Make-Up Haul!

Hey guys, as I've already mentioned in earlier posts, I've been shopping. A lot. And so I bought myself some more make-up. To think, a year ago, I thought make-up ended in drug stores! Since reading blogs and watching youtube videos, I've realised there's a lot more to make-up than just eyeliner and mascara, and I've since been on a trip of discovery of all other kinds of products and brands that are out there. As helpful as this is to my face, it's been a bit hard on my purse.

Some of the following products were purchased in England, others in Metz. (The Metz Sephora is a lot better than the Luxembourgish one!) I've been using them, so they don't look brand new, and my Benefit eyeshadow actually smashed just after I took the picture, which practically broke my heart.
MeMeMe Blush Me! Blush Box in 4 Rouge

I'd seen this on their website and fell in love with the colour, so while visiting my sister, I went to Superdrug and bought it. It's a lot more pigmented than my Chanel blush, which is good, because now I have one for when I want a noticable blush and one for a more natural look. I adore the little brush that came with it too, it's really soft and applies really well. The packaging reminds me of Benefit blushes too, which is cool. I think it cost £8.50 but I got it for a bit less, I think there was a save £1.50 thing going on.
MeMeMe Longwear Satin Lipcream in 06 Ruby Rich
I don't own any lipsticks so I wanted to try one, to see if it suited me. At first I thought the colour would be far too bright, but it's actually really nice and you can layer it up or not, depending on how you feel. It's lasts a long time too, and goes on nicely. I think I got it for £7.00, with the £1.50 off, so it probably costs £8.50. I probably should have swatched it, but the sun was going down and I wanted to finish taking the rest of the pictures, so expect a swatch sometime soon.
MAC Eyeshadow in Young Punk
While at Westfield, we went to the MAC store, and this eyeshadow immediately caught my eye. It's black with a lot of purple and silver sparkles. I like using it in the outer corner, and it's probably great for a nighttime look too. I can't remember how much it cost, between £14 and £16, I think!
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Get Figgy
I bought this when I was with my cousin, I fell in love with the colour! It's a gorgeous, light purple colour, and I love how it looks with my eye colour, which is a very rare thing for me. I love using a brown eyeliner with it too. It lasts a long time too, which is great. I can't remember the exact price, but I think it was £14.50. Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil in Walnut

I'd been on the hunt for a decent brown eyeliner and found this in the Sephora in Metz. It was between this and a benefit one, but after swatching both, I decided on this one. It's lovely and perfect, and has a smudge end as well. That's all I can really say. I'm so glad I picked it, it goes on really easily and looks really nice on the lower lashline, especially. I can't remember the price, I think it was around 16€, but I don't know if I'm just making that up.
Sephora Retractable Blush Brush

I bought this in Metz, and I have to say, for 11.50€ it's a bit disappointing, because everytime I've used it, which is almost every day since I got it, it leaves little black bristles all over my face. It works well for applying products, but the bristle thing is really annoying. I probably wouldn't recommend buying it.

A Hint Of Chanel & We're Ready!

Joues Contraste Powder Blush 99 Rose Pétale

I'd been working in January and part of February, and as soon as I was paid, I went shopping. I've realised I am probably better off poor, because I can't seem to stop spending. It's a very bad habit. It didn't help that the week I was paid, I went to Metz, France, with some friends. On the other hand, I really wanted to try new make-up. My sister had told me that every girl should have a Chanel compact in their bag, so on account of my blush running out, I decided to check out Chanel's blushes. I immediately fell in love with a lovely rose/pink coloured blush, and asked the woman if they still had it, because if they hadn't, I wouldn't have bothered buying a different one. She hunted around a bit and finally pulled it out. And so I bought my very first Chanel make-up product. Then I found out my sister didn't even own one, so I felt a bit cheated but oh well! I adore it.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants bright pink cheeks, as it doesn't show up too much, but I like it as a natural blush, and I can't wait to use it when I have a tan, because it will work really nicely! It cost 37€ in La Galerie LaFayette, in Metz.

Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow 86 Ebloui

I didn't stop there with the spending. While in England, I went to visit my sister, and we met up at the Westfield in Stratford and did a bit of shopping there too. We went to Boots and saw the Chanel counter, so we decided to browse a bit. I was looking for a different colour eyeshadow to brown, because it's all I seem to own. I spotted a sort of burgundy eyeshadow, that my sister also owns, and decided to get it.

I'm really pleased with it so far, you can layer it up to get a darker colour, or just use a thin layer for a more natural look. It cost £22,50 and comes with a little brush.

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know if you have any other suggestions for me!

Valentine's Day

Hey lovely readers! This will be my first blogpost from my phone, so fingers crossed it works! I wanted to share my views on Valentines Day, since everyone is being sucked into this giant hype that is all bundled into one day, yet again. I was always the kind of person to steer away from all the commercial crap that comes from this one day, that isn't even a proper holiday, because there's still school and work to get to. And as my brother pointed out, back when he was about 8, why have just to one day to celebrate love? Or maybe he just meant people should get presents every day. Not that it matters, as his point was still very well made.

