Illamasqua Body Electrics

Illamasqua was going to be holding an event in April but due to train strikes and various other factors, this had to be cancelled. They said they would be sending out a gift to everyone who was invited to the event. You will have already read Holly's post on this yesterday over at The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog. I got mine this morning and I was very excited to open the big black bow! Inside the lime green covered interior of the box was Body Electrics info which looks amazingly artistic (as does all of Illamasqua's promotional art)...

I was lucky enough to be sent the Liquid Metal in Surge and the Nail Polish in Jo'Mina, which as Holly had said, really is a true lilac. I can't wait to wear this! It's still pastel but vibrant at the same time!

The Liquid Metal in Surge is amazing! I've never owned one of these before but I've read countless blog posts on them and how pigmented they are, and they weren't wrong!

I am really looking forward to doing an Illamasqua haul soon because I find their products really exciting. This new collection is "inspired by the power of kinetic energy and the fluidity of the body in motion". I think the reason why I'm so drawn to Illamasqua is because it really appeals to my creative side. They take things further than other brands. It may not be your cup of tea but I like the fact that they offer something completely different to the market. Now that their website has been greatly improved with proper swatches, it's so much easier to find what you're looking for. It just shows you that they did listen to everyone's feedback and that is really encouraging.

Is there anything you have been coveting from Illamasqua?

Jemma Kidd Make Up School

I've never tried anything from Jemma Kidd Makeup School before so I thought a good place to start would be to try one of my favourite types of products...a highlighter! This is the Dual Illuminator Creme Highlighter & Shimmer Dust in Champagne. It's a compact, sleek little tub with a cream highlighter pan in the top, complete with a mirror in the lid...

It has a shimmer powder in the bottom section, with a sifter and a teeny tiny powder puff...

The idea is that it's a convenient product to carry around with you when you want to update a daytime look into a more glamourous night time look. You can use the highlighters individually or layer the shimmer powder over the creme highlighter for added intensity. You can use this product on your cheekbones, browbones, down the centre of the nose but also on your collarbones or legs as well. I always feel that the best way to apply creme highlighter is to pat it on the skin rather than rubbing it on, otherwise it can end up streaky. I really like the universal champagne colour which I think would be flattering on all skintones.

I have swatched the product above (creme highlighter on the top and shimmer powder below it). The creme highlighter is very light in texture and non greasy therefore it's really easy to apply. The shimmer powder is so finely milled and delicate, it adds such a pretty sheen to the skin without looking too obvious. You can even used the creme highlighter as a base for your eyeshadow or just use the shimmer powder as your eyeshadow on top of it. It's such a multi-purpose product, it would be really great for travelling or taking on holiday.

The next product is the High Shine Hydrating Glosstick in No.1 (Bridgetown) which is a really pretty, wearable pink-based nude. The packaging for this product is soooo pretty....

I love sleek packaging and the thing that really impressed me about this lip product is the way you release the tube from the outer casing. It has a clicking mechanism so when you push on the bottom of the product, it pushes in slightly and then releases the lipstick tube. It's just a really nice touch that will stop the lid falling off in my bag whch is a real bonus. There's nothing worse than finding a mangled lipstick in the bottom of your bag!

Usually I like to apply a lipbalm to my lips before applying lipstick as alot of them can be drying and just emphasise but with this lip product, I don't have to. It's hydrating and feels more like a mixture between a lipstick and a gloss (hence the name, I guess). It has a really nice consistency that feels really light to wear.

You can see the sheen the glosstick has from the swatch below...

I wouldn't say that this is the most long lasting lip product because you do have to re-apply it after eating or drinking but I really like the effect it gives. I prefer lighter formulations in summer as I don't like to look too 'made up' on hot summer days.

I have been coveting the Crushed Jewel Gel Liners in Onyx (Black) and Lapis (Blue) for ages so I was excited to finally try them out.

However, I was a little bit disappointed when I realised that they were actually clear gel liners with coloured glitter added. I had always imagined them to be metallic shimmering liners with more depth. The brush applicator were also a bit disappointing in that they are prone to splaying out everywhere when you pull them from the tubes.

I could still use them over pencil liners to add a bit more interest but I guess I just expected the glitter particles to be finer. You could layer the liner to get a more intense effect but the glitter particles mean that you can't pack too much of it on or it begins to look too heavy.

