Another ELF order

So my second ELF order arrived yesterday, a bit late because of Christmas.  This time I got the Mineral Lipstick, Liquid Lipstick, Powder (again), Studio Stipple Brush and the ordinary Eye Brush.

I got the Mineral Lipstick in Rich Raspberry and the Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry which is a new shade I think.  The Pressed Powder is Ivory.

I'll do some reviews on these products soon as I've tried all of them out already :)

Some photos from Christmas

My Christmas tree!  You can't really see it properly though :P

Cupcake!  I thought this was so cute that I had to put it up here. I couldn't eat it all though :S

Here's my cat, biting the Christmas tree.  He keeps attacking it lol, and biting fake berries off the wreath thing.  I'm calling him the Grinch because he kept trying to steal and open everyone's presents :P

Him again, I thought he looked funny :)

Happy Christmas & New Year everyone!

Gift Ideas Under €10

Here are a few ideas for gifts under €10, some of these would be good Kris Kringle/Secret Santa presents, or as part of a present.  You can still buy from some online stores in time for Christmas, just make sure to check first.

ELF Beauty Book in 'Sparkle Eyes': €6.80 - eyeslipsface.co.uk

Gogo Phillip Swallow Charm Necklace: €4.04  asos.com

Studded Click Purse: €9.99 New Look

Nails Inc. Limited Edition in 'Haymarket': €10.76 asos.com (lots of other colours available)

Knitted Bobble Trapper Hat:  €8.39 New Look

Gold by Giles - Nail Wraps: £7.99  New Look (might be only in UK)

    Barry M - Lip Paint Set: €9.41 asos.com

Happy Christmas!

Review: Make-up Brushes

It can be hard to find good brushes.  There are loads to choose from and sometimes the really expensive ones aren't as good as you expected.  Here's a little about brushes I've tried out, what to buy and what not to buy.

1. Eyes Lips Face: Total Face Brush and Blending Eye Brush  
          

      

                            Total Face Brush           ELF Blending Eye Brush

I bought these two brushes from eyeslipsface.com about a month ago.  I'd heard really good things about ELF and these were part of my first purchase from them.

I like the Total Face Brush.  It's big and fluffy so it doesn't take off your foundation when applying powder, which is good.  It can be used for any powders, bronzers, shimmers etc.  The only thing I didn't like was that the brush sheds a little but.  It's not a big problem though and overall I thought this brush was very good.

The Blending Eye brush has a smallish, fluffy head.  I quite liked this for appyling eyeshadow all over the lid.  It's a blending brush though and I thought it did quite a good job of blending around the eye, but it can be used as a general eye brush too.  The only thing is that this brush is a little bit big so you should be careful when applying dark shadows so that you don't end up putting on way too much.  This brush also sheds a little but I'd imagine that after a bit more use this might not shed as much.

I've only tried out two brushes but I really like them.  I've heard that some more of their brushes are brilliant so I want to try a few more out.

I've ordered a couple more ELF brushes for Christmas and I'll post about those when I get them!

2. Stila: Crease and Liner brush

I love this brush!  I use this everyday, it's the perfect brush for eyeshadows.  One end has a crease shadow brush and the other end has an eyeliner brush.  I use the crease side the most.  It has tightly packed bristles and doesn't shed.  I find that it picks up eyeshadow easily and applies the colour really well.  It's precise and puts the perfect amount of product onto the lid.  You don't have to use this in just the crease, it can be used as a general eye shadow brush too.

  

I don't really use the eyeliner side much.  When I wear liquid eyeliner I do a very thin line.  This brush is for doing a thicker, 60's style line or for wearing with false eyelashes I think.  You could use it for a thin line if you wet it though.

I use this brush dry, for doing small details around the crease. I put a small amount of the darkest colour into the crease using the eyeliner end of this brush.

Overall I absolutely love this brush.  The only negative thing is the price- it costs £21 (although I got mine for around €6 online).  I think it's worth the price because it's amazing quality.

