Quick Review: L.A. Girl Glide Gel Liner (Whiten)

Hi there!

I'm currently going through a process of trying to use up my make up instead of buying more and also giving a way stuff I don't use. So this time around I've chose to unpack my LA GIRL Glide Pencil - Whiten which I picked up when I was in the Morphe Brushes stop in LA.

I got it for a couple of dollars in America I think but the price online is £5.97. I think thats a reasonable price compared to brands like Kiko which I think you can compare this product to in terms the quality of their liners. Its a little be chalky but it does glide on ok, and you can't expect a liquid effect from a pencil.

I added a bit of Maybelline master ink matte eyeliner which is my favourite eyeliner) to define the look a bit. The finished look is cute but not something I'd wear for a casual look. If you wanted to to a black and white photo shoot I would also fully recommend this.

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makeup

Side-eye Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills cream contour kit (Deep)

So when I went to the states in March I picked up the Anastasia Beverly Hills cream contour kit in deep. In hindsight I don't know why I was so obsessed in getting this. You know when something comes out and you're like "i need this" even though you really don't. I think I was excited about the "kit" element. I love things that say "pop this one thing in your bag and you're done". This was on my bucket list and I was like #treatyoself and it was impossible to get in London so I got it for $40 and months later. For some reason I was scared of touching it, partly because I didn't know how to use it, partly because I didn't want to be disappointed - however, I've finally taken it out from storage and tried it out. 

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My Top 5 Contouring Products for Dark Skin

When contouring made its way to the mainstream make up loving scene it was one of those things that were also difficult to get grips with as darker skinned person. I'm too dark even for the LA Girl Pro concealers! So I decided to write a bit about my favourite products to use. My shades are: MAC (NW45/NC50) / Maybelline Fit Me (Coconut #355) / L'Oreal Paris True Match (8.N Cappuccino).  I have another blog post the (drugstore) foundations I use which you can read here. Also my fave brushes to use are the H&M Angled Blush brush (for powder) and the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush (for cream/liquid) and the Makeup geek rounded blush brush. 

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dark skin

My Vanity table

Hi there and Happy Pride!

So recently I got around to cleaning my vanity table. The first thing I did was have a clear out. So 10% of things either went in the bin or in a care package for a friend or in my vanity case. When that was done it was time to tackle the main issues - getting foundation all over my white table, having a load of brushes but not an efficient system where I can easily access my most used ones. On top of that I needed a system for being able to quickly access primers and end of day skin care stuff. Basically I needed to create a station that enabled me to do my face within ten minutes and take off my face within 5. In addition I needed it to be easy to clean and cat proof. Cosmo sometimes thinks of my vanity table as a little play station so I needed to make it difficult for him to steal things and run away with them!

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Storage

Side-eye Review: NYX 'liquid Suede'

NYX Suede in Vintage

Hiya!

So like lots of makeup lovers I ran out and bought a bunch of the NYX liquid suede line. The first one bought was when I was in LA, I wasn't really impressed but I thought it s just the colour (just looked like a regular nude) so when I got back to the UK I bought some different ones.

You can find NYX on asos.com or at your Boots (the big ones and online). You can also order NYX products online via their website www.nyxcosmetics.com if you don't mind the p+p

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New Hair: Dip-Dye Silver Mico-braids

So since the dip dye fad really kicked in, when you go to black hair shops you can usually find dip dye hair for braiding in the usual colours, blonde, red, brown, purple.

But thats not going to work if you want the Storm aesthetic. Anyway, if you dig around in maybe Brixton in London or something you maybe to find it in bulk for straight braids.

However if like me you like curly or wavy hair this is impossible.However my mate Shakira one day was like "why don't you just bye the weave version the cut it". Which I was like - "duh why didn't I think of that?" So I took to eBay and got a couple of packs of these and TADA! - going lighter next time :)

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Quick Review: Washing my brushes with brushegg

I hate washing my makeup brushes.

Which is one of the reasons that I own about 50 of them. I will do anything to get out of washing them and at the same time avoid using one that's not clean. So the other day when I was about to buy a new brush I bought a brushed instead - Amazon Prime will be the end of me.

Washing your brushes is very important because bacteria grows in your brushes and make up sponges like no tomorrow. If you don't wash brush and then add more product to that brush then put it back onto your face, you are just ruining your skin by smearing this mix of makeup and bacteria all over it.

