Thursday 30 September 2010

HQHair.com 15% skincare discount

HQHair.com are currently offering a 15% discount off the skincare department, the code is HQCYS15 expires midnight Sunday, you can go direct to the site here; http://www.hqhair.com/skincare

I don't know if this code is just a general one for all to use or specific to me, but I'm thinking and hoping general as I'm passing it on to you!

The have many high end brands such as Chantecaille £££! Nars, Murad, Elemis, Elizabeth Arden, Korres, Philosophy to name but a few.

Hope this has been of use to someone out there.  I've ordered from HQhair.com in the past and had no problems with delivery.

Diane x

Wednesday 29 September 2010

FOTD Alexandra Burke - Start Without You Inspired Makeup

Here is my attempt at recreating Alexandra Burke's beautiful makeup look in her Start Without You music video.  I have uploaded a video to YouTube of me creating this look, to view click here.








What I used;

Face
Make Up For Ever (MUFE) HD Foundation # 173
Nars Loose Powder Mountain
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer Tan, set with MUFE HD Powder
ELF Cool Bronzer, darkest brown to contour, medium brown to blend contour
Mac Format Blush
Nars Albatross Highlighter, top of cheek bones, forehead, bridge of nose, chin, under contour in cheek hollows to add extra definition

Eyes
Nars Smudge Proof Primer
Mac Spiked Eyebrow Pencil
Nars Biarittz e/s all entire lid
Elf Cool Bronzer, darkest brown on lid and up over crease, under lower lash line 1/2 way
Nars Lola Lola e/s over ELF darkest brown
Mac Vanilla pigment, inner corner socket/tear duct and brow bone highlight
Clinique Cream liner - True Black upper lash line & outer 1/4 lower lash line, set & deepened with Mac Carbon e/s
Urban Decay 24/7 glide on liner zero upper waterline
Urban Decay 24/7 glide on liner Whiskey, lower waterline
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara Black

Lips
Mac Creamola Lipliner all over lips as base
Mac Cork lipliner as outline
Mac Freckletone Lipstick

Tada all done!

I think it's a gorgeous look even if the liner above the upper lash line is alot more dramatic than I would usually like to wear it.

Diane x




Tuesday 28 September 2010

Fancy a free facial or makeover and a free goodie bag?

Just seen that Boots are having a Premium In Store Event across the UK between 8th September 2010 and 5th October 2010, where you can enjoy a free facial or makeover at premium cosmetic counters.  Here is the link to the event on the Boots website, where you can see full details.

You will be able to receive either an express customised makeover or personalised facial plus a complimentary goodie bag.

The brands that are taking part in this event are;

Benefit
Biotherm
CHANEL
Clarins
Clinique
DIOR
Elizabeth Arden
Estée Lauder
Fashion Fair
Lancôme
Origins
Yves Saint Laurent

You don't need an appointment but as these events are only running in selected stores, it's best to call first to check.  Events start from 3pm until late. 

Diane x

Monday 27 September 2010

Quick grab Clinique bargains & more at www.love-makeup.co.uk

Hi lovelies,

I had to let you know about some fantastic bargains on the Love Makeup website link.  They posted on their Facebook site about 6/7pm this evening that they were having a clearance sale on Clinique, Stila, Urban Decay etc, so I hot footed it over there.  Here is the link to the Clinique section on Love Makeup http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/clinique-m-2.html

Here are some items I picked up as Christmas presents and of course got some bits for myself :-)

Clinique Butter Shine Lipsticks £5 (normally £14.50).

Clinique Full Potential Lipgloss £5 (normally £13.50).

Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour £10 (normally £23.50)  They have got 2 shades one of which is a limited shade Blackberry Bloom.

Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Duo £5 (normally £18.50) I got Tiger Lily but don't see it on the Clinique website so probably a limited edition also.

YSL Eye Brow Pencil - Dark Brown £8.99 (normally £17).

Had to bring this to you, it's never too early to get Christmas bargains!!!

Diane x

Sunday 26 September 2010

Clinique & Caudalie Some offers on Boots.com

Clinique Shimmering Stripes Blush1. Clinique Shimmering Stripes Blush, which is now half price from £23 to £11.50, I think this would make a great gift for someone or yourself. 



   2. Clinique Purple Hues Eye Quad, reduced from £22 to
   £14.67 & if you buy two Clinique items you get a free 30ml Makeup Remover. 
   Here is a link to the offers on Boots.com; Clinique Offers

3. Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in a Box, reduced from £21.53 to £10.76, I think this would make a great gift.  Link to this offer: Caudalie Offer  What is in the box you ask? 
■Caudalie Crushed Cabernet scrub 50ml
■Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream 75ml
■Caudalie Vine Peach Shower Gel 30ml
■Caudalie Fleur De Vigne French Milled Soap 20g
■Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion 30ml

I found these items under the Boots Offers tab and then under the section, When it's gone its gone.  There are a few other offers including a Too Faced Celebrity Favorties Clutch set which is now half price reduced from £25 to £12.50.

