moodeve's beauty workout

Update on a Sunday.....

2011-10-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

While chillin' out to Zero 7's In the Waiting Line:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj6yXxVc21Y

I am:
- rearranging my makeup collection and posting items on my swap list
- tidying up my flat as I move to a new place in mid November
- gearing up my mind for a promotion at a new place of work that has always been my ultimate dream

- gearing up my mind for tidying up my current job and leaving good handover notes

And amongst all this planning, trying to remember to:

Be in the present.

The journey is the destination

xxxxx

WILL THE TRUE LONDONERS PLEASE STAND UP......

2011-08-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

THIS IS NOT MY LONDON.

The people causing trouble are not true Londoners.

Stay safe people.

xxxxx

....I left my heart in Istanbul......

2011-07-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Just back from a week hols in Istanbul - my first time there. It's got an amazing history and pockets of it varied from each other - some places reminded me of New York, some places reminded me of Hong Kong, some places reminded me of California! I didn't go with any expectations - other than that it was a city and that one friend of mine described it as similar to Venice. It was really hot, there were blue skies and the sun was shining brightly.

The main thing I've taken away from Istanbul is that Istanbulis are so friendly, helpful and open minded - every person from the hotel, shops, corner store, market, random stranger on the street minding their own business was helpful. We asked directions of one guy in a sports shoe store and he went from one store to the next down the street asking other shopkeepers whether they could help us. Nothing was expected in return. I ADORE London to the core - but it could do with learning summin' from Istanbul in the friendliness stakes.

Istanbul is a great city - and I'd love to visit again to explore more and Turkey more. Every angle I turned I couldn't help taking pics and blogger won't let me upload more than 4 at the moment so here's just a random selection!

Is it Istanbul or New York? : D

A view of the Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia

Thought the sparkliness of the lamps against the ceiling tiles in the Grand Bazaar looked so beautiful

This alleyway on the way to the Galata tower was just so captivating, the light drew me in

I'll be posting more of my pix in due course.....

Have you been to Istanbul - are you from there? Would love to hear what you think is great about the city.

Hello the pleated skirt - new summer skirt fave for us wider hipped girls!

2011-06-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

I've always avoided pleats cos it's supposedly widening but I think this works - and it's mid length too. A nice breezy summer blue skirt from the Zara sale.

Don't knock it til you try it!

xxx

Bold lipsticks - byTerry & Sleek swatches (plus FOTD)

2011-06-26T04:38:00.001-07:00

I don't know why but I've bought a high end and drugstore pigmented bold lipstick in the last 2 weeks. Both brands had something to offer but couldn't be further away from each other on price point! The byTerry lipstick I got at spacenk and cost £30.50 - ouch! The Sleek lipstick is from Superdrug and cost £3.99.

Both colours I love. Both formulations I love. At the moment, loving the byTerry formulation more than the Sleek because it is more moisturising and therefore easier to apply and blend. But the Sleek lipstick offers such a great colour (on trend) and is so good for it's pricepoint.

At the moment, I have just been patting the lipsticks on to my lips, smearing it with my finger and then applying a touch of lipbalm. Easy, schmeasy, casual. Not precise. Perfect look for summer.

I purchased:

byTerry Age Defense Lipstick in #302 Hot Cranberry
Sleek True Colour lipstick in #782 Papaya Punch

LOVE both names! L-R: Sleek Papaya Punch, byTerry Hot Cranberry

And my FOTD using NARS Subaraya e/s duo (a gift from the gorgeous ChefCaffy) that I'm playing round with:

List of products:
MAC Strobe cream as moisturiser
Laura Mercier Moisturising Foundation in Sunny Beige
Prescriptives All Skins Mineral powder fdn on T Zone
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
Bare Minerals Prime Time eye primer
NARS Subaraya e/s duo - both shades with Prestige Eyekhol in brown
Maybelline Full&Soft WP mascara in black
MAC Cream Colour Base in Improper Copper on cheeks
Becca Songbird blush on top of MAC CCB Improper Copper
MAC Sunsparked Pearl powder under eyes
Sleek Papaya Punch lipstick
Carmex lipbalm

....naughty in June

2011-06-19T13:57:00.001-07:00

Two makeup lines I haven't tried before - byTerry and Ecotools.

I succumbed to the line byTerry. I've always passed by the counter in Spacenk because it is such an expensive line. I've probably searched for a few years now for the perfect watermelon colour lipstick - and found it in their Rouge Terrybly Age Defense-Lipstick in 302 Hot Cranberry. Retails for £30!!!! But I fell in love with the colour and as I have been quite good with my makeup shopping - ie. not - I think this is acceptable.

I've always wanted to try a pointed synthetic brush - ever since I was introduced to the Becca line. A few other companies make them - A Design, Zoeva - and I stumbled across this Ecotools one in Boots so why not use my Boots card? Retails for £9.99

Hope you are all well!

........I was n-a-u-g-h-t-y....

2011-05-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Kanebo Sensai Fluid Finish SPF15 203 Natural Beige (totally sucked into how this is Lauren Conrad's foundation)

Shu Uemura eyeshadows in:

P brown 873 (gooooorrrrgeeeeoussssshhhh) and
ME brown 850 (legend)

I have the day off tomorrow and will be shopping! Yipppeeeee! Wonder what awaits?!

Nails of the Week using my fave brand China Glaze. And yellow flowers make me smile : D

2011-05-25T12:59:00.001-07:00

I totally rate China Glaze. Their polishes last at least 5 days on me without chipping. LOVE.

This week I am wearing Designer Satin - a creme. It's a medium pink, just a notch below what I would call Fuschia. It's not too bright at all - but just flash enough. It's going to be a classic colour nail polish for me - alongside my fave China Glaze Paint the Town Red (or Essie Jelly Apple).

And yellow flowers make me smile. Totally cheers up a space. I just wish flowers didn't die so quick (about the same time my nail polish chips!) as I don't have a cheap florist near me.

What are you wearing/styling this week?
xxxx

Simple, clean FOTD using UNE Healthy-Glow Mineral Powder. Also compared to Bobbi Brown Natural Matte Bronzer

2011-05-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't bought makeup since coming back from HK in April, which might not seem a long while, but for me it is!

I read online that Lauren Conrad suggested using a mineral bronzer to achieve a nice glowy effect, on top of your favourite foundation. I would have gone straight for my HG Prescriptives All Skins Mineral foundation in a darker shade - but oh yeah, the line's discontinued : (

So I picked up the UNE Healthy Glow Mineral Powder from Boots - which is a pressed powder. I got it in H07 which was the darkest shade at the counter. There were other lighter shades which were very nice, but I did want something that would show up. H07 is more on the orange side of bronzers (think the Kardashians) but blended out it works well on me I think. UNE is from the creators behind Bourjois, and this is the first product I have tried from their line.

PS. Am due an eyebrow threading session this week - hence the overgrown brows!

But I am also loving this FOTD I did on the weekend using:

Becca LSC in Camel mixed with Soleil Tan de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
Shu Uemura brow gel in Forest Black
MAC Tan pigment blended all over lids
Maybelline Full&Soft mascara in black
MAC Virgin Isle CCB on high points of cheek
UNE Healthy-Glow Mineral Powder applied and blended liberally on cheeks
Smashbox Photo finish lipstick in Flirty mixed with Carmex lipbalm

I'm impressed with the UNE bronzer. It's pigmented, very smooth and easily blended. There is a mirror ontop of the casing which is great. I've compared it in pics below to my other loved bronzer - Bobbi Brown's matte Bronzer in Natural below.

BB on the left, UNE on the right.

As you can see the UNE has more reddish orange undertones to it. The BB is that tad finer and smoother on touch. The BB is also truly matte, whereas the UNE has a tiny bit of shimmer to it and the more blending it into the skin - the more glow you will have.

The UNE is not overly shimmery at all - it wouldn't act as a highlighter. But it has that glowy effect mineral powder products have - but it's not too OTT which is what I like.

Other details:
The BB bronzer retails at £24 for 8g
The UNE bronzer retails at £14.99 for 7.5g

The UNE bronzer is by no means an inexpensive product (compared to other drugstore items) but as a mineral pressed powder offering, if you can't afford the BB, it's a good one to try.

Have you tried UNE products? What are your thoughts?

Easy peasy dinner - for when you're tired

2011-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight's dinner. I'm trying to get back into my healthy eating regime, cos I have not been watching my diet and health for the last few months! This week has been my reboot, and I've just come home from the gym. You know when you haven't been for months, the first time is always a shock to the system! Why oh why did I stop my routine......

Sainsbury's Crispy & Sweet salad box
Quickly boiled broccoli and spinach (already cut) ontop
2 boiled eggs
Few sprays of olive oil
Sprinkle of mixed seeds
Salt
Black pepper
Dried chili flakes

Total cooking time from getting home to placing food in my mouth: 20 mins

About 2 years ago I stopped having refined carbs with dinner (normally white pasta or white rice) and this really helps with weight loss I feel. Especially at dinner when with these carbs I want some tasty, heavy laden with sauce meat and veggies. Without the refined carbs, generally, but especially at night I go to bed less bloated. I concentrate eating wholewheat pasta, bread, noodles, rice etc at lunch.

I'm lucky I love veg (although I don't think I could be vegetarian). This is light and easy, and a way to get eggs into my diet as I don't incorporate them in my diet usually!

What are your quick fix healthy dinners?

My 70s inspired outfit of the day, plus face of the day (I am a 70s baby afterall!)

2011-05-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

I'm planning a major and so overdue clearout of my wardrobe and at first attempts I came across a midi denim skirt that I haven't worn a lot. It's from a Monsoon sale a year or so ago and I've never really been able to nail an outfit from it without looking frumpy.

Inspired by the current 70s trend and for midi skirts - I think I found a way to work it. With colours of tan, slight pink and gold accents - all in neutral tones.

The main colour is the denim skirt that is an A line flare (Monsoon) , but I tried to balance it out with a slouchy light pink lightweight T shirt (Whistles) with a white tank (M&S), doubled with a tan belt (can't remember from where). The wedges I'm wearing in here I decided not to go with, as it seemed to drag the whole look down, so opted for gold bow peep toe wedges (Dune).

The tan leather bag is my newest fave accessory - which I got from the Island Beverley Shopping Centre in Causewaybay in Hong Kong.

All clothing items are from the depths of my wardrobe - so am afraid that these items are not available anymore.

I have been wearing bright red nail polish for at least the last 2 months, I can't get enough of it. My fave is Essie Jelly Apple which I have discovered is a dupe of China Glaze's Paint the Town Red - the latter that I already had in my collection! Major clearout needed indeed : D I think the retro red colour just goes so well with gold jewellery - the rings I got from San Francisco at a stall. My necklace (seen below in my FOTD pics) is a delicate gold chain with crystal beads from Gogo Philips at Topshop.

I went for a clean, bronzed FOTD which involved:

Chantecaille Future Skin foundation
Becca Duo Concealer
MAC e/s in Brule and Cork all over lid
MAC e/s in woodwinked and Antiqued on lower lashline
Prestige khol e/l in brown
Maybelline Full& Soft WP mascara
MAC Happy Together blush
MAC 2N l/g

Phew, long post! How do you veterans do it?! : D

Any rediscoveries from your closets or makeup arsenal?

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner - Champagne 23L & FOTD

2011-04-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

I got this liner during my trip to Hong Kong last December, and of late have been wearing it every day. I like to use a flesh coloured liner on my waterline, especially during the week at work, as this really does a lot to brighten my eyes and make me not look so tired. Combined with a bit of eyeshadow, concealer, brows filled in and mascara - this is what I do to achieve a wide eyed fresh faced look!

And the MUFE eyeliner helps me to do this. It is described on the Sephora website as metalllic pink champagne - and I would add to that that the pink is a very light shade of pink so if you are looking at a flesh coloured pencil, it still works. It's also pigmented, so not just shimmer.

As the swatch on my hand shows, it really isn't that OTT.

One great thing about this liner is the application. It glides on really smooth and has great staying power. I don't think it's waterproof - as by the end of a long day it's not as apparent as when I first put it on in the morning - but it's pretty good at being smudge proof.

I always shied away from a shimmery flesh toned waterline as I thought it might be too much in comparison to a matte liner. That it might look bit tacky. Either my taste as changed (!), or the formula and finish isn't offensive. You can definitely layer on the intensity and the more you put on, the more shimmer there is. I hope you agree from how it looks on this pic!

I also love to use it on my cupid's bow as a higlighter. I don't use it so much on my inner eye corners or browbone as higlighter because funnily enough it's not easy to apply on larger areas (even the inner corner), I much prefer using creams/powders.

This has now become a HG staple for me. I have since tried 2 others colours (black, OL and bronze, 10L)- and they're as good too. I'm doing this review on 23L as I just think it is more unique.

I'm a fan of the MUFE Aqua Eye Creams as well, so I would definitely recommend checking both the creams and liners our from this brand.

Not easily available in the UK,you can get it from PAM cosmetics and gurumakeupemporium in London and for those of you lucky enough to have a Sephora, they are stockists too.

Have you tried these items from MUFE? What are your thoughts?

Kate Middleton - a makeup junkie like us?

2011-04-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I have a love/hate relationship on the Royal Wedding. It's everywhere : ) I know it's a historic moment. But I for one will be taking advantage of the fact that hopefully the shops will be quite quiet on Friday and then I will pop home early to make dinner for friends (who will have camped out on Pall Mall the night before) who are coming over to analyse the day's events.

The title of this post however is about makeup. How would you do your makeup on your wedding day? Do it yourself, get a friend or family member to do it or get a professional?

I've wondered this myself (ahem, big hint dropped to the boyfriend) and having done makeup for friends and family at weddings, I was interested to read Amy Lawrenson's (ELLE UK) report on the future Queen of England's Kate Middleton's decision to do her own makeup:

Kate Middleton took make-up lessons for big day
'It has been widely covered that Kate has shunned the help of a make-up artist on her wedding day to do her own instead. However, we can now reveal that she took make-up lessons from bridal artist Arabella Preston in preparation.

What caused her aversion to professionals? According to sources Kate used a make-up artist at the Mario Testino shoot for the official engagement pictures, but was unhappy with the result so removed it and reapplied herself. Since then she has embarked on a few make-up lessons with Arabella held at Clarence House and her home in Chelsea.

Arabella is a London-based make-up artist, married to author Alex Preston and a mum of two; on her website she says, 'I am an experienced bridal make-up artist and love helping brides make the most of their beauty. I am particularly adept at natural bridal make-up'. Kate is famous for her girl-next-door look, favouring a clear complexion, nude lips and putting emphasis on her eyes switching between a liquid liner or smoky look, which is probably why she trusted Arabella with her lessons.

It's interesting that Kate has chosen to do her own make-up on a day when around 2 billion eyes will be scrutinising everything from her hair and make-up to choice of dress. We can't wait to see the results.'

Could Kate be wondering the same thing as simple old makeup junkie me? I would love a professional to do it, so that I don't need to worry about it, but I love makeup and feel quite satisfied putting it on myself. It's a ritual. It's mine. That's one of the reasons why I think Kate Middleton might want to do it herself. The need to be a control freak aside - as well as being the wedding for the British public (and international public) it is her wedding afterall - it's probably the one thing that she can take from the wedding and the one ritual that might give her some calmness in all the madness, pomp and circumstance that is beyond her control. I certainly have felt something like that when at family weddings. Putting on my makeup (for which I didn't need help) and just sitting on the floor in front of a mirror gave me such satisfaction and peace!

Kate's makeup style is relatively simple, she plays up her eyes quite a bit with dark eyeliner, minimal shadow, with some bronzer and simple moist lipstick. My own opinion is that though her makeup style is relatively simple, she tends to look a bit older than she actually is - I would love to see her use more highlighter/dewy products to make her look younger with glowy skin. Would love to see her with bronzed or smoky eyes. Or even winged out eyeliner with red lips. Doesn't have to be too outrageous. I know she is the future Queen of England and conservatism is the preferred order of the day but some of the younger royals now branch out (badly or not) in the fashion stakes. Think Lady Gabriella Windsor.

What Kate does have, which makes any woman beautiful, is a great smile. A smile that shows through the eyes and face. And that is something she shares with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Original ELLE UK post can be found here:
http://www.elleuk.com/news/beauty-news/kate-middleton-took-make-up-lessons-for-big-day/(gid)/761395

What would you/or did you do for your wedding?

And last but not least, wishing the couple much happiness.

TheBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer aka the Luminzer - review and swatch

2011-04-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

I used to be a real real fan of highlighters, I couldn't get enough of them. When I first became interested in makeup, the highlighter was the one product for which I was on a never ending quest - for THE ONE. But then my makeup obsession grew and turned to other things such as foundations,blushes, eyeshadows etc and highlighters kinda went on the back burner.

In this year's January sales I spotted this highlighter in one of those can-I-be-bothered-to-rummage boxes at the SpaceNK counter in Harvey Nicks. I'd looked at this product before but had decided that it was too shimmery for my liking. It still is, but blending it out really makes the difference. It has sparkles and frost like the majority of MAC MSFs but the texture is much more creamy like. It also doesn't flake everywhere like the MAC MSFs can do, and also I have no qualms about tossing it into my bag (mirror compact handy too) unlike I am with my fave MAC MSF - Refined.

In comparison to NARS Albatross - a much coveted product - theBalm's offering is much more of a pale yellow gold tinge. I find Albatross too white for me. theBalm's colour/tone is more yellow gold with a touch of white gold which is just beautiful. That's what sold me on it I think. Suits my skintone well.

Mary-Lou's Manizer is a surprise to me. I do have to watch it when I apply, as I don't like frost ala the real 70s style, but the fact that I can achieve a very pretty glow on the cheeks, summery dewy like champagne gold eyes or highlighting the inner eye corner or cupid's bow makes this a a very multi use product.

Have you tried this and what are your thoughts? Any other highlighters you love?

1st post back into the blogging world - random. Makeup,life,fashion

2011-04-23T02:10:00.000-07:00

Hello viewers. I'm gonna use this post to get back into the blogging world, it's gonna be a random 'first' post.

I'm back from my hols from San Francisco and Hong Kong - and the US hols was a hols with the girls and the Asia hols was one with the family. Had good times during both. I didn't do too much damage makeup wise - I think for some reason I've just about reached saturation with my makeup collection. I'm now focusing on swapping (got a some MAC blushes recently) and really only lemming things that are 'new' to me e.g. Dior Summer 2011 bronzers and Clarins Skinfusion foundation at the moment.

Plus, I really need to slow down on the spending money front. I need to save some moola - Pay day is too far away!

I don't want to take life so seriously. Wanna have more fun. Wanna be more silly. Wanna be more adventurous.

