NOTD: Models Own Purple Grey & Barry M Lavender

It’s that time of year, where a glitter packed polish is pretty much a necessity. I picked this polish up along with Hologram from a shop in Loughborough that sells discontinued cosmetics. IT cost £2.99, and you should be able to pick one up on eBay. 

True Blood Series : FOTD Pam

I’ve been think about doing this for a while, I love the make-up on True Blood, it references a lot of different eras but keeps it interesting for a modern audience. Pam is one of the lead characters and for me her make-up is the most impressive. She tends to vary between two looks, but they’re both based on the same idea a smoky eye, and a red lip, she’ll sometimes wear a soft version of this look, with more of a lip stain, and sometimes a heavier look with a much bolder darker lip.

I’ve recreated the softer version for you all to enjoy, I’ll try to knock out one of these posts a week, let me know what character you want to see next, or any other TV series make-up your interested in!

FACE

Pam wears quite a heavy, high coverage base so I started by buffing in 17’s BB Cream in Light as a primer. I then buffed Estee Lauder Double Wear in Shell all over with my MAC 187. The skin is kept very pale, and I don’t see a paticular blush colour, so I used Stila Highlight Duo in Kitten on the tops of my cheekbones.

EYES

Pam normally wears a soft, warm smokey eye, so I used Benefit Creaseless Cream in Strut as a base, I then used some of the warm shimmery browns in the NYX Nude Palette, and MUA’s Heaven and Earth Palette, to buff along the socket up to the crease. I used a matte beige from the Nude Palette under the brow bone. Pam doesn’t wear a dark brow, but they are defined and lightly drawn in, I used the lightest shade from VIVO’s Ultimate Brow and Eye Kit. I finished by eyes by curling my lashes and applying a couple of coats of 17’s Wild Curl Mascara.

LIPS

To keep the lips looking stained and not to defined, I began by applying Models Own Lip Balm in Blackberry, I then applied Dainty Doll Lipstick in Couture to the centre of my lips and blended it out with my index finger to give a soft ‘just bitten’ effect.

Christmas Gift-Guide: Mothers!

I love treating my Mum to something special at Christmas; I think the key is to keep it classic and you won’t go wrong. Here’s a few of my suggestions…

1. Nars Doceur de Paris Palette £37.00

2. Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Body Butter £16.95

3.Gorgeous by Gok Vanity Case £22.00*

4. Chanel Lumiere Sculptee De Chanel Highlighting Powder £46.00

5. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Limited Edition £18.50

 

*currently on offer, normal price £45.00

Switching My Style with OSIS Style Shifter

I was sent this by the lovely Lisa at Immediate PR, and it’s a product that’s really got me excited. Since cutting my hair, from half way down my back to a shoulder length bob, I’ve been a bit uninspired with styling it, I found myself straightening poker straight every day, and frankly I was bored.

Style Shifters are a ‘liquid texturising spray’ that you spray onto dry hair and then style your hair how you wish. Unlike other texturising products I’ve tried this doesn’t weigh down my hair and leave my hair flat five minutes later. It’s really easy to work it into the hair and ‘shape’ your hair.

Since I cut my hair I’ve lusted after the tousled, bed head locks of Alexa Chung, but I never managed to achieve that look. With OSIS style shifter I feel I’m a bit closer. I’ve been using the Medium Control Style Shifter (there is also a lighter and heavier control levels, for long and short hair) and here’s what I came up with today…

I love this product, and it’s made take a step away from the straighteners when I style my hair! If your feeling fed with your current style you should try these out!

OSIS Style Shifters are available from Escentual and are priced at £6.25 (currently 25% off, normal RRP is £8.70)

P.S. Look out for a post about the make-up I’m wearing later today!

Disclosure: PR Sample

Gift Idea for Her (Luxury) Dolce and Gabbana Lipsticks

If you’re struggling to find the perfect girt for the lady in your life who loves luxury, you might want to take a look at Dolce and Gabbana’s Classic Cream Lipsticks.My boyfriend bought me the Lip Jewels Palette last year which contains (from top) Dahlia, Ultra, Devil, Nude, the lipsticks  have a gorgeous, classic satin formula, last for about four-five hours on the lips and don’t dry out your lips.

