Midweek Post: Limited Edition LUSH Shower Gel.

LUSH 'Snow Fairy' Shower Gel, £4.25 for 100ml. (Limited Edition)
LUSH 'Twilight' Shower Gel, £4.25 for 100ml. (Limited Edition)

I popped into LUSH last week to pick up my annual bottle of Snow Fairy. I know it must be a love/hate scent because Snow Fairy is so sugary that it wouldn't appeal to everyone, but I do enjoy it's sickly sweet aroma. I don't however enjoy its sickly sweet aroma for more than 100ml. This gets a bit much and a bit samey very quickly, and while it is a treat to have, I'm always happy to see the back of it. Talk about a fickle relationship, eh?
I was really interested in buying Glogg but apparently missed the boat on that one as it isn't being sold this Christmas (even though it's on the website?) Instead the sales assistant showed me Ponche and Twilight. While I wasn't too fussed on the orange/tequila Ponche I was happily surprised at how much I liked the first whiff of Twilight. Infused with Lavendar and malt it seemed like the perfect night time shower gel. While it has the strong, herby scent of lavendar it doesn't have that nana smell that so many products have, it's got a bit more punch without being overwhelming or intoxicating. I've used it every day since.

I trotted home with my two 100ml shower gels a very happy girl. I am an absolute shower gel addict- I LOVE them! I think I've got 5 or 6 in regular circulation at the moment. The only downside to these two shower gels is that they contain parabens. I think it's a real shame that a company such as LUSH who champion cruelty free and natural ingredients are still including parabens which have such a bad stigma attached to them. If it wasn't for this fact I'd give these products a double thumbs up!

Counting down to December 1st...

When Ben told me the other day that he had ordered my advent calendar I was baffled and confused. Firstly, why was he ordering my advent calendar? Just go down Tescos, innit. And secondly, why was he ordering it in October?

As soon as a Selfridges box arrived (damn, I love them yellow boxes) I opened it up to discover an advent calendar, but not just any advent calendar, it's one from Ciaté. If you've not heard of Ciaté before, they're a nail polish brand with the cutest packaging- sweet little bows adorn every rectangular bottle and their shade range is to die for, they are also famed as founders of the 'caviar manicure.'
So, each day on the countdown to Christmas I will open a little window to discover a mini nail polish, how cool is that?
I only wish they hadn't included the contents on the back. Despite this I'm really excited to see what colours I'll get each day, bring on December!

A Laura Mercier Look....#EOTD

Laura Mercier Limited Edition (Holiday Collection 2011) Luxe Eye Portfolio.

Now, I'm not normally one for palettes of any kind. They remind me of the makeup sets you'd get when you're a young teen, full of colours you'll never wear and bad quality pearl finish lipsticks. However I saw this Laura Mercier Luxe Eye Palette in the christmas collection on the website I couldn't resist popping it on the old list. Luckily, my boyfriend bought it for me christmas and I still can't stop opening it up and going 'ooohhh' 'aaahhh'.

This palette reminds me more of an organiser, the snakeskin cover and the flap to secure it don't look like your average palette..

and wait till you look inside.. 

Containing a ponytail brush, a crease brush and a smudge brush these aren't the standard 'throw away as soon as you open' sh*t brushes, these are good quality, sturdy brushes that I'm chuffed to own.

12 gorgeous, wearable eyeshadow shades that include matte, sequin and sateen finishes.

Some are more pigmented than others, sparkling night, black coffee and fig are my favourites, they do not disappoint. Mica is a good dupe for M.A.C.'s Forgery, but I find there's more fall out. All in all, an excellent palette..I may be changing my ways!

EOTD; Simple day look.

Benefit Stay Don't Stray eyelid primer

Laura Mercier Morning Dew

Laura Mercier Royal Gold

Laura Mercier Fig

Laura Mercier Black Coffee (used as subtle eye liner on upper lid and beneath water line)

Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Du Regard Waterproof Black Eye Pencil

Benefit They're Real Mascara

 

YSL Spring Collection 2012 Candy Face

Yves Saint Laurent 'Candy Face' Spring 2012.

With the sun shining very brightly outside and despite the frosty chill in the air, my mind has been wondering to spring, and of course....spring collections!

Although the collection isn't as inspiring (in my opinion) as the Look Noel Christmas 2011Collection, the colours of this are youthful, bold, and fresh. The campaign embodies the sweet smells and colours that emerge in the springtime and capture that excitment and anticipation of the summer.

Fresh faced, popping candy pastel colours, and of course an updated YSL manicure.

Lloyd Simmonds; "The gleam of an infinite profusion of dazzling fruit jellies, translucent raspberry and wild strawberry, mandarin orange, melon, mango and persimmon bring a gorgeous flush to the Yves Saint Laurent woman’s face. Her smile is as bright as shining sugared drops and syrups: shocking cherry, tangerine, grape and pomegranate, crystallized rose petals, mint and chocolate.” -Lovely!

