Tag Archives: MAC

This week’s outfits – 23/06/12

Hello all, this post should really be called “last week’s outfits”; I was so ill with flu that I wore pyjamas over two whole days of last week, so I only have three outfits to add!

Monday

Black bodycon skirt (H&M), black and white stripey blouse (Primark), prince frog ring (New Look), animal rings (Miss Selfridge), bracelets (all from Topshop), tri-colour shoes (Zara), MAC lipstick in Lady Danger (IN LOVE with it!!!).

Tuesday

Black trousers (Zara), mint green top with sheer back (H&M), believe ring (Disney Couture), tiger, leaf and birds rings (H&M), spike bracelet (New Look), mint green with silver toe cap shoes (Topshop), MAC Viva Glam lipstick in Nicki.

Wednesday

Green flower print dress (Primark), white embroided bolero (a shop in Brazil), gold leaf hair clip (Primark), triple snake ring (New Look), pearl ring (Primark), birds ring (H&M). nude sling back peep-toes (Topshop), MAC lipstick in Lady Danger (told you I am obsessed!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is it for this week, you’ll be glad to know I won’t be posting any pyjamas pictures!!! I will soon be posting the latest! What about you? Excited about anything you have been wearing lately?

Product review: MAC Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum

I went for a makeover at MAC last week; I do this quite often, every time I need to buy foundation of powder, as the £25 booking fee, redeemable against products, is just the right amount to get these two beauty staples. Obviously, being me, I can never stop at that amount and damage is always done!

On this occasion, I had a wedding to attend, so nothing better than to have your make done and your lashes put on for you!

I was introduced to another product from their Prep+Prime range. I am no stranger to them; I have used them for ages – from primers and fix+ (another saver) to the setting and fixing translucent powder. But this is different.

The Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum is described as a “serum formulated to instantly brighten, smooth, firm and hydrate the skin while providing a plumper, more evenly toned finish to the skin. Natural anti-oxidants help to strengthen the skin against UV-related damage while MAC charged water ensures deep, long lasting hydration.”

At a first glance, what really appealed to me was the serum consistency – it is quickly absorbed by the skin and leaves a lovely sensation. It spreads well and you don’t need a lot to cover the whole face. The make-up artist described it as a treatment as well, as it will contribute to general skin brightening over time, with constant use. Another thing that drew me to it is that you use it before your primer.

However, what really made me fall in love with it were the visible results: used in conjunction with another new discovery (yeah, I may have gone a bit overboard), the Fortified Skin Enhancer in adjust, which works as a primer and has SPF 35, my skin looks more radiant, brighter, and the make up definitely lasts longer, looking good, hydrated and fresh.

So, I am sold. I have already incorporated it into my daily make up routine!

And just for the sake of it, here is the whole lot purchased; yes, I need to start exercising self-control!

Do you have any skin prepping products you swear by?

This week’s outfits – 16/06/12

This week was really busy, I was so rushed off my feet and feeling a bit miserable at the weather. I managed to put my pins out only once, and even so, it wasn’t the best weather! Friday was so crazy I didn’t have time to photograph my outfit… I will replace that for the outfit I wore for a wedding on Friday eve; not the best picture, as they were taken indoors in poor light – apologies for that!

Still,this is what I wore:

Monday

Bow print blouse (Primark), black pencil skirt (H&M),  tricolour court shoes (Zara), resin ring (Sobral), star ring (Primark), bracelets (pack from Topshop), NYX lipstick in Chloe.

Tuesday

Nude lace skirt and black top (both H&M), nude court shoes (M&S), nude stud bracelet (Primark),  rings (believe – Disney Couture; all others from new Look), MAC lipstick in Captive.

Wednesday

Teal dress (Primark), tricolour court shoes (Zara), flower bracelet (Primark), snake ring (New Look), NYX lipstick in peach bellini.

Thursday

Navy and nude heart print dress (Little Mistress), nude slingback peeptoes shoes (Topshop, not pictured), nude stud bracelet (Primark), rings (believe – Disney Couture; all other from new Look), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Friday Evening

Pale mint green and silver sequins dress (Lipsy), silver platform slingback peeptoes (Miss Selfridge), light grey clutch bag (Dorothy Perkins), earrings (New Look), green flower bracelet (Primark), rings (Disney couture, New Look and H&M), MAC lipstick Viva Glam Nicki.

