Recent mini haul.

As a complete makeup addict it pains me to say it's been over a week since I last frequented a cosmetics counter. It has not been a willing sacrifice to make but one of honour.

Last week I made a pact with a fellow Macaholic to go without a makeup splurge for a month,yes a whole month!! It has been tough and at times I have gone mad with thinking about lipglosses and daydreaming about blushers but I'm proud to say I've managed a week.

I'm just glad she lives far away because if we were any closer we would of both broken by now. I have done some of my best impulse shopping with her, egging each other on like its a game adding to the already vast collections.

This was my last haul before I was banned.

• Mac Underage Lipgloss
• Mac Blitz and Glitz fluidline
• Nivea cleargloss and shine in Rose
• Nars lipliner in Fantasia
• Nars holiday gloss collection

I love this set, I wanted to buy the full size Striptease and Triple X when I spotted this really cute collection which is part of Nars holiday range. They come in a nice black box container that contains five, three quater sized glosses in their most popular colours.

• Striptease-middle pale pink
• Bloodwork- bright red
• Triple X-clear
• Orgasm-top dark pink shimmer
• Harlow- bottom purpley pink shimmer

Hello Kitty + Mac photos!

Wow, how amazing does all this look, I can't wait. I love the packaging which is black not pink like I thought, very sophisticated kitty.

On first look the colours don't really appeal to me but I'm won over by the packaging. The little charms hanging from lipsticks and liglosses give a nice touch.

I also can't wait to get my hands on the mini HK 187 brush. I love this brush, if I can recommend any brush it would be this one it can be used for anything from foundation, powder to blush/bronzer!

I have no idea what the blow up kitty in the case is for but I guess we will find out in March when the collection arrives on these shores!

Mac's latest collections!

I've only been a Macaholic for about a year and I'm starting to realise how great they are for releasing new lines of makeup!

A new collection seems to come out every few months which is really exciting (not great for the purse) and this winter is no different. I can't wait for these ranges to hit the UK.

Here is a quick overview of whats to come:

MAC MONOGRAM COLLECTION!

Mac brings out a luxury collection every year and 2008's is set to be one of the best and most anticipated.

The packaging is gorgeous, gold and ouses glamour. Like all good things in life there is a price to pay, quite literally so start saving. Based on the US prices I think lipsticks will be around £16-£18 and blushes at about £30.

I know what I'm asking for this christmas!!

The collection has just been released this week in America so it should arrive here December time.

The range also includes two perfumes and a clutch bag which is gorgeous but pricey at $75.

DAME EDNA COLLECTION!

Another collection to be hitting the Mac counters is this random but really cute range influenced by comedian Dame Edna.

I love the packaging of these, definately an essential for any collector or Mac addict.

I'm not sure of prices yet but they will be released in the UK early January.

Which one are you more excited about? What will you be splashing the cash on?

Daytime look of the moment!

This is just a simple and really easy look that I do most days.

Take a look at the slideshow for a step by step guide and products I use.




1. I applied Bobbi Browns cream shadow in Beach bronze all over the lid using BB's cream application brush.
2.I then used the darkest shade from the Threesome mineral trio shadow by Mac to shade the outer corner of my eye.
3.I then applied Mac's Nylon shadow on the inner corner.
4.What look is complete without eyeliner, I used Dipdown Fluidline and Plush Lash.
5.My products.

What daytime look are you rocking now Winters here?

Evening look of the moment!

So I've been out a bit over the last few weeks and have been experimenting with different and more dramatic looks.

I'm really loving deep colours at the moment and finding them a great alternative to the traditional smokey eye.

Take a look at the slideshow below for a little How To and products i used.




1. Apply Mac's Blackgound cream shadow all over the lid up to the crease.
2.Then apply Mac's Humid powder shadow on top, the black underneath helps to bring out a more dramatic colour.
3.In the outer V corner of my eye I used a black eyeliner pencil by Mac and blended it to give more a more distinct contrast of green and black.
4.On the inner V apply Mac's Nylon eyeshadow to brighten up the look.
5. For this look I used Lancome's new vibrating mascara and no eyeliner.
6. The products I used.
Whats your favourite going out look at the moment?

Recent MAC Haul!

So I know I'm so weak but I couldn't resist going back to get more from the Red She Said collection. I have to keep convincing myself that I did need everything I bought, hey what the hell makeup makes me happy.

At the weekend I went to MAC and picked up a few goodies.



