Review: Blank Canvas Cosmetics Brushes

Blank Canvas Cosmetics are fast becoming my favourite brand of brushes. I don't bother buying any brushes from MAC or Inglot anymore, unless they have something completely different to what BCC have, which is rare! Being honest though, BCC's dupes for MAC brushes and the likes are top notch dupes. I've had this 12 piece for months now, since it first came out in February/March and have genuinely loved it! There are 12 brushes, all pictured below, with everything one would need for the face, eyes and lips. Just click on the images to get a bigger picture.

The 001 is just an overall large powder brush. Its soft and feels lovely on the skin. Its one of those brushes where the more you use it, the better it applies the powder.
 (Natural hairs)
002 is a double ended foundation/concealer brush. I rarely use the concealer end but the foundation brush is great. If you are a person who uses does use a concealer brush, this one is very handy for your make up bag and for travelling. Very soft, dense, but enough give to not move the product as you apply it.
(Synthetic hairs)

 I have 2 MAC 187's both of which have a ridiculous amount of fall out and hence, I never use. But, the stippling brush in this set, the 003 never sheds, and applies my foundation brilliantly. This is just one example of the excellent quality!
(Synthetic and natural hairs)

I use the 004 everyday, without fail! Its a bigger version of the MAC 168, and I use it to just bronze up the face and for some light everyday contouring.
(Natural hairs)

This concealer brush (005) is slightly bigger than the one on the 002. I don't use brushes for concealer, i prefer to use clean fingers as it warms up the product, and therefore it applies better. You could use it for eyeshadow, packing on glitter or applying highlighter. 

(Synthetic hair)

The 006 is an essential brush for blending out any harsh lines when doing a smokey eye. This can also be used for cream products, like blending out your concealer. Must have for me! 

(Natural hair - goat bristles)

The 007 is the best for packing on colour! It can be used with cream or powder products. Its the perfect size, not too big, not too small. 

(Synthetic hairs)

The 008 is the perfect shape for placing colour in the crease. The trick with this brush is to place the shorter side at the end of the eye, with the longer side at the end of the crease and sweep inwards with the colour. Then I use the 006 to blend out. 

(Natural bristles- pony hair)

The 009 has many purposes, can be used as a lip brush or for applying colour to the eyes. I looooove using it to apply highlighter to the inner tear ducts, it gets just the right amount int he the right place! 

(Synthetic hairs)

The 010 is a small blending brush. I use this to place colour in the crease and then a bigger brush to blend the colour. This one is slightly stained, but that doesn't effect its greatness at all! 

(Natural bristles- pony hair)

Another brush that doesn't leave my make up routine/ bag is the 011. Its actually the perfect size for my eyebrows, I can't see myself ever using another one! Don't even want to imagine life without this brush.. I'm no drama queen!
(Synthetic hairs)
Last but not least, the 012. So thin, perfect for creating a precise line, but a buildable one all the same. One of my favourites.

(Synthetic hairs)

Overall, I can't recommend Blank Canvas Cosmetics brushes to you enough. None of the brushes shed, none have lost shape even after all the times I have washed them! They are so reasonably priced, for such high quality. G'wan, treat yourself: http://www.blankcanvascosmetics.com/ Worldwide shipping.

Disclaimer: All products were bought by me, myself and I.

101 goals in 1001 days.

Its taken me months to finally finish this list, as I didn't just want any random things on it, I wanted proper stuff that was possible but takes hard work all the same. I would just keep this list to myself, but I feel if its up here on the internet for you all to see, it will motivate me to complete it more. Wish me luck! 

Start date: Tuesday, 7 August 2012

End date: Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Crossed out = Completed

