When Something Is So Pretty it Makes You Want To Cry...

This is hands down the best spontaneous purchase I have made in a long time. I just walked past it in Selfridges and although I admired its beauty...I walked on. However, one of the lovely ladies at the Bobbi Brown counter grabbed me and said I must try it. 

Usually i'm pretty good at saying no, but the moment I saw that sheen, I was done. 

Here we have the Bobbi Brown Highlighter in Pink Glow. 

I have never owned a BB highlighter before...in fact now I think of it, I think everything I own from her is matte. GOOD GOD this woman does glow well. 

The moment the light hit my cheeks, I saw this beautiful, ethereal yet refined glow.

Do not be fooled by the name, this is not 'Pink' - we aren't talking Benefits High Beam, this is more of a beige with a hint of pink/peach. There is no overwhelming colour to this, it is just very sheeny. 

If highlighters are your thing- I really think you should check this out. 

The texture is incredibly smooth yet it does not kick up any excess powder. It is very dense in the pan so one would assume it's dry- but it's not. 

My preferred method of application is with a fan brush on the high points of my face. Pink Glow is very buildable so it's up to you to create as much glow as you like.

I have applied this with my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush but for my tastes it came off a little too strong. 

If applied heavily, this can look quite metallic. It still looks wonderful, but for me it is a little too much- especially in the day time. 

The swatches really don't do this justice- I'm still trying to get used to the lighting in my new flat. 

This is a firm favourite in my make up collection and I have worn it constantly since I picked it up. 

I have fair/medium skin with warm undertones and this really suits me. If you are a touch darker though, there is a bronzier shade which may be better suited.  

Bottom Line : I am in love. You need this. 

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Liz Earle Powder Blush : Swatch and Review

If you have read this post, you will be well aware that I totally adore the Liz Earle Cream Blushes. They are some of the best I have ever tried and really create that dewy flush of colour.

I realised whilst sorting through my make up stash that I had rather ignored their powder counterpart- so I just wanted to right this wrong!

This is the Liz Earle Powder Blush in Nude, which is described as a rosy apricot.

It has a matte finish, which is not usually something I go for- I like my blushes with a dose of glow, however this is one of the creamiest matte blushes I have tried.

It is surprisingly silky to the touch, it's not overly powdery, it kicks up very little powder at all in fact and it blends with ease considering it is a matte.

This colour does create a lovely natural flush and I really should make a effort to use it more often!

Do I prefer it to the cream blushes? No. I think if you are dithering between, the creams reign supreme. 

This is a lovely blush though so I have moved things around a bit so I have more easy access to it, the colour reads very autumnal to me and due to its rosy base, it suits a multitude of make up looks.

What do you guys prefer? Cream or Powder? 

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Autumn Lip Options No.3 : Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Berry Much

When I have been feeling a super matte, dark lip, this has been my lipstick of choice.

As you can see, the Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick comes in the form of a pencil, which has it's uses but I think I would rather it just came as a normal lipstick in a bullet.

The colour is a very dark berry, which right now I am obsessed with- it's so striking but surprisingly wearable.

I've been enjoying pairing it with super shimmery bronze lids, warm pink cheek and a flawless base.

This is a matte lipstick so it is fairly long lasting as well and quite comfortable on the lips.

The idea of this is that it can be used as a lip liner and lipstick in one. It can perform both purposes- but it means it has to be super sharp every time you use it, which means you have to sharpen it a lot- which is another thing I'm not mad keen on as I find things get a little wasteful.

I prefer lining my lips with Urban Decays Venom and putting this all over the top.

This is such a great lipstick that I have been enjoying wearing, it's fun to do full on vampy lips! I do like the formula- I don't think it's the best out there as sometimes it can wear away at bit in the centre of my lower lip, but it's very easy to reapply- it never flakes and its not overly drying either.

If you would like to see the other Autumnal lip options, click here and here. 

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Shopping my Stash : Bobbi Brown Berry Blush

This little blush has been somewhat neglected over the past few months. Its just been sat gathering dust so I thought it was time to dig it out and make a point of using it again. 

