New Sleek Graphite palette!

Calling all Sleek MakeUP lovers, a brand new Limited Edition palette will be hitting your nearest Superdrug shelves this week.

The Graphite palette which has 12 gorgeous shades of blues, greys, black and two highlight colours will be perfect for creating an ultra glam smokey eye.

I had no idea a new palette was coming out so soon but some fellow bloggers who were on the ball e-mailed me this week to tell me, thank you girls. I love sleek palettes, such fantastic quality and gorgeous colours.

You will be able to pick one up this Wednesday the 28th! When I get hold of one I'll definately be posting some looks, I can't wait to play around with this.

(Picture, courtesy of NY beauty blogger Belle De Jour)

Will you be running out to Superdrug on Wednesday?

xx

Smashbox!

I go through phases with most things in life especially when it comes to shopping and brands. One month H and M is hot and I can't stop shopping there then it's Topshop and so on.The same goes for make-up, last month was YSL but this month its...

Smashbox. It's my latest obsession. Since picking up their gorgeous Pout lipgloss before going on holiday in August I've become addicted to their counter at my local Debenhams.

Here are a few of my faves.

The Blushes

I currently own two but on my next shopping trip I definately want to pick up some more, they are such great quality and gorgeous colours.

They are finely milled and incredibly soft to touch, like velvet. I can't believe I ever thought blushes by the likes of Mac and Nars were so good, these are amazing.

The colour payoff is great and a little goes a long way. You bearly have to tap the brush on the surface to get the right amount of product unlike others I own that I practically have to scrape at to get any on the brush.

Chiffon and Flush

I love both the colours I have, Chiffon is a beautiful peach with a subtle gold shimmer which leaves your skin with a healthy pinch of colour and radiant glow!

Flush is such an unusual colour and I think probably my favourite blush ever. It's a gorgeous baby blue toned pink, the cool undertones really stop me looking flushed.
Swatch

Chiffon (L) and Flush (R)

I also made a surprise discovery with the packaging. A few weeks after having these babies in my drawer I noticed a small button on the back and found a cute swivel mirror was hiding underneath, great for on the go touch-ups.

Mascara
This is their DNA mascara, as the name suggests a scientifically enhanced eyelash wonder!

When I bought this I had no idea about it's eyelash enhancing and repairing properties but was gripped by the HUGE brush.

The fat wand is shaped like a double helix and the formulation has been developed containing proteins and amino acids to condition and repair lashes. Now, I do not by any means claim that this makes any difference, it would be impossible to measure but I do know this mascara gives me longer and voluminous lashes.

Last but not least is the product that caused my recent obsession, below is Pout.

This lip enhancing gloss looks so pretty in the tube that it's one I reach for practically every day. It isn't the best lipgloss I've tried but it isn't half bad.

The colour is gorgeous, a lovely blue toned pink but the colour pay off could be better, I have to apply a lot to get the desired colour. The formulation is nice, it's non sticky and goes on smoothly, no patchiness atal.

I like pairing it with Revlon's Matte lipstick in Pink Pout.

I'm also interested in trying some more Smashbox products, so beauty bloggers whats good?!

xx

My hair's had the chop!

Today I went to the hairdressers, instead of the usual root re-touch and trim I decided it was about time for a change.

Bye, bye long blonde locks (above) and hello sleek, sophisticated bob.

Sorry for lack of make-up but I hadn't done it since 9am and it had been a long day!

It was a totally spur of the moment decision. After my stylist had dyed my locks and got her scissors out ready to do the 'usual' I blurted out 'chop it off'. I don't know where it came from but I knew I needed a change, so I let her work her magic and this is what she came up with.

I've been growing my hair for the last 5 years and had nearly got it to reach half way down my back at it's longest points.

Recently it had been getting a little straggly at the ends and it didn't look as healthy as I'd like thanks to all the colour treatments and it's subjection to heating appliances.

