MAC Vegas Volt lipstick review

I am so excited to share this review with you.

I bought some MAC lipsticks recently and this is my favourite from all three.

I got Vegas Volt, Myth and Viva Glam Nicki. I also bought sculpting creams and I love them!

I will be reviewing all lipsticks and the creams separately in October.

 

 

I am very fussy when it comes to lipsticks and I find most of them drying, but not this one.

The beauty I am talking about is Vegas Volt. It is the most beautiful coral shade I have ever seen, with an amplified creme finish. It is a lovely, warm colour and will suit all skin tones. I know that it is a very summery shade, but I am totally in love with it and I had to share it :) I think that every girl needs this lipstick in their collection. It is very moisturising, it applies beautifully and I feel very comfortable wearing it on my lips.  It stays put for about 4 hours, but I like to top it  up after 2 hours to keep the colour vibrant. I am already planning more purchases from MAC and all of them will be the amplified creme lipsticks! Perfect!

 

What is your favourite MAC lipstick? I would love to hear some recommendations.

 

Very late August Lux Box review :)

Hi everyone,

 

The August Lux Box* was very late due to some problems etc, but it finally arrived at my doorstep in September. I received it about two weeks ago, but didn't have time to review it earlier.
As usual, I was very excited to see the contents :) They are ok, but not amazing. Also, the full size product we all got this month is something I would never, ever buy or use, so I am bit confused about that. There was no product card in the box this month due to the last minute change of contents, which is understandable. The Lux Box team informed everybody on Twitter and facebook and via email about they delay and showed that with great customer service, every situation can be handled professionally, without upsetting customers :)

First of all- the delay. I am not bothered about it, I am very patient when it comes to deliveries :) but I know that some people unsubscribed after waiting for so long. Personally, I think that October box will be great to compensate for August and September. There will be no September Box by the way. The next one will be delivered in October  :)


The box included one full size product and 4 samples. I got 2 face creams, face oil, face mask and a hair pomade. I will list the products in order from the one I liked the most to the one I didn't like.

Immerse Me Face Mask B.liv by Cellnique 7 Pack - RRP £9.50

"This moisturizing mask covers your skin with a generous boost of hydration! Immerse me acts like a balm for parched and dry complexion as it gets absorbed in a blink of an eye and makes sure your skins longing hydration will never turn tail. Its nourishing essences shoo away the dryness and replenish moisture into the deeper layers of your skin. So, why not make it an everyday affair?
For dry to very dehydrated skin (all ages)."
Use Discount code 3STAR30 for 30% off "Shrink & tighten", "Off with those heads" and "Spots got shots"

 I am a big fan of face masks of any kind and always on a lookout for  a new one. I really enjoyed using this mask. I love cloth face masks- they are very convenient and easy to use. This one is very hydrating and left my skin feeling soft and looking fresh and radiant.

Murad Oil-Free Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30| PA+++ 50ml - RRP £27.00

"Prevents signs of premature ageing caused by environmental exposure by delivering high SPF protection while providing intense hydration with an oil-free matte finish. Featherweight, easily absorbed formula protects and restores the appearance of healthy skin. MuraSolTM provides free radical protection whilst supporting skins natural defence system. Pomegranate extract and vitamin E deliver essential antioxidants and moisture to keep skin soft and supple. Micro minerals provide an oil-free matte finish."

I like Murad products and I am sure that this cream is lovely. I have far  too many moisturisers at the moment, so I included this sample in a little birthday package for a very special someone :)

Betty Hula The Secret Anti-Aging Oil - £14.99 - £15.99

"Rejuvinate and rehydrate tired and stretched skin with our best kept Secret

The Secret’ has been talked about a lot in the press recently and here it is for you to buy! Celebrate your natural beauty with this handcrafted Betty Hula Anti-Ageing Oil. With a special blend of ingredients working in harmony with your skin, to help repair damaged and tired cells, combat dryness and reduce wrinkles to reveal your most radiant, youthful self. We would love to tell you a bit more, but that’s the trouble with Secrets, just enjoy the results."

 

60% discount available at www.bettyhula.com with code Luxbox60 valid until the end of December 2012

I love face oils, but I have about 5 different ones  at the moment, so I used this one for my elbows and it really helped to soften the skin :) I am definitely using the discount code for Betty Hula- 60% off is mindblowing! I will stock up on body butters for winter.

