Before and After

I adding some new photos to my Make-up Portfolio. This is my model that I have taken photos of, and here are the before and after pictures! This is my beautiful cousin Katie who has perfect skin, but she was a little bothered by her dark under eye area.

What products were used?

Foundation: Katie has an olive skin tone, and has slightly oily skin. For Katie's foundation i decided to go for Revlon Colorstay foundation for combination/oily skin in the shade True Beige. This drugstore foundation is so affordable yet it has amazing coverage! What i love most about this foundation is that is is long wearing. This will last you the whole day/night and still looks like you just applied it.

Concealer: I used 2 concealers on Katie. Mac Pro Longwear concealer is great for the under eye area because it doesn't crease! I used the shade NC20 which is much lighter shade than her skin tone but i wanted to brighten up this area too! The next concealer was in fact a mixture of shades from my Coastal Scents Camouflage palette. This are full coverage concealers but because of their creamy consistency there are easy to blend to give a lighter coverage. I bought a lighter shade of this concealer down the bridge of Katie's nose and a darker shade the sides of her nose.

Brows: I used a Mac eyeshadow in the shade Charcoal Brown. I love this shade for medium-dark brows. I actually use this on myself too! Katie has a good shape to her brows already so it was pretty easy to fill them in to make them look a little fuller! I was asked to give a more arch to the brow and slightly square the start of the brow.

Eyes: Katie's eye make-up is very natural. Some bronze-gold shades are great for everyday wear. For a base i used Butterfudge. in the crease was Dance In The Dark, in the outer V was a little Carbon just to give a little extra definition and i added some Amber lights to the centre of the lid. For highlighting the brow bone i used Shroom. Next is eyeliner. I used one of my most go-to eyeliners and that is ELF's black eyeliner. It's so cheap yet i find myself going back to it all the time! Katie didn't want to wear any mascara with this look.

Lips: I wan't to bring something different to this look so i thought i would add Mac's lipstick in Up The Amp. I love this purple shade and it suits so many skin tones! With the top Katie was wearing, it matched perfectly.

Cheeks: I didn't go wild with contouring on Katie because i wanted this look to be very natural. Contouring her cheekbones slightly i used Sleek contour kit. On the apples of her cheeks i used a light dusting of a peach blush by ELF called Peachy Keen.

The products i used
Revlon Colorstay Foundation combination/oily: Can be found here
Mac Pro Longwear Concealer: Can be found here
Coastal Scents Camouflage concealer palette: Can be found here
Mac Eyeshadows: Can be found here
ELF eyeliner 'Black' : Can be found here
Mac Lipstick 'Up The Amp': Can be found here
Sleek Contour Kit: Can be found here
ELF blush 'Peach Keen': Can be found here

Glossybox: July 2014

July Glossybox:
First things first, how cute is this packaging!
I have been subscribed to Glossybox for a while now and i enjoy getting surprises every month! The great thing about this months box is that all the products are full size. BUT.... I am slightly disappointed because the theme of the box is Stars & Stripes and the products are based in America, but most of these products are available in the UK. I wanted to try some products that i wouldn't be able to buy here! I can not wait to try the NYC felt liner, i have already swatched it and it looks very promising. The Bellapierre lipstick is beautiful too, even though the brand is getting a bit to regular in most of the boxes i receive. The Color Club nail varnish i received is in the shade Glossy Seal. i really like the colour, but i don't think it is 'summery'. I will definitely wear it, but i'm disappointed i didn't get a bright or pastel shade. Carmex lip products are great and one of my go-to lip balms. i have many in my collection but it's still great to have a back-up. Im excited to try out the Absolute Eyeshadow primer too! I haven't really tried many primers as i tend to stick to the one i have (Urban decay primer potion) but this one looks interesting and this is an American brand so exciting to try something new!
1. Carmex Lip balm:  Can be found here
3 for 2 offer on all Carmex products
2. NYC Liquid eyeliner: Can be found here
3. Color Club nail varnish 'Glossy Seal' -Not able to find.
4. Absolute eyeshadow primer: Can be found here
5. Bellapierre lipstick 'Cat Walk': Can be found here

Wait? you haven't subscribed to Glossybox yet? Click here to find out more about monthly subscriptions to Glossy box and how it works. Have fun!

