Mini MAC Haul + A Thank You :)

We've all had the MAC Attack right? We've been there or you're going through it now - it's a REALLY fun time. Mine wasn't as costly as it could have been, but I remember it as a really exciting time and while the hype has died down quite a bit inside me, they are still the first brand I approach for eyeshadow and lipsticks.. I had a mini-MAC Attack last Wednesday, and I'm really excited about the fact that I did so I thought I'd film it! Enjoy :)

I didn't get a chance to put it in this video, as this was pre-recorded but I just want to take the time to say thank you to Vivianna Does Make Up for mentioning me in her Favourite YouTubers video - not only have I had a constant wave of subscribers since then, it means a lot for the girl that made me want to start to blog to say she loves my YouTube! I'm so flabbergasted (and a lot more conscious about what I look like and say lol!)! Did I mention my first ever MAC lippy was one I bought off her blog sale? Little trivia there :P So thanks Anna! :)

And here are the swatches! :)

L to R:

- MAC Diva Lipstick (Matte)

- MAC Fig 1. Eyeshadow (Matte2)

- MAC Sable Eyeshadow (Frost)

- Urban Decay Toasted Eyeshadow

Here is the look I'm wearing in the video :) I've got Sable all over the lid, with a wash of Woodwinked from MAC and a UD Half Baked dotted on the inside. The outer crease is Fig 1.. *swoon*. And the liner is Creep from the UD Naked Palette :)

What was your MAC Attack like?

What is your most recent purchase? :)

MAC can be bought online at Debenham's for 15% off & free shipping :)

<3yu

My Fall/Winter Blush Picks

Last week I asked people on Twitter if they had any requests or suggestions for upcoming posts/videos that I could pop in my new blog notebook, and the one I'm taking up today is one I got from Kelly at A Blog of Vain Pleasures who suggested a post on my favourite fall blushes - but I struggle to distinguish between fall and winter when it comes to make-up so I decided to just merge them! So here they are :)

Top Left Clockwise:

* MAC Blush in Buff (Matte)

This is one I haven't really talked about a lot, but have used on several occasions and all for the same reason - its subtlety. In the autumn and winter time, I always tend to go a bit heavier on the eyes, or heavier on the lips, so something really subtle and not too showy is perfect - like a matte brown/pinky peach :)

* Benefit Bella Bamba

Do I really need to say more? :P It's the perfect natural pink on the cheeks, which is a step up from Buff in terms of subtlety. Yes it does have shimmer, but when you still want to add some colour to your face, say if you also have a nude lip, this is perfect!

* NARS Sin

This is a great fall/winter blush, not only because of the nature of it being such a unique mauvey shade, but also because it doubles as a contour. Sometimes bronzers/contour can feel a bit out of place in the winter so this is a great 2-in-1, as well as being such an essential colour to have for this season ;) I also assume that I don't need to reiterate my love for NARS blush formulas ;P

Left to Right: NARS Sin, MAC Buff, Benefit Bella Bamba.

Some runners up would definitely be MAC Melba or Benefit Coralista - something peachy to add some warmth if you are wearing lots of cool tones, but subtle enough again to not take away from accent lips or eyes.

I think missing from my collection is a super light baby pink! I do have Well Dressed but it tends to pull redder and darker on me, so I'm hoping to maybe go for Illamasqua Katie or the MAC Azalea Blossom Ombre blush which they are releasing in a collection in January - step aside ladies, if I don't get my hands on this, I will be very grumpy! Jk ;) Not really.

What are you favourite fall/winter blushes? :)

The products are linked to places you can buy these - both Debenham's and ASOS have a free delivery option, and the former has 10% off atm! :)

<3yu

"Let's Skate!" "I Would if I Could.."

I'm sure everyone has seen MAC's Glitter & Ice Collection, but is it just me that thinks there hasn't been one dominant product that everyone's getting? The closest maybe is the Morning Frost paint pot!

