17 Vintage Love Metallic Nudes Palette

17 is a brand that is severely neglected by my despite the fact that I've had some very impressive products from there! I like to think this is because it's only available in Boots rather than any product snobbery from me (of which I am sure I've probably been guilty of over the last year or so). I tend to shop in Superdrug for high street cosmetics as they do a wonderful 10% student discount that suits my pocket to a tee!

However, a short while ago (we're talking a week and a bit) I found myself browsing 17's counter. This eyeshadow palette was limited edition along with another that sadly, I didn't buy. When I went back for it today, there were none of either palette left which I think says something about the palette's quality.

The first thing I want to say about this palette is how beautiful is the design? Some people have said it reminds them of a snail, others a butterfly but I think we can all agree that it's beautiful! The palette also comes with a good size mirror, sturdy and cute packaging and a handy sponge applicator.

So here are some swatches that were taken in natural daylight. They are only very thin swatches - although the colours are very buildable, I wanted to review them on their initial application!

As you can (hopefully) see, the shades are all really pigmented with number three, aka the gold, being the stand out colour pigmentation-wise for me! Number one (the pewter/taupe-silver) is probably the least pigmented but even that packs a good punch and it's such a beautiful colour that I can't bring myself to worry!

I love the shimmer of these shadows, though in a way they're too shimmery for day wear. One colour paired with other matte ones would be fine but the whole palette is best reserved for night time when it's okay to resemble a disco ball (and I have, let me tell you :p).

The texture is also really smooth and silky, almost reminiscent of mousse eyeshadows! No hideous, chalky textures here!

One of the only drawbacks of this palette is that I don't think it would work well with ageing eyelids simply because the shimmer of the shadows shows up every imperfection. At eighteen, I like to think I have no wrinkles but a too heavy application made my eyelids look slightly crepey! This is definitely best used with a light hand!

All in all, I love this product! I am a neutrals girl and so something like this has automatic appeal to me! However, I really think this is a great value product and I hope 17 introduce new ones/palettes like this to the permanent range. 

17's Vintage Love Metallic Nudes palette is £5.49 for 4g of product and is available from Boots! 

Gold and Coral Makeup Looks

Now it's starting to get a bit warmer (in the UK at least) and shorts have begun to emerge, I figured it was a good time to do a gold and coral makeup tutorial. 

Typically, when I think of gold and corals, I think of summer which is why I haven't done this tutorial sooner. Although not a key trend at fashion week, I think there is always a place for gold and coral makeup in the summer as it's just so fresh and has a tropical, beachy feel to it - not sure why, but it does!

Anyway, instead of doing one tutorial, I decided to do two. Gold and coral is absolutely gorgeous on tanned and darker skinned people (my jealous pangs are stirring at the thought) who normally can get away with gorgeous, orangey metallic golds and beautiful, bright corals. However, in my personal opinion, gold and coral can be much harder for paler skins to pull off! Take a gold too orangey and it will look strange, take a coral too bright and it will completely overpower the rest of your makeup!

To cut a long story short, I decided to make two separate tutorials: one that would look amazing on more tanned skin and one that's more flattering for people like me who hardly tan (summer normally brings me out in shades of lobster). That's not say that they aren't interchangeable - they are! I think people should wear makeup according to what they want and how they feel, not what people tell them - but I've tried to tailor it so each look is particularly flattering on whatever skin tone.

Here's the first tutorial for more tanned/darker skin: 

Product List:

Benefit Perfect Match Foundation
Clinique Moisturising Lotion
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - Gold
Collection 2000 Light Diffusing Concealer - 1
17 Vintage Love Metallic Nudes Palette
MUA Eyeshadow - 2
Sleek Kajal Eyeliner
Avon Supershock Gel Liner - Bronze
Collection 2000 Big Fake Lash Mascara
2true Bronzer - 2
Avon Mineral Blush - Radiance
Avon Magix
Natural Collection Loose Powder
Avon Brow Definer - Fair
Bourjois Blush - Lune D'or
Rimmel Lipstick - Coral in Gold
Avon Gloss Stick - Coral

And here's the tutorial for paler skintones!

Products List:

MAC E/S - Vanilla, Patina, Retrospek, Charcoal Brown

Nars Multiple - Orgasm

Benefit Blush - Coralista

Lacura Shimmering Day Cream

Avon Calming Effects Illuminating Foundation - Ivory

Garnier Roll On - Very Fair

Lacura Concealer - Cashmere

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion

Nivea Soothe and Protect Lip Balm

Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion - Sin

MAC Liner - Powersurge, Buried Treasure

No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

Rimmel Moisturising Lipstick - Soft Coral

Avon Lip Glaze - Coral Reef

Enjoy! x

Sarah Harding Makeup Tutorial

Hello lovelies!

