NOTD: Shellac Masquerade

Morning folks (don't think I've ever blogged this early before!),

just a quick NOTD post for you before I shoot off to work, this time it's Shellac's Masquerade:

This shade is exactly what I think Masquerade would be as a nail polish: suave, sophisticated and a little bit sultry!

What do you think?

melanie x

June 2011 Favourites

Better late than never!

MeMeMe Beat the Blues Highlighter in Moonbeam

As I may have mentioned a few (million) times, I am OBSESSED with obtaining that elusive "glow", and so any products which claim to glow/illuminate/highlight etc, etc, i'm straight on it. I bought this a little while back and really like it as an alternative to Benefits Highbeam. It can go a little grey over foundation, although i've actually found putting it UNDER foundation gives a lovely effect.

Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation

I recently did a review post on this, and i've included it as I do genuinely like it as a slightly heavier alternative to tinted moisturiser for the summer months. It was really hot today (probably the first in Scotland this year, ha) and this was good to put on rather than a heavy coverage foundation (such as my Estee Lauder Double Wear/Revlon Photoready combo that I am so fond of!)

Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner

This little beauty has made an appearance in my monthly favourites before, but i've taken to using it almost on a daily basis and feels that it warrants a mention again as it is so fab! It has been hailed as the budget version of Urban Decay's 24/7 pencil, and i'm inclined to agree. With an RRP of around £6 it is considerably cheaper than 24/7's RRP of £13, but with the same effect. As it is a gel in pencil form it glides on really easily, and can be used on both the lash and water lines, and will.not.budge (I swatched it for a youtube video earlier and was literally scrubbing at it with a tissue afterwards!)

KCo Ultra Lash Mascara

Another product from one of my recent review posts (I say recent, I just chcked and it was May!), I LOVE this mascara for defining my lower lashes. As it dries to an almost "plastic" finish (bear with me), it won't flake, crumble or smudge on the lower lash line, making it perfect for here!

(Left: Ambre Rose, Right: Runway Pink)

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Ambre Rose

This lipstick was one of those ones that you stash away, only to rediscover and wonder why you'd put it away in the first place. A beautiful rich, girly pink with a hint of sparkle to it, this is the perfect summer shade to perk up your pout! I'd say it was a sparklier version of ELF's Runway Pink (see comparison pic above)

Fraulien Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

(My recent review of this can be found here)

Excellent  value for money palette which I have been using on a daily basis to achieve really easy neutral daytime looks. It only cost me £5.98 and so far I haven't been disappointed. Great cheaper version of a Mac palette, and my mum has been threatening to steal it!

What have you been loving this month?

Melanie x

Ring a ding ding...

Some recent additions to my ever-expanding ring collection!

I think I might need to find a new way of storing my jewellery...!

Melanie x

Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation Review

Bonjour mon amies, today's post is in the form of a review, this time for Maxfactor Second Skin Foundation:

I came across this whilst browsing on Fragrance Direct, and had been intending to purchase the Revlon Colorstay, but (after doing a quick google/blog search for reviews) decided to opt for this instead after being taken in (as I often am) by the blurb: multi-tonal pigment technology to blend with your natural skin tone/creates a smooth, flawless finish/innovative formula that creates the look of natural looking skin

Fragrance Direct were also offering this for £9.99 for 30ml instead of the usual RRP of £13.99, so I thought i'd try it whilst I could get it on offer.

I purchased (what I thought was) the lightest shade offered by Fragrance Direct (click here to see the Second Skin page on the website...oo I've just noticed it's gone up in price by 51p!), 040 Creamy Ivory, but when I received the product it did look quite dark, and I was worried I was going to end up with tango face!

(As you can see in the pics above and below the foundation does look a tad darker than my hand colour)

As you can see below however, it blends out really well and does seem to adapt to your natural skin shade, albeit whilst adding a slight tint to the skin.

This particular foundation is definitely of the light-to-medium coverage, possibly leaning more to the lighter side - i'd say it was almost like a tinted moisturiser but with a bit more coverage.

A little goes a long way - I use half a pump per four areas of my face (so two pumps worth for both cheeks, chin and forehead), and find it actually blends to a more natural finish when used with a foundation/stipple brush (I tried initially using just my fingers, but found the product was simply wiping off areas rather than blending in!)

Like a tinted moisturiser it gives enough coverage to even out skintone whilst giving a suble tint/lift and lovely glow to the skin. You will need extra concealer to cover spots/redness however (I use a green concealer round my nose and Rimmel coverstick on blemishes).

(With and without flash at 8am this morning)

(Without and with flash at around 5:30pm tonight)

As with any light coverage foundation by the end of a hard working day (ha) and in an air-conditioned office environment, it has worn off slightly, but not obviously so. I tend to find foundation (of any sort) wears off and goes patchy round my nose and chin, therefore I wasn't expecting Second Skin (which doesn't claim to be long lasting, infallible etc) to perform miracles and still look as fresh as it did first thing this morning, and I would like to put it to the "summer test", i.e. how it fairs through heat, sweat, etc etc.

It doesn't however leave my skin looking dry/cakey or dull as some foundations at the end of the day  can do, and as its so light it hasn't caused me to break out (*touch wood*).

I think this makes a good alternative to heavier foundations as we're coming into summer, whilst still providing that little bit more coverage and "security" than tinted moisturiser.

Have you tried it?

Melanie

NOTD: A Shellac Hybrid!

I'm chanelling my inner Wizard of Oz/Emerald City vibe this week with my choice of nail colour:

There is no name for this particular shade, as it's actually a combination of two Shellac polishes: Black Pool (a jet black) with Iced Coral (a coral shade with a slight green dimension to it).

I couldn't get my head round how combining black with coral could equal amazing glittery emerald green, but apparently Iced Coral can be layered with a multitude of different Shellac shades to produce amazing colours (it must be the magic UV-lamp effect!)

Can't wait for my next appointment to try a different colour!

Melanie x

Style Crush of the Week...Nicole Richie

Hello lovely folk,

i'm back with another Style Crush of the week for you, this time its the teeny-tiny Nicole Richie.
Now, who can forget when she looked like this:

Thankfully she's looking a lot more healthy nowadays, and has her own clothing and jewellery lines (named Winter Kate and House of Harlow respectively).

I really like Nicole's casual, (seemingly) just-thrown-together boho type of style, and the way she accessorises with key pieces such as designer handbags (her favourites being Balenciaga and Chanel), funky sunglasses, hats and beautiful scarves.



Melanie x