Category Archives: Make Up

Genoa cosmetics and make-up trolley from Beauty Boxes

Genoa Cosmetics & Make Up Trolley from Beauty Boxes - So Many Lovely Things

A girl’s beauty dream

If you are a make-up mad person as I am, I doubt you never dreamt about having all your lovely cosmetics organised in a gorgeous beauty trolley.

I mean, just think about having everything visible, in one safe place that is mobile. Well, I no longer have to dream.

The Genoa trolley from Beauty Boxes is a “workstation on wheels” and it is suitable for make-up artists and beauticians, as well as to have at home. It’s not too big and bulky, so it sits comfortably even in homes that don’t have that much space (like mine), and because it is very pretty, it can (and should) be on show!

The delivery service was exceptional – next day and I got an email on the day specifying an hour time slot for delivery, and it came 5 minutes into the slot. In all my excitement, I opened the box to find an amazingly sturdy, finished to a high standard trolley, with very smooth hinges and sliders. There are two mirrors inside and it also comes with two make-up brushes holders which can be hung on the trolley when open. The top compartments have a good depth and the bottom part too – it’s deep enough to fit hair tools. It also has a key.

I fit most of my make-up in it, well, the usual suspects that is, leaving out many odds and sods, some palettes and a few products I haven’t opened yet! At the top I put my face and lip products. In the second fold of drawers I put my single eye shadows and all eye stuff. In the compartments at the bottom, I put my beloved Urban Decay palettes and bags with the other eyes, lips and face stuff I use less often. There were two empty compartments where I could put my other eye shadow palettes, skincare and/or hair dryer, straighteners, curlers and products. On top of it, when closed, I had the brush holders and my lovely Revlon mirror with lights, so the trolley is really versatile!

In terms of mobility, I found it is not too heavy when loaded. The wheels are smooth, and the handle strongly built.

It comes in three colours; mine, rose, a lovely bright-ish pink with a snake skin-like texture, baby pink and silver, both with a metal finish – all in 38.5cm width, 62cm height, 30cm depth and 7.4kg of fabulousness.

Would I recommended that anyone that has a considerable amount of make-up and cosmetics buy one? Definitely. If you don’t have that much, Beauty Boxes has an exciting range of practical, durable and versatile beauty boxes and trolleys which are also very pretty and stylish, to cater for varied needs – oh, and with free delivery!

Beauty Boxes kindly sent me this as a PR sample, and I could not be happier. Serious amount of excitement. Views are my own, based on honest experience with the product.

Product review: myface.cosmetics eye shadow and eye liner

In my amazing goody bag from the Elemis event, I received an eye shadow duo from myface.cosmetics, which were providing the make over at the event. I had heard about them before but didn’t have any of their products. And I love to try new brands!

The duo is called Siren and is part of their Silk Screen collection. Packaging is very nice, clean, easy to use, and it comes with soft brush, which is also very nice for blending. The shades are a satin finish orange with a subtle shimmer and a beautiful raspberry with some golden sparkles.

Both eye shadows are very satin-y, they have good pigmentation and blended well. They are very bright shades and applied well. There was a little bit of fall out, but no more than other brands.

Since I attended the Elemis event, NBPR, who looks after myface.cosmetics, has kindly sent me some products to try, and I decided to use the first one from the lot I received with the very first product I ever got from the brand, as they went together beautifully!

So I used the slinky liquid liner in Tequila Sunrise, and orange-gold. Yeah, just one little bottle inspired the whole look I posted before!

The liner is very easy to apply, the brush is firm without being hard, very fine and precise. The consistency is good, not too runny, not too hard. The colour, with one stroke, is quite vivid, but I went for two, especially where it was over the orange eye shadow, to get more distinction. It dries quickly and I managed not to smudge, and it sticks well. The metallic effect is really noticeable, and the colour very solid. Thumbs super up.

I am soooo happy they sent me a few, and in gorgeous colours, so it looks like you will be seeing different looks going liner crazy, as I will be experimenting more – after all, this is what the challenge is all about.

This post contains PR samples, however, this review is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Eye make-up look challenge: red and orange

Tropical cocktail. This was my inspiration for this look, so I am naming it Tequila Sunrise, taken from the drink, of course, but also from the liquid liner name!