It's never great when you have lusted over a product for so long and then it doesn't live up to your expectations.

However, I do really like the Dual Illuminator and the Glosstick and these will definitely be things I will be grabbing this summer.

I woke up yesterday with an awful hangover...

It's not big and it's not clever! It was my work leaving night on Friday and I overdid it a little bit! (ok, maybe more than just a little bit...). I got in at around 3:30am and woke up at 9am looking horrendous! My skin was parched, my eyes were bloodshot and it just wasn't good! However, I knew exactly which products to use to make me look and feel human again! This pic was taken at 10am after I had applied them...The most important thing to me is preparing my skin. This applies especially when I am feeling under the weather. The first thing I did was to wash my face in cold water to tighten up my pores and lessen any redness.

1)Then I applied the Estee Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask (you get 10 sachets in each pack, with each packet containing 2 masks). They are saturated with a solution that contains botanical soothers like aloe vera and cucumber. You leave them on for 10 minutes and they can improve hydration in the eye area by up to 40%. I can't tell you how refreshing these masks are, my eyes felt amazingly fresh afterwards, almost like I had applied eye drops as well. It reduced any puffiness and my eyes looked so much more awake and they were no longer bloodshot. They are fragrance free and non-irritating and in my opinion, they are amazing. It did cross my mind that you could just apply a cooling mask, cucumber or tea bags to your eyes BUT the difference with these masks is that you can travel with them...you could use them during or after a long flight, after a long day in the sun or just when your eyes need a pick me up. You couldn't carry cucumber or tea bags around with you! A plastic eye mask requires to be chilled as well so it's not convenient for when you're on the go. I highly recommend these, they are just divine to use.

2) If my eyes are particularly tired then I like to use an eye cream with reflective particles that will lighten up my whole eye area. A great eye cream for this is the Nivea Radiance Boosting Eye one. It's light to apply, refreshing and really helps to make your eyes appear more fresh.

3) I like to use a moisturiser that will plump up my skin when it's dehydrated and looking dull. A fantastic product to give your skin an injection of moisture is Estee Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Cream (I have the one for Normal/Combo skin). This moisturiser is perfect for daytime use because it sinks into the skin so quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue behind. It has such a light formulation but you can feel that your skin is so much more hydrated. Estee Lauder advises that this cream works for 24 hours and it's packed with plant extracts to make your skin appear softer and smoother. It's quite rare to find a moisturiser that strikes the perfect balance between hydration and refreshment but this cream achieves both. Love it!

4) I don't use this product everyday but I prefer to keep it for the days when my skin needs a serious lift. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has long been voted as a cult product in the media and I really rely on it to tighten my pores, add radiance to my skin and create a flawless base for my makeup. One thing I would say is that you should apply a very thin layer because if you apply too much, you can end up rubbing it off when you apply your foundation.5) My go to foundation when I want radiant, flawless skin is Nars Sheer Glow. I still love this foundation, as do many other bloggers. I love the light consistency and ease of application. You can get the perfect balance between a soft matte complexion with a real glow. Sounds contradictory but that's the effect you get. The most important thing for me is that when you look really close at your skin, you can't even see the foundation. Your skin will remain looking like skin, the texture will still be visible and this creates the most natural base that just looks lovely. It's a fantastic foundation for summer because you won't even feel like you're wearing anything.

6) I like my bronzers for daytime to be subtle, non shimmery and easy to blend. Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunkissed (pictured above) is a gorgeous product for creating a really natural looking glow. As you can see, there are no chunky particles of glitter, which means that you don't get that awful shiny, glitterball look to your skin. It's really easy to blend, silky smooth and long lasting. The compact it comes in is very practical and you also get a brush applicator that's great for when you want to re-apply during the day. It's buildable so you can get the perfect colour. It's also oil free so it won't build up in patches on your face like some bronzers can. This is a great addition to my bronzer collection!

7) Korres Wild Rose Concealer - I have mentioned this product so many times before and I'm amazed that I still have some left because I use it so regularly. It blows YSL Touche Eclat out of the water for coverage and it has the lightest formula. It brightens my under eye circles and most importantly it doesn't look heavy or settle into fine lines. This is my HG brightening concealer and I'm yet to find another pen applicator that delivers the same wonderful effects.