I'm still obsessed with Lauren Conrad. Totally psyched she started a beauty/lifestyle website.

I check Catalina Su's makeup blog daily:

catalinasumakeup.blogspot.com

I absolutely love ELLE UK, their website too. I don't love the fact that my annual subscription (to save cost) isn't great - I always have to chase missing monthly editions. Crap service.

I aspire to dress like an ELLE woman.

I'd like to be one dress size smaller. Currently a tight UK 12.

To take up my scrapbooking again - I read loads of magazines and paste things from them into this scrapbook which I refer to back and back again-

Am so excited that I have finished my Prescriptives All Skins Mineral foundation powder. It took a long time, though I didn't wear it every single day, but I wore it alot - wet, dry, sheer, heavy. It's a staple. Good job I got loadsa backups!!

Mostly, I want to work on being kinder, funnier, more open and friendlier. I'm too harsh on myself and others at the moment in trying to be an independent woman.

And to you - my thanks for sticking around. Bring on summer!
xxx

Holidays......absence....makeup

2011-04-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I haven't quite been in the mood posting blogs or posting videos on my YT channel. I can't explain why, but for some reason I feel like I've got a YT/blog bug or summin'. But my interest in beauty and makeup hasn't dissipated! I've just come back from a well deserved (if I do say so myself) girlie hols in San Francisco and did some great shopping - fashion and beauty. Spent a bit of moola : D

And I'll be heading out to Hong Kong soon to attend a cousin's wedding. I'm hoping that after that I'll get the blog/YT bug again. It is something I do enjoy - when I do it.

So thanks for hanging in there - and please hang in for a bit longer - and I'm totally enjoying still the beauty blog and YT worlds : D

Take care til then.....xxx

Kryolan eyeshadow and Nails Of the Week(s)

2011-03-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

So after taking 2 days off as time in lieu, I scored a long weekend. Bonus points for the sun coming out. When I have a day off and need 'me' time it usually involves shopping and a massage : D

After watching YTer makeupbyrenren's videos on Graftobian palettes (foundations to be exact), I fancied a trip to Charles Fox in Covent Garden - a makeupstore in London that specialises mainly in professional film and theatre makeup (they do also stock a small selection of Becca and Illamasqua). I needed some Duo black false lashes glue and also happened to 'peruse' the Kryolan counters. The Kryolan foundation palettes didn't look as convincing as the Graftobian ones (which Charles Fox don't stock) but I did come across this:

...it's Kryolan's Eye Shadow Compact in V3 (Natural). There are 18 matte colours - and what a range of colours! I bought it mainly to use for makeup on others - friends and families as I have a few events/weddngs coming up. I think it would make a perfect neutral palette-great for a basic every day but totally easy for a dramatic look. They are very pigmented, a teeny bit chalky but not a problem. This cost about £44. It's uh-mazing : D

And then a nail polish that I just can't get enough of atm...Essie's Jelly Apple. This launched in their Winter 2009 collection but I only just discovered it last year. It's a totally gorgeous vintage red...when I pair it with a Breton style top - I feel instantly casual classic : D

When I was reapplying it whilst watching Glee, I accidentally reached for Essie's Raspberry and as soon as it swiped on I thought - No! This isn't Jelly Apple! Nail varnish remover immediately came out : )

My fave nail polish brand is China Glaze because I find their polishes last for a whole week before it starts chipping, and Essie lasts 3-4 days but until I find a dupe for this in China Glaze - Essie's Jelly Apple is a huge rec from me!

Any news laydeez...?

...a couple of FOTDs and lemmings...I'm ALIVE!!!!!

2011-02-27T12:52:00.001-08:00

....I'm ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have any excuse other than I have been working hard towards a major work deadline and it's been pretty exhausting that I haven't really been in the mood to post or do YT vids. My projects tend to have seasonal deadlines so that's why I go missing for 3 months at a time! Maybe I shld set up a twitter account to make it easier to stay in touch..... : D

So I'm posting this with just a few FOTDs I'd done over 3 months ago or so and I can't remember all the products but post the pics anyway (if only toget myself back into blogging) and post the main items I remember I was wearing!

...using Primavista Foundation (from the Asian brand Kanebo) and Bare Escentuals Eclipse liner (a gorgeous gorgeous midnight purple shimmer) on the bottom line

...using NARS Fez eyeshadow

...some random easy smoky brown with black liner....

And a few items I can't put down lately:

Makeup Forever Aqua Smoky Lash WP in Black
Maybelline Full&Soft waterproof mascara
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes pencil 23L Champagne to use on lower waterline
MAC Happy Together blush
MAC eyeshadows in Sable, Satin Taupe, Patina (in that order!)
GOSH khol eyeliner in Metallic Brass
Clarins Rouge Prodige lipstick in Tendre Rose

I'm gonna try and do a few more posts before I go on a well deserved girlie holiday to San Francisco - some sun, shopping and laughter! Definitely gonna check out the hometurf of Bare Escentuals!

What things are I am lemming?

MAC Soft Brown e/s
Clarins Skinfusion foundation

....only 2!? I have been working too hard.......

.....how y'all?!!

What shall I do with my hair?

2011-01-22T14:30:00.001-08:00

My hair is getting long now....very long. I will need to visit the hairdressers soon...I have always loved my long hair. Loved that's is straight, loved its colour (which I now have to dye to disguise early gray hairs!), loved that it's pretty strong and healthy (I've only recently in the last few years been using hair styling products so my hair has been quite free of products throughout my life).

....my cousin is getting married in HK in April and it's going to be quite a big posh bash, and he asked me to be the English speaking 'MC' with another cousin of mine being the Chinese 'MC', for the evening reception. Now for those of you au fait with large Chinese weddings, normally there is a 'presenter'/host/hostess of sorts to welcome everyone and introduce photographs, videos and the couple upon entry into the dining room. I'm wearing a side strap blue dress from Coast that I found in the sales (score! for £39!) I would like to try an old Hollywood hairstyle for the wedding like this:

...but my hair is as straight as a chopstick - it's so stubborn and won't hold any curl at all.

Do you think I need to perm my hair to give it a bit of body and volume? Any tips and advice?

Sunday FOTD - using MUFE Aqua Cream e/s and MAC Copperplate e/s

2011-01-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hey all.....a quick post of my FOTD today - using as much of the light as I could! More sun over the UK skies please!

Chanel Illuminating Lotion in Sunkissed on cheekbones
Chantecaille Future Skin in Cream
Becca duo concealer on blemishes
Clarins Higlighter pen #2 under eyes
Shu Uemura Brow gel in Forest Black
MUFE Aqua Cream #13 all over lids but packed on lid
A touch of Smashbox Champagne eyeshadow on inner lid - applied wet
MAC Copperplate e/s in crease and under lashes
MUFE Aqua Eyes pencil in #23L
MUFE waterproof Smoky Lash in black - one layer
Maybelline Full&Soft waterproof mascara in black
Red Earth mascara in Purple on tips
Becca Turkish Rose cream blush
A Kryolan muted pink blush (sorry can't tell what the number is!)
Clarins Rouge Prodige lipstick in Tender Rose #101

What have you been wearing this weekend?
xx

Quick FOTD using MAC and Bare Escentuals...plus I have a Kors!

2011-01-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

A quick post as I'm testing out my new cam (and for some reason there are some pixels missing!) and also wanted to post a FOTD as I haven't done one in a while.

In the main on the eyes using a base of MUFE pearly waterproof eye shadow pencil in #10 ( a taupe but this stuff really rocks - doesn't crease and is a great primer), MAC Showstopper eyeshadow topped with Bare Escentuals Nob Hill e/s. Then Stila Onyx khol rimmed on upper and bottom waterline with MUFE Smoky Lash and Maybelline Full&Soft waterproof mascaras.

Don't remember the foundation I used (short memory span currently with work taking over my life again)but was definitely wearing Clarins Rouge Prodige lipstick in Nude.

.....and look what I treated myself too!

MK watches are gaining popularity on YT and blogs and I went to Bicester Village this last weekend (my mum is in town and she loves this place) and I indulged. I really like it because the crystals (Swarvorski dahhhling) are quite discreet but offer a little bit of bling with the gold facing. But what I really like about it is the nude/my skintone acrylic band. Different to the tortoiseshell and white bands that I have seen. When I was in New York last I got a MK white leather bag with gold detail too from the Woodbury outlet store - so I've got a good pairing!

I also got the MAC #165 small tapered brush (which I have always wanted) and the MAC Showstopper eyeshadow when I was at Bicester.

OK must rush off now.....got Glee to catch up on.

xx

A-hauling Hong Kong style.....and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!!

2011-01-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

.....just got back from HK this last weekend and wanted to quickly post a pic of my haul as well as start 2011 with a makeup bang! However, trying to fit the haul into my current storage told me that I have waaaaaaaaaay too much : / Gonna have to do a project ten pan or summin'. Had a really lovely time - playing with my nieces and shopping! Also ate for England so gained a few pounds or ten : D Back to the gym....

...met up with an old dear friend Meta whom I met on makeupalley and was so so so so lovely to catch up and see you again!

I found a few new shops for makeup - and visited the usual places I go to. Found some makeup items that I am loving and feel are real gems - from Makeupforever and Colour2 (a Korean brand). Also couldn't resist getting the new Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. Will be posting reviews of what I have in due course.

Happy New Year to you all - and thanks for continuing to check out this blog despite my lack of frequent posts. I hope to change that soon as I have treated myself to a fab new camera!!!

xx

Much love for ASOS......and hello again Hong Kong

2010-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

After succumbing to my office cold last Friday, over the weekend whilst trying to win the battle (I totally hate being sick!), I got online happy. I ordered some skincare gifts from ASOS on Saturday and it arrived at my door today. Wow. Impressed with the service fo sho'.

Here is the neat, crisp box (no doubt where it's from!)

The Breast Cancer Care giftset and Bliss At Home Oxygen blast gift set:

The Elemis giftset is for me ##coy## as when it first came out I loved the fact that my HG Pro Marine Collagen cream came in a delightful pink container. The Bliss gift set is for my sister (don't worry, none of my family read my blog : D ) as I thought as a busy mum, often tired off her feet, that a relaxing but energising skincare set would be just the ticket for her. The set comes with full size triple oxygen instant energizing mask (which my friend raves about and it froths on your skin so once it's fizzled out you wash it off), triple oxygen +C energizing cream and triple oxygen instant energizing eye mask.

With the Elemis gift et I have tried everything before - mainly in a gorgeous facial - but I absolutely love the pink container for the Elemis Pro Marine Collagen cream - will definitely be using this for travel! I also wanted to try their perfume for the first time. Love the pink bag too. This giftset came with:

Pro Marine Collagen Cream
Cellular Recovery capsules
Elemis Parfum
Visible Brilliance
Pro Marine Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust

Both sets were 20% off this last weekend and I will definitely be perusing ASOS much more now....

........and I am missing family and want to escape the cold so I am making an impromptu visit to Hong Kong next week. I can't wait. Just to rest, eat, be with family and play with my young nieces - and kinda go back to my roots again. Just need to be refreshed.

So what better way to sign off with my favourite song at the moment..........REPRESENT!!!!

Far East Movement - Like a G6

xx

How difficult is it to finish a lipstick?!

2010-12-11T14:16:00.000-08:00

(Excuse my camera pics at the moment - I can't quite find my better one - so I am using just my web cam)

I am feeling a bit frustrated. You know you have those makeup items in your stash that you're not grabbing for anymore and it's sitting aamongst a family of other unused items? These 3 lipsticks pictured have taken me AGES to use up. When I want to chuck out a lipstick but use it up before it goes bad - I tend to use them daily for work. That's the only way I will get to use them on a regular basis in the hope that that bullet goes down quickly! So here are the l/s I am trying to use up from top and clockwise:

Becca Gisella Sheer Tint Lip Colour

A nice pinky beige nude with medium pigmentation and a lovely application. Has a moisturising finish with a tiny bit of sparkle. Lovely packaging with a screw mechanism (rather than the traditional top) and it feels lovely on.

But it doesn't last long and dries my lips out a bit.

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Pinky Beige 721

A really lovely pinky beige as well and a great drugstore price. But this has a bit of a waxy smell which turns me off and the lipstick does dry my lips out.

NARS Roman Holiday lipstick

This is a pale lilac colour, and I love the name because of the film. Applies nicely and creamy-ish (not as creamy as MAC's cremesheens or Clarins Rouge Prodige) but doesn't last long. It's the only lilac lip colour I have - and I don't think it suits me. Also the rubber packaging is wearing off and becoming a bit sticky : /

I'm nearly there with the Becca but the Maybelline and NARS is gonna take some more wearing. I tend to reapply only 2 or 3 times a day at that - I'm just so busy at work I don't tend to retouch.

...that's it! The power of retouching..........

Any makeup frustrations for you lately?

xx

Some essentials for winter 2010.....

2010-12-01T14:49:00.000-08:00

....just a short post about some items I have added into my makeup and skincare regime for the oh so cold and blustery and snowy weather! Though I don't have any serious dryness that you can see on my skin with the drop in temperature - my skin just doesn't have the same 'bounciness' or moisturised look with my normal year round skincare.

I've been adding MAC's strobe cream to my foundation to make it more moisturising but at the same time giving a luminous finish. This helps me look like I have a glow within.

I love also adding a generous pour of Jurlique's Eucalyptus Body Oil to my body moisturiser (I use SolarSilk from Creative Nail Design)and it just adds that bit more of moisture but also a gorgeous uplifting but relaxing smell. Though I do apply the oil by itself - I still find it bit greasy and mixing it in with a body moisturiser seems to make it less so. Also makes the oil go longer : D

And finally I did a YT review on this last year, but Euceerin's Hyaluron-Filler night cream is perfect for moisturising my skin at night. It feels very protected. It is the most richest cream I have used - and will leave a slight film of oil in the morning - but I'm not averse to that as I'm at home anwyway. And I feel that it really settles it from a whole day of indoor heating and the cold outside.

My birthday haul........

2010-11-30T12:52:00.001-08:00

So it was my birthday yesterday - another year goes by : D

I took the day off and decided to do a round of shopping. I like to walk around places to get a feel of what they are like - especially on a work day to see how life is when I'm not in the office : D It was nice, I've been quite stressed at work so it took me a while to come down to enjoy my day. But by the time I'd bought the one thing I'd been lusting after - I felt much better.

I also hauled at the 20% discount event at Shu Uemura in Covent Garden today. Here's my haul:

Ever since reading WearingitToday's post on these fabulous leopard print Kurt Geiger heels - I had to have them. They weren't cheap but I waited til getting a discount offer somehow - and it appeared in a 25% offer with Glamour UK magazine. I feel glamorous and sexy as soon as they slip onto my feet - I can see wearing them with all black or with some cargo pants. Miaow : D SATC for sure.

So here's my Shu haul plus MAC's Eyebrown crayon in Stud and also Clarins Instant Light Brush on Perfector in 02. I love my Shu brow gel but I did a full on heavier face with smokey eyes on Saturday (my boyfriend took me out to a posh Thai restaurant for my birthday- Nahm in London - so I got my hair did too)and I felt that my brows looked a bit light in comparison to the rest of my face. So I'm gonna try out the MAC crayon - as it's quite creamy and easy to apply and the colour seems to match my Shu brow gel if I wanted to use them both together.

I also have wanted to recreate that famous Kardashian concealer trick thing beneath the eyes but with an illuminating highlighter so opted for a highlighter pen. I chose Clarins because I liked how it swatched (in comparison to Dior, Givenchy etc) - it looks like foundation but with a certain coverage and dewiness - none of that pale pink whitish cast which I get with YSL Touche Eclat. A review will be coming up on that.

I got 2 matte e/s from Left-Right, M beige 831 and M beige 821. I passed by the NARS counter the other day and swatched the e/s duo Madrague and I liked the tone of the shades but much prefer the quality of Shu e/s. These aren't exact matches - but quite similar and looking forward to using it for a neutral work look, with caramel tones.

I was planning on getting a pink blush cos I don't have a pink from Shu, but instead fell in love with this caramel neutral toned blush M Amber 86 - on the left. On the right is a shimmery highlighter P Gold 94. I wavered on the highlighter because I have enough of them and this is pretty creamy shimmery but blended out on top of blush, especially the M Amber 86 - it looked very pretty. Very Chloe.

I have a few Shu e/s and blushes now and this palette is perfect to fit them all when I travel. It is v slim and sleek - though I anticipate will scratch easily - but I love compact stuff and this fits the bill.

Then just a few other things. I had to get a refill of my shampoo - Aveda's pure abundance - but also wanted to give Pond's Cold Cream a go as a makeup remover. I remember my mum using this - so I thought why not?

I've also had a creaky Boots hairdryer since my uni days which although still works fine, is just boring. I want to begin styling my hair a bit more now and needed to up my hair karma : D So I just got a Babyliuss Turbo Power 2200 dryer. The T3 will have to wait.

And lastly, I am a huge fan of SATC the series - watch it on re run every night - so I couldn't get away with not treating myself to SATC2 that was released on my birthday - just had to obey karma. I've just watched it tonight : D

Can't wait to play with my new goodies......thanks for reading!

Shu event at Covent Garden store

2010-11-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

So I found out about the event, and there is one at the Covent Garden store next Tuesday. I think it is only in the evening. The discount is going to be 20% on products.

I am a bit disappointed that I haven't had an email notice through as I was told I would be, and also that when I went into the store the SA was a bit nonplussed at telling me about the event. Which kinda disappointed me cos I do like that store and had great experiences.

BUT, I am still gonna go because Shu products are great quality - and I am looking to get some e/s and blushes : D

55 Neal Street
Covent Garden
Tel : 020 7240 7635

I got a Shu------eeeeeeling. Holiday collections - Shu Uemura

2010-11-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

I posted last year near Xmas that I purchased a few things from Shu when they were having a holiday event - including my favourite blushes - and I enjoyed it so much that I remembered to pop into the Covent Garden store this last week to see if they were doing any holiday events this year. They are.

So I thought I'd just post this as I know some of you last year wanted to have an opportunity to attend. If you pop into a Shu store or call them up and sign on to their mailing list, they are due to send an email alert in the next few weeks to give details about the event. The SA in Covent Garden told me that the event will be in the last 2 weeks of Nov most likely, and the event will be similar to last year with discount off products.

As soon as I receive the email - I'll be posting to let you know the details...as I wouldn't want you to miss out. I'm eyeing up some more of their glow on blushes....so will be compiling my list!

http://www.shuuemura.co.uk/

NET HAULING - a few things I picked up this week

2010-10-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Just to share some web purchases that I am thrilled about receiving this week! I'm not normally a web purchase kind of person as I always like to check things out in person but I couldn't resist these......