1. Learn to drive.
2. Speak fluent French.
3. Get to my goal weight and maintain.
4. Qualify as a make-up artist.
5. Become more known as a make-up artist.
6. Build a portfolio.
7. Start on YouTube.
8. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.
9. Cut out carbs for one week.
10. Go to England again.
11. Accomplish something I’ve worked really hard for.
12. Improve at guitar.
13. Don’t use the internet for a week.
14. Go to bed before 10 every night for a week.
15. Make a list of songs I could listen to forever.
16. Learn to play poker.
17. Go to Oxygen/Electric picnic.
18. Make a photo collage on a cork board.
19. Whiten my teeth.
20. No Chinese, chippers or rolls for a month.
21. Reduce the amount I curse.
22. Stop other bad habits.
23. Drink two litres of water or more every day for a month. 
24. Keep up my diary.
25. Spend a day without my phone, twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
26. Write a list of everything bad in my life then burn the list.
27. Get a job.
28. Save.
29. Compliment at least 5 people every day for a week.
30. Be content with my leaving cert results.
31. Have a complete wardrobe clear-out.
32. Wear no make-up for a week.
33. Get glasses with plastic lenses.
34. Throw away all my underwear and start again.
35. Eat no sweets for a week and eventually a month.
36. Go to a fortune teller.
37. Finally taste Nando’s.
38. Pass my C test.
39. Jump a 1.00m course clear.
40. See Ed Sheeran live again.
41. Get a car.
42. Go on holiday or go to oxegen after my leaving cert.
43. Pick a college and a course that I am happy with and get the points for it.
44. Jump 1.10m.
45. Run a 10k race in under an hour.
46. Move to Dublin.
47. Get a facial.
48. Drink 3 litres of water in one day.
49. Have a ‘lazy day’ like the girls always speak of, & stay in my pyjamas all day.
50. STOP overthinking everything.
51. Save €200 and don’t blow it all on shite.
52. Own a real leather jacket.
53. Get another river island purse.
54. Have 100 subscribers on my Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/potnoodleable
55. Get an iPhone.
56. See the Arctic Monkeys live.
57. Get a good summer job.
58. Finally finish this as its taking forever!
59. Go up to Galway again with Tara.
60. Start & finish my basic make-up portfolio.
61. Get my provisional licence.
62. Get my full licence.
63. Get black converse.
64. Get maroon vans.
65. Make a scrapbook/photo album with all my favourite memories.
66. Have my 18^th.
67. Get the MAC 138.
68. Get the Inglot 27TG.
69. Open a bank account & get a bank card.
70. Get a new wardrobe in dads.
71. Do not buy any make-up for a month.
72. Give up chocolate for lent & stick to it.
73. Give up jellies for lent & stick to it.
74. Go a week without ordering lunch.
75. Give 15 compliments in one day.
76. Write a list of my 10 all-time favourite songs and make a playlist/CD of them.
77. Do something completely surprising for someone's birthday.
78. Work in Brown Thomas.
79. Go to Punchestown.
80. Feature in a magazine one way or another.
81. Visit Dublin Zoo again.
82. Learn more about whales.
83. Go on the London Eye.
84. Write my name in the sand.
85. Go to Paris.
86. Visit the Eiffel Tower.
87. Pass Honours Construction Studies in my Leaving Cert.
88. Get a HD camera.
89. Pass Honours Maths in my Leaving Cert.
90. Go without Facebook for a week.
91. See Ben Howard live.
92. Find my debs dress.
93. See Kanye live.
94. Go on a picnic.
95. Play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmAReOklwNY) every morning for a month.
96. Tell someone, who is willing to listen, how I really feel about something.
97. Pull an all-nighter.
98. Do 50 ‘non-woman’ push ups consecutively.
99. Design a tattoo.
100. See Eminem live.
101. Be haaaaaappy.

July Favourites :)

Time for my first monthly favourites! I probably won't be doing these every month as I simply don't change up my products enough but this month, I was wondering what to write about next and the end of the month came so I had no excuse not to. Few randoms in here, so be prepared..

Regarding skin, July has been a bad month. I've broken out in places I never usually do, such as around my nose. This face scrub really help the clarity and texture of my skin, and its almost back to normal. I use this in the shower, and really work it into the skin to slough off dead skin. I absolutely adore this stuff and have already repurchased!

 

Next is a foundation combo. The bottle on the left is Revlon Colorstay in 150 - Buff (€17.50 in Boots) for Combination/Oily skin, and the bottle on the right is Rimmel Lasting Finish in 400 - Natural Beige. (€8 - €10). The Revlon one is in the lightest shade and the Rimmel one is in the darkest it comes in. Depending on what colour my neck is due to tan and the likes, I mix these to make the colour I need. These two babies go hand in hand as they are both very long lasting foundations and give me the matte finish I love. *Winning*

Inglot 6SS, smaller version of the 4SS. This is ideally made for blending out concealer but due to its squirrel substitute hair, its ideal for both cream and powder products. I use this everyday I wear eyeshadow to blend out any harsh lines. Its a must have for me!

Jewellery is one thing I've been OBSESSED with over the last month, especially gold jewellery, pearls, mustaches, and bows. River Island is my favourite place to root! If you want to know where any of these pieces are from just ask in the comments below.

I was bold this month and ended up getting two bouncy blowdries! One was in preperation for The Corona's concert, and the other was when I got my highlights done by one of the girls in work. I just loooove having no roots! These blowdries only take about half an hour, last forever and are usually around €20. They add volume, texture and curl to the hair by leaving a med- large round brush in until it cools.

