Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

£3.50 Contour Palette and Bold Red Lip





I am 100% in love with this Makeup Revolutions Ultra Sculpt and Contour Kit in Light/Medium. It comes with a dark contour shade, a golden highlight shade and a blush shade. The contour shade is very dark and pigmented so you have to be careful not to pile it on, it could very easily start to make you look dirty and cakey. It retails for £3.50 which actually blows my mind considering how amazing this palette is. It is super light weight and the perfect size to keep in your bag for any touch ups. I took it out at the weekend in my clutch bag and it didn't weigh my bag down or take up a lot of space.



The isn't a super defined contour look as I don't like a really deep contour with my pale skin. If my skin was darker or I was tanned then I would 100% apply more to deepen the shade.

If you would like to see a deep contour look with this palette then please leave your comments below as this contour kit would work perfectly.

This look is pretty simple but this bold Maybelline Colour Drama Lipstick in Essential Red is the perfect glam shade, it looks so beautiful with my Purple/Pink hair. I have had this lipstick for some time now but found it in my collection recently.

I didn't necessarily focus too much on the eyes as I wanted to experiment with the contour palette, and this red lip was more than enough to Glam up this look. This bright gold eyeshadow and thin black wing was just the right about of detail.


I hope you like this look.
Leave your comments below and don't forget to check my YouTube Channel.

Katy xoxo 

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

ROOT TOUCH UP AT HOME | UNDER £5.00



As my hair is naturally blonde I have to darken my roots quite often so this needs to be quick, effortless and cheap. I use the Clairol Root Touch Up in the shade Dark Brown. It comes with gloves, a root brush, a small container and two solutions that you mix together, it is very self explanatory. It is the perfect amount of product for thick hair like mine as it's goes a long way, and at £4.69 it is a brilliant price considering a salon would probably charge 5 × that amount.



I do like to wear an old T-shirt, lay an old towel on the floor as my carpet is cream and keep some face wipes close by. You can apply Vaseline around the hairline before you apply the dye and that will protect the skin. 


Once I have prepped my space I only use two things, a comb and a clip which most girls have anyway. This is to split the hair into sections and clip the rest of the hair up whilst you focus on applying the dye to the chosen section.


You can only see my roots slightly due to the lighting but my hair is naturally brighter in person. I can get away with my roots for sometime as the colour blends into my parting but this only works for so long.


When dying your roots you need to ensure you are not going past the line where your root ends otherwise it's going to dye the other hair darker and this will start to look a bit strange.

ROOT DYE ROUTINE

1. Apply the hair dye to the parting 
2. Use the pointy side of the comb to pull up a thin section of hair, approximately a fingers width
3. Carry on this routine throughout the hair 

You may need some help the first few times at the back of the head but I have learnt to use my fingers on my left hand as a reference point and apply the dye with my right hand. This will get easier the more you do this.


Wash and blow dry your hair, you can see in the photo above that my roots look a lot darker and it all blends in with the rest of my hair.


I hope you like this short budget root touch up tutorial on how to dye your roots at home.

Katy xoxo 

Sunday, 31 May 2015

Khaki Swing


Good Afternoon Beauts, 
Apologies that I haven't posted in a few days, I have been up north in sheffield with my family for just under a week. It was my nephews 1st Birthday which came around so quickly! It was so nice to be home but I didn't really have anytime for anything as I was preparing a surprise for my brother James and his girlfriend Nicola, in celebration for Daniels 1st birthday.



This dress has got to be my top dress for comfort, it is a cotton swing dress so it is very comfortable to wear whatever the weather. I bought this right before I went on holiday and it became my go to dress when getting ready and bumming around the pool. It does have drop armholes and sits just above the knees. It is slightly long for me as I feel loose fitted dresses below the knee can easily make me look quite stumpy but as this sit right above the knee, I don't think this has that effect. As I said, I have worn this dress very casually around the pool and the apartment in Turkey when getting ready but this simple shift dress can easily be transformed into an elegant evening outfit with some heels. These black sandals are perfect for this look as it is a simple choice but very effective.

I am all about buying pieces that are multipurpose, I would wear this with some Dc Martens and a trilby hat,  some sandals and a bold necklace or some jewelled flip flops and a smart blazer. They are just a few examples to show how versatile this dress can be.