The name doesn't lie folks, this is a berry shade- it's very intense and incredibly pigmented as well and I think that's why I haven't been reaching for it. 

However, 95% of my blush stash is of a peachy pink nature so I felt it was time to dig this little guy out as it has Autumn written all over it.

This is the most pigmented blush I own- without fail. It's quite intimidating actually. For those with deeper skin tones, this will look beautiful on you and I doubt you will have the same application issues as I do.
Even if I lightly sweep my finger across the surface of the blush, I am left with a fully opaque berry mark on my finger and you cannot simply brush it off.
The swatch below was only one or two swipes off the surface and my oh my, it does not wipe off. I couldn't just rub it off, I had to whack out the micellars.
If I am in a rush, this is too finicky to do in a hurry, but if I take my time, this is so beautiful.
I tend to use my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush (which I am not mad keen on, but it serves it's purpose well here) and I very, VERY carefully dot my brush into the powder and tap off the excess on my hand. Even if you can't see any product on the brush, just trust me, it is there.

I then carefully and strategically, apply it to the apples of my cheeks in slow, small circular motions, blending outwards. It's not one of those blushes where you can swirl and go- you have to take your time.
If I do not apply in this way, I end up with bright red cheeks that aren't going anywhere. Once I have over applied, blending becomes redundant as this colour does not shift.
However, when I do it right-  it's beautiful. You know that look when you have been walking around outside on a cold day and your cheeks have that real genuine pink/red tone to them? This blush creates that, so when it is done well, it just gives such an English rose appearance to the skin.
It is matte as well so I think it would work beautifully as an eye shadow. I also think it was made in order to be paired with this Charlotte Tilbury lipstick.
I will make a conscious effort to use this more regularly from now on. It's too pretty to be left to collect dust.

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Urban Decay Diamond Dog : Swatch and Review

I have had this little guy for a while now, but I wanted to give it a good go before writing a review.

This Urban Decay single is from the Moondust line which are a range of eye shadows that are pressed glitter pigments. They feel almost wet when you touch them, but they go on as a powder.

Diamond Dog contains a super sparkly white gold glitter which is suspended in a deep brown base.

This is so beautiful and incredibly eye catching, but it can be quite tricky to apply, so after trying different methods I think I have somewhat got it down.

I primed my lids with Urban Decays Primer Potion and then dabbed my Mac 239 into the shadow and patted onto my lids. I was already thinking attempting this with a dry brush would be a disaster, and low and behold it was. Fall Out City.
The shadow did cling to the brush well, but the moment I patted it onto my lids,  my cheeks were FULL of glitter particles and due to the pressed nature of this shadow, the glitter is very sticky so no amount of brushing off with a clean powder brush helps. This.Stuff.Sticks.
If I was getting ready for a night out I would have been pretty irritated as I had to actually wipe off the glitter with a cotton pad soaked with micellar water so I ended up removing my make up underneath. Yes you could apply your foundation after, but still, this stuff falls out like mad if you use a dry brush.
I then attempted to apply it with a brush that I had sprayed with water and then dipped into the shadow and then I pressed gently onto the lid- the colour is so beautiful, but I did experience some fall out- not as much, but some. 

I have also applied with a finger tip which I think limits most of the fall out, but I just couldn't get the pigment to be as intense on the lids as I did with a damp brush. 

Bottom Line : This is a beautiful eye shadow but it is not without its problems.
When applied with a damp brush, I get maximum pigment, but some fall out is inevitable. There isn't a lot, but it is there and due to how incredibly sparkly it is, if I were to go out in the day with this on, it would be pretty damn noticeable. A finger limits the fall out further, but the colour doesn't show up as intensely.
I will one hundred percent use this, the sparkle is so damn pretty and I love layering it over bronze cream eye shadows, but I reckon I will use it for nights out as it doesn't last as long as other eye shadows I have- when I wore this all day, I did notice fall out on my cheeks by the end of wear.

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Charlotte Tilbury Blush in First Love

If you have read this post you will know that as of late, this blush has really been floating my boat.