As a raving paint pot loon, I have to admit I was drawn to it at first - naughty, because my trusty Satin Taupe eyeshadow and Vintage Selection paint pot are my two favourite taupes, and I'm not sure I need any others! So my attention shifted to the understated, and not really spoken about paint pot - Let's Skate! (Lol I do realise, that this was one of the few things that was NOT on my Glitter & Ice wishlist :P)

To explain the title, the exclamation after names of things (like PANIC! At The Disco) always makes it more emotive and conversation-like in my head..

Oh I am in LOVE! The colour is NOTHING like you see on the website - it is a pale brightening pink (think Benefit Eyebright but a tad darker) with small gold iridescent glitter - a truly unique combination that I haven't seen anywhere else on the market. When popped over the lid on its own, it creates a wintery edge to an ordinary baby pink and instantly opens up your eyes, especially when paired with a strong winged eyeliner and lots of mascara!

Lauren and I have been raving to each other about this paint pot, and she has also alerted me to layering powder eyeshadows over it - genius. She recommends MAC Cork (I use UD Naked Palette's Naked) to create a browny gold, with the same iridescent glitter which she says is like NARS Galapagos - sheer genius.

I'm sure the main concern for skeptics is the chunky glitter. Personally, I say embrace it! It's what puts this eyeshadow apart from all other sparkly baby pink ones, with its unique multi-faceted glitter. It's the winter season when sparkles, glitters and fairy lights makes everyone feel all warm inside - if it's good enough for cake toppings it's good enough for your eyes ;)

The pictures don't do it justice - you HAVE to go swatch it ladies :) It's an everyday winter shade that's a no-brainer, easy to use formula :) I reach for it practically everyday when I'm stumbling out of bed at 8.. I know, lazy student!

What were your favourites from this year's MAC's Glitter & Ice? :)

<3yu

MAC Glitter & Ice/Ice Parade Wishlist

I haven't bought from a single MAC limited edition collection since the Cham-Pale collection in January 2011 - and when I am at the poorest of poor, they fling a collection that I really like at me. Why, why now?!

A girl can only wish in times like these, and for this I bring you my 2nd wishlist ;P (which is definitely in order of "want"-ness!)

Mineralized Eyeshadow in Snow Season (£16.50)

On numerous occasions, I've found "the perfect nude" eyeshadow. I'm allowed more than one "perfect nude" right? :P

Make It Perfect Brush Essential Kit (£39.50)

I adore MAC brushes, and as a person that travels a lot, I've always wanted travel sized brushes. These are incredibly pricey, and don't always have the best reputation, so I'm hoping to feel them in store :)

Lipstick in Whirls & Twirls (£14)

I'm a pretty firm believer in "buy it if you need it". But hey, rules are there to be broken right? :P It just looked so pretty on Temptalia..

Paint Pot in Morning Frost (£14)

I ADORE Paint Pots so it's a bit weird that this is so far down on my list. But I've heard it's quite similar to Vintage Selection Paint Pot (my last purchase from a LE collection!) and I have a feeling it'll be similar to Satin Taupe - so I'm afraid I probably wont get a lot of use out of it even if I get it.. but hey, what's the harm of wishlists? :P

Mineralized Eyeshadow in Hold That Pose! (£16.50)

There seems to be a lack of a consensus upon viewing swatches on what this shade is - so I'm interested :P

Beauty Powder in Snow Globe (£20.50)

It looks like it could make me pretty - ON YOU GO ON THE WISHLIST! :P

Dazzleglass in Dressed to Dazzle (£17)

Again. It just looked so pretty on Temptalia, but whether I could justify £17 on a glitter gloss is very.. dubious.

Lipstick in What Joy! (£14)

I swear to you I have been on a hunt for a wine/dark red lipstick for a few weeks now - this is just a contender :P

Not bad for a broke person ey? :P With my new "3 products a month" rule that I've self-imposed, what I'll actually get is very much up in the air! :P

What takes your fancy in the Ice Parade/Glitter & Ice collections? :)

<3yu

Haul: Hello & Goodbye, MAC Blushers.

