MAC Glamourdaze and Innocence Lipsticks

I’ve spaced out from most of the MAC collections since summer because if I didn’t I would want way too much from all of them! However, I sneaked a peek at their Holiday collections, the Glamourdaze one in particular. After checking numerous swatches online I decided to get two of the lipsticks – Glamourdaze and Innocence, when I was in Dublin last week. I was in a rush so I didn’t even get a chance to scout out the rest of the collection, I just asked for the what I had planned to get - this was probably the better option for my wallet as well hah!

Glamourdaze and Innocence swatches

Innocence Lipstick

Innocence Lip Swatch

I had fallen in love with Innocence from online swatches and when I saw it in the tube, in person, I had fleeting doubts. Once swatched and applied though, I knew I made the right decision. It’s so much more than just a nude lipstick. It’s a light peach with gold shimmer and it looks amazing on the lips. 

If you find it diffult to wear a nude lip, Innocence just night work for you instead.

Glamourdaze Lipstcik

Glamourdaze Lip Swatch

The second lipstick I got was Glamourdaze, which is a mauve pink and essentially another ‘my lips but better shade’ which quite frankly, I don’t think you can ever have enough of.

Have you tried any of these lipsticks?

Purple Haze E.O.T.D.

I do love wearing a purple eye, so here's a look I've sported a few times recently.

To get this look I used the following products

• I primed with UDPP in Eden.
• I applied NYX Jumbo Pencil in Purple all over the lid.
• (All shadows are MAC) I packed Satellite Dreams all over the lid.
• Placed Blackberry on the outer lid and used Fig.1 in the crease and lower lash line.
• I also ran a little bit of Universal Appeal MES through the crease.
• Trax was packed on inner part of the lid.
• Vanilla was used on both the inner tear duct and brow area.
• Then Shroom was applied in the arch of the brow and Phloof! in the tear duct area.
• Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero was used to tightline and on the lower lash line.
• Essence liquid eyeliner was applied to the upper lash line.
• Finally I applied both Maybelline's Illegal Lengths mascara and Benefit's They're Real.

Do you like to wear purple eyeshadow?

MAC MSF in Superb and Immortal Flower Blush

MAC MSF in Superb and MAC Immortal Flower Blush

This blush and highlighter duo have been a favourite peachy cheek look of mine for a while.   While both items were limited edition products from MAC this year (Immortal Flower from Tres Cheek and Superb from Extra Dimension) Superb is currently been repromoted with the Glamourdaze Holiday collection.

Superb is a strongly pigmented, rose-gold type shade with plenty of peach undertones. A little goes a long way but it gives the most incredible sheen to cheeks, especially layered over a matte peach blush like Immortal Flower.

If you missed out on Superb earlier this year, now is the time to get it!

Superb layered over Immortal Flower

Speaking of the Holiday collections has anybody gotten anything yet? I have my eye on a few lipsticks from Glamourdaze, so many pretty ones! And the lip bag sets are so cute!

Skincare Routine: November 2012

Behind the scenes

I've been meaning to do a post on my skincare routine for quite a while now (the photos were take on a sunny day in September!) I've been building my current skincare routine since early 2012. I have gradually introduced new products into the routine and continue using products that worked for me and gotten rid of those that don't. As a result, I now have a fairly solid skincare routine that I have been using since mid-summer. I am extremely happy with it and will continue using most of the products for quite a long time to come. That doesn't mean I'm not going to try anything new ever again but for my main items - cleansers, moisturisers and make-up removers - I am content not to be on the lookout for new alternatives. Items like scrubs and masks, I'm not quite as loyal to but still extremely happy with my current choices. 

Firstly a quick skin bio. I have had dry skin all my life. Just about a year and half ago I started to get more and more breakouts and about this time last year my skin was in a very bad state. My whole face was throbbing with the amount of active breakouts on the lower half of my face, I couldn't even sleep on my side it was so bad. This was certainly a shock to my system having gone through my entire teens with about two spots a year. I went to the doctor and got a prescription which was the main thing that helped to clear up my acne and get it out of my system. It took from November 2011 to February 2012 to clear up to any kind of normality but once the active stuff was over with, I was still left with a visual mess of angry, red, scarring and discoloration. That's when my skincare routine sprang into action.