. Mac Mineralize skinfinish Natural in Medium - Love this, everyone raves about it and it is just as wonderful as they say. Even though its a powder it isn't cakey and it really brightens skin up whilst giving good coverage.

. Mac Mineral eyeshadow trio in Interview - Another to add to my growing collection, so pretty. The mineral eyeshadow goes on the lid easier and lasts all day, I prefer it to the normal shadows. Interview is Navy,dark Bronze with a gold glitter strip.

.Creamsheen Lippy in Speak Louder - If your looking for a non drying lipstick then the Creamsheen range is for you. Really moisturising and great colours, Speak Louder is hot pink.

Non Mac item - I also picked up Benefits Powderflage undereye concealer,read my review for opinion.

Yesterday I also stopped by MAC but hey I couldn't resist Debenhams had 10% of all cosmetics. I'm weak but every penny counts.



.Mac Holiday Face Brush set - Really wanted this for the gorgeous makeup bag and the mini 187 brush. I can't live without that brush as I use it for everything so it's nice to have a handbag sized one. Also included was a foundation, concealer and slanted blusher brush.(forgotten numbers)

.Prep + Prime - Again I've heard good things about this under makeup primer so I got it, used it today and working well, foundation glided on.

Benefit - Powderflage!!

Ok, so yet again I find myself in the postition where I'm thinking why why why did I just buy that? Like I mentioned before I'm on a quest to elliminate my dark circles and seem to keep getting sucked in by all the cleverly marketed products all claiming to work.

Anyway I fell hook, line and sinker into this one, I'm not really a fan of Benefit products, I do like there quirky retro packaging but the products always seem a bit of a let down.

I guess I should of learnt from Erase paste that Benefits tall promises don't always deliver. Powderflage claims to be a completely new concept in tackling undereye shadows, it's a light reflecting powder instead of cream form.

I love the packaging, it comes in a camoflage tin. The ball and cute brush ' the flager' are nice but not very practical. After one day half my pots at the top of the dispenser and falls out every time I open it.


At first I thought I could see visible differences after application but I think I was just fooling myself in the hope I hadn't just wasted nearly £20. After time to think I've come to the conclusion it doesn't do much, I can't tell the difference and when I ask someone which eye I've applied it to they tell me the other one I know I'm right.

Before

After



I'll just have to keep searching for a solution. Anyone have a favourite? What do you think of Powderflage?

Mac + Hello Kitty Collaboration

OMG!! I'm so excited, I know I'm a bit behind on the hot gossip but I just found out about Mac's new collaboration with Hello Kitty.

I can't believe my fav childhood buddy and MAC are getting together, I'm excited already.

The collection is going to be released in Feb'09 US so obviously later over here and is set to feature two halves, Bad Kitty/Good Kitty. Word on the grape vine is that the line will include couture inspired (hmm couture+cats=strange combo!) and rhinestone encrusted compacts featuring HK.

It's all going to be very cute, everything pink!! I'm looking forward to this collaboration so much I'm going to start saving now!!haha fat chance! No doubt it will be bigger and better than Fafi and Barbie to mark MAC's 25th Birthday!

Check out Spektra's website for more information.

Anybody else as excited as me?

Liz Earle an undiscovered gem!

Most people have never heard of the beauty guru that is Liz Earle but since discovering her products a year ago theres no going back.In my efforts to be greener and more eco-friendly I stumbled across her infamous Cleanse and Polish which is the best cleanser and makeup remover on the market.

Many of her products have won multiple awards and all are completely natural using the finest available ingredients. My daily ritual includes most of her products and they leave my face feeling clean, fresh and revitalised.

My Favourites

• Cleanse and Polish - £12.25 100ml tube and comes with 2 muslin cloths. Removes all makeup.



• Brightning Mask - £12 50ml and 2 muslin. An instant quick fix.



• Daily Repair Eye Cream - £12.25 Really gentle and contains brightening ingrediants to give that radiant look.



• Smoothing Line Serum - £12.25 great as an oil free moisturiser and helps prevent lines

Her Holiday gifts come in the most gorgeous packaging and are a lovely treat for anyone this Christmas.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer VS Benefit Erase Paste

An essential make up must-have for any yummy mummy has to be the under eye concealer. I've tried my fair share in a bid to win the war on dark circles given to me by many a sleepless night.

After 2 years you'd think I'd be allowed a full nights sleep but no most nights I still have to drag myself out of bed at some insane hour to coax her back into bed. This doesn't take long but trying to fall asleep again is what gets me, I lie there for what seems like hours.

