NARS - Night Time Swatches

These were taken this evening, day time swatches up tomorrow!

Blushes
From top to bottom:
Deep Throat blush - A warm, shimmery pink with gold, but more emphasis on the pink.
Laguna bronzer - A deep bronzer colour, ideal for contouring (My swatch wasn't that heavy).
Orgasm blush - Pink with lots of tiny gold flecks shot through it, giving it a golden sheen. Because of this, it looks like a peach-pink when not closely inspected.
Super Orgasm blush - A similar pink to 'Orgasm', but more pigmented. It has sparse, large golden flecks, making the overall look of the blush quite different to 'Orgasm' in that it does not look like a peach-pink.

Eyeshadow
From left to right:
Edie - A sheer but buildable cream colour with tiny silver flecks. I love this one! These shadows are so smooth and really easy to blend out.
Mekong - A very pigmented deep espresso brown with lots of tiny warm brown flecks running through.
Cordura duo - Highly pigmented neutrals that complement each other perfectly. One is a medium toned shimmering warm brown, and the other is a shimmering dark brown.

These are my other NARS swatches, plus swatches from other products I've been really impressed with lately.
From left to right:
NARS lipgloss in Crepuscule
NARS lipgloss in Orgasm
NARS nail polish in Orgasm
NYX soft matte lip cream in Tokyo
NYX soft matte lip cream in Antwerp
NYX soft matte lip cream in Addis Ababa (I will write a review on these very soon!)
OCC lip tar in RX

NYX soft matte lip creams, OCC lip tar & Illamasqua Skin Base foundation in shade 02

My NARS eyeshadows came in the post today... I got Edie & Mekong singles, and the Cordura duo - they are silky smooth and just beautiful, swatches and pics soon. I was waiting for these to arrive so I can do the same with the other NARS products I got last week. =) I'll admit I did go a bit mad on NARS, but being broke for a week or so is worth it xD

FOTD/ 1.7.11

Here is a rather dramatic look I did tonight...
For eye shadow, I used Sleek's the iridescent cream colour from the avoir la peche palette (not sure what it's called) all over the lid.
Next I applied MAC's 'Embark' through the crease.
Finally, I applied a little bit of Urban Decay's 'Dark Horse' from the 'Naked' palette to my outer V to deepen the look.
I then used the NARS 'Laguna' bronzer and 'Deep Throat' blush (quite heavily I might add! =D).
Finally, I lined my lips with 'Whiskey' eye liner from Urban Decay, and applied the 'Crepuscule' gloss by NARS over the top.

Swatches soon!!

NARS Temptation gift set.

Hopelessly Devoted gift set.

Neutral Eye & Red Lip

Product List:
MAC eyeshadows in 'Brule' and 'Cork'
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
MAC Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara
Bourjois Khol Liner
NARS Orgasm blush
MAC 'Cockney' lipstick

Plum & Gold Tutorial

Product List:
Elf Sparkle Palette
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara
Bourjois Khol Liner
Benetint
MAC Lip Gelee in 'Sin-tillation'
Benefit High Beam

Recent Make Up Looks...

Passed my Degree!

So I found out the other day that I passed my degree although I was worrying so much that I hadn't... so I was bad and got myself a 'treat'. My boyfriend was also really nice and got me something too. Still waiting for them to arrive but this is what I ordered:

Hopelessly Devoted gift set by NARS includes: Deep Throat/Laguna duo, Crepuscule and Orgasm lip glosses.

Temptation gift set by NARS includes Super Orgasm blush and Orgasm nail polish.
Excited!! I promise I will do more posts very soon... next up swatches and review! =)

Wishlist:

MAC:
Pearl Cream Colour Base
Ambering Rose, Style, Dollymix & Well Dressed blushes
Cyber, Nightmoth, Underworld lipsticks
Shroom, Coquette, Sorcery shadows
NARS:
Mekong shadow!

Haul (video up on my channel ^_^)

So... today I found a NYX stand at BHS in Cambridge! It was pure accident, and I got so excited, I had to get something, even with my sever lack of money :)
I ended up getting a glitter liner, one that I've wanted for a long time... and there were so many cool palettes, but I finally decided on the 'Winter in Moscow' palette, which had colours inside that I don't use often, simply because I had ne idea how to use them before, but this palette makes it easy because all the colours go together. There are lots of muted greys and browns, 2 lovely blushes that compliment the shades, and some sheer glosses.
I love the colours, they're easy to blend, soft. I'll put some pictures up soon.

Meanwhile... I am loving MAC studio finish concealer!!! I really loved the NYX concealer in a jar, but studio finish it is so much more opaque and long lasting. My dark circles are very dark!

Just ordered the mac studio finish concealer in nc15 :)

So...

