Loving:

• MAC Patina Eyeshadow on the lid with MAC Print blended into the Outer V – A wee buns killer combo!
• Topshop Neon Rose Cream Blush – Cute and flattering on my dry skin
• Barry M Wink Eyeliner – It’s still love. Lazy lovely liner
• My H&M Gilet – Wearing it everywhere other than bed!

Not Loving:

• L’Oreal True Match Foundation – Let me count the ways I loathe thee. Horrible smell, consistency, colour AND it broke me out like crazy
• The cold – Brrrrr! Nuff said
• My bank balance – YIKES!

xo

We all know it makes sense don’t we? Yet for some reason when we see that new MAC Collection pop up online we can’t help ordering somewhat blind.

Recently I’ve really wised up and put the foot down. I dread to think of the hundreds (maybe thousands eeek) I’ve wasted on make-up that I thought looked gorgeous on a computer monitor/ in a bottle/ on a sticker!?!  but of course is actually completely different IRL.

I’ve no one to blame but myself. Testers are everywhere. Granted some of the high end counters can be “funny” (and no, not in the haha way) about giving them out. However I’ve come to the conclusion that if a sales assistant truly believes the product is as good as she is claiming, then she won’t blink twice at giving you a sample. After all, logically you’ll be back to purchase the full size bottle/ shadow/ cream etc.

This has worked really well for me recently. Estee Lauder in particular displayed excellent customer service by refusing to foundation match me on a dull day under artificial lights in Debenhams, Belfast. Instead she gave me generous samples of both the shades she felt I would fall into and told me to “try them, and see how they wear for you in the next few days”I did exactly that, and went back just under a week later and bought the full size from her. Now that’s smart business.

The other place where you can perhaps “try before you buy” a little more freely is of course your local Boots/ Superdrug. Not all of them provide wipes to remove said testers from the back of your hands tho, so my advice is to carry a travel size pack in your handbag.

I can spend over an hour in my local Superdrug and I don’t have any pushy MA looking over my shoulder, trying to force a sale. I swatch and wipe, swatch and wipe. If I try something I like, I leave the store, go do something else (….shopping!!) and then re-evaluate an hour or so later. Does the colour still look good? Has it worn off? Is it creasing? A lot of the times it will look rubbish and I’ll have saved myself £5 – £12 ish. Not to be sniffed at in the current economic climate!

The most recent example of victory for the “try before you buy” thinking was yesterday. GOSH cosmetics have a whole new smokey collection in Superdrug. Part of which is the stunning “Night Passion” Nail Polish you see below. Look how sumptiously gothic and rich it is in the bottle…..

Now look at my thumb nail…. not so beautifully black and beautiful looking is it? Granted the glitter shavings are lovely, and they really do catch the light. However the polish formulation is like dish water. I applied a second coat and it was little better. Needless to say I walked out without purchasing and £6 better off.

How utterly crap it actually is was confirmed again later that evening when I glanced down to see it all but chipped off! How disgusting is that colour? Yuck! Narrow escape.

So the moral of the story is “try before you buy” and if they refuse to let you try, chances are it’s probably a bit rubbish anyway! 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

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

The wanderer returns!!

Well to be completely honest I returned late last Thursday night but I haven’t had a chance to blog since.
Unfortunately I was unwell over the weekend, if you follow me on Twitter you’re probably sick of reading about my ailments but fear not, I’m much more chipper now!!

As the cunning detectives amongst you might realise by now, I was in London last week as a VIP (ooooer get me) Invite of Barry M’s Exclusive Beauty Bloggers Event! And as if that wasn’t exciting enough, I also arranged to meet my online Weightwatchers buddy Kelly for the very first time! We met just outside Kings Cross Station & I honestly felt like I was meeting a blind date, minus the red rose and copy of the Times!

Kelly & I

We spared no expense with our hotel and ended up at the 5 star Easy Hotel in Earls Court……… ok ok so its probably the cheapest hotel in London but in its defense it was clean & comfortable and left us plenty of wonga to spend on Make-up!! Our room was 9ft square I believe, and that included the bathroom. Bijou!!! We both agreed that although a bit “orange” we would definitely stay in an Easy Hotel again. It was 15 mins on the Tube from the city centre and the area itself felt friendly and safe, really what you want as females.