Hurrah for concealer, to which I am eternally grateful for hiding a multitude of sins.

Benefit - Erasepaste.£18.50. I love the idea and the packaging of this product. It promises to beat signs of stress and to brighten the eyes and the face. On this note it does deliver, it gives a great illuminating affect. But thats where the positives end, I have dry skin and find the formula too thick, it sat in fine lines and caked and creased. It does give good coverage but I would not recommend to anyone with dry or lined skin it only makes it look worse. Laura Mercier - Secret councealer.£18. I bought this a couple of weeks ago after reading so many great reviews on Makeup Alley's website and I'm so glad I did. It's by far the best undereye concealer I've ever tried and I've had them all, Clinique, YSL and MAC. It's designed specifically for the eye area, is really creamy and contains Vitamins E and A to moisturise and improve the skins elasticity = preventing lines. It lasts all day, gives great coverage, brightens and doesn't cake.




What concealers your must have?

Red she said haul!

Ok so I said I'd fallen in love with the new Mac Holiday collection online but its even better in person. I couldn't resist starting my collection on Friday with a quick stop to my nearest Mac store.

• Mineralize trio(Limited Ed) - Threesome, really pretty mid tone pink, copper and burgandy.
• Mineralize trio - Outspoken, violet, silver glitter and plum.
• Blush - Stark Naked, beautiful and really flattering mauve with small gold particles.

I also got a lipstick which I love from the new Creamsheen collection. I've never really been a lippy fan until recently and am now totally converted. This new range of 14 gorgeous colours are made with a unique creamy formula which prevents your lips from drying out. Plus really cute names.

• Speed Dial - light fuschia pink
• Creme d'nude (ordered online) - pale peachy pink

Mac Holiday collection arrives...

The much anticipated annual Holiday collection is out in Mac stores across the UK this week. I took a peek on the US website a few weeks ago and since then have eagerly been awaiting its arrival.

There was nothing that really grabbed me colour-wise on first look, the only thing that was praying to my weakness's was the gorgeous compact designs. The Passions of Red collection ouses retro glamour and classic appeal with its red snakeskin and ruby encrusted lids.

The Adoring Carmine brush sets come in gorgeous scarlet makeup bags and include all the essential tools to beautify yourself this Christmas. I really don't need any of the brushes as I have most of them already but I'm going to get the face brush set for the cute 187 and slanted blusher brush.

I have fallen head over heels in love with the Red she said collection though and no doubt will find it hard to restrain myself from buying it all up especially the mineralize baked eyeshadows.

Bare Minerals.

Bare Minerals - Powder foundation.

I've read so much about this product and couldn't wait to try it. I've used other mineral foundations and haven't thought much of them but this is good. I really recommend this, it gives a great coverage, goes on easily and leaves your skin looking flawless and feeling makeup free.

The only reason I stopped using this is because I have sensitive skin and an ingediant in the formula reacted and I started getting spots. Apart from that I loved it, I just found out you can now buy in from Debenhams online and in Selfridges. Starter kit, £45, which includes 2 full size foundations, all over glow, mineral veil, primer and 2 brushes. Great Value!!

Clever Clinique.

Clinique - Superbalanced.

I'm using this at the moment, I have to say I was sceptical because it was Clinique and I don't usually buy from them but I'm impressed. Its great for combination skin as the formula is oil free and also moisturises your skin when dry. This is lightweight but gives a really good natural medium and buildable coverage. It comes in 19 shades and is reasonably priced at £18.50.

Infamous Mac Studio Fix.

MAC- Studio Fix.

Everyone raves about this so I decided to try it a few weeks ago, unfortunately my experience was not a happy one. For starters I got the wrong shade so I have to mix it with a lighter foundation if I want to use it. It also doesn't smell great but there are some plus points. The coverage is really good and I use it when I'm going out, it also comes in 21 colours, a really wide variety but just becareful when picking one. Costs £19 but you will need to buy a pump for the top at £2.50 which is a bit annoying = £21.50.

Yves Saint Laurent!

YSL - Perfect Touch.

This is a great foundation if you have good skin and want to look radiant. It is made with a special formula that makes the skin baby soft and gives a flawless finish. I really like this, it made my skin look illuminated and so fresh, great for the summer but I don't think the coverage is good enough for winter. The packaging is great as a foundation brush is attached to the end of the bottle which is good for time saving and touch ups. Costs £29 and comes in 10 colours.

Double Wear Dream.

Estee Lauder - Double Wear Light.

