Free Clinique Mascara Time Again

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

I do hope you have all had a lovely time over the festive season and that 2012 will treat us all well :-)

Don't know if you remember this promotion but seems every year Clinique launch a promotion to give away free mini mascaras, all you have to do is go to a Clinique counter in a Boots store between Sat 14th Jan - Wed 1st Feb 2012 and hand in any old full size mascara and they will give you a mini Clinique mascara in exchange.

There's a choice of two mascara samples: High Lengths (5ml) and High Impact (4ml). They're about half the size of the normal ones (7 and 8ml).

It's while stocks last. Apparently Clinique hasn't been able to confirm specific stock levels but has said it's ordered more stock than the last time this offer was on. Saying that, this offer's been mega popular in the past so it's worth calling ahead to check stock at your local store.

This is great because I have an old one lying on my table so fab timing for me :-) I think I got the High Lengths last time so will ask for the High Impact to try out this time around, if I can get it!


Happy freebie shopping :-)

Diane x

Christmas Gift Idea - Toni and Guy Deep Barrel Hair Waver

Hi everyone,

Three posts in row!  I am on a roll here, musing over doing 12 blogs of Christmas kind of thing...  Enough musing, I wanted to share information about this product, as I think it would make a lovely Christmas gift.

I know at the moment the Enrapture Amplify Jumbo Hair Waver
is the talk of the town but firstly it costs £67.49 on Amazon! secondly I saw tutorials and the size of the waves were a nice size but not exactly what I was after and thirdly it costs £67.49!  Similarly I saw tutorials for the Babyliss Wave Envy but again I was after bigger deeper waves.

The Toni and Guy Deep Barrel Hair Waver costs £34.99 from Argos and £34.97 at Tesco Direct at the time of posting this blog, however, I was quite lucky and managed to buy it reduced in a recent sale.

I've still got lots of experimenting to do with it but I've played with it enough to let you know that I love the waves you can get with this.

The smaller the sections, longer you hold it and the higher the heat setting you select will give you deeper waves, beachy waves and the wider the sections and lower the heat will give you more soft femme fatale waves, which I've always been after.

What I'm still practicing mostly with is how far down the hair shaft will look best on me.  I found it works best if I straighten my hair first rather than roughly blow drying it straight-ish, gave more smoother defined waves.

The other thing I would point out is the deep ridge on the bottom depending on the angle can be a little awkward to get the hair over and in to the waver but that's probably something I'll get better at with more practice.

You would definitely need to put some kind of product in to help keep the waves for as long as possible, I have naturally curly hair but still need to do this if I want waves/curls to last, whatever I use but sometimes it's nice just to let them drop and look more "natural".

It has 25 heat settings, deep tourmaline plates, stay cool tip, 60sec heat-up time, that I think are worth mentioning here.  If you change the temperature, I didn't notice any change in the light to let you know that it was being changed or when it had reached the required temperature as my Cloud9 Wide Hair straighteners do, so you just have to wait awhile and test.
.
Once I feel confident enough, I hope to do demos on my YouTube channel dianeuk01 in the future.

I've been after a hair styling tool like this for years but never got around to getting one, can't tell how pleased I am to have finally found one, which is at such a reasonable price and so accessible too, and with Christmas fast approaching just had to share, really do think it will make a great gift.

Diane x

My Beauty Wish List - Suggestions?

Hello lovelies,


I've been looking at my beauty wish list, which is not as full as you might think, as I've not been adding to it much when I hear/see something, mainly because I'm trying to be more restrained and more selective these days.


Here is what I have on the list right now:-
Bobbi Brown long wear cream eye shadow in Sandy Gold

Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals – Faux Tan all over colour

Collection 2000 Crème puff lip creams, all except Powder Puff
Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Highlighter
Makeup Atelier eyeshadows, gel liners in deep brown/blue

Iman Time Control Primer

Kryolan Anti-Shine powder

Mac Sable eyeshadow

Daniel Sandler water colour blush liquid/crème

Kett air brush liquid foundation
Brush Guards

NYC Lip Stain

Louise Young small crease brush

MUFE Aqua Crème lip pencils

Inglot Gel liner?

