A Photo a Day 2020 #302

 

Playing Koi by Essie is a joy on the nails.

A Photo a Day 2020 #284

I'm in bed feeling rough today, so this is something I found from the Summer when life was slower and I could experiment with make-up and nails! What a joy! When you feel a bit low (as many of us did at times in lockdown), self care can go some way to boosting your mood. My nails never looked so great as over that period. Now they're stumpy and dull again as I'm back to the stressful day (and let's face it, evening and weekend) job. 

A Photo a Day 2020 #131

Flick

Simple, but effective. Imperfect, but always satisfactory.

Makeup Monday #5 Easy Eyeliner

Flicked, 'cat eyes' eyeliner is a skill. I have semi-mastered that skill over years of perseverance. I go through phases with eyeliner: from not bothering at all--to thinking I'm 'too old' or my eyes are not the right shape--to absolutely loving a deep blue waterline shade and a fantastic flick with lashings of mascara (I love this look). If you have ever gone through the insanity of spending ages doing, re-doing, adjusting your eyeliner, or you've always fancied trying it out, you might like to...

Makeup Monday #4 Enhancing Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow is one of those makeup items that many people do not regard as a staple. Let's face it, if push came to shove, mascara and concealer are most people's 'desert island' products. I'm not here to dispute that, but I do have a love for eyeshadow (and more specifically, finding the perfect neutral shades to enhance my eye colour). Finding the right colour palette for you is part colour theory, part trial and error. In this post, I talk about both. If eyes really are the windows to the soul, good eye make-up is like finding a beautiful pair of curtains. So if you feel your nets are looking a bit yellow, or your chintz pattern is a bit dated...

Makeup Monday #3 Natural Brows

Today's post is about creating natural looking eyebrows with minimal product. Brow shapes and styles come and go (remember the pencil-thin, over-plucked 90s look that left some of us with minimal brows for years following?) I am going to talk about two products that give my moderate-volume eyebrows a natural, 'polished' look. These tips could work for most people who do not want extreme-looking eyebrows:

Make-Up Monday #2 Voluminous Lashes

If I was only allowed to wear one makeup product again for the rest of my life, it would be mascara. A day without mascara for me is a day when I have nowhere to go. It's become as everyday a routine as putting on my clothes. Lashes are such a personal preference. Some of us like voluminous, big lashes; others go to the greater extreme of wearing falsies on the regular; some people like a super natural look or no mascara at all. This post is all about how to pump up on the volume in a way that could be worn every day without people double-taking at you in the office (in a bad way!)

EDIT: How things change! I wrote this a few weeks ago now and (as things stand today) there's no 'going to the office' for most people now; also, the phrase 'nowhere to go' made me laugh! But, as posted about yesterday, I fully intend to keep up some kind of makeup routine most of the time, just as I did before. Not to impress anyone, not to hide anything, just to feel 'normal' and 'sane'. So if you do want to hear about frivolous things like really great mascaras...

Does Makeup Matter Anymore?

Now that many people are self-isolating or social distancing, does makeup really matter anymore? If you're inside, no-one outside of your home has to be subjected to that huge blemish on your chin. Who is going to know if you don't fill in your eyebrows this morning? Who cares whether your nails are painted anymore? If you're out in the world at your workplace, is it now ludicrous to apply a layer of mascara in the morning? 

Make-Up Monday #1 Natural Highlight

I'm not one for the robot-cheek highlighter look. Some people can pull off the dramatic approach to highlighter, but on the day to day, I keep it low key. I'm going to give some appreciation today for a product from Laura Mercier that I've owned and loved for years. If you like a natural glow...

Nars X Christopher Kane 2017 Chrome Collection: Review and Swatches

Scottish fashion designer, Christopher Kane, has collaborated with Nars for the second time and the two-piece collection caught my eye instantly. In fact, I haven't seen anything quite this exciting from Nars for some time. The collection features a high-shimmer, limited edition eyeshadow palette and holographic lipstick in a very wearable light pink. It arrived today and I've been testing it out, feeling like a kid at Christmas.

