Wednesday 30 October 2013

OPI My Very First Knockwurst from Germany Collection!









Hey Beauts! OPI My Very First Knockwurst is from the Fall 2012 Germany Collection, which has twelve shades, a mixture of creams and metallics. The other colour I have from this collection is Deutsch You Want Me Baby?, which is a metallic burned orange. My Very First Knockwurst is one of those must-have super flattering cool toned lilac pink, a colour that is hard to describe. Very pretty indeed!

LOVE

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Updated Review: Vichy Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution!



Hey Beauts! This is a make-up remover that I have been using non stop pretty much for the past 2-3 years. I go through them bottle after bottle. Vichy Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution 3 in 1 cleanses, removes make-up, and soothes. The reason I love it and it is my top favourite make-up remover, is because it's very gentle yet takes off make-up beautifully even my beloved intense black kohl eyeliners goes off easily. I still haven't tried the Bioderma which is meant to be great, but it sounds pretty much exactly the same as this one and Vichy is easily available at Boots, which I love!


LOVE

Monday 28 October 2013

OPI Step Right Up! from Femme de Cirque Collection









Hey Beauts! What a gorgeous creamy pale pink! OPI Femme de Cirque collection from Spring 2011 has four soft shades, all very feminine and pretty: Step Right Up!, In The Spot-Light Pink, I Juggle...Men, and So Many Clowns So Little Time. Step Right Up! is quite sheer, but it looks perfect with three coats. The other nailpolish from this collection I have is I Juggle...Men, to see it on click here! It's a cute fine milky iridescent topcoat with a clear base, it's very subtle and looks pretty on this type of natural nail look.


LOVE

Saturday 26 October 2013

Autumnal Countering & Blusher With: Kevyn Aucoin and Nars!



 Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights


 Nars Blusher in Sin


Hey Beauts! If I had to pick just one blush for autumn it would be Nars Sin, without a doubt. Sin is a gorgeous plum blusher with a beautiful gold shimmer, it looks stunning on. It's just the perfect autumnal shade, and as you can see on the [first image] above it does not look too shimmery however adds radiance and freshness, which we very often need during the colder time of the year when skin tends to get dehydrated and starts look duller than usual. 

This look is all about cheeks, perfect little blush sits beautifully on a well contoured cheekbones, which brings them out. The easiest way to find the right place for a contour is by sucking in the cheeks which creates a hollow under the cheekbones down towards the chin. An angled contour brush works best for me, I use Sigma Large Angled Contour F40 brush. 

My current obsession which looks beautiful with any blush, but particularly pretty with Sin is Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights. If you haven't read my full review on the Kevyn Aucoin Tropical Nights bronzer yet, click here! It's a bronzer, which is incredibly sexy, and the shade is perfect as a contour it doesn't have orange or grey undertones in it, it looks very natural and has a satin finish. An absolutely beautiful cheek combo!

LOVE 

Friday 25 October 2013

New Launch: Vichy Idealia Life Serum!




Hey Beauts! Here is a new exciting skincare product launch from Vichy! If you have been following my blog for a while you will know that I swear by some of the Vichy products, so I'm very excited about this new serum. Idealia Life Serum is a skin saviour when it comes to stress, pollution, sun, and diet - all factors that affect the skin in modern life and make it look prematurely older and duller. 

Idealia Life Serum takes care of large pores and uneven skin tone amongst other signs of skin ageing. It helps to create a radiant, fresh and younger looking skin. Pores appear tightened and skin texture smoother in four weeks. This serum is suitable for all skin types even those that are particularly sensitive as it is created with Hypoallergenic Vichy Thermal Spa Water. I was given a sample at the event to try out, so I'm looking forward to give it a go and let you know in due time what I think and how my skin is reacting to it... Full review coming soon!

LOVE

Thursday 24 October 2013

On Trend: The Perfect Autumnal Dark Lip - Chic Chanel Combo!

 Wearing as a base: Chanel Precision Lip Definer in 54 Amarante 

 Wearing on top of the base: Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate


Swatches bottom to top:
- Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate,
- Chanel Precision Lip Definer in 54 Amarante,
and 
- Chanel Precision Lip Definer in 54 Amarante
+ Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate


Chanel Precision Lip Definer in 54 Amarante
+ Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate


Hey Beauts! Here is a dark lip combo I really enjoyed wearing that is perfect for this time of the year! If you can't find the perfect dark lipstick that would suit your complexion I would highly recommend to get a quality long-lasting lipliner in a dark plummy shade instead. Most of us have at least one red lipstick in our make-up bag that we keep for that special occasion, and some of us even dare wearing a red lip as a casual affair. 

