A perfect end to the summer

As briefly mentioned in my last post, I went on holiday last week. Seven days in Lanzarote with my best friend as a treat for graduating n'all (speaking of which I have a grad-present post coming soon! {despite still not having technically graduated...November's crazily late huh?!}). Anyway it was a very relaxed week of  sunbathing, dipping in the pool and reading/gossiping/eating ice creams etc. All the norm holiday-y things, and all of which make me very happy - especially when combined with mid-thirties heat! Gorgeous!

But now it's back to the norm, and by norm I mean job-hunting/trying to sort my life out. Hum-drum-drum. You can imagine my sadness when we touched down at Stansted, knowing that this is what followed the vaca. In addition...it's raining, cold and Autumn is well on it's way. I actually LOVE this season and would usually welcome it with open arms, but I want to show off my tan! So please warm up weather so I can at least sport pretty sandals. Not ready for coat-wearing yet.

Whilst away (well at the airport) I treated myself to a few beauty picks included Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer, Maxfactor's new Eye-Brightening Mascara in Brown, and an OPI varnish from the new collection that I've fallen head over heels in love with...so much so that it deserves its very own post so I'll save that for another time.

The concealer (in No 2) is my all-time favourite with a beautifully smooth texture that's thick enough to cover every sin, under-eye circle and spot, creating a flawless look! At £16.50 for a pot that lasts me about three-months, it is definitely a staple buy.



As a mascara junkie, I am always willing to try the latest, so when I saw Maxfactor's new offering for £4.99 in Boots (RRP £7.99), I thought I'd give it a whirl! It claims to brighten your natural colour with light reflecting particles and gem-toned colour beads which enrich the eye. It is available in three shades - blue, green and brown - I opted for brown.

Having used it for the week I was away, I was impressed with the defined, lengthened and separated lash-look the product created, and the formula is a dark black, which I love. The brush is also a plus for me, being silicone, slim and sporting multiple sized bristles that make it easy to reach the corners. However, I didn't notice any difference in the brightness of my eye colour. I was somewhat dubious about this promise to begin with so wasn't too disappointed, but it's a great product for times when you want a quick, no-fuss application - although it doesn't create much volume for those of you who like the false-effect look (me included!). 

How are you all adjusting to the season transition? Summer-blues anyone??

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

After watching some of Louise from SprinkleofGlitter’s old videos a few weeks ago, and seeing how glowing her skin was from using MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, I thought ‘I must get me one of those!’. And so...I did!

And what a well spent £21.50. The domed-palette is so pretty, I almost didn’t want to use it! But as well as that being just...well silly, curiosity overcame me and I applied the golden coloured powder, flecked with glitter to my cheeks. Oh me-oh my how gorgeous it is!

The colour is subtle with a very fine pigmentation therefore it works perfectly as a highlighter. I apply it to my cheek bones over MAC’s Golden Frosted Bronzing Powder to create a warm glow. Despite the glistening ribbons that run through the product, the glitter is very delicate, not too obvious, giving a healthy, radiant, glossy effect – all positive qualities in my eyes!

It does wear off after about six hours but I find most cheek powders/blushers/bronzers do when used on oily-combination skin. You also only need a little amount of product to create the desired effect, therefore it lasts for ages!

It is beautifully light and smooth to apply too, gliding on with ease and complementary to any blush colour. I think it would look great with a tan too...I’ll test that theory next week when on holiday!

As each month goes by, I seem to be accumulating more and more MAC products – does anyone else have the same problem?! I just can’t resist! Next on my list is the Heavenly Creature Limited Edition Mineralize Blushers, but I think they’ve all sold out :(

Press trip

A few weeks ago I received an email asking if I would like to go on a press trip and then write a travel piece for a certain magazine. Of course I jumped at the chance...literally! My first commission AND my first press trip!!

Yesterday I arrived home from said trip, and what an amazing four days I had. Not only did I visit an indescribably beautiful part of a country I’d not yet had the pleasure of visiting, I stayed in two stunning hotels (with my own rooms!), took part in exhilarating activities I never thought I’d do, and met some amazing people. Plus thirty degree weather, delicious food and jaw-dropping views equated to a beyond brilliant trip – an experience I will never forget.

I was so lucky to be presented with this opportunity, and as if all that wasn’t fabulous enough...I now get to write a piece for a national women’s magazine! As a freelancer, I have written for various small print and online publications but this will be my first byline in a well known title. Eeeeeeeeeeeee I’m SO excited!!

Without revealing too much before the article is published, here are some shots from the trip. Perhaps you can guess where I went and what I did...

 

How did you spend your weekends?    

Jewelled Candyfloss

I love painting my nails...there’s something about having perfectly polished, glossy talons that makes you feel girly and well presented – and it can say a lot about your personality, mood or even the season. Depending on the latter two points, I often opt for pinks, reds, browns or purples, usually from the depths of the OPI colour ranges and Barry M’s cheap but wonderful offerings! All finished beautifully with Nails Inc’s base and topcoat.

But as you can see from previous posts, I can’t say no to embellished nails! Whether it’s using a glitter polish, a pearl glaze overlay or even creating patterns with alternate colours, I love a bit of nail art.