Eye make-up look challenge – purple and gold

This week I am trying something a bit more elaborate.  A great friend of mine, Gisele, is doing a make up course in Brazil. She posts her practice eye make up and I decided to choose one and do my own version. I used the similar colours but made some changes and ended up with something a bit more dramatic and less subtle.

I started by applying a primer, then spreaded the gold pigment across the lid.  Using a pencil brush, I outlined the shape with the purple shadow, blending the line closer to the inner corner into the gold and filling the shape at the outer corner.  I added a couple of shades of purple to give it depth . I then blended the purple into the gold. The pigment was quite thick, so kinda “contaminated” the purple, it goes everywhere, so the purple became less intense! Eyeliner was applied, with an exaggerated flick on the outer as well as in the inner corner, creating a slick line.

TO get to this point everything was really smooth, and quicker than I thought. The final touches, however, took a while. I then applied eyeliner to my water and lower lash line, creating a very long flick, and applied some gold from the inner corner.  Finally, I put some supra colour cream to fill the gap between the top and bottom lines  flicks. Pigment was added to the brow bone for highlighting.

I had problems with my false eyelashes;  this set was a new one I tried, and it was quite cheap, it was quite stiff to mould around the lash line. Plus, I couldn’t find my duo glue and used something else, it didn’t go in properly, so  i removed the lashes and took ages looking for my glue. Found it, but my patience was gone. Then lash wouldn’t sit well, and I had to re-touch the liner, and it is a bit thick. So my lash application was far from perfect and I apologise for that, but I couldn’t deal with it anymore.

However,  I was pleased with the results, and see many colour combinations working with this one. It is quite exaggerated, and I am not sure I would wear it out anywhere, but I liked the end result it. It was particularly good training defined shapes and lining techniques. And learning to always go for good quality eyelashes – mind you, I have applied those in four friends (I bought one of those packs with ten pairs) and managed to do it beautifully; it is only when applying on myself.

Products I used:

  • NYX loose pearl powder in Oro
  • Lancome purple eyeshadow (sorry, I cannot read the name!)
  • Coastal Scents purple eyeshadow from the 88 original palette
  • MAC pigment in Vanilla
  • NYX eyeshadow base in pearl
  • Smashbox Photo-op under eye brightener
  • Maybelline One by One volum xpress mascara
  • Kryolan supracolour in copper
  • Maybelline Studio gel liner and its brush
  • Duo waterproof eyelash glue
  • MAC brushes 208, 211, 219, 231, 239 and 275
  • A cheap pair of eyelashes (which I may avoid in the future!)

Level of difficulty:

This week’s outfits – 09/06/12

So, last week I was working like a crazy woman (not that I am that normal, but last week was just unbelievable!), so I neglect my outfits’ post and failed to record a couple.

To redeem myself this week, I am posting three from this week (spent one bank holiday in pyjamas, surely you don’t want to see that!) , three from the forgotten week and a bonus outfit.

A few observations… I am *gutted* I am back to wearing tights. It is cold. It is wet. This is not fair… but we must keep pretty, so here we go…

Monday 28/05

Faded memories from warmer days… red and white stripey dress (H&M),  red sling back peep toes (Aldo), apple ring (New Look), oval white ring (Primark), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Wednesday 30/05

Mint green pencil skirt and flowery nude top (both H&M), mint green with silver toe cap courts (Topshop), flower bracelet (Primark), grey stone ring (Accessorize), Nyx lipstick in peach bellini.

Thursday 31/05

Insisted on bare legs but the weather had already turned. Sad times! Black pencil skirt and nude lace top – with a black boob tube underneath (both H&M),  nude slingback peeptoes (Topshop), frog ring (New Look), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Wednesday 06/06

Back to the tights… UGH! Cat print dress (Primark), black wedges jelly shoes (Melissa) rings (star – Primark, resin – Sobral, snake – New Look, black stones – Primark), Kiko ultra glossy stylo in tangerine with a bit of Nyx lipstick peach bellini.

Thursday 07/06

White crop blouse with black spots (Primark), black cotton bodycon dress (H&M), red patent court shoes (New Look), animal rings (set of 4, Miss Selfridges), resin ring (Sobral), black and gold bracelet (H&M), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Friday 08/06

Cat print dress (Zara), taupe shoes with gold toe cap (Viviana), bracelets (mix of New Look and Primark), tiger and frog ring (both New Look), flower hair clips (Primark), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

BONUS JUBILEE OUTFIT

Yes, I had to dress up for our street party! Haha

Union Jack dress (Primark), black jacket (H&M), tiara (Primark), flag (Tesco! HA) and red patent shoes (New Look), MAC lipstick in russian red.

