This is Halloween | Scary Skull Make Up

For a few years now I have been interested in character and SFX make up but I just never had or found the time to have a dabble myself. I marvel at make up artists on You Tube with their spooky special effects, melting faces, nails through noses and let's not forget the zipped faces (though admittedly some of these I'm a bit too squeamish to try out on myself) This year however, continuing with my endeavour to improve my overall skills as I venture forth into make up artistry-dom I set aside a bit of time at the weekend to play around with a few of my new make up goodies from this post right here.

This year the most popular Halloween inspired make up seems to be skulls, half skulls, melting skulls, sugar skulls you name it you can't move on instagram for seeing skulls. So I decided to be oh so different and do a half skull, half vintage inspired make up look for Halloween party number one of the season! 

The products I used to achieve the above look (the skull side!) were:

• Generic brand black liner pencil to mark out the 'black areas' including my eye socket, my 'cheekbones' the teeth and to mark our one half of my face.
  
  
• Snazaroo facepaint in plain white to go all over my face, which I applied around 2 / 3 coats to give it a less sheer quality and more opaque and 'bone like' appearance.
   
• Snazaroo facepaint in black to carve out the mouth, teeth, fill in the eye socket (not the lid or waterline!) and mixed together to create a bit of shading for the jaw and teeth.
   
• Black eyeshadow to go over the eyelid and give a bit of dimension to all of the little details like the teeth, nose, eye socket etc.

Of course it isn't perfect, but for a first attempt I'll say it wasn't half bad and I had so much fun playing with brand new products and you know...scaring my husband when he came home from work that day! I managed to create this look in around 20 minutes for the Aberdeen Bloggers Halloween Party (Aberscream) when it rolled around last week and I'm planning on giving it another go this weekend for our besties annual Halloween party.

Though this of course wasn't a tutorial or review of some sort I thought it might be nice to continue this weeks Halloween theme and just share a little bit of what I'm up to as I don't often do that anymore, hopefully you've found this interesting, learned something new or at least got a little into the spooky season. If you want to keep up to date with my latest looks, posts and every other little thing you can find me on Twitter, Instagram and Bloglovin.

 

Until next time folks, stay creepy.

H.Elizabeth x

This is Halloween | ASOS Wishlist

It has been a hot minute since I published a fashion post of any kind, namely because I generally spend my days in pyjamas or stretchy, comfy sweats and baggy t-shirts, nothing to write to Vogue about if you catch my drift. But this, Autumn time, October time, Halloween time is also my time to shine and ever since the season began, ever since it was socially acceptable to drink pumpkin spiced lattes, dig out your winter coats and of course dress your home in all things 'weenie I have built up quite a list of Halloween goodies that I fully intend on splurging on for the big day... and you know living my spooky wee life in general. So below are my top picks from fashion blogger fave ASOS for the spookiest season of the year.. and you know.. my new wardrobe staples...

Lace insert leggings £20.00

Velvet cat bodycon dress £30.00

Cat pom keyring £6

Skeleton maxi dress £28.00

Wildfox Halloween Wednesday t £65.00

Lace crown and veil headband £10.00

'I'm not your boo' iPhone case £8

Did some of your picks appear on my list? Share your favourite Halloween haute couture links in the comments below and be sure to find me being my same old spooky self on the usual socials, Twitter, Instagram and Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, creep up the good work!

H.Elizabeth x

This is Halloween | Halloween Make Up Haul

As a kid Halloween was not my thing. After a traumatic experience where I had a panic attack at a party in my plastic bag costume, in addition to my mum (falsely) telling me I was allergic to Halloween make up, I hung up my cat ears and whiskers and declared the seasons activities were not for me. Things of course changed as I got older and now I grab pretty much any opportunity to dress up and be my witchy little self.

And this year given I have gotten even more into make up artistry than ever, I decided why not give some of those Halloween make up tutorials a bash? And with that I headed into my local Halloween HQ store and of course Boots, and stocked up on the essentials.

Snazaroo Face Paint black and whiteI'm planning on using these two pans for detail work, the paint is quite thin so not really up for an expasive area.

Snazaroo Clown Make Up in whiteThis is a thick, heavy duty cream make up, designed for large, full coverage areas you know like my chubby cheeks!

Nyx Eye Primer in blackThis is going to be great for blackening my eyes for sallow, creepy looks. Or detail work should the paint fail me!

Nyx Eye Liner in black and whiteInstead of simply using these for Halloween looks, I'll use these for a variety of looks throughout the year.

