Thursday, February 28, 2013

Friday fun-an afternoon on a yacht

Last Friday I went on a hen do for my friend Lisa.  We went for breakfast first and then we went out on a private Yacht for the afternoon.  There are some seriously posey people on boats!

Our boat for the day, sailing past the Burj Al Arab, Looking back on the Dubai skyline, pink champagne

Here's what I wore on my face to make my make-up heat and waterproof and last the day.

Clockwise from top; Too Faced Pink Leopard Brightening Bronzer, Illamasqua loose powder in 00, Benefit BrowZings, Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, Carmex Lip Balm, Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover, YSL Touche Eclat, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara, Anastasia Lash Genius, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser compact.



Too Faced Leopard Brightening Bronzer, Illamasqua loose powder in 00

How beautiful is this bronzer by Too Faced?  I just love this compact.  I dusted this over my cheeks and temples and nose to add a hint of bronze.  It's quite shimmery so you only need a little.

I have been using this Illamasqua loose powder for a couple of months now to set my foundation every day.  Some days I love it as it just mattifies my complexion but other days I worry it leaves me looking a little ashen and washed out because it is colourless (white).  It's finely milled and lasts ages but it's difficult to travel with it as the powder goes everywhere and when you tip the compact over the lid gets full of powder.

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser compact, YSL Touche Eclat, Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, Lancome Hypnose Star, Anastasia Lash Genius

After moisturising I swept a little of YSL Touche Eclat under my eyes and blended.  I then used the Real Techniques Expert Face Blush to apply the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser.  Using the brush gives it a really nice finish and really evens out your skintone.  I then applied the Illamsaqua powder and Too Faced bronzer and then filled in my eyebrows using the Benefit BrowZings and an angled brush from Mac.

I didn't apply eyeshadow, just one layer of Lancome Hypnose Star mascara.  Once this had dried I coated the lashes with Anastasia Lash Genius-this is a wonder product and makes any mascara waterproof!  Your mascara won't smudge in the heat with this product on it.

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover is perfect for a day out like this.  I wanted something glossy and natural but without the sticky texture lip gloss generally gives.  This lip pencil gives super shiny glossy colour but without the stickiness of real lip gloss.  This shade is beautiful, a corally pinky red with the tiniest hint of gold.

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover


Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and YSL Touche Eclat
This would be a great every day light make up look too, especially for the summer months!


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February Fails--I'm just not that into you

There are always products that just don't do what they say on the tin.  Or do what they say on the tin but do it badly!

Here are 3 products that I have not got on with at all in the last month.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

It's fair to say I feel like the actual devil for saying a bad word about Liz Earle.  I have read literally hundreds of blog posts raving about this cleanser.  But I have also read a few where Liz Earle seemed to have a a really bad effect on the skin-and I am one of the unlucky few.

I was so excited to try this and was convinced this was going to be the Holy Grail of cleansers and I would be buying it like it was going out of fashion on my trips home to the UK in order to stock pile it.  I was so convinced I bought 2 100ml bottles.

I think everyone knows how this product works-apply to skin, wash off with damp muslin cloth.  That's the first thing I don't really like-the idea of washing with a cloth seems to me like you're putting dirt you've taken off back onto your skin as it gets trapped in the Muslin.  But I was happy to try it and the first night I used it was fine.  The smell is quite strong but it was ok, it was erm, awakening!  Which I didn't really want as I was going to bed but hey.

The next morning I woke up to a horrific, deep routed, vulgar, massive red lump under my skin on my chin.  And the next day another one appeared.  And then another one.  I was absolutely horrified.  I tried to continue on, thinking my skin was 'adjusting' but after a week I could barely look at myself in the mirror and stopped using it.  That was at the beginning of February and my skin is only just recovering.  And it's a slow process as these lumps have scarred my skin on my chin.  I have completely cut back my skin care routine so I don't cause any other inflammation or irritation and am currently just using a Shu Uemura cleansing oil I have used before which I know doesn't irritate my skin and Le Roche Posay Effaclar Duo.  My skin is more under control now but still scarred so any recommendations to reduce scarring would be appreciated.

