The Week #90
1/31/2014

The Week #90


The Week in Instagrams @nanawintour: *I went to the Mac Spring-Summer '14 trends presentation on Tuesday. It was all kinds of awesome-see tomorrow's post! *My hair is so big because it's full of secrets, and Bumble and Bumble. *Saturday Shenanigans; The Benefit Lollitint Launch and Saving Mr Banks. Getting to meet Annie Ford Danielson, daughter of the Benefit founders and Shannon was quite the highlight. January Favourites for another year. *Wholemeal pancakes with organic blueberries for breakfast yesterday. So good. *Talking skin and eye primers in Monday's post. 

Must-Watch of the Week: The Hollywood Reporter's Actresses Roundtable for 2013 stands out this week. Amy Adams, Emma Thompson and more of the top nominees from this awards season are featured. They discuss topics like the role of Women in film and its progression over the years and how to leave a character behind off-set. It's almost an hour-long but it's really interesting hearing everyone's differing perspectives and what inspires everyone. 

Product of the Week: Eyeko 'Eye Do' Mascara, from this set. Mascara is one of those things I often alternate because there are so many different mascaras out there. I am often determined to find my favourite mascara, I think Mac False Lash is my most repurchased, but I still enjoy trying out different ones. Anyway, this mascara comes with a corkscrew shaped wand. It's really easy to coat each individual lash, even those pesky inner-corner ones. It also holds a curl really well and despite not being a waterproof mascara, I've noticed it is pretty long-wearing. 
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January Favourites
1/29/2014

January Favourites


It's January favourites time again! Crazy. This month I have been loving a range of products. There's a surprisingly small number of makeup pieces in this post which can largely be put down to the fact I get quite lazy with makeup in Summer. I tend to just slap on what I know, love, and use religiously #fail. Never fear, I have been trialling more American beauty products this month and came into possession of some Mac fashion week favourites yesterday. No doubt you'll be spying those on the blog sometime soon. 

Anyway, without further ado, here is what I have been loving and obsessing over this month..

Real Techniques Buffing and Multi Task Brushes-Ever since these brushes came into my possession I have been obsessed with them. The buffing brush is fantastic for foundation. It blends product in so seamlessly and is my favourite brush for creating a flawless finish. The multi task brush has been my go-to for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. It is very similar in design to the powder brush, also by Real Techniques, just smaller. It is the perfect size for powders like these ones and because of its density, it doesn't pick up too much product. 

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Butter, limited edition-Body butters are a great product to be using year round. Whether your skin is noticeably dry or not, an extra dose of moisture and nourishment can make all the difference. I've been alternating between this body butter and the Strawberry one this month. Unlike other body butters these aren't too thick. They sink into the skin really well and don't leave your skin feeling greasy. They also happen to smell divine as well. Wins all round.

Lush Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser*-This cleanser was in our goodie bags at a Lush blogger's event last month and I am so glad it was because my other cleanser just wasn't agreeing with my skin. With this cleanser you take a small amount and let it become an almost milky, paste-like consistency under running water. This cleanser works so well at removing any grime from your skin. It's very gentle as well so you aren't left with your skin feeling tight or irritated. This does have quite an unpleasant scent to it but because it works for me I'm willing to overlook that factor.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Creme Rinse Conditioner-I love the whole beachy, wavy, Alexa Chung-Esque hair, especially if it can be achieved at home and not through salt water. This conditioner is super creamy and after blow-waving my hair it has a nice wave to it. This can be a little drying on the ends of your hair so I use a hair oil on the ends once a week to combat that. I've also been loving the Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble but more on that another day.
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Prime Time
1/27/2014

Prime Time


It has been said that it is a crime to not prime. It may not be officially listed as an illegal activity but once you start using a primer of any kind, you won't want to go without it. A primer's key purpose is to make your makeup, whether it be base or eye, stay in place for longer. They can also be skin smoothing, add a touch of radiance or even minimise pores. Primers can change the way your makeup looks and lasts on the skin so they're an essential part of many a makeup routine..

Bourjois Bronzing Primer ASOS seem to have taken this primer off their site so I'm hoping it gets added back because I love this. This primer was labeled as an alternative to the popular Chanel cream bronzer. I know some people like to use this as a cream contour as well. While it is way too dark for me to contour or bronze with, I like to apply a small amount of this after using a regular face primer. It gives your complexion a bit more warmth without leaving you looking orange. I have used this as a primer as well and liked it as one. 

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base This is the best eyeshadow primer that I have tried. It has a wand applicator so you can apply this to your lids and then use your ring finger to gently pat it in. Apply eyeshadow as normal and it will stay put so much better. The primer really stops your eyeshadow from creasing. For extra longevity apply a cream base, like a Mac paint pot first.