I've always wanted a Juicy Couture gold charm bracelet - actually the London series one with a red telephone box is my ultimate lemming! - but I find them quite expensive. However, this gold lucky charm bracelet was on sale on ASOS and so I took the plunge. It comes in a really nice leather embossed box and the bracelet is lovely - just the right type of gold, the right chunkiness and I love the discreet Juicy Couture embossing on some of the charms. A new found fave.

Another absolute new found fave is the new Sigmax HD Synthetic trio set of brushes on offer over at Sigma. I have never tried any Sigma brushes before though always read and watched all the glowing and positive reviews for the brand. I have used the angled and flat top brushes already and LOVE them. I am a huge huge advocate of synthetic brushes and these are soft, dense and substantial. I will definitely do a review of these on my YT channel - want to play with them a bit first. Customer Service was fab - it arrived within 4 days of ordering and came with a travel SE25 brush (their version of the SE 217 I think).

I also got on Amazon the new Lauren Conrad's Style book. I LOVE it! I am a fan of Lauren's - her elegance, her style, her professionalism, her loyalty (although I will say that she can be too quick at judgement but that's cos she has high standards and expectation!). Will definitely do a review of this too as she has some gorgeous makeup pix.

Today I then received as part of a Makeupalley swap an item that has been on my swaplist for absolute ages - MAC Peaches blush. It looks like such a gorgeously happy
blush - just what is needed to carry me through the now increasingly darker days and nights! And cos I love the Sigmax brushes as a newbie and having them for less than 48 hrs I wanted to take a closer (though crappy) web cam pic of it again!:

Just wanted to share what I was excited about this week.....what have you hauled this week? xxx

What is your dream makeup vanity table?

2010-10-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Long time no post......sorry!

I'll be moving sometime spring next year and have a chance to start afresh with the way I arrange my makeup. Currently it's in Muji drawers that I place on top of a clothes cabinet and also in an Ikea mirror cabinet (with shelves inside).

In my excitement, I've been trawling the web, beauty sites and You Tube to get some ideas. My ideal - which I would think is all of ours! - is to have something with great storage and organisational capacity but at the same time pretty. : D

What I'd like is something with this storage capacity:

.....but looks pretty like this:

Am I asking for the impossible? To be honest they look quite similar - just that the first one has more storage capability it looks. I am planning on having my vanity in my bedroom near the window - but it's a finite space and it's a battle for me to keep tidy so I am completely committed to designing something from the outset that will help me achieve that goal!

On You Tube, my favourite look so far is from MakeupbyTiffanyD who's makeup vanity and accompanying storage looks so beautiful and good for storage. I just don't have that much space : (

Any ideas? What would be your dream vanity table? Any suggestions to websites or YTers whose makeup organisation you love?

Would love to hear from you

Some blog lovin'

2010-08-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kat over at Click & Makeup for being a blog to watch - thanks Kat! So as I understand it I have to nominate back 10 blogs or list 10 things I like. I like the idea behind this, but as ever, I can't go the full hog on rules (hey, I am a bit of a black sheep!)but I had wanted to give a shoutout to blogs that I check pretty much daily.

BEAUTY:

Londonmakeupgirl
http://www.londonmakeupgirl.com/
Always learn about a new product or brand. Updated daily.

Makeupforprofessionalasianwomen
http://www.makeupforprofessionalasianwomen.com/
A true makeup fan! A fabulous and extensive makeup collection. Regular makeup looks posted - and I look forwad to seeing what Jamilla uses on a daily basis!

lollipop26
http://www.lollipop26writes.com/
The One & Only.

Glitterdollz
http://glitterdollz7beauty.blogspot.com/
I'm relatively new to this blog and YTer. Beautiful looks on a beautiful, sweet lady.

A Model recommends
http://www.amodelrecommends.com/
I'm very new to this blogger. She's a recognisable London model. Look forward to seeing how her YT channel and blog develops.

FASHION and STYLE

http://wearingittoday.blogspot.com/
Absolutely <3 this blog. Gorgeous stylist, with a great eye for fashion. Casual luxe IMO. Inspires me to emulate her! Any day now....... : )

http://www.diaryofavintagegirl.com/
My vintage style fix. Love this blog, as I find it a lot of fun.

http://www.bargainistafashionista.com/
Fellow HKer in London. Fun, cool blog.

And one that does both:
http://blogs.elleuk.com/
Absolutely love the Beauty Notes Daily and What Elle Wears to Work blogs. If I could emulate the makeup and style of a magazine, it would be this one.

What blogs are you loving?

Long overdue post......and my 1st What's In and What's Out

2010-08-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

#sheepishly peeks out from the corner#

..........hope you all have enjoyed your summer! I've been missing from my blog for over the last month - no real reason other than I've been concentrating on my YT channel (3 videos a week yay!)and busy buying and swapping makeup!

So to get back into blogging, I'm doing my first What's In and What's Out.

What's IN

- Bare Escentuals eyeshadows. They are currently rocking my world. Loose pigments yes, but the buffing let's me feel like my own artist and also gives me such a flawless finish.
- Swapping. I've completed quite a few over the last few months - and it feels very good to have lightened my collection of things I don't use and possibly someone else loves, with the bonus of trying out new items!
- Synthetic makeup brushes. So easy to clean and whatever brush head shape it takes, it's great to apply cream and liquid products, as well as powder.
- Cake eyeliner. Am trying out Becca's, but have also tried Laura Mercier. Not as easy to apply as gel eyeliners, but I love the finish, gives a perfect 1960s opaque finish.
- Mineral foundation makeup. My Prescriptives All Skins powder and MAC MSF Natural are my go to and fail proof products in these summer months.

What's OUT
- Messiness. Once all the makeup is on and I'm happy with my finished look, my desk surface is cluttered with makeup products, tissues, brushes, q tips. It's like cooking, I'm not one of those people who clean up as they cook!
- Mascara splotches on your eyelid. No matter what angle I tilt my head or mascara wand, I can't get away from this!
- how in the UK we have to wait for the Urban Decay Naked Palette to get to our shores......all the reviews and raves about it are grating on me ; p

It's good to be back!

On a no buy....lemmings galore Becca Becca Becca

2010-06-18T12:40:00.001-07:00

So my no buy on makeup is going well, not bought anything remotely makeup or cosmetic related. : D Been busy at work too so that helps. Haven't bought any fashion mags either ; D

As a result, I am lemming some items. Mainly Becca. Today I tried out their new mineral powder, seductively named Boudoir, the new pink grapefruit beach tint and Songbird blush on top. Love all three!

I think I'm gonna get the grapefruit beach tint, a pretty girly coral, and am umming and ahhing about the mineral powder. I am nearly finishing up my MAC Mineral Skin Finish which I like and need a new one. The Becca one has great packaging, a mirror inside and is something new - always game to try a new thing. But I think the MAC MSFN is a better product - plus you get more for your money. The MAC at £18 is also cheaper than the Becca which retails at £26. Hmmmmm....

Any thoughts on the above? What are your lemmings this week/month?

Brush cleaning - what a workout!

2010-06-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

So I normally clean my brushes on a Sunday - which is generally housekeeping day for me! I normally clean my more used brushes every few days (like my foundation and powder brushes, MAC 217 - my most used eyebrush) with Clinique's brush cleanser and then do a more thorough clean once or twice a week for the other brushes I don't use so frequently. I have a large collection of brushes, and I like to rotate them too just like my makeup collection.

Below are the brushes laid out to dry. These are my main stash of brushes that I use regularly, and included in these are my travel set (the pink handled Smashbox Rapture set).

My fail safe method of cleansing is to use Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo. Cheap and cheerful, and most importantly effective. Not harsh at all.

I've been using Cinema Secrets brush cleanser (mainly cos Tricia Sawyer raves ahout it) but I find that it doesn't cleanse effectively (my brushes are still dirty after a couple of soaks). I prefer the Clinique cleanser to this.

I'll do a vid review of it in the near future.

It just feels so satisfying to have done a full set of washing! LOL

STOP PRESS!!! New Eve Lom Cleanser - Morning Time Cleanser

2010-06-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

So, my regular readers and YT subscribers will know that Eve Lom's cleanser is my HG. I've reviewed many dupes on the market and still come back to her original cleanser. Last Friday I received a press release about the newest skincare item she has brought out - which is called the Morning Time Cleanser.

Imagine my excitement! I hotfooted it to my nearest Spacenk to check it out. Firstly, it retails £35 for 125ml. The SA told me that it is meant to be a convenient version of the original, in a tube so easy for travel and no need for the muslin cloth. She also said that it was a 'lighter' version of the original formula and designed for those who wanted to use something in the morning. I questioned her further as Eve Lom's philosophy is to cleanser once in the day, in the evening, with the muslin cloth and then in the morning only use water to wash your face with the muslin cloth. Cleansing again in the morning though? Sounds a bit to me trying to introduce another step in the regime. I asked whether it was to replace the original version and the SA said no. I'm confused. I think I need to go to an Eve Lom specialist at one of the spas to ask further : D

Now, the muslin cloth for me is all part of the routine. And I rather liked the fact that my skin got used to using the cleansing balm in the evening and only water in the morning - which I think is one of the reasons my oil production has regulated since using this balm.

Anyone bought it yet and used it? Do let me know what you think. I'm on a no buy of course (and still have my current Eve Lom pot to get through)so won't be purchasing this now.

xx

Zuneta workout - a haul and then a no buy!

2010-06-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of this past Bank Hols 20% discount offer over at Zuneta.com - I made an order last minute Sunday night. And it arrived today! I've only ever ordered from Zuneta once before and was impressed then, and am super impressed this time. The Customer Service is pretty darn good - friendly and prompt. I ordered a number of things and they wrote to me to say that my order was on its way to me but that one item, Malin & Goetz Eucalptyus deodorant was out of stock but that they were expecting new stock within the week and will be sending it immediately. I liked how their CS was to the point but friendly too, not the usual corporate official response.

And I've always liked the effort they put in the packaging. So here's what I got:

Extras were a sample of Hourglass' Mineral Veil primer and a Mane 'n Tail Shampoo. The MD Skincare Alpha Beta peel pads were definitely on my list since reading Belledejournewyorkcity's blogpost on it and how it cleared up her skin. I'm trying it out tonight!

And the Becca Watermelon Beach Tint has always been a product I wanted to give a go. I decided also to try out their cake e/l (I got the black colour, Barbarella) as I have a sample Laura Mercier one that I like (but it's not in proper case packaging) and Becca's packaging always has me sold. Plus I love the Becca MUA on Zuneta's YT channel and made me want to get the tint and eyeliner. I wanted more...but stopped.

NOW, it's not that long since I've been back from Hong Kong and this haul was definitely an unexpected one for me. So I am on a no buy til the end of June when hopefully I can attend the London makeupalley member meet up. I'm thinking of Becca's blush in Songbird for then.....or another tint......arrrgggghhhhh!
xx

Another fashion house braves the world of makeup - Burberry cosmetics

2010-05-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Tom Ford has just come out with his lipstick line - which has received quite a few raves for its luxe and glam feel, and highly pigmented colours. Definitely if you can't afford the clothes, the sunnies (I myself would love to bag a pair of Anouk sunnies) paying £35 might seem worth it just to attain a bit of that glamour. But not for me....I'd rather spend that money on a high end foundation : D

So Burberry is due to launch their line in July and it wil feature foundations, powders, bronzers, eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, lip definers, lipsticks and mascara. Sounds pretty much on the mark of a standard makeup line. Burberry has done well in their fragrance line so why not try out cosmetics?

This is where I come over all British : D As much as my brain tells me to be positive and champion a much loved traditional British fashion brand, I don't have high hopes. We've been here before. Both Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg have tried and failed. Though makeup and fashion are inextricably linked, a great fashion design house does not a great cosmetics house make.

This is not to say that it can't be done - YSL, Chanel, Dior make a great success out of it. And it is not to say that newcomers can't be welcomed. But it's something that Chanel and co are cosmetic brands which have been around for a while and have already developed that 'classic' status. I thought Missoni were going somewhere when they brought out a highligher palette a couple of summers ago (I think) but then that also went nowhere. The only newcomer that has successfully made the leap is Giorgio Armani. But come to think of it, I don't even own anything from his line either. That probably says more about me and my tastes. The majority of my collection is made up of items from makeupartist lines. Not to say that I don't rate fashion house lines - some of my fave items have been precisely from Dior, YSL and Chanel! I guess I feel that I respect and 'trust' those items from makeupartist lines. They appeal more to me.

Equally, you don't find many makeup brands that foray into fashion. What type of fashion would MAC or Shu Uemura produce?!!! Or Bobbi Brown!? How about Clinique or Lancome?

The Burberry line is featured in this July's Elle UK. Alongside images of a neutral colour selection of powders (which would normally have me on high alert) - eyeshadows, bronzers, blushers - etched with the Burberry check, it is promoted as the makeup to 'check out'. Turn the page over and the British supermodel Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley is quoting her summer bare necessity is a sweep of Burberry bronzer (£30). Marketing indeed.

Yes I am being cynical in this post. I will indeed be checking it out and will gladly and most happily blog about whether I purchase anything. Burberry is a line that is reknown for being very popular with the Far East, especially Japan, so if they have factored that in - it could do well - like Jill Stuart. Come to think of it too, I have some great Mary Quant eye shadows and wish that line would get more notice.

I'm all for being fair and I will give the line the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes, it's all about the surprise if something turns out to work for you which makes a makeup product all the better.

What do you think?

Da Wei - Ni Men Hao!!!! Pics from Beijing....

2010-05-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hey there everyone

My hols is coming to an end (boohoo) but wanted to share some pix from my short trip to Beijing. I had a really good time - mainly because it was very nice to be with my parents. I like to be a bit silly with them - cos my family is quite serious (can't you tell from those of you who have seen my YT vids? lol) so I like to lighten the mood and bring a litte laughter in.

Beijing has obviously moved on so much from the last time I was there, about 20 yrs ago! I loved visiting the Great Wall and the workout up there! As well as the Forbidden City (need to watch the First Emperor film again) and the food of course! Went to Din Tai Fung (a Taiwanese restaurant but famous for dumplings) and of course had Peking Duck (roasted duck wrapped in pancakes with sauce - kinda like Crispy Aromatic Duck in the UK).

So just to share some pix:
One the way up to the Great Wall

I see it! puff, puff, cough, cough

WOW!!!

Quick gotta take a pic

More WOW!!

The trip down the mountain on a cable car

Checking out the history in Time Out (I totally rate Time Out City guides)
Eating fried Man Tao dipped in sweetened condensed milk = YUMMMMMMMMMMMYYY!

Chairman Mao greets you on entry to the Forbidden City (on Tianamen Square)

....and in the Forbidden City = so much history....

This is what I think of when I think of the Forbbidden City - long routes with high red walls a la First Emperor

Ballet flats before they were ballet flats....Chinese style - anyone?

....ok, how bout some chopsticks?

Din Tai Fung - how and where dumplings are made

And finally, of course I have done quite a bit of makeup shopping in HK - the highs are probably that I found a fantastic small cake eyeliner brush from the Bonjour cosmetics shop (like Sa Sa) that I use with my LM e/l and the MUFE aqua cream e/s and getting to restock on Sofina Lucent SPF 50. The low is that my all time fave and HG pale pink lipstick PK347 from Shiseido Maquillage has been discontinued....boohoo!

Anyhow - hope you all have been well and I'll be back to the regular schedule when I get back to the UK!
xxx

The makeup I brought with me on my hols....and my first purchases!

2010-05-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not a fan of packing. I'm just too neat and symmetrical that things have to fit just so - which they never do! So I end up getting frustrated. But I DO love packing for makeup : D I just like examining my makeup collection in all its glory -with holiday purchases in mind - and then packing accordingly to the hols, where I might go, what I might wear etc.

Like most makeup fans - I tend to overpack in this dept. Though I have so many multi purpose products. So I took some photos of what I brought with me to HK and here it is:

I did edit it down only once - being honest - took out a few things such as highlighters, more brushes. I think I overdid it on the lipsticks and blushes for sure : ) The blushes for me weren't a surprise but the balance of lipsticks over glosses was a surprise as I think I've been neglecting a lot of my lipsticks so just brought loads! And I could have done with one less e/s quad and maybe a couple less of the MAC Greasepaints! I brought the whole Laura Mercier eye colour set (Mini Metallic Creme Eye Colour set) because I've been trying out the LM cake e/l - and it's part of the packaging. I could have cut it out - just didn't have the inclination!

I thought I did well with my skincare : D I didn't bring any of my masks because I'm going to repurchase the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant in HK (tad cheaper) and which I had finished anyway. The Decleor Aromessence balm and La Mer sample were for the plane flight (I smear my face with the DEcleor balm to protect my skin and after using a wet wipe I apply a moisturiser - La Mer was one I found in the back of my bathroom cabinet). The Dermalogica sampless my mum gave me. I actually didn't need the Olay lotion because the weather in HK is quite warm (27 celsius) and more humid than London so the MAC Oil Control Lotion is doing a good job alone. Threw in my fave deo there too.

The shopping began at Heathrow Duty Free and I got the YSL Singulier mascara in 4 (purple) and the Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel in Sunkissed. The Chanel highlighter I'd checked out before and was hooked by its beauty. I have enough highlighters as it is but this has the most beautiful gold, slight peach tan shimmer to it. And the packaging is classy torture : D The YSL mascara was an impulse buy as I've been looking for a good 2 years now for a replacement of my Dior Maximeyes purple mascara and the YSL ad for this mascara had me intrigued. I did like the Faux Cils, so we'll see how this compares as the DFS SA told me it has the same effect, but is meant to be clump free. Hmmm.

I've been here a couple of days and only been out to shop once for about an hour in total! So I had to check out the True Professional Shop in Prudential Centre (I mentioned it in my makeup tour of HK YT vid) and I got the Graftobian HD colour palette at a 20% discount. After watching all the YT vids and reading about the MUFE Concealer palette - I was really wanting to see what all the fuss was about these kind of palettes. I've never tried Graftobian before - and with my experience of Cinema Secrets and Kryolan - I'm all out for trying film and TV makeup brands. First thoughts are that the colour palette seems good in texture (creamy and easy to apply) and the range of colours are sensible - ie. not too extreme in being too light or too bright/dark. I also had to get my trusty Sofina Lucent SPF50 as I had run out of this in the UK (and got backups!).

I did take a pic of the brushes I brought with me (this I am proud of cos it's not as many as I usually bring!) but for some reason my folks' computer can't upload it!

