Monday 31 October 2011

Temporary Secretary!! Beautiful Jewellery Girls!!

Yesterday evening I stumbled across the fabulous website with the most, fun, vintage inspired, kitsch jewellery I have ever seen!!!



I found it while taking part in Twitter #bbloggers chat, I started to follow Sarah after the odd Tweet, then I discovered she had a jewellery website. Being the little magpie that I am, and ever so slightly nosey, I had to take a look!!!
I just want to point out that I have no association with this website, nor have I been sent any jewellery pieces, I simply just fell in love with the beautiful, affordable goodies!!! Prices range from £2 to £25!



I love the quirky pieces, such as the miniature teacups, sewing machines, cupcakes, telephones, cameras , but my 3 favourites bits so far are the Welcome To Wonderland necklace, the Keep Calm and Carry On necklaces, Turquoise Bird Ring and the Green Princess Ring
As well as necklaces, rings, earrings,  brooches, Sarah makes hair accessories, cutely named Hair Candy, you’ll also find the cutest stationary sets!!


If you liked the beans on toast ring that Katy Perry recently wore, check this out !!!

You can also order a ‘Lucky Dip’ where you pay £10 for 5 Items or £20 for 12 items!! How cool is that,  you’d be so excited to receive the package and see what goodies have been picked for you!!


You also must take a look at Sarah’s blog , she won the A/W Look Magazines Blog Competition in October!!!

So I just want wanted to share this with you in time for Christmas, I know I’ll be hinting heavily and I REALLY hope my husband is reading this post!!!!!!


Thursday 27 October 2011

Halloween FOTD

So the spooky season is upon us, who doesn’t love getting dressed up? Whether you’re going to a party or trick or teating with the kids, it’s all good fun!

I was so inspired my Karla Powell's Halloween looks, I thought I’d try to create my own!!



Base
FashionistA Luminous Foundation
Vivo Undereye Concealer Roll On

ELF HD Powder
UD Naked palette in Darkhorse (To contour nose and cheekbones)
Eyes
ELF Eyelid Primer

MUA in Matt Black

MUA Dusk til Dawn Palette (dark blue glittery shade)
UD Naked Palette in Gun Metal
Vivo Lengthening Mascara
ELF Mineral Eyeliner in Ash

HD Brow  Kit
Lips
MUA Lipstick in Shade 1 (Deep Red)


For this look, I applied a lot of  the  ELF HD Powder to whiten the skin, heavily contoured the cheekbones and a little on the top of the nose, very black smokey eyes and deep red matt lips!!

I can't wait to create this again on the 31st, although I'm only trick or Treating with the kids!!

This is not a look I’d normally go for as I don’t tend to wear really dark colours on my eyes, and I very rarely contour, but I might actually tone this down for a night out....although I can’t possibly leave the house without bronzer!!

Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble........Mwhahahaahhhhaaa!!!!


Tuesday 25 October 2011

Vivo Baked Baked Bronzer, Baked Blush & Highlighter Review!!

Yesterday I did my first ever FOTD, the majority of the products I used were Vivo Cosmetics. The lovely people at Vivo sent me a bag of products to try out!!
In my previous post I did say that the range has been compared and likened to MAC which I think is a pretty high claim! However, I am really impressed, the quality of the products is amazing, the only thing I wasn't as keen on was the packaging, but overall I love Vivo, especially with these 3 products!!!



Vivo Baked Bronze in Sun Kiss £5




This is a really beautiful bronzer, due to being pretty heavily pearlised I would use it mainly as a highlighter on my cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupids bow etc, rather than all over.

Using it as a highlighter gives you such a beautiful healthy glow, the colour is also buildable so its natural enough to use for daytime and you can apply more for an evening look!!

This has been compared to the MAC Skin Finish, and I totally agree. The quality is superb!!

Vivo Baked Blush in Rosy £4



I love this blusher, again it’s been compared to the Semi Precious MSF, I own the Semi-Precious Crystal Pink, the colour isn’t the same but the quality is very similar. If anything the Vivo is slightly more pigmented!!
This deep pink, rosy colour is perfect for my colouring and so flattering. I’m in love!!



Vivo Highlighter £5


This highlighter is just gorgeous, this has been compared to the MAC Strobe Cream, I’ve never used it so I can’t really comment on that. What I can say is this is a gorgeous creamy texture, which brightens and illuminates lack lustre complexions!
You can use it under your foundation, mix it with your foundation, wear it alone or dab it on for a healthy looking glow to your cheekbones!

I am wearing all three products as well as a few others, which I’ll be reviewing also, here!!



In the next few days I will be reviewing some of the lip and eye products from the range!!

Vivo is available in selected Tesco's now!!


Monday 24 October 2011

Vivo FOTD

Hey girls, so this is my first ever FOTD, I’m not keen on taking close up shots of myself, as I pick out every flaw. I also don’t have a fantastic camera, and I’m no Rankin, so it takes a good 30 odd shots to get a half decent photo!!
Anyway, the reason for this post is the fabulous products I used to create the look! Most of the products I used are Vivo Cosmetics.

