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?

USA Swap

Last year, I did a swap with Betzy  from California (posts 1 & 2); it went really well so we decided to organize a new one. A couple of weeks ago, I received her parcel with these lovely items and loads of extras:

Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment 

I love WnW trios; quality is great, the powders blend easily and they always get the perfect color combinations. Been wanting Silent Treatment for a while - that eyelid colour is gorgeous!

Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor in 515 Coral Crush

Every Spring I get all obsessed around corals; this shade is perfect for day and night and very moisturizing on the lip.

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 400 Temptress

Never tried anything from CoverGirl before; packaging is cure and the colour has a beatiful sheen to it. For what I understand this brand is very affordable and I'm liking the quality so far.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Mudslide

This is amazing, I want every colour! It's not really a lipgloss but a lip cream so the colour payoff is very good. The tingle is totally different from your ordinary plumping product; it's actually refreshing, like rubbing an ice cube on your lips, nearly numbing in that sense but not uncomfortable. It's really hard to describe but it's definitely due to the peppermint in it. If you have tried the Burt's Bees lip balm, you know what I mean.

l-r: coral crush, temptress, mudslide

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed

This colour is perfection! It would never normally go for a brownish blush but this one has got the right amount of pink to it and looks beautiful on the skin. I really don't understand why Tarte is not available in Uk, it'd do brilliantly and I'm looking forward to try more of their products.

I'm also looking forward to try the Maybelline Baby Lips and the Softlips - they are basically SPF for  your lips and I read great things about them! :)

I love overseas swaps - have you done one before?

FOTN / Anniversary Dinner

Good Afternoon Ladies!

Couple of weeks ago, it was my first wedding anniversary so we went out for dinner to celebrate.

We ate at a Scottish restaurant in the westend of Glasgow, called Bothy; i had salmon with pearl barley, crayfish and lemon risotto and an amazing warm pear and coconut tart... Definitely want to eat this food again!

Btw, I'm wearing Neve Cosmetics Mousse Framboise from yesterday's review... in love with this colour!

Face: Daniel Sandler Retexturizing Face Primer, Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation & Concealer in porcelain, Nyx Cream Blush in glow, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 002;

Eyes: Wet n Wild ColorIcon Eyeshadow Trio in knock on wood, Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in on and on bronze, Revlon GrowLuscious mascara;

Lips: Neve Cosmetics Dessert a levres in mousse framboise. 

FOTD / Urban Decay Glinda Palette

 Face: Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua Foundation in B30 beige sable, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Wet n Wild ColorIcon Blusher in pearlescent pink, Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder, Benefit Sun Beam;

Eyes: Urban Decay Glinda palette (Tornado, Aura, Illusion), Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in purple, Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in 40 permanent taupe;

Lips: Urban Decay Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Colour in glinda.

FOTD - Lunch @ Nando's

Face: L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation in N4 Pure Beige, Garnier Roll-On Concealer in 03, Wet n Wild ColorIcon Blusher in Pearlescent Pink;
Eyes: Ellis Faas Petrol Milky Eyes E204, Ellis Faas mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious LashLiner in Espresso;
Lips: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Universal Lip Glow.
 ***
Super simple make up look with an handful of products - I only popped out with the husband today for a spot of lunch @ Nando's.
To be fair, we don't go there very often - maybe once every 3/4 months - I quite like it but I don't get how amazing everybody's finding it (plus, it's not that cheap for what it is).
 Also, the menu' is pretty small so I would get bored to eat in there, regularly... in fact I always try to order something different.

I went for the mushrooms&halloumi wrap with lemon&herbs sauce, this time :)

Do you enjoy Nando's?

State Side Swap - part 1

Few weeks ago, the lovely Betzy - from Betzy's Makeup - asked me if I'd fancy a swap with her... so, I jumped at the chance of getting some goodies from the USA.

My parcel arrived few days ago and ever since I haven't stopped playing with my new make-up.

(I'm gonna split the Haul into 2 posts as it's very picture heavy, sorry!)

First of all, the box: Betzy used a BirchBox to send me all the items and I'm sooo gonna keep it!!! :)

I'm, also, loving the floral tape - too cute!

Ta-Da!!!

I asked for brands that I can't find in Uk or items that are yet to be released in Uk (see Revlon Chubby Stick - exciting!!!) - and luckily, loving everything so far.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey

This is the one that I was - mostly - looking forward to try out!

I adore the Clinique Chubby Sticks and these look like exact dupes but cheaper... these really just came out in the States and it's really hard to find swatches online so I just picked the colour which looked most unusual but still wearable. 

The gamble paid off because I'm so pleased with my choice; I'm not really sure how to describe this colour so I'll just let the swatch do the talk. ;)

Believe me, It's so so pretty!

Maybelline Bouncy Dream Bouncy Blush in 60 Coffee Cake

I, actually, like the bouncy consistency - although you end up wasting product. I think it's easy to work with and easily build-able.

I picked this colour because I have too many pink blushes already - It's, actually, less orange than in the picture and very flattering on the skin.

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Eyeshadow Trio in Knock On Wood
I saw so many youtube videos where people rave about these eyeshadows... I chose this trio because pink and purple are my most used eye colours.
These are lovely - very buttery and a joy to work with. They have a great pigment payoff (even the lighter shade) and blend very well. I'd, definitely, love to try some more of these.

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Blusher in Pearlescent Pink
Probably, my least favourite of the lot; as I said above, I have loads of pink blushes already so nothing particularly exciting about this product.
Still, lovely quality powder and I will, definitely, use it - safe blush choice!

Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color in Burgundy Frost
Another WnW item - hehe :)
Pretty, deep red shade with a bit of shimmer in it - can't go wrong with a red manicure and this colour will work well for a pedicure, too.
It lasted well for 4 days straight and dried super fast. I think, for the price, you get a good deal here.

... part 2 to follow...