I primed my eyes and applied a shimmery golden peach shade on my brow bone, blending towards the crease. I then swept the orange all across my lid and blended upwards. Using a blending brush, I applied the raspberry on the outer corner and blended around the crease.

I then applied the black liner, creating a long-ish flick on the outer corner. I then used the liquid eyeliner in metallic orange/copper above the black eyeliner and then from the outer corner of my eye, just below the black, following the same shape. Black eye shadow was applied across the water line using a liner brush, then I applied black eyeliner to the lash line, smoking it just a little bit.

After that, I cleaned the fall-offs and applied a concealer under my eyes. I then created the line below my eye, from the inner corner, following the black liner just past half the eye and flicked downwards.

I made the raspberry colour more intense using the pencil brush on the crease and applied the shimmery peach to the inner corner of my eye, bringing it up slightly on the inside of my nose bridge towards my eyebrow.

To finish it off, I applied mascara and then false lashes. Very happy with this look,  it is different, colourful and very pretty!

Products I used:

  • myface.cosmetics silkscreen eyeshadow duo in siren
  • Inglot eye shadow 469
  • MAC eyeshadow in carbon
  • myface.cosmetics slinky liquid liner in Tequila Sunrise
  • Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion
  • Laura Mercier eye concealer in wheat
  • Hourglass film noir mascara in onyx
  • MAC eye kohl in smolder
  • Collection 2000 Extreme felt tip eye liner
  • MAC make up brushes 239, 217, 219, 231, 194 and Mink blending brush

Difficulty:

Tutorial: Easy smokey eyes – brown and black

This post goes to fulfill a request on how to create wearable smokey eyes. Actually, I owed this to a couple people before the request, so it has been a long time coming! I use smokey eyes all the time, what changes is the intensity and, of course, colour palette. Most of my eye make up challenge looks are smokey.

These two looks are very simple, easy smokey eye looks. The brown and gold is great for paler complexions and day wear, as black can sometimes be a bit harsh, although, in my opinion, nothing beats black for smokey.

If you are paler, make sure you sweep a lighter colour on the lid before start smoking the black, or use grey or matte brown, building up to an almost black colour!

When I go out with smokey black eyes, I usually go much bigger and intenser than this. But if you never wore smokey eyes, this is a good start – maybe with the golden brown then into the black, to perhaps a much deeper coloured look.

On the right are the finished results, go down for the step by step.

For a basic look, three shades will suffice – a lighter for highlighting, a medium for base and a dark one for smoking – it is very important they complement each other.

Brown

This is very warm and suitable to most skin and eye colours. GOld is a great ally when drawing attention to your peepers!

1. Use a primer. This will help intensify the colour and fix the eye shadow. I apply mine with my fingers, over the whole lid all the way to the brow bone.

2. Using an eye shader brush, apply the lighter colour close to the eyebrows and all across the brow bone.

3. Also apply lighter shade to the inner corner of the sweeping towards the middle, but not too much, still with the eye shader brush

4. With the same brush, apply the medium colour across the whole eye lid. I like getting in the crease, but not above, with this shade too.

5. Apply the darker shade in the outer corner of the eye using a blending brush. This brush is a great investment, as it is makes blending much easier.

6 and 7. Then press lightly in into the crease, following its natural hollow to around halfway of the eye, repeat the movement, adding more eyeshadow until you reach the desired colour – more for more intense. When you get in the crease, this creates the smoking on the inner part, but also above the crease. Keep blending, adding some colour closer to the lash line, always pulling from the outside in, so the colour fades towards the inner corner.

8. Line the bottom waterline with a black eye liner and with a small shader brush (shown), add the dark brown eye shadow to the bottom lash line, blending with the eye liner.

9. Still using the small shader, line the outer corner of the upper lash line with black, and blend up to 1/3 of it. Then continue with the dark brown.

10.Using a pencil brush, add the dark brown to the crease, to intensify the colour.

Apply mascara generously and you are ready to go. After you get more practice doing this, it usually doesn’t take more than 10 minutes!

Black – a bit more intense!

This is a colder, and very light black smokey eye; I blended enough to make it a bit less harsh and quite grey, especially with flash.