You probably know that Vivo is a new brand exclusive to Tescos, the prices range from £1.50 - £6 and is being compared higher end brands such as MAC!
So when Vivo sent me some goodies to try out, being a complete makeup junkie I was super excited, although being a MAC lover, I didn’t have high expectations from a range with eyeshadows costing only £1.50!!!
Well........I LOVE IT!!!!!


Base

Vivo Primer
Vivo Highlighter (Love)
FashionistA Luminous Foundation
Vivo Undereye Concealer Roll on
ELF HD Powder
Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder
Vivo Baked Bronze in Sun Kiss £5 (To highlight cheekbones and bridge of nose) (Love)
Vivo Baked Blush in Rosy (Love)
Eyes
Vivo Trio Eyeshadow Palette in Sugar Plum
ELF Mineral Eyeliner in Ash
Vivo Lengthening  Mascara Black (Love)
HD Brows Kit
Lips
Vivo Diamond Sparkle Lip Gloss in Raspberry Sorbet (Love)

Like I said, I'm no Rankin, so my photos haven't done the makeup justice as you can hardly see the colour on my eyes!

I will be reviewing all of these products, tomorrow to will do a post on the Baked Bronzer and Blush!!





Thursday 20 October 2011

Beauty Insider Q&A - Katie Jane Hughes

Hi guys, this is a post I’m have been super excited to get out to you!! Eeeeppp!!! Anyway, if you follow me on  Twitter  you may have noticed I’ve mentioned a few times that I had some great ideas for the blog....well this is it!!!
I’m starting a regular Q&A with the girls and guys within the beauty industry.

Last Saturday at TOWIB I met the head makeup artist of FashionistA Cosmetics Katie Hughes, I also met Vivo Cosmetics head makeup artist Karla Powell. Both created some stunning looks for us, showcasing both brands. Meeting these too extremely talented women has inspired me so much to get back into working with makeup again. The reasons why I don’t anymore is a whole other story (and probably quite boring), which maybe I’ll leave for another post!!
Anyway, this got me thinking! I’m sure the majority of my followers are beauty junkies or new to makeup and are looking for tips, tricks and reviews, amongst you there maybe some aspiring Makeup Artists that would like an idea of how to get involved in this glamorous industry!

So, what better way than to get an insider view from the girls as the top of their profession!
Starting with the gorgeous Katie Hughes, celebrity manicurist and FashionisA Cosmetics Head of Makeup.


1. How did you begin your career as a makeup artist?
I have always been so interested in makeup and what it can do, so just out of school I took a few classes here and there... But the bulk of my skill coma from assisting other artists on big jobs etc

2. What is a day in the life of Katie Jane Hughes like?
One day I could be doing makeup for a look book, next day could be a fashion story... And then working with celebs too... That's the beauty of this job most jobs are different. That's one of the reasons why I love it.

3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Every job is a highlight (really) as I get paid to do what I love... If I had to single out one thing. It would be that I'm the make up artist for FashionistA, I have been given a platform to show an share my knowledge with others...

4. Which celebrities makeup are you loving right now?
Oh gosh that's hard, I love Olivia Palermo and her makeup, Kelly Rowland and defiantly Beyonce... Ooo oh and j,lo she so beautiful... (I love them all) although I do not favour Christina Agularia or Lyndsey Lohan make up...

5. What are your top 3 products you can't live without?
Kit: Laura Mercier secret camouflage concealer, FashionistA brown eye pencil (amazing as a cheek contour) yes really! And a pallet of cream colours as I could use them for eyes lips cheeks if I want to...
Personal makeup bag: black gel eye liner from FashionistA, EOS lip balm and bronzer...  The new Vivo ones amazing!

6. What 3 staple products should every girl have in their makeup bag?
Black kohl pencil, good red lipstick and lip balm...

Thank you so much Katie for sharing this with us!! Take a look at Katie’s blog katiejanehughes and make sure you catch all her tips and tricks on the FashionistA  You Tube Channel and Tweet her!!

FashionistA Cosmetics are an exciting new range which brings Catwalk Style to the highstreet. The range includes, gel eyeliners, lip plumping glazes, custom palettes, magnetic nail polishes and so much more! This is available in selected Superdrugs. I will be doing a review very soon!!!
Next I'll be chatting to the gorgeous Karla Powell !!




Sunday 16 October 2011

The Only Way Is Blogging!!

Yesterday was the second TOWIB (The Only Way Is Blogging).The event was set up by Hayley , It’s a chance for beauty bloggers to get together to talk all things beauty.

 I met up with Stacey  Laura  Grace & Em at Green Park tube station and we headed off to Babble Bar, where the event was being held. We chatted a bit, mingled, met the other girls behind the blogs and Tweets!