It's still hard to say anything bad about Liz Earle and I know her cleanser really has beauty blogger Holy Grail status but its not for me.

Transformulas Eyelifting Gel

Transformulas Eye Lifting Gel

This was recommended to me by my best friend when I was back in the UK in September last year.  I think I picked this up from Boots and it was newly launched.  The first thing that annoyed me was there were no clear instructions on the package of how to use this product.  I searched online and found a very cheesy home shopping channel style promo video showing how to apply it.

Advertised as 'an eye lift in a tube' it aims to immediately lift the eye area, prevent further ageing, improve moisture levels and tackle short and long term anti ageing effects.  It also claims to reduce puffiness, soothe tired and sore eyes and erase fine lines.  A miracle product indeed.

I can only describe this product as like putting glue under your eyes.

When you first put it on (you sweep the doe foot applicator under your eye, then back again and then you sort of hold the skin taught for a few seconds as if 'lifting' the eye) you do feel a tightening and cooling effect.  Great you think.  But as it dries it goes sticky-it feels like glue setting around your eye.  Like the residue you used to get when you removed a plaster you'd been wearing for a couple of days.  You don't even want to blink for fear that your eyelashes will stick together.  I found it to be a really uncomfortable sensation, enough to make me stop using the product.

I found the only way to stop the horrible 'underside of a plaster' feeling was to then put another eye cream on top of the gel but then you're using double the amount of product which seems pointless.

And finally

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils

UD 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils

UD 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils

Every now and again, usually when I am running late I love pencil formulas for their ease of application.  I own 2 of these chubby eyeshadow sticks-Sin and Midnight Cowboy.  And you literally just scribble them onto your eyelid and then blend any edges with your fingers and away you go.

But the problem I have with these is they are incredibly drying.  They feel uncomfortable on my eyelid and they go very crusty and creased as well.  The colours are fab but the texture is horrible.  I would much prefer to use the powder shadow versions of these shades from UD-both of which I own in the Naked Palettes.

UD 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils-Top Midnight Cowboy, Bottom Sin

If you do like the idea of these eyeshadow crayons then I highly recommend the Make Up Forever Aqua Shadow pencils-exactly the same concept but the formula is much gentler and doesn't crease or dry out-they're about the same price too.

Would love to here your thoughts on these products-am I missing something??

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Estee Lauder mini haul

Estee Lauder have really sparked my interest over the past few months, with some beautiful compacts and formulas.  The 'Pretty Naughty' range for Spring 2013 seemed right up my street and I couldn't help myself but make an online purchase of 3 of the products in the range.  I don't think this range is in Dubai or know if it is coming-as usual when you ask at any counter here in Dubai they have no idea of new ranges that have already launched in the UK or US.  That is not just Estee Lauder, but generally ALL make up counters in Dubai and I find it so so frustrating that I know more about their range than they do and they work for the company itself.

Anyway, back to my mini haul.....

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Pretty Naughty Illuminating Powder Gelee Blush in Tease


Estee Lauder Pure Colour Pretty Naughty Illuminating Powder Gelee Blush in Tease

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Pretty Naughty Illuminating Powder Gelee Blush in Tease

Now that's a mouthful!  Firstly the packaging is utterly gorgeous, both outside and in.  I almost didn't want to use it but sometimes I need to remind myself make up is for using, not just for looking at!

I like Estee Lauder blush compacts as they are quite big and look and feel luxurious.

I have to admit I have not used a blush formula like this before and I do need to experiment to find the best way to use it with a couple of my brushes.  It is described as a 'high polish' blush, a tri-blend of gel, powder and liquid in one.  The website description tells you to 'tease out a flush of soft, sexy colour and innocent glow.  Builds to a high sheen highlight. Use it demurely or daringly all over'.  But it doesn't give you an application tips.

