Thursday 30 September 2010

September Favourites

Hello dolls :)

I can't believe how quickly September has vanished, and summer with it! I hope you've all had a great month! Here are my favourite products from the last few weeks:

Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Peach

Source

A great option for adding a hint of warmth to my every day look

e.l.f. Desert Haze Nail Polish
Source
A perfect, sophisticated nude nail colour

MAC Brule Eye Shadow

Source

My go to shadow for a neutral look

China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat

Source

My HG top coat!

Soap & Glory iFoam
 Source

Possibly the most luxurious body wash I've ever used!

 ~*~

What have your favourite products been this month?

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September Snapshot

Hello cupcakes :)

*Whoosh* What was that? Oh yes, September whizzing by!!

Listening to... The Script, Katy Perry, 500 Days of Summer soundtrack,Codeine Velvet Club
Reading... Magazines, blog posts
Watching... X Factor, Paul O'Grady Live, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, DVDs from my Audrey Hepburn boxset
Buying... Cosmetics mainly!
Wanting... a job
Trying... NYX, new fragrances
Loving... baking, the cat, finding cute things for my new room
Planning... new purchases
Making... money on eBay
Writing... in my new journal - hello to the new, stress free me!
Cooking... cupcakes!
Inspired by... the weather

How has September been for you?

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Wednesday 29 September 2010

Wednesday Wants

Morning ladies :)

I'm off shopping today - hurrah! Hopefully going to stock up on some wintery wardrobe items to keep me warm and toasty over the next few months. Here are some items I've recently been lusting over:

Nail Polish
Nails Inc sent me their sale email yesterday. 
I'm uber tempted by the Kings of Neon Collection as it's now just £12!

Brushes
I'm looking for something to help tidy up my manicures with. Any suggestions? 
The brushes I have just aren't cutting the mustard!



A netbook
My laptop is refusing to work at the moment so I'm thinking about getting a netbook. 
And there's £50 trade in at PC World. Music to my ears!

Has anyone got any netbook recommendations or advice?

Have a great Wednesday!

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Tuesday 28 September 2010

Review: e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush

Hello dears :)

A while ago, I stocked up with make up brushes from e.l.f.. The Studio Blush brush is a firm favourite, so much so, that I ordered a second one within a matter of days of receiving the first. This is definitely a must have in your collection, and for £3.50 you can't go wrong!

Product



e.l.f. sayThis new anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional make up artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush! Creates a defined and sculpted look. The tailored design allows for easy maneuvering and precise color application. Use to apply blush or bronzer. Vegan Friendly.

I say: I really love these brushes as they're soft and perfectly shaped thanks to the tailored design, which helps them to pick up the right amount of product. I use one for applying blush, and one for applying my contour colour. I find it really easy to apply both using this brush, and I can also blend the colour out as needed. I think e.l.f. are on to a winner with their studio brushes. They look like they should be far more expensive than they actually are, and I particularly love the blush brushes as they come with little brush guards to help keep them in shape. Handy!

Application



e.l.f. saySweep brush over cheekbones for a flush or color. Use the pointed edge of the brush to sculpt the face and contour around the hairline and jawline.

I say: These brushes pick up and deposit just the right amount of product, so there's no danger of looking like a clown. Always helpful! I love the shape of these brushes, as the description mentions, it really helps when using contour. Also, I've had zero shredding with these brushes.

Price: £3.50
Available from: e.l.f.

Ratings
Product: 10/10
Price: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Repurchase: I already did!!

Do you own this brush? Do you have any favourites from e.l.f.?

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Monday 27 September 2010

Review: China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat

Hello :)

I honestly do not know why I have not blogged about this miracle top coat before now! It's perfect and I absolutely love it.

Product


China Glaze say: Penetrates and dries all layers of nail polish quickly. Dries in seconds. DBP, Toluene & Formaldehyde free.

I say: Move out of the way high street top coats, in fact, remove yourselves from my nail polish collection, for I have found my new love! I cannot believe how perfect this top coat is! It covers all faults making your manicure look smooth and uber shiny. It dries and hardens within mere seconds making your nails smudge proof pretty much instantaneously!!

Application

China Glaze say: Apply one coat to nail lacquer for super-fast dry time. For best results, begin manicure with Strong Adhesion Base Coat.

I say: This is the best top coat I've found. It applies perfectly. One brush full is enough for your entire nail. It dries very very quickly, sealing your colour and disguising your faults. The first time I used it, my mani had bubbled a little bit. One coat of this and you couldn't even tell!! It dried in record time and I was left with perfect, shiny talons! I really recommend this!!

