FOTD - Mac Stereo Rose MSF

What I'm wearing;

Face
Nars Sheer Glow foundation - Cadiz - love!
Nars Loose Powder - Mountain - another love, looks amazing together.
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - Tan
Benefit Powderflage - over concealer
Mac Stereo Rose MSF on cheek bones
Mac Raizin Blush - Contour, cheek hollows and temple, for to do my nose!

Eyes
UD Primer Potion
Mac Stereo Rose MSF - lids
Mac Saddle eyeshadow - over crease
Bobbi Brown Mahogany eyesshadow - outer v and crease
Bobbi Brown Mahogany mixed with golden brown side of Nars Cordura Duo on eyebrows, (trying something new)
Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara, left eye, Max Factor False Lash Effect on right eye! Had just filmed a vid comparing the two, perfectly sane reason ;-)

Lips
Mac Creamola lipliner - all over as a base
Mac Cork linliner - outline
Mac Shy Girl Lipstick with Mac Over Indulgence Creamsheen Glass, love this new combo I've just tried.


Hope you like it.

Diane x

Mac Stereo Rose MSF

Last time I tried to make a dupe based on infomation from Temptalia website I didn't have Stereo Rose to show a side by side comparison, but I do now :-)

I have done a YouTube video on this, which you can see here link. I won't go too much into it here as you can watch my video for details but will just post the pictures for you.

From left to right, Mac Sunny by Nature & Petticoat MSF, Mac Stereo Rose MSF, Mac Sunny by Nature & Brunette MSF darker side, Mac Sunny by Nature & Brunette MSF lighter side, Mac Sunbasque blush & All that Glitters eyeshadow

Mac Stereo Rose MSF on eyes and cheeks

Mac Stereo Rose MSF on eyes and cheeks

I do like the way this looks on my skin as an eyeshadow and a blush, I am very happy to have it in my collection, however, I personally don't think you should spend silly money on it trying get it from eBay etc.  It's lovely but so are alot of other blushes.  But I do understand a collectors need :-)

I hope this post was of use to you.  Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Diane x

Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes vs. Max Factor False Lash Effect

So I did a comparison video on YouTube link, which one came out tops...?  High end vs. drugstore, (in this case Superdrugs).

For starters, why did I choose to compare these two particular mascaras?  Well the reasons were because of two beauty gurus I respect on YouTube.  Wayne Goss - gossmakeupartist said last autumn that the Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara was the Best mascara in the World!  Then a few weeks ago Tanya Burr - pixi2woo said the Max Factor False Lash Effect was the Best mascara Ever!

To be honest, when you put them on there is not much in it, I think the Givenchy one gives ever so slightly more volume but it is darn tricky to get the hand of the spiky ball to apply it, it's not a comfortable feeling or experience but the results are lovely separated volumised lifted lashes and I'm able to coat the little lashes near the inside corner of my eyes.  One other down side of course is the cost, a whopping £19.50.

Now the Max Factor one costs £10.99 in Superdrugs but it is currently on offer there for £7.99, it also does all of the above but I particularly like the way it fans out and shapes my lashes.  The wand for me is a joy to use, really easy and comfortable, so no surprises that all things considered I prefer this mascara.

Don't get me wrong I do love the effect the Givenchy mascara gives and it's amazing for a night out but I need much more practice to feel comfortable putting a spiky wand close to my eye, although I have used it a good few times now.  Thankfully on my video I didn't poke myself in the eye!

Enough blibber blabber here are some photos from my video, hope this was useful.  Thanks for reading.

Diane x

Givenchy on the left, Max Factor on the right

Givenchy on the left, Max Factor on the right

Max Factor False Lash Effect - Offer at Superdrug

I really really like this mascara.  I have done a review and comparison showing how it looks on side by side with Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara on my YouTube channel, here is the link, if you are interested please check it out.
The lovely Tanya Burr from pixi2woo on YouTube said a few weeks ago that she thinks it is the best mascara ever!

It retails at £10.99, but is currently on offer at Superdrug for £7.99, and they also have it in a limited edition pink packaging which is also £7.99, if you buy this version you get a free little bag with it, choice of blue or pink, I choose the blue, may put this up for a giveaway in the future.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Diane x

Freebie The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain with InStyle Magazine

Hi Lovelies,

Just thought I would let you know that I bought the September issue of InStyle Magazine with Rachel Bilson on the front and it comes with a free 8ml The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain, each mag has one of two colours attached, either Rose Pink or Bronze Glimmer.