1. Always use a primer. Then, using an eye shader brush, apply the lighter colour close to the eyebrows and all across the brow bone. With the same brush, apply the medium colour across the whole eye lid, from the inner corner. When you get to the outer corner, it should be much less intense.

2. Get smoking! With the blending brush, apply the darker shade in the outer corner of the eye. Blend towards the inner corner, as in this case, you want the black to be across the whole eye lid, looking  greyer in the middle and with less intensity on the inner corner.

3. Then press it lightly into the crease, following its natural hollow to around halfway of the eye, repeat the movement, adding more eyeshadow until you reach the desired colour – more for more intense, always blending to avoid harsh lines. Keep blending, adding some colour closer to the lash line, always pulling from the outside in, so the colour fades towards the inner corner.

4. Line the bottom waterline with a black eye liner and using the small shader brush, apply black eye shadow to the lower lash line, blending well.

5. and 6. Apply a liquid, gel with brush or pen (which is the easiest to work with!) to the upper lash line, creating a flick at the outer corner. The flick should always follow the natural line from  the bottom lashes, creating and imaginary line at 90 degrees in the corner of your eyes, as if it was going to your temples.

I also used the pencil brush to intensify the black at the crease, then smoothing with the blending brush. I finalised it with lashings of mascara – if you want more dramatic, you can also smoke above the crease, in the outer corner towards the eyebrow, but not too much – always apply more of the lighter colour to the brow bone and blend downwards if you go too far. False eyelashes go very well with smokey eyes, and are great for glamming out the look!

Also, black eye shadow tends to drop when applying, so if going for the look, do the eyes first, then do the foundation afterwards. I also use a good concealer under the eyes after doing my black smokey eyes, to guarantee it wont look like dark circles!

Products I used:

Eye shadow – Both looks were created using the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. It may seem costly, but you get a great selection fo colours that are for everyday use, but you can build up for a night look. And it comes with a double ended brush – eye shader and blending in one! For the brown look I used Bootycall, Half Baked and Busted. For the black, I used Verve, Pistol and Blackout. I find that almost any eyeshadow is alright if used with a good primer – but high pigmentation is very important.

Primer – Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, the best eye primer I ever used. Check review here.

Brushes – all good investments:

  • Eye shader brush, from Naked 2 palette, but I also have MAC 239.
  • Blending brush, from Naked 2 palette, but I also use MAC 217.
  • Pencil brush, MAC 219
  • Concealer brush, MAC 194 (not needed, you can apply concealer with you fingertips!)

Black eye liner – MAC eye kohl in Smoulder and Collection 2000 Extreme 24 hour felt tip liner.

Mascara – any you have. At the moment I am trying Hourglass’s Film Noir in Onyx. Apply more to the outer corner, to give it a flutter! Curl and if you want, apply false eyelashes to be more dramatic!

Eye make-up look challenge – black liner

After the super indulgent green witch eyes, I went for something a bit “simpler”. Still, I love the impact of the under the eye liner. It doesn’t pop out as much as I thought it would, so is more wearable then I expected…and simpler to achieve!

After priming, I swept a metallic beige all over my lid up to my brow bone. I then applied a metallic light brown from the inner corner  following the crease, just up to where my eyebrows start, blending with the lighter colour.

Using a felt tip eye liner, I lined my upper lash line, pulling it from outside the inner corner, and finished with a flick. On the lower lash line, I used a white eye liner, from about 2/3 of the way towards the outer corner. I then created a white flick, slightly smaller than the black one from the upper lash line.

I followed with crushed pigment from about 1/3 from the inner corner to the outer corner.

Finally, I drew the line parallel to my lower lash line, following my eye shape and flicking it downwards towards the inner corner. I blended some crushed pigment in the centre of the upper lid and finished it off with false eyelashes.

Products I used:

  • Urban Decay eye shadows in Midnight Cowgirl and Midnight Rodeo
  • MAC crushed pigment in White As Snow
  • Studio eye liner in Winter white
  • Collection 2000 Extreme felt tip eye liner
  • Eylure lashes number 155
  • Duo eyelash glue
  • Urban Decay eye primer
  • MAC brushes 239, 231, 208
  • Maybelline Falsies mascara

Difficulty:

Eye make up challenge: green, as a witch

Green witches (yes, Elphaba, I am talking about you!) inspired me for this challenge. I wanted to do something big, bold, a bit evil and of course, green. I love using green eyeshadow, it photographs really well, it is so vivid.