So when I came across this wheel of nail gems in Topshop with twelve different designs and over 500 diamontés (£3.50...what a bargain!), I couldn’t resist. The colours and shapes allow for an endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your nails, and combined with different polishes, you could create a new look each time.

I created a simple, ultra feminine look combining Barry M’s ‘Bright Pink’ with fushia and pastel pink gems, and here’s how...


                                                                       

                                                                           

1. Shake out a few diamontés of each colour (approx 10) and spread them out, ensuring they are sparkly side up!
2. Apply basecoat (I use Nails Inc)
3. Apply two coats of your colour of choice (I used Barry M’s ‘Bright Pink’)
4. Allow for nails to go slightly tacky for a few minutes - *in the mean time, prepare your diamonté applicator. You will need a thin stick that will be easy to hold, and some Bluetack. I created mine with an eyeliner pencil topped with a blob of Bluetack!*
5. Select your gem and lightly tap it with the ‘applicator’ so it picks it up
6. Do one nail at a time. Hover over the area you wish to place the gem and gently press down so that it transfers from Bluetack to nail. To create my design, place one fuschia pink gem at the centre base of each alternate nail, and accompany it with two pastel pinks either side (only two fit on my little finger so I used one of each)
7. If the gem falls slightly out of place when applying it, gently tease it to the correct position with your tool. Once it is in the desired place, press firmly to ensure it stays put
8. Once all gems have been applied, coat them thoroughly in top coat to secure them


 And there you have a sparkly, candyfloss inspired look! You can add your own personal touch to this (I considered glitter on mine but thought it may be a little much?). Although can you really OTT on sparkle?

What are your favourite ways to decorate your nails?

Lipstick tints

£9 You may or may not have noticed that I've changed my introductory message (on the right). It now reads 'fashion journalism graduate'! Yes that's right, I am no longer a student!! I may not technically be a graduate yet, as my graduation isn't until November - late huh? - but all assignments are complete, my lease is finished on my little flat and I'm all moved in back home! Now to find a job and enter the real grown-up world of work, mortgages, and responsibility...

But whilst I figure all that out, I have more time to blog. Yay! To start with I wanted to share with you my new found love of lipstick tints. After Topshop launched their Sister's of the New Moon Collection and unveiled Crystal - a bubblegum pink liptint flecked with glitter - I had to get my hands on it. I love the idea of it being a lipstick, but opposed to having a strong pigment colour, it is more of a nourishing gloss that adds a glimmer of pink upon application. It also reacts to each wearer's lips, creating a unique colour for everyone. It is so pretty, fun and girly - plus practical! You don't need a mirror to apply it and can treat is as a lip balm or gloss.

£7.19 (Boots are doing buy one get one half price)
With this being a limited edition item, it took me a while to find, and in the mean-time I discovered a similar alternative in Maybelline's new Popsticks. These combine gorgeous glossy finishes, a hint of colour, good quality packaging with the most delicious fruity fragrances ever!! I now have three - Pink Lollipop, Crystal Pink and Citrus Slice - and they all glide on so smoothly with a beautiful sheer finish. If you prefer a strong, noticeable lip shade then these won't be for you. But as I have fairly naturally dark lips, a light gloss or pop of colour is perfect for me! I would recommend buying them just for the smell!

Ensure to swatch these - you'll be surprised at how they come out!

Also, if you haven't been able to get hold of the now sold out Topshop liptint, Maybelline's Crystal Pink is a very close dupe! Just with an added bonus of fruity fragrance!

I've also got my first MAC lipstick shade from the SHOP MAC limited edition collection, and a Rimmel shade from the Kate Moss Spring collection coming up!

MAC Brushes

Long time, no see!! I’ve been dying to share these beauties with you for a while now but I just haven’t got around to doing so...

Just after Christmas I decided to treat myself to some MAC make-up brushes to accompany my new, rather profesh products (if you’re gonna have high quality cosmetics, you’ve gotta have the brushes to compliment them, right?). I had my heart set on a foundation, contour, blush and eyeshadow brush which all-in-all, would have totalled over £100. I’m all for spending a little more for a better product but that was slightly excessive for four brushes I thought.

Then a lovely sales assistant told me about their limited edition Make it Perfect Mineralize Brush Kit (December 2011) which comes in two varieties of four mini brushes. This retailed at £39.50 (I think!) and included a 130, 187, 282 and a 286 as well as a cute little clear bag to keep them in. I did and still so want the full sized brushes but as a starter set, this couldn’t be better!

It was £40 well spent because these are bloomin amazing brushes! I get excited to use them of a morning/evening (does this make me sound mad?). They are so soft, durable and make for a beautifully smooth application. I have found that my most-used 130 foundation brush malts slightly but I guess that is an inevitable feature as it is a mix of natural and synthetic fibre bristles.

I’m still lusting after the 139 Tapered Face Brush and the 116 Blush Brush...as well as their brush cleaner – do I wanna say ‘brush’ anymore!! I’m also seriously in need of the new Shop Collection Watch Me Shimmer lipstick, it’s beautiful!

What do you think of the psychedelic packaging for the SS12 collection? Bright huh...?!