I love, love,love this foundation and it's quite possibly the only one I have bought more than once. Like I said before I'm not a fan of the makeup counter lady or airhostess trowled on look. This gives a great natural finish, is for all skin types and really does last for upto 15hrs. Although it is lightweight it gives a great medium,buildable coverage and isn't heavy, allowing your skin to breathe. Costs £22.50 and comes in 6 colours.

My 5 Top Rated foundations!

These are some foundations I really like and have found work for me. I have combination skin, in some areas its dry and in others oily. I'm blonde and have fair/light skin, I never really got into the sunbed craze although sometimes I wish I had. The other day a makeup lady likened my skin to Dita Von Tesse, thanks.

Anyway here's the best foundations I've found over the years.

1. Estee Lauder - Double Wear Light
2. YSL - Perfect Touch
3. MAC - Studio Fix
4. Clinique - Superbalanced
5. Bare Minerals - Powder Foundation

Has anyone found the perfect foundation yet? Let me know your secret to flawless skin.

Back to basics...

With so many different types of foundations out there it's hard to know which to buy and which will work for you.

Here's a quick summary of the different forms that foundation can come in.

• Liquid - This is the most widely used form and my personal favourite, made for all skin types and depending on type can give a sheer, medium or heavy finish. It's not the most handy for reapplying during the day but if you choose the right one you should'nt need to.
• Cream - Usually packaged in a compact or stick form, this is the heaviest base and is good for dry skin as it hydrates the skin throughout the day.
• Powder - This is the easiest type of foundation to use as it comes in compact form and is good for travelling or re-application. Best suited to oily or combination skin types.
• Mineral - It comes as loose powder, usually with a brush for application. Good for all skin types especially oily skin.

Shopping for foundation tips!

Essential points to remember when buying foundation.

1.Always know your skin type, do you have oily,dry, combination or normal skin?This will depend which form of foundation you need, liquid, powder or cream.


2.Ask yourself what kind of coverage you want, if your lucky and have good skin you probably need a light weighted base or tinted moisturiser. I like to use a medium base and don't like it to sit too heavy on my face. For the evening you can build it up so it lasts all night.


3.Shade, thats the hardest part to get right, test three colours on the neck, one you think is the nearest match, one lighter and one darker. Wait a minute and see which one is the best colour for you.


4.Go into a space with natural light this will give the best indication, the right colour will not be visable on the surface of your skin.


Try this useful link to help you figure out what kind of foundation to buy.http://www.clinique.co.uk/templates/user/wrfu_foundation_finder.tmpl

Boudoir Beautiful!

OMG!! How gorgeous are the new eyeshadow and blush compacts from Bourjois! If like me your easily swayed by good looking packaging then you will love these.

They are limited edition for ASOS so probably won't be around for long. Loving all the vintage inspired stuff out there at the moment. Boudoir chic all the way.

Cult classic returns!

Elizabeth Ardens skin saviour has been revamped in 1950's style packaging. Although I've heard endless things about the 8hour cream I've never been tempted to try it, but I am now! I love the retro chic feel of the jar, its limited edition and available from the 10th of November.

It's a great beauty buy in times where every penny counts as its multi-use. It can be used on dry areas all over the body to soothe and smoothe. Other people also use it to gloss lips, shape eyebrows and highlight the cheeks. Looks like my vaseline is to be replaced, I can't wait to get my hands on this.

It costs £16 and also has a lip balm as part of the range. Good christmas present idea aswell, I'll be stocking up for grandparents and my mum.

Lipgloss I'm loving...

I usually have a love/hate realtionship with glosses, I love the way they make your lips shine but I hate their stickiness.

This is the only one I have ever tried that I'm completely happy with, it gives a lovely pale pink colour, smells fruity and has a really good consistancy.

It's even passed the wind test on several occasions, I've survived many a gust of wind without having all my hair stuck to my face. Bonus!

Another good thing about this product is its a bargain, its my credit crunch must buy. It costs just £1.99 at Wilko and is worth every penny. It comes in 3 colours but this is the only one I've tried so far.

What lipgloss can't you live without?

Is the perfect foundation just a fantasy?

As much as I love make up one thing I can't stand shopping for is foundation. It's so tricky to find the right one to suit your skin and what you need in terms of coverage. Over the years I must of tried every foundation out there, from all budget ranges in the hope I'd find the perfect match.

