Shopping My Stash / #11

This week, I've been using the MeMeMe Seventh Heaven primer which never fails to keep me matte; I used it to 'counteract' Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation (link) dewiness (I haven't been feeling in the mood for this look in winter) but still providing a good coverage; I also set my base with Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium. All together a pretty full face but still quick and easy to achieve every morning.

I skipped the highlighter and only used Nars Blush in Sin (link) which is winter epitomised!

On the eyes, I played with different combinations of browns and greens from the Urban Decay Oz Theodora Palette (link) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in zero which stands even the wettest of days.
Finally on the lips, I used Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 096 macaroon (link): the berry/brown shade works really well with Sin and it's moisturising for my wind-battered lips :(

Have you used any of those products before?

1st FOTD of 2014

My skin has been looking a bit dull lately, probably due to all the indulging food of the festivity. I used quite strong hue to brighten the skin but still keeping it fairly simple.

Face: Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 05, Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Becca Beach Tint in guava, Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo;

Eyes: Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Kiko Water Eyeshadow in 202;

Lips: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Corail Fauve.

Empties / December 2013 + Mascara Round-Up

Happy New Year lovelies!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful start to 2014.

I didn't finish many products this month, however I decided to add an end of the year mini mascara reviews.

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel: I'm actually falling in love with Yes To… ranges; this eye cream is no exception. It feels fresh and hydrating and  I also think my concealer looks better when applied above this gel. I like to keep it in the fridge to enhance the cooling effect of the gel.

Repurchase: Yes 

REN F10 Smooth And Renew Mask: I like all the masks that I have tried from REN but I think they are all very similar; like the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (which is my favourite), this is a chemical exfoliant that eats at the superficial layer to reveal a smoother skin.

Repurchase: Maybe 

Lavera Hand Cream: at first I loved this cream but soon the scent started to annoy me; It's just too herbaly for my liking, I wish it would just smell like almond & shea butter - the main ingredients. It's a shame because I like the fresh consistency: it really feels like a splash of water and dries super fast.

Repurchase: No

First Aid Beauty Gentle Body Wash: this wee bottle had been sitting in my cabinet for far too long. Scent-free and nothing special in my opinion.

Repurchase: Nope

I'm definitely guilty of not changing my mascaras enough but I recently bought some new ones and I kept these for this post; as a rule of thumb, I don't like wet formulas and I prefer volume to length.

THUMB UP: 

One of my favourite mascaras of all time is Clinique High Impact Mascara; I usually prefer a plastic wand to the fiber but this one is super soft and flexible and create amazing volume effortlessly. 

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara does exactly what it says on the tube - create tons of volume! As mentioned above, I like the short plastic teeth of the wand that are great to coat even the shortest lashes.

Benefit Bad Gal Blue Mascara: not a big fan of the huge brush and it dried out pretty fast but I always got loads of compliments for the colour.

t-b: Benefit, L'Oreal, Clinique

NEUTRAL: 

These mascaras didn't particularly impress me but I didn't hate them either. ;)

Ellis Faas mascara is impressive to hold the curl but the wand is too long, which makes it awkward to apply; I like the brush of the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara which is flat on one side; I'm not a fan of scented mascara tho and this one has a strong floral smell.

t-b: Ellis Faas, Lancome

THUMB DOWN:

I know that many people like the Revlon GrowLuscious Mascara but it just didn't work for me: I think because the brush is too big and I couldn't really get in there at the root of the lashes; it also stung my eyes when removing it at the end of the day. Similar experience with the Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara that has an even bigger brush.

The downfall of the Collection 2000 Extreme Coloured Lenghtening Mascara is the quality; maybe mine was faulty but it was completely dry from the beginning… and I like dry mascaras so enough said. The colour simply didn't transfer and was flaky - shame because the brush looks good!

t-b: Revlon, Soap & Glory, Collection 2000

Anyway, I enjoyed having a wee break from the blog and just spend the holidays with the family… but now I'm looking forward to another year filled and shared with beauty with you! :)
xxx

Shopping My Stash / #10

I've been a bit depressed lately; I've been struggling with tendinitis in my right thumb probably due to my job. I've been in my current position for about 6 months and it's constant typing for 8 hours so I have developed this inflammation... what can I say? I work too hard! ;)

Anyway, you can imagine that the last thing I wanna do is to come home from work... and type some more, so apologise for the erratic update on the blog and other networks.