There is also a 3 for 2 promotion on selected Boots No7 range at the moment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Diane x

Friday 24 September 2010

Correction - Mac Venomous Villians, will be on the shelves in the UK on...

I phoned my nearest counter this morning, they said they already have the stock and they will be putting it on display on Thursday 7th Oct!  Last week they told me Thurs 30th Sept and I went today to take a gander (1st Oct) only to find out it won't be on display for another week - boo.  Thankfully, I had other things to get and had a successful shopping trip anyway so not a complete waste of time and money getting there.

I'm not sure if I'm going to pick anything up yet, will have to wait and see...

From what I've seen I really do like the artwork on the boxes but I don't really care for the artwork actually on the products, a bit childish looking for me, the artwork sketches that are on the boxes would have been much more appealing.

Is there anything you have your eye on?

Diane x

FOTD - Quick & Natural Look using Smashbox & Mac


Here's what I did;-

Face
Make Up For Ever Face & Body, No's 18 & 26 mixed
Smashbox blush soft lights duo in Casting Filmaker blush and highlighter used on cheeks

Eyes
Smashbox blush soft lights duo in Casting Filmaker; blush side used all over lid, up to and just over crease & under lower lash line outer 1/3, the highlighter side placed on the middle of the lid and in the inner tear duct.
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero, upper waterline
Max Factor False Lash mascara top and bottom lashes
Benefit Eye Bright lower waterline
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - Tan

Lips
Mac Cremola lipliner all over lips as base
Mac Cork Lipliner as outline
Mac Viva Glam V

Hope you like it, I did! :-)

Diane x

Nars Vintage Nails Collection - Complimentary Mini Orgasm Nail Polish

Nars has just launched exclusively on the internet it's Vintage Nails Collection.  Each costing £13.  Link to the UK website here.

 New Nars Cosmetics Vintage Nails Collection

Here is the extract from the Nars website;

NARS introduces a Vintage Nail Polish Collection including ten shades that will be re-launched with NARS’ signature longwearing formula, imparting an initial high gloss luster that is water and detergent resistant.

These vintage polishes are being brought out from the archives to NARS counters for a limited time.

Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP Free.

Now for the freebie!  Not exactly free as you only get it if you spend £30 and you still have to pay for delivery unless you spend £50 on the UK website!  But if you're planning on making a purchase now is a good time if you've always hankered after Orgasm nail polish.

free Nars Cosmetics Orgasm nail polish

Happy shopping.

Diane x

ELF Cool Bronzer, swatches and review

I LOVE products that have multiple uses for me.  And this little beauty fits that bill and is only £3.50 here in the UK.  One other big plus for me is that the colours are matte, which is ideal for contouring. 

OK so I will admit it doesn't have the most luxurious texture ever, far from it but I like it so much that I bought 3 more for family members together with the ELF Studio Complexion brush, also £3.50 (which also has multiple uses but that's another post!), which I lightly dab on the colours I want.  I would not advise any swirling of brushes on this, you will end up with a powdery mess!

Now how do I use it? The dark reddish brown I use for contouring on my face, and on my eye in the crease and outer V, I also mix this with the midtone brown to make a bronzer for me, the midtone brown on it's own is a fantastic blending colour for my crease.  Next comes the pink, I use this as a blush and if I'm in a rush I'll put it on my lid and the browns on my crease.  I really like the look on my cheeks, it adds a natural warmth to my face.

The pale colour you may have noticed I don't use, I do not care for it at all, chalky consistency and doesn't do anything for me. Perhaps if you are fairer you could use it to tone down some of the colours if need be...

It's quick and handy, especially for the school run rush!  There was a time earlier this year where I quickly did this everyday and got myself out of the door, feeling I looked "natural" but polished.  That's why I got it for some of my family members.  You can get so much out of this little palette, which is shaped like a Nars palette but is hard smooth plastic rather than rubbery like Nars', it also has a good decent sized mirror inside.

Below are some pictures, you may not be able to see the midtone brown as it's very close to my skin colour, which is why it makes a great blending colour for me.



    

The fact that it is only £3.50 makes this a steal for all the uses you can get out of it.  If you get the chance you might want to give this a try, if you don't like it you might be able to give it to a friend/family member. 

