Kit Essential | MAC Prep + Prime Fix +

When I’m on shoot, there are a few items in my kit that are an absolute essential. This may not always be for their most obvious reasons and so I want to share with you the products that I personally rely on and a few tips of how to make the most of them. Today’s post is dedicated to a well known favourite: MAC Prep + Prime Fix +.

It terms of setting sprays, this isn’t one that is going to massively improve the wear and longevity of your makeup; however this isn't why I love it. 

Firstly, I always use Fix + to 'finish' a look. I find that a spritz of this helps to add a freshness and a slight dewy glow back into the skin. It stops the finished look from looking cakey by blurring the makeup together slightly and melting it into the skin. So, whilst not removing or disturbing the coverage, it keeps the makeup looking natural and not too heavy.

The second reason I rely on Fix + is that it allows me to make the most of my eyeshadows. As a newly qualified Makeup Artist, it can be hard to squeeze luxury palettes within my small budget. I’d rather buy from the drugstore, so that I have a greater variety of colours and finishes and I am able to create any look that is requested. Although, the problem is that the quality of the eyeshadows suffers so that the finished look isn't as professional. My answer? Fix +.

An investment in a £17 bottle will save you the money that you would otherwise have had to have spent on high-end shadows. Lightly spraying a brush with Fix + before picking up any product, will transform the quality of what you are using. Affordable, drugstore eyeshadows become richly pigmented, creamy and blend able; meaning that the overall finish of your look need not suffer! 

Below are swatches of the same eyeshadow but with and without Fix +:

(Left: Without Fix +. Right: With Fix+)

I still use this trick even when working with my more expensive palettes. If there is a certain colour that I want to really standout on the eye; such as a gold, silver, bright colour or a highlight. This is why I never leave home without my Fix +. I hope these few tips have helped or inspired you and I would love to know what you think as well as your makeup essentials!

Devon

xoxo

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High End Haul | Cult Beauty and MAC

Ever since I first stumbled across the amazing Cult Beauty site, browsing the online array of high end, high performing makeup has become my new favourite past time. Although I wish my bank balance stretched to cover my entire wish list, in reality I have to restrict my spending to only a handful of luxury indulgences a month. Today I have my latest Cult Beauty splurges as well as a new MAC goodie wrapped up in one high end haul to share with you all. 

1.  Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

After reading the endless reviews raving about the contouring powers of this palette, I was dying to get a hold of my very own. I bought the colour 'light' and encased inside are three warming shades and three highlighters. There is a matte yellow-toned and pink-toned highlighter as well as 'Sand' which has a shimmer finish. 

All three contouring powders are matte; two have a warm tone  whereas the colour ‘Fawn’ is the perfect ashy shade for adding a natural contour to a pale complexion. With an initial swatch all the shades appear smooth and blendable with a great colour pay off. This palette has definitely captured my attention and I can’t wait to see its contouring effects.

(Left to Right: Vanilla, Banana, Sand, Java, Fawn, Havana)

2. The Original Beautyblender

As a girl on a quest to find the foundation applicator for the ultimate flawless finish; I am excited to now possess my own Beauty Blender. I have always preferred the finish created by using a sponge over a brush, as it blends my foundation in seamlessly for a natural looking coverage. If you were ever to invest in only one high end item for improving the appearance and application of your makeup, I would suggest placing this at the top of your priorities.

3. MAC Pro Conceal and Correct Palette

My final high end makeup indulgence was bought on a whim. I had heard little about this palette before, however after eyeing it in the MAC store I immediately had to add it to my collection. I have the shade 'light' and inside are four concealers and two colour correctors. 

The shade ‘pale pink’ works amazingly well for correcting darkness under the eyes and ‘pale yellow’ is perfect for fading the redness of my acne scarring. I have loved testing out the shades in this palette and I now reach for it every time I apply my makeup. To see this palette in action, then have a look at my recent video dedicated to sharing my current Full Coverage Foundation Routine. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini haul and I would love to hear about your recent beauty purchases, whether they be high end or high street.

Devon

xoxo

Previous Hauls: 

Drugstore

Cult Beauty

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