Tastes Like Glitter

Glossybox - May.

2012-05-26T07:00:00.000+01:00

Glossybox have hit their one year birthday mark, doesn't time fly?

And with that comes the anniversary box*.

Noble Island - Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel - Cornish Hedgerows.
£20/250ml.
This to me, is quite a unisex scent. It contains gooseberry and elderflower, amongst other scents. It does smell quite Summer-y to me but it's not something I would personally go out and buy. The price is a little off putting. Though the product is nice enough, lathers up well and doesn't leave behind too much of a scent on the skin.

Weleda - Face/Body Milk.
From £10.95.
Products from Weleda only contain natural ingredients. This body milk is scented with wild roses. It seems a bit overpowering to me and I don't like the scent itself. The formula is a lightweight, runny lotion that absorbs without much work at all. It leaves the skin super hydrated though. If you can get past the scent, this seems like a wonderfully moisturising product.

Let's Go Lashes - 2.

£8.95.

These are just the kind of lashes I go for! Not sure how you explain the style of them but they give off a more natural look.

I will post about these when I use them.

Uniqone - All In One 1 Hair Treatment.

£13.99/150ml.

This is dubbed as the first leave in mask on the market for hair that offers 10 benefits that the hair needs:
- Repair for dry and damaged hair.
- Shine and frizz control.
- Heat protection.
- Silkiness and smoothness.
- Hair colour protection with UVA/UVB filters.
- Easier brushing and ironing.
- Incredible detangling.
- Long lasting hairstyle.
- Split ends prevention.
- Adds body.
Whilst I can't speak on the long term benefits this has for my hair, I've been using it on wet hair as heat protection. It's a handy size little bottle and a good sample in case you don't get on with the product. I haven't noticed a drastic change but my hair doesn't feel any worse for using it.

Lolita Lempicka - L'Eau en Blanc.
£65/100ml.
This limited edition fragrance is described as 'a bouquet of white violets, with a hint of raspberry and musk'. It's quite a woody scent and reminds me of something more 'mature'. At first I don't like the scent but after it's sat on the skin for an hour or so, the woody notes fade and it becomes much more floral.

Lolita Lempicka - Si Lolita.
£63/100ml.
'The Eau de Toilette reveals a softer heart, a delicate bouquet of Sweet Pea, Hawthorn and Magnolia. The scent lingers with sensual Amber mingling with the woody, powdery accents of Iris.'
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I do but it's very different to what I usually go for (fruity, sweet scents). It smells just like something else that brings back some nice memories. Odd, as I can't put my finger on what it is. I prefer this over L'Eau en Blanc by miles. It's a nice refreshing change.

Glossybox Mirror.
The perfect accompaniment to any girls handbag or makeup routine. A nice touch and something that will come in handy as I'm always losing mirrors!

I thought I'd post these extra pictures from this evening. Cheeky little Pepsi decided she was stealing my balloon. She decided to take it for a run around the landing, with it hanging out of her mouth ...

'Oh noes I killed it!'

'Meh, still good'.

There was a lot of drama surrounding this box. Isn't there every month? But that aside, Glossy didn't make this out to be some spectacular affair like the Harrods box.

I'm not going to dwell on that though as it's just silly.

Overall I think this was a fairly decent box. I would have been happy with the Collection (2000) liner or even the HD Brow products but I'm still happy with what I received. The only thing I won't be using is the Weleda cream, for reasons as stated above.

Happy birthday Glossybox!

Check Yourself, Before You Wreck Yourself.

2012-05-25T12:51:00.001+01:00

We're all enjoying the minor wave of heat currently, right?

I won't harp on, I don't doubt you all know the dangers. But don't forget to protect yourself with SPF before going out in the sun. Even if it's just for a 5 minute walk. Or it seems cool out, you can still be exposed to harsh UV rays even if it's not ridiculously sunny out.

I have to use kids sun cream as most 'adult' creams only go up to a SPF30. A low protection will still give you the ability to tan without causing serious harm to your skin. Just make sure you wear something, please.

After all, the skin is the largest organ and the only one that can't be replaced - you need to look after it!

Let's Go To The Beach, Each, Let's Go Get Away.

2012-05-25T07:00:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday le Mother and I decided to hit up the beach closest to our house and take Scruff for a run too.

Whilst Instow isn't the best beach around where I live, it's easiest to get to and it doesn't charge a ridiculous amount of parking - it's free!

