ABH Glow Kit - Nicole Guerriero Palette Vs Ultimate Glow Kit ('face' swatches)

Firstly I just want to say this post doesn't refer to the comparison of the shades in both palettes, however I do insert two pictures with the highlight on my skin so you can see the comparison of the 'glow'. This post is more on the texture of the product and which one I prefer and would work for you. 

If you've heard reviews, seen pictures you'll probably think that there's no competition really and the NG one wins hands down.. but that's not really the case 😳

Anastasia Beverly Hills has come out with many glow kits, and up till now none of them have really interested me. I've always found that I either own some of the colours in my collection or the shades don't really interest me. However that all changed when NG dropped her glow kit! Here's the little beauty if you haven't already seen it 

The shades are pretty incredible and unique. I was actually always after a peachy highlight and was in two minds about their big pan illuminators in the shade Peach Nectar but then they discontinued it, so when I seen that peach shade Daydream it really appealed to me. I was also excited about Forever Lit as I wanted a highlight with a hint of blue but didn't want to fork out on the 'Moonchild' glow kit. I seen a tutorial of someone (can't remember who 😩) do a black smokey eye with a nude lip and had a reflective blue highlight going on.. I loved it!  I'll try search for it and link it in if I do come across it again. 

You'll have noticed from swatches of this palette (they're all over the net) if you haven't seen any, that it's very pigmented and gives a high shine finish without the use of fix+ but if you're extra like me you can still use a fixing spray to apply your product (I actually set my face with fix+ then apply the highlight to my wet skin).

Here's a photo of me wearing daydream with forever lit 

What I've noticed is that it does emphasise texture on the skin, some shades more then others esp in the daylight when the suns out. I used this palette and I did notice that more then any of the highlighters I own the Anastasia Beverly Hills x Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit emphasises texture!! I'm really gutted about this, it's not too bad where you can't wear it but it is definitely noticeable, esp if you wear it in the daytime. 

This is where the Ultimate Glow Kit comes in. When you swatch the highlight shades in this palette they swatch horrible!!! They feel gritty, grainy and probably wont even show up on the skin. Yet with a little bit of work you can get such a POPPIN' highlight that looks flawless and gives the appearance of a baked highlighter such as 'Laura Geller - Gilded Honey' that it blows the Nicole Guerriero one out the water!

Here is a photo of me wearing a mixture of Golden Dawn and Snow from the Ultimate Glow Kit

I mean.. come on.. blinding or what?!! I haven't retouched this photo at all, straight from the camera roll or shall I say Snapchat roll 😜

So how do you make the Ultimate Glow Kit work for you? 

Application! At the end of your makeup, spray your face with Fix + or any other setting mist you have, and use a densely packed brush. The brush really makes a hugeeeee difference. Not only with this but with my other highlighters too. I used to use the 'Zoeva 105 Luxe Highlight Brush'. It's a domed shape brush so if you're using anything like that or a fan brush, put them tools down!! You need something that's similar to the ABH highlight brush, I ain't going to fork out for that so I used a tried and tested affordable Real Techniques Setting Brush!!! 

(I'm actually getting out of bed to take a pic of this little soldier!!) 

Back to the application method.. spray your brush with a little fix+ or if you're not applying it to damp skin then be generous on spraying your brush you want it quite damp but not soaking wet. Dip into the product (I've found the top row of the Ultimate Glow Kit to work wonders with this, haven't really tried the bottom row) and then apply it and it will give the most metallic flawless sheen without emphasising any flaws or texture! 

Wearing 'White Sand' with a touch of 'Snow' from the ABH Ultimate Glow Kit

Wearing 'Glo Getter' with a touch of 'Forever Lit' from the ABH X Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit. 

Overall thoughts??

If you already have the Ultimate Glow Kit and it's not working for you, I hope my method really changes your thoughts on the palette. I love the finish of a baked highlight so for me I really prefer it and if you have texture on the high points I would say this does really work, only if your willing to put in that extra work but as you can see it doesn't give a subtle glow, and without a setting spray looks chalky. 

If you want something with unique colours and have flawless skin or don't mind a little bit of emphasis then I'd definitely recommend the Nicole Guerriero one. I still do love it, it's shades and pigmentation let you control the 'shine'. You can dust it on lightly for a subtle glow or build it and get the same result as the photos I've inserted using the Ultimate Glow Kit.. 

Lifestyle

             

    

 Hey guys!  So it's been a while since I've posted anything, mostly down to the fact I've got two little girls. A 2 month old and a 20 month old (1 year and 8 months to those of you that aren't mothers and find counting in months annoying lol). I also moved house last year and invested a lot of time building the perfect interior to my cosy little home. In addition to that I've been on a weight loss journey which took up most of my attention and was something I was fixated on that makeup 'posts' took a backseat to. But as all of you snapchaters that follow me know that my love for all things 'cake face' has far from left me.