ELF are always doing promotions on the UK Facebook page, whenever they hit certain "like" targets they offer free shipping, so more money to spend on products, usually there is always a minimum of a £10 spend.

Here is a link to the ELF UK website http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/ and ELF USA http://www.eyeslipsface.com/.


Thanks so much for reading.

Diane x

Monday 20 September 2010

Mac Hug Me and Estee Lauder Crystal Baby lipstick swatches/comparison

Hello lovelies,

What I thought I would show you today is how Mac Hug Me lipstick and Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal lipstick in Crystal Baby compare.  The price point is quite different with Mac priced at £12.50 and Estee Lauder priced at £17 currently in Debenhams.  Sam Chapman from pixiwoo said they were very similar with Crystal Baby being warmer and slightly nicer than Mac Hug Me.

They are very similar in colour on my lips both beige/brown toned pink lipsticks, I love them both, they have such a lovely smooth and creamy finish but Crystal Baby is far more moisturing and that lasts hours even if the lipstick colour fades.  Also there is something about the finish that just has the edge over Mac's Hug Me.

However Hug Me has the usual mild vanilla scent whereas Crystal Baby has much more of a floral perfumed scent, however it doesn't bother me much, I love the feel and look of this lipstick.

Here are some pictures taken from my YouTube video (see link);


Left EL Crystal Baby, right Mac Hug Me
Left Mac Hug Me, right EL Crystal Baby
  
EL Crystal Baby with Mac Creamola lipliner base
Mac Hug Me with Mac Creamola lipliner base

EL Crystal Baby no base
Mac Hug Me no base

When all is said and done they are both gorgeous lipsticks so you can't really go wrong.  If you don't mind a floral scent to your lippy and want to treat yourself I would definitely recommend EL Crystal Baby as the finish and moisturizing texture is incredibly lovely, a real joy to wear, feels soooo good and in my humble opinion worth paying that bit extra for as a special treat.

However, I like to shop savvy, I bought it with birthday money in a Debenhams sale with free delivery and on top of that, I also shopped via a cashback website so the price was reduced by a few pounds!  So in the end not much more expensive than a Mac lipstick and I didn't have to leave my home to get it, that's what I call a result!  (I did previously swatch it on an earlier scouting trip some weeks prior to ordering).

Hope this post has been of some help to you.

Diane x

Saturday 18 September 2010

FOTD Smashbox blush duo Prism Plush and Divine Lipstick

Here is my FOTD


 






I have to say the lipstick is amazing quality, really opaque with a lovely finish, feels very long wearing like a matte lipstick but not drying (not when first applied), I've yet to have the chance to wear this all day to test those qualities out but first impressions are very very good.  The only downside is that is has a plasticky smell, it's my one and only Smashbox lipstick so I don't know if this is the norm...


I purchased the Smashbox blush duo in Prism Plush and lipstick in Divine from www.justbeautydirect.co.uk, the items were in a sale and I got them for such a bargain!  This website was recommended by Wayne Goss in his recent Smashbox haul video on his YouTube channel gossmakeupartist.

I have filmed a video of my haul, if you are interested you can check it out here.


Products used;

Make Up For Ever Face & Body foundation #18 & #26 mixed
Smashbox Blush soft lights duo prism plush, both sides used
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - Tan, set with Benefit powderflage

Mac Vanilla e/s all over the eye upto brow bone
Mac Arena e/s and Nars Gina blush on lid
Mac Saddle e/s and Bobbi Brown Grey e/s in and just over crease
Clinique brush on liner in True black lash lines and upper waterline
Benefit eye bright lower waterline
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Mac Creamola lipliner as base all over
Mac Cork lipliner as outline
Smashbox Divine lipstick

Hope you like the look, I certainly felt very glam with that deep lipstick on!

Diane x

Wednesday 15 September 2010

Nails Inc St. Morritz Swatch

Hello folks,

Another quickie here, here are some photos of Nails Inc St. Morritz which I received as an extra in a swap.  It is not a colour I would normally by for myself but it is a lovely warm tan colour with gold shimmer, unfortunately though I don't think you will be able to see the shimmer in the photo.



How do you think it looks against my skin tone?  Personally I feel it is a little too close to my skin tone to look flattering on me.  I feel I need nail colours to contrast a bit more.

Diane x

Sigma Indian Girl Eyeshadow Swatch

Hello there,

This will be a short and sweet post for Sigma Indian Girl Eyeshadow.  It's the only Sigma makeup item I have, I have to say I didn't expect much so was pleasantly surprised by how soft the texture is and the quality of the pigmentation.  It is a bit crumbly in the pan when you dip into it but it glides on like a dream.

