NOTD: Illamasqua Jo'Mina

I've been sporting this on my nails all week and I can say without a shadow of a doubt it is my shade of the summer.

Jo'Mina is a gorgeous lilac with pink undertones, but it's impossible to pick it up on my camera as it's decided to add a blue tone to everything!

I'm also IN LOVE with the quality of the polish, it takes one coat to get a gorgeous opaque colour, although I've put two on the photo above!!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Shiver, Surge and All Things Nice.

After being SO impressed with Surge Liquid Metal from Illamasqua's Body Electrics collection, I was interested to explore some more of Illamasqua's extensive range. I adore their blushes and lipsticks, but one area I didn't have any opinion on was eyeshadow.

I was ordering a pair of jeans off ASOS and my mouse wandered onto the Beauty section, and I just happened to slip in Shiver eyeshadow from Illamasqua!

I didn't really have a clue what to expect, other than a neutral highlight...it was a large margin for error! My first impressions were mixed. It looked like a pleasant champagne, no offensive highlight. I was a bit concerned about the initial texture of the product though, it looked a little "beat up" in the pan, and the edges seemed to distorted, the whole eyeshadow just seemed a little, well crumbly. Not what I was expecting from a high end brand. I gave it the benefit of the doubt though as ASOS did deliver it in it's usual plastic big liner type bag, so who knows!? I love the outer packaging, much like the rest of the range, it's classic but sleek and modern.

My initial swatch screamed out two things to me:

1) This looks very familiar
2) This feels a little dry

The first point was quickly cleared up when I realised It was painfully similar to one of my favourite highlighters, Dazzlelight.

When put side by side, Dazzlelight is slightly pinker in tone, but only a real fanatic would notice!

l-r Shiver, Dazzlelight.

With Shiver, it's definitely feels less creamy than Dazzlelight, but when blended out they work to a similar standard.

I'm not going to completely pass judgement on all Illamasqua eyeshadows as i'd love to try some more out, but I'm just unsure to rave about them just yet, I have a little voice in the back of my head telling me it could be better!!

If you want to see what it looks like on, I'm wearing it in my blush post as a a highlight, and it does photograph amazingly so my judgement remains undecided!!

Now to end on a momentous high, I ADORE Surge liquid metal.

It's insanely pigmented, it's creamy and it's FANTASTIC.

Just one quick swipe leaves a rich metallic trail on your hand, It's a beautiful pewter/old gold colour and I makes an amazing base to any eye look, I've worn it alone on the inner third of my eye and I have had so many compliments!

Illamasqua, I love you, but you can't love everything can you!

What are you favourite Illamasqua products??

♥

"The List"

I've been trying really hard recently to use up some of my ever expanding make up collection, and whilst my willpower has remained strong, my wish list has just grown and grown!

Thing are forever added and crossed off "the list" but my birthday is coming up and I think I just may have to indulge!!

The products that have stood the test of time are:

Nars Gina Blush

MAC 130 Brush

Michael Kors 'Very Hollywood' Purfume

MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau, Hue, Russian Red & Creme d'Nude.

Illamasqua Blush in Lover

Nars Lipstick in Barbarella & Dolce Vita.

This is was a VERY edited version but I'm going to wait until I get the chance to go in person to look at all of these, yay for spending!!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

(www.weheartit.com)

Products I'm Loving Right Now: YSL Creme de Blush

I got this product a few monthes ago from a friend and I hate to say it, but It just got put into my drawer without much of a look as I saw the colour in the pot and just though, woah...bright. She didn't use it enough, and I was unsure I would either.

The packaging is just divine, like most YSL, you just want to look at it all day, and this has that lovely rose scent I tend to associate with the brand!

Now for the scary hand swatch...

It's vivid, scary and something I would usually run a mile from, but I'm regretting not playing around with this more now as I've become addicted!!

If you just take the tiniest amount and blend it out well with your fingers (I've found this works the best) it gives you a pretty flush which lasts all day.

Cue the akward picture of my cheek...this was the best I could do to get the colour across!!