Skinkind Unique Deep Skin Moisturiser 50ml - RRP £24.95

"This beautifully uncomplicated light fragranced moisturiser is so soft on your skin that youll feel and see the difference from the moment you gently smooth it on. It can be used on all skin types and is also ideal for very dry or mature skin.
So versatile that you can use it as a day or night cream - it perfectly compliments any makeup and is designed to leave your skin feeling soft, fresh, comforted and nourished.
Receive 20% off orders over £20 at www.skinkindcosmetics.com with discount code CAT29TGY"

Another face cream. I noticed that most beauty boxes include 2 or more face creams in each box and people always complain about that. I always give the samples to my husband :) He has really dry skin and can't live without moisturisers. This cream smells really nice and it is very light weight. I tried it and I quite like it. It absorbs fast and moisturises really well.

Black & White Genuine Pluko - 50ml - RRP £4.99

THE LONG HOLD CONTROL
Hair Dressing Pomade
"Black & White Genuine Pluko is a versatile Hair Dressing that allows you to mould, sculpt and create texture. It is firm but pliable giving long hold control that lasts all day. Simply work a small amount of the Genuine Pluko into your hair from the roots, through the mid-lengths and to the ends with your fingertips and style to achieve desired effect."

Now the product I am very confused about- what girl would use something like this? I have no idea. It is not going to be wasted though, because my husband loves it. It turns out that he used this product to style his hair before and immediately recognised the packaging :) oh well... It looks like my husband will be enjoying this box more than me :)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Overall, I am not very impressed with this months box. Previous ones were much better, with a great product variety. I am looking forward to the October Box though and I hope it is an amazing one!

You can subscribe to Lux Box here for £10.00 plus P&P

 

 

Avenue32 wishlist

Hi everyone.

Like most ladies, I absolutely love online shopping and spend far too much time and money on it :)

It is very convenient for me, especially when the weather is horrible.  I usually stick to high street brands, but sometimes I treat myself to something more luxurious. To be honest, most of the cheap items I bought are being badly neglected, but the expensive ones have a special place in my wardrobe or my jewellery box and I look after them really well :) There is many online stores specialising in luxury fashion and I very often browse their websites for inspiration or to make a cheeky purchase. Most of the time I am just admiring the designs though, without placing an order :(

Avenue32 is a website focusing on high-end fashion, updated with new content and products every week. You will find there desings from: Felder Felder, Bex Rox, Manuela Dack, Maria Francesca Pepe, Preen, Pringle of Scotland and many more.  I instantly fell in love with jewellery designed by Maria Francesca Pepe- the bracelets, neckleces and rings are absolutely beautiful! If money was no object at the moment, I would definitely buy a couple of things. I also love the Bex Rox collection, especially all the gorgeous bracelets. Here is a little collage of the items I would love to own, including a Pringle Of Scotland jumper, Pauric Sweeney bag and jewellery from Maria Francesca Pepe and Bex Rox.

 

You can get 10% OFF ALL AVENUE32 ORDERS UNTIL 4 OCTOBER using a code: FASHWK10 at checkout

 

1.Pringle Of Scotland Navy Cashmere Fairisle Sleeve Jumper £995 link

2.Maria Francesca Pepe Swarovski Crystal Pearl Studded Cuff £195 link

3.Maria Francesca Pepe Rose Gold Calliope Necklace £210 link

4.Bex Rox Gold Plated Gina Cuff  £265 link

5. Pauric Sweeney Black Leather Madame Bag £830 link

6.Maria Francesca Pepe Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Ring £120 link

 

 

 

SIGMA F88 Angled Kabuki Brush review

Hi everyone. 

I am sure you've heard about Sigma before and probably own some of their brushes. Sigma is a very popular American brand known for offering amazing quality brushes at affordable prices. Today I am reviewing my first ever  Sigma brush- an angled kabuki F88.

SIGMA F88 Angled Kabuki Brush* $16.00

 

I love a good foundation brush and Sigma F88 angled kabuki is perfect for a flawless application.

The shape is especially designed to blend cream products onto hard to reach areas of the face.