Price: £6.49
Size: 14ml
Available from: Sally's

Ratings
Product: 8/10
Price: 9/10
Packaging: 10/10
Overall: 8/10
Repurchase: Definitely!

Have you used Fast Forward? Do you have a top coat that you cannot live without?

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Sunday 26 September 2010

eBay Fakes: We're on to you!

Hi everyone :)

A couple of days ago, I received an email from Adam Ismail, a graphic designer who has some great pointers on how to spot fake Benefit products from eBay. He'd tried to leave a comment on my Benefit Coralista post, but pesky Blogger disallowed it for being too lengthy! Adam has allowed me to post his guide in full so that it can hopefully help you decipher if you've bought a genuine or fake boxed Benefit product from eBay. 


Adam says:


Hi all,

I just wanted to try to help you identify what are likely to be fakes, based on my knowledge as a Graphic Designer (I work with brands every day, so can tell the difference between different font weights, images etc) and also comparing a real Benefit Dandelion to a fake my wife received from a seller on eBay.

Many of the points will apply to other Benefit face powders, but those who are wondering about their Dandelion being fake, this is directed at you!

So, first things first: 

1) Graphics - Top of box lid (side with dandelion image)

-  Look first at the 'weight' of the dandelion text. On a genuine one century gothic LIGHT is used, however on the fake, century gothic REGULAR is used. In other words, the text will appear 'Bold' on a fake. The text showing the weight of the enclosed makeup will sit too close to the stalk on the dandelion image. On this fake, '10g' and 'net' are almost touching the stalk, whereas on the genuine there is a gap of about 1mm between the stalk and the writing on either side.

- The Dandelion image on the genuine box has a pink outer ring with the centre of the dandelion showing a black background with cream/white highlights on each individual seed head. Where the whole head of the dandelion meets the black stalk, there is jagged pink detail cutting onto the stalk. On the fake, however the dandelion head is almost completely pink and black with very fuzzy seed heads, unlike the crisp print on the genuine. Also, where the head meets the stalk, there is a straight line cut-off, not like the detailing on the genuine box.

- The Benefit logo. On the genuine box this is quite fine text, which looks sharp and crisp. On the fake, the letters in the word 'benefit' appear slightly stretched widthwise and seem squashed heightwise.

2) Graphics - box side (side with text)

- On the side of the dandelion box should be the words: "a brightening face powder" on the top line and "poudre eclat visage" on the bottom line. When looking from the side with the box stood on a surface, the text will look upside-down. This is true of GENUINE versions. The difference will be that the text is again slightly more bold than on the genuine (this is a little less obvious than the dandelion text on the lid as it is smaller text)

3) Graphics - Bottom of box (There are a number of ways to spot if it is a fake from this side)

- Firstly, check for spelling errors in the text. For example, the fake Dandelion I received has the word "expuisite" instead of "exquisite". Also check that anything using "C" or "CI" in the ingredients is capitalised, such as: "(CI 77891)" or "C9-15". On the fake it frequently appears as: "(ci 77891)" or "c9-15".

- The text should be nicely centred on the label. The genuine has a 3mm gap from the left edge of the label to the text and the same on the right hand edge. On this fake, the text is 1 mm away from the left hand edge and 2mm from the right hand edge of the label

- Peel here label. Firstly if your label doesn't peel to reveal other languages underneath, you've very likely got yourself a fake. HOWEVER, if you have a peel off label it may still be fake. Here's how to tell. The dead giveaway that this was a fake was the fact that the text under the peel off label on this DANDELION box was in fact the text from the CORALISTA box. Another thing I noticed is that on the fake, the label peels completely off, whereas on the genuine, the label peels all the way to the side, but stays attached by approx 5mm on the left hand side of the label. 

4) Packaging issues

- On the fake you will largely see paper overlaps not meeting very well, though this can sometimes be apparent on factory seconds, so don't think it's a fake purely based on this.

- The brush on the genuine has very soft bristles. The fake is still soft, but you can tell a difference. Close your eyes and run your finger over both and you should feel the difference. 

- The metal tray in the genuine sits perfectly snug within the card box. On the fake, I can see a large 2mm gap between the metal insert tray and the box on one side and a 1mm gap on another side of the tray.

- The cellophane slip around the brush in the genuine dandelion is the same height as the brush itself and it cut almost perfectly straight on the top and bottom edges. In the fake, the cellophane has been cut rather wonky and doesn't cover all the brush, but stops short about 2 - 5mm from the end of the bristles.

5) The make up itself... (unfortunately, I'm no expert here :P but I will tell you my one observation)

- The fake seems a fair bit thicker in consistency to the genuine. It also seems a bit more 'chalky'. 


