Autumn Winter 13 Trends: Make Up

As summer wraps up and they days are becoming shorter I thought I would start posting about different trends for Autumn Winter 13!

I'd say this autumn there are 3 key 'wearable' make up trends!

Minimalism.

This sees dewy looking, fresh as ever faces, with no blush (eek!). natural coloured eyeshadows with the occasional microscopically thin line of eyeliner on the upper lashes!

 Fantastic excuse for a 'can't be bothered for make up today' excuse, it's on trend guys!

Retro

The modernisation of iconic looks from decades ago can't get old can they?

Well autumn/winter 13 collections saw new spins on grunge, punk and 60s make up looks
I especially love the first Anna Sui one, the subtle sectioning of the lower lashes is a really wearable take on the twiggy classic!

Berry Lips

Glamourous, Seductive and voluptuous berry coloured lips are perfect for the Christmas season. Can be hard to find a colour that works for your skin tone, I would advise spending the time finding the perfect one  though as the results can really finish off any look!

What Are Your Favorite Trends This Season? 

Retro Glam Nails

Add caption

My first (and awful) attempt at the nails on the Rimmel

 Retro Glam advert! 

I tried to copy it the best I could.. I used a nude base instead of white as I personally really hate white nails! Then used the brush part of the models own nail art pen to create the black border! 

On reflection.. I need to let my nails grow longer.. and I also would try to repair the metal nib; as mine has dried up, that would create the circular blob at the base of the nail better. I did attempt to do this with the brush but they where all to different... so I spread the polish out to create a thick, curved 'half moon' border!

 I think this could look really nice as a 'french manicure' colour scheme.. a pinkish base with a white border? Will give it a go and try!

What are your seasons favorite nail trends?

Dior Over Curl Review.

Hey Guys! 

 This post is kind of a make up review / is it worth paying more? kinda post! I have had an issue with mascaras for half my life. 

With having naturally long eyelashes and wearing glasses, I faced the mare that when I wore mascaras, they would just accentuate my eyelashes straight, outwards, so that they would hit the back of my lenses, snap, and leave black marks all over the back of my lenses! 

My previous routine to try and prevent this from happening, involved eyelash curlers then 4 different mascaras worn at the same time to try and get the to curl and stay up! 

Researching into which mascaras where best for this, two brands kept popping up. Lancome and Dior. Well I just thought,is this a joke? I have to spend £20 on a mascara to see if it will do anything!?

A few simple calculations later... I realised that I was spending a massive £29 a MONTH on masacara! £29! 

 So after growing some balls I decided I would treat myself into buying one.. So I trundled into a boots store and decided I would get the Dior Overcurl seen as the Lancome man was busy with a client. That's what made my choice. 

23 quid down the drain and a 2 hour train ride later I arrived home all excited to try it out. It comes in a neat little silver box which I destroyed through travelling! 

The tube of masacara itself corresponds with the metallic silver box it came in. Fancier stuff than your matte black and neon bottles of the High Street! 

The brush has a weird globular design to it... not the straight up 'c' shape you get with high street store 'curl' mascaras. Only way to see if it makes any difference is to use it! 

The first few days I didn't really feel it was WORTH £23... until I started working and putting it through to the test...

 ____________________________________ 

This is a picture taken at 7.30 yesterday morning. I curled my eyelashes using No7 Eyelash Curlers and applied the Dior overcurl mascara to the lower lashes and top lashes using the wiggly method (technical term there) 

 This photograph was taken 12 hours later at 19.30 after 8 and a half hours in work on the hottest day of the year!

So although the effects have died down.. There is no doubt in my mind that any high street mascara would have preformed aswell under these conditions! There's little smudging around my eyes my lashes still aren't lying flat, colour is still there, its evenly spread. I also quite like the look left.. very natural!

I don't think I will be returning to high street masacara in the near future!

Whats your opinion on high street VS high end?

