Younique

If you're on social media you may have seen posts about a company called Younique.

I was lucky enough to be sent several samples of their products.

Younique is set up a bit like Avon. People buy a kit and they sell the products. They make a percentage back on what they sell.

However, unlike Avon the products are highly priced. There is no catalogue to order from, its all online. So if you have internet you have access to purchasing their products. You can buy directly from the younique website or through a presenters site. That way they get some commission for the sale.

I'm not going to blog about how it works or if its a good scheme to get involved in.

If you're looking to start one of these schemes then please take the time and do you're own research.

What I am going to blog about is the products and give my honest opinions.


As I said these products are highly priced. I have reservations when it comes to spending my hard earned cash on something I've never seen before, let alone not sampled.

I always go into department stores and try before I buy. I am a bargain hunter by nature but I am happy to splurge on products that are worth the pounds.

I was sent the following samples:

1. Glorious face and eye makeup primer.

I'm not one for using primer on a regular basis. However for a special occasion I will use one. In the past I've used Estee Lauder and L'Oreal products. The whole point of a primer is to create a perfect base for your foundation.
This primer is priced at £30
Its pricey! EEK! However, I do like this product. I have found some primers drying. This created a velvety smooth finish to the skin but it still looks hydrated.
It helped keep my foundation  on all day. This was especially good when the texture of my skin was uneven. I have used this as an eye primer and I am inclined to say I like it more than Urban Decays Primer Potion. I find the Primer Potion creases if you use too much product. I also think it drags a little. Anything that drags the delicate eye area is not ideal. So, for looking after your peepers you may prefer this primer. Another point to add is this is completely translucent. This is not colour correcting or brightening. It is purely to smooth the skin and help your foundation stay put.

2. Rose water.

This is meant to be used to hydrate the skin. Whilst I have no problem with rose water, actually it is a blooming marvellous product (see what I did there?)
My problem is charging £23 for a product that you can purchase in a purer form for much less. I did warn you that I am a bargain hunter. This is an excessive cost. However, if you can't be bothered to look else where or you have money to flit away, go on spoil yourself.

3. Devine Cream.

Its suggested to use this product every AM and PM and that it's good for all skin types. I haven't been able to use this product as I am going through a very strict skin care regime prescribed by my dermatologist.
What I can say as a first impression is its a very rich cream. Probably better for dry skin. If you are acne prone be careful. Use with caution if you suffer from congestion like I do. This could potentially clog your pores because its so luxurious. Its lightly scented, nothing I can put a description to. Normal to dry skin types would love this. You can try it for £30.

4. BB flawless.

I was given a sample in the shade Cream.
This BB cream is more like a foundation. It has amazing coverage. When it comes to the skin care benefits that come from BB cream honestly, I'm not convinced. I think its clever marketing more than clever cosmetics. According to Wikipedia a BB cream is promoted as an all in one facial cosmetic product produced to replace serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunblock. It can be worn alone or over serum and moisturiser as a regular foundation. I don't like all in ones. I don't like it when I wash my clothes or when I wash my hair, I really don't like it as a dress size either. Lets be real one size does not fit all. Any way I'm getting off course, but I will delve deeper into this another time.
As BB creams go this is really nice on the skin. Its not drying it does not split ( benefits one makes me look like curdled milk) It has AMAZING coverage as I said before and it blends really easily. Frankly you could swap your foundation for this. Its reasonably long lasting and comfortable to wear. There isn't too many shades to choose from. I would struggle trying to choose online. If you know someone who sells this stuff I would see if they would send you some samples or check their returns policy in case you get the wrong shade. you can try this for yourself for £30.

5. Eye Pigments in Angelic
This is a fine pigment powder. Its very similar to BarryM eyeshadow pots. The one I was sent was a nice vanilla colour with gold undertones. Its very finely milled and blends out really well. Because I was sent a very light shade its hard to say how pigmented it is. From what I can see they are pigmented. Now, if you're used to spending out on pigment from companies like MAC then there is no reason why you wouldn't be happy with these ones. If you want to be a little more thrifty then there are plenty of other alternatives on the high street. I tend to save money on eyeshadow and lip products and splash out on foundations and skin care.

6. Eye pigments in Enamoured . Same product as above but in a sludgy brown, grey colour. I have to say not my favourite shade but it did prove that my theory was right. It is pigmented. However this is a matte pigment, no shimmer what so ever. I like that they do matte and shimmery shades. I do love my sparkles but its not always suitable.
These pigments cost £35 and you can choose your 4 favourite shades.

7 Sultry Lip Stain.

 The note attached to this product said exfoliate first!!!
HAHAHA. Thank you for this tip. Oh my gosh this does stain. I'm not overly keen on lip stains I'm more of a lipstick kinda gal. As lip stains go this is highly pigmented an very long lasting. It wont transfer once its on. Great if you want to apply in the morning and go about your day care free knowing you wont have lippy on your teeth.  If you have cracks, flakes or dry lips it will accentuate the flaws. Use with caution, don't get it on your hand or your face because you'll be stuck with it for a while. There are 7 shades and cost a whopping £18 each. They do sets where you can save a few pounds and I know the presenters at times do their own offers.  

