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

It’s a grey overcast day in Belfast, not cold… not hot… just a kinda meh temperature. The hardest kind to dress appropriately for.

I settled on a bandeau playsuit with a cardy over the top which meant that when I got too warm I could just whip it off and pop it in my bag. I had to do exactly that for the duration of my shopping in town. Cardigan FAIL.

Playsuit – Zara

Cardigan – Tesco

Flats – Primark

Bag – Mulberry

Vivienne Westwood Necklace and DIY Disc

Links Of London Charm Bracelet and mixed silver bangles from Miss Selfridge

Eye make-up was a simple lilac wash of shadow using NARS Night Rider, blended out with a smidgen of MAC Stars n Rockets. Lilac Liner from Gosh and L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara. Lilac tones bring out the green in my eyes like no other colour <3

Shopping was very uneventful. 3 hours later I was home with 1 bottle of brush cleanser. That’s the way it goes sometimes. At least my purse is smiling.

xo

Well I had a fantastic weekend!

So much fun was had by my bestie and I on Saturday. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time and we got up to the most ridiculous things (don’t drink and tweet kids).

Highlights included S singing down the telephone to my husband and me eating chips and dip off her wooden floor (we is classy birds).

Good times but THANK GOD we only meet up every few months!!

This was my outfit, I wanted to keep it pretty casual as we were having lunch and then heading to a nearby pub for drinks.

• Lace Crop Top – Dunnes £3/ £5 (can’t recall) sale
• Pastel Pink Hanky Hem Button Vest – New Look £8
• Denim Shorts – New Look £10 sale
• Black ribbon threaded pumps – Faith (past season)

I was determined to incorporate a little of the underwear as outwear trend, so I paired an over-sized vest with a lace crop top and undid the first few buttons to expose some bra/ boobage. I have to admit I wasn’t sure about it but I think the dense lace pattern keep it from being too tarty…… maybe….. not

Make-up was a real rush job, basically LM Tinted Moisturiser, Nars Outlaw Blush and Urban Decay “Mushroom” e/s from the Alice Palette <3

Lips were a combination of two Rituals products that I’m totally in love with and will do a more in depth review of shortly.

What did you get up this weekend? Any high jinx? xox

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

I have a drawer for all the mascara I test and use, it’s not a big drawer and every so often I like to be ruthless and bin the majority to make room for the new bigger and better mascaras that are emerging (too few & far between lately!).

The other more obvious and less frugal reason for binning what looks like perfectly good product is the use by date. This is important for every cosmetic product but it is particularly so for mascara, they are a breeding ground like no other for bacteria, and these bacteria can cause very very nasty infections within the eyes. I don’t need to tell anyone how precious your sight is!
The manufacturers are obliged to give you a guideline in regards to how long the product will last once opened, you’re looking for a pot with a little open lid as pictured below on Rimmel’s Sexy Curves Mascara. The number inside the pot is the number of months the product is good for after opening.

Rimmel’s time period is extremely optimistic IMO, most mascaras tend to read good for 6 months, a few 3. The rule for my own mascara is generally 3-4 months, by which stage if I love it its finished anyway or if its not I don’t like it enough to keep it.

In regards to mascara I have to use on other people, I keep that for 1 month and then dispose of regardless of what amount is left. I always use disposable wands which are cheap to buy but avoid double dipping and product contamination. Even if you’re not a pro make-up artist, but like to practice looks on friends & family you should get yourself some wands and get into the habit. Your bessie mate won’t thank you for conjunctivitis :S

So what did I throw out today then?

• MAC Plush Lash – Messy wand, too much like hard work for me
• Enormous Lash – Completely done, won’t be re-purchasing, vaseline is giving the same effects
• L’Oreal Double Extension Waterproof – horrible formula, dried up within a few weeks
• NARS Mascara Black Orchid – Yawn, boring boring boring and horrid smell
• Bourjois Volume & Glamour – Nasty over-powering paint type smell which made eyes water
• Bourjois Liner Effect – what a crock of sh*t, review here
• No7 Lash 360˚- Colour more dark grey than black, formulation dry, never going to get used up

So what have you binned recenty? Or are you one of these people that has drawers of things they don’t use but are convinced they might need some day? xox

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

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/2009/01/11/eye-eye/ http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/11/eye-eye/#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:13:54 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=871

I think everyone has a certain make-up product they buy more of than any other. For me its anything to do with the eyes, my eye shadow drawer is bulging, my mascara drawer is not quite as bad but definitely getting there! I like to play up the eyes more than any other area.

