A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars

It’s my first makeup book, and I fear it may herald a new addiction.  I already have more coffee table books than room for coffee tables thanks to my passion for photography, but I’m on the hunt for more!

Tell me, what are some of your favourite makeup books?

***

In other news, thanks so much for your kind ‘get better soon’ wishes yesterday, I wasn’t well enough to make it up to London today, so Mr L has promised to take me to Gunwharf Quays and spend aslong as I want in the CCO instead.

I did make it to the doctors yesterday and I’m looking at what appears to be either a stomach ulcer or a  cholecystectomy which has left me with a bile leak.  At least I feel less of an e. coli carrying skank.  Bwuahah, every cloud and all that!

…on Lipglossiping.com

Don’t believe me?  It’s true… look, case in point…

I rest my case.

Though, if you are looking… may I point you in the direction of SCforM where you’ll read great things about shaving soap and eyebrow grooming for men.  I recommend you slyly slip it in your other half’s favourites.  He’ll thank you for it one day.

I done did it!

Thanks lovely ladies!  With your help, guidance and lack of “LIKE DUH, she doesn’t know where to apply her shadowz”, I created a look with the soon-to-be-released limited edition Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia palette I received at the recent blogger launch:

Excuse the wayward eyebrow, I’m honestly not raising it… why DOES it do that?  I look perpetually dubious about something.  I only included it so that I could show you how it looks like with eyes open.

That’s better! (slightly).  How gorgeous is the teal on the lid?  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to carry teal next to my blue/green eyes very well, but I can just about get away with it.

So here’s what I used (and where):

(Shade #1) On the lid and blended just into the socket line

(Shade #2) In the crease and blended above

(Shade #3) Underneath the lower lashline

(Shade #4) Blended in the outer-v and inbetween the upper lashes to darken

(Shade #5) Just above the upper lashline for a little sparkle when I blink!

Hoorah, I used all shades!  I totally forgot to highlight with anything… so lazy.

I really wasn’t sure about using the teal and navy adjacent to one another, but you guys inspired me and you were completely correct!

I found that all the shades were easy to blend and nicely pigmented.  The white lacks pigment, but I’m certain that it’s inended use is as a layering shade rather than a highlight… it adds a good amount of sparkle without disrupting the tone of the shade you’re applying it to.

The taupe is the softest shade in the palette, with an almost buttery finish.  The blues are slightly rougher in texture, but apply beautifully nonetheless.

I also used a sample of one of the new Pure Colour Glosses in shade Twilight Petal, a very pretty pinky-nude infused with sparkle.  It’s a bit sticky, but the flipside is a long lasting finish.

The Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia palette and Twlight Petal gloss are due for release in August.

I’m ill… again!  Keep picking up varying strengths of a S&D bug.  Depressed about it, I’ve spent more time in the bathroom these past 8 months than my teenage years in their entirity.   I’m pretty hygenic and a dedicated handwasher so I’m not quite sure why I keep picking them up.  Maybe my immune took a knock after having Leila last year (and various infections) and just hasn’t picked up since.

Anyway… the point of this post is to say that there are no proper posts today.   I’m in bed.  In the dark.  Leila sleeps in with us (no nursery – boo) and I am tapping away on my iPhone in silence.  If I can wrangle the remote out of Mr. L’s grasp, then I’ll be watching SJP on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ in a minute. If not?  This is going to be a very long post indeed.

Look at my view:

Sucks to be me.  And an Australian judging by the current score (4-0)

In other news, I’m in London on Tuesday (if I’m well enough) and I’m on a no-buy!  How cruel is that?  I was supposed to be car-booting more of L’s baby clothes this morning… But seeing as I was too busy praying to the porcelain God, I’m without my frivolous pocket money this week.

Good grief, this is a miserable update!  Right… what’s good?  I’m going to Oxford for a few days next month!  And Bicester is calling too… I found a lovely pub last time I was in Oxford (called something about goats heads).  I plan to spend a decent amount of time there this time round.  Also… I wanna get back out and do some geocaching this Summer!  Anyone else do this?

I haven’t wrangled that remote yet, can you tell?

What are your plans for the week?  Any goals?  Oooh, I’ve also managed to finish 2 skincare products this week!  Yay me!  How exciting is my life?

What was the last item of skincare you used up?

Right, I’m going in for that remote… wish me luck!

I’m talking about the upcoming MAC In The Groove collection of course!

I’m self-indulging in some lovely high res shots of the items I’ve singled out from the collection that’s due for release on the 1st July.

I’m going for broke…

Too many things I want…

Seriously… gonna have to PARE. IT. DOWN.

Yikes.

Help me pare that down… I don’t need those 4 eyeshadows.

I definitely want Stereo Rose, New Vibe and Happy Together though…. and probably All Styled Up too… damn.  And I’m not even a MAC addict.

What are you desperately desiring from July’s (UK) the In The Groove Collection?

…Eye Revival Roll On (£5.40).

Bearing more than just a passing similarity to Garnier’s Eye Roll On, Tesco’s Derma Intensive Eye Revival is enriched with many of the same ingredients as it’s pricier alternative.

• Caffeine Extract – Helps to improve the skins elasticity under the eye.
• Horse Chestnut Extract – Encourages the skin to stimulate the blood microcirculation under and around the eye.
• Hyaluronic acid – Is a wonderful moisturiser that helps the skin to rehydrate, essential for mature skin.

Great for keeping in the fridge during the Summer!  Yeah… I have a bit of a ‘thing’ about keeping my products in the fridge *blush*.  And even more amazing… I’ve just checked on the Tesco website… and it’s only flippin’ half price at the moment!

£2.76? – Bargain!

Sometimes… you come across something a little bit special in the nail polish world.

