Guest Post// Drugstore Look// A Topsy Turvy Blog

Hey Everyone! My name’s Casey. I run A Topsy Turvy Blog. I'm really excited to share this Drug store Look with you all.

There are so many great products in drug stores nowadays - it isn't difficult to create a lovely look for less! The products I'm using are all my favourite drug store picks, and I highly recommend them.

I started off this look using the Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer - this one is targeted at drier skin, though they do a matte version for more oily skin types. This is the best drug store primer I've found for us with drier skin types.

For a light base, I've chosen the L’Oreal True Match Foundation - I love this foundation, and it’s the best drug store one I've personally come across. It’s coverage is decent, it isn't cakey, and doesn't settle into pores. It’s just everything I want from a foundation - More dewy/natural over matte.

To conceal under my eyes, I use the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer - I'm not a fan of the Collection one, and I know there’s another one like the YSL Touche Eclat, but this is just right for my skin tone, type and conceals dark circles perfectly. I don’t suffer from blemishes, so if you do, don’t go for this as it’ll enhance/highlight any blemish.

I’m a big fan of peach blushes, and the Sleek Pan Tao Blush one is to die for. It does took so intense in the pan, and the pigmentation is great for a drug store brand, but this, and all their blushes are really worth looking at if you've never tried them. They’re only £5, or you can get a blush by 3 palette for £10.

Eyes time! The Max Factor mascaras are perfect for those of us who are picky. They have a mascara for everyone - even though they’re more of a high price tag, I think they’re worth what you pay for. I've been using the Max Factor Clump Defy Waterproof Mascra for a few months now and haven’t found myself using anything else. I'm not a big fan of the curvy wand, but I can forgive it because of the look it gives.

Finally on my lips, I used the 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive - This is a cult favourite and was raved about so much last year - though it’s seemed to have died down now, I still love this lipstick as it’s a great, cheap light pink lipstick for those who want a natural nude lip.

I hope you've all enjoyed this tutorial (of sorts). I used the Real Techniques brushes to apply all of my make up - If you haven’t heard about these, you've been under a rock! They’re the best drug store brushes (next to Ecotools).

What’s your favourite drug store make-up pick?

Don’t forget to hop over to A Topsy Turvy Blog to say Hello!

Hope you guys liked Casey's post, go check out her blog here: caseyslifeandotherstuff.blogspot.co.uk

Jess x

TAG Beauty Talk- my responses

Hi guys! I've been having a bit of a long hard night and didn't know what to post, I'm in the process of writing a huge advice article addressing lots of common, teenage problems so if you have any questions you want answered, don't hesitate to ask!:)

So a lot of you have been asking for my answers to the tag I created and I haven't actually publishedvmy answers yet! Obviously I made the questions with products in mind, so if you want to know all about the particular products that inspired this tag, them keep on reading! :)

What products have stood out to you this year?

Definitely the maybelline colour tattoos, especially in on and on bronze! I have ridiculously oily eyelids so it's a miracle if something even lasts half the day, but these babies have all day staying power! I have also loved the origins zero oil cleanser because it takes away the excess greasiness on my skin with out over drying it, plus I got it for a discounted price at the cosmetics company outlet store :)

Which makeup items would you recommend for young girls or people who are just getting in to beauty?

The MUA undress me too palette is lovely for beginners because it has a wide variety of neutral shades both on the warm and cool end of the spectrum and is only £4 or £5- bargain! I would also reccomend my favourite concealer, the rimmel wake me up does it's job like no other, not only does it brighten up the eye area, but it covers blemishes, not stick to them which is great for someone who perhaps doesn't quite need a full coverage foundation, but needs a bit of something to hide redness!

Favourite high street and high end beauty brand?

From the drugstore, it has to be either Maybelline or Bourjois! Rimmel do some great foundations but the Maybelliene eye products can't be beaten for the price, especially the falsies mascara! And bourjois have outstanding face products, I would happily reccomend any of their foundations and I am currently loving their happy light foundation, plus they have the best bronzing products around :) for a high end brand, it has to be MAC! I just think the quality of their eyeshadows and lipsticks is unbeatable and they are definitely worth the bigger price tag.

Most disappointing product you've tried?

It would have the be the benefit they're real mascara because I just couldn't get on with it :/ it no means was it a bad product, but it just receives so much hype in the beauty community and I don't think it's worth it, especially for the price being around £20.

A beauty item you use everyday?

My body shop Chocomania body butter or soap and glory sugar crush body wash. I love really sweet smelling scents and these two together creates the perfect combination! :) the reason I didn't pick a makeup item is because I kinda pick makeup based on my mood for the day so I don't reach for the same things all the time, plus I like to try lots of new products :)

What are you essentials for winter?

A good conditioner for your hair! I use Tresemme total moisture everyday and my hair hardly ever gets frizzy or dry! Also a good makeup remover because I tend to wear more makeup in the winter so it's important you cleanse your face thoroughly afterwards, I use garnier rose cleaning lotion which brings all my makeup right off and it's a milky texture so it adds an extra bit of moisture to my skin to prevent it from becoming too dry!