Me and the gorgeous Stacey

The lovely Laura with me and Stacey!
Then at 12.30 we were introduced to FashionitsA Cosmetics where their makeup artist Katie Hughes created catwalk inspired looks on 3 lucky girls!!





We were able to choose which palette combination we wanted, between blues, brown/gold, and a blush/highlighter palette. I went with the blues as it’s a little out of my comfort zone and I’m trying to step out of that!!


Then Karla Powell the makeup artist for Vivo Cosmetics created 3 stunning looks, which we were later to choose our favourite and given the products to create the look! Which of course I’ll be reviewing very soon! My favourite look was ‘Winter Bold’, I loved the bold red lips, can you believe I’m a red lipstick virgin? Shocking, I know!!!!!

Karla Powell


Soon after Zoe and Lilly gave us tips and tricks to improve our photography. Unfortunately I was a little further back, so I didn’t catch it all, which was a shame as I am in great need of improving my piccies!! (As you can see here!!)

Sadly, due to having to get back to the kiddies I missed the Q & As with the Big Bloggers, I really wish I could have stayed for that, but luckily I managed to catch up with the LOVELY Zoe, who I tweet regularly as I live in her hometown, such a small world!!


I had such a fantastic time and I can't wait for the next TOWIB!! Bring it on!! xx

Saturday 8 October 2011

Andrea Fulerton Petrol In Water...........Beautiful!

OMG I’m in love with a nail polish!!

I’d seen a post few posts featuring the Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique Trio Layering System in the colour Petrol in Water and just I had to have it!!



Andrea is a nail technician to the stars and has created her own range of nailcare, tools and polishes. 

Basically Petrol in Water is 3 colours in one, you can wear both colours alone, but what happens when you apply both is AMAZING!!

Ok, so firstly it’s recommended you apply the darker shade first, which is beautiful in its own right, in some lights it’s a chocolately brown, in others it’s a bronze. Then you apply the lighter colour, in the bottle it looks pearly white, packed with the tiniest green/purple glitter, the magic happens when you apply this!


Look at the transformation!!! This colour is just stunning! It’s totally iridescent, in some lights it’s a bright shimmery purple, in others it’s a delicious teal/peacock green, which is what you are seeing in the photos here!


I just applied two coats of the darker shade and only one with the lighter, I did this 45 minutes ago and my nails feel completely dry!

I simply adore this colour and I can’t stop looking at it, I applied it tonight so I’ve only seen it in artificial light, can’t wait to see what it looks like in the day light! Also, only applying it tonight I can't comment on the chip factor so I'll update you on that!!



You know what, if Ariel wasn't a cartoon (I won’t say “If she was real”......she is!), this is what her tail would look like!!! Ooooh Andrea you should have called it Mermaids Tail, much prettier name!!
This is available in Superdrug for £7.99.

Friday 7 October 2011

My Beautiful Pink Shoes!!!......Have to go!!

Today is a bit of a sad day, It’s the day I’m putting my beautiful pink Gina shoes up for sale on Ebay! I treated myself to these with money I got for my 21st Birthday.



I was working for Aveda in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge at the time, so my Mum and Auntie met me in London after a shift in December 2003. The day had gone sooooo slowly as I was just super excited about being let loose in the Gina store!

Google Images

Finally 5pm came and we set off for the Sloane Street boutique.  I was totally in love with the store itself, the chandeliers , the beautiful arm chair which I was later to sit on while choosing the perfect shoe for me! The assistant was a real sweetheart, very helpful and friendly and made the experience a fun one!
She asked me what I was looking for, I had no idea really. I knew the shoe would find me, it would stand out a mile saying “Buy Me, I’m beautiful”.....Ok, so the shoe didn’t exactly talk to me but as soon as I saw the stunning magenta satin, bow detailed peep toe, sling back....That was it, I was in LOVE!!



Of course as expected in a designer store, there were no prices to be seen!  So when the sales assistant told me they were £280, I wasn’t overly surprised, in fact for these beautiful works of art I was happy with the price.  They were slightly more than the amount I’d been given for my Birthday, but I’d been working hard as a beauty consultant, I was young, free and single......What better way to spend my money, right??



While working in London, I’d met some great people, had a lot of fun and been to a few clubs, enjoying singledom! Although in this time I’d worn my beautiful hot pink heels only twice. That was 8 years ago. I’ve held on to these shoes for sentimental reasons really, as well as them being the most beautiful pair of shoes I’ve ever owned.  I like to look at them every now and again and think about my glamorous, cosmopolitan life in London!

So I’m now a married Mother of two beautiful children, I feel it’s time some other girlie girl should enjoy these stunners! I hope they go to a good home!

Don’t get me wrong girls, I’m in no rush to give up heels and I fully expect to get a pair of Louboutins for my 30th (next Dec), they’ll just be slightly more practical....err by being black!!

These will be mine!!!!
(Google Images)

Oh and don’t worry you won’t see me caught dead in a pair of Clarkes or Crocs any time soon!!