NOTD- Adele inspired Louboutin nails

Right, don't go thinking now that this idea is by any means original, Adele sported this Louboutin style nail look at the Grammys and I saw it on Chantelle's blog where she did an amazing interpretation, much better than mine!!

Since I've had gel nails and extensions done by my friend the last few weeks, I've become bored of the underneath being white and so visible because it is obviously thicker than a natural nail.

It took me a while, and involved a lot of cotton buds soaked in nail varnish remover but I kind of got there in the end, and I'm looking forward to wearing these babies out tonight. 

This would be a lot easier done on fake stick on nails, before application or if you're choosing gel extensions, to use coloured extensions rather than clear or white french tips. You could use all manner of colours for all sorts of looks, and I might try it again (if I have the patience!)

I used Models Own 'Utopia' on my nail, and an unbranded red polish that I bought from Gran Canaria (I wish I had bought more of these, I love the solution and the padded quilt style bottle)

What do you think?

Sleek Blusher Review

Sleek Blusher in 'Rose Gold', £4.49 for 8g

This blusher is a welcome addition to my collection, it's well presented in black shiny packaging with a lift lid similarly to NARS blushers, except without the matte rubber casing! It's well protected and easy to use, and non- bulky.

It's a pretty pink which is peach in tone that has small gold glitter particles running throughout it. The glitter transfers to the skin to create a sheen or a healthy highlight, seperate particles aren't distinguishable and because it's gold it also adds warmth to the complexion as well as a healthy, rosey glow. It's a subtle wash of colour and is very wearable for day to day looks and can be built up for a more dramatic finish.

It goes well on my skin as it adds a flush of colour and I'd imagine it's a colour that would suit the majority of people. It's also a bit like a '2in1' product as once used, you don't need to use a highlighter aswell!

As with all Sleek Makeup products the quality is outstanding for the price, due to it's high content of talc, the formula of this blush is fine, powdery and therefore very blendable. You can also buy 'Rose Gold' in a blush palette of three at the moment which is about a tenner and is the one called 'Lace', I nearly bought this but I knew I wouldn't really use the other two colours included, plus as you all know I am a lover of singular products over palettes, generally!

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17 'Instant Glow' Bronzer Review & Instagram!!

 17 Instant Glow Powder Bronzer in 'Medium Bronze', £4.59 for 10g

17 are my favourite line for cheap cosmetics products, it's very rare their products disappoint me and items such as their eyeshadow or their BB Cream are more often than not incorporated into my daily makeup. Granted, I've not tried every product in the range, but the fact that they are constantly revamping and creating new products to sell is pretty refreshing and exciting.

They've released a new bronzer which is part of the Instant Glow range and it comes in two shades, I opted for medium bronze.

The packaging is palm- sized and circular, with black and clear plastic casing. The lid lifts easily and clicks shut into place, you are able to see the product through the packaging. When new, the pan has a shooting stars style embellishment. You get a whopping 10g of product!

I really like the fact that this product is matte, and in terms of it's texture, shade and consistency it reminds me so much of the ever famous Benefit 'Hoola'. Similarly to 'Hoola' it doesn't seem to contain any orange pigmentation- a definite plus +++++ !!

The powder picks up onto my brushes really well and I find it blends pretty well as it's soft, but it is better to start with a little and build this one up. It's suitable for an all over sun kissed look or as a contour powder. I find that it doesn't tend to look muddy, which so many bronzers can do (though this is usually due to bad application, over application etc) and the medium shade isn't too dark for my pale skin.

Overall I am really impressed with this product, I've used it a lot over the past couple of weeks. Some factors I like the most are that it is matte, it gives a natural finish and that it is so cheap. I would recommend this!


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CHANEL Poudre Universelle Libre AKA Natural Finish Loose Powder

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in '20 Clair- Translucent 1', £30 for 30g.

Poudre Universelle Libre is the finest loose powder I've ever used, the grains are so slight that they are like dust to the touch and therefore blend really well on top of foundation to set it.

The shade I use '20 Clair' which is toneless, it's perfect as it doesn't add or change the colour of foundation it is is being laid on top off.

This powder does a good job and the product is of great quality. I've found that the less you use, the more effective and better it is, adding too much can create that really over-powdered look that is just too matte and unnatural. I also found that using lots of this on top of foundation does seem to dry my skin slightly, a problem that didn't occur with my previous Bare Minerals foundation powder (review on this and other Bare Minerals products to come)

The finish is a matte satin finish on my skin. It keeps my face shine free throughout the day, except on my T-Zone area which does need touching up after a few hours, particularly on my nose!

