Author: THE BELPER

Welcome to The Belper. A blog based on Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle. Edited by Stacy Jang.

MAKEUP EDIT: GLITZ GLAM, BELLA HADID INSPIRED LOOK

Happy December 1st, everyone! Party season is here and so I thought why not start of the festive looks with one that I have been obsessing over recently. A glitz glam smokey eye inspired by model, Bella Hadid created by makeup artist, Hung Vanngo.  

This look is quite dramatic although, something I liked about the eyes in particular was that it focuses on the depth and contrast of the outer edge – as opposed to a full, closed-off black smokey eye. It really gives you the opportunity to brighten up your eyes and create that jewel tone brightness effect with the sharp placements of shimmery silver eyeshadow.   

So, for anyone who’s not into black smokey eyes but would like to start incorporating more black eyeshadows into slightly dramatic looks, this is a great option to try out! All you’re doing is spending time on building and defining your eyes with black eyeshadow right onto the crease of your eyes, as if you’re expanding the width of eyeliner. This will make your eyes stand out and appear more feline. 

Since the shape of the eye look is very distinct and defined, I opted for a more flawless base and made sure to create a golden glow that complemented the cool-toned eyes with my skin tone. I used my trusty lip balm trick mixed in with a little bit of a coppery/golden highlighter from Sleek’s contour palette in Medium to achieve this result.  

 – PRODUCTS USED – 

Hope this look gives you some festive makeup inspo! Be sure to let me know in the comment section below what you think. Is this something you’d rock for an event like New Year’s Eve? Or would you rather prefer something like a classic smokey eye? I’m just curious 🙂

Random thought: I really can’t believe how close we are to the new year it’s just… lol but anyways.

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper! 

lots of love, 

November 19, 2018 – QUOTE OF THE DAY

It’s always the smallest things that make life worth living for. Take a little bit of time out of your day to look around yourself, spend time with the people that make you feel happy and content. Perhaps consider treating yourself to a favourite book or movie at the end of the day. We all deserve to enjoy life as we create. Notice those joyous moments as you live and life will secretly reward you with even more blissful experiences!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Lots of love,

MAKEUP LOOK: FALL RETRO VIBES

This look is by far one of the most complicated eye-looks I’ve ever created and I’m not even exaggerating lol. It was inspired by a look I saw on a model photographed around the 60’s in Italy. Unfortunately, I do not know the credits to the photo – but one thing I do know is that the look was fierce and I couldn’t wait to recreate it!

The Italian’s makeup look in the 60’s/70’s was very much more experimental with their eyeliner I’d say. From the well known feline smokey eye only a few like Sophia Loren could pull off as an everyday look, to even the simplest cat eye with natural skin, popularised by not only their old Hollywood muses but throughout the imagery of some iconic fashion houses we know today such as Dolce & Gabbana.

Anyways, this is definitely less of a pictorial and more of a visual edit of the finished look. And although, in my opinion, this isn’t the most suited look for me, it sure did instantly brighten my aura and put me in such a mood to act as if I was born in the 70’s *shrugs, sighs and visualises*…

I did my absolute best to keep the skin natural whilst flawless, rouged up the cheeks with an orange blusher and added a transparent glow using one of my most favourite makeup tricks, clear lip balm as a highlighter or to put it shortly – Vaseline.

Because the eyes here are so… defined, I carried out the look by making sure the skin had a little more of a saturated glow and even dabbed on the excess of the orange blush on the centre of my lips before finishing with a thin layer of lip balm.

As you’ll be able to notice, the brows are none existent – this was achieved with a brushing of light brown brow gel and a lighter coloured concealer cleaned underneath them to leave a rather faint shape to them. I just loved the way the brows looked in this way! It’s like when you have light brows, you’re almost least resistant to trying out dramatic looks such as this one. If you don’t have access to a light brow gel, the best way to getting the closest match to a bleached brow look is by using your foundation. The trick is to not use too much of it as you apply, a little goes a long way but the end result is just as amazing.

PRODUCTS USED:

FOUNDATION – Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r

CONCEALER – L.A. Girl Pro Concealer

POWDER – L’Oréal True Match Compact Powder

ORANGE BLUSHER – NIP+FAB Contour Palette

CONTOUR – NIP+FAB Contour Palette

LINER – Poundland (Discontinued)

MASCARA – TECHNIC Lengthening

HIGHLIGHTER – Vaseline Lip Balm

NEUTRAL PALETTE – Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

LIPSTICK – PS Beauty by Primark [Nude Lipstick]

I hope you can take away some fall retro makeup inspo from this edit 🙂 Would you wear this look? Have you already worn a look like this? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

Outfit of The Day: The Knit Dress

I’ve been a huge fan of knit dresses for a while now and I have to say my most preferred style has to be the long-sleeved turtleneck, long enough to touch my ankles lol. I find that this piece fits right in between comfort and style for me which is a win! I also love collecting them in black, only because it becomes easier for me to wear with different outerwear & shoes as well as being suitable for loungewear throughout the winter too.

I finished off this simple look with my shiny kitten-heeled black ankle boots and a sharp wing to open up the eyes.