It is a beautiful, taupey/grey/silver colour and has a nice almost duo chrome satin finish.  Here are some pictures for you (which are video stills from my YouTube channel dianeuk01:-


I was lucky to receive this as an extra in a recent swap, which was a pleasant surprise in itself and I have to say I do love this colour on me.  If I hadn't received this in a swap I don't think I would have purchased any Sigma make-up and I would have been missing out!

Diane x

Nars Sin / Casino Bronzing Blush Duo Swatches

Hi lovelies,

I recently received my Nars Sin / Casino duo in my first ever swap on MakeupAlley and I'm so pleased to report it went as smoothly as can be.  I have featured this duo in a video on my YouTube channel, please click this link to view if you are interested.

I have been wanting to try "Sin" for a long time.  It's quite a unique colour and is very lovely although quite sheer on me, but as with most Nars products it is buildable.  On the Nars website it is described as "Berry with gold shimmer", I would say it is pale golden plum colour, it's really pretty and ideal for autumn.  It reminds me of Mac Trax eyeshadow as it has that same two tone colour effect but is a lighter in tone.

I'm not keen on too much shimmer so I try to tap those off before applying.  It is very finely milled and feels luxurious.  Even though it has a bit more shimmer than I prefer I have to admit it does give a lovely glow and colour to my cheeks.  It hasn't replaced my love for my Mac Plum Foolery blush, I'm quite loyal to this as I love the effect it gives my cheeks.

The Casino bronzer was the icing on the cake for me in this duo as I had no idea whether it would show up on me (Mac NC44, Nars Sheer Glow Cadiz foundations) so that I could use it for contouring, thankfully it shows up quite a bit and is buildable too, so perfect for contouring. 

On the Nars website it is described as "dark brown with gold shimmer", which is pretty accurate.  If you see the swatch below on my arm it looks like quite a warm colour, it compliments my skin which has yellow/olive undertones.  I don't notice any shimmer on my skin.

Below are some swatches which are video stills from my video mentioned above.

Right Nars Sin, left Nars Casino

Left Nars Casino, right Nars Sin

Left Nars Casino, right Nars Sin


I hope this post has been of some help to you :-)  Thanks for reading.

Diane x

Sunday 12 September 2010

FOTD Nars Gina, Estee Lauder Crystal Baby, Urban Decay Naked Palette

Below is the look I created today, photos taken from my video showing some of the products used in this link;-




Products and how to;

Eyes
UD Primer Potion
Mac Spiked eyebrow pencil on eyebrows
MUFE F&B foundation to even out tone, set with Benefit Powderflage
Urban Decay Naked Palette, Toasted on lid, Hustle outer V and crease, Buck Crease to blend Hustle, Naked as eyebrow higlight, 24/7 glide on liner in Whiskey on lower waterline.
Clinique brush on liner in True black upper lash line and lower lash line
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Face
Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation #18 & #26 mixed
Nars Sheer Loose powder in Mountain
Nars Casino bronzer in cheek hollows for contour
Nars Gina Blusher
Mac Vanilla pigment top of cheek bones for highlight
Eve Pearl Salmon concealer in Tan undereyes set with Benefit Powderflage

Lips
Mac Creamola lipliner all over as base
Mac Cork lipliner as outline
Estee Lauder Pure Colour Crystal lipstick in Crystal Baby

I hope you like this look.  Toasted eyeshadow is lovely, I don't think my pic does it justice and the EL lipstick is gorgeous.

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend and enjoy what is left of it.

Diane x

redherring Nail Collection

Yesterday I popped into my nearest Debenhams department store to see if there were any bargains to be had that I didn't see on the website, and I spotted a set of redherring nail polishes.


You may be able to see that it only costs £5 but as it was the last day of the sale, I got it for £4.50, that's 7 x 10ml nail polishes for £4.50, what a bargain.  In particular, I'm really looked forward to trying the 2nd one in from the left, light grey/purple matt colour, the darker plum purple and the glitter metallic deep purple I'm also eager to try.  I've no idea what the consistency will be like, the quality of the finish or the durability.  Will test them out and perhaps post about them again later.

They had lots of these on the shelf, with lots of redherring make-up sets (they looked like they were geared to teenagers) and lip gloss sets, but I decided to just stick with the polishes.

I can't believe they are such a bargain even before the sale discount, what that means in terms of quality I shall see...

Thanks for reading :-)

Diane x

Friday 10 September 2010

Nails Inc, Benefit, Urban Decay - Debenhams Offer

The Debenhams 25% off sale with free UK delivery ends tomorrow 11th September 2010.

