MAC Crew Highlight Powder.

Hi all! Thought i'd share my only item from the MAC 'Hey Sailor!' collection today. It's took me a while to get this post up just because i was so unsure of what i thought of it. Now i know, and i don't love it but nor do i hate it. It's just an OK product (unfortunately). It's £21.50 available in store/online.

The first thing that attracted me to this product was the design. I'm a sucker for anything that looks nice/cute. You have to admit the pink, coral and purple stripes look so cool amongst the beige shimmer. I swatched it on my hand and it created a lovely sheen that i thought would look great as a highlight.

But sadly, when applied to the face, there is slight sheen but no real evidence that it is a highlighter! It's basically a pink blusher with. Ot-oh MAC, please be more precise about your products. Don't get me wrong, it looks really lovely on the cheeks as a flush of colour i'm just disappointed i have another blusher in my collection and not particularly a highlighter which can give me a healthy glow.

If you have a look at Temptalia's post here where she excavated it, the beige shimmer is just an overlay and it ends up being a blusher. So all is not wasted, it will last for ages as a flush of colour.

I'm going to use this product up, just because i have it now and there's no point wasting it. It does add a some sheen to the cheeks and brightens up my complexion so it's good for those natural makeup days. I do skip highlighter when using this (i like to kid myself that it is infact what it says on the tin)! But, it's not a highlight and if you love a really glowy look then you will need a extra highlight.

as i said, it looks likes a highlighter swatched on my hand but transfers more pink and less shimmery on the face.

This product would be best for dark skintones as it may be light enough to be used as a subtle highlight. But for those like me, with medium skintones or lighter it's simply a pretty pink blusher which gives a natural flush as it isn't completely matte.

What do you think? Should MAC be more precise about their products?

Outfit: Disco Pant Dupes.

Hello everyone! My posts have been lacking recently, i've just been busy (and lazy) so haven't been posting as much as usual although i do promise to get back to my regular blogging again from now on.

Today I wanted to share an outfit with you (one i've been dying to show). I love it so much and i hope you do too as it features two dupes of items which are lusted after in the blogging community - disco pants and Jeffrey Campbell Lita's. I'm always looking for cheaper alternatives to items like these as i'm not particular bothered about 'designers' or 'brands' as long as they look the same and fit nice i couldn't care less. Also a smaller price tag is nice too.

Top - H&M

Pants - Very (here)

Blazer - Primark

Shoes - Soyoushoes (here)

The pants are not showing up 'shiny' in the pictures, but they are! I think they're a brilliant dupe for the American Apparel Disco Pants for half the price. I'm so happy with my purchase and just want to wear them all the time. I wore this outfit to the pub, so i looked dressed up but not too much, we then decided to go out clubbing so this outfit carried me through both!

Now, this top has a very weird bottom (to put it frankly) it's hard to explain, but i'll try. It goes long on one side at the front then goes long at the opposite side at the back. So it's asymmetric but on the opposite side at the back and front. It's pretty strange but looks great left out or tucked it. It also has a details on the shoulders which you can't see because of my hair, sorry ;)

Hope you like the outfit - if your lusting after disco pants or lita's but don't want to fork out that amount of money then these are great (cheap) alternatives. The shoes do tend to hurt my toes after a few hours, but all heels do that so it's nothing new!          

What do you prefer the 'real thing' or  cheaper alternatives?

Makeup Monday: 'Go To' Smokey Eye!

Hello everyone!

You know how people have 'their' smokey eye - their fail safe night time eye that they wear every time they go out. Well i never had one (until now), i just used to go with the flow and see what happened, sometimes i'd wear eyeshadow other times i wouldn't. One thing for sure is, i'd always wear false eyelashes - i just don't feel complete without them on!

But when i went out last weekend, i had to wear my new MAC eyeshadow, obviously. And i came up with this combination - i just love it sooo much and it's so simple to do. I have finally found my smokey eye (the one i am going to wear everywhere i go and soon get bored of it - oops).

Close up of the eye but from another day with no false lashes!

Face - MAC Matchmaster Foundation, Collection 200 Lasting Perfection Concealer, MAC Blot Powder, MUA Bronzer, MUA Pearl Eyeshadow Shade 1 (highlight), Natural Collection Peach Melba Blusher. 

Eyes - MAC 'Club' Eyeshadow (eyelid), MAC 'Sketch' Eyeshadow (crease & lower lashline), MAC 'Blacktack' Fluid-line (eyeliner), Primark False Eyelashes. 

