Top 5 YouTube Channels

As a beauty blogger I have my favourite blogs that I love to follow and keep up to date on their posts, however more and more beauty bloggers are turning to YouTube to create even more content for their readers. I am subscribed to quite a few beauty vloggers on YouTube and I love nothing more than settling down with a drink and my IPad to catch up on my favourite channels. So I thought I would show you my top 5 YouTube channels...

1) Vivianna Does Makeup
I love Anna's blog and her YouTube channel is just as brilliant. With a good selection of hauls, reviews, tutorials, and, of course, her weekly vlogs, Anna makes for some great viewing. Also, she uploads 3 times a week which is great for an avid YouTube fan like myself. Anna has a great on-screen charisma and isn't afraid to make fun of herself and gets others in her life involved such as her boyfriend and family in Brighton (I'm not a stalker I promise, I've just been a regular viewer of the weekly blog).

2) DizzyBrunette3
Corrie was actually the first YouTube channel I discovered and, therefore, I have always enjoyed her videos. She does a great range of hauls, tags and monthly favourites with the odd vlog thrown in to the mix. I think Corrie has a lovely bubbly personality which really comes across on camera, and also a lot of the products she mentions are drugstore-great for girls like me on a budget!

3) Zoella
How can I write a YouTube post without mentioning the Queen of YouTube herself?! If you haven't heard of Zoella (aka Zoe Sugg) then where the ruddy hell have you been hiding?! Zoe has over 4 million subscribers and a pretty huge fan base who all go along to support her at different YouTube and social media events around the world. Zoe has such a likeable character on camera and is really easy and enjoyable to watch. She has a much wider range of videos, including lots of collaborations with other YouTubers.

4) Fleur DeForce
Fleur is another beauty YouTuber that I really enjoy watching, I think she has great charisma and talks quite eloquently on camera, however is still able to poke some fun at herself. She always has a great range of products mentioned in her videos (even if most of them are high end) and she gives a great review of most products mentioned.

5) Velvet Ghost
Velvet Ghost is a channel I have only recently discovered but I think Gabby is great and her videos are brilliant. She's so funny and every time I sit down to watch her videos I know I'm going to be laughing throughout. Gabby also has a second channel where she posts vlogs and lifestyle videos. Gabby does some great tutorials on her main channel, I have been loving watching her Maleficent-inspired tutorials especially.

So those are my top 5 YouTube channels however I have others that I wish I could have included:
InTheFrow
LLYMLRS
Tanya Burr
Sprinkle of Glitter
Lily Pebbles
Tess Christine
Sugarfixx

What are your favourite YouTube channels? I would love to discover some new channels!

Top 5 Hair Products

 

This was actually really hard to compile! I don't use a lot of products on my hair all at once however I do own a lot of hair products that I use at different times and for different reasons.

Toni & Guy Classic Shine Serum
This is a recent discovery of mine, you can see my review here if you are interested. I suffer from frizzy hair, especially if I don't have time to blow dry my hair properly. I apply a small amount of this serum to the mid lengths and ends of my hair and it is instantly smooth, and the following day is still beautifully smooth and frizz free.

Schwarzkopf Got2b Beach Matte Texturizing Salt Spray
This product I tend to use during the warmer months, particularly if I don't want to use too much heat on my hair. I spray this to the ends and mid lengths of my hair, and then 'scrunch' my hair at the same time. The results are lovely, beach-like waves that look natural and take all of two seconds to create. This is the perfect product if you are in a rush and need a quick fix. It can leave the hair a little dry and crispy so I tend to use this on the day before I need to wash it.

John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
I actually mean hair masks in general here, although this one is definitely one of my faves. I usually use hair masks when I'm in the shower; I apply them to the midlengths and ends of my hair, leave for 5 miutes and then rinse off. I do notice a big difference in the condition of my hair when I use a hair mask, my hair is incredibly soft and silky and stays in great condition until my next wash. I usually wash my hair every 3 days, and I try to use a hair mask once a week so my hair gets a throrough condition. Another favourite mask of mine is the Herbal Essences Hello Hydration mask.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Heat Styling Spray
These sprays are great. They come in three types depending on the style you are after: volume, straight and waves. I actually have all three and I can definitey tell the difference between the three of them, particularly the one for straight hair. I apply this to damp hair before blowdrying, or on dry hair before using a heat styling appliance such as a curling wand or straighteners. Not only are these sprays great at creating volume for the hair, they also leave the hair frizz free and in wonderful condition and are heat defensive! I also really love the smell of these aswell as it reminds me of a hair salon.