The Tuesday night Kelly and I went to Fire & Stone in Convent Garden where we had delicious pizzas and drinks and took joy in not counting a single Weightwatchers point! We were totally off duty

The Wednesday was the day of the Barry M event and en route we met up with Emma and took a detour to Harrods where we wandered aimlessly ooohing and aaahing at various luxuries, and generally behaving like tourists. We also took the opportunity to go to MAC Pro in Fouberts Place, our thinking behind this being that it would be quiet and we’d avoid the inevitable squash after the event. This paid off, MAC Pro was all but empty and I managed to be restrained and only purchase one thing, I’m sure I would have spent more if I’d been in the company and under the influence of lots of other bloggers

Emma & Kelly

Soon after that we walked to Piccadilly where we had arranged to meet a lot of the others, as we rounded the corner I couldn’t help but feel a bit awed. After all, the people I was seeing and meeting were Guru’s and bloggers that I’ve been watching and reading for almost a year now. I think it’d be fair to say I was a little star struck

We all dandered around to Madame Jo Jo’s in Soho where the event was being held and thats where the real fun began! Barry M quite literally spoilt us, with an array of delicious cupcakes, finger food, drinks and cabaret.

We met Barry M himself, who I had always secretly been convinced was Barry Manilow! Oooohhhh Mandy!!…. but no, he is in fact a regular Londoner who much like Alan Sugar, started out with a market stall (except his sold make-up) in the 80′s and built that into a successful business and the booming brand it is today. Although his son now officially runs the company Barry is still very much hands on.

Barry M was warm, friendly and fun, much like the brand. Although no giant, I can’t help but link him to the phrase “larger than life”. Every time I clocked him, he was either laughing raucously, cracking a joke or simply beaming from ear to ear. He’s certainly no boring big wig. I met a family man with a zest for his brand and life!

We were treated to an exclusive preview of the new Barry M TV Advert & an introduction to Club M. Barry M’s new and exciting social networking site aimed specifically at us Beauty Junkies! If you haven’t already you can sign up here to be part of the unfolding fun!

Some how (I blame you Lisa!!!) I managed to get involved in the makeover competition which was a great ice breaker and a general all round giggle. The lovely Caroline made me up beautifully using an array of Barry M products, along with 3 other bloggers who were doing the same with their victims volunteers. The Winners Natalie and Samantha Chapman (of Pixiwoo fame) were treated to coverage by NOW Magazine, so keep an eye out for that! Only slightly jealous girls!

Make-up by Caroline

Samantha & I with our sizeable heads.....

I also met Anna Saccone of the Style Diet, who was an absolute doll (as I knew she would be), and her equally adorable boyfriend Jonathan Joly who was snap happy throughout the event!

At the end of our lovely afternoon we were all presented with a Barry M Goodie Bag. I have to confess to randomly shouting “Goodie Bag” while clapping my hands like some kind of demented seal when it was announced they were about to hand them out. You can take me nowhere!

Goodies consisted of;

• Barry M Skinny Tee
• Make-up Bag
• Mirror Compact
• Purple Eye Candy Kit
• Nail Polishes in Block Orange, Fuchsia, Bright Purple, Mint Green & Acid Yellow
• 4 Dazzle Dusts including a very special VIP one created exclusively for us VIP’s
• 2 Fine Glitter Dusts
• Natural Dazzle Bronzer (which I have misplaced….. oops)
• 3 in 1 Intense Black Mascara
• Electric Purple Mascara
• Black Eye Kohl
• Aqua Green Eye Liner Pen
• Turquoise Liquid Liner
• Silver Glitter Liner
• 4 Lip Paints
• Glossy Tube in a Nude Pink

I really shouldn’t complain but the Skinny Tee…… Am I alone in thinking Size Medium???? Medium Toddler is all I can assume, its tiny!!!!

My favorite item so far (I’ve yet to open half of it) is definitely the VIP Dazzle Dust. They made 2 VIP colours especially for us, a lilac and a blue, both of which will never be available in the shops. To a Make-up Addict like me, thats a pretty cool thing to own

Afterwards I think everyone was in agreement that shopping was the order of the day. Sadly we couldn’t stick together as there was quite simply just too many of us! I also didn’t fancy wandering about following people like some kind of lowly sheep, so we all seemed to break off into smaller groups. I couldn’t have went shopping with a nicer group of girls; Saskia, Kelly & Holly. We did have another Holly with us for a short period but she went AWOL in Topshop!

L-R; Me, Holly, Kelly & Saskia

We pretty much shopped until we literally dropped into a Garfunkels for a re-fuel & a goodbye to Saskia who had to catch her train home to Scotland. We didn’t stop there though, after waving her off we were shopping again!!! Finally we holed up in the Slug & Lettuce Bar with tender feet & in Holly’s case actually distressed shoes! until it was time for her tube home.

