Lip lust

                                                     MAC's Ruby Woo

Quick summer face

The weather is hot and the mood good.
Not wanting to spend ages doing my makeup in the morning this look has been my go to look.
It's really quick and easy and involves my favourite orange/coral tones.

Here's what I've been using: Face: Bourjois healthy Mix Foundation in shade 56, MAC Moisturecover concealer in 30, Shu Uemura brow pencil in Stone gray, Eyes: MAC tan pigment (also on cheeks), Bourjois  Volumizer mascara, Cheeks: MAC tan pigment and cream coluor base Virgin Isle (must have purchase), lips: Maybelline Coral Tonic.

It really is a nice, glowy look for sunny days and super easy.

Tell me what are your favourite quick summer looks?

Love F x

Illamasqua investments i.e Haul ( a mini one)!

In Bloggers/vloggers-ville the term 'haul' is banded about with great relish. Robin Hood has got his swag and he is gonna flaunt it in yer face! While I am not against this, I do feel that some hauls are recorded to induce envy and invariably dear reader the blogger/vlogger 'I can out-haul you' competitition begins. Perhaps that is just the cynic in me. I have read other blogs that genuinely want to share their thoughts /findings and it is these gems which are the more satsifying.

So with that all said I am going to share a few purchases -does this make me a hypocrite? A few weeks ago I attended the Illamasqua Masterclass and decided to make a few purchases. I've called this post 'investment' as I think when you make a purchase (and not a cheap one) you are buying into not just a product but the promises it also makes. Whether it is the longevity of the foundation, the lip plumping attributes of a gloss or the crease proof shadow we all get drawn in. So back to the products

Euyrydice, LE Skin Base in Au and Medium pencil in Devotion.                          








So why these?
I am a huge fan of bright pink lips and am always on the hunt for a bright matte one. After looking at the colour swatch online and swatching it in the store it fitted my bill. I have worn this several times now and like the fact that it is not too drying on the lips and lasts well. It does wear but not in a horrid  'I have line around my mouth' kind of way.
The medium pencil is a  pastel/minty shade that I wanted for my kit and it is a shade that is hard to find. I will say that this pencil is hard to line your water line with and is better used to sketch on lids. You need to build the colour for a more intensity.

 
LE Au Skin Base has been cracked open and while I love the colour and gold fleck - it has caused me to have a break out. It really needs to be tested out a few more times before I can give a final verdict.

Blended

Tell me what your 'investments' are and did they live up to their claims?

Love F x

Sssshhh..... I don't do nude.

There I've said it. I won't apologise and I won't be ashamed, but nude lips don't really do it for me.
You see at heart, in the depths of my soul I am a bright lip girl. Just the juiciness and ripenss of colour makes me tingle with excitement. The neon lip trend has me in its clutches, and well a red lip is so devilishly delicious.
But even in the midst of this technicolour typhoon I appreciate that some looks need, nay must be accompanied by the nude lip.
There some ladies who just rock this look so well... Jolie, Bardot (in her heyday) and the batty/beautiful Claudia Winkleman. On me I feel like there is something missing. It isn't even about tones, I just feel cadaver-ish and well naked (ironic huh).
My collection of nudes is not so great (well seven lipsticks, six lipglosses and a few pencils for luck - if you call that not much), they are however kit essentials as many brides request the no-makeup/makeup look.

But here's a snapshot of my little collection.
Lipsticks
From the top: 
Chanel Rouge Coco - 05 Mademoiselle
Estee lauder - Crystal Baby
MAC - Kinda Sexy
MAC -  Jubilee
MAC - Twig
Revlon - Soft Rose
                                                     Burberry - Rosewood

I have swatched each repeatedly to draw out the colour.

Lipglosses
From the top:
Collection 2000 creme puff - Angel Delight
Urban Decay - Wallflower
Ciate (no name came free with Marie Claire)
Revlon - Peach Petal 
DuWop - Buttercup
Nars - Chelsea Girl

You can see they are a more pinky nude which I think is more flattering. A light application or with your fingers gives a subtle definition to lips (or cheeks), or add lipliner for a really Pammy Anderson pout.
Tell me what are your nude must haves?
Oh and FYI I don't do gloss either.
Love F x
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Special event at Something old Something new

Are you getting married or know someone who is? This could be just the thing.
Bridal Boutique owner Karen is holding a two day sale on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May.
For details see  HERE!

Love F x

Illamasqua - Master class Black Beauty

On Monday I attended the Illamasqua Black Beauty masterclass at their flagship store Beak Street.
The hugely talented and witty David Horne held court as he demonstrated techniques to enhance the depth and richness of dark skin beauties.
Using Illmasaqua's Skin Base foundations created for the darker hue in mind David worked like an alchemist mixing shades to create a super flawless face that radiated with dimension. As an observer sitting in the front row he made it look effortless and flawless.
The class was delivered with humour and passion and as an MUA I came out feeling I had learnt so much more.
Unfortunately, due to forgetting my camera I have no pictures of the event (that's what happens when your a fledgling blogger and a little over awed to meet David). But I can reveal I met the lovely Jane Bradley (MUA to Leona Lewis and currently working with Liz Earle Cosmetics).
I also purchased the limited edition Skin Base in Au - olive with golden highlights.
It is soooo prrreeettty. I would advise using in strategically on the face or you may end up looking like a disco ball (absolutely fine if that is the look your digging). Otherwise mix with a little body lotion and stroke lovingly over your limbs for a really sexy, sheeny glow.
Skin Base is available in an array of colours from the very pale to super intense deep (Alek Wek to quote David)!  HERE!

Love F X

Signature look - Mind the face!

Hi all, Firstly apologies ... ( I sense a theme) for my hiatus (bloggers/vloggers love that word). I wish I could tell you all that I was on some amazing world tour or stranded on a beautiful desert island, but the truth is I was lacking in motivation and inspiration for a while. I have also been busy studying for my Thai Yoga qualification (my second love). Immersing myself in this wonderful therapy has been transformational on so many levels - from the wonderful teacher Kira Balakas http://www.thaiyogamassage.co.uk/tutor.html, fellow students and the practice itself. I'll save the hyperbole for my other blog http://lovingkindness-thaiyogamassage.blogspot.co.uk/.

Now back to makeup. There is always talk in magazines, blogs and televison style shows about signature looks. You know how Helena Bonham rocks up at an awards ceremony looking like she is still on the film set of a Tim Burton movie (for the record I love them both and salute her choices). Anna Wintour with her perfect bob and dark glasses... get my drift. Well signature looks got me thinking about the signature face and some iconic looks that are forever imprinted on our minds. In my head I rock the French bare face and  slash of red/orange lip, reality is a little foundation here, a sweep of eyeliner there and a lot of cheek (an elegant Aunt Sally). See below!!!
                                                      

And the others....

  Love F x