Surreal Violet from the upcoming Estee Lauder Pure Color Collection is a little bit special.

I’ll admit, I’m biased.  I love me a bit of greige… I also love me a bit of dirty purple… combining the 2 tips me over the edge.

But then… THEN… throw in a generous amount of amber shimmer that sparkles like fireflies when sunlight hits it, and you’ve got me foaming at the mouth.  2 coats to achieve opacity, the sample I received glides on beautifully with no problems to note.  I finished with a quick-dry top coat to really enhance the shimmer contained within.

Surreal Violet is a limited edition shade from the upcoming Estee Lauder Pure Color collection by Tom Pecheux which is due to be released in the UK in August.

The polish will retail at £12/€17 and frankly, you need it.

Elizabeth Arden’s famous 8hr franchise has taken a new turn for the Summer.

Introducing Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defense for the Face (£22).  Boasting a potent SPF50 and a combination of both chemical and mineral sunscreens to offer intense sun protection.

I was given a sample to put to the test and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

When I first heard that Elizabeth Arden’s 8hr franchise would be introducing a suncream, my reaction wasn’t positive.

If you’re familiar with the original cream, you’ll know that it’s thickly textured, medicinal smelling and very, very heavy.  I own and use the Eight Hour Skin Protectant Cream for a very specific purpose.  After I’ve had a cold, it clears up those horrible nose flakes like nothing else.  But using it daily?  All-over my face?  No freaking way.

When I first squeezed the tube… my doubts were semi-justified… the original scent is still there, and it’s pretty full-on.  I’d say the scent is about 2/3rds of the strength of the original cream… but it’s unmistakeable.  If you’re not a fan of the medicinal scent… don’t even entertain the thought of buying this.

Otherwise, let me tell you that this is actually one of the lightest-feeling suncreams I’ve ever used.  As a general rule, the higher the SPF, the heavier the cream.  In that respect, this stuff is pretty awesome.  It sinks right in, leaving no visible ashiness or even that greasy feeling that suncreams often leave behind.

The scent takes a good 15 minutes to fade, but once it has I’m thoroughly enjoying all the other benefits of a quality sun protectant.  I am torn…  I’m really not a fan of the smell, but it’s a fabulous facial suncream that doesn’t interfere with further makeup application.

Available from Boots instore or online.

***

As a very quick follow up to my poll earlier in the week.  30% of you aren’t replacing your sunscreen often enough according to current guidelines.

…over at Beauty Expert, they’re giving us UK ladies the chance to live like the SATC girls with an ‘Ultimate Pampering Break’ for you and 3 friends.

It’s a prize worth nearly £2,000!

Click the image to be taken to the competition page.  Good luck if you enter!

WAH Nails are offering the ultimate world cup accessory (other than having Ronaldo on your arm). Actually, scratch that… does anyone ACTUALLY fancy Ronaldo? He’s far too high maintenance and no-chin for me.

I digress…

World Cup Nails…. yeah baby!

You can sport one (or more) of all 32 participating team’s designs on your tips and show your other half that you TOTALLY are supporting their love for all things football.

Head to WAH Nails in the Topshop basement (Oxford Street, London) to partake in a little world cup nail artistry.

The designs are available from the 11th June – 11h July, Flag designs from £30 and 10% off your home countries flag if you can show proof of your birthplace with a passport!
Ne
Which design would you choose? I know it’s terribly unpatriotic (esp being an 80s child)… but I’m digging the Greek & Argentine flags!

No, not literally… get your hands off!

I’ve never claimed to be a makeup artist nor hold any aspirations to cultivating a talent in this field.  I simply don’t have it in me.  Whether it’s cosmetics or clothes… I often struggle to merge individual pieces into a successful ensemble.  Or at least, one that does anything justice.

I’ve been handswatching and ‘playing’ with this beautiful Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia palette that was in my goodie bag of pieces from the upcoming Tom Pecheux Autumn collection (releasing in August).  It’s a daring choice of shades for a palette… it’s strong and needs to be worn with confidence.  I can do that, but I’d love a little bit of peer guidance to point me in the right direction.

So, the palette consists of 5 shades:

~ Matte Black
~ Shimmering Navy
~ Shimmering Teal
~ Metallic Grey/Taupe
~ Sheer White with Teal Sparkles (best for layering to add irridescence)

How would you put together a look with this palette?  Would you use all the shades at once? or just a few at a time.  I think I’m struggling with incorporating those two strong blues in one look.  Can it be done?  How would you attempt it?

Elemis, who were recently voted “Best British Brand” at the prestigious UK CEW awards are marking a special occasion with a rather special release.

Celebrating their 20th year, one of their most celebrated products has undergone a transformation!

From the 31st May until the 27th June, you can purchase a supersized 100ml pot of Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream for £99.  Taking into consideration that a 50ml pot retails at £75 and if I do my maths correctly… that makes a saving of £51!

Now, I’m not gonna pretend this is the “bargain du jour”, some skincare is just pricey, and Elemis’ Pro Collagen Marine Cream most definitely falls into the luxe range.

It’s been a product that I haven’t been without since I first got a sample from the Elemis counter last year… infact, I think I posted about it.  Yes, I did!  I’ve never actually reviewed PCMC other than to declare random love for it occasionally (I will put that right soon!).  Anti-Ageing skincare reviews are HARD, I think they’re so personal and more often than not based on how a product makes you feel rather than any immediate effects.

By the way, Elemis are hustlers with their generous sampling policy!  That 15ml sample I innocently picked up last Summer has cost me a bleedin’ fortune since!

You can buy the Limited Edition 100ml Pro Collagen Marine Cream online from their website at TimetoSpa or from your nearest Elemis counter or Spa.  But only until the end of the month!