MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass - Driven By Love

I am loving everything red right now! MAC have recently launched their Office Hours Collection with no-fade staying power, longwear formula's. On my travels for work to Dublin today, I saw the collection in Gatwick South airport. The range boasts a mix of pinks, plums, nudes, browns and greys, but they didn't have much of the shades available in the airport so I will need to head to Brown Thomas whilst in Dublin and see if they have the rest!

Illamasqua Generation Q Swatches

Just because I couldn't wait, I made a few purchases from the new Generation Q collection today!

Makeup Show Live August 2012

I stumbled on this event actually online. A new event called Makeup Show Live held at 

The Cumberland Hotel, London, on carnival weekend, 26 August 2012.

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Amsterdam

I'm so happy with my new NARS lipstick!!

On my first visit to the NARS counter in John Lewis, on Oxford Street to view the Fall 2012 collection, I resisted the urge to buy it using the 'I have one in a similar colour already" excuse!

On my second browsing visit, my makeup lover buddy coaxed me to try it... so I did... and that was that!

Before I knew it, I was not only walking out with Amsterdam, I had also brought Moscow, a colour that I have been loving for a while.

The Benefits of Cleansing & Toning

In my opinion, you can buy all the make up in the world, but if you don't have a skincare routine, any make up that you apply just won't look as good as it could.

I come across so many customers with problem skin who just don't understand the purpose of cleansing and toning, but wonder why their skin is the way it is.

MAC Superslick Liquid Eyeliner in Signature Blue

I tried this today, had to have it and had to blog about it!

I have two metallic MAC Liquid Last liners in Pop Iris (violet purple) and another deeper purple which I cannot name as it has rubbed off! I love metallic eyeliner colours.

So, Signature Blue...

It is described as a Dark Navy with soft pearl...

Illamasqua Nail Varnish | Kink

MyNailChallenge #27

5*

Illamasqua are one of my favourite brands for nail polish. 

I love every colour I own.

The texture is rich and easy to apply.

Kink is a bottle green shade with a rubber finish. I have layered it here with Essie top coat, 

but you can see that the effect is still visible.

MAC Eyeshadows in Plumage, Contrast & Nehru

I purchased 3 more shades to add to my fast growing collection..

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks - Milk Chocolate

Bobbi Brown does a great multi-purpose colour cream perfect for lips and cheeks.

Pot Rouge in Milk Chocolate is a subtle chocolate brown which blends on the cheeks and adds colour to the lips.

Kiko Nail Lacquer | 373 Burnt Sienna

MyNailChallenge #26

4*
I found this amazing colour for the bargain price of only £1.50 at  Kiko Cosmetics in Westfield.

I love this purple, grey shimmery shade.

It's quite good quality considering the cost. It's not as rich as I like but with 2 coats its fine!

MAC Lipstick in Paramount

Although I love my red lipsticks, MAC's Paramount Lipstick with its Satin finish, its a beautiful colour to wear on non-red-lippie days!

Naturally...

• 

Shingai Shoniwa for Harper’s Bazaar UK March 2011

Shingai Shoniwa for Harper’s Bazaar UK march 2011

Simply flawless

Source: deliciousbrownkisses

Illamasqua Generation Q

‘Generation Q – is generation YOU! It’s what they tell you not to do; it’s what you see your true self through. It’s what is old and what is new. What you know and what you knew. It’s what you feel and what is true” Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

Like, Tweet and Pin your favourite Generation Q products here: Generation Q and the 3 products with the highest votes will be released to buy online on 28th August.

I have voted for:

NARS American Dream Eyelook

I was toying with the decision to update my previous swatch post, or create and new one. 

The latter won, because I will experiment with the different shades and create many looks I want to share..

See my previous post for the complete review of this palette : NARS American Dream Palette

New Thierry Mulger Alien Essence Absolue

This beautiful new version of the classic Alien fragrance, is currently exclusive to Selfridges, London..

I have the classic Alien Eau de Parfum. A woody floral with distinctive jasmine & soft amber, it's a captivating fragrance.

The new edition, Alien Essence Absolue, is described as richly intense, sensual, deep and mysterious (Fragrantica).

Inside my August 2012 GlossyBox

This month's GlossyBox is dedicated to International Superstars! Hero products from around the world!

I will post a review for each item soon...

For now, here is a sneak peak!

Make-up Storage Solution

Over the years, I have tried many different types of containers and storage options, depending on the size of my collection at the time and the space to actually store everything!

Currently, I have very limited space for my ever growing collection of make-up products.

Yesterday, whilst in Ryman, I came across the answer to my current storage issues!

