Beauty Blogger of the Week: Holly Fitzsimons

Our Beauty Blogger of the Week is the lovely Holly Fitzsimons. We were delighted to catch up with the aspiring make-up artist and are thrilled to share her personal must-have's with you! Her blog All Things Holly offers tips, tricks and reviews and it's clear that Holly is a girl who absolutely lives and breathes all things fabulous. Chock-full of fashion and beauty advice, Holly's down-to-earth approach should make her a hit with girls everywhere. You can't teach passion, but luckily this girl has it in spades.

1. What is your best budget beauty buy?

Anyone who knows me will know that I LOVE Coconut Oil. Not only is it a healthy alternative to cooking oil, I've also discovered that it can be used as a cheap and natural make-up remover, moisturiser, eye cream, hair mask, etc. The list goes on! It works a treat and it's so affordable. You can pick up a big tub of Coconut Oil (preferably 100% Organic Extra Virgin) from your local supermarket for under a fiver and I can guarantee it will last ages.

2. What is your top make-up tip?

I'm going to cheat a little and say two. Some people may know this already but gel eyeliner can be used on the waterline as well as for lining the top lash line so you're basically hitting two birds with the one stone as you won't need to use an eye pencil. Grab a pencil brush with some black shadow to blend it out. It gives a nice smokey effect. I'm pretty sure you will find yourself binning your kohl, kajal or liquid liner after you see just how long lasting and pigmented a gel can be. I'd highly recommend the Inglot AMC gel eyeliner. It's amazing!

My next tip is an important one especially for aspiring make-up artists like myself. I think sometimes we neglect cleaning our make-up brushes but it it really is a MUST! I started using washing up liquid mixed with olive oil (three parts washing liquid to one part oil). Pour the two on a plate and swirl the dirty brushes in circles through the mixture. You will soon see the sheer amount of make-up that accumulates between the bristles. Once the mix has turned completely orange, repeat the circular motion on the palm of your hand before rinsing with lukewarm water. Repeat this process until the water runs clean. Leave them to dry lying on a flat surface allowing the air to circulate all around the brush head. Keep away from any heat source and this will ensure your brushes dry naturally and come out looking good as new.

3. Most girls have a much-loved lipstick – what's yours?

It's so hard to choose but I am a HUGE fan of nude lippys. I own way too many, like most other girls I'm sure! At the minute my favourite has to be 'Honey Love' by MAC. I was told it was the closest to Kim Kardashian's go-to lip colour. It is a gorgeous pinky-nude shade. I like to pair it with MAC's Pro Longwear Lip Liner in 'Nice 'n' Spicy'. Fab combo!

4. What was your very first perfume and what are you currently wearing?

Oh God .. My first perfume that I can actually remember was either 'L.A. Style' by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen or 'With Love' by Hilary Duff. I must have been about ten and I thought I was the business with this stuff on. I'd like to think I've upgraded a little since then! Right now I'm wearing Abercrombie and Fitch '8'. I love the A&F scents for daytime. My all time favourite perfume has to be Burberry 'Baby Touch' perfume though. It is divine!

5. You're only allowed to use three make-up products for the rest of your life… what are they?

This is a tough one as I'm such a make-up addict but if I had to choose, number one would have to be lip liner. I like the size of my lips but the outer colour is quite light so I'd like a lip liner to keep this filled in. It would have to be one from MAC as they are such good quality and the 'Pro Longwear' range are super long-lasting. My second choice would be either the Sleek Eyebrow Kit or Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Dip Brow'. My eyebrows are very sparse and having them filled in makes such a difference. Last but not least, I'd like a BB or CC Cream. I would opt for these instead of a foundation as they're more natural and give the skin a bit of a lift. I am yet to find an amazing BB cream but I do love the L'oreal 'Nude Magique' CC Cream.

How fantastic is she?! For more of Holly's fashion and beauty tips, check out her blog here!