The Glow Factor + Giveaway

We are, without a doubt, in the era of the highlight and contour. I was so adamant that I did not highlight and yet here I am doing a post about the stuff... ahhh. There is, however, nothing better than catching that light on your cheekbone and getting that all round youthful glow. 

I have been using the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in combination with my Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H for over 3 years. Through all the additions and name changes; Deep Dark to Dark Deep to Dark Deepest (Really mac?)  It just works for me! The baked powder just gives me a natural matte finish with a subtle glow.- I always have two, with one staying in my bag  for touch ups throughout the day. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ( Dark Deep)

I have wanted to try out some other Skinfinish powders for quite a while now, I picked up this Skinfinish in Gold Deposit during a trip to the States. I wanted to get Soft and Gentle but changed my mind and picked this up instead as it was much more suited to my skin tone. It is simply beautiful! Just look at the specks of Gold... I instantly knew that this would give the perfect summer glow! Am I the only one who never wants to use new makeup as it will mess up the perfectness... no just me then! I think this shade looks particularly incredible on those with Medium to Deeper skin tones but it can most definitely be flattering on everyone!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (Gold Deposit)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Dark Deep (Left) and Gold Deposit (Right)

*Warning -Be careful! A little goes a long way! Dust any excess powder of your brush before applying. You can also spray your brush with a little Fix + or water for a smoother application and appearance.  When I first applied this I literally looked like I had been attacked by the glitter fairy! Do not make the same mistake as me and apply it with a heavy hand!

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra No. 13 and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ( Dark Deep and Gold Deposit) applied on skin

You can get the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural here  and the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish here :)

What do you think? Do you own any other MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes? Which one is your favourite?

Comment below this post to be entered in for a chance to win a Mineralize Skinfinish in one of the following colours:

Lightscapade

Global Glow

Soft & Gentle

Gold Deposit or any shade of MSF Natural :)

These will suit any skin tone! Soft and Gentle however, looks amazing on fair skin and Gold Deposit looks amazing on deeper skin tones! 

Write the name of your preferred Skinfinish in your comment :)

Winner will be selected at random on Sunday and announced in my next post (Monday 14th September 2015) 

UK entries only...SORRY! x 

'Be your own kind of beautiful'

First Impressions: MDM Flow Greater Than Mascara

I will admit, I don't really like wearing eye makeup because I don't know how to! Eye- shadow is just too complicated and my hands are too shaky for perfect liner. I know... what kind of "beauty blogger" doesn't know how to apply eye shadow?! I do, however manage to wear mascara from time to time when I am wearing contact lenses. I think mascara is a very personal choice, everyone's eye shape and lash length varies dramatically so your mascara needs will differ from mine. Personally, I am often looking for a mascara that is blacker than black and will offer great lift and the illusion of thick lashes.

I want to thank my brother for buying me the MDM Flow Greater than mascara after attending an event that Florence was having at Topshop in Oxford Street. It's amusing that I've been going on about wanting to try her lipsticks for ages and he ends up buying me a mascara, clearly he doesn't listen to me! :)

I'm really impressed with the brand Florence at MDM Flow has created, all her lipsticks are hand made and cruelty free and she has done a great job at marketing her products as a high end brand to be reckoned with. How beautiful is the packaging of this mascara! It reminds me of the YSL Touche Eclat, the finish is polished, sleek and luxurious.

The product

Colour: XXL Black
Price: £21
Claims: The most intense, highly pigmented XXL black, volumising mascara.

According to MDM Flow you have to shake the mascara for 10 seconds and then pump it a minimum of 10 times to get a thick layered brush. This is a little different from other mascaras but as I only wear mascara when going out it's not too much hassle for me. I'm not going to try and write something about the formula because I don't know enough to make any conclusions however the brush is really firm and really grips on to my lashes yet still manages to apply smoothly.

After one coat:

 I have the most uncooperative lashes and normally have to apply 2-3 coats for them to look semi-decent.

After two coats:



I applied the mascara without curling or combing through my lashes. I wore this for a day when I went to America. It was 30 degrees and it didn't smudge or move around at all! I like the way it makes my eyes look, I think the mascara gave me good length.. what do you guys think about the volume?  Overall, I like this mascara, the colour pay off is good and it definitely lengthened my lashes. I'm going to make an effort to move my mascara past 'occasional'  use  and not just let this sit looking pretty on my dresser.

There are a few reviews on YouTube about this mascara, mainly from people in America who received the mascara in their Boxycharm box. Many people are commenting on how ludicrously expensive the product is and how it needs to be activated in order to be applied. I normally don't like watching or reading other reviews because I want my opinion to be as unbiased as possible but I felt like I needed to comment on the things people are saying.

For a high end product, I think the price is reasonable. Some drugstore mascaras can be as much as £13-14 and if we take into consideration the luxurious packaging and the fact that this is a one woman brand I think the price point is more than acceptable. I think we need to be supportive of new independent brands and consider the passion and costs that go in to making such products. Yes, I know, there are many cheaper mascaras out there that do the same job, the NYX Brow pomade does the same thing as the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pomade but how many of us have still bought the more expensive Anastasia one??!

Secondly, I sometimes think the YouTube community is a bit of a cult, once one person has an 'opinion' on something you tend to find many other 'opinions' are exactly the same.  I don't know, I don't have a big following so maybe my opinion is irrelevant but these are my genuine thoughts :)

Have you tried any other MDM Flow products??

Shoes : ASOS Harpist Heeled Sandals
MDMFlow Greater Than Mascara 

'Be your own kind of beautiful'