NEW BLOG

After some time of not posting due to being sick, I made the decision to start a fresh in 2015. This blog will no longer be active but you can now find me at katyharmston.blogspot.co.uk. I do apologies for not updating this blog for some time.

My new blog which is just named Katy Harmston will be a lot more personal, more of a online journal about my life and loves. It will also incorporate development within my Art as i have recently started drawing and painting again, so if you are an Art Lover, Beauty and Makeup Enthusiast, Addicted to Fashion or just looking for new online friendship then please stop by, you might find something you like! If you want to follow or comment then please do so, I would love to know your thoughts on the new blog and it would mean a lot to me.

See You There

How To | Blonde Highlights at Home

Do you ever get tired of paying the price to have a bit of dye put into your hair. I think highlights have got to be one of the most annoying factors of having slightly darker hair than you would like. My hair has darkened over the years, mainly because I dyed my hair from a very light blonde to the darkest brown there is. Although I have not dyed my hair for quite some time and recently I have had an urge to do something with it. I get very bored very easily, I like to change up my look. The thought of brown had crossed my mind or I would definitely like to try pink but for my profession its probably not wise. I made the decision to lighten my hair but instead of going to a salon which yes sounds like a more easier option, I wanted to test if I could dye my hair at home myself. I have dyed my hair so many times with a box dye, however they are a block colour and I wanted a bit more texture in my hair. I have a golden caramel colour going on at the moment and wanted to lighten my hair but keep them caramel tones. 

There are two ways to do highlights at home, use foils or a hair cap. I think a hair cap would be the easiest option as you just put the cap on and pull pieces of hair through the holes in the cap; and then you just apply the dye on to the cap. Sounds pretty easy right. Although I had one problem, I didn't have a cap and couldn't find one anywhere. I think they only sell them in professional beauty stores like Sally's. However I did have foil, who doesn't in their kitchen. This is something I have never tried before, but how hard could it be. I am the type of person to try different things and with a box dye it seemed very self explanatory. So I had everything I needed to highlight my hair, majority of the tools are easily found somewhere in your house. The only thing you need is your dye, I choose a box dye kit as they are super easy to use and everything is done for you. All you have to do is mix the solution and your good to go.

You will need

A Box Hair Dye 

Foil

Scissors

A Comb

A Hair Clip

A Towel 

Face Wipes

Shampoo/Conditioner

Please checkout the video tutorial now live on my Youtube Channel for an in-depth look into how I brightened up my hair for under £10, better than your average salon price of £30-£100. If you like this tutorial and my other videos please rate and subscribe and leave any comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts.

If you follow this tutorial and use this method for your own hair then please tweet me @katyharmston or Instagram me with the ♯styleenhance. 

Love

Purple Winged Eyeliner

On a working day basis I tend to stick to my normal eye routine that consists of mascara and maybe a bit of eyeliner, but some days I do love a bit of colour. This purple winged eyeliner look is perfect to draw attention to your eyes, however not too drastic that you look like your trying too hard. 

It is a very quick and easy look, so applying it early in the morning isn't a trying process.

For a softer look I brushed a soft pink along the crease line and smoked it out. This is not a smokey eye so no need to add too much colour. 

To make those lashers look longer and thicker apply a black eyeliner to the top waterline and plenty of mascara to the top and bottom eyelashes.

Products used

MUA Single Eyeshadow - Shade Pearl 

Beauty Q Angled Brush

Technic Electric Palette - Shade Light Pink 

Rimmel Eyeliner Pencil - Shade Black

BG Beauty Mascara - Shade Black 

You can use a purple liquid eyeliner, however most people have a range of different coloured eyeshadows than liquid liners. This technique is making use of the makeup you already have and personally I prefer using an Angled Brush.

Iet me know what you prefer. 

Love

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Midnight Blue Smokey Eyes

A bold dark smokey eye is one of the most requested tutorials and looks, they can transform you from a Plain Jane to the Black Swan.

 This dark midnight blue smokey eye is a beautiful dramatic eye, with silver, blue and metallic tones. 

For a classy look, I finished it off with a Audrey Hepburn styled updo and jewelled earrings. The eyes become the main attraction of the look with all of my hair pulled back. This look would be perfect for an event or a night out. 