Here is what I did: I applied a primer, and attempted to erase half of my eyebrow (without much success). Then swept the whole lid with green pigment.

After that, using a darker green, I drew the cat-eye shape with a pencil brush, from the beginning of my crease to close to my eyebrow edge.

Then I applied a lighter darker green to the upper lash line and met the higher dark green line, closing the shape.  To add dimension, I applied very light green crushed pigment to the center of the eye lid, as a swoop that went from close to the inner corner, upwards, meeting the darker line at the top. I then blended all the lines using all the colours and some other shades of green until I was satisfied with the amount of definition of some lines and blending.

I lined the lower lash line with the lime green, closer to the inner corner, blending into dark green towards the outer corner and applied black eyeliner to the water line.

Finally, I added the lime green to the tops, a little bit of black to define some of the lines (close to the crease and from outer corner), applied black eyeliner, making a huge flick, and dabbed more light green crushed pigment close to  the brow bone and inner corner of the eye. I finished the look with false eye lashes.

Things that didn’t go too well:

1. I tried to “erase” the end of my eyebrow, it turns out mine are too dark and thick to do with concealer and foundation only. I did it in the past to re-create Boy George eye make up, but I suppose the person had fairer and thinner eyebrows than me, so it worked alright!

2. Drawing the shape was hard. Very hard. I had to clean everything up and start again.

3. My first combination of greens didn’t give me oomph. This is another reason I started again. Next time, I will swatch them in my hand before applying!

Products I used:

  • Urban Decay eyeshadows in Bender and Hijack
  • MAC eyeshadow in
  • Collection 2000 green pigment in Bitter
  • Ocean Scent green eye shadows from basic palette
  • MAC crushed pigment from Surf the Ocean pack
  • MAC Studio finish and Select Moisturecover concealers
  • Collection 2000 felt liner in Black
  • MAC eye kohl in Smolder
  • MAC brushes number 208, 217, 219, 239, 266 and 195
  • Urban Decay eye primer potion
  • DUO eyelash glue
  • Maybelline Falsies mascara
  • Eylure false eyelashed in Vintage 124

Difficulty:

Olympia Beauty Show 2012

Extreme nail art! Scroll down for more pictures

After registering as press to the Olympia Beauty Show and receiving my badge, I was delighted to finally attend the event on the 23 of September.

The exhibition is one of the “UK’s premier beauty trade events” and this year it took place at Olympia’s Grand Hall, in Kensington, London. Registration is free; but only open to therapists, salon and spa managers/owners, make up artists, hairdressers, nail technicians and beauty students.

I must mention that I was very impressed with the communications prior to the event; I received various emails with press releases, interview opportunities, and general information to enable me to make the most of my visit.

There was a media lounge and the social cloud, where attending press could talk directly to some exhibitors, swap cards, get some samples for review, as well as have a sit, have some coffee and water. There were also press releases from various companies and a few goody bags – always fun to see!

Nailed it!

This year, I have to say, it was all about nails; so many nail product stands! Gel manicures were really all the rage; lots of brands launching gel ranges, doing demos, massive queues of people wanting to have their nails done.

I am lucky to have healthy and strong natural nails, know to do my own manicures which are well finished and last in a great state for 7-10 days, so I am still a traditional nail polish gal. Plus, I get bored of the colours really easily. For all that, I haven’t bought into the shellac advantage, but I can totally see why people are going crazy for them – anything that promises busy women 14 days of nail peace is nothing short of a miracle! Even more established brands, are launching gel manicure ranges.

OPI, China Glaze, NuBAr, Minx and other big nail brands names were represented (OPI had a massive stand with own security, heaving with people!). I also met people from a cool polish brand and salon, Filthy Gorgeous, which have a line with striking colours. Their bottles come with a cute (and working!) plectrum. I was giving a lovely purple shade called Judy Baby and hope to try it soon!

