Review: Illamasqua Eye Quad

For my first purchase from Illamasqua, I'll admit this was a little random.

I picked it up from ASOS after falling in love with the packaging, the beautiful metallic cream shadows and their general ethos.

Illamasqua always intrigue me because I am drawn to their ad campaigns like no other, I mean the beautifully applied looks, crazy colours, wacky lashes and always something unique and quirky about the models such as their freckles or super pale skin.

I also love that they have such strong ideas about each collection and their 'Alter Ego' idea is brilliant.  love to wake up in the morning and decide who I'm going to be that day depending on my mood and my make up does reflect whatever mood I'm in.

This 4 Colour Liquid Metal Palette combines four of their cult highly pigmented metallic creams into one beautiful package.
I love that even their packaging is so inclusive, this really is a brand for anyone and everyone!
For people who love the muted looks and those who liked to go wild....which is normally everyone in work/play mode.

I do loooooooooooove this packaging. I've mentioned many times how I'm a fan of black and simple designs and although there are obviously plenty of this kind of packaging available from brands like MAC and Smashbox, Illamasqua also seem to add their own spin to it.

So the colours and names match up as follows:

Enrapture: Metallic Copper
Surge: Metallic Steel
Electrum: Antique Gold
Phenomena: Molten Silver

When I first opened the palette I was a little concerned that the creams looked a bit 'sweaty'. It's hard to come up with a term to describe it but I think sweaty is the only way!
You can see what I mean by the photo below, but this tissued off easily and I've since had absolutely no problem with this reoccurring.

Here are the colours swatched on the back of my hand in natural light and with flash:

You can see they stand out really well in both lights but really shimmer in a flash!

They're both really pigmented and apply so easily and smoothly to the skin that there would be no trouble on the eyes too.

Here's a few looks I created one evening!



The look in the photo above and below was created using Enrapture and Surge. I blended Enrapture (the copper) along the outside crease of my eye lid into Surge (the lighter steel colour).

These applied so easily and in both of these looks I used my finger to dab on the liquid metal where I wanted it and then blend out.





This look was created using Electrum (antique gold) and Phenomena (molten silver) in the same way as the one above.

Again they applied easily and the colours are so bright and pigmented.



As for wear they did last a decent amount of time but for maximum longevity I'd recommend applying a similar coloured powder over the top to make it last.
These would best be combined with some bright colours for a weekend look or with a smokey eye to make it pop.

I'm really looking forward to playing around with them!
Have you tried any Illamasqua products? What would you recommend?

L xxx

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Origins: Full Story Mascara

Bonjour!

I have another bargain from CCO for you today. After Origins were added to the stock in the shop that I go to I did go a little crazy as I'm sure you can imagine, but this was one of the cheapest items I bought.

This Origins Full Story mascara was on offer that day for £7.70 and conveniently placed at the till when I was paying for all my other items...that trick really does work!

Review: Professional Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner

I picked up the Professional Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner from my local salon (Guy Christian if you are from Cardiff you should check them out).

I'd never heard of the Sebastian products before, my hair had been over dyed and heat styled and was in need of some help to help prevent further damage to it.

What they say about the product...

Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo is a strengthening and reparative cleanser that rescues stressed, damaged hair.

Formulated with a colour safe Active Rescue System, Penetraitt Shampoo repairs and reconstructs the hairs natural health and deeply penetrates the hair shaft to remove any stress and product build-up from the hair. Deeply conditioning, fortifying and strengthening, this professional shampoo is an essential cleansing step for truly damaged and over processed hair.

Ideal for chemically treated or unmanageable hair types, Penetraitt Shampoo has a rich formula which leaves the hair super strong and silky soft.

Before using this set of shampoos I was noticing my hair was falling out quite a bit when I was washing it, because of this I was washing my hair only twice a week. Every time I was washing it and running my fingers through my hair I was getting quite a lot of hair coming out.

I could not believe the improvement in my hair so soon after starting to use this. I definitely think this has really strengthened my hair. Almost instantly I noticed I was losing a lot less hair. 

I've used probably two thirds of this now, it's lasted me since the beginning of February and is still going strong. My hair has been more manageable and definitely growing better and with less split ends.

I'd really recommend this too anyone who's hair needs a bit of a helping hand after too much styling or dying. I think I'll be trying the moisturising one next!! If you aren't local to Cardiff you can pick them up from Beauty Bay here.

Do you use more expensive shampoos? I find they really do make a difference?

Love M

xxx

Don't forget to check out our giveaway here

OOTD Trainers and Lace Blazer

I finally managed to persuade my other half to help me out and take photos! He didn't prove that useful. He took one then told me I didn't need any more as the outfit was the same! I need to train him better!!

Anyway on to today's OOTD. This was something I wore to work, most of my OOTD are things I've wore to work. I'm sure you've noticed from the different outfits, basically any thing goes for work. The Blazer I picked up last year and is from Matalan. It's a jersey material and a loose fit so it's super comfy to just throw on top of things. The lace print isn't still available but this is the same shape and cut. I'm also eyeing up this amazing one!!

The amazing bright blue top is from New Look, I absolutely love this shape of blue. It also has a dipped hem and exposed zip. I tend to wear this a lot as it looks great with jeans or tucked into a pencil skirt.

I've been lusting after Vans for ages now. I purchased some a few weeks back but returned them. I just couldn't decide on the colour as the ones I wanted were know longer available. So when I walked into Primark and saw these for £6 I couldn't resist. I picked navy but think I'm going to have to go back for the red too.

They look pretty similar to Vans and are really comfy. The first day of wear did hurt the back of my ankle but they are really comfy now. They are just what I wanted and I can have a few different colours while I decide which colour of Vans I want.

I kept Jewellery pretty simple. This gorgeous bracelet from Daisy Does. It offers fully unique jewellery, most pieces she never normally makes more than one of so you know you're the only one with that piece. You can also design your own. I've ordered quite a few pieces from here now. As for rings the one in the photo of one my other half got me. When wearing silver jewellery I tend to wear one from my other half and one my parents bought me. 

As for necklace it's my Beautiful Sphere of Life Necklace (www.mysphereoflife.com) Thanks again to Jenny I'm so pleased to have won this, as you'll have seen from my past OOTD I wear it loads. It's so easy to pair with everything. I have set your heart free!

My jeans are from Next, I've had these for a few years now. I love next for jeans. They are great quality and fit me well. These are similar to the relaxed fit skinny they now sell. These are the Relaxed skinny jeans I'm currently wanting!

I paired it all with Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Collection lipstick in the shade 110, this is a bright coral red type shade. I've owned it for a while but never gotten around to wearing it. You can see the whole collection with lip swatches here I really love this shade now, it's very bright but I think it's perfect for Summer (when it arrives!).

I'm really enjoying doing weekly OOTD

Love M

xxx

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