NOTD: Valentine's Day Nails! [How-to]

Seeing as I will be spending this day alone [ :( ], I decided to cheer myself up by doing a little Valentine's Day inspired nail look! 

It was very simple to do, just requires patience and a steady hand!

Products to use:

• A white nail polish 
• Some red glitter flakes or gems (flakes work better because gems are more bulky)
• Clear nail polish
• Sparkle top coat (optional)

Start by putting a base coat on your nails. This will make your polish last longer and will protect your nails from staining. I used Barry M Base coat, Top coat and Nail hardener.  

Then apply a white nail polish - as many coats as desired but try to make them look opaque (you don't want thin white polish - it looks like you Tippex-ed your nails!)

Lay out your red gems or flakes - they will be easier to pick up if they're spread out. Let your white polish dry. Apply another coat of your clear polish and immediately pick up a gem/flake with some tweezers. To make this easier, put a tiny amount of clear polish on the end of ONE tweezer side to pick up the flakes - they will stick to it. DON'T try to pick them up by actually TWEEZING them!

You can quickly stick them to the nail (before the top coat dries) or I prefer to put some polish on individual flakes to make them stick better - this is a lot of effort, but worth it!

Lay out your flakes in your desired shape - I chose hearts! They didn't turn out perfect, but the effect was achieved.

After you've laid out the hearts, give the nails a coat of clear topcoat and an optional glitter topcoat for extra bling!

You're done! 

:)

x

MAC Lipstick Review - Speak Louder

I couldn't resist buying the MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Speak Louder using the code PIGGY on the MAC (.co.uk) website for free delivery! 

I've wanted a pink-y lipstick from mac for a long time and so decided to get it. It is £13.50 from the MAC website, which isn't as pricey as I thought it would be, but still not an everyday purchase :P
I looked at some colours online and be warned - the colours on the Internet rarely look like they do in reality. I am not disappointed, but be careful or you might be!

 

It's my first MAC lipstick so I was obviously excited about the packaging as well as the product (yay professionalism). A simple black box, but feels like quality in your hands. The lipstick itself is in a bullet shaped case - it looks smaller than usual cases but the amount of product is roughly the same.

Texture: much more opaque than cheaper lipsticks. It is a little heavy and not as hydrating on the lips. It's a creamier formula and more pigmented than my other lipsticks. 

Durability: I actually tried it out at my party last night and it lasted pretty well - especially with drinking etc. It stains - i.e. its durability is due to it holding on to the lips, and because it is a darker colour, these are visible lines on the top and bottom of the lip when it has rubbed off, so some blending or topping up is required. All in all, much better lasting than my other lipsticks.

Feathering: Almost none!

Colour:  as mentioned above, the colour is a little intense - I would probably go for a pinker shade next time, e.g. Saint Germain or Pink Noveau. 

Verdict: Very nice, a little heavy, not very hydrating, stains a bit, durable, pigmented colour. 

:)
x

Too Faced - Wild Thing Collection!

This little set is one of the best purchases I've ever made - I will forever bang on about the Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, which is part of this little gorgeous bag. 
In the UK, we have a store called TK Maxx (http://www.tkmaxx.com/) which sells branded products for (often) ridiculous prices. So one day I stroll in and causally find a Too Faced Wild Thing set - for £12.99!!!!!!!!!!! The RPP is aparently "over £80" but I've found it online for £26... Still, that is a bargain and a half! 

Anyhooooo, this is what was inside: 

Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face primer (5g)

 This little baby is sample sized - so not too much product, but I'm coping. I use it under my eyes and in my t-zone. The purpose really is to eliminate any shine that my Elf Mineral Primer doesn't succeed in eliminating. The formula is velvety and non-greasy. All in all, if I have the money, I would purchase the full sized product! 

Lash Injection Pinpoint in Hot Chocolate   

I was a little weary of this at first because I never thought of brown mascaras as something up my street. However, I overcame my prejudice - and am I glad I did! 

I was often advised to wear brown mascara because of my blue eyes and how it should bring them out and blah blah blah  but I never tried it - I wouldn't say it brings out anything but its a hell of a good mascara. 

The wand is as it says on the packaging  - pinpoint. It is very small, and for comparison's sake, here's a photo next to Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara:

  Neat, huh? It certainly allows very easy access to those tiny troublesome lashes and deposits a nice amount of product on each.

I don't find it to be clumpy - there is a small problem with the product drying up on the side of the tube when I dry excess, but the brush is fine, although I do worry for how long it will last.

Lip Bronzer in Sun Bunny

A beautiful little gloss with high shine - a brown-y colour that is, however, suitable for paler skin tones, too. The formula is creamy, and not too heavy (compared to other lip glosses). The most prominent feature that it SMELLS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. It smells like a mixture of vanilla & chocolate and is just a little piece of heaven. It also tastes sweet - hooray for non-chemically tastes for lip glosses. 
The colour deposited isn't necessarily brown - as seen above, it gives a golden-pink sort of sheen.

Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder
I am taking this product with me to the grave. It is worth every penny you'll pay for it!
First, it smells like chocolate. As in PROPER chocolatey, beautiful smell. And no, it doesn't linger on the skin, neither is it strong, but just enough when you apply it. I keep giving it to everyone to smell because it is THAT amazing! 
Second, the texture is amazing. With the right brush (a good blush brush or preferrably a stipple brush) you can create a gorgeous contour or a blurred-out tan. It is so versatile, and super blendable!
Third, it is my constant compact mirror. The case is a sleek and cute black & pink and the writing on the mirror says "Why be pretty when you can be gorgeous?" Little self-esteem boost there :)

 
      Not the best representation - this is after a whole day of wear (so it lasts long as well!)
All in all this is my good little friend - not one that I would have ever expected, however. They always go on about pale people using pinks for blusher and not bronzer - well, think again! 

Wild Thing Make Up Clutch 

This is actually my permanent make up bag that I carry around with me at all times - before I got this baby I carried all my make-up in pockets in my bag on principle - all the other make up bags just were not good enough! With the purchase of this, I am now forever hooked. 
It is furry and leopard print on the outside and bright pink inside - and of very high quality! It is more like a pouch and doesn't have a zip, but that doesn't hinder it, and in fact, I prefer the lack of zip.  


This took long, but I hope this worked - I recommend all of these products! It is most probable that you will not come across the whole set, but if you see the products separately, buy them!! 

:) x

FOTD - Using Elf Eyeshadows

I'm still getting round to reviewing my mini Elf cosmetics haul... one day.
This little look I attempted is very natural, and required a few tweaks to bring out the colours properly, but looks very nice for everyday.

 

Moody faces :P
Products used: 

Face:

• Garnier Skin Essentials Hydrating Day cream for normal skin
• Elf Mineral Face Primer
• Too Faced Primed and Poreless Smoothing skin primer (T zone)
• Maxfactor Xperience Weightless Foundation in Raw Silk 45
• Lancome Color Ideal Poudre in 010 Beige Porcelaine
• Elf Translucent Matifying Powder
• Elf High Definition Powder

Cheeks: 

• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder (♥ this so much)
• Rimmel London Compact 002 Rebel Chic Powder Blusher 

Eyes:

• Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer 
• Elf Little Black BeautyBook - Eyeshadow Edition (3 colours)
•  Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint in Hot Chocolate

Lips:  

• L'Oreal Colour Riche Shine Gelee in Sheer Cherry 
• Too Faced Lip Injection gloss coat  

 A lot of effort! I will eventually (I hope) get round to reviewing some of my favourite products (Chocolate Soleil Bronzer ♥). 

:) 
x