Wednesday 31 October 2012

AUTUMN FAVOURITES 2012




























Here is my top four beauty items I've loved using during the autumn months;

1. Real Techniques Stippling Brush - Yes, believe the hype! This is my daily foundation brush now which I use to apply my tinted moisturiser in the mornings. It gives a flawless finish and works well either with a heavy or light foundation, depending on how much coverage you're looking for. I got mine in Boots for about £12.99 which, for a brush this good, is great value for money. I like the sleek design and the pink colour which makes it stand out amongst my other brushes. It also had a flat bottom so you can stand them upright - if you want to. I also realised that it can be a multi-use brush and is compatible with a lot of products from face primers to cream blushes; so defiantly make sure you snag one of these soon.

2. Laura Mercier Blusher Brush - I bought this a few years ago and thought I had lost it. That was until I was packing up my room to move house and discovered it under my bed! I was so happy as this was quite an expensive brush and longed to feel its super soft bristles again. This is the best blusher brush in the world! I know that's quite a bold statement however, when it comes to blusher brushes, I've been around the block (if you know what I mean) SEVERAL times and know what works! Invest in this and you will not be disappointed, it just blends out cheek colour so beautifully and looks so natural - giving a true beauty from within look.

3. Primark Foundation and Concealer Brush - I payed £1 for this. £1! The cheapest makeup brush I've ever got therefore, technically, making it the most impressive brush. It does the job. I had practically zero expectations when I purchased this at the tills - impulse buy - however when I used it, with my MaxFactor Lasting Performance Foundation, I found that it blended well without much need for touchups. If you are new to makeup then this is a definite must have item. Such a great bargain and let's not forget that it has a concealer brush on the other end, which also works great at perfecting small areas of the face.

4. Bioderma Crealine H2O - The cult Parisian product. This is the one every makeup artist in the world speaks of! You will never find a beauty Editors bathroom without it. So, the big question is, "is it worth the hype?", and the answer is - OUI! To take your makeup off, just squirt a bit onto a cotton pad and wipe off. It works brilliantly on the eye area as it is so gentle and, for that removal, place the cotton pad over the eye and hold for about 30 seconds, then gently slide off. I think one of the min problems with this product is how hard it is to find at a reasonable price outside of France. The markup is pretty steep for this and with P&P you are looking at paying about three times the original price. I bought a couple of small, tester/travel sized bottles from ebay for £6 all in, so, if you're looking to sample this for the first time then online is the way to go. I must warn you though, once you start you won't be able to stop. If I come across the UK versions of this which work just as well, then I will do a post on it.

Monday 29 October 2012

BEST PRODUCTS FOR A CAT EYES EFFECT



























If you are wanting to achieve that full-flutter eye lash, with a strong flicked eyeliner, then these are the products to use.

1. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black - Divine. DIVINE. I just adore this mascara! I have been using it since I was at high school - in the days where I would sneakily put some on, but then get sent to the Head Teachers office to remove it (I went to a full uniform school) - and I have repurchased it time and time again. What can I say? It just works really well. The brush is small enough to get to the roots of all the lashes and you can either wear one coat or build, both looks great. If you want a full, sexy feline look, then I would suggest a couple of coats for more BAM!

2. Barry M Liquid Eyeliner in No.1 - This was my first Barry M purchase and, as it was so inexpensive, I was a little doubtful - silly me! - but fear not, it's a brilliant eyeliner. It has one of those little balls inside meaning you have to shake it up when you want to use it and it gets the liquid nice and runny then it will apply like a dream. The small pointy tip brush reminds me of a felt-tip pen and the hand is long enough to give you some leeway when applying. It goes on wet but dries very quickly so you shouldn't have to worry about smudging.

3. Maybelline Eye Studio 'Lasting Drama' Gel Eyeliner in 01 Intense Black - If liquid liners are not your thing then let me introduce you to it's sister, eyeliner gel. This stuff is gaining more popularity recently and seems to be coming "back into fashion" - even my mum told me that's what her and her girlfriends would wear to discos in the seventies - which is fabulous news. If I'm honest, I prefer the gel as I find I have less mistakes when applying and is earlier to build up with. Maybelline gives you a brush with this product, so for £5.99 you get two items of impressive quality. Even Lisa Eldridge was saying how impressed she was with the brush-head, it has quite a unique shape which allows you to do different styles. Of course when using eyeliners I always rely on having Q-Tips at the ready to correct any mistakes. I'll be the first to admit that when I started out using liner, I was diabolical! However, as they say, "practice makes perfect!"