I haven't blogged for a while, so I thought I would share some recent (ish) MAC purchases.
In the first picture from left to right there is the 'Quite Cute' lipstick, which I love!! The Haute and Naughty lash mascara, this came free with an online purchase as the site had been down, and so far I like it, it's not amazing however.
Then there is 'Acid Washed' from the Jeanius collection - which is pretty much the lip gelee in 'Sin-tillation' from the cham pale collection in lipstick form.
Then there is the Plush lash mascara... I wanted to try out a mac mascara for the longest time, and I'm glad I did, this is my new favourite mascara! It curls (and holds the curl), lengthens and volumises, and doesn't clump until about 4 coats. However, it seems to be drying out after only a bit more than a month :(
Finally there is the Penultimate eyeliner in rapidblack... I got this from the Quite Cute collection aswell, it's nice and pigmented, but I wish it was easier to control the line as the tip is very stiff- not my preference.

The second picture includes my now full palette! Very pleased with all the colours, but I won't be buying anymore for a while as I feel I have all the colours I want for now. Then there is the plushglass in 'Docile', also from the Jeanius collection, then finally the Gaga 2 lipstick which I love!! I've used quite a bit already as you can see :)

Testing on Animals

Whilst I'm not going to start preaching to everyone about my opinions, I made a conscious decision to only buy cruelty free makeup, and am looking into skincare before I buy any from now on.
I always felt like I could never make a difference, but if everyone thought this and stopped buying them it would... so there is a little hope in what I am doing, if slim.
There are many alternative methods other than testing on animals, so why don't the other companies get off their arses and start making a change.

These brands, to the best of my knowledge, do not test on animals... It's great to know that these are the brands I mainly buy anyway. Any other brands I will not be purchasing again.
(looking in to more also)

NYX
Revlon
UNE
Barry M
No7
MUA
Bourjois
Gosh
MAC/ Estee Lauder
Bobbi Brown
The Body Shop
DIOR
Urban Decay
(I am not sure about ELF..the internet seems very confused)

I know everyone says that it's hard, and it's like overhauling your life... but as you can see, most cheaper brands are cruelty free.

Makeup Ban Went Well!! lol

MUA nail polishes, free with 2 bottles of coke :D
Barry M nail polish & lipgloss (I have wanted these for so long, red & glittery wooo :D the lip gloss smells like cherries!) and a free eye liner.. it's actually red, I've never used a red eye liner so we'll see how that turns out :D

Pretty Coral Makeup Tutorial, click :)

Will put the list of products up soon :-)

Next Video up Soon... now editing! :-)

Things I Want but Most Likely Will Never Buy

After my last post I realised that I tend to lust after nail polish but rarely buy it... all of the ones I posted before from my collection are a build up of about 5 years. I am a fan of nail polish, don't get me wrong... having matching outfits and nails, or nails and eyes is awesome.

Anyways... these pretty things are on my current wish list that I will probably never fulfill...

OPI:
Do You Lilac it?
A Grape Fit
Pamplona Purple
Overexposed in South Beach
Austin Tatious
Congalline Coral
Tickle My France- Y

Barry M:
Silversea

My Nail Polish Collection

Thought I'd share my nail polish collection:
OPI- Katy Perry & Shrek Minis (my favourites :D)
Barry M (awesome - will fill in the names when I can be bothered)
Revlon (awesome - same lol)
and a random Bling Tone one that I got free, don't really like it... it's a very metallic silver.
There's loads more I want but I don't really wear it much as I have a bad habit of biting my nails when I get nervous... which is a lot! Trying to let them grow. They were quite flaky last time I tried, hopefully they're better now that my diet has improved a bit.

Epic MAC Failure

The Mighty Aphrodite blush is sold out, and I recieved it broken!!!!! And I doubt I'll be able to get a replacement!!! So annoyed.

However, the Marquis d' lipstick is nice.

It is surely unhealthy that I am lusting after so many makeup products.

Expanding my options, and inspiring ideas! I will most definately try my hand at makeup artistry after my degree.


I will get MAC studio finish concealer one day, just not sure what shade..

Luna Twilight - Mortal Glow

Whilst I'm not particularly a fan of Twilight, I have only ever had good experiences with the makeup brand. As you will probably be aware of by now, I am a sucker for anything shiny, shimmery, or glittery. Here'some pics & swatches!

Swatches from each of the 3 colour s & then them all swirled together.

I love it :)

Another Post!

Ahoy, another post!
I would queue my posts up but I get too excited about it hehe

SO, my MAC did come today.

I'm very impressed with everything... especially the 'Angel' lipstick.

My Smokey Eyes Tutorial

MAC Morange & NARS Orgasm Review (of sorts)

Before I get to the NARs blush (<3), I wanted to put some pics up demonstrating how 'Morange'(Amplified Cremesheen) by MAC can be used as a striking bright orange colour, or a soft almost coral...

