Christmas Faces.

Tis the season to be jolly!

Hello all, Happy New Years Eve (January is now looming upon us!) and christmas is withering away (although i keep lighting lots Yankee Christmas candles in a bid to keep me feeling festive!). 

I've enjoyed looking at other bloggers 'christmas faces', basically what has been there go to makeup throughout the festive season. I have a pre-christmas face and a post christmas face using some new products. Who doesn't love getting new makeup? 

Pre-christmas day..

MAC Matchmaster Foundation mixed with Garnier BB Cream set with MAC Studio Fix Powder.    Nars 'Casino bronzer' to contour.     Revlon Colourstay Gel Eyeliner, MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash. Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil.    MAC 'Deeply Adore' Lipstick from Marilyn Monroe collection.

Post Christmas Day

MAC Matchmaster Foundation mixed with Garnier BB Cream set with MAC Studio Fix Powder.    Nars 'Casino bronzer', Topshop 'Neon Rose' Cream Blusher and Topshop 'Glow' Highlighter.    MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash.    MUA Brow Kit.    YSL Rouge Volupte 12 'Forbidden Burgandy' Lipstick.


As you can see i pretty much use the same base, mascara, bronzer etc. everyday single day. The only big difference is the use of my beloved YSL lipstick which i have wore everyday since the 25th courtesy of my wonderful boyfriend. It's such a fab colour that can be worn packed on or sheer (review on the way!).          I also adore the MUA Brow Kit which was a lovely little stocking filler - the dark brown colour is perfect and the wax sets them in place.          I also picked up Topshop's 'Glow' highlighter with some christmas money as i'd heard lots of good things about it and it doesn't disappoint either, love the iridescent glow it gives!


Whats been your go-to makeup look this christmas? Vamp lips like me or something more natural?

MAC Fabulousness Eye Kit (Holiday Collection).

Hello! Just a quick post as i am fully aware that this is no longer available online. Although i did spot some on sale (few pound off) in Selfridges literally a few days ago so run, quick. 

This is basically a cute little eyeshadow palette with three larger colours, two smaller ones and a little brush in a handy little case with a mirror. Very cute. There are different variations, you can still grab the 'Warm' variation online now (not this one!) here.

I have the Neutral palette containing eyeshadows: Magical Mist, Blonde Mink, Brun, Enviable, Smut. All are lovely, pigmented colours that are easy to wear. I know Burn and Smut are permanent MAC eyeshadows both of which i was overjoyed to get in this palette (especially Smut - that has been on my wishlist for months!). 

l-r    Magical Mist, Blonde Mink, Brun, Enviable, Smut.

As you can see, they're all lovely colours. I love how you can easily create a brown smokey eye and add a little bit of the blue (Enviable) for a pop of colour. I find myself reaching for this palette as it is so easy to use.

This was a lovely christmas present. Did you get anything from the MAC holiday collection?

Christmas Partaaay Outfit: Goin' Midi!

Hello all! Would just like say a big, fat sorry for my lack of posting this month. I must admit i've been super busy with my work, buying/sorting christmas presents, having a social life and exercising. I've been very lazy neglecting my blog choosing to snuggle up with my fleece in christmas socks at times. So, a merry christmas everyone and expect more regular posts from me from now (lots of outfits!). 

Last Saturday i finally lost my Hard Rock Cafe virginity - and my god it was bloody good. I went for the California Chicken Club Sandwich and it was pure deliciousness. I wore something a bit new for me, a midi skirt. I had the impression i would look terrible in a midi skirt because of my height but i actually love it and want it to wear it everywhere, everyday! I plan to wear it again tomorrow in a more casual day so expect a nice little post on that. 

Top - Motel Rocks / Skirt - Primark (£11 - bargain huh?!) / Clutch - Primark / Boots - New Look

I really do love this outfit. I did swap the boots for heels but i just think the skirt looks fab with anything. Stupidly, i don't wear this top as often as i should, the back detailing is so appropriate for a night out as it shows skin with being too much. 

Have you got dressed up recently? What do you think of the 'midi trend' - yay or nay?

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline's new 'Fit Me' range of products (foundation, concealer, perfect) finally came to the UK not too long ago. I must admit i had never really heard of this range until i saw it in Superdrug, tried the foundation and concealer on my hand and wanted it from then on in. Although i'm being a really good beauty blogger and after acknowledging i have way too many foundations i settled for the concealer only. 

