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

Trying on party dresses at Coast Cardiff

Nia is wearing the Kadie sequin maxi dress £129

Me and a little group of Cardiff fashion bloggers took over the Coast store this week to try on some seriously beautiful dresses. This is the perfect time of year to be invited to an event at Coast because nobody does occasion wear quite like they do. They’ve also seriously upped their game this season with a collaboration with The Royal Ballet and some killer trend focused pieces that are totally gorgeous. So, if you’re looking for a special Christmas dress I snapped a few of my favourite ones and have linked them all below!

 The coast store in Cardiff’s gorgeous accessories table including the AMANDA Heart Bag which is such a perfect Christmas gift.

I absolutely fell in love with this one! It really pulled in my waist! Illy Ruffle Maxi Dress £169

My Cardiff blogger gals Claire, Nia (thecardiffcwtch.com) and Amy

 Venus marble jacquard dress £159

Tamia cuff bracelet £25

Bell sleeve dress £139

 Harni embellished bangle  £19

Fia knot bag  £45

 Lileta Cubic Zirconia Bracelet  £25

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

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

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

Flower Shopping

 My mum is a photographer (incase you didn’t know already, she takes all my outfit pictures) and has been working with the Flower Lodge for a while now. Just last week she brought home a huge bunch of Ranunculus (google them THEY ARE GORGEOUS) and it’s what gave me the idea to take some pictures there today. It’s the most beautiful shop in Rhiwbina and if your visiting I recommend having a look at their new gift range of candles and diffusers which are so lovely. A quick scroll through these pictures should inspire you enough to take a trip, so many amazing colours!

My look today is pretty much my go to outfit as of late. These gingham trousers, in terms of cost per wear, are probably about 1p. Too comfy to take off. I know that this is the season where I should be breaking out the colours but I like wearing monochrome and great basics and it’s nice to be comfy. Sometimes you just want to throw on what makes you feel good.

SUNGLASSES // VALENTINO

TOP // H&M

TROUSER // ZARA

SHOES // H&M

BAG // MARKS & SPENCER

PHOTOGRAPHY // SARAH BARNES

NIOD Flavanone Mud Mask Review

A few weeks ago now I met up with Laura, the PR for Deciem, to chat about the brand which has got every blogger, skincare fanatic and magazine talking. Deciem is also known as The Abnormal Beauty Company and for good reason. They have stripped back on unnecessary packaging, ingredients and false claims to bring us the best in scientific research that REALLY works. Under the umbrella of Deciem are their handful of different brands including The Ordinary (which I have a review of coming soon), NIOD, Fountain and many more. It brings about the change that so many of us have been looking for, moving away from the hype and concentrating on back to basics, affordable skincare that we can trust.

Today I’m reviewing the NIOD Flavanone Mud Mask, which I chose to try because it’s very purifying and effective on spot prone skin. NIOD, which stands for Non Invasive Options in Dermal Science is the most advanced of the Deciem brands. It’s also a good way to describe the look and smell of the Flavanone Mask, it very much feels like a Science project.

The mask is said to have three phases, the Purifying Phase, Protective Phase and Responsive Phase. Combined they decongest the skin without throwing off the balance meaning it gives purifying results that last. It is a mud mask but the consistensy is lighter and more watered down. You only need to apply a small layer to get great results but it’s worth noting that it does sting your skin. This is mentioned in the directions but it feels counterintuitive leaving something on that isn’t so comfortable. However the results are worth the 10 minutes of discomfort. It deeply cleanses your skin and leaves it looking matte but not feeling dry. It also helps to take down the redness of any spots or pigmentation leaving them less angry.

I read a few reviews before trying it out and a lot of them were saying to use it everyday for the first week and then once a week after that as a top up. I found that everyday was a bit too much for my sensitive skin but using it every few days definitely helped to keep my spots at bay. It’s also worth noting that this has a shelf life of 6 months so you need to be using it often to get through the pot. I’m thinking of taking it down to my chest (as I get a few spots there too) to make the most of the product within that time. I would definitely repurchase this mask again and NIOD is a brand that I really want to explore more.

The Flavanone Mask is £29 and available here.

SaveSave

Paul Mitchell : Limited Edition Rose Gold Express Ion Unclipped Review

It’s amazing and it’s unreal and I feel like the luckiest girl ever that I get sent beautiful things to review, this being one of the most beautiful. Paul Mitchell is fast becoming my favourite hair brand and the shampoos, oils and treatments I’ve got to sample so far have made a vast improvement to my hair. After my dye disaster last September it feels really good to be experimenting with different looks and getting my confidence back.

I started using this curling iron the moment I received it and I really can’t express how many nice compliments I had over my birthday. I find the styler really easy to use and I’ve been loving trying out all the different wands. I like the rose gold and charcoal colour scheme too, it’s so on trend and I like that they managed to incorporate that into the product. Everything about it feels luxury. I decided to create three looks with the different wands below, so that you can see the results and curls in more detail.

   This is the wand I’ve been using the most and I love that it creates a really soft, natural and full bodied curl. I like to start by curling my whole head in sections and then gently combing through to create a soft wave but keeping the volume. I find that this is the easiest wand to use, if like me your not that great at hair and just want a style that looks effortless and is quick to create.

I also wanted to mention one of my favourite features about the styler here too. Once you’ve selected the temperate you want, it then counts up to it on the digital screen while your waiting. This means you know how hot it is and your less likely to burn yourself, which happens to me all the time with my other one. I feel like if I was shopping for a new curling iron that would definitely sway my decision.

For the second look I decided to go for a half up half down style, as this is my go to if I’m in a hurry to get ready. I love that the tapered rod creates soft ringlets which look really pretty and feminine. The finished look feels a lot more polished and they held in place really well. I also love the idea of just curling my pony tail, I think it would be a really nice look and is simple and easy to create.

