Contour - How To Create Killer Cheekbones

I don't have stand out cheekbones but with a bit of makeup magic and clever contouring I can create and fake those to die for cheekbones that I so desire.

How to create and cheat your way to Killer Cheekbones in 3 easy steps - 

Contour
Blush
Highlight

Step 1 - Use a matte contour blush in a shade one or two darker than your natural colour - Suck in your cheeks and follow the hollow under the bone to apply the blush - I love Smashbox Blush Silhouette in Rush.

Step 2 - Apply your blusher as normal, I take mine up to the hairline - One of my all time faves is NewCID Cosmetics i-glow in Coral Crush.

Step 3 - Apply a highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones for added definition and contrast - I absolutely love the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc that comes with 4 highlighting shades.

The picture above is quite dramatic but you can still recreate killer cheekbones in a more subtle way - as seen in this picture where I am wearing a red lipstick

The blusher I used for this look was a matte neutral which is the the perfect shade for wearing with red lipstick but also works equally with a barely there nude/warm beauty look.

Cargo Blusher in shade Tonga

Beauty Look - How to do Sultry

I love playing with and trying out make up and of course creating different beauty looks. I love seeing just how different my face can look with the help of a few colours and tricks!

The look above is one that I particularly adore - A bit sultry, a bit sex kitten. This is a look where the focus is predominantly on the Kohl eyes but the rest of the makeup has to be soft but sculpted for real impact. I think this is great date night make up.

The products I used 

Foundation - Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in Champagne 
Bronzer - Little Mix by Collection Bronze It Jesy Bronzer
Contour Blush - Smashbox Blush Silhouette in Rush - Create fabulous cheek bones
Blusher - Cargo Cosmetics Blush in Tonga - A neutral blush
Highlighter - Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Pink Tourmaline - I love this shimmer bloc as a radiance enhancer.
Lip Gloss - Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Nude Lip Gloss - The perfect peachy pink nude gloss allowing the eyes to shine.
Mascara - Benefit They're Real Mascara
Eyeliner - Maybelline New York Master Kajal Kohl Liner in Pitch Black - For added interest I have drawn two flicks coming out at the corner of my eyes.

The Best Blusher To Wear With Red Lipstick

For years I shied away from wearing red lipstick, I think it was a combination of lacking in confidence to carry it off,  feeling it was just too bright and 'out there' for me and not really knowing how best to wear it. Remember, when I was younger we just didn't have the wealth of information, blogs and vlogs that exist now!

However, if you read my blog you will have noticed that recently I have been far more adventurous. Actually, in my 30's I am really enjoying wearing more reds and in experimenting I am learning which reds suit me and even daring to wear a cheeky red during the day...

One of my main issues was working out what blush to best team with a red lip. A lot of people say that you don't need to wear a blusher when wearing a red lipstick. I wasn't blessed with nice, defined cheekbones so I have to cheat, so for me, going without blusher is just not an option.

Happily I have found the perfect blusher to go with a red lipstick and it is Cargo Cosmetics Blush in Tonga

I apply this blusher every time I wear a red lipstick but it is also ideal for wearing with a nude/natural look and understated look too.

Tonga is a beautiful neutral matte shade that has a silky smooth texture, almost cream-like, which when applied provides a barely there, sheer appearance on the skin. Blendable and buildable, I like that you can define the cheeks as much or as little as necessary.

Swatches of Tonga Blush from Cargo Cosmetics 

Cargo Cosmetics Blush in Tonga costs £19 and is available from Debenhams.

Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Colour in Bordeaux

Gorgeous shade of lipstick from Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Colour Collection - Bordeaux 

As the name suggests it is a rich wine colour that packs a punch in just one creamy application thanks to its pigment, feels moisturising on the lips and has lip plumping benefits. Deep, vampy lips are a huge trend this Autumn/Winter and Bordeaux is perfect for it.

Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Colour is available in 12 shades £13 
Available online from Cargo Cosmetics and Debenhams

*PR Sample

Cargo Cosmetics HD Translucent Powder - Review

Regular readers of BeautySwot.com know that I am not a fan of using powder. I much prefer liquid foundations and I don't set my makeup with powder after as I prefer a slightly dewy radiant finish. I had one finishing powder that I loved that was from Clinique but it was discontinued and I didn't look for another.. So when this new powder from Cargo Cosmetics landed on my desk I wasn't entirely enthusiastic until I read the description and couldn't wait to put it to the test!

HD Translucent Powder 

Specially created for high definition filming, this silky, weightless formula utilises high resolution technology to diffuse lines, pores and imperfections in a few quick sweeps. The compact packaging features a unique fine mesh filter that dispenses the perfect amount of powder per-shake, allowing you to best conserve product and avoid over-application or spillage in your makeup bag.

My thoughts 

I have fallen head over heels for this powder, it is so soft and smooth to apply that it is virtually undetectable when on. It does exactly as it promises. It gives my skin a soft focus and flawless appearance, smoothing lines and hiding pores. My skin remains looking fresh and bright and it keeps any shine away all day. On a day I didn't wear it and my foundation looked a bit ropey I applied some powder and it refreshed it all. Love, love, love.

Who knew I would love a powder so much!