If you remember, about 3 months ago I only had 1 MAC blush (I miss you Style!). Well that's since changed and the collection's expanded to 4. I never really thought a MAC blush was worth the £17, so I was ecstatic when the 3 I'd been thinking about were on blogsales, or sold to me by the lovely Jasmine :)

Left: Melba, Top: Buff, Right: Well Dressed

Left: Melba, Top: Buff, Right: Well Dressed

Melba: I'd swatched this shade in store without looking at the name, and that's always a sign that you love a shade! That being said I never picked it up because I never had the urge to wear a pinky peach, and kinda thought it would be too similar to my NARS Torrid. But when such things come to you via blog sale at a bargain of £8 - you just can't say no can you? I've worn this a few times, and it's a great no brainer blush! But as a blush person, I'm not always up for a no-brainer so this hasn't been used TOO much, but I'm glad to have it :) It's definitely kind of a one-size fit all shade, I think!

Buff: This is also another one I'd wanted for a while, but couldn't choose between this and Cubic which is more pink and I think, lighter. But again, for £8 - how could you physically say no? Surprisingly, when put on my cheek it turns more of a peachy/pink-toned brown which is absolutely gorgeous for everyday and so understated, classy and perfect for a no make-up look. I'd definitely recommend this to warmer and medium to darker skintones - Cubic may be better for lighter/cooler skintones :)

Well Dressed: I know this is one of those, previously "EVERYONE will love it!" blushes that has been developing a reputation of marmite-ism. When I first wore this I was like, "YEP! Everyone's right, it has no pigment." But if you've ever had a problem with the pigmentation of this blush, the trick is to tap it on as opposed to brush it on and you will get a lovely pink flush! I was hoping for something still more pigmented and something that will remain the baby pink on my cheeks as against my warm skintone it has a tendency to look darker and warmer (as do many baby pink blushes!) so I may have to try Katie from Illamasqua some time! If you're considering this - definitely try it in store first! It may not come out the way you hope :)

Top to Bottom: Well Dressed, Buff, Melba.

I think my fascination with MAC blushes is close to over, if not over. While the powder formula is great, they never seem to get the shade "just right" for me - I'm never 100% blown away. It's the same with their cream and mineralized blushes too - although I'd love to try the formula. It may be time to move on to Illamasqua powder blushes for me!

I may be talking out of my bum you know, in a few months I may be all over them ;) But for now, I think NARS blushers will always be my fave!

Do you love MAC blushes? Or is your loyalty with another brand? :)

What's your favourite MAC blush?

<3yu

P.S. I am now off to see Emma from Oh So Fresh As A Daisy! We've been talking for ages, and she seems like such a laugh so I'm so excited! :) She hasn't posted for a while as she's lacking in the internet department atm, but go check her blog out! Her foundation collection and make-up bag post is to die for, and she has a great post on her insight into high-end vs. drugstore make up <3

September Favourites :)

Did I say I'd get back to posting regularly? What a load of bollocks that was - sorry! :P

September was madness in calendar form. I went to Kyoto with my mom, I had university bureaucracy to deal with, I came back to the UK and am still in the process of adapting to city life (did anyone try to get on the Jubilee line today?! My goodness, I felt like I was back in rush hour Tokyo!), and I'm starting uni in 2 days! Madness in calendar form.

So I'm back now but not going to make any promises of consistent posting as I have no idea how long this madness intends to continue for! But October promises to be a great month with meet-ups and reunifications with some favourite bloggers - and the TOWIB event of course! :) Excitingggg tiiiimesss!

Anyway, enough babbling :)

My favourite blog/YouTube by far in September had to be Sandra's YouTube. She has such an open mind about products and doesn't just stick to cult products, so she brings in loads of products in her videos that I've never heard of before. She also has really good taste, and has massively enabled me in many of her videos! :) Sandra's also incredibly honest about products no matter how big the hype, and I feel like she's one of those people who doesn't just hoard and never use products, but actually has a reason for a lot of the products she buys which adds to her personality, and also kind of gives a hint as to why and in what situation I would want something :) She also has a lovely voice to listen to! :P

And here are my favourite beauty products of September :)

Were any of these in your favourites too?

