Real Techniques Duo Fibre Brushes

My sister got me the new Real Techniques Duo-Fibre brushes for my birthday because Estee (essiebutton) spoke about them on one of her videos, and they sounded perfect for me. 

 

They are definitely not for those of you who wear heavy makeup! The duo-fibre brushes are very spas in texture and therefore you do not get a lot of product on the brush. This makes them perfect for applying blush (which I always seem to apply too much of), and for contouring as the brushes are perfect for blending and don't leave a harsh line. 

I have to say I don't particularly like the big one because I know most people use it for powder, but it just doesn't pick up enough product for me. If you like a dewy finish then it's perfect for you to use to apply a minimal amount of setting powder, but for people like me who prefer a matte finish due to oily skin then it's probably not the best for you. 
They are so soft though guys I'm not exaggerating! You know how soft the normal Real Techniques brushes are but these are even softer. I am in love. 
I do need to find somewhere to store all my brushes now though ... 

Revlon Coulorburst Matte Balm

Aloha!
I've just been into town to do some damage (shopping wise!) - expect a haul soon!
Anyway ever since Lily Melrose did a blog post about the new Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm Sticks I have had my eyes open for them in my local Superdrug. They finally arrived at the end of last week and I picked up the shade Striking Spectaculaire which is this gorgeous orange toned red.

I could not be more in love with this seriously guys! I am going to have to go and get more when it comes to payday (possibly the entire collection but we'll see). I did swatch the new glossy ones too but they didn't seem as nice as these. 

There are so many dupes of the Clinique Chubbysticks out on the market at the moment, but so far these are my favourite. I have always loved the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, and these new Matte Balms are either better or on the same level, I haven't quite decided which. 

The nib shape makes it super easy and accurate to apply, in fact I take this out with me in my handbag so I can touch up my lipstick on the go, and I can do it without a mirror. They stay on pretty well but they don't have any stain power like the Balm Stains. They feel super moisturising despite being a matte finish which I love, as I find that a lot of matte lipsticks are extremely drying.

Have you tried any of the Matte Balms?

I Was Enchanted To Meet You...

So for those of you that follow me on twitter, you will know I am completely and utterly in love/obsessed with Taylor Swift. Recently she has been over in London doing 5 shows at the O2 Arena, and I was lucky enough to go to 4/5 of those shows!

I couldn't get tickets for the first show but managed to get tickets to the dates on the 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th of February. On the 4th I was in the Pitt which is the standing section at the front, directly in front of the stage and I was in fact front row which was just incredible to be that close to Taylor!

On the 10th, the most magical day of all, we had VIP tickets. This meant we got a goodie bag on the way in which had a blanket, some wristbands, a light, a speaker, a tour brochure and some guitar picks in. As if this wasn't exciting enough, Taylors mum Andrea approached us at the beginning of the show and asked if we wanted to go down the front, but she realised that we had a 10 year old with us and said "sorry I can't take young ones, but don't worry this isn't for Club Red, if you want Club Red you have to be crazy during the show". For those of you that don't know, Taylor hosts a mini party after shows where approximately 20 fans can go and meet her backstage.  

It got to the last chorus of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together which is the final song on her set list, and to be honest, me and my friend had given up on the idea we might go to Club Red. Then I saw Andrea out the corner of my eye and we both just went completely mental, at which point she called me down the stairs and asked if I had ever met Taylor, which I hadn't. She then asked if I wanted Club Red and I just broke down in tears and screamed yes (it was all rather embarrassing but I could not contain myself). At the end of the show everyone that got Club Red had to meet at the corner of the arena and we were escorted backstage by security and a member of Taylor's management. 

The backstage area was decorated with red drapes and a photo booth, and Dominos pizza and sweets and drinks were all provided for us which was adorable. After about 20 minutes Taylor came out and went round to each group of friends, spending 10 minutes with each and just had a general chit-chat. She was the most down to earth person I have ever met in my life. Of course I could not let her pass without asking her one beauty related question. I asked her what foundation she used and she replied "well I don't know exactly what these guys put on my face at the moment, but normally I just use a tinted moisturizer" and I was like "but your skin always looks flawless" and she said to me "so does yours! It looks airbrushed!" (bless her but I was wearing foundation and had been crying for 2 hours..)

The last show was pretty emotional not going to lie. Literally wondering what I am going to do with my evenings now that I have no Taylor shows to go to.
Anyway, I just thought I should share this excitement with you guys and tell you all a little bit about what Club Red was like for me if you are a Taylor fan and are interested. 

Beauty Dupe: MAC Media

This week is jam packed with crazy stuff, I have two Taylor Swift shows, a University visit day and a heap of work to get done. Anyway, enough rambling and on with the blog post.
I recently saw my friend wearing MAC Media, and I realised it is super similar to my Collection Gothic Glam lipstick called Revenge. I swatched them and the consistency is not identical, but the colours are fairly similar. If you are looking for a dark burgundy lip colour then these are perfect for you, but there is a big difference in the price tag. 

Left : MAC , Right: Collection

Media is £15, standard MAC pricing, but the Collection Lipstick Revenge is £2.99 and really I think I prefer the Collection one. The lasting power is very similar and there isn't much between these two. MAC has more of a satin finish and is slightly more moisturising on the lips, where as the Collection one is still moisturising but fairly more matte and definitely has a more opaque coloring.

Personally, for the price I would go for the Collection lipstick as they are both so similar in terms of everything else, and in their differences I feel that the Collection one peaks slightly higher.
Do you have any MAC lipstick dupes that you recommend?