On Friday night I was chatting online to a fellow make-up lover Nikky and we got to talking about NARS shadows, I had a sudden over-whelming urge to go swatching! So with it being only 7pm, I got into my little hairdryer of a motor and drove the 11 miles to Belfast, and more importantly House of Fraser.

It was bliss, empty but for a few other addicts. The girls were obviously bored and so I managed to play about with lots and pocket more than a few testers. Yay! I bought one shadow in HoF, NARS Fuji (a recommendation from Nikky), its a gorgeous army green with shimmer. I’ve played about a bit with it on the back of my hand already and its seems very versatile, highly pigmented, but equally it blends out very well into a much more subtle green if thats the look you’re going for. Any suggestions of what to pair it with greatly appreciated!

I then took a dander round to MAC in Debenhams and got a few things off my Wish List, namely Greenstroke Paintpot and Blackground Paintpot (to save me wasting my Blacktrack Fluidline) and Steamy Eye Shadow, a gorgeous bluey green with gold shimmer. Its a frost finish. I wore this today over the Greenstroke, with a bit of Print smoked into the outer third and crease. Love love love it, really brings out the brown in my eyes.

Check out the swatches below, you can click to enlarge



With Flash



Minus flash; Greenstroke, Steamy, Fuji, Blackground



With Flash

Which product are you a sucker for??? xox

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2009/01/11/eye-eye/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/24/smokey-purple/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/24/smokey-purple/#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:31:38 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=737

Am so stupidly excited today about Christmas!!

I am always childishly hyper (hubby would say annoying) in the run up. It has got ten times worse since having my own kids, as I just feed off their innocent hope and wonder towards all things “Santa”!!

It totally hasn’t helped that @cimota presented me with this “surprise” package yesterday. I have absolutely no idea what it contains but can’t WAIT to find out!!!

So in an effort to keep calm I’ve turned to my make-up for a half hour

This is a smokey purple look, almost charcoal looking, but as you can see in the third picture under certain light you see the pretty purple haze. Its very sultry and would be gorgeous for wearing to a Christmas Eve party or even New Years Eve. I have taken the sparkle up an extra notch using body glitter over the lid but you could leave that step out for a more subtle shimmer.

Click on pictures to enlarge



What did I use?

Face

• Revlon Color Stay Foundation 180 Sand Beige
• Barbara Daly @ Tesco Concealer Medium
• M&S Autograph Dark Circle Concealer under eyes
• MAC MSF So Ceylon (highlight)
• Paula Dorf Cheek Color Ballet

Eyes

• UDPP (base)
• NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil 606 Baby Blue (main lid)
• Coastal Scents Neutral Palette Soft Pink (2nd row, 3rd from left) (brow bone)
• NARS Night Rider (main lid)
• NARS Barbuda (crease & under lower lash line)
• Coastal Scents Neutral Palette Purple Black (top row, far right) (smoked into crease)
• Barry M Loose Body Glitter 8 (applied with mixing medium all over main lid)
• Max Factor Master Piece Glide & Define Liquid Liner (top lash line)
• MAC Powerpoint Pencil Engraved (water line)
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black

Lips

• Chanel Gloss 108
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/24/smokey-purple/feed/ 2 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/13/weekly-winners/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/13/weekly-winners/#comments Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:46:54 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=601

I thought that each Saturday after work I would tell you about the three items I have reached for the most during the previous week. Why three? No more silly a reason than it is my lucky number

1. MAC Lipglass in Soft & Slow – This was part of the Neo Sci-Fi Collection and therefore limited edition (although it has appeared in other collections such as Smoke Signals). It is the easiest shade to wear, anyone would suit this beautiful rose pink with a slight shimmer. I wore it on my wedding day August past and only recently re-discovered it in an out of favour handbag. I have been wearing it tonnes again and if you can get your hands on it you really should buy it as its amazing!
2. NARS Blush in Torrid – This is a lush coral colour, very pigmented and gives off an amazing lustrious shimmer. It is bold and bright, and too often gets over looked for more “mainstream” NARS shades like Deep Throat and Orgasm. Although I love Deep Throat too, NARS has so much more to offer than just the few celebrated. Get down to your nearest counter and check the rest out!
   
3. Miss Selfridge Dove Earrings in Gold Finish – I bought these about a month ago and I am always complimented when I wear them (which is a lot!!), you can dress them up or just wear them with jeans, they are fun and wholly feminine.
   

