Bronwyn's Beauty Blog

Hello Everyone!

How y'all doing on this fine CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!! I know everyone says it at this time of year but by golly has 2015 just flown by! As I mentioned in my previous post I have abandoned you for too long (damn you Geography Controlled Assessment!) but here I am with a nice lot of posts lined up for you over the next few weeks! Today's being my December Favourites and there's good bunch here I have to say!


Firstly, Smashbox On the Rocks your Christmas/New Years party companion! I have been loving using the darker shades for a really simple smoky eye with lighter colours for highlight. It's so easy yet effective!







I hope you enjoyed this post, merry Christmas,
Bronwyn x

Hello Everyone! 

How are you lot doing? It's a question I don't feel I ask you enough! Personally, I haven't been too great, I was ill last week which doesn't happen to me too often and I realised why I hate it so much. School has been pretty hectic too with all the end of year goings on but there is only three weeks left until the holidays which is very exciting indeed! 

This week I decided I would let you in on the 15 products in my makeup, hair and skincare collection that I truly could not begin to function without! It took a lot of will power to whittle it down to just 15; believe me! 

1. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - This is the perfect foundation to start your collection, its not dewy or matte, thick or light it's just the kind of 'happy medium' with brilliant staying power and everyday coverage.

2. Rimmel Stay Matte - I think everyone must have this in their makeup kits somewhere, it's kind of your bog standard powder but it gets the job done and well!

3. L'Oreal True Match - You all know how much I love this concealer, it just has such a brilliant coverage and staying power, it doesn't crease and can be used for under-eye and blemishes at an affordable price.

Leaves have started falling from the trees and my winter woolies are on - it's autumn! It's crept up rather quickly and I'm very excited for what it has to offer, here are 10 reasons why...

1. Layering Up

I am all for a bit of check and a wooly sweater when the temperature falls, I love being able to wrap up warm in all my cosy things!

Check Shirt - Topshop

Boots - Dune

2. Hot Drinks By The Gallon

I'm talking Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread Lattes here guys, you know it! There's nothing better on a chilly day than ducking into a coffee shop and warming your hand on a coffee or hot chocolate. For a few of my favourite hot drink recipes check out this post.

3. Berry Tones

I jump at a dark lip as soon as I hear the word Autumn and the nails come soon after. My favourite lip products have to be these four, they're all quite deep but surprisingly easy to wear.



4. Cosy Evenings In

After a long day of school there's nothing better than to come home to a lit fire, cup of tea and a blanket. Something about darker evenings that makes me feel all warm inside. Also, all the good telly is starting to pop up, Doctor Who being my main example here!

5. Autumnal Scents

Lighting a candle is one of my evening rituals. I particularly enjoy this one (a birthday present from one of my lovely buddies) that is a perfect transition from fresh to spicy. 



6. Walks

Fresh air and crunchy leaves around the pond; a perfect way to spend an Autumn Sunday morning!



7. Comfort Food and Baking

When you're chilly nothing beats something warm in your belly! Bake Off has inspired me to start baking again too so I have made three quiches, cupcakes and a lemon drizzle in the last month, this might be an obsession...


8. Orange Leaves and Chill In the Air

This seems quite specific but what I mean by this is just the whole Autumn experience; the lowering temperatures, trees changing colour and the nights drawing in, there's just something about it that makes me happy!



9. Halloween and Fireworks

I love Halloween, it's not something that England has quite yet embraces to its full potential but it's great nonetheless! What are you dressing up as this year? Tell me in the comments below or tag me in your Instagram pics with @bronwynsbeauty. If you're out of ideas this is what I wore last year - check out my tutorial here!



10. Christmas Preparation

I'm sorry to mention the C word but guys... it's almost CHRISTMAAAAAAS!!! I have a Christmas shopping trip planned, presents shall be wrapped before December and I'll be singing Jingle Bells before you can say 'Father Christmas'!

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what your Autumn Favourites are,
Bronwyn x  

Hello Everyone! 

I recently purchased Urban Decay's Naked Skin Concealer and I am amazed to say that it has out done my beloved L'Oreal True Match! 



I was rather apprehensive about this product as I ordered it online and didn't get the chance to colour match myself, which admittedly wasn't the best idea, but when it turned up the shade was perfect (Light Neutral). I had to use it immediately to ease my excitement and I bloomin' love it! The formula is really creamy, lightweight and somehow it manages to pack a punch with coverage too. These properties tend to be mutually exclusive but it can cover the mightiest of zits in an instant; a blessing! 

It comes with a doe-foot applicator which is extra long and bendy allowing for easy application whilst holding enough product for your whole face without having to plunge back in for more. You don't need too much though, a little goes a long way! 

Rumour has it it's pretty similar to NARS' Creamy Concealer which is just a few pounds more expensive, but if you end up repurchasing concealer ridiculously quickly like I seem to those few pounds add up!

Let me know if you've tried the Naked Concealer or, if not, what your favourite concealer is in the comments below! 

I hope you enjoyed this post,
Bronwyn x

This is not a sponsored post.

Hello everyone!

Huge apologies for neglecting you these past weeks! Life has been particularly busy recently and here's what I've been up to...

I went up to London (aka my favourite place on the planet!), I:

• Walked around Borough Market and smelled all the smells (there were a whole lot o' smells!)

• Walked over the glass floor on Tower Bridge

• Visited all my animal pals at London Zoo

• Filled myself to the brim with sweet potato fries in The Diner, Camden

The Harbour

Beach Volleyball

View from Jurassic Skyline

Punch and Judy Show

Harbour at Sunset

Rock-pooling - a 'must-do' at the beach

(This picture had to be lightened to death in Photoshop - sorry)

A big thank you to the Dorset Burger Company for being so friendly; they even supplied the birthday banner which was a very nice touch, and for the top-notch burger (and chocolate cake, but we won't speak about that)! I had the Dirty Moo burger and it was bloomin' delicious (you'll thank me for that). 