Boots 17: Powder Brush

I bought this to use as a powder brush, but it wasn't good.  It applied the powder in patches and wasn't packed tightly enough so it bended a lot when I was using it.  I use it to apply blusher now, which is much better.  It applies the blusher quite well, not too dark and not too light.  I don't really like this brush though, but it does work.  It doesn't shed much either.

I think it cost around €5 in Boots.

More Brush Brands!

Here are a couple of very popular, reasonably priced brush brands; Sigma Brushes and Crown Brushes.

  Sigma Brushes:

Sigma is a really popular brand at the moment.  They have every kind of brush and tool available and they're not that expensive. I've heard really good reviews on their products.  The product I've seen recommended most often by bloggers is the Complete Kit.

It costs $90 which works out to be around €68.  For a complete set of 12 brushes this is great value.  You save $53 on individual prices.

This set is often recommended as it has everything you need.  

There are loads more brushes and products available on the official Sigma site: here

You can buy the Complete Kit here: here 

This set would make a great Christmas present.

Crown Brushes:

I've heard quite good things about Crown Brushes.  They're an affordable brand but they are good quality.  They sell good sets, such as the Purple Rain set, £30.  They also sell individual brushes, make-up, and have quite good sales.

Christmas Beauty Gift Ideas!

Need an idea for a Christmas gift for someone?  There are loads of different make-up gift sets out in time for Christmas this year.  Here are a few I've picked out which would make great Christmas presents.


1. Stila 'In The Light' eye palette - €33.60
2. O.P.I Gold & Caviar Duo - €20
3. Soap & Glory Graffiti Print Minis Set - €18 (on sale €14)
4. Benefit 'I'm Glam Therefore I Am'- €39.68
5. NARS Holiday 2011 Lipstick - €23.54
6. Too Faced 'Beautiful Dreamer' - €49.09
7. Nail Rock Duo nail wraps - €13.45
8. Barry M Lip Paint Set - €16.14
9. NARS 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' Nail Varnish set - €29.59
10. Nails Inc 'In The Crowd' Mini Nail Polish Set - €53.13


All products are available from asos.com and usual official stockists of each brand. 
Images from asos.com

Review:ELF Beauty Book Neutral Edition

I posted a few weeks ago about the ELF Beauty Book I had bought.  I've tried out most of the colours by now so

The palette I bought is the Neutral Eye Edition.  I think there are some new palettes available for Christmas.

Here's all the colours.  The colours are a bit different in real life though.  Top row from left; cream, gold/brown, metallic brown, dark purple with grey/brown undertones.

Second row from left: peach/nude colour, pink, purple/pink, purple.

Bottom row; brown/peach colour, rust, mauve, dark purple with black undertones.

I found that these eyeshadows were good quality.  They were generally well pigmented and the colours in the palette complement each other well.  Most of the colours have some shimmer in them, which I liked, and there are a couple of matte shades too.  I used the ELF Eyelid Primer underneath the eyeshadows which made them show up much brighter and made them last longer. 

ELF Eyelid Primer

                                  

It also comes with a mini eyeliner in Coffee, which is a dark brown colour. 

I really like these shadows.  I've been using this palette loads since I got it.  The packaging is really nice too, and there's a guide which shows how to contour and highlight too.  It's only about €6.80 I think and you get 12 shadows, an eyeliner and a mini brush/applicator.  This would be a really good idea for a Christmas present.

:)

It's friday! :D

This weekend I'll be posting more, because I haven't posted anything in ages(sorry lol).  I've been trying out the ELF Beauty Book..review and tutorials to come I think :)

While we're talking about shoes..

All photos from net-a-porter.com.  Put together by me.

ELF Mystery Box!

I got this in an e-mail from ELF yesterday: if you spend €12 or more on ELF products you get a free Beauty Baron Mystery Box and free shipping. 

I want one of these so much!  I love surprises, and I really want to know what's in it!  I can't buy one though because I'm going somewhere at the weekend and will be spending my money on that, grr.  Hopefully they'll be doing this again soon, it sounds like a brilliant offer.

