TOWIB: My First Blogging Event

Ever since I first heard about such things as blogging events, I wanted to go. But living in the middle of nowhere it was often impossible to make it to big events.. also probably would've helped to be invited to something LOL :P So for me, when TOWIB (The Only Way is Blogging) started happening, I was really excited!

Sadly, for the first event I was en-route to London with my boyfriend to pick up my parents from the airport - yeah, not so much a, "You can do it yourself right, I'll see you at the hotel!" kind of thing :P So this Winter Warmer was pencilled in as early as August so I can make sure there will be no family obligations in my way ;P This time it was at a bar in Green Park - lovely :)

Did I enjoy it? I did! Sadly I was an airhead as usual and brought a camera, a camera charger but no SD card so I'd refer you to other posts for photographs of the event :) But the event as a whole was a interesting experience for me, mainly because I got to see George and Anna again, and meet some bloggers I've been reading their blogs for forever like Siobhan and Lauren, and also got introduced to new blogs like Gem's and Suzie's. My main reason for going was to meet people, but the demonstrations by make-up artists were so fun to watch, and it was just really cool to see in real life how a pro does make-up on a model. I wasn't so sure about the setting/layout, or if the other talks were my cuppa tea, but others seemed to enjoy them which is always good! :)

The make-up artists that were there were from FashionistA and VIVO. They both had 3 presentations each - FashionistA had 3 from the runway, and VIVO had 3 that was more street-friendly. It was a good contrast to have! FashionistA did a blue smokey look, a feline look and a blusher look, and VIVO did a vampire, golden and bold lip look. Lots of variety and "Ooo"s and "Ahh"s on my behalf :P

I'd never heard of FashionistA, but really liked the idea of the customizable palettes - SURPRISE! :P So was really excited when we got to choose our own palette to take home and play around with! I'm hoping I'll see them around in store so I can get some more bits to put in :) The one I chose was used for a dark blue smokey eye - a bit scary but something I've wanted to try out for ages! The mirror is absolutely maHUsive (even bigger than my ArtDeco one) so I'm keen on carrying it around with me!

VIVO - how could you not have heard of them? When they first said they'll be sold only in Tesco, I was like, "Pshyeah awesome." Err, do you know how hard it is to find a bloody Tesco that's not metro or express in central London? So I was a VIVO-virgin, and am now so glad I'm not! I tried many of the products they gave us yesterday and I was really impressed, even with the packaging! The goody bag I got contained products that were used for a bold lip, subtle everything-else look, which I haven't got nailed down so I wanted to give it a shot again :) I love the metallic black packaging- it's very chic and SUCH a good change from a boring black plastic that many budget brands seem to resort to. And, the lip products - OHHHH MY. They smell DELICIOUS. I want to eat them.


I think my favourite product out of everything so far has been the VIVO blusher, which I thought was going to be my least favourite. The colour is GORGEOUS, it is a fool proof, peachy pink with a slight iridescence.

So yes, it's Monday again and I had a great weekend. Sunday was spent in Canary Wharf with the boy watching the Three Musketeers (AMAZING) and shopping around, as well as having a delicious and cheap Sunday roast! Today is actually kind of still the weekend for me as I have no classes, but I have a lovely dinner planned at a posh restaurant (did any of you take advantage of the London Restaurant Festival!? :)) for me and the boy's 3 year anniversary :) I cannot wait!

Do you remember your first event?

Have you tried any FashionistA or VIVO cosmetics? :)

<3yu

Touched Down in London Town, Finally Naked.

Last night I touched down at Heathrow Airport and I am now officially done living out of a suitcase for a while! I've finally got myself to a room that I can call my own for the next year, here in Central London :) (I know, my wallet is quivering at the thought!)

I am so excited to be settled down again, especially in a new place with a new life - the boy is now a working man, and lives on the other side of London, and I am starting my masters degree in a week's time :) I do love my family, but I'm not one for homesickness so that part's never been an issue luckily :) I've also missed being able to blog and YouTube in a routine kind of, pattern-y way, and as much as I enjoyed trying out products I don't see on the blogosphere (keep your eyes out for Japan haul :)), I'm also thankful for the cheaper high-end prices and being able to get my hands on hypes that I couldn't access in Japan!

So yes, I'm glad to be back! :)

So this is where the blogging and YouTubing will be from now on (bar December, when I'll be back in Japan - again!), and with the great big window I know photographing/video-ing will be a lot easier! I've also got 2 closets, a full-sized mirror and the fashion inspiration of the whole of London so I may even venture into OOTDs :)

Now to explain the last half of the title - yes I'm finally NAKED!

