I had one of those £5 off vouchers to use in Boots. Y’know the ones. My bag is always swimming with them though they’re rarely used. No7 just fails to ever truly impress me.

I did however want to try the new Exquisite Curl mascara, it’s been getting rave reviews and I’m trying to kick my L’Oreal Voluminous habit for good (animal testers…). With the voucher the mascara cost me £8. Fair enough. They were also running a gift with purchase, buy the mascara and get a free Define & Shimmer Eye Palette.

Tbh I clocked the colours and kinda wrote it off as “one to give to Mum”

I was wrong. After having a little play with it this morning it’s actually a really pretty palette. Perhaps more autumnal in hue than Spring/ Summer but really very nice all the same. There was minimal fall out (the majority from the lightest colour) and it was super easy to blend. I’m impressed, even more so because it didn’t cost me anything

As for the mascara, I really really like. I don’t think it gives curl AT ALL but it does give flattering volume and builds nicely without clumping. The only small negative is that it really does take you to pump the wand before use to get the curved brush coated adequately in product. Not ideal but hardly the end of the world.

Thumbs up No7. You’re back on my radar

What am I “tee-hee” ing at? It was actually the realisation that I was standing in a sea of books and cables, thats what you sign up to when you marry a geek

• Angora Mix Oversized 80′s Jumper (Heart & Soul) – New Look
• Black Ski Pants – George @ Asda
• 3/4 Bikeresque Boots – Peacocks

Such a find, these boots are really inexpensive, especially with Peacocks generous 20% discount! They fill the gap that I had in the 3/4 length boot department, and are reasonably comfortable too.

My Make-up today…. all about the pink

Face

Revlon Colormatch in Light
Benefit Boi-ing in 2
MAC Tippy Blush

Eyes

MAC’s Girlie, Expensive Pink & Cranberry e/s
MAC Mulch e/s to blend out the crease

Lips

Stila Lip Glaze

Hope everyone’s having a good weekend!

xox

After a week thats consisted of cleaning up TOO MUCH boke & lots of broken sleep, I was literally chomping at the bit to get out.

So my drinking buddy friend Karen and I headed into Belfast last night, hitting The Spaniard and White’s Tavern. It was such a mild October night (or perhaps that was all the alcohol) that everyone was sitting outside and there was even a BBQ on the go!

Good times

Face of the Night

Products Used

Face

L’Oreal Studio Secrets Primer
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation & Concealer in Desert Beige
ELF Shimmer Bronzer
NARS Laguna
NARS Outlaw Blush

Eyes
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Paint Pot in Blackground
MAC Retro-Speck (all over lid) Still not “overly” struck on this
MAC Black Tied (outer 1/3)
MAC Silver Ring (to blend out crease)
MAC White Frost (highlight)
Too Faced Gold/Black Glitter Liner (this actually stings my skin :S)
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara <3

Lips
No7 Nude Liner
MAC Angel Lipstick
Chanel Lipgloss

Crack a smile love!

Outfit of the Night

I am beyond delighted to say that the last time I wore this dress was just over  3 years ago. It’s a UK size 12 and I couldn’t even get it pulled down over my thighs this time 2 months ago. Believe me, I tried!!

I haven’t been worrying about my weight or dieting. I’m just eating well and running, and it’s paying dividends in regards to my shape, tone and general health. I feel great

Dress – George @ Asda
Shoes – New Look (pic doesn’t do them justice, these are glittertastic!)
Bag – Miss Selfridge

I think I might do a Youtube tutorial for the make-up…. and maybe a little shoe haul video too…..

xox

It suddenly occurred to me this afternoon that I had promised to post pictures of Barry M’s Strawberry blush “last weekend” *slaps wrist*

Better late than never eh?!

In Natural Light

Under Flash

Same great, almost creamy consistency as the Raspberry but imo more suited to the brunettes amongst us. This is a potent colour, I literally used a smidgen and it’s pretty full on as you can see. I’ll hazard a guess and say this would be very over-powering on a blonde/ redhead.

xox

Well it’s actually yesterdays Face of the Day but we’re not about to fall out over a little stretch of the truth…right?

Crack a smile love!!