What were your favourites? :)

<3yu

FOTD: MAC Studio Moisture Tint & Maybelline Hypercurl Mascara

I've recently been going for a dewy, sheer, no-foundation look (you'll see why at the end :P) so have enjoyed using my MAC Studio Moisture Tint, and wanted to show you guys what it's like because I feel like it doesn't get much attention in the beauty blogging world - and I really like it! :) It smoothes out the texture slightly, roughly evens out any light discolourations, and generally lets my skin show through really nicely. I just pop some concealer on to cover up the blemishes to give a fresh and healthy look :)

I also thought I'd show you guys the Maybelline HyperCurl Volum' Express Cat Eyes Mascara (mouthful!) in action that I raved about in my other post :) The longer, thicker, curlier lashes just makes it so easy to feel girly! Click the image to see them up close :)

Here's what I'm wearing..

FACE:

MAC Studio Moisture Tint in Medium Dark

Bobbi Brown Correcter in Peach

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35

Bourjois Compact Powder in 73 Miel Dore

MAC Blush in Melba

CANMAKE Shading Powder in 02

Dior Amber Diamond

EYES:

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

MAC Eyeshadow in Honesty

MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked

K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner

Maybelline HyperCurl Volum' Express Cat Eyes Mascara

Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Deep Brown 03

LIPS:

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight 700

What do you use for a no make-up looking base? :)

<3yu

***

Been inspired by LookBook these days.. sadly the inspiration doesn't transfer much into practice..

LOL. Lollipop26 I am not.
Anyway, I was on my way to 3hrs of this..

I know. SUCH FUN!
(who doesn't love Penny? :P)

FOTD: Back With MAC Eyeshadows :)

I really have missed wearing eyeshadow (as I haven't shut up about since my previous post) so I decided to pop a FOTD with a combination I wore today :) I've also missed doing FOTDs - it's just so difficult as a lot of days I don't wear make-up, or because I have limited products with me I haven't been very adventurous!  Ironically, I've dropped my MAC 15 eyeshadow palette twice today - ever so graceful. Anyway, enough rambling now, on to the FOTD! :P

What I'm Wearing..

Face:

- MAC Studio Moisture Tint in Medium Dark

- Bobbi Brown Correcter in Peach

- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35

- Bourjois Compact Powder in 73 Miel Dore

- Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzer in Medium Matte

- Dior Shimmer Powder in 02 Amber Diamond

Eyes:

- MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

- MAC Naked Lunch Eyeshadow (all over the lid)

- MAC Tempting Eyeshadow (in outercorner and socket)

- MAC Brule Eyeshadow (brow highlight)

- K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24hrs

- MAC Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack

- Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Deep Brown 03

Lips:

- Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 700 Nude Delight

- Dior Addict Lipstick in 343 Miss Dior

I think my favourite parts of this look is first the polished-looking eye - it makes SUCH a big difference to have a really good brow highlight in my opinion, and both Naked Lunch and Tempting are gorgeous colours! I've also gone back to using eyeliner - although I still haven't winged it out as I used to always do :) The second is using Dior Amber Diamond as a blusher - it's very subtle but gives a lovely glow that really tones down your look.

My least favourite is the lippy - I usually wear my Dior Addict on top of a light layer of concealer or foundation, which brings out the peach more. I thought I'd experiment because I'm not particularly a fan of putting face products on my lips, but I think I'll be going back to that from now on!

Thanks for reading guys, hope you liked it :)

<3yu

Bloody Lashes.

I wish I was blessed with decent lashes - I wont ask for TiffanyD, Lollipop26, long, spider eyelashes, but the least whoever made me could've done is to make sure I have longer eyelashes than my boyfriend.. (His lower lashes are probably about as long as, if not longer, than my top lashes.. I know. What the eff.)

So I thought I'd document the point at which my lush lash search is on - which isn't a very good one to say the least. The products I've been dabbling with are..

MAC Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack

.. and the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

First off, this is not a proper review as I've only been using the Plushlash for a few days since my MaxFactor False Lash Effect ran out, and I already did a review on the Shu curlers (link above!).

