Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Mirfique..............

Chanel is a brand that I adore, I don't have a local counter which is probably a good thing for my purse.

I have had these pictures saved for this post since long before Christmas, I like to photograph my products before I use them as I think they just look prettier, lol.
I picked up Mirfique in November as I thought it would be perfect for the festive party season.
It is part of the Illusion D'Ombre range and is a pretty black with tiny sparkles.

This is the 2nd Illusion shadow that I have tried from Chanel and I love the formula of these long lasting shadows. They have a formula that is in between a cream and a mousse.

They feel exceptionally light and don't crease.

Mirfique works fantastically in so many ways and it very versatile. I have used it as a liner for a soft black look with a pretty sparkle and as both a lid and crease colour. 

If I use it as a lid colour I have enjoyed layering it over Blackground paint pot from MAC to make it super black and dramatic.

So if you are looking for a little piece of Luxury with some sparkle, these shadows may be for you!!! 

Mwah

Chanel Waterproof Liner..............

If you watched my face of the week video or read my post this week, you will know that I have been trying to use up a retractable black eyeliner from Buxom. 

You will of also heard my moaning and groaning about how it smudges and ends up everywhere, something I HATE!!

Well I finally used it up ( Yay, empties post coming this weekend!!) and replaced it in my makeup bag with this, the Chanel Waterproof Retractable liner in Ebony.

  

It is soooo lovely to be using this liner again. Gone are the smudges, my eyeliner has no longer vanished by 11am, I have a black water line and so much more.

This beautiful liner gives a smooth and long wearing finish. The liner is firm enough that it doesn't become messy to apply, yet at the same time it isn't to hard so that it drags the delicate eye area.

It works like a dream in the waterline, giving good colour that is smudge free. 

You can see from the swatch above the great pigment and colour pay off you get. 

Now at £19 I know that this isn't a cheap product, however I do feel that it is worth every single penny. 

Sometimes it simply is true that you get what you pay for and this is one of them.

The closest liner in comparison that I have used is the Technakohl liner from MAC. At £14 they are slightly more affordable, I still think the Chanel is better tho, and for £5 extra I would still go for it, its what a lot of people spend on a coffee and sandwich in Starbucks in a day. lol.

So what do you think? Have you tried any of the liners I've mentioned?

Do you think you get what you pay for sometimes?

Mwah

October Favorites 2012.....

Hi Everyone!!!! I know that we all say this every month, but there goes another one!!!!

I am getting very excited for Christmas and have already been enjoying some festive nails ( I'm talking glitter baby!!!) lol.

What have yo loved this month?

Mwah

My top Foundation Picks........

Over the recent months, I have found that I have been experimenting with a few more foundations than usual. Because of this I decided that I wanted to share with my favorites.

I have a mixture of favorites, both drugstore, mid range and high end. as well as a mixture of finishes, dewy, matte, demi matte and so on. 

I find that I find myself reaching for different foundations at different times of the year as well as different occasions.

The foundations I talk about are.......

Bourjois Healthy Mix

Bourjois 1,2,3

Loreal Lumi Magique

Revlon Colourstay

Mac Studio Fix

Makeup Forever HD foundation

Chanel Vitalumie

What are your favorites?

Mwah

Chanel Heaven............

I had a gift voucher from Debenham's that I had been hanging on to for a little while. When I popped over Brighton a few weeks back, I decided that it was time to use my voucher :)

I wanted to get some bits from Chanel as I don't have a counter in my local town.
Here is what I picked up.

I'llusion D'Ombre in Illusoire

I have wanted to try one of these gorgeous shadows forever. This taupe shade is super pretty with lovely sparkle. I cant wait to try this out.

Rouge Coco Shine in Sourire

Another item that has been much talked about in the blogging world. This is a soft sheer peach with gold sparkle. Very delicate and pretty.

Glossimer in Jalousie

I saw this colour and just fell in love. This is my first Chanel Glossimer and it really is love.

Soleil Tan De Chanel

This is a repurchase for me, I had this a few years ago and didn't replace it when it ran out. I decided that it was time to reinvest in this cult classic.