I normally use the Real Techniques buffing brush from the Core Collection to blend foundation and cream products, but I was very excited to try the F88. I've heard good thing about SIGMA, but this is my first product from their collection. I love the brush and the quality is amazing, so I am now thinking about buying the Mr Bunny travel kit  :)

The bristles are synthetic, very soft and dense and they make blending cream products easy and help  to get an even finish. I recently bought sculpting creams from MAC and I love using F88 to blend them into my skin, especially on my cheekbones and around my nose. 

The design is simple and beautiful, a perfect size which fits comfortably into my hand.

It comes in nice packaging with a pink bow and it is cruelty free and vegan, so would make a perfect gift for any make-up lover.

Overall, I am very impressed with the quality, so I will be buying more Sigma brushes in the future. Have a look at their travel kits- great value for money.

 

Barry M lip paint: shade 54- peach

Hi everyone.

I was planning to publish this post yesterday, but I am still having problems with my blogger account and my laptop isn't working :( I will still try my best to post every day. Today I am reviewing one of my recent purchases- a Barry M lip paint in shade 54 - Peach. I am not impressed with it to be honest and I will explain why.

Barry M Lip Paint- shade 54/Peach £4.50 link

 

"Moisturising lip paint by Barry M. Featuring a rich pigmented formula with a smooth texture, it glides offering long lasting colour. Ideal for creating this season’s statement lip, the lip paints are available in a selection of vibrant hues"

 

I was expecting it to be a peachy shade, but it is too bright for me. When I swatch it on my hand it looks lovely, but on my lips it looks very orange and not flattering at all.

I don't like the consistency either. It makes my lips very dry and if they are a tiny bit chapped- it just looks horrible.  I tried it on top of a lip balm and if it is applied lightly it looks ok, but I am still not sure about it. I took many pictures of the lipstick on my lips, but every single one of them looked unattractive! I very rarely say that, but it is true. Product info claims that the lipstick glides on and that it is moisturising- in my opinion it is the opposite!

I love the packaging and the price is very affordable, but unfortunately I don't get on with this product. I love Barry M nail paint though :)

 

EDIT: Keep in mind that everybody's experience can be different. I am sharing my opinion. Most people find the lip paints very drying, but I found some neutral/positive  reviews as well.

The only way I can make this lipstick work is to apply it very lightly on top of a generous amount of a very moisturising lip balm.

It appears quite creamy on my hand, but it dries quickly and leaves my lips extremely dry and uncomfortable.

FOTD

Hi everyone!

Because I love lazy Sundays, I am adding a FOTD post, which I drafted about two weeks ago and never managed to fit it into my schedule :) I have many reviews to write and I will start with a lipstick review tomorrow, followed by a beauty box review, a haul and more lipstick reviews :)

I am in a desperate need of professional eyebrow shaping! I don't like my eyebrows at all.

I used my tricks for bigger eyes again, but this time with a white liner in the waterline and fake lashes :)

Have a lovely Sunday xo

FACE: Collection 2000 primer, Liz Earle foundation, Liz Earle loose powder, Liz Earle bronzer, Nars Orgasm Blush, Lily Lolo highlighter, Collection 2000 setting spray. EYES: MUA undressed palette, INIKA mineral eyeshadow - Lightening, Bourjois liquid eye liner, Liz Earle mascara, fake lashes-no name from ebay. EYEBROWS: Urban Decay Brow Box. LIPS: MAC Fanfare, L'Occitane Pivione Delicate lipstick, and Lily Lolo highlihter in the centre.

My very short Wishlist

Hi everyone.

I don't add wish list posts very often, but this time I really, really want something! :) Believe it or not - I do not own a mobile phone at the moment! I was always addicted to my mobile, until my contract ended, after my baby boy was born.

I had a pink and white LG with a little keyboard to make texting easier and faster. It is somewhere in my house, without a SIM card or a battery ... :) 

To be honest, I don't need a mobile phone at the moment, but... I really want the new iPhone :)
 I was eyeing up the 4s, but I've been holding off, because of the price. I love my iPad and I use it non stop, so I am sure I will love the Iphone 5. The question is: Do I really need it? Or is it going to be abandoned like my previous phone? If I decide to buy it, I will get a lovely case for it to keep it safe and away from my gadget obsessed toddler. Yeah... He is just like his daddy and absolutely loves gadgets and knows more about using computers than many people I know. It is so funny :)

How beautiful is the iPhone 5 and how gorgeous is the LV case? :) I need them in my life asap!