Lips - MAC 'Please Me' Lipstick 

Eeek, can you see why i love this eyeshadow combination or is it just me?
'Club' is the latest addition to my MAC palette (two more to go) and i don't regret buying it one little bit. Lots of bloggers/youtubers love this shade and i can see why, i definitely recommend picking it up! 'Club' is duo-chrome and leans different shades in different lights - one of them being purple so it blends in perfectly well with 'Sketch' which is a deep purple.

This definitely now my 'go to' going out makeup. I just can't get enough!

Whats your 'go to' look when you go out? 

Lipcare: How i keep them silky smooth!

Hello me lovelies! How are you all this miserable friday? I don't know what the weather is like everywhere else but it's been chucking it down all day in Manchester. If you follow me on twitter you may have read my big moan about the horrid rain and my stupid hayfever that won't go away :(

Anyway enough of the moaning! My lips are always pretty dry and cracked throughout the year but recently this little combo has been making my lips pretty smooth. It's nothing special, two products everyone can get their hands on, but it's made the world of difference.

First up, i use the 'Bubblegum' lip scrub from Lush for £4.95. This is basically a lip exfoliator that tastes really yummy too (i end up eating more of this than i use). I basically put a little bit on my finger and rub in little circular motions on my lips 2 or 3 times - give them a proper good scrub! I do this about 3 times a week to get rid of any dry skin building up.

If you can't get hold of this or think it's too pricey for what it is then you can make one yourself. 

Just mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Taadah! Saves you a fiver doesn't it. I know i'll be doing this next.

I then slap on lots of Carmex. 

Carmex is my favourite lip balm it really does keep my lips hydrated for a long time. I tried to use the Blistex Relief Cream but that just didn't work out. I have returned to my beloved Carmex and my lips have been loving it! I prefer the tub version of these lip balms they just seem to work better for some reason and last so long! The cherry one smells delicious too.  

See i told you this was simple. The combination of these mean i have perfect soft lips. I tend to do this before bed at night and really let my lips take in all the Carmex and it works so well. I also use the Carmex daily to keep my lips moisturised constantly. 

What are your favourite lip treats? 

GIVEAWAY: MUA 'Undressed' Palette! (CLOSED)

Hello all!

So today i am doing my first ever giveaway, that's right! I decided to keep it small and see how it goes rather than throwing myself in the deep end.

As you can tell by the title i am giving away the new MUA eyeshadow palette 'Undressed'. An item i genuinely do love.

I'd always said i'd do a 100 follower giveaway but at the time i had nooo idea what i wanted to giveaway and didn't want to do one just for the sake of it. Coincidentally the MUA palette was released not long after i reached 100 (woohoo) so it seemed perfect to buy one for myself and one for one of you guys until i could think of something.

So yeah, before you enter i'd just like to say a big thankyou to all my wonderful followers on here and twitter, i can't say thankyou enough. I speak to many of you and you all seem so lovely! It's so refreshing how people i don't even know can be so nice and willing to help - it means a lot! I'm always fascinated by the beauty blogger community, so nice, i swear. Love ya'll lots. Good luck!!!

(As this is my first one, i'm afraid it's only open to UK entries just whilst i ease myself into it - i will hold international giveaways in the future though so don't worry!)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE WINNER IS...  REBECCA!
I will email the winner once it has been decided and write it on the bottom of this post. The winner will have 10days to respond with their details before i randomly select somebody else :)  

Makeup Monday: Daytime Smokey Eye.

Hello, i have another makeup look for  you today. I'm gonna keep posting these every monday let me know what you all think and if people like it i will keep going if not, well i won't..

So above are all the products i used (apart from my setting powder - forgot that oops) so keep reading to see what look i created. I literally received my MUA palette mid-makeup and obviously had to put it into use ;)

Base - Benefit Porefessional on nose, chin and centre of forehead. Garnier BB Cream applied all over. Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer under eyes , around nose. MUA bronzer as contour in hollow of cheekbones. MAC Fleur Power blush on apples of cheeks. All set with MAC Blot Powder and MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural. 

Eyes - MUA 'Undressed' palette - Shade 1 (eyelid and highlight), Shades 10/11 (crease and lower lashline) and Shade 12 (eyeliner). George Asda 'Lash Xtend' Mascara.

Lips - Revlon lip butter 'Berry Smoothie'.

Eeee, anyway i hope you like look. I quite like it myself actually, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin atall but looks smart and it doesn't take that long to do. I reviewed the Garnier BB cream (here) and to put it bluntly - hated it. But the Porefessional helps it last that little bit longer and set with powder it lasts long enough so i'm enjoying using it up. I also reviewed/swatched the 'Undressed' palette here if you fancy a more in depth look at it! 

