How To Make Your Lips Look Bigger With Makeup

In the time it’s taken me to get this blog post up Kylie Jenner has dissolved her lip filler and killed a big trend faster than she started it. You would think that writing a post about making your lips look bigger with makeup would be kind of pointless now but I follow these tips everyday so I thought it would still be useful. This post isn’t so much about creating that insanely full Instagram lip anyway but more about enhancing what you have to balance out your features. Here are the four easy steps…

Step 1: Exfoliate

Exfoliating your lips increases the blood flow which actually helps to plump them up and make them bigger. It’ll also help to get rid of any dead skin, softens up your lips and gives you the perfect base to apply colour. I use the LUSH Honey Lip Scrub in circular motions for about 2 minutes and I find it works really well to buff my skin without being too harsh. Alternatively, you can DIY one using coconut oil and brown sugar which is just as good.

Step 1 : If you don’t have a lip scrub

For anyone who doesn’t have a lip scrub my friend Mim told me this hack of using your tooth brush as an exfoliator instead. It works in exactly the same way but I found it made my lips a lot plumper than the scrub because it’s more of a deeper exfoliation. Just make sure there’s no toothpaste on it as that will dry out your lips!

Step 2: Overline

The easiest way to make your lips look bigger with makeup is to use a lip liner. As mine are really thin at the edges I love using a pencil to completely redraw the outline and make my lip shape much rounder.

My go-to is the Code Beautiful Soft Smooth Lip Liner as it stimulates collagen as well as being really long lasting. It’s also self sharpening so every time you take the lid off the point is perfect making it really easy to draw a crisp line.

I like to draw the outline first around the edges of my lips and then slowly bring the colour further down. I also leave the very centre liner free as I think it helps to make them look fuller. As mine are super thin it’s pretty impossible to contour them Instagram style so this is the next best thing.

Step 3: Apply a plumping gloss

The last step is to apply the Code Beautiful Lip Intense Lip Plumper to make them look as full as possible. One of the main ingredients in the gloss is Hilurlip which redefines the lips and plumps them up for a way fuller look. It also uses hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturiser found in your skin to keep them super hydrated which will help with the plumping effect too.

It’s very pepperminty and does tingle when you first put it on but it’s really gentle and not uncomfortable at all. I actually quite like that you can feel it working and it definitely keeps my lips hydrated for longer unlike other plumping glosses that I’ve tried.

The gloss is also in a your lips but better shade that’s perfect for everyone and I think doing this in more muted tones help to keep your lips looking natural. I tend to stick to nudes and pinks so this is perfect for me but you could definitely layer it over a red or plum lipstick if you wanted something different.

Advertisement

Pick #fragrancenotflowers This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is on the 11th of March this year and is fast approaching, so it’s definitely time to get thinking about the perfect gift! My Mum’s favourite flowers are white roses but I’ve bought them for her so many times it just doesn’t feel as special anymore. I think as you get older, presents are a good way to spoil people with the luxuries they probably wouldn’t buy for themselves, and I feel like perfume is one of those.

Flowers are beautiful, definitely! But a gorgeous bottle of perfume will last a lot longer and it’s something my Mum can enjoy for months to come, rather than just a few days. I also thought it would be cool to get her something completely different that isn’t her signature or day to day scent that feels a bit more special.

My Mum’s favourite perfume is Chloe which is a powdery, floral scent that has hints of peony and lychee and springtime freesia.  To change things up though I went for Decadence by Marc Jacobs as it’s a rich perfume, perfect for dinner or drinks with girlfriends but completely different from her usual scent. It’s woody, with top notes of golden saffron and iris, a heart of rose and jasmine as well as amber, vetiver and papyrus making it very rich too. This is more of a special occasion, dressy scent that I think is good to have when you want to feel more glamourous. It also comes in a handbag shaped bottle that would look totally gorgeous on her bathroom shelf!

