FOTD - Current Favourites

Hey All

It's been a long time since I've shared any favourite make up or done a face of the day so I thought I'd combined the too and show you some of the products I've been reaching for the most lately.

I love the difference make up makes to my features. Being pale and with light hair means my features can get lost without make up so I can't be without brows and mascara!

Products used:

• Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Contour Palette
• Mac Studio Fix Fludic - NW20
• Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops - Lightening
• Benefite Brow Zings - Light
• Ebay Brushes
• Real Techniques contour and buffing brush
• Mac 168
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concleaer - Vanilla
• Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil
• Seventeen Blush - Nude
• Stila One Step Correct Primer
• Urban Decay 24/7 Liner - SmokeOut
• W7 The Queen of Brows - Light Medium 
• Avon Infintize and Aero Volume Mascaras - Black
• Phees Make up Shadows - Peppered, Sphinx, Deadweight and The Original Highlight.
• Mac Amplified Lipstick - Fast Play 

I'm always one for a flawless base but lately I'm really struggling, I seem to be more pale than normal and no foundations are working properly. The Shade adjusting drops have been an amazing find. I've been able to use my foundations that have been sat to one side more and I'm getting a better colour match. Studio fix fluid isn't my favourite Mac foundation I'm more of a pro longwear fan! Browzings has been a regular use since I discovered it. It just gives perfect definition and will always remain a firm favourite. The same goes for the Nar concealer! I love this stuff, it covers sooo well! I fancied a bit of extra brightening this day so used the urban decay concealer underneath too. For me the eyes are always a touch smokey. I love the shimmer in the Phees Shadows and they are just so pigmented!! I used peppered over the lid, with sphinx on the out part of the lid, shades from Kat Von D palette through my crease and deadweight through the outer v to smoke it out then used the UD liner to line my lashline. I added the original highlight to my inner corner to brighten it up and used it as my highlight. I used the Kat Von D palette to contour. The middle large shade is perfect for this I love the colour it is. My cheeks are an old discovery, a random blush I found in my collection but absolutely love. The lips are a shade I can't stop reaching for. It's perfect for everyday and a great neutral shade!

What are your current make up favourites?

Love M

xxx

MAC Pro longwear Foundation Review

Hey All

Long time no post from me it feels. Life has just been getting in the way lately but today I wanted to share a product I loved a while ago but recently repurchased and have fell in love with again, it's MAC Pro Longwear. We've reviewed it a long time ago on the blog but I've now gone for a different shade and thought I'd show you it on.

This was a total whirlwind purchase at the airport when we went to Copenhagan. You can see what else I picked up here and here. I am really pale lately and I find my foundations are all quite dark so I got colour matched at the airport to NW15. Previously I was NW20 but I definitely think that would be too dark for me.

The bottle and packaging are the same as they were before. Classic MAC black and white. I really like the pump on this, I like that it twists to close so it's secure in my bag as regularly I do my make up on the bus so I need something secure.

NW15 is for pink undertones. I have naturally rose pale skin I think I probably could have gotten away with NW12 but at least with this I can wear it all year.

Bare Skin

1 Layer

2 Layers

Full Face

I love this foundation. I'd forgotten how much I loved it until I had it back in my life. It builds up on the skin and blends so easily. I find my skin looks natural as it sets to a semi matte finish and doesn't leave me shiny and as you can see above photographs really well. I do find MAC colour options great for most skin tones.

Since purchasing it I have decided to go cruelty free so this will be my last bottle of it which does honestly leave me gutted so any recommendations for an alternative let me know.

Love M

xxx

MAC Diva Matte Lipstick

Hey All

Last week I shared Fast Play with you (post here) which was another lipstick I picked up at the airport on my way home from Copenhagen. Today I'm sharing Diva. I picked this up on the way out. After trying to find a red for a friend before Christmas we fell in love with Diva but it was out of stock. When I saw Mac at Gatwick I knew I had to have it.

I did take photos on holiday but the lighting in the room wasn't great so I'm am being a bad blogger and sharing used product photos. Shows I love it and was too excited to use it right, only a positive ha!

Diva is my first Matte Mac lipstick. I was concerned it would be drying on the lips but it's not actually too bad. It gives a really pigmented finish and has impressive lasting power! This doesn't budge, but in a good way. I can get through breakfast and lunch and still have the majority of it on my lips.

I love the colour of this. It was be applied straight from the bullet to give and amazing deep berry red colour (It reminds me of Rimmel 107 which is another all time favourite (post here) or when applied lightly and rubbed in stains the lips a gorgeous red colour.

I've been pairing it with Rimmel lip liner in wine or black tulip, both are great for red lip shades!

I'm loving this colour and have been wearing it to work paired with simple eyes! The perfect shade for the colder weather we've been having.

Are you a fan of a dark lip?