It also had the famous Hocking's ice cream van. If you've visited North Devon and not had one, you are honestly missing out. It's a renowned around here as the best! It's a secret recipe and the only vanilla ice cream I enjoy eating. It's so nice!

So far for my week off work, it's been delightful sunny and hot. It's a shame I have to go back really!

It ended up being a lush day. The Marines even thought so too, as they decided to come down with a boat, a tank, a couple of Jeeps and a few trucks. It was super weird to see them driving the trucks into the water but they were just taking it in turns to practise how to reverse it on to the boat.

How have you been enjoying the warmer weather? Let's hope it sticks around this time, eh?

Nicki Minaj - Starships.

Exactly This.

2012-05-24T16:53:00.002+01:00

I've seen this going round Tumblr before but I really love the sentiment.

Source.

I wear makeup for me, if you don't like it that's just too bad. I do and that's all that matters.

Illamasqua Naked Strangers.

2012-05-24T07:00:00.000+01:00

Illamasqua have released an unexpected mini collection - Naked Strangers.

A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded and Faithful and uninhibited Swinger.

Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping or more.

Don't restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it.
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I have two pieces* to show you today.

Blended out, swatched heavily.

Cream Blush in Zygomatic. Zygomatic is described as a naked pink brown. This is truly unlike anything in my collection, so this is a welcome addition.

It glides on easily and leaves behind a nude flush of colour but can be built up for a more intense payoff.

I feel like this is going to be a staple colour as it will suit most looks.

Lastly I have the nail polish in Swinger, a glistening platinum gold. Another colour like nothing else I have.

I applied this to my toes and it goes on almost opaque in a single coat but I did another to make sure it was even. In some lights it looks more silver, in others more gold.

But it looks like I've dipped my toes in liquid metal. Don't worry, I'm not about to post my feet! I will post a nail swatch of this as soon as my nails look a bit better.

Overall this is a nice, small Summer collection. Not at all overwhelming like the M.A.C ones.

It's full of colours that can be wearable by everyone. Though I love Illamasqua for it's diverse colour range, I know some people aren't as colour confident so these shades are perfect for those of you.

This collection is available May 23rd for registered members.
Nationwide and globally from 31st May.
And available at Sephora from 7th June.

Quick Tips: DIY Nail Stickers.

2012-05-23T07:00:00.000+01:00

I saw this cute and easy nail idea floating around Tumblr and though I'd share.

Full credit goes to The Beauty Department for the idea and photos.

I shall definitely be trying this! :)

Urban Decay Fishnet Deluxe Eyeshadow.

2012-05-22T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty sure this has probably only happened to me. But I was just finishing up this post and had to Google something else to do with Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadows (since I don;t have a search bar) and realised I actually reviewed this a little over a year ago.

Whoops! It's so good though I'm going to leave this up for you to revel in it's lovely duochrome-ness, once again.

What www.urbandecay.com says:
Vibrant, silky, and luscious to-the-touch, Deluxe Shadows feature couture quality, a larger fill, and the richest, most brilliant color imaginable.

Our divine collection of high-tech creamy powder eye color will turn your eyes into opulent works of art.

Why "Deluxe"? Definitely incomparable, the creamy formula feels like cashmere, blends beautifully, and delivers an even more intense burst of color than regular Urban Decay Eyeshadows. And, Deluxe hues have an even greater fill weight than our regular Eyeshadows - a generous serving.
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My most favourite eyeshadow finish (or makeup finish in general for that matter), is duochromes. Fishnet is a red based purple/pink with a bright purple duochrome, with a shimmer finish.

One of the things I love about cosmetics is the packaging. I'm just throwing it out there. Whilst I know it's not the most important, how something looks is definitely a part of it for me. Urban Decay go that little bit extra with this shadows. Each one comes in a customised compact, depending on the shade name.

These are wonderfully soft, go on extremely pigmented and easily blend out. I've had nothing but good experiences with UD shadows so I couldn't say these are better overall than the regular ones. But in my book, Urban Decay have the best shadows and are my personal favourite.

OCC Queen Lip Tar.

2012-05-21T07:00:00.000+01:00

Today I have for you another one of the Lip Tars I bought back along.