All the products

It does seem like I use an insane amount of products but I have tried using barely anything to using even more than this as well as using extremely expensive products and extremely cheap products. What I have now is my happy medium and it has been working extremely well for me.  

Morning Routine

(1)Using a facial wash in the morning just dries out my skin so I just cleanse instead. I use the La Roche Posay Toleriane cleanser and I find it both gentle and effective.

(2)When I feel the need to, I follow that up with the Kiehls Cucumber Toner which is the gentlest toner I have ever used. 

(3)Most mornings, unless I have used the Kiehls toner, I will spritz my face with the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I find it very refreshing although the smell does take a while to get used to. 

(4)While I wait for this to sink in I apply the Origins Gin Zing eye cream to the eye area. I've been using this for most of the year and I must say, the longer I use it the more I like it.

(5)Finally I apply my moisturiser, which is another La Roche Posay product, the Toleriane moisturiser. This is a fantastic moisturiser for dry skin, it's thick yet still sinks in quickly enough to make it suitable for a daytime moisturiser.

And that's it for the morning!

Night Routine

(1)The first thing I do is remove my make-up with Bioderma. Bioderma has been extremely hyped up in the beauty world this year and I have to say that it is definitely worth the hype. It removes all my make-up  and is suitable for both face and eyes. It does't sting my eyes which is something that usually happens me with make-up removers, so this is a real bonus for me obviously!

(2)After I've removed my make-up I cleanse with Purity by Philosophy cleanser and I use this in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia. This is a  fantastic combination for deep cleaning your skin. It definitely had an effect on the overall apperance of my skin (acne scarring, pigmentation etc.)

(3)I then tone with the Kiehels cucumber toner.  

(4)Next if needed, I apply the Origins Super Spot Treatment to any spots or pre-spot areas. Sometimes I use tree tea oil, if the area is very sore or red. I mainly use the tea tree oil to clean any extra make - up from around my nose piercing. 

(5)About twice a week I use the Bio-oil on acne scarring to help it fade. I used to use it more, but the scarring is quite well faded at this stage. 

(6)Finally, the last two steps are the same as the morning routine - I apply Origins eye cream and La Roche Posay moisturiser.

Extras

The extras are items such as exfoliators and masks that I use once to twice a week.

My two favourite scrubs are Kiehls Pineapple and Papaya Facial Scrub and MAC's Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. The Kiehls one is very gentle on the skin so I use that more often as it is less abrasive. When my skin needs it I use the MAC exfoliator as it is slightly harsher. It leaves my skin feeling very clean and refreshed.

The La Roche Posay Eau Thermale spray is a refreshing spray that I spray liberally after using one of the exfoilaters. I also sometimes use it instead of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. 

Finally I have 2 masks that I like to use. The Bosica Black Mask is a proper mask that you leave on for about 15 minutes before peeling off. It is a product that I have instantly seen glowing results with. 

The Origins Drink Up Intensive mask is an overnight mask. It is basically like a thick moisturiser. it smells beautiful and works extremely well in rehydrating my skin.

Well done if you've made it to the end of the post! 

What's your ultimate skincare item?

Some Autumn Favourites

Today's post features some of my favourite products for lips and tips that I've been wearing a lot of during these past autumnal months. The perfume I included is Flower by Kenzo and it is one of my all-time favourite perfumes. It's a heavier floral scent, perfect for this time of year.

Nail polish wise, I have loved wearing these 5 shades - when I'm not trying out new polishes of course! I'll link to previous post swatches if I have them. 

• China Glaze Riveting is the ultimate orange polish.
• OPI Vampsterdam is a great, deep purple.
• Chanel Fantastic is a mauve pink with and intense shimmer undertone.
• Chanel Particulére is my favourite mushroom brown.
• Finally Essie Bahama Mama is a new but instant favourite of mine. A gorgeous plum-pink.

I have three lip colours that I have reached for over and over again these past few months and I can see this trend continuing for the next few! 