Photo belongs to karlasugar.net

I know there are plenty more things I "need" OK would like, but for the life of me can't think of them right now!

Each year I try not to spend the points I have accrued on my Boots Advantage card, but I have used some earlier in the year and have not been to Boots that much of late so this year my Christmas treat will have to cost £26 or less.  

As far as I know Boots still don't let you part pay with your points so you have to have the right amount as you can't top up with cash, shame as I know Superdrugs do allow you to do this.

Problem is apart from Collection 2000, nothing I have on my list is available at Boots and I'd like something special that would be a real Christmas treat, but what?  If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

What's on your wish list?  Something from Chanel, Dior, Estee Lauder, Clinque etc?  Anyone?

If you could share some ideas that would be fab.  Thanks so much.

Diane x

FRONTCOVER GILT EDGED REVIEW

Hi everyone,

I'm back with a post!  So sorry I've been gone awhile but I do hope you enjoy hearing about and seeing swatches of this gorgeous looking gift set.

I was asked if I would like to review some FRONTCOVER cosmetics, this was the first time I have accepted this kind of offer and the reason for that is because I have been curious about this brand for awhile.

So as you can see from the title, this post will be about FRONTCOVER GILT EDGED, The Ultimate Party Collection For Golden Girls.  I picked this set to test and review because the colours are right up my street.

The set includes a Large Metallic Makeup Case, Mini Metallic Cosmetic Purse, Shimmer Stick, Compact with Domed Baked Blush, Double Ended Lip Gloss, Double Ended Chunky Metallic Pencil Gold/Copper, Holographic Glitter, Iridescent Pigment, Shadowbase, Double Ended Eye Applicator, Cheek Brush. 

You get alot in the set but how do they look and perform?  Well below are swatches and my experiences using these products.


All heavily swatched left to right : Domed Baked Blush , Shadowbase, Chunky Metallic Pencil Gold
end with Dubloon Glitter on lower half, Copper end with Burnt Carrot Pigment on lower half 

Compact with Domed Baked Blush - the lid has a mirror. It is a beautiful peach with silver micro shimmer.  On my medium deep skin tone (Mac NC44, Nars Sheer Glow - Cadiz, MUFE HD 173) it makes for a lovely highlight on the top of the cheekbones and has been my highlighter of choice since I received this set for testing. It does have shimmer and some micro glitter but not too much, I've really been enjoying this.

Shadowbase - is a shimmery Champagne eye base, on my oily eyelids combined with the chunky metallic pencil on top it creased but it lasts longer just with the pigments or eyeshadow applied directly on to it.  It makes for a beautiful highlight under the brow bone and collarbones, blends really lovely.  The shimmer in it can give another dimension to eyeshadows you put on top of it, I tried with matte shadows on top and it gave a lovely effect.

Double Ended Chunky Metallic Pencil Gold/Copper - these are beautiful colours and I was very excited to try these. However, my oily lids ensured that these creased and faded on me but with my Lime Crime Candy Eyed primer underneath the creasing and fading was more subtle than with the Shadowbase, and on their own with no primer at all they practically disappeared altogether in a short space of time. I would recommend using a primer that works for oily lids and apply using the side of the pencils rather than the tip for less drag.


Burnt Carrot Iridescent Pigment, Doubloon Holographic Glitter

Doubloon Holographic Glitter - this is beautiful and a little goes a long way. It comes with a thin plastic cover inside, I chose to dab the eye applicator on the plastic cover to pick up just a little of the product but it would be possible to pierce little holes in it to make it like a sifter pot to control the amount of product that comes out. I apply this over the metallic chunky pencil using the sponge end of the eye applicator, to minimise fall out when you press it on over the pencil. This will look beautiful over so many eyeshadows too, personally I would choose to apply it just in the center of the lid and put a tissue to protect you from any fall out when applying.

