Sunday, 10 February 2013

My first review! Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial ^^

Hey everyone! I know, two posts in one day- it's a Sunday afternoon and I'm very bored :) So I decided what better way to spend my time than not revising and giving you a review on Rimmel's latest beauty treasure. The Apocalips range have been out for just over a week now (I think) and have already received so much acclaim from bloggers everywhere. The design of the product is funky, with the oddly shaped end and the transition from black to clear, which makes it easy to see what shade it is. The product is described as a "lip lacquer" which to me would be a hybrid between lipstick and lip gloss...which is pretty much what it is!


It's a really highly pigmented liquid (which is quite thick) like a lipstick that dries to a semi-matte finish.

In natural light

In artificial light
I purchased celestial which is a gorgeous muted rose pink shade that, when applied lightly, is perfect for daytime wear. I absolutely adore rosy pink shades in lipsticks so naturally this is the shade I gravitated towards.

The applicator is similar to any doe-foot applicator which is a reasonable size and very flexible, which makes application a breeze, the end is also quite pointy so it is easy to apply it to the corners of your mouth. The applicator has a little groove in it which holds enough product for thick application, it's very useful!


Here are some pictures of me wearing it (shield your eyes xD)

In natural light
In artificial light
VERDICT- I have to agree with all the other blogs and say that I absolutely love this product!! Rimmel have really got a winner on their hands, they have brought out loads of great products recently. I love the colour, the texture, the lasting power (it lasts AGES) and the packaging is adorable. The only thing I've not too fond of is the smell, it's not unbearable but reminds me of these blackcurrant ice lollies I had as a kid (I used to hate them xD), but I can deal with it- many other bloggers love the smell. I got this product in Boots for £5.99 which is amazing for the quality! Rimmel also have a 3 for 2 offer on a the moment so I got this, their Stay Matte Powder (my third one xD) and their Scandal Eyes Eyeliner (let me know if you want a review), so now is a great time to get it!



Lots of love, Laura x

Natalie Portman's Dior "ICONIC OVERCURL" look on a budget

Hey everyone! So today I was reading a copy of the magazine "Stella", over a cup of tea and a full-english breakfast, when I came across Christian Dior's latest advert for their new "Iconic" collection. The advert features one of my favourite actresses, Natalie Portman, and features a beautiful dramatic dark metallic blue eye paired with gorgeously long lashes and a swipe of subtle nude pink lipstick.

The whole page spread

The look- both these pictures belong to Stella magazine and Dior, I  do not own them

I was completely captivated by the look, it's so simple yet so alluring and enchanting, I was inspired to give the elegant look a go. However, being a student, one can not afford Dior make-up so I decided to recreate it "on a budget". The products I will be using for this look will all be from "drug store" brands- predominately MUA (one of my favourite brands EVER!- http://muacosmetics.blogspot.co.uk/) a.k.a Make Up Academy, as well as a few other brands (Rimmel, Collection, Avon etc) Enjoy!

Before I do anything I cleanse/moisturise/primer my face. The primer I've used is Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer, I have then followed it up with the W7 (War-paint) Camera Ready Anti Dull Skin Balancing Primer.



As I'm going to be using a lot of eyeshadow in this look I'm going to do my foundation after, to prevent it being ruined by any loose eyeshadow pigment. On to the eyes then...first I prime my eyes, all the way up to the brow bone and on the lower lashes with my MUA Professorial Eye Primer.



Next I use Shade 1 from the MUA Undressed Palette (If the pan looks odd it's because the original palette broke so I de-potted it and created a custom palette which includes both Undressed and Heaven and Earth palette). I put this shade all over the lid up to the browbone, fanning out slightly. I've also used shade 1 from the Heaven on Earth palette (MUA also) to highlight my browbone.

Pretty, right? I had fun making it ^^ Let me know if you want me to tell you how I did it.
Terrible picture, I know

Next I've used Shade 12 (the blue) from the Undressed palette to cover my lid up to my brown bone, using a fluffy brush covered in Shade 1 to blend it out as well as in the outer corner of my eyelid, I've also used Shade 11 mixed with Shade 12 (the black and blue). in my crease. I've also used Shade 8 to fill in my brows and smudged it out. (It looks terrible in the picture- just bear with me ok? ^^)

It looks a bit blue xD Use a tissue or fluffy brush to swipe away any excess pigment.
I use the blue shade again with a thin brush to line my lower lash line.

Keep using Shade 1 for the H&E palette to smudge out the blue until you get the desired effect


Next I use my Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Shade 1 Black on my upper lash line, I create a slight flick in the outer corner and go right down to the inner corner while doing the lower inner corner also. I made it look a bit more dramatic than in the advert, personally I like my eyeliner dramatic ^^.




Next I've curled my lashes and applied several layers of my No7 Exceptional Definition mascara to my upper and lower lashes. I also used my Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl eyeliner in black to liner my upper waterline (under the upper lashes).