Eye make-up look challenge – black glitter

This is bold! And sparkly…

So, knowing me, you would probably believe I love it and think it is perfect for me, right? Nah-ah.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the look, but I don’t think it is the best for my eye shape when looking at both eyes open, from the front; I played with it for a long time, made it thicker, thinner, higher, lower….and still didn’t quite look right, and I wasn’t going to post, but looking at the single eye pictures I thought that it was quite pretty.

It was very simple to put together, the problem was the mess – even though I was wearing the base plus glitter combo, it went everywhere… when I looked to the light, I could barely see, only sparkly reflections, which is pretty, but not very practical.

I first applied a primer and drew the desired shape faintly with a black eyeliner. I  smeared a part of the shape with the base then applied the glitter with the wand, and did bit by bit until the whole shape was filled. If you have the glitter, you can use an old brush and eyelash glue to replicate this look. The mess will certainly be the same!

After that, I cleaned the area around my eye, with a cotton bud infused in eye make up remover. I use this to define the shape in the corner of the eye too, in any smoke, if you want it clean-cut.

Finally, I applied a light metallic eyeshadow and pigment to the brow bone to the beginning of the glittery shape. I was going to apply a set of lashes, but I tried and it was a bit too much, so I removed it!

It is sexy and striking (trust me, two qualities I love), but didn’t quite go my way and I will put this one down to experience!

Products I used:

  • Collection 2000 Glam glitter in black
  • MAC pigment in Vanilla
  • Sephora cream eyeshadow from palette
  • MAC eye kohl in smoulder
  • MAC brushes 239 and 208
  • Elf eyelid primer
  • Smashbox photo-op under eye brightener

Level of difficulty:

I am just giving two wands because of the mess! Blimey! To remove, it was even worse!

Eye make up challenge: lilac

I really like lilacs and lavenders on my eyes. It is a great colour for brown eyes and a great trick for the morning after that heavy night – it really helps brighten up tired peepers.

This is a look I find quite discrete, although the darker line gives it a little something of “special” occasion to it.

I first applied a primer and a light eye shadow on the brow bone, inner corner of the eye and halfway the lower lash line, from the inner corner. I swept the lilac across the lid generously and applied plain white eyeshadow just in the middle of the lid, for extra luminosity.

Then I drew the line following slightly above my eye socket with a darker shadow using a pencil brush, then blending it with a small shader brush. I also used this brush to apply the darker shade on my lower lash line, one-third from the outer corner and on the upper lash line, just below half from the outer corner too.

To finish off the look, I applied mascara and a set of lashes and put some light coloured pigment on my brow bone topped off with some sparkle.

Quite an easy look to achieve, it looks very pretty and, in my opinion, not too over the top.

Products I used:

  • MAC lilac eyeshadow in Beautiful Iris
  • Lancome Ombre Absolute eyeshadow in Black Blue
  • Sephora white eyeshadow from palette
  • MAC pigment in Vanilla
  • MAC eyelashes 33
  • Duo eyelash waterproof glue
  • ELF eyelid primer
  • Kryolan Glamour Sparks in golden
  • MAC brushes 208, 219, 231, 239 and 212
  • Smashbox Photo op under eye brightener
  • MAC eyebrow set (discontinued)
  • Maybelline One by one volum’ express mascara

Level of difficulty:

This week’s outfits – 25/05/2012

What a glorious day to finish off the week! I am just so happy it is warmer and the sun is out!

I started the week still trying to transition into my spring wardrobe, wearing tights and mixing some lighter pieces with black. I really love the print on Monday’s skirt, it has that watercolour/old china plate feel to it!

Thinking I was over neon was a big mistake, as Tuesday’s skirt proves (ok, it is not the neon lime high waist shorts and crop top combo I wore in the 90’s, but still). I am really into blouses, and this bow print one is a new acquisition!

And then there was Wednesday, when I officially broke my annual “psychological tights barrier” and put the legs out. I absolutely love this cream lace top dress; it is so feminine!

I am finding H&M is full of goodies for amazing prices lately; thumbs up for the collection. Thursday’s outfit is entirely from there, and comes to under a £10, yeah, you heard me, under a tenner!!!

To close the week, I wore a pretty Venice print dress, from last summer ( I have been in love with this dress since I bought it!) and decided to try something different with my hair: knotted plaits at the back.

