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 / #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.

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!***

FOTD

Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Benefit PoreFessional primer, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 warm light, Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Helthy Glow Enhancing Powder on 002, Clarins Instant Light Blush in tonic coral;

Eyes: Mac Paint Pot in rubenesque, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in free love and X, Clinique High Impact mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso;

Lips: L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 303 coral & floral.

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!!!

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?

FOTD - Coral Eyeshadow

Face: Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Cremeblend Blush in Something Special, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes;

Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in On And On Bronze, Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 29 Intensive Coral, Kiko False Lashes Concetrate Building Base Mascara, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in Expresso;

Lips: Revlon ColorBust Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie.

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.

*****
Summer Giveaway Winner is... Sian @ http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/
Congrats honey - your prize will be with you soon! :) xxx

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? 

Haul / Clothes

SALE SALE SALE !!!

I bought a couple of pieces that I have been eyeing for a while from Ted Baker; a few days ago, I was in House of Fraser by chance and - at half price - I couldn't leave these beautiful knits behind. 

Also, I still had some money left on a Christmas giftcard so the damage wasn't too bad ;)

Ted Baker - Loris Floral Wrap

Ted Baker - Amberly Geo Print Knit

I've been looking into adding a Mac to my wardrobe for year but never managed to find the perfect one before; most of them are double breasted, which I like, but not very flattering on my body shape.
This Zara coat has an unusual, shiny finish - it's not cotton - so it looks a bit smarter if you're dressed up.
It comes in dark blue too, which is really nice too but I really wanted a traditional, neutral trench coat, myself. Also, It has no buttons so it looks great just thrown over the shoulders and I really like the striped lining - Great touch!

Zara Trench Coat with Belt in beige

Finally, I really needed some new trainers for the gym. I go to Sports Direct usually and - although that shop makes me cringe - the Nike selection is huge and you can always find a good deal; I think I paid £39.99 for this pair which I'm fine with that, they are super light and didn't give me any blister from day one.

FOTD - Pur Minerals palette

Need an haircut!!! O.o

Face: Nars Sheer Glow foundation in deauville, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, Estee Lauder DoubleWear concealer in 07 warm light, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom, Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder i 002;

Eyes: Pur Minerals Beautiful Creatures palette (shades secret and fantasy), Kiko Building Base mascara, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion;

Lips: byTerry Aqualip Jelly Tint in 101 dancefloor flirt.

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.

FOTN / Urban Decay Theodora Palette

Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Mineralized SkinFinish in soft & gentle, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in 01 teint rose', YSL Blush Radiance in 02;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Oz the Great and Powerful Theodora Palette (west, beware, spell), Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;

Lips: L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 301 dating coral, Mac Archie's Girls Lipglass Lipgloss in kiss & don't tell.