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My Morphe brushes trip - Part 1

A few weeks ago I went to L.A and my friend Umber said that I must visit the Morphe Brushes store and omg was it worth it. Have you ever had a dream when you are in you favourite shop or restaurant and its actually possible to have all the things.

This was me - a kid in a candy shop. Everything was super affordable compared to UK prices. Its going to take me a while to go through everything I purchased so I'm going to start with three things, single eye shadows, an empty magnetic palette and a L.A Girl Glazed lip paint.

So buckle and get ready for semi-extensive makeup chat in the next few weeks.

@brownbeautystandards I made it! Xx

A photo posted by Susuana Amoah (@susuana_xx) on Mar 30, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

So I got 7 single shadows, they where about a couple of dollars each and I just wanted to get all the fancy nude/taupe shades I could. I also bought a 35o palette so i didn't need to by loads more shadows, I will do a separate post on that :) If you want these eye shadows in the UK you can order them from Beauty Bay. I've ordered quite a bit of American stuff from them in the past and in terms of service I give Beauty Bay 8/10. 

Until next time!

Susuana xx

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My New Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Hi lovelies, 

So if you you've been following my blog for a while, you would have seen that I'm trying to get better at eyeshadow makeup. So far this year, I've realised that I have quite heavy lids and the importance of a good transition shade. My eyelids are also quite dark and get oily so having a good base and primer is important. I recently bought a Morphe palette (35W), however I didn't really feel like it had good matte nude shades for my skin tone so I decided to make my own palette. So I went to MAC and bought an empty palette for £5 and did some YouTube Research for shades that would look good on me. 

1. MakeUp Geek - Cocoa Bear: Has a warm tone 
2. MakeUp Geek - Country Girl: A bit shimmery and auburn-like
3. MakeUp Geek - Latte: Perfect nude for WOC 
4. Morphe Brushes - Granite: Darker crease colour with a bit of shimmer

All these shadows are under £5 and my go-to eye primer (which I placed on my hand to do the swatches) is the Milani Eyeshadow primer. Also I got my first ever Morphe Brushes brush (MB24) which I am really excited about because I have quite large eyes and its a big brush! :) 

Well, I hope this blogpost has helped you make good life choices! - See you next time!

Susuana xx

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Cheap and glorious tricks - Nivea Men Sensitive post shave balm as primer

So a little while ago I wrote a blog about face primers and which ones work for dry skin - which you can read here. If you have dry skin it's really really important the you exfoliate and moisturise regularly and use a primer. I've been watching loads of youtube makeup reviews for people with dry skin because I'm looking to start buying makeup which is more suited for my skin texture. And you can just tell that some Youtubers quite obviously do not prime their skin properly and before applying the product, therefore they give it a bad review - saying it looks patchy, cakey or that comes off quickly. I'm not a make up artist or dermatologist but come on products are not miracles, often you have to work with them a bit to get your dream effect. 

To me right now, it's pretty obvious but in the past I've probably disowned lots of foundations, even ones that were good for dry skin because I didn't know that priming and prepping my skin was an essential part of the process. But recently I tested out the new youtube fad started by Nikkie tutorials where you use Nivea Men sensitive post shave balm as primer. And it actually works! The photo above is a still from a video I was shooting at work. I  look a bit shiny because of the lights but I wasn't in real life and by the time I got home my make up was still in place. 

• Pros - Your makeup will last all day (which I think is the number point of a good primer). Its really cheap (usually under £5) which is amazing for the amount that you get. There's allot in the bottle and you don't even have to use that much at all. It's also hydrating. 
• Cons - Not pore minimising (it's shave balm, there's not much you can expect). It also doesn't have a pump or anything so it's a bit difficult to control how much pours out. Has a bit of a "manly" scent at first.

I have to admit knowing that my make up hasn't disappeared half way through the day gives me one less thing to worry about! You can run around care free and looking 100%. 

Take Care 

Love Susuana 

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Skincare

Craftivism - Brush candy jar!

So a few weeks a go I was watching a youtube video on make up  collection organisation. For some reason I really find those types of videos calming/ satisfying lol. Well I like make up and I like cute organiser stuff so I guess its a match made in heaven.                                                   

Anyway one woman had a candy jar that she put her brushes in. I thought that was a great idea, because I sometimes go away for long periods of time, I have a nosey cat and I'm concerned with dust and dirt settling on my brushes. So at first I bought a glass jar but it was too small, then I got a plastic two litre one and it was way to tall. Then I was like whatever I'll cut it up and this is the finished result :) BTW why does glitter take forever to dry!!