Wella Oil Reflections
Probably my favourite hair product, I absolutely love this! I have done a review that you can see here, but in brief this is a hair oil that I apply to the midlengths and ends of my hair after washing when still damp. The smell of the stuff is ah-mazing, but it also leaves my hair feeling so beautiful. Since using this I have received so many compliments on my hair and my hair has grown like a weed.

I probably could have added another 5 products to this list, it was so hard to narrow it down! However, please let me know if you have used any of these products or have any recommendations for me!

Top 5 Pink Lips

For me, pink lips are perfect for the Spring time. They are fresh, pretty and so easy to wear. I've put together my top 5 pink lips that I have in my collection, bit of a range of tones of pinks but I love them all, and they are all great for different occasions.

Rimmel Kate Moss 16

I love the Kate Moss Rimmel lipsticks, they all have a lovely consistency to them and apply like a dream! The only thing that annoys me is they don't name the shades, they are all numbered (I know, I know, I am petty!). The shade 16 is a classic rosy pink, perfect for both daytime or nighttime. It has a matte/satin finish to it which I really like, and stays put for quite a considerable amount of time which is always a plus.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch

I love the Baby Lips, they are just wonder products! Not only are they extremely moisturising, they have lovely scents and come in 3 great shades, Pink Punch being one of them. Pink Punch is very much a candy pink which doesn't work for everyone but I love it as it adds a good pop of colour to my look. I like wearing this with very simple makeup during the day as I find as its so bright, it can look a little overbearing teamed with heavy makeup. Th only problem is the colour doesn't last too long, but for a cheap, decent lip balm you cant really expect overly high pigmentation.

Collection Cream Puff in Fairy Cake

This is the newest to my collection. It applies in the ame style as a lipgloss with a doe foot applicator, however the finish very matte. This pink is a warm dusky pink, with a creamy consistency (which makes application very easy) yet a matte finish. This is great however lips must be well moisturised as matte lip products can be very drying. The hing I love about this pink lip product is it lasts ages on the lips. I can go out all night and the colour won't budge, its great.

Maybelline Superstay in Ultimate Blush

This is another lipstick with excellent stay power, hence the name I suppose. This is a classic rose pink, with abeautiful satin finish. This lipstick is quite drying so, again, lips must be well prepared! I wouldn't say the consistency is as creamy as the Kate Moss but its still quite easy to apply, and doesn't cling to any dry areas.

Rimmel Apocalips in Out Of This World

Probably my favourite pink lip, I absolutely love this! I love the Rimmel Apocalips anyway, but this shade is so beautiful and looks amazing on the lips. Its a very bright pink shade but not quite fuchsia pink, almost a purple toned pink. It looks beautiful on the lips and goes amazing with any makeup as although its bright, it isn't too overpowering. The finish is very glossy, typical of the Apocalips lip lacquers, and application is done using a doe foot applicator. The only thing I will say about the Apocalips range is that, due to their extremely creamy/liquid consistency, they do have a tendency to take a while to dry, so care must be taken after application!

 

Are any of these in your makeup stash? I would love to know!

Top 5 Spring Nail Polishes

So as we step into Spring, the colours I decide to wear tend to change, and my general style because a lot brighter and my palette more pastel. I have quite a lot of pastel polishes however I thought I would show you my top 5 polishes that I think are perfect for spring time.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Rose Libertine

These polishes are pretty great-they dry super quick and leave a lovely glossy finish so are perfect in a rush. This is a rose pink that applys much lighter than it looks in the bottle. This colour is very subtle and is workable with lots of other shades, and is great from transitioning from daytime to nighttime without any hassle.

L'Oreal Colour Riche in Opera Ballerina

This is probably the palest polish I own, but I think it is the perfect nude as it has a classy feel to it. It is slighty pink toned however has the most beautiful glossy finish to it. I love this polish for wearing everyday as I can get away with it at work (naughty) yet still looks polished for everyday.