If I just want a quick wash of berry colour I've been using the Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie. Very easy to apply and is my current favourite daytime colour. Unfortunately Berry Smoothie is one of the lip butters unavailable here but I managed to get it for a good price on eBay (Brand new of course!!)

My next favourite is another Revlon lip product, this time one of their Just Bitten Kissable lip stains in the shade Crush. This is a highly pigmented berry colour and is perfect for wearing at night. I really like all of the Just Bitten lip products that I've tried, I'll do a review post soon. Very impressed with so many of their products releases this year.

The final product is a lipgloss by MAC in the shade Dreamy which is a purple/pink colour with slight gold reflects. It's a colour that I never would have gotten myself but my mum picked it up for me when she was away and I love it. It is beautiful layered over the berry shades. Although it does mute the berry shade slightly, the combination that it creates looks fantastic.

What have your favourite products been this Autumn?

Golden Green E.O.T.D.

This is a quick and easy green/gold slightly smoky look that can be easily worn during the day.

To get this look I:

• Applied UDPP in Eden all over the lid.
• Used Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze over 3/4 of the lid.
• Used Catrice eyeshadow pen in Precious Nectar on the inner quarter of the lid.
• Packed No7 Golden Leaf eyeshadow on 3/4 of the lid and up into the crease.
• Placed L'oreal Infallible shadow in Iced Latte on the inner quarter of the lid.
• MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow in Universal Appeal was ran through the crease.
• MAC eyeshadow in Brulé was applied under the brow bone.
• NYX eyeliner in Jewel was used on the lower lash liner and waterline.
• Essence Liquid eyeliner in Black was used to line the upper lash line.
• Finally Benefit's They're Real mascara was applied.

I was really pleased with this eye look, especially as I was trying to use products that have been a bit neglected such as the No7 eyeshadow.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold

I've tried a few of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows since they were released here. I really like them and find them as pigmented and longwearing as the MAC Paint Pots.

I know in the States they have a much wider shade range but I think there are around 6-8 shades available in Ireland/UK. My local Boots never has more than 4 shades on display so I'm not entirely sure! Anyway when I spied Pink Gold for sale I snapped it up straight away. I hadn't heard of this shade previously and there doesn't seem to be a lot of information on it floating around the internet so it must be relatively new. It also doesn't seem to be available in the USA on any of the sites I checked even under a different name as Maybelline seem to like changing the names of the Colour Tattoos as they make their way across the water!

Pink Gold is a very delicate, soft pink with a slight gold shade. It will make a incredible base colour for so many eye looks but here I just used other pink eyeshadows to help create a sweet, light look.

To get this look I:

• Applied UDPP in Eden all over the lid.
• Then applied Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold all over the lid area.
• I packed MAC Paradisco eyeshadow over that.
• I used MAC Expensive Pink in the crease.
• MAC Brulé and Shroom were used on the brow bone and as highlights.
• MAC Eyeliner in Handforged was smudged on the lower lash line.
• MAC Eyeliner in NC15/NW20 was used on the lower water line.
• Maybelline Gel Eyeliner was used to line the upper lash line.
• Finally I applied Maybelline Illegal Length mascara.

Have you tried the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadows?

Unearthing My Make-Up: Shopping The Stash Vol.3

So what have I unearthed from the stash for this week? 

First up is the Too Faced Romantic Eye palette. I had high hopes for this when I got it and while I found it okay at the time, it wasn't that amazing that I reached for it over and over. I plan to get good use out of it this week!

Also for the eyes is a Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in R.S.V.P. This was actually one of my first foray into higher end make-up. 

For the cheeks I have a Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Pink Quartz, which is a beautiful shimmery blush/highlighter/bronzer product. Again this was one of my very first make-up products and I used it so much when I first seriously ventured into make-up. I chose MAC Immortal Flower blush as well, even though I use it quite regularly already as I thought it might go nice with Pink Quartz.

I also want to use more of Benefit's Moon Beam this week, it's definitely been neglected of late.

For lips I intend to try and use MAC's Half n' Half lipstick, Revlon Gold Dust lipgloss and MAC's Strange Potion lipgloss.

