A New Skin Discovery & Saver - that won't break the bank!

(Picture is not my own)

Ok the wonderful beauty of Tea Tree Oil. I have always been a skeptic, bought products infused with the oil in the past blah blah nothing spectacular. But then I had mega breakouts and a huge skin reaction to the point where I literally had a full face of acne (Or what it felt like to me anyways).

If you have a favourite youtuber do you tend to go back and rewatch some of their old videos? Well I do, and this is where I rediscovered Jess from Sunbeamsjess's skincare routine. She has always been huge on tea tree oil and using it with other natural/non comedogenic products to help prevent and treat her skin. So when I was in B&M (large store with various cheap products from food to home) I picked up a bottle of pure tea tree oil for around £2 and I haven't looked back. That's also a great point you kind find it out there very cheap- maybe even in the pound shops!

I have realized that with my skin, less is much more. I can't use lots of fancy products and now if anything I have the fear of trying new things.

How I use tree tree oil:

Cleanse twice with Garnier Micellar water

Remove eyemakeup with Garnier Skin Fresh eyemakeup remover

I will then do another cotton pad of Micellar water if I feel I need it (heavy makeup day)

Then I was take a liberal amount of Tea tree oil (I know a lot of people online say use 1-2 drops and pin point it, yes if you have really dry skin) I shake the bottle until I get around 7-10 drops on a large cotton pad and I sweep it all over my face and chest. Not close to my eyes as it will STING.

I don't apply any moisturizer or any products after and go to sleep. In the morning I will apply the Sanctuary Spa Deep cleansing matte hydra lotion before my makeup. Obviously this is a routine for my skin and mine is quite oily these days so add in more products to tailor your own needs!

I have been doing this routine every night for around 2 weeks and the difference in my skin is beyond positive. All spots are now gone - just some marks and scarring left which is annoying but no bumps! If I do get a fresh spot it seems to dry up hugely after one night. The texture of my skin is much smoother and I feel much more confident.

By the way, if you get tea tree oil be prepared for people asking what's that smell?? It happens alot! But I personally am a fan, I just think it is very strong.

I hope this will help anyone in my position, thanks for reading! xxx

My Easy Go To Makeup | Youtube Video

I always find these looks really interesting, stripped back to basics - What do you do last minute? Or what aspects of your makeup are on the forefront?

This look is probably the most neutral you will ever see me, which is a change! I have really been into nude lips at the moment, something that has taken me years to get into really.

Stand out products from this look that I would definitely recommend:

MUA power brow in fair 

http://www.superdrug.com/MUA-Luxe/MUA-Luxe-Power-Brow-Fair/p/759466#.VIYovTGsWPs

Diorshow Maximiser

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123172101099_-1

Mac Spice Lipliner

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123172101099_-1

Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer

http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/blush/contouring-blush+bronzing-powder/invt/83600

Let me know what products you can't live without?

I hope you enjoyed the video too! xxx

Arabic Eyes | Makeup Of The Day

I don't normally wear a lot of eyeliner but some days I don't have any ideas of the makeup look I'm doing and I just go with the flow so this is quite a different look for me. 

The main part of this look is the liner which reminds me of a classic Arabic look. They tend to follow the liner into the inner corner as well as winging it quite far out. This gives a real feline look as well as accentuating the shape of the eye. Also paired with lots of black kohl inside.

For the mermaid style eyeshadow I used the eyeshadow 'Chronic' by Urban Decay with the Wet n Wild cream glitters over top (Blue and White) Featured here : http://www.beccasbeautyspot.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/sunday-shopping-i-found-wet-and-wild.html

On my lips I have Mac Spice Lipliner and the Mac Lipstick in Honey Love, for a nice natural, brown nude. 

I also wanted to give a mention to the foundation I've been wearing everyday for past month. I bought a bottle of the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet in 20 Beige in the summer, wore it once and popped it in my drawer. I never thought twice really until I discovered it again and for £33.00 I thought I better give this a proper try!

Initially I was put off by its overwhelmingly strong fragrance - more than any other makeup I've tried. This scared me cause all I could think was -- SPOTS! But I have been using it everyday, the finish of it is gorgeous it looks really smooth and silky on the skin (and believe me this is not my natural skin), just like velvet funnily enough! It has around medium coverage and is buildable and lasts well on my combination skin- after a couple of hours it is quite glowy which is something I'm trying to embrace. But in all honesty I don't think I would buy it again because it isn't ground breaking-- for that price, lovely product but feels a bit too much like putting perfume on my face - coming from a bare minerals girl! 

