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

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)

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!!!!!

....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?

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

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!

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!!!

.....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

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?!

(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.....

....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.