The only critique I have on this dress is as it is cotton it can stick to you sometimes showing all parts of your body, however thats not always a bad thing.

Dress - Boohoo | Black Block Heels - New Look 

You can see this dress as part of my March Fashion Haul/Lookbook | Boohoo | H&M | Primark | Chockers | Just Fab on my Youtube Channel.

I hope you like this dress as much as I do, it is a great key piece to have in your wardrobe and it is only £10 so you can't really go wrong. It is from Boohoo and it is called the Freya Drop Armhole T-shirt Dress.

Chat Soon Lovelies!
Katy
XXX

Friday, 15 May 2015

Eyeshadow Pink Winged Eyeliner



I have been loving the bright bold winged eyeliner look recently and especially now with the release of the new Anastasia Beverly Hills Waterproof Cream Colours. This trend seems to be all over my  instagram feed and the selection of bright colours are perfect for a simplistic summer look. 

However in the UK Anastasia Beverly Hills products are not easy to get hold of and they can be quite pricey. A cheap alternative is using eyeshadow, any eyeshadow that is quite pigmented and the more vibrant the colour the better. This is the method I have used in the past to get the similar results to the colourful winged eyeliner craze that is slowly becoming more and more popular.




Products Used:

MAC Fix+
Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette Mermaids Vs Unicorn (Bergundy | 8th shade)
BonBon Solo Angled Brush

This Palette has such a beautiful collection of colours and the Makeup Revolution Palettes are so good for the money. This one was only £4.00 and there are so many palettes to choose from with different shades and textures. The MAC Fix+ makes a colour instantly brighter and adds a slight sheen to the texture. This technique can be used with an eyeshadow or highlighter.



First I sprayed my angled brush with MAC Fix+ and then swept my brush along the Burgundy colour in the Makeup Revolutions Palette. I did test this on my hand first to make sure not too much product had been picked up as the brush wants to glide and not pull along the skin otherwise its going to bumpy and jerky. The edge needs to look tidy and sleek like liquid eyeliner. Once Ive got the desired shape I pick up more of the colour and pat it on top of the already applied eyeliner. This is only to create a deep colour but you want to make sure you are not applying lumps of product as this will appear quite thick and cakey.


This is a strong eye but it can look quite casual if you shorten the wing and tone down the colours. Personally I love this look and I will start to wear different colours as part of this style. I think it is a solid trend for Summer 2015. It is bold, beautiful and very easy to do.

If you like this look then please leave your comments below and if you are loving this trend make sure you tag me in your posts on Instagram @katyeharmston or Twitter @katyharmston.

Chat Soon
Katy
XXX

Monday, 13 April 2015

Chiffon Shirt Dress


Recently I have been shopping for holiday clothes as I am going away to Turkey in a few weeks. I bought this chiffon shirt dress from Primark and I am absolutely loving it. I have not worn it yet as everything I buy I am saving for my holiday. This dress is so feminine and elegant and I am so glad I picked it up, I wasn't too sure whether it would look too old or suit my shape. It is a soft checkered chiffon material in dark blue and white with buttons all the way down the front. It comes with a navy slip as it is quite see-through and a slimline tan belt, whether you want to keep the belt depends on personal preference but I think it breaks up the blue, adding a nice contrast for this floor length piece.

The dress is very low priced as Primark is known for and only costs £13.00. I have seen other floor length shirt dresses in higher market high street shops like Topshop and River Island and I can imagine they will be at least triple the price. I put on some strappy black block heels from New Look but I think I would definitely like to try some tan heels to match the belt and pull the outfit together.



I think this piece is very versatile, you could dress it up with some heels and a clutch bag, wear on a sunny day with some sandals as it is very lightweight and loose, or wear for work with some smart shoes. When I buy clothes especially for a holiday I like to choose pieces that are versatile as sometimes the weather can turn on you or something can happen which you don't expect, so call this my safety option.



I put my hair up in a little messy bun so you are able to see the whole collar of the dress and how well it fits on the shoulders. If you like dresses like this then I definitely advised to check this dress out. I am so happy with this purchase and at £13.00 you just can't complain. 

Have a good week!
Katy
XXX

Friday, 10 April 2015

New Look Pure Colour Lipsticks


Lipsticks have definitely got to be one of my guilty pleasures, you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to buy decent products. I own all different brands of lipsticks right from the High Street brands like Makeup Revolutions which cost only a £1 to High End Brands like Estee Lauder that Cost £25. Obviously you can tell a difference between these products however you cannot knock the cheaper brands. I am always on the lookout for cheaper products to try out. In the past this has worked out so well and I have found some amazing products.

