3 Steps to Glam Make Up.

Its nearing Christmas which means parties, drinks and a lot of photographs. I follow a few very simple rules to make sure my make up fits the bill.

Red Nails.  They are a must! Not only do they add an instant Christmas feel but they look so glam. This is the only time of year I really wear red nails but I love them so much. My only note would be don't wear them with a red dress or top, they're meant to stand out. Essie's Lacquered Up is my perfect shade.

Red Lips. Again, how am can you be? I know its quite easy to cross the line with a red lip but if its carefully worn, it can look amazing. Red lips have to be matte for me and I have found that being cheap doesn't mean it looks cheap. My go-to red is by MUA and is shade 13. If you must go high end, Russian Red by MAC would be my choice. Just remember with a red, you need to keep it looking fresh at all times. Again, don't team red lipstick with a red dress but do wear nails and lips together.

Gold Eyes. When wearing red lipstick it's important to keep the eyes simple. Nothing saying you have to go bare, but you don't want heavy. I love wearing gold shadow with a red lip. I think its bold enough without being overpowering. With a touch of eyeliner and lashings of mascara, you're all set!

A Totally Unplanned Haul!

So, I accidently went shopping. I went into Boots to get some lunch (Philadelphia and smoked ham sandwich, Walker's Baked crisps and a Tropicana tropical juice. Yum!) and I may have got a little side-tracked. I went to have a little look at the Essie stand as I wanted a nude polish for a reason you'll see in a blog post very soon. And I did get one, just with a few other bits too...

Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Flet Tip Liner in Purple. This wasn't something I was really looking for but I had swatched it one day while trying out purple eyeliners for my brows - yes, I know this one is not a pencil but still, I'd done all the others. All the others had worn off by the time I'd rubbed them and then finally got home a few hours later but this one was still going strong. It also didn't move much under a Simple face wipe. This thing is tough! So, I jsut had to have it! I haven't wore it out yet but I did try it on my eyes and it looks really nice, dark but softer than black. This cost £2.99 so was a great bargain.

MAC Matte2 Eyeshadow in Fig. 1. I bought this after I finally plucked up the courage to get my eyebrows done by the MAC MUA with purple. This is what she used and it looked amazing, just how I wanted it. A full post to come on this very soon.

MAC Pigment in Violet. Lovely MAC MUA also gave me a sample of this, saying it would work well with my purple brows. It's the pigment version of Stars n' Rockets with a pretty duo-chrome.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Emerald City. I'm going to pretend I didn't buy this just for the name... But it is a real unique polish. It's matte but glittery. It adds a really nice effect to your nails. It's dark green back colour is just daark enough while the light green sparkles really bring it to life. It wears really well too, I've currently got this on my toes!

Essie Nail Polish in Vanity Fairest. As the intro said, there is a reason I went for this and you'll see that in the next blog post! It's a gorgeous buildable yet sheer pinky toned colour. It has a little shimmer to it but isn't too much. I love Essie polishes so I'm pleased to add another to my collection!

Essie Nail Polish in Luxedo.  What a fabulous name! This polish is gorgeous, my favourite of the three. It's a deep, rich purple. It's the UK available version of Lincoln Park after Dark. It's great to look like black from a distance but it is infact, a purple shade. This picture really doesn't do it justice.

What I'm Wearing - Make Up.

I haven't done one of these before but I have been wearing the same make up look for about 2 weeks day in, day out now so I think it deserves a post on my blog. Though the foundation does to change now and again - due to testing out the new Dior Nude foundation which I'm still loving. I've found this look really works for me, one simple change of the eye shadow colour really changes the look. It's a good day and night look which goes with any outfit. So this is what I've been doing.

I've been starting out with the new Nivea Express Hydration Primer which creates a great base to apply make up - check out my review here. I also apply a lip balm. After this I tend to leave this for a minute or two just to settle on the skin. I've then been apply my chosen foundation which has been switching between the YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat and Dior Nude Foundation. I apply this usually with my fingers and then just buffed out with a stippling brush. If needed I then apply concealer, MAC Studio Finish. Then I apply an all over powder to set my make up. I have been using and really liking the 17 Miracle Matte Pressed Powder which works really well.


















For the rest of the face I have been wearing Hoola by Benefit as a contour powder under my cheek bones and then applying Prestige Baked Bronzer in the shade Pure Shimmer as a highlight on top of my cheek bones. I haven't been wearing any blush or colour on the cheeks.


On the eyes I have been wearing the Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten all over the lid. Then using the Heaven and Earth Palette by MUA I used this shadow

and then this shadow in the crease.

 

Then I use a gel liner on my upper lash line. And the coat on the mascara. Lots and lots of it. The brows are a simple pencil and clear mascara which I get from MUA from £1 from Superdrug.  I've also gone back to my all-time-favourite MAC lip combo. Hue lipstick and Ample Pink lipglass.

My Favourite Drug Store Make Up!