What have you been reaching for this week? xox

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/12/13/weekly-winners/feed/ 3 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/26/baby-its-cold-outside/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/26/baby-its-cold-outside/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:05:41 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=388

Party season is upon us and its a rare chance to break out the glitter with a vengeance, plaster on the eyeliner, and generally teeter on the thin line (of taste) between glamourista/ strictly come dancing contestant/ drag queen!

I adore silvers and greys but I think they are really hard to wear, especially with my pale skin. Adding glitter to the mix is a must for me, and also a rosy blush, essential if I am to avoid looking like an ice queen.



Although I’m just wearing lip balm above, if I was wearing this look out on the works Christmas do etc I’d wear a bold red lipstick/ gloss with the obligatory falsies (thats lashes, not boobs).

I know its “apparently” a big no no to accentuate both eyes and lips in one look, but I think thats a very boring 21st century rule that I like to break whenever possible. Certainly there are times when playing one up against the other works better but Christmas is NOT that time.

Pump up the volume and glam it up!!!! xox

Face

• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Sand Beige
• Autograph Illusions Dark Circles Concealer in Light
• NARS Blush in Outlaw

Eyes

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (eye base)
• Bourjois Loose Glitter Eyeshadow in Gris Pixel 26 (main eyelid)
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Silver Iridescent 8 (inner third of lid)
• No 17 Eye Dazzle in Star Crossed (crease)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Vellum (brow bone)
• Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara Black

Lips

• Carmex Lip Balm
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/26/baby-its-cold-outside/feed/ 3 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/22/lola-lola-update/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/22/lola-lola-update/#comments Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:50:16 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=331

A few weeks back I had bought and tried out NARS Lola Lola and not been overly impressed. I have now worn it several times and feel much the same.

The initial problem was that the shadow creased considerably very soon after application, I put this down to a lack of primer. I have since applied it over both Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and unfortunately the creasing is still very much an issue. I am getting longer from it before this happens but only about 3-4 hours, which is my book is simply not good enough.



The other issue I have with it is the actual shade (see pic above), it is described as a neutral brown with shimmer. I would describe as bronzing powder for the eyes, thats the colour pay off that I get from it.

On a plus the finish of the shadow, in so far as the lustre it gives off is really nice, so at the moment (see pic) I am actually wearing it with MAC’s expensive pink and getting a nicer lighter effect. I have a feeling it won’t be long before I give up on this shadow altogether though…..

On a plus, check out those lashes with mascara. Yowzer!!

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/22/lola-lola-update/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/20/rose-gold/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/20/rose-gold/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:38:00 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=265

This is a nice look if you like your safe browns but fancy trying something a bit more daring. I have used 3 different shadows on the lid & crease, sable which is a beautiful shimmer brown with undertones of plum and bronze, cranberry and a soft matt brown. The first picture shows the colour under flash, the one under that is taken without flash, you can see the rose tone better.

Its very dull here today though and hard to get great lighting. Its good to bear in mind though that when you wear eyeshadow, blush, lipgloss etc, depending on what lighting you are under you will get a different effect. That is why I am quite fond of a veluxe pearl or lustre finish, you get a number of different tones and effects from one shadow dependent on surroundings. If you do like these finishes though remember to always balance it out with matt eyeshadow somewhere in the mix



The secret to this is Blend Blend & Blend especially if you are fair skinned like myself. These colours will work effortlessly on medium to dark skin types but for us pale and interestings you will need to keep a lighter hand to avoid looking like you just have sore eyes!! Pinky bronze is hard to wear but so worth getting right as it makes brown/ green eyes pop beautifully.



I used a black kohl eyeliner pencil and completely lined my eyes, upper & lower including the water line. Flick/ tick is optional but instantly sexes the look up. Finish with 2 coats of black mascara.

If I was wearing this out for an occassion I would definitely make sure I have a fake tan done and bronze up my cheekbones with some MSF, but you get the idea. Have fun with your eye make-up, experiment

(if you can’t pose on your own blog, where can you, eh?!!)



Eyes

• MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (eye base)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Sable (main eyelid)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Cranberry (crease & outer corner)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Soft Brown (crease and lid to blend harsh lines)
• Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero (upper lashline, lower & water line)
• L’Oreal Double Extension Mascara Carbon Black

Face

• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Sand Beige
• Barbara Daly @ Tesco Concealer in Medium
• NARS Blush in Deep Throat

Lips

• Benefit Color Plump in Love Ya
• Bobbi Brown Lipgloss in Nude
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/20/rose-gold/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/19/ten-products-i-cant-live-without/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/19/ten-products-i-cant-live-without/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:18:45 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=247

xexfx from Twitter gave me this idea, although I think she managed to break it down the 5 products. Unfortunately I’m just not that restrained

These are 10 products I would choose above all others if I was forced to. I have literally hundreds of pieces of make-up, creams and potions in my kit but I could happily live with just these 10.

I haven’t included eyeshadow as although I love to wear it and play with it, I think mascara is all that is truly necessary to open up your eyes and make you feel gorgeous!

1. Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer (all skin types), I discovered this when I was looking for a primer to keep my wedding make-up in check all day. I bought this and Smashbox’s Photo Finish, and although I like the latter it isn’t a patch on Laura Mercier. I use this every day, much like a moisturiser before adding my face. It has the lightest cleanest fragrance, and makes the skin feel incredibley smooth without the waxy, greasy finish I get from Smashbox. I use the all skin types version but it is available in oil free should your skin require that. Its pricey but totally worth it and lasts about 2 months per 50ml tube.
RRP £27.00

2. MAC’s Select Cover-Up in NW20. I know that everyone has a different preference to how they apply concealer, I apply mine prior to my foundation, as I feel just slides off if I try and blend it over it. I think everyone should do whatever works best for them though. Consistency is great, creamy and fantastic coverage, especially on spots, without being drying or overly thick. Lasts for absolutely ages too.
RRP £11.00

3. Revlon Colorstay Make-up with SoftFlex SPF 15 Normal/ Dry Skin, this is a recent discovery. It was recommended a number of times by You Tubers and I decided to see what the fuss was about. I love it! I have and still use (hate waste) various MAC foundations, but to be honest I have never been overly impressed with them. I have found them to be quite drying and patchy as the day goes on. I also feel that there is no one particular shade that completely suits my skin tone.
This make-up is superior to MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid IMO. It gives silky even coverage, that is buildable, without caking or feeling mask like. Comes in 2 finishes, depending on if you skin is oily or dry and it also doesn’t come off on everything you touch. Bonus! I wear shade Sand Beige 180.
RRP £11.99 (NB Boots have 3 for 2 on all Revlon cosmetics at the moment)



4. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish MSF in So Ceylon. I can’t begin to describe how much I love love love this product. It brightens and highlights giving the most amazing glow and polish on my cheekbones.

This is it swatched on my hand prior to buffing. The colour is metallic and bronzed without too much glitter. Using a MAC’s dinky 181 brush you buff it into the skin to acquire the finish you want. Go heavy or light, its up to you!

This particular colour is limited edition now and is sporting the triangle of death beside it online so I will definitely buy another and store it.
RRP £16.50

5. NARS Blush in Deep Throat, I adore these blushes. The colour variety, the finish, the pan sizes. I particularly love Deep Throat because it is a beautiful peach with shimmer that doesn’t try too hard. It gives a healthy flush, perfect for attaining that natural make-up look on days off from being a glamour puss
Other colours of note in the range for me are Sin, Torrid, and Outlaw.
RRP £18.50

6. MAC Brow Set in Mink, this was a limited edition colour within the Emmanuel Ungaro collection I believe but its the formula which I love and there are still comparable colours in the range. I normally use it over pencil, but if I had to use just one item it would be the Brow Set. It holds and tames my brows into place, once this stuff is on, I find they don’t budge all day/ night. But not in that cakey, rock hard way some brow gels can give.
RRP £10.00

7. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black, its just the best mascara ever. I try others regularly, but I always come back to this one. It makes my lashes thicker, longer and more seperated looking without any clumping. And I always used to think black is black, right? wrong! this truly is dark dark black, really makes my eyes pop. I think the wand and formulation work together to make this unbeatable IMO. Bargain that it is pretty inexpensive too
RRP £6.99

8. Nivea Caregloss & Shine, in the Winter my lips get so dry. I can’t possibly wear lipstick all the time or gloss. This is a saviour, repairing my lips while still letting me pout with glossiness
Some chemists are doing 3 different flavours in a little gift set for £3.19 which is a total bargain considering one costs me just shy of that!
RRP £2.69

9. Flower by Kenzo Eau De Parfum, this is my signature scent. I wear others now and again, normally at night, but this is my daytime staple perfume. Its a love affair that I know will last forever.