Weymouth is such a lovely place and I highly recommend it to any stay-at-home holiday maker!

I recommend:

Nothe Gardens

• Watching the Punch and Judy Show however old you are
• Having a drink on the wall in the harbour
• Visiting Nothe Gardens
• Trying your hand at rock-pooling
• Wandering round Brewer's Quay
• Going up the Jurassic Skyline
• Watching the fishermen bring in the crabs at dusk
• Enjoying Boho Gelato, some of the best ice cream around
• Admiring the sunset over the harbour
• Indulging in a cream tea at Time for Tea
• Ending the day with a stroll along the sea front
• Plunge into burgers-galore at The Dorset Burger Co.

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know if you've ever visited Weymouth in the comments below,
Bronwyn x

Hello everyone!

I wouldn't call myself a 'YouTuber fangirl' but I am partial to a bit of late night/early morning video marathon-ing! The following six channels are the ones I always look out for on my subscription feed and have spent time (hours) watching.

FunForLouis

Louis Cole is in a permanent gap year as a Nomad, living the adventure around the world almost 24/7. I want to have the same demeanour as him throughout my life, in the way that he makes the most of his freedom and opportunities. Also, travelling is one thing that makes me the happiest (post to come) and his many destinations give me inspiration for my 'travel bucket list'!

Tati

This lovely, talented lady has taught me so much about makeup and skin/haircare! Every video is packed with knowledge that you can use in everyday life as an average human being rather than a full-blown makeup artist.

Fleur DeForce

Fleur is your average woman who has a passion for fashion and makeup which makes her videos very relatable. Similarly to Tati, she gives advice from the average woman to the average to the average woman which makes watching her videos enjoyable, I find that some, from other YouTubers, can be too complex and therefore not at all enjoyable.

Jamie Oliver's Food Tube and SORTED Food

If you are a bit of a foodie like me you will love these two channels, I put them together because they are very similar but they do have their individual quirks! I enjoy watching their simple yet exciting recipes that I don't often try but always am impressed by. I have got a few bits and bobs they've shown stashed away in my brain that I am going to give a go so wish me luck!                                                                                                                                                                 
Convos With My 2-Year-Old

This channel is just brilliant! The main idea behind it is that two full grown men reenact hilarious and sometimes very relatable conversations between a Dad and his two year old daughter. As you can imagine, just the sight of a 'mature' adult (beard to prove it) acting and dressing as a female toddler is amusing in itself!

If any of these posts take your fancy why not check them out with the hyperlinks in their names!

I hope you enjoyed this post,
Bronwyn x

This post is NOT sponsored.

Hello everyone!

Starting out as a blogger is often hard; spreading the word, gaining the viewers and getting in the blogosphere is like the eating of a Kinder Egg before you get to the toy! When I first started out I wish I had the boost of a fellow blogger to get me going and that's what I'm here to do for the cracking new - Blog Paper!


Blog Paper is a review site, for all things pop culture, showing not just the mainstream but the material that often goes unnoticed by the word-wide web. Wit, knowledge and some well thought puns brings to you a blog that mustn't be missed!

If you fancied showing it a bit of support visit it here, you won't be disappointed!

Bronwyn x

Hello everyone!

You have no idea how long it's taken me to get round to writing this post; it's been sitting, with only a title, in my drafts box for months! So let's get down to business, Smashbox Contour Sticks. 



At a pretty hefty £35, they're not to everyone's taste but believe me they are worth every penny! For me, contouring is a very important step in my makeup routine. It amazes me how, with just a swoop of a brush, you can transform your face, not only that but with these contour sticks you can colour your face with crayons, living the childhood dream!

Packaging

In the set you get one bronze, one contour and one highlight stick (and a fitted sharpener). They look like chunky pencils which I love because it makes them nice and compact unlike some contour palettes. Each stick has a strong plastic cap which doesn't budge so I'm sure they would withstand travel without being smooshed into an expensive mess!

Application

To say the product glides on is an understatement, it feels like a fairy drifting over your face sprinkling it's magic dust, yup that's more accurate! These are seriously easy to use, once you figure out were you should put each step on, it's just a case of drawing and a little bit of blending. I like to use either my Real Techniques Expert Face brush for a harsh contour or my RT Beauty Blender for a more diffused, natural look. As easy as it is now, it did take while to get used to, for this reason it may not be the best for beginners. In case you want to know how to contour check out this video which just so happens to be by one of my favourite YouTubers and uses the contour sticks. 


Achieved Look

Once applied, you can achieve contour perfection! There is definite difference between the contour and bronze shades (the contour being cool toned, bronze warm which is explained in the video) which justifies buying the whole kit. Each stick is completely matte with no shimmer/glitter or sheen so you can achieve lots of different looks and even layer other products over the top. Another bonus is that you can use them all over your body, so if you're wearing a low-cut dress, for example, you have the option of using them on your collar bones.

Lasting Power

These products last all day on my skin, particularly the contour and bronze shades, without any touch ups. They don't tend to go patchy or slide down my face and that's all you can really ask from a product really, especially in the sweat and movement of everyday life!

Overall

I think this kit is definitely worth the price tag, it does more than just get the job done, it's long lasting and I think each stick is going to be with you for the long haul! It's also important to note that the trio includes three, almost universal, shades to avoid the colour matching etc., found in products such as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, which would be very complicated in this particular area.

This post is not sponsored but if you were interested in buying the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio then follow the link here!

I hope you enjoyed this post,
Bronwyn x