Sooooo to cheer me up I picked up the warm, peachy tones of coral in my make-up this week.

On the face: Mememe Seventh Heaven primer, Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Makeup in 3.0, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in 01 Teint Rose'.

On the cheeks I used Becca Luminous Skin Perfector in opal - which is my favourite together with pearl; I'm really interested to try a compact version of these too, hope they are not too powdery.

The blusher - Cover FX Bronzed FX in golden peach - is also pretty luminous with it's golden shimmer and not my first choice for autumn but nothing to lift the complexion like this baby.

On the eyes, I used another Becca product has a primer: Becca Eye Tint in vicuna that its pretty translucent just with a hint of glitter and most especially, does not budge and it's waterproof.

 As eyeshadow I applied Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in ebloui that I know it works well with corals and I can simply slap it on - not much effort required! ;)

Finally on the lips, I went for a balmy texture with Revlon ColorBust Lip Butter in peach parfait or  a more opaque finish with Lancome French Touch Lipstick in sweet marmalade.

Well, let me know if you suffer/suffered from this condition too and have any advise. For now, I'm just taking it slow and believe me,  using the mouse on the other hand is soooo frustrating!!!

Shopping My Stash / #9

I prepped the skin with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm: love the 'old fashion' scent and it's rich enough to act like my daily moisturizer. I used Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid MakeUp in shade 3.0 as my base and, since I have few blemishes to cover, I set with Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium that gives me a fuller coverage than usual.

Because I don't feel very confident with my skin lately, I also kept a minimal face and used a neutral blush like Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in exposed; these tarte blushes are definitely living up to the hype - can't wait for Tarte to become available in Uk too! I also added a touch of highlighter - Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in opal - that with its golden tone, works beautifully with exposed.

Purplish, yet with a touch of warm coral for the eyes: I used Pupa Wet & Dry Eyeshadow in 102 peach all over the lid and Neve Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow in dormouse dreams in the crease: these 2 colours are perfect for each other!

Finally on the lips, I kept the plumy theme with a Ted Baker lip pen or L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 101 tempting lilac.

***REMINDER: Just few days left to enter the giveaway!***

Shopping My Stash / #8 + Giveaway Reminder!!!

Another week, another shopping my stash!

For the base I used Stila One Step Correct Brightening Serum and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 42 vanilla - both favourites of mine. The primer is not oily or heavy and the foundation gives a beautiful, flawless finish to the skin. My skin has been oilier than usual lately so I'm really taking care to use a powder to set - Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium is a trusty ally that never looks cakey.

I've also been in the mood for bold red lips so I used a combination of Mac Marilyn Monroe Lipstick in scarlet ibis and Maybelline Baby Lips in cherry me to top up the moist, throughout the day.

I chose Mac Sheertone Blush in blushbaby which is the perfect 'neutral' blush but with a red/brick undertone to tie with the lips perfectly.

I like big & bright eyes with a red lip - I used the Nars Trio Eyeshadow in ramatuelle and built up the lashes with Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Building Base Mascara and Pur Minerals Big Blink Mascara. I thickened the top lashline with Bourjois Intuitive liner and added Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Line in nude to further open the eyes.

***Giveaway Reminder - enter here***

FOTN - Green Smokey Eye Look

Face: Mememe Seventh Heaven Primer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in no.5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in cherub, Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo, Benefit Sun Beam;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in zodiac*, Revlon GrowLuscious Mascara; 

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in macaroon.

*just one eyeshadow, easy-peasy look, sweet & fast! :)

Remember to enter my Autumn Giveaway!!!

FOTD - Saturday Shopping

Face: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF30, Clinique Fresh Bloom Blush in 1 peony, Benefit Sun Beam, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel in 65 Sable d'Or;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Clinique Brandied Bronze Palette, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in black fire;

Lips: Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in mexican rose.

FOTD - Rainy Afternoon

Yep, cut my fringe a wee bit. I used my new Tweezerman shears which give more of a 'square' finish; I quite like it, especially when I tie my hair up - look very tidy and put together. Anyhow, I desperately need a proper haircut. Last time I had an haircut was March 2012 (The shame!) and it's just not acceptable. I've been trying to grow my hair, just for a change... but I just can't see myself with long hair - I definitely think I suit short hair more.

Onto the make up....