The bubble rod is for creating tousled waves. I love the bouncy ringlet style curls in this look but I think the idea is that you use thicker strands to get a less stringy finish. For me I would describe this wand as creating soft ringlets, if that makes sense? It would be perfect for a beachy look and because it guides the hair in the right place on the wand you get an even curl every time.

I also received two more goodies in my gift box that I wanted to share with you. The first being this gorgeous mini brush, that is just as instagramable as it is good for my hair. I love it because the bristles are quite far apart which means it’s more gentle on my hair and I don’t hear that snapping sound while brushing. It’s also only £7.50 which I think is amazing and comes in a larger size for £12.25 so they are very budget friendly. Lastly, the Hot off the Press Heat Protectant Hairspray is a bit of a game changer for me. I used it to spray my hair before curling and it makes such a difference in the longevity of the look and keeps my hair nice and shiny.

I hope you liked this post! If you’ve tried this or have any Paul Mitchell favourites post them in the comments below.

The styler will be out this April and retails for £89.95

This product was provided to me free of charge from Salon Success, in order to review it. However, the opinions expressed in this review are independent and my own.

SaveSave

Here’s to 25

Here I am, finally recovered from my neck fiasco and feeling super pumped to blog. I have so much to show you, it really is amazing how much internet shopping you can get done on your sick bed. I’ve also just turned 25 and so I’ve got lots of beautiful presents and party stories to share too.

Equally it has rained so much in Cardiff this week it hasn’t been the weather for celebrating. I know it rains all the time here but it really, really rained… a lot. Therefore my outfits this week have been pretty casual and layered up and that’s kind of my everyday vibe at the moment. I really like wearing a hoodie underneath a smart jacket and heels, I like that it gives things a street wear feel and takes it away from looking too dressy. A hood also keeps my hair dry and my eyeliner smudge free, winner.

 

COAT : ZARA // HOODIE & VEST : PRIMARK // TEE : H&M

JEANS :  MARKS & SPENCER // BELT :  MARKS & SPENCER

BAG :  MARKS & SPENCER // BOOTS : JUST FAB

PHOTOGRAPHY : SARAH BARNES

My Haircare Essentials : Dry and Damaged

I’ve become a little obsessed with hair products, since joining the blogging community it’s something that is constantly posted about and has definitely rubbed off on me. I’m also currently recovering from the worst haircut and dye job of my life, which is just the catalyst you need to start taking a hair routine a bit more seriously. These last few weeks I’ve put everything possible on my head to try and improve the situation and speed the growing process along. Below are a few Holy Grail items that have really been helping and I wanted to share them with you today.

Philip Kingsley : Elasticizer Extreme 

I haven’t tried the standard Elasticizer, as I felt my hair was far past that point, so I went for the big guns straight away. This is a mask that I first heard about while at University, when everyone was dying their hair crazy colours and I was told it could bring your locks ‘back from the dead’. With this pretty impressive rumour I had high hopes and it did not disappoint. I started off using it on dry hair but thats a faux pas, you need to apply to damp hair for it to be fully effective so bear that in mind. It’s also a pre-shampoo treatment and does take a good two rinses to properly remove from your hair. However, it’s results are amazing. My hair looks 100% healthier, smoother and is more easily manageable after using this. I wouldn’t say it reverses damage but it certainly helps to make your hair feel thicker and look healthier, as well as smoothing out fly away split ends.

Shop Here

Josh Wood : Radiant Shine Treatment Oil 

I actually got this in my M&S Beauty Advent Calendar and only put it on by chance just before going out. It wasn’t one of the products I was excited about but it’s actually become my favourite and most used item from the calendar. It contains Pracachy Oil and Kukui Nut Oil and has a really lovely fragrance and texture. It’s quite thick compared to other hair oils and really sinks in, leaving a shiny rather than oily finish. I like that it doesn’t make my hair feel sticky, I would say it’s the best I’ve used and I couldn’t be without it now.

Shop Here

Paul Mitchell : Ultimate Indulgence Awapuhi Wild Ginger Repair Set

I’ve been trying out products from the Awapuhi range for a while now and I absolutely love them. They are so luxurious, moisturising and repairing which is exactly what my hair needs right now. The basis of all these products is described on the website as “KeraTriplex® a protein blend that penetrates from the inside out to repair and seal damaged hair, while Awapuhi extract balances moisture for manageability and shine”.

I start in the shower with the Moisturising Lather Shampoo, it’s lovely to use and leaves my hair feeling clean but not striped or dry. I then use the Keratin Intensive Treatment to really boost the moisture and it’s an impressive in shower mask. I use this twice a week and it makes my hair look noticeably healthier and shinier. Before blow drying I use the styling treatment oil and the Hydromist Blow Out Spray to prep my hair and make the look hold for longer. It’s also worth mentioning that I use the Paul Mitchell Neuro Brush as well to do my at home blow dry and it’s a really gently brush. Once dry I go back in with the treatment oil for a high shine finish.

Shop the range here

L’Avoly : The Special One 10 in 1 Leave in Treatment

Ok so let me list all the amazing things this one product does… it’s detangling, prevents split ends, boosts shine, controls frizz, is heat protecting, moisturising, protects hair colour, protects against damage from salt and chlorine, provides UV protection and primes your hair ready for styling. It’s also got a lovely, if a little masculine, scent and is a very nourishing and repairing product. It’s not too heavy and it really does make my hair feel stronger and look healthier. I would highly recommend this if your quite low maintenance when it comes to your hair routine.

As always if you liked this post or you have any of your own haircare tips let me know in the comments below. I need all the advice available!

SaveSave