My life now has made me dabble in many other key interests so I thought why not post about all the variants that I enjoy, such as:

• Make-up
• Weight loss (inc. fitness plan),
• Outfit ideas,
• Recipes,
• Home decor,
• Mummy life,
• Restaurant reviews (I'm a weekender 😆)
• And whatever else that goes on in my life.. as well as some 'heavy' posts on my experiences in certain situations and some fun posts relating to my previous holidays!

 


 If anyone wants me to delve into a certain area and post about a specific experience/review then please do let me know. I'm an over the top photo taker so my posts will always be picture heavy 😜 don't know about you guys but pictures just brighten my day.  Love you all 😘

Colourpop Super Shock Shadows

For this post all I'm going to say is 10/10 in pigment, formula, uniqueness, packaging, texture, price, variety...

Everyone finds it hard to describe the texture of these it feels like silky suede, not a cream product nor a powder. I love the texture, feels luxurious

Think of a MAC reflects glitter pigment and a standard pressed pigment, that's what these products are. I'll leave you to just admire the pretty swatches...

Golden Toned Highlighters

Review & Comparison of Gerard Cosmetics Marilyn; Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop and Laura Geller Gilded Honey

Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder: Marilyn

I was quite excited about this product after seeing many swatches and all the hype across social media. When GC had 45% off site wide plus free worldwide shipping I thought this would be a great opportunity to purchase Marilyn. I wanted to try out Lucy too but luckily I didn't waste my money on it.... Yepp this obviously shows my dislike for the product and here's why. 

It is very chunky, emphasises pores and doesn't really have much of a glow/glisten rather instead it has a metallic flat tone to it. It's not super pigmented either and has a very chalky cheap feel to it. 

Swatched below is doesn't really show up but on the skin with fix + it does look better and is quite reminiscent of Mac vanilla pigment without the white glow look just s true gold. The packaging itself is pretty although made from cheap plastic. But what I love most about it is the plastic protector that covers the highlighter from the mirror. It's hands down become my go to mirror for close ups during makeup application and touch ups when I'm out. If anything it's worth it for that!

If you don't have many pores and want a true gold highlight. Then with a densely packed brush with fix + on it still would give a pretty gold toned highlight. 

5/10

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter: Jaclyn Hill x Champagne Pop 

This was the highlighter I was most excited about. It is limited edition but not as limited edition as I thought it was going to be. I wish I waited a while to order it because I really wanted to purchase 'kvd - bow & arrow' but didn't wait for its re-release and jumped online as soon as champagne pop was live on sephora... And a sephora haul is pretty pricey including tax and shipping. I won't be surprised if this eventually becomes permanent. 

Anyways onto the highlighter itself, it is the priciest one out of the three retailing at $38. Although it is described as a peach tone highlighter you'll see swatched on my skin some pink tones rather then a straight up peach. However on my face once applied it looks more gold then anything. My hand swathes are quite terrible as it never looks the same at all on my skin. 

Before I purchased champagne pop I was about to purchase opal to try out the raved about becca skin perfecters... I do really like them, emphasis on 'really like' and not love. I don't know if it's the formula or the shade or just because I was underwhelmed after the immense hype these get. Don't get me wrong it is beautiful and pigmented and gives a strong sheen highlight and the texture is quite smooth too but I was just expecting more from it and for it to be unique. I wanted to love the shade more and it to show up more peachy on my skin but it didn't. It did emphasise my pores a bit too and I still find the intensity on par with my 'the balm - Mary lounanizer' if anything that one probably gives me more of an intense highlight and is a lot for affordable. 

8/10

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator: Gilded Honey

Out of the three highlighters this was one I almost passed on, well I actually did. I seen swatches and though 'nehh too gold' not needed and won't flatter my skintone. But then when I seen it next to whisper of guilt and heatwave I wanted it badly, but it was sold out. Recently I found it on beauty bay and didn't think twice before ordering it which included free shipping. 

To begin with let's start on the packaging which I find quite disappointing for such a high end product. It comes in a little plastic container with less product then a typical Illuminator. It's more the size of a blusher... But boy does the product make up for it. It is the most beautiful highlight ever. The texture is gorgeous and best of all it kind of disguises your pores, I'm guessing that's because of the baked formula. The shade is more of a gold with a very slight peach tinge but shows up more gold iridescent toned once applied, it gives of a metal sheen esp when fix + is used with it. It's so intense and flawless looking. It's what I expected the Becca highlighter to be. 

I definitely want to try the other shade out and would recommend it to everyone. It's hands down my favourite highlight and I'm so obsessed with it. I'll be doing a future post just based on this illuminator and full face make up pictures showing how much it glows. Only knocked off half a point because of the packaging. 