Knit Dress: ZARA [Available in 3 colours]

Ankle Boots: ZARA

Are you a fan of Knit Dresses? If so, which ones are your most favourite? I’d love to know what you all think in the comments section below!

Thank you so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

Outfit of The Day: #CasualVibes

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Today’s mellow outfit features a mustard yellow sweater (a current favourite), put together with my go-to blue jeans and essential over-the-knee black boots.

I’ve never really been one to embrace colour throughout my wardrobe much, but what makes this sweater an exception for me is that the tone within this mustard yellow, merges the brightness and warmth of the autumn season.

SWEATER – ZARA

BLUE RIPPED JEANS – ZARA

BLACK OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS – ZARA

SUNGLASSES – MVMT

Hope this look gives you some laid-back, brightening fashion inspo!

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN GLAM | INSPIRED BY NIKKIE TUTORIALS

Not too long ago, beauty mogul and makeup YouTuber, NikkiTutorials released a Halloween glam makeup tutorial! I love Halloween, although in all honesty, my efforts for creating a variety of Halloween looks throughout the month of October are just none existent (as you can already tell) no matter how hard I try. With that being said, watching her tutorial on this look inspired me to experiment with a classic cut crease heightened by a dark twist in mind.

My interpretation of her look includes purple eyes instead of brown as I wanted a pop of colour in contrast with my skin tone.

I also added a very thick wing inside the cut crease as a way to give the illusion of a thicker lash line and more lashes as I don’t wear false lashes.

I didn’t have access to purple glitter at the time, so instead, I went for a dark purple/burgundy lipgloss to tie the look together.

PRODUCTS USED:

Foundation – Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation 440

Concealer – L’Oréal Total Cover Foundation 33 ‘Cappuccino’ & L.A. Girl Pro Concealer in ‘Cool Tan’

Contour/Blush – Nip+Fab Contour Palette in DARK

Purple Eyeshadows Used –

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette & Stila Eyeshadow in Compact ‘Dahlia’

To Create the Cut Crease –

Makeup Revolution Concealer ’13’

Too Faced Cat Eyes Palette (shimmery ivory shade)

Mascara – Technic Lengthening Mascara

Lipstick – NYX High Voltage Lipstick in ‘Feline’

Lipgloss – Stila Stay All Day Vinyl Lipgloss in ‘merlot’

I think this look is great for anyone who doesn’t feel like doing too much for Halloween, but would like to look Halloween presentable nonetheless. For parties, this could easily be a great base for a rendition of a vampire, Chucky’s wife, Cruella de Vil, Ursula and just about any other Disney villain really lol.

I hope this mini post gave you (if not Halloween) some fall/winter makeup inspo! Let me know what kind of makeup you’ll be rocking this Halloween in the comment section below!

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

MAKEUP MOOD: 1940s Vibes

This makeup mood is about harnessing the delicacy of the 1940s makeup style. Fresh, clean and defined using thin strokes of black eyeliner to give the illusion of fuller lashes with simplified skin to show of the iridescence of the clear like shimmery eyeshadow, pulled together with light brows and a statement brown-nude lip.

The cohesive, monochromatic theme in this look is not only perfect for for the autumn months but is suitable for any time of the year as this can be a great starting canvas for reds, pinks, orange hues etc.

I kept the brows lightweight and feathery whilst leaving the eyes faintly shaped with a dark brown eyeshadow applied higher than usual on the natural fold of my eyelids.

THE LIPSTICK:

I think this lipstick is a true brown, therefore it carries little to no dimension at all, requiring a darker lip liner to actually give opaqueness on the lips. Other than that, this can be a lovely essential in anyone’s makeup kit who loves to substitute lipsticks for blusher, eyeshadow or even eyeliner/eye bases.

PRODUCTS USED:

FOUNDATION – Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r in 440

CONCEALER – Elizabeth Arden Foundation & Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r in 440

POWDER – KIKO GreenMe Loose Bronzer

BLUSHER – Sleek Bronze Block in Dark

BRONZER – NIP+FAB Contour Palette [brown shade] & [Orange shade]

HIGHLIGHTER – E.L.F. in ‘Blush Gems’

EYESHADOW (Shimmer) – Too Faced Cat Eyes Palette [pale, off-white shimmery shade]

EYESHADOW (shading) – Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour refill in ‘Carob’

MASCARA – Technic Lengthening Mascara

LIPSTICK – MAC X Patricia Bright Lipstick ‘@ThePatriciaBright’

Hope this makeup look gives you some inspiration for this fall!

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

MAKEUP MOOD: SHOCK WAVE

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

This look is quite an advanced glam as I wanted to experiment with graphic eyeliner in combination with a statement lip also. A very vibrant, nod to the ’80s wearable look that I think will be perfect for any upcoming festive events this fall/winter or just to try out and have fun with creating.

I gave the base a more glass finish with a higher coverage foundation mixed in with an illuminating foundation. In contrast, I used a mixture of a matte red and matte pink liquid lipsticks to create a cherry-pink based hue on the lips and made the eyes more defined and diffused with a shimmery champagne/gold eyeshadow and black eyeliner (blended in with a black/brown eyeshadow) without losing the cat eye shape I wanted. Once I had my desired shape, I took the time to extend and carve out the liner as much as possible to break up the eyeshadows a bit and stand out more.

