New nail varnishes from Estee Lauder

So these are new in, it seems Estee Lauder have recognised how popular nail varnish is becomming for women recently and have released a plethera of new, and I've got to say, absolutely stunning shades.

Me, and all the other cosmetics girls painted these on quickly the other day when they arrived, I just couldn't resist so managed to get a load of different colours on each nail rather than sticking to one! Please excuse the photo- it's not too clear as again it was just a quick snap on my break but hopefully it'll prompt some of you to go and check these out yourself as the pictures don't portray how pretty and multi dimensional some of the colours are.
Some of the shades pictured include Bete Noir, Blue Blood, Noveau Riche and Black Plum.

Are you tempted by any of these?

(Please excuse my shabby moonstone ring, I've had it on that finger for 4 years and it's a long story as to how it got to look that way- don't judge me!!)

Dita Von Teese's Eau de Parfum

Dita Von Teese fragrance 'Dita Von Teese', £20 for 20ml (Available from Liberty's)

Promotional image from www.liberty.co.uk

It wasn't going to be long before Dita hopped on the celebrity perfume bandwagon, and I must say that the outcome is simply delicious!

This perfume was released a few weeks ago now, and it is exclusive to Liberty's, so read on if you're interested in this new fragrance!

I love the smell of this, the scent is warm and sensuous, it's luxurious and really sexy. I would group it under the Prada 'Candy', 'Ghost', Thierry Mugler 'Angel' family of scents that are heavy, distinctive and sweet. 

An extract from a page in the magazine above states that the fragrance contains rose, jasmine, bourbon pepper and patchouli, so you can imagine how deep it is yet so feminine.

It's a scent that I have been choosing to wear in the evening because it definitely holds that depth you want from a night time essence. On the Liberty website it states that it has been self named because Dita 'is the physical embodiment of everything she is presenting to a worldwide audience with her first scent creation: Glamour, elegance, and self-confident sensuality'

I don't love the bottle packaging though it does reflect elements of the fragrance itself as it's unique, seductive and stylish.
The cone shape means it lies on it's side, although it's not bulky (making it perfect to carry around in your bag) it's awkward that it lays on its side next to all of the upright perfumes you'd find in most people's collection. It's unusual, that's for sure! The jet black bottle also makes it stand out from the rest, the only other women's fragrance that I can think of that is packaged in black is Tom Ford's 'Black Orchid'. The downside to the opaque glass means it will be impossible to see when the product it running low.
A black tassle hangs off and is decorated with a single red bead, this adds that extra decoration, that extra bit of 'oomph' and attention to detail that Dita is so well known for herself.

Do you like the sound of this fragrance? What do you think of celebrity perfumes? Do you like the bottle?

Estee Lauder's new B.B. Cream

Estee Lauder B.B. Cream in 'Light', £32 for 30ml

Estee Lauder are jumping on the B.B. Cream bandwagon with this new release! Like all B.B. Creams it claims to create a 'beautiful, healthy complexion all day long' because it 'moisturises, protects and perfects your skin in a single step.' (Estee Lauder website)

It is available in two shades, obviously I've got the light shade and unfortunately on it's own it is slightly too yellow for my skin, which is pink undertoned. However, due to it being a B.B. Cream it blends and adapts to skin well, creating that 'my skin but better' finish. They state that you can use it underneath makeup or on it's own, but recently I've been mixing it with my Illamasqua Skin Base (02 for reference) and that creates the finish that I want as it 'dilutes' skin base to a better, more manageable consistency.

It's part of their Daywear range which is one of their skincare lines, similar to Garnier's this has been marketed as a skincare item. I personally see BB Creams as makeup because it offers coverage and I find it too thick to be a categorized as a moisturiser. (The packaging states that this should be the last step in a skincare routine.)

It evens out skintone really well and being oil free is a definite plus. The SPF 35 is pretty advantageous, too.

It offers light- medium coverage, with powder swirled on top the coverage is more than enough for daily wear.
Because it is oil- free it doesn't feel greasy on the skin (like some tinted moisturisers do), and it dries to quite a matte finish with a slight dewy sheen, which I like.

The packaging is a squeeze bottle with nozzle which is practical and functional, and the pearlised opaque aqua tube is clean and sophisticated- very Lauder!

The texture is similar to most B.B. Creams I have come into contact with. It's a thick, balm like consistency that melts on body temperature enabling it to blend well. It has a vague scent of cucumber which is nice and fresh!