Barry M Lipstick in blackThe HARDEST thing to find in the beauty world ever!

I'm looking forward to seeing just what looks I can create with these few bits and pieces, I'm also debating picking up some spirit gum, liquid latex and fake blood but for now I think I'll see just how I get on with paint - and see if what my mum told me as a child really was true! Be sure to keep an eye on my Twitter and Instagram pages as well as my make up artistry Facebook page to see what I'm up to looks wise and just what I am able to achieve (as a virgin SFX'er) Have you been experimenting with SFX and Halloween make up recently? Be sure to leave links to your looks in the comments below and share the spooks!

Until next time folks, stay creepy!

H.Elizabeth x

Getting Political | Are you the proud owner of a Vagina? Reg PMS?

Do you or one of your friends or family members own a vagina? Good then you'll want to hear this. For centuries, in fact guys let's get real here, since the dawn of time, ladies have undergone a monthly menstruation cycle, known as the 'period', where a woman will shed blood from her uterus commonly once a month for between 3 and 7 days - but as we all know every body is different and isn't that just beautiful?

But did you know that throughout all of these years there has been a tax on being the proud owner of a vagina? A tax you pay undoubtedly and without thought on a monthly basis that bleeds your purses and wallets dry in the form of sanitary items and pain relief. An expense that government has never thought to supply us with free of charge, as they do with contraceptives such as condoms, despite a period being a natural health issue completely outwith our control, unlike of course sex which we can't possibly abstain from.... A woman will spend an average £6,000 on sanitary items in her lifetime and an additional £2,000 on pain relief in relation to the pains that come along with our monthly bleed dry, but today us ladies of the UK have an opportunity to change all of that.

By signing this UK Gov petition, asking the government to make tampons and sanitary towels free in the same way in which health care and contraceptive products are free, and sharing it with all of you I'm ensuring I have my say on the type of future girls and women will have. Now of course, I'm not an idiot, these petitions though so, so valuable and such a great quality of democracy, may not even see the light of day in parliament since 100,00 signatures only means it will be 'considered', but guys.. you just never know so please do have your say and don't be discouraged.

Until next time folks, 

H.Elizabeth x

Waterproof Foundation? | Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation Review

Waterproof foundation? When I heard these two words put together, and in a press release from Urban Decay Cosmetics, I KNEW I had to have it. The Urban Decay All Nighter was launched only a couple of months ago now and I have been trying it now in the shade 0.5 (the lightest shade FYI) for a couple of weeks since buying it ages ago an being too unwilling to use it because the packaging, the packaging was just too beautiful. But then I had a day. One day that I thought would be just perfect to test out a waterproof foundation.... the wettest day of the season so far!

The foundation itself is marketed as a full coverage, matte formula with waterproof properties and promises not to feel cakey or uncomfortable. Matte is actually not something I have a great deal of experience with given my skin type is generally quite dry however after doing a bit of research I found girls with dry skin, oily skin, combo skin, all skin types generally got along with this foundation  and the swatches had me sold! 

I know I say this a lot as a beauty blogger, and as a beauty blog reader I imagine you read this a lot too, but I'm not kidding when I say a little of this product goes a long, long way (and if you can think of another way of me to write that please tell me in the comments below) Usually with my Naked foundation by Urban Decay I'll dot, blend and then dot all over again and then go in with concealer, with this foundation however I dot sparingly blend and then I can right away go in and contour / highlight and all of that glitter bomb jazz! The coverage is amazing and having used it with my go to primer I was super impressed with how long it lasted through the day (yes through the wind AND rain) and didn't oxidise as badly as I thought it may.

Now, I know I read in many, many places that despite it's matte quality that this foundation is absolutely fine for drier skin, well I'm calling it... no, no it is not. The day I chose to debut this I didn't have a visible patch of dry skin on my face, however when I got home in the evening and went to take my face off I had dry patches on my forehead. So this foundation WILL find a dry patch on my face and WILL cling to it - not a great look. However I do think I'm going to persevere as the finish and the look it gives my skin is just so damn good an porcelain looking that I'm willing to undergo a more intense moisturising routine.

Have you had a chance to try out Urban Decay's All Nighter Foundation, I'd really love to hear what you thought of it in relation to your own skin type. Be sure to leave all thoughts, comments and musings below or come find me on the usual socials, Twitter, Instagram and Bloglovin to have a good ole chinwag about it.

Until next time folks, I could go an all nighter!