For Fashion New Look is one of my favorite High Street Clothing stores, especially for shoes. Last week I was buying some clothes and when you queue up there is a makeup stand with so many products and vibrant colours. On the top shelf were these Pure Color Lipsticks in several different colours. I tried one just as I was standing in the queue waiting to see if they were any good, the pigmentation in them is incredible and they are beautifully moisturized. They would be a perfect dupe to a MAC lipstick, that’s how creamy they are and at £3.99 I was sold. They come in a black smart box and then the lipstick packaging is a matte black lipstick case, very smart and sleek.
Sweet Rose - Shell Pink

I decided to buy two different pink shades, I really liked the Apricot colour which is a really nice nude like colour however in that shades the lipsticks had all been used. The two pink shades I bought are Sweet Rose and Shell Pink. They are very neutral pinks so not too in your face for day to day, work or school. Sweet Rose is more of a darker pink shade and Shell Pink is a very pretty girly pink. Sweet Rose - Shell Pink


 Shell Pink


Sweet Rose

If you like MAC lipsticks then I suggest you try these, especially if you are looking for a cheaper option that is still going to give the same results

Katy
xxx

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Natural Brown Cut Crease


 
A natural cut crease is such a versatile look whether you wear it daily, for school or at work. It can be a bold look for an event or a very easy and simple casual look. The idea is to add some definition to the eyes making them look bigger without adding a dark bold smoky eye. This is my go to look for work as its nice to have a bit of makeup on whilst looking professional and without giving the impression you are trying way to hard. Although most girls like a full face of makeup for them selves not to gain attention.
 

My girl Liv has such beautiful skin, plump lips and big eyes so she doesn't really need to do a lot, having more makeup on only makes these features more visible. This is actually a lot of makeup for her and I think this casual look suits her really well. Its easy to wear on a daily basis but for someone who doesn't wear this much makeup its quite a stock.

 

The only high end products I used for this look is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and the Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lip Gloss, all other products are high street products.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Shade Bone
Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer
Shade Light Neautral
Makeup Revolution Blush Palette Sugar and Spice
Makeup Revolutions Essential Mattes Palette
Shade Brown crease and  Shade Cream base
Maybelline Sensational Mascara
Collection Black Liquid Eyeliner
Rimmel Kohl White Eyeliner
Estee Lauder Pure Colour
Shade 26 Extravagant Pink Shimmer (Discontinued)

I hope you like this look!!
Katy
xxx

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

DIY Two Piece Matching Set


The hype over matching two pieces inspired me to try and make one myself. This matching set was made from a dress I bought from Primark for £2. The dress was a size 14, two dress sizes bigger than my size. The print on the fabric is so vibrant and it would be great for the summer. It is a unique piece and you wouldn't have to worry about someone else wearing the same outfit.
 
 
I bought this dress specifically to do this DIY as it was only £2 so if anything went wrong I wouldn't loose anything. I tend to do this a lot. This was quite an easy task and anyone could do this as there is no sewing machine involved. If you have a sewing machine then great, but if not that isn't a problem.
 
I wanted to completely change the dress but some steps are not necessary. If you want something sweet and simple then this DIY is perfect for you. The great thing about matching two pieces is that they are multi purpose pieces, you can style the skirt and top together or with different outfits.
 
Please watch the video tutorial below for a step by step guide to how I made this two piece.
 
 
The materials you will need:
 
Dress
Pins
Scissors
Needle Picker (Optional)
Clothing Hem
Iron
Black Material
Card
Foam Material
White and Black Thread
Needle
Three Press Studs (Optional)
Hook and Eye (Optional)
 
To make this DIY easier I would definitely consider not cutting out the back of the crop top and only using material for your belt as it will be easily washable.
 
I hope you like this DIY and make sure you rate and subscribe to my channel for more videos!
 