4. Yves Rocher 'Luminelle' Mascara Ultra-Volume in Noir - This is a bit of a wildcard cosmetic. I got this from my mum who went on a massive haul from an Yves Rocher brochure that came to our house a few months ago. I had never heard much about this brand or their cosmetics but thought I'd give the mascara a go. I'm glad I did as this one is so precise when applied and gives a much bolder finish than my other mascaras. It has quite a fat brush which will help perfect that 'cat-eye' look you're going for. Honestly, it's probably one of the closest finishes that could be like having on false eyelashes. It's THAT GOOD! Probably not for a natural, daytime look though; but for a night on the town this is perfection in a tube! You will defiantly want to flutter your lashes at the guys when you have this look complete.





























BEST OF BENEFIT



























These three products are, for now, my favourite items from Benefit. The brand has become legendary for producing great quality cosmetics which have stand-out packaging and names. Most of Benefits collection has themes which focus around the 1950s - 1970s housewives generation, therefore making them fun and playful. These are definite investment pieces and they have great gift sets to purchase which gives you a few smaller sized versions of their best-selling products.

1. Benefit benetint - This is a great product as it lasts for AGES! You only need the littlest amount to blend on the apples of your cheeks and then blend. It leaves a flushed finish which gives a nice overall feel - I mean, let's face it, who doesn't want to have that cute, rosy glow to brighten up these darker days?

From the Benefit website;

"Our original rose-tinted stain is kiss-proof, see-through colour for lips & cheeks that lasts for hours. Naturally sheer & sexy on all complexions...it’s innocent yet provocative.
Originally created for an exotic dancer in the 1970s, benetint has soared to cult fave status. It's loved by celebs, makeup artists and gals around the world. It's the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle!"


2. Benefit Hoola - This bronzer is a life saver for super-pale girls such as myself. Using the SMALLEST amount on your face brush, you gently sweep the product in a figure of "3" shape on each side of your face; starting at the temples, down under the cheekbones then finishing under the jawline. This will contour the face perfectly if used correctly - I had to do it several times to master the right technique!


From the Benefit website;

"Dust this soft bronze powder over your complexion for a healthy, natural looking "tan" year-round. No tanning bed necessary! Complete with soft, natural-bristle cheek brush. It's pure colour - no sparkle and no shine!"

3. Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara - Probably my second favourite mascara (Maybelline Great Lash being no.1) - I have a travel sized one with me at all times and it's great for touch-ups and has a nice, fat applicator. This mascara gives great volume without leaving those dreaded clumps.


From the Benefit website;

"Sexy, sultry, pure unadulterated black mascara for full, voluminous lashes. It's as BAD as you want to be! Famously big, bodacious brush coats lashes with our super black formula."


GOLDEN OLDIE




























I was recently rummaging through an old makeup bag which used to belong to my grandmother. I love finding old cosmetics which can be dubbed "vintage" and have that old-time glamour. This little treasure caught my eye, with its royal blue packaging and little mirror inside, it would of been a product my grandmother used sparingly - a special, luxury cosmetic.

Christian Dior Duo Eyeshadow - I don't know the shade of this product as the label is so worn down, but one is a lovely peach colour with a lot of golden pigmentation an the other is a light beige. Even after all these years, the shadows haven't lost any of its quality, with both shades being a great consistency. Obviously I don't use these as I wouldn't want to risk getting an eye infection but it's still a fabulous product to keep in my collection as a reminder of all things vintage.









MY FIRST EVER LUXURY BEAUTY PRODUCT



























Going back about six years, I was in my late teens and had my very first job. I worked at a cocktail bar as a glass collector and, for a better term, it was Hell on Earth. I was rushed off my feet from 8pm-3am shifts then had to be up at 7am to go to college. However, I was finally making some good money and that spurred my on to splash out on my first ever designer, high-end product. I went to Space NK and was so excited to finally purchase something from their beautiful array of cosmetics, so, myself and the sales girl decided we should start with a product that would give me a flush of colour - something that would bring my skin back to life after a hard nights work. So we agreed of the following;

NARS Blush in Siren - Amazingly bright and vibrant, this gorgeous pink blusher blended onto my skin perfectly and I only needed the tinniest amount on the apples of my cheeks. I used it so sparingly that I still have a good amount of it left, even thought it is a 'hit-the-pan' product. This is a great cosmetic from a great brand and this item holds a lot of sentimental value to me.