Long time no posting! I know, I know. Fail! Promise I'll have another non-tutorial post up by the end of this weekend.

Anyway, today's post is on this gorgeous makeup worn by Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud fame. I love the slightly vampy, dramatic edge and the wings at the edge of the makeup - pure gorgeous!

Here's my inspiration picture I used for the look: 

(Image property of people who took it - I'm just borrowing! Found it on the Daily Mails website if that helps! I know, rubbish disclaimer thing!)

Anyway, here's my tutorial: 

Product List:

Sleek Palette - Black

MAC E/S - Vanilla, Shroom, Mystery

Lacura Blush - Sunset

Collection 2000 Shine Away Compact Powder

Loreal True Match Foundation

Avon Gel Liner - Shimmer Black

Lacura Concealer

MAC Blush - Gana, Harmony

Model Monday: Anja Rubik Spanish Vogue Makeup Look

Above's the inspiration picture I used for this week's Model Monday. I love everything about this picture! The makeup, the dress (oh my gosh, the dress is actually to die for!) the jewellery, and of course the extremely beautiful Anja Rubik!

As it were, I came across this on a trawl across the internet for some inspiration and immediately knew this was this weeks look. I love the contrast between the purple and gold on the eye and then the nude rest of the face. Simply stunning.

About the tutorial itself, I feel I should warn you that I find bright colours notoriously difficult to blend. It's not the formula's fault at all, simply that I lack the necessary patience to blend out properly. In saying that, I think we ended up okay, although perhaps her makeup was a little more rounded then mine was. 

Products Used:

Mac Paint Pot - Vintage Selection

Sleek Original Palette - Purple

MAC E/S - Dalliance (Peacocky collection), Vanilla, Mystery

NYX Lipstick - Sash

Yaby E/S - Eggplant

MAC Eye Kohl - Feline

Avon Super Shock Mascara

Avon Calming Effects Illuminating Foundation

Lacura Concealer

Lacura Transparent Powder - 10 Translucent

MAC Blush - Harmony, Gana (Mickey Contractor)

Boujouir blush - 35 Lune d'or

Hope you guys like it! Let me know what you all think!

<3

Regina Spektor 'Us' Inspired Makeup Tutorial

I've been on a roll recently! The great thing about half term is that I have no excuse for not making videos, so I've gone to town (not literally, of course) and made as many as I wanted. Bit naughty as I still haven't done my coursework but oh well. It'll be worth it in the end!

This look was inspired by the gorgeous Regina Spektor who is one of my favourite artists! Not only is she multi-talented but I love the way her songs tell a narrative and, to sound silly, really make me think. 'Us' is definitely one of my favourites!

Not much else to say other than here's a product list:

Loreal Super Liner - Black Crystals

Loreal True Match Foundation - Ivory Rose

Avon Super Magnify Mascara 

MAC E/S - Vanilla, Charcoal Brown, Mystery

Clinique Lipstick - After Party

Body Shop Gloss

Elf Mineral Blush -

Keira Knightley Elle Cover Inspired Tutorial

I love the smokey, smudgedness of this makeup inspired by Keira Knightley's spread in the March issue of UK Elle! I don't normally buy Elle, but it was the desire to recreate her makeup that made me splash out and I'm glad I did, if only because it helped me pass the time whilst on the train to London. 

This was the inspiration image (all credit to Elle magazine UK of course, and to the gorgeous Keira Knightley):

It was super easy to do and for me plays up the eyes perfectly.

Products Used:

Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Virgin, Dark Horse

Avon Magnify Mascara

Avon Moisture Seduction Lipstick - Nude Perfection

MAC E/S - Brun

Loreal True Match Foundation - Rose Ivory

Avon Mineral Blush - Radiance

MAC Blush - Harmony

MAC Creme Colour Base - Pearl

Lacura Pressed Powder - Transparent

Hope you like the look! 

x

Nicki Minaj Moment 4 Life Inspired Tutorial

Please ignore the horrific picture!

I know I look nothing like Nikki Minaj but this was me attempting to replicate one of the looks she wore in the Moment 4 Life video.

I did it using all high street/drug store products so it's as affordable as possible. 

Hope you all like it!

Products Used:

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - Yoghurt

Avon Big Colour Eye Pencil - Blue Azure

Fraulein 38 120 Eye Palette

Avon Onyx Lustre Tri Eyeshadow - Midnight lustre

Elf Cream Eyeliner

Lacura Volume Mascara

False Eyelashes (can't remember which ones they are atm)

Duo Eyelash Adhesive

Max Factor Eyeliner

Loreal True Match Foundation - Rose Ivory

Lacura Compact Powder - Transparent

2 True All Over Bronzer

Avon Satin Deluxe Blush - Neutral Duo

NYX Lipstick - Paris

2 True Crystal Lipgloss - 2

Lily Cole Makeup Tutorial

Rather surprisingly (I say so because at twelve pm last night, I would have said there was no way in hell that I was getting it up today), I uploaded the second in the Model Monday series. 