The products all look very sleek and nice - much more expensive than you would think. And thankfully, so far *touch wood* the writing hasn't rubbed off - i hate that. The doe foot applicator is really good for applying little dots of product onto the area before blending with your finger or a brush. You also get a large amount of product on the brush so you don't have to keep dipping the brush back in and feeling like you're using tons of product.

Left - No Concealer                                             Right - Fit Me Concealer

I'm really hoping you can see the difference above. I don't think this concealer is particularly a heavy duty, full coverage concealer. To me, it's more highlighting and brightening than anything. I really love the effect it gives especially on the under eye area. It looks so natural whilst still giving a good medium coverage as i say, if you like a really heavy coverage this wont be for you. It looks gorgeous on the skin and blends so easily. I also use it down the bridge of my nose to add a bit more coverage and highlight. 

 If you're looking for a concealer that will help cover imperfections whilst looking natural and luminous then you will definitely, definitely love this. And for £5.99 from Superdrug it's not gonna' break the bank. If you have less restraint than me you might want to take up the 3for2 offer on this range and get all three products ;)

Have you tried anything from this range? What do you think?

MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash.

Hello! I mentioned on sundays night #bbloggers chat when we was talking about beauty must-haves that at the moment my favourite mascara was this one by MAC. I got it in one of those little christmas sets they do last year but, haven't got round to using it until now. To be honest, i didn't expect much from this mascara, i don't recall hearing particularly good things about MAC mascaras in the past so, i was pleasantly surprised. 

It has the typical sleek, black packaging of MAC products. It's quite slim and compact so great for taking out and about with you. The brush is a little different for me because i tend to prefer rubber brushes but i actually found this works really well at the really getting in to the lashes and coating them. It's tapered to a thin point at the end so you can really get to the inner and outer corner lashes which can sometimes get missed. I find the brush is loaded thick with lots of product on so it's enough for both eyes. Although i can be a bit of a pain if you just want to really lightly coat the lashes. 

As you can see the mascara is really, really black. So if you want strong, black lashes then you will definitely love this. It makes the lashes stand out so much. I really love the effect it has on the lashes, the first time i used it, i was like wow. It's so easy to get long, bold eyelashes in one quick coat. I think it can give a spiders leg effect so if you want more natural lashes i don't think this mascara is for you. But overall it's definitely my favourite mascara of the moment, maybe ever? I'm not sure yet. It is quite wet when you fist apply it so you can have to be careful not to smudge it but apart from that it makes me lashes look exactly how i want them too so i'm not complaining! 

At £14 it's pricey but i think if you're willing to spend that much it's definitely worth it. On to my christmas wish-list it goes ;)  Buy it in store or online here. 

What do you think - have you tried it? Whats your favourite mascaras? I'm always on the lookout for a new one to try.. 

Revlon Colourstay Gel Eyeliner.

As i mentioned in my last post, i won a little Revlon twitter competition which was a lovely little treat. I really do enjoy Revlon products they tend to be pretty good quality and not too expensive! I received this eyeliner at the perfect time to be honest, my beloved MAC one has started to dry out a little (i have had it a while) so i was really looking forward to testing this out and so far, so good..

I love the little packaging of this, it's similar to a few other high-street gel eyeliners out there. It's really little so easy to carry out and about and although i don't love this brush it's really handy. Can't complain really :)

As you can see, the eyeliner is pretty pigmented in one stroke (no need for going over and over). The pigmentation does get a little weaker at the end of the line but thats just due to there not being much left on the brush. Like i just mentioned, i'm not a huge fan of the brush (but it is better than taking another brush out with you), i personally find an angled brush like the one's from H&M and Muji to work much better at packing the liner on.

It is very easy to create a smooth, opaqaue line with this eyeliner. It lasts all day long as long as you don't watch The Vow and cry like a baby. So, it's pretty impressive and much cheaper than high-end versions. Theres nothing really negative to say. 

You can buy it from Tesco here for £7.99 whereas from Superdrug it costs £8.99. But nevertheless, it's definitely a good, staple part of my makeup collection and i will definitely be purchasing this over the MAC one when i ever run out.. 

Have you tried this gel eyeliner? Whats your favourite gel eyeliner? 

Revlon Super Lustrous 'Cherry Blossom' Lipstick!

A few weeks ago now, i won a little Revlon twitter giveaway, how exciting. It was such a pleasant surprise i kind of forgot i entered to be honest. I received three items from the Shanghai Collection: lipstick, nail varnish and gel eyeliner. 

