P.A.M | Precious About Makeup

P.A.M or Precious About Makeup (Formally known as M.A.P) is a professional makeup store located in West Central London that will celebrate it's 20th birthday this year! I have to hold my hands up and say that I had not come across the brand until recently, but I am very glad to have been introduced.

PAM (Precious About Makeup) was established by makeup artists for makeup artists, in 1996. PAM founders, Kate and Jan, are professional makeup artists, who still work in the field which keeps them up-to-date with the latest tips, tricks and products among other things and you can read more about their story here.

It was established by makeup artists for makeup artists and stocks an impressive selection of makeup brands including:

• Beauty Blender,
• Ben Nye, 
• Japonesque
• Kryolan,
• Makeup Forever,
• MUD,
• Sigma
• Z-Palette,
• Zuca.

Plus so much more. I was kindly sent a selection of products to play with and I have been so incredibly impressed with what I have:

MUD Mai Tai Lipstick £15.50

This is my first contact with MUD and as lipsticks go, this is one I initially thought I would really dislike, but infact I was very wrong and it is a shade I love. Designed similarly to MAC lipsticks with the bullet design, this lipstick is shade Mai Tai which is described as being a deep reddish-pink color lipstick with a muted blue undertone. 

The formula is also really lovely, it glides onto the lips with minimal effort and stays in place for a good 5 hours before you need to touch up.

MUD Blush - Glow £17.95

Again, this was my first time using a MUD blusher and this one reminds me of NARS Orgasm, even the texture is incredibly similar with how smooth it is. 

Described as being a sheer peach cheek color with a subtle golden shimmer it is absolutely stunning and an easy shade to wear.

Make Up Forever Aqua Matic £9.60

I am a big fan of Make Up Forever and this is my first contact with Aqua Matic. Aqua Matic is a waterproof and smudgeproof eye shadow that comes in an automatic retractable pencil. It has an integrated sharpener in the tip so the pencil is always sharpened. 

Aqua Matic S-60 is described as a satiny warm brown with warm undertones and it has a satin-matte finish. It is easy to use and blends incredibly smoothly until it sets, which takes about a minute and once it has set, this crayon has amazing staying power, nothing budges it and nor does it fade or crease and it is of course waterproof. If it isn't quite the shade you would usually use as an eyeshadow, it works just as well as eyeliner.

The prices of the products from P.A.M are incredible and there are some amazing savings to be had, whether you shop online or go to the actual store. Whether you are a beauty blogger, professional Make Up Artist or even obsessed with make up and tools, then P.A.M will have something for you at an amazing price.

Have you shopped with P.A.M yet?

Laura Geller The Sweetest Thing

Just before Christmas, I was really lucky to be invited along to brush with the fabulous Laura Geller to learn more about the lady herself and her fantastic makeup range.  I always find it so interesting to find out why people start their own range and with so much enthusiasm, it was hard not to fall under Laura's spell, she totally understood the value of Bloggers and our value as well as having a plan of action for her range.

This was my first introduction to Laura Geller Makeup and I was very lucky to be able to take home a beautiful pink sparkly bag with a range of products inside to play and get acquainted with. 

Today I am sharing with you The Sweetest Thing which is a 6 piece collection in Pinks and Purples and inside there are six different products to play with.

The first item is the Baked Balance-n-brighten colour correcting foundation, I have shade medium which is too dark for my pale skin, but when mixed with my moisturier it works  to not only give good coverage but also correct any imperfections that I have and it also works well to give a slight bronzed look on my cheeks when used alone.  It is also mineral oil and paraben free.

Baked Blush-n-Brighten in shade pink buttercream is just beautiful. Again it works to give you that natural flushed look and it doubles up as a highlighter to give you a bit of a glow too as it has swirled with copper and gold flecks.

My favourite product in this box is the Baked Highlighter and I have shade Golden Rose and it is just beautiful, it isn't too over the top to make you look shiny but it is buildable depending on how much highlighting your skin needs.

Then we have a baked eyeshadow in Opal/Violet and this is one product I haven't used as yet as I am not too sure I can pull off either shade, but it is a beautiful little duo and it ca be used wet for a more dramatic colour.  It hosts Vitamin E conditions and Centella Asiatica and White Tea Extract provide antioxidant protection.