I bought this a while ago when my obsession with Charlotte Tilbury's Love Glow was at an all time high, so this was somewhat neglected.

First Love looks quite peculiar in the pan - it is a warm peachy/brown tone with a faint silver shimmer through out. Please don't let the silver sheen deter you because this thing is GORGEOUS.

This is so unlike everything I own. 

It just makes you look healthy, the shimmer is very subtle- have no fear of silver sparkles, think more gentle luminosity. 

Charlotte Tilbury blushes are among some of my favorites, I adore their creamy, smooth formula and I am glad that First Love is no exception.

This is a great summer blush as it adds that peachyness- I love layering it over my Chanel Bronzing Universal but I can imagine it working in colder months too sans tan. Summer has pretty much left the building so we shall find out soon enough. 

If you are looking for a classic, luminous pink cheek- opt for Love Glow, but if Peachy warmth is more your thing, choose First Love.

The blendabilty of these blushes is second to none and I don't think I will stop until I have them all...

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One of the most comfortable Lipsticks you will ever use...

I have tried quite an array of lipsticks in my time and although I have found some real gems, I have also found some crashing disappointments.

I love a great lipstick but I also hate a high maintenance product. Anything that requires a touch up every seven minutes or is so slippery I am permanently paranoid that it is on my teeth and chin or is so drying that I feel like I am walking round with dry, crusty prunes on my face- is not a winner in my books.

The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in Fuchsia in Rage is the first YSL lipstick I have tried and I am not going to lie I was pretty taken aback by it.

It is so smooth and creamy, making it by far the most lip balm like lippie I own.
It applies smoothly as hell- comfort is it's number one sell, but then I automatically assumed that this is going to be one of those products that drives me up the bloody wall with paranoia...but no.

It didn't bleed, it didn't smear, it held its own against a latte and actually left a stain behind. 

From the swatch below you can see that it is quite sheer:

However it  builds up incredibly easily to a gorgeous punchy colour that just perks up the complexion no end. I pair it with thick, black lashes and that's about it. It makes me look and feel awake whilst adding moisture to my lips- which is especially great if they are dry and chapped. It's probably the only lipstick I can wear regardless of my lip state.

Pigment is on point and even after building up, it still stays put.

I know this is a pricey lipstick but I will undoubtedly pick up more, this is one of the products in my stash where I hands down believe you get what you pay for. I don't even really understand how something can feel so buttery and glossy on the lips whilst being long lasting..

Have any of you tried this? Any shade recommendations?

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By Terry Ombre Blackstar : Swatches and Review

The By Terry Ombre Blackstars do tend to polarize opinions.

I read far more favorable reviews than negative, but I feel like I sit in a weird no mans land because I do see their faults but I continue to love them anyway.

Does that make sense?

These cream eye shadows do not come cheap at £29- I only managed to justify them by redeeming by five quid off reward from SpaceNK.

I wish considering their price tag that they were perfect- I think for that amount of money a product should be flawless, but it is not.

I have two shades- Bronze Moon and Misty Rock.

Brown Perfection will be mine the moment I have enough Ndulge points. 

The consistency and texture of these sticks is divine- super creamy but not smeary, they apply like a dream- there is no dragging or scratching and the colours are my absolute favorites. 

L-R Bronze Moon and Misty Rock

Bronze Moon is as the name would suggest, a bronze shade with a lot of gleam to it- it almost looks wet on the eye. Such a easy shade to wear and perfect for when you are in a hurry.

I scribble on, blend through the crease and then apply a touch more over those pesky mascara smudges then BOOM. 

A wet look bronzey eye in 4 seconds.

The BM formula is the better of the two- I have far less issues with creasing and it lasts and lasts until I take it off.

The issue that I can face is that if I apply a bit too much/its a super hot day - creasing can happen. I don't really need a primer with this, but on a humid day, it is a must.

I love this so much and when it runs out, I will definitely repurchase, its so easy and such a unique bronze colour, but it is not perfect. 

Misty Rock is the more complex of the two. I love this shade big time- its a purple/taupe/silver- so unique and it just makes me feel so summery. 