The boyfriend was an absolute babe and accepted parcels for me while I was away :) He also got me the Marie Claire and InStyle from last month, so I've got those nailpolishes to try out too! So while I did feel quite bad here are the bits I just couldn't resist! ;P

Top Left: NARS Dogon

Centre: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Top Right: Clarins Lip Perfector

I wore the Naked Palette today and I can say it's really quite nice! I still need to experiment more before I find something I really like, but for now I've got Toasted all over the lid with Hustle in the outer corner :)

The Clarins Lip Perfector is love. It's a perfect balmy gloss, that evens out your lips and makes them look polished and lovely :)

I haven't tried NARS Dogon yet but I may after I have a full cleanse today!

Those are the views from my room :) Not bad ey?! (Spot the angry woman on the park bench lol)

Anyway today I'm going to try and unpack, meet some people around my halls and hopefully get out to Oxford Street to do a bit of essentials shopping - Liz Earle, MAC and Boots are sure stops :)

Hope you guys have all been well - if you know any great spots in Central London, please let me know! I am still a Warwickshire country bumpkin at heart! ;)

<3yu

"Back to Japan": Lips

With the limited amount of make up I have here with me in Tokyo, I decided to do a series to show you guys things that I've brought back with me :) I didn't wanna do it all at once because, let's face it, I didn't bring THAT little so I thought it best to do it in categories! Hopefully it'll trigger some review requests or post ideas - if you have  any please let me know!

Anyway I decided to kick it off with lips - I didn't include lipbalms, but here are the lippies and lipglosses that have made the trip back with me :)

Lipsticks

Left to Right:

* Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight 700

(for my everyday beige nude)

* 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive

(for my everyday, glossy pink nude)

* GSpot Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Lustrus

(not actually sure why this came with..)

* MAC Amplified Lipstick in Warm Me Up (LE)
(MLBB colour, was a candidate for graduation lipstick)

* MAC Matte Lipstick in Please Me

(bright but dusky pink!)

* MAC Amplified Lipstick in Vegas Volt

(for the brave summer day cravings of reddish coral)

(Rimmel Nude Delight; 17 Beehive; GSpot Lustrus; MAC Warm Me Up; MAC Please Me; MAC Vegas Volt)


Summery colours? Meh, some of them. But I tried to choose on the basis of "what if" - what if I feel like wearing this, what if I start wanting this - so I tried to cover the spectrum in shades. I just wish I had something like MAC's Ever Hip or TopShop's Ooh La La - a pinky peach/peachy pink - anyone have suggestions? :P

I would've done the same in finishes, but I usually love pigmented lips, and 17 Beehive is the only glossy one I have - I'd love more tbh, so please let me know if you have any suggestions for that as well! :)

Lipglosses

Left to Right

* The Body Shop Love Gloss in 17

(it goes with anything and it's also gorgeous alone!)

* Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Silk Touch Lipgloss in 15 Coral

(just in case I didn't feel like Vegas Volt ;) )

(The Body Shop 17; Jemma Kidd 15 Coral)

To be honest I haven't worn either of the lipglosses.. no idea why! Sometimes I think glosses look too wet, and I suppose in this humidity (it was 91% the other night!) I'm trying to keep my body to look as dried and unmoist as possible! :P

On that gross note, what have your lipstick/lipgloss picks been recently? :)

<3yu

Red Mag's Jemma Kidd Lipgloss in Coral

I'm sure you've heard about this month's Red magazine, which comes with a freebie of Jemma Kidd Make Up School's lipgloss in three shades - a nude, a coral and a red. I already have loads of nudes and have one red lipgloss that I love (Viva Glam Cyndi <3) so I went for the coral - a colour that I have no lip products in.. yet - I know, blasphemy!

Just thought I'd share with you some snaps, and first impressions :)

The packaging is practically the same as the Revlon Super Lustrous lipglosses - same size, same amount just the Revlon lid is shiny and the band is gold.

The formula I felt was very different - while the consistency was similar, it was nowhere near the same pigmentation. However after a few minutes Jemma Kidd's lipgloss felt almost like the ELF Super Glossy Lipshines, when it kinda harden and cling onto your lips making them feel like a layer of thin Wine Gums on your lips.. I personally love that sensation, I also think it makes it a bit more long-lasting!