Next we have the Colour Drenched Lipgloss in shade Pink Lemonade which is a really pretty pink gloss which is neither tacky or sticky and it isn't as pink as it looks in the tube, it is quite much softer. The formula with emollient oils and Vitamin E helps protect lips from environmental damage and there is a ach shade is a really subtle coffee aroma.

The final item within this box is a double-ended Foundation and Highlighter brush. The Foundation Brush is suitable for use with all-over face powders and the Highlighter Applicator is perfect for face application, though I tend to use it for applying my concealer as I find it works perfectly.

I think this is such a fabulous set, it has everything you possibly need and everything is so versatile that even if it designed for one job, you can guarentee it will do something else too.

Have you tried anything from the Laura Geller Make up range?

Next Beauty Event and New Make Up

Last week I attended a beauty event by NEXT to come and be introduced to their beauty range and to have a play, swatch, photograph and do what bloggers do, drool over everything. Along with the champagne and amazing canapés, I was offered the chance to have a makeover or a manicure, before watching the lovely Lydia Millen use the products in two live tutorials. I am obsessed with watching people apply their make-up, so was totally in my element.

I have to admit, Next hasn't been on my list of places to run to, to get my make up, infact I had no idea the collection was so extensive and so affordable. The Make Me Beautiful range has Blushers Lip glosses, lipsticks, eyeshadows, make up brushes, nail polish, chubby sticks, eyelash curlers, eyeliners and bronzers which range in price from £4 right up to £20 for an entire 'Get the Look' palette. Alongside makeup there is also perfume, candles and skincare, some of which launches later.

Since the event, I have been lucky enough to play with some of the products on show that night from a very generous goody bag that I was given.

Make Me Beautiful Perfect Look Liquid Eye Pen (£8).  I have shade Praline Brown and it has a a fine nib to make creating that perfect line much easier and once applied, nothing budges it.

Make Me Beautiful Perfect Look Eyeshadows (£7.50).  I have what is called Blue and this quad is just stunning.  If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen this feature.  The quad contains four individual baked shades which can be worn alone or together and you can apply them wet or dry.  Again, they are incredibly pigmented and just absolutely stunning shades.

When it comes to lips, Make Me Beautiful Perfect Lips are something to look out for.  I have Simply Peach which is a matte lip colour and whilst it isn't a shade I would or could wear, the amount of pigmentation it has, is amazing.  It glides onto the lips really easily and is really lovely and velevty smooth in texture.  At just £8, these are well worthy of looking at.

Staying with lips and everyone loves a good Chubby Stick and Next have their own Perfect Look Sheer Chubby Sticks (£8). I have shade Cherry Red which has a really incredible rich red colour which glides on to your lips with incredible ease and has a lovely glossy finish. The chubby sticks are enriched with a blend of natural plant waxes and oils to help moisturise lips. Retailing for just £8 they would more than definitely give some high end brands a run for their money.

The final two products are nail polishes and again I did share some of them on Instagram because there are so many shades to choose from. With a quick drying formula with a shine or matte finish, there is a shade for everyone to try. I have Molten Platinum which is a shiny black shade and one I like very much and the other is Frozen and as you can see, a colour and finish which very much represents its name and it dries matte!.  These nail polishes are currently on a 3 for 2 offer and retail at just £4 each.

None of the products within the Next Beauty range are tested on animals and are designed and developed in the UK.  So the next time you head to your local branch of Next, keep an eye out for the Make Up range, you might just find a gem or two!

How To Choose The Right Lipstick Colour

The perfect lipstick colour has the ability to pull together the whole makeup. Choosing the wrong shade, on the other hand, could make even the most perfect look seem awkward. If you find yourself spending hours at the store choosing the right color, or if you just can't seem to work out a foolproof system when it comes to buying lipstick, this article will help to take some of the frustration out of choosing a shade and will bring some of the fun back into your makeup shopping! 

Keep in mind that lipsticks come in a vast variety of shades as well as price ranges. Whether you choose to splurge on products from high-end brands or find the perfect color from a trusted drugstore brand, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort with the help of the suggestions below. You can also save big by staying on the lookout for the latest coupons or discount vouchers that can make even the most high-end cosmetics so much more affordable. Just go to Discountrue.com and browse the offer of such stores as Sephora or Neiman Marcus, and you'll be sure to find something good for yourself! 