10 days of lipstick: Day 7,8,9 and 10

 Day: 7

I needed something that was going to last all day so i chose to wear this Barry M Touch of Magic Lip Paint. It acts as a lipstick and a lip stain. It begun green in the tube which seems a bit crazy, but it turns into your 'perfect' pink colour. The shade of pink is determined by the amount of alkaline in your lips. I'm not sure if it just gives everyone the same shade, but i love the shade that i get from this lip paint. It lasts all day and is not drying at all. After that i applied Rimmel Vinyl gloss in the shade 'Chill Out'. This is a clear gloss with lilac iridescence. I love this gloss, I use it on top of many lipsticks.It also looks so amazing on top of any lilac/purple lipstick shades. 

Barry M TMLP: Can be found here

Rimmel Vinyl gloss in 'Chill Out': Can be found here

Day 8:

Without questioning this lip look is definitely for my lazy days. Those movie days or just those days in. I didn't go out, but i still wanted my lips to be moisturised and healthy-looking. This is a gorgeous nude lip balm which smells like peaches. I can not begin to explain how moisturising these are to your lips and i have many of the shades (that are available in the UK) and they are all so luxurious. They are incredibly cheap and affordable and all the shades have wonderful scents. I was fortunate enough for a friend to bring this back from her holiday in Florida as a gift, and when it begun to run out there wasn't a way for me to get another one. BUT.... They then became available in the UK and i picked up some backups because i knew they would of sold out quickly. It is a product that i will continue to repurchase. 

 Maybelline Baby Lips 'Peach Kiss': Can be found here

They are currently on offer for buy 1 get 2nd half price!

Day 9:

I love a classic bold red lip. You usually find me wearing a red lip for days/nights out like the cinema or going to a restaurant. I don't often wear it in the day but you may catch me sometimes! I recently bought this lipstick from L'Oreal because i lost my favourite red lipstick and wanted to try something different. I'm pretty fussy when it comes to red lipstick because many lipsticks that claim to be red are often slightly pink. Even though i love pinks ... a lot... I want a classic red. This one is a very good drugstore red! its not too creamy that it will slide outside your lip line but also don't dry your lips out. I would the describe the finish as a velvet. I really like this lipstick so far!

L'Oreal Color Riche '461, Scarlett Creme'

I wasn't able to find this lipstick many places online, i purchased it from Boots, but i'm not sure if they still stock it. I found it on eBay but it wont be available for long.  here 

Day 10:

i love these lip balms in a crayon form. They are super easy to apply and so creamy so there is no need for a gloss to top this one off! It has a gloss finish which means it won't last all day, but the application of this is so easy that i don't mind. This product is build-able. A light application gives a sheer colour or build it up for a opaque covering. I think that they are a little expensive for a balm, but i enjoy it and use it a lot. The Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain are very similar for only a fraction of the price. You can get these here and the shade Lovesick is a dupe!

Clinique Chubby Stick 'Pudgy Peony': Can be found here

Jessop makeup brushes

I just opened a package with these wonderful brushes from eBay inside. I was a little hesitant at first because i wasn't sure if  they would be true quality stated in the description and pictures. It took 16 days for them to arrive but the estimated delivery was much longer 17-33 days. They are amazing quality brushes and I will definitely purchase from this seller again. They cost £12.98 with free delivery which is a brilliant deal for how good these are. It includes 5 large brushes and 5 small brushes. From the photo i have shown above you can see that each small brush has a matching larger brush. You can chose from various colours i was stuck in-between black and gold or black and silver and i decided black and gold because i don't have a set with those colours. 

 (1)Small tapered brush/ (1)Large tapered brush

The small brush will be great for concealer, especially under the eye. 

The large brush will be good for applying foundation. In my opinion i don't like using the average flat foundation brush i prefer the stippling/blending brushes. But i haven't used one like this before so i will definitely be giving it a go!

(2)Small flat top brush/ (2)Large Flat top brush

The small brush is a even smaller version on MAC's 130 brush. I think this will work perfectly for concealer. It is small enough to get into those awkward spaces like around the nose. 

The large brush is a classic stippling and blending brush. It is very compact and super soft! i can not wait to use this one!

