Shopping My Stash / #12

I haven’t really been bothered to play with make up lately or browse through my collection; I’ve been lazy and simply reaching for simple, natural colours to slap on quickly in the morning. I blame the weather!

Urban Decay Shattered Face Case palette has been perfect for my current mood. The shades are neutral, effortless to apply and blend super easily. I also added a bit of colour with Neve Cosmetics Pastello Eye Pencil in Petrolio which works well both with the browns and purples of the eyeshadows. Finished off the eyes with a coat of Benefit They’re Real mascara… which I’m trying to finish because I really don’t like it - It makes my lashes too crispy!

On the face, I’ve been using Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation in Honey; I’m actually really liking this foundation because it doesn’t accentuate the dry patches that winter brought with it. :(

This foundation is already pretty good in keeping me shine-free, but I also added a dust of Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes to make it lasts all day.

On the cheeks and lips, I used the blushes (Overexposed, Temper), highlighter (Glint) and Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Lovechild from the face case, which complement the eyes and each other beautifully; I have also been enjoying topping up the lippie during the day. J

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 / #7

Giving Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua another shot this week, but still not liking it - so strange, it doesn't last on me more than a few hours and looks awful at the end of the day. :( 

Glad I asked for another sample and never bought the full size.

I also took care to use a primer - Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish - and to set it with Mac Mineralize SkinFinish in medium, but they didn't make any different to the longevity of the product.

I used Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo to contour, 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush in plum for a pop of colour on my cheeks and St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet to highlight.

Eyes were kept simple with neutral colours from Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in silent treatment. 

As a primer I used Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr in permanent taupe, added a bit of Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso and loads of Neve Cosmetics Occhioni mascara.

Finally, I went for bright lips to cheer me up in these dark and chilly autumn mornings with CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 400 temptress.

Have you tried any of these product before?

Shopping My Stash / #5

Still pretty keen with mineral foundation lately - I find that the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30 + Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 in real sand are the perfect combo!

For the base, I also used Stila One Step Correct Colour Corrector to even out skintone and Topshop Blush in butterscotch as an highlighter. I hit pan!!! I don't think it has ever happened before - I do love this item and I will have to limit the usage now, since I think it's discontinued. :(

Finally added a touch of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Blusher in 54 peony which is an iced pink and cool toned.

For the eyes I went with this FOTD look, using Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze on the upper lid and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Bright Blue on the bottom; I like the motorized brush of the Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara but I think it's a bit drying and hard to remove.

The lip were effortlessly simple with 100% Pure Lip Glaze in peach bellini.

What have you been wearing lately? :)

Shopping My Stash / #4

Still acceptably warm so I stick with the Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection Smoothing Powder Foundation in light neutral - I'm really enjoying mineral foundation this summer. Switched to the Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer because - as I mentioned in my previous Shopping My Stash - the mineral primer is a bit 'meh'.

For the eye, I used the bareMinerals READY Eyeshadows 2.0 in The Vision: it's pretty low maintenance, easy and fast to apply - I also used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion but it wasn't really necessary because these eyeshadows don't usually crease on me. Lined my waterline with the Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in black fire and used Lancome Hypnose Star mascara for the lashes with a coat of Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Building Base mascara, too; finally, a touch of Benefit Eye Bright in the inner corner.

I always try to keep the rest of the face dewy when I use a powder base: I alternated the Kiko Glow Touch Cheeks & Lips in 01 bitter margarita - on cheeks and lips - to Clarins Instant Light Blush in 02 coral tonic as highlighter plus Kiko Colour Explosion Multi-Tone Blush in 04 bold coral plus L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 303 coral & floral.

Right into my corals and Kiko stuff this week - what have you been enjoying lately? :)

Shopping My Stash / #3

It has been so unusually warm in recent weeks so I decided to give my liquid foundation a break and I used Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection smoothing powder foundation in light neutral as my base. As a primer I used Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Primer which never impress me, if I'm honest, but seemed the perfect match to use with this pressed powder.

On the eyes, I primed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and then used different combinations from the Ysl Ombres 5 Lumieres Eyeshadows no.11; when I wore the deeper purple shades, I use the new acquisition Kiko Glow Touch Lips & Cheeks in pleasant pink azalea both as blush and lip stain.

When I used the green eyeshadows instead, I wore Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom on the cheeks and Deborah Milano Shine Creator Lipstick in 16 pearly plum on the lips

Gosh! That's a pretty palette...

As an highlighter I chose St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet - what else??! - and Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 02 sunlight - to add a touch of warmth to the skin.

Revlon GrowLuscious was the mascara of choice - mainly because I need to finish it up since I don't really like it; finally, I protected my lips with Softlips which does seem to leave a white cast so I've been using it as a base.

*****
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Congrats honey - your prize will be with you soon! :) xxx

Shopping My Stash / #2

For the past hot hot days, I've been using Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25 as a primer/spf protector. I think this may be discontinued which is a shame because it's not greasy and slightly tinted so great to use on its own too.

Then, I chose Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe which is my favourite foundation of all time and never disappoint. I set it with a light veil of Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes. I love the brightening effect and it never looks cakey.

On the cheeks, I used Ruby & Millie Face Gloss in ; this product is kinda of prehistorical! I have had it for ages and as you can see used it and abused it. I literally slap it on and doesn't even need blending - beautiful beautiful natural glow. I also added some extra glowiness with Benefit Sun Beam, on the cheekbone.

Kept the eyes minimal: I applied a quick wash of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow in 76 Oats to the eyelid which is the perfect neutral colour and rimmed my eyes with Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire.

Finally, I chose Lancome L'Absolu Nu in Rouge Nu for the lips! I kinda have re-discovered this lipstick recently - it's the perfect red lipstick for every day and I wore it to the office all week. It's very moisturizing and takes seconds to apply in the morning.

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?