Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base Review

Hello Lovely ladies!!

Sun is shining and its time for another review! Todays review is NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base which is apart of the NARS’ core range.

I bought this for the great reviews I’ve heard and also to replace my Urban Decay Primer Potion to see if it would be better.

Both the Nars Primer and Urban Decay primer have a doe-foot applicator and the Nars Primer actually looks like a Lipgloss! It has the doe foot applicator brush and is in a long thin tube. It has a thin, slightly creamy consistency and in the tube it looks white but when applied and blended its quite clear and colourless.

Because it’s so clear it’s difficult to determine where you’ve applied the primer. It also dries very quickly. I’ve noticed that if I’ve missed an area, that area will look duller and not as smooth, since there is no primer there on a finished look. The problem is just it’s really difficult to tell if you’ve missed an area so you have to ensure that the entire lid is covered in one go when applying.

It does everything NARS says it should. Its:

• Lightweight, 
• Extends the wear, 
• Smoothes the surface
• Maximizes colour

I didn’t experience any budging, smudging, creasing, or movement when I applied my eyeshadows over it. It is a clear, matte primer that merely smoothes over the lid and acts to lock eyeshadows down onto the lid. Colours definitely looked brighter and held that freshly applied look throughout the day.

I also noticed that matte eyeshadows stayed looking matte and smooth and shimmer eyeshadows still retained that powdery shimmer. I’ve found with some primers that they can make matte shadows look cakey and shimmer shadows look creamy and shiny. The shadows retained their true colours. I’ve also noticed that on more mature eyelids the eyelids looked smoother and less heavy.

NARS Smudgeproof is most comparable to Urban Decay Primer Potion hence the reason I bought it! The consistency is very similar–they are both very thin and a little creamy.  However, NARS definitely feels more velvety once it dries.  Nars is slightly more expensive at £19 to Urban Decays £15 but between the two, I would choose NARS. Its easier to store in my case and the hard plastic tube means that there is little chance of breakage or leakage.

Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base costs £19 and you can buy from  http://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/complexion/primers/~/smudge-proof-eyeshadow-base


Hope this helps ladies!!

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Tint in Blush

Hello everyone!!

Elizabeth Arden Lip Tint in Blush

Just thought I would sneak in a little review about my most favourite Lip Balm ever since we know seem to be heading into Summer!!

I have 3 of these bad boys. One in my bag, one in my kitchen and one in my make up bag. Well you never know when you need it!

To be honest it wasn’t until I got a job on an Elizabeth Arden Counter back in 2005 that I first realised how great this brand actually was. It had (well to me anyway) slipped into stereotype that it was only for the older generation. I quickly grew to love the 8 hour cream and then when they brought out the hand cream I was ecstatic and then the lip balm!! Wow I was sold completely. After leaving the company this is something I still buy year after year.

Elizabeth Arden describes it as Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Lip Tint SPF15. Elizabeth Arden’s renowned Eight Hour® Cream in a super-protective, portable stick for lips. Enriched with emollients, protective sunscreen and vitamin E.

The colour looks orange in the tube to be fair and I was a little scared it would be orange on my lips, but it magically transforms into a lovely coral pink on the lips and is super sheer and moisturising and gives a amazing glossy finish. The only problem I had with it at first is the taste! It does taste nasty, exactly like the 8 hour cream, but once your use to it, its fine. I don’t even notice it now to be honest.

Blush on lips

The tube is plastic, but its fresh looking and is sturdy in your bag. I haven’t had one melt on me which is great and it applies really well.

I often use this colour on natural brides who are having a more rustic, natural wedding and want more of a minimalist look.

It doesn’t have the best staying power, but it’s a balm so ill give it some slack. It has great sun protection factor 15 and is a staple in my bag!