Take care!

Susuana xx

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Good News and Good Nails

Hello Lovelies,

So I've actually banned myself from buying any makeup products for the whole of February because I have lots of stuff that I haven't even tried and I kept buying things constantly and I really need to save so I was like DISCIPLINE IS NEEDED. And I aced January where I didn't buy one item of clothing all throughout the month and I was well proud of myself.

So the good news is that I can cross out one of my new years resolutions as I got an offer for my dream Masters Course! So I will be going back to Uni and moving to Brighton with my cat Cosmo! I'm so happy and thankful to everyone that helped me get to this stage.                                  

I've also been accepted on to an activist weekend course in Los Angeles in March. So I'll be heading to America for the first time in my life! Another of my new years resolutions was to go to two countries that I have never been before. Which is funny cuz I have no money. But when the opportunity knocked for funded trip I was like HELLO. I'm gunna buy ALL the make up when I get there!    

 

#doitforthegram #nails #colourshow

A photo posted by Susuana Amoah (@susuana_xx) on Feb 18, 2016 at 11:05am PST

So the good nails are by Maybelline Colour Show in  the colour 232. Its the perfect frosty nude. Online it says it's called Rose Chic, which is sort of on point because it is has that sort of Rose Gold vibe. Rose gold is my new favourite colour and I highly recommend it for the wedding/christening/slaying season. Nudes are not just for autumn!

I'm just pretending that these are how my nails are naturally are from now on. They also feel like they look! - frosty 

Have a lovely week!

Susuana xx

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New Years resolutions

Side-eye Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

Hi again!

So the other day this product popped up on Beauty Bay and I had one of those no brain filter moments and I ordered it instantly. I currently use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip brow pomade in ebony. But I'm lazy and anything that looks like it will cut down time spent getting ready - I am here for. With the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip brow, I have find a spooly to brush my brows, then pick an angled brush for the gel brow and the spot clean the brush. And if you get that dip dip brow on something, the stains are killer. Anyway this Brow Definer is very similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz however it doesn't have a pencil-like head. I purchased the Brow Definer for £16.00.

So as you can see there is a spoolie on one end and a the retractable brow-stick? on the other end. I don't quite know what the logic is behind the shape of the stick. Its like a strange triangle and a bit confusing. But besides that the packaging and the overall design of the product is lovely. 

So here is what it looks like on. I apologise for the quality of the photo,  you know those days where you just can't get the right lighting for your selfie game. Anyway - as you can see it looks ok, its not that harsh looking and It wasn't as hard to apply at all. However, if you have thin eyebrows I wouldn't recommend this, I'd probably would recommend the brow wiz because its harder with the brow definer to be more precise. If you have quite thick brows or don't have a huge amount of time in the morning this is a good product because you don't have to press to hard or spend to long to get the job done! I'm really impressed with product and I'm looking forward to putting it to daily use!

Currently listening to: Style - (THIRDSTORY Cover) 

Take care 

Susuana xx

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Cruelty-free primers for dry & sensitive skin (under £15)

I've been through my fair share of face primers since I discovered they where a thing. From Maybelline baby skin (please never buy this waste of money product) to Smashbox photo finish primer (not something I wear every day and it's expensive). Also I've discovered the importance of working out what you want from a primer and also matching it to your skin type. For me it's important that my primer enables my liquid foundation to go on smoothly and does not dry out my skin. If it creates a super pore-less base that's great but I'm conscious of stuff that potentially blocks my pores. When I'm not wearing any make up but maybe going to the gym or running some errands I might just wear a primer on it's own to prevent my t-zone getting oily and keep my skin looking so fresh and so clean :) 

1. Makeup Forever Hydrating Primer - £13.00

This has to be my favourite primer. With only a small amount it makes my skin feel like it's had a drink and goes along way. It feels like moisturiser in terms of texture and you only need a couple of small squirts from the tube. I usually add it to my most problem areas which is my t-zone and my cheeks and then I don't have to worry about them for the rest of the day. The only not cool thing is that it is it's quite pricey for a small tube. However, it is a high quality product that can last a long time. Makeup forever also does a huge range of primers for different needs so go check it out. 