Limited Edition Ombres 5 Lumieres No 113- The standard 5 shade eye palette that is consistent throughout each collection. No. 113 incorporates perfect pastel hues that remind me of European ice cream stands. The colours are quite diverse and will take some skill and confidence to use. I would suggest using only one colour on the eye as an accent colour in a chosen look, i,e. paired with a neutral shimmer for example or used solely on its own as in the campaign photograph. Going overboard and using two or more colours could end up looking quite amateur.

Limited Edition Vinyl Candy Palette- Two pearl finish and two satin finish eyeshadows available in a palette that I deem more useable than the Ombres 5 Lumieres. These colours could be incorporated into a dynamic smokey eye, or used together to create a graduated look for the eye. This palette is believed to have been inspired by a box of sugar coated sweets.

Limited Edition Voile de Blush- Gel- like texture, these liquid blusher pigments are suitable for a subtle wash of colour and could probably be built up create a stronger pop. They don't stand out to me as must haves in the collection because I was slightly disappointed with their watery finish when I swatched them, however these would be perfect for a dewy, natural cheek stain on top of a tinted moisturiser for a lovely day look.

Golden Gloss no.49 and no.50 - I'm happy to learn that these are going to become permant colours in the line of Golden Glosses. YSL lip glosses are truley fabulous, if you haven't tried them yet you must! The colours are feminine and super pigmented, with fine glitter particles that add a stunning finish on the lip. The pink is quite a deep fushia pink that is really flattering and the no. 50 is a coral, apricot colour. Both shades run with the sickly sweet colours throughout the collection. These are my favourite items in Candy Face.

Rouge Volupte Perle- The pigmentation of these on the lips is very soft and have a moisturised, nourishing feel to them because they are a shiny finish. You have to work quite hard to get  a strong colour on the lip, so if you are a matte/bold lady, these ain't what you're looking for. I love the colour options though, very feminine and Nicki Minaj-y.

Limited Edition Manicure Couture Duo, no. 8; A tangy, manderin orange varnish to be used as the basecoat, and a fresh bubblegum pink to be used on the tips. The YSL manicure is based on the standard French manicure but each collection adapts it to fit the colours of the collection. Look Noel was a matte black basecoat with a shiny black varnish for the tips. 

Conclusion; Although the majority of the colours appear very bright, the pay off and pigmentation is really quite subtle and almost natural in finish. If you're looking for bolds, deeps, mattes, etc this may not be the collection for you. The shadows, blushes and lipsticks are all quite washed and watery when on the skin, but of course colour is buildable. I love the fruity, sickly sweet inspiration behind the collection, but in comparison to Look Noel 2011...well there just isn't the edge. These points aside, after all they are my personal opinions of the products available, all the colours and finishes are very freshfaced, and who doesn't want that?

Will you be buying from this collection? What spring collections have caught your eye?

December Favourites 2011 #TheBodyShop #MAC #YSL

The Body Shop Limited Edition Spiced Pumpkin Shower Gel £4 for 250ml

This was the perfect scent to wash with to make me feel ultra festive! A luxurious smell of spiced pumpkin pie, it was warm and sensuous and made me smell like christmas. Of course, post- Christmas it isn't as exciting to use but I'm using it up before I get started on my LUSH goodies. The smell lingers on my skin and makes me feel all cosy! I'm already looking forward to what seasonal LE Shower Gel they'll bring out next December.

M.A.C eyeshadow in Coppering, £11.50 for 1.5g

I have a weird relationship with M.A.C. eyeshadows, some I adore, some I really cannot bear- mainly the formula of some shades (generally the very light shades?) being chalky/ having very little colour pay off.

I must say, the formula of this is perfect; it's smooth and soft, so pick up on the brush is effortless and it blends so well. The shade is something pretty different to what I normally use, as it is red- brown, orange toned so originally I thought it might be hard to pull off, but I have been opting to use it a lot of the time because I think it's something a bit different, a varient on the usual browns I use almost everyday. It doesn't appear too heavy on the eye, as it produces a lovely warm copper colour.

It looks gorgeous with red lips and used in the crease of a smokey eye.

I'm really pleased I got this because it is a bit different to the usual, it blends gorgeously and I have managed to create a few different looks with this!! I'd definitely recommend!

Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss no. 45, £21 for 6ml

As mentioned in my post about the YSL 2011 Holiday Collection (here) I was lusting after the glosses. Although I adored the fuschia (no. 47), I opted for no.45 a translucent gloss with fine glitter particles that shimmer pink and purple. It looks like snow in it's tube so again, made me feel christmassy and is my most prized lipgloss. I absolutely love it, either on it's own or on top of lipstick. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! 

Photos just don't capture it's beauty!


What were your December favourites? Link me up!

Beauty Christmas Gift Idea

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick £22.50

Not only have they been voted Number One best lipstick on the market by Dominique Major of The Independant, but the YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks have packaging that can be customised...

Image from the YSL Facebook fan page

 Take one lipstick in the shade of your choice, and get it engraved with your personal message. This makes a standard piece of makeup more special and personable and perfect for any female friend or family who likes a bit of luxury. Due to its metal casing, YSL products can be engraved, and because these Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks are square shaped it makes it easy to do this.

