#supergorgeoussept day 20: sparkle!

Ahhh how pretty is this picture! I love sparkle, so this wasn't the easiest day to pick a picture with the theme sparkle for my 30 day instagram challenge (check it out on here or instagram), but as I was busy packing I came across my beloved glitter eyeliners and little pots which I usually use over eye shadow. These make it out for christmas most years then dissapear for the rest of the year or until a suitable fancy dress occasion. But as the party season fast approaches ( kind of ) I thought why not discuss some of my favourites.

The glitter pots I have no idea where I got them, I think a few were presents and just others I have collected, but the pens I bought myself.

The Urban Decay Heavy Metal was actually a repurchases as I love it that much, it's a gorgeous bronze colour which makes it quite wearable but also its such high quality. No stickiness or blobbiness, it's a slightly thinner formula as you can see but this means it doesn't stick your eyelids together or form lines as it dries fast!

The other three came in a christmas set from 17 last year I think, so look out for them in Boots soon! There's a silver, gold, and my favourite turquoise. I must admit I dont get half as much wear out of these as I did as a seven year old whose makeup consisted of just glitters and wierd tinted lipsticks, but they're fab for glam nights out! The 17 offerings aren't as good quality as those from Urban Decay, but are still worthwhile and must cheaper! I find the 17 ones easier for building up coverage if you're going for full on glitter, and both are fab for a glittery liner!

Both appear in sets around Christmas time so I imagine they'll be popping up in stores in the next month. And if glitter isn't your thing, you can still enjoy todays picture. Ahhh glitter!

(L-R) Urban Decay in Baked, 17 Glitters, Silver, Turquoise, Gold.

Apologies for the out-of-focus picture but I was trying to capture the sparkliness!

#supergorgeoussept day 18: inspired by a blogger...

Yesterday's theme was one I was really excited about. I thought and thought about all the different looks and products I have bought or chosen because of bloggers I've seen, and there was tonnes to choose from. But the biggest thing I've been inspired to do by not just one blogger but all of you lovelies out there was to start my own blog! After following and reading blogs all day every day for months over the summer and having more products that most small boots stores I plucked up the courage on Monday 19th August and started gagaaboutbeauty. It was scary at first, and I really wondered if anybody at all would want to read what I've written, but I found the blogging community so friendly and helpful (especially with all my techy problems).

It's been just over four weeks now and I have 59 blog followers, nearly 2000 views, and although this might sound like a tiny amount to a lot of people it means the world to me that even one person has took the time to read, and that people actually like to read what I write. I absolutely love recieving comments and tweets too, and love blog chats on twitter, they might be my favourite part about being a bblogger. 

I also wanted to take this opportunity to explain to anyone following or just reading that at the weekend I will be moving back to Leeds to start my second year of university, which will be amazing, but sadly means that as I no longer have four months to watch daytime tv I probably won't be blogging every day anymore, but I promise to post as much as I can (this will be easy as I no love it so much!), and I'll still keep up with twitter and comments just as before. Plus, moving into a house means I have lots of girlies to test things with too, bonus!

Finally I just want to say thankyou to all of you, for reading, following, commenting, chatting with me on twitter, and generally just showing your support. I have a long way to go but I'm looking forward to every second of it, and also, thankyou for writing such amazing blogs that I love to read so much I was inspired by you to start my own!

I hope you enjoy reading gagaaboutbeauty as much as I love writing it, and as always please let me know what you think by commenting, sending me a message or following if you fancy as I love hearing from you!

Lots of love,

#supergorgeoussept day 17 : favourite drugstore product

Favourite drugstore product. This was a really, really, really hard one. I can't put my hand on my heart and promise this is my drugstore favourite, because to be quite honest I could never choose one. But I did have a rummage in my daily makeup box and choose my favourite drugstore product of the minute from there. You've probably heard me mention this before as I absolutely love it! 

Designed to adapt to your skin tone, it actually does change and seem to melt into the skin, giving you that 'my skin is perfect without makeup' look we all desire! Obviously you have to still match your colour, don't pick up 'Golden' if you're a pale faced beauty! I went for 'Natural', which I'm guessing from the name and experience will suit most light-medium skin tones, and once applied it really does adapt! I find this particularly useful in these transitional months as my skin loses any scrap of tan or colour I managed to achieve over summer, and with a medium-builable coverage it's perfect as my skin likes to play up when the weather changes (seriously, chin, stop it with the spots already!). Plus it has less of a yellowy tone than most, meaning it will probably merge with your skin better in the colder months, while its peachiness counteracts any dullness you might experience.

