GRWM: The High-Street Edition

So back in November I wrote a high-end #GRWM post, with a plan to have a high-street version of the same look being the following. Yeah, so that didn’t happen. I have a lack of inspiration during the last two months of 2018, so I thought I would start fresh in 2019. As I will mention throughout the post, I tried to keep the two looks as similar as I could but there are some slight colour differences. I hope you enjoy reading this post, even though its much later than it should have bin. New Year, New You right?

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Face


I flicked between this primer and the Sleek Hydrating primer, but I felt like this out of the two was the most similar to Smashbox Primerizer. This is a nice high-street primer, it does give a nice glowy look to the skin. I would still pick Smashbox over this, but it is still a decent primer to use.

I prefer to use this on the lower half of my face, as it is ever so slightly shimmery, and then lightly put any excess on my forehead. 


Probably the most infamous high-street concealer in the UK. I feel like it is a UK makeup love rite of passage to try this concealer. I use the lightest shade under my eyes, as it is the only one that doesn’t dry orange on my skin. 

It is too light for me to use anywhere else, but it brings some nice light to my face from underneath my glasses. 


Another classic of the British high-street. I have this so long, its now in new packaging. I should probably get rid of it. It’s a bit gross. I like this bronzer as it gives a subtle warmth to the skin. 

Unlike Benefit’s Hoola bronzer, it is a bit too warm to use as a contour, but for general bronzing I think it is a decent high-street option. As always, I applied it across my cheekbones, forehead and jawline with a duo-fiber powder brush.


Unfortunately, I could not find an exact colour match for the Smashbox blush, but I do have one which is a little warmer and pinker, but still gives a subtle colour to the skin. That is the blush shade from the Rimmel London Kate Sculpting Palette in Coral Glow.

I did put a little less that I usually would, but it is still a lovely blush to use – probably used most in the spring/summer. I also like the bronzer and highlighter, although I personally prefer to use the highlight mixed in with the blush.

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Eyes & Lips


As I wanted the look to be as similar as possible to the high-end version, I decided to pick up this palette. The best match for this look was the sixth shadow along. I feel like this shade matched really well with Smashbox shade. 

I really liked the formulation of these eyeshadows, I think the colour payoff is better than the other Magnif'eyes palette that I have.


CYO is one of my favourite new high-street brands. I was so shocked to have found two great high-street eyeliners that actually work great - this and the ASOS Design eyeliner. It was tough to choose between these too but as CYO can be bought in-store, I decided to go with CYO.

As always, I did my usual cat-flick. This turned out better than the high end one as I was using an actual eyeliner pen, rather than pencil.


As I have mentioned before, both in the previous post and in other posts, I have very small eyelashes, so I always find that two mascaras work better. I did not have two high end mascaras, but thankfully most of the other mascaras that I have in my collection are high-street.

I started with the CYO mascara, I find this works best when used first. It is also a great mascara to layer, but I prefer using two mascaras that have different brushes.  It is also quite a wet mascara formula with a straight, bristly-brush (a very technical description there).


I then like to use a harder spikey mascara brush. I find this helps add even more length and can help get out any clumps that might have appeared with the first mascara. I really like the ASOS mascara, as it gives a lot of volume, but doesn’t take away what the CYO Mascara did. 

As I’ve said before, I am never going to get the huge mega lashes, but this mascaras in combination do make me feel that there is as least something there. 


I can’t apply a lipstick without a lipliner – it doesn’t feel right! This is one of my favourite lip liners that I have at the moment. It is really creamy, and super blendable. To be honest, I would be quite happy to wear this alone!

It is slightly pinker than the liquid lipstick, but not too much and it blends perfectly underneath. It also comes with a built-in sharpener on the end – I am always losing mine, so it is handy to have one with it at all times!


Again, I did not get an exact colour match, but when coming up with these two posts I knew I wanted to use my Maybelline Stay Matte Ink in Seductress. It is definitely one of the best liquid lipsticks that I have tried, and that includes high-end as well. Even for a lighter shade, it has incredible lasting power – even through food and drink!

It has a fairly thick formula, in comparison to others but I actually think that is a benefit to this product. It is a lot easier to apply and dries a lot quicker. But have no fear, it doesn’t leave a ridiculously dry feeling. 

The total cost for this look (at full price) is £67.13 – which is considerably cheaper than the high-end look. You still might not want to purchase these all at once. 

But imagine the Advantage Card points!

At the end of the day, I like using some high-end makeup but it is great to know that the high-street brands are continuing to up their game.

What is your must-have high-street makeup item?

Ellyn xx


Check out my last post here
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8 comments

  1. Hope 2019 will treat you well and give you a huge rush of inspiration! I love the different products you use to get that look. I haven't used bronzers before but should look into it! I love the colors from the blush palette. Oh man, I am the same with having small eyelashes. Something extra bold goes a long way. I am all for high-street makeup brands as long as they don't irritate my skin. Heck, you save so much more money this way!

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

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    1. My sister doesn't wear a lot of makeup but has super long eyelashes - I think there was a mix-up with our genetic codes! I like having a mix of high and low end too, a great product doesn't necessarily mean a high price tag!

      Ellyn xx | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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  2. Happy new year! I'm glad you've got around to posting the high street version too. I remember that Bourjois bronzer being so popular when I was in school. It never worked out for me, but I know people who loved it xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush

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    1. There are definitely more pigmented bronzers out there, I don't think anything could replace my love for Hoola but I don't mind this one either. I think if I ever do a two-parted post again, I'm going to have both pieces written before posting either of them!

      Ellyn xx | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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  3. I'm not really into make-up and very rarely use it. But some great tips for people who do.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Helping people and giving tips is my favourite part about blogging!

      Ellyn xx | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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  4. I haven't tried any of this make up but I know so many people rave about the Collection concealer!

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    1. It is such a good concealer! The shade range is pretty poor for today's standard, but the formulation is great so it is definitely something they should expand!

      Ellyn xx | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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