Burnt Carrot Iridescent Pigment - I love this really gorgeous, especially so over the copper end of the metallic chunky pencil. Has a beauiful texture, press it on using the brush end of the eye applicator then blend, produces such a lovely colour and dimension. I wore this combo on a recent night out together with Mac Taupe lipstick with Pink Frost lipgloss on top and the Domed Baked Blush as brow bone and tops of cheek bone highlight.  I didn't get fall out and I think a little dab of this on top of your lipstick or lipgloss just in the center of your lips would be very pretty.


Shimmer Stick left heavily swatched, right blended

Shimmer Stick - is a beautiful rose gold colour but for my personal taste it has too much chunky glitter and when I blended it out I was left with glitter moving about and not much colour left, too build up more colour would mean adding alot more glitter.  Of course many love that look but I prefer something more subtle.  It's a shame as I do love the colour.


Pink Frost, Peach Sparkle

Double Ended Lip Gloss - one end is Peach Sparkle (golden orange) the other end is Pink Frost (baby pink with silver shimmer).  I like these, they do not feel sticky and give a lovely dimension.  I have been pairing Peach Sparkle on top of Boots No7 Conker lipstick and Pink Frost on top of Mac Taupe lipstick, loving the combinations.

Double Ended Eye Applicator - work well with the pigments. I suspect the brush end may even do a good job of blending out the crease but haven't put it to the test yet.

Cheek Brush - used to apply the Domed Baked Blush as a highlight on top of cheekbones but I would actually prefer to use a smaller brush for that purpose.  It's OK to use as a blush brush to apply and blend the product but it is not as soft as I'd like or gives as much control in the placement as I would prefer with my own blusher brushes but if you haven't got a blush brush this is nice to have.

Large Metallic Makeup Case and Mini Metallic Cosmetic Purse, both in gold - these will always come in handy.

The stand out products for me are definitely the iridescent pigment and holographic glitter, really beautiful.  However, I could get every day use out of the blush & shadowbase as highlighters and use the lipglosses.

There is one product I don't think I would use, which is the shimmer stick, unless possibly on my legs, on a night out...

One of the lovely things with this set is that it includes a tutorial, with hints and tips on the back of the sleeve to give you some guidelines and inspiration.

I've really enjoyed testing and using the products in this set.  If you or someone you know loves these golden and copper tones (as I do), I think it would make an impressive gift, good value for money and you can create gorgeous looks for the party season. 

You can buy this set from Boots for £25, at the time of this post they currently have a 3 for 2 mix and match gift promotion for the festive season, how nice :-)

What do you think?  Have you tried any FrontCover cosmetics?

Diane x

Magazine Freebies

Just thought I'd let you know about some freebies either already out or coming out soon. 

First up is Body Shop freebies worth upto £16 with InStyle magazine (with Nicole Scherzinger on the cover), from Thursday 7th July, you can either pick a free mascara worth £10 or two eye pencils (black and navy) worth £8 each.  Cost of the magazine is £3.70.

Probably most of you already know about the Glamour magazine Benefit freebies, they usually have fab Benefit freebies each year, this year it is mini Benetint, Posietint and High Beam, magazine costs £2 (with the very beautiful Adele on the cover).  I thought I'd missed the boat on this but on Monday this week there were plenty left on the shelf in my large Tesco supermarket, I picked up High Beam as that's the only one I don't have, excellent bargain but be quick before this gets taken off the shelves.

From Thurs 7 July you can buy August's Marie-Claire magazine for £3.60 (with Audrey Tautou on the cover), it will come with a full sized Ciaté lip gloss, apparently worth £9.

Oh how I do love a bargain! :-)

Diane x

NOTD Revlon Ocean Breeze - Scents of the Summer Collection



Sorry it's a bit blurry! 
Oh no I've never seen my hands so wrinkly!  I'm getting on though you know, 39 in August, eek!
that's just one year away from the big "4 0" it's getting "REAL" lol





Complements my skin tone nicely (image is a still from a video that never happened!)



I have never worn a teal colour but I love this one, the colour is just beautiful and I think really complements my skin tone, also the chrome finish makes it a bright lovely summer colour.