If you prefer a matte finish you can wear the lipliner on its own [as seen in the first image] or if you prefer a creamy finish then you can play with the red lipstick adding as much colour as you want [as seen on the second image]. Layering red lipstick on a plum lipliner creates a luscious berry shade, which is really pretty for autumn and winter. I particularly like Chanel Precision Lip Definer in 54 Amarante as a lip base filling in the entire lip [it's super long-lasting] and then working in over the top Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate

Either keep the lip intensely dark or brighten it up with red for a warm berry tone, whatever looks most flattering on you! Just a plum lipliner and one red lipstick will give you an endless choice of plum/berry lipstick shades. Enjoy!

LOVE

Wednesday 23 October 2013

On Trend: Silver & Gold Glitter Ombre Nail Look!



 OPI Step Right Up!  
[sheer milky pale pink]


 Deborah Lippmann in Today Was A Fairytale 
 [cool toned silver fine and large particles glitter topcoat]


 Essie Beyond Cozy 
 [champagne gold fine glitter]






Hey Beauts! Here is a new nail art technique I have tried and I really like the result so here is how I did it. For this ombre glitter nail look you will need a base colour, two types of glitter [preferably chunky and fine], a textured sponge [I cut a piece of an old facial sponge], and a topcoat of course. To start I applied OPI Original Nail Envy to protect nails and strengthen them. 

To create the look I applied three coats of OPI Step Right Up!, then one coat all over of Deborah Lippmann Today Was A Fairytale, followed by two sponged on thin coats of Essie Beyond Cozy, concentrating it more towards the tip of the nail. And finally repeating one coat of Today Was A Fairytale  just over the top part of the nail and the same with Beyond Cozy again. To keep the glitters nice and sparkly apply a topcoat, I always use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. Et voilà! This nail look reminds me of a frosty winter.


LOVE

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Astalift Light Analyzing Foundation: Updated Review!

Shade: Sand


Hey Beauts! I've been absolutely loving the Astalift Foundation for the past few weeks. I have been using a couple of different foundations during most part of the autumn but have now switched full time to this foundation. It's a Moisture Foundation and therefore it works best on my now slightly dehydrated skin. My skin type naturally is oily/combo and also acne prone, but during the cold months of the year my skin tends to get less oily and partly dehydrated even. So this foundation works perfectly on my skin right now. And the fact that it doesn't break me out is another major bonus point!

I have already featured it when it was just launched read the original blogpost by clicking here! In the beginning I was applying it with a brush, now I have discovered that it works best when applied with fingers. Literally like some sort of magic it transforms my skin into a very natural looking airbrushed flawless perfection. The amazing part is that it looks beautifully natural in any light, be it day light, artificial light, or ambient evening light. As a setting powder I apply Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Rich Vanilla, them two together works beautifully. 

I would highly recommend this foundation for normal, combo [perhaps not very oily skin during summer], and dry skin types. To read my full review on this foundation click here! I have applied this foundation on my mom who can't stand wearing a foundation, she has dry skin and finds foundations heavy feeling. However, she adores this foundation, her skin looked significantly younger, wrinkles and sun damage seemed less visible. Having a medium coverage this foundation is super lightweight and literally feels like second skin! L-o-v-e!!!


LOVE

Monday 21 October 2013

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights!



Hey Beauts! I have finally invested in this stunning bronzer, it's been on my wish-list for a very long time... One blissful afternoon I decided I can not resist any more, first stop Starbucks next stop Space.N.K., which is right next door in my area. Et voilà! This Kevyn Aucoin gradual bronzer is a classic amongst beauty lovers. This is the new packaging and the design is super sleek and modern and the quality reminds me of Bang & Olufsen. Both the packaging and the product are impeccable. 

I use the darkest side of the bronzer as a contour, the lightest as a highlighter, and a mix of all as a bronzer. Tropical Nights is the sexiest shade. I also like to use it as an eyeshadow for a super natural eye make-up look for gorgeous one tonal natural glow. It has a beautiful satin finish, which creates just the perfect amount of a sheen without looking too shiny. It's perfection!

LOVE

Saturday 19 October 2013

Updated Review: Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel!