There is a Nails Inc. offer which is as follows;-

Nails Inc. Gorgeous Gift – Worth £35*


Free gift including 3 full size polishes and Kensington Hand Cream, is yours with 2 or more Nails Inc. purchases.

Including:

- Aubrey Walk – Dark Navy

- Drury Lane – Hot Coral

- Mulberry Walk – Mulberry Shimmer

- Kensington Hand Cream 50ml

*Value based on price per ml of standard selling item. One per customer, whilst stocks last.


There are other offers available, this link will take you to the offers page on the Debenhams website.
There are offers on lots of brands not only the usual high end brands like Estee Lauder etc but also includes Illamasqua.

I've placed an order for a few items myself, I can never pass up a good Debenhams sale especially when there is free delivery offered or I can get a find a free delivery code, plus where possible, I always shop online via the Topcashback website to earn money on the money I spend!  I like to shop savvy!!!

Happy shopping :-)

Diane x

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Urban Decay Naked Palette Day time look for special occasion

I wore this look for family birthday celebrations held during the day.  I really loved the way it turned out so wore it to two different events within a few days of each other. 

I did a video on YouTube creating this look, I had to separate it into two videos as YouTube corrupted the sound after process, if you would like to check them out here are the links; Intro Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette, Intro Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette, Main Day time birthday look Urban Decay Naked Palette.



Here's the how to for this look;

Eyes:
Urban Decay Naked Palette:
Gunmetal lid, Buck crease, Naked eyebrow highlight, Darkhorse lower lash line, 24/7 glide on liner Whisky bottom waterline & Zero top waterline
Max Factor False lash effect mascara

Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Cadz
Nars Loose Mountain Albatross
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer Tan set with Benefit Powderflage
Bourjois Bronzing powder contour hollows of cheeks and temples
Mac Sunny By Nature MSF as bronzer on cheeks, temples and chin

Mac Gingerly mixed with Sunbasque blushes,
Mac Cremola lipliner all over as a base, Cork lipliner as outline, Shy Girl lipstick, Over Indulgence Creamsheen glass

I hope you enjoy this look, I know I did and will be wearing it again.  Not bad at all for my first look with my new Naked Palette, even if I do say so myself ;-)

Diane x

FOTD Megan Fox Inspired Look

Here is a look I created for my birthday night out, hope you like it.  I posted a tutorial on YouTube, please click this link Megan Fox Inspired Look to view.


What I wore and wear;-

Eyes:


Nars smudge proof eyeshadow base,
Mac Coral Crepe paint pot, on lid and up over crease
Mac Arena on lid
Mac Rule crease and just over, with Nars Bohemian Gold II (9947 palette) layered over the top
Mac All That Glitters inner corner highlight
Mac Ricepaper eyebrow highlight
Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Eyeliner top and bottom lash lines
Bobbi Brown Espesso eyebrows
Nars Night Flight (9947 palette) blended over gel eyeliner on lower lash line
Bourjois Regard Effet Metallic Eyeliner 54 bleu clinquant Waterproof in bottom waterline
Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara

Face:

Illamasqua Satin Primer
Make Up Forever HD Concealer 345
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation Cadiz
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - Tan
Ilamasqua Libido Creme Blush layered over with Mac Stereo Rose MSF
Bourjois Bronzing powder hollows of cheek bones, temple, sides of nose and under jaw line
Nars loose powder Mountain

Lips:

Mac lip liner Cremola all over as a base, Cork as outline, Shy Girl lipstick, Richer Lusher Creamsheen glass

An amazing highlight and affordable too!

Whilst trying to create a low key and quick summery look I stumbled upon this little gem already in my collection but hardly used, it is a Barry M Dazzle Dust No.49 (Fawn). I put it on my eyelids, then decided to try it out on the tops of my cheek bones and up to my brow bone in a C shape as a highlight. I was so amazed at the lovely highlight it gave me, luminous glowing skin, just beautiful and it lasted all day, was so amazed I couldn't stop checking it (myself) out whenever I got the opportunity!

Here is a picture for you:

Left heavy swatch, right blended
I think this would work on most women of colour, tan skins and up, I'm no expert but possibly from Mac NC35 upwards range.  For reference I'm Mac NC44.
Barry M is available direct at http://www.barrym.com/ or from Superdrug and Boots here in the UK, cost for Dazzle Dusts is usually £4.50, although these stores tend to have discounts or 3 for 2 offers quite often.

I'm guessing you could also put a little of this on top of your lipgloss, (perhaps in the middle of your lips) to take it up a notch or even try putting a little in your moisturiser/foundation to get an all over glow but I'd be careful with that.

Thanks for stopping by and reading :-) 

Diane x