Cargo Cosmetics HD| Translucent Powder costs £21 and is available from Debenhams

*PR Sample

Makeup For Afternoon Tea - FOTD

Last week I went for Afternoon Tea at Paramount and I thought I would share with you the makeup that I wore. As I was making a day of it in London I wanted to make sure my make up lasted. It was a pretty warm and sunny day so I wanted to avoid the big melt and still look fresh for when we sat down to tea at 3pm. I tend to go for a strong/bright lip when I go out and specifically do something as I just think they look great and stand out in photographs - The Shard was proof of this.

Products used 

Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer SPF30
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF in Light
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Smashbox Blush Rush in Silhouette
Cargo Blush in Tonga
New CID I-Shadow Quad in Florence
Clinique Quickliner Intense for Eyes in Intense Chocolate
Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara
Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Apricot Sun

What do you think?

Cargo Cosmetics Giveaway - The Winner Is.....

I ran a birthday giveaway in conjunction with Cargo Cosmetics to win all of the items above

Water Resistant Blusher in the gorgeously Summery shade of Los Cabos worth £19

Texas Sized Duo worth £19.50 - Comprising of
TexasLash Mascara Black
TexasLiner Liquid Eyeliner Black 

JetLag Concealer shade 01 Light worth £19


The winner has been selected by random.org and I can now reveal the winner is .......

Mrs S Woodward

Congratulations - please email bettina@beautyswot.com with your details to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned for more fab giveaways and the chance to win :-)

Happy Birthday Giveaway with Cargo Cosmetics!

It's my birthday today and to celebrate with you my dear readers I am excited to announce that I have got together with the lovely people at Cargo Cosmetics for a rather fantastic Summer Essentials Make-Up Giveaway.

One lucky reader will win the following amazing prize (everything in the picture above) -

Water Resistant Blusher in the gorgeously Summery shade of Los Cabos worth £19

Texas Sized Duo worth £19.50 - Comprising of
TexasLash Mascara Black
TexasLiner Liquid Eyeliner Black 

JetLag Concealer shade 01 Light worth £19

How To Enter -

• You must be a follower of this blog - Please leave a comment stating how you are following the blog and what your Summer Beauty Essential is.
• You can gain an extra entry by tweeting about this giveaway. Just tag your tweet with @BeautySwot at the end so I can see it. 

The (not so) Small Print -

• Maximum entries per person is 2.
• Open only to UK residents.
• All entries will be logged and numbered, and the winner will be selected by www.random.org
• Entries close at 23.59pm, Monday 17th June 2013.
• The winner and instructions as to how to claim your prize will appear on the blog on Tuesday 17th June. You will have 48 hours to get in touch before I select a new winner.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Bettina x

What's Inside My December GlossyBox

The postman knocked again this month with a delivery of the December GLOSSYBOX.  The first thing to note is the festive red box, very nice!

As this was the Christmas edition box it was supposed to contain products to get you in the mood for a party and a few. I have got to say I really liked the December box. Here is what was inside

A full size Rituals Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel - Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil - £6.50/200ml


I haven't tried Rituals products yet but did spot one of their shops when out shopping recently and had planned to go in and pick something up so this is great, it smells incredible too.

Deborah Lippman Mini Nail Varnish in Razzle Dazzle and a Stripped To Go Sachet - A full size bottle would cost £14.


I have tried a few Deborah Lippman Varnishes so it is not a new brand to me, nevertheless the brand does induce excitement.
Razzle Dazzle is ideal for parties, a pretty glittery shade of dark red, almost wine in colour with flashes of brighter flecks.  I am not a huge glitter fan (I save it for special occasions as I hate removing it) so this mini size is perfect. I love that included in the box is a nail polish remover. I hope it removes the glitter with ease!

Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss (mini) in shade Morocco - Full Size £10

As a lip gloss fanatic I loved the inclusion of a gloss in the box, I haven't tried Cargo either so that was an added bonus. I really like the shade which is a pinky/brown with a slight sparkle. I have worn it a few times, there is no stickiness either. As it is so tiny I have nearly finished it.

BLINK+GO Eyeshadow and Blush Palette - Full Size £14.95

I have not heard of Blink+Go so this is a new brand to discover. I love the concept of this palette but I am pretty certain that I would never have chosen this particular combination as the colours look so bright. However on swatching they are actually nice and not as scary as they look in the palette, and I am looking forward to experimenting with a bit of colour on my eyes. The gold and green in particular stand out.
As I am also a bit of a blush addict, the addition of blush is very welcome..

The final product in the box is a small pot of Bionova Eye Wrinkle Treatment. A full size pot of eye cream costs £43.


Bionova are another brand that I have yet to discover, GlossyBox are doing a fab job in searching out products for its subscribers to try. I look forward to trying this premium eye cream out, it seems from reading that it is tailored to my age bracket, so here is hoping it works for me!

Cargo Lip Gloss Morocco Swatch

Deborah Lippman Razzle Dazzle Nail Varnish

Contents of Glossybox Opened

The eye shadow shades revealed

The blushes

A few different boxes went out this month, overall I am really pleased with the contents of mine.

If you are reading BeautySwot for the first time and want to know more about Glossybox and how it works please click here. Note that GlossyBox now costs £10 and £2.95 for P+P.

GlossyBox are now offering gift subscriptions For £30 (+P&P) you can give a three month subscription, for £60 (+P&P) a six month subscription and for £110 (+P&P) a 12 month subscription where you will get one box free!

*PR Sample