Fragrance Direct have so many amazing perfume’s though and their Mother’s Day gift edit makes it really easy to pick the right one. I’ve also written a blog post on picking the perfect scent here if you need some more advice! Whatever you do this Mother’s Day I hope you have a lovely time! Let me know what you’re getting your mum this year in the comments box, I would love to hear your perfume recommendations…

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

Choosing the perfect perfume gift with Fragrance Direct

Perfume is the one gift that seems to really panic people, perhaps because fragrance has always been a very personal thing. Often our favourite ones are connected to memories or people that are really special to us and when buying for someone else, it’s something you really want to get right. As scary as shopping for perfume sounds it’s actually a lot easier than you think and can be a lot of fun too. So, to take the pressure off, I thought I would share with you a few of my top tips for fragrance shopping and 3 of my favourites this season for the special gals in your life.

Top tips when shopping for a perfume gift

1. Always keep the person you’re shopping for in mind and try not to be swayed by your own personal taste.

2. Think about what they like, their favourite food, fashion brands and lifestyle and what would work for them. If you know of another fragrance they love, even if it’s a candle, that can be a perfect starting point. It’s also important to consider their age, your 18 year old niece isn’t going to love Shalimar in the same way your grandma will…

3. Don’t just look at the bottle, it might be gorgeous but it’s whats inside that counts! Make sure you read the description and get clued up on all the ingredients. It’s also worth remembering how the fragrance notes work in perfume too. The top notes are what you smell immediately after spraying it, the medium notes are what comes through as the perfume dissipates on the skin and the base notes are the deeper scents that come through after around 30 minutes of wear.

4. Try and figure out which fragrance family you want to stick to, whether it’s floral, oriental, woody, aromatic or otherwise. This will help you to narrow down your search and keep you on the right track.

5. It may sound random but consider their personality. There is such a thing as a bold fragrance and it’s an unlikely match for a shy wallflower. You want them to feel comfortable wearing the scent and you don’t want it to overpower them.

Chloe Signature Eau de Parfum Spray

When Fragrance Direct told me that the concept of their campaign was giving the perfect fragrance gift, I instantly thought of my mum. Hence the cute picture of us above! Her signature fragrance has been the Chloe Eau de Parfum since it first came out. It’s also the perfect gift if you’re buying for someone with a love of fashion, who’s refined and likes delicate fragrances. It’s a combination of peony, lychee and freesia mixed with warm amber and cedar wood making it a very sophisticated and elegant scent.

BOSS The Scent Intense For Her Eau de Parfum

The next perfume I chose for someone like me. I love fragrances and I also love experimenting, I have a few go-to favourites but I’m always up for trying something new. The Scent Intense by Hugo Boss is a much bolder fragrance than the Chloe one and has top notes of honeyed peach and freesia blossom which are feminine but not too sweet. This is mixed with the warm scents of cocoa and vanilla which combined makes it a perfect shout for the winter months. I am also completely in love with the bottle, it’s so luxurious and the colour is totally divine.

Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L12 12 Pour Elle Sparkling EDT

Lastly this gorgeous, fruity fragrance from Lacoste is perfect for someone with more a playful personality and who prefers more subdued scents. The sweet florals are mixed with a woody and patchouli base as well as a touch of french macaroon, delicious! It’s a perfectly girly, everyday scent that doesn’t feel to dressy or over the top and would definitely be a safe option for someone younger too.

If you need any more inspiration on picking up the perfect gift Fragrance Direct have created a Thoughtful Gift Guide just in time for Christmas that will help you with your search.

I hope this post has given you a boost in confidence before the chaos of Christmas shopping begins and that you’re as excited to get into the spirit as I am! Happy holidays!

Kat Von D Beauty ‘Lock-It’ Haul & Review

Honestly speaking I probably wouldn’t have tried anything from Kat Von D Beauty if I hadn’t have been invited to an event. I know thats a bit of a savage way to start a post but in the interest of being honest I found this brand a little bit intimidating. To me Kat Von D Beauty is a makeup artists makeup brand and me being a bit basic at beauty stuff I didn’t think there would be anything in it for me. It’s not that I don’t love getting glam but I haven’t even mastered a smoky eye yet let alone strobing and highlighting and whatever else.