Prime Time: Wrapping It Up!

Hi Guys!

So all this week I have been testing and reviewing a selection of 5 Primers

Without further ado.... here are the results!

Joint 1st: Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer & No7 Airbrush Away Primer with 32/40

2nd No7 Beautifully Matte 30/40

3rd: No7 Colour Calming 21/40

4th: Witch Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer 21/40

I really enjoyed testing these primers and will certainly be running more tests/reviews in the future!

I would love to hear feedback, do you think this 'back to back' approach is successful? would you prefer one massive post? let me know! :)

NOW FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT...

The original plan was to set up my first giveaway, the prize being my favorite or the top scoring primer from this week. However, seen as we have a top joint place, I decided to scrap that plan and offer the winner the choice of which of these primers they would like!

So enter below and I will contact the winner asking about which of the 5 they would like and delivery details!

Good Luck Everyone!

Prime Time: No7 Beautifully Matte Make Up Base

I bought this to replace the colour correcting serum I reviewed earlier in the week. It’s from the same ‘family’ of primers however I thought I would change as I have found other products which help with my uneven skin tone. Funnily enough, reading the description; ‘Light reflecting particles help disguise fine lines and flaws, while Meadowsweet helps regulate oil production, to minimise blemishes without blocking pores’ Sounds like the Airbrush Away primer… with benefits! At £10.50 this got me really excited! Sounds l like I am grabbing myself a bargain!

The application was easy enough, a thick moisturiser with no smell, again felt llike it was easy to use alot! You do get more than enoughbproduct though! O immediately noticed a reduction in shine and also my pore size, not much change in evening my skin tone!!

Mid-day review

Five and a half hours after application and make up is still in place! A slight exposure around my chin, (again, darkness around my eyes as I keep rubbing them...) still impressed none the less!

End of the day

Still very impressed with how much the make up has stayed in place, rereading the claims I have noticed that my forehead and nose are very shiny, overall I think this is the best primer from the no7 £10.50 range! 

Scores (out of 10)

Packaging: 7

Value for money: 8

Lasting power: 8

Product: 7

30 out of 40! 

I would also like to apologise for any issues with layout etc, as this is the first post written and published from my smartphone! I will make any relevant changes on Sunday when I am back home!!

Prime Time! Witch Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer

This Witch product claims it prepares the skin for foundation whilst creating an invisible shield to help protect your skin from the make up which can cause or aggravate spots and ‘helps calm and soothe the skin hydrates and draws away excess oils’ Yet Again, I do not really suffer from spot related skin conditions. However when I first got this job and started wearing full face make up daily, I noticed I sprouted a couple of spots, saw this in the bathroom cabinet and though… what harm will it do?

A 30ml ‘pump’ bottle, where it has a plate at the bottom which moves up, like what you get in toothpastes (no idea what it’s called) and priced at £6.99; currently on offer at Superdrug for £4.66. Very Reasonable!

Application

Pump bottle leaves no mess and easy to use. The formula is REALLY REALLY REALLY sticky (really sticky) so felt horrible to apply! I felt like I had to rub it in a lot then leave it to dry off a bit before I could apply make up! Which isn’t what I wanted getting ready in a rush for work!

On a positive once the ordeal was over it did leave my skin feeling very soft and smooth.

Mid-day review

Make up is still on my face – Pro! Unfortunately, some of it has sank into ‘expression’ lines and my skin doesn't feel as smooth as it did in the morning!

End of the Day

Again my make up is still there – even if it is in ditches – but I don’t really have anything to say about it! I think that pretty much sums it up. Nothing special. I wouldn’t shout about it or rave about it. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone (unless they had spot prone skin and it was still on offer. May say is worth a try), I’d advise people to spend £2 more and go for the Maybelline one!

Scores

Packaging: 8

Value for Money: 5

Lasting Power: 5

Usability: 3

21 out of 40!

Do you buy primers made for you skin condition?