Understanding Your Skin Tone 

Does your skin have a warm or cool undertone? The answer to this question generally determines what shades will look best with your complexion. If you're unsure about your skin's undertone, there are two easy ways to figure this out: 1) determine the color of the veins on the inside of your wrist; if they appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone, and if they appear green, you have a warm undertone; 2) perform the gold-silver test; if gold jewelry looks better on your skin than silver then you probably have a warm undertone, and vice versa. As a rule, warm colors (soft neutrals, warm reds, etc.) look best on warm skin tones, and cooler colors (shades with purple or blue tones) tend to flatter cool skin tones. 

Choosing The Perfect “Everyday” Colour 

It's important to understand that there isn't just one everyday colour that works perfectly for everyone. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when choosing a lipstick shade is picking one that you thought looked great on someone else. An everyday color is typically subtle, so a good rule to follow is to choose one that is just a few shades deeper than the natural shade of your lips. Remember, darker lipsticks will make your lips look smaller, while lighter ones can have a plumping effect, so choose accordingly! 

Pulling Together A Look 

When getting ready to go out, don't feel tempted to match your lipstick too closely to your outfit – this rarely turns out to be a flattering look! Instead choose a complimentary color a few shades lighter or darker than the main one in the color-scheme. As far as the rest of your make-up goes, it's generally a good idea to either go with dramatic lips or dramatic eyes – going for both usually results in an exaggerated look. 

Perfecting The Art Of Lipstick Shopping 

Most stores will let you try on a lipstick before making a purchase, so don't be too shy to try out one and, when possible, take advantage of the chance to get professional advice from sales associates – they're likely to give you an honest opinion about what shade would suit you best. 

The next time you're shopping for the perfect lipstick colour, don't forget about our suggestions. The more you put the above tips to practice, the more confidence you'll have in your own ability to choose the best shade!

*Guestpost

How do I make my eye makeup last longer!

Hi there I am Andrew James and I post about hair, makeup and skincare over at beautyandtheboy.com. I am guest posting today for Beauty Queen UK. I thought it would be a good idea to post about one of the questions I get asked a lot social media, "How do I make my eye makeup last longer?" Personally I would say by using primers or bases. Eye Primers work as a magnet for eye shadow, some will even out the surface and colour of the lid some extend the wear of eye shadows and some just make the eye shadows more vibrant. I’ve chosen a few products I think you will like. The products range from drug store all the way up to luxury, including different textures for all skin types so there is a good mix for everyone.

Firstly, we have an old makeup trick that has been used by makeup artists for years. The “secret" is to just use some plain old pressed powder after you've applied your foundation. Applying powder to the eye will give it a good base to start working on that way your eye shadows will go on smoothly and blend evenly. As you can see above, I picked Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Powder as it’s a long lasting, finely milled powder, a great pick from the drug store

Here we have some products that will either give you a smooth base or make your eye makeup last much longer, I put these products together because you don't want a coloured base so these are all either clear or nude this way you won't see them when you apply eye shadow on top. On the far left is the Illamasqua Sealing Gel which on its own doesn't do much, although when mixed that's when the magic happens sometimes I find myself mixing this with eyeliners, eyeshadows etc. This will make sure your eye makeup won't crease and will be particularly good for those of you with oily lids. Next we have the NARS Pro Prime and Laura Mercier Eye Canvas which both contain starch to help control oiliness on the lids which causes the creasing of your eye makeup. NYX Jumbo pencil works better for those with normal/dry skin as it tends to crease a bit on oily lids. I find the NYX Jumbo Pencils work best when set with eye shadow.

The above products are for those of you who want a bit of colour on your lid but want the eye shadow to last. I often find myself using coloured bases a lot, I’ll usually put down one of these then use a powder to blend over the top and work from there. I would say the key to good long lasting makeup is using what works for your skin type and layering products on top of each other that way they don’t wear away as easily.

My favourite coloured bases have to be the OCC Cream Colour Concentrate which is basically a cream eye shadow that sets down and dries which is a god send for oily lids. These blend really well too if you just want to use this on the lid as an eye shadow without powder. A more affordable version of the Cream Colour Concentrate is the Maybelline Colour Tattoo which works in the same way although it’s a bit drier. The last 2 products are more for your normal/combo eyelids as the Chanel Illusion D'ombre. These set and it looks absolutely beautiful although I’ve found they don’t tend last as long with oily lids. CKone Eyeshadow Bases are great for a wash of colour before doing a smokey eye they work the same as the others but this one has a more grungy tone that then others

I hope this post have helped out you somewhat, if there are any other questions you have or anything you want to ask tweet me @beautyandtheboy on twitter or instagram

You can also follow me on Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4747223

Thanks for Reading!