To lay out the facts, my lashes are short, straight and stubborn. What seems to work for me are big plastic brushes and volumizing formulas - I think my favourite mascaras to date are the aforementioned MaxFactor False Lash Effect and the original Maybelline Volum' Express. But as MAC mascaras are the same price as drugstore mascaras here, I bought the Plushlash hoping it'll turn this..

into.. well, Cheryl Cole lashes, to put it mildly.

Sadly, what you see below are the effects. The top row shows my lashes just with the Shu curlers - amazing right? The bottom shows my lashes with Plushlash :/

Soooo not exactly Cheryl yet, am I? The application is really uneven with one coat and I can feel my lashes being weighed down. The effect above is 'okay' but imagine that with eyeshadow/eyeliner - it wouldn't show! I also hate how no matter how many times I run the brush through my lashes, it looks the same! The effect is actually really good when I let it dry and recurl and reapply, but lashes aren't exactly what I wanna spend precious morning minutes on!

At this point I'm having serious deja vu, and remember the Benefit BadGal Lash. I was heavily disappointed with it for about half a year - and then I randomly gave it another chance and I adored it!

Moral of the story? I'm just going to have to wait until the Plushlash dries up a bit. So the search goes on for the meantime!

What's your perfect lashes routine? :)

On a lighter note, I stocked up on my favourite eyelashes.. for 70p each :)

YOOOOM YOM YOM YOM.

Now I just need some DUO eyelash glue, and I am sore-ted.

<3yu

Eyeshadows, I Want You Back In My Life!

Does anyone else seem to go through a rough patch with their eyeshadows over the summer? Well, what do they say, "distant makes the heart grow fonder"? Yep, that's the one.

I started off in the make-up world only caring about eyeshadow - I had 1 blush, 1 powder foundation, 0 bronzer, 2 eyeliners, 1 concealer and about 20 eyeshadows. But as this year has been my first serious dabble into blushers, bronzers, foundations and powder, my poor eyeshadows seem to have been pushed aside.

I've also had some issues coming to terms with my eyelid shape - it's difficult to work with! But in the past week or so, I've had the sudden craving to look up gurus with similar shapes and go back to the eyeshadow girl that I once was (que DRAMAAAA!) So here are the lovely bits that I used this week :)

Top Row:

- MAC Brule

- MAC Patina

- MAC Mulch

Bottom Row:

- ARTDeco 34

- ARTDeco 208

- ARTDeco 45

Left Column: ARTDeco Eyeshadows

Right Column: MAC Eyeshadows

I did have a bit of a off relationship with MAC Brule, however I've discovered that it really works the best when used with your finger or a fluffy brush - atm it's my favourite highlighter which is no surprise as I have a very close shade in my 28 Neutral Palette that has hit pan ages ago!

Amidst my research on my eye shape, I've realised that most girls don't realise that you can wear non-browns without looking OTT - we see them in FOTDs of girls who have realised this but a lot of us never really do it ourselves! My fave FOTDs atm is from Amanda!

So I've made a massive list of coloured MAC eyeshadows to purchase when I am back. The one I'm most excited for? MAC Print or Scene, which are both matte greys :)

This has been my base of choice, MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre. Even if I don't have an alternative, I had a off relationship with this one as well which probably made the rough patch even rougher! However, I've now realised that I wasn't using enough of this, and now that I've got it down - I love it!

Speaking of eyeshadow bases, if you follow me on Twitter you may have noticed a sudden interest in the Urban Decay Naked Palette from me - I've bought it, thanks to Jade's discount code! :D So not only will I be able to try the legendary palette at long last, I'll also have my first dabble into the Primer Potion :) (Actually I lie, my bf's sister once gave me a teeny one.) It's actually the last item on my 2011 Wishlist besides the Sigma brushkit that I no longer want :)

As I'm in Japan all my recent online purchases have been sent to the boy's so I've got to wait another 3 weeks.. but can I just say I'm so excited for the NARS eyeshadow duo that's waiting for me?

I KNOW I'M SUCH A EYESHADOW HO.

(and a blush ho, and a powder ho, and a bronzer ho, and a foundation ho, blah blah blah sue me.)