I still went along to the opening of their Cardiff concession though because I’d heard a lot about the eyeliner and if nothing else I felt like it could be a good find. I found so much more than that though and was so surprised at the quality and wearability of the colours and shades. This brand has so much more to offer than just bright and dramatic looks, there is literally a product for everyone.

While I was at the event I was shade matched for the Kat Von D ‘Lock-It’ Liquid Foundation which they sent to me in the post a few days later. I actually love this stuff, it’s full coverage but it’s not cakey or hard to blend at all. The formula is really silky and has a super glowy finish making you look fresh while covering any blemishes, pigmentation and redness. It’s 100% the perfect ‘going out’ foundation I’ve ever tried. It also has some pretty innovative packaging too, it’s in an airless chamber so the formula stays fresher and contamination free. I only realised this when the bottom of the bottle started riding up inside but I think it’s such a good idea and it means there’s no waste. I’ve popped some before and afters below to show you the difference. The first is no foundation, then just foundation and the last one is with the Kat Von D ‘Lock-It’ Setting Powder over the top which I’ll tell you about below…

This Kat Von D ‘Lock-It’ Setting Powder has been a total holy grail product for me. I really struggle to find setting powders than keep my oil at bay but don’t dry out my skin. I’ve tried EVERYTHING. The only other one that I semi loved was the Rice Powder from Diego Dalla Palma but this is something else. It gently mattifies your skin and holds the foundation in place all day without feeling heavy. It gives you a really nice natural glow too and a finish that feels completely breathable.

The last thing I picked up was the Studded Kiss Lipstick in the shade Magick. It’s the perfect rosy nude and amazing on pale skin like mine. They had so many wearable lipstick shades for literally every skin tone and I absolutely love this formula. They are infused with colour cushion technology to stop your lips from getting dry and are also infused with Vitamins A, C and E. They are super long lasting too, making them great for all day wear and the pigment is so good.

If you have any Kat Von D faves let me know in the comments, I would love some advice on what to pick up next. This brand totally surprised me with the quality and wearability of the products and I’m definitely gonna try out some more things!

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

jeans and a nice top

I’ve had to admit something to myself recently that I never, EVER, thought I would have to. However it’s very sad and so true that I’m a little bit of a ‘jeans and a nice top’ girl. I feel like this is the fashionably comfortable equivalent of wearing your pyjamas to Tesco. It’s just so good, the jeans are stretchy, it’s a well put together outfit but it’s so low maintenance. As if I had to iron a single thing, that’s the problem with pretty dresses. You don’t have to shave, tan, hold in the wind jeans and a nice top, it’s good as it is. I may be the worst Cardiff fashion blogger but at least I’m honest about it.

sunglasses : mango

vest : primark

mesh top : wakiki vintage

jeans & shoes : marks and spencer

belt and bag : vintage

SaveSave

SaveSave

Spectrum Collections Cardiff Blogger Event

Every once in a while there’s a beauty blogger event that comes along that you just can’t quite believe you got an invite to. This was 100% one of them. Spectrum Collections is the brand that broke Instagram and has captured the hearts of every makeup and unicorn lover worldwide. Started in a garage in Barry by two sisters, Sophie and Hannah Pycroft, this night was a real celebration of female entrepreneurial and creative talent.

There were so many exciting things going on including a nail bar by Nails Inc, sweet treats from Candy Kittens and drinks from Dirty Martini. The decor was unbelievable cool too, I loved the neon sign and giant purple stag but the real beauties were the flowers from The Urban Flower Studio. I need some gold Monstera leaves in my life asap. Mid way through the night we watched a live makeup tutorial by their in-house makeup artist. She perfected a pink smoky eye quicker than I can make toast, while the founders answered all our burning beauty questions.

It’s also really impressive and important to mention that Spectrum are 100% cruelty free. They even make vegan brush soap so that you can care for your brushes in a safe way too. It’s lovely that such a new and cool brand is so aware of that and working to make cruelty free the norm. Running with this theme, Vegan restaurant Milgi was at the event serving up some insane plant based dishes. These included some yummy raw cocoa balls of which I ate most of (sorry) and some really amazing salads.

