REVIEWSDAY: Urban Decay Mascara Resurrection

Urban Decay’s 2015 releases are looking pretty exciting all round. As you might have realised from my serious inability to shut up about their eyeshadows, I’m a huge fan of the brand, and scurried off to investigate the new launch as soon as I heard about it. It comprises a powder foundation, a concealer, a new collection of Moondust eyeshadows (YES), some beautiful lipsticks and something called Mascara Resurrection.

Slightly creepy name aside, this is the first product of its kind I’ve ever seen, and it’s also the cheapest product in the new range at £10, so I snapped it right up.

HOT FOR TEACHER: Dark Brown Smoky Eye

Smoky eyes have been a key part of my makeup arsenal since I was about fourteen – I picked up my first Urban Decay palette and never looked back – and normally I like to go all in with them, with lots of contrast, nice crease definition and eyeliner as far as the eye (ha) can see.

Sometimes, though, it feels nice to step away from the Kim Kardashian school of smoky eyes (for kids who wanna learn to do other stuff good too) and into the more low-key Mila Kunis-esque end of the spectrum. This look is a little more versatile, too, as it can be dressed up or down more easily and works for almost any occasion and with almost any other makeup, especially if you’re a fan of bolder lips.

DECK THE HAULS: Christmas Beauty Gifts

As the Christmas glow fades and everyone starts frantically trying to lose the cheese weight they put on over the holidays  - well, that might just be me – we can take solace in the time we’ve spent with our loved ones, and the spirit of the festive season that brings us all together.

And all the presents.

I was very, deliciously spoilt by my lovely family and friends, and because it’s not exactly a state secret that I’m kind of a fan of makeup (try not to faint with surprise), this took the form of lots of gorgeous beauty bits and bobs.

HOT FOR TEACHER: New Year's Eve Make-up and Hair

So we both got insanely busy in December and failed a little in doing any Christmas party festive looks but now we have New Year's Eve to prepare for instead yay!

I feel like this year there has been a particular revolt against the eyes *or* lips rule, with everyone just doing whatever they like, so to celebrate that, and because I think it will carry on into 2015 as well, (for example at the London SS15 catwalk shows!), I thought what better look to do than bold eyes and lips together?!

Colour Me Your Colour

A few weeks ago, I wandered starry-eyed into the makeup section of Selfridges and after a dazed and beautiful half-hour, wandered back out again with this Urban Decay eyeliner set.

Coloured eyeliner is something that I’ve largely avoided since the Red Eyeliner Incident of 2005 (I was fourteen. Please don’t judge me.), but since we started this blog I’ve been trying to be a bit more adventurous with my makeup, if just in a desperate attempt to remain interesting. That in mind, and this beautiful, beautiful present to myself in hand, I gave it a go.

HOT FOR TEACHER: Shimmery Smoky Eye

Now that you (maybe) have all recovered from the Halloween onslaught of tutorials, I thought I might try another one, because now we can all start thinking about Christmas. Yes I said it, sorry not sorry.

I also got my first proper brush set the other day, having previously used an interesting assortment acquired at random from various people, but which did not actually include any eye brushes. I chose the new Real Techniques Nic's Picks, partly because it is a third off at Superdrug atm, but also because it includes the two main things I wanted, a general fluffy eyeshadow brush and an angled crease brush, as well as three whole other brushes!