Pink Eyeshadow

I was originally going to call this post 'Pink Eye' but then thought better of it!

While doing my first 'shop the stash' post, one of they items I included was a NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Oyster, a light pink colour. 

With that, I re-disovered my love for wearing pink eyeshadow in general. While it's a look that not everyone will like, I think it is bright, fun and pretty funky! I had no problems wearing this as a daytime look but you could certainly just wear it out at night. 

The main products used - NYX Oyster, MAC Yoghurt, Pink Freeze, Stars n Rockets and Fig.1.

To get this look I:

• Primed with UDPP in Eden
• I applied NYX Jumbo Pencil in Oyster all over lid
• I packed MAC Pink Freeze over Oyster
• I used  MAC Stars n' Rockets on the outer lid and crease
• MAC Fig.1 was blended into the lower lash line
• MAC Yoghurt was used beneath the brow bone
• A dab of Urban Decay's Junkshow (found in the 15 Anniversary palette) was used to deepen the crease
• Maybelline Gel Eyeliner was applied
• The mascara used was Maybelline Illegal Length

I wore this look a few times during the week, trying different comboinations. If you want a softer look, just do a wash of Pink Freeze all over the lid. Junkshow is quite a deep pink and definitely made this a stronger look.

Unearthing My Make-Up: Shopping The Stash Vol.2

I was delighted with how last week's Shop The Stash went. I used some of the products from last weeks post every time I did my make-up, it really is a great way to fall in love with your make-up products all over again.

Now onto this weeks products!

My eyeshadow base of choice is going to be Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin. It's a great base but I often pass it over in favour of the Original or Eden.  I also want to get some more use out of MAC Paintpot in Genuine Treasure. It can be a bit patchy and does require a little effort so that's why it is often forgotten about. Eyeshadow wise, I am solely going to use the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I have a wonderful neutral MAC palette which I tend to grab instead of this. Also when I lived in America last summer, this palette contained the only eyeshadows I had with me so after such continuous use I think I just automatically go for other shadows now for a change!  I have chosen to use my Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon. A fabulous colour but I nearly always end up going for black. Definitely need to mix it up a bit!

Cheek wise I want to use MAC Creme Blush in Ladyblush. It was my first ever MAC blush but I've leaned towards powder blush as of late. I also want to use MAC Crew Powder, I haven't used it nearly enough.

On the lips is going to be Revlon Colourburst Lipgloss in Strawberry, it's definitely pigmented enough to wear alone. YSL Rouge Volupte in Lingerie Pink and NARS Turkish Delight Lipgloss.

And that's this weeks stash picks!

My Favourite Summer Lipsticks

As we come to the end of summer, I decided to do a post on my favourite bright lipsticks that I wore  during summer. We didn't get too many sunny days this year, these photos were taken on one of the rare days the sun made an appearance!

L-R MAC Impassioned, Viva Glam Nicki, Hibiscus, Sail La Vie and Watch Me Simmer.

Swatches L-R Impassioned, Viva Glam Nicki, Hibiscus, Sail La Vie and Watch Me Simmer.

What were your favourite lipsticks this summer?

MAC Heavenly Creature Collection: Lips - Pictures and Swatches

There were a number of lipsticks and lipglosses released with the Heavenly Creature collection. Two of the lipstick stood out to me as did one of the glosses.

Cut a Caper, Venus

Meteoric

Meteoric, Venus, Cut a Caper

Cut a Caper

Cut a Caper lipstick is a peachy pink lipstick. Extremely wearable.

Venus

Venus lipstick is the most perfect lipstick. I love it. It is a sheerish pink/red and just glistens on the lips.

Meteoric lipgloss over Cut a Caper

Meteoric lipgloss over Venus

Meteoric lipgloss is a coral pink with golden shimmer. It is quite pigmented so it does end up creating nearly the same look over both Cut a Caper and Venus lipsticks. It makes a lovely combination over both of them. It was my first time using a MAC lipgloss of the Cremesheen Glass formula and I have to say it is a lovely formula. Very moisturising and not at all sticky.