What www.occmakeup.com says:

A stunning new innovation in lip color, OCC Lip Tar combines the longevity of a lipstick, with the ease of application of a gloss. Goes on slick and moist, and dries down to a satin finish. Ultra-saturated in color, Lip Tar contains an unprecedented amount of pigment - a little goes a very, very long way! An intense yet featherweight layer of color that never looks or feels heavy. Meant to be mixed, Lip Tar comes in concise array of colors for a limitless selection of shades made by you! A simple, elegant formula that contains Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil and Vitamin E, OCC Lip Tar feels as good on the lips as it looks!

DIRECTIONS: Apply the tiniest bead of Lip Tar with our #010 Precision Lip Brush for complete, opaque coverage, either mixed with other shades or on its own. Applying too much product can result in feathering outside the lipline, so remember: a little goes a very long way!
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Queen is described as a neon red/coral and it has just a hint of pink. This swatch is pulling the pink out more than the red but is it seriously neon, I think it broke my camera. For spot on colour, you can see it full faced here.

On first impressions I wasn't so keen on the colour, which is why it took me a while to wear it properly. But now I have, I wonder why I put it off. It's such a beautiful, bright statement colour.

OCC Lip Tars are honestly my new favourite thing. The application takes a little more time and precision but once you've mastered it, you won't regret it.

The brighter colours leave behind a stain that washes away when I take my makeup off but lasts throughout eating and drinking.

This wasn't as minty scented as the others I'd tried.

I really do want so many of these. They are crazy pigmented, they come in a whole ton of colours and the staying power is phenomenal.

Have you tried Lip Tars?

I Can Be The Queen That's Inside Of Me.

2012-05-19T07:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I woke up from a pretty disturbed nights 'sleep'. I wanted something fresh faced, easy on my eyes (as they water like crazy when I'm tired) but still statement.

I opted for a Lip Tar I haven't used yet. It's ridiculously neon in person - review coming super soon on it.

I'm also not loving unruly brows right now. I had to 'shop out the scragglies. I'm counting down the days when they'll be as grown out as I can get them and then I can go and get them professionally done again.

Face:

M.A.C Matchmaster Foundation - 1.

Benefit Boi-ing - Light.

M.A.C Mineralize Blush - Two Virtues.

M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil - Taupe.

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Light.

Eyes:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Virgin (all over lid).
Illamasqua Precision Ink - Abyss.
Barbara Daly High Impact Mascara*.

Lips:
OCC Lip Tar - Queen.

Quite a simple look but I feel it packs a punch.

Lady GaGa - The Queen.

Collection 2000 Dancing Queen Glam Crystals.

2012-05-16T07:00:00.000+01:00

It's no lie that I love glitter. Clue's in the name (and everything else about my blog)!

I've posted about a couple of these Collection 2000 Glam Crystal liners before. I know they've dropped the 2K from their name and are just being known as 'Collection' now but I think that sounds silly.

A while ago I picked up a couple more and here I have Dancing Queen.

Swatched - 1 thin coat, built up, 1 thin coat over Illamasqua Abyss Precision Ink, 1 coat built up over Illamasqua Abyss.

Dancing Queen is a pinky red translucent base with green, blue, orange and pink glitter suspended in it.

What I love about these is not only the wide variety of colours but the staying power is phenomenal. Cue TMI, I went to a gig last year wearing Le Freak and it was probably the hottest, most sweatiest I've ever been in my life. Most of my makeup had melted off besides my glitter liner.

These can be used in a few different ways. Sometimes if I want to liven up a nude eye look, I take a little liner on my finger and work it al over the top of the shadow, giving a glitter finish.

Glam Crystals (or glitter liners in general) can really switch up a plain eye look into something really amazing. I love these and plan to pick up a few more in the future.

Benefit High Beam.

2012-05-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

Benefit and Glamour seem to have a bit of a thing going on. I got this highlighter last time they joined forces.

On a side note, they're joining once again to give you freebies in Glamour's July issue.

The freebies will be as follows:

Bad Gal Lash Mascara (worth £10)

The Porefessional (worth £10)

'That Gal' Brightening Primer (worth £15).

The issue goes on sale on May 31st for £2.

What www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk says:
Our satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek & brow bones for a radiant glow. Use as a spot highlighter or delicately blend all over your complexion. Looks perfectly radiant on all skintones. It's the "supermodel in a bottle"!