NARS American Dream Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

So, in my previous post 'Sneak Peek at NARS American Dream' the new palettes had yet to be launched. On one of my many visits to Selfridges with the intention of 'just browsing', I was surprised to see it was available earlier than I had anticipated.

Sleek MakeUp Be Beautiful Blemish Balm

This month, Sleep MakeUp are launching a multi-tasking BB cream in a range of shades to suit fair and darker skin tones. Long awaited if you ask me. This is one of the reason I think Sleek is becoming more and more successful, it caters for women of all ethnicities.

Be Beautiful Blemish Balm can be used as a primer or tinted moisturiser and is available in 4 shades: Light, Fair, Medium and Dark.

Inside my July 2012 Glossybox

I know this post is slightly late, but I had to wait until I returned from holiday last month to be united with my July edition!

MAC Fire Sign Lustre Lipstick

From the Heavenly Creature collection, Fire Sign is the red shade in the range of 5 limited edition lipsticks and costs £14.

This colour, in my opinion, is a raspberry red.

Sneak Peek at NARS American Dream Palette

I found this palette whilst browsing on the thebeautylookbook.com yesterday and my first thought was, I need this palette in my life!...

MAC Viva Glam I with MAC Brick Lip Pencil

Following my previous post on (Viva Glam I Post), I found and wanted to share the perfect lip pencil to match!

MAC Brick Lip Pencil matches this lipstick perfectly.

OPI Outrageous Neons

This August, OPI will be launching their first ever mini fluorescent neon collection of 6 shades:

'Outrageous Neons'.

The collection is a limited edition and will be priced at £19.45.

NARS Blush | Lovejoy

NARS Blush in Lovejoy is my first NARS blush!

I have so many blushers so have always resisted the urge to buy another, until now!

This blush comes highly recommend as a natural tone blush for all skin types, especially for brown skin.

The first thing I noticed is the make-up friendly packaging. It's flat and the compact includes a mirror and that is a tick in my make-up book. I am so tempted to travel with it in its original box though! I know the logo will fade really soon up amongst my other make-up items.

Nicole by OPI Nail Laquer | It's Up To You

MyNailChallenge#25

No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour | Highland Mist

MyNailChallenge#24

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick | Abstract Orange

I have only very recently been into orange toned lipsticks. 

Abstract Orange is a coppery, burnt red which really suits my skin tone.

MUA Nail Varnish | Shade 14

MyNailChallenge#23

Gosh Nail Glitter | Amethyst Purple

MyNailChallenge#22

I haven't heard much about Gosh Nail Glitters, so I thought I would give my favourite colour a try.

Application is quite easy.

Step 1: Apply 1 coat of clear nail varnish to your nails.

Step 2: Dip your nails into the pot before your clear nail varnish dries.

Step 3: Brush of the excess glitter.

  

Illamasqua Nail Varnish | Fabricate

MyNailChallenge#21

MUA Lipstick | Shades 9 & 10

Known for its affordable make up, MUA (MakeUp Academy)  Lipsticks cost just £1! 

There are currently 16 colours to choose from.

I'm used to buying lipsticks for £14 or more, so my immediate thought was that for £1, I really couldn't expect too much. However, I was surprised by the pigmented colour, great for achieving the latest look on a budget.

From the collection, I choose 2 quite neutral shades. 

Shade 9 (left) and Shade 10 (right).

Sleek 2012 Limited Edition Collection

I am a big fan of Sleek make up. Not only because they offer affordable make-up, but also because they provide a decent choice of colours to suit black skin and there is a large palette selection. 

i-Divine 2012 Limited Edition is my 8th Sleek palette!

Kurt Geiger Sale 2012

Picked up these beauties in the Kurt Geiger sale for £45, less than half price! I usually go for a higher heel, but you can't go wrong with this size heel and shoe design, suitable for most occasions.

MAC Lipstick Viva Glam I

MAC Viva Glam collection was launched to Be Bold, Be Beautiful and Be Safe. 
The proceeds from sales of the collection goes toward helping men, women and children affected by HIV and Aid everywhere. Viva Glam stars Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin.

There are 6 Lipstick shades to choose from.
I love reds and in my opinion you can't go wrong with a good red lipstick, therefore my choice was 
Viva Glam I, the collections original shade introduced back in 1994, over 15 years ago!

 

MAC Pro Colour Eyeshadow Palettes

Are you a collector of MAC eyeshadows?

Are you running out of storage space?