Again, I would repurchase when it runs out without hesitation, but this CAN be quite difficult to work with.

I find if I prime my eyelids, and set with powder my problems do halve- but for £29 I think it's worth noting.

Every time I wear this people ask me what it is, it is easy and creamy to apply, it doesn't flake and it gives another beautiful wet look to the eye- but it can crease like a mofo. 

Exhibit A: 

See what I mean? It just seems to crack.

I don't have particularly oily lids but if you do I would either avoid or use a heavy duty primer.

Bronze Moon in action with a bit of Bobbi Browns Camel in the crease :

Here's just a little swatch to give you more of an idea of colour :

L-R: Bronze Moon and Misty Rock

Bottom Line : I will continue to use these around the clock- beautiful colours, super easy to apply, very travel friendly and long lasting. 

The con is obviously the creasing and normally that is a humongous no no from me, I can try to avoid it with primers and powders etc, but even if the cracks appear, I love these too much to be perturbed.

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Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Beau Brun : Swatches and Review

If you have seen this post you will know that I love these little liquid lipsticks.

This is my 6th and probably not my last...

The formula is smooth, easy to apply, comfortable and long wearing. Honestly I think they perform just as well as some other liquid lipsticks that are three times the price.

I have the shade Grand Cru and that was a major disappointment and definitely the odd one out as the others are great...so I was hoping this had the same consistency as the other 4...

I am so glad to say that it does!

Beau Brun somehow manages to surpass the others and the application is even easier and long lasting. 

What drew me to this one was the shade...it is so hard to describe...sometimes it's a brown 90s shade but then its orange and red at the same time...it's incredibly unique and if you have any idea what I should call this shade please let me know! 

I'll let the swatches do the talking :

There's also some pink in there...god knows what this shade is, but it is now my favourite of my little Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet stash.

Do you have a favorite shade?...I'm kinda feeling like I need to own the entire collection...recommendations are so, so welcome 

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Because Charlotte told me to....

I was lucky enough to meet Charlotte Tilbury last November in the Manchester Selfridges when she was launching her Christmas collection.
If you have been reading this blog for some time, you will be aware that I am totally in love with Charlotte and her brand- I have loved pretty much all of her products, everything about them just speaks to me.
I was really excited to meet her, so after she had demonstrated her new collection, I joined the que to say hello and have a picture taken.
She's so cool! And totally and utterly lovely. I am an even bigger fan now.

Just before the picture as taken, she said I was the  'Dolce Vita', the 'Golden Goddess' and the 'Rock Chick'.
If Charlotte herself is telling you what would suit you- you get it!

I already had the first two and I had been longing for the Rock Chick palette for some time, but I kept dithering as I never know how well grays will suit me.

When Charlotte said it, that was it, I immediately marched over to the counter to purchase it, and I am so glad that I did.

You can read my reviews on The Sophisticate here and The Vintage Vamp here, I love them so much and I know I keep saying how they're my favorites...but I just adore this one as well.
It's hard to pick a favorite when they all offer such different looks. Honestly it's like Sophie's Choice, I can't pick.

I hadn't worn this in a little while, but I wore this yesterday and I forgot how sexy and smokey it is.

Honestly, if you want a sultry, smoldery eye- this is life.

From the top left going clockwise we have the : 

Prime :  pale grey with a slight frosted finish

Enhance :  shimmering taupe grey

Smoke :  matte dark grey

Pop :  glittery taupe grey

My favorite way to wear this is to put the prime all over the lid and on the inner corner to brighten, layer the enhance shade on the mobile lid and use the smoke shade on the outer corner, through the crease and smoke out on the lower lashline.

The key to making this really smolder, is to apply black liquid liner and wing it out slightly and then to give  you the authentic Rock Chick look, use the smoke shade on a smudger brush and smoke over the black liner.
Just try it, it looks amazing.
The final step is the glitter shade- it feels like a cream to touch, I rub my finger in (its very pigmented so I make sure i'm not too rough with it) and then I put this all over the lid.
The glitter shade is just on another level.
It creates a intense wet look sheen to the eye.
Of course you can press it gently and apply a subtle wash of shimmer on the eye, but I love a metallic wet looking eye.
This doesn't fade or crease- sometimes I notice a couple of rogue glitters on my cheek but I just brush them off.