Dot and blend over makeup on to cheek and brow bones, or anywhere you want a glance to linger.
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High Beam is one of, if not my most favourite highlighter. In fact, it's the only one I own. I usually just use eyeshadows but they can be too shimmery, this is more glowy.

It comes with a nail polish type applicator which makes for easy and quick application. It also means you can get all the product out when you're close to finishing, without too much hassle.

You only need the tiniest amount so even though it's only a sample size but it's still lasting and going to last me quite some time.

It's a subtle pink toned shimmer that when applied gives a lovely glow to the skin. I feel like this would also suit pretty much all skin tones.

Beautiful highlighter and I definitely recommend it to everyone. Expensive but it'll last you forever.

Life Via Instagram #1.

2012-05-13T21:05:00.001+01:00

I've been meaning to so one of these posts since I started using Instagram since sometimes it's easier to take photos with my phone rather than lugging around a DSLR (they are damn heavy)!

I thought I'd pop this up until I can get round to scheduling some posts tomorrow.

001 - Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday Roman Reloaded. The one thing I keep going back to currently because I can't stop listening to it, so good. It makes me want to just break out in dance wherever I am, so it's the perfect wakeup for starting work at 5AM.

002 - I finally got my nails to an amazing swatching length, y'all know I hate nubbies on me. My index ended up half breaking but I figured I'd let it slide. Then just a few days ago I broke my middle finger (in a fit of rage) down to nothing. I was pretty upset about it, this was the longest I'd got them on my own. I've had to take them all down to nothing but this gives me a chance to do progress photos of the product I was using. Pictured is China Glaze's IDK. Such a beautiful lilac holo.

003 - I hate regular English milky tea but I've taken a love to flavoured iced tea. It's a healthy and refreshing option. Love love love!

004 - Enjoyed my first bath this side of Christmas. Added a whole ton of Lush's Christmas Candy Mountain and the Snow Fairy Magic Wand thingy. So sweet and relaxing.

005 - I thought I'd fixed my skin care problems until just recently, I hit a stress induced breakout. Hopefully it clears up soon though I want to wear makeup again!

006 - I woke up to 12,000 followers on my Tumblr on Thursday I think? I still get excited every time I just get 1 new one. Seems crazy to me to think that that many people follow me. I mainly use it as a photo dump for anything that catches my eye or inspires me but it's nice to know people stick around for the personal side of it too.

007 - Friday night I'd finally had enough of having a messy room. I felt the overwhelming urge to clean it right out. It was pretty hard going, especially since I couldn't work the hoover properly and had to do my entire room with the hose bit. So worth it though.

008 - I feel like I've forgotten what the sun looks like since it's been so horrible lately. It was nice of it to pop out this weekend though apparently it's not sticking around, rain tomorrow - fab!

009 - I've been feeling a bit down lately, I think you can tell from the lack of being able to sit down and write blog posts. I'm trying to learn to have solace in my own company since I don't have much else. I started a new book on Friday, Before I Die and I was already half way through it yesterday evening. New books, topped with fresh bed sheets is a perfect combination.

Weekend Wishlist #2.

2012-05-12T01:27:00.002+01:00

I know, I know, such a bad blogger this week but I have a few more wants for you this weekend ...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Sugarpill Tako Eyeshadow - Something I've longed after for quite some time now is a good, pure matte white. They seem to be hard to come by. Everyone raves about how awesome Sugarpill is and I've always admired from afar. One day I'll dip my toes in and make an order, and when I do Tako will be first in the cart.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Long Wallet - The inside zip on my current purse broke (no it wasn't struggling under the strain of all my money) quite some time ago now (October!), so I really should invest in a new one. I've been looking around for something a little more long lasting and well made. I'm pretty fussy when it comes to such things but this MBMJ wallet is simple and doesn't have too many compartments, so I won't stow away so much crap.

M.A.C Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick - From what I can gather, Nicki Minaj's addition to the Viva Glam line up, is a bright pink with subtle coral tones to it and it's a satin finish - my favourite! This looks like such a nice vibrant Summery shade, perfect for the warmer weather.

Fleur Fit Flops - I've had my Melissa Bow flip flops for a little over 2 years now and whilst they show no means of giving up on me yet, they aren't the comfiest on the feet for super long trips and walks. I need something with a little more support and Fit Flops look to be much better, damn the price though!