8) You know how much I love my highlighters and although I generally don't get on that well with No.7 products, I was excited to try their Skin Illuminator in Peach. It comes in a tube with a wide brush applicator, that can be locked to stop any product from seeping out whilst the cap is on. I did like that design idea however I think the brush is a bit clumsy for precision highlighting on the face and it can be a little messy.

I prefer to use it by brushing it on the back of my hand and applying it with my fingertips. This ensures the most even, streak free finish. It's very similar in consistency to Benefit High Beam, although it's more peachy toned which I think works better with a tan. It has a light formula that blends easily and creates a gorgeous effect that is perfect for daytime. I was really impressed with how it looked on my skin. Rather than making it obvious that you're wearing a highlighting product, it just makes it look like you have naturally radiant skin. Here's a pic to demonstrate how subtle and glowy it is... 9) I like to really open up my eyes by applying Benefit High Brow just under my eyebrows to create a lift. I also apply it to my waterline to brighten my eyes, I find that the pale pink colour is alot more subtle than using a white eyeliner. You can also apply it to the inner corner of the eyes. I love this product and wouldn't be without it!

10 & 11) I know alot of people who don't really get the point of Benefit Powderflage because they try and use it instead of a concealer. That's not how I use it. I apply my foundation, then my concealer under my eyes. I then go ahead any apply my eye makeup. Only then do I apply the Benefit Powderflage to set my concealer under my eyes, brighten and sweep away any eyeshadow fallout. I like to think of it as a finishing powder for the eyes rather than a concealer. If you think of it and use it in this way then you will definitely see the difference. I really do think it's a great product and I may need to buy up a couple more because I've heard it's being discontinued! My one has lasted for a long time but it scares me that I might not be able to get my hands on more when it finally runs out! I like to apply the Powderflage with my Estee Lauder Blending Shadow Brush. It's a really nice fluffy brush that doesn't pick up too much of the product so it gives the most natural finish.
12) Lastly, I never like to use lipsticks on days like these because generally my lips feel a little dry so I find that the perfect remedy is a tinted lipbalm. My favourite one for a long time has been Korres Jasmine Lip Butter which moisturises my lips whilst adding a gorgeous pale pink tint to them. It almost looks like a lip gloss when you apply it and the best thing is that it's softening your lips as you wear it.

What are your fail safe products when you're all partied out?

My current obsessions are...

I just wanted to share a few things with you (beauty related and otherwise) that I'm currently obsessing over and loving.

Neutrals - Generally I love to wear bright colours because they can instantly make you feel happier and more summery. However, I have really been getting into wearing neutrals recently and they are all over the runways, especially toffee and caramel shades. These shades can really accentuate a golden tan. My main rule of thumb is to make sure that I add some detail to the outfit, be it accessories or embellishment. I love this dress from the S/S 2010 Lipsy line:

Pineapple Dance Studios - I'm not sure if you guys are all aware of this programme that is aired on Sky1. I think most UK readers will have heard of it but international readers, probably not. It's basically a show that goes behind the scenes at the famous Pineapple Dance Studios in London. There are a few people that the show focuses on and one of them is Louie Spence, the Creative Director (and former dancer). He is quite possibly the most hilarious person on TV at the moment and super duper camp (but in the most wonderful way). He always makes me laugh with his outlandish behaviour and constant prancing around. You HAVE to watch this clip of his best bits if you haven't seen him in action...


MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream - This is my ultimate of all concealers because it means that I can wear the lightest of foundations and use this product to disguise any small areas that need attention. It's waterproof and stays put all day and all night. It's the only concealer that I can completely rely on to last the distance. You only need the tiniest amount and therefore, it lasts for ages. I have it in no.6 for when I'm paler and no.8 for when I have a tan. I highly recommend this! I get mine from http://www.makeup-provisions.com/ and I have found their service to be really good. Cobalt Blue and Coral - I have always loved these two colours and I'm so thrilled that they are back in trend for summer! I will probably wear them to death and the best thing is that I already have lots of things in my wardrobe in these colours so there's no need to buy anything new. I love it when you can recycle things from your closet and love it as much as the first time you wore it.
Accessorize Jewellery - This shop is like a treasure trove for anyone who loves accessories and trinkets. I could spend ages in there just sifting through everything. I love their jewellery, alot of it is inspired by the far and middle east, with bright colours and intricate detailing. I particularly love this necklace which would be perfect teamed with a crisp white shirt.
Clarins Flash Balm - I used to use this before I got into the blogging hobby and I had forgotten how much I liked it. Sometimes I get so caught up with trying new products that I forget about the ones that have always worked for me. I apply this balm as a makeup primer (using just a thin layer) and it really tightens up your pores, creates a smooth textured surface for foundation and makes my skin feel great.

