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The Wet Brush*

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If you have long hair, chances are, the minutes after washing your hair are some of the grimmest in the day. There’s nothing worse than trying to wrestle wet hair into some semblance of order, and if you’re too rough, you can really damage already weakened ends.

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As I’m on something of a hair health-kick (trying to undo years of blending damage is tough!) I’ve been absolutely religious in my use of the Wet Brush. Every morning, after my regular wash and conditioning, I use it to to get rid of all of the knots, and smooth everything down.

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Since the Wet Brush bristles are so long and bendy, they don’t tug or snag on hair. Instead, within a few passes, the brush completely tames my ends, and they’re ready for a slick to styling lotion. The added plus is the gorgeous selection of colours and patterns the Wet Brush comes in. I’m obsessed with this baby pink colour, but you can also get brights, neons, and even animal prints!

The Wet Brush is priced at £11.99 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

The Original Beauty Blender

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It’s not often that a product completely sweeps the market and pretty much revolutionises   the beauty world. But I have to say, I think the Beauty Blender has done it! Before the neon pink sponge same onto the scene, most beauty blenders and sponges were big wedges of latex which pretty much smeared formula around. But now, beauty aisles are filled with egg-shaped sponges of varying colours promising flawless applications.

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Despite dabbling in a number of rather expensive copy-cats, when I popped into Boots the other day, I couldn’t resist buying a second one. I did grab one a couple of years ago in East Hampton (review here) but I’m not too sure where that one ended up!

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I’m happy to say, I think I love it even more than I did then! To use, I run the sponge under some lukewarm water to dampen it, and loosen it up a little. When the Beauty Blender soaks up water, it grows by about half its size, meaning it’s one of the largest sponges in my collection. It’s a complete dream to use. I’ve been using it with YSL’s new Touche Eclat Teint foundation (review to come) and I’m in love with the sheer, yet buildable coverage it gives. It gives skin a wonderful, perfected look, that feels incredibly natural and wears well all day. To be honest, I’m not sure why I got separated from my first Beauty Blender, but I do know that I’m a bit of a re-convert, and am going to pick up a spare the next time I see them! I’ve also seen that the Beauty Blender range has grown considerably, and I’m really quite keen to try the baby versions too!

The Original Beauty Blender is priced at £16.00 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Real Techniques Cheek & Lip Set*

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Real Techniques is one of those brands that I hadn’t really tried out until relatively recently, but I’m now somewhat obsessed by! If you’ve not come across them yet, head over to your nearest Boots or Superdrug, who will undoubtably have some and you can start your collection too! They’re the brainchild of top beauty bloggers Pixiwoo (otherwise known as Samantha and Nicole Chapman) and it’s not an understatement to say that over the past few years, they’ve really taken the world by storm!

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Slowly but surely I’ve been creating something of a collection, so when I saw the Cheek & Lip kit I couldn’t resist. Consisting of a big fluffy powder brush, a contour brush and dinky lip brush, the trio is a real workhorse which you can reach for every morning.

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The Cheek Brush is an exclusive addition to the set, and it’s the thing that your brush-dreams are made of! First off, the size is absolutely perfect if you like to sweep your bronzer or blush on. The bristles feel super soft, and fan out to effortlessly apply bronzers and blushes in a believable wash of colour. I’ve been using the brush for bronzer application (so not just on my cheeks) and I’ve really fallen in love. It doesn’t shed bristles and it’s so comfortable to use. The kit is worth it’s weight in gold for this brush alone!

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The contour brush is probably the one I was most excited to try from the kit. I’ve not had a dedicated contour brush before, so the idea itself feels novel, and Real Techniques makes my most-used highlight brush, so I had super high expectations. The contour brush is a duo-fibre one, so the base of the brush is made from shorter, more densely packed bristles, whilst it ends in longer, super soft fibres. The brush makes contouring ridiculously easy, I swirl the brush in my contouring shade, apply a little under my cheekbones, around my chin and a little to my temples and around my hairline and I’m good to go. The brush leaves a soft, almost airbrushed effect which looks super natural. You’re not left with a dirty looking smudge, instead, it’s just a pretty and believable amount of definition.

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Last up is the lip brush, which, if you’re loving a defined, matte lip this season, it’s your must-have tool. The fibres of the brush are pleasingly firm, allowing you to easily control your lip colour, it’s absolutely invaluable for creating a perfect statement lip.

The Real Technique Cheek & Lip Set is priced at £19.99 and is available here.

Maybelline Dream Blender*

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It feels like new types of sponges are being brought out every two seconds, but I thought I would draw attention to Maybelline’s newest – the Dream Blender.

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Looking a little like a candle, the Dream Blender feels like a firmer Beauty Blender with a handle, and the clean freak in me absolutely loves it! Before I use it, I dampen the sponge slightly, which tends to soften it up a little, and I love the fact that I can stand it up, without it rolling everywhere.

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The Dream Blender has been designed to be used alongside their new Dream Velvet Foundation (review to come) but I’ve found it works equally well with my daily foundation line up (which currently rotates between YSL and Chanel).

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The pointed tip means that it’s ridiculously easy to get to awkward areas like the around the nose, and I love the airbrushed effect that the blender creates.

Maybelline’s Dream Blender is priced at £4.99 and is available here (UK) and here (US).

YOSO Lash Eyelash Curler*

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Curling my lashes has always been one of those things that I know I should do, but rarely get around to. I think it’s a combination of the added time it takes, combined with the fear that I’m going to either clamp my lid in the tool, or rip out half my lashes. Seriously, I’m a klutz at the best of times! Thankfully though, YOSO have made it super simple to rock curled lashes with their heated eyelash curler.

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Packaged in a super-sleek golden tube, this is something way cleverer than your average curler. Rather than just clamping lashes like a regular tool, YOSO Heated Lash curler is perfectly designed to volumize lashes using heat.

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To give the Lash Curler enough time to heat up, I usually just flick it on when I sit down to get ready, and by the time I get to my lashes, I’m good to go. First of all, I brush my lashes upwards using the top section of the curler. I keep the curler at my lashes for  3-4 seconds for maximum volume, then brush through. Then, I use the top section to work on my outer and inner lashes. Again, holding the curler on my lashes for around 3-4 seconds.

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Then I apply my mascara as normal, and brush through the comb side of the curler. The difference this makes to my regular mascara is insane! The curler gives you a real false-lash effect which is ridiculously easy to get every day! I’m such a convert!

YOSO Lash Eyelash Curler is priced at £15.99 and is available here

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