MAC Pro Longwear Lipstain marker

As soon as I saw the promo images, I knew I had to have a lipstain marker from the Art Supplies collection. One of my first darker lip colours was a lipstain from the Body Shop (a berry colour I believe) and I loved it’s long lasting abilities.

Although I swatched a few, I found the colour variation really disappointing. Initially I had Stylesetter in my hand(a pretty bright baby pink) I ended up getting Full of Flare on recommendation of the MUA.

Although this looks rather dark with the flash, it’s actually a great coral red. I love the thick nib of the pen(think permanent marker size) and it gives great precision when applying.

The formula dries onto the lips, which is how it lasts so long, so it works well under other colours. I have found a perfect partnership with my beloved MAC Viva Glam Cyndi

Have you got any of the lipstains? What are your thoughts?

Notd

I cannot capture the beauty of this polish and it's upset me. This is Seafoam Spray by Diamond Cosmetic that I got in my recent haul




It's the most gorgeous pale green with gold shimmer. Two coats covered but went a little streaky on my right hand. Please ignore the bad konad- I need to re do it! Totally in love with the colour, it's beautifully unique.


XOXO

Happy Birthday!

My blog is a year old today!

I started out my little blog one year ago with this post and haven’t looked back.

I want to thank all my readers for making my blog so worth while.  It’s totally changed my life and it’s something I’m very proud of.

Here’s to the first year of many :)

XOXO

Comparing brushes

I recently bought a 217 blending brush by MAC after being told on Twitter how different it is to a 224. Now I own both, I can see a vast difference in both brushes so I thought I’d do a comparison.

First the 224

The bristles on this brush are long, soft and tapered. It does an excellent job of blending two colours, but is best used in blending the crease colour out to the brow bone.

The 217

The bristles are shorter and more densely packed which makes the brush much firmer. It has a far rounder tip than the 224. It’s best used in blending colours from lid to crease.

Comparisons

I used my 217 for applying and blending eye shadow. So how does it compare to a MAC 242(flat topped brush) with applying

The 242 is better used in applying a lot of colour to a small area, such as the lid but the 217 does a better job of applying to a much larger area, without losing the pigmentation of the colour.

I then used the 242 to apply a small amount of shadow and blended it out using the 217 & 224.

You can see the obvious difference in the way the two brushes blend, the 224 loses the colour more, which is why I find it better for blending edges, compared to the 217, which blends but also keeps the strength of the colour, without blending it away.

I hope that’s helped anyone who has been trying to decide between the two brushes, or needed help as I did, deciding whether one is different to the other. The answer is clearly yes, and I’m glad I got the 217

XOXO

NOTD

The sun’s out so I’m celebrating with bright polish.

Asda’s finest in Sunset Orange. As you can see, it’s far brighter on the nails than in the bottle so a little deceiving if you’re after a pastel peach. Streaky first coat, smooth on the second. These polishes really are a bargain, even if they don’t have much longevity.

XOXO

Eylure Girls Aloud Festival lashes

Look what’s just been released!

Lashed Aloud with NEW Girls Aloud Festival Lashes created by Eylure

Ahhhh! New Girls Aloud lashes. I saw them whilst scoping out the new Barry M polishes in Superdrug and they look amazing.

Nicola

Nicola has taken inspiration from her sophisticated style and created a set of top and bottom lashes. Silver dust is delicately placed on top of the sharp feathery lash with a subtle silver butterfly perched on the left lash. The minimal bottom lash adds detail and precision to the overall eye shape. These lashes guarantee to transform the look of the eye for a super stylish festival look.

Cheryl

Cheryl’s lashes are a fabulous creation of glitz and glamour, with delicate gold dust sprinkled on top of the defined black lash featuring gold dipped ends. Cheryl’s festival lash captures her unique statement style of glitz and glamour. Perfect for the daring lash lover.

Kimberley

Kimberley’s lashes put a new twist on demure with corner feathers to add a sophisticated edge to a feathery strip lash. These delicate lashes are great to open up the eyes for fabulous fluttery festival look.

Nadine

Nadine’s lashes are the ultimate girly festival must have. Based on her original lash style Nadine has added a delicate range of colourful crystals that capture the light, reflecting a rainbow of colour. These lashes are great to achieve a subtle but sassy effect.

Sarah

Sarah’s bright and sparky lashes, like her personality, scream festival party! Sarah’s lashes are full and fluffy with on-trend red leopard print detail. These lashes are guaranteed to get you noticed.