(3)Small rounded brush/ (3)Large rounded brush

The small brush again will work great for concealer but also for packing on eye shadow, for the crease or blending. This is a great multi-purpose brush which i will be trying to see what it works best for.

The large brush is another stippling and blending brush but with a rounded top. I have a similar brush from Kirkland Signature (costco) and i love it and i find my self reaching towards it when applying my foundation. This brush is another multi-purpose brush. I think is works well with cream products such as blush/ bronzers/ highlighters. But it will also work with powders or liquids.

(4)Small angled rounded brush/ (4)Large angled rounded brush

I already know this Small brush is going to be excellent for contouring. Both the nose and cheek bones. It is very compact and the angled shape makes it easier for contouring.

This larger brush will also work similar to the larger (3) brush. But this will also work for contouring of cheekbones and forehead and I think it will do well for blending out the colour.

(5)Small angled flat top brush/ (5) Large angled flat top brush

The small brush will also work well for concealer. I don't think i will get much use out of this brush as it is very similar to small brush (2) and i prefer that one as it has a flat top. but i will experiment with this one to see what i can use it for.

The large brush isn't as compact as i would want it if i was using it to apply foundation, but i think it would be a good brush to use if you want a thinner layer of foundation.

I adore this brushes and definitely recommend everyone to get these especially for the price! the seller i received these from was very helpful and i will link the brushes HERE

They also do other brush sets which i hope to get soon!

10 days of lipstick: Day 6

Day 6:

This is a new member to my lipstick collection. Mac 'Up the amp' is a beautiful pink-purple shade. I haven't worn it a lot since I have bought it because I find it difficult to wear because you have to match your blush or eye makeup to this lipstick. The shade of purple is not too dark so I feel I am able to wear it both day and night. Its is the perfect beginners lipstick to the 'Purple world!' I think it will suit majority or all skin tones.

I wanted this lipstick to be bold , but not with a gloss finish. This lipstick has an amplified finish which means it is packed with colour! It doesn't have a matte finish but its not a gloss finish either. Mac's amplified finish usual means is has a slight shine and ultra-creamy! For some extra moisture I used an EOS lip balm. This is the only EOS lip balm I own, but I adore it and I will be purchasing some more soon. They are super moisturizing and creamy. It keeps your lips moisturized all day!

Mac 'Up the amp': Can be found here

EOS lip balm 'Strawberry Sorbet': Can be found here

10 days of lipstick: Day 3, 4 and 5

I haven't been able to update my blog post for the past 2 days but I ensured that I captured the photos so here they are now!

Day 3:

Lip butters are definitely for my lazy days when I want it to look like I have put a lot of effort into my look. These Revlon lip butters are great because they are extremely pigmented but creamy like a lip balm so you don't have to worry about your lips getting dry or chapped. This one product alone can be chucked in your bag because it can be a lip balm, lipstick and a gloss all in one! What I love most about these are that you can apply them to give a sheer cover with minimal pigmentation like a lip balm or build it up for a opaque lipstick finish. They come in various colours too but this one is in the shade Tutti Frutti which is a gorgeous orange! Then I also applied a Revlon gloss which is also an orange shade named Coral reef. I LOVE these lip glosses. They are not sticky at all but give a gorgeous sheen to your lips. 

Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter: Can be found here

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss: can be found here

Day 4:

Today I went for a more natural look as you can probably see that my eye makeup is only mascara. I went to the cinema with some friends and It took a long time to decide on my hair and outfit! so it changed around 5 times before I left! But what I had on my lips was Mac 'Creme-cup' This is definitely my most worn lipstick, but it is thankfully lasting me well. I will repurchase this as soon as it runs out for sure! its such a natural pink-nude and it goes with any makeup look that I wear. I topped it off with Dior lip gloss in '157' and I used this only in the center of my lips. I often find myself reaching for this lip gloss whenever I wear Creme-cup, I think it is a perfect combination. 