Let me know if you have tried it before?

Thanks for reading, please check out my youtube too, I upload every week at least! Rebecca Durrans - beccasbeautyspot youtube

xxx

The Gross and The Gore | Special Effects Makeup

This week's gore. I find it quite therapeutic to create bits and pieces when I'm watching films on my down time. I am never happy with my work (who is?) but I always post it anyways for inspiration and I am constantly learning. Much of makeup is trial and error. If I can have already have tested at home in a relaxed environment it makes problem solving during working much easier!

I never really used sculpting wax, I always wrote it off as a bit simple, a bit outdated. But my mind has been blown by the powers of this 'old skool' technique ever since I discovered the artist Marc- 'powdah' on instagram. He is a wax magician! Even google him if you don't use instagram, let me know what you think!

My kryolan aquacolor palette is my baby- I use it for everything. For these I also used: Ben Nye Wax, Scar Plastic and blood. 

Pretty simple but effective.

Thanks for reading xx

Classic Cut Crease | Favourite Makeup Looks

Not going to lie and say the technique of a 'cut crease' is the most simple makeup look. It's more one of those if you have a good bit of time to play with your makeup and you want something that will draw attention - most people will see the effort you have put in.

Where as it is a bit more technically challenging, the amount of products you require are quite minimal.

Basically you carve out your crease line with the liner (the hardest part is getting both eyes equal, takes alot of opening and closing/looking straight into a mirror) and then blending above with black eyeshadow. Be careful not to blend everywhere as you want the lid to be clean. If anyone would like a youtube tutorial on this please don't be afraid to request - same goes for anything!

What products I have on/used for this:

Face: Smashbox photofinish primer, Chanel perfection lumiere velvet (New favourite!) 20 beige, elf blush bronzer duo turks and caicos

Lips:

Mac Myth

Brows:

MUA Brow definer Fair (The black double sided one with a cream eyeshadow on the other side - New favourite!)

MUA brow mascara Fair

I have truly scrapped Mac brow products now that I have these cheap alternatives in my life, that are a fraction of the price, last longer and are just as good!  

Eyes:

Mac Soft ochre paint pot (swap for whatever primer you have)

Mac Smolder Eyeliner (swap for any black eyeliner)

Mac Carbon Eyeshadow (swap for any black eyeshadow you have)

Mascara Lancome Hynose Doll eyes 

I really hope this inspired you if anything, Thank you! xxx

3rd Degree Burns Makeup | Special Effects

Cuts, wounds, anything bloody - right up my street. So funny because when I was younger I used to be afraid of blood and get that woozy feeling at the sight of it. Now I've did a complete 360 and regularly search injuries and would be the first to look. 

For this makeup I used silicone - My favourite.To be honest, I can't cope with seeing so much latex and tissue around (very old technique) unless I am teaching someone who doesn't do makeup. That way its cheap and less technical.

To colour the makeup; I used alcohol activated paints, with some congealed blood.

Hope this inspires you or helps you create what you are after! Of course if you ever recreate any of my makeups, email them to me @ beccadurrans@gmail.com or link me! I love it.

Thanks for reading xx

New Products That Have Made It As Staples | What I'm Loving

Finally tried the brand Limecrime after alot of lusting. I am a big fan of the Youtuber Lauren Curtis and this is one she mentioned a few times which initially popped it onto my radar. I totally agree with her, I love it. This has knocked Mac's Creme Cup out of the window. I really haven't reached for it since. It smells amazing, is super pigmented and really moisturizing on the lips. If you love nude lips, you need this. As this is an American brand I got it from https://www.love-makeup.co.uk/lime-crime-m-13.html

Another Youtuber reccommendation. This one is LisaLisaD1's favourite Bridget Bardot Nude, really how can you not want to look like Bridget - sold. Lisa is gorgeous and totally fabulous for her age, and she has really got me back into brown-y nudes, a touch to 90's but not as dark. For a matte it is really smooth and not drying.

