Sleek Cream Contour Palette - Light*

For the past few weeks I have been experimenting with cream contouring. I'm usually a huge fan of powder contour, but after attending the Masterclass and seeing it being used, I decided to give it a bash!

I went about this by applying my regular foundation and then going in with a contour shade below my cheekbones as normal. The contour shade I close was the second deepest shade (the middle pan on the bottom row) and I applied it with a Blank Canvas Cosmetics F21 Angled Brush and blended it with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

At first it looks a bit scary but then when you blend it, the stark lines fade out and it leaves a really natural finish - perfect for everyday wear. Then  I set it with a powder, ideally I would prefer a translucent powder but I've been using the Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool. This sets the cream without altering the pigmentation! You could also just opt not to set it at all and go for a natural, dewy finish.

I'm so impressed with this palette, and it has quickly become a staple in  my routine. I like to use the concealer shades when I travel, making it a viable option when I'm away from my extensive vanity, especially given the giant mirror inside. Expect to see this in quite a few GRWM posts in the future!

Have you tried this palette? 

Let me know! 

Amy

xx

Twitter // Snapchat: redlips_redhair

*This palette was gifted to me at the Sleek Cream Contour Masterclass. 

My Holy Grail Contour Kit!!

Contouring and highlighting is probably my favorite step when I'm putting my face on. I love going from having a flat, pale face, to having actual cheekbones!!! It's probably the most enjoyable part of my make-up routine for that very reason. So here are my steps and favorite contouring and highlighting bits and pieces. Here we go!!

I opt for a powder contour in my make-up routine, I just find it works better for me than cream products. I know plenty of gorgeous ladies who cream contour, but I just like powder products better. I generally move between two different contour palettes, but my routine and my tools are always the same.

My absolute favorite contour and highlight duo of all time, ever is the Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light. It seems to be never ending because I use this all the time and I've yet to hit pan on either the highlight or the contour shades. Cray cray!!

To contour, I first like to carve out my cheekbones with the contour color and my Blank Canvas Cosmetics F30 flat contour brush. This brushes bristles are really short, dense and narrowly packed. If you're familiar with the Nars Ita brush, it's very similar. I lightly press the brush into the contour shade and tap off the excess, and then it's time to carve out the general shape and angle of my contour. From here I can build up the pigment if I need to, though I tend to leave that for the second step.

The second step for me is to take my Real Techniques Contour Brush and blend, blend, blend!!! This is the point where I start to-ing and fro-ing from my F30 to my RT brush to build up the colour and blend for a nice diffused finish.

I'm going to blow your mind with my highlight tool... I take my middle finger, swipe it in the pan and then dab and blend onto the top of my cheekbones. Yep. Sometimes I will use a small fan brush, but mostly I'm lazy and my fingers do the job.

So there you have it, my contour routine!

Have you any recommedations for contour products? Highlighters? 

Drop me a line below! 

XO 

Amy

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Sleek Event 14th April 2015

Up

 

Last week I was overjoyed to attend the Sleek Make-Up event in The Blue Room at The Dean Hotel on Harcourt St in Dublin City Centre. I linked up with my gorgeous friend Kayliegh and we went together, to save ourselves the awkward side effects of being painfully shy at these things on our own.

When we arrived into the Blue Room it was incredibly decorated with Sleek palettes open on every table, trays of muffins and macaroons, a bar at the far end to keep everyone sipping on either lovely rose wine or fresh fruit punch. There was a Sleek stand close to the bar, and I think it's fair to say that Dani (The Glamour Nazi) hit the nail on the head when she said she would love it to just appear in her bedroom. Wouldn't we all?!

I was so impressed with the i-Divine palettes that I may have to lay hands to them all… Great pigmentation, great selection and at a great price!

There were Sleek MUA's doing incredible looks on volunteers from the room, and the Sleek PR team were mingling with everyone to get feedback and generally just o have the banter. I must have stood chatting for 20 minutes with Emily chatting about inter-parish GAA and old discos of the greater Meath area – so random!!

 

Eventually the time came for Kayliegh and I to head out to catch our respective busses, but not before Emily came bounding over with a huge goodie bag for each of us and a big hug and thank-yous.
I was privileged to be invited and delighted to attend, the pleasure was all mine!!

Sleek is now available nationwide and online at sleekmakeup.com

Xo

Amy

GIVEAWAY TIME, BITCHES!! – A x

I'm baaaaack, though not in the same capacity as the baddie from Pretty Little Liars! I've been missing in action for a while off this blog and it's fair to say that I've been in a bit of a rut since I lost my job. I've had no motivation at all.

 
Well, all that is about to change!!! I'm coming at you with a bit of a giveaway. I've been lucky enough to receive a few lovely items at various events and I would like to pay it forward. My reasoning behind this is that Pretty Little Liars, which was both a blessing and a curse, has taken a break until the new season premiers in June. That means less time discussing conspiracy theories with the Irish Blogger babes and more time concentrating on you guys!!!

 
I'm giving away some bits to help you get ready for a summer night out.

 
Cocoa Brown 1hour Tan in Dark,
Sleek i-Quad in Moroccan Myrrh
Sleek Brow Perfector in Dark Brown

 
All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is enter through the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway runs until the 1st of May.

Xo,
Amy

Review - Sleek Single Blush - Rose Gold

Sleek Rose Gold

I love Sleek. I can't put it explicitly enough, I LOOOOVE SLEEK! Please, allow me to wax lyrical for the the next few minutes on this absolutely gorgeous, flattering blush!! 

Rose Gold is commonly beheld as a dupe for Nars Orgasm. It comes in sleek (ahem!) black packaging similar to Nars, It has a highlighting effect because of its glowy sheen, which is flattering especially in the winter months, as it makes you look healthy and your skin radiant, rather than dry and dull. 

Compared to Nars, it's more pinky-toned comapered to Nars' peach tones. It's just, if not more pigmented and lasts well for that reason. By the end of the day, it has only faded slightly, but the radiant finish had remained. 

For 5.49, this blush is fast becoming a staple in my life. For a "glow from within" look to your skin, this blush wont be beaten in terms of price or quality!! I'd be afraid, if I were you, Nars!!

Have you tried this blush??

Let me know!!

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Review: Sleek Pout Paint - Pin Up

Hey beautiful people!!

As the name suggests, Red Lips are my thing in a big way! I love how effortlessly glam they are and how they can brighten your complexion, make you look younger yet more sophisticated and give you a boost in confidence! 

So when my Amazon order arrived on the 2nd, I was delighted to get my greedy little mitts on the Sleek Make Up Pout Paint in the glorious shade "Pin Up" a very retro red which I feel has a nice bluey-pink undertone.

Pout Paint, as the name suggests are very highly pigmented and easy to work with. The smallest little dab is all you need to make your lips look like they were plucked straight off a classic 50's poster. Absolutely effortless and very chic! It's no harder to carry a tube of Pout Paint and a lip brush than it is to carry a lipstick and a liner. 

I found it lasted well though eating was off the cards drinking did not alter the appearance of my lippie at all. It stood up to reapplication over the top of what was already there and was moisturising and glossy. Not one fault with the formula!

My one issue with it was I felt it bled outside of my lip line which is easily fixed with a swipe of a liner such as Essence Pinky Red or Isa Dora transparent Lip Fix. Certainly not fault enough for me to poo-poo the many positive attributes it has. 

At €5 a pop off Amazon, I will most certainly be getting more of these gorgeous babies in my life - and so should you!!

Amy

Xx