Chanel is such a luxury brand that I am very excited to have been able to pick these items up. It was also a bonus points even so I have some extra points on my beauty card. It was an extra 500 for every £40 you spent, so I got an extra 1000 the equivalent of £10.00.

I am so excited :)

What items are on your wish list??

Mwah

My favourite products of 2011.............

I though that this may make an interesting post, I wanted to share with you my top products from 2011. Most of them are products that I have discovered this year, several are now items that I will never be without. So without further ado.....

As you can see there is a little bit of everything, so I'm going to break it down into categories.

Favourite Brush

ELF's Studio stippling brush has been my stand out brush of the year.  It has been my brush of choice for foundation ever since I found it. It was £3.50 and a total bargain. LOVE IT!!!

Nail Products

OPI Nail Envy, No surprise there then. This is a holy grail product for me. Ive talked about it loads, if you would like to see why I love it check out my review.

Essie Fiji, possibly my favourite Nail colour of all time. I don't know why this has me under such a spell as it can be a pain in the bum to apply, but I really don't care I love it and am still wearing it at my wedding :))

Hair and Skin Care

Backcomb In A Bottle is something I discovered not to long ago after Cara mentioned it in a favourites. Its been an essential for me ever since. For more info see my Post.

VO5 Miracle Concentrate is a product that I discovered to replace my beloved Moroccan Oil. I reviewed it just this week after being totally blown away by it. Fantastic product and a great price.

Soap&Glory Wish Upon A Jar another holy grail product for me. This wonder moisturiser came into my life in March and has been a regular part of my skin care routine ever since. I love it when my skin is looking grey and life less, this revives and brightens leaving my skin alive and healthy. I did a full post on my saviour and you can see it here.

St Tropez Gradual Tan for Face has been my self tanner of choice for my face this year. It doesn't break me out, turn me orange or smell revolting. Its a winner all round and is just a gorgeous product.

Stand out new comer of the year...

MUA Professional MUA for me are the best new arrival on the high street this year. They offer amazing quality products at fantastic prices. Whether your budget is £1.00 or £8.00 there is something for everyone. A brilliant brand that I hope will be around for a long time and keep delivering fab products.

Lipgloss

Buxom is another range I discovered this year. I only have the one shade (Trixie) and i really enjoy this gloss when ever I wear it. It gives a nice plumpness to the lips with no irritation and isn't too sticky. Gorgeous.

MAC Plush Glass My favourite lipgloss formula from MAC. Plush glass again are slightly plumping. I find that they are long lasting and always leave my lips soft and moisturised when I wear them. This shade is Posh It Up and my favourite from the range.

Lipblam

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant For me there is only one, another Holy grail peeps.

Biggest Discover of the year

Lipstick is something that I have fallen in love with this year. I have some favourite brands and shades, but lipstick in general has definitely been my biggest discovery of the year.

Face Products

NARS Laguna Bronzer is something I have had in my collection for a fair few years now. However in all honesty I only found the love this year. I love the way it looks on my skin, it warms and brightens without making me look orange.

Dior Amber Diamond The ultimate in Highlighters, I held out for a long long time before buying this. As soon as I tried it I could see why its so popular. its light on the skin, doesn't clog and lasts FOREVER......

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural  (This is the natural, I just depotted it into my Wonder Woman compact, I like the mirror) This is my favourite setting powder. I only discovered it in April I think. I find that it keeps my skin shine free all day without it looking cakey or dry. I never thought I would love a powder so its a refreshing find for me.  

Eye Products

Wet'n'Wild Shadows Dinah sent me these in our swap and Ive been totally seduced by this drugstore favourite. I think its such a shame that we cant get these in the UK as the quality is fantastic and the the range of colours massive.

Chanel Fauve  This has quickly become my fail safe shadow of choice. Its been in my favourites more than once and will be for some time I'm sure. for swatches see here.

NYX HD Eyeshadow Primer This is a great product. It does everything that you need from a primer, its long lasting, non creasing and HD. For me I find this just as good as Urban Decay PP. I love the quality of NYX and this is no exception.