The line contains some beautiful, classic colours and the packaging is beautiful and screams excess and indulgence.

I’m one of the first people to admit to loving an inexpensive lipstick, but sometimes, you just need a touch of excess, and who wouldn’t love the gold packaging!

Dolce and Gabbana Classic Cream Lipsticks cost £22.00 and are available from Harrods

Relaxing with Yankee Candle

I’ve had the pleasure of getting two consecutive days off this week (I work in retail, this rarely happens) so rather than waste the time, I’ve made an effort to turn my house upside down, and try to make it a bit more welcoming and cosy. To help with this recently I’ve really got into burning candles, I find it makes my house feel a bit more homey (is that a word??)

When my generic vanilla tea lights just weren’t cutting it I starting buying Yankee Candle samplers (£1.40 - £1.75) but since reading The Sunday Girls posts about Yankee Wax Tarts I picked up a few to try out. They are a lot cheaper than the candles, and cost about £1.20 (I picked up my Christmas Cookie ones on sale for 90p) and burn for about 8 hours.

I’ve got a Christmas Cookie burning at the minute and it smells, amazing! If you like sweet, cakey scents you will love this.

Do you like candles/oils? Are there any that I should check out?

Deal Alert: Get MUA Immaculate Collection Free!

You probably remember the Immaculate Collection that I featured here. Well, there’s quite a deal on at Superdrug at the minute, if you spend £8 instore on Make Up Academy, you receive the Immaculate Collection free! I don’t think stocks will last very long while this deal is on so get to your nearest MUA stockist!

I’m Living in a Material World with Dainty Doll Lipstick in Material World

I’ve had this lipstick for a while, but for some reason it’s been ignored. I dug it out today for work, and I can’t think why I’ve left it stashed away for so long. The image above was taken after about an hours wear ( and consumption of half a pack of Double Stuff Oreos and milk, ssshhh!!!) Shades like this normally last half an hour on me before completely disappearing, but this one lasted a good 4 hours (which as I said included eating and drinking)  before I wanted to reapply. It’s got a lovely creamy texture and isn’t drying.

You can find Dainty Doll Lipsticks at Harrods and Boots priced £12.50

17 Statuesque EOTD

I needed a shadow to make me look a little more awake today, working late tonight and I hate the fact I normally end up looking like one of the walking dead. 17 Statuesque is a shimmery golden brown, perfect for a wash of colour. It blends really easily and lasts well over a base (I’m using my current favourite 17 Metallic Eyes in Wild Nude).

Statuesque costs £3.89 and is available at Boots.

Muted Monday

Where You Drink Champagne and It tastes Just Like Cherry Cola

Another shot of Lola, taken in front of the fire, in the five minutes of the day that she is actually tired. I’ve spent today sleeping in, eating sushi, blogging and napping. Perfect Sunday! I’ll be going to see Breaking Dawn tomorrow, and although I wouldn’t class myself as a massive fan of the film series, I’m really looking forward to see how it pans out. I’ve read a lot of negative reviews of the film, but I don’t think Twilight is the type of flm that will ever win critics hearts, so I don’t pay all that much attention to them. I’m also looking forward to seeing 50/50 when it is released on Friday, it stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer) and Seth Rogan (Green Lantern/Knocked Up).
I’ve got a busy week next week, as I work in retail, Christmas preparations are in full swing, and I have lots too organise!

NYX Soho Glam: Pictures and Swatches

Here’s some more pictures (and a few swatches) of the NYX Soho Glam Collection that I mentioned here. The quality of the shadows is a bit inconsistent, some are a bit powdery and some are more pigmented than others, but the less pigmented shades can be built up fairly easily. The blushers are of okay quality, the lip products are okay but not great. For £14.99, this would make a great gift, or treat for yourself if you have the patience to work with some of the shades.

NYX Soho Glam Collection is available in selected TK Maxx stores.

FOTD: Enraged

Before I start, yes I’ve photoshopped this photo, none of you want to see the massive hormonal breakout that is currently residing on my chin! I did this FOTD to show what 17 Eyeshadow Trio in Enraged (I haven’t photoshopped around muy eyes so these colours are as true to life as my camera will allow) looks like when worn. I wore this look to work yesterday, maybe a little overdone but who cares!