Gorgeous. I’m very tempted to buy them all but I’ll def get Nicola’s(BOTTOM lashes too?!) and Sarah’s.

Which ones do you love?

They’re priced at £6.50 each and available from Superdrug

XOXO

MAC Petals & Peacocks

After viewing swatches online I went to MAC fully prepared to buy all of the Liberty of London lipsticks but after swatching in real life, I was only drawn to one.

Petals & Peacocks is a bright pink with definitely more than a hint of purple

I’m on the lovin’ side of the LOL packaging

Very cute.

On the lips-

Full face

The formula is moisturising and long lasting and the colour doesn’t need to be built up. One swipe and you’re away.

It could be duped with Barry M’s Vibrant Pink (52) lip paint. I’ll do a swatch comparison later this month

XOXO

Dark side of..my hair

Sorry red fans but I visited my hairdresser last week and I’m back to being a brunette- kind of!

As I needed to have my red covered, I went a shade darker than my normal tone and I love it!  The red isn’t completely covered, it’s going to take a few more goes to get rid of completely but my hair now has a lovely black cherry tone.

Cut wise- I left the length as I’m growing it- it’s far less extreme than it was

So what do you think? Bright red or black cherry?

XOXO

Haul

Yes I’ve been online. Yes I’ve visited the CCO. So shoot me!

Whilst attempting to sleep on Sunday night I got coerced into making some purchases from Flashynails. I got a Konad starter set and 3 Diamond Cosmetics Polishes in Seafoam, Pink Flaminglo (yes, it’s glow in the dark) and Chain mail charm. Highly recommend this site, it was cheap and arrived by Weds(after ordering around midnight on Sunday)

I also popped into my local CCO on Monday and got a Studio Finish concealer(back up, mine’s running out and this was £8 instead of £12.50) and I got a cream colour base in Hush, a really pretty shimmery peach, which I will swatch in a seperate post.

I also picked up these bad boys today

Massive and leopard print? Check! £6.99 from H & M

XOXO

On Trend- clogs

I have to admit, I love clogs. When I was younger, I had a turquoise patent pair that I adored, despite falling over in them constantly (including down a set of marble stairs.) This season’s clogs are far more grown and I’m in lust.

First shown by Chanel

Now Topshop have come up with an almost identical pair, at a more purse friendly £68. I’m very, very tempted!

Clogs- loving or hating them?

XOXO

Well loved accessories

I admit it. I am a Tiffany jewellery fanatic. Since getting my Tiffany, not much else graces my neck or ears (I’ve never been one to wear rings/bracelets) but I wanted to share my most worn non- Tiffany related necklace.

This little beauty was from River Island a few years ago. It pretty much goes with anything and I love it’s eclectic mix of charms.

I also really like belts. I never wear them to hold up anything, but I always think they make an outfit. I own ALOT. Here’s my most worn

This wasn’t even that expensive, around £12 a few years ago from Peacocks. I like to use it to toughen up girly dresses and it looks good over playsuits.

Do you have any accessories that you go back to, time and time again?

XOXO

FOTD & OOTD

Here’s what I wore out shopping when I got my massive haul.

FOTD

Face
Revlon Photoready foundation
MAC MSF
YSL Touche Eclait
Benefit Coralista blush

Eyes
MAC All that Glitters e/s
MAC Vanilla e/s
120 pro palette
Sleek inkpot
CG lash blast

OOTD

Boyfriend Blazer- Primark
Striped top-Primark
Culottes_ Dorothy Perkins
Boots-Peacocks.

XOXO

Eladora Lashes

A few weeks ago, like some other bloggers I was contacted by Eladora lashes and asked if I would like to choose some lashes to review for them.

I was sent 6 amazing pairs in total, all very extreme and OTT, which I thought would be far more interesting to look at.

I will be trying them out one by one and showing you what they look like on.

Here’s a little about the company, which they sent along with their email, I found it quite interesting as I’d not heard of the company before.

Eldora lashes, with more than 200 types of designs to choose from, our extensive collections are perfect for any occasions. They are all made from the same manufacturer as the world leading false eyelashes brand. Therefore the quality is guaranteed. Every pair of Eldora eyelashes is made from synthetic or sterelised human hair. Our manufacturer has been internationally awarded for its Quality Management Systems and is committed to protecting the environment and is thus working to obtain the relevant certification for Environmental Management Systems.