Products used: 

MUA Cover and Conceal Concealer - Shade Fair 

Health Tape

Technic Electric Metallic Palette - Shade Silver, Charcoal & Two Tone White

Technic Electric Eyebrow Kit

MUA Single Eyeshadow - Shade Pearl

Avon Glimmerstick Eyeliner - Black

BG Beauty Mascara - Black

No7 Lip Pencil - Shade 20 Nude

BarryM Lip Crayon - Shade Gold

You can watch the Video Tutorial below now live on my channel and don't forget to rate and subscribe!

This is such a fun look and it changes your look instantly. 

Let me know what you think!

Love

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DIY Choker Necklaces

My recent obsession has to be the choker necklaces, I wear them daily. They are very easy to make and dress up any outfit. 

I spent a few weeks looking for one I really liked which wasn't stupidly overpriced, but no matter how much I looked I wasn't happy. I decided to take myself to the crafts store and pick up some interesting cords, ribbons and embellishments. I bought half a meter of each so I had enough material to work with. They were very inexpensive to buy, ranging from 50p - £3.00, depending on the detail of the material.

You will need:

Material/Cord/Ribbon

Press Studs/Hooks&Eyes/Velcro

Embellishments (charms, beads or buttons)

Sewing Needle

Cotton Thread

For this tutorial I did use press studs but either of the above is absolutely fine! 

Click below to watch the video tutorial to see how I make my own choker necklaces.

If you make your own make sure you tweet my @katyharmston.

Love

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Cara Delevingne Inspired Makeup Look

I am a huge fan of Cara Delevingne, she is one of my favourite models and has such striking features. I was inspired by a campaign photo she uploaded to her Facebook Page. Cara looks beautiful as always but it was the makeup look that caught my eye, it's very striking with a gold eye, a bright lip and light contouring. 

It is a very pretty look, perfect for a night out or even worn on a daily basis. The golden smokey eye gives this look a defined edge but the bright pink lip then tones it down and adds a sense of prettiness and colour.

Products used:

Nivea Soft Moisturiser

Rimmel 25 Hour Foundation - Shade 100 Ivory

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Shade Fair

Collection Sheer Loose Powder - Shade 2 Translucent

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzer - Shade Light Shimmer 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil - Shade Hazel

Technic Electric Palette - Light Gold, Yellow & Copper Gold

Elizabeth Arden Palette - Shade Brown

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil - Shade Hazel

MUA Cover and Conceal Concealer - Shade Light

BC Body Collection Maxi Length Mascara - Shade Black

Rimmel Eyeliner - Shade Black

Rimmel Eyeliner - Shade White

MUA Blusher - Shade Marsh-Mellow

No7 Highlights Illuminating Powder - Shade Starlights

Eye-lure Eyelashes - Natural

Technic Juicy Stick - Neon Pink

MUA Lip Liner - Brooding Plum

Tools used:

Real Techniques Correction Sponge

Powder Pad

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Real Techniques Detail Brush

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Beauty Q 

Beauty Q Blend Brush

Small Foundation Brush

I hope you like this look and make sure you checkout the Video Tutorial below to let me know what you think. 

Love

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Product Review: Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara

I have been looking for a good mascara for some time, I picked up this Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara after pondering in super drug for while, I had ran out that morning so it was crunch time. I am not a fan of mascaras with big brushes as mascara gets everywhere and they do not define your lashes. 

After speaking with the Sales Advisor for some time, she informed me that these Rimmel Mascaras are very popular. I have always had a huge crush when it comes to Rimmel products, but it was a difficult choice to make as these mascaras are wrapped in a plastic film with no tester. When it comes to mascaras I love to have a look at one before I buy it so I can see what the brush is like and how good the product is. Unfortunately I couldn't do that with this mascara but I decided to give it ago anyway as the Sales Advisor sung it praises and I have a lot of trust in Rimmel products.

I hate to say it but my trust has been shaken, this is probably one of my most hated mascaras I have every purchased. It retails at £4.99 which is not a lot for a mascara, but if the product is unusable then purchasing something at a penny is waste of money. It is not the price of this product is, its the quality.

As a Rimmel product it comes in a nicely designed and easy to use casing which isn't a surprise, however when you open the mascara there is no suction to the opening of the mascara, leaving the brush is full of product. The opening is the same size as the rest of the tube so when your apply your mascara it clumps up your lashes terribly because there is too much product on the brush. 

I would not advise anyone to purchase this product if they are looking for a new mascara, however I do have a love for Rimmel products and that has not changed. 

I am still on the look out for good mascara so leave your favourites below.

Love

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