Flowers by The Urban Flower Studio and the Pearly Queen and Glam Clam sets.

Here I am!

Sweet treats from Milgi and the amazing venue decor.

beauty blogger

 The live makeup tutorial in action.My gorgeous Must-Have Minis brush set that I received in my goody bag. This A-17 is amazing! a beauty blogger’s dream.

SaveSave

SaveSave

Officially Obsessed with Pro Nails

Since starting Style Rarebit I’ve discovered a lot of new brands that have really upped my beauty game. Going to events for product launches and companies that I haven’t heard of before is so exciting and satisfying when you come across something good. Especially when it’s a beauty product that solves a lot of problems. Like flaky nail problems for example.

ProNails is one of the biggest nail brands in Europe and has recently developed a new way of applying Gel Polish called SoPolish Care, Protect & Peel. They invited me and my fellow welsh bloggers to try it out and learn more about the brand. If you didn’t see it on my Instagram story it’s basically a concept that was inspired by a Compeed blister plaster which works by putting a film over your nails before the application. The idea is that when you peel off the Gel, your nail will have been protected underneath. They also apply their Vital Nail Serum under the film so that your nail will be shinier and healthier after removing it than before the treatment. I decided to go for the super 70s shade above, which clashed really badly with the dress I was wearing in number 88 I’ve Got Your Back. I thought it was really pretty with my skin tone but still nice and bright for summer. The finished effect was really smooth and shiny like a normal gel and didn’t feel heavy or tough on my nails at all. They didn’t last me as long as I wanted them to but with my job I knew that would happen. However some of my fellow bloggers are still posting pictures of theirs now 2 weeks later and they look perfection.  

I thought I would post some pictures of the normal nail polishes that I received in my goody bag too so you can see what the ‘at home’ quality is like. I’ve been really obsessed with the polishes above and they are making a big difference to the condition of my nails. I use the Active Hardener (purple) to prime which is a great base and the Gloss it Up topcoat over the colour which stops chipping. I’ve noticed that my polish last a few days longer using these two than normal which is really impressive for me.

In the photo below I’m wearing the Pro Nails Polish no.58 Rouge Amour with the two polishes above to prime and finish. I’m not the best at painting nails but you can see how shiny they are and how bold the colour is. I can’t wait for a salon to open in Cardiff soon though so I can get the gels done again!

See more ProNails products and find a salon here

SaveSave

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Dry Magical Sheet Mask Review

Last week I had the facial to end all facials at Charlotte Tilbury in John Lewis and part of my treatment included the new Instant Dry Magical Sheet Mask that everyone has been raving about. As a self proclaimed connoisseur of the sheet mask, I have to say that it’s a bit weird to use one that’s dry. I’m not aware of any other sheet mask on the market that isn’t dripping in serum so it’s amazing that this achieves anything, considering there’s no liquid product.

It promises the results of a facial in 15 minutes and to brighten, lift, hydrate and reduce lines (yasss). The mask is described as a “bio-mimetic revolutionary system that gives a prolonged release of the ingredients”. Apparently the serum in wet sheet masks will evaporate off your skin after 45 minutes so by being dry it prolongs the effects for up to 8 hours. It also doesn’t harbour bacteria so you can use it up to 3 times, which is good news considering it costs £18! The sheet is quite thick too, far thicker than other ones I’ve tried and you can feel a dry residue on the side that you place on your face. The best thing is that it fits really well and the hooks around your ears help to keep it taught across your face so you get the most of the mask. Certainly worth look like Hannibal Lecter for!

The Results    

It really does give you a moisturised, fresh and plumped finish. The fine lines on my forehead disappeared which was so exciting and overall I looked more dewy and well rested. It’s strange because while it’s on it doesn’t feel like it’s doing anything. With the other mask I use, like the Garnier Moisture Bomb, the coolness of the sheet makes it feel like it’s actively working but this one is nothing like that and yet delivers even better results. It gives a glow rather than a heavily moisturised finish and I felt my skin was better prepped to apply makeup than if it was saturated in product . Even while I’m writing this I put the mask on 2 hours ago to take a picture and my skin still looks amazing. I think this is a perfect product for a special occasion or for when you need to really perk up your skin.