Vintage Minnie Mouse x O.P.I - This collection is due to be released in June and how cute is it? I've been dying for O.P.I to release one of their polishes with the little hearts suspended in it and low and behold, this collection has one. I'm not too keen on the darkest colour from swatches but the other 3 look so nice! Definitely a winning collection in my book.

The Less Glamorous Side To Beauty.

2012-05-11T15:52:00.004+01:00

One of the essential things I very rarely see blogged about is deodorant. It's not exactly the most exciting or glam product is it?

I recently came across one that is perfect for everyday wear and will definitely come in handy during the hotter weather (if it ever arrives).

What www.dove.co.uk says:

Dove Maximum Protection is the ideal product for women seeking maximum wetness protection, whilst caring for their underarm skin. It provides scientifically proven protection against wetness and at the same time moisturises underarm skin with Dove 1/4 moisturising cream. It features a signature fragrance to leave you feeling clean, fresh, and beautiful. Dove Maximum Protection – The ultimate combination of protection and beauty.
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Finally! A deodorant that does exactly what it says.

The formula isn't something I'd used before I tried this, so it takes some time getting used to it. I'd tried all different kinds of sprays and whatnot before this but this comes out on tops.

I only have to apply this every other day so if you're looking for something really protective, this is it. It comes with a faint, subtle fruity scent so it doesn't interfere with any perfume or body sprays.

Not the nicest thing to do a review on but I thought it might be helpful to some of you. :)

Birthday BBQ Times.

2012-05-09T14:00:00.003+01:00

Friday night was a fairly sleepless one, gotta love those noisy neighbours who blast their music until the early hours. :D

Came home on Saturday with every intention of having an early night as I was shattered. Until next door popped round and invited us to an impromptu birthday BBQ.

Perfect chance for me to get some lush pictures.

It was kind of really cold ... Two pairs of leggings, two jumpers. But there was yummy food to be had, delicious drinks and the sun was shining. When it vanished we all camped around a bonfire, lit Chinese lanterns and had many laughs. :)

Spring Pastels.

2012-05-06T21:07:00.000+01:00

Last night I got invited to an impromptu BBQ, I had a little over an hour to shower, do my hair, makeup, take photos and find something to wear.

I didn't want too much hassle and since I knew my makeup would only on for 6 or so hours, I didn't really want to go down the waterproof liquid liner route.

I opted for pastel, barely there shadows, a hint of blush and a neutral lipstick. It took less than half an hour but came together really well.

Face:

M.A.C Matchmaster Foundation - 1.

Benefit Boi-ing - Light.

M.A.C Blush Ombre - Azalea Blossom.

M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil - Taupe.

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish - Natural.

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion.

88 Shimmer Palette:

1 (brow, inner corner highlight), 2 (all over lid), 3 (crease), 4 (brow bone), 5 (outer V).

Nouveau Lashes Noir Mascara*.

Lips:

M.A.C Lipstick - Privé.

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The shadows were a touch stronger in person but nothing too over the top, just what I wanted.

I did take a bunch of photos last night too, post on that to follow.

Weekend Wishlist #1.

2012-05-05T07:00:00.000+01:00

There is so much stuff I wish I could have and with a memory like mine it's not long before I've forgotten about it. Until it's too late, usually.

I thought I'd compile little lists of things I'm currently lemming in the hope it will help remind me to buy some!

001. Lush Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly - Probably one of the only bath products I haven't tried from Lush is their Shower Jellies. How nice does Sweetie Pie look though? It's full of glitter and smells just like the Comforter. You can use this in a bunch of different ways and I really want to try it. It's pretty cheap too at only £2.95 for a 100g pot.

002. Water Bobble - I'm one of those that definitely doesn't drink enough water. I really don't like tap water so that doesn't help things. I've seen these Water Bobbles pop up on quite a few blogs I read recently, it comes in a few different sizes/colours and the funny thing in the lid? That's a bit in water filter that you change every two months or so. Super handy!

003. Mulberry Patent Floral Bayswater - For such a long time now I've lusted after a plain black Mulberry Alexa. I was recently browsing the site, just looking at all the beautiful things I can't afford, when I came across this beautiful Bayswater. I know it's not to everyone's taste but I love love love it. It's not currently available but it's coming soon. I'm determined to try and save for it before it disappears, since I'll no doubt be working crazy overtime hours over the Summer. It's good to work towards something.