Working the "Lollipop26 pose"

Face

• Dior Forever Foundation Shade 010
• ELF Mineral Glow in Shimmer to set

Eyes

• ELF Studio Eye Primer
• ELF Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick in Black/ Smoke
• Rimmel The MAX Volume Flash Mascara in Ultra Black
• MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked

Lips

• MAC Angel Lipstick
• Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Buff

I’m really impressed with the new ELF Studio Line, in particular the Eyeliner & Shadow Stick, it applies with great pigmentation and a smooth finish. Zero drag to the delicate eyelid which gets a big thumbs up from my 30 year old peepers. I’ll be ordering the other 2 shades available and I hoping they expand this range.

I can also highly recommend the Eye Primer. I must admit that I was really sceptical about this product, but at £3.50 I thought it was worth a whirl. It’s a thick concealer type consistency and comes in stick form. I applied it under my eye makeup about 10am yesterday morning and took this picture late last night.

As you can see there is no creasing which is impressive as it was a humid rainy day here. Yes, the shadow has dispersed slightly but that’s to be expected after a full days wear.
It actually held up better for me than Too Faced, which creases hideously on me after anything over 8 hours wear.

If you’re on a budget you need this primer!

xoxo

MAC Natural Flare E/S Quad

Products Used

Face

• Benefit “That Gal”
• MUFE HD Foundation in 117
• Dior Loose Powder 001
• NARS Albatross (Cheekbone Highlight)
• Benefit Coralista as Blush

Eyes

• UD Primer Potion
• MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque (Lid)
• MAC Color Craft Quad in Natural Flare
• MAC Vanilla (Brow Bone)
• MAC Eye Brow Crayon in Spiked
• Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster Lash Primer
• Bourjois Coup de Theatre 2 in 1 Mascara (Clump City!!)

Lips

• No7 Lip Liner in Nude 20
• Stila Lip Glaze in Nutmeg Spice

xox

I am in serious love with two products in my make-up collection at the moment.

Meet my latest squeeze(s)….. NARS Crazed Blush & MAC Lustering Lipstick.

Both are seriously pigmented rich raspberry tones. Some could argue that really you should probably only wear one or the other to avoid overkill. They would be the type of people I don’t listen to….

I just don’t blush, I may feel warm or embarrassed but my cheeks never colour, but if they did I would want them to turn this shade of pink.

It gives the most gorgeous pretty & healthy looking flush and I feel totally girly when I wear it. It is ridiculously pigmented though, so you do need to apply sparingly, there is a fine line between a flush and a clown… which I found out on first application

As for Lustering Lipstick, this was recommended to me by Emma of the Magpiesparkles fame, thank you Emma!!

It’s definitely a “my lips but better” shade for me.  It’s also my first ever Lustre finish MAC lippy and it definitely won’t be my last. It’s very pigmented but its not heavy or drying on the lips, tbh it feels much like lip balm when on.

What do you think? Would you wear both together? Any suggestions for other MAC lippies I might like?

xoxo

Well folks, I may have to eat my words here…… as through gritted teeth I must confess that the Sleek Safari Palette isn’t half bad…. in fact its pretty great.

Under Flash

The pay off from the majority of shadows in the palette is superb, to the point where you might like to use a light hand!

The colours in the palette are also well chosen. I found it pretty effortless to pair colours that would compliment each other, always a good sign, and the shadows are easy to work with and blend.

The only thing I can really find to criticise is the fact that the palette does get quite messy (like the others) as the shadows break down very easily. However that really is me looking for a flaw

£4.99 well spent xox

The weather doesn’t seem to know what to do in Northern Ireland this week!

We’ve had a few dark and dreary afternoons and in an effort to give myself a lift this morning I decided to break out a bit of colour.

I used MAC Bright Future on the inner half and MAC Vibrant Grape on the outer, both of which are from the current Style Warriors collection . They both look a bit scary in the pan but as you can see, applied direct to the lid and minus any kind of base they are actually a lot more muted and wearable. Vibrant Grape looks almost pinky purple and Bright Future more gold than yellow.

L-R; Vibrant Grape, Bright Future

That was pretty much it barr a thick coat of L’Oreal Voluminous to the lashes, which is apparently being re-promoted due to demand!! Fabulous news if that is indeed true as I adore this mascara.

I kept the colour purely to the lid, after all it is just an ordinary Thursday and I’ve been doing things like the school run and shopping. If I take it up into the socket it all starts to look a bit more “night club”……

Really simple, quick and easy to do but I think fun, bright and effective. Instant eye & mood lift

xoxox

Or rather Face of the Night…..