I'd seriously reccomend you trying this out no matter what your skin type too, its a liquid with a sort of dry, mousse-y texture than kind of melts on the skin, leaving a matte finish, which personally I also look for as the sun goes in and I lust after a less glowy finish. I have combination skin, but with this I get an even and equal finish on both my dry cheeks and oily forehead. Could I rave about it any more? Yupp, because the price is fab at around £9.99 depending on where you pick it up, but always look out for offers (Boots have a buy one get one half price on at the minute).

You can probably tell I really like this, and this is why I've chosen it as ONE of my drugstore favourites. There will never be a day I pick one, but at least I tried, eh?

Lots of love,

#supergorgeoussept day 16 : nail art

I forgot to post it again! I seem to be making a habit of posting my instagram pics to the blog in the morning after, so I'm thinking of doing this from now on. I always meant to post then find something more interesting to blog about, do that, and forget about my poor picture waiting to be discussed!

This one's nail art, and again I won't say too much as this was created using nail decals I purchased from diy nails, a site I LOVE LOVE LOVE, but already did a post about which you can read here!

I used candy shades for this look too, a lavender purple, a mint green, a pastel-y coral and a pastel purple. The specific shades aren't too important as the nail art is the focus, plus you can create this look with colours you already have. 

Have a lovely day beauties, and see you at 6 o'clock for The Starting Off Project Week 4!...

#supergorgeoussept day 13 : try something new

This theme fit in quite nicely with a recent purchase - Colgate Max White One Toothpaste. I actually bought two of these so I could get my hands on the two nails inc polishes that come free, more on them in a later post. I've only been using this for two days so not too much to report, although it does seem really foamy compared to other toothpastes and is quite nice (as far as nice toothpastes go). It claims to give you whiter teeth in one week, so I'll be back in a week to report on that, I just can't see it happening. And that's about it, a nice short post for this morning on a product we don't often discuss in the beauty world.

Have a fab Saturday beauties,

#supergorgeoussept day 12: favourite nail polish

So this is yesterday's #supergorgeousept post (oopsy), I did instagram it yesterday so I'm still on track, but was just super busy with work and didn't have time to blog about it. Yesterday's theme was favourite nail polish, and while it's impossible for me to decide on an all time favourite - that would just be ridiculous and take forever- I chose this after a long, long think. If I had to pick a favourite or ten it would be up there for sure. Bourjois 1 Seconde Gel nail polishes are no doubt one of my favourite nail formulas. Pigmented so really only need for one well applied coat, a huaaage brush so one swipe only, and super fast drying which for a lazy nail painter like me who can't wait more than a few minutes this is perfect. Plus the colour I've chosen, Turquoise Block is just gorgeous (and one you've probably heard me rave about before). A minty sort of turquoise, it's really bright but not without being wearable, and makes you look really really tanned (bonus!). I've worn this tonnes this summer and I'll definitely be stretching it into autumn winter for as long as I can. Perfecto!

Happy Friday Ladies...

#supergorgeoussept day 11: inside my makeup bag!

So this is probably where I admit I have a serious makeup problem. I love beauty yes, in all shapes and sizes, but makeup is where my heart lies in particular. And for that reason (or some kind of unnamed illness) I don't just have a daily makeup bag but a box, a whole box! Obviously I don't wear all of these products on my face at the same time but these are the things I reach for almost daily and hence have to keep in my box. There's a big pot of brushes I keep out too, but I couldn't include them or we'd be here all day, as much as I'd love that!

Let's attempt this in a sort of clockwise but an order that makes sense motion. I always use a primer, my base of choice recently is Benefit Porefessional, and for foundation I've been turning to my Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (after last nights post I've realised how popular this is). Next we have Maybelline Gel Liner which is great for creating both smokey and more striking lines and Benefit High Beam for a spot of highlighting. If I want a more subtle highlight I tend to turn to my Benefit Girl Meets Pearl instead, which is good underneath foundation to create a healthy glow too. Top-centre we have Benefit Stay Don't Stray to primer concealer, and Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer (as usual the writing has come right off). Theres also a little Maxfactor Masterpiece Max which I've been loving for my eyelashes lately. My Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers are a daily must for making my eyes pop, plus I usually turn to one of my Urban Decay Naked Pallettes daily so I keep all three in here. As well as my Collection offering for under the eyes I love No7's Perfect Blemish Cover concealer for spots and for quick smokey looks I grab Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze (swatches here), using one of two Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potions to keep any eye look in place. You can just about see my Benefit Brows A Go Go pallette to fill my eyebrows, plus two Soap and Glory Powders (One Heck Of A Blot, Glow All Out) to add or remove shimmer and shine. Almost there!! To add a bronzed glow or contour I turn to Benefit Hoola and as a blusher I'm loving No7's offering in Soft Damson (full review here). Last but not least I keep my eyebrows in shape with these beauties from Tweezerman!