004. MUFE HD Foundation - For a long time now I've wanted to try Makeup Forever products but damn they are expensive and then some. This foundation isn't cheap at £29.95 a pop, it would be the most I've ever spent on a foundation. Perhaps when I'm only left with one foundation I'll have to purchase. I've heard nothing but good things about MUFE, especially their HD products.

005. Dr. Martens - It's weird how Tumblr makes things popular. I'm not saying these weren't popular beforehand but it seems everyone's rocking these at the moment. They come in such a multitude of colours and materials. I had a regular black pair when I was in my mid teens. I've been lemming a pair of the bright red patent Dr. Martens for a little while now and are definitely on my 'need to purchase ASAP' list. As much as I love girlie things like dresses and skirts, my feet hate heels and flats that aren't boring. I mainly wear darker clothes so these would liven up any outfit.

006. Benefit Hervana Blush Box - Again, something I've admired from a far but never tried before are the Benefit blush boxes. Their newest addition Hervana, is definitely the prettiest they've put out there and I think the swirl pattern is what's made people gravitate towards it. Maybe that's just me though? I'm all for aesthetics of a product. It has a swirl of beige, one of a pinky plum and too peachy colours. It seems to flatter most skin tones, it tends to draw out the warm or cool tones depending on underlying skin tone.

007. China Glaze Aquadelic - Thought I picked up a couple of the polishes from China Glaze's Electropop collection, the one I wanted and sold out straight away at my Sally's was Aquadelic. Isn't it just the perfect Summery shade?

008. Bakery Macarons - I would love nothing more than Ladurée macarons but they're only located in London (in the UK). Boo! No where near to me or in fair travelling distance seems to have them. Which is a shame really, I want to try proper ones.

And The Voice In My Head Starts Screaming.

2012-05-04T15:35:00.002+01:00

The title for this post is quite apt considering I'm having one of those days. You know, the ones where no matter what you do every single photo looks horrible.

Yeah that.

Oh well ...

Face:

M.A.C Studio Moisture Tint - Light.

Benefit Boi-ing - Light.

M.A.C Powder Blush - Well Dressed.

Illamasqua Cream Pigment - Delirium (contour)*.

M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil - Taupe.

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Light.

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Vanilla (brow/inner corner highlight), Midnight 15 (all over lid), Buck (crease).
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil - Zero (upper/lower lashline).
Barbara Daly High Impact Mascara*.

Lips:
Burberry Lip Cover - Rosewood*.
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I wasn't planning on doing any FOTD posts any time soon either. I'm growing my eyebrows out completely so I'm letting them be a bit unruly as I'm not touching them. I get too tweezer happy otherwise.

When I got this mini Burberry lippie back in the March Glossybox I mentioned how I wanted to try this with really crisp, bold liner. I decided to go a little softer for the liner as I felt this lipstick called for something a touch more 'grown up'.

The lipstick is definitely not a regular me colour but it's nice for a change. It goes on smooth, creamy and pigmented. Doesn't feel drying at all and lasts for a substantial amount of time. A winner in my book.

I really like the finished look though I couldn't capture it fantastically.

Jessie J & David Guetta - Laserlight.

YSL Pink Lingerie Rouge Volupte.

2012-05-04T07:00:00.000+01:00

Something I've been long for quite some time is a YSL Rouge Volupte, though I'd heard mixed reviews about the longevity, who can resist such amazing packaging. Shallow, moi? Neverrrr.

Seriously just look at it ...

What www.ysl.co.uk says:
All the magic, refinement and know-how of Yves Saint Laurent can be found in this lipstick which combines pleasure of the senses, bright colours and total comfort. Both light yet rich, its creamy texture becomes fluid on contact with the lips for a pleasant feeling and incredible smooth-on qualities.
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First thing to note about this lipstick is it has a lot of slip to it and I really mean a lot. I found this wore fine when it had a chance to set. Earlier today I tried it over Too Faced Lip Insurance (swatch is on it's own) and it's holding much more steady. I also find slightly blotting helps with staying power.

It goes on really easily with a lot of colour. I don't need to go over my lips to get a lot of pigmentation, it just glides on with high coverage.

That being said Pink Lingerie is one of the lighter colours and I can't see it working on too many skin tones. It's one of those super light pinks that I fear would look a bit too pale for really tanned skin.

I sometimes think it looks too light on me, again blotting helps with that. You can see it full face here.