I really don't know how I have lived without this so long. An eyeshadow primer is essential in my makeup routine. Soft ochre is a pale skin tone beige but for me it's also like a concealer mixed in too. It covers all my redness and veins on my lid. I've also even been using it to brighten my dark circles and it lasts amazing because its a primer. I am not sure if it's marketed for this but it stays all day, doesn't crease and looks fab, so why not!

I think this Illamasqua Vernau has a cult following and is pretty popular. I heard Alex Box quote that it is gorgeous for contouring. She is pretty much my idol so it doesn't take much for her to sell me products. The lovely manager at Belfast Counter also said this was lovely for blonde eyebrows, I don't agree for myself as my brows are veryyyy cool toned grey/brown so it doesn't match but I can imagine if you are warm toned this would work! An awesome one for multiple uses. Great for blue eyes also.

Swatches of products mentioned.

Limecrime Coquette, Mac Honey Love, Mac Soft Ochre, Illamasqua Vernau.

Thanks for reading xx

The Autumn Tag

Hey Everyone, sometime's I find blogging and keeping up everything can seem a bit full on and for my own enjoyment I need to break it up with some light hearted posts travelling around the blogger community! So no this is not informative at all, but if you like tags and maybe want to know a little more about me, here we go - The Autumn Tag.

Also stolen from the bestie over at http://rachelvennard1992.blogspot.co.uk/

(It's fun to see how our answers differ!)

Ok we're talking coffees - what is your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks, Costa or Cafe Nero etc?

Obviously Pumpkin spice lattes. I am a chai tea latte fiend as it is so these are definitely my thing. I love anything cinnamon or spicy especially when it is freezing. I never say no to a coffee buzz either. I am starbucks loyal though.


my starbucks aint this good though! ha

Next up is accessories - what do you opt for, scarfs, boots or gloves?

I am seriously fussy with fashion related items at the moment. I think since my pinterest obsession came around I am having a twenties life crisis and I don't know what my style is anymore. I just bought matte black doc martens boots and I'm sure I will break those out as the bad weather hits but I still am a converse/trainer girl through and through. Then again to be honest when it's cold enough accessories are a necessity over fashion. But for now I'm not really a scarf etc person.

Then onto music - what is your favourite songs to listen to during autumn?

I don't have seasonal music I have mood music. I am HATING nearly everything on the mainstream radios at the moment (I got OLD) bar Sam Smith and Jessie Ware and they make me overthink my feelings and I always end up in a quite melancholic mood. Generally nothing beats 90s R&B and HipHop for me.

My last searches on my spotify where:  Iggy Azalea, Rick Ross (obsessed with the song 'ashton marten music'), Childish Gambino, Foy Vance, JLO (only the old stuff), Asap Rocky, Mariah Carey (only the old stuff), Snow Patrol and the Drive Soundtrack.

What is your favourite perfume during this time of the year?

I don't really have seasonal specific, still love me some Laura Mercier Ambre Vanilla.

Which candles will you be burning this season?

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE THING!! I love candles. Bought some ones shaped like skulls and they are helping my Halloween fix. But from Yankee Candle I got this one-



I want some more spicy, cinnamon ones too! Mama hates cinnamon though. 

What do you love most about autumn?

Halloweeeeeen & Fireeees! Doing special effects, I am constantly dying on instagram at all the amazing Halloween looks. (Follow me btw, search rebeccadurrans) The makeup community is boooooomb at this time of the year. I also love watching Tim Burton movies. BEETLEJUICE IS MY FAV EVERRRR, closely followed by The Nightmare before Christmas. Getting all cosey in the warmth of the fire and watching movies is the best!

Favourite make-up look?

Everybody says the dark lips trend but for some reason I'm going through a dark lips don't look good on me phase! Always love a red/orange/gold smokey eye though. Also loving lots of eyeliner, I shopped my own collection and fell in love with Mac Smolder, never thought much of it before! I have started enjoying wearing black eyeliner in my waterline for a more smudgy smokey look.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I don't have much specific that I am looking forward too. I've had a difficult time of it recently in every aspect. But in the bigger picture, I am really looking forward to working twice as hard and progressing in my career. I am only as the start, it's very difficult and there are many barriers that I need to work through with time. I have a lot of goals I want to achieve and I am the type of person who will refuse to settle. So really I am just looking forward to seeing how my path progresses.

They tell you if you really want something, like really want it, anything is possible.

I hope you like the more personal posts I do, thank you for the support. xxx