2. Nivea Essentials Express Hydration Primer (Dry & Sensitive Skin) - £4.99

This is my most recent purchase. I had been looking for smoking similar to the makeup forever product but cheaper. This product has a more gel like texture and it is super hydrating and leaves my skin feeling baby soft and ready for the world. This is my current go to primer and I find that I apply it like a moisturiser all over my face because a little goes a super long way. I think the price is amazing and it's also something you should be able to find in your local drugstore in the UK. Also it comes in a (normal skin) version.

3. Elf Hydrating Face Primer - £6.49

This is an affordable everyday wear primer for those on the go. It's something that I'd wear to the gym or pop in my travel bag because it works ok but isn't my favourite primer. It also smells a bit strange when you first apply it which is what I think puts me off personally. (I'm just really funny about those things). It also has vitamin A, C, E which is great. I would recommend as a product for anyone with dry to normal skin but not for oil skin because of the consistency of the product. For some reason I can't seem to find this primer on the UK e.l.f site but it is available on amazon and eBay.

Take care 

Susuana xx 

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Skincare

Drugstore liquid foundations for dark skin babes

So when I fist started wearing foundations as an adult I went to the higher brands because they had the shades for darker skinned people. Most brands leave me looking red. I don't really have red undertones (I'm more of a warm gold) so looking red just annoys me off because it makes my face look like I've got a rash or something. This experience isn't uncommon if you have dark skin. Normal stores just do not stock for our skin type and we end up wearing stuff that wither makes up look really ashy or like we've got sun burn.Anyway I started off with MAC match master in 9. Realised it was too dark then go the 8.5 and realised it made me look read when it oxidised. Then I got number 8 and it was just right. (Goldilocks life). 

However since then I've also realised that MAC isn't the most ethical of brands for multiple reasons and I don't really to be paying over £20 for one foundation even if it lasts me a year. I also noticed that I go dry patches that showed up through the foundation and whilst that's mostly to do with my skin type - which is dry. I think that mattifying liquid foundations is something I need to leave for hitting the clubs. The make up artist in the MAC store said just wear a primer. I'm not sure this was the best advice tbh, I think the look and my skin would have been improved if I had moisturised my skin better or just not used such a drying product but anyway. Disclaimer: All of these swatched look identical fyi / I have dry/normal skin / This is what I look like with natural looking foundation). With all that said and done - Here are my top 4 tried and tested drugstore foundations!!! 

1. Rimmel London Match Perfection (504 Deep Mocha) - £7.99

This is my go to foundation for everyday wear, it's medium coverage but buildable and not overly drying at all. It's top quality is how it leaves your skin feeling hydrated and is light weight. It blends well to match my skin colour and ticks all the boxes for what a good foundation should be like. I do think that this is the darkest shade available that I've seen though, 

2. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation (Coconut #355) - £6.17  

This is usually the darkest version that boots/superdrug has in stock. I do like this foundation and it works well it's just not that wow for me personally. But it is affordable and does the job and offers a look that's not exactly matte but not cakey or dry looking. I think this might be the original FIT me formula. I know when I see people use it online they different looking bottles but the ones in UK shops are plain looking so who knows? 

3. The Body Shop Fresh nude foundation (Caribbean Mahogany) - £15

Ok the body shop isn't quite a drug store but this is still quite affordable. I was really excited about this foundation when I first got it because I thought I was a great dupe for my mac match master liquid foundation. However, after a few wears I realised that even though the colour is identical, the body shop foundation is very dewy, it's supposed to be semi dewy but even on my dry skin I'm on that thin line between dewy and oily looking when I wear this. It does give me a natural fresh skin look though and us highly moisturising. This is the second to last darkest colour in their range.

4. L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation (8.N Cappuccino) - £9.99
This foundation has really good coverage. The only bad bits is that it is very watery and has a bit of an orange tint when you first put it on. My friends did confirm that I didn't look orange and my foundation looked fine when I got outside. I think that I would wear this more in the summer though, because it's more of a warmer toned foundation and I tend to go for cool tones only in colder months. I've also seen this come in different packaging, I'm pretty sure they are all the same product though? This is the darkest shade I've seen in the shops. 

So there you go, decent foundation that won't break the bank.