My all time favourite foundation: Lancôme Teint Miracle SPF 15

Hi everyone.
I always mention that Lancôme Teint Miracle is my all time favourite foundation, but I never actually reviewed it on my blog. I thought that it will be a good idea to finally do it and share my love for the "miracle in a bottle".  I repurchased this product about 10 times in the past couple of years and I will be buying it until it is discontinued. Well, I hope it never happens, because I can't live without it! I absolutely LOVE it! I do use other foundations as well and some of them are amazing too, but this one really stands out and is absolutely perfect. I really want to try Lancôme Teint Idole to see if it is similar and I will ask for a sample the next time I am buying a new bottle of Teint Miracle. If you've tried both, please let me know what you think. I would really appreciate it.

Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation SPF 15  30ml £27.00

"Lancôme's Teint Miracle helps you achieve bare skin perfection and natural-looking radiance. Teint Miracle works to help recreate and boost the skin’s luminosity. Upon application, the complexion appears flawless and luminous, as if lit-from-within. Suitable for all skin types."

I don't even know where to start. There is nothing bad I can say about this foundation. It is perfect!
It is very light weight, but gives amazing coverage and works perfectly with my skin type- normal/combination. It is oil free, so it works perfectly with oily skin, but because the formula keeps moisture in the skin it can be used for dry and sensitive skin types as well. Applied in the morning, it stays on my face all day, looking absolutely perfect! It covers all imperfections, gives me flawless, natural looking skin and a beautiful, luminous complexion.

The shade I get in summer is 04, but most of the time I go for shade 03. I actually got a cute little sample of this foundation in my Harrods Glossybox - it is perfect for traveling, as I don't like to take my big bottle with me. It is made of glass, so I need to be very careful not to drop it. I really love the design, the bottle is very elegant and looks lovely on my dressing table. Before I got the tiny sample, I used to decant some of the foundation into a tiny plastic sample pot to take with me if I was traveling. It is a pump out bottle, so it is very easy to get the amount you need. 

Overall, I adore this product and it is my no1 foundation. I always recommend it to everybody, so if you decide to try it, I am sure you won't be disappointed.
I always place my order on www.lancome.co.uk   because I get amazing samples every time. At the moment there is free delivery and an exclusive gift with every purchase over £39!
You can also get it from department stores and from www.feelunique.com.

FACE: Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation- no primer, no powder.  LIPS: Stila Lip Twin Set- Demi Tulip

 

MY FAVOURITE NAIL CARE PRODUCTS

Hi everyone! 

I was planning to do this post for a while, but I waited to see if a dramatic change in my nail care routine makes a difference to my nails.

I used to moisturise  my nails a couple of times a day, used many different nail strengtheners and every week I do a full manicure and pamper my nails. 

My nails were always weak, splitting and breaking. They never looked bad or anything, but the only time I managed to grow them was during pregnancy and breastfeeding when my hormones were going crazy :) 

About 2-3 months ago I decided to follow all the advice for strong nails to see if it makes a difference. I have been using cuticle oils and creams a couple of times a day, moisturisers as often I could, nail strengtheners daily and I also started using a crystal nail file.  To be honest, the biggets thing I noticed is the fact that the splitting of my nails stopped thanks to the crystal nail file sealing the edges better. My nails are a little bit  stronger now, but there isn't a big difference. They look very healthy and nice, but still feel weak and I can't grow them. As soon as they reach about 3mm they start breaking. :( I am convinced that not everybody can have strong nails and no matter how hard I try, even with taking vitamins etc, I will never have my dream nails. Here are all the products I am currently using to improve the condition of my nails:

Review: ELDORA EYELASHES H105

Hi everyone!

I love having full, long and gorgeous lashes, but unfortunately my natural lashes are not amazing.

That's exactly why I love fake lashes! I remember my first experience with falsies... omg! It was a disaster. I ordered a set of 10 pairs from Hong-Kong for 99p and they were the cheapest thing ever! I felt very uncomfortable wearing them and they actually distracted my vision!

After that fiasco, I done some research and found Eylure and Eldora lashes. Oh my... What a difference! They are amazing! Today I am reviewing a gorgeous pair of lashes from Eldora, my current favourite brand when it comes to falsies!

