GAGA ABOUT BEAUTY: HOW TO WEAR MAC CRANBERRY

Mac Cranberry is pretty much a cult shade in the beauty blogging world, but not the easiest to wear. Although it is absolutely gorgeous swatched, its reddy tones can wash you out quite easily if you're pale or make your eyes look super tired. After trying out quite a few combinations here are my top tips on how to wear this autumnul shade and look as fabulous as it does!

Firstly, I never wear it alone. This is not a one-sweep shadow. I always use a taupe-y shade in the crease as a transition shade before I apply so that I aren't blending the red up to the high heavens. Here I used Mac Omega. I then apply Cranberry all over the lid and blend slightly with a 217 brush. I then take a smudgey brush to line the bottom lashes with it too. 

At this stage I still look like I've been rubbing my eyes for about an hour, so I line the upper lash line with a very, very, very thin line of liquid eyeliner and also use a brown/black kohl on the lower lashline and blend this into the Cranberry. You can see this on the top picture. I think bringing the colour slightly underneath the eye keeps it really modern and also keeps detracts from eye bags! I also add a little Mac Smut into the outer eye to create a wing and darken up the look, but if you're not used to a dark smokey eye just the Omega would be enough.

Add lots of black mascara to open the eyes. If you need to, a nude liner on the waterline would also stop you from looking tired. 

The complexion is equally important too. I make sure to use lots of bronzer to warm me up and prevent me from looking like a zombie, plus a little of Mac Stereo Rose to add colour without overloading and ending up with a bad case of rainbow face. 

I stay lipstick free on this look and just wear a little balm as the eyes are quite colourful. You could always go for a 'Your Lips But Better' nude too which would look fab, or go all out plum with a berry lip if you have the guts!

I used all Mac products here from my quad but obviously they aren't the cheapest, you could always use other alternatives. I'd love to know a cheap Cranberry dupe if anyone knows of one!

How do you wear colourful shades? What do you think of this look?

Charlotte x

GAGA ABOUT BEAUTY: LIPSTICKS BY KIKO

If you haven't heard me rave on about this yet (and if you have apologies in advance), but there is now a KIKO in Leeds. Wahoo! 

I absolutely love the brand and think it doesn't get nearly half the credit it deserves. My favourite must-have item by them is the Gel Effect Top Coat, I prefer it to Seche Vite and that is saying something. Although previously you could'nt get hold of this outside of London, I now have one on my very doorstep and have managed to squeeze in two trips to the store already in the last week, where I grabbed these two lipsticks. Oopsy!

First up was a berry shade from the new Ace Of Diamonds range, which I knew I had to get hold of once Anna recommended it. And it is every bit as fab as she claims. The colour is your classic autumn berry, with a satin finish. It's so creamy when applied it can be done in one swipe, but then dries down to something with real staying power. I have only had to reapply after around four hours, and then a stain was still left so the reapplication was not a must. At £8.90 it's also not bad for such good quality. I've heard a lot of people calling Kiko 'drugstore', but I find it to be as just good quality as high end. 

(exotic shine lipstick in 03, ace of diamonds lipstick in 27)

Next up I also purchased a discounted lipstick from their summer range, which I have an eyeliner from and loved. I heard a lot about the Exotic Shine Lipticks, so when I saw they were on sale I picked up a bright orange-coral-red which is a fail-safe colour for me. Although I don't usually go for non-matte finishes, this sits somewhere between balm and lipstick which really makes it work. If you were excited but then disapointed with Benefit's balm releases this is probably what you were hoping for. I think it was around £4 in the sale.

These two are absolute winners in my eyes and once again have left me wanting more from Kiko. I warn you now, the store has so many shades and formulas you might feel a little overwhelmed at first, but it's well worth swatching to your hearts content and reading a few reviews because once you buy, you will be hooked. 

I'd love some more recommendations so please comment below with anything I should pick up (or shouldn't for that matter)!

Charlotte x

GAGA ABOUT BEAUTY : CHARLOTTE TILBURY DOES THE 90S TREND

First up, apologies for the line across the first photo. I don't know where it came from, but by the time these photos were uploaded this look was long bioderma-ed off my face and the other options, extreeeme close ups, were scary to say the least. I also don't know where I thought I was looking in both of these pictures, but clearly not at the camera. Anyway. I'm a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury as an artist so I knew I would love her makeup range with it launched, and I've been building a steady collection of it over the past year. This has only expanded rather quickly with the launch of a counter here in Leeds Harvey Nichols. Here I pieced a few of my favourite bits together to share my take on the much hyped 90's trend...

On the eyes I used the 'Colour Chameleon' pencil in Dark Pearl, the option suggested for brown eyes. I'm lucky that I have hazel eyes, meaning I can wear the shadows for brown, green and hazel eyes depending on how I feel that day (although really anyone could wear any). I love this rose-toned shimmery taupe, and the formula of these is just spot on. Super creamy but doesn't budge after about ten seconds, plus as a pencil its easy to swipe, blend, and go, on the go. I also added some of Charlotte's 'Rock n Kohl' eye pencil in Barbarella Brown to the waterline.

For the lips, I first lined with 'Lip Cheat' in Iconic Nude. This is a darker than I expected when I purchased it, but I really love it. I cringe to type this, but it's got that Kylie Jenner thang going on (not again). On top I used what is possibly my all time favourite nude- Charlotte's K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate, a winner in colour, formula and staying power. It's slightly lighter and more satin than the liner, but makes a perfect match, and has been my go-to all summer. Pouts at the ready!

I haven't indulged in any face products yet, but I have the 'Wonderglow' primer and 'Filmstar Bronze and Glow' on my lust list. Any recommendations would be much appreciated!

What do you think of this look? What products do you love from Charlotte Tilbury?

Charlotte x