Overall I love this lipstick. It has a pretty hefty price tag at £23.50. It is a luxe lipstick but for the price I would expect something to last a lot longer than just a few hours if you have to shell out that much but I think that just comes with the formula of the Rouge Volupte.

This hasn't put me off wanting to try others from YSL though.

Lush Dirty Springwash.

2012-05-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

Since I'm running low on my beloved Snow Fairy from Lush, I've had to ration myself in the shower and use up other ones I have.

Something that's worked its way into my routine is the newest (though it's not that new any more) addition to the shower gel line up, it's from the 'Dirty' range.

What www.lush.co.uk says:
Like a dip in a mountain spring.

With spearmint and menthol to make your skin feel cool in a hot shower.
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If you aren't a fan of mint, this is in no way for you. It's deliciously minty!

It's definitely a unisex scent and I'm sure this was made with intentions for it being for males but hey!

It's really cool and refreshing on the skin, lathers up easily and leaves my skin smooth.

There really isn't that much else I can say about this but go and have a sniff next time your passing a Lush. It's such a different refreshing smell.

I love it!

Barry M - Blueberry Ice Cream.

2012-05-02T07:00:00.000+01:00

I rarely post photos of my nails when they're (as what I deem as) short and my middle nail is a bit of a nubby.

But let's overlook that because after taking photos, this was too nice not to post.

On a side note, I had to drop the saturation a little because this was looking really cyan on my laptop screen but this made it much more colour true.

Barry M's Blueberry Ice Cream is part of it's permanent range. It's a pale, pastel blue with a hint of brightness.

It goes on almost opaque in just a single coat. I popped a second on just to even everything out.

This polish is slightly on the thicker side than some I've tried but for £2.99 you really can't go wrong. Especially considering they're nearly always on offer in Boots or Superdrug. I've had this one for months now and haven't really worn it properly but it's made me want many more Barry M's.

How many Barry M's do you own?

Which are your favourite?

M.A.C Lips & Tips/Fashion Sets.

2012-05-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

Rebel in New York, Russian Red in Dubai, Snob in Sao Paulo, Saint Germain in Tokyo, Morange in Paris: these must-have lip shades so coveted by M∙A∙C fans around the world, that we created 3-piece mini-collections of Lipstick, Lipglass, and Nail Lacquer trios in 7 classic palettes. Perfectly coordinated, regionally inspired.
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This collection is massive. There's 48 separate pieces in all, from 16 shades.

The shades are as follows - Angel, Chestnut, Girl About Town, Impassioned, Morange, Myth, Peachstock, Pink Nouveau, Please Me, Ravishing, Razzledazzler, Rebel, Russian Red, Saint Germain, Snob, Spice.

It should be noted that only certain shades are being released to certain locations. Whilst that means you won't be overwhelmed, it can be annoying if your country isn't releasing the shade you wanted.

According to Temptalia locations are as follows:

North America includes lipstick, lipglass, and nail lacquer for these top-selling shades: Myth, Snob, Spice, Girl About Town, Russian Red, Rebel, and Chestnut.
For Asia Pacific: Peachstock, Razzledazzler, Ravishing, Angel, Saint Germain, Morange, and Impassioned.
For Europe/Africa: Myth, Spice, Saint Germain, Morange, Impassioned, Russian Red, and Rebel.
For Latin America/Middle East: Snob, Please Me, Pink Nouveau, Morange, Impassioned, Girl About Town, and Russian Red.
All sixteen shades for each product type are available online at www.maccosmetics.com.
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Since I have 5 of these lipstick shades and have only recently reviewed 2, I figured I'd pop up new swatches and my thoughts on them for you. Plus it's been a mighty long time since I've done a M.A.C collection review. All these lipsticks I have are permanent so you don't have to get them right away if you don't want to.

Snob, Pink Nouveau, Girl About Town, Russian Red, Rebel.

Snob is one of my most loved lipsticks and one I more recently reviewed. M.A.C describe this as a ladylike mauve and it really is. It's a satin finish, the colour packs a punch like a matte but it's more moisturising and easier to apply. Satin finishes last for such a long time as they simmer down to a semi matte and last for hours.

Pink Nouveau is dubbed as Lady Gaga's favourite lipstick and one she wears a lot. M.A.C describe this as a bright pink, with cool undertones. Again this is a satin finish so the wear time on this is amazing. Gaga actually wore this for The Monster Ball Madison Square Garden DVD and it held up amazingly.