Kane's Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2018 show featured make-up looks focused on nude iridescence. The palette, on first glance, looks so glitzy and fun on the Nars website with its duo-chrome rose/ teal and bright yellow shades jumping out at you; despite being wowed by it, I did wonder whether it was really for me, considering I am no longer a night-clubber and work in a conservative environment. Then I saw the Christopher Kane runway images and saw how these eyeshadows could be worn in a very pared-down way, particularly with the pale pink lipstick which adds an ethereal glow to the lips. Here are my thoughts after testing today:

The Drugstore Mascara Everyone is Raving About: Is it Really That Good? L'oreal Paradise Extatic

I've been testing out the (fairly) new L'oreal Paradise Extatic mascara that a lot of people in the beauty community have been raving about recently. Is it really that amazing and a cheaper alternative to the likes of Too Faced's Better Than Sex (reviewed here)? 

Review: Mac Modern Twist Kajal Eyeliners

These mechanical, twist up style liners come in an array of colours and finishes, from black, to shimmery taupe to green. I have the shades Grey Tide, Groundbreaker, Ocean Liner, Nothing On and Polar Ice. I've owned most of them for quite some time and I use them almost daily. Here are my thoughts and swatches.

The Most Beautiful in my Collection: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes

These aren't new, but they're my most favourite blushes and I wanted to share my collection. So here are the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes in all their glory:

Review: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate

Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks are moisturising and comfortable to wear. 

Nude Kate is a really versatile colour. It is a light, warm peachy-brown which would suit most skintones. It is bound to be a shade you might find cheaper in another brand although I own nothing else like it. 

The packaging really makes this special and it was lovely to receive this as a Christmas gift from my brother a few years ago.

The colour payoff is decent, but, like any creamy lip product, it will not last too many hours, especially if you are eating and drinking. 

A Cheery Blush for a Gloomy Sunday: Suratt Ponceau

This gorgeous bright poppy hued powder blush by Suratt looked a bit loud for my pale complexion until I tried it recently. I came across it in my 2016 Liberty advent calendar, but wasn't in love with the shade at first sight. Now I love it!

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer, Shade 'Linen' 01: Review

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Shade 01 Linen

The concept of Clinique's Beyond Perfecting is that it is both a foundation and a concealer which offers a natural coverage. It is recommended for all skin types and is moisturising. The unusual doe-foot applicator (like a concealer or lip gloss) applies this thick, creamy product conveniently, and it comes in an array of shades. I'm going to tell you about my experience with shade 01 Linen (the lightest, pink-toned beige for fair skin). Beware: tired, naked face below!

Kat Von D 'Everlasting' Liquid Lipstick, Lolita II: Review

Kat Von D Lolita II

Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are one of many on the market. This particular offering promises a creamy formulation, a 'true matte finish' and 24-hour wear. Lolita II, a 'terracotta nude' appealed to me more than the original Lolita which is darker and plummier. Here's what I think after trying it out over a number of occasions:

3 New Nars Products (including Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Vanilla)

The Soft Matte Complete Concealer is a new release from Nars alongside some primers. Always keen to protect my pale skin from the aging effects of the sun, I purchased the Smooth & Protect SPF50 option and, I must say, I am really impressed. The Nars All About Eve eyshadow duo has been on my wishlist for over two years, so I was excited to finally own it.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation (Shade 2 Fair) Review

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation Shade 2

Having owned the Charlotte Tilbury magic Foundation for over a year, I feel qualified to write this review. For new readers, let me first say that I have fairly dry and occasionally sensitive skin. My skin is usually clear, but I am dotted with moles and have some redness around my nose (you win some, you lose some!) 
This cream foundation promises full coverage. It also has the word 'magic' in the name, so you do tend to go in thinking that you will be airbrushed like some Hollywood movie star. I'll give you the long and short of it: this isn't magic...

Glowy Make-up for Winter: Houglass, Charlotte Tilbury, Laura Mercier & more

The nights may be getting darker and it may feel bleak outside, but you can still glow with some gorgeous, subtle golds, taupes and shimmer-laced pinks.