Love M

xxx

MAC Fast Play Amplified Lipstick

Hey All

On Monday I shared with you where we stayed when we were in Copenhagen. I've got a few more posts to share on it over the next few weeks. While travelling to and from Copenhagen I couldn't resist a few beauty bits, especially when we had some money left over coming back. 

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

When we were travelling back to the UK and had money left after picking up some alcohol I couldn't resist my second trip to the Mac counter (a post next week shares with you what I got in the UK duty free) I didn't really know what I wanted except a neutral rose pink shade that would finish off a make up look. Thinking back I wanted twig but I went into this on a whim and hadn't thought shades. I tried a few that I know people love but they just weren't suiting me until I saw Fast Play.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Fast Play is an amplified creme formulation (one of my all time favourite lipsticks brick-o-la is also post here but colours of it here!!) I love these are they have amazing pigmentation and are still comfortable to wear on the lips. They give a slight sheen but nothing too much.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

From the swatch above you can see Mac Fast Play is a neutral pink shade. I love these types of lipstick colours. I find them a much more flattering nude on my skin tone as they don't wash me out.

Mac Fast Play Lipstick Review Swatch

Ignore my spots in this photo I'm foundation free as managed to quickly rope C in to take photos for me. I love this colour on. It warms up my face, goes with all make up lots and isn't too OTT. This hasn't left my handbag since I bought it. I've been pairing it with Rimmel Addiction lip liner which is the most amazing nude. I need to share that on here soon!

Have you seen Fast Play?

Love M

xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hey all!

I've got my first Beauty Rehab since moving out - it's been a weird kind of obsession keeping all my empties whilst I've moved and decorated but I've succeeded. What's annoyed me even more was the fact I no longer have my lovely white desk at my parents house, so nowhere to photograph them. hmmmph.

So instead I've taken some pretty awful photos on a dark rainy evening on top of a super old blanket chest in my living room - with boxes full of stuff to sort in the background. It's not ideal but it was time to sort through them all!

Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation - I loved this when i purchased it as my skin must have been a lot better. Nowadays I'm always tired so need a lot more!
Estee Lauder Double Wear - loved this, would definitely repurchase
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish - hated this, keeping the bottle for Back 2 Mac. The finish was awful!
Vichy Dermablend - also love this, it's a long term staple in my make up bag and I have another 2 as back ups!
Rimmel Stay Matte powder - love this too, why pay more when this powder is as good as Mac if not better

Dr Bronner's Citrus Orange Soap - love the smell of this so much, I'd repurchase from TK Maxx or similar as it's much cheaper
Aussie products - love love love Aussie and would repurchase always!

Batiste Dry Shampoo - love this stuff, saves me on a weekly basis when there just isn't enough time for washing hair! Always buy them in bulk in every scent, and especially the dark one
Aussie Dry Shampoo - to be honest this was pretty awful. it was like a well scented hairspray, but stickier, it wasn't a dry shampoo at all which was disappointing
L'Occitane Conditioner - considering this is quite expensive for a conditioner it was pretty average. I'm not fussy with hair products at all but it took me forever to use it up as it made my hair feel like straw
Nip and Fab Detox Blend Body Wash - this was also pretty average which was a shame as I love their skincare line

Nip and Fab Deep Cleansing Fix - talking of Nip and Fab, this is a great buy! Even better when it's on offer, its a cleanser mask etc etc wonder product!
Vaseline deodorant - I wouldn't normally bother sharing my deodorant but I always find these cans disappointing, supposedly compressed but realistically I don't think they are at all
Boots Nail Polish Remover - this was great, full of acetone so not ideal but worked a treat on glitter!
Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion - I'm embarrassed to think how old this bottle is, look at that old packaging! Still a favourite with me though, the best tanning moisturiser

Good Things Argan Oil Facial Serum - this tube disappeared overnight, I need to buy this in massive tubs!
Origins Drink Up mask - this is great, I'd repurchase purely for the smell but the effects on my skin are pretty awesome
Lacura Aqua Complete Serum - a super buy for the £3.99 price tag from Aldi, definitely worth slapping on and I have a few variations of it in my drawer
Elemis Pro-Radiance Cleanser - this was a lovely product to try as I'd never used Elemis before, a great cleanser and I'd love a full size if I could afford it!
No7 Facial Wipes - always in my stash somewhere for saving me when the day has been so long

Effaclar Duo - already repurchased during my trip to Paris, an absolute essential!
Lacura Beautifying Serum - on my second bottle, enough said!
Tigi BedHead Some Like it Hot - not sure if this serum really works but it was a lovely serum that didn't coat the hair and leave it feeling plastic or dry
Gilchrist and Soames Shower Gel - wasn't a fan of this smell, wouldn't repurchase

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara - pretty good mascara but I still find Rimmel the best for the price
Benefit Roller Lash - i love Benefit mascaras, they are definitely the best for me and I'm one of those people that likes both this and They're Real, unfortunately just cannot justify buying it at the moment - this makes me very sad and I'm saving up Boots points
Models Own Nail Polish - I loved this champagne gold colour and cannot believe it's dried up! Will need to buy another
Benefit Porefessional - love this and have kept my minis for travelling so I can get through airports without hassle!
Real Techniques Expert Face brush - sadly this one has died on me and the bristles have started to fall out as you can see. Not much point in keeping it now! Will repurchase another when I'm feeling spendy

So what do you think of my empties? Have you been using up lots or have you been hoarding like I used to?