Once again I'm raving about Essence Nail polishes. At 1.29, there are so many shades to choose from and they last such a long time. This is my newest one and current favourite.

Not its first time to appear on my blog, this e/s by Inglot is in #342. Its an ideal shade for filling in blonde eyebrows. Although I really don't have blonde eyebrows, it allows me to fill them in and still neutralise the warm tones with this being a cool tone. Similar to MAC's Omega e/s.

I feel very shallow saying this, but I really could not live without this product. Being one that likes to be brown all the time, I apply this lightly for day wear and heavily and in multiple coats for nights out. Don't judge!

Benefits Hoola Bronzer: Keeping with the whole 'bronzed' theme, this is a product I use everyday I wear make up. I'm devastated I've hit pan and so much of it, as at €33.50 its quite expensive but I will, without a doubt, be repurchasing.

Last but not least, is this foundation tester kit from Sleek MakeUP. Actually, I use this as a concealer as the consistency is quite thick and dries to a powder finish. This is in the shade light/medium and is only €4!

Time for the randoms! Two tunes I havent stop listening to this month are this and this. Give them a listen if you haven't already, I'm addicted!

I have two favourite places this month. One being Galway again! I spent last week on a 'holiday' there with Tara, and definitely had the craic. Its just so relaxing, and people are so friendly.

The next place, River Island, is going to be the death of me! When they have a sale, my pocket greatly suffers. I went into the dressing room with 22 things the first time I attacked it.. My favourite shop ever!

Let me know if you've tried any of these products and your thoughts on them in the comments below!

Talk soon, 

Rebecca

Hauling FTW

Helloooo!

This is a collective haul from the month of June. One of which the total far surpassed my budget, but.. these are all necessities, right?

These 'necessities' were purchased from a trip to Grafton St, and two trips to Dundrum.

Now for the fun part :)
Clockwise from top left:

•  I finally took the plunge and went into Lush, with every intention of buying something, might I add. Being one with a very sensitive sense of smell, I nearly got knocked out by the scents, so made it a very short trip but one worth its while all the same. Getting to the point, I decided to get 2 shampoo bars, one of which I didn't have at hand to take a picture but I choose the Ultimate Shine bar & the New Nettle and Peppermint bar. I've yet to use these as I want to finish up my other shampoos first but I am super excited to! These are priced at €7.90 each.
• John Frieda Colour Renew Tone Correcting Shampoo. This helps keep brassiness in coloured blonde hair at bay. Works brilliantly. This is priced at €6.59 in Boots. 
• Soap and Glory Glad Hair Day Intensive Conditioner. Priced at €3.05 (Travelsize). This stuff smells divine!
• Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Treatment: I'm not sure of the exact price but it's in around the €5 range.
• Nivea Visage Pure & Natural Day Cream. Again, not sure of the price but its under a tenner. Love this stuff.
• Pharmacy Brand Witch Hazel: I use this as a toner, so refreshing. Under €4 in Boots.
• Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: This is in the €7 euro range. I reckon its going to last forever with the tiny amount I have to use. Tastes sooooo nice.

• I popped into Forever 21 one and turned a blind eye to all the clothes as I was fairly broke at this stage. I picked out these earrings though, and bobbins which all 
totaled to €8. I love the bobbins because they have no damaging steel part on them.
• Of course, I had to stop in my favourite shop EVER, River Island! These 2 things have been haunting me the past few weeks so I decided to just get them. Each were €4 and I looooove the bracelet. I also tried on these badboys, which I then ordered online as I needed the 'long' size, being 6ft.
• Inglot blush in #29: On the first trip to Dundrum, our main purpose for going there was a long awaited make-up lesson that I got complimentary at Christmas for buying a pallette but it had to be put off due to school and the like. I ended up buying this blush for €15. Its a gorgeous matte coral peach.
• MAC Paint Pot in 'Painterly': I own one MAC paint pot already in the shade 'Bare Study' and I use it everyday, so I knew I couldn't go wrong with this matte skintoned colour. Retails at €19.