Prime Time: No7 Airbrush Away Primer

I got this No7 Airbrush Away Primer as a sample in a No7 Summer Beauty Bag offer they currently have running- Which I was THRILLED about as I had always wanted to try this; assuming it was similar to the smashbox Photofinish primer. Upon reading, This No7 primer is actually designed to reduce signs of ageing as it contains ‘light diffusing particles which makes you look younger instantly by putting fine lines and wrinkles into soft focus’. Being only 20 I am not sure how much younger they can make me look hey!

This primer is also slightly more expensive than the others, £19.50 for a 30ml bottle. (still cheaper than smashbox!)

Application

The product resembles a moisturiser, because of its consistency and how easily it takes to the skin, it also smells a bit like a particular brand of suncream, but can’t for the life of me think which one! I didn't notice anything ‘exciting’ I can’t relate to the claims it makes but so far I cannot see why it costs £19.50 low value for monies? MOREOVER I felt I had to use a lot of product, maybe I didn't need to and that’s a virgin error. Time will tell...

Mid-day Review

SCRATCH THAT LAST! I am so impressed with how it has kept my make up in place! The photo shows that my eyes are really dark, but I think that’s because I have an inkling that I may be getting conjunctivitis and I keep rubbing my eyes -.- 

Can’t blame the primer for that! So really impressed with its upkeep and I am starting to see why they can for this for £19.50, massive difference in quality compared to the colour calming one!

End of the Day

So 10 hours after application and some of the imperfections are arising and the powder has disappeared, however unlike the others I didn't top up with powder at Lunch as I forgot it... turning out to be awful at this testing malarck! So 10 hours wear of make-up, when I have been working is really incredible! 

 Scores (out of ten)

Packaging: 7

Value for Money: 7

Lasting Power: 9

Usability: 9

32 out of 40!

Would you spend £19.50 on a primer?

Prime Time! Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer

Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer is a clear gel like product designed to give a smooth canvas for make up application. It costs £8.99 for a little 7ml pot! Extremely Cute and Make-up Bag friendly! Although I am slightly worried about ‘Value for Money’

Application

This gel has a non-sticky formula that applies really easily onto the skin and leaves it feeling lusciously smooth! I honestly found it impossible to part my hands from my face I couldn’t stop stroking my cheeks! However, because the gel is clear it’s quite hard to tell where you have applied to product (I practically left out most of my nose…) but for the silky softness it gives, and the fact a little goes a long way, I will let that slide.

Make up after application

Mid-day review

6 hours after application my face is still feeling like a babies bum but I have noticed fading on my chin, apart from that my make up remains pretty intact! Silly me went shopping so I forgot to take a snap! Apologies!

End of the Day

I am not quite sure what happened in the past 4 and a half hours but the make up has faded so my imperfections are more visible! Which is really upsetting as I was loving this product! I guess 8 or so hours wear isn’t too bad! Still feeling soft but the lasting power has ended!

my make up after a hard day!

Scores! (out of 10)

Packaging: 9

Value for Money: 7

Lasting Power: 8

Usability: 8

32 out of 40!

Would you use a 'gel primer'?

Prime Time! No7 Colour Calming Primer

No7 Colour Calming Primer is a green coloured primer, designed to correct red complexions (opposites in the colour wheel) allowing your true colour to show through. At £10.50 for a 40ml bottle, this seems to be a perfectly reasonable price compared to most primers; also considering it’s from No7, known to carry a heftier price tag for the high street!

Application

The product has a nice thick creamy consistency so the application isn’t very ‘messy’ thank lord! I felt though that I had to put a lot of product on to fully even out my skin tone which left me with a slightly (and unsightly) green tinge! Minus value for money points! I also therefore, wouldn’t recommend this product to people who like to wear easy/minimal make up as it takes some covering up!

The primer left my skin feeling soft and had a slight sheen to it, Shame it was a green sheen!

