Instagramming: The May Edition

1. Primark nails 2. Baking 3. Caramel Cupcakes 4. New Ben & Jerrys 5. Blogging notes 6. Gleefest 7. Sneaky Costa 8. Pastel eyeshadow 9. Disney PJs 10. Beauty & The Beast <3 11. Illy goodies 12. HOLIDAY 13. Lake Windermere 14. Bowness 15. Sunset cruise 16. Nommy Chinese 17. Glossybox present 18. Iced tea 19. Easy peasy pastel make up and bright lips 20. Shopping spree <3

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How was May for you? Did you make the most of the sun?

Things I learnt in May 2012

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001. It always rains for funerals.

002. I dislike feeling sidelined.

003. Baking cupcakes is always so much fun

004. I prefer creme finish polishes to glitter or shimmer

005. Ben & Jerrys Berry White is all kinds of awesome!

006. Somebody That I Used To Know is possibly my favourite song of 2012 so far

007. It is not always free to park on Bank Holidays. I dislike this.

008. It feels amazing to buy half price shoes!

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009. I am well and truly ready for my holiday.

010. I am so over people right now!

011. Anything is possible - you just have to ask :)

012. Cumbria isn't as far away as I thought.

013. Having no phone signal is absolute bliss. But thank God for wifi ;)

014. I love buying new shoes :D

015. I'm too old for feeling travel sick :/

016. I miss having a double bed.

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017. The current world land speed record is insane.

018. When payday falls on a Sunday, it turns out I don't get paid on the last working day before that date. Disappointing.

019. Whoever chooses to impose the National Speed Limit on certain country roads wants to rethink...

020. I think I may have an intolerance to dairy products :S

021. Lord Sugar's phrase 'Cautious Carol' has really caught on haha :)

022. Half my wages seem to go on bills :/

023. My Dad's driving is really rather scary. Earned him the nickname Racy Ronald haha.

024. Innuendo Bingo is hilarious.

Source (Haha, sorry, couldn't resist this!)

025. Despite using a BB cream that claims to have an SPF of 42, I still got sunburnt on my face...

026. Work social gatherings are always fun!

027. I adore apple juice at the moment.

028. Good things come to those who wait.

029. I am better at Maths than I thought!

030. I dislike Tesco on so many levels.

031. I can win at Bingo!

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How was May for you?

NOTD: Barry M Copper

I recently wandered into Superdrug on a mission and as I sauntered past the Barry M stand, this caught my eye. I really think I was a magpie in a previous life. Anything shiny and I have to have it!

Is it me or does it look... boring?

It's incredibly sparkly but ya know it just didn't wow me like I thought it would. The colour in the bottle didn't seem to fully transfer to my nails. And I got tip wear in less than 24 hours. Not the usual standard I'm used to I'm afraid Barry. That'll teach me to pick up a glitter polish... although kudos to it, it was fairly quick to remove although I suspect that might have something to do with using a base coat and a top coat.

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Have you bought this? What did you think?

Illamasqua Naked Strangers

Doesn't it feel so good now that summer has finally arrived? Rather perfect timing for the launch of Illamasqua's sultry new collection, Naked Strangers. The promo images alone make me want to own everything!

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A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded Faithful and uninhibited Swinger. Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping for more. Don’t restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it. 

“Naked Strangers captures inner glows and depths. The deeply and darkly alluring exists alongside ethereal shimmering brilliance. We are complex and multifaceted whilst also being naked to the world.”

Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

“Naked Strangers represents everything about borderlines...the human edge between romance and permissive intimacy...a step beyond control, a step past the edge and a collection of gilded moments upon the tip of sensation. Beautiful nudes with metallic edge set amongst eclectic textures.”

David Horne, Illamasqua Director of Product Development.

If you're a fan of the nail art, you can check out the video featuring Rebecca Jade Wilson showing you how to recreate it on Illamasqua's YouTube channel. 

To celebrate the launch of the Naked Strangers collection, Rebecca will be appearing on the Illamasqua counters at Selfridges Manchester Exchange and Selfridges Oxford Street to personally introduce you to the stunning new shades. 

Rebecca is the nail artist of choice for the likes of Rita Ora, Lauryn Hill, Beth Ditto and Georgia May Jagger as well as having her work featured in the likes of Sunday Times Style, POP, Russian Vogue and Wonderland magazines.    

Appearing in stores on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th June, Rebecca will be hosting 45 minute, £25 fully redeemable appointments for a basic shape and colour change or you can fully immerse yourself in the collection with replica Naked Strangers nails. To book an appointment at the Oxford St counter (7th June 2-7pm) call 0207 318 3114 or for an appointment at the Manchester Exchange counter (6th June 3-8pm) call 0161 838 0616.

Let me know if you go, I'll be super envious! Don't forget to tweet me a photo :)

Products

Nail Varnish (£13.50)

Dress up your nails and explore your fantasies with our award-winning Nail Varnishes. Are you Monogamous (creamy flesh pink, matt finish), Faithful (coppered metal) or Swinger (glistening platinum gold)? Apply a lustful layer then answer our question.

Lipglosses (£13.00)

Lick your lips then smooth on a rich layer of Intense Lipgloss in Stranger (platinum gold) for obscene levels of pigment. Alternatively, apply Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (nude pink brown) on naked lips, to tease and tempt your lover. Or lovers…

Blushers (£16.50)

Stark naked might mean no clothes, but who said anything about no make-up? Create a provocative flush that lasts all night with Powder Blusher in Naked Rose (neutral beige brown) and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (naked pink brown).

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Naked Strangers is available from this Thursday (31st May 2012). Registered members of Illamasqua.com have the exclusive opportunity to buy the Naked Strangers Nail Varnishes before anyone else. If you're not registered (and why the devil wouldn't you be?) click here to log in or register.


I really do want absolutely everything! Think I'll have to restrain myself and pick Swinger, Intimacy and Naked Rose. Will you be getting anything from the Naked Strangers collection?

New Look: Gold by Giles - Face

It's Friday! Anyone else have that funky Friday feeling? Grab yourself a Crunchie whilst you check out the last in my series of Gold by Giles beauty range posts :) Go on, you deserve it!

I've never really been one to lust after the infamous Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, but if you have and haven't wanted to shell out, lots of brands have released their own purse-friendly version. Gold by Giles is no exception and there are currently two in the range, Metallic and Pink. I received Metallic which is a lovely bronze blush. As you can see from the individual colour swatches, the blush is very pigmented. I particularly like the highlight shade. The product is very shimmery but not in that in your face disco ball kind of way. As you can see it comes with a teeny brush which is rubbish; who has cheeks that small? Anyway, overall a lovely product but one I think that would be suited to those with darker or more tanned skin. As mentioned before, I'm a bit of a Casper! Priced at £2.99.

Oh to become a bronzed beauty. Whilst I live in the hope that one day I'll become a sun goddess and no longer look like the aforementioned Casper, I make do with bronzer. I thought this was pretty impressive with its embossed gold 'G' but I got my hopes up too soon. As soon as I swept the (generically rubbish) brush over the product, the gold practically disappeared and the matte bronzer crumbled like a bad biscuit. The gold is pretty darn beautiful but I can't see it lasting very long in the pan. The bronzer isn't for us paleys, I at least found it too orange toned for my skin. Combined, the two shades give a pretty shimmery shade that would no doubt give a sun kissed look on the right skin tone. Priced at £2.99.

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You can check out the full Gold by Giles Beauty range on the New Look website

And that concludes my Gold by Giles series of posts. I hope you've enjoyed them! Let me know if you pick any products up on your next trip to New Look :)

*PR Gift - read my disclaimer