Bye for now.. 

MUA Undressed Palette.

Hello everyone! Today i want to share with you the latest palette that MUA have added to their collection of cheap but very good quality products. MUA is a brand i absolutely adore i cannot resist picking something up when i nip into superdrug. A few of their items are vital in my everyday makeup routine - like this eyeshadow here for example.

I have been so excited for the release of this palette ever since i first saw the shades on their facebook page - oh how i wanted it! 12 neutral shades in one handy palette for just £4 (yes you read that right) that's 3 eyeshadows per pound :| and i'll tell you now, they are very good quality. 

As you can see this pallete comes packaged in a neat, glass case with a transparent lid so you can see the shades through. There is also a sponge applicator which, i don't personally use myself but it may come in handy some day!

There are a mix of cool and warm toned shades, matte and shimmer finishes (although mainly shimmer). But all eyeshadows are of good quality, highly pigmented and the shimmer/metallic shades not leave you like a disco ball. This palette has a good mix of light to dark shades meaning you have a highlight, eyelid and crease shade and can create so many looks! It's really all you need. You can create subtle daytime looks using shades 2, 5 & 10. Or use shades 9 & 10 in the crease for a dramatic night time smokey eye!

Also, primed (i use a Mac paint pot) these eyeshadows lasts hours and hours. I've used them for a night out - around 8 hours - and had no problems with creasing or fading.

top row l-r                  please excuse the fact you can't really see shades 3 & 5 as they are practically my skin colour!

bottom row l-r

The matte shades are less pigmented than the metallic shades but that is expected from most eyeshadows. 

This palette has been likened to the Urban Decay Naked Palette (you know the one that costs £36) so your getting a bargain here. I could never bring myself to purchase the Naked Palette now i am so glad i didn't this fulfills my neutral eyeshadow needs. It's going to be perfect for travelling with.

I absolutely love this palette - well done MUA - yet again you've done us makeup addicts proud! 

I'm also thinking of getting the Heaven & Earth palette by MUA so i have a huge collection of neutral shadows all encased to two sleek palettes!

Oh and if you like this palette and fancy one for yourself you can purchase it off the MUA website - it isn't available in store until July.

MUA Pearl Eyeshadow - Shade 1.

Welcome, my most used eyeshadow in my collection. It really is.

MUA Pearl Eyshadow in Shade 1 was my first ever MUA purchase before i started blogging :O So i've had this product in my stash for quite a long time. I remember when i first saw the MUA stand - i'd never heard of the brand before - i was just drawn to the £1 eyeshadows. I swatched a few on my hand, they looked highly pigmented so of course i couldn't resist for that price.

Shade 1 is a 'pearl' finish which means it contains shimmer. Shimmer can be quite scary you can end up looking more like a disco ball but, this is not the case here, the shimmer is finely milled through the powdered so it creates a lovely sheen as opposed to leaving glitter on your face! This makes it a great highlighter (which is how i use this eyeshadow daily) in the inner tear-duct of my eyes to create a bright eyed effect, as a browbone highlighter too and a eyelid shade with a darker colour in the crease. This is a lovely shade to add to your collection as it can be used in many ways.

As well as on the eyes i also use it as my face highlighter - my go to - it's the perfect cream/champagne shade with the perfect amount of shimmer to make you 'glow'. It blends so easily into the skin and is small and compact to carry around if you wanted. I apply this with a fluffy brush along my cheekbones, bridge of my nose and cupids bow!

Overall it is such a lovely highlight shade, it's so pigmented and such a multi-tasking product. I know i couldn't travel away without it. I would highly recommend everyone to have one of these in their collection as it will always come in useful!

You can purchase in Superdrug or on MUA's website and it's only a £1 - bargain?..

Outfit: Next Supporters Scarf!

I have another fashion post for you today (getting good at these aren't i), this time it's something a little different! Today is all about one specific item... The Next Supporters Scarf! 

In the words of Next: "The scarves have been designed by Next as part of their support for London 2012 and are the must have item of the summer! (All profits from the sale of the scarves will be donated to the British Olympic Association - helping British Olympic and Paralympic athletes deliver 

their best performance at London 2012 and beyond.)"

I think this is such a great way of supporting our nation in the Olympics. Not only does it look good, everyone can get one and the money is going to good a cause too - what more could you ask for? 

There are two scarves - a 'Team GB' scarf and a 'Paralympic GB Team' scarf both available in large or small - along with a selection of other things available here.

I have the Paralympic scarf and this is how i wore it...