Above everything else, it feels very very nice to be back with family and to be back with the smells, hustle and bustle, lights and heat that makeup HK! (see how I cunningly squeezed that word in there?) I'm off to Beijing tomorrow for a few days trip so wanted to get this post out to you all - if you want me to name anything you see just let me know! Am excited about Beijing because I haven't been since I was a young teenager and it has changed so much - of many of the higlights I'm looking forward to - the food, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

This post has grown into some kind of history essay. My next post might be more of stuff that I am checking out - want to look at Shiseido, Bioderma, Neutrogena, MakeupForever. Hope you all had a good bank hols in the UK for my readers there - and for everyone else a fab weekend!

....how I miss that Fragrant Harbour............

2010-04-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard. So I have missed blogging and doing YT vids. But there's been nothing better than from a long and hard day at work, coming back home and relaxing watching other YT vids and reading blogs.

There's loads I want to say and video - but I am just a bit tired. I've bought a few things and treated myself to a massage at a spa - all great pick me ups to reward myself.

...but in the main I am missing my family and Hong Kong life. I just want a change of scenery, bit of convenience and to be back in the arms of family. I'll be flying outt at the end of this week and am very much looking forward to it. Fingers crossed the volcano behaves : D

So, I've compiled my hols beauty list....

1. Check out Asian brands like RMK, Sofina, Sonia Rykiel, Shiseido Maquillage, Shu Uemura, Cle de Peau etc
2. Check out Mario Badescu (lemming Glycolic wash)
3. Check out Sasa, Angel Cosmetics and other non-descript shops
4. new MAC collections if Hong Kong gets them as I'll miss out on the launch of Pret a Papier in London

.....any suggestions from my readers?

TAG - 3 questions and you're out

2010-04-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

So I enjoyed reading this 3 tag on Ondine's beauty blog: http://thisisondine.blogspot.com/2010/04/tag-3.html and decided to give it a go myself

Three jobs I have had:
1. Arts assistant
2. Arts Manager
3. Project Manager

Three places I have lived:
1. Los Angeles
2. Singapore
3. Hong Kong

Three favourite drinks:
1. Vita Lemon Tea (mmmm, yum - I grew up with this, in fact did a Hong Kong TV commercial for it)
2. English Breakfast tea (Sainsburys Red Label to be exact)
3. Diet Coke

Three TV shows I watch:
1. True Blood
2. Damages
3. Glee

Three favourite old TV shows:
1. My So Called Life (man, I loved this show during my teens)
2. Sex and the City (could watch re runs endlessly)
3. Miss Match (had high hopes for this one, thought it was a cute show)

Three places I have visited:
1. Russia just before the Communism regime fell - the history, so much of it turbulent, the tough people and you could sense that a change was in the air
2. China - because it's where my mum is from. Like Russia, the history, so much of it turbulent, the tough people and the phenomenal changes it has been through which would not have been anticipated 20 years ago.
3. Australia - it just feels like the other side of the world : D

Three places I would like to visit:
1. Cambodia
2. Sri Lanka
3. The South of the US - never been there e.g. Louisiana, New Orleans, Tennessee

Three people who text me regularly:
1. My boyfriend
2. My best friend
3. My workmates

Three favourite dishes:
1. Phad Thai
2. Spaghetti Vongole
3. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Three makeup products I couldn't live without:
1. Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
2. Maybelline Waterproof Full&Soft mascara in black
3. Stila Convertible Colours

Three things I am looking forward to:
1. Taking a well deserved hols soon to HK (I have been working so hard!)
2. Seeing my family and meeting my newborn niece for the first time
3. Spending the weekend with my boyfriend

Three 'life' lessons I have learned/am learning (this last one I have added to the tag)
1. Don't take life so seriously (am working on this!).
2. You don't need approval from other people that you are kind, loving, fun or whatever it is that you are seeking approval for. The only person you need approval from is yourself. (This is a tough one for me!)
3. Treat yourself and others with love and kindness - no matter what shit is thrown at you.

I tag all of you!!!

OOTD and FOTD inspired by Kim Kardashian in People Style mag

2010-03-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

I was relaxing with the April issue of People Style (the one with Jen Aniston on the cover) and fell in love with this KK look done by Mario Dedivanovic:

I like it cos it's very pretty, simple but fresh and radiant. It's a bronzed peachy radiant face, with classic thick black eyeliner on top with a copper bronze liner on bottom. I like also how her brows aren't as filled in as she normally has them and which I find sometimes really overpowering for such a pretty face. I like how they are much more natural here.

So I was inspired to do something similar, though something better suited to my skintone using products I have. Here's my version:

FACE
Korres Wild Rose Foundation #2
Kryolan blush (taupey brown) for contour
Stila Gerbera Convertible colour on apples
Kryolan blush(peach) ontop of apples
A touch of Shu Translucent loose powder on forehead, tip of nose and chin

EYES
Kryolan Kajal #1092 on lids and inner corner and inner dark circles (used as eye base and to help conceal dark circles)
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
Shu Uemura M820 on lids and just above crease
MAC Espresso on outer crease corner
Laura Mercier cake eyeliner
NYX French Fries to line lower lid
Shu Uemura ME 860 ontop of NYX liner
Kryolan Glamour Glow palette - Pale Tan and Bronzing Agais to highlight inner corners

Shu Uemura Black Forest eyebrow gel
Maybelline Falsies Mascara in black
Maybelline Waterproof Full & Soft in black

LIPS
Smashbox Elegant and Beautiful
Jouer lipgloss in Wind
17 lipliner in Fawn traced around lips

I could have bronzed it up more and added false lashes, but it's a lorra products for a simple look! I like it. Looks simple pretty and classy with the liner. I used a few new products - the Kryolan khol and blushes (the ref numbers which I can't see as it's stuck in a palette!) and the Laura Mercier cake eyeliner. I'm really liking the Kryolan products thus far and interested in trying out more. The LM cake eyeliner also surprised me as it takes a lot to tear me away from my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners - but I really like how it gives an opaque finish and is very 60s. Very Pixie Lott! And for the first time using it - it doesn't transfer to the top of my lids.

Hope you enjoyed this breakdown - long as it was!

xxx

Skincare workout - Project 10 pan!

2010-03-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

So my Project 5 pan for makeup is going tres slow.......tres slow. I keep finding other things in my collection to play with, rather than focusing on the items I've identified! Though my MAC Studio Tech I am pleased to say is quickly finishing up. This post shows me that I'm more of a skincare junkie than a makeup one maybe....or that it's so much easier to finish skincare items. Which is proably true.

So to help encourage me with my original Project 5 pan, I would like to post the items I have used up thus far:

Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Recovery Mask
Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant Mask
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Scrub
Elemis Tri Enzyme Facial Wash (YT review to do)
Sofina Lunasol SPF 50
Embryolisse Lait Concentre Cream
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (this took me years to finish!)
Loreal Demaq Expert Elixir Concentrate Ultra Makeup Remover
Olay Complete Care Mlti-radiance Daily Illuminating UV Cream
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream (YT review to do)

Do you find skincare items easier to finish?

Friday hippy happy vintage clothes haul

2010-03-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

Friday is my excuse day.......it's been so so busy at work in the last 2-3 weeks as I reach a major deadline at the end of April (another month to go!) that Fridays are becoming my retail therapy days.

I checked out the new MAC art collections in Covent Garden and wasn't tempted by anything with the exception of Too Fabulous lipliners - Nude and In Synch. But I got to the store too late as they were closing up so didn't make a purchase.

Instead, I moseyed on to one of my favourite vintage stores - Rokit. I liked it more when they weren't so well known with their original store, as the prices weren't as epxensive as they are now. The Covent Garden store has a good selection of stock.

I'm getting more into the TV series Mad Men, just love how clever it is. How it has resonance to 21st century viewers. And I've always liked the vintage slips that Carrie in SATC (my ultimate favourite TV series - I could watch re runs for eternity). But I could never find one that wasn't torn or terribly stained and looked like it had been dragged through I don't know what. Until I found this gem.....

It fits perfectly. I feel totally like Maggie the Cat aka Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I love the pleats and the embroidery on the bottom. I have this sheer taupe summer Zara dress which is a bit shorter than I'd like and I'd been looking for a slip dress underneath with lace which would set it off. And I have!

I then caught sight of this oh so soft and comfortable cotton dress which has the perfect Victorian/Edwardian style lace detail at top and on the sleeves. I plan to wear this with the sleeves rolled up, and a tan belt. The dress falls slightly on the A line which is great for my curvy pear shape. I'll be wearing it with the top buttons unbuttoned to create a V shape so that I don't look too top heavy : D

Any vintage pieces - or else inspired that you've recently bought or what pieces in your wardrobe or you loving atm?

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

..........................I got a Shu-eeling

2010-03-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I got another Shu Glow On Blush - P Red 14 - in an effort to recreate the bronzed berry blush look of LC in my previous post below. Someone on MUA recommended NARS Amour (and I'm not a fan of NARS blushes - rare in the mu world I know!) and I wanted something similar. I was at Harvey Nicks and the Business Manager (what Shu calls its MUA managers), Scott Price, at Shu seemed very lovely so I went in and booked a makeover with him.

The makeover was last Friday after work which was a really nice time cos it was quiet on a Friday at Harvey Nicks. I wanted to recreate the black eyeliner flick of LC but also wanted to try Shu's foundations too.

These are the best pics that I could come up with of the makeover:

Makeup Products used were:
UV Mousse Base
Architect Fluid #764
Pro Concealer 7YR
Translucent Loose Powder
Glow On blush in Peach 44 (my 1st ever Shu blush and a fave!)
Blush in Gold
Eyeshadows in M960, M990 and P990
Drawing pencil in matte black
Painting Liner in M Black
Basic mascara in black
False lashes in partial flare
And I forgot what lipgloss!!!

I then tried to recreate the look the next day - a more pared down look as I didn't use lashes and used a sheerer foundation. How'd I do? : D

In the end I came away with 3 things - the premium a/o cleansing oil, a beautiful cool toned matte grey e/s #M960 and partial flare lashes

The makeover lasted 90 mins which for a makeover was quite long and it was the first type of makeover that I've done where the artist does one side and then it's over to you to try and do it on the other side. I wasn't expecting that at all so was slightly nervous but at the same time excited to do it whilst an expert was guiding me! I liked it. I had fun.

Although I was impressed with the oil controlling properties of the foundation (I didn't see an oily T zone for 4 hours), I didn't feel that it blended in as well as I liked - was a bit dry and streaky. But I did like the lashes, blush and eyeshadows of course : D
I also learnt 2 new things:
1. A different way to apply eyeshadow. Use a flat sweeping motion from the top of your crease down to your lid which helps to create that outer corner colour. A flat brush is needed - whereas I'm so used to doing it using a MAC #217.
2. Apply khol eyeliner first and then apply your gel/painting liner on top to get more of that precise line. The khol helps to fill in any gaps that the liner might not reach.

The makeover was £30 redeemable against products. And Scott was so nice, I felt very comfortable. I definitely feel my Shu love affair will not be ending anytime soon.......

What new products are you loving at the moment?

Lauren Conrad makeup by Amy Nadine

2010-02-28T16:52:00.000-08:00

I came across the website of Lauren Conrad's makeup artist, Amy Nadine, tonight. Her most recent post is about the makeup she did for the look that I recently posted about.

I'm dubious about all the products she used as all being from Mark, but it's her technique that I think also make the look great. So I enjoyed reading how she did it - and might give it a go ; D

Here's the link - what do you think?

http://www.amynadinebeauty.com/2010/02/lauren-conrad-signature-look-with.html

Just a teeny weeny post - facial pads from the John Lewis brand

2010-02-27T14:58:00.000-08:00

I've used those round cotton pads for as long as I can remember to apply my toner as well as remove my eye makeup. Especially as Superdrug does those 2 for 1 offers for something like under £2.

I was doing a marathon of watching juicytuesday on YT (and I cannot believe how long it took me to discover her - she is just so entertaining and a talent at tutorials to boot)and she recommended using Shisheido cotton pads. They're large and rectangular shaped. I remember using these type of pads whilst growing up in Hong Kong and they were very very soft. They are so much more gentler on the eye when removing makeup - I've always felt that the round cotton pads that exist are thicker in width, though smaller in size, but they tug on the eye.

So, they don't sell the Shiseido pads in the UK, but I found a similar product from John Lewis. It is their Pure Cotton Cleansing Pads - 50 pads for £1.75. Now this might seem more pricey than the normal round cotton pads but I tear one in half - which gives me 2 uses. They are great pads - soft and are very gentle on the eye, and they also don't disintegrate when soaked which is a bonus.

This might seem a bit of an odd post - but I'm so glad I found these and wanted to share. I didn't think that it would make a difference, but I won't go back to the round cotton pads from Superdrug or Boots. I've found something better.

Hope you all having a great weekend!

....ok, the keyword is WORKOUT! Getting back on the healthy diet & gym wagon....

2010-02-23T14:00:00.000-08:00

This is not a makeup post but more a vain hope to help me kickstart my healthy eating and exercise routine - afterall the word #workout' is my blog's name! So I've gained a few pounds since before Xmas which I need to shake off : D My size 12 clothes are feeling too snug for comfort and I want to be ready for warmer weather when you're not piling on the layers which very helpfully conceal any roundedness!

I find I have most success in weight loss when I eat sensibly, moderately and often. Combined with exercise = it's the perfect combo. For me, the crucual ingredient to success is being ORGANISED. When I've thought ahead about the week's food (I don't plan every meal for the week) but stock up with fresh and nutritious food - I falter less. With food, I'm quite lazy and that's where I fall down. If I can't be bothered I'll do what is convenient, especially when I've had to work late then hit the gym meaning I don't get back home til late - grabbing the most convenient thing from the shelves which is normally not good. But I'm learning that it doesn't take long to bung in some fish or meat with some herbs or sauce in the oven with salad, or stir fried/baked/vegetables.

The other thing that works for me is not to have refined carbs at dinner so I avoid pasta, bread, potatoes and rice. It's just meat/fish and veg. It's very hard (esp with Chinese food!) but I've found that avoiding these kind of carbs has a huge benefit in that I don't feel full before bed - and especially avoids bloating. What I do ensure is that I have had rice, bread or potatoes for lunch so that when I go to the gym I can usefully work out.

2 more little points (!):
- Bring colour into your food. Different coloured veg - peppers, beans, aubergine, corn, red onion e.g. Makes it way more appetising.
- Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper. I find it difficult to breakfast like a king (not awake enough in the morning!) but I definitely try to have more at lunch than at dinner. It's the carbs that make it more substantial at lunch.
I'm in no way shape or form a fitness/nutrition expert - but the above has worked for me thus far.

I just wanted to share some of the dishes I've made over the last 2 days - also so that I can look back at this when I'm not feeling motivated. Get back in there Claire! #wink#

Breakfast: 2 Weetabixs with Allbran, with skimmed milk and a drizzling of maple syrup

Lunch: wholewheat spaghetti with p[rawns and spinach lightly stir fried, with fresh pomodoro tomatoes mashed in as sauce

Dinner: Oven baked seasoned monkfish with lightly stir fried spinach with garlic, topped up with Thai Sweet Chili sauce

My lunch tomorrow: wholegrain brown rice, lightly stirfried beansprouts, broccoli and celery in soya sauce with steamed white fish garnished with sesame oil, coriander and topped with cashew nuts.

These are the sauces that are integral to me to give flavour to my dishes. They hail, in the main, from the Far East so you have soya, Teriyaki, Sukiyaki, thai sweet chili and fish sauces, sesame oil (only a little bit!), peanut butter (mixed in with a bit of chili and sesame oil is a delish salad dressing), maple syrup, light mayo, ketchup, English mustard and tomato paste. With these ingredients I find I need less oil and completely avoid canned or bottled sauces which hide a lot of fat and calories.

I've just realised that this post is way too long but it's what I'm thinking at the minute. More posts in due course to come of course.

For those of you on a healthy regime, what are you star secrets?

FOTD Lauren Conrad - love her look

2010-02-21T04:12:00.000-08:00

As most of you will know LC ha been flogging her new book on a US tour and I enjoy seeing what she comes up with in terms of fashion and makeup looks for her various signings and intervies. I love her look here:

Ok so yes, I know photoshopping helps a lot with the smoothness and dewiness of her skin. I really like the eyeliner and bronzer flush. It's a neutral look - but there is a lot of makeup there to deal with the constant photo flashbulbs!

I do like the Hills - not so much now that Lauren is out - but I really look forward to checking out her style book that comes out in October this year. I don't think I can quite bring myself to purchasing her fiction books though....not unless I'm going for a beach hols.

xxx

Lookie here - swap workout!

2010-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Swapping has been on the slow for awhile now so I am trés excited about this swap which landed through the post this last weekend:

Makeupforever HD foundation

Ever since meeting YTer whatstyleistonickel in person at London IMATS and also gossmakeupartist's review on it - I've wanted to try this foundation. I've never tried anything from MUFE before - so I'm guessing that this is a great first product to try!

So, I tried to swatch it on the back of my hand but doesn't come out that well. I got it in shade #125 which is a tad bit warm for me, though I have yet to play with it on my face of course.

Looking online and for swatches, as well as checking Sephora's shade descriptions, it's difficult to choose a shade without a counter for me! I so prefer swatching at a counter. London stores gurumakeupemporium in Hammersmith and PAM in Shepherd's Bush do stock the line, but I might just check the other colours when I next visit HK in the next few months.

Will update on how I find its finish, staying power etc but in the meantime I would love to hear from you about what you think of this foundation?

Lisa Eldridge - UK celebrity makeup artist and the MUA behind Boots No7

2010-02-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered a relatively new beauty channel from the UK makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. She's the woman behind the remaking of No7 line from Boots, and since she's been involved with them I think No7 has definitely improved and become more appealing.

Here's her channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/lisaeldridgedotcom

I've been loving catching up on her YT videos, and the most recent her skincare ones as I've enjoyed finding out what she uses! She uses quite a bit - a true cosmetic junkie at heart!

The one thing that I really like about her channel - is her manner and the way she talks about makeup and skincare - crossing both her own personal opinion and use of makeup/cosmetics as well as her professional opinion of the products she uses in the fashion and beauty industry.

I can't wait to see how she develops her channel, as she gains popularity and more subscribers, as I am very sure she will.

Here's her website too:

http://www.lisaeldridge.com/biography/

Seriously, check her out.

The strangest thing eva..........NYX in Harrods?!?!?!

2010-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

I trotted along to Harrods today cos I wanted to check out the new MAC collections and also Zara which is opposite Harrods. Didn't get anything - though going to hint to the boyf about MAC Oil Control Lotion for Valentine's #wink# - and when I was last at Harrods, I went to the 4th floor to check out the sales. I was quite impressed by the womenswear trend section on that 4th floor - so went to check it out today.