I live in the UK, so I have classed drug store as anything NOT high end - Boots, Superdrug etc. I found it really hard to pick 5 items and I did end up choosing 6, but even that was hard. These aren't the products I'd use from a drug store if I had no high end, these are my everyday make up items. 

Left to right we have;

Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Sun Baked Bronzer in 03 Pure Shimmer. This is my all time favourite highlighter. Its perfect for my light skin but isn't too shimmery or glittery. I can wear this on it's own with some bronzer or with a blush and it always looks good. I also use this on my eyes and nose as well as my cheek bones. I cannot give it enough credit. It also lasts a super long time, I've had this one two years and it hardly seems to have gone down! Love, love, love. 

Gosh Natural Touch Cream Blusher in 001 Peachy Rush. The only thing I hate about this product is that call it a blusher and not a blush - pet hate! Aside from that the colour, texture, wear and staying power of this blush is amazing. It's super bright but you can blend it really light so it's super versatile. For some reason I just haven't found a nice orangey coral blush anywhere so this is the one. I don't really use this as a base for blush but I can't see why it wouldn't work! For the price it's as good at the MAC Creme Colour Bases, for sure!

No7 Lipstick in Brigette (Limited Edition, Spring 2010). This is my all time favourite light pink lipstick. MAC's Hue is in the category of pinky nude. It's a really sheer colour but really buildable and makes your teeth look whiter! I don't know if this available now but I'm nearly out so will have to go and find out soon! It's quite a glossy lipstick too so you can just throw it on and you don't have to worry about a gloss. Great for spring on top of an SPF lip conditioner. 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Concealer in Medium 3. I have this in the colour that matches my foundation the best as I use this for blemishes. It is the best concealer you will ever find in a drug store. It's amazing for blemishes and under the eyes. IT doesn't cake, it stays all day and it really does cover everything!

Collection 2000 Glam CrystalsDazzling Gel Eyeliner in 07 Rock Chick. I love this eyeliner for my top lash line. I tend to wear it over a black just to make sure it's dark enough but it has great staying power and a great look for under £3! I only wear the black one though I own most of them. They are the prefect item to transition from day to night.

Make Up Academy Mascara in Shade 1. This is the clear gel I use for my brows - the bottom one to prove it! I use this every day without fail. It holds my brows and colour all day and is so quick and easy to apply. It costs £1, yes £1 from Superdrug. You need to check out the MUA range if you haven't before as it is AMZING. Some of the eyeshadows are up there with MAC and the colour range reminds me a lot of Illamasqua. 

'I have a Cold' Haul.

Yes, I have done what every girl does; felt a little under the weather so cheered myself up with a trip to my local Debenhams.

I've been reading Elle this weekend while I was away - which was gorgeous and I will post pictures soon! I think as well as rocking my usual goth look, I'm going to try out this military grunge glam vibe thats around so I was on a khaki hunt. I think I've finally decided to purchase a new parka from Zara so basing it on that, I wanted the perfect green nail polish. My usual first stop of Essie drew a blank. As did Chanel, Dior, MAC, Barry M, Revlon and every other beauty counter in Debenhams and Boots. I ended up at Illamasqua which obviously had exactly what I wanted. After a quick trip to MAC I was done - for make up anyway.

Left to right we have;

Illamasqua Nail Polish in Kink. This is the polish I was looking for - or at least the closest I was going to get. I wanted a really dark forest green. These don't exist. This was the nicest, darkest green I could find. Though it does have a teal tint to it, it isn't as blue as most of the others out there. In two coats it's a thick, even coverage. This is my first Illamasqua nail polish so I don't know what to expect from the wear just yet.

MAC Eyeshadow in Humid. I've never owned this shadow or indeed had any desire to own this shadow but on my new military green kick, I thought it would look good smoked out over a black - my entire reason for going to MAC. I was really impressed by the quality and colour of this green as there were surprisingly a few to choose from. I tried the look when I got home and thought it looked great.

MAC Eyeshadow in Carbon. It's black. I get through these like they're going out of fashion. It's a good, dark black and easy to use. My second favourite is the MUA for a quid. It's hard justifying £12 on an eyeshadow sometimes!

Swatches. MAC Carbon and MAC Humid.

Illamasqua Kink Polish on the nails.

What's in my make up bag?

A standard post in any beauty blog, this is the 'What's in my make up bag?' tag. I am going away to Devon on the south coast of England tomorrow for 4 days so I thought now would be an ideal time to do this.

Firstly, everything is getting carried in my Cath Kidston ducky print make up bag- this design was available last spring so I'm not sure if it still is. Now, onto the make up which will be in no order from the picture above - sorry!

Skinology Tea Tree Antispot Stick. This is a roll-on gel which is great for spots. I use it just as the spot is starting to come though - when it's all red and sore. 9 times out of 10 it never gets a head or getting big.