Scarf - Next*

Blazer - Primark

Top - Topshop

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - Soyoushoes

I really do love this look and i will be rocking it when i come down to London just before the olympics in July with a slick of red lippy - nothing wrong with getting into the the Team GB Spirit! ;)

Don't you just love it? It's so wearable and i think it looks great with the maroon jeans (sticking with the red, white and blue theme) but, it also kept me very warm! Winter must have, maybe. There are soo many ways of using/wearing this scarf e.g. blanket, flag/banner, headband, top, sarong, cover up! So many ways, it's really up to you, can you think of any more?  I know i've already had it wrapped round my head and tied it round my bag too. 

Bag - Primark 

Anyway what do you think of this scarf? Will you be purchasing your self one? I can't wait to wear it with more things!

Oh, so if you'd like to join in the 'Wear it, Wave it & Win' campaign then click on this link here to find out all about it :)

NOTW: Nails of the week ft. Topshop & Tesco!

Nope, it's not a nails of the day post, it's a nails of the week! It should probably be nails of the month i've been wearing them like this for soo long but i didn't want to go over the top! I just can't take this combination off, i literally keep re-painting my nails exactly the same (boring, i know).

The first shade i've been loving is: 'Caribbean Coconut' by Tesco's All About Nails range (avaiable from Tesco in store for £1). 

It's basically a pinky nude, a french manicure shade. It contains no shimmer and mutes out nails to a milky, light pink while still letting the natural white tips of the nails to show through. One/two coats of this leaves nails looking polished and 'put together' if your not a natural fan than it definitely is not for you. I'm not going to go on about this nail polish too much, i love the shade (alone and with glitter on top) and i'm a fan of this range in general (more reviews here and here).

Secondly is Topshop's 'White Witch' (available in store for £5).

This is a glitter overcoat for your nails. Topshop do some great glitter polishes, this was actually my first ever Topshop nail varnish and i still love it! It's glittery with a sort of white base so it really tones down bright nail polishes and adds lots of iridescent shimmer - so amazing! It looks especially nice paired with nude polishes as it adds a little extra something so they don't look as plain. It can also be used alone.

One coat of 'Caribbean Coconut' with a coat of 'White Witch' over!

Anyway, hope you like this little nail combination of mine! I think it makes my nails look so polished and sleek and i'm just loving it! I much prefer this for spring/summer as it looks so girlie and light and matches everything (no clashing nail varnish!).

What are your favourite nail polishes at the moment? Do you know any nice nudes? I'm very into nudes at the moment!

Sleek Lipstick - 'Coral Reef'

Say hello to my first ever Sleek product. Yes that's right, first ever. I've heard so many good things about Sleek but i've never really wanted any of their products enough (until now) and my money has always gone on other brands first.

After seeing this post on Ayesha's blog (Miss Tinks Beauty) the Sleek lipstick 'Candy Cane' was added to my wish-list - come on, it looks amazing! But upon swatching 'Candy Cane' it just didn't suit me, no matter how much i wanted it too! But i didn't give up and i found this colour - 'Coral Reef' - that is just as bright and colourful but suits me much more!

So, 'Coral Reef' is a bright neon fuchsia pink with a definite coral undertone. It's a statement shade in just one coat but i still find it very wearable. If you're not a bright colour lover i suppose you could apply a few dots on the lips and blend for a light stain but it looks far more gorgeous applied straight from the tube. This is the perfect spring/summer colour as it really brightens up your look easily. It looks great with simple, minimal makeup and adds that little something to 'jazz' up your look.

I am so pleased with this lipstick. It's a 'sheen' formula which probably explains why it's not drying, doesn't enhance cracked lips and applies with such ease. The colour lasts the average sort of lipstick time - 3 hours-ish? Before fading to a nice stain anyway.

For £4.00 you cannot complain - i honestly didn't realise sleek lipsticks were this good (or cheap) or i would of got one earlier! So thankyou Ayesha or i may have never got this lipstick or any Sleek lipstick for that matter :O
I'm definitely intrigued to try a few more shades so if you can recommend any that'd be great?! Also if you've tried any Sleek lipsticks - what do you think? 

Oh also, the packaging is so small and cute, like it's really tiny. 

And i also have two more sleek products on the way in the post which i'm excited about - becoming a sleek addict?..

Makeup Monday: Rosy cheeks & Pink lips!

Hello lovelies! As you can probably tell by now, i love makeup and am forever taking snaps of what i'm wearing. More and more looks are building up on my laptop so i thought i'd share one look every monday that way it's regular and i don't overload you with makeup looks you don't really want to see!