Honeymoon planning - As I said in a previous post, we have finally decided where to go for our honeymoon! We are going on a trip to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, also stopping off in Borneo and Hong Kong. It all looks and sounds amazing and we're both so excited! I think the most exciting thing for me will be experiencing the culture in general and also getting to see Orang-utans in their natural environment. It's going to be a dream trip and the holiday of a lifetime, I'll be going into overdrive with my camera! We will be going striaght after the wedding so we need to start planning what we are going to do in each place. The most important thing is to have a couple of days after the wedding to chill out on the beach.
What are you guys obsessed with at the moment?

Plastic Surgery going out of fashion?

I was reading an article the other day about how studies show that plastic surgery is slowly going out of fashion and the general public are swaying more towards the more natural looking celebrities. Now I am not saying that the natural looking celebs haven't had something done because the top plastic surgeons in the USA have, more than once, confirmed that 99% of celebs have had SOMETHING done. In my opinion, that's fine, if tweaking a small part of your face makes you happier and more confident, then I think that's perfectly understandable. Some people have crooked noses, hooded eyes and protruding ears that they want to get 'fixed'.

The pics below show the changing faces of Heidi over the course of the last few years... However, I do think that alot of celebs like Heidi Montag from The Hills take it way too far. She has managed to completely remove any character from her face and she looks like a totally different person altogether! To me, she just looks really fake, like a Barbie doll and that's not a good thing. Her face looks expressionless and I don't think she looks any happier than before (she actually looks miserable in all the pics I have seen of her lately!). She also looks alot older than her 23 years...

When you think about it, who IS 100% happy with the way they look? I have always hated the little bump I have in my nose but as I have grown older, I have realised that it's imperfections like these that make me who I am and make my face more interesting. When you're picking your features out of a plastic surgeon's book, you're going to end up looking like everyone else who has had surgery and where's the fun in that? I celebrate being an individual and let's face it, the world would be a boring place if we were all the same! This post isn't about bashing anyone who has had or intends to have plastic surgery. I just think you have to consider your choices very carefully and try to maintain who you are, instead of trying to achieve the idealistic idea of how you think you should look.


Heidi had 10 procedures in one day and I don't know about you, but judging from the before and after pics below, I much prefer the way she looked pre-surgery!
I don't particularly like the image that Heidi has portrayed over the years and she never comes across as the sharpest tool in the box (I can't comment on how she is off camera obviously). However, I do think it's sad that an attractive girl has permanently ruined her looks because she felt that she wasn't good enough. I just hope that young girls who look up to her don't think that this is normal!

What do you guys think about Heidi's surgery? Would you ever consider having something done?

New Frontcover palette & more Reiss!

As much as I am fond of my neutrals, I always get the urge to wear brighter colours in the summer. They translate so much better when you have a slight tan and the sun is shining!

Front Cover are releasing a new eyeshadow called Mermaid Dreams and it will be available in Boots stores from 19th May and will be priced at £15 (if you want to see more of what the brand have to offer then you can go here). This palette concentrates on shades inspired by a seascape so there is everything from bronzes, greens, aquas and dark blues. Although I don't think that Frontcover are in the same arena as the mid to higher end brands like MAC, they are a really strong contender on the high street. This set is really good value for £15 and I love the concept they have built of a magazine cover with makeup guides inside. The Shadowline inside the palette also gives the colours the versatility to be iridescent or more vivid. There are some beautiful shades in this palette that really remind me of the looks that Gucci have recently sent down the runway (strong turqouise/aqua eyes).

I like that there are neutrals and bronzes in this palette to act as a basis for your look. If, like me, you are a little scared to go al out with a strong aqua eye then you can just add a wash of the neutral shades and then add a splash of colour with an aqua eyeliner created with the Shadowline. It's an easy way to make the look more summery and experiment with something different.