FACE

17 Blemish Balm in Light

Estee Lauder Double Wear (as concealer)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light

NYX Blush from Soho Glam Collection

Eyes

17 Wild Metallic Eyes in Wild Nude

17 Eyeshadow Trio in Enraged

Sleek Noir Eyeshadow as Liner

17 Wild Curls Mascara

Lips

Mix of Lipsticks from NYX Soho Glam

Bambi

I took this when I was at Bradgate Park the other day, a lot of the deer either get nervous around people or are so used to them they don’t notice your there. This little guy however kept looking up while he was eating to look down my camera.

17 Eyeshadow Trio in Enraged

This week really has been the week of 17 cosmetics, and I’ve splurged twice on the 3 for 2 offer that's currently on. One of the items I picked up was the eyeshadow trio in Enraged, which was released with the A/W collection (there are 2 other eyeshadow trios, and three coordinating nail polishes, including Fury which I showed here)  Normally I would be more drawn to the cooler toned trios, the green or the purple, but lately I prefer the way my skin looks with a warmer a shadow, and like the contrast against my green eyes.

Enraged has three gold toned shades that have a lovely creamy texture, blend easily and last well over a base (I’ve been using them over 17’s Wild Metallic Eyes) all the shades are shimmer shades, but they are metallic as opposed to glittery, and none of them contain any gritty glitter. I have experienced a little bit of fallout, from the darker shade but nothing that can’t be dealt with.

 

The packaging is nothing flashy, but is practical and compact, great for taking to work with you if you plan to head straight out to a Christmas party and need to add a little glitz and glamour to your look.

17 Eyeshadow Trios are available at Boots and cost £5.49.

New Things FOTD (feat 17 BB Cream)

Face

17 BB Cream Light

Estee Lauder DoubleWear (As Concealer)

Benefit Erase Paste

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Light

Stila All Over Shimmer Duo (Kitten)

Eyes

17 Wild Metallic Eyes Wild Green

Darling Girl Bad Attitude

Gold from NYX Nude on Nude Palette

17 Wild Curls Mascara

Vivo Brow Kit

Lips

Loreal Studio Secrets Lip Glow

In the Graveyard Doing Handstands

I spent today wandering around Bradgate Park taking snaps and walking Lola with my Mum. There’s some really interesting, gnarled trees, and I spent a lot of the day crouching down taking photos of them. That and trying to get a good shot of the deer that reside in the park. I’ll post some more photo’s from the day soon, but for now here’s some twisted looking trees!

Review: 17 BB Cream in Light

BB Creams is a buzz word of such lately, and I have to admit, I’ve been dying to try one. I tried the Garnier one in store and it felt really greasy to me and having never had luck with Garnier products in the past I wanted to skip it. The Illamasqua Skin Base didn’t seem very true to the idea of a BB Cream, and I felt the price tag was too much if it was just going to be another foundation.

17’s however retails at £6.99 (£5.99 at the minute, and also included in the current 3 for 2) boasts SPF 25 and oil control properties. It wasn’t yet on the shelf in my local Boots, but being the crazy beauty loving blogger that I am I found myself rooting through one of the draws under the display, where I found many BB Creams Boxed up and ready to buy.

It comes in two shades Light and Medium, so if your skintone leans particularly cool or warm, or you have dark/or a very pale skin, there probably wont be a shade for you. I have pale cool skin (I’m a 1C1 Shell in Estee Lauder Double Wear) and Light is a pretty much perfect match for me.

Most of the reviews I’ve read about this product, are fairly indifferent to it, and give the impression it is pretty much a tinted moisturiser with a different name. I’m going to go against popular opinion, because I am loving this product. I have oily, sensitive and acne prone skin (painting a lovely picture aren’t I?) it’s been like that for the past few years, hormones are almost certainly to blame, and I’ve spent half a year taking antibiotics for the acne to return as soon as I stopped. I normally deal with this by covering my skin with Double Wear, which is great if you have enough time to add colour back too your face with blush/highlighter, but as the days get shorter I am valuing time in bed more than time spent getting ready for work, and need something that doesn’t completely block out my complexion.