I used my normal Mac blusher blush to apply it as if it was just a normal powder blush.  I got a light sheen on the skin, it is very shimmery but also subtle and such a beautiful pink.  I want to try applying it with my fingers like I would a gel or liquid and also with a stippling brush and ascertain the best way to apply it.  A good buy though, am very happy with it.

Pure Colour Sheer Matte Lipstick-Demure and Rock Candy

This is a new formula for Estee Lauder.  I love the packaging of Estee Lauder lipsticks, they remind me of jewels.  I'm not so sure about the packaging of these new lipsticks, they look like felt tip pens which doesn't seem in keeping with the Estee Lauder brand.

Demure and Rock Candy

I picked these 2 colours from seeing online swatches.  Because Dubai is so terrible for make up shopping (in my opinion, and that's because it takes so long for ranges to appear here and sales assistants are so pushy and know so little about their products generally) I tend to buy everything now from swatches online and recommendations.

Demure, Rock Candy, Tease

Demure (left), Rock Candy (right)

Temptalia is literally my holy grail website for make-up.  If you haven't read it then I honestly suggest you don't because you will become absolutely addicted!!  If Christine rates anything a B+ or more its basically in my online shopping cart before you can say 'make up addict'.  I'd bought these 2 colours from seeing other online swatches and then I saw Christine review them.....and she didn't rate them!  Demure got a D+ rating.  Her criticism was that the formula was clingy, drying and hard to wear, difficult to apply and left the lips looking dry and chapped.  This is the first time I think I have disagreed with a Temptalia review.  I love this lipstick!  Yes its matte and it feels quite dry initially but it lasted all day and wore evenly.  I probably reapply my lipstick 3 or 4 times a day in the office-I didnt have to apply this once, even after a sushi lunch.  My lips didn't feel any dryer than usual and I found it easy to apply and as it did fade it faded evenly.

Demure

The colour is gorgeous-cool toned, fuschia pink, almost metallic when applied.  Interestingly Christine at Temptalia compared this as being very similar to Nars 413 BLKR which was something I had planned to pick up when I am next in the UK.  I don't find this lipstick anywhere near as drying as my Illamasqua lipstick in Magnetism.

But then I tried Rock Candy....and everything Christine said about Demure I found in Rock Candy.  It was drying, when it wore off it was very uneven so I had lipstick on my top lip but hardly any on my bottom lip.  When I applied it, it pulled and tugged at my lips and it felt like it was literally stuck to my lips.  But the colour is amazing.  I love coral!  This is a more orange coral but I reckon I will use this a lot in the summer, with a gloss or lip balm over it just to stop it being so drying.


Rock Candy

Have you tried anything from the range?  Interestingly enough 'Naked' from the same range got a much improved B from Temptalia.  Have you noticed nude lips were EVERYWHERE at the Oscars??  Definitely worth investigating I think!!

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February empties!

So January was the slooooooooooooowest month in the history of months and then all of a sudden its the end of February!  How did that happen??

Lots of empties again this month but I'll try and keep it much shorter than last months mammoth empties post!

This months empties

Body beautiful products-Jergens skin firming moisturiser and The Body Shop Sweet Lemon body scrub

Body products

Jergens skin firming moisturiser

I really like this light and fresh moisturiser from Jergens.  I know you can get Jergens in the UK but I think it has different packaging here-if you look closely you can see ours has Arabic writing on.  This is the first time I have used Jergens and it was really cheap, I just picked this up in the supermarket.

This is the skin firming and anti cellulite version and contains Centella Asiatica to improve the texture of skin.  It's a really nice and light texture which absorbs really easily which I think is really important when you want to get dressed quickly after applying it!  Not sure it has amazing firming properties but it's a great every day moisturiser.

Would I repurchase?  Yes

What have I replaced it with?  Currently using L'Occitane Lemon Verbena Body Lotion

The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Scrub

Totally the best body scrub ever!!  I love everything about it!  The smell is DIVINE!  It's like freshly squeezed lemons, perfect for a wake-up call on a sleepy morning.  It's not abrasive and doesn't weld itself to the skin like some exfoliaters do so it's easy to wash off.  I did another review of this product here

Would I repurchase?  Yes definitely!!