Most of the time, i am a natural makeup fan and try not to make my makeup completely obvious. On this occasion i opted for a 'glowy' look (so technical) with rosy cheeks. I never like to look too matte and love a bit of a glow to look bright and fresh.

Foundation - MAC Studio Fix Fluid (applied only on needed area's and buffed in)

Concealer - MAC Studio Fix Concealer (NW35 - to counteract with those nasty dark circles)

Bronzer - MUA Bronzer 'Shade 1' (applied in a 3 shape - temples, hollows of cheeks, jawline)

Blusher - Illamasqua Cream blush 'Seduce' with MAC Mega Metal Eyeshadow in 'Sexpectations' over.

Eyeshadow - MAC 'Expensive Pink' (all over the lid) and MUA Pearl Eyeshadow 'Shade 1' (inner corner)

Mascara - Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion (two coats - love this!)

Eyebrows - Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 'Black brown'

Lipstick - NYX Round Lipstick in 'Tea Rose' 

I know, i know.. i wear this lipstick far too much! I reviewed it here. It is honestly my favourite daytime lippy but, i love it so much!

Anyway, hope you like. Thought i'd how you some of my daily items in action!

Outfit: Business & Pleasure.

Another outfit post for you all today! 

I wanted to share this lovely new dress i purchased from Topshop last week. I'm really into basics at the moment, i want things that will go with everything rather than fancy dresses that aren't versatile! This dress was £20 and is available in black and cream too - it's so flattering and looks so smart - i love it!

I'm also wearing my primark blazer (again). I seriously can't take it off :|

Excuse the indoor pictures - i was not standing outside in the pouring rain!! The weather was horrid.

Dress - Topshop

Blazer - Primark

Boots - River Island

Chain - Topman

Lipstick - MAC Viva Glam Nicki

Hope you like, i feel so smart in this outfit, especially with the sounds of the heels clicking when i walk.  The dress reminds me of something Kim Kardashian or Kate Middleton would wear - or is that just me? What do you think?

Oh and my boyfriend came up with the name 'Business & Pleasure' because he thinks i look 'business-y' when really i was going to friends for a few drinks haahaa. There's nothing wrong with looking smart is there? ;)

Revlon Lip Butters: Tutti Frutti & Berry Smoothie.

Hello all! Thought i'd share these little beauties with you today. I know absolutely everyone has done a post about these so i hope i don't bore you too much, i just really wanted to do this post! 

I won both these lip butters courtesy of The Sunday Girl's giveaway - this is the first giveaway i ever won (woo!). I entered the giveaway as the hype around these products really intrigued me, but i weren't sure i would like them so didn't really want to spend my own money on them. But, i am soo glad i have these now! 

Left: Berry Smoothie                  Right: Tutti Frutti

Tutti Frutti

I chose this colour as at the time i was really liking the look of orange based lipsticks and didn't own any. I don't regret this choice atall. It is a beautiful orange but due to the sheer coverage it is more than wearable. It adds a lovely, glossy coral tint to your lips. When the weather was nice, this colour was on my lips constantly; it is so perfect for summer (if it ever comes) and is so easy to wear. I apply 2 layers of this to achieve the shade above it the picture. 

Berry Smoothie

The Sunday Girl described this as a similar colour to Angel by MAC so, obviously i had to get this ;) I don't own Angel but it's one of those shades i really love.  Berry Smoothie is a light dusky pink, on the lips it adds a nice coating of pink whilst still allowing your natural lip colour to shine through. This is my 'throw on colour' when i'm in a rush or just need a fail safe shade that i know will go with everything. It is such a natural shade that i think will suit everyone and again it takes two layers to achieve the colour on the picture.

Tutti Frutti is in fact my favourite of the two, it's something a little different and adds a nice pop of colour without being too in your face - perfect for the spring and summer months. Perfect for those who want to try something new without throwing yourself in the deep end. 

Overall, i do love the Revlon lip butters (as much as i thought i wouldn't). I weren't sure i'd like the glossy finish but i really do! They're creamy more than glossy and makes application so easy. They don't enhance dry/cracked skin, which is a winner in my eyes and keep your lips looking so smooth and healthy.

The only downfall, i would say, is the lasting power. They last around 2 hours on the lips which isn't good for me as i don't like having to keep checking and topping up. But, they don't fade patchy or unevenly which isn't so bad i guess.

 If you're unsure about these lip butters as you prefer a lipstick - don't hesitate, go get yourself one! They are just like a really creamy lipstick with a little less pigmentation. I would like to try a few more of these and maybe even the L'oreal ones too. 

So, thankyou to The Sunday Girl for these because i probably wouldn't have tried them otherwise and now they're two of my most reached for lipsticks!