Makeup Wishlist

Over the weekend I was sat browsing the interweb as you do, debating what I need to spend my Christmas Vouchers on, yes I still have them. With vouchers for New Look, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Next.

There are so many dresses and tops that I want to buy right now, but I made a promise to myself not to do so until I had cleared out the wardrobe, same with shoes and boots, so that leaves Makeup, for which there is always room for more. Rather than spending my vouchers online, I have instead complied a wishlist of items I want to buy and here it is:

I have become a tad obsessed with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Range and whilst I have one of the lipsticks, I absolutely adore this Blusher palette which retails for £35. Staying with Urban Decay, I have been hankering after this Naked Skin Illuminating Beauty Balm which has SPF 20 ever since I swatched it. It is said to hydrate and prime, almost like a multi-use product and costs just £24.

You can never have too many lipsticks as far as I am concerned and there are two that I currently have my eye on. Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire in shade Berry Beret, I just love how these lipsticks are designed to look and match one of my favourite bottles of perfume. Then who doesnt want a bit of Tom Ford and his boys? I have a list as long as my arm when it comes to these beauties, especially in shade Luciano. What I love about Tom Ford is the sleek chic design.

Staying with the theme of lips, Benefit Chachabalm Lip Hydrator (£14.50) and is said to not only add a tint to the lips but is also super hydrating, which at this time of year we ll need.

YSL are another brand I also love, mainly their lipsticks and I am a big fan of YSL Touche Éclat, but there are two other products that I am intrigued by and want to try for myself, more so because they have got mixed reviews. The first is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Foundation (£32.50) and then the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer (£30). 

As a Mascara fiend, again a product you can never have too much of, I have been wanting to purchase a full sized Lancôme Hypnôse Drama since having a sample size which had dried out before I had time to use it, but instead of throwing it away, I washed the brush and used it with my Benefit Mascara and loved the brush.


The final item on my list is from the fabulous Laura Geller, whom I have been lucky enough to meet and it is the Easy Cover Up Concealer Crayon which caught my attention because it is infused with super antioxidant Italian Tomato Extract to protect, hydrate and help firm skin and Hyaluronic Filling Spheres hydrate skin and fill in fine lines for more youthful look! How amazing and all for £18.

Have you got any products on your wishlist currently?

W7 THE GLAM BOX GIFT SET + Giveaway

W7 is a brand that I absolutely love. It is such good value for money and I am yet to use a product that I have not been happy with. The Glam Box gift set is more than value for money, it is an absolute steal and I am lucky that near my local shopping centre there is is a pop up store that sells W7 make up.

The Glam Box gift set complains three items - In the Buff Palette, Midnight Palette and the Cheeky Trio, all palettes and all presented in really handy tins.

W7 The Cheeky Trio contains a bronzer, blusher and highlighter. The Bronzer - Dream Machine , The Blusher which is called 5th Avenue is quite ink and pigmented so a little goes a long way with this. Finally there is a highlighter which is called Hot Stuff is a light textured highlighter which I find works really well as a highlighter and also an eyeshadow base too.  Within the palette the powders are presented with this rippled effect which I absolutely love and didn't want to ruin by swishing my brush over.

W7 In the Buff Palette is every neutral eyeshadow fans palette of dreams. Contains 12 eyeshadows: Buff, Camel, Sand, Dust, Chocolate, Topaz, Earth, Storm, Silk, Wave, Thunder, Onyx and the colours are a mixture of matte and shimmer shades. The palette also comes complete with a double ended brush. 

W7 Midnight Palette which contains 6 stunning mauve inspired shades to create the gorgeous Smokey eye for any evening out. The colours that you will find within this palette are Birthday Girl, Pukka, Princess, Magic Hait, Hot Pickle and Boom.

I absolutely love all of these palettes and because I am so impressed, I actually managed to grab the last one from the little cart I visit to giveaway and all yoou need to do to win your own Glam Box Gift Set is complete the rafflecopter below.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is use the widget below. There are some mandatory entries, so please ensure you complete those otherwise your entry will be null and void and please also ensure that if you are under 18, you have parental permission to enter because I will need your address. It is a WORLDWIDE Giveaway, so Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway