Quick Holiday Face of the Day

I'm back from my holiday in Glasgow and The Lakes!  I had a fantastic time, although it wasn't very relaxing after my half marathon last week - I drove there and back and we did a lot of walking!  I was packed all the wrong things - I know that Scotland has a reputation for being cold, but it never has been when I've been before, even in November.  And last Sunday, I was running in Cardiff in 15 degrees sunshine - I didn't think I'd need a hat, gloves and winter coat 2 days later.  Well ladies, I was WRONG!  Luckily, we were staying in the centre of Glasgow, which is fantastic for shopping so I was able to pick up a few essentials (and non-essentials) - a haul post will follow shortly.

Anyway, I took a huge bag of makeup, but hardly ended up using any of it - in cold weather, I just didn't fancy doing a full face, and for the last few days in the Lakes, I would've looked ridiculous stamping around in my hiking gear in the rain wearing eyeliner!  I did manage to do one full face whilst I was in Glasgow, but kept it simple - here it is.

Face:
Lancome Teinte Miracle in 010
Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NC20
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
Mac Cream Blush in Lady Blush
Benefit High Beam

Eyes:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Nars Strada Eyeshadow
Mac Smoulder Eyeline
No 7 Exceptional Definition Mascara

Lips:
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Nude Pink

I keep meaning to do a proper review and swatches of Nars Strada - I will do it soon, I promise.  Sorry about my wet hair, and half dressed state!

Thanks for reading! xx

June Favourites

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Nars Carthage Pure Matte Lipstick - Summer 2011 Collection in Carthage

I think it was a mistake to buy Nars Deep Throat blush a couple of weeks ago.  It was my first Nars purchase, and now I’m well and truly hooked on the brand.  I saw online some swatches of the Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage from the Nars Summer 2011 Collection and immediately decided that it had to be mine.  I needed an excuse to go to Space NK anyway to pick up my Birthday N-Dulge treat, but Nars is always a good excuse. I nearly came away with a host of eyeshadows as well, but I managed to resist

Natural Light

Artificial Light

Carthage is an almost scarily bright pink, blue toned, matte lipstick, and it’s way out of my comfort zone.  I have nothing like it in my collection.  I wore it with simple eyes and a black top, so I didn’t look like a clown or drag queen.  On my skin, it swatches very true to the tube, and is pretty bright and scary.  It’s definitely not a lippy for wearing to work (unless you work in the fashion industry) or to a wedding.  However, as a statement lipstick, I do really like it.  I tend to go for heavy eyes and muted lips, so it makes a bit of a change for me.

I applied it first by outlining with a lip brush, something that I almost never do, and went over it directly from the tube.  I like the smallness of the lipstick as it’s easier to apply with precision, but it still looks slightly wonky on my (admittedly slightly wonky) lips. 

Natural Light

Artificial Light

I had expected the lipstick, which promises to last for ages, to be drying on my lips, particularly given its matte formula.  I did find it slightly drying, but nothing that couldn’t be cured with a swipe of lipbalm prior to application.  It did last a good long time on me.  It survived several drinks, a 3 course meal and several more drinks, with most of the lipstick still on when I came to remove it at the end of the day.  I’m impressed with this staying power, as I have never had a lipstick last even through a cup of coffee.  I feel the purchase of some more wearable colours coming on...

For £18.50, it’s a pricey purchase, and I think I should’ve bought a colour that I would get more wear from.  However, I’m impressed with the quality and staying power and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it if you’re after a bright colour with an on-trend matte finish.

Vintage and Chanel Birthday Goodies and FOTD

I just thought I'd post about a few things I got for my birthday today, as I'm thrilled with them!

Kicking off the French theme, the first is a piece of 1920s antique jewellery that my friend found for me in an antique market in France.  She knows me so well, as I absolutely love it!  It's a very long beaded piece, with knots in it and tassels.  It's basically a cross between a long necklace and a scarf - I love necklaces and scarves, so it's perfect for me!  It's so beautiful! Scroll down for a picture of me wearing it

Secondly I got some Chanel makeup from my boyfriend ooh la la!  Naturally, I sent him the website links and even told him that Boots would deliver it to our neighbourhood shop!  I asked him for Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Murano and Le Vernis Nail Colour in Black Pearl.  Here are the pictures and swatches...

I must apologise for my FOTD post - I don't look at my best and my hair decided to go 'rock-chick'!

Here's the makeup I used:

Mac Studio Fix Concealer
Lancome Teinte Miracle Foundation
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
Nars Blusher in Deep Throat
UDPP
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Murano - pink all over the lid, the darker silver at the outer corners and the crease, the darkish green in the outer v and the pale blueish green as a highlight.
Mac Smoulder
Lancome Hypnose Mascara
Nars Carthage Matte Lipstick, mostly wiped off with lipbalm applied on top

I picked up the pink swirly top from Next last week for £18.  I really love all the prints that are around at the moment! It works well with my antique French scarf/necklace non?

I can't wait to play around more with this palette and the nail polish!

Thanks for reading!  xx

A Lovely Parcel from Glossybox

Today I've had a long, hard day - I got up at 6 to catch the 7.30 train to London to exhibit at a trade fair.  I was on my feet in heels all day, and I'm really tired. So it was a lovely surprise to come home to my first Glossybox, which I ordered a few weeks ago.  Look how pretty and beautifully packaged it was.

So did it live up to the hype?  What was the brand beginning with N with the most famous product beginning with O?  Was it Nars? Well, yes it was!

The products look fab.  There's a handy sheet explaining what all the products are, including a full sized Nars Orgasm Illuminator, All for Eve Eve Red Lipstick, Bionova Lab Bioactive Cleanser, Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray and COMO Shambhala Invigorate Body Lotion.  

Here is a swatch of the Nars Orgasm Illuminator and the Eve Red Lipstick

For £10, I think this is a brilliant was to test out new products and find interesting niche brands.  I'm sure that the first box will be the best, but I'm looking forward to seeing future boxes as well.  I must say that the box it comes in is rather pretty too.  I'll be saving them up for using to wrap Christmas pressies and presents for my sister's wedding later in the summer.

Have you ordered a Glossybox?  Are you tempted?

Thanks for reading! xx

Haulage - Nars, Kiehl's and Bumble and Bumble

Yesterday I wrote about my hauls at Doozle and House of Fraser.  Today my order from Space NK arrived – I know, I’ve been a very naughty girl!  I decided to treat myself to some bits from Kiehls, Bumble & Bumble and Nars.

From Kiehl’s I got Lip Balm #1 and Ultra Facial Micro Serum.  These cost £9.50 and £29.00 respectively.  I’ve been wanting to try some things from Kiehl’s for ages, so it seemed a good opportunity to pick up these bits.  

Whilst I was browsing, it occurred to me that I needed a hair treatment – I’m still growing my hair and it really needs a trim, as well as regularly abusing it with highlights and colour.  I spotted a Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coca Masque and thought that would be perfect, so I bought it for £20.50.  I used it for the first time this evening, and I have to say I was totally wowed by this product – I want to use it a few more times to be sure, but this has potential to be my HG hair treatment!

I also treated myself to a blusher from Nars in Deep Throat – my first Nars purchase!  I’d swatched them before in the shop, and had preferred Deep Throat to Orgasm.  This cost £20.50, so it’s pricy, but it does look very pretty!

I also got some free samples included in my package – Acqua di Parma Cologne, Chantecaill Jasmin and Lilly Healing Mask and Wei White Lotion Eye Blend.  I love free samples, and I’m particularly excited to try the Chantecaill Mask as it retails for £120!!!

Have you tried any of these products before?  What are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading!  xx