Tantastic

Tan was also massive. Loads of stands offering spray tans to the exhibition attendees, in addition to selling the tools and materials of the trade. I have still to review self tanning products in the blog, so I am delighted I met Nicky from Sienna X, who offered me a sample version of a cute kit they are releasing for Christmas and also one of their gradual tans (really looking forward to trying this!), as well as a lovely bronzer I cannot wait to review, its texture is lush! They had a massive stand which was buzzing with professionals ordering for their salons – I was happy to see that, as Nicky was so lovely to me!

“The eyes have it”

Brows and lashes (fake and extensions) were well represented. Designer/stencil brow bars were everywhere, and the people responsible for the prettiest lashes ever, Paperself was also present – and doing a free application of their minis, so I left with the gorgeous Peacock (in love!). Have to say, I directed a good half a dozen people to their stand, as they asked me where my pretty lashes were from!

For the pros

Obviously, they were lots of stands with furniture e tools for salons and equipment for aesthetic face and body treatments, massages and alternative therapies.

Something I had never seen before were tanning tights. Yes, your heard it right- tanning tights. You wear them for 10 minutes, the tan transfers to your leg, afterwards, you can still wear them as normal tights!!!

Where is my make up?

The only think I missed were more make up stands. Really, I couldn’t spot many, I think I only spotted NYX and New CID!  Please more make up next year!!!

The exhibition also had four live stages, with presentations on the business of beauty, creative nails, make up art and medical beauty to give professionals an all round support on their business. There were competitions – artistic make up and nails, so I spotted some wonderful designs walking around! All buzzing, very organised, a great atmosphere.

My purchases weren’t as crazy as they could have been, seriously, so much temptation!!! I bought a couple of OPI polishes, three NuBar polishes, two Minx nails foils packets, a couple pots of glitter and crunched gold and silver foils for nails of course!

Overall, I had a fantastic time and would love to go back on the second day, sadly, I work all day, but I will certainly be going back next year.

Product review: Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray

Image credit: Urban Decay @ House of Fraser

Anything that has “all nighter” on the label is bound to catch my attention, and it was no different with this product. On another one of my regular wanderings around House of Fraser, I came across this product. At the time, they had the XL 177ml tub, for the very  good price of £23.

I sprayed it on my face and a few days after I decided to purchase, so I got it and started using it regularly. I use a couple sprays before leaving the house every day, and I can certainly notice make up looks fresh all day.

What I find interesting is that the product claims to keep you cool (“…boasts a patent pending Temperature Control Technology that makes this weightless mist so powerful and sets it far above the competition. Your makeup won’t melt when it’s warm and humid or become dehydrated when it’s cold and windy. Yes, it actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to hold foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place”) and I noticed that, in the morning, on the tube, where tend to overheat, my face was cooler. Amazing.

But the real difference is on situations you would definitely melt; that’s where it really matters and you can see how great the product is. I put some in an atomiser, so I can carry it on my handbag during a night out, it is great to refresh yourself after vigorous dancing!

When I attended an open  air wedding, under a ruthless sun, I really thanked UD for the goodness. My hayfever was at an all time high, it was hot, I could see sweat dripping from some people’s faces. But my make up lasted, till the end of the party. All my pics look good.

A male friend of mine was sweating a lot on his face, and I offered to spray some on him; he actually came back to me saying he “wasn’t sure what I sprayed, but he was actually feeling more comfortable”. He was not glistening with sweat anymore!

So, I am in love with this product. When used with UD’s eyeshadow primer potion, it is infallible!

Urban Decay make up is available from House of Fraser and Debenham’s in the UK, and the All Nighter make up setting spray is £19 for 118ml.

Eye make up look challenge: blue butterfl-eyes

Click to enlarge

The highlight of a make up show I attended (which was so rubbish it doesn’t even deserve a review or mention) was the Paperself stand, where they were doing free applications of their gorgeous lashes, and I chose to try the gorgeous “Deer& butterfly” small.

Now, I don’t think they are everyday lashes, but they are so pretty, but so pretty, that I actually feel like using them everyday. Their London skyline one is gorgeous, and their “smalls”, shorter versions of a full design, just for the fluttery outer corner, is actually wearable, on occasions. For a fashion shoot, they are just splendid! I love the peacock ones!!!