Would I recommend this?

If you like B.B. Creams or tinted moisturisers, and if you enjoy light-medium foundation coverage then yes, I would recommend. I like this product because it is oil free, has an SPF, perfects skin tone and is packaged well. It is more suited to those whose skin leans more yellow than pink. It provides a lovely base for makeup if you still want to wear a foundation on top. It's definitely going to be well used in the summer months for me, but at the moment I'm enjoying wearing it on my 'off duty' days.

Samples.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation in 'Fiji' (full price £29.50)

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (full price £18)

Illamasqua 'Freak' fragrance (full price £59 for 75ml)

Yves Saint Laurent Shocking Mascara (full price £22)

My boyfriend bought me some christmas presents from NARS and the man on the counter threw in some samples, which made me feel a bit better about not being able to play with my new makeup until Christmas day!! (so frustrating! Boyf has now had to go and hide all my presents at his mums house to stop me finding them!)
He threw in two samples of Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base; "No smudging, no creasing, no caking, no looking back."

Review; The consistency is a thick, creamy texture and is colourless. I've used a few eyelid primers and am very happy with the one I'm currently using, and I've got to say this NARS primer won't be replacing the one in my collection. I found it a little hard to manage, in terms of it's texture, and the length of time it seemed to take to dry (still felt a bit tacky/sticky for a while after application). It seemed to collect in the outer corners of my eyes throughout the day, and end up a bit dry/crusty on the skin. I really think eyelid primers are down to personal preference, but I'm glad I've tried it and it did work, in terms of making eye makeup last longer and aiding the colour pigmentation to both remain and 'pop'
.

2x 4ml sample pots of NARS Sheer Matte Foundation made me very happy as I'd already been looking at the foundations and who wouldn't want free foundation?! It's oil free (bonus) and works on controlling shine throughout the day. It's in the shade 'Fiji' which is one of the light shades; 'Light with yellow undertones'. See full information including shade swatches here.

Review; Although I think the shade may be a touch too yellow- toned for me, I have worn it for two days now and am really happy with it; it's a thin, light liquid that offers medium to high coverage from one layer. It remained quite fresh looking throughout the day, apart from some slight drying areas. The only thing I'll say is it didn't really prevent shine throughout the day, but this can be overlooked as I liked the formula. I'll be buying this full sized, but perhaps trying a couple of the other lighter shades to find my best match.

A few weeks ago Illamasqua sent me this sample of their Freak fragrance. I was proper chuffed when I opened up my box and saw it in there because I've been wanting to try it for aaaaages but hadn't been near a counter to have a spritz, and if you read my blog regularly you'll know I am their biggest fan. I loved the campaign with the purple-octopus-on-girl images for Freak. I also ADORE the bottle, so imaginative and beautiful. The fragrance includes scents of opium flower, Queen of the Night and Frankincense.

Review; I had my suspicions it wouldn't be for me, and it did smell how I kind of expected it to. I am usually a fan of quite heavy scents, but I am instantly drawn to sweet scents (think Prada 'Candy', Marc Jacobs 'Lola') and this smelt just that little bit too masculine for me. The scent definitely does develop through wear, and it is long lasting, both of these factors are a huge plus. I'd recommend it for girls who wear scents like Tom Ford 'Black Orchid', spicy, heavy scents. Just not 'girly' enough for me, I like to smell sweet like cherry pie!

I bought a couple of bits from YSL for christmas presents and thrown in was 'Shocking' mascara. It is one of their newest products and claims to give a false lash effect, available in 6 variants of black including cherry black and and bronze black.

Review; The wand is quite slim which allows more control as it's easier to use and you can get to the root of the lash- I cannot work with big, round brushes so was happy when I saw that the YSL wand was the 'type' I like. Its fibrous rather than plastic which was a nice change to my regular L'Oreal Telescopic and I really love the results. It instantly thickens, extends, volumises and colours lashes a deep black. It is quite a thick formula so a good outcome comes from only one coat. I'd say this product is suited for girls who like big, obvious lashes. If you prefer your lashes soft/subtle then this may not be for you. See for yourself the results;

When the samples run out, I'll be buying this full sized.  I like my lashes full, thick and defined, but for some this might be more of an evening mascara! It doesn't flake or cake throughout the day and comes off easily with makeup remover.

Do you own any of these full sized? Do you love getting samples as much as I do?!!