Your favourite product for a dramatic, party look?

A dark, matching lip and nail! I just love berry shades right now and my favourite combination is either Topshop lipstick called up or Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain crush on my lips paired with Essie Bahama mama on my nails (and if I'm feeling extra sparkly, I have an accent nail using barry m yellow topaz)

What's on your Christmas wish list? (beauty wise....)

Well this year I have asked Santa for half of the MAC store haha! So we will just have to see what he brings me....

I hope you liked my answers :) this is such a fun tag to do because it covers many different aspects of makeup.

I tag you all to answer! Check out the #TAGbeautytalk page to find out more details :)

Jess x

A Guide To Black Liner

When it comes to winter, one of my favorite makeup looks it black liner and lots of it! From the sophisticated flick to a smudged grunge look- I just love it. Depending on what look you're going for, it can be really hard to find the perfect product, so here is a run down of my favorite types of eyeliners.

(From left to right)

barry m liquid eyeliner// mac liquid eyeliner// Estée Lauder pencil liner// miss sporty wax crayon// barry m pencil liner// topshop kohl dust liner// maybelline gel liner// bobbi brown gel liner

For a thick, retro black eye I would recommend a liquid liner, because although they may be wet upon application, they quickly set to leave an opaque, precise line. I have found that the application of most liquid liners is the same- a pointy nip that is attached to the inside of the lid. It may take sometime to master using these, but practise makes perfect and you can achieve a really neat, thin line with these, or turn the brush on it's side to create a 60's inspired flick.

I would suggest trying MAC liquid liner for a long lasting product that doesn't crease, or for a drugstore alternative give the Barry M liquid liner a go!

For a smokey, smuged look I think pencils or waxy crayons are the way to go. Depending on the consistency of the liner, they can be quite a pain to apply to the top lid as they are dry so can drag along the lid but I find by using your index finger to pull out your eyelid slightly, they apply much easier. They are perfect for using in your tight line or water line for a touch of definition, or use them along your lash line and then blend them out for a smokey look.

I like the Estée Lauder pencil liner for a really intense black look because it's really creamy so glides on easily and is so pigmented! The Miss Sporty Waxy Crayon is perfect for people who like maintainer free makeup or are just starting out with eyeliner because it applied really easily and can give a lovely, simple liner look. Another product I have always been a fan of is the Barry M Pencil Liner because I find that they last all day without creasing and they come in so many shades other than black if you want to experiment with colour during the holiday season.

For a thick, grungey liner definitely try out the Topshop Kohl Dust Liner. I have never seen a liner like this before. In theory, it's just blackish grey dust that is densely packed in to a tube with a thick, spongey but tapered tip. The product itself can be extremely messy so I would suggest holding a bit of tissue under your eye before application. This liner gives a very thick slightly sparkly intense look but I think it is perfect for a party because it is so effortless!

For the perfect cat eye I always use my favourite type of eyeliner; gel! The best thing about gel liner is the fact that the look can be changed by simply using a different brush. They are a gel like texture (obviously) upon application and quickly set on your eye. You can achieve a simple, thin line for definition or can be build up for a more intense, bold line. The best thing about gel liner is they create a perfect flick and don't smudge or crease all day.

My favourite gel liners are the Maybelline Studio Effect Gel Liner and the Bobbi Brown Gel Liner. They are both great products because they don't crease on my extremely oily eyelids. The maybelline liner is slightly more liquid in texture, whereas the Bobbi Brown one is more dry so needs a bit more pressure upon application.

I really hoped this helped if you were struggling to decide which eyeliner is right for you! Feel free to ask any questions below.

Jess x

Makeup of the day

I'm still not feeling 100% better so today I decided to wear some of my favourite makeup to make myself feel better.... Am I the only one who does this?!

-benefit hello flawless foundation believe in my ivory

-benefit benetint

-bourjois delice de poudre 52

-rimmel wake me up concealer ivory

-maybelline 24hr colour tattoo on and on bronze

-mua eyeshadow pallette undress me too

-maybelline studio gel eyeliner black

-estée lauder sumptuous extreme mascara black

-revlon colour burst just bitten kissable balm stain honey (that's a bit of a mouthful)

-essie nail polish chinchilly

The Winter Lip Staples

I know I haven't done a beauty post in forever so massive apologies to start off with!

In winter, my skin gets so dry, so I tend to experiment a bit more with lip and eye products than face products. My favourite look for lips in the holiday season is definitely the traditional 'berry lips'. From reds to purples I really think it adds a warmth to your face and it looks so festive.

Top 10 under £10

I have seen this tag EVERYWHERE and I love the high street so much so I decided to do it myself. It took me forever to choose 10 products because I really love the drugstore/ high street so I was spoiled for choice :( but after almost an hour of sorting through products, I finally narrowed it down to just 10 products! (In no particular order...)