Now for the face! Woooooo!! For foundation I applied Max Factor Colour Adapt foundation in shade 40 Creamy Ivory and buffed it with an Avon all-face brush. I also conceal any blemishes and under the eyes with Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer. Followed by using Rimmel Stay Matte power.



Because the finish of this look is quite dewy I'm taking Technics High Lights Higlighter and blending it in above my cheek bones and up the side of my eyes. Then a bit of MUA's power blush in Shade 4 to my cheek bones and out to the side of my face.





Finally, for the lips I applied Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Shade 03 and topped with some 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive. I also added some more Technic High Lights to my cupids bow and the outside corners of my mouth to make them look fuller.

Swatches that you can't really see :/

The finished look- yes, I only did one eye if you haven't yet noticed.
And that's it! Prepare for some SERIOUS posing ;D




I look so young!! xD I look around 12! Which I'm not

Before and after...the eyes



And Viola!!!! I'm really impressed with how this look turned out. It's a bit darker and more dramatic than the original but I quite like that about it ^^.


This look was really just a bit of fun and a chance to show you all what I can do (which isn't a lot but oh well xD). Now for the results-

The Dior Wet and Dry Backstage single Eyeshadows retail at £22.50 from Boots (http://www.boots.com/en/DIOR-WET-DRY-Backstage-Eyeshadow_1302083/)

The MUA Undressed and Heaven and Earth palettes I used retail at a mere £4 each from their website (http://www.muastore.co.uk/index.php/12-shade-undressed-palette)  and Superdrug.

The pen liner used in the advert is the Diorshow Intense Professional Felt-tip Long-Lasting Wear in Catwalk Black which retails at £23.00 (http://www.boots.com/en/DIORSHOW-INTENSE-Professional-Felt-tip-Eyeliner-Long-Lasting-Wear-in-Catwalk-Black_1302077/).

The Gel eyeliner I used (Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama in Black) is £7.99 (http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Eye-Studio-Lasting-Drama-Gel-Liner_1190781/)

So overall some pretty good cheap alternatives if you'd rather not splash out on the Dior products (which I'm sure are absolutely amazing but very unaffordable for students like me).



I really hope you liked this, please leave me a comment if you would like me to do something else like this- any suggestions are always welcome!

Lots of Love, Laura xx

P.S. Let me know if you want reviews of any of the products mentioned ^^




Saturday, 9 February 2013

To the World I say hello! :D (The "This or That" tag)

This is ridiculously strange, writing on my own blog- the idea that anyone in the World could be reading this (if they know English at least). I thought to myself what better way to christen this blog than by doing a tag? This tag is called the "This or That" tag and will consist of me answering some random questions, some about make-up and some about other things. Lets begin shall we? I'm so excited! :)


Make-up

Blush or Bronzer? Oh, definitely blush! I always use blush in my daily make-up routine, without fail! I'm really pale so I've never been brave enough to use a bronzer. One of these days I will think "Do you know what? YOLO! (I do apologise, it will NEVER happen again 0.0) I'm going to use Bronzer!", but not today...




     
Lip gloss or Lipstick?...this is a really stupid question, LIP GLOSS OBVIOUSLY. Of course I'm joking, I absolutely love lipstick! I hate how lip glosses are so sticky and temperamental! In the way they make your hair stick to your lips and you always have to be careful about anything that goes near your lips, with lipsticks you just put it on and BOOM you're done and fashioning an actual colour! Not a slightly tinted transparent sheen (No hate to lip gloss fanatics, it's personal preference).


Eyeliner of Mascara? This is a tricky one because I love both, if I only had time to put on one it would have to be mascara, I love how such a clever product can really open your eyes and I feel so much more feminine with long eyelashes (it must the notion of being able to "flutter" them ^^).



Foundation or Concealer? I have to say concealer, purely because I tend to get a few blemishes every so often and dark circles under my eyes. Yes, foundation is still a product I use regularly but concealer is something you could easily use without foundation and feel confident it, you could with foundation but only a full coverage one.

Neutral or Colour eye shadow? Definitely neutrals! You really can't beat a good brown, charcoal or taupe eye shadow! I'm not brave enough for bright looks.


Pressed or Loose eye shadow? Pressed, less mess.

Brushes or Sponges? Brushes. I don't think I've ever used a sponge to apply any of my make up, I prefer to dust it on.

Nails

Long or Short? Short, lately my nails have been terrible because I bite them when I'm nervous- I'm doing my A-Levels so...they aren't the best right now. However, usually they are quite long, I prefer my nails not to be too long; they need to be practical.

Acrylic or Natural? I've never used acrylic nails and I've never been tempted to, just the idea of using fake nails completely puts me off (my nails are weak enough without them being suffocated by acrylic).