It retails officially at around £20 but you can pretty much buy this from anywhere and you can always get this really cheap from Superdrug, feel Unique etc but I have found the cheapest on Aamazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ELIZABETH-ARDEN-PROTECTANT-LIPSTICK-02/dp/B0014DXGSU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_beauty_2

How to Contour your Face with make up

I get asked a lot for a Kim Kardashian glow when I'm applying make up and I guess some people do not realise how much time and make up it actually involves!! So I thought I would show you how to do a quick and simple contouring to create a brightened slightly contoured look without wearing too much make up to get you started. Once you have cracked it, I will show you have to create a highly proffessional contoured look. 

All contoured ladies!

Firstly I am going to tell you what items you will need to recreate this look:

1. A light concealer 2 shades lighter than your skin colour. In the picture I used Luminess Air Concealer in Light Beige.

2. A dark concealer or foundation to create shadows. In the picture I used L’Oreal True Match in Cappuccino

3. Your normal foundation shade. In the picture I used L’Oreal True Match in Vanillia.

4. Your normal concealer shade. In the picture I used Dermablend foundation in Opal as a concealer.

5. 2 concealer brushes (1 for dark and one for light) and your normal foundation brush.

6. Finishing powder to set. I use Laura Mercier Translucent Finishing Powder.

Step by step.

bare face with just concealer under eyes and on blemishes

I start off by using my normal concealer to cover any spots or blemishes and a little to cover bags under my eyes. If you don’t suffer blemishes or have really dark circles you can miss this bit out!

Where to Contour

Above is the illustration we are trying to mimic when contouring. First start off with the light parts using your light concealer.

although the illustration takes the under eye down the sides of the nose to the lips, I prefer doing two triangles with flicks sort of like the Nike ticks going up to the eyes. This creates an upwards motion to the eyes and makes them appear more youthful. This is especially great if you have downturn eyes or hooded eyes, as it will lessen the effect.

I also create a triangle in the middle of the forehead, bringing a small straight line down the centre of the nose. Make sure this line is straight and even. I also place some the concealer on my cupids bow and the centre of my chin and a final stripe on my browbone just below my eyebrows.

Next take your dark colour. If you place your fingers to the join where your ear meets your face you will feel for the jaw bone. This is the line we want to follow. Draw your line from the ear down to the hollow of the cheek.

Next place the dark colour just below your jaw line in a downwards motion. This creates more of a shadow giving the illusion of a tighter, slimmer jaw line.

Also place two circles above your brow near the temples.

Place two very thin lines along the side of your nose by the sides of the light stripe you placed down the centre of the nose.

Take the lines up into the eye socket and along the crease and pull it out into your temples. Think eyeliner flicks but in your crease instead of the lash line. 

When you are done you will look a little like this!

unblended Contours

Now with your normal foundation brush. For this I use a real techniques buffing brush. Blend the colouring a little into the skin so that the lines are blurred.

Now take your normal foundation and lightly apply to your face buffing it into the contouring colours. Ensure that it’s all blended well. You shouldn’t be able to make out any stripes.

Finish with a covering of finishing powder and brush a soft pink colour onto the apples of your cheeks. For this I used illamasque blush in naked rose. For the finished picture below I also used Elizabeth Arden’s 8 hour tinted lip balm in blush and L’Oreal million lashes mascara in black.

Finshed look

So just for comparision I've put the before and after together. Notice how my face looks more 3D, my eyes look more almond shaped and the centre of my face looks brighter?

Before

After

MoroccanOil Hair Treatment Review

Hello ladies,

Today I thought I would write something about hair. I don’t normally cover a lot of hair products, but I thought I would add this review as its something I've recently tired and loved and I think it will benefit alot of brides to be. It’s the MoroccanOil hair treatment. It’s been the Winner of Best Hair Oil at the InStyle Best Beauty Buys 2013 and also Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2012 Winner: of Best Leave-in Treatment.