That swatch has about 3 or 4 swipes, so it is very sheer but even in my pigmented lips I did see coral rather than red, so that is always a good sign :)

I personally didn't think it's worth £14, not just because I prefer more pigmented glosses, but because I didn't see much so special about it, except that it actually came across as coral, not red. It IS good quality and you can tell, but it's a sheer gloss that has good staying power with a pretty standard colour - pretty average overall. But for £3.80, I think it's a steal :)

Did you get any of the Jemma Kidd lipglosses? :)

<3yu

Bright Pink Lips #2! - Revlon Pink Pop

My craving for bright lips has certainly not died yet, but I haven't been able to get a hold of any because of my Project Pan. Then I discovered the wonder that is Make Up Alley's Swap system - it's amazing. Basically, you put up a list of what you have that you don't want, then put up a wishlist of what you do want, and look for people who want to swap stuff with you :)

The first swap I did was for this baby - Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pop.

I've been wanting one of these for ages, since one of my friends got one and said how amazing it was. At that point I would've gotten the nude one but the blogosphere has changed me so much, that this one was the one I wanted the most :)

The formula is gorgeous - it's very pigmented as you can see and not sticky at all. It's relatively long-lasting and very very juiceylicious! Overall VERY impressed with my first ever Revlon lip product!

The thing I like about the swap is that now that I've traded, I'll probably use this lipgloss so much more than what I traded for :)

But back to the lipgloss.. this will definitely be one of my staples for the warm weather - it's just so bright, pretty, juicey and wearable. Also, doe-foot applicators are probably my favourite cuz they're very easy to use.

Do you have any of the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses? :) What do you think will be your Spring lipgloss?

<3yu

Review - Eyeko London Lips!

Without ever actually directly buying these babies, I've accumulated 3 of the Eyeko London Lips, and thought it was time to do a little review and swatch fest for you guys :) The idea of having 1 product in multiple colours is exciting haha.. for me, anyway.

Left - Portobello: A rosey pink with a golden sheen and shimmers.

Center - Shoreditch: Creamy red. Matte.

Right - Knightsbridge: Pale pink with very small silver shimmers.

Packaging: It's super cute. It has little icons of London stamped, but beneath that, it's just your standard tube - although, it does feel quite sturdy. The only complaint is that the hole that the product comes out of is way too small and it gets tedious to apply. This makes me always take some on my finger first, and then apply it, which defeats the whole purpose of the ease of a tube applicator.

Formula: Very thick and sticky, but not crazy gooey. Hard to smear, which becomes a problem with the tube formula, as it's even harder to smear with that plastic tip applicator. Also, I can't imagine wearing these over lipsticks - I feel like the application would wipe the lipstick off. However, I will give it to them that it creates a very smooth-looking and pretty finish!

Scent: Very sugar sweet! I could see how some people may not like this.

Staying Power: Average, at best.

Pigmentation: They're all quite sheer. I don't feel that the colours you expect by looking at the tube actually shows on your lips, especially if your lips are as pigmented as mine. Creates a temptation to put more gloss on in hopes of better pigmentation, but the formula makes you want to take it off because it's too much.

 Top to Bottom: Knightsbridge, Shoreditch, Portobello.

Price: £6.50. I personally think it is a bit expensive for what they are.

All in all, they are pretty average lipglosses which are more on the thick side. I think they are overpriced, but if you can get your hands on them for cheaper, and don't mind sheer lipglosses, I would give them a shot.

You can get these from Eyeko's Website, and if you fancy it, please enter my Ambassador Code E9977 with your purchase for a free gift if you spend £15 or more :)

<3yu

*I purchased Knightsbridge through Eyeko's Surprise Gift Set with my own money (therefore not for the full price), received Shoreditch as a free gift from Eyeko, and received Portobello from a giveaway. None of this has influenced what I have said about the product.

My Lipgloss Collection :)

My best friend at uni got me into lipglosses in early 2010, and I had probably.. 1 or 2 before I met her. Now I have 20. Here is what she has done to me..

As you can see I tend to stay on the lighter side of the spectrum but I do have the odd darker ones. I tend to try different glosses, but buy multiples of the ones I really love - as shown by the ELF ones and the CANMAKE ones. I think my favourite application is either a tube or a doefoot, but probs the tube because it's easy to finish it all up! So here they all are, separated into applicators. I've put a * next to my go-to ones!

Tubes!

L to R:

Eyeko London Lips in Portobello, Shoreditch and Knightsbridge

Essence Glossy Lipbalm in Toffee Frappuchino

*ELF Super Glossy Lipshine in Pink Kiss, Juiced Berry and Candlelight

Doefoots!