L-R: Prime,Enhance, Smoke and Pop

Prime, Enhance, Smoke and Pop

I think the best way to wear this eye look is with clean skin, a chiseled cheek, a subtle champagne highlight, no blush- which I know is weird coming from the blush fiend, but I think it can look over done- if you can't go without blush, just go for something neutral that won't detract from the look.
Then you need a good smudging of black kohl - lining your top and bottom waterline and then finishing off with your  perfect nude lip, which for me is either CT Penelope Pink or Nars Barbra (see Babs in action here)

I was never into grays, but this palette has converted me

Out of the 3 Charlotte Tilbury quads I've reviewed so far, which one is your favorite?

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Too Faced Melted Lipsticks : Swatches and Review

Liquid Lipsticks seem to be all the rage now....so many brands are coming up with their own versions...some good...some atrocious...

I am glad to say that the Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks are the former.

These lipsticks have a sweet (but not overpowering) scent, which is always a plus and they are incredibly pigmented.

The swatches below are literally from one swipe which I find very pleasing as I don't tend to see the point in a liquid lipstick that is lacking in pigmentation as I think it then falls out of the LL category and into the realm of lip glosses. 

If you are familiar with the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, then you will already have had experience with this type of applicator.

The applicator is a sort of foamy/felt nib which (when the tube is pressed), slowly dispenses the product- as you can see above.

For me, I quite enjoy this application but I can understand that some point might find this a little clumsy.

As I mentioned, these are highly pigmented, so these need to be applied carefully and due to the large tip, if you don't have a steady hand/often struggle with applying lip products neatly, it may take a few attempts to get this right.

Alternatively you can use a lip brush, which I haven't tried yet but although I can be pretty cack handed, I don't normally mess these up.

The two shades I have are Melted Fig and Melted Coral. 

L-R: Melted Fig and Melted Coral 

These were the two colours that I really had my eye on.

Melted Fig was my obsession in the colder months but I should really bring it out again and yes it is another mauvy purple with a satin/semi glossy finish.

I really don't find these drying at all and I think that's down to their satin finish, I feel it is those ultra matte liquid lipsticks that are the main culprits in turning normal pillowy lips into something that resembles a dried prune. 

There's just something unique about melted fig, I really love it.

It looks great with very clean skin, a slight contour, a subtle rosey/nude blush (think Nars Douceur) and a naked eye with loads of mascara. 

It looks so modern, i'm definitely going to crack this out again.

Melted Fig 

 Please excuse this really messy Lip Swatch, but it just gives you some idea what this looks like on. 

Melted Coral was my first purchase but for reasons unknown I haven't actually worn this a whole lot, even though I became obsessed with finding it, I will also amend this. 

This is a very vibrant creamy coral with a semi glossy/satin finish. 

Melted Coral

This is my favorite kind of coral, it's so clean and summery.

Again pigmentation is on point.

Another thing I really like is how they last, I can't stand it when lipsticks fade from the inside out...so you're left with that awkward unflattering ring around your mouth, I don't have that problem with these.
The one thing I would say about Melted Coral though is not to layer up too much- you don't need to anyway because it's so pigmented, but if I do apply that little bit too much it wont sit properly on the lips and it can gather around the inside of my bottom lip. 

Bottom Line : This is a non drying, highly pigmented and long lasting liquid lipstick.

I think Too Faced have really lived up to their claims here!

They are not transfer proof- I do end up getting this on my coffee mug, but saying that it's never messy- I don't end up with bright orange on my chin, awkward patchiness or end up having to reapply every time I take a sip.

The colour will hold up on your lips, but transfer does happen.

I have had both of these for about 6 months and I would say that so far they are fine, but one thing I am slightly concerned about is that perhaps after some time the lipstick might dry on the nib and I could imagine getting a little crusty or perhaps unhygienic.
I haven't read anything online to justify my suspicion, but we will see!
They have released several new shades recently and I reckon I will pick up Melted Chihuahua- a hideous name and one that I don't really understand but its a peachy brown that looks pretty unique...much like its name. 