Well, I hope that helps some of you to spot a fake. Apologies if my analysis of the make up itself wasn't comprehensive, but as mentioned, I don't use it as a man so have no real experience to compare it! I do however have design experience by the ton, so was able to spot a fake without even opening the box!

Any questions, feel free to ask :)

And personally, after having three bad experiences from eBay makeup sellers, I'll be buying direct from Benefit/dept stores from now on.


Hope it helps!

~*~

Many thanks to Adam for the guide. I hope you find it useful :)


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Saturday 25 September 2010

Lip Product Storage

Hello possums :)

After seeing quite a few inspirational photos from bloggers and Tumblr, I had a brainwave. It hit me at approximately 3:30am one morning last week. So I decided to sort out my make up storage. As you do...

I mentioned a few months back that I'd bought some new make up storage, but since then I've moved home from university, and bought more and more products, which resulted in my stash overflowing. I realised that my lipsticks were just lying hidden beneath a mass of mascaras, eye liners, lip liners and lipglosses, so I decided to do something about it.

"But what did you do?" I hear you ask. Well, I upcycled of course!


This is a container for a Just Pink gift set from Next that I received as a gift years ago. I knew it would come in handy for something!


This way, the majority of my lipsticks are on my desk, so I can pick which I want to use which will hopefully stop me forgetting some of the gems I have in my collection.

How do you store your lip products? Do you upcycle? Inspire me :D

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Loving & Loathing

Hello dears :)

I hope you've all had a good week!

Loving
* Surprises
* Making money on eBay
* Selling the majority of my old law books
* Making more cupcakes
* The Glee Season 2 Premiere
* Really lovely blog comments from you lovely, lovely ladies <3

Loathing
* People who talk first, and think later
* Not being able to sleep properly
* Power cuts
* eBay fees
* Still waiting for my graduation hoodie. Hurry up!

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Friday 24 September 2010

FOTD

Hello possums :)

I was having a play with some of the bits in my Cherry Culture/e.l.f. hauls and I came up with this neutral-ish face of the day.


Products used
GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer
Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Buff
e.l.f. Studio Under Eye Concealer
e.l.f. Mineral Booster in Sheer
e.l.f. Studio Brow Kit in Dark
NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow
NYX Nude on Nude palette
e.l.f. Studio Eye Shadow in Raspberry Truffle
MAC Eye Shadow in Brulé
e.l.f. Studio Cream Eye Liner in Black
Benefit Eye Bright
17 Wild Curls Mascara
NYX Round Lipstick in Fig
MUFE Lab Shine Lip Gloss in S0

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Review: MAC Free To Be Eye Shadow

Hiya :)

A while ago whilst I had my 'coral and peach are the new black' mantra, I picked up MAC's Free To Be shadow from the Liberty of London collection. Luckily for me, and for you, this is not a limited edition shade, and is available in the permanent line.

Product



MAC say: Highly pigmented powder. Bright true coral (matte).

I say: I only have a handful of MAC shadows but they have to be the most pigmented shadows I've used. Truly gorgeous, and Free To Be is no exception. This is my perfect peachy coral shade and I wore it for most of the summer :)

Application



MAC say: Applies evenly, blends well.

I say: Free To Be applies like a dream and is really pigmented. It's a lovely buildable and blendable shade.

Price: £11.00
Size: 1.5g
Available from: MAC

Ratings
Product: 10/10
Price: 8/10
Packaging: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
Repurchase: Yes

Were you a lover of all things peach over the summer?

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Thursday 23 September 2010

Neutral Nails

Hello :)

I can't believe I've had this polish for weeks and hadn't used it until now! I couldn't be bothered to do anything fancy at the weekend so I decided to try out a new polish colour. Out came e.l.f.'s Desert Haze. I used China Glaze's Fast Forward Top Coat which gives unbeatable shine and a great finish. Et voila!






I love it! A perfect, sophisticated neutral shade :)

What are your thoughts? Are neutrals a yay or a nay for you?

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Review: e.l.f. Mineral Booster in Sheer

Hiya :)

Last month, I ran out of my beloved NYC translucent face powder. This happily coincided with me making an e.l.f. order. I decided to pick up their Mineral Booster in Sheer, guessing it was going to be pretty much translucent, and I'd been warned away from the Shimmer option. I was hoping it was going to be everything I could have wanted in a powder. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

Product



e.l.f. say: Achieve the ultimate, translucent "photo finishing touch" to your makeup, our Mineral Booster melts into your skin, infusing it with key vitamins A, B and E to promote healthier skin that’s noticeably silkier and smoother. Completely sheer and ideal for all skin tones, Mineral Booster gently absorbs oil and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pores for a beautiful even finish. Wear alone or buff over our Mineral Concealer and Foundation to lend extra staying power and to achieve a professional and stunning porcelain matte look that will last all day.

