colours. It really does give you a beautiful healthy glow without looking like a disco ball. You get a lot for your buck and I’m pretty sure I’ll never run out of this

The Nars Sheer Glow Foundation had been on my list for a looong time, I’m talking a good four years after seeing Tanya Burr use it and seeing how flawless and glowy she looked! After running out of foundation a few months back, I managed to pick one up since I now live near a Space NK, sos. I am truly gutted with how much I don’t understand the rave of this foundation, perhaps it’s just down to my own skin type but personally, I’ve found this to be particularly drying which causes it to cake in places. It’s rather runny and the pump is also a majorly annoying factor since you have to purchase the pump separately and then the lid doesn’t fit on the pump? aka no good for travelling. Personally, for me, I feel it’s such a waste and I won’t be repurchasing it.

Nars – Laguna Bronzer

Laguna; Nars’ cult classic bronzer. There was once a time when you could not watch a makeup tutorial or beauty video without seeing this pop-up, so obviously, that meant I needed it in my life. This lived up to my expectations! It was one of the first bronzers I owned and before owning it in its single pan, I had the Nars issist palette and once I had run out, I needed it back in my life. It’s a beautiful warm bronzer with a subtle hint of shimmer which is perfect for the summer months when you’re more tanned! I do find it harder to wear in the winter when I’m majorly pale, sigh. However, I wear it anyway because I love it that much, oops.

Too Faced – Better Than Sex Mascara 

Is there a beauty blogger who has not done a blog post featuring this mascara? Mascara is one of the beauty products which I’ve never really felt the need to venture into high end due to the fact I go through them so quickly and there are dozens to chose from within the drugstore. When I was in New York, I decided to finally make the splurge and treat myself to it and see what all the fuss was about, however it kills me to say I just don’t get the hype. I have pretty naff lashes, in fact, I hate them, they’re majorly short and despite curling them every day, they never stay put, so maybe I was expecting some sort of miracle with this mascara which just didn’t happen. I personally would say the formula is pretty average and I found it to flake throughout the day and found myself having black bits of mascara under my eyes within two hours. Too Faced is one of my favourite brands, so I’m gutted I didn’t get on with this mascara. Maybe I would have been better off trying the waterproof version in the hope this would solve the fall out problem, but for now, I won’t be purchasing it anytime soon.

RCMA – No Colour Powder

The RCMA No Colour Powder was raved about in pretty much every single youtube video. When KathleenLights tells you, you need to try this magic dust, you need to try it. I remember being on the waiting list for ages and when I finally got my hands on it, I was baking my under eyes with it e-v-e-r-y day. For the price, it’s majorly worth it! Many people have compared it to the oh so famous Laura Merce Translucent Powder, which I am now also guilty of using and loving. For the price difference, RCMA is definitely up there, but for me, I love the Laura Merce that little bit more. In comparison, the Lara Merce is a lot finer and I have found that the RCMA can sometimes leave me rather white and can cause flashbacks.

Estee Lauder – Kendall Jenner Restless Lipstick

I remember people going crazy on the release of this lipstick, and after watching Chloe Morello’s makeup tutorial with it, this lipstick was straight in my basket and being shipped to my house. Now, when I say this is a bright lipstick, this is an understatement. This lipstick is an orange toned red, part poppy, part orange, and all matte. I was obsessed with it when it first arrived, however, I was obsessed with it in its packaging and bullet since it’s such a vivid in your face colour, you need a special occasion to be able to wear it, not forgetting to have the confidence to be able to pull it off. I’ve honestly only worn this lipstick a handful of times due to these reasons. I’ve also found myself only wear it in the summer as I feel it looks a lot better with a tan, but if you want a stand out red lipstick and don’t mind being too daring, then this is the one.  It’s very fresh looking and isn’t at all drying for a matte lipstick! This lipstick has definitely been pushed to the back of my collection and after writing this post, I’ve realised how much I do love this colour and I need to pluck the confidence to wear it more.

Back in the day in the early years of youtube, everyone raved about MAC paint pots, specifically Ochre and Painterly. I remember being relatively new to makeup and I had just owned the first Urban Decay Naked palette, which FYI I was obsessed with. I had already gone through the eye potion which came free with it at the time and had used the Benefit stay don’t stray primer. I had watched Gabriella, (velvetghost back then) use it in sooo many of her videos that I was determined to try it out. But, honestly, it’s a bit of a disappointment for me. I find it majorly drying and I don’t find it to keep my eyeshadow in place and in fact, my eyeshadow creases when I use this in comparison to my trusty Urban Decay Primer Potion. There are so many other great primers out there now which is why I think this has gotten pushed to the back of the shelve and you rarely hear anything about it. I certainly won’t be repurchasing this.

Gem
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