Red Lips.

Hi peeps! It's really nice to log back on and see some new followers. Thankyou and hello! Going to chat about a trend I have noticed the last few weeks, I cannot escape it, it's on all the pages of my magazines! Red lipstick...

It could be argued that red lips are a classic, timeless trend. But flicking through my Elle Collections A/W '13 magazine I couldn't help but notice the abundance of red lipstick used on the catwalk models on this seasons runway.

Red lips were sported on models walking for Lanvin, Armani, Meadham Kirchoff, Prada and Louis Vuitton to name a few, however the red in question was worn all different ways. 
The majority wore it glossy or with a balm finish, mattes weren't as popular this year.

Louis Vuitton and Prada sported red in a more smudged or 'just bitten' way whereas the Meadham Kirchoff and Armani models were much more polished with clean lip lines and an orange infused finish. Armani kept models super pale, with no sign of blush or even contouring which lead to a very striking 2D look, in comparison to the softer complexions on display at the other shows.

It's interesting to note that on the other end of the spectrum, the totally nude lip also cropped up an awful lot. There was a serious lack of any other colour other than red or barely-there, no signs of plums or purples so commonly seen on an Autumn/Winter catwalk. So whether you're prone to a bright pop of red, or a little shy and more comfortable with lip balm, either way you'll certainly be on trend this winter! Whichever you choose, wear it with soft eye makeup (if any at all), and refrain from pairing it with heavy eyeliner or brows, if you want to be a totally fashion-forward gal.

Thanks for reading,

E.

Rebel, Rebel.

MAC 'Rebel' lipstick, £14 for 3.5g. 

Thanks to the gorgeous Catrine over at Unnaked Nails I finally convinced myself that yes, another MAC lipstick was in order. 'Rebel' dropped on my doorstep earlier this week (well the Yodel man handed my box of goodies over, we're firm friends) and I whipped it on straight away. It is a deep blackberry purple shade and is of 'satin' finish. While I always find the MAC satin lipsticks drying (more so than the other finishes) I can overlook that point because I luuurrrve this shade. It's deep, but sophisticated without being too gothic. Though if you are a goth, this could totally work for you too.
As ever, unless you're going on a big night out or have a fancy do to attend, keep the eye makeup minimal. I used NARS 'Abysinia' as a base with MAC's 'Haux' in the crease and added lashings of mascara. See below for the rest of the products I used.

Please excuse the 'MySpace pose' above.

Face:

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in 02

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Bobbi Brown Brightening Face Powder in 'Brightening Nudes'

Illamasqua blusher 'Lover'

Eyes & Brows

Benefit 'Stay Don't Stray' eye primer

NARS 'Abyssinia' eyeshadow

MAC 'Haux' eyeshadow

YSL 'Shocking' mascara

Benefit Brow Pencil 'Medium'

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner 'Sepia Ink'

Lips:

MAC lipliners in 'Brick' and 'Magenta'

MAC 'Rebel'

Would you dare to wear Rebel?

New Cid I-Gloss in 'Raspberry Kiss'

New CID I-Gloss Light Up Lipgloss in 'Raspberry Kiss', £13.59 from hairtrade.com. 

I was so excited to try this! I've been curious about New CID for a long time and having the chance to trial one of their lipglosses made me feel like a very lucky gal.

I'll start with the packaging. At first glance this lip gloss looks pretty regular- the tube is transparent so that you can see the shade inside, but on closer inspection you soon start noticing the interesting stuff. Not only does the lipgloss have a mirror alongside the tube, which is handy, but as soon as you twist off the applicator this bright white light switches on automatically. These two features make it a very unique lipgloss and the perfect accessory for a night out on the town- you're sure to attract some attention with a lit up lipgloss and it'll save plenty of toilet trips as you'll have your very own mirror and light all in one place to top up. It could also make a great impromptu torch, or glowstick, should a situation where you needed either of these arise!

The shade 'Raspberry Kiss' looks a deep red in the tube but transfers a beautiful sheer berry shade on the lips. The pigment has enough depth to it that it is great worn at this time of year- on it's own during the day or layered on top of a red lippy for night time. There's lots of microglitter scattered through it but this isn't very noticeable when it is on, and the glitter wears off naturally with the gloss throughout the day.

The consistency of the gloss is lovely- it's light and non- sticky. I find it lasts around an hour and a half before it needs topping up, but if you don't have time to do this it does wear down to a subtle berry stain. The only downfall I noticed was that it settled into the lines in my lips however I imagine thise wouldn't be as noticeable with their lighter shades. If it does feather, this could probably be combatted using a lip liner.

