The perfect contouring trio for pale gals

For me, contouring has always been a bit of a mystery. The world of blogging (along with Kim K of course) introduced me to the art of this skill, but it has taken me a good while to get the hang of it. I remember doing the makeup for a shoot at Impact magazine (at uni), and one of the models asking me how I was doing her contouring. I got a bit tongue tied and sort of made something up, because I wasn't all that sure what I was actually doing. In truth, I'm still kind of not, but I think I've definitely improved in this area! This post will talk about good contouring products, rather than techniques. If you want to learn how to contour, however, YouTube is full to the brim of tutorials, so head on over. 
The main problem I used to have when attempting to contour was the lack of suitable products that are available to buy. Just to give you some context about my skin; despite having dark eyes and naturally dark blonde hair, I still nearly ALWAYS have to get the palest foundation at a makeup counter. Lots of bronzers and contour powders are not exactly ideal for paler skins, as they are too brown, dark, or shimmery. It's also difficult to know which tools to use, or which style of highlighter to go for (cream, powder, shimmery, non-shimmery...the choices are endless!). The good news is if you have pale skin, I've done the hard work for you ;) After trying LOTS of products, I have finally found a winning combination for contouring. 
The first product I use in the process is Mac's Prep and Prime highlighter in 'light boost'. It is a perfect combination of glow and concealer, and really reminds me of the YSL touche eclat. I use this at the very tops of my cheekbones, and create a 'triangle' shape, similar to that of the infamous Kim K style, but smaller. I don't use a brush to blend it, as I find it works best with my fingers. Next, I use a contour powder in the hollows of my cheeks. For this I have been using Mac's Harmony blush. It is a muted plum/taupey shade, which means brown or dark undertones can be avoided. I actually heard about this from Tanya Burr in one of her tutorials, so can't really take the credit for its discovery. I use this with a Mac 168 brush, which is described as a 'large angled contour brush'. I'm pretty sure if you shopped around you could find cheaper versions of this, but ideally look for an angled brush which is small enough to be used easily in the hollows of your cheeks. The last step is blush. I find that matte blushes sort of ruin the contoured look which has been created already, therefore the best type to use for this is a blush/highlighter hybrid. The one I am in love with is Estee Lauder's Illuminating Powder Gelee blush. Annoyingly, this was a limited edition product last summer (I'm sorry!) but a brilliant dupe for it is Benefit's Rockateur. As long as it's a glowy, highlighter-y blush, it should work well. I use this with my real techniques blush brush. After this, I dust a bit of NARS laguna bronzer over my face and some matte powder on my T-zone, and my face is done! 
Sorry for the rambling but I hope this post may come in useful to my fellow pale folk, let me know in the comments which products you love to use for contouring. 

(Shoe) Booties

Jumper: Pied a Terre @ House of Fraser (sale-old)

Belt: River Island (with trousers via asos here)

Skirt: Urban Outfitters (in store, not online)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (sale, different colour here) 

I am so crazy in love with these peep toe boots (or 'booties' as my all time idol Leandra Medine would have me say). I could not believe my luck when I saw them in the sale for FIFTEEN POUNDS (down from £75) in UO in Nottingham. How could I say no at that price? I have since worn them out in Nottingham with a check print dress where I admittedly looked like I was attending an 11 year old's birthday party, but I kinda liked it (see my instagram for the full outfit!). Their grey cousins are up on the UO website and linked above, which I feel are equally as cute, despite being a little pricier at £25. I also picked up this slip-esque skirt whilst in Urban, and have styled it here with my favourite oversized extra fluffy knit I picked up from a pricey brand in HOF which was having a sale. With the boots and a belt to finish off the look, I feel this outfit is a perfect combination of pretty and tough. 

In other news, I am pleased to unveil my new blog design. I have been working with the wonderful Jen at Magic Feather Designs for a few weeks now to get what I wanted, and am really pleased with the results. If you are considering a re-design, get in contact with Jen (via her website) as I could not recommend her enough. Secondly, it's also worth mentioning that last week I received my results for my degree, in which I have been awarded a 2:1! I am so relieved and over the moon to find out I have got the mark I have so desperately been working towards; such a lovely feeling. I will talk more about uni life and my experiences in a graduation post which will go up next month. Lastly, I thought I would mention that I am going to live in Amsterdam for a few weeks from this coming Thursday as I am interning out there. I will be staying at my Dad's beautiful apartment on the canal, and can't wait to get to work as well as go and hang out at some of my favourite spots in my spare time: Vondel Park, Foam museum, the Nine streets and that breakfast place down the street that I always forget the name for. If any of you live in Amsterdam or are out there whilst I am, please get in touch! Wish me luck! 

White

Shirt (old): H&M 

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: River Island 

Sunglasses: Topshop (similar here)

How much does my resting bitch face syndrome come across in these photos? I literally forgot how to smile. So big apologies for that!! Also sorry if these photos are a little dull, I will forever be useless at editing! White is everywhere right now, and personally, the best way I have seen it worn is through 'white on white' layering. So I dug out an old sheer white shirt from the back of my closet, and paired it with my new ripped Leighs from Topshop, and these gorgeously ugly slider/mule hybrids from River Island. Am I the only one who feels like RI are having a moment right now? Everything online is totally gorgeous. It was never one of those shops that I ever felt catered to my taste/style, but recently they have been so on point! I have also been pretty religious in my wear of these jeans recently. They are sooo comfy and include my go-to jean feature: the ripped knee. Only problem with wearing all white...SPILLAGES. I am so messy when I eat/drink, so basically I need to wear a bib when wearing so much white...tragic. Hope you are all well.

Floral

Crop: River Island

Skirt: Topshop (sold out-similar options here)

Shoes: Topshop (old) 

Hi guys! Long time, no blog! (and when I say that I really mean it- my last post was in April!!) I have been monumentally busy with the end of uni, but as of now I am finished which is a nice feeling. I am definitely going to be putting in more of an effort with my blog over the summer though. This will include lots more style & beauty posts, as well as a re-design in the next month. 

Since handing in my last piece of uni work, I have been shopping, partying (lots), sleeping (also lots), working with Impact magazine some more, preparing for my work in Amsterdam and travels in August, as well as beginning to think about plans & work for when I come back in September. I have also been on the hunt for outfits for my 22nd birthday (yes I'm a Grandma) and my graduation next month (I will keep you posted on these!)

As I haven't blogged in so long, there are so many things I have been naughtily buying which I want to show you guys, including this beautiful Topshop skirt, which I bought back in March (ish). I remember it sold out almost instantly each time it appeared online, but I was lucky enough to see my size one day and just pounced on it. I've paired it with a simple River Island crop top with the loveliest neckline known to womankind ( there are lots of colours on their website!), and the highest heels I own. I plan on wearing a version of this outfit to my friend's wedding next month, but perhaps with a pair of shoes I can actually walk in!

If you want to catch up on all my new posts in the next few weeks, please follow me on Bloglovin' here, or on Instagram and Twitter, which I use very regularly!