MoroccanOil for all hair types

  The company describes this oil as a styling, finishing and conditioning product for all hair types. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment is an ultra-light formula which is absorbed by the hair instantly, resulting in a natural, silky finish and brilliant shine without leaving a residue. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment has the ability to restore over-processed hair damaged by environmental factors and chemical procedures.

This Oil has a massive cult and celebrity following of the likes of Kim Kardashian, Charlize Theron, Rachel Bilson, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Natalie Portman, Lady Gaga and so on and so on! So there must be something to this oil!!

This beautiful oil smells amazing. I wouldn’t care of it didn’t help my hair because the smell alone is totally worth buying for. Not only do I love the smell, but also my husband cannot stop smelling my hair! Its smells so fresh and good just like you have stepped out of a very expensive salon.

The oil comes in various forms such as "light" for fine hair, but I am reviewing the original formula for all hair types which comes in two sizes 25ml for £12.85 and 100ml for £30.45 (www.feelunique.com).

Although expensive you really only need a small amount and you just need to focus the oil to the middle and ends of your hair. If you were to put the oil close to your roots and scalp your hair would get very greasy very quickly. The hair close to the roots is new and healthy and doesn’t need any help. The ends of your hair are very old and need the extra lift oils and treatments can give.

So after shampooing and conditioning my hair and once its not dripping wet and just wet-damp I apply a 5p sized dollop of the oil to the mid and ends of my hair, making sure its coated and distributed evenly. I leave for 5 mins and then comb through. I then blow dry my hair as normal.

I noticed immediately when blow drying that my hair was smoother and softer and didn’t tangle (I have very long hair). Once I had finished blow-drying my hair was light, baby soft and incredibly shiny. I decided to leave my hair down and quickly ran the strighteners over my hair. I noticed here that I didn’t need to use the strighteners as much as my hair seemed smoother and easier to style. My hair wasn’t "heavy" or "caked" as it sometimes feels whenever products are applied onto my hair.

Well the results blew me away. I normally finish with shine spray but I didn’t need to so I left this out. My hair was uber shiny and stayed straight and smooth all day. The amount of compliments I received was amazing and I was able to smell the gorgeous scent of my hair all day. You can also use this oil lightly once its been styled to smooth down flyaway hair or any frizz, but since I dont suffer from these I have just stuck to applying it to damp hair before styling.

I have also noticed that with regular use the oil is making my hair much healthier. It doesn’t get dry any more and it seems to be helping my hair cope with the daily onslaught of my hairdryer and brushing. I’ve really noticed my hair isn’t snapping as much.

If you are planning on wearing your hair down for your wedding day then this oil is an absolute must! Your hair will be in the best condition it’s ever been in and it will smell amazing all day.

Give it a try and find out and let me know what you think below!!

DIY Wedding Make Up for Hooded Eyes

When learning how to apply make-up to deep set eyes it's all about applying the eye shadow to the right places to balance out the eye. Just because you have hooded eyes doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to see your eyeshadow, you just need to place it carefully in the areas that you can see.

If you are unsure what eye shape you have check out my blog here on eyeshapes. Basically hooded eyes are where the upper brow hangs over the lower eyelid.

There are quite a few celebrities who have hooded eyes so take a good look at their eye make up for some inspiration such as Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, Supermodel Gisele, Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift. All exceptionally beautiful!

Using good make-up brushes when applying eye shadow to the eyes is vital and blending is very important. Real Techniques Base Eyeshadow set is great as it has all the tools you will need.

Below is a picture of the Gorgeous Taylor Swift and her look is perfect for hooded eyes. You can really see the different colours and how it really opens up the eyes. Here I am going to show you how to recreate the look.

Taylor Swift Rocking a cute Kitten Flick

First thing to do is to use an eye shadow primer all over the eye lids and up to brow socket, it will make application smoother and your eye make-up will last all day long, very important on your wedding day! I recommend Urban Decay eye shadow Primer Potion, but if you have discoloured eyelids then go for Benefit Cosmetics lemonaid.

