Lou's Reviews :: Sigma Brushes - Synthetic Face Kit

Aloha Bloggerinos,

About a month ago, I was sent the Sigma Synthetic Face Kit of brushes which promises flawless makeup application without absorbing too much product into the special 'sigmax' brush filaments.

Well oh me oh my these brushes do not disappoint!

It was actually excellent timing that these popped through my letterbox because I have recently been having a bit of a stress with foundation application. I use MAC Studio Sculpt (in NW15 in case you're interested) and I used to apply it with a regular foundation brush (Avon or GOSH being my brand of choice) and noticed that the application was becoming really streaky.

I tried washing the brushes more regularly, thinking the issue was product build up in the brush fibres but this only relieved the situation for the short term.

Then, whilst at the MAC London Fashion Week earlier in the year, I had a fabulous mini makeover and rather than sweep on my foundation with a foundation brush, she literally buffed it into the skin with a kabuki styled brush and the result was sensational, even if I do say so myself.

The Synthetic Face Kit comprises of 3 fabulous brushes- F80 Flat Top Kabuki, F82 Round Top Kabuki and F84 Angled Top Kabuki.

I think I have had the most use out of the Round and Angled Top Kabuki brushes. I use the Round Top to buff in liquid foundation and it works like a dream. My skin literally looks airbrushed. I will NEVER go back to a regular foundation brush. Ever.

I use the Angled Top brush to contour bronzers and highlighters and I love all the effects you can get from it. The fibres don't pick up too much powder and so I can build up the coverage to suit and no longer have the oh-gawwdd-too-much-brown-on-my-face-I-look-like-a-street-walker effect, which is always a winner in my books.

I love that these brushes have chunky short handles and fit into my travel makeup bag. I've washed them a good few times and there is no shedding and they come up good as new. Also, they come with little plastic brush guards which is something I really like, they protect the brushes from yuk and also keep the shape well. Woop.

All in all I am REALLY impressed with this set and they are a much loved addition to my brush collection.

To have a look at these and loads of other gorgeously tempting kits, click on the big Sigma link on the left of my blog or click HERE and have a nosey round- you won't regret it!

Toodlepip!

xx

YouTube- MAC Wonder Woman, Brushes on a Budget and More!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Can you believe it's March already? I'm having a baby this month! Sheesshh!!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that although I've slowed down a touch on the blog front, it's only because I have sped up on the YouTube front. I can't seem to do the both at equal speeds and go through phases of having favourites. Soooo, if you follow me on here (thank you ever so much), then do make sure you follow on YouTube as well, because chances are if I'm not wittering on over here, that's where I'll be!

Click the link below for my sparkly channel:

Sprinkleofglitter on YouTube

I've recently made a few makeuppy videos including MAC Wonder Woman, Affordable Makeup Brushes and a bit of a chitchatty one too.

 

Let me know of any requests or thoughts, I always love to hear from you!

 

Toodlepip!

xx

London IMATS 2011 and Lauren Luke

Aloha Bloggerinos,

(Picture heavy post. I'm yet to meet anyone who doesn't like to look at pictures of makeup but if that's you, this isn't going to float your boat! haha)

Sunday was my day at the London IMATS 2011 and I has a brrrrrilliant day! I was umming and arring about going, but I'm so pleased I did because I bought some lovely things, feasted my eyes on gorgeousness annnnddd met Lauren Luke!

(bumpaliscious)

I was really fortunate to be given a Press Pass and a ticket for my chum Charly who would have assisted in a 'uh-oh-i'm-going-into-labour-early' crisis, so we were able to have a mooch round the exhibition haul before all the crowds hit.

We didn't have too long though because by 10.50, I was sitting on the front row of the main stage room, eagerly awaiting the YouTube Guru Q&A with none other than....drum roll please.......Lauren Luke! She came on stage and smiled at everyone and I just sat there grinning like an idiot on idiot pills, so I expect she thought I was a bit mentally disturbed. Goodo.

(When I asked my question and went a sexy shade of crimson, it was all caught on this enorrrrmmmous screen, splendid!)

Lauren answered all questions really well, not patronisingly and easily relatable to, if that makes sense. It was like listening to a chum, rather than a tip top Beauty Guru with her own book, nintendo game, column in a major newspaper and makeup line. Hmmm can you tell I'm a fan?

At then end, she stood chatting to us all and was sooooo nice and exactly like how you see her in her videos. I had a snap with her, we chatted about Baby Glitter dans la tum and she gave the bump a little rub- lucky baby is already rubbing shoulders with celebs and she's not even born yet, mwahaha.

After being all excited about meeting Lauren, we headed into the exhibition hall to fight the crowds and buy some goodies.