Browsing from the Warehouse and French Connection concessions to Juicy Couture and Joseph, I found myself wandering to the more expensive brands such as Milly, Sonia Rykiel. And Lo and Behold! A NYX stand! There was no MUA but a full stand!

They had the jumbo eye pencils, the lip pencils, mosaic blushes, foundations, lipglosses, some eyeshadow palettes. I couldn't see any prices am afraid. But am so surprised that it's in Harrods! They had quite a lot of products too. They even had label stickers with both NYX and Harrods logos on it - so there must be some special relationship there. Didn't think to take a pic - must be smarter next time #knocks head#

I only have one NYX jumbo eye pencil, French Fries, which I really like but don't wear often cos they crease soooooo badly. I was interested in Black Bean, Milk, Cottage Cheese which were all there. But didn't get any in the end cos the colours didn't grab me IRL.

On exiting Harrods, I saw opposite the road a huge ad on the facing building for a new Topshop that's gonna open there. Gosh. I might be frequenting Knightsbridge much more now.

Have a great weekend everyone!
xxx

Soap & Glory recommendations?

2010-02-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

I'm about to do a review on a Bliss product on YT, and over the last few months I've been seeing more and more Soap & Glory products being reviewed and blogged about. Marcia Kilgrove is the mastermind behind Bliss and Soap & Glory. I like the Bliss poroduct so I wondered what should I try from Soap & Glory?

Any recs?

IMATS LONDON 2010

2010-01-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

So I am so so so so so very excited to be going to IMATS London 2010 at Alexandra Palace tomorrow. This will be my first IMATS event and since I joined YT I've always wondered about it and am very curious to see what goes on and what new things I can learn!

Moreover, I am very excited to meet some bloggers and YTers - hope to see some familiar faces in person!

I will of course update either on my blog or on YT- to share my thoughts on this event.

Hope you all having a lovely weekend......
xxx

Sunday shopping workout in Milton Keynes

2010-01-24T15:45:00.000-08:00

Was visiting in Milton Keynes today and picked up a few things. The one thing I will say about shopping outside of a big city like London, is that you can really find some gems. Whilst there aren't the newest fashions, newest gadgets and toys, newest cuisines - and of course newest makeup collections - that London gets, likewise there aren't the same numbers of people that will snap up everything new. The demand I guess isn't that great perhaps in correlation to supply. Supply and demand.
: D

Milton Keynes has a great number of brands - and in the makeup department does quite well with a Debenhams, House of Fraser, Boots and John Lewis so you can get your Dior, Chanel, YSL, Guerlain, Laura Mercier, MAC etc - but no Bobbi Brown, Elemis or SpaceNK with NARS, Chantecaille etc. But I'm quite happy with the selection of brands on offer.

Anyhoo - on to my shopping workout today.

I have run out of my trusted SPF Sofina Lucent UV and need something to tide me over in the sunscreen dept til I next go to HK in a few months. So I have read alot about La Roche Posay sunscreen and I'm interested in trying other things from this brand, after having a good experience with their Respectissime eye makeup remover. I do have to say that I did look at other 'drugstore' brands on offer in Boots and I'm really surprised at how little independent sunscreens that are on offer. There are a lot of moisturisers that offer SPF (SPF 20 mainly)and LRP and Vichy were the only ones that offered a sole sunscreen product. A trick missing there.

So I settled on Anthelios SPF 30+ Fluide Extreme. The lotion seemed similar to the Sofina Lucent in that it has a liquidy consistency and feel. This is designed especially for oily skins so is lightweight and I am hoping that it doesn't exacerbate oils. It retails at £14.99 from Boots.

I then moseyed on into TK Maxx and was looking at the bag sections and came across a really nicely bean shaped tan coloured bag from RiiK2, a brand that I have seen in John Lewis. It was a really nice colour but just a bit small for me and I wasn't that bowled over by it and then another bag caught my eye:

I don't know if there is a brand to this bag - can't find a label. It's real leather and for me a fantastic colour and shape. It is new but has a vintage look and feel. Brilliant for work as well as for when I want to look a bit smarter going out - meeting with the Bank Manager maybe? : D I'll never be able to afford a Hermes Birkin (let alone have the patience or inclination for the insane waiting list) nor a Mulberry. But I think this looks much more classy and smart than a Mulberry. I love it and thought it was a totally great buy - £49.99.

The last thing was a piece of clothing - in black. What was I saying a few posts ago about needing to veer away from black?! : D This dress was a steal from Zara basic at £12.99 in the sale. I was wondering how I could incorporate the lace trend in my wardrobe - was thinking a lace undervest to wear with a blazer or tux jacket. This dress is better. It's got a bit of a 50s vibe and the higher waist band is flattering from my round pear shape. It's very comfy - not itchy at all - as it has an underlining.

Might wear it at this coming weekend's IMATS event in London. Maybe. : D

What have been your purchases or discoveries this weekend?

To prime or not to prime - a necessary part of your foundation workout?

2010-01-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

WARNING - THIS IS A LONG POST!

Over the last few weeks I've been having this debate in my head about whether or not a face primer is necessary - for me. I think it's cos my skin has changed from oily to combination, and certainly in this colder and drier weather my makeup seems to be holding up well.

I used to be an avid face primer user - I've done a video of the ones that I have used over the years on YT. I used to really, really, and I mean really, believe that it was necessary. Recently as well, it seems that the majority of primers are so heavily silicone based (I know there are those out there that don't like Korres though I haven't tried it) - and I don't like the feeling of silicone. I've been using Sofina Lucent UV as my SPF for over a year now and it doubles up as a primer ie. when I use it I do find that my foundation does last longer. I like the double use. I've run out of it so might try out Shiseido's SPF which some reviewers have said double up as primer too.

But I'm wondering now, especially as I've been trying out Chantecaille's Future Skin foundation (which I will do a review of it shortly)as the SpaceNK MA said it has a 'built in primer' in it, whether the improved formulas and properties of foundations negate the need for a separate primer. I think companies are improving, on the whole, their makeup lines and especially foundations - from drugstore to luxury brands. I do feel that on the whole they are getting much better, more long lasting, oil free, moisturising, less cakey etc. There's definitely more competition out there so brands need to be on the ball. (though sometimes I still wonder when a crap product comes out and you think - haven't they learned? ;D )

Primers for me also don't stop oil at all, and don't stop your makeup fading in totality - but maybe that's too much to expect. But if I am going to have to touch up anyway throughout the day - I'm now looking at other ways to improve the staying power of my makeup:

#1. Try products that help keep oilies at bay - Milk of Magnesia and OC Eight gel at the mo. I'm also interested in trying Murad's Mattifier.
#2. Exfoliate and moisturise. In this freezing weather, I'm paying extra attention to my skin. I've kept on top of my skin regime and had to buy richer moisturisers for this weather - Eucerin's Hyaluronic lines (which I will also do a review on shortly). It could be a moisturiser or hilighting lotion like MAC's Strobe Cream. The regular exfoliation and richer creams I believe are actually helping to prepare my skin for the foundation to adhere to much better. My skin just seems to be 'bouncier' and more supple.
#3. Set makeup with a facial mist. I use Boots Botanics Brightening Toner. Works a treat.
#4. Now this last one is easier said than done. Use a foundation which is, in your eyes, a good quality foundation - something that you feel has been made well and you like the look of it on your skin.

I said it wasn't easy ; D Anyhoo, I just thought I'd put my thoughts out there - and wondered what you all think?

Golden Globes 2010!! My faves

2010-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

With all the GG buzz, I thought I'd do a short post on whose makeup I liked the most. I've spent the last 2 hours checking out pix (haven't got through to all of them!) with E! online on the telly in the background. My fave is Lea Michele - I love the flawlessness of her skin, the fabulous voluminous falsies, and the pale pink lips with some contouring. These images don't do it justice but it's what I could find.....

Temptalia has better close up images and very helpfully gives a breakdown of what the makeupartist useds, mainly Dior. Hmmmm.....I've only tried mascaras from Dior, but might need to arrange a visit to the counter : D Hmmmm....

I also liked Ginnifer Goodwin, but that might be because I think she looked very different from everyone else, playing on her pixie like hairstyle - but the electric blue short dress (rather than full glam) - made her stand out IMO. Her skin was like cream IMO.

What were your faves?

My new workout of Project 5 pan!!!

2010-01-13T13:05:00.001-08:00

This is my first stab at Project 10 pan - though I am starting off slow with Project 5 pan! I believe people find it of interest so I thought I would post what I'm trying to finish off. That's it really what this project means to me - in terms of items I want to finish off - rather than any other criteria. I'm not adhering to the PT5 rules strictly (I actually don't really know what they are specificially!), as in I'm not on a low buy or waiting to finish off these items before purchasing more, the main aim for me is to finish these items so that I can clear some space!

I looked at my collection and wondered how I was ever going to select things to use solidly over the course of the next month (months - I don't know how long!) as I like the variety my collection gives me and allows me to 'play'. I'm already trying to 'Shop my Stash' so that keeps me busy with rotating things from my collection. So I selected things that I like to use - and rather conveniently - things that I am nearing finishing anyway. This is also a bonus because I am then trying this project off slowly - so that I don't get frustrated with an item that I hardly use and 'have' to finish it.

It's kinda like starting that diet but instead of doing it all or nothing - I'm trying the moderation approach.

So I keep my key makeup storage in Muji boxes on top of a clothes cabinet of drawers (to the left in the pic below) and am keeping the 5 items in clear view to remind me to use them!

The items are from top clockwise:

Boots No 7 Higlighting Lotion (in their permanent line)
Boots No 7 LE Gold Hilighting Lotion (I've used this sparingly over the last 2 years cos it's LE and I love it so but I need to use it up to clear space!)
MAC StudioTech foundation
Stila Convertible Colour in Rose
Tarte Rest Assured pencil (I only like the flesh pencil and not the highlighter on the other end)

So, I'm curious to see how I will do, and how long this will take, I'm guessing maybe 1-2months? I'm actually doing rather well on finishing alot of skincare prodcuts (eye makeup remover, creams, toner etc) but makeup is much harder as most of you who have done it will know!

Anyhow, let me know if you found this post interesting or not, cos I'm not sure whether it is of interest to people?

Hope those of you in the UK - or in artic climates - are wrapping up warm!!

Fashion bag workout - the London sales cont'd....

2010-01-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

This last weekend I hit the shops with my mum as it's her last weekend before she goes back home to Hong Kong : (

I wasn't really looking (isn't that always the case?) for anything cos I have only got a few things in the sales - but haven't gone mad on it because I've reached a point in my wardrobe where I don't need another little black dress or crisp white shirt. So I'd been wanting a pair of strappy gold heels to dress up an evening outfit for a while and when the Jan sales first opened I scored these ones from Monsoon - they are not too high, but high enough to feel feminine and are so comfy! £25 too! Anyways, this last weekend I found this leather gold clutch bag in Dorothy Perkins for a mere £10! I thought they go well together.

Next up, when it came out last year I remember, I lusted after the Longchamp dome satchel legende but it was way too pricey at retail and even on sale still out of my range. Lo and behold Debenham's Blue cross sale!

This bag is from Modalu - a high street brand which is still pricey I think - but it really is the closest I will ever come to being able to afford a great high quality bag with beautiful soft skin leather and a great bowling bag shape. I love how it crumples in the bottom left corner in the second pic. Ever since I started noticing Modalu in the shops a few seasons ago I've wanted to try one of their bags - cos I just love the soft leather. This IMO was a good staple buy cos it was 50% off, £85 sale price, but a good investment and a good copy of the Longchamp one!

Have any of you tried a Modalu bag - or indeed any fab bargains you got during the sales?

Just loving ELLE UK magazine - got my 2010 fashion monthly fix sorted!

2010-01-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am a magazine freak. Love 'em. But I haven't subscribed to a mag since back in the day as a teenager when nothing other than Allure would do (you know when the supers and Kevyn Aucoin were "it", when the matte look was everywhere and MAC Spice lip pencil everyone's favourite). Belledejour's recent post spurred me on to write my own. Check her post out too at http://belledujournewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-up-inspiration-du-jour-1810.html

So I have subscribed and officially become an ELLE UK fan! Just makes so much more sense if I am buying them from the newsagent monthly. #Note to self# Shop Smarter in 2010. I've been getting back into ELLE over the last 6 months, I just love their edgy, refreshing, London based outlook. I might not be able to afford a lot of the stuff in there - but it gives me inspiration and makes me feel in touch with the city I live in. I guess they cover my taste of fashion but what I also really like about ELLE UK is that they cover London culture and lifestyle - which makes it a good read to me. Sometimes I feel like I get ELLE and then London Time Out all in one : D Plus I've been loving their cover girls lately - and this week's newest Feb edition stars noneother than the oh-so-gorgeous Natalie Portman:

I also subscribed of course this month because of the freebies ; D #Smart Shopping Act 2#. Three Essie nail polishes come with subscription this month - Secret Affair, No Boundaries and Great Expectations. After my manicure last weekend (which has lasted til today so I am impressed) with Essie's Pepperoni (pic above and below), I didn't need any more reason to subscribe.

(Love this red!)

ELLE UK also has a great website - with a fun and friendly beauty section with their beauty editors posting about everything and anything new in beauty in this city. I love checking them out on a daily basis! Dream job ; D

So, you can tell that I have begun a love affair with ELLE UK.

What magazines, publications, websites do you just absolutely love?

BLACK - BLACK - BLACK - BLACK - I need a fashion workout!

2010-01-07T13:46:00.000-08:00

Black is probably the one single colour I have most of in my wardrobe. I'm guessing many people do. I love black - I'd say it was my signature and safe go to colour. But I was disappointed when I stood back from hanging up my recent washload of clothes on my airdryer and saw this:

EVERY piece of clothing on the airdryer is black (ok there is a hint of bright pink in there but you know what I mean). I have LOADS of colour in my wardrobe but I just seem to be grabbing all black. I like to dress in black for my office look with statement jewellery or a bright nail colour or lip. But it's getting boring and too safe. I need some colour!

Over the holidays I did my annual wardrobe clearout which felt good but I feel like I need a fashion overhaul. My BFF and I agreed to treat each other to a personal stylist makeover at a department store in February (as our birthday prezzies to each other) and I'm really looking forward to it. We just need to decide on whether it'll be John Lewis, House of Fraser, Debenhams? Within our price range.

Have you ever just got stuck in a fashion or even makeup rut? Or stuck with one colour, pattern or style? What did you do about it?

An accessories workout - courtesy of Accessorize!

2010-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

In celebration of the last day before heading back to work tomorrow to begin 2010 projects - I packed a fun filled day today with my mum. Bit of cultural visiting, strolling about, pampering and shopping....all in one day.

My mum wanted to see the current V&A exhibition Maharaja - The Splendour of India's Royal Courts so we zipped on over there in the morning. In honour of much anticipated dazzling jewellery pieces in the exhibition, I wore these 2 necklaces from Accessorize.

..they don't quite compare to the exhibition objects, but I felt I had dressed for the part. ; D Check this hefty exhibition object out!:

The ones I got were ones from the Accessorize sale because I thought they looked Olivia Palermo-ish (aka from The City) though I don't for one second resemble her at all - in the looks, style or money stakes! But I think they work together, which I was quite surprised at as I don't tend to layer necklaces. I kept everything else free - so no earrings, bracelets or rings. Especially as after the exhibition, my mum and I went to the nail salon and I went for red manicure polish (which by the way, I am loving, I chose Essie Pepperoni np). I also got this pearl/diamante choker at Accessorize:

I do love that shop, especially so at sale time. You can update your wardrobe simply with a piece of jewellery. After the manicure, I popped into MAC to get Hue l/s as part of B2M, but also a back up of 2N l/g, Relaxed shadestick AND I also picked up Nurture shadestick from the Warm & Cozy collection. Yes, I did. Oops.

The V&A exhibition ends on 17 January so there isn't much time left, it was a fine exhibition, but I was a bit disappointed because I think there was much more that could have been made of the exhibition theme - especially the 'splendour' - as there were only a few choice pieces. And I would have liked a bit more of a story or background to the royal families that were featured. It kind of left me feeling a bit shortchanged. Come to think of it, whether it's a new exhibition, film or the latest makeup product - snazzy titles and marketing does wonders eh? : p

But the best thing about today was spending time with my mum, cause I haven't been that great at it in the past but it's something I am working on ; D

Back to work tomorrow.................

MAC Warm & Cozy - a workout of sorts

2010-01-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2010 brings you all happiness, health and love.

So you know I love bronze shadows. Love them. Heart them.
I could not, therefore, resist MAC's Shadestick in Relaxed from their Warm & Cozy collection. I've only had one shadestick before, Sharkskin, but I much preferred Graphite paint as a dark shadow base and much easier to apply. So I was wary of the shadestick but once I swatched it I knew I had to have it. Namely because of it's colour. It is the perfect quick bronze eye look for me, as a shadow (sheer or layered more intensely) and eyeliner. I've always been looking for a bronze (non-creasy) cream eyeshadow - NYX jumbo pencils crease too much (I have French Fries) as do the MAC Cream Coloured Bases (I have Bronze).

I also picked up 2N lipglass as I missed out on it the first time round, and it really is the perfect slightly pink gloss with a sheer shimmer! I love it! So - I am probably going to go back and get back ups.......#shrugs#

So for some swatches - this is the best at focusing my camera can do!

By the time I took these pics of my FOTD, the daylight had faded and my bathroom lighting sucks. Anyhow, I'm using MAC Relaxed shadestick all over my lid, and then blended out sheerly, and then I applied MAC Sable e/s on the lid and concentrated it on the inner corner. I then applied MAC Relaxed on my top and bottom eyeline roughly (ie. not precisely) and went over that (waterlining) with Gosh Metallic Brass eyeliner. I then used a smudge brush to blend the two liners together. I am also just wearing 2N lipglass.

Did you haul from Warm & Cozy? What did you think?

FOTD - bitten by the false lashes bug again!

2009-12-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

Felt like posting a FOTD. I've been doing a smokey eye every day this last week and this morning I wanted to do more of a clean eye but bronzed overall look - inspired by Olivia Palermo from The City. I am totally much more of a Whitney fan, but Olivia P has been gaining momentum in the overall style stakes (going to buy next week's Grazia as she's featured in it!). As she has major false lashes (at least I think they are) I blew off the dust of my false lash collection (oh yes, I have one!) as I went through a phase of wearing falsies a while back. I'm too chicken to try Latisse or other chemical lash enhancers - I'm pretty sensitive about touching my eyes etc though I wear contacts!