9.5/10

Below you can see the difference in packaging. Gerard Cosmetics is quite sleek and pretty although the material of the packaging is plastic. The Becca one is quite sophisticated with a sturdy packaging and as you can see the Laura Geller one is much smaller with a clear plastic packaging, 

Here they are side by side

From Left to Right: Marilyn, Champagne Pop, Gilded Honey

The picture of my hand swatches aren't necessarily true to form as they all appear different on my face. But you can see how Marilyn is more of a true robust gold with a flatter texture and Gilded Honey is more intense in pigment. 

Amazing & Affordable Eye Bases

Rimmel Scandaleyes

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Base Sticks



Retailing at £4.49 these eyeshadow base sticks from Rimmel are a steal! They come in a handful of shades, I obviously stuck to the neutral tones (however the turquoise one I've swatched a few times & I think it'll look fabulous in the waterline!!)



There are no negatives about this product, its affordable, long lasting, you can wear it alone and it sets to be smudge proof!!!! The shades I have, one is shimmery & the other is of a matte finish (the matte one is sooo creamy). 

Although Trespassing taupe looks like a very cool toned taupey grey shade, it has a subtle warm undertone once blended out and looks amazing with an orange shade in the crease. It also looks more neutral on my lids.

Here is a swatch of both shades blended out heavily, but bare in mind you can wear them on the lids without blending and get the full impact of the swatch above

Overall I give these a 5/5 and recommend everyone to try them. Even if you're not an eyeshadow person, just apply the trespassing taupe on your lids and blend it out and apply your liner or mascara, it'll look so natural & gives a flawless look!! 

For the more warm toned or smokey eye lovers, you can use bad girl bronze blended out with a subtle gold or even matte shadow for a hint of sparkle & sheen or build up the pencil and go all out with a dark chocolate bronze smokey eye (my fave eye look)

Full Face of Products

What I use on 'full face' make- up days: Product list

Full face make-up product list


Eyes:
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow - Ebony
Eye Base: Mehron Celebte Cream Foundation - Eurasia Fair
Crease: Makeup Geek - Chickadee, Creme Brulee, Frappe, Mocha
Lid: Mua Undress Me Too Palette - Shade 2 & 4
Inner Corner: Makeup Geek - Shimma Shimma
Brow Bone: Makeup Geek - Vanilla Bean & The Balm Mary Loumanizer
Eyeliner: Rimmel Scandaleyes Gel Eyeliner- 001 Black
MUA Eyeliner - Black
Mascara: Loreal Voluminous Extra Volume Mascara- Black
Benefit They're Real Mascara - Black
Eyelashes: Koko Lashes - Bella 



Face:
Primer: Loreal Lumi Magique - Pure Light
Foundation: Mac Prolongwear Foundation - NC42 
Mehron Celebte Cream Foundation - Eurasia Fair 
Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer - Medium Dark Neutral 
Under Eye Highlight: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - 20
Powder: Mac Mineralize Skinfinish - Medium Dark
Cream Contour: Mac Matchmaster Concealer - 8
Powder Contour: Sleek Contour Kit - Medium
Under Eye Powder: Bare Minerals Concealer Powder - Well Rested 
Blush: Mua Blusher - Shade 6
Highlight: The Balm: Mary Loumanizer




Lips:
Liner: Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner - Addiction
Lipstick: Mac - Kinda Sexy 

Summer Lipstick Shades

Bright Pinks, Corals & Fuchsia Lips <3

Although we all love our nudes, now's the time to step out and rock some bright lips in the blazing sun 

Summer lipsticks

Personally I don't wear nothing apart from nude and neutral shades on  my lips, I just don't feel comfortable in anything that has an ounce of colour, esp red!! But now the suns out I really wanted to dig into my collection and swatch some brighter, bolder spring/summer shades so I can rock a few of them this summer. 

MAC & Drugstore Lipsticks in Bright Pinks & Corals

Swatches from L-R: Me Now Liquid Lipstick:36, Bourjois Shine Edition:22, Mac: Vegas Volt, Me Now Liquid Lipstick: 04, Maybelline Vivids: Shocking Coral, Mac: Viva Glam Gaga, Me Now Liquid Lipstick:12, Loreal Color Riche Serum S101 Freshly Candy, Mac Lip Pencil: Magenta, Wet n Wild Mega Last: 967 Dollhouse Pink

Too Faced Melted Chihuahua

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long wear Lipstick;x

First impressions..

Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick

Too Faced Melted Chihuahua

Swatch of Melted Chihuahua




Pros:
Non- drying
Comfortable
Suitable nude for medium/dark skintones
Leaves a nice stain


Cons:
Packaging is slightly deceiving for this shade
Not as long lasting as I expected
Application isn't the most easiest & neatest



Overall I would rate this product 7.5/10, still trying it out as I've only worn it once, so this review is a first impressions one really, but I wore it for an hour and then I ate a sandwich (non-greasy) and most of the product wore off so I had to re-apply and then the product wore for a few more hours & then dried to a satin/matte finish, faded beautifully & evenly though.


Will insert a lip swatch & a full depth review in the future..

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - ABU DHABI ;x

Abu Dhabi: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

One of the oldest matte lipstick formula's in a 'liquidish' form, so how does it compare to the other higher & popular mousse/cream matte lip products?

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream: Abu Dhabi

What's the difference between standard liquid lipsticks & NYX soft matte lip cream?

The initial difference as most of you will be aware by the name of the product is in the formula. The Soft Matte Lip Cream has more of a moussey consistency, more comparable to Too Faced Melted, YSL Kiss & Blush & not far off from the texture of LA Splash Smitten Lip Tint Mousse. The difference in terms of 'how matte it is' &  the longevity in comparison to the other three products mentioned is that it's quite unique in terms of formula. It has more of a silicone texture, and is quite pigmented & buildable, it does take a short while to dry but dries quicker & more matte then the YSL & Too Faced lip product mentioned. 

It's not quite as long lasting as the Smitten Lip Tint , but it can still fall into the liquid lipstick category, which I didn't quite expect it to. It has the same wear time as a very good matte lipstick, a few hours of wear & tear will make the product disappear, but don't worry you don't get that horrid 'white line effect' around your mouth.

Swatch of  Abu Dhabi Soft Matte Lip Cream

Although it's matte its not drying, nor sticky & smells like buttercream frosting. The shade Abu Dhabi reminds me of MAC Velvet Teddy...

Retailing between £6 - £8 I think it's worth picking up a few shades if you love matte lips. This product I would say targets liquid lipstick lovers & haters! It has the matte effect but not the overbearing dryness, it's an all rounder product with a vast shade range including nudes, neutrals, pinks, reds and deeper shades.

I love to pair Abu Dhabi with MAC Spice Lipliner, I use the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream first, and after a minute I use the lip liner around my lips just to give a subtle dimension to the lips

Lip Swatch of Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Abu Dhabi & Mac Spice Lip liner 

Nyx Abu Dhabi, Mac Spice

LA Splash Liquid Lipsticks: Lip Couture & Smitten Lip Tint Mousse

For all those that are on the liquid lipstick 'hype' here's my two cents on LA Splash's liquid lipstick

LA Splash Liquid Lipstick: Lip Couture in Ghoulish & Smitten Lip Tint Mousse in Nymphadora

Does it compare to higher end liquid lipsticks? 

Retailing at $11.98 LA Splash Lip Couture & Smitten Lip Tint Mousse leans more towards the drugstore price. So how does it compare to the likes of Stila, Kat Von D and ABH? For the price I think LA Splash have done a fantastic job, not only are  their stains very pigmented (one swipe covers the whole mouth) but it dries to a matte formula that isn't too drying nor sticky!!!! Drugstore liquid lipsticks fail on this as I find them overbearingly tacky once they've dried. The colour selection that LA Splash offers is HUGE and right on trend!!! It has so many beautiful shades to choose from including various 'kylie jenner' nude shades. 

The cons:

Unfortunately there is a con with this product, well actually with the Lip Couture more so then the liptint. At first both products have a strange smell to them, although this does eventually disappear, everytime I apply the  Lip Couture I get an awful overbearing headache, it does wear off after a while, but it was something that throws me off guard everytime I apply it. 

What's the difference between the Lip Couture & the Smitten Lip Tint Mousse?

Lip Couture -:

 Takes longer to dry

  More of a liquid consistency

  Ever so slightly more drying

            The one I have I find the smell is extremely overbearing during initial application

Which shades do I own?

Since it was my first time trying the product out, although I heard great reviews, I didn't want to jump the gun & grab a whole load of shades, I wanted to test out the formula & compare it to my other liquid lipsticks. Therefore I purchased Ghoulish & Nymphadora

Ghoulish (Lip Couture), Nymphadora (Smitten Lip Tint)

Swatches of ghoulish & nymphadora

Is LA Splash Ghoulish a dupe for Limecrime Cashmere?

I would say no they're not. They're in the same 'greige' family but Ghoulish is much darker then Cashmere for some skintones this may work better. So far I'm still trying to make this work for me as the shade is a little overbearing. probably will take me some time to step out with a grey lip. But I've mixed this with Me Now shade 18 (another talked about dupe for Cashmere) & I feel more comfortable wearing that concoction.

Lip Swatch of Nymphadora