Face: Daniel Sandler Retexturizing Face Primer, Lancome Teint Miracle foundation in 010, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Cover FX Bronzed FX in golden peach;

Eyes: bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0 Limited Edition in the rare find (Surreal & Eureka), Neve Cosmetics Occhioni mascara, Becca Line + Illuminate Pencil in fiji; 

Lips: Bobbi Brown Lipcolor in party alice (not pictured).

FOTN / Work Dinner

Simple look for a dinner with colleagues

Face: Daniel Sandler Retexturing Face Primer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in 3 Coral, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in 01 teint rose';

Eyes: Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in ebloui, Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 24hour, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara;

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait.

FOTD / another look with the marvelous Pur Minerals palette!

Face: Bobbi Brown spf50 Protective Face Base, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in medium, Benefit Cha Chat tint, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel in 65 Sable d'Or;

Eyes: Pur Minerals Beautiful Creatures palette (shades: spellbound, fate, forbidden), Rimmel Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in 005 nude, Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Building Base Mascara, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara;

Lips: Mac Sheen Supreme lipstick in Full Speed.

Shopping My Stash / #1

I recently started a new job - I used to work from home for years but now that I need to go to the office, I use make up pretty much everyday.

I enjoy reading the 'shopping my stash' posts from other bloggers so I decided to start this series too... 

This past week, I've been loving wearing... not all at once, mind you! ;) ---->

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow: I wasn't really blown away by this foundation at the beginning... but I've grown to like it. It does last all day on me and the spf25 comes in handy now that is 'summer' (brackets needed for Scotland);

Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium: I have just been using this as a setting powder to prolong the longevity of the foundation. It can look a bit cake so realllly soft hand;

As an highlighter I chose Benefit Moon Beam and kept my lip neutral with Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Colour spf12 in #18 Soft Nude to complement the colourful eyelook.

For the cheeks, I've been rotating between Clinique Fresh Bloom Blush in Peony, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed and Nars Blush in Sex Appeal; I forgot how pretty Peony looks! it's half highlighter so looks really radiant and fresh on the cheeks. The Tarte blush (with the Buxom lip cream below) are new acquisitions from a US swap: couldn't wait to try them out but I will share the swap in more details soon. :)

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Mudslide: as I said this is new but I already want more from this line. I've been using it as a lipgloss to top up the lipstick because it can be too brown for me and mudslide adds the perfect touch of pink!

For the lashes it's been Pur Minerals Big Blink Mascara all the way and to conceal my under-eye area:  Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in medium and Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink.

For the eyes, I've been choosing between these combos: 

1) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion + Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Palette in Brandied Bronze + Collection 2000 Idol'Eyes in Bling

2) Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr in Permanent Taupe + no7 Stay Perfect Liquid Eye Liner in Mermaid + Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire

3) Rimmel Scandal'Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze + Neve Pastello in Petrolio

Do you use any of these products? 

FOTD - Neve Cosmetics Eyes

Face: Benefit Hello Flawless foundation in honey, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in medium, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Neve Cosmetics Mineral blush in magic potion;

Eyes: Neve Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow in dormouse dreams, Neve Cosmetics Pastello eye pencil in petrolio, Mac Paint Pot in painterly, Neve Cosmetics Occhioni mascara;

Lips: Clinique Chubby Stick in 13 mighty mimosa.

FOTD / Purple Eyes

Face: Me me me Seventh Heaven primer / Benefit Hello Flawless foundation in honey / Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in medium / Maybelline Bouncy Dream Bouncy blush in 60 coffee cake

Eyes: Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in 40 permanent taupe / L'Oreal Chrome Intensity eyeshadow in 180 purple obsession / Pur Minerals Big Blink mascara / Bourjois Intuitive Liner

Lip: Lancome L'Absolu Nu lipstick in 101

FOTD - Blue Eyeliner

I had a go at the blue eye look on Easter Monday - it was a sunny afternoon and seemed a good day for experimenting ;)

I just used the blue pencil on the lower waterline and I got to say that I'm pretty pleased - I like it a lot!

That lip butter is not working out for me, tho - far too pale for my skintone. :(

Face: Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer SPF30 in light 2 Alaska, Becca Fine Pressed Powder in Sesame, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in medium, Mac Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom;

Eyes: Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Brigh Blue, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara, Mac Paint Pot in Painterly;

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake.

*** I'm off to Amsterdam soon - cya in a few days :) ***