Girl About Town is bright fuchsia with whole lot of blue in it. It's one of those colours that you can wear on any occasion and with the majority of makeup looks. It's super complimentary. I usually team this with heavy cat winged liner and just a touch of blush.

Russian Red is a super intense blue based red, which I reviewed just a week ago. This is a matte, despite looking glossy in my swatch. I find the best way to apply it is over a lip balm and it lasts for a good 8/9 hours with eating and drinking. It's a fab red if you don't mind the more brighter ones. Such a classic colour with the best staying power I've found in a lipstick.

Rebel is a vivid plum colour. It's a colour that I don't often wear, I usually prefer bright lips over darks and this a more wine type colour so I normally wear this for nights out. This is another satin finish and once the majority of the product ebbs away it leaves a delightful stain so you can still have that saturated colour, without the need to reapply if you don't wish to.
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Phew. This is getting to a bit of a mammoth post isn't it? I don't envy those reviewing all forty eight products!

Overall I think the collection is a nice idea albeit overwhelming. The location releases seem a bit silly also but hopefully they'll still be all available on the UK M.A.C website, for those who want them.

Due for release in May.

Will you be picking anything up?
Do you already own any of these lip colours?

A Photo A Day For A Year - April.

2012-04-30T07:00:00.001+01:00

Another month that's quickly run away with me before I knew it. April seemed to go exceedingly fast.

The start of April welcomed the new addition of Instagram for Android. Not only has this meant I can actually follow people who've had it for ages on iPhone, it also means I don't have to watermark every single damn photo before I upload it to Tumblr. It'll link straight back to my Instagram instead.

Do feel free to follow me @bicky_ :)

Here was the list for April:

Source.

Here is Aprils photos:

I can't believe I've kept it for so long. I usually bail on things because I get bored and lose interest but this is really fab, which I'm sure I say every month.

May:

Source.

Because Makeup IS An Art.

2012-04-29T07:00:00.000+01:00

I'm not a fan of Maybelline as a brand but I came across these mock advertisements on Tumblr and just had to post.

I get bored of people throwing up the excuse that people only cover themselves in makeup to feel confident. Just, no.

It's an art and it should be celebrated as such.

Glossybox - April.

2012-04-28T07:00:00.000+01:00

The natural box*.

April is 'Earth Month' and Glossybox have put together a box that supports brands that do their best to help the environment. The box has a rustic, natural feel to it and is even 100% biodegradable.

Green is the new black, no?

Figs & Rouge - Cherry & Vanilla Lip Balm.

£3.29/8ml.

This is 100% pure, natural and organic. It also boasts multi purposes uses, it can be used on the lips and on dry skin. It smells lush, reminds me of sweets or something. It has quite a slippery texture so a little bit goes a really long way.

Burt's Bees - Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion.

£9.99/190g.

This is a 99% natural based body lotion and claims to nourish up to a full 24 hours. I love milk and honey, it's a very delicate combination but one that still has a hint of sweetness so I was pretty excited when I saw this! It's a semi thick but still lightweight cream that sinks in without much work at all which leaves skin super soft.

Caudalie - Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum.

£29.00/30ml.

This is a newly launched, ultra concentrated serum which is natural and plant based. You pop a little of this on your face before you apply moisturiser, twice daily. Since this is quite natural I expected it to be unscented but it's got quite a nice scent to it. Without moisturiser my skin already feels really hydrated so this definitely seems like something I'd rate.

Monu - Moisture Rich Collagen Cream.

£17.50/50ml.
For ages now I've been trying to find a cream that isn't too oily but is still moisturising. I can't seem to find a good balance with my skin at the moment. This is target at dry, very dry and dehydrated skin. It's full of essential oils like evening primrose and blackcurrant seed with essential fatty acids to repair the skin. The collagens help to smooth fine lines. I'm hoping this will help in the long run and I will update after I've used it for a while longer.

Inika Cosmetics - Certified Organic Eyeliner - Black Caviar.

£11.75.

This is the first 'natural' liner I've tried and it's a rich, creamy consistency. Black Caviar is an inky charcoal black, not the blackest black I've tried but it's not too grey. I only wear pencil liner on my lower lashline and it lasts pretty well on the waterline and really sticks to the lower lashline.

What do you think of this months box and natural cosmetics?

PR sample.