Katy
xxx



Saturday, 28 February 2015

Coral Blossam


This look is a very easily wearable look for school, work on just on a daily basis. The purple cut crease has become one of my go to as its relatively subtle but also adds a hint depth to the eye area.
The coral lipstick is very moisturising and it doesn't make your lips look dry or unhealthy. The Purple and Coral colour compliment each other so well as the purple isn't too harsh. I think if you were to wear a dark or bright purple smokey eye with this lipstick it would definitely look too much, especially for a work place or school environment. As much as I love a dark smokey eye and a bold lip combination, it just isn't right for certain workplaces. It could easily give off the impression that you are trying too hard and plus I like my bed in a morning.


The products I used for this look are mostly highstreet products so its easily achieved on a budget. The two products that are not highstreet products are the Naked Skin Concealer from Urban Decay and the Exceptional Definition Mascara from No7. It all depends of your view on highstreet as you can purchase these either at boots or House of Fraser which are considered to be highstreet, but they are generally higher priced brands. The the Naked Skin Concealer retails at £17.50 and the Exceptional Definiton Mascara at £10.00.

The lipstick and palettes that I used are both highstreet and can be purchased in most Superdrug stores. The Sugar and Spice Blush Palette (£6.00) and the Hot Spoke Eyeshadow Palette (4.00) are both from Makeup Revolutions and are incredibly priced for the quality of these palettes.

The MUA Lipstick in the shade 16 Nectar is such a beautiful and bright colour and at a £1.00 they are a must have for beauty lovers, I have a lot of their colours in my collection.




I hope you liked this blog post and this easy to wear makeup look. 
I hope your having a nice Saturday!!

Katy
xxx

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

DIY Lace Heels



If your anything like me then you love shoes, my wardrobe is in the process of being transformed in order to fit more in! I can honestly admit I have a bit of an obsession! I can't really remember the first time I tried a pair of high heels but I bet it was funny. Strutting around in your mums heels! My other obsession is definitely being a crafty person, I like to transform anything I can into something that's my own, whether I'm creating something from scratch, transforming an item or adding a crafty touch.
 
My first YouTube video is a DIY video of transforming these nice classic heels. I bought these from eBay for a cheap £6. I have only worn them once as there slightly too big for me! They have just been sat in my closet for months so I took it upon my self to come up with ideas that would make them look unique but in season. I didn't want to replicate something I had seen, I just wanted to create something that would transform them and increase there value and appearance; but on a budget.

My priority was to try something that would challenge myself within DIY Fashion and look completely different to the original. As you can see in the above images I applied lace all over the shoes and added a black trim around the shoes. The trim makes them look very high quality, it's always the smallest details that matter.
 
To do this you will need
 
Shoes - eBay - £6
Lace - Craft Store - 0.5 Metres £2.25
Black Trim - I used black elastic as it had a very silky shine - Craft Store - 3 Metres £2.10
Soft material to line the inside on the shoes - Already Owned - You can use any type of material just make sure it's soft
Cuticle stick and some tweezers - Already Owned - You can purchase these from most drugstores if you don't own them.
All Purpose Glue or Fabric Glue - Crafts Store - £2.00
Black sharpie or permanent Marker - Already Owned - You can purchase these from most Craft or Homewear Stores if you don't own them.

TOTAL = £12.25
 
Please checkout this DIY video tutorial and a number of different DIY Projects on my YouTube Page.
 


 
If you like this DIY please let me know what you think to these shoes and whether you would buy these in a store or any thoughts you have on this DIY.

See you soon!
XO

Monday, 9 February 2015

Metallic Midnight

A Bold Smokey Eye is one of the most requested tutorials and looks, it can transform you from a Plain Jane to the Black Swan.

 
This dark midnight blue smokey eye is a beautiful dramatic eye with silver, blue and metallic tones. 
 
 
For a classy look I finished it off with a Audrey Hepburn styled updo and jewelled earrings. This way the eyes become the main attraction, this look would be perfect for an event or a night out. 
 
 
Products used: 
 
MUA Cover and Conceal Concealer - Shade Fair 
Health Tape
Technic Electric Metallic Palette - Shade Silver, Charcoal & Two Tone White
Technic Electric Eyebrow Kit
MUA Single Eyeshadow - Shade Pearl
Avon Glimmerstick Eyeliner - Black
BG Beauty Mascara - Black
No7 Lip Pencil - Shade 20 Nude
BarryM Lip Crayon - Shade Gold

You can watch the Video Tutorial below now live on my channel and don't forget to rate and subscribe!
 
 
 
See You Soon!
XO