The first thing i delved into was the lipstick. Red and therefore perfect for this season (plus Cherry Blossom is such a cute name!). 

As you can see it's a lovely, bright red. Russian red comes into my mind. It's very elegant and i feel so smart wearing it hahaa. It has little hint of pink but apart from that it's a true, in your face, red. It's a pearl formula so it does have some shine to it but i think it just gives the appearance of smooth, luscious  lips which is sometimes hard to achieve with a bright lipstick.

It's so easy to apply, no dragging or pulling just smooth, easy application. I prefer to blot it a little once on to create a stain like effect as it suits me much better and also lasts a lot longer. It's crazily pigmented so seems much more high-end and better quality than some other drugstore lipsticks. So for £7.50 you can't really go wrong if your looking a classic red lipstick this winter.  

It's available here from Boots, along with lots of other lovely colours i am dying to try from the Super Lustrous lipstick line! 

What do you think of this classic red? Winter must have?

£100 Christmas Party Outfit Challenge!

Hello all! Today i have a lovely little christmas outfit perfect for a night out/party that i created myself using all pieces from ASOS. They currently have 30% off some clothes and accessories perfect for the partaaay season!

Overall price - £74.99

Really loving this midi dress at the moment. Bodycon midi dresses look so fab and glamorous with some killer heels like these - classy and elegant but still party perfect! Then of course we need a clutch for all our essentials (phone, money, lipstick, powder, keys etc.) and the gold accents on the shoes and bag bring the whole outfit together! And to bring it all together and look super glamorous we need some false eyelashes afterall, it's not a party without them ;) 

Make a christmas party outfit yourself for under £100 and be in with a chance to win yourself £100 of vouchers from your chosen place (mines ASOS ^^) 

Visit Fashion Vouchers website and check out this post for all the details - good luck!! 

Outfit: I Deeply Adore..

Hello!

So i realised i haven't done an outfit post in so long! Outfit posts are one my favourite to share so i have a few coming up ;) This is something i wore on holiday a few weeks ago (boo take me back). It wasn't too warm at nights but definitely a whole lot warmer than England. Right now i'm snuggled up in a huge fleecy blanket and a hoody on the couch. I definitely love the christmas season which is coming very soon but winter weather is something i will always hate. Always. I need somewhere to migrate for winter..

Top - Primark

Shorts - Topshop 

Shoes (not seen) - Vans

Necklace - H&M

Watch - Michael Kors

Lipstick - MAC 'Deeply Adored' (Marilyn Monroe Collection)

I absolutely adore this top from Primark. The back detail is, dare i say it, so sexy! When worn with a jacket you'd never know it wasn't a plain t-shirt. I also adore this lipstick from the Marilyn Monroe collection by MAC, i had to get something and this deep red lipstick is so perfect for winter. 

What are you loving this winter?  

Greek Holiday Haul!

I don't know if you all know already but i recently went on holiday to Rhodes for the week. I had such a lovely time (not enjoying being back in freezing england) and took advantage of the Greek beauty products ;) And there was a Sephora - heaven! Aah.  But here it all is..

Airport Purchases

Estee Lauder - Double Wear Light              Clinique - Dramatically Difference Moisturizing Gel

Sephora

Sephora - Mattifying Foundation (powder),   Perfecting Cover HD Foundation,   Double Duty Exfoliator & Mask,  Exfoliating Body Scrub,   Triple Action Cleansing Water.

Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret - Coconut Passion Hand and Body Cream,   Coconut Passion Fragrance Mist.

Korres

Korres -  Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser,  Pomegranate Set (Moisturising Cream Gel, Plum Lip Butter, Cleansing Soap for Oily Skin),  Mandarin Lip Balm.

Hair

Combs,    Aloe - Hair Mask,   Olive Hair Mask

Jewellry

Ooh La La - Spiked Headband,  Hamza Hand Necklace,  Gold Eye Bracelet.    Misc - Blue Eyed Bracelet      H&M - Spiked Necklace.

Other

Garnier - Oil Free BB Cream,   MAC -  Marilyn Monroe 'Deeply Adored' lipstick,   1 Euro Shop - Calculator

So that is everything. I think it's a pretty good haul myself ;) I absolutely adored going in to the greek pharmacies and looking at all the beauty brands like Korres, Vichy, Avene, Apivita (you couldn't get me out of there). Nor was there getting me out of Sephora! It wasn't a huge Sephora but i was still amazed as i'd never seen one before and had to pick some stuff up. 