What have I replaced it with?  The Body Shop Coconut Body Shop which I don't like nearly as much!!

Cleansing products-Simple eye make-up remover, Kiehls Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser, Garnier Soothing 2 in 1 make up remover

Cleansing products

If you read my January empties blog post you will know these 2 eye make up removers are my Holy Grail eye make up removers.  I won't do another review but you can read my full review by clicking on the link above.  And these have been replaced by yet another one of each-my supplies are running low!

Kiehls Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser

This is great wash off cleanser from Kiehls.  It's slightly creamy in texture and despite being oil free doesn't strip the skin.  It's probably my favourite of all the Kiehls cleansers.  Described by Kiehls as a 'quick lathering cleansing foam, it removes impurities and visibly reduces excess oil on the skins surface'.  Paraben, silicon, fragrance and oil free.  Lasts ages too! Please don't try and use this to take eye make-up off though, you'll end up with very sore eyes!

Would I repurchase?  Yes!

What have I replaced it with?  Am using Shu Uemura balancing cleansing oil at the moment-my skin has really been awful since I tried Liz Earle's cleanser (to be posted about) so I have totally stripped back my skincare routine to just the Shu Uemura cleansing oil and moisturiser.


Facial products-Rapid Brow and Rapid Lash, Clarins Double Serum

These 3 products I have done separate reviews on-you can find the review of RapidBrow and RapidLash here and my review of the Clarins Double Serum here.

I have replaced the RapidBrow with a product called Hi Brow by Lala and the RapidLash has been replaced with Peptalash from Indeed Labs.  I'm not really impressed by either to be honest and would definitely purchase RapidBrow and RapidLash again (actually already have)

I am not using a serum on my skin at the moment whilst I try to settle it down but I do have an open bottle of Kiehls Midnight Recovery for the evening and Estee Lauder Idealist for in the morning.  I also occasionally spritz my face with Caudalie Beauty Elixir after cleaning in the morning.  I would not buy the Clarins Serum again even though most reviews I have read are raving about it!

The make-up-Make Up Forever HD Foundation, Make Up Forever HD Primer in 0, Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation (sample size) and YSL Touche Eclat

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in N117

Getting the right colour foundation is a nightmare for me.  My face has pink undertones and my neck is very pale with yellow undertones and overall I am very pale, go red in the sun then back to white!  I would love love love to be olive skinned!  It's hard to get a foundation with a good match so that I don't look too washed out on my face but don't have a tide mark on my neck.  This however is my 3rd re-purchase of this foundation.  I know MUFE isn't widely available in the UK which is such a shame as they do a huge huge range of foundation shades.

This foundation is very liquid/runny in texture and sheer to medium coverage.  Perfect for day wear and sets quickly without being tacky so you can apply powder straight over the top.  If you get the chance to try this foundation please do!  I like to apply it either with my fingers or a Real Techniques Expert Face or Buffing brush.

Would I repurchase?  Yes

What have I replaced it with?  Currently using Mac Select foundation in NW15 (which is now discontinued which is weird as I only just bought it in Dubai from their store in Dubai Mall)

Make Up For Ever HD Primer in 0

This was my second repurchase of this primer.  It's oil free and this is the clear version (it comes in other colour ways such as green to reduce redness and blue to add radiance)  The 0 is my favourite shade as it's completely transparent.  When I tried the 5 (blue shade) the product dragged in my skin on application and was hard to rub in, the 0 isn't like that at all.  This primer is moisturising and leaves the skin with a glow.  Primers are designed to be used before foundation to improve the appearance of your foundation, plump your skin and make your foundation last longer.  I use a primer every day and highly recommend them.  This one is very light in texture, almost like a serum and will work with any oil free foundation.  Primers are best applied using your finger tips after your moisturiser.  If possible you should allow a primer to settle on the skin before applying your foundation (just a couple of minutes usually) but this one specifically says on the website you can apply foundation on top of it immediately.  This bottle tasted me 4 months with daily usage.

