Black Friday

Today is so called black friday.  The last friday before christmas and the day that lots of people choose to go out partying meaning the emergency services are at their busiest.  Luckily for me my christmas party was last week so I can snuggle up at home tonight and avoid the crowds.   Here's my fantasy party outfit for 2010.  I am completely in love with those Gucci suede shoes.  My actual outfit was pretty similar but much more budget friendly.

Hope you have a great time if you are out this weekend!

xx

NOTD

 

Nars Orgasm.

I usually use this for my toes but thought I'd change it up and apply to my fingers.  I wasn't all that sold at first although looking at these pictures maybe I have underestimated it.  It is a peach shade which has a gorgeous gold shimmer throughout that looks lovely when it catches the light. 

Deck the Halls....

With my tree up and the rest of the house feeling festive and twinkly, I think it's only fair I lavish some christmas sparkle on myself.  Here's my latest purchase to give even the most average of outfits an instant glamour boost.  

Available for £10 from Love for New Look.

xx

Gone Gaga

I totally don't need another pink lipstick.  In fact, I was looking for something red.  I was just debating between ruby woo, mac red and viva glam cyndi when the mua asked me if I needed any help.  Before I knew what was happening I was asking for viva glam gaga. 

Red scares me so I defaulted to my failsafe pink mode.  I can justify this because this pink is outside my comfort zone - it is so bright and has a definite blue tone so it is a step in the direction of a statement lip.  I've been wearing it with mac vanilla eyeshadow over the lid and loads of black eyeliner for a definite retro feel.

The only problem is I still need to find my inner screen goddess and dip my toe in the waters of a red lip.

What are your red recommendations?

Currently Loving...

"1983" by Neon Trees

I'm hoping these guys (and gal!) get a proper UK release soon but in the meantime I'm obsessively listening to this on You Tube.

There is also an amazing cover of this song by Alex Cornell so check that out too!!!!

xx

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