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer If you're not so big on dewy finishes, a primer like this one can be the perfect way to make you look more awake. I typically prefer a more matte finish but applying this leaves your complexion with such a pretty natural glow. I've not tried any of Laura Mercier's other primers but this one has more of a cream, almost gel-like consistency. It's really easy to blend and again, your makeup will stay put with this underneath. 


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The Week #89
1/24/2014

The Week #89


The Week in Pictures @nanawintour: *My Mac Lipstick Collection. It seems I have a liking for Mac's red and pink lip colours. *Breakfast on Wednesday morning complete with my latest read. *Some of the gorgeous new products Bobbi Brown have coming out over the next few months. Those blushers pictured are stunning. *Channeling my inner Disney-lover and watching Enchanted on Sunday night. *Talking hair products after a trip to Mecca Cosmetica. *It's always a good day when Cadbury's Mini Eggs make a reappearance on the shelves.

Must-Watch of the Week: I don't talk about it on the blog very often but I love baking, especially for other people. This week Zoe and Tanya both uploaded joint baking videos to their channel. This one for Raspberry and Nutella Macarons was my favourite but they also did one for a Lemon Drizzle Cake. Delicious, and the perfect accompaniment for afternoon tea.

Product of the Week: Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer. Is it possible I have found an eyeshadow primer I like more than the Nars one? Time will tell. This one has been gracing my lids this week and I am really liking it so far. It is skin toned so it acts as a great base for eyeshadows. This primer is also really creamy so it is easy to blend and apply across the lids. 

Must Read of the Week: The Coveteur is the perfect blog to visit for interior inspiration and to see inside the homes of famous women in fashion and beauty. This week they went inside Kourtney Kardashian's newly renovated house. She has the most covetable collection of shoes and coffee table books, ever! I love the chalkboard walls in her kid's playroom as well. If you're a blogger, this post of 20 things we can learn from Kat (of the Blogcademy) is well worth the read also.

Added to the Wishlist: Jo Malone Sweet Almond and Macaroon Candle. I have not actually smelt this candle but cast your eyes back to its name. How delectable does that sound? Who knows, maybe it'd be like stepping back into Laduree in Paris. Maybe..
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Mac Lipstick Collection
1/23/2014

Mac Lipstick Collection

Pictured: Patisserie, Relentlessly Red, Impassioned, Scarlet Ibis, Rebel, Lickable, Lady Danger, Creme Cup and Show Orchid.

In case this photo does not give it away, I love Mac lipsticks. They have the most extensive array of colours and formulas, trying to choose one is like trying to pick lollies in a well-stocked sweet store. This is my small but well loved collection. Whenever I purchase a Mac lipstick I like to research first. Looking at blogs or YouTube tutorials with the lipsticks beforehand is great. I also highly recommend going in and swatching colours yourself. The Mac artists in store will also apply the lipsticks on you or sterilise them so you can try them on yourself. You're bound to find a colour or three that you love that way.

Matte

Scarlet Ibis-This is a limited-edition lipstick that was released as part of the Marilyn Monroe collection a few years back. It is one of those colours that often is repromoted in other collections so it is bound to reappear on the shelves soon. Scarlet Ibis is a red-orange. It is vibrant and the red tones make this a classic, statement lipstick. For a matte-finish this one applies really creamily and has a bit of a sheen to it. Mac's matte lipsticks have fantastic lasting power. They tend to not feel drying on my lips for a good five or six hours.

Relentlessly Red-This shade was from the Retro Matte collection last year. It seems to have initially been limited edition but it is now part of Mac's permanent line. Anyway, Relentlessly Red is described as a bright pinkish coral. Again for a matte this applies very creamily and lasts well. I like to layer this over the top to add a glossier finish.

Lady Danger-If Lady Danger were a person she would be the life of the party. This bright coral-red shade is definitely my party lipstick. I throw it on if I have somewhere important to go or just if I am feeling fancy. This shade seems to make your teeth look whiter as well which is always a bonus. Lady Danger seems to be one of those shades that complements a range of skintones. If you're after a statement red this is well worth a swatch and splurge session.

Cremesheen

Lickable-As their name would suggest, cremesheen lipsticks are incredibly creamy. These last for less time on the lips as a result but I find they're still good after four to five hours, especially if you wear a lip pencil underneath. This blue-pink is bright, but not as intimidating as a neon lip colour. It is a really wearable shade and is very flattering, especially if you have a fairer complexion.

Creme Cup-My go-to lipstick when I don't want to wear a nude or a bright. This could be classified as a nude lipstick but it has a hint of pink. Most lip colours like this tend to wash me out as my skintone errs towards the paler side of things, thankfully this one does not. Again, this is a really wearable colour. If bright lipstick is not for you then you should give this a swatch.

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