Brights or Darks? Usually darks, my favourite colour in my collection is a smoky grey. However, I do opt for bright colours in the summer, or if I'm feeling particularly cheerful or optimistic. 

Flower or No flower? I don't really have the patience for that xD

Body

Perfume or Body splash? Perfume I guess...what's a body splash? O.o

Lotion or Body butter? Body butter, it's much more creamy and luxurious, yes moisturing is considered a luxury to me, they also smell really good ^^



Body wash or Soap? Body wash, soap always dries out my skin- body wash is a lot easier to use as well.


Fashion

Jeans or Sweat pants? Jeans! ^^

Long sleeve or Short? Long, can't think of a proper reason.

Dresses or Skirts? Dresses :3 I love to wear dresses with my gorgeous Doc Martin boots ^^ My fashion staple!

Stripes or plaid? I like tartan personally, but out of the given options I would say stripes. 




Flip flops or Sandals? Flip flops ^^ They are so useful for holidays!

Scarves or Hats? Scarves, hats don't really suit me :/




Studs or Dangly earrings? I don't really bother with earrings, if I do I woul usually opt for dangly ones (as I generally wear them when I go out).

Necklaces or Bracelets? Necklaces, I always seem to wear some kind of long necklace with any outfit.


Heels or Flats? Flats, though I do love a killer heel (only rarely wear them though as I'm quite tall- around 5ft 8)

Cowboy boots or Riding boots? Riding Boots ^^ Those shown are one of my many pairs of Doc Martins (not really riding boots but oh well)



Jacket or Hoodie? I prefer Jackets but don't own many.


Hair

Curly or Straight? My hair is naturally dead straight, I love to curl it but I don't usually have the time to do so :(

Bun or Ponytail? Ponytail, or a messy bun. It depends on how I'm feeling.

Bobby pins or Butterfly clips? Definitely bobby pins...if I can find them xD I swear those things grow legs!

Hair spray or Gel? I don't use either on a regular basis, but I've used hair spray more times than I've use gel.

Long or Short? Long!! You can do so much more with it, it always looks so glamorous.

Light or Dark? Dark ^^ 


It doesn't look very straight here but TRUST ME, it is ^^



Side sweep bangs or Full bangs? Side sweep bangs! I remember having a full fringe as a kid, I absolutely hated it, though some people really can work it.

Up or Down? Down, it's less effort- you can tell how lazy I am, can't you?

Random

Rain or Shine? Shine! "Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows..." (sorry, couldn't resist) 

Summer or Winter? Completely contradicting what I just said, I'm going with winter :) It looks so beautiful. 

Fall (Autumn) or Spring? Autumn ^^ all those leaf piles to jump in! Yes please :D

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla, though I do love chocolate (just NOT dark)


15 Weird Facts


What's a nickname only your family calls you? Ummmm...Lawbo? xD Weird, I know...my Dad's a bit odd.

Do you have any weird phobias? This isn't exactly weird but I'm TERRIFIED of spiders.




What's one of your biggest pet peeves? I can't stand people who eat noisily, so table manners. People who eat with their mouth full make me feel sick, it's so rude!!!

What's one of your nervous habits? As already mentioned I bite my nails, I also feel dizzy and kind of babble 0.0

What's a song you secretly love to blast and belt out when you're alone? I genuinely can't think of one, how boring ^^ Probably some old-school song by McFly ^^


See!! STRAIGHT! D:


What side of the bed do you sleep on? In the middle because my bed is a single :L

What's a weird habit of yours? I don't really have many weird habits, though I will dip pretty much anything into a cup of tea. Nothing savoury (I won't dip something like curry into my brew, don't worry ^^), I meant sweet things. I have been known to dip chocolate in tea, cake, and haribo :/ I'm not insane, I promise.




What was your first stuffed animal and its name? I have a cuddly toy of Piglet (from Winnie the Pooh) which I've had since I was a baby...called Piglet.

What's the beauty rule you preach, but never actually practice? I can't think of many, probably making sure I wash my hands before I apply make-up or washing my brushes recently.

Which way do you face in the shower? I face away from the shower, towards the door.

Do you have any weird body skills? No, I'm so boring! I often wish I could move the joints in my fingers so they move like a fish...but I'm not special enough.

What's your favourite comfort food that's "bad", but you love to eat it anyway? Rice pudidng, I could live on the stuff.

What's a phrase or exclamation you always say? "What the hell?", "Bloody Hell" (how British I am -_-),      "I see" etc.   

And that's it!! Wow, that was exhausting. If you're still reading this I applaud your dedication and perseverance and I tag YOU!!! ^^ I can't wait to start some more posts for you all. I have a few reviews to put up, a haul, some tutorials and some "collection" ideas, stay tuned! Feel free to leave me some love in the form of a comment. If you liked this post and want to follow me, please do! I'll check out your blog if you do and I'll leave you some love as well ^^

Lots of love, Laura x