I was also surprised how cheap the BB Cream was (only 7.40 euro's) which is much cheaper than the UK £10 price! 

And the last place i thought i'd get my hands on the MAC Marilyn Monroe lipstick i've been after since it came out was Rhodes. It's sold out everywhere in Manchester so i jumped at the chance when i saw it in Rhodes - how could i resist? 

What do you think of my Big Fat Greek Haul? Anything else i should of picked up?

Essie - School of Hard Rocks!

Essie's 'School Of Hard Rocks' drawn me in instantly - such a unique colour, i have nothing like this in my rather pink orientated nail varnish collection. Now it's winter i've been looking for some more muted, dusky shades to. I picked it up at Pro Beauty for a discounted price (win!) and kind of regret not getting more! See my haul here. 

The only way to describe this colour is a darkened, dusky, turquoise. It's so different from other colours i have seen, leaning green in the light. It looks so gorgeous on the nails, so sophisticated and adds some colour whilst still being muted.

I would genuinely urge you all to get your hands of this shade. Compared to the Essie polishes i tried from TK Maxx (here) this is so much better - it lasts 4/5 with minor chipping on the tips and is fully opaque and streak free in two coats. 

Aaah love and first sight eh. Have you tried this colour? What are you favourite nail colours this A/W?

NYX Cream Eyeshadows - Pinky Beige & Chestnut!

Some more Pro Beauty purchases! The NYX stall was just heaven, everything was discounted and there was looots to choose from. One things i didn't plan on buying, but couldn't resist, was these two Cream Eye Shadows. 

Artificial lighting -  Pinky Beige (left) & Chestnut (right).

Sun light - Pinky Beige (left) & Chestnut (right).

I did a full FOTD using Pinky Beige here! It looks so gorgeous on the eye with a pinky/gold eyeshadow on top. Perfect for brightening and opening the eyes up and adding some colour! It's fairly easy to use, simple use the doe-foot applicator in the tube to put it on the eye. Or you can use a synthetic brush to apply it to the lid and blend it out. So gorgeous and cute. Would also look lovely as a highlighter. 

Chestnut i used for the first time the other day after watching one of Tanya Burr's tutorial. She used a dusky, maroon paint pot on Millie Mackintosh and did an amazing smokey eye. I thought this sounded pretty similar so of course i had to give it ago! It's such a gorgeous maroon (i love maroon!) and translates so lovely on the lid. It's so good for adding a bit of colour to a smokey eye simply add a dark brown or black to the outer crease. 

Both are very pigmented and last all day long without creasing especially when worn with an eyeshadow on top. Both are simple to use, quick to put on and are opaque in one layer. 

Available from the NYX website here for £5. 

Bargain of the Week: Technic - Carnival!

Another beauty blogger must have and another purchase/bargain of the week here!

We all love a good dupe. Who wouldn't want something that looks the same but costs less? I know i do! I've been wanting to get my hands of Technic's 'Carnival' for absolutely yonks and after seeing a full shelf (yes a full shelf!) of them i could not resist picking one up. At 99p it'd be rude not too. 

It's such a gorgeous mix of multi-coloured glitter that sparkle in the light! It looks fab on an accent nail. Sometimes we need a little bit of glitter. And it isn't gritty or lumpy atall.

So keep checking your local Bodycare for a glitzy, little bargain!

Have you tried this nail polish? What do you think?

Makeup Monday: Rose Gold!

Hello everyone! I haven't done a makeup monday post for a while - not too sure why! But i want to get back on track. I shared my Pro Beauty haul the other day and have been loving playing round with a few of the bits i bought. Especially the NYX eye products! 

So i decided to use the NYX Cream Shadow in Pinky Beige on my eyes. It's such a gorgeous baby pink basically with lots shimmer going through it giving such a bright, wide-eyed effect. Sometimes i love to be a little (or a lot) girly so this is perfect because it looks so cute! 

I used the NYX 'Pinky Beige' Cream Eyeshadow on my eyes then set it with MAC's 'Expensive Pink' Eyeshadow which is a lovely light pink with a duo-chrome gold effect! It looks different in different lighting :) The cream shadow also looks great with Sleeks 'Rose Gold' Blusher on top which has even more gold through it! 