So, enough talking, here are the goods:

Monday

Black top (H&M), blue flower print skirt (H&M), black patent court shoes (River Island), tiger ring (H&M), believe ring (Disney Couture), spike bracelet (New Look), MAC lipstick in Captive.

Tuesday

Bow print blouse (Primark), neon pink skirt (H&M), resin ring (Sobral), Nyx lipstick in Chloe.

Wednesday

Cream lace top dress (Primark), prince frog ring (New Look), taupe gold toe cap court shoes (Viviana), Nyx lipstick in Peach Bellini.

Thursday

Print sleeveless top (H&M), teal skirt (H&M), mint green silver toe cap shoes (Topshop), tiger ring (H&M), teardrops earrings (New Look), Nyx lipstick in Peach Bellini.

Friday

Venice print dress (New Look), nude peep-toe sling back shoes (Topshop), flower ring (a shop in Brazil), round rings (H&M), bracelets (a mix from H&M, New Look and Primark), MAC lipstick in Captive.

Have a lovely, fashionable weekend!

Outfits of the week 18/05/2012

I did very well – another week has finished, and five new work outfits have been documented…

I started the week quite into my monochromes plus red! Black, white and red – love this combination, at any time; it just makes me feel good, it might just be the red shoes!

The blouse I wore on Tuesday was bought so long ago and never worn – decided to give it a chance and really loved it!

Mid-week I decided  to step up (as much as I could) into the spring mood, so I threw in some pastels and plenty of flowers.

The feather blouse is one of my favourites, it was bought in the early autumn 2011, but it is so pretty and wearable I can’t get enough of it!

Another attempt to break into my spring wardrobe to close the work week: this pencil lace skirt is gorgeous, fits so well and it is from H&M Conscious Collection.

Monday

Striped sleeveless shirt (Primark), mini-skirt (H&M), zebra ring (New Look) and red patent court shoes (New Look)

Tuesday

Black ruffle blouse (Primark), black pencil skirt (H&M),  tiger ring (New Look), red patent shoes (New Look). Lancome lipstick Hot Stuff.

Wednesday

Black turtle neck top (New Look), nude lace culottes (Primark) , layered necklace (Accessorize), pink-ish butterfly ring (New Look), black patent courts (River Island).

Thursday

Feather pussybow blouse (Primark), black mini-skirt (H&M), frog ring (New Look), gold leaf earrings (shop in Paris), taupe and gold toe cap shoes (Viviana). MAC lipstick in Odyssey.

Friday

Black top (H&M), nude lace skirt (H&M), nude court shoes (M&S), nude hexagonal ring (New Look), black and gold ring (Sobral).

Eye make-up look challenge: rainbow

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

The sun has been out and I am in a more colourful mood. I always wanted to try rainbow colours in my eyes, but never had an occasion. as it is quite bold and not your week day in the pub kinda look. For that reason, I think my eye make-up look challenge is the perfect way of trying this!

Just as a reminder, the challenge is my way of venturing into looks I would probably never try; it is also a good practice for techniques.

I looked online for some inspiration, but ended up coming up with my version. I am not sure I would ever wear it, may be appropriate for carnival or other flamboyant occasion, but it ended up looking quite pretty – *maybe* I should have the black liner thinner (shhh, don’t tell anyone, I was going to, but had a little accident and as the six-colour blending was already in place, I decided to overlook the mistake and build it up a bit). Still I am very pleased with it. If I were to use this, I would probably slap some fake eye lashes on.

I didn’t have many problems, only blending the blue and green was a bit odd; I had to really pile eyeshadow on  and complement with eyeliner, which I also blended a bit, to get a good distinction of the colours and some definition.

It is a good practice for blending, as the colours are so distinct, and I experimented with a few brushes and eyeshadows rarely used before, so I am glad I tried… my word for it is vivacious, and it really cheered me up!

Products I used:

  • e.l.f. eyelid primer in sheer
  • beautyuk eyeshadow collection in number  2
  • Collection 2000 Extreme felt tip eyeliner in black
  • Smashbox Photo-op under eye brightener
  • MAC pigment in vanilla
  • MAC eyebrow set
  • Maybelline One by One mascara in black
  • MAC brushes  – eyes: 212SE, 219SE, 231, 217, 239SE, 208SE and 263; face: 190 and 167SE (the face brushes were used to clear spills and apply powder/brightener under the eyes)
  • Studio eyeliners in winter white, summer green and blue velvet
  • MAC eye kohl in smoulder

Level of difficulty: