H and M Nude Eyeshadow Quad

H and M is not a place I would think of trying for makeup.  However I am a huge fan of their clothes so because of that I'm in it quite often.  It was only a matter of time before I gave into the temptation of trying their cosmetics.

They don't have a lot of makeup items.  A few eyeshadow choices and a few lip choices is about all they do but what I have tried I have mostly loved.

This tutorial features a quad I bought recently.  I was a bit disappointed with the lipgloss but it will make a good lip balm if nothing else.

Thanks for taking the time to visit xx

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer

I was walking past a Clinique counter a few days ago and a large sign caught my eye.  A new foundation was available!!  I immediately had to investigate further and of course asked for a sample to take home and try.  The foundation is a foundation and concealer all in one.  It's name is Beyound Perfecting Foundation and Concealer (why do the big companies give their products such long winded names these days?).  I was colour matched to Alabaster and came away with my wee sample. Happy me:-)

I began my proper trial of it yesterday and I can honestly say I have been blown away by this foundation.  I was a bit skeptical about the whole foundation and concealer in one business.  I mean, how does that even work?  But the magic is that it does.  Oh yes!!  It's fantastic.  I couldn't wait to shout it from the rooftops.

I wore it for 17 hours yesterday, from around 1600 through to 0900 the next morning.  I work shifts and was on nightshift so it's the perfect time to try out foundations for great longevity.  This one truly has it.  This morning I still looked remarkably well (if I say so myself) considering I had had a very busy nightshift.

This is me after 17 hours wear.  It's pretty impressive and has lasted well, especially around the nose and chin which is where I would have the most wear.  My only issue was that it probably would've needed touching up with powder as it did go a little glowy, however I did not touch it up as I really don't have time for touchups.  Overall I am incredibly impressed with this and will be running out to the Clinique counter this week to purchase the full size of this.  There is a Bonus Time starting soon at one of my local counters.

It retails at £25.00, comes in a glass jar (I think) and is to be applied using the giant doe foot applicator.  It's very easy to work with and easy to blend.  Oh and did I mention it's awesome longevity?

The Clinique MUA was so lovely and very helpful so all in all I am very happy with my most recent Clinique experience.

You can find out more about the product here

You can also watch my Youtube video which includes a review and a demonstration.

Thanks for stopping by xx

What's In My Lipstick Bag?

I am very guilty of gathering an ever growing collection of lipsticks which live in a little makeup bag in my bag.  I'm sure a lot of us are guilty of this.  Every now and again I go through them and thin the collection out a little but it inevitably builds itself back up again.

At the present moment it's not too huge.

It does sometimes get to the point where I cannot close the bag.  This is an Estee Lauder bag.  It's one of the ones they bring out every October for breast cancer awareness.

So here's a rundown of what's actually in the bag.

From Left to right they are Sweetie, Viva Glam IV, Hue (see previous post), Blankety, Modesty and Viva Glam Gaga.  All are gorgeous nude colours except for Viva Glam Gaga which has a bit more colour to it.  Perfect for the coming Spring.

Also in the bag are a few other items which for some reason have found their way into it.

From the top we have Mac Bare Slimshine lipstick (discontinued and on my hitless of products to use up), NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in 703 Pink Nude, Boots No 17 Lip Liner in Rose Blush and a sample of Mac Zoom Fast Black Lash.

What products to you lug around with you unnecessarily on a daily basis?

Mac Hue Lipstick Review

Mac Hue is a beautiful nude pink colour and a very popular choice of an every day lip colour.  I decided to blog this now as mine is almost finished.  This in itself is proof of my love for it as I don't often finish a lipstick before moving onto another one or twenty.

So as you can see it's very close and I'm trying hard to use it up so that I can Back To Mac it.  I don't know why I'm so reluctant to use up the last bit of it as I already have a backup.  Perhaps this week it'll be gone.  I have another Mac lipstick that is in a similar state of almost finishedness so I'm trying to use them both and build up my collection for Back To Mac.

Here I am sporting it in all its loveliness.

Such a pretty colour and I love the texture of it and feel of it on my lips.  It's quite moisturising and it's one of those lipsticks that is very easy to apply without the use of a mirror or even a front facing phone camera.  It's a glaze finish which means it's not too in your face and leaves the perfect amount of colour on your lips.  

It costs £15.50 and is available from Mac Cosmetics in the UK or from your local Mac Stockist.

Here is a swatch of it on my arm,

It is definitely a firm favourite of mine and will be in my life for a long time.  What's your favourite lipstick?

Thanks for stopping by xx

Get Ready With Me Using Only Mac Cosmetics

A get ready with me type video using only Mac Cosmetics.  Thanks for watching xx

Makeover at Laura Mercier

About a month ago I was in Laura Mercier in Belfast and it just so happened that they had some dates coming up when one of their top MUAs would be visiting and doing makeovers.  I wasn't really all that interested but I booked a date anyway.  It cost me £15 to book which was redeemable against amy purchase made on the day.

As the time came closer I really started lo look forward to it and today was the big day.  So off I went this morning, sans makeup, in preparation for my makeup to be applied professionally.

First my base was applied by one of the girls on the counter, then I was hand over to the MUA who would focus on a specific point of interest to me.  I chose eyes and in particular winged eyeliner.

So here is the finished look:

I have to say that over all I am quite pleased with it but it turned out a little more glowy than I would like.  She went for a smoky eye as I'm heading out tonight and thought why not.  You only live once and it was a great opportunity to try something a bit different and step out of my comfort zone.

The winged eyeliner is extremely subtle which is what I wanted.  I just wanted it to be slightly noticeable when My eyes are closed.  I did not want a huge cat eye as I think I'm just a wee bit too old for that.  She used a beautiful navy eyeliner on me rather than black and I love the result.  She tight lined my upper lash line.  Something I just cannot do myself.  It was uncomfortable when she was doing it but not unbearable.  I really must practise this some more.

I also love how she did my eyebrows.  The look fuller but not made up.  Perfect in fact!!

Of course the whole drive for this was for them to make some sales.  Of course I just had to partake.  There were also some freebies to be had when spending over £100.

The freebies consisted of a compact foundation in a colour to suit me and an eyeshadow base.

There was also box of chocolates.  Happy days!!

I bought a few of the items the MUA used on me.

I also bought the Invisible Loose Setting Powder which I'd been wanting to try for ages.

I will do more detailed reviews of these items as and when I use them.  For now I want to focus on the experience of today.

I am very happy with the service I received.  The girls were all so lovely and friendly.  I had a very enjoyable morning and I would thoroughly recommend anyone wanting to go for a makeover to go to Laura Mercier in House Of Fraser Belfast.  Obviously if that's convenient to you.  If not then check out your local Laura Mercier counter.  I am relatively new to Laura Mercier products.  I have owned only a couple of items prior to this but I will most definitely be returning to try some more in the future.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup Review

I recently went to my local Estee Lauder counter to try a sample of this.  It totally sounds like the perfect foundation for me and I knew I'd just have to give it a go.  Estee Lauder is great because they let you take a small sample away with you for free.  This means you can give the foundation a really great road test before spending your hard earned cash on something that may not even work for you.  They give you a sample that should last around 7-10 days.

I was colour matched to Desert Beige.

Unusually for me this is not the lightest offering they have.  I have been using it for a few days now and feel I am ready and have tested it enough to share my experience.

This foundation comes in a glass bottle with a pump.  It looks luxurious and so it should at £37.

It has an SPF of 25 which is really great for a foundation.  It claims to firm, brighten and hydrate and give a medium coverage with a satin finish.  So far I agree with that although I haven't been using it enough to comment on the firming effect.  

I love the coverage it gives.  It's definitely medium and looks really natural.  No cake here!!  It lasts well.  I have given it a trial for a few days and have even managed to wear it for 22 hours.  It lasted really well over the 22 hours.  I'm not someone who touches up make up other than lipstick.  So here's a scary picture of me at the end of 22 hours of wear.  If you are of a nervous disposition look away now lol.

Overall this is a really great foundation.  I am so happy with it in all aspects.  It is pricy though so for now I won't be purchasing the full sized bottle (which is the bog standard 30ml) but you can be sure that I will be tempted at some point in the near future to buy it.  Probably at the next Gift With Purchase I find.  In the meantime though I am enjoying my sample and as I have quite a number of Estee Lauder counters near me I may pick up another sample before purchase.

As with any Estee Lauder foundation I would definitely recommend trying a sample yourself first.  Why not? You've got nothing to lose and you may find your Holy Grail foundation.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend xx