I say: I was hoping for a translucent finish. Not an obviously powdery one. Fail. I should probably note that I was using this on top of my foundation just to set it, and I wasn't using a lot of product to do so. It doesn't say you can't. Then again it doesn't say you can. My bad? The powder is fairly finely milled, but not as fine as I would like. My skin did feel silkier and smoother but this wasn't completely sheer, and it cakes over concealer. Yuck. You might as well have put an arrow on my face pointing to any blemish. Rubbish. However, the powder does seem to keep my T-zone fairly matte, but its not as good at this as my NYC powder was, as it doesn't last all day. Maybe this wasn't designed to be used over liquid foundation, but I don't really like it, and will stick to my cheapy high street NYC bargain instead.

Application



e.l.f. say: Shake the Natural Mineral Booster back and forth to get excess loose powder into the tray. Gently glide over the powder with an e.l.f. Kabuki Brush to grab the powder, bring your brush to the cap to work in the powder to the brush, then tap off any excess. Apply to areas of the face that need coverage by working into the skin in a circular motion.

I say: *Sigh* If you're going to have a product like this, I think it needs a second lid over the holes in the tub - like the GOSH Effect powders. But I guess we can't expect too much from something that costs £5.00? (Yeah, silly me, I bought the big tub). And of course the little sticky label thing doesn't keep powder at bay. I'd HATE to travel with this! It'd be everywhere! I don't own a Kabuki brush, and I've always relied on my Face & Body brush from The Body Shop to apply powder as it distributes a light dusting of powder perfectly.

Price: £3.50 for the small tub, £5.00 for the large tub.
Size: Small = 5.1g, Large = 17.8g
Available from: e.l.f.

Ratings
Product: 6/10
Price: 9/10
Packaging: 8/10
Overall: 7/10
Repurchase: No

Have you tried any of the Mineral Boosters? What are your thoughts? I'll be sticking to my NYC powder I think!

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Wednesday 22 September 2010

Wednesday Wants

Hello :)

I am lemming lots of new items for A/W 2010 which is going to be a bit of a struggle to accommodate judging by my bank balance! Fingers crossed I get that Xmas temp job I applied for!

A beige/nude snood

A black military coat


Some flat, black leather boots

I'd also like:

A cameo ring like this one on Abby's blog

and

A pair of snazzy slipper boots (if only to protect my tootsies from the cat!!)

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Introducing Britney Spears: Radiance!

Hello sunbeams :D

Today marks the UK launch of Britney Spears' latest addition to her best-selling fragrance collection, her 9th fragrance, Radiance! I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak when this beautiful bottle was delivered yesterday afternoon. Let's take a look shall we?


Britney Spears by Elizabeth Arden say:

Britney's latest fragrance is described as a brilliant white floral which embodies Britney's confident and alluring persona. The fragrance is inspired by Britney's spirited sensuality and magnetic energy. During the creation of the fragrance, each ingredient was hand-picked to express the essence of Britney. Luscious berries and dewy petals unfold to reveal a radiant heart of luminous pure white flowers, lit from within by the glow of precious amber, woods and sexy musk. 

Radiance features alluring top notes of luscious wild berries and soft dewy petals to entice and beguile, whilst the sensual heart of the fragrance is infused with a pure white bouquet of tuberose, jasmine, orange flower and iris to exude unforgettable femininity. Captivating cashmere woods and luminous amber are wrapped in the sensual glow of musk.

Britney says: "I love the feminine scent of my new perfume, Radiance. It has the power to make any woman feel beautiful"


I say:

Radiance is a beautiful floral fragrance which smells absolutely divine and reminds me of many a day spent in sensuous flower filled gardens. A real feast for the senses! I think Radiance would be perfect for day or night, as it's sweet and sexy but not too overpowering. I just know it's going to be my new favourite! I love the bottle too, with it's colours and texture. It's a bit similar to Curious with the colour scheme and the jewel theme!


Availability

Radiance 100ml EDP Spray retails at £37.00
Radiance 50ml EDP Spray retails at £28.00
Radiance 30ml EDP Spray retails at £22.00
Radiance 200ml Body Souffle retails at £15.00

"Where can I get my mitts on this?" I hear you ask. Well my dears, Radiance launches exclusively in Boots stores and on Boots.com today then launches nationwide from October 27th. Truly worth a sniff, and entirely purse friendly!

What do you think? Will you be trying out Radiance?

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Disclaimer: I received this product for free from a Social Media Agency associated with Elizabeth Arden for promotion purposes