PAUL & JOE Manhattan Beauty Collection

Hello girls - I couldn't wait to share this collection with you!!!

Paul & Joe Autumn 2011 Collection pays homage to New York City.

The packaging is gorgeous and quirky as always - these are the perfect items if you like to collect make up. They will look glorious on any dressing table!

Plus, they are also eco-friendly because made from cardboard and one of the particularity with Paul & Joe lipsticks is that you can take the bullet out of the case and swap with another packaging if you wish.

That's what I like from this brand: attention to details, like the 'engraving' on the lipstick; I feel nearly guilty using this stuff. ;)

Every piece is named after a different part of the city - the colours mix neutral with darker shades.

I tried to swatch them separately but  it was a bit tricky because of the 'criss-cross pattern' - in any case I think the colours works better together. If you want to use them individually I would recommend a sponge applicator.

The shadows are very creamy (at a first look, I though they would have been ashy) and easily blendable.

The lipsticks are buttery and glide on very well; they are quite sheer but buildable.

Brooklyn Bridge #075

Lower East Side #074

Empire State #074

Uptown Girl #073

42nd Street  #073

So are you going to pick up any - which one is your favourite?

Here is a look I created using Brooklyn Bridge and Lower East Side.

I also used Empire State  and Uptown Girl in this FOTN.

Hope you like! :)

xx

*pr samples*

Yves Saint Laurent The Black Collection

YSL Autumn Collection for 2011 mixes classic pieces with more eclectic yet elegant colours. 

I think the pictures will speak for themselves:


Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils

This is my favourite item of the collection! I use cream eyeliner regularly and the colour is a nice change to a boring black, plus intense enough to give depth to the eyes.
 The swatch above is no. 4 Sea Black, a rich metallic blue... isn't it gorgeous?
To be honest, I've fallen in love with every single pot available -  they come in 6 shades: Black, Grey, Bronze, Blue, Burgundy, Green.


Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

Another classic revisited for the new season!
The colour I got is no. 5 Cherry Black, which you can't really tell from the picture (sorry) but it's a deep purplish black. It's perfect to complement my green eyes, adding a bit of sparkle to the look.
But if your eyes are another colour - not to worry - the mascara also comes in the same 6 version as the eyeliner.
I really like the brush: it has got a slight twist which helps grab also the smallest lashes.


Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils

Confession: I've never used a liquid eyeliner before!!
As mentioned before, my tool of choice is the cream version; mainly because I always thought the tip of these pens looks too big and secondly I was worried it would dry out faster.
I'm a converted user now!! This pen is so easy to use and very precise, plus I'm liking the wet, bright look you can achive with liquid liner, instead of the matte finish of a cream one.


La Laque no. 127

It's a really good quality polish: it dries super fast, good coverage and it's a proper blue! Many others I've seen on the high street just end up looking black.

I wanna try the bronze so bad but it seems to be sold out everywhere!! :(

****

 

Face:

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation no. 6

YSL Touche Eclat no. 1

Bourjois Blush in Lilas D'Or

Eyes: 

YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils no. 4

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils no. 5

Rimmel Colour Mousse 8hr no. 8

Lips: 

Mac Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Full Speed


*pr sample*

Introducing / Ellis Faas

Today, I wanna talk about a brand which I'm really excited about.

This make up range has been created by a well respected make up artist from Amsterdam, Ellis Faas; the  collection is based on natural colours present in the human body, put towards emphasising beauty of every skin tone. 

No matter on age, skin type or style, every woman will have the perfect tools to create the most versatile of looks. That doesn't mean becoming boring, in fact the products are perfect to create also the most theatrical and eye catching looks - and let me show you how below... 

Another central aspect of this range is the packaging: I can appreciate the research and effort which must have been put into realising this stylish and beautiful make up. All products are in liquid form, again because the human body consists mainly of water and a fluid product will blend more easily on the skin. Very clever indeed.

Apart from the technology behind it, these pens are simply beautiful! From foundation to eye shadow to lipstick, they all come in this practical and sleek bullet, provided with a brush for easy use (the applicators can be washed, of course). 

There is also an holder available to store all the pens together; I can see myself picking it up and fill it with the colours of choice, before an holiday. I like the practicality and no more lost make up in hotel rooms... double-bonus, me think! :)

Ellis Faas Autumn Set 2011

Petrol Milky Eyes E204

The eye pencils come in 3 different formulas: Creamy Eyes (the heavier coverage, with a velvety texture), Milky Eyes (a more translucent formula), Light (highlighters which dries to a metallic effect).

Black Mascara E401

This is probably the less exciting product of the lot; it's a mascara, that's it! It's good quality and does the job, very lengthening and it is buildable.
It also comes in brown.


Deep-Cherry Creamy Lips L102

The lip pens come in 3 formulas too: Creamy Lips (classic shades for definition and long wearing lips), Milky Lips (a more translucent texture for a stain effect), Glazed Lips (a transparent, ultra-wet splash of colour).

Today, I have created a look with strong lips!

You can also see a stronger eyes look, using the petrol pen here.

Fist of all, I LOVE these set! You can also still pick up the summer one from the website. They are a great capsule collection and they are always bang on trend.
Are they a great idea for Christmas presents for the ladies in your family or what??!!

Other colours I would recommend & I want to try myself...
'E' series are eye items, 'L' are lips, 'S' are blushes:

E105 - E203 - E208 - E305
L108 - L207 - L307
S304

Curious yet?? :)

xx

*pr sample*

YSL Autumn 2011 Look - Midnight Garden

W O W - am i pleased the mind behind the new make up range is Lloyd Simmonds! 

He's Yves Saint Laurent make up artist since June 2010 and just came out with the most exciting collection, i've seen so far for the upcoming season.

  The inspiration comes from nature where colours represent emotions, feelings - Epitome of life itself!

Bright aqua, iridescent green, shimmering violets that mimic the plumage of birds and vibrancy of tropical palms.

All products are in the ultra-chic shiny gold cases, iconic of YSL.

Blush Radiance no2 & no5

There're 2 matte and 2 shimmering squares in the compact; I have swatch them separately above but they work better blended together, giving a lift to the cheeks. They are easily buildable and comes in 6 shades.

I'm also curious to try no3 (bottom left) - violet blush, I don't have anything quite like that...

Rouge Volupte Perle - no107 Impetuous Beige

This is a gorgeous shade; although, it's classified as 'beige' i would say is more pinkish (than brownish) and a perfect match for me. It gives a subtle veil of colour with a pearly brilliance - totally melts into the lips, really comfortable to wear.

There're 6 hues to choose from:

Ombres 5 Lumieres Eyeshadows - no11

oh my... this is the piece de resistance, of course! 

This is the only palette of the collection and they manage to create the most beautiful eyeshadows to play with. My personal favourite are the 2 lighter shades which are infused with blue mother of pearl reflections. I sense that some of you may get scared from all the shimmer but this is not ordinary sparkle - the eyes look luminous and framed at the same time. The powders blends together beautifully and stay put all day.

La Laque - no43 Wintergreen & no44 Moonlight Blue

This are the less exciting of the lot - but still the perfect finish to complete the look.

The collection is available now worldwide.

more looks to follow...

axx

*this product was a free sample - Many thanks to Lucy*