Yesterday evening Matt & I went out for an Indian meal with friends. It was another sunny scorcher in Northern Ireland so I was able to break the pins out for a change

The dress is from New Look (’08) and the last time I was able to fit into it was actually last summer on our honeymoon. So I’m chuffed to bits that it fits me again!

Belt is from Dorothy Perkins, sandals from Bertie (’08), so so comfy. Jewellery was a mix of New Look & Primark.

I didn’t have time, or tbh the inclination to tan up this week and so my subtle glow is all thanks to good aul Rimmel Sun Shimmer. I thought it turned out really well, no streaks and yet it removed the pastiness and left a nice little colour. Result!

Make-up was my LM Tinted Moisturizer and Illamsqua Enrapture on the eyes smoked out with a little Rimmel & MAC.

I lined the waterline in UD Lust and used black & gold glitter liner from Too Faced on the upper lash line.

Mascara was the 3 in 1 from Barry M and under the eyes I used a smidge of Benefit Erase Paste to brighten.

Cheeks were Benefit Coralista with No7 Peach Highlighter, and finally lips were Illasmasqua Brink with Stila Glaze in Cinnamon (my current fave lip combo).

Phew, thats a lot of slap!! Always go a bit overboard for a night out

xoxox

I’m meant to be rushing out the door to Granny’s as I type this, however I knew you’d all appreciate an Easter Sunday Face of the day

The liquid liner featured in the pics is the GOSH Extreme Art in 10.

This is the first time I have applied this product and the jury is out, love the effect, odd formulation though. It is quite gloopy and I found I got a lot of transfer onto my actual eyelashes. Think I’ll need to mess about with this and perhaps load less on the brush….. early days tho!

Eyeshadow is basically all MAC, Woodwinked & All That Glitters on the lid, with Contrast smoked into the outer crease and a touch of Mulch. Mascara… need you ask? L’Oreal Voluminous

As you can see the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment is phenomenal………..

Just kidding

Credit for the locks goes to my 22″ Synthetic Jessica Simpson HairDo <3
Totally coveting the human hair version though however its super pricey at around £250 in the UK.
The pic below is how it looks from the back, I think it looks great for the money! I paid £30 for this one.

Gotta dash, I’ve a Creme Egg waiting on me
Have a great day folks xoxoxo

As promised, this is my FOTD using Estee Lauder’s Sand & Sea Eyeshadow Palette from the recently released Bronze Goddess Collection.

I’ve kept the blue to the lower lashline and the warm golds to the main lid. I have tried a number of different combinations but find that mixing the main turquoise with any of the other colours actually turns it quite an unattractive muddy green.

Therefore this palette isn’t as versatile as I had first thought, however the two blues on the main lid still look amazing together & any of the other colours work well on the lower lashline.

I love this particular look though, I instantly feel summery and bright & I think it works well with my dark hair

Products Used

Face

• Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation in Desert Beige
• Estee Lauder Doublewear Concealer in 02 Light Medium
• MAC MSF in So Ceylon to contour
• NARS Orgasm Blush
• MAC Belightful to highlight

Eyes

• UDPP with MAC Painterly Paint Pot on top (base)
• Gold Nugget (main lid)
• Ginger Drop (inner 1/3 of lid)
• Bronze Cube (crease & outer corner of lid)
• Tea Biscuit (brow bone)
• Turquoise (lower lashline)
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Lips

• Prestige Lightshine Sheer Gloss Liner (all over lip) in Lily

xoxox

My skin hasn’t been great, combination of a certain “budget” beauty product (more of that to come) and impending time of the month, however I made the effort to put a full face on today and really felt the benefit of it.

The sticky base I used was MAC’s Cream Colour Base in Fresh Morning (a mauve). I paired two of my fave Barry M Dazzle Dusts 34 & 89. No 89 is one of those Dazzle Dusts that you might overlook, I think it looks boring in the pot, however once swatched it comes alive, a beautiful minky lilac duochrome. In general Barry M’s description names destroy me, they rarely conjur up a good representation of the actual colour (in my mind anyway).

Top 34 Cherry, 89 Oyster Grey

Left 34 Cherry, 89 Oyster Grey

I am wearing MUFE HD Foundation in 117 which really is probably my fave foundation of the moment, MAC Select Cover Up to cover blemishes and Benefit Thrrrob, gives a lovely subtle colouring to the cheeks and grows on me every time I apply it.