The magazine costs £3.60 and if you have not got a cheek stain, for the price it might be worth trying out the Rose Pink, it has some good reviews on MakeupAlley; link.

The real reason I'm writing this post is to give you my review of the Bronze Glimmer, cut to the chase I'm not a fan.  When I put it on my cheeks I get very little of the rose undertone on my NC44 skin tone, there is some but not very much and I would not try to build the colour because what you mostly get is lots of gold shimmer, speaking of which when you put it on your lips it gets worse! 

Again very little of any colour on the lips, mostly just lots of gold shimmer and if you have any dry patches on your lips that is where the shimmer decides to congregate and have a party, so not good.  If you go for it anyway have a lip balm at the ready.

This is going in the make-up bag that my kids and I use for our fun crazy "art" play time on our face and hands.  That's what you get for impromptu shopping at the supermarket!

Perhaps I'm being too harsh, it would probably work over a cream blush on a night out where an extra bit of gold shimmer might go down a treat.

Did you get either of these?  If yes, what did you think?  Do either of these work for you?

Thanks for stopping by and reading.

Diane x

Smashbox Cosmetics - Swatches

I did a video on YouTube of the Smashbox Cosmetics that I own, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44AK3IaQgY

I have to say I am really impressed with these products, I'll cut to the chase and attach the snapshots of the swatches from my video, then I'll go on to review them below. 

FYI - I've been matched to Mac NC44, Nars Sheer Glow Cadiz, MUFE HD 173, MUFE Face & Body 18, I always like to know what skin tone shade the swatches are on.

From left to Right

Soft Lights Shimmer, Blush Rush Paradise, Blush Radiance, Creamy Cheek Colour Untamed

Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer - Medium

All the cheek colours have this lovely quality that makes my skin glow. 

The Soft Lights Shimmer powder is a pale apricot/champagne colour with small particles of shimmer, makes for a beautiful highlight and has such a soft velvet texture that is a dream to blend. 

The blurb from the Smashbox website is: "Get a gorgeous lit-from-within glow with this silk-like shimmering powder. The illuminating formula softens the way light reflects on your skin and wakes up your complexion for a radiant look. Best of Sephora Award Nominee for Best Blush."

The Blush Rush in Paradise is a beautiful Apricot with with tiny flecks of gold shimmer, it just has this amazing luminous quality on my skin.  The packaging has a swivel out mirror on the bottom.

Smashbox website info as follows: "Warm Golden Apricot. Get a gorgeous rush of color with this ultra-luxurious, long-wearing silky powder blush. In 8 wearable, foolproof shades that wake up any skin tone and packaged in an innovative swivel mirror component for touch ups on-the-go."

Radiance Blush is a matte bright fushia shade, it's not quite as blendable as the others but does have a glowy effect on the skin once blended.  I can't see it on the Smashbox website but I bought mine from an online make-up store that I have ordered from about 3 times, I always get next day delivery and great customer service, the website is http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/  Just so you know I have no affliation with this store, I'm just a happy customer.

Now the Creamy Cheek Color Untamed is a beautiful tan colour and give me such a healthy looking glow as a blush but probably can also be used as a contour colour.  This cream blush has the nicest texture of the cream blushes I have in my collection, which include Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges, Illamasqua etc.  It glides on and is so easy to apply and blend and is buildable.  I purchased this from the website mentioned above and it is still on sale for only £6.99!  Which is what I paid for it so an absolute bargain!!!

Last but not least the Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15.  This is exactly what I need when the weather is sweltering hot and I don't feel like having foundation on.  It blends in easily, feels just like a moisturizer, gives me reasonable coverage, but that could be because it's a little dark for my face so I usually add a small dash of MUFE Face and Body in the mix (which is waterproof by the way).  This product does not melt off my face in the heat and I feel totally comfortable wearing it.

The only downside is there is not a great colour range, Fair, Light, Luminous, Medium & Dark.  Medium is usually for tan skins but it's quite dark even for me and I am a medium deep skin tone.

The Smashbox website says: "Our new lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer is packed with vitamins and anti-aging peptides for naturally radiant skin. The unique citrus honey moisturization technology nourishes as it absorbs excess oil throughout the day, and UVA/UVB SPF 15 guards against future damage so skin stays flawless and protected."  SELF healthy beauty award winner 2009."

I hope this post has been helpful to you.  If you have any questions please feel free to comment.  If you have any Smashbox products you would recommend I'd love to hear them.

If you read all of the above, thank you!!!

Diane x