My overall opinion with regards to Younique is that they offer good quality products but they charge for it.
If you can get in touch with a presenter ( someone who sells the stuff from home) I'm sure they would get you a sample of what you are after and help you choose the right shade for you.

My favourite product was the primer, closely followed by the BB cream.
I am biased because this is where I would normally spend more money.

There are plenty of other products online to choose from. The eye shadow pallets look luscious. I am going to treat myself to one next pay day.


Im not convinced that I would stop buying from department stores and only buy online. However, I will be ordering from Younique again and I will consider online makeup shopping in the future.

I hope this review was helpful.
If you have any questions comment below.

If you would like to order through my presenter please click on the link below.

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/LoveYourInnerBeauty - this lady Leah really is the sweetest and super helpful.  

Lets talk lips

Let's talk lips

As we near the end of the year I've been thinking of the trends that made 2015. 

This year it seems that big is beautiful, the bigger the better from the size of your arse to the fullness of your lips. 

Big is beautiful. It's about time too that size is celebrated. 

I'm all for women being curvy if that's their shape. 

Personally for me I don't think one size fits all or that only one style is sexy. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same and liked the same things. 

When it comes to beauty trends I am all for trying new things. However, I try not to do something that's in fashion if it really doesn't suit me. 

Tanning... For the time being just isn't me. I adore my pale skin. I love my natural skin tone and it's part of who I am. This doesn't mean I think everyone should stay pasty and stay out of the sun. It's just my style and I'm happy with it. 

One look that took over the world was big lips.

Who can forget the Kylie Jenner challenge. 

She famously denied having lip fillers and her sister Kim Kardashian claimed her new found fullness was from over drawing her lips... Wow. 

Firstly what a crock.

Secondly, this sparked what can only be described as one of the most dangerous beauty blunders I have ever seen. 

People started trying to enhance their lips through suction. From bottle caps to hoovers. People were creating a suction and bruising their lips. Some swelled up 10X their nature size. Lips were splitting, some who tried the challenge ended up in the emergency room. 

Not only was it dangerous it was damn right ugly. 

I can appreciate that Kylie Jenner is a style icon. Her 90's makeup had brought back nostalgia from my childhood. I remember my mother doing her makeup. Brown/natural lip colours, lashings of mascara, the neutral tones really suited her. Kylie brought that back in a wonderfully modern way. 

The lips on the other hand, are enhanced by lip liner but slap addicts, they are in no way natural. 

Kylie has now admitted to having fillers in her lips and that indeed at one point they were redic.

Now you can certainly enhance your lips. 

The most permanent way is through lip implants. I have seen quite a few before and after photos. Personally I think that its very tricky to get a good, natural looking result. I've seen a lot of lips that look tubular, the cupids bow seems to flatten out. Like every surgery there are good and bad results. Plus, there is always personal preference. Some people think Audrey Hepburn is stunning, others prefer Katie Price. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

My reservation with regards to any surgery is that its permanent. 

Another alternative is injectables. Lip fillers have been on the market for years. This is the enhancement choice for many celebrities, WAGS and members of the general public. 

Lip fillers can be as natural or dramatic as you and your aesthetician choose. I have seen so many fantastic results with fillers. One close friend of mine had a scar on her lip which she hated. A little filler plumped up the dent and smoothed out the scar. It's considerably less noticeable and my friends confidence rocketed. One comment I hear people say when considering fillers is "will I have a duck face?"

The answer is no. Find the right provider, discus what you want. Explain the look you are after. Remember less is more. Just because you paid for a certain amount of filler doesn't mean you should use it all. You can always go back for a top up. However, once its in its kinda stuck for about 18 months. Lip filler products are always improving. They are becoming softer and more natural. Do your research and ask as many questions as you like. This is your face at the end of the day. You are the one who has to wear it. 

If you know me you will know not only do I have a big gob, I do also have big lips. I still like playing them up and making them look full and pouty. My way of doing so is through makeup. I am ADDICTED to Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker lip glosses. They really do work. They tingle when applied. Nothing painful but I would warn your kissing partner or it could come as a shock when it transfers.

 I'm not one for over drawing my lips because I find it can look really obvious in person. It can work in selfies due to lighting and filters but in person it is more obvious. My top tip which was also a fave of Marilyn Monroe is to use different shades of lipstick. If you use a lighter shade or a highlight in the centre of the lips you can really draw the lips out and create the illusion of fuller lips. If you are going to over draw your lips and want it to look natural the best place to over draw is around the cupids bow and on the lower lip around the centre. If you over draw at the corners of your mouth it can look a little more clown than Kardashian. Also choose a colour close to your natural lip tone. 

The days of brown liner and pink gloss should never have happened. Pamela Anderson barely pulled it off. And she was Pamela Anderson the original #sexymotherpucker. 