Clockwise from top left again:

• I recently bought a red blazer in H&M for €20, but returned it as I felt it was bad quality. My plan was to get this red one from Zara which retails at the best part of €50, and then I spotted this copy for it in Pennies for €23. Now, obviously, the quality won't be quite as good but it feels OK and saved me some shillings.
• Next is a knit jumper from a small store here in Ireland named Catch. Sadly, they don't have an online shop but have a shop in Maynooth, in Henry Street and in Finglas. This was €22.
• The Body Shop Round Body Brush: Retails at €11.95, and I use this for dry body brushing.
• No7 Precision Eyeliner Brush & No7 Blend and Contour Brush: I bought both of these using the €7.50 No7 Vouchers, so I basically got them for free.
• Last but certainly not least, Real Techniques Stippling Brush: I finally bit the bullet and got this brush after weeks of debating. I love it, and is worth every penny, retailing at €13.50.

I hope you enjoyed this haul! Let me know in the comments below if you own any of these products, and how they work for you. :)

Haul of Randoms

Its rare I shop in TK Maxx, I find it the sort of shop one has to dedicate a good few hours too, with plenty of energy, to get the full result from. My local one is just so unorganised, I tend to just saunter on past. But, rather than having a lazy day in, Dad had a few things he needed in town so to kill time, I took the plunge! One I do not regret.

I made my way straight to the 'home' department to look for something to store my make up in. Although I do need something slightly bigger, I just couldn't turn this beauty down. The large canvas box has three generous sized compartments, which hold most of my face make up, along with my palettes. 

The adorable tin, with a mini-egg print was only €2.99 & I just haaaaaad to get it. It holds my taller make up brushes, and I keep my smaller sized & short handle ones like special edition ones, in a different place. But anywho, thats a completely different blogpost ;)

I use the lid of the tin to hold my grips. Killing two birds with the one stone, ayeee?

Afterwards, I went to Easons and go this Portfolio for a tenner. I'm starting make-up portfolio soon, and I thought this was the simplest, most 'classic' one. It holds 36 pages and is really good quality.

To finish up, I have a completely random bit. I painted my nails today & have fallen in love. I can't figure out if they look really tacky, or really nice. But either way, I love it! These are 3 essence nail polishes. I think these are really underrated, I never hear much about them and there amazing! They are so opaque, each of these nails only have 2 coats on. On the index finger & little finger I have 'Dress For a Moment'. In the middle is 'Most Wanted' which sadly, has been discontinued. Last but not least, the lovely lilac which is also on the thumb, is called 'No More Drama'. With such catchy names, these beauties are only €1.29.

Thanks for reading :)

Galwaaaaaay

I'm sitting here reminiscing about the last week I spent in Galway, with a constant smile on my face. I stayed just a few miles outside of the city in Oranmore with Tara, for 3 nights. I had an unreal time & it was great to spend some much needed quality time with Taz. We tend to go a year without seeing each other, then spend days with one another and always have the craic sure! 

Tara : Me


Waaaaaaaarning: Picture heavy post ahead!

We headed up at 6am on a cold Tuesday morning and returned home, back to normality, at 8.30pm Friday evening. The train was going to be €42 return, which I thought was absolutely ridiculous, & we ended up getting the bus up and train home which was slightly more reasonable.

                                                              Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!

On the first day, within an hour of being in the city, I bought three dresses in River Island which totaled to €71 & from there on I was pure broke and had to tread verrrrry carefully. That sounds dramatic but it was scary being far from home with hardly any money due to my severe addiction to River Island & their sales! 

Tuesday actually dragged so much seen as we were up at 5am. When it came to 1pm it felt like it should have been 6pm! We spent the day in town, and then headed back to Oranmore to get a long awaited Chinese. It was actually the funniest meal ever, we couldn't stop laughing at the little restaurant, it was an absolute kip! The weather was lovely, there were a few showers but nothing major.. still enough to get our gorgeous umbrellas out though! ;)

The next day, we went into the city around half 1, after a badly needed lie on! I didn't buy anything but Tara bought a Paul's Boutique Hoodie in Brown Thomas & new navy cons. Pure label head, wha?

We went further down through the city today, where there are lovely little shops. 

We got these bad-boys in a pound shop. BEST HEADPHONES EVER.

We found a chill-out spot near the river down by the college, and sat here for an hour. It was beautiful.

On our last day, once again we went into the city, but we were only there for about 2 hours.. Still had time for plenty of shopping though ;)

I would have loved this t-shirt but as it was only on display, we both bought an I ♥T-SHIRT, it was two for a tenner, which we could hardly turn down!

On our final day (sadface) we went to get lunch in the lovely Huntsman Inn, before heading into town, with no money might I add, for five hours waiting on our train. To kill time, we sat at Eyre Square & gave 'fake' directions to other fellow 'tourists' which was quite mean but all in the name of good craic!

This was before we even left, how healthy are we!