And that's everything in my daily makeup box. The funny thing is I keep buying more and more makeup bags. Maybe I should try and cut down? But then again, I love having all the daily choice! Of course this isn't the kind of makeup bag I could cart around in my handbag, I might do a handbag post soon to show you all what I do carry around with me!

As always please comment away as I'd love to hear from you or post links to your own #supergorgeoussept posts! 

Lots of love,

#supergorgeoussept day 10: contour

           

It's day 10 and today's theme is contour! I can't believe I've made it to ten days without giving up already or completely forgetting- I'm so forgetful! I chose to share with you my contour brushes today because as part of #thesoproject (next post coming at 6pm tonight!!!) there's a bronzer post in which I'll be explaining how I contour anyways...

Real Techniques Contour Brush- this one's pretty self explanatory. A contour brush from the makeup brush expert that is Sam Chapman, this one doesn't disappoint. Small and tapered, perfect for fitting under those cheekbones to get a natural contour rather than a big spot of bronzer all over the face! Comes in the Core Collection which you can get for around £18-20 if you get a bargain.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush- I use this one just with a cream contour, my recent favourite is the Bourjois Bronzing Primer to get a really light natural finish but with precision. Perfecto! Around £9 depending where you shop!

Benefit Blush/Powder Brushes- A lot of people seem to not like these, but I love the square edge for creating a sharp contour for more night-out looks or a bit of drama. If swept in an upwards motion from under the cheekbone you still get a natural shadow effect but a much stronger one. Supermodel killer cheekbones are one step closer... This one only comes with the box powders which are £23.50 so not one you would buy just for the brush.

And that's it, I'm always on the lookout for more and better brushes so let me know what you use!

Lots of love,

#supergorgeoussept day 8: nail polish collection

                

So today's theme was nail polish collection. I have another box for glitters, nail art and all other nail effects, plus a tray on my desk with about 20 of my current favourites. But really I think the picture speaks for itself, there's more than a few nail polishes in my household. Anyone need a manicure? 

                                       

#supergorgeoussept day 7: follow a tutorial - hair mask

When I started supergorgeousseptember the guide said you could interpret each days theme however you wanted, and today I've gone pretty outside the box with a hair mask tutorial. I'm no stranger to a good hair mask, I like to slap one on at least once a week during the shower or for a few hours if I can. But a while back whilst scrolling pinterest I stumbled across a tutorial on how to get the most out of your hair mask, so when this theme popped up and everyone was doing hair and makeup I thought I'd go for something a little different. Plus, a little pampering for me, woop! Here's how I did it : 

Step one: apply hair mask onto wet hair as per usual (I've added argan oil too for an extra boost and I'm still trialing Philip Kingsley elasticiser so I added that too for some extra intensity). My favourite hair mask of the moment is the bee strong one by herbal essences. 

Step two: wrap your hair in cling film. I know, sounds wierd, it was wierd. Plus clings film is so tangly and annoying but if it works, I'm up for the struggle!

Step three: heat up the hair with your hair dryer on a low heat for around 5 minutes until warmed thoroughly. Okay, so now I felt really wierd, it was as if I was following a recipe or something. It still felt a bit pampering though. 

Step four: keep on for as long as possible! The heat allows the mask to really penetrate your hair and do good so maybe next time I do this ill sit near a radiator or use a hot towel, hmm. 

Step five: rinse off just like a hair mask or conditioner and style as normal. 

I must say my hair is feeling amazing! Although my normal mask routine works wonders, I really liked this techniques, my hair feels even softer and shinier! While this might not have been as easy as keeping it on while I'm washing shaving scrubbing etc but for a lazy Saturday night treat and once in a while intensive treatment which ill do again for sure! 

If you've tried an intensive home treatment like this or have another method please let me know! 

Lots of love, 

                                     

#supergorgeoussept day 6 (oops): eyelashes

             

Hello lovelies, apologies for not uploading this to gagaaboutbeauty yesterday, I was feeling super ill after a rainy day and then a cramped and long standing train journey so I quickly snapped this from my bed and had an early night! As I was feeling so rubbish I decided to use falsies rather than my own eyelashes in my interpretation of yesterday's post, and here are my favourites from eyelure: 

Top left- individual lashes (semi permanent), these act exactly the same as strip lashes but are tiny snippets in different lengths, so perfect for really picky eyelash lovers or like I usually use them in the corners for more subtle looks or maybe to fill in a spare gap during the day. They stay on longer than regular lashes if looked after but only a few days, these aren't permanent! 

Top right- I cut the box up from these so I could store them easier and now I can't find the name of them but these are much more glamorous criss-cross style lashes which most eyelash brands do, they look super stand-out and are perfect for nights out if you're going for a dramatic eye look. They,re also tapered getting larger in the outer corner so as we'll as being super full they suggest that feline shape lengthened eye!