Now I really want to know what's in that box... :P



(image from EyesLipsFace)

ELF Makeup :)

I finally got my ELF order in the post! I ordered two brushes, the Beauty Book in Neutral Eye, eyelid Primer and a pressed powder.  There was a free shipping offer on too, so it all came to €13.60, which is so cheap for all of it.

L-R; Clarifying Pressed Powder in Ivory, Total Face Brush, Eyelid Primer, Beauty Book; Neutral Eye Edition, and Blending Eye Brush.

^ Eyeshadow colours in the Beauty Book.

I've tried out nearly all of the products, but I have to try out some more eyeshadow colours first.  I'll post reviews soon.

Overall I'm happy with my ELF order.  Shipping took about a week (inc. a bank holiday) and there was a free shipping offer.  I'll definitely be buying more of their products soon, I've made a wishlist on the website already :P

Review: New; Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit

Two weeks ago I won some products from Neutrogena's new line of Visibly Clear products, Pink Grapefruit from another blog.

I recieved the Pink Grapefruit Cream Wash (150ml), Facial Wash (with pump, 200ml) and Daily Scrub (150ml).


I've been using the Cream Wash and Daily Scrub for the last couple of weeks and so far I like it.  Normally I use Simple, because it has no scent or colour, and I usually use facial products like that.  This line of products has quite a strong scent of grapefruit, which is okay but I'm not that keen on it.  The Cream Wash has a minty smell too, which some people like but I don't really.

Overall I quite like these.  They work well, the packaging is nice too.  The thing I don't like is the scent.  I much prefer brands like Simple who don't use any perfumes.

Lots of people will like this product, I'll keep using mine for now, but I don't think I'll buy them afterwards.

New makeup :)

I ordered some ELF products on Sunday because there was a free shipping offer on, and I have always wanted to buy some of their makeup.  I've never bought any of their products before, but I've heard lots of good things about it on blogs, and my sister has some of their stuff and she thinks they're good.   I can't wait till it comes now :)  I got 5 things and it only cost €13.60.

I can't wait to try out the Eye Shadow Book, the colours look gorgeous.  I also bought a couple of brushes, and some other things.  I'll be posting reviews and pictures as soon as it all comes in the post! :)


I'm supposed to be doing my English essay right now, but it's soooo boring.  My teacher will kill me tomorrow though :(
I get a week off next week though, can't wait cos I'm so sick of school haha.  I want to do a lot of my portfolio next week while I have my holidays because I've really fallen behind on that because of too much schoolwork and stuff.  Can't wait for mid-term :P

Review: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

This is Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation.  I bought this today in Boots when I went to buy the normal Healthy Mix Foundation.  I'd never seen this before, and hadn't heard of a 'gel' foundation either.  It was at an introductory price of €11.50 but is normally around €15 I think.

Swatches:

This foundation is quite sheer.  I didn't notice the coverage guide on the back until after I'd bought it. I normally wear foundation with good coverage I was a bit scared of this, it was 1 on the guide, 1 being the lightest coverage.

I tried it on and I quite like it so far.  It's quite moisturising I think, and looks really natural on.  It gives a nice even colour but you would need concealer with this too.  It feels light on the skin and I noticed that this goes a bit further than the usual Healthy Mix Foundation, so you don't need to use as much.  It has a slight fruit fragrance which I don't mind, I think it's better than the chemical smell off of some foundations (e.g I think MAC smells like facepaint).

I haven't worn this properly yet so I don't know about how it wears, according to the bottle it lasts 16 hours (they never do though) so I'll see if it lasts for a day of school tomorrow. 

Apart from this I like it so far.  The colour is a good match for my skin too.

 I'll update tomorrow with the results :)

 

Update: It lasts ages! I was really scared about the sheer coverage because normally I don't wear sheer foundation but it was fine.  It lasted all day (I did top it up a little but I normally do that anyway).  I wore this foundation at school today and to the gym and it lasted through that too lol.  Overall, so far I'm happy with this foundation.

ASOS Competition!