Sunday 28 October 2012

A FEW OF THE BEST LIP CONDITIONERS



























Finding a great lip conditioner is vital at this time of the year. We are heading into winter and, for me anyways, I find that my lips get very easily chapped and dry, so something to nourish them - which actually works - is a must!
These three products are the best I've come around, and, having spent ridiculous money in the past on designer lip balms - La Mer I'm looking at you - which didn't do a great job, I'm thrilled at these which are relatively inexpensive.

1. Elizabeth Arden 'Eight Hour Cream' Lip Protectant Stick SPF15 - I purchased this whilst on a flight to Italy a couple of years ago as it was on offer and from the second I opened it, I was hooked. It came free with an 'Eight Hour Cream' set and I found it better that the original iconic Elizabeth Arden cream. It's so nourishing and feels like it's sinking into the skin on the lips rather than just sitting on the surface which I find Vaseline tends to do. It also has an SPF, which everyone should wear ALL YEAR ROUND as it's not necessarily the hot sun to be concerned with, but daytime light rays in general which we are all exposed to.

2. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb - This is the latest lip care product I've bought and it was so good I went out and got another one. This lip balm is lovely and moisturising and the biggest selling point is that it comes on a variety of shades. Rhubarb is my favourite colour as it looks so nice against my pale skin, it gives me a bit of a healthy-looking finish and I find I don't even need lipstick when I have this!

3. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Watermelon - This is my second favourite Burt's Bees colour which is a bit paler than Rhubarb but just a lovely. A little tip I use is to dab a little smudge in my cheeks and blend it in to give a nice sheen. If you're looking for low maintenance cosmetics that actually help your skin then these lip shimmers are a must. They also have a nice peppermint smell and at about £5.99, they are a great buy and fit nicely in your handbag for on-the-go touch ups. I would HIGHLY recommend.


FAVOURITE DRUGSTORE NAIL VARNISH



























These are my TOP FOUR nail varnishes' which are great quality and not too expensive.

1. No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour (10ml) in Devils Delight - I love all of No 7's nail colours, they're pretty cheap and have a nice shine to them when applied. I usually need about two coats of polish to make the colour stand out and sometimes have to wait AGES for it to dry. This one was pretty fast at drying and I especially like the brush it comes with, it's not too skinny and it's not too fat - it's right in-between. The colour is a lovely deep red which is perfect for the colder seasons.

2. Rimmel London 'I HEART' Lasting Finish (8ml) in 280 Sunshine - Rimmel London has become a beacon of light for budget priced cult products that us Brits love, and they're nail colours do not disappoint. This vibrant yellow is a definite eye-catcher, so be prepared to have your hands ogled over whenever your wear this little darling. If I need to be picky, it's about the size of the bottles - all of my other polishes are at least 10ml yet this brand is 8ml. It doesn't sound like a lot but that extra 2ml can last quite a long time in nail-painting years so thats a bit if a downer. I hope this isn't a new trend as I seen some MaxFactor nail polishes the other day and they were teeny! Probably about 5ml and that was full size. The Rimmel London polish brush is verging on the skinny side, however, that allows for precision for application and you will need at least two coats of this for full colour impact.

3. NYC 'In a New York Colour Minute' Quickdry Nail Polish (9.7ml) in 296 Water Street Blue - This was my first ever NYC product that I purchased and, having not heard much about the brand, I was a little dubious as to what it would be like. Luckily for me, the colour glides on like a dream and, after a couple of applications, leaves a bright, vivid electric blue shade which has a lot of staying power. This brand of nail polishes is by far the longest lasting, with mine staying on - without much chipping - for a good five days. The brush is medium sized and the colour is a great contrast from the dark tones synonymous with winter months.