Mac 'Creme-cup': Can be found here

Dior Ultra reflect gloss '157': Can be found here

Day 5:

Mac Viva glam gaga is another one of my most used lipsticks. This is my second one which I managed to find at a outlet centre a while ago. It is unfortunately a limited edition lipstick from Mac so if you do manage to find it online it may be much more expensive than when it was in store. I wish that Mac could make this into their permanent line because I love it! I have found a lipstick by ELF which is similar to the colour of Mac Viva Glam Gaga, but the finish is different. I know that when I finish this tube I will use ELF 'Classy' which can be found here. They are only £1.95 which is a major difference to Mac. I do love the ELF lipstick too so if you like Viva glam gaga i would recommend purchasing ELF Classy to try out and its extremely cheap too! I used an ELF lip gloss in the shade 'Joy' on top just for some extra moisture and this one is also only £1.95! 

ELF Hypershine Lips gloss in 'Joy': Can be found here

ELF lipstick in 'Classy': Can be found here 

10 days of lipstick: Day 2

Day 2:

Today I went shopping so I wanted a natural look and something that I wouldn't need to touch up or faff with. So I picked out ELF's lipstick in the shade 'Classy' which is a gorgeous barbie pink. I wore a sheer cover on my lips in the picture on the left. The picture on the top right also shows how this lipstick is build-able and can be more opaque. I then topped this look off with L'oreal Glam Shine in the shade 'Gold Cappuccino'. I have been obsessed with this gloss for so long, you can see by looking at the scratches on the packaging. It goes perfectly with so many lipsticks and it give a gorgeous golden shine. I wore this in the center of my lips to make them look more full.

ELF 'Classy' Lipstick: Can be found here
L'oreal Glam Shine 'Gold Cappuccino': Can be found here

Want to see what I bought during my shopping trip?

1. Nivea Milk: Can be found here
I love Nivea soaps, especially their 'Cucumber and green tea' which can be found here. But I picked up this one to try. Unlike the cucumber and green tea soap it doesn't have much of scent, which is what i lvoed about it. It smells fresh, and isn't drying. It simply a nice soap.

2. Garnier Fresh Essentials gel wash: Can be found here
I bought mine from Tesco and it was on offer for only £2.00! This is a repurchase because I love this face wash. It leaves the skin feeling soft and fresh, and does not irritate my skin in any way. I would recommend it to all skin types, even sensitive.

3. Rimmel Wake me up foundation: Can be found here
Shade: 200 Soft Beige
I haven't has a chance to try this foundation enough to review it. But by testing it, I have noticed that it leaves a sheen to the skin. This will give the illusion of glowy skin. It has a slight shimmer, but this is what gives the glowing look. I am extremely excited to use this foundation but it will definitely be strange at first because I have been using my Mac Pro long wear foundation for nearly 5 years!

4. Neutrogena spot stress control: Can be found here
I picked this up because it was also on offer, which is quite bad of me as I have plenty of skincare products waiting for me to try. I have only tried this once, but I like it already! Its very light, I think it feels more like a primer consistency than a moisturizer. It soothes the skin also making it feel smooth. It claims to clear spots and to make skin clearer, soft and healthy-looking. I haven't used this product enough to know whether it does this but my first impression is definitely a positive one.

5. Revlon Colorstay foundation: Can be found here
Shade: 320 True Beige
I picked up the combination/ oily foundation because when i tested it I preferred the coverage. I also thought that it would be better for summer. First thing is that I definitely chose the wrong shade. drugstore lighting is so bad. I tested the foundation onto my hand perfectly, but when I got home and then looked at my hand it just looked muddy. I'm not sure if i am able to exchange the foundation for a lighter shade but either way I will get another one because I think that it will work well.

6. St Ives Apricot Scrub: Can be found here
I have never tried any St Ives products but I have heard so many good things about it so I thought I would pick this up. I already bout my Garnier face wash so I thought a scrub would be a better purchase. Again, I have only used this once but I love it! The scent isn't the best considering it is apricot, but it isn't a bad smell. I dislike scrubs that don't have many exfoliating beads because it doesn't do its job, but I also don't like it when there are too many and it is too harsh on the skin. Am I being too fussy? Well, I really like this one because it has what I like about a scrub! it has left my skin feeling wonderfully smooth and I know it has done a good job at exfoliating my skin. I will definitely repurchase this one in the future.

