Nars Nails

As Autumn approaches I go a bit nail varnish mad, ditching the nudes, corals and pink tones for richer hues that scream winter.

Enter Nars Vintage Nails Collection...

L-R

Midnight Express

Mash

Zulu

Full Metal Jacket

King Kong

If you haven't already guessed it, the main inspiration stems from classic cinema, lovely!

Although i'm not blown away by every colour here, Zulu and King Kong are calling my name...

Are you into diving into Autumn with your nail polish yet?

Laura xxx

Seeing Rouge...

I went out with a few friends on Saturday and was in the mood for a red lip, rather than a typical glossy red lip I prefer a more stained/blotted red lip as it feels far more young and "hip"...

Step 1: ALWAYS moisturise!!

Nothing says gross like a flaky lip with lipstick over the top.

I'm prone to dry lips and most lipsticks can dry my lips out so Blistex Intensive Moisturiser is ESSENTIAL for me!

Step 2: Put down a base coat.

I prefer not to use a lip liner as I don't want it to be the perfect red lip, but I do use a lip brush to make sure I roughly keep in between the lines!

Whilst I was looking through my draw I noticed the lovely little prize I had sent to me that very morning, courtesy of Laura at The Beauty Sanctum.

I lightly pressed this on and it gives a lovely rich red colour, very impressed and so handy to take out with you.

Step 3: Pop on the Lippie. 

I used my current favourite red, Revlon Color Sensational in Coral.

I pat this on straight from the tube and then blot once before adding a second layer, still patting, no full on slicks of red here!! 

For some reason I couldn't get it to show up quite so bright as I'm trying to take pictures without natural light, but here's a rushed FOTD from Saturday Night, when I mean rushed, this is the only picture I took.

Voila, Rouge Lips! 

  

How do you wear your rouge?

Laura xxx

Favourites of the Week

Just a few things that have made the week a little bit more bearable!!

On my Nails...

Illamasqua Scarab...NOTD

On My Feet...

These snazzy boots from Topshop!

The perfect winter ankle boot.

In My Hair...

Charles Worthington Dream Hair Shine Spritz: Smells Lush & Leaves My Hair S-H-I-N-Y.

On My Lips...

LIP BALM...I'm embracing the natural look and enjoying a natural balmy lip.

Over & Out

Laura xxx

Cheap Thrills

I popped into my local superdrug with one thing on my mind, a cheap perfume hit.

I've managed to keep the perfume monster in me locked away for a few monthes, which currently stands at a personal best BUT I just couldn't help myself today.

I had two tack-tastic perfumes in mind, Fantasy by Miss Spears and Katie Price's classy foray into the perfume market - Stunning.

Being the classy girl I am, I decided to give "Stunning" a go.

There's no doubt about it, the packaging and the bottle feel like the perfume should just be called "Stunnin'"

But one whiff would tell you why I plumped for this, it's the famous Miss Dior Cherie copycat.

You really can't knock the knock off, although i'm suprised they've got away with this one!

Let's be honest, when it's on the skin, who the hell is going to know the difference?

It's not exactly one for the dressing table but It'll do just fine thank you.

Do you have any celebrity perfume favourites?

Laura xxx

A Little Gem: Cath Kidston Wild Rose Lip Balm

I was surprised with this little gem by my lovely mother on Saturday with a few Cath Kidston goodies, and I've been most impressed with this little lip balm.

I could give this top marks just for the adorable packaging, but it's a lovely balm too.

It has a slight rose scent, I love it but I'd imagine it's down to preference!

A major plus for the little wonder is that it's paraben and sulphate free, perfect.

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make me the happiest! It's now taken residence in my handbag.

Laura xxx

RRP: £5.00

Sparkle Sparkle

I momentarily popped into Topshop on Saturday and fought my way through the heaving store to the jewellery section, where these little beauties sang out to me.

Glitzy? Yes. Understated? No. Fabulous? YES.

It isn't my usual style to have something so sparkley and so massive hanging from my earlobes, but with a messy bun and a simple outfit, I can see these looking just perfect.

Sometimes it's good to step out of your comfort zone, so why not do it with some massive earrings!

Laura xxx

NOTD: Illamasqua Scarab

As we brace ourselves for the onslaught of Autumn and it's drizzly weather, short, dark days and general grey outlook we must remember it's not all that bad!

Case in point: Deep, luxurious nail varnish! It's the small things that get us through...

I popped Scarab by Illamasqua on late last night and was absolutely smitten.

The polish came out with Art of Darkness, Illamasqua's latest offering and it hasn't disappointed.

It took one coat to achieve a lustrous deep scarlet/burgundy finish on my nails, the polish has a beautiful red shimmer running through it, almost giving a petrol like sheen to the nail.

Adore.

It's a keeper.

Laura xx

The polish costs £13 and is available from www.illamasqua.com until the 16th September when it will be available at counters.