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If Warm Shadows Are Your Thing...

I don't know why it has taken me so long to pick this up....

This is the Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Camel.

Camel is a very warm brown with orange/yellow undertones that is matte and unbelievably pigmented whilst being one of the smoothest creamiest eye shadows I own. 

It does kick up a bit of powder when you swirl your brush round, but that is a common factor of being a matte powder (however, Charlotte Tilbury somehow manages to avoid that in her mattes....it must be witchcraft) but even though there is excess powder, there is zero fall out upon application, so I'm really not bothered.

I have worn this almost daily since I got it and I am beyond obsessed...I have received quite a few compliments on it as well which is always a plus!

This shade is so multi purpose as it works very well in crease to warm up other eye shadows, but I have been wearing it alone, all over the lid and blended out.

I love it that much I just want as much on as possible.

  I am only wearing Camel in these pictures. 

I love warm eye shadows and this has to be the ultimate warm brown.

If warm colours are your thing, this will be so up your street - check it out!

Look at that pigment!

If you are looking for a warm shade, especially in these Summer months as all our make up tends to transition from cool to warm - Bobbi Browns Camel is your guy.

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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer : Luminous Bronze

I was planning to write this review last week but I just wanted to give it a proper test run as it is on the much pricier side at £42.

This is the new Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze from Hourglass.

Before the Ambient Blushes and Bronzers, came the Ambient Lighting Powders which were designed to mimic the effect of soft focus lighting on the skin. 

A lovely idea no?

The blushes and bronzers are infused with these ambient powders in order to create that same airbrushed finish.  

Enough waffle, onto the Bronzer. 

One thing that I found a bit of a let down was the shade range; there are only two.
I just think it's a bit disappointing as we have 7 beautiful blushers, but only 2 bronzers. 

This is the lighter of the two, Radiant Bronze Light is darker, but to be honest there isn't a huge difference when blended into the skin.

I wish they had created more than two shades so people with fairer skins and much darker skins could get involved.

Luminous bronze is a warm tan shade with a fine gold shimmer running through. 

The texture of this Bronzer is one of its best points, it is very smooth to the touch and said smoothness helps it to blend effortlessly into the skin.

Even though it is not picking up in the photos, one of my concerns was that when you look at it in the pan, there is some very obvious shimmer going on.

I am  ALL about that glow, but tonnes of shimmer on my cheeks?
Not so much.

The most important thing with this bronzer is to go slow. VERY slow. 

I swirl my brush ever so gently and then tap off any excess.

Then I apply to my temples, tops of my cheeks and just touching the jaw, in a 3 motion.

If I need more, I just repeat the process.

When I have achieved my preferred level of bronzing, the result is absolute seamless luminosity- the name does not lie. If you can be light handed with this I am sure you will love it- I don't end up with sparkling tinkly cheeks (which was my preferred look about 14 years ago at school discos) I end up looking warmer and healthier.
This honestly is beautiful. Just beautiful. Well done Hourglass. 

Here is where I want to add a little warning, as when this is used incorrectly you will end up orange and super shimmery.

Here is a swatch to show you what the colour actually looks like

You can see there is some serious pigmentation going on here, which is a good thing. 

However, here is that heavy swatch in bright day light:

BAM. Shimmery.

If you are heavy handed and don't blend properly and then walk out into bright daylight, it can look pretty darn obvious. 

Bottom Line : I love this bronzer and it is a pleasure to use.

I couldn't really believe how luminous it looked without looking like I had doused myself in highlighter. For those glow-getters out there, I think you should look into this one. 

Just take your time with application, that is all. 

If you do tend to be heavy handed, perhaps use a duo-fibre brush (Real Techniques makes one of the best) so it does most of the hard work for you.

If you are looking for an alternative that is a bit lighter but still brings some glow (though perhaps not as much as Hourglass) and kinder to the purse, maybe look into Liz Earles Radiant Glow Bronzer which I reviewed here.

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