Would I repurchase? Yes!

What have I replaced it with?  Currently using Mac Prep and Prime Natural Radiance primer.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation (sample size)

I got this sample in the Latest in Beauty advent calender and to be honest was quite intrigued.  A new brand to me, I don't think the brand is currently available in Dubai.  To explain the product I have lifted the description from the Cult Beauty website.  The first thing to say is this stuff is EXPENSIVE!  30ml which is only 1fl oz retails at a whopping £47 (it may be cheaper in the US I suspect).  This is an anti aging translucent foundation with a light creamy texture and Cult Beauty say you only need one pump for the whole face so the product will last.  It provides a natural, translucent coverage, lighter than most classic foundations. It evens out skintone, smoothes fine lines & boosts moisture throughout the day, all the while delivering antioxidant benefits, while protecting the skin with a non-chemical, physical SPF30 (Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide). It was created to keep skin looking dewy, with the benefits of a traditional foundation but without the heavy matte finish. 

This product only comes in one shade which I find bizarre,  Squeezing it onto the back of my hand it looks way way way too dark for me.  But bizarrely it just seems to melt like butter into the skin leaving you looking radiant and glowy.  No tide marks on the neck despite it looking like I would have to mahogany varnish my skin for it to colour match.  For me, the best use of this would be as a sort of tinted moisturiser, for weekends when you don't want a full face of make-up for chilling at home or for days when you skin is looking naturally great.  It doesn't give a whole heap of coverage but it does give luminosity.  

Would I re-purchase?  I am really on the fence here but am going to go for no, because of the price and because I don't wear tinted moisturiser enough to justify it.

What have I replaced it with?  This was a sample tester so am back to using a regular Mac foundation as my skin needs extra help at the moment.

YSL Touche Eclat in 01

Ahhh YSL, maker of Holy Grail light diffusing magic concealer pens.  This is my umpteenth repurchase of YSL Touche Eclat which I use under my eyes.  I normally buy the 2 packs at Duty Free and quelle horreur I don't have any more in my stash!  Am travelling to Cairo on Sunday so have made a mental note to re-buy.  Once you have tried this I defy you not to say you can't live without this magic wand for grown up girls!

Would I repurchase?  Yes, oh yes!

What have I replaced it with?  I can't believe I have run out!  I will use my Benefit Erase Paste until Sunday I guess.


The make-up-Daniel Sandler watercolour blush in Passion (sample size) and Nars The Multiple in Malibu

Daniel Sandler watercolour blush in Passion

This is such a beautiful blusher.  It reminds me a little of Nars Orgasm but in a liquid form and it is a peachy, corally pink, perfect for summer.  What's especially nice about these blushers is that they are buildable and so so blendable-it's very hard to go wrong with them.  I actually did another mini review of this shade here when I first got it.

If you haven't used Daniel Sandler make-up before I highly recommend you check out his website and follow him on twitter.  He has some beautiful products out at the moment and is one of the most approachable and engaging people in the beauty world on twitter.  He's very blogger friendly and his website is full of great tips and how to videos.

Would I repurchase?  Yes, I have 3 others from his collection of watercolour blushes.

What have I replaced this with?  I have so many blushers but nothing with the fluidity or ease of application as these.  To me they are really quite unique.

Nars The Multiple in Malibu

Back in the late 90's and early 2000's when I was 19/20 I felt like Nars and Stila and Laura Mercier etc were little known luxury brands that I was spending loads of money on and loving but got hardly any recognition in the UK.  Now they are such well known brands which I am really pleased about.  The Multiple was one of the first Nars products I ever bought and it was in this shade Malibu.  This is my 3rd repurchase of Malibu, these products last such a long time.