The amount in the tub is a whopping 30g which is a definate positive! It's pretty good value for money, and like I said, the smallest amount is needed to set makeup. Of course the downside to this large amount is it isn't the most portable of items, it would be bulky to carry around in a handbag and is awkward to travel with, but that factor can be overseen when I see those double C's looking back at me!
Aside from it's bulkiness, the packaging is functional with a screw top lid and plastic grate that controls the amount of product you tap through to use. The lid is so large you can use this to hold the powder in whilst swirling it on the brush before applying it to the face.

Overall I'd rate this product because it is good quality and is a fantastic loose, translucent powder. However, I have used other powders that keep a matte finish to my skin for longer and that can be layered without looking too powdery, unlike this one. I am pleased that this product will last me a long while, you get such a large amount of product, yet need to use so little on a daily basis.

Do you use this? What other loose powders would you recommend?

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M.A.C. 'Shop' Collection Limited Edition Lipstick Reviews & Swatches

M.A.C. LE Lipsticks in 'Watch Me Simmer' and 'Naughty Saute', £13.50 for 3.5g

I talked a bit about 'Shop' and 'Cook' from this years M.A.C. limited edition collection exclusively for Selfridges (here) and how I wasn't completely sold on the products as a collective. But of course, after seeing swatches on Temptalia I was convinced that I NEEDED a couple of the lipsticks in my life.....

After texting and ringing round (by the time I checked they had sold out on the website), and eventually getting a friend of a friend (thankyou!) who works in Selfridges bagsy me them before they sold out, they've been posted from LDN and are now in my possession for me to wear and review for you lot! #TheThingsIDoForMakeup

Although 'Runaway Red' looked beautiful I was won over by 'Watch Me Simmer'- a neon-esque coral and 'Naughty Saute' - an irresistable bubblgegum pink.

Left- Naughty Saute, Right- Watch Me Simmer.

 'Naughty Saute' is a medium pink that has a luminous sort of finish, it's very bright and striking. The candy pink colour deepens on top of lips which is more flattering to the skin than really light shades. It's a cremesheen so glides onto the lips smoothly yet seems to last a good amount of time, and feels comfortable on.

'Watch Me Simmer' is a stunning, bright pink- coral. Similarly to 'Naughty Saute' it's very striking, not for the faint hearted! This colour seems to remain on the lips after the Amplified shine formula has worn off. It is smooth to apply and is almost milky in consistency. This colour develops over time on the lips to a pinker colour, and boy it don't half stain!! Be prepared for bright lips the day after wearing this!

Both shades can achieve an opaque finish easily yet you can also achieve a more subtle finish from dabbing/one layer.

I'm really happy with both of these shades, and I am looking forward to wearing them more! They also make a nice to change to my usual choice of matte lipsticks!

Dupes

'Naughty Saute' can be replicated, (I couldn't notice the difference) with Estee Lauder's Pure Colour lipstick in 'Electric Pink'.

'Watch Me Simmer' can be duplicated with Estee Lauder's Signature lipstick in no. 59 'Portofino Coral', the colours are pretty much the same. Estee Lauder's Pure Colour lipstick in 'Coral Fantasy' is also very similar.

Did you manage to get your hands on any of the lipsticks, or the rest of the 'Shop Shop Shop' collection?

LUSH Review; Dream Wash

LUSH 'Dream Wash' £9.25 for 250g.

I first came into contact with this last year when it was recommended to my boyfriend to go hand in hand with his Dream Cream- a moisturiser that is hailed as a wonder product due to it's natural ingredients and has been recommended as a healing remmedy for those suffering with dry skin or more serious skin conditions. 

Anyway, I took a real liking to using Dream Wash in the shower as a replacement to my shower gel. The consistency of the product was like nothing I'd ever used before - it's a sort of soft clay in texture, it's thick but once applied to wet skin it lathers and it leaves skin feeling squeaky clean. It's off- white, almost lilac toned in colour and is smooth to the touch. It's mild and soothing which is perfect for both everyday use and for those suffering with skin ailments, and leaves my skin feeling nourished and healthy!

Dream Wash really feels like it is doing your skin good when you use it, it contains so many ingredients that are well- known to be beneficial to the skin- Calamine, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree, Lavendar...Its scent is very natural and almost peppery, it reminds me a bit of that herby smell you get from Liz Earle products. The scent isn't overwhelming on the skin and because it smells so natural and organic, and due to it's thick consistency it feels luxurious to use.

Dream Wash can be found in the 'Shower Smoothies' section of the LUSH website.

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