Easy Contouring | Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour Review

I am always looking for the new cheat for chiselled cheek bones. I suffer from baby face, a condition passed on from my mother where the face is cherub and round, no matter what diets you go on (*this is not a real condition). It also means that no matter how old I get I still get asked for proof of age when I am buying a lottery ticket or a packet of paracetamol. 

I love contouring! I have different powders and creams at various price points, all promising me cheeks like Angelina Jolie. I used to work at the Clinique head office and I really love their stuff so when I heard they had launched two new contouring products I was quick to snatch one up. The new Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour comes in one shade but there is also a highlighter to match. 

What they say

Glide onto bare skin or foundation to hollow out cheek bones or define the jawline. The swivel design means there is no need for a sharpener.

What I say

I applied my base as normal using my favourite Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation (review here) and used the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour over the top. The texture is really creamy and it is very matt, so there is no simmer that you get in a lot of bronzing products - perfect for this. I ran it along the hollow of my cheek bones and put a few dots on my temple. 

When I first applied the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour I was a bit scared of the colour. I am pretty pale and this is quite bronze so I thought it would really stand out. But after using my foundation brush to blend the product in I was really impressed with the result! The effect is subtle but noticeable, if that makes sense? Also... hello cheek bones! Where have you been hiding?

Perhaps this isn't a product I would use every day. It is quite a lot of effort to go to for my office job of sitting at a desk all day. But I love this for a night out or a special occasion, basically any time I may run into my future husband. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

Have you used any contouring sticks? Any drugstore recommendations?

Stay beautiful
xoxo

Shine Bright Like a Diamond | Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Review

Beautifully highlighted cheek bones are having a moment. You only have to look at the Instagram's of Kendal Jenner and Kim Kardashian to see that luminosity just radiates from them. What I often have to remind myself when I look at theses photos and feel a little down is that it is all fake. Clever makeup skills and filters help these celebs to achieve flawless skin or perfect cheek bones. So I wanted to try it for myself.

The first product I wanted to try was the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, I brought it from Sephora in the shade Moonstone. I really liked the sound of the product, it contains skin benefits (not sure what these are :s) and a splash of helpful SPF25, great because I have very pasty skin. SpaceNK has this product in back order, it is that popular that us UK kids are having to resort to Ebay and Sephora to get our beauty mitts on it. 

What they say: A shimmering tinted moisturiser designed to even-out skin tone and give your face a healthy, natural glow. Antioxidant vitamins A, B, D and E aid skin cell repair and increase collagen renewal, whilst simultaneously protecting against free radical damage. SPF 20+ filters 96% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, fortifying your face against the elements.

What I say: The packaging is very simple and elegant. I guess the price you pay is for the contents. Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector is very sheer, with a crème-liquid feel. I was worried it would be a bit sparkly, but actually the particles are ultra-fine and really reflect the light in a beautiful way. When I applied it to my face it felt a little thick but once I buffed it in using my Real Techniques Stippling Brush it really sank in and didn't affect the foundation underneath. I really like that it contains vitamins, however unless I use it all over my face I don't think I will get the full benefit, at least I will have healthy cheek bones! I am not sure I would use it as a moisturiser, I think I moved on from the glittery face post the year 2000 and school discos. But I do think using it as a subtle highlighter is perfect, the skin almost glows. Plus using so little product means it will last longer, making the hefty price tag easier to bear. 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone, Space NK & Sephora, £33.00

Let me know if you want to see what it looks like on my face. Have any of you used it?

Stay Beautiful

xoxo

Faking a Bone Structure | Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring Palette

I blame my lack of bone structure for the fact I am asked for ID when I am buying paracetamol or alcohol. I have quite a round baby face, which many say I will appreciate when I am older, but for now it is annoying. I am a 25 year old woman with the face of a teenager. So in my hunt to chisel my features I asked fellow bloggers on Twitter (@pixipicks) to recommend a contouring pallete to help. There was one product that stood out and was the top of all of their lists, Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette. I popped off to Superdrug to see what all the fuss was about.

Blusher

Highlighter 

Contour Powder

Contour Powder / Highlighter / Blusher

No Contouring

What they say: With multi-tasking elements such a contour powder, highlighter and blusher in one neat compact designed to suit all skin tones.

What I say: The idea of having all three products in one neat compact is genius. The matte brown powder is perfect for creating shadow in the hollows of the cheeks. The best way to find the hollows of the cheeks is to make a fish face and suck them in.

Run the contour powder from the ear down to the hollow of the cheek and blend. I like to use the Real Techniques Contour Brush. The blush is a nice shade, but it isn’t very heavily pigmented so you need to build colour. I’m not keen on the shimmer in the blush; I think it would have been better to have a matte colour as there is the highlighter that can be added afterwards. It is a little too much shimmer to add them both. I use the highlighter down the ridge of my nose, chin and forehead. 

Before Blending

After Contouring (This photo looks edited but it's really not)

I really like that it is s easy to use and is small enough to carry around. Also the price is pretty damn good!

Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette, RRP £9.99

Rant or Rave?

RAVE

Stay Beautiful

xoxo

(Purchased product)