A cheaper alternative!

I've been debating whether to get arcylic nails or gel nails which can both have damaging effects on your natural nails.

Instead i've opted for press on nails.

Same effect as acrylics/gels without the damage.

I used Nailene So Natural in 71000 Pink (short length/square shape) which were £6.85 from Superdrug.

These are a bargain compared to the upkeep of acrylic nails. They are simple to apply and can easily be removed.

They come with a nail glue which I neglected to use. I bought Nailene ultra quick glue which seems to hold them on for longer.

I applied mine on Monday and they are still going strong :)

They have curbed my cravings...for now!

BBR Contest!

I've chosen to recreate Katy Perry's look for Holly and Hele's contest.

Her makeup stood out the most to me not to mention those piercing blue eyes.

This is my interpretation:

Products used:

Face: MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC15
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Porcelain
MSF Natural in Light
Chanel Bronze Universel to contour and bronze
MAC Vanilla pigment as highlight
MAC Well Dressed blush

Eyes: Katy seems to be wearing a light wash of colour on her lids. Her main focus seems to be under the eyes.
MAC Soft Ochre paintpot
Urban Decay Blunt e/s all over lid
MAC Vanilla e/s as highlight and also in the inner corners
MAC Blacktrack fluidline on upper lashline
Maxfactor 2000 Calorie mascara
MAC Brassy fluidline on lower waterline
MAC Tempting e/s smudged along lower lashes
MAC Charcoal Brown e/s to fill in brows and then set with vaseline to obtain Katy's glossy brows
NYC false lashes

Lips:
Blistex to prime
Concealer to mute my natural lip colour
NYX Round lipstick in Orange Soda

Hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed doing it.

xx

Intriguing Scarlet: Warm Eyes!

I created this look using my new MAC palette which I mentioned in my previous post.

I used - Warm Suede, Well Spiced and Real Drama:

I also used Bobbi Browns gel eyeliner in Ivy Shimmer Ink (which I received in a swap from Magpie Sparkles) along my upper lashline and water line although you can't really tell from the picture.

For reference I used:
Cheeks - Enough Said
Lips - NYX Harmonica Round Lipstick

Today is a proud day

I have finally completed my first MAC palette. It's only taken me two months.


I'm very pleased with the end result.

Top Row: Modest Tone, Mythology, Wintersky, Deep Truth and 100 Strokes
Middle Row: Woodwinked, Sable, Cranberry, Mulch and Femme Fi
Bottom Row: All That Glitters, Plum Dressing, Tempting, Gleam and Smut


What shadows made up your first palette?

X

Junction One

This morning I made the long journey to Junction One, a shopping outlet in Northern Ireland which stocks NYX but most importantly has a Cosmetic Company Store where you can find discounted brands such as MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Estee Lauder.

My main focus was the MAC counter which usually stocks items from previous collections but you can find permanent items too. There was brush sets and palettes from the holiday collection just past, Metal X shadows and some leftovers from Neo Sci-Fi, Fafi and Moonbathe.

My haul:

Smut E/S, Red She Said blush in Enough Said and Trax E/S

Top: Enough Said (tan with gold pearl)
L-R - Smut (black with red shimmer) and Trax (burgandy-plum)

Intriguing Scarlett Warm Eyes Palette

Top Row: Warm Suede, Grand Entrance, Real Drama
Bottom Row: Gentle Heat, Well Spiced, Sweet Joy

Two fluidlines in Dip Down and Brassy. I intend to use Brassy along my lower lashes for added colour.

I never noticed before but the Cosmetic Co. Store also sell empty palettes.

I picked up an empty 15 slot palette and a quad.

E.L.F Makeover

On Wednesday night I placed an order with E.L.F cosmetics. My goodies arrived this morning, just in time to be featured in todays makeup.

My goodies include: Empty eyeshadow palette, Eye shadow pans in Moondust, Golden Glow, Mocha and Truly Pink (currently all £1), All Over Colour Stick in Pink Lemonade, Hypershine Lipgloss in Fairy and Mineral lipstick in Nicely Nude.

The eyeshadows have quite good pigmentation and have lasted all day (I used UDPP as a base).

Despite the quality of the eyeshadows, the lip products where a let down. The hypershine gloss looked horrible on my lips. It showed up as a glittery purple although it may look better if I apply lip erase first. The mineral lipstick was far from nude. Its more of a pink. I applied it lightly to get just a hint of colour.

This is the finished look:

My favourite product has to be the All Over Cover Stick in Pink Lemonade. First of all this smells delicious and works great as a base under powder blush. I paired it with MAC's Well Dressed. I found it easier to dab my 168 onto the product rather than swipe it directly on my cheek,that way you can't overdo it.

Current craving

Recently i've found myself lusting after arcrylic nails.

Photo courtesy of sensalsa.co.nz

I know these are not the healthiest for your nails and there are lots of horror stories but i'm so jealous of those with well groomed, long talons

I've always wanted WAG style nails with the perfect french manicure. This obsession has been encouraged with the current state of my nails ie bad cuticles, different lengths and certain nails are always peeling.

They are permently hidden underneath layers of dark polish.

So come pay day I hope to book my first appointment to have acrylics fitted leaving me with the nails I yearn for :)

I sort of know before I ask, but what are your feelings on acrylic nails? There must be some people who swear by them and who are keeping nail salons in business.

Check out this video. It certainly made me feel better about acrylics.