L to R:

L'Oreal GlamShine Crystals in 301 Coral Strass

Maybelline MNY mygloss in (something)

Collection 2000 Hotlights in Glimmer

*BodyShop Love Gloss in 17

MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam Cyndi

ELF Mineral Lipgloss in Sorority Girl

*NYX Lip Gloss in Sweet Heart

H&M Lipgloss in Coco in Aruba

MaxFactor Vibrant Curve Effect Lipgloss in Vibrant

Brushes!

L to R:

Bourjois Effet 3D Cosmic in 29

CANMAKE Nudy Glow Lipgloss in 04

*CANMAKE Nudy Glow Lipgloss in 02 (the one in my 150 Follower Giveaway!)

*CANMAKE Nudy Glos Lipgloss in 06

So there you have it. Thanks Lisa, I hope you're proud of yourself.

I love her to bits really. What are some of your favourite lipglosses? Lemme know if you want reviews on any of these! :)

<3yu

MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lipglass Lovin'!

I've finally found a wearable red lip! I was ecstatic when I tried this on after I got it in the post, and I'm already lusting after the lipstick (finding loopholes in my P15P exceptions already!).

If you don't know about MAC's Viva Glam collection, they are basically a range in which 100% of the profits go to MAC's Aids Fund. Every year they release a limited edition version designed by celebrities, and in Feb. 2010, there was Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. In August, they released the lipglosses.

I got the Cyndi lipglass because I don't own a MAC lipglass and I thought, if I was going to get one I should get a colour I don't have and super plus if the profits go to charity.

I've tried MAC lipglasses before, and I found them to be incredibly sticky, but bearably so (I know some would disagree!). This one, I feel is hardly sticky. I feel like it's about average, but the staying power is insane. The pigmentation is insane. It feels like a liquid lipstick more than anything.

The colour is a bit darker than what you see above, it's what I can only describe as a milky red, which is a wee bit on the warmer side. It has literally micro-micro shimmer, so micro that it's pretty much matte. And for me (NC30-35), it's an incredibly wearable red. In fact, it's the only red I've felt comfortable in, and it makes me want to..

..pose <3

Would definitely recommend giving this Lipglass a chance, even if you aren't a fan of MAC's Lipglasses as I'm feeling pretty confident the formula is very different. It's also gone after February 2011, so go go go! :)

<3yu

My First Eyeko Experience - Surprise Gift Set & Free Gift! :)

From the first couple of weeks of starting my YouTube channel (video on this is attached at the bottom), I've been aware of the brand Eyeko, but never got around to ordering from them. I finally did so last week when I saw their Surprise Gift Set worth £20, retailing for £10 - I figured, I don't know what I want to get and so I might as well leave it to them :) Was a bonus that I was getting double my money's worth!

Now I was a cheeky git and had signed up to be an Eyeko Ambassador to see what it was, when I was in the process of ordering from them last May. I never finished the order. Being even more of a cheeky git, albeit completely naive, I entered my own ambassador code this time around, being completely oblivious to the first sale gift, or that you weren't supposed to enter your own! So that came in the post as well on the same day. Feeling a bit guilty, LOL.

So here it is:

- x2 Eyeko London Lips in Shoreditch (L) & Knightsbridge (R)

- Eyeko Magic Bronzer Brush in Rio

- Eyeko Cheeky Colour in Glow Getter

The Cheeky Colour is pretty cool, in that the packaging opens like this.. (it also has a mirror behind the blush!)

And here are the swatches:

 (L: Magic Bronzer Brush in Rio; R - Cheeky Colour & London Lips)

First Impressions..

I have my doubts about the bronzer. It is a brilliant idea and I know I will use it because it is such a great idea (great for on the go, and perfect brush size), and it's matte and somehow they've managed to choose the best colour for me. But if you click on the picture, you'll see a massive fall out on my ring finger, and it's difficult to put the lid on the brush. Hmm.. we shall see if I find a way around that!

As for the Cheeky Colour - I am SO excited to try it. They are the perfect colours for highlights, and I've wanted a pink-toned one for ages. A bit too shimmery for blushes for my taste.. but it may be different with the darker colours.

I'm very confused about the lipglosses. They aren't crazy pigmented, but I love the consistency. The packaging only allows for a little bit to come out and you need a lot to cover your lips, so I've resorted to using fingers which I don't usually like to do. They are tiny, for being £6.50. Hm. We will see after I use them more! :)

I was crossing my fingers for a Fat Balm, but I guess that will have to be purchased on its own, alongside the 3-in-1 Cream and the Eyeko Mascara :)

Any thoughts, ladies? Do keep your eyes out for reviews, and use my code above, and get a free gift if you spend more than £15 :)

<3yu

P.S. If you couldn't tell, the fact that the 1 lipgloss was sent to me for free hasn't had an influence on what I've said here.. :)

Superdrug Haul & Christmas Gifts Exchange!