My boyfriend and I aren't too bothered about Valentines Day, and in the three Valentines Days we've been together, we'll be spending two apart, as I'll be in England next week. But we do get each other a little something, be it a box of chocolates, or a cupcake, or like last year, a pair of socks. And we always seem to "celebrate" on any other day but the 14th (not even on purpose). This year, we got each other some chocolates (and I got a really cute make-up box too), because it's cold and the last few weeks have been hectic and we felt like treating ourselves.

But the point of this rambling post is, whether you're in a relationship, or single, you shouldn't have to save love (and more importantly, chocolate) for just the one day. Go and indulge yourselves with all the special offers, I know I will!
Oh, and Vintage Cam has a new effect, called Caffe Mocha, which is what I used to take the following pictures. I love that app so much!

Flutter Those Lashes!

Hey everyone! As you may have gathered if you've read my other blogposts, I'm not a big foundation/concealer/any skin product that doesn't disappear after a few minutes fan. However, I am a HUGE mascara fan! I love making my lashes look longer and darker. The first time I used mascara was when I was about 13, and I remember thinking "Wow, what a difference!". Then I promptly forgot all about mascara until about four years later, give or take. I think the first real mascara I bought was a Rimmel London Sexy Curves one, I think my sister recommended it, but I could be mistaken. I absolutely loved it and bought it several times, and will probably repurchase it again, just to see if I do still love it. 

First up, a couple of pictures that perhaps deserve a warning, so here it is: Since then, I have obviously broadened my knowledge of mascaras, and have discovered a whole lot more, tried many, liked many, hated others. But this post won't be a review of all of those mascaras, instead, other the last six years, I have managed to narrow them all down to my two favourites. One that I have loved for four years, and a new one that I've recently got my hands on.

WARNING, YOU ARE NOW ENTERING A MAKEUP-FREE ZONE!

And perhaps an apology. Without make-up, I look tired and very young. Which is unacceptable, as I am actually 19 years old.

 Favourite #1: Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

• How I met this mascara:

I remember it clearly, probably because it was my birthday in March 2009. A few friends and myself went ice skating, which was a lot of fun. Until the end. I'd had to change my skates several times because they kept messing up the sizes, and they had a really silly system. You got this little fake coin with a number on it, so they can find your ID/bus pass and they kept your ID or bus pass, so that you'd bring their stupid fake coin back. Which we did, every time. Because why on earth would anyone wish to steal a round bit of plastic? Anyway, the last time I changed skates, they gave me their stupid coin, unfortunately they put the boots back in a different place to where my bus pass was, which was a very stupid thing to do on their part and I am 90% sure they did it on purpose too. So when I handed the boots, along with the coin, they couldn't find my bus pass, even though I could see it. Then they made me pay 5€ because I didn't have the correct number on the coin that matched those boots and bus pass. So I yelled at them, then threw the 5€ at them, scared most of the other people, and left, loudly muttering something about lawyers, because back then I liked to do that. Anyway, after I realised those horrible witches basically stole money from me, I cried. Yup, humiliating. You're probably thinking "What has this got to do with Maybelline's mascara?". And rightly so, I do like a good ramble though. On the bus back to town, my lovely cousin was kind enough to lend me her mascara (yes, the Maybelline one) to fix my face. And that's how I fell in love.

• Why I love this mascara:

Well, it is bloody amazing, that's why! It doesn't clump at. all. It makes my lashes look quite natural, but I can still see the difference. It's like the mascara combs them perfectly and makes them look lovely, long and thick and a lot darker. I have a thing about finding my lashes too light for my hair colour. Same goes for my eyebrows. Don't know why they're both sort of grey, because both my parents have dark, almost black hair. Anyway, I don't curl my lashes, just in case you were wondering. I know people always say it makes such a difference and you'll never want to stop once you've started, but the whole thing scares me a bit. I have a bit of a clumsy reputation, so knowing me I'll manage to break my eyelid or something silly along those lines.
The main thing I love about this mascara is the fact that my lashes really do look natural. So this mascara is definitely great for during the day. But I also find, if you apply it enough, it can make them even longer and perhaps more nighttime-y.

• Conclusion:

I love this mascara and have done for four years. I don't see any reason to end this relationship.  Price wise, it's also great. I think it's about £7 in Boots. So yeah, definitely repurchasable!

 Favourite #2: Benefit They're Real Mascara

• How I met this mascara:

Like I said, this one was recently introduced to my by my sister. She told me it was amazing and I should try it out. I hadn't ever used any Benefit products before, and when we went into a Benefit store, she almost demanded to see it. The lady used it on my already mascara covered lashes, and showed me the difference. I was gobsmacked! They looked so long! Needless to say I was very impressed, and with a little peer pressure from my sister and the Benefit woman, I bought it. This was back in December, when I was in London spending early Christmas money. I've been alternating between the two mascaras, and this one has definitely become a favourite of mine. At first it was a bit clumpy, which I hate, but it's got a lot better now, and I love the little tip at the end for separating the lashes. It's feels nice too, not to heavy. I'm the kind of person who likes to see make-up rather than feel it, if that makes any sense, which is probably the reason why I'm not too fond of foundation.