NOTD Jade Rose & A Gold Nugget Finger

   

Why choose one when you can have two?!

I was happily painting my nails in Chanel Jade Rose when Dior Gold Nugget caught my eye...

 

Enter a Gold Dior pimp nail...the perfect way to spice up nude nails!

Lots of Love,

Laura xxx

Let The Banquet Begin: Illamasqua Event 11.09.2010

On Saturday I went to have a sneak peak at Illamasqua's brand new flagship store and amazing new collection "The Art of Darkness".

The store was fully decked out in a whimsical, mystical theme that brought the theme to life.

 Without entering into full blown gush mode, the store is simply stunning, spacious edgy and oh soo Illamasqua.

On arrival we were treated to a mysterious bubbling punch that certainly packed one!

After we settled down to watch a short film on the new collection, Alex Box gave us a short talk about the new collection and the new store, It really did show me how much Illamasqua 'get' the whole blogging thing, we're not a faction or an afterthought, but appreciated wholeheartedly.

She talked about the new store being a place were make up artists new and established can come and "prop up the bar", chat and learn.

I really did love the new collection, picture time!

laid out like an ancient banquet...

pigments to play with...

hello mysterious cocktail in the corner...

One of the lovely make up artists there let me snap her hand and look at the amazing colours and pigmentation...

Top-Bottom/Left-Right: Ore Pigment, Stoic LM, Resolute LM.

Disciple Lipstick, Alchemy Precision Ink, Superior LM, Alchemy PI, Mixture!, Hermetic Intense Lipgloss.

Alchemy has jumped right onto my need list!

Alex Box was also working her magic on the store staff!

The theme has been completely embodied in the make up and It's like a breath of fresh air!

I had a brilliant time at Illamasqua and I just thought i'd leave you with a shot of the beautiful characters!

Illamasqua's Flagship Store Will Open Monday 13th September & The Art of Darkness will be coming soon...

xxxx

Plump Up The Volume...

The pout: staple of all fashionistas, beauty gurus and posers since the year dot.

I purchased my first "lip plumper" years ago whilst I was in 6th form (Urban Decay Big Fatty Lip Plumper FYI) and have a had a mild curiosity/obsession with them since. Is there really a non evasive/surgical answer to plump lips?

Enter "plump & shine" lipgloss.

On opening the package I was pleasently suprised, its good sturdy packaging that would sit beside any higher end brand without looking out of place.

The Lipgloss came in three colour choices, Nude (Red), Seduce (Dark Pink) & Candy (Light Pink)

I played it safe and went for Candy, a pretty light nude pink.

It applies nicely, it's not sticky but equally feels like it will stick around for a while.

Right, time for the acid test, does it actually work?!

BEFORE: Naked lips.

AFTER: Left for 5 minutes to let it work, Plumped?

It has the typical bee sting feeling when you apply and I feel like they're plumper, but I'm not sure I can really see that they do.

OVERALL VERDICT:

I think this is a nice gloss that applies well and has good lasting power, would I buy it? No. Why not? It costs £24.95! If it made a noticable difference in the plumpness of my lips I might consider it, but as it acts more like a regular lipgloss I'll be sticking to other cheaper alternatives.

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

FYI: This was sent to me, but obviously It hasn't changed my opinion girls!

Quick Fire Review: L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes

In keeping with my current mascara addiction, I picked up the latest offering from L'Oreal, Volume Million Lashes.

The brush is rubber, quite flexible and rather short.

The Results: I'm neither blown away or bitterly disappointed by million lashes, I wouldn't say it "millionises" my lashes but it does give me some length and volume.

The one MAJOR downfall with the mascara is the formulation, it's soo wet that it get EVERYWHERE if you're not careful, don't you dare sneeze for at least ten minutes after application unless you're going for the Alice Cooper look.

I'm going to let it dry out a little bit to see if we have a better product but at the moment, i'm afraid i'm not a big fan.

How Much Is It?: RRP £10.99 

Where from?: Boots, Superdrug etc! 

 Laura xxx

Calling All Junior Make Up Artists...

A little bit of a detour on The Beauty Spark tonight:


I just wanted to give you all a big heads up about an amazing competition that's currently running for all junior make up artists by PAM or http://www.makeup-provisions.com/.

The lucky winner can win £500 of make up from PAM, sponsored prizes and a day working on a film set that could kick start your professional make up career!

PAM are looking for an:

 "outstanding young make up artist who is dedicated, brilliant and has the ambition and drive to win"

If you're interested in entering please check out the link below, it includes the full rules and requirements of the competition.

http://www.makeup-provisions.com/docs/PAM-Student-Competition.pdf

Competition closes 1st January 2011.

This is a fantastic opportunity for any make up artists who are just starting out in their career, I strongly recommend you enter!

Right, detour over!

Laura

FYI: I'm not gaining anything by telling you all about this, I just couldn't keep this one to myself...

xxx