Strangely I wasn't as scared as I thought I would be watching my hair fall to the ground, I had about 7-8 inches off the back in total.
I love it! It's really nice to have a change and liberating not having so much hair to look after but I'm definately going to miss my hair bouncing against my back and catching glimses of it in shop windows reflection.

My hair was my security, it made me feel safe, feminine and pretty. I'm a little self conscious about today's chop but I think in a few days I'll get used to my new style. Hey, and if I don't there's always extensions.

What do you think?
xx

Mac's Close to Real lipstick!

If you love nude lipsticks as much as I do and you haven't seen this gorgeous new Mac lipstick yet then you have to meet my new love, Close to Real.

I haven't heard many people talk about this gorgeous lipstick from one of Mac's more recent collections, High Definition. I think this might be because it didn't come out in stores or counters only online for some bizarre reason.

Anyway meet Close to Real!

Close to Real is the most gorgeous pale peachy nude, as soon as I saw pictures on Temptalia months ago I knew I was going to love it but I only got round to ordering it last week! Actually I ordered 2 to be safe as it is limited edition.

This is it on the lips on it's own.

Out of all my nude shades that I have which you can see in my latest Lipstick Collection videos here and here this really is my favourite.

The colour is beautiful, the consistency is creamy, it has the traditional Mac vanillary taste and lasts really well on the lips.

Over the last week of wearing it I have found it works really well with these two glosses below.

Mac's lovely Florabundance (left), a pretty pale peachy pink and Nars's true nude, Striptease(right).

Close to Real and Florabundance.

Close to Real and Striptease.

When I popped off the top to take a look at it my immediate thought was haven't I seen this before. At first glance it did look remarkably similar to Mac's Myth lipstick and it does but surprisingly Close to Real is paler and peachier in tone.

I have never really got along with Myth, I loved the true nude colour but the consistancy for me was not the nicest. And that's where the main difference between the two comes in, Close to Real is a Lustre as opposed to a Satin like Myth.

Close to Real is much smoother, softer and easier to work/blend than Myth.

Swatch of both.

Myth on top and Close to Real below.

I really do love this lipstick and I may even be ordering another. If you like your nudes make sure you check it out on the Mac website soon as it is limited edition and won't be available for long.

Has anyone else got this? What do you think?!
xxx

Modern Matte nails!

This years beauty cult product definitely has to be nail varnish. I've never seen so many colour trends, greys, lilacs, tiffany shades and now jade thanks to Chanel.

The next big thing isn't on the colour spectrum though but more with the finish. Matte is the new black.

I've tried all finishes over the years, sheer, sparkly and glossy but never matte until now. A few weeks ago I was sent Avant-Garde by Nubar from their Modern Matte collection and I have to say I really like it.

I was a little sceptical at first, in the bottle it looks like any other nail polish, pretty and pearly but when it dries the glossiness disapears leaving the finish pictured above.

I love the colour, a gorgeous reddy brown, perfect for the autumn. Although I wouldn't opt for a matte finish all the time, it is nice to have the choice and I have chosen this when I want something a little different.

As well as being a trendsetter the LA based brand is also chemical conscious. All of their nail polishes are Formaldehyde, Phthalate and Toluene free.

If you like the idea of going matte this autumn Nubar polishes are available in the UK here.

On a separate note, I know there have been many issues raised recently in the beauty community about the credibility of bloggers and the fact we get sent products to review. Yes, some of us do recieve products but most of us would only ever review things we genuinely believe in.

• I will never review something unless I'm completely happy with the product and give my 100% honest opinion.
• Would never recommend something I didn't believe in.
• Will always state if I have been sent the product I review, 99% of products I write about I purchase myself.
• I am not involved with any companies and am 100% free to say what I like.

I hope this clears some things up blogettes!!

Has anyone else tried matte nails? Does anyone know of any other brands I can buy some from?! I want to try some more!
xxx