After the primer has dried, use a light colour eye shadow that has a slight shimmer to it. I like MAC eye shadow in Shroom.  Apply it all over the eyelid right from the lash line to just below the brow bone (just above the eye socket) with a flat fluffy eye shadow brush. Also take the colour on the inner corner of the eye, up the side of the bone and under the lower lash line. Using a light colour eye shadow will help to bring out your eyelid and brighten the area and give a good base.

Take a mid-toned eye shadow, I like MAC eye shadow in Wedge or for a shimmer Mac eyeshadow in All that Glitters. You'll need to invest in a good eye shadow blending brush, I recommend Mac 217 as it’s the best around, but real techniques crease brush is a fantastic and cheaper alternative. Sweep the colour just above the crease and blend slightly downwards onto the eyelid and upwards onto the brow bone, the shading will recede the hood and will give you the illusion of colour on the eyelid. Make sure it’s all blended really well. You really shouldn’t be able to see a strip of colour. If you can see a strip, then blend a little more. Finish the eyeshadow section by taking a slanted eye shadow brush (again real techniques slanted brow brush is great) apply some of the mid tone eye shadow just on your lower outer lash line to balance out the colour.

Eyeliner is a must for hooded eyes. You can play a little here as there are some great eyeliner colours out there so you don’t need to stick to black. Try a grey or a brown or even a bronze.

A good eye make-up tip is to use a slanted eyeliner brush with a cream or gel liner as this will last longer than a kohl pencil. Macs Blacktrack is a good investment and will last you forever. But if you are a Kohl lover then Boujoris Waterproof eyeliner has amazing staying power. Apply the eyeliner so it's touching the lash line and take it up slightly at the outer corner of the eye. Try Ruby & Millie's i-Define Brush for this. You can then take a cotton bud and blend it a little so it creates a softer line or you can leave it bold and add a little flick at the ends. Tightline the eyeliner into the lash line. (Click here if you don’t know what tightlining is). To finish off, apply a highlighter eye shadow in the inner corners of the eye and very lightly just below the brow bone, MAC eye shadow in Phloof is perfect for this.

If you also have small eyes dont put black eyeliner on the waterline, as this will just make the eyes smaller. Although it may seem that Taylor has black on her waterline in the picture above but if you look closely you will see she doesnt. she has just cleverly used the eyeliner on her lashes and tightlining to give the illusion. another great trick you could use to really open the eye is by using a light creamish pencil on the waterline, this counteracts the darkness and makes the whites of your eyes brighter giving you a more open look. Benefit Cosmetics Eyebright is perfect, but alot of brands do a similar pencil.
 
Curl the eyelashes. I currently use tweezermans eyelash curlers and apply two coats of black mascara, always use waterproof mascara for weddings! L'Oreal Million lashes is my ultimate mascara. If you want a more dramatic look to your lashes you could a natural strip of false lashes. Eyelure Naturalites are brilliant. Apply just after your mascara so they stick to your natural lashes and apply a finishing coat of mascara to seal them together so they look the most natural.

I know I have used Mac eyeshadows in this post but for a cheaper alternative you could always try boots seventeen eyeshadows as I have always found these to be very long lasting but have a go at the look and let me know what you think!!

GlamGlow Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask Review

Hello lovely ladies!!

Well I just thought I would update with an amazing mud mask I have been using for around a month now and I'm seriously recommending it to all those brides out there. It’s the Glamglow Mud mask. Although it’s rather expensive this little jar is worth its weight in gold!

It has been around for some time and has a bit of a cult following. Usually I try products that have a cult following and end up a little disappointed but I was extremely happily surprised with this.