On my face i simple put Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation on my 'problem area's (nose, under eyes, chin) then buffed Laura Mercier's Mineral Foundation all over my face so a flawless but natural finish! And bronzed with MUA's Bronzed Perfection Bronzer and used Sleeks 'Rose Gold' Blusher on my cheeks as it doubles up as a highlighter too.

On the lips i stuck with the pink theme ;) And used Revlon 'Berry Smoothie' Lip Butter - love, love, love this product as adds a pop of colour whilst adding a little bit of moisture to the lips! 

Absolutely loving this eye combination recently. If i'm feeling slightly more dramatic i'll add a dark brown or black into the outer corner for some definition. 

What do you think? Rose gold on the eyes - yay or nay?

Pro Beauty North Haul!

Hello all! So on Monday i attended the Pro Beauty North event at Manchester Central. It was basically a huge beauty exhibition for beauty workers, students or those with interests (like us bloggers). If you don't already know, i'm also doing an evening course in makeup - so, i'm not officially a student ;) 

Anyhow, i thought it'd be great to get some new things for kit, have a little look around and take advantage of the discounts. NYX and Essie guys!! 

Here is everything i bought, most things for myself, oops! 

NYX CREAM EYESHADOWS - CHESTNUT, PINKY BIEGE       NYX JUMBO EYE PENCIL - ICED MOCHA, MILK & KNIGHT 

NYX HD STUDIO PHOTOGENIC FINISHING POWDER (transulucent), STAY MATTE BUT NOT FLAT FOUNDATION (caramel), PENCIL SHARPENER, NYX EYEBROW CAKE POWDER (black).

NYX MATTE LIP CREAMS - ANTWERP & SAN PAULO

CHINA GLAZE - FOR AUDREY   LA COLORS - SPARKLING FUCHSIA, BLUE LAGOON, FUEL    ESSIE - SCHOOL OF HARD ROCKS. RANDOM NAIL FILE

So that's everything! I love the Essie nail varnish it's so lovely, so is the dark navy blue from La Colors! Absolutely loving the NYX eye products too - so glad to finally get my hands on the jumbo pencils! Aah, wish they held one every week ;) 

Did you go to Pro Beauty? Did you enjoy it?

Bargain Purchase of the Week: Studded Clutch!

Hello all! We all love a good bargain, there's nothing better than the thought of saved money to spend on something else ;)  I've been lusting after this studded clutch for absolutely ages - months! After seeing on other blogs this black clutch with gold studs was available in Primark i searched high and low for it everytime i went in. Unfortunately i had absolutely no luck in any of my local Primarks for months. Until i went in on Monday! The other day i read in a magazine Primark get it's new stock on Mondays and it must be true! There was a shelf full of these beautiful clutches and of course i ran straight to the cashpoint! 

Aaah, i'm sure you've all seen this beauty before as i know most fashion bloggers were after one too! It's such a bargain at £6 compared to like £25 in Zara and Topshop! And it's so lovely, i can't wait to use it for every occasion possible.

So, moral of the story - get to Primark on a monday afternoon and hopefully find yourself a bargain!! 

Clothing Haul!

Haul?! What? Yessss, i recently made a little clothing purchase from Tesco online to be picked up in store and also picked up a few things in Primark that i thought i'd share with you guys! It's not lots but i feel like i got some good winter essentials that are very versatile. But be warned, most of it is black or grey. What can i say, the more flattering the better ;) 

Brightest top of them all! Tesco - £5

Simple grey top! Been wanting one to shove on with jeans, shorts etc for ages. So versatile! Tesco - £12

Leather panel leggins! Perfect for my evening makeup course (have to wear all black) & lazy college days! Primark.

Primark Men's hoody! To keep me warm through winter and shove on when i'm feeling lazy (majority of the time). Plus at £12 it's much cheaper than the Topshop/Topman alternatives.

Jeans from Primark! These are so stretchy and remind me of my trusty Topshop Leigh jeans! They are much lighter in real life and are soo comfy. 

Hard to see on the picture. But it's simple a 'tank' top which is short at the front and really long at the back. This will be great for my makeup course with jeans or leggins and was so affordable - £4!! Primark of course.

Another amazing bargain find from Primark! Casual grey tee from the front with a sexy lace back. Love this soo much :) £5 of beautifulness. 

There you have it - my recently clothing purchases! Hope you all like :)

Have you bought anything new recently? Any clothing items your lusting after?