As it's the weekend I don't want to go overboard with the old slap, and this is just the ticket, it leaves a gorgeous natural flush, I've just lightly sweeped Style blush (MAC) over the top to give me a bit of that glow I cannot live without!!

 I'm pretty sure this was LE but if you know otherwise please let me know, I don't think i'll be running out soon though as you literally need a dab to get a flushed cheek! The amount I've put on my hand for a swatch was way too much.

Have you found any products recently that you've neglected but adore?? 

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

MAC Neutral Palette.

Hello Sweet Peas,

I thought I'd share with you my most used MAC palette.

I realise a couple of these are not neutral shadows, but they're waiting for a new home!

TOP ROW: Dazzlelight, Orb, Woodwinked, Cork, Electra.

MIDDLE ROW: Phloof!, Jest, Patina, Espresso, Nehru.

BOTTOM ROW: Shroom, All That Glitters, Sable, Nocturnelle, Black Tied.

These six are my most used shadows in the day time, I'm obsessed with Orb as an everyday highlighter and Jest is my usual lid colour if I'm feeling unadventurous.

Phloof! has always been my favourite shadow for lifting a tired eye, It's the ultimate inner corner shadow.

My camera has made the top two look the same, so here's a close up!!

L-R Dazzlelight & Orb.

Crease Colours

I really do think that everyone should own at least one of the above shades.

I use Espresso to shade in my brows if they need it, it works perfectly for me.

Nocturnelle is the odd duck of my pallette but I was given it as a gift and it's just stayed put since! Although it looks a bit vivid in the pan, applied in the crease this is a lovely alternative for a night out.

Blacks & Silvers.

T-B Electra, Nehru & Black Tied.

These three shadows are probably my least used shades in this pallete, but I they're perfect for when I fancy a more 'classic' smoked up look. The pigmentation of Electra is insane, it's a true silver. I use Black Tied mostly for setting eyeliner but I'm not a big fan of this shadow, it's too glittery for me!! 

Nehru is a lovely subtle blue/black and I adore it! 

What are your favourite MAC eyeshadows?? 

Lots of Love, Laura xxx 

A Very Curious Case...

After a jam packed day yesterday, I limped through my front door and was greeted by a mysterious package.

I opened it up and found a curious lilac box...

I opened it to find the most generous gift from Illamasqua showcasing their new Body Electrics S/S 2010 collection!!

The very kindly sent me three products to have a look at....

'Surge' Liquid Metal

I've always been curious about Illamasqua's famous liquid metals and first impressions have got me hooked!

It's a gorgeous muted silver colour and the pigmentation is amazing, If you get to try this give it a smell too, because it really smells like milky bar!!!

Nail Varnish in Jo'mina & Prism.

I was most excited about Jo'mina when I first saw the previews of the collection, so I was ecstatic when I found this. It's an amazing pure lilac colour that just screams summer to me, I had this about thirty seconds before I decided to paint my little finger nail in it!

Prism didn't excite me as much when I saw it in the bottle, but as soon as I applied to a fingernail I was completely taken with it, it contains blue and lilac reflects and looks like your wearing different nail polish from every angle.

I'd just like to say thank you to Illamasqua for their amazing generosity, It was a shame that the event had to be cancelled but i'll look forward to the next one!!

I've already decided I'm going to be ordering the Liquid Metal Palette when my self enforced make up ban is lifted!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Playing With Lashes: Eldora Lash Review.

A beautiful sunny saturday afternoon, what do I decide to do? Sit indoors and play with false lashes!!

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Ella from Eldora Handmade Lashes and she asked if I would be interested in trying out some of their products, I agreed but told her that I'm not a massive fan of over the top lashes, and I like to keep mine quite natural.

I was amazed when she sent me six pairs of lovely looking lashes to try out.

Eldora have an amazing selection of false lashes, from natural looking lashes to more out there styles such as feather lashes! They are all made from either synthetic materials or steralised human hair and can be reused.

They all come with a small tube of glue that claims to have up to 20 applications in it, but as I've only tried these on a few times, I can't say for sure!

THE FUN PART.

I'm going to show you my two favourite lashes that I've tried on so far, I'm going to stagger these throughout the next few weeks to avoid lash overload.