Voila my collection:

Actually looking through it, I threw 4 pairs away as they'd seen better days! My fave lashes are the very natural Eyelure 010 which are the least dramatic but add volume, thickness and a full flutter to my lashes.

So I tried a new pair I bought in the US this year - Ardell 301 corner lashes. I love! Now, I'm not an expert on application - I take longer than I'd like - but these corner ones were a breeze! They also looked quite 'natural' in that they weren't so long that they looked fake in comparison to the rest of my inner lashes - if that makes sense. Ie. it was a gradual lengthening as you went along my lashline. I think anyway : D They also didn't feel like I had anything on - I tend to feel falsies sometimes throughout the day when wearing a full set. But these - I forgot about them until I went to the bathroom : D

My FOTD today:

Chantecaille Future Skin in Cream
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
MAC Bare Canvas paint
MAC Brule all over wash
Prescriptives 2009 Hols Warm palette Sage e/s in inner corner and browbone
Prestige Eyeliner in E12 Brown
MAC Dark Devotion e/s to set the liner above (from 2008 Xmas Warm hols colln)
Shu Uemura Brow gel in Forest Black
Maybelling Full & Soft mascara in black
A touch of Bobbi Brown gel e/l in Forest Shimmer on the 'join' of the falsies to my lashline
Bobbi Brown Natural Bronzer matte to contour and bronze face
Prescriptives 2009 Hols Warm palette Cheek Colour in Ginger (so pretty!)
Shiseido Maquillage lipstick in PK347

I love the Ardell 301. For sure. A quick websearch pulls up that they retail at £4.95 (excl postage) at www.johnandginger.co.uk. I haven't tried this online retailer before, so if you do - let me know how you find them!

In general, I find Eyelure makes very good full sets too which are currently on sale in Harrods as well if anyone is interested.

What are your fave falsies?

First Boxing Day Sale purchase workout - Prescriptives!

2009-12-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a lovely lovely day yesterday with family and friends. I don't celebrate Xmas but my mum was round and we tucked into a hearty Lamb stew she made, finished with mince pies and custard (courtsey of Sainsbury's and Bird's Eye) and watched 2 DVDs. 'Crossing Over' which was a good film about both sides of the immigration story in LA (Mum chose it cos Harrison Ford was in it) and 'The Young Victoria' (which I chose cos Emily Blunt is in it). Emily Blunt is just so gorgeous. The makeup was simple but her porcelain flawless skin was perfection -like cream! And her blue eyes (or contacts) just beamed out against her rosy cheeks. Gonna rent the next film with her in it called 'Sunshine Cleaning'. But I digress, back to the title of this post!

My mum and I braved for a short while the Boxing Day Sales in Oxford Street - which wasn't bad until about 12pm when EVERYONE came out! (We got there a bit earlier). I went to the Prescriptives counter in House of Fraser as an overseas pal (Meta you!) wanted a custom blend lipgloss and I also took the chance to get this little baby which I had my eye on a bit when it came out a few months ago - the Holiday Warm Collection Palette. From £40 RRP to £20 on sale.

I can't wait to use it - they are so me colours, and the blushes seem very me too.

I just wanted to let those of you know - who are in London or passing through - that the Px counter is 50% off as they close on the 31st Jan 2010. They're selling up all stock so the counter did look about half full of products.

Happy sales shopping!

A snippet - Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation

2009-12-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone - this is just a quick blog post to share a pic of me wearing the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation which I got recently for my bday.

I like the look - it's quite a flawless finish foundation which when I've been wearing it I have been thinking to myself 2 things:

1. I've got a bit of a Hollywood glow
2. Where are my pores?

It's early days yet but so far so good. Only con at the moment is its packaging is a screw top jar - so it feels a bit more messy and 'unhygenic' than a pump.

Here's a pic:

It's freezing - that's why I'm wearing the earmuffs (another bday prezzie and it's from Muji!

Hope you all manage to get everything you need to do before the hols! I know I will be wrapping up warm!

xx

A one word workout

2009-12-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

I saw this post on 15 steps, a beauty blog and so wanted to join in on the fun. A Q&A session about describing yourself in one word - which I did for the most part ; D

Your hair: ponytail
Your mother: hardworking
Your father: old school
Favorite food: Thai
Dream last night: none
Favorite drink: tea
What room are you in: guest room/computer room
Hobby: makeup!
Fear: the unknown (which I am getting better at conquering!)
Where were you last night: playing netball finals!
Something that you aren't: vindictive
Muffins: ok
Wish list item: perpetual happiness
Where did you grow up: Hong Kong
What are you wearing: T-shirt, leggings & Chinese jacket
Your pets: none
Friends: loyal
Something you're not wearing: a hat
Favorite store: Selfridges
Favorite color: black
Last time you laughed: today
Your best friend: I've known since I was 8!
Best place you go to over and over: Hong Kong
Person who emails you regularly: my parents
Favourite place to eat: London!
Where's your cell phone: in my Chinese jacket pocket that I'm wearing

So - over to you! I tag everyone!

Have a great weekend all!
x

IMATS London anyone?

2009-12-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

So since joining YT, I knew that IMATS held an annual show in London. There's one coming up on the 30 and 31 Jan 2010 and I'm considering going just as am curious. But the ticket price is a bit hefty - £33 for one day. Does this come with any freebies or special events for e.g.? The list of exhibitors interest me (Dermalogica, MAC, A-Design to name a few!) and would love to see Terry Barber from MAC.

I'm not a makeup professional of course but since starting this beauty blogger/YT phase of my life, I cannot help but want to go. Anyone else interested and will be passing through London at that time?

Have you been before, and what do you think of it? Would love to hear from you.

Linkie poos here:
http://www.imatsshow.com/london/london_index.php

The Shu Uemura workout session II - some more treats

2009-12-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

Girls and boys - I feel a new brand obsession coming on.....

I have been loving the items that I bought from Shu last month, so much so that I've been waiting for their next discount event with bated breath. So after a drink at the pub with workmates tonight, I conveniently walked past the Covent Garden store on my way home via the tube. Lo and behold the event was on tonight so I excitedly stepped into the store.

One thing I have to say that I like about the Covent Garden Store, is the friendliness and approachability of the MUAs. Like last time, I felt like I could browse at leisure, with no hassle or pressure, as well as get some personal attention when I asked for it. Tonight was also a special night because they set up the place with playing cards (some game theme), with free champers and wine as well as snacks incl Ferrero Rocher (yay!), and a free prize draw. A bonus was that customers could choose one card from a pack of cards which offered a special discount on products ranging from 20%-50% off, depending on the card you selected. I chose one that gave me 25% off - not bad I say!

Prior to my last impromptu shopping stop at Shu last month, I only had one blush and one eyeshadow quad in my collection. I'd read varying degrees of reviews of their shadows (particularly before they were reformulated) and blushes - some good and some not so great. The one blush and e/s quad I have I've really liked and the fact they are still in my collection and still used is a testament to that.

So I decided to get 4 e/s of my favourite colours/shades - bronze and neutrals (3 metallics and one matte and which fit nicely in a Prescriptives palette I already have) and one blush.

Top L-R: ME 810 (rich brown reddish) bronze, ME 860 (copper bronze), P350 (gold khaki), M820 (matte grey taupe)
Bottom, in the LE Hikari Sables D'été e/s quad, clockwise from top right: ME Teak, IR Shell, P Sand, P Pebbles

Then swatched on the back of my hand
Top row L-R: ME 810, ME 860, P350, M820
Bottom row from the quad L-R: ME teak, P Sand

Also I am loving atm bright blush which stems from my purchase of M Orange 55 during my last visit. It just gives such a lift to your makeup look, if your eyes and lips are muted especially. I'm liking it. I am of course being careful not to overdo it - to avoid the china doll look. So here's the blush - P Red 14 which is a bright pink with a lovely subtle sheen:

Like last time, I had fun. And that is the kind of experience that makes you want to return - which some brands could really learn from (#ahem MAC#). Of course, the quality of the products and how much you like them are the determining factor so I'm going to road test the e/s and blush for a bit before reviewing them. I'm interested to see how they compare to my other favourite e/s - and MAC of course as I think the colours are dupable. From the word go, the Shu e/s give a lovely metallic finish and are smoother to the touch than MAC.

For those of you in the vicinity of the Covent Garden store in London - the event finishes tomorrow with a 20% discount on all products. If you do go, let me know how you get on and how you found the customer service.

Also, do share your experiences of Shu products!

Workout at Becca! Friends & Family Global discount of 25%

2009-11-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

25% discount offer valid only at www.beccacosmetics.com or via phone orders.

Enter promo code: FF1209 at checkout

Valid now until December 4th 2009 (midnight EST)

What will you be getting? I'm thinking Watermelon peach tint...

I would highly recommend their duo concealer if you're wondering what to get ; D

Beauty Blog tag!

2009-11-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

Long time no blog everyone : D Hope you've been doing well. This is a long overdue blog as I was nominated very kindly for blog awards by 2 fellow beauty bloggers- jellyminx and clearlybeautiful.blogspot. Thanx laydeez!

So I #think# this is what I have to do in order to accept these awards:

1. Thank the person who nominated me for this award.
2. Copy the award and place it on my blog. (I tried but it won't paste!)
3. Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4. Name 7 things that people might find interesting; (yikes) (Gorgeous Blogger award)
5. Nominate 7 Bloggers
6. Post links to the 7 blogs I nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs/Email them letting them know they have been nominated.

OK so here goes. 7 things that might be interesting (which I have covered some of them in a YT vid!) and which are the first things that come to my head:

1. I am part Chinese, part English. Love you Mum and Dad!
2. I play in a netball league. Love it for the team spirit and competition to push yourself to be a better player for the team.
3. I only started to get into makeup about 5 years ago after joining makeupalley - so I was a late bloomer!
4. I lost 25lbs on Weight Watchers and have kept it off for 4 years.
5. I have been on a couple of makeup courses which I found challenging and fun - definitely out of my comfort zone!
6. I have a scar on my right eyebrow which my mum unintentionally and accidentally dropped me whilst I was sitting on her lap as a baby as she was playing mahjong (popular Chinese domino like game) - it can be an exciting game that you forget your baby is sitting on your lap!
7. My day job is a Project Manager so I pride myself on excellent organisational skills at work. However, this doesn't apply to my home life sometimes!

7 blogs I love & that I check pretty much daily and who I nominate - most of them there are no surprises (in no order):

- belledejour at belledujournewyorkcity.blogspot.com
Just a very cool lady living the life in NYC

- lollipop26 at lollipop26writes.blogspot.com
What can I say - the original beauty blogger and YTer

- gossmakeupartist at gossmakeupartist.blogspot.com
Another what can I say - we all love him. Just a great giving person - and a talented MUA and a Brit to boot!

- rougedeluxe at rougedeluxe.blogspot.com
This is my trusted source for all that is happening in Asia. Always keeping in touch with what's new and researching for my visits there!

- birdsdecoratebrances at birdsdecoratebranches.blogspot.com
Just the most gorgeous eye looks ever. EVER.

- makeup bag at www.makeupbag.net
My trusted source of info for things going on in the US, again another place I stop at to research for US trips!

- 15 steps, then a beauty blog at 5andrablogs.blogspot.com
A newly found blog for me, great FOTDs and reviews. Look forward to more!

Take care now : D

A Smashbox Workout - makeover and Interview with Daniel Chavez, Director of International Artistry and Training

2009-11-13T15:03:00.000-08:00

I had a bad end to a tough week at work so it was with great relief and release when I left work tonight as I had a makeover booked at the newly launched Smashbox counter at Debenhams in London's Oxford Street. There was no booking fee. I was tres excited because I am indeed a fan of the line, and have always wanted a makeover from a Smashbox professional, not least from one of their top artists and trainer of Smashbox artists worldwide.

It didn't go without hiccups as when I arrived Daniel had popped to the loo, though the other artists thought he had left for the day. Disappointed, and miffed because I had had a difficult end to my working day, I left feeling dissatisfied. But soon after (whilst browsing in House of Fraser next door), I received a call from the Smashbox counter saying they had got it wrong and apologised as Daniel was indeed in the building and had wanted to see me and could I come back. It didn't take much persuasion : D And it was worth going back. Daniel is lovely. Of course he and his team were there to promote Smashbox so no doubt there would be much extolling of the line. But, and maybe cos I was receptive to it, I liked that he was so full of energy, had genuine enthusiasm for the Smashbox line and was all ears, patiently answering questions of customers and shoppers. This picture says it all:

It was with some trepidation that I agreed to be his model for a demonstration (you know the kind where the MUA puts on a microphone set so that he can be heard above the shopping buzz?) but once I placed myself in those black director chairs with the Smashbox logo printed on it, I already felt special. Yes, I am taking this way serious ; D

Daniel demonstrated a black/grey smoky eye look on me using a few new products I haven't tried and some that I love. I've posted a pic with details of what was used at the bottom of this post.

Daniel was kind enough to answer my many questions (whilst he was making up another customer at the same time - I'm an avid supporter of multi-tasking!) - so here they are. Again, I only had a pad and paper so I have paraphrased it.

Smashbox has been a brand available internationally for some time, so what is the reason for its appearance in a London store now?
Daniel: Smashbox has been available at QVC UK for about 5 years now, and it was an exclusive contract held with QVC which has come to an end just this year. So we've only just now been able to open counters in the UK.

What would you say distinguishes Smashbox from other makeupartist lines?
Daniel: Smashbox is different in that it was created to be a problem solving and innovative line, both to deal with the hot lights and long working hours on professional TV, film and photography sets as well regarding itself as a fashion forward makeup line.

What's the difference between the Jet Set eyeliners and the Cream eyeliners?
Daniel: The one thing you notice about the Smashbox permanent line is that there are no eyeliner pencils - practically every other cosmetic makeup brand does have an eye pencil. But what happens to an eyeliner when it is near heat (ie hot weather/environment)? It melts. It's the same when you apply eye pencil to your waterline, the warmth from your eye makes it melt and wear off. That's why Smashbox created Jet Set as well the Cream eyeliners - to prevent this melting effect so that they stay on longer on your eyes. Both of these products are the same thing with the exception that Jet Set is made to set in c.15 seconds whereas the Cream eyeliner sets in 60 seconds so you have more playtime (ie. can smudge the eyeliner) before it sets.

Name one product that you would recommend as a must have to a newbie to Smashbox?
Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

Name one product that you would recommend as a must have to an existing Smashbox fan?
Photo Finish Foundation Primer (which is, if you haven't heard of it by now their No 1 best selling product)

Who's your favourite celebrity to make up?
Well, I haven't been making up celebrities for a while now as I have been busy travelling for Smashbox, but the most recent celebrity job was backstage for the Ugly Betty cast for the SAG awards 2009. They were really fun - I did America Ferrera, Vanessa Williams and the best was making over Becki Newton. She was really lovely and friendly - beautiful.

Here are some pics I googled of Daniel's work at the SAG Awards 2009:

Becki Newton

America Ferrera

Vanessa Williams

And this is a cheeky question, but is Hank Hoffman married? (For those of you who aren't aware, Hank Hoffman is one of Smashbox's top MUAs and who features on alot of their YT vids and on the Smashbox website - having built up quite a fan base - go check him out!))
Daniel: (laughs) Ummm....not sure if I am allowed to say......

I'm asking a cheeky question....is he attached?(snigger, snigger)
Daniel: Yes...let's say he is attached!

In the end, it was a really nice event and Daniel was so obliging - of which I appreciated. Cheers Daniel!

I didn't purchase anything (and there was no pressure to either), as I am waiting to check out the Holiday Eye Wish palette which comes out in Debenhams next week - it's a new lemming!

Here's a final pic of Daniel and I (under the obligatory Smashbox signage!)

I didn't have time to write the colours/shades of the products that were used on me but here's what was used:

Anti Shine
Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation UVA/UVB SPF 15
High Definition Liquid Concealer
Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
Brow tech
Photo Finish Lid primer
Cream e/l in Caviar (love this!)
Twilight e/s trio (shades of silver, black, frost white, and yes inspired by the book/
Layer Lash primer
Lash DNA mascara (love this too and I learned a good trick which I wll post soon!)
O Plump (didn't like the ginger/menthol feel to this)

There were also some tips from Daniel that I'll be posting about in the next few posts, cos this one has just gone on too long!

I hope you enjoyed it anyway, and I would check out the Smashbox counter if you are near a Debenhams that stocks it in the UK. Best to ring up. The line has some hits and misses - would you like me to post my experience of these and some of the things I loved - and not loved? Just let me know.

Thanks for bearing with the length of this - and for staying with it!

WEEKEND FOTD WORKOUT - Shu newbies and MAC Espresso

2009-11-09T13:21:00.001-08:00

Just a FOTD that I did over the weekend which was easy to do using my new Shu purchases and a MAC e/s I received in a swap.

Here it is:

MAC Espresso e/s is surprisingly one of those shadows that is easy to blend into a smoky eye without needing to have a billion e/s to create depth. I also used a smidgen of my fave black eye khol on the outer corner - YSL Kajal Majorelle (LE) - and then used a brush to blend it out and upwards. Any waxy black khol or gel e/l would do - you could use Stila Kajal e/l in Onyx.

Also using my new Shu blush, brown cream e/s as a base and Shu brow gel - which I am liking both very much.

Here's the rest of the products I used:

LM Moisturising foundation in Sunny Beige
Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Powder Fdn (L2 Warm Medium)
Becca duo concealer in Tahini
Jouer flesh colour e/l on bottom inner line
Shu cream e/s M Sand Brown as an eye base
MAC Brule on brow highlight and inner corner
MAC Espresso all over lid and blended upwards
YSL Majorelle Kajal on outer corner and upperwaterline
Maybelline WP Full & Soft mascara in Very Black
Shu brow gel in Forest Black
Shu glow on blush M Orange 55
A touch of MAC Global Glow on top of cheeks
Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

Any fave e/s that you like to use for a smoky eye?

A British Beauty workout - my top 5 British beautiful exports

2009-11-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

This post is a chat really on 5 British actresses currently in Hollywood who I think are just beautiful and whose beauty, style, elegance and talent I admire. It's spurned on by this month's UK Instyle cover girl - Thandie Newton. She's one of the top 5 for me. And I emphasise the 'current' bit (cos lord knows I could go back to the 40s with Vivienne Leigh, Liz Taylor etc).

Thandie Newton

Rachel Weisz

Catherine Zeta-Jones

PS. CZJ has come a long way in the makeup department IMO!

Kate Winslet

Emily Blunt

I loved the Harper's Bazaar UK cover of Emily, and the spread in the magazine was also really cool. I still have the issue.

They're all brunette-ish (bar one). Go brunettes!