4. No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour (10ml) in Sunbeam - This is the perfect winter shade, it's a beautiful metallic bronze/gold colour which is wonderfully sparkly when it catches the light. Again, since it's from No7, it has the great application brush and is great value for money. Since No7 is Boot's own cosmetic brand, I usually end up with discount vouchers for them, so I end up getting my polishes for about £2.50 each. If you're looking for a nail shade that's ideal for the upcoming christmas parties, this one is it!


QUEEN OF THE DAMNED















































No description necessary.

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER















































Beauty inspiration - Gemma Ward.

I, personally, find this girl to be so stunningly beautiful. Such pure, delicate features and enchanting eyes. Gorgeous.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Eve Lom Cleanser - One Month Review

About six weeks ago or so I decided I needed to take drastic action for my skin. I'll admit it, I had been rather lazy with my skincare routine and it showed! It's funny how it only takes a short time period of not paying much attention to your skin to completely mess it up. Then take ages to correct fully! This correction of mine was a definite financial hassle as well. Which brings me to my first review - The Eve Lom Cleanser.

As most of the worlds population have probably already heard, this cleanser has been a cult beauty product for years and years. I can't think of a single Beauty Editor who hasn't made claim in whichever publication about the genius of this product and the fact that it should be a permanent structure of our skincare routine. So, basically, it is constantly surrounded by a swarm of hype and has been for a very long time but, at around £50 a pop, it wasn't something I could easily buy time and time again. However, seeing as my skin had somehow taken a swift left-turn into Shitsville, I decided the time was right and made my way to my local SpaceNK to get a good look at this bad boy.

















Don't you just LOVE SpaceNK? I know I do! I especially love the fuss that is made over you once you go in and declare that you are going to purchase the most expensive cleanser they have, and (for once) are not chancing it by trying to get a load of free samples *wink wink*

So, onto the Eve Lom Cleanser - The first thing I noticed about this product was the smell. I was expecting something completely different to what it actually is and, to be honest, I was a little let down. I like skincare products to either have no smell, or, that french beauty salon smell which is in a league with - say - Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Instant Foaming Cleanser. Very light, fresh and feminine. This, however, had quite a strong, musky smell which I didn't love. Maybe I'm just fussy.
You get a complimentary muslin cloth with your cleanser under the instructions of putting it in the washing machine once a week and replacing it every three months. The cloth itself is so large I simply cut it in half with some scissors, so now I have two for the price of one!
For application, you apply the littlest amount possible to your fingertips and rub them together to warm up the cleanser, then applied it to your face (I can't emphasise "littlest" enough!). Using small circular motions, you massage the product into your face, eyes and neck for about one minute - it doesn't hurt your eyes at all so don't worry - then use the muslin cloth to remove.
I have tried several ways of using the cloth and by running it under warm water then folding it up small, so its like a little sponge, is best as it retains the heat to open your pores whilst being incredibly gentle at removing all of the product.

To be honest, after the first go at this there is a great difference. My skin was completely clean and felt incredibly soft. Now, after over a month of usage, my skin looks glowing and beautiful. I'm usually one who tries to stay away from hype but in this case it was a winner. The Eve Lom Cleanser is a verified member of my skincare family from now on and I would highly recommend this heavenly product.



(image via florencefinds)

Tuesday 9 October 2012

NARS brings Andy back























Today is a very special day for all us beauty-loving heroins. Stunning high-end makeup brand NARS have finally produced their new collection dedicated to one of the most famous, iconic artistic visionaries of the 19th century, Andy Warhol. In a memorial style of marketing, it is the 25th anniversary of Warhol's death, Francois Nars has created a limited edition 29-piece cosmetics line which will be sold exclusively at Sephora until November 1st.

Included is the Edie (Sedgwick) Gift Set. The film canister with a portrait of the actress on it contains 
everything from lipgloss to eyeshadow. Another set in the collection sees lip glosses packed into a soup can covered in the infamous lips of Warhol's muses, while bright greens and blues are intricately shaped into one of Warhol's famous self-portraits in an eye palette etched with the Andyism: "I believe in low lights and trick mirrors."

Overall, the items look beautiful and for Pop Art enthusiasts such as myself, I will be trying in vain to catch one of these bad boys before the inevitable "sold out" sign etches across my computer screen.




(images via collegefashion/tempalia/twylah)

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