What make-up ho are you? :D

<3yu

P.S. I am off on holiday tomorrow with my mother! :) So will be away for about 5 days - I'll attempt to schedule a post during that time, so keep your eyes out, and take care! :)

Products I Miss Most..

We all do it - we overpack when we're going somewhere, and we still manage to forget things or not think of a situation that may require different/more make up - am I right? :P I've definitely had that these past few weeks, and sure there have been several products I thought "dang, I wish I had that with me!", but there have been a couple that I thought that on several occasions!

Here are probably the ones I've thought of the most..

NARS Sin

(I thought it was an autumn/winter colour but it'd be a nice natural accent on the face when I'm not wearing e/s and having a tan. Pinks/corals makes me look a be clowny atm..) 

 28 Neutral Palette

(I want this for highlighting - not liking MAC Brule very much - and for matte light browns!)

Lipbalms

(I only brought my Body Shop Lip Roll On, which is lovely - but it's a bit wet. I miss that balmy feel! The ones in particular that I miss are the BodyShop Born Lippy, the LipIce ones and the Burt's Bees.) 

 OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy (centre)

(A sheer nude that when you have long nails, can make you look like you have french nails - compliments the lightness of summer! I've only got cream/opaque or bright colours atm!)

MAC Style

(Like I said, corals and pinks can look a bit clowny on me at, but MAC Style is relatively sheer - so it'd be a nice wash of colour on my cheeks right about now :( )

Sigma F80 (right)

(Getting a bit sick of applying foundation with my hands - it can get a bit dirty, and I always have to be cautious about streaks! At the same time, I'm not quite sure how often I would've used it cuz it doesn't seem to work with my Diorskin Forever.) 

Pirates of the Caribbean Box Set

(It's not make up but I've watched this set more times than I care to mention - atm I only have the third one, because it was what was in my laptop when I left the UK and as much as I love the film, it's getting a bit repetitive.. AND my favourite one is the second one.)

and finally..

Dior Amber Diamond

(No, I'm not quite sure you can miss something you never had - but I miss having a shimmery white highlight for my inner corner, and I miss highlighting my cheek bones. I actually only have 1 e/s shimmery highlight and 1 powder highlight and that one can look quite white on me when I'm tan, so I'm thinking it would be wise to invest in this at a early stage so I don't spend so much finding the perfect one. I've swatched it and it was a bit shimmery but I reckon it's cuz your finger picks up a lot! Other than that I thought it was perfect, esp cuz I've heard it can be used as eyeshadow too! So I'm debating using some vouchers to get this baby.. of course, after I try it on my face :))

A bit of a self-ramble there at the end, lol, oops. But I'm thinking this is proof that all these products are, or have been at one point, some of my favourite products, as I don't need to see them to think about them and how good they are, and they just pop into mind when you want something in particular!

It sucks, but it's also a good feeling cuz you know you've got some gems in your collection :)

What products have you missed when you were out and about? :)

<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

FOTD: Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation

As I haven't used my recently purchased Illamasqua Rich Liquid enough to write a full review, I thought why not do a FOTD to just show you guys what it looks like? :)

(I'm not naked.. just wearing a tube top :P)

I know it looks like a really easy look, but in reality, this foundation is a bit time-consuming to apply! I mix it in with some Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer, and holding the end of my MAC 109, lightly brush it onto my face. That being said, it's worth it! It gives a really luminous matte finish, and stays on all day. Average oil control, and doesn't transfer if you blot! I have my doubts about its durability through rain, as one day when I was wearing this I ended up with spotty foundation on my chin and between my eyebrows - will be running some tests before a full review, but so far I am loving it except for how long it takes! :)

Anyway, I quite like this look - it doesn't have the same natural/care-free feel as a medium coverage natural finish foundation, but I quite like the more polished, "a little bit made up" base combined with the minimal effort everywhere else. I think it's quite classy! I've been loving filling in my eyebrows, and the pop of pink on my lips I think balances out the neutral-ness of everything else :)

Here's what I have on my face:

Face:

Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation in RF233

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35

Bourjois Compact Powder in 73 Miel Dore

Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzer in Medium Matte

NARS Blush in Luster

Eyes:

Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in 03 Deep Brown

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara

UNE SkinGlow Pencil in G04

Lips:

MAC Lipstick in Please Me


I've been wanting some easy-to-apply matte foundations - some on the list are Chanel Mat Lumiere and MAC Studio Fix Fluid. Does anyone have any recommendations? :) For those with Mat Lumiere, is it quite similar to the finish of this Illamasqua one?

