Friday 31 May 2013

Shades Of Green





Green panel top: Zara
black and green heels: Zara
Necklace: F21 Earrings: Accessorize


This green panel top and court heels are a perfect match. I was so happy when I found the two, such a lovely colour! :) 
Its been rubbish weather in London so it was hard to get a shot of wearing this love of green but with the start of June and hopefully some sun it will be back in the line up in no time! I am glad to finally post this, I have been in agony all week with a wisdom tooth and wanting to rip it out! Thankfully its virtually all the way through and the pain has gone down a lot so I am looking forward to feeling somewhat 'normal' again and ready for some sunshine!

Happy Friday!


Monday 20 May 2013

ArtDeco: Hydra Lip Color and Bronzing Glow Blusher



German pro makeup brand Artdeco Cosmetics, is something I only recently discovered. The packaging and range instantly got me hooked. I went for this limited edition bronzing glow blusher and a hydra lip colour to test out the quality.

Hydra Lip Colour (08 soft coral) and bronzing glow blusher

The lip colour is very hydrating as the name suggests. I decided on the hydra because my lips can get quite dry so this is always nice to use, containing candelilla wax for a smooth shiny finish. Soft coral is actually more of a pink and the colour is very pigmented.
Hydra Lip Colour (08 soft coral), top: heavy swatch, bottom: light swatch

The Bronzing Glow Blusher is part of the limited edition 'Tribal Sunset Bronzing Collection'.  I must admit the pretty colours in this thing were very attracting! A mix of fuchsia, coral and bronze, it has a very subtle shimmer to it which gives off a lovely soft glow.

Left to right; bronze, coral, fuchsia (the bronze swatches very similar to the coral but it looks much darker in the compact)

Pros:
Hydra lip colour - Hydrating, pigmented, nice packaging, SPF 15
Bronzing glow blusher - contains vitamins C & E, paraben, fragrance, lanolin and mineral oil-free
Artdeco - Cruelty free

Cons:
Difficult to view the products in the UK. (Available online at Debenhams but haven't seen them in store)

Overall I am impressed with these products so far and keen to try out more from Artdeco, in particular their pure minerals and if you're into eye shadows they do some great palettes.



Tuesday 14 May 2013

The Beauty Blender


The beauty blender has been around for quite a while now. Before I picked this up just over a month ago I was using a dupe which was a good but much cheaper version because I just couldn't justify the price tag for what is effectively a sponge!

The dupe version I had, although good, did fall apart after a few months from use and wash. So I decided after replacing the dupe on my fourth occasion, it was time to invest in a beauty blender in the hope that it would actually last a great deal longer! That and I was about to go on holiday, for some reason that 'holiday feeling' pushes you into getting all the products you've been wanting!

Hands down, this thing is awesome. The dupe was good but this is very good - I am at least glad there is a noticeable difference with how durable it feels and so far its remained intact.


Not only is it a dream to use on the skin, it is so simple to wash with the accompanied cleanser. With my dupe version I used to just wash it with some hand wash/shampoo/brush cleanser and although it cleaned it is was never quite brand-new looking, but with this I decided to also get the proper cleanser that goes with it so I can take care of it as much as possible and after a 2 minute clean it is like brand new. (There are 2 cleanser options available; one solid and one liquid)

I haven't always been a brush fan for foundation products but having had this I haven't used a brush at all since. Its very quick and easy to use, the sponge soaks up some of the product so it can also give you that light finish if desired.

The only thing I find troublesome with this is once I have washed it, I need to find a place to let it dry and keep it clean. It comes in a box but it was quite big and so I didn't really want to keep it, but unlike make up brushes that you can stand up in a holder or place with your other brushes somewhere this could get dirty easily, but other than that its a dream to work with.

How I use: Wet the sponge, gently squeeze, and use damp. (The more damp it is, the sheerer the finish) The sponge expands in size as it becomes wet. I don't use it for powder but I use it for liquid or cream products. I bounce/tap gently the sponge over the face and it creates a seamlessly even finish.

Tips:
Tip 1 - Use the pointed end for concealer; nose and eye area, use the round base end for main areas of the face 
Tip 2 - Don't dig nails into it, even when washing, it is so soft and the material will tear
Tip 3 - Use with cream blush, it works beautifully

Pros
- blends like a dream
- easy to use
- easy to clean
- multi-purpose performing

Cons
- Not easy to store like a make up brush
- Careful with nails, nails can tear sponge when washing


The Beauty Blender, available at beautyblender.co.ukAmazon and Sephora

Thursday 9 May 2013

Bourjois: Rouge Edition


Top: 11 'Fraise Remix', Bottom: 19 'Corail en Vouge'
Bourjois Rouge Edition in 19 'Corail en Vouge'
Bourjois Rouge Edition in 11 'Fraise Remix'

The Rouge Edition lipsticks by Bourjois are surprisingly good. They have a wide range of colours and they are very pigmented. The lipstick glides on smoothly and is quite velvety leaving a soft creamy finish that gives off a nice amount of shine. Best thing is, its not sticky at all, just glossy and nicely moisturising! These remind me of the YSL lipsticks but for more than half the price! 

'Corail en Vouge' is very much a coral peachy colour and 'Fraise Remix' is a vibrant sexy pink. These particular colours are perfect for summer because these shades really do go so so well with a healthy glow / deep tan.  

Now where's that sun, my lips are glossy and at the ready!


Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick, available at Boots.com


Monday 6 May 2013

Holiday dreaming... accessory heaven



I have so much jewellery and I often forget about it. So my new year's resolution was to wear more of my jewellery and buy less! As expected adding to my jewellery collection didn't stop but making a more conscious effort to appreciate it wasn't difficult.


There are two particular accessory stores I love.  This little european store 'bijou brigitte' and another store called 'charming charlie' which is not in the UK but whenever I go to the US its on my list. Prices are very little and there is SO much to choose from in both stores, its close to penny sweet heaven! 


Wednesday 1 May 2013

Holiday dreaming... black and white floral


More prints in the sun!

Even though its only a week tomorrow since I got back this holiday seems like a while ago now but this was the first occasion I wore these prints so I will always remember them for that. I found them a few days before packing and they immediately got thrown into the case!  Prints + sun =  :)


This mirrored pair are super comfy and stretchy, with a simple black tank, necklace and black strappy heels



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