2014: THE MAKEUP EXPERIMENT

If I was asked to describe my relationship with makeup in 2014, it would have to be an experiment. By that I don't mean I sat locked in my bedroom with some glass vials and concocted my own deadly foundations and lip-glosses. What I really mean is that during 2014 I tried new things, new colours, new products and even new brands; as a result, my love for and understanding of makeup blossomed. Here are five "experiments" which changed the face of my makeup in 2014.

1. Falsies
If I was asked twelve or even six months ago whether I would have worn flash eyelashes, I wouldn't have let you finish the question before viciously shaking my head and waving my beloved mascara in your face ("that's what mascara is for!"). Truth be told, I'd just never tried them and the prospect of them falling off mid-outing scared me a little bit (I was also incapable of applying them, nor did I have the patience). But alas I bought my first pair of 'big girl' lashes from Eylure. They were from the Naturals collection (a girl has to start somewhere right?) but I love them. Adore them in fact. Although they are saved for the rare occasion, they have a special place in my heart.

2. Highlighter
To say that before 2014 I had never gone near highlighter would be a lie. I had tried highlighting in the past, failed miserably, and decided that for both mine and my highlighter's safety, I should stay well away. 2014 was the year of getting the knack of things however. It started with the classic brow bone highlight (my favourite tended to be Urban Decay's 'Bootycall' from the Naked 2 palette) before I fell in love with MAC's Mineralise Skinfinish in 'Soft and Gentle'. And now? I'm a self-confessed sparkly mess.

3. Bright and Bold Lips
I have always envied those girls who can wear any lip colour and look a-maz-ing. For a long time I had denied myself of anything other than nude or natural pink toned lip-glosses and lipsticks. They simply "didn't suit me" or I "looked like a clown". That however, was the judgement of a girl who didn't dare pick up a fuchsia or a red because deep down she was scared to. During 2014 I have braved new colours and finally figured out what does and doesn't suit me. Revlon has been a godsend, particularly towards the end of the year with my favourites being their Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Sultry' and the Colorstay Moisture Stain in 'Barcelona Nights', both of which I have been wearing non-stop throughout the Christmas period.

4. Winged Liner
My name's Jemma. "Hi Jemma". I'm 19. And I too have a problem with winged eyeliner. We have a love-hate relationship. You see, we have different ideas about the overall look we're trying to achieve. I want perfection, but he's all Mr Smug with his smudging and wobbly lines. But during 2014 despite our relationship having it's rocky patches, I think we can agree that we've found common ground. Haha. In all seriousness however, I've found the products that work for me, whether it's the natural looking 'Blackout' matte black eyeshadow from the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, or the sharper more put together lines of the Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner, and our relationship has only improved.

5. Bronzer
Bronzer didn't make it here because it was something new to me last year. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I used to hate it and only used bronzer in the direst of circumstances when my tan was uneven. I owned one lonesome bronzer by Maybelline and to this day it was the worst thing I have ever owned. Last year I finally started to understand the difference between the look of shimmer and non-shimmer bronzers, and worked out which shades suited my skin tone at different times of the year. Hoola by Benefit, although a very recent discovery (I know I am late on the bandwagon!), is better suited to me when I have a tan. The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer is my much more used bronzer, suiting a much paler complexion yet maintaining a natural tone on my skin throughout the year. I still have yet to achieve perfection in the area of contouring though, but that's what 2015 is for!