Then Kelly and I headed down to Convent Garden where we had a few more drinks in the Punch & Judy on what was a gorgeous balmy night in London.

Overall it was such a brilliant event. I feel very privileged to have been invited and it was lovely to put names to faces and to geek out together on our shared passion of Make-up

xoxo

Pssst! Competition looming

I have quite a number of varied make-up friends on Twitter, Facebook and more oddly perhaps real life.
And for some reason today, they’ve all decided to have a good ole moan about what a waste of money MAC, Boobi Brown, YSL, Laura Mercier (bascially the high end) make-up brands are.

Now this isn’t strictly true, its a crazy generalisation in fact, however what is correct is that within all brands some of the products just aren’t worth the money. If a concealer costs you £20 and doesn’t conceal its not worth £20, equally if it cost you £2 and doesn’t conceal its not worth £2. What I’m trying to say (rather badly) is that if a make-up product simply doesn’t perform and do what it claims then its not worth ANY amount of money.

I’m a big fan of things that work, which is why you see all manner of brands on my blog. I love some high end things such as MAC eye shadows, great pay off, last a good length of time, easy to blend. However if NYX made the same shadows and they did all this I’d buy theirs instead because they are cheaper. It’s not rocket science.

On the flip side I love Revlon’s Color Stay foundation, it takes the tiniest amount to give me a good coverage, blends well without giving a flat finish and minimal transfer, its half the price of MAC’s Studio Fix which I don’t rate and I think makes my skin look dull. No brainer.

Take more time testing products, especially the higher end brands. Any counter with integrity will gladly give you a tester amount of their foundation which you can use for a few days. Book in for free no obligation makeovers, take a notepad and pen, jot down things you like in the store. Don’t buy. Now go about your day with the make-up on, in day light, office, home etc and at the end of the day make a new list and see what you’re still impressed with. Chances are a few of the things you “loved” and “just had to have” will be getting a big fat line scored through them.

In the chemists like Boots & Superdrug, swatch the testers on your hands. Leave and do other shopping, see how the colours look over the course of an hour or two. If you still like them after this amount of time go back and purchase.

Online, order sample sized jars or sample kits from make-up companies (most good ones now offer this), search for discount and free delivery codes. Peruse swap sites for things you think you might like but don’t want to spend money on in case they don’t suit you.

There’s only ever a few times where you really need to panic buy, for example you’re going out in 2 hours with the girls and you really can’t find your liquid eyeliner or red lipstick. Fair enough.
Any other time though you really should take time to think on purchases, that initial rush you feel about buying is just that. A rush of adrenalin, a giddy “shopaholic” trait. How often have you convinced yourself you need all 3 of the shades of lip gloss that such and such YouTube Guru, blogger, celeb was talking about? then got home and really just felt a bit bored and deflated about the whole thing because really if you’d taken the time to try them you’d have realised that colour might suit them but would never actually suit you?
How many times have you panic bought at auction on Ebay, paying way over what something is really worth and also not being 100% sure it suits you and is even the real deal?

We are the consumers, it’s our money and no-one holds a gun to our heads (though the counter girls can be pushy) and MAKES us spend all our money on these things.

C’mon girls, use your loaves

xox

P.S I say “really” a lot….

As my twitter friends are aware, @cimota and I attended the Ulster Tatler Style Awards sponsored by Magners Light last night.

We had a brilliant time, I just love getting dressed up and putting on my face for a real swanky occassion. For those of you who have kids you will know what a treat getting out for a bit of adult conversation is!
We were accompanied by another married couple @theronster & @karenquinn. When Quinner is about you’re pretty much guaranteed a fun night.

@theronster @cimota @karenquinn

The event itself took place in Café Vaudeville in Belfast which I just love. The whole place is very Moulin Rouge inspired, huge chandeliers, decadent mirrors, heavy dark red brocade soft furnishings. The hotties kindly supplying us all with free Magners Light were done up in a burlesque fashion, tight corsets with opulent feather bustles and Marie Antoinette curls. Their make-up was courtesy of Paddy McGurgan who works out of Michael Quinn hairdressing, striking snow queen esque eyes and high shimmer skin (a few pics below). There was a real saintly sinners feel to it.

The lovely Zara

I wore an orange dress from Ted Baker with a button back (love little details like that), shoes by Faith and my beloved fur from Previously Loved in Holywood.

