#makeup advice

anygirlies have makeup recs? i love makeup and makeup looks on other people but i don’t currently wear much myself + wanna get more into it. if anygirlies have recs for products (especially concealer, highlighter, or lip gloss), tutorials, beginner tips, etc. it’d be much appreciated <3

p.s. would looove a cute everyday eyeshadow rec for school too <3

When it comes to pencil eyeliner, price does not always equal quality. This is one of those makeup categories where both high-end and drugstore brands perform extremely well, and the best choice really comes down to the type of eyeliner you prefer, rather than how much you spend.

The main thing to consider is the formula.

Gel-like pencil eyeliners

Gel pencils are creamy, smooth, and highly pigmented. They glide onto the skin easily and tend to have stronger colour payoff and longer wear. If this is the type of eyeliner you enjoy using, investing in a higher-end option can make sense.

The Lancôme DRAMA LIQUI-PENCIL Longwear Eyeliner is a great example. It applies with the ease of a gel liner but still feels like a pencil, making it ideal for both precise lines and smudged looks.

That said, there are excellent budget-friendly alternatives that perform just as well:

Glossier No.1 Pencil for a creamy, comfortable formula

Essence Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner, which works as a very close dupe for the Lancôme formula

Classic kohl pencils

Kohl eyeliners are softer, more powdery, and designed to be smudged. They are perfect for smoky eyes or lining the waterline and are not intended to be ultra-precise.

If you are looking for a classic kohl pencil, you truly cannot go past the Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencil. It is affordable, easy to use, and has remained a staple for a reason.

On the splurge end, the Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl Eyeliner offers rich pigment and a smooth kohl finish, but it is very much a luxury option rather than a necessity.

Is splurging worth it?

Eyeliner is one of the few makeup products where budget brands consistently do a great job, alongside mascaras and brow pencils. Spending more does not automatically mean better performance.

If you want to be strategic with your makeup budget, your money is often better spent on foundation, concealer, and cheek products, where formula and finish can make a bigger difference.

I'm all about helping people find out ways to create their look, while working within means of their budget. Also - who doesn't like finding what you want for an even better price?!

Sometimes stores aren't accessible in person to check out and swatch products, so the drug stores are the closest bet most times.

One of the top lipsticks people go on about in the pinup scene is Mac's 'Ruby Woo' lipstick.

Whilst still on the hunt for a perfect dupe of Chanel No 5, I thought I'd dive into this shade of lipstick to see if I could find any similar ones to recommend to people - and I lucked out!

So here's some of my findings if you wish to pick one up! x

Revlon Super Lustrous The Luscious Mattes Lipstick in 'Really Red'. This one I would really recommend since it is the closest colour and finish.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in 'Rich Ruby'. The shade is also nearly identical, but has more moisturizing effect than the original - so that can make wear a bit more pleasant.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Matte Lipstick in 'Stoplight Red'. Highly pigmented, while flattering a variety of skin tones..what more could one want? Super affordability, too? Check!

NYX Matte Lipstick in 'Perfect Red'. I'm a NYX girlie when it comes to cosmetics, and this lipstick is pretty nice (all bias aside). Highly comparable in pigment, neutral to cool red shade, with a smooth and non-drying matte finish.

Those are only a few that I found when digging, but there's countless brands out in the cosmetic industry that probably has similar shades. These are just a few to help guide you down that yellow brick road to get you some of that Ruby goodness.

Have a fantabulous day, and keep on shining!

What’s on your mood boards for fall/winter makeup looks ? 💄

listen to me, your skin has texture. the makeup cannot erase that texture. when you wear makeup, if you look closely at your skin in the mirror you’re going to very obviously look like you’re wearing makeup. this is normal and ok and something we all must accept.

take a breath in, take two steps back from the mirror and you’ll see it no longer looks cakey or weird or whatever else is plaguing you about your makeup today. and then breathe out and remember that that’s as close as any stranger, coworker or judgy old lady will be getting to you. none of them are going to be centimetres from your face and picking apart the texture of your skin. and if they are that close then you’re about to have a makeout sesh so you have other things to worry about.