My first stop was the Sleek stand. I've always really liked Sleek products and was looking forward to talking to the SA's, but was a bit disappointed actually. There was a new primer palette out and I asked if it was solely for primer (as in could only be used as primer) or if it was multifunctional, like so many products are, and I was met with "It's a Primer Palette". Yes, thank you, I can see that Mrs Helpful. I felt like she thought I was a total dumbo and left feeling a bit disgruntled. I did still buy a few bits (it wasn't the product's fault the SA was so unapproachable after all).

The next place I bought from was MakeUpForEver. I've heard a lot about this from YouTube Guru's, mainly Wayne Goss, and was eager to have a look. I was instantly drawn to the gorgeous array of glitters, gems and the famous Diamond Powders. I was going to buy a Diamond Powder but if memory serves it was about £15ish (and that's with a discount) for a teenyweeny pot, so I felt I could live without. I already have a MAC Pigment in 'Reflects Teal' so i will make more use of this. Anyhoo, I bought 2 glitters, 10 and 11 which are black and light copper. I'm really excited to use both of these and when I do, I will show you pictures because I love a Sprinkle of Glitter ;). See what I did there?!

After a little walk round, and being SEVERELY TEMPTED to part with £40 for a stack of Naked Pigments, oh my they were amazing, we fought our way to the Crown Brushes table- no mean feat when you're 8 months pregnant. I was really good and bought 4 brushes and they were all ones I need. I bought a tiny and a normal sized kabuki, a fluffy face brush and a big thick fan brush, which I plan for body use- ie. when I want to dust shimmer or glitter onto my decolletage, arms or legs.

By this point, pregnancy was slowing me down and I was starting to feel a bit bleaauuggh and ready to sit down, so we slooowwwwlly meandered about, looking at all the goorrgeeous makeup stands, honestly I was in heaven, and just soaking up the atmosphere.

The MAC Pro area (they had a whole area) looked really swanky with a raised wooden platform and sexy men in speedos being painted, so we had a little gander. I was hoping they would have all their eyeshadows there because I had a few I wanted to pick up but they just had a few matte pro colours and glitters. I was again tempted by some of the holographic glitters but let's face it, when am I going to wear them? I bought another 15 pan Pro Palette, because I'm going to put my nice MAC shadows in there and then depot allllll my other shadows into the older scruffy one- woop!

We had a bit more of a look round at various brands, I thought about buying an Inglot Palette but funds were low and the stall was rammed and I was tired so we decided to make like a tree and leaf. Just as we were on our way out, we walked past Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and I asked the man if it was OK to take a few snaps of the pigments and glitters. I was really impressed because he said yes but then said "oh hang on, do the displays look good?" because they had got a little messy earlier. He was the ONLY person the whole day who made an effort like that and I thought it said a lot about his pride in the OCC stall. He must have seen my press pass because as I was leaving, he handed me a little black bag of goodies and a press pack. I didn't really know much about OCC but having tried out the Lip Tars and read the bumf, I think I can feel a new addiction coming along!! Watch this space for a review soon.

(Sorry it's blurry, it was really busy pushy shovey)

After all that, we headed back to the car where bump and I had a good old rest and I felt fully splurged (oooerrr misses!!).

I'm already looking forward to next year and am well stocked for upcoming Lou's Reviews and a YouTube Haul video- yeehhaaa!

What do you think?

Toodlepip!

xx

Various Winter Happy's

Well bloggerinos, since last we met up, there has been a turkey, presents, a trip to Liverpool and a good sing song of Auld Land Syne; so it is only natural that my kodak and I have been snapping all over the place and I have taken a million photographs of things to go on my happy list.

As you all know, a happy list is a personal affair of little things that bring a silent smile to your heart, and it is for this reason that I will not show you all my new happy list entries, and also because it is as long as my arm!

So without further adoo, here it is, drum roll please).

I bought this kitch little cup at a car boot sale for 50p because I'm a fan of all things royal and I thought it was cute. It now houses my lovely makeup brushes and is nestled happily with my other makeup which I love dearly.

This is my newly decorated boudoir. I took one with the flash and one without so you can enjoy the twinkly fairy light effect. As you can imagine, the fiance truely loves the girlyness! hehe.

I recently bought a 120 colour eyeshadow pallet from the gloriousness that is eBay. When it arrived, I couldn't wait to try all the colours out. Lucky for me, my friend was at hand with a bare face for me to play with. Mwahahahaha!

Here is a picture that is like music to my ears. A load of ribbon I got in Market Harbourough with Judith, for a snippit (love that word) of what I would have paid in Hobbycraft-brilliant!! All shiny and colourful and dazzling. Mmmmm.

My favourite Christmas decoration is this cushioned heart that my best bud made me. It means a lot to me because I know she took a lot of time and care to make it and every time that I put it up, I think of her and smile to myself. I know that sounds disgustingly slushy but I care not! It's my blog nah na nah na naah naaah! :)

Well, that's enough for now. I hope my happy snaps inspire you to build up your happy list this 2010.

Toodlepip! xx