Barry My Nail Paint in Peach Melba

As the name suggests, this is a beautiful peach shade and, as with most Barry M paints, is quick drying and long lasting. For me, this is such a fresh colour and is perfect for the warmer months. This is quite a subtle colour and works well for most occasions.

Collection 2000 Hot Looks Fast Dry in Dynasty

This is a perfect pastel shade, a lovely light lilac that has a slightly glossy finish to it. I actually picked this up in a pound shop so I don't know if its still available in stores but there are plenty of similar shades. I think this shade works well for all seasons as it is so versatile.

Bourjois So Laque Glossy in 04 Amande Defile

The pastel green is perfect for Spring as it has a lovely fresh feel to it and is a bit different to other shades I would normally wear, however this nail polish takes an absolute age to dry but does leave a lovely glossy finish, as the name suggests.

I'm very excited about Spring arriving, everything seems so much happier and jollyier (don't thnk that's a word but I'll work with it).

I would love to know your recommendations for Spring time polishes!

Top 5...Red Lips

 

Red lips is such a classic look, pretty much anyone can get away with wearing a red lip no matter what their complexion is. I love teaming red lips with simple eye make up, winged eye liner, and a little bit of contouring. Its a look I've really been loving recently so I thought I would show you my top 5 red lip products.

 

Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang

This is one of Rimmel's latest additions to their Apocalips range. If you haven't tried the Apocalips range, have a look at my review here but they are basically well pigmented lip lacquer with a doe foot applicator. This shade is a typical post box red, very bold and bright. This has to be in my top 5 purely for how long the product lasts once on the lips. Whereas the gloss might fade, the product stains the lips so the red colour still stands out.

 

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple

I absolutely love the lip butters from Revlon, they're incredibly moisturising like a balm but are just as well pigmented as a lipstick. This product is the one I reach for if I want to rock a red lip during the day as it is slightly more orange toned than any others so is a bit brighter and more wearable for a daytime look. I love this because of its moisturising qualities, it has a lovely creamy consistency to it and, obviously, doesn't leave a drying effect on the lips.

 

Bourjois Colour Boost in Red Sunrise

These beauties were released last summer and I love them. I also have the shades Orange Punch and Plum Russian which are fabulous shades. Red Sunrise is a much more pink toned red so sometimes I'll pair this with a smoky eye which looks quite nice. My only issue with this is that the shade doesn't last very long on the lips so I am constantly topping it up, which can be annoying on a night out. However it is still one of my favourite red lip products, and I especially love it during the summer months as it is a bit brighter than others in my collection.

 

Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate in 107

This has to be one of the most coveted products in the beauty blogging world. Practically every blogger and their dog has tried and tested this lipstick, and I can absolutely see why. This is the darkest shade in my top 5 however I think it is beautiful. It has a matte finish too which, again, is the only one in this collection. This lipstick has created the perfect 'going out' look during the colder months as, although it is slightly blue toned, I think it has a lovely warming feel to it.

 

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Spicy

I have only had this a few weeks but it is, by far, my absolute favourite lip product I own. I seriously cannot fault this. It is highly pigmented, long lasting and moisturising on the lips. It has a slight matte finish to it but slightly glossy due to it being a cream based lipstick. If I want a lip product that will still look just as bright and in place as when I first put it on, this is the product I reach for.

 

So there we have my top 5 red lip products. I think you cannot beat a red lip, its classic and so easy to wear when its teamed with the right make up.

Does anybody else use and love these products?

My Top 5 Winter Nail Polishes

 

I have only been painting my nails for about a year and a half, before that I had the awful habit of biting my nails (this habit does have a tendency to reappear on some occasions). So when I first discovered the wonderful world of nail varnishes, I didn't put much thought into what colours suited what season etc. However now, I love the bright and neon colours in the summer, pastels in spring, and for the autumn and winter, berrys and deeper shades take my fancy. So I thought I would show you my top 5 polishes that I love to wear in these colder months.