The Before Shot: I don't have the longest lashes in the world, and the camera doesn't seem to pick up most of them, so they're looking pretty sad here!!

Eldora C107 lashes.

In the tray I thought they looked a big longer than I'd usually go for, but I love these when they're on.

I applied them with the lash glue they came with and was a bit suprised to see that it came out blue! It dries pretty clear though and I didn't have to correct any big mess ups.

I'd wear these in the day time as they give me volume and length without looking too over the top. I put these on quite quickly and they look lovely! I could see myself popping these on if I wanted to in the morning without too much effort.

Once I had these on they felt light and I didn't even notice them after a while, just what I want in a pair of false lashes.

They give my flirty beautiful lashes!!

Eldora B131 Lashes

These are the most dramatic lashes of the bunch and I would only ever wear these on a night out.

They were a little bit more tricky to apply simply because its a thicker strip of lashes, but they still weren't a major problem to apply, I did apply them a little wonky though, so it wasn't the lashes fault!!

These are a lot fuller and a lot more dramatic and they did feel a lot heavier on, but hey, you have to suffer to look beautiful!

They gave me amazing fluttery eyelashes but I didn't feel too "drag" in them, so these get a major thumbs up!!

They were fully stuck on but my less than flawless application meant that the inner corner looks a little unstuck, but they were securely glued on!!

I'm very impressed with Eldora and for the price I don't think you can beat it.

These two pairs were from the Criss Cross Smoky Lash Set.

You get a set of four lashes (C105, C107, C143 and B131) for £9.50 which I think is amazing considering you'd usually pay £8.50 for one pair of MAC Lashes.

Eldora are currently free delivery on all UK purchases and International purchases over £20.00 so you have no excuse! Make Up Artists also get a discount.

If you want more information on Eldora lashes visit http://www.eldora.co.uk/

Overall I am very impressed with these lashes and I'm excited to use them over and over!!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Body Electrics

Illamasqua Body Electrics is out today, and I just wanted to share these amazing images with you, Stunning.

If you want to check out the new collection!

http://www.illamasqua.com/

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

March Favourites Eye Look

When I was writing about my March Favourites, I felt like this was missing from the post, there's no point in telling you how pretty an eye combination is when I could show you instead!

I've been wearing this look almost constantly throughout march, yes I am a creature of habit!

My sister "offered" her services to show you the look, as I went for a different look today, and couldn't bear to take my make up off and start again!

BASE: MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study

LID: MAC Jest e/s

CREASE: MAC Twinks e/s, Barry M Dazzle Dust No.51 Mushroom

HIGHLIGHT: MAC Orb e/s

LASHES: Revlon Fabulash

BROWS: MAC Cork e/s

LINER: MAC Feline Kohl Power

I only tend to add the Dazzle Dust in if I'm off out for the evening, but I thought i'd show you it! Take it out and it's a foolproof daytime look.

What  products and combinations do you rely on for an everyday eye look??

Laura xxx

NOTD: I'm in Miami Beet

Miami Beet by O.P.I

I gave my sister a quick manicure at the weekend and this is the colour she chose. It's a gorgeous reddish purple and will make a lovely alternative to the raft of peach and pastel currently being sported!

Laura xxx

March Favourites

Hello!

I've skipped this for a few monthes because I haven't really had many new "favourites" to tell you all about, but this last month I've been using these products a lot and wanted to tell you all about them.

MAC Eyeshadow in Twinks

I've been using this almost constantly if I want to add a bit more drama to my eye in the daytime, It adds definition to my eye without looking too over the top. It looks fab with All That Glitters and Orb.

MAC Eyeshadow in Jest

This was one of the very first MAC Eyeshadows I bought, and I always seem to come back to it, whether I just plonk it all over my lid or use it with Orb (above) for a fresh day look it never lets me down!

YSL Rouge Volupte No.2 & Viva Glam Gaga

Blah Blah Gaga I know! But I really have been using it constantly this past month, I like that it's a lustre and the colour pay off is more muted, as it's perfect for a more subtle work look, this YSL is my new baby too, I almost want to get it out just to show off how pretty it is! I like to mix these two up too, I put on viva glam over the YSL to give me a nice balmy pink look.