7.Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer: Can be found here
I already have this concealer in my shade but I picked up one that was lighter than my skin tone for either highlighting or for use under my eyes. I love this concealer and for the price I definitely recommend anyone to try it. Amazing coverage and lasts throughout the day.

10 days of lipstick

I unfortunately haven't done a post for ages because of exam season! I have just finished my AS exams so I can begin to blog again! for the next 10 days I am going to post my lip products I have used on that day. starting with today, which is....
Malibu: Watermelon
Mac: Shy girl

My lips have been quite dry lately so any matte lipsticks tend to make it worse or make it more visible. I used this Malibu lip balm in the flavour Watermelon. I got these lip balms in a pack of 3 and they are amazing! the flavours are Watermelon, Mint and Vanilla. They are great for those sunny days because it has SPF 30. After that I used Mac's 'Shy Girl' lipstick. It is a cremesheen so it will still be moisturizing. Gorgeous peachy nude, perfect for an everyday look.

Malibu lip balms: Can be found here

Mac 'Shy Girl lipstick: Can be found here

Collective haul

Okay, I admit that purchasing 3 eyeshadow palettes in the space of 2 weeks is a lot! But I have been wanting them all for a while so I thought I would go ahead and get them all.

 

I first started of buying the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette which has fit in wonderfully with my Naked 1 and 2. I'm not going to go into too much detail on the palettes in this haul because I will do a full review for each separately. What I like about this palette is the colours. Unlike the Naked and Naked 2, this palette has more pink shades, which are wearable for both day and night looks and makes a change to the series. The other thing about this palette that I love is the packaging. It is just like the Naked 2, strong and sturdy. I only wish the Naked (1) could of been made like this to avoid it breaking or getting ruined very easily.

 

I then purchased my first bhcosmetics palatte on Amazon (88 Color Palette, Matte Eyeshadow) I chose to get this one first because I have many neutral palettes and this one had many colours. After receiving my first palette I decided to get another one, but this time a neutral palette.(88 Color Palette, Neutral Eyeshadow). In both palettes, the shadows are extremely pigmented, not chalky, and don't have a lot of fallout. For the price, they are really good quality and has many shades. so I recommend anyone to get these, from a beginner to professional.

 

I had a lot of BACK2MAC products which I returned to Mac recently. Every 6 empty B2M products you return you get 1 free lipstick. I had 18 empty Mac products, so I got 3 Lipsticks. I chose Crème cup, Chatterbox and Shy Girl. I have had my eye on these shades for a while, and I know that I will use them a lot as they are natural or wearable for everyday.

(Can be found here )

 

I bought another lipstick, which I don't have anything like. BarryM: Touch of Magic Lip Paint. This is unusual and I was very intrigued to find out how this worked. In the container the lip paint is green, and when applied to the lips, it changed to a shade of pink to suit you. The lightness/darkness of pink will be determined by the levels of alkali in your lips. I got excited when I seen this so I had to get myself one. Its very good, and I love it. It stays on incredibly well. I believe it stains your lips rather than act as a lipstick.

(can be found here )

 

I also ordered a Coastal Scents brush form Amazon too while purchasing my first bh palette. For years I have been using a Mac 217 brush (£18.00) and then I found Coastal Scents BR-250 brush (£6.95). So after noticing the similarities between the brushes, I noticed the price difference. Being £11.00 cheaper than the Mac 217, if this brush was as good it would save me a lot of money. I use this brush for concealer and it works amazingly, I have also tried it with eyeshadow and it works as well as Mac: 217. This brush is amazing for the price! and if you love Mac: 217 go ahead and try this one!

can be found here )

 

The last thing I got was a backup of Mac: Pro Longwear Concealer. This is my favourite concealer and I use it everyday. It stays on all day/night. You can use this under the eye for the reason that it doesn't crease, it covers any spots or blemishes and gives a flawless look.

can be found here )

  

 

Manicure Monday

It's Week 5 of Manicure Monday. Last one! I highly enjoyed doing this series and  I will be sure to do it again!

 

This look is super easy to do with only 2 nail varnishes and 1 dotting tool. You can change up the size of the dotting tool depending on the size on the polka dots you wish to have (This is the medium size). I decided a lilac/pink shade and a bright pink shade is great for valentines day coming up this Friday! For anyone with someone to impress or just a girly day in with your friends a manicure and movie is the perfect match! If your thinking of this look for valentines day then red would also look amazing! Hope the last of Manicure Monday was enjoyable! 