I have taken swatches of all the shades in the same order as they are found in the palette. I found that the baked eyeshadows all had good pigmentation and were more shimmery than glittery i.e. there aren't any big particles of glitter in them so no chance of the dreaded fallout.

I really love the dark navy shades on the bottom row. They would be perfect to create a nice alternative smokey eye! I also wanted to show the effect that can be achieved with the Shadowline. It just creates a more vivid version of the colours and allows you to use the baked eyeshadows as eyeliners.

As you know, I have been going Reiss crazy recently and I got a couple more items from their online sale. I couldn't resist this layered candy pink skirt for work (can't wait to pair it with a fresh white shirt and long pendant!)

I also couldn't resist this studded pale gold summery dress. It will be perfect with sandals in summer...now I just need the weather to heat up a bit so I can wear it!

Here's a closer look at the detail...

I'm Back!

Hi guys! I'm back from my trip to Cork! I had a fantastically relaxing holiday, ate waaaay too much easter eggs and I'm feeling really refreshed now. I love shopping in Cork because they have loads of shops that you don't get in the UK, as well as lots of little cute boutiques where you can buy really pretty accessories and one off pieces, safe in the thought that no one else will have the same stuff at home. The shops are brimming with nautical stuff at the moment and when I spotted this navy blue short mac with gold buttons and frill details in Dunnes, I just couldn't resist.... It's really nipped in at the waist with pleating on the lower half and is super flattering. It's a really light jacket too so I thought it would be perfect for Spring and the transition into summer. It looks really cute with skinny or straight leg jeans and flats. This next item isn't something new but I've found myself wearing it all the time. Toffee and Caramel leather is BIG news at the moment and I can't get enough of my leather biker jacket that I got for Christmas! It looks gorgeous against blonde hair and I love wearing it with my really dark straight leg jeans, my long white cotton tunic that gathered under the bust, a long pendant and these shoes I picked up from H & M....

As you know, I don't generally do flats, I much prefer heels but in this case, I found THE perfect shoes that just have a small heel (just under 2 inches) with studded detailing on the heel, almond shaped toes and in a pale taupe colour. They are just the cutest little casual shoes I have seen in a long time and I'm going back to H & M this week to pick up the black leather pair because they are both only £14.99!!! Bargain!

Another item I found when I was in Cork was in a shop called A Wear. It's this adorable little pale grey cardigan with little beads all over it and diamante buttons. I figured it would replace my coats on warmer days and it's perfect for the layering trend that's around at the moment.

Here's a closer look at the detailing...

I tend to go for pendants in the summer, more than necklaces and I saw this one in French Connection that caught my magpie eye...

I took a browse around Zara and found this bright blue suede latticed bag (it's alot brighter in real life). I prefer across-the-body bags in summer as I like to have my hands free and they are just more convenient in general. It also came in bright fuschia and I was tempted by that one too, but I decided on the blue one since it will go with more of my outfits (about the only sensible thing I did all day!).

Today I took a trip to Boots as well since the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment has been sold out in all the stores I had checked recently. I was hoping they would have some and it was my lucky day...there was only one left! I promptly snatched it from the shelf before anyone else could nab it. I really noticed a difference in the condition of my hair since I used up the last tub about a month ago. I bought the Bling treatment from the same brand and it just wasn't as good. I can't wait to start using this product again and get my hair in tip top condition again!

I also wanted to get a nice Coral nail polish...I love looking down and seeing this colour on my toenails on sunny days, it's so vibrant and it basically just reminds me of summer. I ended up getting the Revlon nailpolish in Tropical Temptation. I think I need to do a major foot overhaul and get them in a reasonable condition to be on show! I guess that's my own fault for being addicted to heels!

The last thing I got today was the much talked about Maybelline 24 Hour Super Stay Foundation in Sand. Foundation is a really important part of my routine so I was very intrigued by all the adverts on TV and in magazines boasting 24 hour staying power and a 'flexible' formula. I will be testing this out from tomorrow and I will post a review in the next week, giving my thoughts on it. If it does live up to it's claims then I will be VERY impressed!

This is the first day that it has felt like summer and I can't help but get excited. I love lazy summer days, when weekends are filled with barbeques, drinking refreshing cocktails (in the outdoor part of the bars for once!) and day trips to beaches. Bring it on!

Oh and me and Chris have now decided where we are going on our honeymoon, stay tuned for an update in the coming days!