H.Elizabeth x

Copper Smokes | Autumn Eye Make up Tutorial

Some like copper in their homes, some like copper accessories, phone cases, key rings, jewellery etc. Me? I like copper where you can see it, right on my eyeballs (or thereabouts) So today I'm bringing you my first ever make up tutorial featuring some of my favourites by Bobbi Brown, Make Up Geek and one of my fave tubers Manny MUA (and of course...lashes, lots and lots of lashes!)

1. Make up Geek X Manny MUA Cosmopolitan & Frappe

Use Cosmopolitan to define your crease using a fluffy brush in light sweeping motions to build up the colur - this will be your transition shade.
Darken up your crease with the shade Frappe using the same fluffy crease brush.

2. Make up Geek X Manny MUA Mars & Aphrodite

Using a smaller domed brush sweep Mars along the crease and lightly in the outer corner of your eye, blending with your larger fluffy brush when required.

Using that same brush go over your outer corner and crease with a touch of Aphrodite and blend as required again.

3. MAC Fix+ & Make up Geek X Manny MUA Luna  & Artemis

Spritz a flat shader brush with MAC's Fix+ (not a necessary step but helps the pigment come through more vibrantly) and pack on the shade Luna from the middle of your eye to your inner corner.

Blend together your outer corner and your mid shades with a small, dry shader brush.

Highlight your inner most (demons) corner with a light dusting of Artemis.

4. Make up Geek X Manny MUA Mars & Aphrodite

Using a pencil brush pick up a light dusting of Mars and Aphrodite then drag ad blend this underneath your eye - just under the waterline. You can take this as far along as you like, I personally always go halfway along as I feel it opens my eye up that much more.

5. Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Liner in Black Ink & Mascara

Use a damp winged liner brush to line the top of your eyelid and create a 'cat eye flick' then use your favourite mascara (I use both Arbonne Mascara and Benefit's Roller lash) to make your lashes blacker than black.

You can then finish off your look by applying a set of your favourite false lashes, here I have used Eylure Definition Lashes in style 121.

Now you're all set to conquer those dark autumnal nights, sparkling, shining and wearing copper in a brand new way (also you may even now be able to match those oh so chic homewares and accessories we spoke about earlier!)

Hopefully you have enjoyed my first ever eye make up tutorial, I post looks like this all the time over on my Twitter and Instagram so do comment below or even on the socials if you'd like me to do another. Otherwise I thank you for taking the time to paroose this particular post and I look forward to catching you on the next one.

Until next time folks, colour me copper!

H.Elizabeth x

Grab a Slice of The Action | Revolution Aberdeen's New Pizza Menu

You could say I have been a little anti social recently. Whenever someone messages me odds are I'll bury myself in my duvet and give out a whole lotta nope. Maybe it has something to do with how busy I have been outside of my social life of late, maybe it's something else, who knows? All I know is that the only thing that was strong enough to entice me from my pit was the promise of pizza and luckily for me, my trusty old haunt, Revolution was on hand to help.

Revolution are known in Aberdeen for being a one stop shop for pretty much everything. A quiet ladies lunch on a heated balcony? Yes. Some quick grub on your break in the bar? Pretty much. Cocktails to die for? TO DIE FOR! But recently there has been a pizza shaped hole in Revolution's life and thankfully they knew just how to fill it - with all of the pizza you could ask for.

From tried and tested tastes like the margarita pizza oozing with cheese, to some more acquired tastes like their new 'The Beet Goes On' pizza dripping with artichoke puree, goats cheese and beetroot to name but a few ingredients, Revolution are peddling their pizza to the masses, and my mass was in for a treat when myself and my fellow Abzchat bloggers were treated to an exclusive menu preview on the last sunny day of the season!

Given I was driving that day I was going sans cocktail, there's a first for everything guys, but I did enjoy several gorgeous mocktails, so to all you drivers, pregnant ladies and t totallers out there go for a Naked Sunset they're also to die. Carnage was to follow, a blogger free for all if you will, as the steamy, oozy, fresh from the oven pizzas were delivered to our table alongside some tasteful side orders of fries and onion rings. It was a sea of pens flying in the air, lipstick everywhere, diaries bashing one another faces, pizza in places it really shouldn't be and the cheese, my god the cheese!

Of course I am kidding, we Granite City Gals are all very civilised! We all got to taste each and every pizza on the menu (admittedly the goats and feta varieties were not something I would be tempted to order for myself) and favourites were declared, one favourite being the Asian Satay Chicken variety - not my personal fave but one of. Me I like a Hot Italian. Pizza that is. Complete with pepperoni, cured ham, peppers, garlic mushrooms, a tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella I ask my fellow meat eaters and spice lovers - what's not to like?