They also offer free UK delivery at any purchases and free worldwide delivery for purchases above GBP20.00. Otherwise, worldwide delivery is at GBP4.90. We also give 10% discount on order above GBP10.00 and 20% discount on order above GBP35.00. For make-up artists, there will be a special discount. Every week, there will be different lashes on promotion. This week, they have new offers of false eyelashes set. They are very good value for money. They also do giveaway false eyelashes for competition on their facebook page at Eldora False Eyelashes. They also plan to do giveaway for new sign-in customer once a week.

Please check out their shop as they have such a massive range of lashes, all amazingly cheap!

XOXO

Giveaway prizes

I was so excited to find out that I came runner up in Milly’s follower giveaway- I never win anything (I’m sure everyone says that! Apart from my brother who is always jammy in raffles)

My prizes arrived today and she was SO generous. Seriously, it was def first prize stuff!

I got a beautiful studded grey shopper bag <3 JUST my style and I don’t own a grey bag, samples of Too faced shadow insurance and Skin Food black sugar face mask-neither of which I’ve tried, a beautiful palette, a Nails inc polish and some really cute black heart shaped earrings.

If you haven’t checked out Milly’s blog www.http://fashionlaunderette.blogspot.com - please do! She’s a fellow red head and her outfits and boots leave me DROOLING.

XOXO

FOTD & OOTD

Totally loving these posts at the moment!

This is what I wore out for girlie lunch on Good Friday

Belt & skirt- Primark
Top- Old Navy.

I also paired it with grey ankle boots and a grey leather jacket

Face
Revlon photoready foundation
Coralista

Eyes
Sleek Graphite palette
GA Lashes- Kimberly

Lips
Mac Creme cup

XOXO

Removing glitter polishes

I love glittery nails. I don’t wear them that often because of the hassle of removing them. I’ve tried soaking them, rubbing them and nothing makes it easier.. until today!

I had to remove my BYS Glam glitter polish this afternoon and had been warned by Leanne that it was horrible to remove, so i thought I’d test out another removal tip I’d heard- and It worked!

You will need-

Nail polish remover, cotton pad and tin foil.

First, soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover and hold directly to the nail, wrapping the pad around the nail

Then take the tinfoil and wrap this over the cotton pad, holding it in place. Make sure it’s wrapped tightly over your nail

This will now leave you free to let the remover really soak into your nails.

Leave it as long as you like and then pull off the tinfoil and remove whatever’s left of your polish using the pad.

This is all that was left of my glittery pink nail

No pink polish and just a bit of glitter!

You could get these but this is so much cheaper and uses less polish remover.

Try it, it really does work.

XOXO

OOTD

As soon as I buy something new, I cannot wait to wear it! Here’s my outfit from my recent haul which I wore to work.

Top- Primark
Cardigan- Asda
Jeggings- Store Twenty One
Boots-Ugg

Just a casual, comfy outfit.

I also wore my new headband- What do you think?

XOXO

NYC Haul part 4- Drugstore

Whoops! I’ve just realised that I never finished my haul posts from NYC, and showed you what I bought from drugstores. I went 5 months ago so I’ve not really got any excuses- sorry!

Drugstores are my favourite kind of shops in America. I want to move there purely to have regular access to proper drugstores. All that food and make up excites me! Anyway, on to my haul, from Duane Reade and Walgreens.

Very much nail based.

1. Milani polish in Good Morning sunshine. Such a great polish. I’ve used it in this NOTD. I’m completely regretting not getting anything else by Milani, very impressive brand.

2.OPI Matte in Alpine Snow and Lincoln Park after dark. I have no idea why a, I only got 2 OPI polishes and b, why one of them was white? My family weren’t very forgiving with the amount of time I could spend looking at make up so I didn’t get as much as I’d like. Alpine snow looks like Tippex, but I like it for nail art. Lincoln park after dark went on as soon as we got back to the hotel

3. Covergirl Lashblast and Lashblast luxe. I am so glad I decided to see whether this mascara lived up to the hype. Lashblast luxe is the same but shimmery. Sounds weird but I picked up a copper one which is really pretty. I wish I’d got the black in it too.

4.LA girl nail art polish in red & white. These were on the counter at Forever 21 and about $1 each. I love them, so much so, that I ordered the black one from Cherry Culture.

5. Sally Hansen nailgrowth miracle. Wanted to see what the fuss was about. Used it, saw no difference.

There we finally have the end of my NY hauls. Sorry again for the delay!

XOXO