It’s that time again to share some of my most loved, most used current obsessions! Anyone else excited that it’s Autumn?? Love the light nights/ bright mornings and general glow of summer (not the hot sticky makeup sliding so much) don’t get me wrong, but I live for the Autumn/ Winter months and the makeup tones, grunge and layering they bring…although I never venture too far from grunge and always lean towards the dark side any time of year!
It’s been a few months since my last current obsessions post, so thought I’d do another…there’s been quite a few things I’ve been feeling recently and shock horror (it’s not that I don’t give negative reviews, I just choose not to spend time talking about things I’m not in to…but sometimes I do think it’s necessary!) I actually have something I was pretty disappointed with too!
Let’s get to it…
So kicking off with 2 things from My Kit Co…starting with the My ‘On Point’ Sharpener*. A pencil sharpener?? Yes!! Dramatic as it sounds about an everyday and usually boring but necessary tool, it’s the best I have ever used! I’ve used some really good ones, but never ever have I ever in all my makeup career/ wearing life have I used a sharpener that restores pencils to their brand new ‘in box’ super sharp and unused form! It’s innovative conical shape not only looks cool but catches all the shavings perfectly too, so zero mess in your kit! Everyone should own one, seriously!
The other My Kit Co essential…the My Kit Co Pro 1.22 My Feliner eyeliner brush*. A super fine, synthetic fibre brush that makes lining easy and allows you to create the sharpest wings/ flicks known to man! It’s as great for detail work and makeup art as it is to fly on your daily feline flick. I wouldn’t say it’s a beginner brush, but practice makes perfect and this will become your liner saviour!
That leads us on to another brush favourite at the moment…the Spectrum D04 So Lit Small Strober Duo Fibre Brush*. I’m a fan of Spectrum as a brand anyway…UK based (and fellow Welsh at that!) and brushes that are not only beautiful and eye catching, they’re expertly designed too! The D04 has been my go to powder highlighter brush recently, it’s been designed with 2 different lengths of synthetic (Spectrum brush all are, they’re vegan and cruelty free) bristles and a slightly flatter rounded head. This allows gradual build up of glow from the longer bristles and a buffed, polished finish from the shorter ones. Perfect!
From highlighting brush to not one but 2 of the most blinding and beautiful highlighters you’ll ever use, from the most recent (round 2) Ofra x Nikkie Tutorials Glow Baby Glow! collection/ colab…highlighters in Glazed Donut* and Glow Goals*. The 3 highlighters (the 3rd ‘Blind The Haters*’ is way too dark for me, but would be stunning on any of you guys with a med/dark to deep skin tone!) are individual pan versions of the OG 3 colour pan highlighter Everglow. FYI they have tweeked the OG darkest Blind The Haters shade (which was very copper orange toned!) to make it more wearable with a more neutral base too, which was a good move by Ofra in my opinion! I own quite a few Ofra highlighters and they’re some of the best around. Super blendable, smooth formula (no glitter in sight) and intensely pigmented…you only need the tiniest amount to get your glow on and they give the most beautiful glow! It was Glazed Donut that first caught my eye, especially as it can be hard to find a highlight light enough for my pale skin, but Glow Goals looks so pretty on (and surprisingly not to dark on me!) that I’d struggle to pick a favourite if I had to pick one!
I had to mention the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution* by one of my favourite skincare brands The Ordinary. I’ve never really suffered from huge breakouts ever, but do occasionally get a stubborn spot that just doesn’t want to leave! I used to use (years ago!) a similar product from high end skincare brand La Prairie…the Cellular Purifying System Blemish Control Gel. It was unreal the odd time I did get a spot, but at $70/ £50/ €60 it wasn’t something I ever repurchased. It had a high concentration of blemish battling salicylic acid which this one does too, but with this one being £4!!! The Ordinary are killing it in the skincare world offering highlighly effective formulas and high quality ingredients for very a very affordable price point! You can use this all over as a clearing treatment, or what I do, just apply the smallest drop directly on to a blemish before bed…seriously, it’ll be gone by morning (or at least significant shrunk and coverable with makeup)!
If you’ve been anywhere near me for the last few months, your nose would have witnessed the reuniting of me and 2 of my all time favourite scents…the Kat Von D Saint (UK* / IE*) and Sinner (UK* / IE*) Eau De Parfums! I, like many others, used to wear these unusual and addictive fragrances the first time around and shared the horror when they were discontinued for no apparent reason! I do sometimes wear them separately and love them as individuals in their own right (learn more about each one in detail here) but wearing them together/ layering is my jam! Like I mentioned before, the best word I can use to describe them is addictive, I love them! As with all Kat Von D Beauty now they’re cruelty free and vegan too.