I found afer 2 coats which is what you see here that it's opaque but I didn't get little streaky areas and you can see the brush strokes, but I'm not fussy, only someone scrutinising my nails up close and personal will really notice, and quite frankly no-one does that, do they...?

After 3 coats (which I very rarely can be bothered with) streaks are at full opacity, sorry I didn't take pics, this was done morning after the night before.

It started chipping after 3 days, so not the most long wearing but I don't have a top or bottom coat on, I know! slaps wrist, naughty me but I just don't have that kind of time usually, I know I know I should make time!  I prefer to do my nails after I have a bath so there is less chance of them being ruined but I usually have a bath very late and hence  putting polish on at all sometimes is just a bonus :-)

Speaking of top coats, I need one, any suggestions please?

Thanks lovelies,
Diane x

FOTD Bronze eyes Bronze/Rose Cheeks and Pink Lip

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for sticking with me :-) xxx  I know I'm not the most prolific blogger (understatement!) so I really do appreciate you all putting up with me random blogging.

Here is the look I wore yesterday when I went into central London, I was on the Southbank as I went to meet my friend and fellow Youtuber chefcaffy as she had come over from Singapore to do a catering event.

In aid of Cathy being a Nars lover, I of course went with some but not all Nars products, also the ones I used happen to be favs of mine :-)

Here are the pictures (actually these are stills from a FOTD video I started filming then annoyingly my camcorder ran out of battery!) and I'll put the write up below of all products and how I used them, hope you like...



Bit of a gromit smile here! I had just said something very amusing...may be lol

Nars Fez eyeshadow - any bronze you have will work, I love this one

Inglot eyeshadows 360 mdeium ash brown and 378 deep ash brown, anything you have similar would work



Swatches for you.  I reorganised my Inglot palettes, loving this neutral one!
The bronze colour 406 in this palette is gorgeous too, pigmented beautiful finish and no effort to apply and it does so smoothly and evenly.



Mac Harmony Beauty powder as my blending colour



Eyes:

Nars Smudgeproof Primer

Eve Pearl Concealer Trio B on inner corner

Nars loose Powder to set concealer & even skin tone on lid

Nars Fez eyeshadow on lid and up to and over crease

Inglot 360 Medium ash brown eyeshadow outer V

Inglot 378 Deep ash brown eyeshadow outer V and all along top lash line at root of lashes and on outer third of bottom lashes

Mac Harmony beauty powder to blend out colours above crease

Urban Decay Naked Palette Sin eyeshadow as inner corner highlight

Avon Supershock Gel liner, outer third upper water line and all along lower waterline and into roots of lashes

Pretige My Blackest Lashes on top and bottom lashes

Note: I decided not to highlight the brow bone to balance the lovely pearl sheen on my lids from the Fez e/s

Face:

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfector under eyes to give my concealer some slip to put over it, (the L'oreal one would do the same job).

Eve Pearl concealer trio b salmon part under my eyes and on blemishes, hyper-pigmentation around my mouth

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Tan, under my eyes to brighten

Benefit powder flash to set concealer under eyes

Nars Loose powder in Mountain on T-Zone

No Foundation was used.

Sleek Contour kit in Medium, dark colour lightly used in hollows of cheek bones, temples and under jaw line

Mac Sunny by Nature mineralised skin finish on cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of nose

Nars Lovejoy Blush on cheeks, (decided no need for highlighter as this blush contains it's own shimmer)

Lips:

Mac Stripdown lipliner all over to even out natural pigmentation

NYX Mahoney lipliner on outline of lips

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Classic Rose No. 25 lipstick

That's it I think, I really loved the look, how could I not I used alot of my favourite products and instead of reaching for my beloved Boots No7 Golden Rose lipstick spf15, which is a go to of mine and would go perfectly and decided to mix it up with this pink, love it. 

I have 4 No7 lipsticks now and I really enjoy them and find myself reaching for them regularly.  The other one I am really liking right now is Chinchilla Stay Perfect No 50, it's a great option for summery days, a bronzy rose that would also go well with this look, it is lighter and brighter than golden rose.

Hope you enjoyed this :-)  Thank you again for your amazing support, you make it worthwhile.

Diane x