Under the lower lash line I have a thin line of NYX Jumbo Pencil in French Fries just to warm the purple tones up, they can look quite cold on me otherwise.

Liquid Liner is Rimmel’s Exaggarate which I find increasingly difficult to work with, I find it hard to get an opaque enough coverage with this, but I like the applicator so put up with it.

Lipstick is MAC Angel, a firm favourite.

xox

FOTD

Todays look was classic and glamourous wihout being OTT. Neutral eyes with a strong lip.

It’s a common misconception that you must always wear eyeliner or smoke it out in order to play up your eyes, a simple neutral eye with good shading and black mascara will not only open up your eyes but also make you look fresh and youthful.
Lets face it we can all be doing with a bit of that

Its’s easy to achieve and to apply, however it does require a pigmented lip so lip gloss alone may not be enough…..don’t fear the lippy!!!
I’d also suggest spending a little longer than you may normally applying your foundation, for this look you want your skin to be as flawless as possible, make sure everything is well buffed into the skin and go back in with concealer over any problem areas (such as dark circles under the eyes). Use a transluscent powder to set all your good work

This is also a fab and fuss free way to go from a day in the office to a night out with the girls. By simply applying winged liquid liner and some scarlet red lipstick you’ll morph into a pin-up girl!

Products Used

Face

• MUFE Make-Up Forever HD Foundation Shade 117 (will review this in depth soon)
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (under eyes “after” foundation)
• MAC MSF So Ceylon (cheekbones)
• NARS Blush Outlaw (apples)

Eyes

• UDPP (base)
• NYX Jumbo Eye Shadow Pencil Milk (over lid up to crease, any pale eye crayon will, Miss Sporty do some nice ones or Barry M)
• MAC Vanilla (crease up to brow, again any cream highlight eye shadow colour will do)
• MAC All That Glitters (apply a good amount all over the main lid)
• MAC Soft Brown (buff it lightly into the crease and outer corner, should be very subtle with no harsh lines)
• NYX Pigment Nude (inner third of lid & under lower lashes, use any sparkly pigment that is a light cream/gold, Barry M do lots, again Miss Sporty has some for £1.99 each and they are more than up to the job)
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black

Lips

• NYX Round Lipstick in Topaz
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/20/all-that-glitters/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/16/sunshine-on-a-rainy-day/ http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/16/sunshine-on-a-rainy-day/#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:31:11 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=936

How could anyone not be feeling blue with the constant turd weather in the UK at the moment?

It feel like the sun hasn’t shone in forever, so I decided to bring a bit back using some funky yellow glitter & eye shadow.

I really like the result, has a rock chick edge to it. I’m a big fan of using bright colours on the lid, especially if you don’t take it into the crease. It makes it a bit cheeky and fun, when you have your eyes open you can barely see the colour, then glance down and BAM! it hits you. The Yellow is actually a MAC glitter and its amazing in real life, however I couldn’t quite capture the brilliance on my camera.

Its just for fun today but I would wear it if I was going out clubbing, sadly I was just doing a shop and the school run, decided it might be a bit much for the reserved folk in Ballyholme



My Posh Pout





Products Used

Face

• No 17 Colour Correcting Cream
• Revlon Color Stay Foundation 180 Sand Beige
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (under eyes)
• MAC MSF So Ceylon (buffed over the entire face & heavily on cheekbones)

Eyes

• UDPP (base)
• Yellow Eye Shadow from Coastal Scents Original 88 Palette
• MAC Glitter Brilliants Crystalled Yellow
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black
• Eyelure False Lashes Glamour

Lips

• Stila Lip Gloss Cinnamon (Coleen Rooney wore this on her wedding day… random fact x)
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/16/sunshine-on-a-rainy-day/feed/ 6 http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/14/who-knew/ http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/14/who-knew/#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:11:57 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=915

I actually quite like MAC’s Patina eye shadow.

I’ve had this in my collection for a while, never use it, can’t quite recall what made me reject it but I’m assuming I thought it was quite boring as its a muted taupe.

I’ve paired it with MAC Sable in the crease and I think I’ll be pairing it with quite a few other things in the future, I’m becoming a real fan of the frost finish…. hmmmm wonder what it looks like over a darker base……



So what’s lying at the bottom of your make-up drawer? Resurrected anything lately? Share! xox

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