No7 Gel Eyeliner in Black. This was bought with a collection in Spring 2010 hence the patterned lid. I think this gel liner is great and doesn't dry out as quickly as the Mac Fluidline did.

Hair ties. Naturally.

MAC Lipstick in Cyber. My purchase from the other day. I'm absolutely loving this lipstick so far. I think it's very versatile and so good for the changing weather right now.

MAC Plushglass in Amble Pink. I wear this over...

MAC Lipstick in Hue. I think together these make the perfect combo. It's my day to day to-go for the lips. the perfect pinky-nude which is a firm favourite for me.

Prestige Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer. I use this 'bronzer' as a highlighter on top of the cheek bones. I use this if I'm no wearing blush and wearing a heavier contour. It's shimmery without being too over the top and has a nice colour to it. And it lasts forever!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer. My favourite bronzer. Works well for an all over bronzer and a great contour. It's the best bronzer I have tried and isn't too orange. I've hit pan pretty hard on this one. Sob!

Barry M Eyeliner in Black. Stays forever in the waterline and blends well too. All in all it's a great eyeliner for all purposes and it's cheap too!

Tomorrow's Girl eyeliner in Brown. I think I stole this off a friend. I have no idea where it came from but it's the perfect shade for my brows! It's actually a really nice pencil, lasts on the brows a long time and is a good buildable colour. I use this under...

MUA Mascara in Clear. Clear mascara as a brow gel. It's £1. It's Superdrug. It works.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW15. My favourite concealer. I think it's great for under the eyes as well as redness and blemishes. Handy little pot too, I always have one thrown in my hand bag!

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara in Black. I got this as a sample with a gift of purchase and loved it so much. It lengths brilliantly but does volumise too. It's a great day-to-day mascara.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW15. My all time go-to foundation. I don't think it's too heavy and gives a brilliant coverage. I cannot fault it. I have re-purchased this time and time again.

Essie Nail Polish in Sole Mate. My current wear and favourite. Just have a mani so will be taking this just for touch ups.

17 Miracle Matte Pressed Powder in Silky Beige. This isn't my usual pressed powder but the last few times I have travelled I have found my MSF Natural has broken so this a cheap one. But it works great and has a good colour. I could use this everyday if I had to - no problem!

Salon Pro Hair Extension Glue in Black. I have black hair. I wear extensions. Enough said.

Some blush in some colour. I have no idea who made this blush, what colour it is, anything. But it's a mineralised blush in pink with gold patterning through it. I think I got this off my sister for Christmas and it is just gorgeous. It's shimmery and colourful, light but very buildable. I love this.

Sigma SS268. My contouring brush. I love the angled brushes for contouring and my MAC one needs deep-cleaning.

MAC 190. My current foundation brush of choice. I change my foundation application up a lot and this is the way I'm doing it right now. I'm considering the 130 or the 188 next - both I want to add to my collection.

ecoTOOLS Eyebrow and Lash comb. I always have one of these with me. I have them in most brands, this is just the first one I came to.

MAC 266. I use this for gel liner as I find the angled brushes the easiest to apply evenly.

Sigma SS150 Travel. I always have my travel size 150 in my handbag no matter what. And I couldn't fit my MAC 150 in the bad which is now pretty full so I'll be using this one.

So that's everything I will be taking with me. I seems so much written down like this. Oh dear!

The start of Autumn haul.

Today, I did a little shopping and started on my Autumn make up.

Left to right we have;

MAC Lipstick in Cyber. I was talking to my MAC girl about this lipstick today, it was between this and Rebel but she suggested this as Rebel is actually quite bright and not as dark as it appears. Cyber is the same, it looks almost black but in fact is a gorgeous deep purple. I've played around with it today and dabbed on the lips it deepens the lip colour with a purple hint, for a more everyday look and when fully applied it's a solid, gothic colour. It's not as scary as it looks - I looked on the website and the swatch does not look like the same lipstick in the tube! I think it's going to be one of my go-to lipsticks for the Autumn.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid and pump. Not much to say about this, I think most people have tried it. It's my go-to foundation and have it in a few shades depending on my tan. This is in NW15 - yes, I'm pale! But this is for the no tan, winter days. Though, surprisingly, doesn't wash me out at all and actually compliments my skin really well.

Essie nail polish in Sole Mate. This follows on from my Vogue, October post when I said I wanted a new polish. This is a great colour, a really deep reddy purple but doesn't look too brown. As with all Essie polishes it takes two coats but then you have a rich, deep colour and lasts, on me, 3 days without chipping. And for me, that's really good! I did find it looked a little strange on longer nails so I did file mine down and I think it looks a lot better. I highly recommend this polish for an Autumn colour! Essie is definitely becoming my favourite nail polish brand. Looking for a dark, forest green next...

I also bought a few standard beauty items. Nirvana Spa's mint shower gel - which I love. Simple face wipes. Original Source mint shower gel. Original Source mint and walnut scrub - are you seeing a pattern yet?