• Why I love this mascara:

This mascara really does what it claims to do. My lashes look fake, but in a good way. And yes, I have not yet tried fake lashes. Gosh, I really am a beginner! It lengthens and darkens my lashes, but I must admit, it doesn't volumise them. Not that I really mind though. It would be great for going out in the evening, but I suppose it's up to the wearer! If I feel like having impossibly long lashes during the day, I'd definitely use it. I also love using it on it's own, so no eyeshadow, eyeliner, etc.

• Conclusion:

This is definitely a new favourite. Although it's quite expensive (£18,50), but I think I'd probably repurchase it anyway, if I have the money, because it is a very good mascara!

 So here are my two favourite mascaras together!What are your favourites? Let me know, I love trying out new mascaras!

Sunset Ice

the inspiration! 

Hey guys, this is the make-up look I had on in my last OOTD! I've been wearing it a lot when I go out, I absolutely love the eyeshadow combination! It's a sort of Winter Sunset/Rose Golden colour, inspired by the colour of the sky the other evening and because I've recently rekindled my love for rose gold. Which actually started when my grandparents got me a rose goldish necklace many years ago, and I absolutely adored the colour. Then I watched one of FleurDeForce's video where she mentioned a rose gold watch she got, and it is so gorgeous! So I dug out my necklace, and fell in love all over again. Then I wanted the colour on my eyes, so I decided to mix MAC's Paintpot in Indianwood with the colour Toasted from Urban Decay's Naked palette, and voila! My take on Rose Gold/Winter Sunset Eyeshadow.

I started with the brows and I used the Benefit Brows A-Go-Go Brow And Eye Shaping Kit. I mixed both of the shadow's together because the darker clour is too dark, and the light is far too light for me. I used my ELF Studio Small Angled Brush to apply the wax and the shadows to my eyebrows.

I primed my eyes with the Urban Decay Eye Primer, which is a little bit pointless because I then used my MAC Paintpot in Indianwood as a base, but I just felt like doing it anyway. I applied Indianwood with my finger and only used one layer of it.

I used the brush that came with the Naked Palette to apply toasted all over my lid, and I used about two layers. You can use more if you want it to be a bit more pink. Then I used my ELF Blending Brush to blend the crease a little bit. I don't like going above the crease because it doesn't suit me, but you can do whatever suits you best.
Then I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero on my top lashline, and a little bit on the bottom lashline too. I used the ELF Crease Brush to smudge the eyeliner and smudged it into the outer corner of my eyelid, to darken the area slightly.

I used one of my favourtie mascaras, Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara, on my top and bottom lashes. I adore this mascara, as it doesn't clump at all and it makes my lashes look naturally long and full.

 I always forgot to look at the name of this blusher, I think it's something along the lines of Lacura Beauty in Sunset Rose, but I'm not sure! I used my blush brush from Primark to apply it to the apples of my cheeks.

And that's it! I didn't use any lipgloss, because I'm currently addicted to my cherry flavoured lipbalm, which is very much needed in this weather. As usual, I didn't use any foundation or concealer, I think I'm a bit scared to be honest! One day!

If you have any make-up suggestions or tips, please let me know!

Dreaming Of A White February

Jacket: Primark

Top: C&A

Leggings: C&A

Boots: not sure!

Bag: Pronti

Necklace: present from my grandparents

Bracelet: Six (present from my little brother)

It snowed! Finally! But then it stopped and now it's just icy and horrible. But at least we've had a bit of snow. Once again, the lighting was lovely and my lovely, kind, really thoughtful boyfriend (I'm being paid to say this*) was nice enough to take a few pictures. And once again my outfit wasn't too special, but more on the comfortable side. It was my day off, so we ran a couple of errands, and it was so nice to finally have a long lie-in! I'll do my FOTD in a separate post, because I took quite a few pictures. (*That's a joke, just in case anyone wondered)

The Calm Before The Snow

Jacket: from my sister

Jumper: H&M

Scarf: from my nan

Leggings: Select

Boots: New Yorker

Bag: Pronti

Necklace: The French Connection, ASOS

It was such a lovely day on Saturday, I practically forced my boyfriend to take a few snaps of my outfit, not that it was anything too special, but just because the lighting was great. I've been sticking to jumpers and leggings this winter, as it's comfortable but not without effort, like staying in joggers or jimjams. Which, believe me, I would love to be in all day, but can't. I put on a bit of MAC's Painpot in Indianwood, which is a big favourite of mine, the eyeliner is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and the mascara is Maybellines The Colossal Volum' Express. Simples! I haven't been wearing much make-up during the week and felt like doing something special to my eyes.  I find that when I wake up early, my eyes hurt and feel quite heavy if I put on make-up.