Whats number 10? My MacBook Air *strokes it, hugs it, cries with pride* nuff said

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/19/ten-products-i-cant-live-without/feed/ 7 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/17/waste-not-want-not/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/17/waste-not-want-not/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:25:07 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=202

Todays eyeshadow look was inspired by a tweet conversation last night regarding how much make-up I buy and never use, or use once and make a snap decision its not for me.

Frankly its a disgusting amount, and its really not just make-up, its clothes, hair products, shoes *cringe*

I have made a move on the clothes/ footwear front and Ebayed an absolute tonne of stuff last month, so I shouldn’t feel overly bad

The first make-up product I have picked out for a re-try is MAC’s Fluidline in Brassy.



For those that don’t know these are MAC’s gel eyeliners. I use Blacktrack and Blitz & Glitz regularly but I have never got to grips with Brassy. Its quite orangey in tone and I thought it would really stand out and look lush on the lashline but to be honest, it really doesn’t do either of those things. It just seems to get lost against eyeshadow and mascara.

Sooooo I thought, why not use it like a paint pot and try it all over my lid as a sparkly base and go from there? I did just that, using my 217 brush, put it all over the lid and in the crease.



Then I lightly coated the lid in Woodwinked and put Mulch in the crease and corner. A tiny bit of matt black eyeshadow was then swirled into the outer corner for definition. Mylar again on the browbone (I like it because it isn’t shimmery).

Liquid eyeliner on top lashline and one coat of mascara. I have purposefully kept the lower lashline pencil free to give it a cleaner, fresher feel. I really like the result, so Brassy has been upgraded to my kit again



Eyes

• MAC Fluidline in Brassy (eye base)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked (main eyelid)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch (crease)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Mylar (brow bone)
• Max Factor Masterpiece Liquid Eyeliner (upper lashline)
• L’oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black

Face

• MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW20
• MAC Select Cover-up in NW20
• NARS Blush in Deep Throat

Lips

• Carmex Lip Salve
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/17/waste-not-want-not/feed/ 1 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/15/burning-ambition/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/15/burning-ambition/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:04:36 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=190

I took inspiration for my eye make-up today from MakeupByTiffanyD (You Tube). First I prepped my lids with MAC’s Paint Pot in Painterly. The main lid colours are MAC’s Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Illusionary/ Burning Ambition. With MAC’s Mylar on the brow bone.

I absolutely love this look, the colours are so warm and perfect for brown/ green eyes. You could go a lot heavier with this look to take you into the evening, but I think its nice like this, where when your eyes are fully open it looks quite neutral and pretty and yet when you glance down, people get a flash of the gorgeous shading and shimmer.



Eyes

• MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (eye base)
• MAC Mineralize Duo in Illusionary/ Burning Ambition (main eyelid)
• MAC Eyeshadow in Mylar (browbone)
• Max Factor Masterpiece Liquid Eyeliner (upper lashline)
• Rimmel Exaggarate Eye Definer in Emerald Sparkle (lower lashline)

Face

• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Sand Beige
• Barbara Daly @ Tesco Concealer in Medium
• NARS Blush in Torrid

Lips

• Rimmel Moisture Renew in Vintage Pink
]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/15/burning-ambition/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/10/update/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/10/update/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:30:33 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=112

I’ve been wearing NARS Lola Lola eyeshadow since 9.30am this morning, and started to notice crease marks about 11.30. Not overly impressed. It also looks a little oily on my lids as the afternoon has wore on. It really is a beautiful colour though and I’m not giving up on it just yet! Tomorrow I’m going to apply some Urban Decay Primer Potion first and then the Lola Lola and then see what sort of longevity I can get from it.

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/10/update/feed/ 0 http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/09/nars/ http://dressjunkie.com/2008/11/09/nars/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:38:27 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=106

I was out shopping today for clothes with my hubby, but I wouldn’t be me unless I came back with at least one item of make-up. And surprise surprise I came back with two!
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly – I wanted a good nude base for eyeshadow, and also NARS eye shadow in Lola Lola – described on their site as “a neutral brown with shimmer”.



I’m really excited about this shadow as its been getting tonnes of good reviews lately from fellow make-up lovers, however I’d love to know what everyone else is pairing it with. Whats a good contrast colour for the crease? I’m thinking something like MAC’s Mulch might make a lovely smokey eye with it, but then its such a warm brown would MAC’s Cranberry work? Hmmmmm will let you know

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