I’ve been after the ultimate foundation brush for myself for quite a while.
I normally use the MAC 190 at college, but although I like it for working on other people, I actually prefer using it as a concealer brush as the head isn’t overly big. I think the 189 would actually be a lot better as a foundation brush purely because of its larger dimensions.

So I thought I would like to try the MAC 187 which is the circular brush but at £27.40 I wanted to 100% sure I’d like that type of brush, and so I purchased a much cheaper dupe, the GOSH round foundation brush, I think it was around £8. I’ve used this for around 2 months now, the fall out is HORRENDOUS on this brush but with GOSH I think you very much get what you pay for.

However it did let me see how I would like the 187, and what I discovered was I liked the circular buffing motion this style of brush gives, however I missed the density in bristles of the 190. I simply felt the splayed, sparser bristles weren’t conducive to good application in areas such as under the eyes or around the nose. Ideally I wanted a brush with the round shape but much fuller/ larger in size.

I give you the LY34. From a range by Louise Young who is herself a highly acclaimed Professional Make-up Artist. With 20 years experience working in film, fashion, television and theatre she knows what works!

I totally heart this brush and at £22 its a complete bargain. The hair is synthetic but it is the softest I have ever felt, handmade in the UK using protected kiln dried birch or beech for the handles. It is amazing!!

Size wise this is how it stacks up against the others (excuse the dirty GOSH, it is for the bin!)

LY34, 190, GOSH 187

So, if you’re after a new foundation brush I can highly recommend this one, if you’re not but you are thinking about other make-up brush purchases I’d suggest thinking outside the MAC box and checking out what else is available, you might just be surprised and save some money to boot

You can purchase the LY34 here

Christmas this year was just perfect, the kids were over the moon with the array of goodies Santa left, as was I!
@cimota and I spent our first Christmas as Mr & Mrs at my mothers and the spread of food was top notch as usual, including my brother Gordon’s ham, done “Nigella” stylie.

My only complaint was that it was over too quickly and due to a shortage of beds in my mother’s @cimota and I had to spend last night apart.. boooo!!!!

So although the festivities were fun and it was lovely to be spoilt, I am secretly very pleased to be back in our own town, in our own house, on our own sofa that smells a bit odd, with my own gorgeous husband as a foot rest

…….and if I needed anymore proof that he is my perfect partner, it would be that he didn’t tell me to go f*ck myself or huff for hours when I quite bluntly admitted to not being overly keen on the necklace & earring set he surprised me with.

Instead he has promised we can go exchange it next week to something I we both like!

The actual set was lovely, solid silver with a deep red enamel detailing, but a tad too modern for me. When it comes to quality jewellery I’m quite traditional and classic. I like to have pieces that I feel won’t date and I will be able to wear forever.
Any modern pieces I do buy tend to relatively cheap, costume jewellery. They enable me to keep up with the trends and avoid being out of pocket when that trend dies a certain death (Carrie style name necklace anyone?).

So what did I get for Christmas….?

• A cornflour blue knitted scarf
• Flower by Kenzo
• Champneys Hand Treatments
• Coastal Scents Original 88 Palette
• 3 Sleek Palettes; Original, Chaos & Jewels
• MAC Holiday Collection SE Brushes & Caddy
• MAC Strobe Cream
• La Senza Gift Voucher
• Real Leather Jewellery Box (Humongous! lol)
• Selection of Primark Jammies & Slipper Socks Yay!!

I’m over the moon and very thankful for everyone’s generosity, especially in what has been a tough Christmas in regards to the cash side of things.

I am particularly pleased with the jewellery box that I received from my mother, it is an absolute beast of a treasure chest, but exactly what I need and more. My present set up for storage is pretty unsightly, many many different boxes, a corset mannequin thing that necklaces hang off (purely invented to tangle them IMO!) and even a few make-up bags of costume crap. Its a headache and a half to find that “exact” pair of earrings when I’m heading out. This suitcase of a jewellery box is going to be a lifesaver.
I’m nearly sure she got it in good ole Argos and although this one is cream to match my boudoir, I think it is available in black leather also.

What did you get for Christmas?? xox

Ok, lets talk MAC brushes, more importantly lets talk fake vs genuine.
This is a subject which interests me greatly, I use Ebay a lot to source my kit, therefore I want to be clued in and spot the baddies, right?
Its a subject that has been analysed to death not only on Ebay guides but You Tube videos. And you know what? They all make my blood boil. I personally think if you are gonna take the time to sit down and make a video that other people out there are going to use as a reference to a potential purchase, then the least you can do is get your facts straight. And unfortunately most of the ill informed helpful reviewers have just regurgitated what they heard from some other You Tuber, wrong information might I add. Aaaaarrrgghhh.
So anyway, deep breath. Here it is. What everyone needs to know about how to spot a fake MAC brush, wait for it………. drum roll please………..

you can’t!!!!!!!!!! Thats it! If you claim to be able to you must have made the brush yourself. That is the only possible way, trust me. Barr if the handle says NAC on it, I’ll give you that

The reason is that even within the genuine brushes there is no hard and fast rule. No 2 brushes are identical.

These are my MAC brushes, all 100% genuine and bought online from www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Common Myths:

• The handles are matt black, if they sparkle they are fake – WRONG, all the handles glitter under light
• They are all made in the USA – WRONG, 2 of my brushes say made in Japan, 3 made in France
• The “made in” is always a certain font and size – WRONG, mine all vary, some bolder type than others
• The ferrule (metal bit) is always flush to handle – WRONG, certain brushes are curved here, see pics
• The handles are pure black – WRONG, My 217 is much blacker than all the others (2nd handle down) yet bought at the same time as the brush above it!
• Real MAC brushes have plastic handles – WRONG, the handles are wooden but coated and will feel quite light

Here is a much better way for working out if the brush is fake or not, if you pay £5.00 for a £25.00 brush on Ebay then you are kidding yourself its the real mccoy.
And if you want to be sure you’re getting the real thing buy it from a MAC store or MAC online

Ok ok, I know its only November 4th but I know the fab festive time is approaching when MAC release their Holiday Collection. And today was that day in the UK, along with “Red” She Said, a retro-starlet allure of Hollywood glamour, with a modern twist. Perfect for the up coming festive season

My generous husband has ordered me the Enchanting Vermillion Brush Set, a medium-sized red-orange patent brush canister with wine satin stripes.  It includes five professional brushes featuring black gloss handles and a metallic red M∙A∙C logo: the 129SE, 219SE, 239SE, 266SE and the 316SE.  The only down side is waiting patiently until Christmas Day!