 

I went and got one for my mummy as part of her pressie this Christmas, then my boyfriend liked the idea and we got one for his mam too!! 

Apologies for the photos, it was so hard to capture the engraving, it's much more obvious in real life!

I really like this gift because I think it's a bit different and unique, I'm looking forward to giving it and I'd be absolutely chuffed to get this!

Have you got any great gift ideas to share with me?

Yves Saint Laurent 'Look Noel' 2011 Holiday Collection

I've got quite a lot to say about Yves Saint Laurent at the moment so I've decided to split it into two posts; one with a description and review of their Christmas '11 collection, and the other with YSL gifts I bought & reviews of the contents of my free makeup bag I got.

The only christmas collection that has truley excited me this season is the YSL Noel Christmas Collection. I work opposite YSL and it was becoming murder having to walk past this absolutely stunning collection everyday and remain resistant. Eventually I caved, but I remained sensible and only purchased one item when I could have easily purchased at least 4 items.

Image contains promotional photographs and some of the items in the collection (not all items are pictured here)

 The collection includes;

Two main focus palettes;

• Limited Edition Highlighter -The White Tuxedo Palette- Palette Blanc Terriblement which is the palette I chose to buy. I'm a complete sucker for highlighters and illuminators and the beauty of this palette drew me in, it was love at first sight because it looks and sparkles like freshly fallen snow (photographs don't do it much justice!). Consisting of three stripes; one pure white with dense white sparkle, pink toned glitter stripe and cool/blue toned shimmer stripe it means we can either stroke a highlighter brush up and down, or swirl to mix them together. The results are stunning and I love the finish it gives, the first day I applied this a stranger even asked what I had used on my cheekbones! It's different to any other highlighters I have, and as much as I'd like to say I'll save this for special occasions, I am beginning to use it nearly everyday! It is packaged in the YSL gold casing, but as a special addition is it is wrapped in a miniature black cumberband, linking the inspiration of the tuxedo throughout the products.

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• LE Eyeshadow- The Black Tuxedo Palette- Palette Noir Terriblement (View Here) is the perfect smokey eye palette. Consisting of 5 colours, the centre stripe is a pure sparkle white, and is surrounded by two black variants either side. It looks like a tuxedo and is packaged also with a cumberband surrounding the case. Lloyd Simmonds is a MUA for YSL and has quoted;

“Black is a color. Without black there is no line. At Yves Saint Laurent, black is rebel, potent, yet all so elegant. It is alive, it is the supreme emotion. Its force comes from the interior. It is light itself.” 

So while some may deem this palette as a bit of a cop- out, as it contains 4/5 shadows in black I believe it encompasses what YSL stand for; classic,stylish, stunning. To me, the palette is an artwork in itself, but that may be the makeup junkie/Art History graduate in me speaking!

• Two miniature eyeshadow palettes that embody classic winter/seasonal shades; Ombres Duolumières Noel 39 and 41 (View Here). 39 is rich gold pigment and a contrasting dark shadow. 41 is the same but with pure silver pigment. Combined both shadows are embossed with the YSL symbol and are accompanied with two miniature applicators. Both are beautiful, I was really tempted by 39 as I'm really into golds at the moment. The are soft and buttery in texture so would blend brilliantly.

• 3 LE lip gloss shades in Sparkling Transparent White, Sparkling Snow White and my personal favourite (which I need in my life) Sparkling Fushia- a stunning purple with fine holographic glitter particles. All add a frosted, icy finish to the lips and are shades that are completely different to any others I've seen recently.
• 8 shades of the bestselling Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks, these have also recently been voted the best lipstick on the market by The Independant. Shades include beautiful purples, burgundy reds and roses.
• Two nail varnishes- one gloss black finish and one matte black finish- Manucire Couture N°6 Terriblement Noir Duo- to create the YSL black manicure pictured in the campaign photographs. As striking as this take is on the classic french manicure, I do believe this look could be created with a cheap black varnish- using a matte top coat and then keeping it glossy for the tips.

The collection is inspired by the iconic YSL Le Smoking Tuxedo. This was created in the 60s and caught attention because it was a tuxedo for women, therefore breaking traditional boundaries of male and female dress, and in turn offering empowerment to women. We can thank the androgynous fashion that we all adopt now to Le Smoking Tuxedo.

Photography by Helmut Newton, 1975

The collection embraces everything that is winter and what winter should be; glamourous, exciting, using deep hues and daring colour. I think it is forward thinking and a new/improved version of the 2008 Autumn Androgyny collection. I adore the contrast between the black and white, laced with seasonal metallics and then the warmth from the deep magenta and purple accents found in the lipglosses and lipsticks. Sophistication is the word to decribe the collection, (compare this to the M.A.C. Glitter and Ice holiday collection which I found to be completely uninspiring and tacky this year) and that is why it is so appealing, it is a product of the YSL brand and it really is something special.