 

Barry M Nail Paint: Shocking Pink - Can be found here

Revlon Nail Enamel: Lilac Pastelle - Can be found here

 

 

Manicure Monday

It is week 4 of Manicure Monday and I have chosen this edgy versatile look that can been worn both day and night.

The process takes a little patience, but it's simple and easy to do! 

I first painted my nails with MUA nail varnish which is a grey/lilac in Moody Mink (can be found here ). The nail varnish has to be dry before the next step. When It is perfectly dry, you can take any tape of your choice that is not very sticky (otherwise it could peel off the nailvarnish below), I recommend using masking tape. I then painted in the desired section with bourjois nail varnish in this rich purple shade (can be found here ). When this is dry you can remove the tape, and I added some gold glitter nail varnish by Accessorize to finish the look. 

I love this look, it can be changed by using different colours of nail varnish or different patterns can be created with the tape. 

 

Manicure Monday

 

It's week 3 of Manicure Monday and I haven chose Maybelline Forever Strong Nailvarnish: Metal me teal. I absolutely adore this metallic look. It has got an edgy feel to it and the greeny/blue shade looks great in winter, or the colds months. To this look I added some blue nail caviar. It is easy to apply, but looks as though you have made a lot of effort. I usually achieve this look by applying my first coat of nailvarnish and when dry put some more of the chosen colour where I want the nail caviar to be. I then sprinkle the nail caviar over, wait for it to dry, then apply a top coat. You can purchase these products many places, but I found them in the links below.

Nail varnish found here

Nail caviar found here

 



What's in my bag tag

What's is my bag tag! I love reading this tag on blogs! There's a lot of odd things in here because I kept my bag how it was and didn't tidy it or remove things! This is my everyday bag, I'm thinking of doing a what's in my school/college bag soon too, so keep an eye out for that. Enjoy!

Firstly, where is my bag from? Riverisland.

I was very intrigued by this gold/silver metallic bag as I have never had anything like it before! I love the zip detailing and even though it doesn't look very big, it fits everything I need.

 

 

I don't go anywhere without my diary/notepad! I like to keep organised and up to date with plans so this notebook helps. It contains all my homework/revision, my college timetable and notes I write down through the day. I always have a pen handy because my notebook is pretty useless without one! I often carry my iPad with me too, along with my phone, but I was using my phone to take the picture (you might tell from the sneaky hand in the picture, can you spot it?). I find I use my iPad a lot at the moment for blogging but it's also just to record notes and keep organised.

This is the messy part of the tag! I have found these vouchers floating around in the bottom of my bag which I never find myself using, ops. I carry a small black zip bag to hold all my little emergency items. I always have bobby pins and hair bands. My phone/iPad charger which are the same so it saves me carrying two. Also in the case are some tablets just in case of a headache etc. 

Keys and two random rings?  So my bunch of keys are pretty boring, I'm not the type to carry a big bunch as I feel it takes a lot of room and adds extra weight. 

I adore my Ted Baker purse I got for Christmas this year. The bright orange colour definitely screams my name. Inside I just have various cards and cash.  

Surprise surprise, I have two lip balms in my bag! I always carry at least one because my lips get extremely dry during cold weather which it definitely is right now :(. Also if I am wearing lipstick that day I always apply lip balm before. I usually carry the lip products I am wearing that day. So today I am wearing MAC's Crème d'nude and Loreals Glam Shine: Gold Cappucino I also have MAC's mineralise skin finish natural: Medium Plus and a brush from Kirkland Signature. I use these to matte my face throughout the day if I need to. This product doesn't make you look cakey either. Miniature or sample size perfumes are great for on the go, it reduces weight and doesn't take up too much space. The perfume I have in my bag today is Dior: J'adore.

I believe it is important to keep your hands moisturised, especially if you usually get dry hands easily. I usually have a small hand sanitizer but I have recently ran out and haven't had the chance to run to a store. I can be a bit of a germaphobe at times! Impulse spray, along with the perfume is useful on the go. This is a full-size bottle but still is light to carry. Finally a random nail varnish at the bottom of my bag, I had no idea this was in here and I have been searching for it for while!