Today I took a day off of working, and went to visit Lisa, who lives in a small town nearby. We started off with exchanging Christmas presents (as we break up for the holidays after this week, and I probably wont go to hers until next term!), and then went shopping (joined by Danni from Frills & Spills!) as well as the pub for some nice good food :)

Here's what I got, both off her and in Superdrug!

 Lisa's Christmas Present:
- Maybelline's MNY My Gloss in.. a really pale colour :)
- Sephora Colorful Palette in Pour des Prunes No.04
- NIVEA Soft mini tub (inside joke..)
- Lebkuchen & a candy cane! :)

Superdrug Haul:
- Collection 2000 Hotlights Lipgloss in Glimmer No. 3 (£4.19) - these have a mirror and a light! :)
- Barry M Nail Paint in No. 284 Emerald Green (£2.99)
- Superdrug Mud Therapy Deep Cleansing Mud Mask (£2.49)
- Superdrug Essential Facial Wipes in Cucumber Fragrance (£0.99)

I have tried both the lipglosses and here they are:

(L: Collection 2000 Hotlights in Glimmer, R: Maybelline MNY My Gloss in a really pale colour :P)

I love both of them! :) Isn't it crazy how they are so different in the tube but so similar on the lips? The Collection 2000 one is darker in real life, but isn't crazy pigmented, but it's a 'my lips but better' shade that I love, with multi-coloured shimmer. MNY is more a less a opaque gloss with pink duo-chrome-y shimmers that tone down my lips - just what I like! :)

Here is my third Barry M Nail Paint - I do like it very much :) I would've called it 'Green with Envy' because this is what I imagine envy looks like.. lol someone shut me up! It was an attempt to get a holiday-y nail varnish, after Danni's lusting after Barry M's red glittery one.

I haven't swatched the Sephora eyeshadow, but it is safely in my 'To-Be-Used' tub (which is basically an empty Flora tub) where all my new items yet to be used temporarily stay :).

As for my mud mask (which was the first thing I grabbed in Superdrug, Idk why but it just caught my eye!), I am looking forward to a nice cuppa tea and a film with this on my face. Lol.

<3yu

Review - E.L.F Luscious Liquid Lipstick

Hi guys!

I can't believe I've suddenly got 13 followers - brilliant, thank you all so much :)

Anyway, if you haven't noticed (as apparently many of you haven't lol) there's a poll on the right-hand side that asks you what kinda posts you'd like to see, and a gracious person has left me with the information that he/she would like a tutorial or a review.. so I decided to do a review on E.L.F's Luscious Liquid Lipstick :)

Basically what I'll do on my review blogs is to put up photos and swatches that I can't do on my YouTube, and summarize what I said in the video. Hopefully that adds a bit more strength to my videos, and help those who prefer to read over watch :) I'll put the video at the end of the post incase people would like more detail at the end.

I took some pictures and I tried to make them as representative as possible. Just as a reminder, my colour is in Bark :)

Formula: My lips are quite pigmented so it's quite a good job that this product got them as light as they are in the picture, but like I said in the video it's not pigmented enough to call it a lipstick. I do understand that it IS a "Liquid Lipstick" but I personally think they just called it that as a marketing strategy instead of calling it a lipgloss. The formula is lovely - I like it because it's not too watery, it's really smooth and it stays. It has a nice, soft, sweet minty smell that isn't too strong and it gives you a cool feeling on your lips.

Packaging: But it is HUH-YOOOOGE (huge) and SO tedious to put on! You'll know if you own one or if you watched the video that the directions on the side of the tube is way optimistic, you're looking at more like 30 or 40 times of twisting before your first use. And on top of that, everytime you apply it, you need to twist it and wait for the colour to come out about 3 times before you cover all your lips. But the sponge is comfy, good size and soft.

Price: Brilliant. £1.50/$1 - you can't ask for more. You do get a lot less than you think because of the aforementioned twisting episode before you start using it, but it's still.. £1.50.

Conclusion: I honestly think they shot themselves in the foot when they designed the packaging to make it look like you get loads, and relied on the title of a "Liquid Lipstick" to sell. I think they could make more profit with this if they just fixed the packaging, and called it a lipgloss! Because when I read reviews, they always talk about the crap packaging and the good, pigmented formula. Less people may be willing to try it out, but more people would rebuy.

Rebuy?: It's a shame really because if they had a different packaging, I'd rebuy it.. but until then, no rebuy for me!

<3yu