 

 Again, the lighting doesn't do it justice (really want the old camera back lol), so I found a picture on google which shows it's true intensity... (it's really opaque)

 

Absolutely stunning! And perfect for the summer.  But what I really love about this lipstick is the fact that you can layer it to the intensity you want.

 

Here, I simply dabbed it onto my lips, the result is a gorgeous, soft corally effect. (If a bit messy, sorry lol)

I actually had no idea this lipstick was going to be as awesome as it is, or that I really wanted it. Martin saw it and said he wanted to buy it for me (he's a sweetheart <3), and I'm really glad he did. Thank you Marty :)

Now, on to the NARS Orgasm...

This was the packaging... First impressions, very sleek :)

The little mirror inside is actually really good, I tend to use compact mirrors as the ones in my house aren't near natural light.
The actual blush is a peachy-pink with tiny gold flecks in it. The colour appears a lot more pink than peach, but when applied it becomes a lot more peachy.

 

Here is the swatch after layering the colour quite thick, as you can see it isn't as 'clownish' as in the pan, but it's still very opaque and you only need a little to get a nice effect. Layering looks equally as nice, in fact.

I will post some pictures up of it on my face, I have a theory that it will look really nice with Morange, so I'll keep you posted on that. :-)

I believe the rest of my MAC was dispatched yesterday aswell, so I'm hoping it arrives tonight! :-)

Today's Purchases

 Cambridge was really nice, we had a lovely meal and walked around town for a bit. I behaved myself (kind of), and only bought The Viva Glam Cyndi lipglass... they're discontinuing it! I have the lipstick so I thought I'd get it too. It's actually more pigmented than the lipstick, and stays on longer!

I then got the Painterly paint pot... and Martin decided he liked 'Morange' so he bought it for me. He's way too nice to me :O <3

The pictures are quite bad so I apologise, couldn't get my hands on the good camera. I was basically trying to show how bright the lipstick is, but seriously none of these do it justice. It's the most pigmented, bright orange I have ever come across!!! When it goes on it looks kind of matte in person although it's not. You can also build it up from a small amount which is really nice and not too shocking. I rather like it :-) 

I resisted anything else, and the Estee Lauder lipstick... I really want Vanilla Truffle but it's on their permanent range so there's no rush. Also, it doesn't smell too great :-/


(the pic at the bottom is the yummiest starter ever, chicken potstickers mmmm)

Health, Money & The Self

So it's 3am and I still can't sleep... hmm.

I was just thinking, I think I realised why I indulge when I have the extra money that I COULD save...  because I never really had 'things'. My parents never had mass amounts of money, so birthdays and christmas' weren't much compared to what everyone else seemed to be getting. People get so many things from family and friends it amazes me, and... I get pretty jealous sometimes.

Finally having my own money means a turning point in my personal style and development... slowly I can buy the clothes I want, the shoes, the makeup etc.

I always wanted to be able to dress like this the above picture (Lily Donaldson, btw).
I have been a bit obsessed with reading Vogue, Bazaar and Elle... I love keeping up to date with fashion, but it never reflects in my clothing because I lack the money for it!


Most of all though, I don't have the BODY to dress like that- just because you like the style doesn't mean it will suit your body type. Which is why I go back to the fail safe jeans and t shirt I guess. Again, money factors in to this.


Living with Martin's parents is lovely, but they do not have a healthy balance of food in the house. It means I have to buy my own, but I'm at a loss because I have no idea where to start.
I need a healthy balance of affordable foods.

This is most definately why the doctors think I'm anaemic... and I can't actually help it. I need to start making a change. I need to do some research... I haven't been happy with my body for a while, I guess.

Ramblings

My current MAC wishlist:

Painterly Paint Pot
Omega
Sable
Patina
Shroom

I have been a bit disappointed with a few of the MAC shadows (generally the matte ones...)
Don't get me wrong, I love the colour pay off etc, they are just not as easy to blend as say the frost shadows. Saying that, I find a lot of the colours really unique, some just need a bit more work when blending and I'm quite lazy! haha :) I also love the vanilla smell ha! :)
I'm really looking forward to the Wonder Woman collection aswell... I need more blushes by MAC, and the ones from this collection look amazingly pretty! :-)
And I'm just in love with their lipsticks :)

I also really want some Estee Lauder, the new lipsticks look amazing.
Hmmm, if only I was rich!

I'm very new to this whole makeup thing, but hopefully I'll get better in time.


The eyeshadow colour in the picture at the bottom is Sketch (MAC), one of the colours I love to wear on it's own, along with the duochrome colour Club :) I find if I wear a more dewy foundation underneath it helps give the colour slip and therefore it becomes a lot more blendable.