Swatches HERE!

Barry M Dazzle Dust in 51 Mushroom

I own quite a few of these little gems but I they tend to get forgotten about, I recently made a real effort to go through my most neglected make up and put it out in plain view so I'd use it. I'm so glad I did because I've used this on almost every evening out this month!! It's perfect with a more neutral shadow to add a bit of depth. I don't own a pressed shadow that resembles this at all so it's quite unique to me.

Trilliant & Potion No.9 by Sebastian.

The salon I use use's mostly Sebastian hair care so when I last went to get my barnet sorted out I decided to splash out on these two products. I got home and wondered why I had just spent the best part of £35 on hair products that may not do anything for me (we all know it's 40% products and 60% your stylists skills that get you that amazing end result in the salon) but I've really found these to make a difference. However roughly I do my hair after I've washed it, it's always managable smooth and frizz free with these two products. Trilliant smells like melon too which is always a bonus!!

I just put a small blob of the Potion No.9 in my hair whilst it's wet then spritz some Trilliant through it, then before I straighten in I spray each section with it again.

So these are my favourites, what are yours?!

Laura xxx

QUESTION TIME.

I'm looking for a new digital camera as mine is driving me crazy, and suggestions?

Any requests?!

TWITTER

Aveeno Skincare

A while ago I was sent some products from Aveeno to try, I've been putting them to the test and here is my verdict!!

(l-r Skin Relief Moisturiser, Hand Cream, Daily Moisturising Lotion)

What does it claim??

The makers of AVEENO have captured the benefits of naturally active ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter, in products specially formulated to give you beautiful, soft and healthy-looking skin.

AVEENO uses naturally active ingredients from nature which are proven to benefit the skin. Oats have long been known for being absorptive and hypoallergenic, whilst softening, cleansing and soothing the skin. In 1945 scientific advances made way for the fine milling of oatmeal into “colloidal oatmeal”. This allows oatmeal to retain its naturally active benefits, which include:

· Moisturising skin: Oat proteins leave a protective barrier on the skin, which prevents water loss to help maintain moisture.

· Cleansing dry skin: Oats are naturally absorptive and when in powder form, act like tiny sponges to withdraw dirt and dead skin cells so they can be rinsed away.

· Soothing dry, irritated skin: Colloidal oatmeal has been clinically proven to relieve dry skin and associated itching.

Did it live up to the hype??

Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion

I've been using this after I shave my legs to give me a real burst of moisture and I've been impressed with the results, It soothes my skin and isn't greasy.

I really dislike greasy lotions so the non greasy feel of the lotion is a real plus point, it sinks in to my skin quickly and doesn't leave a residue.

My only complaint is that I wish it had more of a scent, but perfuming this more heavily might irritate more chapped sensitive dry skin.

rrp £4.99

Daily Moisturising Lotion

I Initially pushed this to one side instead favouring the skin relief lotion, but I now actually prefer it. It's a little lighter on the skin and even though it states that it's fragrance free you can smell the oatmeal in the cream when you rub it into your skin, it's not overpowering but it's definately there.

I've been using this before I go to bed and my skin still feels hydrated in the morning.

My mum tested this out for me too, and she told me it "works wonders" on her arms.

rrp £4.99

Hand Cream

As the saying goes, I saved the best for last. I use this in the morning and before I go to sleep, and this has left my hands soft and smooth, it's really improved my cuticles too as they've got really dry over winter.

It's a similar consistancy to the daily moisturising lotion, and it sinks right into my skin, it doesn't leave a greasy residue which I really can't deal with!

rrp £4.99

OVERALL THOUGHTS

These three products have worked well for me, the only thing I feel myself yearning for is a more indulgent scent, they're amazing no nonsense staple items that every girl can rely on for soft smooth skin.

They're not the sexiest of products to look at, but the effects far outweigh anything else.

If you want something to look pretty on your dressing table, don't waste your time, but if you want a product that really works I'd seriously consider picking these up!!

For more information visit

 http://www.aveeno.co.uk/

Lots of Love,

Laura xxx