All in all, this is a fab product and would make an excellent Christmas gift because it's a conversation starter paired with a good quality product inside. I love the shade because it is so wearable and I imagine it would suit almost everybody, even those who are shy of colour as it isn't 'too much.'
I definitely want to try more shades of these, 'Coral Candy' looks like my perfect summer colour. You can also watch a demonstration of the I-Gloss and other New CID products by clicking here.

This product was sent for me to review. Hairtrade.com is one of the UK's leading online retailers of hair extensions, hair care and beauty products. You can buy this product by clicking here.

Silver & Smokey.

Sometimes breaking out of your comfort zone is an absolute disaster, but sometimes it results in a new favourite. I've mentioned before that I flock like a magpie to brown and bronze eyeshadows and really neglect the other colours for fear that I can't pull them off.

I decided to try a silver eyeshadow, and created a smokey silver eye that I wanted to show you all- I think these colours are perfect for this time of year as they are cooler and seasonal, they're not colours I can see myself choosing in hotter weather.

Products used:

Maybelline 24 hr Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze'

Estee Lauder Eyeshadow in 'Cyber Silver' (LE)

MAC 'Coppering' Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in 'Rich Sienna'

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in 'Black Coffee'

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in '2 Sepia Ink' 

YSL 'Shocking' Mascara.

I was really pleased with how much I liked silver eyeshadow on me, what colours do you love to use on your eyes? What shades should I experiment with next?

NOTD: Deep Autumn Red.

Essie Nail Varnish 'Head Mistress, £7.99 for 13.5ml.

Two coats of 'Head Mistress' with Sally Hansen MegaShine topcoat.

 Hello everyone! How are you all this Friday night?

Just a quick post to show you what colour I have been loving on my nails this week. It's an Essie shade called 'Head Mistress' and while I am not a fan of the name, I am a fan of the colour. I love classic red, on nails and lips but I did notice that my collection was missing a shimmer-free deep red. Obviously a necessity, I popped into Boots and soon sorted that situation!
Like many others I gravitate towards deep, rich shades as soon as Autumn hits. This colour deepens with every coat, and so far on the second day it remains chip free (which is pretty good going for Essie) 

I'm now after a British racing green kinda colour if anyone can recommend one

What are you wearing on your nails right now?

(Also- please excuse a couple of bitten nails in the above picture. Sadface.)

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.

 -

• 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.

Rimmel Review #2 Kate Lipstick

Rimmel London Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 04, £5.49

 I used look up to/take inspiration from Kate Moss back in my teens when I was borderline obsessive with The Libertines, Babyshambles and anything Peter Doherty related. Having never really taken a shine to her TopShop collection, I was quite intrigued when I heard she was releasing a few shades of lipstick for Rimmel. It made sense as she used to be the face of the brand a couple of years ago, -pre Cocaine snapshot. I know they were released ages ago now, but I've been so busy it's hard to keep on top of things!!!

A reasonably priced lipstick, and I am really impressed with the results. I would describe the finish as matte with a natural sheen. A thin 'patted' coat of this lipstick is a deep purple plum, heavier application I would say it's almost black with a purple sheen. The packaging is sleek, matte black with the Rimmel crown on the lid, and 'Kate <3' in a signature style scribble. I really like this packaging!

If I'm honest, this shade is quite daring for me! I like it when I see it on most other girls, but with my pale skin and dark hair I didn't want to look too goffic and wasn't sure there was a place for it in Swansea!! It's beginning to grow on me though, and I think I'll whip it out a few more times. Not going to be a 'go to' shade for me though, but the actual formulation of the lipstick is wonderful, and the other shades that have been released are the shades that every girl should own; excellent neutrals, a true red, bright pink, etc. The shades are supposed to capture Kate's 'timeless look' (Rimmel website) and I agree that they do.

Opinions please peeps?

 I think it is complimented by the lilac Vivo eyeshadow that I reviewed here.

Do you wear plum on your lips? Have you bought any of the Kate lipsticks?

What I Wore #4

Grey Marl Midi Dress

I'm not happy with how any of the photos came out, my boyfriends a tall man so I feel like I look a bit stumpy in all of them because they were taken from a height, (when I'm actually 5'7 and not stumpy at all!) Anyway, as there aren't any particularly flattering or good shots, I've made a little compilation instead. The weather was stunning, golden autumn leaves were on the ground, there was a gorgeous frost to the air but it wasn't cold. I don't like being cold!

I really like this dress because a)I love grey marl. I have a few tops that are similar to this. It reminds me of comfort and relaxation, but because it's a dress I think it makes it a bit more exciting than your average marl tee (not knockin' them, I loves a grey marl sweatshirt!) b) It's going to be versatile; here I've worn it with tights and boots, but it could equally be worn with ankle socks in spring, and on it's own with a belt and sandals in the summer.

 What have you been wearing lately?

What I Wore #3

Red

Other red items I like;

riverisland.com

 The dress would look cute with chelsea boots, chain necklaces and a bobble hat.