Shop it here

SaveSave

The Netflix Apartment

It’s taken me the longest time to write this post, which is bizarre considering how amazing it is that I was actually invited. Getting an invite to a Netflix party is up there as one of the best invites I’ve had since starting Style Rarebit. I guess I wanted to wait a while though so that I could catch up on some of the new shows and let you know what I’ve been enjoying too.

This event was at the St.Davids Hotel which is gorgeous and the few times I’ve had dinner there it’s been amazing too. They fed us the nicest canopaes, macaroons and  champagne to keep us chatting and me and Zoe did our best job to taste test every single one. The night was all about sharing our favourite Netflix shows and discussing the things that we can’t wait to see more episodes of. We also got a sneak preview of some of the new ones that were coming out including 13 Reasons Why (which hadn’t been released yet) and my favourite Mind Hunter which is out later this year. You can watch the trailer here and if you like crime dramas you will love this.

 So lets talk about the things I’ve been watching.  I’ve managed to narrow it down to four shows which are all good for different reasons. The first being American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson. This real life crime was one of the most awful, bizarre and gripping cases in history and has been an amazing show to watch.  This show really told the story and had the most incredible performances from Sarah Paulson and Cuba Gooding Jr. which will keep you watching for hours. The second is the Marvel series DareDevil. I’ll be honest I didn’t think I would get into it but I’m currently on season 2 and loving it. I watched all of Jessica Jones (because Krysten Ritter is my absolute favourite) and this is equally dark and more gory taking out the cringe factor of it being a comic book hero show.

The third is Girlboss the adaption of the book by Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso. To be honest I watched half of the first episode and had to turn it off and it was only because all my friends loved it so much that I persevered. Trust me though it does actually pick up by episode 2/3 and you’ll start to fall in love with the self destructing, narsisitic and annoyingly cool Sophia before you know it. Lastly and this might not be for everyone but Schitt’s Creek is a new comedy offering from Eugene Levy. It’s about a rich family who loose everything and have to live in Shitt’s Creek, the only thing that wasn’t worth taking by the debt collectors. It’s silly, easy watching and it’s been entertaining me in the mornings for a week now. If you’ve watched any of these or have any good shows for me to start let me know, I’m always up for a good binge.

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Emma Hardie Protect and Prime SPF 30 Review

Emma Hardie’s Moringa Cleansing balm is one of those cult blogger favourites that has stood the test of time. It’s ability to remove every scrap of makeup without drying or irritating is phenomenal. Couple this with a gorgeous scent and a dewy finish it’s no wonder it’s everybody’s favourite. However the funny thing about cult products is that you don’t often hear about the rest of the brand range, which is why I wanted to branch out with this post today.

Being part of the Moringa Balm tribe I knew that Emma Hardie’s product ethos suited my skin type. Simple, gentle and nourishing products that deliver results. So when I went hunting for a day cream I didn’t have much reservation in trying this out. The Protect and Prime promises to protect the skin with SPF 30 while providing a soft focused, dewy and luminous complexion.

The consistency is gorgeous, it feels luxurious and is very much a spa like product. This is the stuff dream facials are made of. It has the most lovely scent but it’s not too heavy on the skin and absorbs quickly, leaving a gorgeous glowy sheen and a more wide awake look. An important factor for me is how it sits under foundation, which I wear everyday but I found it worked really well. It definitely gives a soft focused finish as promised and helped in the longevity of my makeup. I also noticed that my skin was less red and dry towards the end of the day, which is normal for me but a marked improvement in this made it all the more impressive.

The only downside would be the price tag at £46. It is a very expensive cream so I would recommend waiting for a special offer and keeping an eye out for deals, like I did. 100% worth that price point though if you have the budget!

Shop here

 

SaveSave