Inspired but the delicated butterly lashes I had applied, I decided to create a Blue Morpho butterfly wings look.

I started with the primer, followed by a generous sweep of a light blue powder pigment. I then applied dark blue crushed pigment from the outer corner in, blending towards the middle of the lid. Using a brush pen, I drew the oval shape of a wing, and blended into the darker blue.

I applied white eye liner on my lower water line, and then the blue eye liner followed by a little bit of  lighter blue pigment to 2/3 of my bottom lash line from the inner corner. After that, I put a lot of black eyeliner on the outer lash line and topped up with a little bit of the dark blue pigment.

I added white crushed pigment to the brow bone and the inner corner of the eye blending into the lower lash line and also as a half moon to the curve of my “wing” shape,  go give it a bit of a glow.

After that, I re-enforced my wing-shape drawing, with black eye liner, and blended a bit to make the line less harsh, but still visible.

Black eyeliner and mascara followed and then I applied a set of lashes to finish off the look. Of course, the jewel of the crown, the butterly lashes, were applied to the outer corner of my eye, on top of the other lashes.

I love this look. It is different but very pretty!

Products I used:

  • Collection 2000 Dazzle Me Heavenly light blue powder pigment
  • MAC crushed pigments in White As Snow and Wintersky
  • MAC eyeshadow in Carbon
  • MAC eye kohl in Smolder
  • Urban Decay eyeprimer potion
  • MAC brushes 209, 238, 219, 263 and a MINX fluffy one
  • Studio eye pencils in Blue Velvet and Winter White
  • Collection 2000 Extreme felt tip eye liner
  • Maybelline Falsies mascara
  • Duo eyelash glue
  • Ardell 107 lashes
  • Paperself small “Deer&butterfly” lashes

Difficulty level:

Vogue Fashion’s Night Out 2012 – London

Yesterday I went to a few places taking part in Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and I had an amazing time.

Last year, I was a bit disappointed, a couple places I wanted to go were invitation only (and didn’t mention it on the guide – cheeky!) so I was a bit disheartened. I sent Christian Louboutin’s boutique an email but it was too late – they said they will add me for next year (I think it is fair I get invited, after all, my Louboutins were purchased at that boutique!)

So, I tackled it a bit differently this year – I checked the guide a few days ago and chose places which were offering things that might interest me. Cocktails, of course was one of them.

I made a list and tackled it by proximity to the office. River Island started at 5, earlier than most places, so I headed over for a glass of pink fizz, had eyelashes applied and bought a skirt, which earnt me a goody back with a pair of lashes, a sample size St. Tropez Every Day moisturiser (which I love), a set of three cute stud earrings, popcorn and a drink. Nice, eh?

I then moved on to House of Fraser, which had lots on offer. I entered their new beauty hall and was offered a back massage by Decléor. I then waltzed towards their Mahiki bar and got myself a cocktail in coconut. I hoped on their photo booth and had 4 nice shots to take away (twice!). Then I had my eyes and lipstick applied at the Dior stand, with bubbles on offer…. Downstairs, at their shoe lounge, there was plenty of bubbly on offer and also martinis and other cocktails made to order, and a “Shoe Box” photo booth, which I also took advantage of, amongst other activities!

I swiftly moved to Liberty, but before reaching it, I walked past H&M and they had live models on their windows. The bigger window was a photo set; I was given a number, props and posed for three shots, which will be on their Facebook page and four winners of £250 voucher will be chosen. Nice!

At Liberty, I went straight to Manolo Blahnik’s Victorian photo booth, with the cutest props ever – and got picture with a lovely pair of silver stilettos! By uploading that to Facebook or tweeting it could get you a signed book.

I then managed to run to Burlington Arcade, which had a Victorian fun fair theme… think popcorn and candy floss, performers, burlesque girls…all very pretty; but I went straight for Lulu Guinness shop, to take part on their promotion by being picture with one of their bags a tweeting it. I chose the red lips, of course!!!

Overall, I had a lot of fun. So a few things for my next year’s FNO: plan ahead, list the places I want to see but be sure and not disappointed I will not to actually make it to half of them; don’t just look for goody bags, as they usually only come your way when you make a purchase and remember to email Louboutin earlier!!!!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Have you been to FNO this year? How was it for you?