After a good catch up, several mocktails and a mountain of pizza I was ready to roll on home (and my bladder was ready to burst) but it won't be farewell forever from me. Since I'm already planning my next visit with my other half when it's payday once again.

The Revolution pizza menu launched on Wednesday the 12th of October, find out more by visiting their Facebook page or better yet pop in and visit them yourselves...and bring me?

Until next time folks, go grab yourselves a pizza the action.

H.Elizabeth x

BBC Good Food Show Scotland | Granite City Girl Giveaway

Hello everyone, as some of you know last year my friend and I attended the BBC Good Food Show Scotland in Glasgow and had a blast (and admittedly far too much to eat and drink!) Between the shopping stalls, pop up restaurants, live demonstrations, cocktails, abundance of samples, interviews and book signings there is something for everyone's tastes!

In celebration of it's return to Scotland in November I have teamed up with the Good Food Show again this year to offer 5 lucky foodies a Sunday ticket granting you access to all of the culinary delights this years show has to offer.

All you have to do is FOLLOW Granite City Girl on Twitter and Instagram then COMMENT your fave foodie pleasure below and winners will be announced October 28th right here on the blog!

Until next time folks, feeling those foodie vibes!

H.Elizabeth x

Cleaning your Beauty Blender | Liquid Blender Cleanser Review

How sad do you feel when you have to chuck your beauty blender? Or perhaps more accurately your Real Techniques Complexion Sponge when it gets grotty beyond repair? Suddenly your baby shampoo and squeeze hack simply isn't cutting it any more and it looks like it's time to retire your tried and tested friend to the bin, really I must have gone through at least a dozen beauty blenders only to find I ended up with a sponge that was more foundation than foam. So getting sick, tired and fed up of wasting so much money I began to seek other cleaning methods of my spongey compadre and came across this liquid blender cleanser in Boots funnily enough by 'Beauty Blender' themselves.

The Liquid Blender Cleanser is a soy based product free from dyes and skin irritants and comes in a handy squeeze down 150ml bottle which lasts and lasts, which makes it's £15 price tag a little less painful to contend with. The cleanser has a faint lavender scent to it and leaves your beauty blender, sponges and make up brushes (if you choose to use it for that) squeaky clean and free from germs, dirt and impurities. Disgusting as it may be during my weekly brush cleaning routine my favourite part is seeing just how dense and full of product my beauty blender is and squeezing out as much foundation as possible. Using this cleanser has been a real eye opener as to just how full of dirt and germs my sponge has been over these last few years! 

I use the cleanser once a week on all of the beauty blenders / make up sponges I'll have had on the go and I'm chuffed with the results I have been getting. I really feel as though it's better for my skin, better for my make up collection and I have found something that really works. My only qualm with the product is that it can get quite messy as you have to push the damp (and dirty) blender down on to the pump for the liquid to come out so you really need to put kitchen roll or a tea towel down to protect your counter. I also worry with this kind of pump at just how much product I'm wasting when it spills all over the place so it'd be great to get a different type of pump to distribute the product a bit better.

If you're as gross as me you'll love this product and you'll be so surprised at just how much foundation you're wasting away week on week! Beauty Blender also offer a solid blender cleanser which where it may indeed be a bit cleaner and easier to use will waste away very quickly as it dissolves like a regular bar of soap in water. Have you ever tried a specific blender cleanser product? How did you find it and did you just love seeing all the gunge come out like I do?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, come share the gunge and gore with me on Twitter or keep up with me and the blog on Instagram and Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, it's time to get gunged!

H.Elizabeth x

Make up lovers, Frost Yourselves | Anastasia Beverly Hills Moon Child Highlight Palette Review

Who doesn't want to glow like the July summer sun? Well, me actually, I'd far rather glow in a cool manner, like the snow in December and thanks to Anastasia Beverly Hills and their latest Moon Child glow kit I am able to do just that.

I first saw the Moon Child palette on a Nikki Tutorials You Tube video and then perhaps again on a Jeffree Star video but I really can't remember, and I sort of popped it on my list of products I would love but can't really justify the cost (particularly when being shipped from 'murica - ironically named land of the free...) But one day I threw caution to the wind (I saved my pennies) and decided to splurge and treat ma self... and my make up artistry kit to a brand new highlight palette... guess which one I went for?