Shu Uemura workout - a treat

2009-11-04T14:31:00.001-08:00

I took advantage of tonight's 20% discount at the Shu boutique in Covent Garden and took home a few things. I had a tough day at work today and amidst a few weeks of feeling a little low lately (work reasons - nothing insurmountable but y'know we have our off weeks) I wanted a treat : D I've also wanted to try some Shu blushes. I haven't bought anything from Shu in ages but I have one blush from them that I absolutely adore (M Peach 44) which just lights up my face. Seriously, if I feel sick or am looking pale this blush does wonders.

So I went in without much research and really just needed to enjoy a pleasant makeup experience. Which I did. The MUAs were so nice and not at all pressurising - just completely letting me play around for as long as I wanted and being available when I needed. And the shop was busy with customers in and out but the MUAs managed it really well IMO.

So I came away with this:

Below, a swatch of the blush - M Orange 55. It is gorgeous. A real instant pick me up. Looks bright in the pan - but layered on gradually and then blended out it looks stunning IMO! I really wanted to try a stronger, more intense blush - something that I'm not used to.

Then 2 unexpected buys - eyebrow gel in Forest Black and cream eyeshadow in M Sand Brown. I was looking for a coloured eyebrow gel in wand form (like MACs but they never had testers out!) and the MUA showed me this gel e/l (reminds me of Bobbi Brown's gel e/l) and it seemed so easy when she applied it (I watched in a hand mirror). Time will tell if I can recreate it! She also suggested the brown cream e/s not only as a base but said that it will bring out any e/s colour, and she proceeded to show me applying a bright lilac and then a dark bronze e/s over it. They both were intensified - I was quite surprised that the brown colour didn't dull the e/s colours as I expected.

So here are some swatches:

And of course, I've always wanted to try the cleasing oils which are so famed - and I was given samples of the tea tree oil version.

All in all, the experience was a definite pick me up. And what I needed. Something new that I wasn't expecting - but not overboard IMO. Definitely I'll be looking out for the next 20% discount Shu event at the Covent Garden store which they're organising before Xmas (though I don't know the date yet).

I'll let you know how I get on with these products : D

Le Metier de Beaute vs Laura Mercier - Foundation workout

2009-11-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

I have found my HG foundation. Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Powder foundation. End of.

The makeup fiend in me is always drawn to foundations. I think I've only just realised that. I think maybe because I think base is an important, perhaps THE most important, part of a good makeup look. I have quite a lot of foundations, and have tested quite a lot too. Yesterday was no exception : D I met up with some lovely UK makeupalley members - we meet up every so often - in London (hello ladies if you are reading this)to trawl around the counters and have a spot of lunch.

So, we were at Liberty and I wanted to stop by the Korres counter, just to play. Opposite Korres was a newish brand to Liberty - Le Metier. Now I had read about the brand from various bloggers but nothing really caught my eye as it seemed to me to be in the same box as Chantecaille and By Terry - both brands that don't quite do it for me. (Ok, maybe Chantecaille does sometimes)

If I'm honest the beautiful SA caught my eye - she had a great smoky bronze eyeshadow thing going on (I am a sucker for bronze shadows) and so I moseyed on over. With a quick scan of the products in front of me, the row of foundation bottles caught my eye too. They reminded me very much of Laura Mercier's packaging and when I swatched their Classic Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation on my hand - it seemed very similar to my LM Moisturising Foundation, except it had a bit more 'shine'/'moisture' in its finish.

I then asked the MUA to apply it on me (she used their synthetic foundation brush) and the resulting finish was very nice and polished. It gave very good coverage and had a bit of 'shine' to it. A bit of powder over it reduced the shine. The MUA proceeded to tell me that the foundation was developed to be long lasting and so there was no need for a primer. It also contains hyaluronic acid (something that always pricks my ears) which binds moisture to the skin - and a property you find in anti-ageing creams to keep skin supple and moisturised when the skin ages. For the next few hours the foundation stayed on well but on my T zone (especially on my nose)
I became shiny - in that not good way - and touching up with powder took that away although maintained the foundation's 'moisturised' overall look.

I got home and took some pics in order to compare it against my LM moisturising. I know the lighting varies (and I look a bit more yellow in some pics than others - but I tried my best). So here they are:

Close up of coverage and finish of Le Metier Classic Foundation in IV

Close up of coverage and finish of Laura Mercier Moisturising Foundation in Sunny Beige

Full Face Le Metier foundation

Full Face LM foundation

I think they are very similar in packaging, coverage, durability, quality and almost similar in finish. Le Metier's gives a bit more shine and feels a tad bit more tacky. The LM is more of a satin finish and for my combo skin does not look dewy or shiny at all. Le Metier retails at £40 whereas LM retails at £32. Both would last you ages.

For my skin now I would pick the LM because it is practically the same product, a bit cheaper and is not a shiny finish as I find the Le Metier on me. But then Le Metier contains hyaluronic acid which helps moisturise your skin. So I think this foundation would definitely suit drier skins and I would definitely look at it if my skin turns drier as I get older. I cld see this working for my mum for e.g.

This turned out to be a very long post, sorry bout that, but I just typed as I thought! If you've lasted this long thanks for staying with me! Hope it was helpful anyway.

Some more Va Va Voom - this time a Revlon nailpolish workout

2009-10-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

I don't celebrate Xmas (my family don't celebrate it so never grew up with it - New Year and Chinese New Year were always more the event) but I do love the new collections that come out at Xmas - makeupwise as well as fashionwise. The UK drugstore Superdrug has particularly been good over the last couple of years with their Xmas gift sets and I stumbled across this little number today - The Revlon Va Va Voom Red Nail Collection (it isn't just fate that made me name my hair blog post yersterday Va Va Voom).

Revlon nail polish was the first nail polish I ever tried (mum's favourite) and a glamorous American brand that was available growing up in HK. I thought this set was a perfect gift (for me!) but also imagined my niece enjoying it - and it's perfect for travelling with great bright colours (which I would wear all year round). It's a really great collection of colours I think - I've always wanted to try 2 colours in this set, One Perfect Coral and Cherries in The Snow.

The set retails at Superdrug for £5.99, each bottle is 5ml and has a very decent sized nail brush. A steal IMO and a perfect gift.

Some quick swatches (bit messy in parts and I tried different lighting) - I did 2 coats:

From Left to Right: One Perfect Coral, REvlon Red, Cherries In The Snow, Frankly Scarlet

My description of the colours:
One Perfect Coral - bright coral with more orange tones (matte)
Revlon Red - a true retro red 1950s style (matte)
Cherries In The Snow - quite similar to Revlon Red just with a touch of fuschia in it
Frankly Scarlet - a pretty metallic shimmer light red (metallic)

The colours are pigmented and go on smoothly with no streaks. A clear top coat would give a great shine. I can report in due course too about its durability.

Have you bagged yourself any new holiday collections?

Some va-va-voom to my hair workout - Samy Salon FAT HAIR styling creme

2009-10-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

I love my hair, it's always been good to me. Only recently have grey hairs started to appear but I've always loved its colour, never dyed it, loved that in the early 90s I could make it grungy and stringy or totally hippy thanks to its total inability to keep a curl or waves. Total straightness a la Jennifer Aniston without having to do much to it.

But since I moved to the UK, I think the hard water has contributed to it drying out and becoming more fine. Age too : D So this year I began to make an effort to achieve healthy, voluminous and styled hair. Afterall, getting your makeup right and trying to follow through with a decent outfit - and then no hair effort - seems a bit of a waste : D

I am not good at styling my hair. Period. If ever there was a workout for me, it's definitely The Hair. I just don't have the patience and get tired so easily with styling The Hair. But when I do make the effort - I go the whole hog ie. the volumising mousse, spray, ceramic huge velcro rollers and some backcombing (can I just say that I don't do this often, when I do it takes me ages!). I have had great results with Loreal's Tecni art range. But I need to simplify on a normal day to day basis.

Girls and boys, say hello to Samy Salon FAT HAIR styling creme:

I bought this on a whim in Superdrug - it's bright red and has huge lettering so I thought what do I have to lose? I am going to do a YT vid review on it. It is pretty good and fuss free. You do have to rub it in. You do have to blow dry your hair to activate the creme. No mousse, no gel. Just a cream you blend in. No crunch. It is a bit sticky but doesn't leave a residue in your hair if you blend it in well and most importantly it makes my hair look like it has body and has been styled (no flyaways) and dare I say it - it gives me some almost-Cindy-Crawford-90s-style hair. And is the only product that seems to make the body and movement in my hair last well throughout the day.

The only downside is the packaging, as it's difficult to squeeze out the creme from the bottle - but they've realised this and now it comes in a pump style container. I'm also trying out their shampoo from the same range - and will give a verdict in due course.

Anyone else tried this line?

Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Powder Foundation - a faithful workout

2009-10-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I gotta stop waxing lyrical about this foundation - especially seeing as it's only 3 months to go before Prescriptives opens its counters for business for the last time on 31 January 2010.

But I wanted to share how I can wear this foundation both wet and dry to achieve natural finishes both in sheer and heavier coverages. I took them over about a month probably - and tried to get the same lighting in the same room, but it's not possible with the UK weather!

For info, I wear Level 2 - Warm Medium.

Applied dry and a sheer layer - my freckles! : D

Applied dry with a medium coverage

Applied wet with a sheer coverage

Applied wet with a medium coverage

Thanks for reading!

FOTD workout thanks to 2 recent swaps

2009-10-14T14:24:00.001-07:00

I did this FOTD a couple of weeks back using 2 recent items I received as swaps from makeupalley - MAC Signed, Sealed e/s and Stila Kajal in Onyx. Both are fast becoming favourites in my collection.

Both wear extremely well on alot of fronts:

- they apply very easily
- they last very well (a good 12 hours IMO)
- they are pigmented and vibrant
- as they are so pigmented, you only need a light touch IMO (esp with Signed, Sealed - really only a touch and blend it out on the crease)

MAC Signed, Sealed is a matte deep dark brown purple with warm brown tones in it (more brown than purple) and is unique in my collection. I'm impressed with the Stila Kajal - as I had thought it would be similar to UD 24/7 Zero which did not work for me - but it totally is not. It applies so well on the waterline and so easy, and smudges equally well without that greasy smudgey effect (not in the good way!).

Likey, likey.

Products used:

Px All Skins Mineral Powder fdn in L2 Warm Medium
MAC Bare Canvas all over lid
MAC Brule e/s all over lid
MAC Signed, Sealed blended well in crease
Stila Kajal Onyx to waterline and on lashline and smudged
Maybelline F&S WP mascara in black

Have you had any recent swap items you are working well?

Working my NYC vintage party dress find (at least I hope)

2009-10-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

As I had mentioned in my YT vid about my NYC clothes/accessories finds, a great vintage store I came across on 5th Avenue was Cheap Jack's, check it out at www.cheapjacks.com The staff were very helpful - and were also stylists - so I felt well looked after.

It's a striking teal dress with (in my mind) lovely ruching detail on the shoulders and pairs very well with black! On a dinner out with the boyfriend I wore it with black tights, a black H&M tuxedo jacket from many seasons ago and some black suede peeptoe heels. Fashion is what you feel special in, as well as what makes you feel comfortable. I felt very special in it - hence love it.

What's your recent favourite outfit?

NYC Jewellery workout - Guenevere Rodriguez

2009-10-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

As I covered in my YT video, Guenevere Rodriguez has a small stall on Prince Street on Sundays where she sells some of her pieces. I really like the delicateness and lightweight look and feel of her pieces - it is definitely something that I can wear all at one time - or individually. They might seem too fine, almost ethereal like, when worn but the fact that they are makes them all the more eye catching.

Here is her website and hopefully if I am able to go to NYC again, I'll be checking her store out for sure - www.guenevererodriguez.com

Do you have any favourite jewellery designers?

My New York Love Affair......

2009-10-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this post whilst SATC is on the telly in the background. I had a blast in NYC. I've been about once every 2 years in the last few years, and this time I spent the longest time there - one week. My girlfriends and I rented a flat in Greenwich Village - and the stay there made me fall more in love with the area! Looking back at my pics - I didn't take many actually (and the ones I post here are just general -without my pals for confidentality really) - but lately I am just loving living life - through just creating and remembering experiences.

We did quite a bit of shopping, a bit of museum and gallery hopping, went to the Marquee Club (which was ok but nothing to write home about). Generally I just love walking round NYC. I also visited Ground Zero for the first time and was very humbled by it.

Though I know NYC much better now than I ever did, I STILL get confused by the directions of which way up I should go up a street or avenue! : D Of if I am going uptown or downtown!

The food was really good. The makeup was good (you will have seen my haul vid!). The company was good. Just catching up with old friends and each other's lives was just endearing and special. : D

So onto the pics

NYC street and cab on Broadway!

Carrie's stoop (check out the No Trespassing sign)and street

Joh's Pizzeria in Greenwich Village for a slice : D

We were lucky to get a balcony with our flat and had breakfast practically
each morning on it!

Pancakes at Pastis in the Meatpacking District

...then followed by a must stop to DVF & to peer in where Whitney Port went to work every day (such a sucker for those Hills and City girls)

We also spent some time in the Woodbury Outlet (way bigger than Bicester here in the UK!) and I managed to score a few things there and elsewhere shopping in NYC. I'll make posts of my purchases slowly with the next few posts. Managed to see some celebs too - Andrew McCarthy, Famke Janssen, Kelsey Grammar - and even Earl Spencer (Princess Di's brother) and his 2 daughters! New York is just so fabulous! : D
I had a total blast.......just trying to schedule my next trip there : D

Prescriptives closing down update & Interview with Lisa Durrant, Acting Beauty Director of Instyle Magazine, UK

2009-09-20T02:45:00.001-07:00

Prescriptives closing down update
Hopefully you will have seen my recent YT videos on Prescriptives and the news announced this week that Estee Lauder are closing down the brand worldwide effective as of 31 January 2010.

I had found my HG foundation from Px about 2 months ago - their All Skins Mineral Powder foundation (reviewed on my YT channel). So Selfridges in London was having beauty event for the charity Look Good....Feel Good, which is a charity for women with cancer. I had booked an appointment with Px to rediscover the brand in light of my discovery of my HG foundation and also cos I hadn't looked at it for many years. I think the brand has suffered from this, there are star items like the foundations but the rest of the range doesn't match this or isn't marketed as well so
the range doesn't get much attention from the consumer.

As I said in my YT video, once the stock is gone, that is it. The makeupartist also said that the custom blending facility is copyrighted/patented so if someone wants to bring this out again, they will need to ask permission. I am guessing that Estee Lauder is the person to ask (just in case you wanted to create your own brand with this unique facility!) - but it would not surprise me at all - if EL bring out another makeup brand like Px but give it a different name.
#Fingers crossed#

The makeover
The makeupartist who 'made' me over was lovely and I wanted to try some different eyeshadow colours than my usual - though beloved - bronzes and browns. The eyeshadow colours used on me - purples were mainly matte dusty lilac and grey finishes with one blue shimmery eyeshadow, topped with a navy blue eyeliner and mascara. I'd never tried their Flawless foundation and she used this on me - it was very good coverage and only a very slight satiny finish. Blush was used too. I ended up coming away with an eyeshadow palette with the blue shimmery eyeshadow (which reminds me of MAC's Contrast but not so shimmery) and they had run out of stock of the 2 other matte eyeshadows Mauve and Mushroom. That I think was poor. If you know you have an event, surely you need to stock up. Perhaps that is just a reflection of the brand - unfortunately. Interestingly, the makeupartist told me that they are going to bring out a winter collection of shimmery and frosty eyeshadows in October - so I want to check these out and fill up the rest of the palette.

Overall, I thought the makeover was fine - nothing blew me away - the blue eyeliner that was used on me just looked wrong and looked like I had put on a black eyeliner that had turned colour. : (

The goodie bag included this month's Instyle magazine, a custom blended lipgloss acccording to your choice of colour (I wanted a caramel brown), a full size Super Line Preventor Xtreme. So here is what I walked away with:

Interview with Lisa Durrant, Acting Beauty Director of Instyle Magazine, UK
One of the features of the event was that your makeover was presided over by a beauty editor and the very lovely and friendly Lisa Durrant was assigned to Px. She very kindly answered a few questions I had at the ready - and this was the first time that I've done something like this (especially as a hobby!) so I did feel like I was challenging myself. Also, I only had a pen and notepad so I've paraphrased the interview. Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

It's London Fashion Week 2010 this week, and London is known and seen as the centre of the cutting edge and individual fashion. What would you say London is known for in the makeup world?
Lisa: I would say that it's experimental. London girls are eccentric in their style and this translates to their makeup. If you see the girls in East London, they are taking the whole 80s vibe to force and brands such as Illamasqua are leading the way in experimentation. Milan, Paris and New York are safer in terms of their makeup look. The majority of women are still safe in their approach to makeup, but that does seem to be changing.

What important development do you think the makeup world has seen in the last 5 years?
Textures of products have seen a great change. Eyeshadows are more blendable, as well as foundations that now look like skin, even powders are more blendable. Women want skin to look like skin so products now have better and real textures to help achieve this.

What do you foresee being the development in the next 5 years?
Makeup goes in cycles, and a lot of women are still scared of makeup. As the recession has hit and people are now out of jobs, women are spending more wisely, and are more choosy, and only on what they need. But there is also a move towards a bit of escapism that translates into being more experiemental and adventurous with makeup. It makes you feel good about yourself. You've seen the popularity of nail bars in the UK, and more recently Lash bars and the popularity of lash extensions etc - so there might very well be something like this in the future.

What advice would you give someone wanting a career in beauty journalism?
Getting work experience is important, try for internships. Even if you have to make the tea and volunteer for free if you are able. It is competitive and tough now, but network and attend launches as much as possible. I did a fashion degree but it's not necessary to do a degree strictly related to fashion.

Thanks Lisa! I enjoyed chatting with you.

Now the all important question for me is, not will I be buying backups of the Px foundation, but how many?!?!?!?!? ; D

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed making it!

What workout should I do in New York City?

2009-09-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

I am very excited as I will be visiting the Big Apple at the end of the month for a week's holiday with my girlfriends. I cannot wait to spend some time catching up with them and their lives (as we don't live in the same cities) - and creating new experiences with them.

So, I'm compiling a list of makeup stuff to check out (the usuals, Sephora, Bendels, Saks) but wanted to see if you had any recs? I really want to go to a CVS or Rite Aid which has a good selection of Essence of Beauty tools, Sally Hensen, Maybelline, Covergirl etc.....any recs?

Any vintage clothing stores as well to check out?