Topshop Makeup Review #2 Lipstick

TopShop lipstick in Mink, £8.

I had been thinking about purchasing a new lipstick for a couple of weeks. I wanted my new lipstick to be sophisticated, but also bold. I wear red a lot,and wanted something a bit different.

Initially I went into TopShop to buy the 'Rumour Has It' lipstick from the Autumn collection 'Smoke and Mirrors' that I reviewed here. I really loved the idea and the branding of the collection, and felt 'Rumour Has It' would be the lipstick to fulfil my search, plus I preferred the packaging of this in comparison to the white with sketchy polkadots and stripes of the core collection.

Annoyingly, it had sold out. A week later I returned, it still wasn't there (sad face). I had to reconsider my options...

I bought from the core collection. 'Mink' was pound cheaper than 'Rumour Has It' and seemed like a similar colour match.

Top; With Flash. Bottom; Without.

The texture is so easy to apply, a lip balm underneath is a definate must to avoid cracks (it can be quite dry) and reapplication is necessary, but only every few hours. The colour is what I determine as a dusty pink but with peach/brown/lilac undertones. I find it is really wearable, it applies neither completely matte nor too shiny, a perfect inbetween and doesn't leak or smudge easily.

If it is worn with brown shades on the eyelid, or dramatically dark eyes it looks gothic (same goes if paired with a neutral, brown toned blush). It can also look really 90's- I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I'm the 1990's biggest fan (I'm sure there's a post coming up on how much I love the 90's..)

For a more modern, contemporary look wear this lipstick with whites, creams, peaches and other nude colours on the eyelid (bright eyes!). Pink blush also compliments this look well, so do sparkly/highighted cheekbones :-)

My cupids bow is indeed non existent

I'd recommend this lipstick because it is affordable, pretty 'on trend', autumnal, wearable, subtle yet different.

Do you use TopShop lipsticks? What shades are your favourite at the moment?

Illamasqua A/W 11 Theatre of the Nameless Makeup Range

Images courtesy Google

An exciting new range from the forerunners of weird and wonderful professional makeup, Illamasqua. Although still a relatively unknown brand in the UK (I would say), Illamasqua are growing in popularity as news travels of the wonders of their Skin Base Foundation, which has harboured rave reviews. The makeup is currently only available in selected outlets in Selfridges and Debenhams across the UK, and of course online, but the notions of bespoke, unique and special are strongly associated with this brand, partly because of it's limited availability, in cohesion with the high end prices, and still a relative lack of familiarity.

Similarly to the TopShop makeup range I've written about previously, this collection holds strong autumnal colours that will keep you on trend until the end of January. Worn with the faux furs, leathers, and structured shapes to be worn by most fashion conscious ladies this season, this collection will be the perfect accompaniement.

Illamasqua reflect the ideals of vintage glamour yet the brand is drenched in everything excellent about modernity; the colours are unique, exciting, and fashion forward, and the brand appear to use modern cosmetic science to it's advantage. However, the images used on their website and in their advertising hark back to eras gone by; the Victorian circus, theatre, even freakshow coupled with strong undertones of raw erotica. They are truely a unique and exciting brand, with excellent quality product and reputation and this Autumn/Winter 11 collection demonstrates this. I believe this collection will push the Illamasqua brand into the foreminds as rumour and knowledge of their beautiful makeup spreads. Of course, their exposure in Magazines such as Vogue and Cosmo will help this too.

I'm going to talk about a couple of the products from this collection that catch my interest the most;

Nail Polish (£13.50); The formula of the polishes give a matte rubber finish which is something both forward thinking but also completely resonant of the fetish/erotica messages that I have mentioned. The shades come in a sophisticated lilac/ purple called 'Faux Pas', a leaf green 'Kink', a muddy, natural brown 'Taint'- which I believe may be the most difficult to pull off, hard to tell without testing it myself- definately not one for the toe nails! And lastly a plum/ berry shade named 'Vice'. I think I'll be purchasing 'Faux Pas' on my next trip into Cardiff.

Powder Blush (£16.50); 'Ambition' is a coffee- coloured brown that swatched I reckon will produce a beautiful bronze pigment, perfect for contouring. It won't be your typical orange bronze, but a subtle addition to anyone's makeup routine, perhaps not the most exciting, but probably very useful. Secondly, a shade I'm really excited about is 'Morale'. In the pan it looks like a bright, jewel purple but on the skin I expect it to give a deep rose shade, classic and beautiful, and could be used subtly or applied slightly heavier for a more dramatic effect (not too much, we don't want to look bruised!)

The collection's palette is mature but the images in the campaign are playful, sexual and fun. Illamasqua, making the transition from summer into autumn something creative and enjoyable that we can all look forward to!