Estee Lauder and Mac Gel Liner  Up until recently I had only used Clinique and No7 gel liners. I was in 2 minds which to try and Nic over at Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog suggested that I try the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Its a fab liner, it lasts brilliantly on the water line and stays put all day. I also gave the famous Blacktrack a go and that to is a great liner. I have chopped and changed between these two since I got them, they are both fab and I will def repurchase them.

So that's my favourites. Sorry it was such a long and rambling post. Hope you enjoyed it.

What have you been loving this year??

Mwah

Christmas Goodies.................

I asked on Twitter if you wanted to see my Christmas Gifts, and a few of you were interested, so here we are....

I am soooo excited with my Christmas goodies, I was so pleased that Richard had remembered how much I wanted the Marilyn book. Its all about some of her most iconic dresses. I'm a massive Marilyn fan and this book has already given me oodles of drooling time!!

 Next Richard got me a kindle, he wasn't sure how much of a hit it would be, I am really so so pleased with it. I used to read all the time, but more recently I have found it hard to fit in the time. I had heard that people find it easier and quicker with a kindle, and so far I must agree.

I was lucky enough to get this bottle of Coco Mademoiselle from my Nana, especially as my Nana along with my Mum and Auntie gave us money for Vegas. Its the pure perfume and is 7.5ml, its super tiny but having had this before I know that it surprisingly lasts ages and goes a longgggggg way. I think I will wait till Vegas to open this as I still have half of my other bottle to use.

Richard bought me my 1st YSL Rouge Volupte, and its LOVE already. I know that these are expensive (£22.00) but having tried one, I can now understand why. Ive had YSL lipsticks before but these are just such a little piece of luxury.(full post coming soon!!)

Next up I wanted to share some of the things my gorgeous friend Rachel sent me for Christmas. This is just 5 of many many things, you will see the rest in reviews and bits n pieces over the next few weeks. One of my favourite things was the VIVO baked blush, Rach knew that I couldn't get these where I live and how much I wanted to try it, and better still I love this colour and the formula is great.  I love the 2 shades of lipsticks too, both very me :))

And on top of that, SPARKLICIOUS nail polish, could Rach know me any better?!?! he he.

Ive done some swatches of the lipsticks and blush below :)

L To R

Pink Pout VIVO lipstick, Barely There VIVO lipstick and VIVO Baked Blush in Shade 4.

So that was most of my Christmas Goodies. I hope that Santa was good to you all and bought you some lovely things.

Mwah

Better late than never, November Favourites.................

Well here they are, better late than never, My November Favourites....

November was a month where I tended to grab the same things, tried and trusted favourites. That being said there were a couple of new products in the mix which stood out from the crowd.

Eyes

MAC Top Of The Posh Peacocky Collection Eye Shadow FOTD post HERE

MAC Paint Pot in Lets Skate ( Glitter & Ice Collection, FOTD as above link)

MUA Extreme Metallic Palette in Celebrity

Soap&Glory 'Whats Nude' Lid Stuff Palette, Review HERE

Chanel Fauve Eyeshadow, Full review HERE

As you can see there are a couple of new entries, the MUA palette being one of them. This is a new love of mine as I am loving the soft lilac shades along with the warm mauve. Its totally beautiful. I have a review of the palette along with 2 others from the range. They really are fab!!!

Lets Skate has quickly become my favourite Paint Pot, its the most beautiful delicate soft baby pink has has a beautiful shimmer with a touch of glitter. Perfect.

The Soap&Glory Palette is ideal for those days where I didn't have much time, its everything you need for the perfect neutral smokey eye.

L to R

Top Of The Posh, Lets Skate and Fauve.

Face

The Balm Frat Boy Blush

MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle.

I have been loving this natural pink Matt blush, goes perfectly with either pink or taupe shade eyes and has been my go to blush this month.

I have loved layering this with Soft&Gentle by MAC for a soft glow to the cheek area, this is also a beautiful soft highlighter.