Hey Beauts! This post is going to be helpful for those of you who have acne prone skin, skin that gets congested and pores get blocked resulting in a breakout. I have reviewed this product over two years ago when I first discovered it, and have been using it pretty much ever since - trying a few other cleansers but returning to this one. My skin used to suffer from pretty active acne breakouts, slowly I got it under control and I find that Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel is an easily available [I purchase mine at Boots] facial cleanser that keeps my skin clear and helps a spot to go away very quickly instead of sitting there for days like it used to. 

It has salicylic acid which helps to clear out the pores from with in, meaning it doesn't just sit on the surface of the skin but penetrates deep in the pore preventing further breakouts. This is one of those cleansers that will make your skin peel, so if you have a spot it will dry it out, clear the pore and then the old skin cells just flake off revealing a clear looking skin. If you are new to salicylic acid you will find that in the beginning you will peel a lot, then after a month when your skin will start to get clear it will only peel after spots. I highly recommend this product if you suffer from acne or regular breakouts. It has worked for me when I was frustrated with my skin, and it still works years later.


LOVE

Friday 18 October 2013

Favourite Autumnal Lipsticks: Nudes & Reds!





Right column top to bottom: 
bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Be Free [the creamiest nude lipstick]
Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in 03 [a nude with a bit of colour]
Topshop Lips Lipstick in Rumour Has It [nude with a hint of toffee]
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout [nude cool pink, looks more subtle on the lips]

Left column top to bottom:
MAC Frost Lipstick in New York Apple [shimmery sheer to build-able berry shade]
MAC Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo [best red ever, most long lasting warm toned red]
MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red [classic deep red]
MAC Matte Lipstick in Deeply Adored from Marilyn Monroe Collection [deep berry]


Hey Beauts! During the cold months of the year I tend to wear nude, red, and berry lipsticks. Nude lipstick is a classic for me, it goes perfectly with my beloved smokey eye and I tend to wear them all year around. Red lipstick is a timeless classic, and every woman should have at least one red lipstick in her make-up collection. During a/w I find a red lip with smokey eye a rather beautiful combo that can look a little over-done during spring and summer. And of course berry lip looks super cute when you are wrapped up in a thick jumper and scarf with pink cheeks blushing from the cold.

LOVE

Thursday 17 October 2013

Essie Licorice









Hey Beauts! Black nailpolish is just like a Chanel bag, classic and will never go out of style! I am actually blown away by Essie Licorice, not only has it in an instant become my go-to black knight but I had no idea such thing as a long-lasting dark nailpolish existed! On me dark, let alone blackest black nailpolish generally lasts a whole of a day, maybe if I swim through the air and avoid touching anything I can get a good two chip-free days out of it. But Essie Licorice chipped on me on day f-i-v-e!!! And another a-mazing fact is that it is super pigmented, I'm wearing only one coat. Yes, go get it if you don't have it yet!


LOVE

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil!







Soap & Glory Archery in Love is Blonde


Hey Beauts! Here is one of my must-haves that I was meaning to share with you for ages. It's so good that I run out of the first one and already got the second one and started using it and realised before I run out of this one too I better do a review and share my looove! If you are a blonde I would highly recommend this brow pencil. I find it is tremendously hard to find a decent brow pencil when you are a blonde, provided you are after natural beautiful looking eyebrows. I tried a few and all of them had either a greyish or ginger-esque undertones.

I think the first Archery pencil was sent to me as a sample to try. I gave it a go not expecting much, and to my astonishment it has become a product I never want to run out of, ever! Hence why I ran and bought my second Archery!! It comes in different shades, and mine is obviously Love Is Blonde! It has two ends: one a waxy texture [great for filling in], and the other is a tint [beautiful for shaping]. The tint end has a super fine brush for precision application, you can literally draw fake fine hairs, which will create a very natural looking brow. This brow pencil is a perfection, it's super long lasting and incredibly natural looking.


LOVE

Tuesday 15 October 2013

MAC Matchmaster SPF15 Foundation Review!



Hey Beauts! This is my first MAC liquid foundation, which I have used for over a month now. I have a combo/oily skin type which is also prone to breakouts. Firstly, I find that MAC Matchmaster doesn't have a great shade selection. I was matched with this shade 3.0 at the counter and it looked alright, however when I got home and applied it it was way too orange on me, literally 3-4 shades darker. So I ended up mixing it with Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation in 1.1 which is too light for me at the moment. Equally the shade up 2.0 [MAC Matchmaster] is way too light on me.