'The Multiples' are sticks of creamy colour that can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks.  Nars do highlighting shades, bronzing shades and block colour shades such as Malibu in The Multiple range.  They're a very pigmented cream texture so you only need a tiny bit of the block colour shades which is why they last so long.  I find the easiest way to apply the lighter colours is straight onto the skin from the stick.  For the more pigmented colours like Malibu, the best way to apply is to swipe your finger over the top of the stick and apply directly to your skin with your fingers, or to dip a stippling brush into the stick (if using it as a blusher, contourer or bronzer), tap the excess off on the back of your hand and apply with the stippling brush straight onto your skin.  Here is a great post I found by The Beauty Look Book on the different shades and finishes.  Her swatches definitely make me want to buy even more!! My poor bank account can never catch a break!!

Currently I own Orgasm, Tuomota (discontinued), St Barts, G-Spot and Riviera but I suspect when I go to the States that list may grow somewhat!  They aren't cheap at $39 in the US and £30 in the UK (am sure they were £20 when I first bought them) but they do last an utter age!  There are 16 shades to tempt you!  The worst thing about Nars is the packaging.  The matte black packaging just gets filthy when you use it.  I wish they would repackage as its just impossible to keep clean.

Would I repurchase?  Yes, this has been a go to shade for me for years

What have I replaced it with?  Multiple other cream blushers!

Swatches in natural light-Top Nars The Multiple in Malibu blended out and then beneth heavily swatched.  Under that is Daniel Sandler watercolour blush blender out and at the bottom heavily swatched.

And finally.....what is it they say about never work with children or ginger cats.......


I love reading empties posts so please do leave me a comment linking me into yours!


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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Make-up collection part 2-Nails!

So this is part two of my make up collection.  My Muji storage has now arrived and I have everything as I want it now!  Again it's a photo heavy post-this time focusing on my nail polish collection.

First up, this Ikea 'Malm' set of drawers houses most of my make-up.  And yes, every drawer contains make-up!




And this is what is housed in the bottom drawer...

Nail polish

It's stored in the bottom drawer as it's obviously quite heavy so if it was higher up it could tip forward.  Common sense isn't my strongest point so I am quite impressed with myself for thinking that!

 

I store my polishes by brand mainly.  But I do have a section at the back where I keep all my sparkly polishes.  I have tons of Ciate polishes-and I don't even rate them that highly for wear time-in fact, I'm lucky to get 2 days wear out of their polish.  Essie and Opi are by far my favourites but I also really like Models Own.

Ciate and Opi


Essie, Nails Inc, Models Own, Christian Dior, Chanel and Mac
3 of my favourites-Opi I'm All Ears, Rally Pretty Pink and I'm Not Really A Waitress

3 of my favourites
2 more favourites-Ciate Kitten Heels and Pinkaboo

2 more favourites
3 more favourites-Ciate Cupcake Queen, Speed Dial and Mac Style Seeker

3 more favourites

I have more nail polish than I will ever use and probably multiple of the same colour by different brands-but I do love a splash of colour!
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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Aerin Spring 2013 haul

'Aerin' is the brainchild of former Estee Lauder SVP and creative director, Aerin Lauder.  Last year she launched her own brand of cosmetics-she describes the range as 'the perfect capsule wardrobe for busy modern women'.

Nothing in the range really caught my eye until I watched this Lisa Eldridge video where she used a product called 'Multi Colour For Lips And Cheeks' in Sweet Pea.  This looked similar to the Stila Convertible Colours I love and it really sparked my interest.  I trawled the internet for this product not realising it wasn't launching until February-doh!

Then I saw Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup post about the same product in Freesia-she described it as gold flecked coral with a hint of Nars Orgasm-that's so up my street it's practically outside my front door.

Then pictures started popping up online of the new Garden Colour collection which included these 2 products and it was love at first sight!

I bought my goodies from John Lewis and here's my pick of the collection

Aerin Spring Style palette, Multi Colour for lips and eyes in Freesia and Sweet Pea and Lip Gloss in Cassis

Spring Style Palette

Spring Style Palette in 'A Garden in Bloom'

This zip around make up case containing 3 eyeshadows and a powder blush, plus a mirror is very pleasing on the eye!  I love the gorgeous floral case as well.  It also has a nice big mirror for make up on the go.