Take care 

Susuana Amoah

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Storage solutions for makeup you use every day

Good Morning beauties,

I just wanted to share a new addition to my vanity desk that some of you may like too! So the back story is that I got sick of digging through my large make up travel case pull-out shelves to find what I wanted to wear so I asked my makeup pals how they stored their make up. Acrylic draws seemed to be the number one shout. They are cute and stylish and you can see what you need. Filling mines up I was able to see what I actually have. I am guilty of buying multiple things because I just couldn't find the one that had before. I know you can get these draws (well the bottom half anyway) from MUJI and i do love MUJI but I got my set off eBay for £14.99 :) 

Take Care

Susuana xx

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Brown Lip Lovin' - Maybelline Super Stay 24 hour Lip Colour

So I randomly picked up this lip product in a boots in Scotland when I was over for New Years. It's the Maybelline super stay lip colour. I was looking for a browny pink colour and it looked ok and lasted long - but I need to find the right lipliner. So when I got back to London I saw this lip-colour (the don't call it a lip gloss) in this colour (575 Always Crimson) and I've been looking for a brown that would make me look like I stepped out of a 80s Rnb video. And surprisingly this did the trick. The formula dries (very quickly) matte, you need about 2 layers. Then when it dries you put the lip balm on and there go all day lips tick. You can even eat and drink, it won't transfer at all. You just have to make sure your lips are well exfoliated before you put it on. 

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Ultimate Red Lipstick Number 575, Always Crimson - £8.99

Also, this product stains to be careful! Use a baby wipe/ something oil based to remove. However, I don't know who need a lip product to stay on for 24 hours tbh. 

Take care

Susuana xx 

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My Skin Care Routine

So for the past couple of months I've been trying to identify a skin care routine. Mainly because of over work, stress and mental heath reasons I've seem to had let my skin go and not been taking care of it at all. You know those "I'll take my make up off in the morning" levels of neglect. So anyway - now I make sure that I have a daily routine that makes my dry and sensitive skin, moisturised and clean. I'm also working towards getting rid of dark circles and hyper pigmentation. Below is my everyday skin care routine if I was was wearing make up.                             

Morning 

• Dodu-osun black soap - an all natural soap bar from my homeland that helps tackle dark marks 
• Sonic face cleaner - The sonic face cleaner thing is really useful. I know some you tubers advertise really expensive ones but I got mine for under £10 from eBay. It has 4 attachments and it works fine. 
• Body Shop Vitamin e Hydrating toner - This gets of any left over dirt, restores PH levels and gives me vitamin e wooooo
• Trilogy Rose hip oil - I have super dry skin so this does wonders and helps with dark marks :) 

Evening 

• Baby wipe wipe - I get the ones that are for sensitive skin and fragrance free, i try to get most of my make up with this, before the deep clean 
• The body shop camomile cleansing oil - this is THE shit, and leaves my face feeling great
• Dodu-osun black soap 
• Sonic face cleaner
• The body shop Vitamin e toner
• Rose hip oil 

So that's me! If you have any hood drugstore eye creams let me know because I am the hunt for one! 

Take care 

Susuana xx 

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Skincare

Problems & Solutions - What is up Sleek Lipstick Coverage?

Hi World, 

So the other day I tried out a couple of items from my Sleek Christmas Haul. I have quite dark and large lips so Iip colours often look different on me and I need to take a bit of time getting the exact look I want. So I wanted to try out a Vamp look since I haven't had a go with that look since I lost my MAC night moth lipliner at a party. >:( . And I then remembered what I didn't like about sleek lip products. 

Problem: For some reason Sleek lipstick doesn't give me full coverage on the inner part of my lip so I had to do some mixing. (I now see why lip brushes exist and why I should probably invest in one.)

Solution: I wore MAC Diva lipstick as a base. Diva is pretty dark lipstick that I have sort of stopped wearing on it's own so I was pretty happy to put it to some use. Then I put the Sleek Mulberry lipstick over it which made ipt a browny plummy sort of colour. 

Not going to lie, although it looks pretty hot goth glam I probably couldn't eat or drink at all with this on and you can actually feel the product on your lips which is kind of unconfortable. Below is the final look in the most realistic light I could manage. 

What are your experiences with Sleek lipsticks? Let me know in the comments. And also let me know if you want me to try out any other looks and I'll see what I have in my collection.

Take Care

Susuana xx

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Sleek