Frat Boy and Soft&Gentle

Lips

L To R

Carmex Lip Balm

Vaseline Creme Brulee Lip Therapy

NARS lip gloss in 'Turkish Delight'

MAC lipstick in 'Angel'

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Sky Line Pink'

New CiD Lipstick in 'Damson'

MAC lip liner in 'Magenta'

As you can see this month has been all about the Pinks for me, gone are my usual favourite corals in favour of soft milky soft pink hues.

I have been using the Vaseline and Carmex religiously throughout this month as my lips have been feeling a little dry and tight, these both give me soft comfortable lips and keep them nourished through the colder weather.

I have been layering Turkish Delight over either my lip balm or Angel. Its the ultimate milky pink gloss. I love the way it softens Angel.

One of my new discoveries of the month is New CiD Lipstick. I received this one in the shade Damson in my Carmine Box. I'm totally hooked. It comes with a handy mirror on the side of the lid and also has inbuilt lights for those darker moments helping you freshen up when ever where ever.

Love, Love, Love it :))

Magenta Liner by MAC looks scary when you swatch it but I have loved blending this over my lips before wearing with Angel or Sky Line Pink. It gives a bit of punch and yet is still soft.

L To R

Magenta, Turkish Delight, Angel, Sky Line Pink and Damson.

Hair Care

Batiste Blush

Umberto Gianni Backcomb In A Bottle

VO5 Miracle Concentrate

I rediscovered my love of Batiste Dry Shampoo this month. The new large size was on offer, Half price, how could I say no???

Backcomb in a bottle by Umberto Gianni is just AMAZING!!! Enough said, to see why I love it check out my review HERE

The VO5 Concentrate is something I very recently discovered, I have a full review coming up so I'm not going to say too much more.

Nails

And last but not least, my Nail favourite is China Glaze polish in Ring In The Red. Its a beautiful red with glitter all through. It looks like Dorothy's Red Slippers when you have it on, totally gorgeous.

And that's it. Sorry This is such a long post, hehe. Hope you have enjoyed it tho.

Id love to know what you think of my favourites and what you have been loving this month.

Mwah

October Favourites.............

So here are my little late October Favourites. I had alot of the same as the last few months, and so I have left those bits out.....

 

The Makeup

Chanel Fauve eyeshadow: This has been my go to eye shadow, it looks fantastic as a liner, all over the lid or just in the socket, it really is sooooo versatile.

Revlon Colourstay Foundation: I have been loving this full cover foundation because it just lasts all day and applied with my ELF stippling brush, looks soft and not to heavy at all.

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack: One of my favourite gel liners, love this in the water line, lasts all day.

Sleek Pout Paint in Pinup: This has been my favourite shade of Red, I tried several for Red October, , this to me is the perfect glamorous Red

Jane Iredale Last Extender: This product is just amazing, I really cant recommend it enough, to see my full review click HERE.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: I bought this as it is one of the new generation of Mascaras that promises to add growth. I have used this all month long, and if I'm completely honest, I have noticed a difference, particularly on my lower lashes. Aside from that, I really like this mascara as it has a small compact brush that lifts and separates the lashes beautifully.

Daniel Sandler Eye Delight Loose Eye Shadow in Peach: This came in the Carmine Box and has quickly become a favourite. The shadow has a beautiful finish to it and is great as an all over colour, brow bone highlight or you can use it with a large fluffy brush and run it along the tops of your cheek bones for a instant glow, fantastic product.

 

Fauve and Peach

You all know I am a massive fan of Soap&Glory products, and this is no different. Catch a Wrinkle is a nourishing day cream ( can also be used at night) that doesn't leave my combination skin feeling shiny or greasy. I love this and will definitely be repurchasing.

Haircare



Umberto Giannini Backcomb In A Bottle: This stuff is AMAZING!!!! I found out about it from The gorgeous Cara on her blog. I am going to post a full review on this product in the next couple of days, keep posted.

VO5 Ultimate Hold Hairspray: This is a fab hairspray, it holds amazing and brushes out nicely too.

TRESemme Instant Refresh: This is my favourite Dry Shampoo EVER, it adds volume, smells lovely and gets rid of my greasy Roots, what more could I ask for. To see my full review, Follow the link HERE. 

So those are my favourites for October, what have you been loving???

Mwah