The eyeshadows make a nice daytime smokey eye-a neutral colour complimented with a light brown/taupe and a purple-grey.  The blush is a nice fresh rosy colour


The Multi Colour for Eyes and Cheeks are my favourite!  Firstly the packaging is divine, light as a feather gold compacts.  The colours are nicely pigmented and soft and blendable.  I'm more likely to use them on my cheeks than lips.

Aerin Multi Colour for Lips and Cheeks

.

Sweet pea (left) and Freesia (right)

The lip gloss is the most disappointing thing I bought.  Don't get me wrong, the packaging is beautiful, it looks expensive and high quality.  But this colour is not very pigmented and is sticky.  I could foresee a loose hair/wind/sticky lip gloss all over cheeks moment.  The colour is a very subtle rosy shine on the lips.

Aerin Lip Gloss in Cassis

Cassis
These are my first Aerin products.  I feel like I want to explore the range more when I am back in the UK so I can play with some of the products at the counter.  Without doubt you would not be ashamed to whip these beautifully packaged products out of your handbag.  It feels like 'grown up' make-up-I suspect this is exactly what Aerin wanted to achieve when designing this range and she really is hitting the mark.


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Friday, February 15, 2013

Selfridges haul!

So last week I was in Cairo, it was the last night before I was travelling home and I decided to go and eat in the hotels Japanese restaurant.  I never eat in restaurants when I am away, I prefer room service in the privacy of my own room-but I was feeling couped up and so my new Ipad mini and I went off in search of sushi.

The meal took so long to arrive that 2 glasses of Egyptian wine later I'd spent a small fortune on Selfridges website on my latest essential make up needs!

And it arrived yesterday in Dubai.....

Ooooh Selfridges,,,,,

What's inside? Open it open it!!


Selfridges haul

You must have been living under a rock if you love make-up and haven't heard of the Archie's Girls launch.  Now whilst it is still to launch on Mac's UK website, it is exclusive at Selfridges.

There are tons and tons of swatches online of these so I'll just post what I picked up without too much detail.

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Black Swan and Pearlmatte face powder in Flatter Me

I love the Pearlglide liners from Mac-they're so pigmented and soft.  Black Swan is jet black with the subtlest shimmer to it.  I'll use the face powder as a blush-I am utterly unable to resist a peachy coral blush!

Betty lipstick in Betty Bright and Veronica lip glass in Strawberry Malt
Swatches-Pearlglide eyeliner in Black Swan, lip glass in Strawberry Malt and lipstick in Betty Bright
Nars The Happening Palette

I first read about this palette on The Sunday Girl blog and immediately thought 'I want it!'

The limited edition palette contains Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer-two of Nars biggest selling products.  It also contains 4 eyeshadows-all with subtle shimmer-a shimmery taupe, brown with gold shimmer, aubergine with gold shimmer and deep taupe infused with gold.  I can see me getting a lot of use out of this palette and it'll also be great for travelling with.  I have noticed that my Laura Mercier eye colour in African Violet is almost an exact dupe for the aubergine colour.

Nars The Happening

Night Star, Gstaad, Kuala Lumpur, Coconut Grove
Clarins Rouge Eclat from the Spring 2013 range

Clarins Rouge Eclat gold packaging

I love Clarins lipsticks!  And when I saw swatches of these 2 from the Spring 2013 range popping up online I knew they'd find a home in my collection!

Clarins Rouge Eclat in Tropical Pink (left) and Coral Pink (right)

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Stay On Shadow Paint

Love this new cream/mousse eyeshadow from Estee Lauder.  The texture is so light, its almost feels like dipping your finger into chocolate mousse!  Very easy to spread and blend, I love this shimmery bronze colour.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained-bloggers cardinal sin, swatching before photographing!!
Estee Lauder 'Chained', Clarins Rouge Eclat in Tropical Pink and Coral Pink

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