What base do you use for a polished look? :)

<3yu

A Big Fat "I'm Back!" Haul :)

So why have I been so on-and-off? To explain in short, after moving out from university, I spent 1 week in Malta, 2 weeks with my boyfriend and his family, and 1 week with my family to attend my graduation - and now I am back at my parents' house in Tokyo, Japan :)

During this time I've done some major shopping - some essential bits that you can see here. But I've also really been treating myself to make up for my graduation (OOTD/FOTD post coming soon!) as well as just.. stuff. Haha! So here they are!

The bits I picked up for my graduation were the Illamasqua Rich Liquid foundation, the MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre and NARS blush in Luster :) The MAC 224 was an impulse buy at the airport, when I saw it discounted - it's a brush that I know I will get at one point, so why not at a discount? :P I love the finish it gives to concealer - def a must have!

I went to the Trafford Centre looking for a natural blush for my grad, and I was set on MAC's Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul, but when I swatched it I found it pinkier than what I was looking for, so I gave up and was wandering about NARS when I realised - they're my favourite blushes, so why am I not turning to them?!

NARS Luster is one in a million. It's a gorgeous peach tan with a golden sheen, which works as a 3-in-1 of highlighter, blusher and contour. I absolutely adore this - it's up there with Orgasm and Sin, and is perfect for a tan or a natural glow :) That being said it might have been a bit too sheen-ey for the flash photography at grad - you can be the judge of that in my grad post :D

The palette you see up top is my ArtDeco palette that I got a while ago in my Berlin haul. I photographed it to show you the Camouflage Cream, which is like a concealer, and the beige-ish eyeshadow, both of which my friend Lisa picked up for me while she was in Berlin - they don't disappoint :D Thanks Lisa!

The Illamasqua Rich Liquid foundation was my foundation of choice for my graduation - full coverage, matte, not too expensive, and no SPF. This thing is INDUSTRIAL. I'll do a full post on how I use this and how it turns out,  but you mix it with a face primer, or else it is like.. Sudocrem. That being said - in love :) Just a bit tricky to use!

The lovely 25FLONDON sent me a sample of the much talked about UDPP, but due to incompetent university post room policies, I never got it :( So I went for MAC's Paint Pot in Soft Ochre - because from where I was, Harrod's was closer than Debenham's :P I haven't worn eyeshadow recently, but I can safely say it did the job on the big day :)

Now for the biggy.. the Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte.

I really really wanted a nice, on-the-go natural powder. My MAC MSFN has been letting me down with the lack of mirror, crumbliness and lack of oil control, the Maybelline Mattifying Powder is atm too light for me, and my all time favourite mattifying powder, the Bourjois Compact, is on the verge of cracking (again). What better excuse to indulge in my first ever Chanel? :)

I was always reluctant to buy something else from Chanel - the packaging is always so gorgeous, so I wanted something that I'd carry around and take out - casually of course ;) HAHAHA (vain!).

The Poudre Universelle Compacte is Chanel's "for everyone" powder, which claims to give a transparent satin finish. Honestly, it does. It's not amazing at oil control but honestly, that's only something I need in the summer and the finish is to die for. So far, I much prefer this to the MAC MSFN, not only because of the more portable-friendly packaging, but because it really does disappear into your skin! Hopefully I will have a full review when I have used it more :) But so far - impressed!

And a sneak peek at my graduation gift to myself..

I try not to add up how much I've spent in this haul :P Anyway, with that - I will be back to regular posting, of both blogs and videos, hopefully for atleast another 2 months :) Thanks for sticking with me guys!

Have you used any of these products?

How have you been?! Let me know! :D

<3yu