For me this isn’t a tinted moisturiser, tinted moisturiser slip off my skin and just are something to avoid for me, this has what I would say is a semi-matte finish, I find it give a great matte finish to my oily skin but my skin looks really awake and bright. It gives good coverage but not as heavy as I need on my problem areas.

The way I have been using it is applying it all over my face, with a brush (MAC 109 or 187) and then applying Double Wear where I need it, and setting with powder. It lasts very well for me ( I put my make-up on usually at 4.30am, and it’s about 2 or 3 in the afternoon before I feel the need to touch up with powder, I also find it holds the rest of my make-up in place, a lot better than the silicone based primers I’ve used, I would put this down to the fact it does control my oily skin  and stop my blush etc from just being absorbed by my ever hungry pores!

I would definitely recommend this if you have oily skin, it might work wonders for you too!

17 BB Cream is available at Boots, and cost £6.99.

EOTD: MUA Immaculate Collection Purples

A quick EOTD I did the other day using the purples from the MUA Immaculate Collection. The matte one was the one I was most excited to try, as I find most brands (including high-end ones) tend to struggle with. I used it as a base for the darker and shimmer shades and I found it a little hard to work with. The texture is a bit harder than the shimmer/metallic shades but I have MAC matte purples that have a worse texture, so I don’t think it is necessarily a bad shade. The metallic shades are gorgeous, easy to blend and well pigmented, the lilac shade if a really lovely colour, great for blending out a purple lid or for using to brighten the eye and neutralise redness.

I’ve been using the neutral shades pretty much daily since I bought the palette, they’re great for when you’re in a rush (like I am most mornings) as the soft texture blends so easily.

Do you know of any great matte purples? Have you picked up the MUA Immaculate Collection yet? What do you think to it?

MUA Immaculate Collection is available from Superdrug and costs £8.

Hauling… (Pic Heavy)

Just a few of the things I picked up today (this is only about half!) I shall be trying all of these out and posting some more reviews, and area of my blog I feel I have been slacking on recently. I can’t make any excuses about having nothing to review now can I?!? I’ve picked up a lot of 17 products (following Sundays 17 Cosmetics Twitter Party, organised by @ReallyRee and @MayLovesMakeup) including the new BB Cream, which wasn’t on the stand at my local Boots but I managed to find it after scrambling through one of the draws (that’s dedication eh?).

Me and Nik went to Nottingham today and I managed to spend most of my advantage card points and drop some serious coin in MAC, something I haven’t done in about six months. I only bought base products and a 187 as the Glitter and Ice Collection failed to wow me on first impressions, but who knows I mightget swayed to buy a Dazzleglass or two.

TK Maxx are also impressing with the amount of NYX they currently have in stock, for some great prices. If you fancy trying some and don’t fancy the shipping prices, you should go have a rummage!

Hope your weeks are off too a good start, I’ll be back with a ‘real’ post tommorow!

Muted Monday

Sunday Sushi

After going for a walk today me and Nik found ourselves in town with grumbling tummies! So we decided to go to A local Japanese restaurant (The Basin,Loughborough) we had been to once before. We ordered some Sushi and Dim Sum, all of which was delicious and brilliantly presented.

I think for anyone scared of trying sushi, somewhere like this is a great way to try it, unlike a certain chain restaurant, you pick what you want from a menu and if you aren’t sure the staff can help, rather than what some might find an overwhelming experience of choosing from a moving belt. And if you’re still scared of the raw stuff they do some options with chicken and duck (I tried the Chicken Katsu Roll) which are a great option if you aren’t sure. Dim Sum is also a great option if you don’t fancy Sushi, and the dumplings, and Char Sui Pork Buns in particular are the nicest I have tried.

Tuna and Avocado Hand Roll

Char Sui Pork Buns

MUA Immaculate Collection; A First Look

I’m a bit later getting this than I was hoping as my local Superdrug wasn’t stocking it so I had to wait for it to be released online. I’ve had a play with a few of the shades, but I will wait to post a review till I have put more of them to use. For now here’s some pictures!
With Flash:

Without Flash:


The Immaculate Collection is currently available at Superdrug and retails at £8.00