It soon became time to say our goodbyes and go our separate ways & Tara decided to start bawling, was so funny at the time haha..

We had a brilliant few days, badly needed, & well deserved and will definitely do it again.

Mwah!

Beauty & Skincare Tag!

I have just seen this on the lovely Rosanna's Blog (make sure you take a peek at her blog and youtube, she's amazing!), and said I'd give it a go!

SKINCARE:

1. How many times do you wash your face daily?

Twice, morning and evening.

2. What skin type do you have? (Dry, oily, combo)

Combination to oily skin, it's never dry.

3. What is your current facial wash?

Nivea Pure & Natural Cleanser.

4. Do you exfoliate?

Being honest, no! I used to, and keep meaning to start again..

5. What brand do you use?

None at the moment, but I used to use one from the Nivea Young range.

6. What moisturizer do you use?

I use Silcock's Base, which is a really thick moisturising cream made for Eczema & even though I have oily skin it never breaks me out.

7. Do you have freckles?

Nope, never have!

8. Do you use eye cream?

No, I'm only 17 & will probably start in a few years.

9. Do you or did you have acne prone skin?

My skin was always relatively good up until early last year, and now I get quite a few breakouts but it's not the worst!

10. Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?

Nope..

MAKE-UP:

11. What foundation do you use?

It depends on multiple things - if I'm wearing tan, where I'm going or how my skin is at the time - but the main few are MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Bourjois Healthy Mix, and Rimmel Perfect Match.

12. How about concealer?

I adore MAC's Studio Sculpt concealer for when I really want/need full coverage, it’s the most opaque concealer I've found!

13. Do you know your undertone colour?

I have neutral tones. I always tan easily but I do have a bit of redness on my face.

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes?

I personally never wear them as I have long enough ones myself, but they completely change up a look. I prefer individual ones..

15. Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?

I do know that yes, but I never obey that rule, especially with a dear mascara.

16. What brand of mascara do you use?

My favourite at the moment is actually Essence I ♥ Extreme Volume mascara, it’s amazing. For more dramatic lashes I team this with Benefits Bad Gal Lash mascara.

17. Sephora or MAC?

MAC, but this is mostly because we don't have a Sephora in Ireland. :(

18. Do you have a MAC Pro-card?

Sadly, no.

19. What makeup tools do you use in make-up application?

Stipple brush, my fingers, powder brush, contour brush, blush brush, blending brush & the likes..

20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?

I use UDPP and MAC's Bare Study paint pot.

21. For the face?

I never really noticed a difference with how the foundation applies or stays with a primer but I've started to use a light moisturiser underneath and it works really well.

22. What is your favourite eye shadow (colour or shade)?

It's very hard to pick just one! If I had to choose, it would probably be a matte black to use as eyeliner & eye shadow.

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?

I use a gel liner (Inglot's in #77)

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?

Not very often!

25. What do you think of pigment eye shadows?

If you have time & energy then they are worth it but for people who barely have the time for the basics, I wouldn't recommend them!

26. Do you use mineral makeup?

My very first foundation was Bare Mineral's Foundation but was too expensive to keep buying at that age but I would love to try it again.

27. What is your favourite lipstick?

I'm not the biggest user of lipstick but I looooove the Sleek Pout Paints.

28. How about lipgloss?

I tend to use Essence lipglosses as I don't see the point in spending a lot of money on something that goes so quickly!

29. What is your favourite blush to use?

I'm not a great one for blusher either, I prefer to just use a bronzer as a blusher but I love IsaDora blusher in #4 Coral Blossom.

30. Do you buy your makeup on eBay?

 Nope.

Do you like drugstore makeup?

I love it! I love the luxury of owning MAC and higher end products but drugstore make up is just as good at times.

32. Do you go to CCO's? (Cosmetic company outlets)

We don't have any near where I live, would love one though!

33. Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?

When I finish school I hope to qualify as a Make-up Artist & that will obviously involve taking classes :)

34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I wouldn't say I am, no! I'm not the best with liquid eyeliner though.

35. Name a makeup crime that you hate?

When people plaster foundation on their lips and then it starts to wear off & looks disgraceful. I also find it ridiculous when people have a really obvious circle of blusher on both cheeks!

36. Do you like colourful shades of makeup?

Yeah, I love wearing colour.

37. If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?

Probably powder, as my T-Zone gets quite oily.

38. Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?

Yeah, I sometimes do, but make up is just too fun to skip doing ;)

39. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?

I wouldn't say I look good, but I don't look really bad!

40.What do you think of Makeup?

I reckon this blog says it all :D

Thanks for reading :)