Bottom: finally my favourites eyelashes eyelure ever made, these are nadine from the girls aloud collection. I can't be the only one who loves these as the collection is still going strong after many years. These are medium full so I'd say great for nights out but also if you was rocking a strong eye they could easily work during the day. These have been my go to lashes since the girls aloud edition first launched and I stock up on them regularly.

Eylure lashes retail for about £5.49 but shop around in discount stores and look out for offers! 

Have a lovely Saturday beauties, 

                                  

#supergorgeoussept day 5: blusher

              

Today I had to choose a favourite blusher, something I didn't enjoy as there are so many different colours and textures that I like (I'm sure you can imagine!) As I have an all time favourites post waiting patiently in my drafts and also my favourites series I decided to go with my favourite blusher for this transitional time of year instead of holy grail product and without a doubt it's got to be no7's soft damson shade powder. One I've used for many many years its pinky but with browny hues behind it which makes it not too bright but still noticeable, and for a bronzed look lover like me that's perfect! It blends perfectly along the cheekbone with any bronzer or contour product giving a slight flush rather than a pink pop, but on days where I go for more of a quick dewy base and want to look fresh faced this is easily buildable on the apples of the cheeks to give that pink pop we all like from time to time. It's just so versatile! Because of this I can wear it strong and bright in the sun or create a more sultry look with contouring on cooler days and night times ! Can you tell I love it? 

I stock up on this every time no7 give out those handy money off vouchers, but you get a lot for your money anyway as its highly pigmented and so long lasting! 

I really really love it at this time of year, so expect it to crop up in more posts soon!! 

Lots of love beauties, 

                               

#supergorgeoussept day 4: The 5 product face!

So it's day 4 and this was easily the most difficult day to decide what to feature. I mentioned last week how difficult I found it to just use 7 products to create a simple face- as an avid smoky eye lover I'm usually surrounded with products in all colours and types most mornings. I almost wanted to just go with foundation and mascara because i got to three it was a well-if-invite-that-one-i-have-to-invite-that-one situation, but after umming and ahhing for a while I settled on this:

BASE: Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation and Collection Lasting Perfection concealer.

CHEEKS: Hoola by Benefit

EYES: Brow-Zings powder by Benefit and Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara

Lots of Love,

#supergorgeoussept day 3: pink

So it's day three and today's theme was pink! You can interpret the theme for each day however you want, but sticking with beauty this was the first thing I thought about when I saw pink. This is the rimmel apocalips lipgloss in apocalipytic which is a super super bright pink. What I love most about this is how pigmented it is, it has the colour of a lipstick but in a gloss, although it is quite runny and difficult to apply, things can get messy so this isn't a low maintenance lip. Still it's a gorgeous colour and if you're willing to reapply ever hour or two you'll love these, I certainly do! Here's a swatch on my arm although it looks more red here than it is, and less neon than the instagrammed pic- think inbetween the two and you're there! 

Until tomorrow... Lots of love, 

#supergorgeoussept day 2: recent purchase

It's day number two of #supergorgeoussept and today's picture is of a recent purchase. I already put a photo of my newest naked pallette on Instagram so I chose my new shy uemura eyelash curlers. These have been recommended by about a thousand bloggers as the best and once i had tried them in Harvey Nichols and felt like my eyes were the most open they've ever been I was sold and quickly purchased! They come in both silver and gold and cost £20, which seems a lot but once I thought of how many budget pairs I've bought in the past in an attempt to save money, I may as well have bought these months ago! I did want gold but there was none left, and once i'd seen and felt my eyelashes look like never before I couldn't wait and quickly hot-footed it to the till! I'd seriously recommend these ladies, there's no wonder they're described by the likes of Charlotte Tilbury and Lisa Eldridge as life changing! 

Lots of love, 

#supergorgeoussept day 1 : hair

Hey lovelies, today I've decided to take up the #supergorgeoussept challenge on Instagram, which as you can guess is one of those challenges where you post a picture of a different thing every day of the month. The biggest challenge for me is to remember to post each day I think! You can have a look on my Instagram @charlgaga or just follow me on bloglovin as I'll be posting each picture on here too! 

The first post was today's hair, which for me is my usual straightened but a bit messy locks! Simple and maybe a tad boring but sorry guys I jut decided to do the challenge and my hair was already not very interesting ( it's lazy Sunday). I'm about to go have a face mask and then sort through some more stuff to take to uni, how can I possibly decide which parts of my beauty stash to take? Help!

If you're taking part post your links below as I'd love to see everyone else's #supergorgeoussept posts!

Lots of love 

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