 

First up is Raspberry by Berry M. This shade sums up autumn in a colour, it is the perfect berry with a lovely gloss finish that the Barry M polishes have. I love wearing this colour as it is so wearable and goes with so many items in my wardrobe. Another Barry M shade I love to wear at this time of year is Mushroom. It is a pale, neutral shade which looks classy on its own, and is subtle enough for everyday wear!

 

Another polish I love to wear is Blue Eyed Girl by Rimmel. This shade is quite bright for this time of year, but the blue is such a lovely tone that I think it is perfect, especially for an evening out or a party.

 

I have a few George polishes in my collection, they're super cheap and they have a lovely glossy finish-plus they're very quick to dry! The shade Cupcake is a beautiful soft, dusky pink which I think is perfect for this of year. I quite like pairing this with Mushroom and wearing Cupcake on an accent nail.

 

Finally, Damson Dream by No 7 is a perfect festive party shade. Its a deep plum colour which looks beautiful, but the polish does need a few coats to get the desired look.

 

What's great about all of these shades is they all have great staying power, and they're all drug store so you don't need to break the bank to get beautiful, winter nails!
 

What are your favourite nail shades? I would love to know!

Demi from Kiss & Makeup's Top 5 Products For 'At Work' Makeup

Hello lovely followers of A Little Gem, It's Demi here from Kiss & Makeup and I've been given an opportunity by the beautiful Gemma to guest post on her gorgeous blog! Two months ago I started my new job fresh out of university as a scrub nurse and so I thought I'd share with you all five fabulous products which aren't too heavy on your skin and so are perfect for weekday wear. 

One: Dr. Jart Platinum BB Beauty Balm

In the past I've overlooked many BB creams because they just don't give me the full coverage I desire. A few weeks ago I discovered Dr Jart platinum Beauty Balm when it was on offer in Boots, when I swatched it I noticed that it was actually pretty thick for a beauty balm and so it clicked that it might not give too shabby coverage after all. I wasn't wrong and I'm really enjoying this high coverage balm which also leaves my skin feeling hydrated and not weighed down whatsoever. I will say however that it does only come in one very light shade, which is great if you're fair skinned like me - if not, then this probably isn't for you!

Two: Estée Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush in X-Pose Rose

I reviewed this gorgeous gel blush on my blog a few weeks ago (click here to read!) and I am absolutely loving it. Pretty steep in price for its size but its so lightweight due to its gel consistency, giving your cheeks a beautiful but subtle splash of colour without soaking up any moisture which often happens with powder blushes. I'll definitely be trying out some of the other lovely colours in this product range!

Three: MAC Mineralize powder in Medium

This powder is perfect for warming up my Dr Jart Beauty Balm base, it's pretty lightweight and doesn't leave my face feeling caked or heavy. This product does give a slightly matte finish but I've not found it to dry out my skin at all which has been a huge problem I've had with every other powder in the past, this is the powder which I always go back to after trying anything else. It does, of course, carry a hefty MAC price-tag but I really can't knock this product and it's for sure where my face powder loyalties lie!

Four: MUA Makeup Pro-Brow Ultimate Eyebrow Kit

There's nothing I love more than a massive beauty bargain and this product is one of my favourite finds of the year. This is a ridiculously good dupe of Urban Decay's Brow Box and it costs only £3.50, which is jaw dropingly cheap in comparison with the £19 Urban Decay price tag! I feel butt-naked without shaping and shading my brows, it's got to the point where people say I look really weird without them! This fab little kit from MUA is ideal for achieving perfectly-primped yet natural looking brows and I can't recommend it enough - if there's one product you MUST try after reading this post, this is the one - go go go! I've reviewed this product in full over on my blog (click here to read).

Five: Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara

I've never been a fan of overly dramatic and false looking lashes and I really think that they can cheapen the overall look of your makeup. I'm loving this mascara by YSL because it gives my lashes amazing but natural looking length and volume, without leaving them clumpy and looking like spiders legs. Natural is the key word here, making this mascara perfect for weekday wear! Again, I've reviewed this product in full (click here to read!). 

Anyway dolls, I really hope you've enjoyed reading this post and I hope that you can take the time to check out Kiss & Makeup sometime! Thank you so much Gemma for giving me the opportunity to guest post on A Little Gem, keep up the amazing work with your amazing blog!