 ELDORA human hair lashes £4.25 free delivery H105 link

I am in love with this pair of lashes! They are light as a feather and I can't feel them on my eyelids at all. This design is very flattering. The lashes are long and thick and a perfect size for my eyes. The application is very easy and the glue is really strong. They cost only £4.25 but the quality is amazing! The lashes are placed on a thin white strip to give a natural effect and as you can see on the pictures below, the white strip is visible once the lashes are glued on. You can easily hide the white bits, by painting them with a black liquid liner. I did it on my left eye (right on the photos) to show you the difference. The lashes are reusable and I normally use them 5 times before getting a new pair.

What are your favourite lashes?

Colored Contact Lenses

I haven't tried contact lenses or colored contact lenses until recently, but I blogged about my experience here and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. My eyesight is perfectly fine but I was always curious about contact lenses and I find them very intriguing. My older sister uses them on a daily basis instead of prescription glasses and every time I've seen her putting them in I was freaking out. I would have never thought that one day I will actually use coloured contacts, but surprisingly I gave it a go. It took me absolute ages to put the lenses into my eyes for the first time, but after hours of trying different techniques I managed to do it! I am sure that everybody would love to see how they look like with a different eye colour, simply out of curiosity. I was very excited to see my eyes looking totally different and at the beginning it felt really weird to have big blue eyes :) I looked like  a manga character. I picked 15mm lenses and they were a bit too big and didn't look natural. I will go for a smaller size the next time. At the moment I only own one pair, which you can see on the picture below. I thought it will be a good idea to show you a before and after picture. You can see that the size of my natural iris is much smaller than the lens size and because of that my brown eye is still visible on the inside of the colored lense.

Review: LIZ EARLE Signature Foundation in shade 03 Nude

Hi everyone!

The full Liz Earle Colour range is finally here and complete with every product I could imagine, from foundations, powders and blushers to eye shadows, lipsticks and mascara.

I declared my love for Liz Earle skincare and make-up many times  and every single product I try is absolutely amazing and I am never disappointed.  I received the Liz Earle Signature Foundation and foundation brush last week and I am very excited to share my thoughts with you.

happy face :)

LIZ EARLE SIGNATURE FOUNDATION in shade 03 Nude* 25 ml £21.00 link

"Our silky formula offers easy-to-build coverage and glides on easily to give a smooth, radiant finish and an even, natural-looking complexion. Beautifully buildable and blendable, with a special mix of spherical particles and coated pigments that offer long-lasting colour. Enriched with our own natural source vitamin E. Available in nine shades"

First of all -the packaging is gorgeous. It is a classic and elegant design- a glass bottle with a dark navy blue lid and white Liz Earle logo. I love good quality foundations and I am always ready to pay a lot of money if something works for me. I think that prices of Liz Earle make-up are very reasonable, becasue the quality is equal to all expensive, high end brands I tried. 

 I am happy to say, that I am in love with this product. The consistency is lovely and creamy, but at the same time it feels light on the skin. It gives a beautiful finish and medium coverage with one layer or full coverage with two layers. It is easy to apply and blend and looks very natural. Shade 03 Nude is darker than I expected, but it suits my light olive complexion. If you are pale I would suggest shade 01 and if you have average white skin tone, shade 02 would probably be the best option for you. There is nine shades to chose from and I think that everybody will be able to find a close match for their skin tone. One thing about this foundation that really stands out is the lasting power- it stays on my skin all day, without going cakey or patchy. The quality is amazing! I usually set it with Liz Earle natural Finish Loose Powder to achieve a matte finish, but it looks lovely on its own too. 

Overall, I am very impressed and I have been using this foundation every day since I got my little sample in the Liz Earle Beauty Insider magazine. I got the full size product a couple of days later.

LIZ EARLE FOUNDATION BRUSH* £18 link

"With its semi-flat head, our brush has been specifically designed to effortlessly apply and blend your foundation. The rounded shape allows expert application to those harder-to-reach places around the nose, chin and under eyes."

To be honest, I never use foundation brushes and always apply foundation with my fingers and blend with a  buffing brush, but I gave this brush a go and I love it!  The finish it gives is perfect and it distributes the product evenly allover my face. It really helps to reach tricky areas, like around my nose and under my eyes etc. I used RT buffing brush with the Liz Earle Signature foundation as well, but instead of distributing the product it was sort of absorbing it. I will definitely use this brush to apply my foundation from now on. It is perfect! Liz Earle brushes are made from 100% man-made fibres, so they are animal-friendly :)