Your solution is to buy MAC Pro Colour Palettes to store your eyeshadows MAC Palettes Online

They are available in 4 different palette sizes: x2 - £6.50 | x4 - £6.50 | x6 -  £11.50 | x15 - £11.50

My x2, x4 and x15 Pro Palettes

How to De-Pot a MAC Eyeshadow

MAC Pro Colour Palettes are a great way to store and travel with your MAC Eyeshadows.

My post MAC Pro Colour Eyeshadow Palettes talks about each eye shadow palette.

However, would you also like to add your existing pot eyeshadows into palettes too?

If so, here are some easy to follow instructions.

Jessica Nail Colour | Cinderella Red

MyNailChallenge#20

Cinderella Red with flash

MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Red Dwarf

I received this colour for my birthday (thank you Nat! :)

Pro Longwear Lipsticks are designed to give up to 12 hours of colour.

MAC describes Red Dwarf as a Pink Blue, I agree it's a deep pink raspberry colour on me.

Illamasqua Lipstick in Howl

Illamasqua Lipstick in Howl is one of my favourite reds. 

The difference in other reds I have is it is a deep, red brick, terracotta red, with a matte finish.  

Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Black Tie

I wanted to try a quality lipstick and I've read so much about the Dior Addict collection of lipsticks 

I decided I would treat myself and try one.

Dior Counter John Lewis Oxford Street, London

Shea Butter & Hay Fever

According to the Met Office, 1 in 5 people suffer from hay fever. If you live in London, like me, you are in amongst the worse affected area.

We are in the peak of the grass hay fever season, which affects 95% of hay fever sufferers.

Benefit | They're Real Mascara

I have recently finish my first tube of this mascara. I was fortunate enough to receive my first tube free, at an event, when it was first launched and if I am honest, I had it sitting in my mascara drawer for a while wondering what all the fuss was about.

I'm fussy when it comes to mascara. My lashes, in my opinion, are short and naturally very curly.

I need my mascara wand to separate my lashes, straighten them out and lengthen them, giving them volume without clumping.

I have only a few favourites, which I will write a post about very soon and now They're Real has been added to my shortlist.

Barry M Nail Paint | Tangerine

MyNailChallenge#19

MUA Lip Boom Bring It & LMK (Let Me Know)

I've purchased two more to add to my collection! I now have 4 out of 8.

I have tended to stick to the darker shades, apart from Vibe.

See my full review on my previous post here: MUA Lip Boom: Vibe & It's a Situation

Bring It is a vibrant red. I am a lover of red lipstick.
I own many and this one is one of my favourite red tones.

Inside my Glossybox June 2012

How exciting, my June 2012 Glossybox has arrived! 

The theme of this month's box is sexy summer style!

Illamasqua Naked Strangers Nail Varnish in Faithful

MyNailChallenge#18

Non-fleecing Cotton Wool Pads

For me, cotton pads are an everyday necessity. I use them to apply toner on my face in the morning and to remove my make up every evening. I've tried and tested various types of cotton pads, mostly the ones sold in either Boots, Superdrug or Savers (even ones that claim to be non-fleecing) but all of them left a trail of cotton either on my face or in my eyes!

I am pleased to share my opinion of a Boots own brand Baby Large Cotton Wool Pads which actually do not fleece.

New Sleek July 2012 Olympic Collection

Sleek are launching a limited edition collection, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic games.

The collection consists of the iconic iDivine palette, a pigmented Blush and a Pout Polish.

Love this Jacket!

Source: modelsofcolor.tumblr.com

June Magazine Freebies

Glamour & Marie Claire have some great freebies this month! 

From Glamour I have my travel size holiday Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara.

I can try before I buy Benefit's That Gal Brightening Primer.

From Marie Claire I choose Ciate's Nail Varnish in Bon Bon.

Taken with Instagram

MUA Nail Varnish | Shade 3

MyNailChallenge#17

MUA Shade 3 with flash

OPI Nail Laquer | Bogota Blackberry

MyNailChallenge#16

Bogota Blackberry in natural light

Super Food Pyramid

I came across this interesting 'Super Food' Pyramid and it's started to make me change 

the way I think about some of the foods I love to eat : ( 

Let's Adore & Endure!

OPI Nail Laquer | Monsooner or Later

MyNailChallenge #15

Monsooner or Later in daylight

Illamasqua June 2012 Haul

Selfridges was the place to be last Thursday 31st May. The beauty event was heaving.

Selfridges is my local after-work joint for a make up item or 5 from the Illamasqua counters!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 075 Lollipop

So, I am in love with these glosses so much that I went and purchased yet another one!

Please see my previous post for 3 more colours in the collection: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

And also the very first colour I purchased: Macaroon Swatch

My 4th colour is 075 Lollipop!