It’s not often I admit I was wrong (Matt can confirm this…)

However I’m gonna hold my hands up high and admit that I was VERY wrong to write off Chanel Paradoxal as a “crap looking colour” Oops.

This is special. Yes you heard me right. Special.
A sophisticated sexy grape with depth and a multitude of finishes depending on the light.

The above is just one coat and as you can see it covers pretty well. Application is a cinch with just the right balance of liquid to cream, and to be honest that’s when my purse starts to not mind having spent the guts of £20 on it.

Two coats is ideal though and knocks it up a notch on the sexy scale.

If you’ve been considering Paradoxal but are yet to take the plunge I highly recommend you do. This will be an Autumn/ Winter staple for you and it’s still available here

xo

From 23rd – 25th July, Illamasqua’s skilled International Make-up Artists, Adam and Daniel will be in-store helping customers reveal their alter egos. So whether you’re looking for a fabulous look for your summer nights out, or simply inspiration to try something new, now is the time to call in the professionals!

Cool, confident and creative, the talented twosome have created stunning looks for catwalks across the world, and count the feisty Pussycat Dolls among their A-list clients.

And the best thing? You can enjoy Daniel or Adam’s expert creative attentions for half the normal price. All Make-up Lessons and Transformations booked on the dates mentioned above will cost just £10, which is fully redeemable on Illamasqua products following your session.

To book your appointment, call the Belfast team on 0289 0435582 today.

well it is for me anyway

As a full on brunette I have always been able to carry off black eyeliner/ mascara…. however in these bright summer days even I think its a bit harsh on someone of my colouring.

So when I spied the Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Rope Collection on sale in Debenhams I jumped at it. Not only does this give me a spare Zero (their black) for Autumn/Winter but it also contains Bourbon, a brown I’ve been wanting to try out for quite some time. Plus 24/7 has always been a winner for me and my watery eyes! It stays put!

When you consider that just one of these pencils full size is £10 it really is a bargain, I already own the bright colours VIP collection and find that these last around 2-3 months anyway even if used daily

From L-R Yeyo, 1999, Zero, Bourbon & Stash

These are all very wearable, I’ll use the white in my inner corner on occasion, and 1999 will fit in perfectly with my new love of all eyeshadows plum. Stash is also an amazing green/ gold, not unlike Illamasqua’s Solstice Liquid Metal tbh. This would make a gorgeous base used all over the lid.

The result of Bourbon on the waterline is really quite refreshing. Much softer and more season suitable IMO. I’m even thinking of trying out a brown mascara now which is something I would never have entertained :-O

Any suggestions ladies?

xoxox

Well, I think we all know my first experience with Illamasqua in Belfast was a less than positive one.

I took everyones advice in regards to asking for the foundation to be changed and contacted their head office. Within hours I had received confirmation of my email and a full apology for my treatment from the UK Communications Manager and within several hours after that a phone call from their HR Manager here in Ireland.

He was equally apologetic, to the point where I felt a bit embarrassed about complaining, and very generously offered to refund the incorrect foundation, arrange for an in store makeup lesson with one of the visiting London artists, a video of the lesson, and a new perfectly matched “complimentary” foundation.

I was impressed. A man of action. He took my problem, scrunched it into a ball, threw it in the bin and got out a nice clean sheet.

My appointment was arranged for 11am last Friday. I was actually slightly nervous before I arrived, a combination of feeling bad about the situation we were meeting under again and also the fact I knew my lesson was going to be recorded. Silly I know. Especially as when I arrived they were clearly expecting me and couldn’t have been more welcoming.

My makeup lesson was with Daniel, a stunning looking man originally from Malta, this lesson was not going to be a chore

Daniel asked me questions about what makeup I normally wore, colours, coverage etc and right away ruled out the Rich Liquid Foundation that had initially been sold to me as “much too heavy for your beautiful skin”, Jesus this man was good. By now I was like putty in his hands, he could have made me up like the Joker and I’m pretty sure I’d have thanked him profusely.

I gave Daniel free reign and he went for a fresh coral summer look. I was a little worried when he brought over coral eye shadow, its just never a colour I would think of for my lids. Cheeks or nails… yes, but never the eyes. I am so glad he tried it as its truly lovely on me, its adds warmth and opens up my eyes, I think it also accentuates the green in them.

Daniel’s technique in regards to blending was new to me too, he buffs EVERYTHING. Little small swirling motions, not a window wiper technique in sight. He did one eye, then I did the other, everything was shared, I thought this was fab.

Below are a few stills from the CD I received

We laughed so much, I made a complete hash of the eye liner on my side, but I wasn’t made to feel like an idiot. It was simply demonstrated again until I was happy I could recreate it myself. This is how it should be. I was learning something as well as feeling mighty pampered!

I ended up buying quite a bit, things that I didn’t buy that were used on me were:

• Erratic Medium Pencil, very creamy and blendable but right away I deduced if I rubbed my eye even lightly or was a little too warm this pencil would be halfway across my face. Its a no for me
• Pressed Powder, I’m perfectly happy with my Prestige one
• Thunder Eyebrow Cake, happy with what I’m currently using (post on this coming soon)

So what I did get

• Satin Primer SPF20
• Cream Foundation CF205 (Complimentary)
• Under Eye Concealer UC140
• Excite Powder Blusher
• Blame Powder Eye Shadow (matt)
• Tango Powder Eye Shadow (shimmer)
• Brink Lipstick
• Alarm Nail Polish
• Volume Mascara (since returned, not impressed)

L-R; Blame, Tango, Brink

The recorded lesson is a fabulous idea, I think more counters should offer this service. Not only is it nice to have but its useful too. I was able to look back over mine and see how high up he went with the crease shadow, little things like that.

Last Friday left me very impressed with Illamasqua, I’m now putting my initial experience down to launch day nerves. I’ve also had lots of comments since my inital post of people telling me how great their experiences have been which is brilliant

If there is anything you’re dying for a review on out of my haul, please let me know & I’ll put it to the top of the pile.

For now I’ll leave you with my finished makeover look, self consciously captured in a corner of New Look, I’m giving that Mannequin behind me a run for his money…….

xoxox

Love it, give me anything patent, I’m there. Mix in some tacky leopard print and I’m all over it. My husband despairs I am sure!

So when I spotted this gorge long purse from STAR by Julien MacDonald I just had to have it!

I bought it from Debenhams online, purse was £15, delivery £4.50 HOWEVER I used the current 20% off discount code which is PL7P and the free delivery code SHA1. Total paid £12.00

What is your guilty pleasure? xox