I just can't wait, it's gonna be fun : D

Supermarket makeup workout - ASDA George eyeshadows

2009-09-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I was in Milton Keynes and the one thing I would say about London is that we don't have massive supermarket or brand stores like most towns outside of London seem to do. So access to certain supermarket fashion lines (like George at Asda) or makeup produced is non existent. There's a reason of course for that - space - and I know in London we are spoilt for choice with other fashion and makeup lines: D

I've tried Barbara Daly's Makeup brand for Tescos and have loved some things from her line, especially her makeup brushes and her powder highlighter. But I haven't seen anything from other supermarkets that tempted me, or didn't look very cheap in quality.

So the Makeup Artist Collections for MAC came out this weekend and I was thinking of getting the Notoreity e/s quad (being the neutral/natural fan that I am) - until I saw the Velvet Eye Palette in No2 Autumn Leaves by George at Asda.

It's not exactly like for like as the Notoreity quad of course, but I like it much better as a colour quad because it has a very gorgeous olive green shade that reminds me of Stila's La Douce (another beautiful fave of mine). Also the brown e/s with glitter in Notoreity is chalky : ( Autumn Leaves is a very fitting title description and all the colours go very well together. The finish is quite a subtle shimmer - not as strong as MAC's frosts - and the pigmentation is good though a couple of layers need to be applied. I prefer them much over my NYX e/s as though NYX colours are nice, they're just not pigmented and don't last the day, let alone the morning. I also think that the George e/s are much better quality than a lot of the e/s I see in the drugstore like Rimmel for e.g. The George e/s feel quite smooth and I don't feel that they are too cheap quality - as I don't feel like they are going to crack as easily as some drugstore items I have. They last relatively well, and better with my MAC paint Bare Canvas.

So I like all the colours in this quad:
-a cream (which reminds me of my other fave MAC's Brule though Brule has more 'white' in it)
- a copper tan
- a light bronze brown
- a medium toned true olive with gold sheen

Here are some swatches:
Velvet Eye Palette in No2 Autumn Leaves
Retail price: £4.50

There were 2 other quads, one purple range and I can't remember the other am afraid.

I also bought some single e/s, L-R: No 4 Combat (a taupe) and No 20 Delusional (the exact same olive shade as in the Autumn Leaves quad above)
Retail price: just over £2

No 4 Combat is a dead ringer for MAC's Satin Taupe, except it's not frosty. I'm not kidding. Also, No 4 Combat actually reminds me of a taupe from the Laura Mercier Taupe of Evolution set. I would suggest those who don't have MAC Satin Taupe and don't mind something less frosty and drugstore - though still satiny - to go get No 4 Combat as the similarity is surprising! Someone at George must have been a MAC ST fan : D

Swatches from top to bottom - George No 4 Combat and MAC Satin Taupe

There were also quite a range of other single e/s colours - including some bright yellow and orange for the more adventurous makeup fans out there.

Now, the eyeshadows do have talc and mica in it for those of you sensitive to it - as well as a whole bunch of C numbers! The quad comes with a duo sponged applicator, an applicator that I don't find useful and the singles don't have applicators.

SO......

PROS
Fantastic quality with an unbelievably fantastic price! (Don't let the low price fool you!)
Great, wearable colours
Good pigmentation and staying power

CONS
Possibly has ingredients not good for sensitive skins
Oh....can't get easy access to it from London ;D

All in all, I was pretty chuffed with this and can't wait to play with the quad for an office look tomorrow.

Any purchases you made this weekend? Share!

PS. I did check out MAC's new collection and I think I'll get both the blushes - Notable and Perfect Cheek. I'm going to NYC on a girlie holiday at the end of Sept so I'll wait to purchase either at Heathrow or in the US....

Workout playlist? What are your top 5 workout songs?

2009-09-06T02:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm getting bored with my playlist and need some heart bumping workout songs. I generally like remixes of pop songs - something I can run on the treadmill to but equally do weights with. Here are my current top 5 songs on repeat - what are yours? I need some fresh songs : D

Release me by Agnes
Funk So Brother by Fat Boy Slim (gets me working every time)
Uninvited remix by the Freemasons (actually any of their songs)
Sweet Dreams by Beyonce (love the 80s influence in this)
Lately by Lisa Scott Lee (I know, I know, but it's great to work out to!)

So share - what are the songs that get you going?

Nail workout - a twist on the frenchie

2009-09-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

This twist is not new, but it's the first time I have done it! I'm trying to be a bit more adventurous.

I'm pretty conservative on the whole - especially at work. But I am loving this manicure I did this week, a basic french manicure but with nail stickers applied! I bought the nail stickers from HK (cheapo at HK$10! Which is about £1). Pretty gold and white bows and hearts.

I used the white polish from the Loreal French Manicure set for the tips and Essie's Fed Up on top. Then I applied the stickers and set over this with Sally Hensen's Top Coat. It was much easier than I expected : D

What's your favourite manicure/pedicure this week?

Bank Holiday Outfit workout - and a mini accessories haul

2009-09-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

So I noted that one of my favourite things at the moment is surfing ebay for vintage dresses and worked them out (as least I think I did) over the bank hols with my favourite piece of clothing after my Lee jeans - a good old pair of black leggings (courtesy of M&S). I can also see both these dresses working it in Autumn/Winter, paired with thick black tights and my beloved Pied A Terre patent Mary Janes.

Here's the first one - my take on the flowy/hippie-ish/festival-ish look (perfect with middle parted long hair, with a braid or two). I love the butterfly sleeves:

I had a 20% discount magazine voucher for Dorothy Perkins, I bought 2 things. To replace my wallet that was stolen : ( I bought this lovely sturdy leather studded wallet with a lovely tassle - perfect to use as a clutch too. The blushed pink patent platforms are a total impromptu purchase - I don't have anything like it in my wardrobe - but I thought it would go great with an outfit to my cousin's wedding next year, as well as add to the beige/nude collection I am trying to carve into my wardrobe : D But a good shoe purchase at £29! They had them in black too and looked very Pamela Anderson : D

So I had to try out the new heels with my outfit:

To my UK subscribers there is a 20% voucher to Dorothy Perkins with this week's Look Magazine (the one with Cheryl Cole on the cover) - just in case you were interested.

Onto my 2nd outfit, teamed with black leggings of course, is this lovely blue floral cotton dress with pockets which I put together with an old denim shirt as a jacket too:

I just love the gathered sleeves at the top and also the granddaddy collar.

I love finding vintage dresses on ebay - most of them go for pretty cheap (though some are outstandingly expensive!). I'm digging this fashion thing : D

Do you like vintage? What's your style?

My first beauty blog tag! 5 FABULOUS THINGS

2009-08-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

The lovely Yi over at The Style Neighbourhood tagged me to post 5 fabulous things. So like a good beauty web girl I followed suit and so to take her precise wording, the rules with this award are:
1. List five current obsessions
2. Pass the award on to five more fabulous blogs
3. On your post of receiving this award, link back to the person that awarded you
4. Link your five winners, and let them know that they've been awarded

5 Current obssessions
1. The Hills (my eyes are still glued to this, even watching reruns)
2. Elle UK magazine and US Shape magazine (both my fashion and health fixes)
3. Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Powder Foundation (I've been road testing this and cannot WAIT to do a review on it!)
4. Surfing ebay for vintage dresses (have got back into ebay vintage!)
5. Having come back from Seville, researching next hols!

The 5 fabulous blogs I tag are:

birdsdecoratebranches.blogspot.com

belledujournewyorkcity.blogspot.com

baby-blonde.blogspot.com

thebeautylookbook.blogspot.com

londonmakeupgirl.blogspot.com

In the meantime hope you enjoyed!

I had my bag snatched.......................

2009-08-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

This is a brief post as I'm just a bit shocked to be honest. 12 years in London - a city that I love - without incident.....until now.

This last Saturday a little teenage punk decided to swipe my bag from my hand. Thank god I didn't have much in it at all - no cash - so to be honest it wasn't a very good theft for him. It's more frustrating and annoying than anything - I can get over the admin side of it all by cancelling cards and waiting for insurance etc but what gets me is that he thought he could just mosey on up to me and take what was mine. Like he had the right to.

Yes I am thankful that my SO was with me and we both weren't hurt. I am ever so thankful for that.

My MAC MSF, Bobbi Brown kabuki, new MAC Patisserie lipstick and Hello Kitty double sided mirror were the victims too. My Bobbi Brown kabuki was the best. The best.

I'm just disappointed someone so young hasn't had the guidance and/or the self direction/confidence to know what is right from wrong. I know it's the world. And there are many other more shiny, loving, happy elements to the world.

Thanks for reading all....

COMPUTER WORKOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABSENCE UPDATE

2009-08-18T01:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Just a brief update I came back from a lovely hols in Seville, Southern Spain, last Saturday to turn on my computer to catch up on the web beauty world - and I have no internet connection!!!!

I am pretty frustrated as this has now happened twice in 2 months with my service provider (BT) and it is a pain in both bottocks to get through to BT in addition to getting some answers. This ain't no Asia for sure : (

I'm trying to resolve it as soon as possible - but BT in my experience are incredibly slow. In the meantime I am also looking at other providers for now......

B#LL#CKS!

I had a great time in Seville - was pretty hot at 45 degrees! - but I was road testing a foundation (the one I posted as a mystery foundation in the last post) and I will tell you that it is from Prescriptives : D

I'll be back soon!
xxxx

A weekend FOTD workout

2009-08-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just to post 2 looks that I did on the weekend - trying out a new foundation. Won't say which one it is yet til I have tried it out for a couple of more weeks - but I am loving it so much. Is that mean of me?! If you do want to know what it is - NOW -I'll spill just let me know : D

So the 1st look:

FACE
A mystery foundation : D
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
Blushing Peach from the LM First blush palette

EYES
MAC Bare Canvas paint
Smokey eye with Mary Quant e/s in black and bronze (sorry no code numbers because the shadows are glued to a palette) and MAC Brule e/s to highlight.
Tarte Rest Assured pencil
MAC Dark Devotion e/s for brows (Fascinating Ruby Smokey Eye palette 2008)
Maybelline Full & Soft waterproof mascara in black

No lips yet!

The 2nd look

FACE
A mystery foundation : D
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
MAC Improper Copper CCB and topped up with Korres Blush in #45 Coral

EYES
MAC Bare Canvas paint
Creating a smokey eye with MAC's Fascinating Ruby palette using Scant e/s as an all overwash and in inner corners, MAC Dark Devotion on upper and lower lashline
MAC Dark Devotion (from above palette) on brows
Maybelline Full & Soft waterproof mascara

LIPS
Shiseido Maquillage l/s in PK 347 (a HG!)

I like the 2nd look better - I like the combo of the stronger blush colour with a paler lip.

Thanks for reading!

Recent fave FOTD workout for the office

2009-08-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

My computer is driving me crazy! It is running so slow because it is ancient and it just takes ages to write a post and import pics. So that's why it's taken me so long to update! Anyways, I'm on the search for a new computer so hopefully this situation won't last much longer.

I wanted to post a recent fave FOTD that I've been using for the office a lot lately, using my fave taupes from MAC - Satin Taupe e/s and Subtle pigment.

Here's what I used:

And here's the look:

FACE
Korres Wild Rose Foundation in WRF2 mixed in with Olay Radiance cream (to make my TM)
MAC CCB in Improper Copper (love!) and then topped with
Korres blush in Peach #18 (love!)

EYES
MAC Paint in Bare Canvas
Tarte Rest Assured pencil
MAC Subtle pigment used as a wash
MAC Satin Taupe e/s used on top and bottom lashlines
Maybelline Full & Soft WP mascara in black

LIPS
Just carmex in the pic, but I used NARS Roman Holiday

TOOLS
Shu Uemura eyelash curler
MAC #217 to apply MAC Subtle pigment
MAC #226 to apply Satin Taupe to lashlines (more precise application)
Shu Fan brush to apply Korres blush

It's pretty subtle - and I really like how the 2 taupe e/s complement each other.

What's your go to FOTD for work?

London Summer Sales - my chance to a haul workout!

2009-07-19T10:21:00.001-07:00

I'm taking every opportunity I have to make posts between work and entertaining family (which is a 24/7 business!) and yesterday was the 1st time that I was able to have a bit of 'me' time. I managed to get a few things so here they are:

A tribal/ethnic style bag (Accessorize) - I just love everything about it. The embroidery and decoration on the main body of great fuschia pink, plus the twisted colour strap. I'm thinking of using this for an evening out as a clutch - am thinking that it'll look great against block colours - but also during the day with jeans - strapped on the diagonal. I've always liked this tribal trend but never really saw anything that looked not too OTT or a little contrived. But I think this is perfect!

Another trend that I love but haven't quite replicated in my wardrobe is the nautical theme and this great canvas bag (love the twisted handles) introduces me to it. Great for mu items to get lost in : D

Some cute hairpins (Accessorize) - I don't have anything with swallows on it - so am following the trend with this one!

I thought this was a great necklace (again, Accessorize) to jazz up a workoutfit but also perhaps a wedding outfit - as I have a few to go to over the next year! If you saw my YT vid on my fave jewellery pieces - you know I love these kind of statement necklaces. It's a combination of blue/green/grey stones...very pretty IMO

Then I coudln't resist this delicate looking blue glass stone and gold bracelet which I thought just looked classy - and would be great for wedding season too! Thanks Accessorize!

And then I popped along to John Lewis on Oxford Street and braved the crowds - but saw these great Dune sandals. They are more off white cream than white than they appear in the pics but I loved the heel height (manageable and comfy) and I thought it's really difficult to get cream coloured heels that don't look trashy. They also have it in tan (though not my size) which if I am lucky enough to find in my size - I will also purchase!

Of course, the sales wouldn't be it without some makeup or skincare purchase and I saw the Bliss Sleeping Peel Masque for sale in Harrods. The SA told me that it was on sale because they were changing the name and packaging due out in winter, but the product will remain the same. I am going to try this to help with my blackhead congestion around my nose specifically - and will do a YT vid once I've used it a few times!

PS. Sorry the photos are not upright in some of them , trying to do this in a rush before the computer is needed by someone else in the fam!

Any sales gems you've scored this summer?

CCO HAUL WORKOUT

2009-07-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hey there all! Just popping in to post because I've been MIA and super bizzy with my family and some friends that have been visiting from abroad. So went to Somerset last week and had a good ol' English Countryside long weekend break - and on the way back to London stopped off at Bicester Designer Village. Of course, no visit to Bicester would be without a mandatory stop at the CCO. And these are my goodies:

MAC Spaced Out Sheertone shimmer blush (love the orange packaging on this one!)
MAC Drizzlegold Loose powder
Clinique Egyptian gel eyeliner

I have been forever wanting to get Spaced Out blush and Drizzlegold. I am turning into such a MAC hoarder! And one that always sees the new collections, doesn't get anything, but then wants after seeing makeup posts and reviews! So I was super pleased to discover these at the CCO.

Any good discoveries lately?

To Ren or not to Ren? : Shall I try a new skincare cleanser workout today?

2009-06-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

As some of you will know from my YT channel, I am a devoted fan of Eve Lom's Ultimate Cleanser. It is the single one thing in my skincare routine to which I am absolutely and resolutely loyal.

I am now scraping the bottom of my current jar : D (which of course gives me great pleasure) and this one has lasted me a good 8 months.

I have tried similar items which have endeavoured to replicate Eve Lom - Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Cleanser, Clarins Marula Oil, Bharti Vyas Skin wisdom for Tesco (UK supermarket). I know Clinique has one - but not so interested in that. Today I spotted another like balm cleanser in SpaceNK - Ren's No. 1 Purity Cleanser.

I'm intrigued by it because it is the closest to the Eve Lom Cleanser in texture that I have seen of all the like cleansers on the market. Also, it had the most gorgeous smell, thanks to the 'silky rose infusion' scent it has. Retail price is £28 for 150ml - which is both just over half the price of Eve Lom, the latter which is less as well of 100ml. And of late, I'm all for trying more natural, 'offbeat' (pardon my ignorance!) lines like Korres to see if they really do make a difference.

I am going to try it. If only really to once again, prove that Eve Lom is the mistress of balm cleansers. Big words I know. : D I'll be posting my review on YT in due course!

Have any of you experienced this product - or of this line?

Sunday outfit workout - the obsession with denim continues!

2009-06-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

I spent the day with a girlfriend - checking out the newly refurbished Whitechapel Art Gallery and then onto Brick Lane and Spitalfields - which on a Sunday is just buzzing!

So, this is what I wore today - a denim dress that I bought in the Dorothy Perkins sale last year...and I love it! I teamed it with my M&S black leggings, Topshop metal studded ballets and a Matthew Williamson for Debenhams scarf which I used as a belt.

Makes me feel very country western : D

FOTD workout - movie date night

2009-06-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

Went to see Transformers 2 with the SO at the 02 centre yesterday, and I love the 02 cinema because it's just so huuuuuggge - great for seeing action movies : D The movie was #meh# (shrugs shoulders) but I really liked my eye combo for the FOTD.

I'm gonna try & fit all my products on an A4 piece of paper - just to see if I can get it all into one small space!

And final result:

So here are the products used, incl tools:

PRODUCTS:
Smashbox Healthy Fx fdn L3
Becca Duo Concealer in Tahini
MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre
Tarte Rest Assured eye pencil on waterline
MAC Smut e/s (from the Free to Be e/s quad)
MAC Subtle pigment in crease and out
GOSH e/l Metallic Brass
MAC Improper Copper base on cheeks, topped with MAC Springsheen blush
Maybelline Full&Soft mascara in black
NARS l/s in Roman Holiday topped with Bourjois 3D Max Effet lipgloss in 61 Rose Adulé
And to touch up - MAC MSFN in Medium

TOOLS:
Forgot to put my MAC 187 brush in there which I used for the foundation application

MAC#188
MAC #217
MAC #266
Shu Uemura eyelash curler
Bobbi Brown Kabuki brush used with the MAC MSFN

Oh, and fingers of course!

....and the outfit to go with was very comfy, a Zara cotton denim tunic with M&S black leggings, Topshop metal studded black ballets:

...we parked opposite the David Beckham Football Academy - no sign of David though : D

Fashion workout dilemma: Ebay dress score! How to work it though?

2009-06-14T12:32:00.001-07:00

Saturday morning came and I received this gorgeous vintage tea dress that was such a score on ebay! It's in pristine condition and fits perfectly. Perfect for summer and light, with a pretty flower print with varying shades of teal and blue, punctuated with purple flowers.

I had to try it on and work out what accessories would match it. I teamed it with my fave leather wedges (Next summer season 2008) and a leather brown belt with butterfly buckle that I got in a vintage shop. I do't think it works : ( Thinking I should try a lighter coloured belt like white or tan, same with the shoes. And maybe a skinny belt rather than wide?

What do you think?