Inspired by Old Hollywood makeup artist, Whitey Snyder‘s eyelash shadow trick he was known to use on Hollywood Icon, Marilyn Monroe, you may also notice that I drew a line right underneath my eyeliner outwards to create a more 3D effect with my lashes (this is very optional). It was my first time trying out the infamous eyelash line trick but I think it worked out pretty well for this look. I’d love to know what you think of it in the comment section below…

PRODUCTS USED:

BASE –

Foundation: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r in 440

Concealer: Elizabeth Arden Lift & Firm Foundation, Delilah Foundation & L’Oréal Infallible Total Cover Foundation “33 Cappucino”

Powder: RCMA No Color Powder “Translucent” & Sleek Concealer Trio [Powder]

Blusher: NIP+FAB Contour Palette [Orange Shade]

Bronzer: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick “Chestnut”

EYES –

Sleek Brow Intensity “Light Medium”

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Refill Powder “Carob”

Spotlight eyeshadow: Too Faced Cat Eyes Palette “Tiger”

E.L.F. Highlighter “Blush Gems”

Technic Lengthening Mascara

Eyeliner: PoundWorld

LIPS –

Coloured Raine Liquid Matte Lipstick “Cherry Blossom” & Bourjois Liquid Lipstick in 07

Hope this edit gives you some wearable ’80s glam inspo! Lol

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,

TOP 5 AFFORDABLE POWDER FOUNDATIONS FOR FLAWLESS SKIN

I’ve noticed that around this time of year, that I begin to regularly receive questions as to how I achieve a more flawless foundation look without looking too cakey and just all-around even in tone with my makeup. Now, of course, liquid foundation and concealer play a huge part in my Autumn/Winter makeup routine but not as much as powder foundation does, as this product/step is what really makes a difference in creating that flawless face during the colder months.

I will be uploading a film on how I use powder foundations for on-the-go multitasking purposes very soon, but for now, I’ve listed down 10 different ways to use powder foundation as I consider this to always be essential in anyone and everyone’s makeup bag.

  1. As foundation (I know, but I felt like I had to mention this at least lol)
  2. To lightly set your liquid/cream foundation or concealer
  3. To cover spots/blemishes and/or hyperpigmentation
  4. To use as a powdered eye-primer
  5. To touch up makeup on the go
  6. To lighten up the colour of your brows
  7. To full proof and mattify a nude lip
  8. To use as a transition shade for eye-looks
  9. To use as a matte bronzer (if you pick up a darker shade)
  10. To sharpen a bold lipstick by cleaning up the edges
  • TOP 5 AFFORDABLE POWDER FOUNDATIONS

1. MUA PRO Base Full Cover Matte Powder

Price: £2.50

Coverage: Medium to High

Shades: 9

2. KIKO GreenMe Bronzer Loose Powder

Price: [SALE] £3.80 Retail Price: £12.00

Coverage: Light to Medium (buildable)

Shades: 2

The reason why I love this bronzer as a powder foundation is because it actually neutralises any different undertones in my foundation to suit my skin. It has some sort of a blurring effect but it’s not shiny, nor is it matte. Kind of like a good dupe for Laura Mercier’s new setting powder but with little to no shimmers in this powder. I’ve been using it for about a month now and it has become one of my best loose face setting powders without being too heavy on the skin.

Unfortunately, this powder comes in two shades as they are bronzers. However, KIKO sells an actual powder foundation called the Skin Tone Powder Foundation (£13.90) which also comes in 18 different shades.

3. L’Oréal True Match Super Blendable Powder

Price: £6.99

Coverage: Light to Medium (buildable)

Shades: 10

This powder is one of my favourites compared to some high-end PFs. What I really like about this one is that it has light to medium coverage, making it very buildable but with a finely milled texture, encouraging me to use a light hand. Not to mention, this compact comes with a very good mirror, easy to travel with and throw in your handbag. If you have normal to dry skin, I’d recommend using a very fluffy face brush to set your makeup with this powder in order to avoid any dry patches. If you happen to struggle with drying makeup in general, try using rose water-based setting sprays after you’ve applied your makeup.

4. Milani Mineral Compact, High Coverage Powder

Price: £11.00

Coverage: High

Shades Available: 3

For those that prefer a higher coverage, I’d recommend trying Milani’s Mineral Compact range (linked above). The undertones of these powders would also make a gorgeous matte bronzer and a face-perimeter setting powder. This also comes with a mirror, is travel-friendly and will come in handy if you have combination to oily skin.

5. NOTE Cosmetics Silk Luminous Compact Powder

Price: £13.90

Coverage: Light to Medium (natural finish)

Shades Available: 17

Hope this post gives you some new access into some high-Street brands that provide powder foundations 🙂

Let me know if you have any suggestions of posts you’d like to see from The Belper in the comments below!

Thank you so much for stopping by The Belper!

Lots of love,