 

Hope you enjoyed My tag!

 

Manicure Monday

Okay we're back with Manicure Monday with the second look! Hope you like this one, another look that I do quite often.

 

 

 

I only used one nail varnish for this look. It was surprisingly easy to achieve and yet you may not think this because it has a sand effect finish. I got this nail varnish along with 3 others within a gift set, which are also sand effect. The great thing about these sand effect nail lacquers is that by using only one lacquer, it looks as though a lot of effort had been put in to create this look. OPI stays on incredibly well, this may last up to 10-14 days. So I will usually apply this nail varnish if I know I wont have much time to change it when its chipped. Lazy!

Get this nail varnish here

 

Manicure Monday

I'm starting Manicure Monday, it will be a series of 5 nail varnish looks/reviews. Enjoy! 

Maybelline Color Show Nail Varnish: Mauve Kiss 150

Can be found here

Barry M Nail Paint: Yellow Topaz Glitter

Can be found here

This gorgeous nude shade is my go to nail varnish at the moment, and I add a little Barry M: Yellow Topaz Glitter to my ring fingers on most of my nail looks.

Memory jar

I thought this idea was super cute, and now the new year is here it is a great time start writing down memories. First I thought about writing something down everyday and putting it in, but I know I wouldn't keep up with it! So instead, I chose to write down everything that makes me smile, something good that happens, birthdays, Christmas etc. This first thing I started with was my blog name. and I also put what I done on New Years eve/day. When I empty this out in January 2015 I will look back at all the memories and smile, some I may of even forgotten! I had fun making it, and I hope you like this idea too!

 

Scroll down to see how I achieved this!

How is it done?

The jar I used was by Yankee Candle. I had the smallest bit left but the candle would no longer light. I started off with heating around the bottom of the jar and as the candle melted it was easy to get out. I gave it a quick clean and removed the label. I decided I wanted to put a space to write on the jar so I got some lined paper and burned it until I got the required size. (haven't wrote anything on it yet, still thinking)

Next, I got a size of A4 paper and cut it into 8, but if I want more space 4 (whatever size you want). Then write your memory onto the paper then roll it up anyway you wish. Then with some gold wire I wrapped it around a pen as it is a lot stronger than the paper and removed it and placed it around the paper. (TIP: roll your paper smaller than the circumference of the wire and once it is in it will expand). I chose to burn the ends of my paper to give it an older feel, but this is optional!

Place them in the jar and you are done!

You can get the gold wire from any craft store or online. it needs to be malleable!

 

Top 5 Lipsticks

 

1. MAC: Creme D'nude - Can be found here
This is my perfect nude lipstick. I find it really hard to find nude lipsticks that don't look like I have 'foundation lips' or wash me out terribly. I think this lipstick would suit most skin tones. Looks especially great with a tan.

2. Topshop: Mischeif I always go towards this lipstick when I choose to wear a red lip because it is bright, and a classic red. It isn't a matte so it will come off throughout the night which is a downfall because you will have to re-apply it, but its also a positive because it won't dry out your lips, it will keep them moisturised.

3. MAC: Viva Glam Gaga I wear this lipstick more than any other lipstick I own because it is so easy to wear! it will suit all skin tones. It can be worn lightly or apply more and it will be much bolder in colour. It is a lustre so very moisturising, but again will wear off.

4. MAC: Morange - Can be found here

Orange! This lipstick has a matte finish, which means it will last and it's also less likely to smudge. I really enjoy wearing this lipstick as it give a more brighter finish than a red. This lipstick is also good for every skin tone. I highly recommend someone with a darker skin tone to purchase this lipstick or the same shade! When applying this lipstick or any other matte finish lipstick, ensure you use a lip balm before to moisturise your lips to avoid them getting dry.

 

5. No7: Petal

A natural rose coloured lip for the day is great when you don't want to dress up your look. This is a great shade for the autumn/winter. its a 'my lips but better' shade so it just helps to define your lips rather than making them pop. This lipstick work well if you are wearing a bold eye. It is better to choose one or the other. Bold eye, or bold lips.