Girl with the Golden Touch.

Despite the fact i don't specifically write about beauty, that doesn't derive from the fact that i like to purchase blushers like they are going out of fashion. But when does it just get silly? Silly when you own fifty pretty similar coral blushers? I suppose so, but i really do wear every single one, i do alternate. And fifty really was just an exaggeration.

ELF is a brand i come back to when i need a quick fix, as much as that makes me sound like a crack whore. When payday feels a million miles off (a couple of days) and i feel bored of my entire collection, their free shipping offers just seal the deal and suck me in. ELF is a cheap, reliable fix. I wouldn't say i could rave about all their products, but when items are under three pounds, you can't really go wrong and some of their products are pretty good finds!

Gel Liner in Coffee - £3.50

My relationship with gel liner is pretty rocky, after purchasing the Clinique gel liner in black, i found it hard to create a slick, smooth line like i do with my liquid liner. It just appeared messy and smudgy, which was of course the perfect formula for a smokey eye, but not really what i was looking for. It does however make a fantastic tight liner, on the bottom and top rims of the eye - it lasts so much longer than a kohl pencil i dare say!

On a whim i decided to purchase the ELF liner in Coffee mainly because ELF had a fantastic 20% offer, and secondly i really wanted to try a brown shade, which i was unable to find in a liquid liner. And somehow i ended up with two for the discounted price of one!

I am astonished at how easy this liner is to apply and how well it defines, without being 

too full on. I do like to wear liner every day, but i've decided black is way to harsh for every day. But Coffee is the perfect substitute, it still defines but creates a more softer day-time look. It also applies a lot easier than the black Clinique liner, probably because the brown is more softer and a smooth line isn't always needed. Brush wise i much prefer to use my Mac 209 brush rather than the brush given simply because i prefer a thin, precise liner. Although i do spot clean this brush after every usage, just because with the more product build up on the brush the harder it is to create a defined line. 

I really recommend this liner, if you are either looking to try your hand first time with gel liner, it is a cheaper alternative. Or if you are looking for a more softer, less harsh day time liner alternative.

Candid Coral Blush - £3.50

This coral blusher snuck it's self within my basket, and i'm pleasantly surprised. It's a very sheer coral shimmer, no large chunks of glitter. I wouldn't say its very pigmented, but thats not a bad thing. It provides a light flush of pinky, golden coral. A product you can use in a hurry, without worrying your a tangoed zebra. 

Pearl Nail Varnish - £1.50

One of my favourite nail polishes ever. The perfect dupe to the famous Chanel Pearl Drop, but dare i say better? The  swatches i've seen of the look rather yellow under-toned, hideous. This full on pearly white shade is so very pretty, and adds a funny twist on nude classic nails.

What are your ELF must haves? I also own most of their brushes!

I need excitement, oh i need it bad!

Brush Cleaning.

 You use them every single day, whether to build up a flawless face, that intricate eyeliner or even a simple flush of blush. Whether your make-up brushes are cheap as chips or cost as much as fifty lottery tickets, a dirty brush will never be able to reach it's full potential as when its clean. Of course, its a mind-numbing chore but when it boils down to the fact that it probably contains old, crusty make-up with added dead skin and the grimy insides of your handbag/make-up bag, it really does need a bloody good clean. Especially if you want blemish free skin. Many people already know how to clean their brushes, but there are a few that don't, and the odd couple that do but can't be bothered - when really its very simple (and cheap.)

(my dirty bronzer & blush brush)

There are two types of brush cleaning, spot cleaning and deep cleaning, depending on what has been used and it will next be needed. 

(elf daily cleansing shampoo)

Spot cleaning is where a daily brush cleanser is sprayed lightly on a brush, then dabbed on to a small towel or tissue to remove the product. This is perfect if you have few eyeshadow brushes but change colours often, for example it will mean that you will be able to use a brush on a light eye shadow, that has already been used on a dark colour; without ruining your make-up. I use the ELF Daily Brush Cleanser, which is a tad smelly but its inexpensive at £3.50.

(after spritzing and dabbing product away, just leave to dry)

Deep cleaning is more thorough, cleaning all product of the brush. There are many professional products on the market, from the likes of Mac. But i use Johnson's Baby Shampoo which is equally as good and very gentle (as well as very cheap!), so is handwash for anti-bactirial purposes; and hair conditioner to make brushes ultra soft. 

(Johnson's baby shampoo)

I firstly wet the brush, dab it into the shampoo, massage the shampoo in and rinse it under warm water. You should see the product has fully washed away when the water runs clear, although it is important to ensure that there isn't soap left on the brush!

(dip the dirty brush into shampoo to make sure it is throughly cleaned)

The most important tip to remember when leaving to dry is laying them flat. If left standing up, the extra moisture/water could sweep into the brush handle and loosen the brush hairs, creating them to shred. Which is a bloody nightmare. Just simply pat away the excess water, soften them into shape and leave them to dry over night. Then in the morning, your brushes will be literally good as new!

(shape the brushes, and leave to dry flat overnight)

Please do comment if you have any extra tips & i'm sure most of you are already aware of such methods!

E.L.F

Budget beauty brand ELF is storming the States like nobody business, was it any wonder that when it made its way across the pond that it would become such a success? You may or may not of the heard of the brand, but its received rave reviews from magazines such as Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire and Grazia to name a few! But why on earth, if its so amazing, have we not bought a single item yet?

Thats because of its genius brand economics, most items selling for the crazy cheap price of £1.50. Thats right, you can order an eyeshadow set, lipstick, mascara and even foundation for a the rather crazy, dramatic price. By substituting big advertising campaigns and fancy packaging, they can afford to charge small prices for good, quality products (in-fact some products such as the bronzer actually made a loss! hah). Founded in 1994, by Joseph Shamah living in New York states 'We never skimp on formulations, but we do on packaging. For examaple, we would love to put mirrors in our compacts and have great containers like Nars or Stila - but we're about something different: namely, giving women the chance to try anything without the commitment of the big spend.'

I think this is an amazing idea, because i am hardly adventurous with my make up and stick to good high end brands that i know are good quality, even if they are high priced. So to see a brand like ELF offering a wide range of eyeshadows and blushers for such a small price its great, but i am septical as to whether they are good quality as they claim and not just cheap rubbish. Which is an issue that the brand must encounter from many customers who feel better buying a £16 blusher, knowing and thinking it will be good quality than a £1.50 blusher from an unheard of brand. I will have to order some products to see whether they stand the test against the high end brands that i usually purchase.

Here are a few products that i thought were very good value and staples in any make up bag

Brightening Eye Colour - Butternut (£1.50)

Natural Radiance Blusher - Glow (£1.50)

Mineral Lipstick - Nearly Nude (£3.50)

This product is a higher priced because it is a mineral based product, however many of the high street brand mineral lipsticks value at £7 plus. ELF also offers a full rang of mineral make up, from powders, concealers and eyeshadows to blushers; to the price of £3.50.

Kabuki Brush - (£3.50)

There are two ranges of make up brushes in ELF, the basic and the studio lines. All the basic brushes are £1.50 each where as the studio brushes are £3.50, as it has a softer hair. However, most of the MAC brushes retail at £20, so this brush is good value. Also a Kubuki brush is specialised type of brush, as it provides better coverage and application using powders or bronzers, rather than a a normal brush.

Have you ever used ELF? What are your thoughts of using a lower priced product?

See the ELF range here.