I think with all of my empty foundation bottles I'm due a treat of a new one don't you think???

L xxx

Mac Viva Glam V

Hey All

Sorry for the lack of posts from me last week. It was my birthday on the weekend and I hadn't got around to writing any as I'd been with the family and then left for a few days away with the OH and his family to celebrate his brother's graduation.

When my family were down to celebrate my birthday my brother's wife wanted to take the opportunity to visit a Mac counter. I didn't plan on buying anything as I was holding out to buy the Cool Neutral palette but was waiting for a decent beauty care offer (which there is now by the way £10 worth of points if you spend £50!) but at the counter I spotted the viva glam lipsticks and was drawn to this neutral shade. First of apologies as I've not got any swatches on the lips but the day after I bought it coldsores have taken over.

The Mac Viva Glam range comes in the normal box but the lipsticks instead of silver around the bullet and holding the lipstick it's red. I quite like this as it's the only Viva Glam one I have it'll be easy to spot in my collection. If you weren't aware Mac donate the full price of the lipstick minus VAT to charity for the Viva Glam range so you can buy a lipstick and feel like you're helping people. L has the Viva Glam Nicki Minaj which you can see here.

Mac Viva Glam V Swatch

Mac describes it as a neutral pink. I'd say it's a touch more neutral brown. I think this is the first lustre finish in my collection but I'm actually a fan. In the neutral shades it gives the lips a healthy shine of colour.

With coldsores all finally healed I can add some pictures! I've really been reaching for this lipstick lately. I love it for everyday and find my lips look plumped with it on.

Have you tried the Viva Glam range? What's your favourite Mac lipstick? 

Love M xxx 

MAC Lipstick in Syrup

Hey there!

I've been working my way through my stash for an extremely long time - saving up my empty MAC products so that I can do the 'Back to Mac' deal that they have going on is one of my favourite things.
I love going into the shop with my empties and coming out with a free lipstick!

There are so many more lipsticks that I need to try and Syrup was the most recent addition.

MAC describe Syrup as a cloudy pink, it's a muted down soft pink with a lustre finish. It's quite a sheer finish, and so because of that is the perfect workwear lipstick. It can be built up and layered to give a deeper pink on the lips, it's also really moisturising and as so you can wear this all day without getting those dreaded flaky lips that can happen with matte finishes.

It's super comfortable and easy to wear, what's not to love!

It's almost a contender for a 'your lips but better' shade. When I was choosing my lipstick this time I tried a few that others rave over but unfortunately they just didn't seem to look right on me at all. This pinky shade seemed to make my skin look brighter which is always a bonus!

Here's a few snaps with the lipstick on:

Soft pink, super wearable, comfortable and flattering on many skin tones I would imagine.

Syrup is a winner in my eyes!

Have you bought Syrup? Which has been the latest lipstick to add to your collection?

I've no idea what I'd choose next! Any suggestions for your favourite wearable day shades like this?


L xxx

MAC Toledo Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach

Good morning!

I recently wrote a post on the beautiful Cinderella Fluidline Eyeliner Gel from MAC (post here), and mentioned that I was lucky to enough to also receive the Toledo Ombre Blush from my friends too.

The Toledo collection comes from Isabel and Ruben Toledo, it consisted of so many products it would be crazy to name them all! There was lipsticks, glosses, nail polishes, mascaras, eye liners not to mention brushes and make up bags. It's a really amazing collection and the colours are so pretty, if you get chance check out this post from Temptalia (click here) which shows some of the products, make sure you look at the stunning eyeshadow palettes!

The design is totally different from the normal MAC range and I love the way it stands out. The red is so eye catching and the faces are cute and slightly creepy, meaning I mostly can't stop looking at them.

What I also can't take my eyes off is the ombre effect of the blush itself.

JUST FEAST YOUR EYES ON IT




It's just beautiful and every kind of coral that I could ever want in one blush! Swirling my blush brush over this every morning is one sure way to get me happy, it's such a lovely colour and it complements my skin tone.

Ripe Peach is the perfect name for this blush.



So how does it look on? Peachy would definitely be the right term!

This is a great colour for every day wear, but you can also layer it up a little and get the colour to be stronger and more powerful looking.

I have often thought that some MAC collections can be a little hit and miss, they can be cheap looking or the products aren't as pigmented as the ones from the normal range.
This collection however has been really worth every penny, I've heard lots of others rave about the range too.

Do you like MAC collections like Toledo? Have you tried any of the products from this collection?

Do you like the look of this Ripe Peach ombre blush?

L xxx