Mid-day review

So this picture was taken around half 1, about 6 hours after I had applied my make up. I had noticed that the product had unfortunately started to shift around my T zone and chin which was very disappointing. There was still no sign of redness appearing (just a few scars and blemishes had begun to show) which is after all; what the primer is meant to conquer!

End of the Day

This picture was taken around 6 o’clock (10 and a half hours after application) there was redness appearing around my nose and my forehead and chin where looking… dewy (bit gross, sorry! truth hurts!) though the imperfections I have on my cheeks where still holding out which is fairly impressive!

Scores! (out of 10)

Packaging: 5
Value for Money: 6
Lasting Power: 7
Usability: 6

24 out of 40!

Creepy morning and evening photo! (will work on it)

Hard to tell on the picture, but I think you can just see the difference in the chin; this is the same side of my face flipped I will also point out!

Have you used this product? What are your Primer Views!?

Prime Time

Sooo! After feeling I have deserted my blog over the past few days, I have decided to get my priorities in order, and this week I am embarking on a mini blogging series ‘Prime Time’.

As exciting as that sounds, all I am promising is a blog post a day about a different primer I have used

I have chosen this week, as I will be testing 5 primers, and I am working 5 days this week, each of which is the same amount of hours so I will be able to get a better review out of them!

Stay tuned each until Sunday 28^th when I will be making a Special Announcement!

*Warning: Extremely Unphotogenic. (Just putting it out there…)

CC Cream

After using a BB ream for the past year I decided on switching bandwagons so purchased Max Factors CC Cream after hearing rave reviews about it all over the internet!

 I opted for shade natural after swatching on my wrist, although I hindsight I regret this and wish I had gone for the light shade (fair) as the colour developed overtime and became too dark; should point out this is easily fixable as I have seen a lot of reviews for this and other bb/cc creams saying similar things, I just add a small amount of moisturiser to it to thin it out slightly, works wonders! So if you are thinking about buying this product, I’d suggest swatching the different colours then leave it for 15 minutes or so, before deciding on a shade!

Packaging

There is nothing particularly striking about this packaging, very classic like other max factor products! Just a 30ml slick black ‘upside down’ tube with gold lettering! Its’ small size worried me because for £9.99 I felt I wouldn’t be getting much for my money!

Product

Although the container is small you only need a tiny amount with some added moisturiser then apply evenly onto your skin. 

The results, for me, really even out my skin tone, gives light to medium coverage which is perfect for everyday!  Brilliant product 100x better than the L’orealnude Magique BB cream I used, Great for day to day and blends really well with other products!

amount I use on my whole face! I then add a bit of moisturiser

Before and After, impressed with the scar coverage!

A clearer after shot, as the previous was a bit blurred!

Pros

Nice consistency (my last bb cream was a liquidy mess!)

Takes to the skin really well

Has a ‘mature’ perfumey smell (which I weirdly find really nice and comforting)

Coverage just what I need on a day to day basis

Little goes a long way

Leaves a light glow

Cons

Lack of colour choices, not sure if it would suit all skin tones

Deception of colour

MUA Pro-Base Conceal and Brighten Kit Review!

If you could only use one make-up product, what would it be?

For me, mines easily concealer. I have alot of scaring n my face, patches of redness and dark circles under my eyes! I heavily rely on concealer for evening out my skin tone, I think I am currently using 4 different concealers in the process! So I had been thinking maybe I should buy a concealer palette to replace these in an attempt to hopefully save some money, as I used to own one by jelly pong pong a few years ago which I loved (and only used one other concealer with!)

Then a couple of weeks ago, strolling around superrug I noticed this MUA Pro-Base Conceal and Brighten Kit in Beige-Golden shades had been reduced to £2 due to a crack in the case.

I already use the MUA Hide and Conceal Stick, Infact I think i'm on my 3rd tube! I really like its 'cheap' thick consistency as it really covers up my scars and red patches!

