Topshop Make Up

When Topshop launched it's make-up range I was interested but not blown away by the selection on offer.  However, that hasn't stopped me picking up a few products over the last few months and I thought it was worth sharing my thoughts on them.  In all honesty I did half expect this range to lack quality and initially purchased for the novely factor.  As you may have guessed by now how a product looks is just as important to me as how it performs and full marks to Topshop whose packaging is quirky, cute and unique.  I'm ashamed to say I bought the lipbalm in sheen purely because I knew it would look pretty on my dresser.  Although pink in the pot it doesn't really have any discernable colour on the lips and not surprisingly just gives a nice sheen.  This works really well on me when paired with a super nude lipstick like Gosh Darling or Barry M 101.  I wouldn't say it has any particularly great moisturising qualities but for £4 it is nice product to have although not one I would necessarily hurry to repurchase. 
Most recently I bought the loose glitter in gilt.  I'm not normally a big glitter fan and it's definitely not a product I will use everyday but the colour is gorgeous and unlike anything I have seen elsewhere.  But without a shadow of a doubt the best products from the Topshop range in my opinion are the blushes.  I have two shades flush and butterscotch.

These are a cream to powder formula which have great lasting power.  The colours initially seem a little scary in the pan but apply more sheerly.  Flush is a lovely pink-coral that I relied upon during the summer months.  The other colour in my collection is butterscotch which gives a beautiful golden sheen to the skin.  I would definitely recommend you check these out if you are interested in experimenting with cream blush and don't want to spend a fortune.  Overall, I'm not sure the line lives up to the hype that surrounded its release but it does seem to be expanding, helped by the new collections that launch seasonally so I'll continue to check it out when I'm buying my t-shirts and ballet pumps!
Are there any other great products in the Topshop make up line I should check out?

17 Wild Curls Mascara - review

It is rubbish.
I could leave the review there and I think it adequately describes the product, but for blog purposes I should probably expand.  I went to Boots for some coloured eyeliner pencils and there was a 3 for 2 on 17 cosmetics, I was looking for my extra 3rd item when the packaging for this mascara suckered me in.  Honestly though I think the packaging is probably the best thing about this product.  It is claimed that this mascara will give your lashes 6x their normal volume and hold curl for up to 10 hours.  When I applied this my lashes did appear slightly longer but it had no volumizing effect at all.  But even worse, on me this mascara doesn't last 10 minutes let alone 10 hours.  It is honestly the worst mascara I have ever tried - and I've tried quite a few.  After I applied this and let it dry it took about 2 minutes of wear before it started to smudge under my eyes.  I gave it the benefit of the doubt, wiped the smudges away and carried on with my day.  A little while later I caught sight of myself in a mirror and was actually scared.  I don't think there was any product left on my lashes it had completely melted onto my face.  I looked like I was in Halloween fancy dress.  Not only will I never repurchase, I will never even use this again. 
17 is a range I really love and there are so many great products but a quick search online seems to confrm that mascara is their achiles heel.  Do yourself a favour and stay clear of this.
What is the worst product you have ever tried?
xxx

Currently Loving...

Barry M Glossy Tube in number 2 Pale Strawberry Shimmer

I rediscovered this product recently after it had been buried under a pile of lipbalms and glosses in my collection and mentally gave myself a headslap for forgetting how gorgeous it is. 

This is the colour I wish Mac's Oyster Girl had been.  I love it worn with Gosh Darling and paired with a dark smokey eye.

So far this week

I have ...

image courtesy of fanpop.com

1.) woken up with a severe case of the Quasimodo's.  I woke up on Saturday morning to find my left eyelid swollen to (at least) twice its normal size.  I was freaked out and spent the rest of the weekend with my curtains closed so I could hide in the dark; applying compresses in an effort to reduce the swell and avoiding all human contact.  I'm not sure what triggered the swelling - it's not something I've had before: maybe it was an insect bite or as I'm more inclined to believe a severe allergic reaction to the pospect of returning to work after my two week vacay.  Thankfully, I was ready for action Monday morning and am now fine.

2.) suffered technical difficulties.  My (new) freeview recorder has stopped working less than a month after I bought it.  So far this year I have replaced two lamps, my laptop, the water pump on my car, a freeview box and a DVD player.  I am understandably not a happy bunny and am beginning to suspect it is a conspiracy theory against me.

3.) On a more positive note I have sorted my Christmas day outfit having purchased a rather lovely sequined top from Next.  It is just the right balance between casual and sparkly!!!  I'm still struggling to find the perfect party outfit though the search continues.
Hope you are all having a good week xx

L'oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 Replenishing Masque - review

I tried a sample of the shampoo from this new line from L'oreal Elvive and liked the sleek and shiny finish it gave my hair.  I already have several half used bottles of shampoo but was looking for a deep conditioner and thought I would give this product a whirl.  It promises to "intensely condition to help restore the visible signs of replenished hair."  The product is essentially just a conditioner, it has a medium-thick although not runny consistency and like the shampoo it does leave my hair looking fantastic.  I have started to use this once or twice a week; smothering the dry ends of my hair and leaving for about 2 minutes before it easily rinses out.  The smell is amazing and does last once the product has been rinsed out. 
After a bad haircut about a year ago I admit that I have tended to leave it a little too long between trims but this gives a noticable difference to the appearance of the length and ends of my hair - ideal if you need a quick fix before a cut.  However, you should be aware that the effects don't last past one wash.  I also wouldn't apply this at my roots as I do think this would make them appear greasy but I have this problem with most conditioners.  Priced at around £5 it won't break the bank and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice conditioner that gives short term improvement to the condition and managability of their hair.
What are your favourite new hair products?
p.s. sorry for the terrible camera work, I was rushing to take some snaps before it got dark!