I think maybe I expect too much, I keep hoping my skin will look as flawless and natural as all the celebrities we see plastered across the magazines. I just have to keep reminding myself thats not real and it's down to airbrushing. It's only when you see the so called 'beautiful people' without makeup on and you realise how different they look. Hmm... If only I could afford a personal makeup artist and permanent airbrushing.

As much as foundation shopping is sometimes the bane of my life I can't help but stive for the natural look, the 'I'm wearing loads of makeup but don't look it' look.

Along the way I have found some good ones which have managed to transform me from a tired, sleep deprived mum into a flawless faced, 'yummy mummy'. Even though it is annoying that I have a whole basket of discarded mismatched foundation bottles that I can't use its not been all bad, I've picked up some good advice along the way.

Continued onto new post...

Recent Hauls!

Recently I've been buying up makeup quicker than Lewis Hamilton ripping it around the race tracks. I've tried to be restrained,hoping to save some money for Christmas but it's one of those things, the more you tell yourself you can't have something the more you want it. What can I say I'm weak.

You know sometimes when you buy make up on impulse shopping trips and you get home and think 'why did I just buy that?'. I've been lucky and have been really happy with what I've bought recently which atleast helps to heal the guilt about my deminishing bank balance.

So about two weeks I went to Mac with a fellow makeup addict, not a good idea as she's even worse than me. Her collection fills several rooms across two cities, enough makeup for atleast ten women.

Anyway I didn't really need anything but ended up getting a few things that I now can't live without.

• The infamous 187 Duo Fibre face brush-amazing and highly recommended,gives the perfect natural finish to liquid foundation.
• A 181 buffer brush-great for blending in bronzer, highlighter and blush.Also it's handbag sized and really soft.
• Mineral Skinfinish(MSF) in So Ceylon - really similar to MSF Warmed which I also have but with more pinky tones.
• Mineralize eyeshadow in Illusionary Burning Ambition -half yellowy gold and half dark bronze.
• Studio Fix Fluid in NW20 - unfortunately wrong colour for me so bit disappointed.
• Glaze lipstick in Pervette - random name makes me laugh every time, gorgeous pinky purple colour,wasn't sure at first but love it now!

Theres more I'm afraid last week I was passing a Clinique counter and I'm not usually a fan but was conned by the free gift.Marketer's dream hey!

• Superbalanced foundation in Alabaster - I know more foundation but the other was the wrong colour and a bit heavy for me. I've been converted, this is great for me.
• Eyeshadow base in Canvas - really helps shadow to stay and lovely nude colour that could be worn on its own.

I'm not proud to say there is more, I went to Leeds this weekend for my makeup addict friend's birthday and got conned into buying more MAC by the persuasive makeup lady. I need to get tougher I know.

• Paintpot in Indianwood - lovely creamy goldy bronze
• Paintpot in Rubenesque - I've wanted this for ages and I wasn't disappointed, gorgeous colour, pinky,peachy with hints of gold.
• All that Glitters - Pinky, bronze
• 217 eyeshadow blending brush - really fluffy, great for applying paintpots and powder shadows.
• Zoom Lash mascara - gives great volume to lashes and curl.

Thats it!! I'll talk about the products in more detail on different posts once I've had time to experiment with them.

Numero Uno!!

Hi to anyone reading this and welcome to my blog! If you like all things beauty related and are makeup obsessed like me then hopefully this will be useful to you. The original idea behind this blog was for me to help out all those busy mums who don't have the time or money to spare researching and purchasing bucket loads of cosmetics.

Basically I'll do the hard work for you and let you know what I think and whats worth buying. I say hard work but as a makeup addict its something I can't help doing no matter how hard I try to stop.

I eat,sleep and breathe cosmetics. I don't have much time being a busy mum running after a demanding two year old but I always seem to find time to fuel my addiction. I didn't ever think I'd enjoy shopping for nappies but in most shops they are conveniently placed next to the make up aisles. Mind set being, 'Well as I'm here anyway'. I'm sure you know how it goes from there.

Naptimes, always a welcome break after hours of singing 'Row Row the boat' 20 times or supervising Lily while she paints,most of which seems to go on the table or her face. I love being a mum but you need 'me' time too, makeup seems to fill up much of this time. Most of which is spent surfing Mac's online shop or watching you tube tutorial videos(great way to pick up handy tips).

I'm no make up guru or anything but I do love all things beauty related. I recently discovered the world of beauty tutorials on You Tube and beauty blogging and thought it was about time I contributed in the debates about fabulous cosmetics.

The title suggests it's just for makeup loving mums but really its for anyone who loves cosmetics as much as I do!