In regards to make-up I wore Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Desert Beige & the DW Concealer, MAC So Ceylon MSF, MAC Burning Ambition e/s, L’Oreal Liner, Max Factor 2000 Calories Mascara, NARS Blush in Outlaw (loves it) and Bobbi Brown Nude Lip Gloss. I did tan myself up slightly with a thin layer of St Tropez Lotion the day before, just to take the vampiric look off me

Very smiley here, Magners has taken effect!!

Much thanks to Wendi Kane & Alan Beattie whom we were guests of, most stylish couple in our eyes!!
xox

We have lift off

For those of you who I know through Twitter this is yesterday’s news but for the rest of you I’m very pleased to announce that www.slapswap.com went live last night. The UK & Ireland’s first dedicated make-up swap site!!

Thats most of the reason for my quietness on here over the weekend, I didn’t honestly realise how much work goes into putting together a website/ forum such as this. Much thanks owed to PJ & my husband Matt, without whom this would all still just be a idea in my head.

The basic premise of slapswap is a community and forum for us make-up lovers. As well as boards full of chat and reviews you also have your Swap List, at last somewhere within the UK & Ireland to post all that make-up you never use and pick up something you will in return.

We will have bugs, and we endeavour to fix these promptly as and when they happen.
If you come across an error please leave a message on the Feature Requests board, or alternatively PM me (dressjunkie), that would be great
This is also the place to leave all your ideas and preferences about what else you’d like slapswap to do.

The biggest bug so far (we were aware it was there but are running with it for now) is on the Swap List. You can add and swap, however you cannot remove/ delete items yet. In the interim all I would ask is if you agree a swap, simply edit your items Description to read something like “TOO LATE, SWAP COMPLETE ”

Feedback is crucial so that I can get it all running the way you want it to, so I look forward to hearing from you all

A Very Very Excited Dressjunkie xox

Finally a dedicated swap site for us UK & Ireland make-up lovers.
As well as the swap element, which initially will be solely for beauty products, we’ll have forums, chat & reviews, all controlled by your good selves.

A lot of work has already been put into this behind the scenes and in terms of actual development we are in advanced stages, its very very exciting!!!

I’d love to hear what content & features you’d like to see incorporated into the site, I’d also like to hear from anyone interested in helping to moderate the site, so either leave a comment below or contact me on arlene@dressjunkie.com xox

I have done a look today for the upcoming Christmas party season. It is quite daring and not for everyone, but I like to have fun with make-up and especially love green against my eyes. I have used a mixture of products, but most are very inexpensive and available from Superdrug or Boots.

All the coloured pigments I used were from Barry M, Superdrug is currently running a promotion of 3 Dazzledusts for £10 which is great value. I covered my lid with MAC paint in Bare Canvas to give a nice sticky base for the pigment. Then using homemade mixing medium (1 part glycerin to 3 parts water) I made a nice paste of each pigment. Far far easier to work with and no annoying fall out. Yay!!

I then took it a bit further, couldn’t resist!
I added a splash of red to the corners to make the look really young & fun
Please excuse the eyebrows, I have ruined my tweezers by using them to perform a number of non tweezer related jobs (ie DIY things that actually required pliers). Ooops

Eyes

• MAC Paint in Bare Canvas (all over eye to prep)
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Emerald 72 (lid & up into crease)
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Lime 75 (inner third of lid)
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Cherry Red 84 (outer third of lid)
• MAC Eyeshadow in White Frost (Brow bone)
• Rimmel Exaggarate Eye Liner Intense 001 Black (top lash line)
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Covet (under lower lash line)
• Collection 2000 Glam Crystals Gel Eye Liner in Pizzazz (over the 24/7 on the lower lash line)
• MAC Plush Lash Mascara in Plushblack

I have booked my ticket for the IMATS (International Make-up Artist Trade Show), and can’t wait!!

The show is spread over 2 days, Saturday 24th January and Sunday 25th January. Tickets for one day cost £33 or you can pay £55 for access on both days. Book tickets and get more info on what to expect here

Ok ok, I know its only November 4th but I know the fab festive time is approaching when MAC release their Holiday Collection. And today was that day in the UK, along with “Red” She Said, a retro-starlet allure of Hollywood glamour, with a modern twist. Perfect for the up coming festive season

My generous husband has ordered me the Enchanting Vermillion Brush Set, a medium-sized red-orange patent brush canister with wine satin stripes.  It includes five professional brushes featuring black gloss handles and a metallic red M∙A∙C logo: the 129SE, 219SE, 239SE, 266SE and the 316SE.  The only down side is waiting patiently until Christmas Day!