Here's the outfit I put together for the competition on ASOS.com.  It's called Purple&Leather. 

Please vote for it! http://fashionfinder.asos.com/womens-outfits/purple-leather-103043

Red Nails: No7 Stay Perfect

Recently I wanted a really bright red nail varnish and bought this one from No7.  It's No7 Stay Perfect nail varnish in 'Devil's Delight'.

As you can see it's a very bright red colour and it has a high shine finish.  I liked it a lot although it does chip easily.  I think it costs around €9 but I'm not sure.  I love this colour though.

Back Again :)

I haven't posted anything in ages because school started back a few weeks ago and I've been really busy, but I'm going to be posting again soon :)  I also finally started doing proper drawings for my portfolio, hope I get it done in time.

Art Stuff :)

Went shopping for art materials for my portfolio today, that's all the stuff I bought in the photo.  Finally got a big A2 sketchbook, art notebook, A3 sketchbook and A4 cartridge paper.  I got a charcoal sketching pencil too, haven't used one before but thought it could be good for my portfolio.

I was about to buy a €5 60ml tube of white paint (rip-off) when I saw these.  They are Reeves acrylic paint (70ml), and only cost €2.50.  I already use Reeves paints and am pretty happy with them.  I tried out the white and pink colours.  The white is quite thick, which is good, but the pink is a lot more sheer.  I think that it's just because of the colour.  Anyway, overall I think these are really good for €2.50.  There were lots more colours too.  I hadn't seen these anywhere before.

Anyway I decided that I'm going to start my portfolio properly now even though there's only one week left of summer.  I've started the mind-map section of the brief (finally lol) and it's actually kinda fun :P

Shopping :)

Tuesday was my 18th birthday :) My party is on Friday though so I went shopping for shoes to go with my dress..

The shoes are from New Look and cost €35.  I also bought loads more things, including the bag in the photo which was €5 from Pennys (Primark)

Birthday party outfit so far..

So after a lot of going around shops in town and looking online too, and finding absolutley nothing, I bought this Rare dress from ASOS today. 

It cost €70 (so it's my birthday present to me, haha).
It's supposed to be here on or before next Tuesday (which is my birthday..eek) so I hope it gets here in time.  I'm not sure if I'm gonna wear it on Tuesday and then at my party the week after, yet but I hope it gets here quick. 

I was going to wear gold shoes/accessories with it but as gold shoes seem to be kinda hard to find (lol) I think I'll get some cream ones instead.  I have cream shoeboots but I want to buy a new pair of heels instead because I wear the boots all the time.  Haven't found any so far though.  Also, I think I'll wear a skinny gold belt (if I can find one..) around the waist to break up the red a bit.

Hope it looks okay...

..

Trying to start my art portfolio is a total pain.in.the.arse.


:|

..

Hello.

When I was in Barcelona last week I was in this really cool shop with lots of crazy stuff..

The shop was near the Gaudi park. I thought these ornament things were really cool, they're from a brand called Tom's Company I think.

I'll probably post more photos from Barcelona soon, got some of the Gaudi park.

Foo Fighters!

Wow they were amazing :) I was in the pit, it was brilliant. Here are some blurry photos I took:

    This was supposed to be a photo of the band, which came out wrong but I think the hands look kinda cool. Blurry-ness caused by my phone camera :P

:D

Just a quick post..

Got back from Spain yesterday morning.  I have some cool photos to post here, will do that soon.
I'm going to Oxegen tomorrow, can't wait. I'm going because Foo Fighters are headlining :P To be honest I'm not really interested in any of the other bands there but it should be good anyway :)

I have to get up at 6 again tomorrow, not fun lol. Anyway goodnight!

...

I'm going on holiday tomorrow so I won't be posting anything this week.  I'll have lots of posts about summer clothes/makeup when I get back! Also, I got my ticket to a music festival today, can't wait! It's on a few days after I get back from holiday :D

Have to get up around 5am tomorrow lol. Bye for now!

Smile!

Yesterday I was outside picking strawberries in the garden and my cat decided to hide in the rhubarb

:)