It’s described as Designed for Hollywood’s Entertainment, Music, Fashion and Award industries for camera-ready soft glowing skin. Dredged off the coast of Southern France, home to glamorous Cannes, St. Tropez and Monaco. GLAMGLOW is an amazing rapid gentle defoliant mud mask for men and women, high in ancient volcanic pumice rock, super antioxidants and minerals. GLAMGLOW’s moisturizing collagen synthesis is for the face, neck and décolleté. Sounds amazing huh!!

well the cult following has stars such as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Anniston, Miley Cyrus, Nina Dobrev and even Tommy Lee and Denzel Washington!!

It’s at the more expensive range of the scale costing £41 from Amazon for 50mls, but if they run out of stock as I think they will you can buy from good old Marks and Spencer for £22.50 for a 15ml jar and £49 for a 50ml jar. 

So why is this product so amazing?

Well when I first opened the jar it looked a little like baby poop (lovely!) but the smell was divine. It seems like such a little jar for the price but believe me you really don’t need very much. I gently smoothed it over my skin and realised it has a grainy texture and some very small green tea leaves (which you need to be careful as as the mask dries the leaves fall off!). After leaving for 15 mins until it was soooo dry and stiff my face felt unbearably tight, I gently removed with a warm flannel and warm water. The mask feels tingly as it dries and when removing you can feel the grains exfoliating as you wipe.

The results

I was instantly blown away the first time and then each time I have used it since. It gives a really noticeable fresh glow which lasts roughly 2-3 days. So noticeable that everyone has been commenting how amazing my skin looks. My skin is clearer, brighter, polished and radiating and my pores seem smaller and my skin is definitely more even.

I have noticed my make up looks better and goes on smoother and stays fresher for longer. A must for any bride to be!
 

For more information on the technology behind the product please check out the below you tube video!

http://youtu.be/wjBHH0-wc9A

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils

 

Since attending a Nars Masterclass I have been a little obsessed with their Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils. I have done a separate review for my favourite colour Mexican Rose which is a hot pink and you can check out here.

With that being said this is the first gloss lip pencils that I have reviewed or even used and let me tell you, the texture of the Nars Velvet Gloss is as exactly as described.  They keep lips hydrated and when you press your lips they feel plumper and they have amazing staying power. They contain vitamin E and hyaluronic spheres that help to hydrate lips and make them appear fuller. I have just started to use these on brides as they have great staying power and can look very natural and gorgeous. The one that I seem to use the most on brides is New Lover and reminds me of their orgasm blush with only a slight shimmer.

Nars states they are gorgeously glossy color in a jumbo lip pencil. Spectacular shine in an innovative, lightweight formula and enriched with Vitamin E plus a blend of moisture-rich hyaluronic spheres that make lips appear fuller.

• Ultra smooth, buttery feel on the lips
• Contains vitamin E, hyaluronic spheres and phytosterol esthers; ingredients known to moisturize, increase hydration and improve barrier function
• Convenient, easy application

The only downside with them is that they are pencils and so you have to sharpen them and firstly when I sharpened I got alot of colour waste. The solution to this I found is that if you put them into the fridge or preezer for 30 mins. They will harden and will sharpen amazingly well and will give little colour waste. 

Here are some of the colors swatches and their names below.

Nars Velvet Gloss (L-R) Cytere, Frivolous, Hopi, Happy Days, Mexican Rose, New Lower

DIY Lipglosses - two different ways

Hello Lovely Brides!

Sometimes I have a gorgeous pink eyeshadow or blusher colour that just doesn’t look so great on the eyes or cheeks. Instead of throwing them out try using them on the lips instead!

Here are two ways you can turn those eyeshadows and blushers into great lipglossees

DIY Coloured Lipgloss

I do this one a lot!! Simply because I know what colour I want and I can never seem to find it in the shop. So instead of buying lots of lipglosses I will never really wear I buy a plain clear lip gloss and add the colour myself.