After ordering the kit from the Anastasia official website I decided I best not hold my breath for a delivery within three weeks since I know the Kylie Kits come from America and can take up to five weeks to arrive. I was surprised, shocked and elated when a package arrived on my desk within a week of ordering (big props to Anastasia!) and it and life, was once again beautiful and frosted to a shimmery perfection.

One thing I noticed, other than the glitter, gorgeousness and general beauty of the product was the size of the highlighters themselves. Granted when you're paying over £50 for a palette you expect some substance but the pans were wider than I expected and you got so much more than I was at first anticipating which is always a plus when buying make up online. And of course the next thing....was the swatches!

(L-R)
(Blue Ice, Star, Purple Horseshoe, Pink Heart, Lucky Clover, Blue Moon)

Now as you can see the colours are pretty much as they are described. The only colour I think I haven't yet used for highlighting purposes has been lucky clover...mainly because it'll make me feel like a leprechaun, but I'm sure I'll one day find a use for it. You know, like St Patricks day.... My favourite so far has been Pink Heart, it is maybe the most subtle of the six but I have found it's a great everyday highlighter, though I'm really looking forward to using the more blue and silver shades in the winter time  and during party season. Also I've heard that these area great as an inner corner highlight - which I can totally see working but haven't tried myself yet.

Have you ever given an Anastasia Glow Kit a bash? What did you think of it? Or what are your favourite highlighters, I'm ALWAYS on the hunt for newbies (even with this one in my glittering, glistening collection!) Be sure to leave your comments and suggestions below, come share them with me on Twitter, or if you'd just like to see this bad boy in action come find me on Instagram.

Until next time, FROST YOURSELVES!

H.Elizabeth x

September in snaps | My month in instas

Can you believe it is that time of the month already?! Given all of the stresses and strains that faced us last month I genuinely thought we were in for another month of it as we officially bought and moved in to our own house, luckily we were to be pleasantly surprised and September has actually been a pretty fun month and we've got the snaps to prove it!

#1 Since we have already shared and probably sickened you of our new home tour video here's a snap of our Marble making herself at home. Making a house a home was something I was definitely worried about though once we brought Marble here it certainly felt more like home!

#2 Never a couple to do things in half measures we moved in to our new home and 2 days later hit the town and theatre for the Rocky Horror Picture Show at HMT Aberdeen. Needless to say we dressed up, feather boas, big hair, skirts, heels, the works! I do wish I could say it was the first time I had been wearing nothing but lingerie and a boa in a taxi but we both know I'd be lying! 

#3 This month I got my hands on so many fantastic products, the Urban Decay Waterproof Foundation, Make Up Geek x Manny MUA eyeshadow palette, Anastasia Beverly Hills Moon Child Glow Kit and some gorgeous goodies from the MAC X Star Trek 50 collection which as you all know I was super, super excited for. For my haul follow this link.

#4 After being asked, and asked, and asked again and again about my freckles, skin routine, foundation etc I drafted another insta post on my punum and shared this freckly to full coverage before and after picture.

#5 Having now well and truly welcomed Autumn into our lives in Aberdeen I felt so ready to embrace the season - but my wardrobe wasn't, so I treated myself to a brand new waterproof coat by Topshop and I just love it so much I had to share it with you all!

#6 After a little while of healing I was finally able to unveil my latest in a long line of tattoos, my skull by Lee and Rebel Ink. I am so in love with this tattoo and I think it may be one of the first I've had that I was 100% happy with instantly!

#7 Lush finally brought out their Halloween / Autumn collection of bath related goodies and I was lucky enough to get my hands on this delightful little dude. I haven't used him just yet but I'm so excited to bust them out for a big ole bath soon!

#8 I have pink hair now. After deliberating (for something like a week!) I decided that my blonde was getting a bit old hat for me and I wanted something a little different to brighten up my life....naturally pink hair by Saks and Manic Panic was the way to go!

#9 We attended our close friends engagement party this month in Dundee. We were so chuffed to celebrate with the happy couple at the end of September and all I can say is that wedding has one hell of a party to live up to when the day comes!

And that, as they say was that. I'm looking forward to what the month of October brings us in our brand new house, other than saving, scrimping and Halloween of course we don't have very much planned for the coming month so this is an advance warning of how dry my insta pics may be for next month! Of course you can catch me daily on the usual channels, Instagram, Twitter etc and more from the blog on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, September sure passed in a snap.

H.Elizabeth x