So I was hardly going to walk past this offer!

MUA Pro-Base Conceal & Brighten in Beige-Golden

Packaging

The packaging (remembering it had already broken before I even had it) isn't that great apparently. The plastic had already got scratches and blotches and smudges and the whopping crack! Also, the white and silver colour scheme underneath means that these can't be hidden very well and shows all the dirt!

In the lid there is a tiny mirror which you can just bout fit your eyes in, but realistically is far to small for anything!

After all this negatives, there is a postive! The palette is a nice big size which means you get alot of product! :)

Light Concealer, Darker Concealer & Highlighter Swatches

Product

Its unfortunate that this particular palette didn't fully match my skin tone (I add that others do) as the darkest concealer is a little too dark for me. So I used it on the lid of my eye to cover some small veins. I used the lightest concealer under my eyes and scars. Then the highlighter under the brow and at the bottom of my eye socket, out towards my cheekbone.

I have to say that there is not alot of pigmentation compared to the cover sticks and it feels alot greasier. Although! it still manages to give just about a medium coverage and it blends really easily to your skin! (I have heard its not very good at covering blemishes? would be worth knowing if anyone has tried this product on them!?)

Left eye with concealer, Right without

Overall I think its great considering its only £3.50 for the palette, but unfortunately it will not be replacing my current concealer pact!

Pros
Blend-able
Value For Money
Medium Converge

Cons
Greasy
Packaging

Sleek Face Contour Kit Review!

After using the same bronzer No7 limited summer edition bronzer,Which I loved but has now been discontinued :( , I had to experience the trauma of finding a replacement!

I had dear great things about the Bourjois chocolate bronzer and Sleek bronzers through #bbloggers and eventually decided on the sleek contour palette (bought in shade light) as I had yet to try anything from this brand and I would also get the chance to have a powdered highlighter which I never have as I always opt for a liquid highlighter.

Packaging
The product costs £6 and is available in superdrug stores. It comes in a 8 x 5.5 x 1 cm black matte palette - which looks rather sleek (he ho!) - with a mirror fitted inside the lid making it the perfect handbag essential! The amount of make up you get I personally thought looked small in comparision to other bronzers I had previously tried, although the bronzer pot is slightly larger than the highlighter which is beneficial for me as I hardly use highlighters!

Bronzer
The bronzer is matt! Also a bonus as I hate bronzer with a sheen or shimmer, although I would advise anyone to use it more sparingly than I initially did as the product is very dark! (even in the light shade a bought!) I don't have the whitest of skins but if you are pale I would advise sampling it first before you buy! So far, so good.

Highlighter
The highlighter is VERY sparkly! I think for me personally it is too shimmery for a day to day look but perfect for a night out! It looks as it if it has a peachy yellow tone to it, but when applied the yellow tones are not noticeable so if you have pinker or other toned skin, don't be put off!

Overall I really like this product, Although its looks like you only get a small amount, a little really goes a long way! Love its compact size and large mirror for touch-ups throughout the day! It will just take some getting use to the change in application. Bargainous!

Whats your fave bronzer?

Hannahx

Face Time

I hardly use skin treatments and I wouldn't say I have a skincare routine, just water and make-up wipes for taking my make up off of an evening,

Occasionally, I come across those days when you just feel that you skin is all dry and flaky, or you can just tell there is an u and coming zit army protruding from the barricades! Those are the days I like to treat myself to a facial and have some me time!

-Cleansing-

1: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

This is for dry skin in the cheeks and oily in the T-zone I started to use this just because my mum had it in the cupboard and I was curious! Its a really nice thick clear gel that doesn't have an overpowering smell which I hate in face products! (maybe I have sensitive sense of smell?) I also really like the fact it only produces a light foam when rubbed into the skin so it doesn't drip or run all over the show!

2: No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover

I bought this when I had an allergic reaction to some unknown eye product (which I have recently discovered to be fake eyelashes....wahhhh) and I love using it for a fix me up eye treat! I find its not ideal in the morning for those panda eyes as it leaves a layer of dewy moisture behind, spoiling/thinning my make up!

3: Simple Kind To Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion

I would only ever use this is cotton pads or something as dense as anything looser like cotton wool doesn't apply this product well at all! Although the product itself feels very gentle on the skin and is very moisturising!

-Toners-

1: Clinque Clarifying Lotion

This was given to me by my mum as it was too strong for her skin, honestly this stuff is like acid! I only ever put this on my spot prone areas (forehead, sides of my nose and chin) to dry and clarify those areas.

2: Simple Soothing Toner 

This is used all over my face, I mean I don't particularly love it or loath it, but then again with it being the middle step it can be quite hard to review how good it is! I'd say it's a toner that does it's job! It leaves my skin looking great the day after and you can see the removal of residue on the pad afterwards. It Does it's Job!

-Moisturise-

1:Simple Spotless Skin Anti-blemish Moisturiser

Contains Zinc (absorbs excess oil) Chamomile (anti-irritant) Corn starch (mattifier) Aloe Vera (soothes) and phytosphingosine (fights spots and blemishes) and I apply to those spot prone areas. I can't say how successful it is as I don't tend have very spot prone skin! (although maybe this is why, who knows!?)

2:Clinique All About Eyes

This gel like moisturiser is awesome! Although you can't see any difference immediately after application the day after I notice that the redness has faded and my dark circles have brightened! Hallelujah!

3: Simple replenishing rich moisturiser 

I love what this product does to my skin, feels very moisturised and really fixes my flaky patches! However I personally think it has a really plasticey smell! I guess that can be a side effect with fragrance free products!

Anyone know of any 'kind to skin' face moisturisers which smell a bit nicer?

Hannah x

Nailed

I have recently been trying REALLY hard to take better care of my nails, as I can never be bothered to paint them as its such a vagina ache to prepare and paint and sit doing nothing while they dry then they smudge and crack anyway and arghh just no!

I then went through a phase of wearing fake nails as it was sooo much easier just to stick some on, than do all the previous mentioned, and they would actually look alright for a brief period. That span has unfortunately resulted in my nails being 10x worse so I am trying to ween myself off them

For this look I have used:

: No7 Stay Perfect Base Coat
What I love about these No7 polishes is the fact that the brush is wide and flat (instead of circular) and the bristles don't feel like that cheap plastic type that tend to leave scratch marks as you paint (I realise its clear, but this way the colour doesn't sink into the scratches!)

: No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat

Both the No7 polishes price up at £6 each, however there is normally always some sort of No7 offer on. When i bought these it was buy 1 get the 2nd half price, I also then had a £3 off voucher so I got the pair for £6! Extreme Value for money there!

: Maybelline Color Show in 342 Coral Craze

I have the color (I know I know, damn you american branding) show nail polish in this coral colour and a turquoise colour and I love the colours of them both! they are highly pigmented and can't fault them on that! However, the first couple of applications I found it really hard to apply (maybe my lack of skill) as because the colours are so vivid, any faults become more obvious.With the Coral pot aswell, I have noticed that the paint has started to split or something, there is an orangey liquid in there, and with no amount of mixing or shaking won't disappear!I have only had them for about 2 months but at £2.99 I guess I shouldn't complain too much!

: Primark Nails Wraps

I bought these originally as an experiment however I have fallen in love with them and make my life so much easier! These work really well for me, when I have applied them previously they have lasted about a week, although the pattern starts to fade after about 2 days. (Although I have recommended them to a few people and they just haven't worked the same, some of my friends have said they applied them in the evening, went to bed and woke up the next morning and they had all peeled off in the night) So I guess It just depends on your nail beds etc, but at £1 for 20 foils, I would suggest a 'try' and if they're not right for you, nothing lost!