My main point is that beauty trends are always changing. Thats why its a trend. If you want to go under the knife do it for you. Do it because you want it and you believe its best. Not because everyone on Instagram who gets likes has big lips or because Kylie Jenner had them. 
If you look at the photo above you will see pammy's eyebrows...that was a trend and now its over. Just like overly inflated lips will be too. 
If you havent got it FAKE it, or better still embrace it. 

We are all beautiful in out own way. Big lips, big, hips, big feet. Who cares. 

Save or Splurge ... Eyebrows

Favourite beauty double. 

I hear a lot of people raving about the benefit brow bar. If you havent heard of it, its a place to go and get your eyebrows done. They will also contour your browns with their products. 

However I have noticed something..: the benefit brow pallet looks remarkably like sleeks brow pallet. And I have of course purchased the purse friendly option. 

Ladies the sleek brow cube includes a cream consistency and a powder product, two little brushes and mini tweezers. It's everything you need for perfect brows and it's just as good as the benefit one. 

So save your silver and splash your cash on something else. 

The Sleek brow product costs £8.50

You can purchase it here http://www.sleekmakeup.com/brow-kit-light

Concealer bargain buy.

Conceal don't feel , don't let them know.... In the wise words of Queen Elsa conceal! 

Concealer has been around forever. It's nothing new. 

However, how many there are and what they claim to do has definitely changed. 

I remember way back when in the early 2000's a stick concealer was your best friend. Have one made with tea tree oil and I bet your brother would pinch it on occasion. The waxy, lipstick style type concealers were and still are, great for covering spots. As far as I can remember as a member of the general public ( not a makeup artist )  that's what I used mine for. 

Using it to contour my cheeks or carve out my brows... I did not. 

I would use a bit of stick concealer ( I always used it first), followed by foundation- more than likely maxfactor colour adapt and finished with a translucent pressed powder.

Not a shabby routine for a 14 year old. My problem was some twit told me I was shade 75... 😵 Back then that was the equivalent to David Dickinson and I can tell you, I looked the real deal. Pure orange, but that's a blog for another day.

Luckily by my prom I managed to find the right foundation for my face and everything was perfect. 

Let me get to the point I am trying to make. 

Concealer is now much more sophisticated. We know we need something for spots and now something completely different for our under eye area. 

One of the most famous under eye concealers/high lighters is the YSL touché eclat. 

I have this and I will admit I do like it. 

When it comes to under eye concealing I'm not fond of the stark white contrast that you see all over Instagram. 

I don't find it natural - unless you've been skiing and wore rather large goggles it's just not how skin is. Plus I am very pale. I already use the lightest shades of foundation and concealer. Trying to achieve that look would mean tanning or actually using white face paint. 

I like to use concealer to cover any dark circles and create a flawless base. Younger looking eyes are always desirable. Dark circles can be very ageing. Even if you have zero wrinkles. If you are dark under the eyes people assume you are tired and older. 

There are lots of expensive under eye concealers I personally use the Estée Lauder BB concealer and Estée Lauder double wear concealer wand or as mentioned above the touché eclat. 

     Double Wear Concealer

BB Highlighting Concealer

However, in my pursuit to bag a bargain I have come across a budget friendly alternative.  

Rimmel London's wake me up concealer. It is a fab wand concealer. It comes in 4 shades. I do use the lightest (Ivory) but this is not very light. It's very natural.

I use this as the base for my under eye. I always use a blended out layer of concealer followed by a thin veil of brush on highlighter concealer. The two products are very different but used together get the desired effect. 

The initial conceals and covers the second highlights and brightens the area. If you want to use colour corrector- knock yourself out. Remember opposite shades of the colour wheel counteract each other. Red cancels out green, blue cancels out yellow vice verse etc etc 

This concealer is a steel at under £6 combine that with the popular 3 for 2 offers on the high street and you may pick this up for free. 

It's very long lasting and on my eyes it does not crease.  The colour range isn't extensive but it caters very well for Light/Medium toned skin, I am very light and found the lightest shade worked wonders. But only if you want a natural concealer not if you like a very bright under eye. For a drugstore product this is worth a try. 

I've definitely paid more for products and hated them. 

One being the Max factor under eye concealer. It's a brush applicator where you twist the bottom to dispense the product.

I get that using a pink tone under the eyes can cancel out some of the green undertones of dark circles but this was very pink. It also had glitter particles running through it! What! I want my eyes to sparkle but this is too much , even for me. I am not a fan of that product. 

There are so many concealers on the market all with different textures and finishes. 

If its thick and creamy its best for blemishes. Do not use around the eyes. It will cake and it will crease. 

The types that are not shimmery but liquid like a foundation can be good for blemishes and around the eyes to cover dark circles. These are also great when contouring. 

Highlighters are just that. Use under the eye if not too shimmery. Down the bridge of the nose and on the cupids bow for a lovely natural highlight. Do not use in spots unless you want to highlight them. 

I hope this blog has been of some use. 

Please comment below your loves and hates when it comes to concealer.