The Bargain of 2010

I should preface this post by saying I am not a bargain hunter.  I hate sale shopping.  I am a neat freak- I like things ordered and pretty.  I like to browse through stores that have spent time and effort merchandising their stock - not those that have hastily assembled sale racks and dumped stock on them.  Therefore, I rarely ever pick up a bargain.  I figure if I really want an item I will be prepared to pay full price for it otherwise it just isn't love.  Having said that, virtual sale shopping is remarkably satisfying.  I was browsing the ASOS website for some winter wedges and saw these little beauties - the very last pair and they were in my size!  Marked down from around the £65 mark to just £14, they satisfy my craving for all things nude.

I think it was meant to be.
edit: these are now back on the asos website for the not so bargain friendly price of £50.

NOTD

 

I blogged recently that the latest crop of make-up collections have left me pretty disinterested which got me thinking about the collections I have really loved from the past.  Top of the list was OPI's 2008 Collection de France.  Parlez Vous OPI? was my first polish by the brand and here is another great, unique and wearable colour - Tickle my France-y.  The picture above (and my sloppy application) really doesn't do it justice.  It is a lovely light beige which in some lights has a strong mauve/pink tone. 

Tres Chic.

Which make-up collection has been your favourite?

First Haul of Winter

I've currently got a few days off from work and what better way to spend it than with a little retail therapy.  I went a little crazy on this shopping trip bolstered by the bumper pay packet I got this month (thanks to all the extra hours I've been working lately!).  I stopped by the Mac counter to check out the Tartan Tale collection but nothing really grabbed my interest so I left empty handed.  Next stop was YSL where I picked up a rouge pur shine in 32 Frozen Mango.  This lipstick is a bright light orange peach in the tube but applies and swatches sheerly.  I personally like the effect it gives straight from the tube - it's practically gloss like, although the MUA suggested using a lip brush for a more pigmented application.  I also bought a few drugstore staples - my beloved Max Factor false lash mascara.  My birthday, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner so I'm returning to my old friend to help me negotiate the increased photo opportunities!  I also bit the bullet and bought Revlon's colorstay foundation (not pictured) in Ivory.  I've never tried this before so fingers crossed it doesn't break me out. 

top: swatch YSL 32 Frozen Mango 

Back to the fun stuff - two of my all time favourite blushes are Nars Deep Throat and Mac Well Dressed - blogland and various reviews have convinced me that I need Nars Penny lane in my life.  A beautiful cream blush that apparently looks lovely layered with Well Dressed - hopefully a combination that I will be sporting all this winter! 

I also caved and purchased Bobbi Brown's longwear gel liner in Ink Black (from my wishlist post) along with an eco tools slanted eyeliner brush.  A quick and tentative test run this morning on the upper lash line confirmed that application is much easier than with liquid liner and I'm really looking forward to properly testing this over the next few days - including on the waterline.

So far I'm really loving all my new goodies and excited to play around with them some more.  What have been your best purchases lately?

xx

Happy Bonfire Night

image courtesy of the guardian

This post probably won't make a lot of sense to those of you outside the UK, but for me, Bonfire night officially signals the start of winter.  It is a great excuse to dress in plenty of cozy layers and warm accessories whilst watching firework displays.  And, just as good, from tomorrow I'll be stepping up the countdown to Christmas.  Unfortunately, rain is making my 5th November a total washout so instead I thought I'd share some of the winter accessories I'd choose to wear if I was out tonight. 

from a selection at topshop, river island and accessorize

If you are lucky enough to be watching fireworks tonight wrap up warm and stay safe!

xxx

Wish List...

I guess it's that time of year when all the make up brands offer up some new goodies that have us reaching in our pockets or batting our eyelashes at loved ones and dropping not so subtle hints - "cough"christmas"cough".  I have to say I've been pretty underwhelmed by most of these new offerings but there are still a considerable number of products on my mental wish list.

Barry M nail paint in Dusky Mauve.  Anybody know if this is a dupe for Chanel Particuliere, some swatches I've seen put it in the same family?!

Collection 2000 Big Fake False Lash Effect Mascara.  Collection 2000 have some great mascaras at budget friendly prices and with party season fast approaching big, fat and fake are a prerequsite.

Mac 219 Pencil Brush.  For smoking out eyeshadow on the lower lash line and applying an inner corner highlight.

Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner.  I've been back and forth on gel eyeliner for a while: desperate to try but scared I'll find it too much effort (an extra brush to clean) but I figure if I'm going to give it a try it might as well be with Bobbi Brown which is highly rated by celebs and the beauty community.

What are your current lust haves?