Let’s be real…I should have shares in Bloody Mary Metal by now! One of my favourite jewellery brands based out of Cornwall, UK and it’s safe to say that I’m an avid collector ha ha. I just love their different, gothy designs and the general vibe of the brand. I have quite a few of the larger designs and was looking for something a bit smaller to wear along side the bigger ones and to wear just on it’s lonesome for everyday and I came across the gorgeous ‘Jette’. A cute little midnight black zircon, set in silver and it has an oxidised finish and beading detail around the stone to add depth and shadow. Absolutely stunning, love it and it was also this years birthday present from Nic. I might actually do a dedicated BMM jewellery collection blogpost if anyone’s interested at some point, so keep an eye out for that!
I’d coveted these River Island ‘Michelle’ black leather western style triple buckle boots for a good while after spotting them online/ in a magazine… I can’t remember now, but it took me ages to find them. Turns out they were very new, so new they were in stores but not yet out on display new season stock (I’ll let them off, haha). Anyway I managed to grab a size 6 (also often a mission being one of the most popular/ common sizes of lady feet it seems) and I’m glad I did! They’re comfy, cool and you can wear them with pretty much anything. They add detail to an outfit (especially an all black one) but aren’t too statement if that makes sense. I just really like them!
I’m not one for deep and meaningfuls/ too off topic mentions on here, but I had to give a quick shout out to this book…Owning It: Your Bulsh*t-Free Guide To Living With Anxiety by Irish Author Caroline Foran*. Written from a refreshingly honest, funny and zero bullshit perspective and from personal experience…an informative, helpful and reassuring read that resonates! No matter what your personal experience/ circumstance with anxiety of any kind, I would recommend taking a peep at this. That’s all!
Clipper Green Tea with Mango* aka rocket fuel! I’m obsessed with this tea! A cup of this in the morning is all you need if you’re feeling a bit meh or are on go slow. It’s tastes great (isn’t too sweet tasting), is refreshing and gets you going if you don’t fancy coffee!
So last and least…on to my one ‘objection’…
Like I mentioned at the top of the post, it’s not that I don’t have negative experiences with products/ brands or give bad reviews on things…I just don’t see the point of wasting my time and energy writing about stuff I don’t like. However sometimes it’s necessary and in this case especially when it’s a product I had high hopes for as I really like the brand! The disappointment product is the Dauntless Mascara by LA Splash*. Now as always, this might work for you and you might love it but it makes my a bit sad to say that I don’t! The 3-in-1 mascara promised long, voluminous and smudge proof lashes without the need for excessive layering. It also boasts an innovative formula and unique brush shape. I don’t like the brush, the bristles aren’t packed closely enough for my liking so lashes stick together and separate in a not great way and the formula is too wet and not at all buildable. I’m just reluctant to use it anymore…at the risk of fudging up my makeup for the day! Maybe I’ll let it dry out a bit and give it another go (when I don’t have to be anywhere!) but I don’t hold out much hope.
If you do fancy trying something from LA Splash, I’d recommend the Art-Ki-Tekt Waterproof Slim Eyeliner* it’s unreal, super black and wears all day. I actually have a dedicated post here on the liner if you want to read more. I’m also a massive fan of the new liquid lip formula…the Wickedly Divine Matte Liquid Lipsticks* are one of my favourite formulas and there’s so many gorgeous shades to choose from! Fallen and Baneful are stunning greige hues, definitely my kind of colours!
What have you been obsessing over recently? Feel free to enable away in the comments!
Lyd x
PLEASE NOTE:
I’m now based in Cork, Ireland. Although I do still take select bookings for North Wales/ Cheshire and Dublin (get in touch for more info) and am available to travel country wide…I’m mainly taking makeup bookings for Cork City and surrounding areas.
As a bridal makeup specialist, I do get booked up well in advance so if you’re looking for wedding makeup in Cork contact me asap to check availability, secure your date and avoid disappointment! I’m freelance and travel to your home/ venue of choice.
Also available for makeup for any occasion/ event, lessons and master class makeup…find more information and a full list of services here.
Contact us for enquiries/ bookings and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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