I wouldn't recommend MAC Matchmaster for dry skin, but it lasts amazingly on combination and oily skin! It stays put the entire day, doesn't break up on the oily patches. If anything it almost felt a bit too drying even on my skin, it would catch on dry bits of skin so perhaps it would be better to wear it during the hot season when skin is naturally more hydrated. 

Unfortunately I had to stop wearing this foundation because my skin got out of control. I got cystic acne, painful non-stop breakouts with something new appearing every day. First I wasn't sure what happened, but I know that some people tend to breakout from MAC liquid foundations. So maybe there is an ingredient that my skin doesn't like. As soon as I stopped wearing this foundation my skin started to calm down immediately and everything cleared up pretty quick. 

It is a shame because MAC Matchmaster is a foundation that managed to last on me the longest. I would still wear it when my skin doesn't feel dehydrated like it does during autumn/winter and perhaps just for the day when I need to last it to the end. My skin started to go a little crazy after about a week of using it, so I think a day here and there wouldn't do any harm.

LOVE

Monday 14 October 2013

NEW Estee Lauder Modern Muse!







Hey Beauties! Here is a new fragrance from Estee Lauder. It's been almost a decade since Estee Lauder launched a fragrance. Modern Muse is inspired by the modern and independent woman, a woman that is stylish, oozes confidence and is self-sufficient - that is the woman of today! The fragrance is feminine yet sophisticated and strong, this is accomplished by combining floral and woody notes. 

The main ingredient is jasmine, which I love so much! Two types of jasmine are used in this fragrance: Sambac jasmine and Chinese Sambac jasmine absolute, which create that luxurious sensual hint. The beautiful freshness of jasmine has a warm finish of the woody notes. The other notes are: mandarin, tuberose, fresh lily, honeysuckle, patchouli, Madagascar vanilla, and soft musk. Although it's a predominantly floral scent, it settles as a sensually warm and sophisticated scent, perfect to keep you feel beautiful and warm during the autumnal and wintry cold days and nights. And of course the packaging is super chic, a sleek bottle with a black bow and gold detail!


LOVE

Saturday 12 October 2013

Zoya Mason - AW13 Satins Collection











Hey Beauties! Zoya Mason is from the AW13 Satins Collection, which I have already reviewed, so if you'd like to see other swatches from this collection as well as the Cashmeres Collection click here! Mason is very hard to capture, it has a complexity of purple and red shimmers creating almost a duochrome effect. It's an intricate magenta metallic shade, which is quite unique and I don't have anything like it so it definitely gets top love-points from me!


LOVE

Friday 11 October 2013

bareMinerals The Power Neutrals Collection!




bareMinerals Ready 8.0 Eyeshadow in The Power Neutrals
bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 8pm [from the permanent line]
bareMinerals Heavenly Eyeshadow Buffing Brush [also from the permanent line]


 bareMinerals Ready 8.0 Eyeshadow in The Power Neutrals


bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Rule Breaker 


 Swatches top to bottom: Boardroom [eyeshadow], Exec [eyeshadow], Rule Breaker [lipgloss]


 bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Make Your Move


bareMinerals Ready Blush in The One


Hey Beauties! I am very excited about this new collection - bareMinerals The Power Neutrals Collection has four new products including the beautiful must-have eight eyeshadows palette, the blush, the lipstick and the lipgloss! This collection is inspired by sophisticated, successful and powerful women that rule the world, uhu! The chic and captivating neutrals go from 'boardroom to the bar to the bedroom and beyond'. The palette encapsulates the modern woman, going from day-light sophisticated mattes to night-time seductive shimmers!

I have created a natural looking smokey eye using the Exec and Boardroom eyeshadows from this palette. Firstly I applied Exec [silvery taupe with shimmer] all over the lid, blending Boardroom [matte dark greyish brown] into the outer corner and socket. For this look I really like the bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 8pm, it's a really chic greyish dark brown, which looks like a soft black. Another discovery I have made and have been literally addicted to it is the amazing bareMinerals Heavenly Eyeshadow Buffing Brush. It just buffs like no other brush, I use it specifically to finish blending the edges of the eyeshadow into the brow bone! 

bareMinerals Ready Blush in The One is a really flattering peachy pink with light satin finish, gorgeous for a flush of subtle colour! To keep the look super natural and make the smokey eye stand out I decided to just use the bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Rule Breaker, it's a very pretty bronzy shimmer. The only product I haven't used for this look from this collection is the  bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Make Your Move, it's a vintage rosy nude. I love the packaging of these lipsticks, and the texture is super creamy and moisturising!

LOVE