1. Remove the stopper inside of the clear lipgloss tube.

2. Select an eyeshadow and scrape the top to create a powder.

3. Take a piece of paper and fold in half to create a strong fold crease and tip the powder into the crease.

4. Place the crease end of the paper against the top of the clear lip gloss and tip the powder into the gloss.

5. Replace the stopper and using the lipgloss brush mix the powder into the gloss thoroughly.

6. Apply to the lips. 

If the colour isn’t strong enough add more powder as per steps 2-5.

DIY Lip Gloss

This step takes a bit more time, but it’s worth it as you don’t have to keep buying clear lip glosses!!

Firstly make sure you have some little containers about. Pillboxes are great, but you can also buy little pots from Ebay and cosmetic wholesalers such as Sally’s. 

1. Put some petroleum jelly into a bowl and heat gently in a microwave until it’s a soft liquid. 

2. Scrape your eyeshadow or blusher to a powder and add to the petroleum jelly and mix together. I use the end of a make up brush for the mixing.

3. As I can’t stand the taste of petroleum jelly I add a few drops of vanilla extract, but you can also add honey, mint, cinnamon or for a lip plumping a pinch of cayenne pepper and mix that in to the jelly (this will give you that bee sting effect and your lips will be a little plumper).

4. Transfer the jelly into your pill box or container, pop the lip on and place into the fridge to cool.

I hope these give you a little inspiration to try something new!! you never know you might just find that amazing holy grails of lip gloss!!

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose

Good Morning lovely Ladies and thanks for checking out my blog!

After attending a Nars Masterclass I feel I have been converted to this gorgeous but much underestimated brand and was a great time to try out new things which I wouldn’t normally go for. Nars velvet gloss lip pencils are one of them. I have reviewed and swatched them on this review here, but I thought that Nars Mexican Rose needed a review all of its own as I have completely fallen in love.

Nars Mexican Rose £17.50

Now my friends and hubby all know that I love Red Lipstick. It’s my go to colour when I'm wearing black or need to perk up my face (I wear Benefit Cosmetics Zero Guilt). It suits my look and personality perfectly, but the red lipstick has a real contender in Mexican Rose.

Mexican Rose

Nars describes it as gorgeously glossy color in a jumbo lip pencil. Spectacular shine in an innovative, lightweight formula and enriched with Vitamin E plus a blend of moisture-rich hyaluronic spheres that make lips appear fuller.

• Ultra smooth, buttery feel on the lips
• Contains vitamin E, hyaluronic spheres and phytosterol esthers; ingredients known to moisturize, increase hydration and improve barrier function
• Convenient, easy application

 From the first time I wore it I knew I loved it. Unlike red lipstick which needs time to be applied right, Mexican Rose is simply sweeped onto the lips. The initial colour is sheer but after 3 coats its gives a strong and bright, flawless colour.

Mexican Rose doesn’t feel drying or slick and doesn’t bleed (thank god!). It has a glossy satin finish and doesnt feel sticky.  It also has ultimate staying power. After applying at the beginning of a night out, it lasted without me reapplying through a meal, 2 bottles of wine, kissing my hubby, make up remover, facewash and when I woke up the next day I could still see it on my lips!! Gosh!!

The colour is described as a hot pink and I would say that is spot on. It’s like a suitable hot raspberry pink (if that makes sense!) and made my teeth look whiter and brighter. 

If the full on pink is just too much then you can apply one coat and then blot with a tissue to get a suitable pink stain which looks very pretty.

 

The pencil was great in my little clutch and is thinner and less messy than a lip gloss. The only downside is that as it’s a pencil you do need to sharpen every now and then, but a great little trick to stop wasting any colour when you sharpen is to pop the lip pencil into the fridge or freezer for 30 mins before you sharpen. It will sharpen much nicer and wont waste the colour.

Although it’s a little expensive at £17.50 it will last you a lot longer than a lipgloss or lipstick and for the quality and finish of the product it’s really worth buying.

Nars Mexican Rose can be bought from http://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/color/lips/lip-pencils/velvet-gloss-lip-pencil/mexican-rose