The inspiration for the look was Lily Cole, the flame-haired (well, formerly - she appears to have gone to the dark side in the last few months. Can't say I'm particularly keen, but then I wasn't when Emma Watson had her hair cut. Now, I love it!) who's both a model and an actress.

This was the inspiration picture I based the look off (all credit goes to Harper's Bazaar of course!):

I'm a bit annoyed though actually, because I found a picture of her with killer makeup just now that would have been amazing! Maybe soon, eh? 

But anyway, I loved the smudged, sultriness of this look! Obviously, it's not an exact replica of the makeup - more heavily inspired by - but I really like the end result!

Products Used:

Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion

MAC E/S - Vanilla, Corduroy, Twinks, Brule

MAC Chromographic pencil - NC15/NW20

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Loreal True Match Foundation - Rose Ivory

Garnier Roll On - Very Light

Natural Collection Loose Powder

MAC Blush - Harmony

Bourjois Blush 

MAC Lipstick - Cockney

NYX Lipstick - Femme

Avon Lip Juice - Glossy Delight

Tutorial here, or click this link to go direct to youtube: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piEaMeSt7tM

Lily Donaldson Makeup Tutorial

This was my inspiration picture for the tutorial on Lily Donaldson's makeup. I just love every thing about this look from the gold/bronzey eyes to the gorgeous glow of her skin and the lovely nude lip. 

Because I'm a bit thick, I forgot to take a picture to post here but I'll place the link to the tutorial below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS1wfbjsWLM

Or just watch it here!

Products Used:

UD Shadow Primer Potion - Sin

MAC E/S - Nylon, Vanilla, Mulch, Brun (eyebrows)

MAC Kohl Liner - Feline

No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

Clinique Supermoisture Makeup

Lacura Concealer

Nars Orgasm Cream Blush

Benefit High Beam Highlighter

Benefit Blush - Georgia

MAC Lipstick - Creme d'Nude

Mac Plush Glass - Wildly Lush

Clinique Supermoisture Makeup

As someone with extremely dry, sensitive skin, I'm often on a hunt for a perfect foundation that's not going to go cakey or flaky. Add in to the equation the fact my skin is a shade of 'ghost' and you'll see how difficult it is for me to find a perfect foundation.

I stumbled across rather than discovered Clinique supermoisture makeup (let's call it SMM as it's easier to type :p) during a traipse around Boots. I'd been absent-mindedly admiring several clinique lipsticks when the words 'hydratation maximum' caught my eye. I guessed that meant maximum moisture or something like that in French, which of course captured my interest! 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I found myself a few minutes later clutching a box of SMM in 61 ultra light, which is, funnily enough, the lightest colour in the range. SMM claims to be suitable for very dry to dry combination, and gives a gorgeous dewy finish I'm 100% in love with! 

Ignore the awful pose I have going on here! As you can hopefully see, my skin has a lovely dewy sheen! 

Pros: 

* Gives the most amazing dewy finish! Makes my skin (which is often quite naughty and looks dull) seem like the best skin in the world!

* Not the most expensive high end foundation at £21 for 30mls! However, I do understand that it's still a lot of money for a foundation! 

* Fragrance free.

* Sheer to moderate coverage which is perfect for me! I like sheer to medium foundations. 

* The formula itself is lightweight, soft and doesn't cake! Plus, it evens out my redness!

* Doesn't irritate my super sensitive skin.

Cons:

* Although this could also be seen as a pro by some people, £21 might be a bit steep for a foundation! 

* The foundation has little shimmery particles in it that are especially noticeable when in direct sunlight. I love it but I can see others might not.

* Not suitable for oily skin unless you want to be one massive ball of shine. 

* Shade range is fairly average. They could do with some more shades, especially at both ends of the spectrum (ultra light is in fact still a little bit too dark for me). 

* Coverage might be too sheer for some people. In that case, I'd say this isn't the foundation for you as it doesn't cover blemishes, just helps even out skin tone.

Another awful picture, I'm afraid! It was looking rather bare :p 

Having only used my video camera to take the above picture, I'm not sure how the foundation would react with flash. It doesn't appear to contain spf but the super dewy finish might equate to shine, shine and more shine in front of a lense. 

In conclusion (this is a mighty long post - sorry about that), I love this foundation! It glides on beautifully, gives a gorgeous dewy glow and has just the right amount of coverage for the day. If you suffer from dry, sensitive skin like me, I could not recommend it more! 

Sorry about the lack of pictures btw! There will be more next post, promise! :)