A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I keep reading China Glaze Ingrid being described as a taupe or a greige.  I’m not pedantic over shade names… hell, I’m always getting corrected for describing them a bit squiffy, but Ingrid looks like an out and out brown to me.  Brown with gold micro-glitter.

It’s stunning, but the gold glimmer warms it up a bit too much for my skintone.  You can’t see the gold very well on my nails thanks to the overcast skies, but it’s clearly visible in the bottle.

I found Ingrid to be quite thin and three coats were needed to reach the above finish.  It’s a really lovely twist on the whole brown/greige/taupe (I’m so tempted to add ‘shitfingers’ – your fault Karleigh) and may be a great choice for those of you who find the trend leaves their skintone looking a bit flat.

Have you tried Ingrid yet?

The day that I get my concealer application down to a fine art is the day that I go ALL out on tinted moisturisers.  I love the more natural finish, but hate compromising on coverage.

Arbonne are quite new to me and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products I’ve tried.  I’ll probably never feel comfortable with the way in which you need to purchase the products through consultants but that’s just because I’m an old fashioned girl who’d much rather be able to pick up her makeup whilst out shopping!

I received a sample of Arbonne’s Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturiser in Fair.  Arbonne offer an impressive 6 shades within their tinted moisturiser range.  I’m used to seeing Light, Medium and Dark… so such a wide selection caught my attention early on.

Packaging is SLEEK!  I know they’ve recently revamped their entire cosmetics line and the dirty pewter finish is lovely!

The texture of the tinted moisturiser is quite fluid… which makes it easy to spread and blend, there’s plenty of slip which makes for quite a fool-proof application.  It’s definitely more like applying a moisturiser than applying a foundation.

It’s a dewy finish that would benefit from a little powder over areas that are prone to shine.  I usually powder my nose, chin and forehead after applying this.  It evens out my skintone nicely but doesn’t provide any coverage for blemishes.  It also doesn’t completely cover redness, but as a tinted moisturiser, it probably isn’t meant to.

It moisturises well (something that most tinted moisturisers actually fail to do!) but the flipside to this is that it leaves my skin feeling slightly tacky to the touch, another reason to set with powder.

At £24 for 50ml, this is high end.  Not as expensive as Laura Mercier’s cult offering or Bobbi Brown’s tinted balm, but more expensive than many high street alternatives including Clinique’s Almost Makeup (which I love for the winter).

Longevity is good, it does slip around my nose by mid-afternoon… but that’s where I’m at my most oily and I don’t use any kind of mattifying products in this area.

Final Verdict – If you’re looking for a sheer tinted moisturiser in a wide variety of shade choices, Arbonne’s Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturiser may be for you.  If you’re prone to oily skin or don’t need so much moisturisation… consider other options first.

I’m wildly excited at the prospect of being able to get my hands on the Deborah Lippmann’s collection.

From mid October, House of Fraser will be stocking The Lippmann Collection exclusively as part of it’s new Apothecary.

The collection includes cult shades such as Happy Birthday, Don’t Tell Mama, Superstar and now included under that ‘cult’ umbrella thanks to a recent Vanity Fair cover… Waking Up In Vegas.

Starting from £14 a bottle, The Lippmann Collection may well make our purses weep, but there’s no denying that there are some splurge-worthy shades at our fingertips.

Me?  I’m lusting after Waking up in Vegas (naturally!) and new shade for A/W Across the Universe (the blue glitter above).

Anything catch your eye?

I’m guest blogging over on Zuneta again today!

I get to grips with a bit o’ Rouge Bunny Rouge and characteristically fall in love with the cult brand, but it’s not ALL plain sailing…

Head on over there and don’t forget to leave a comment, I wanna know your tips for sharpening those babies! (not babies babies… um… oh, you’ll see what I mean if you go have a read!)

I bought this cream concealer from Inglot earlier in the year (around the same time as I picked up the MUFE full cover concealer).  I was hoping to do a comparison, but they’re really quite different.

I tend to use this around my nose and on blemishes.  It’s a little thick to use under the eyes, though I have had some success if I apply with a small fluffy brush.  Coverage is medium/full and I find that it dries quite quickly, so rapid blending is essential to achieve a flawless finish.

Compared to my MUFE, the texture is thin and gives less coverage, it’s easier to blend but doesn’t produce quite the same effective results.

I also find it a little drying.  Having said a few negative things about the Inglot Cream Concealer, it’s only fair to also point out a major positive.  This doesn’t seem to highlight or sink into my pores.  Some concealers leave my pores feeling rather ‘out there’… but this blends in nicely.  It will sink into fine lines around the eyes unless you use a very light hand during application.  I think that perhaps thin layers may be key with this concealer.

Shade #32 is a good slightly pink toned match for my cool pale skin.  I wish I could remember how much I paid for this but I can’t.  If anyone knows how much the Inglot Cream Concealers retail at, holler and I’ll update.

You can buy Inglot in the UK at the Westfield in London and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin.

From the Autumn/Winter 2010 Vintage Vixen collection, Bogie (named for Humphrey Bogart) is a must have.  No really, go and buy it NAO!

I don’t usually like frosts, but this is metallic enough to bring it up to date and stop it from looking like you’ve raided your Mum’s nail polish box.

It reminds me a little of my Dior Silver Purple from last Christmas… though is a bit less gun-metally (metally, totally a word) and more purple.

I’ve already worn this twice in a row and die-hard nail fans will understand that that’s QUITE the accolade.

A very, very pretty polish for Autumn/Winter.

I buy 80% of my polishes from BeautyZone2007 on eBay who I’ve had a faultless experience with so far.

It’s all about the lips this Autumn as far as Clarins are concerned.

They’ve introduced a new lipstick to their line up!  The long-lasting Rouge Prodige range boasts an impressive 24 shades, I’ve been sent a few to swatch and show you… so here goes…

Sleek is the word I’d use to describe the packaging… look at that cute little ‘C’.  For ‘Charlotte’ innit…

Shades and swatches after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

Your make up that is!

I have my makeup stored beside my computer… I never have to leave this desk if I don’t want.  L.A.Z.Y.

But… this comes at a price.  My mirror is too small and a bit far away, I’m forever squinting and grabbing the mirror from one of my NARS duos or blushes instead whilst trying to apply liner or blend my eyeshadow.

My bathroom has NO room for storage, so although the light is good… I’d have to drag each product in there piece by piece in the mornings.

I dream of something like this…

Seriously beautiful no?  *chin on hand*

Where do you apply your makeup?

~ Rae reviews a gorgeously packaged mascara that smells like blueberries (no, we’re not kidding!) over at theNotice.

~ Tammerly from Pink Diva’s Beauty Spot was GHD’s guest at Little Joe Woman fashion luncheon which was also sponsored by Lancome.

~ IHeartCosmetics reviews the famous Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish .

~ The Pink Sith tries to put as many non sequitur references that she can into her review of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush. See if she has finally gone too far.

~ Madame B Fatale swatches some Australian Mineral Shadows by Kylies Professional.

~ Jellyminx creates an affordable autumn inspired eye look perfect for the dreary weather the UK has had recently!!

~ Urban Decay announce The Black Palette and Lipglossiping has the photos! This one’s for the rock chick inside each of us!

~ Cindy from Prime Beauty is finally leading the semi-“charmed” life she thinks she deserves by wearing the newest Three Custom Color Specialist lipstick. Find out how you can get yours as a GWP!

~ What’s in the vanity drawers at The Gloss Menagerie? Come have a look at Alyson’s makeup organization.

~ Beautywoome takes you through the no-chip manicure paces.

~ It wasn’t easy, but Glitter Geek actually listed her top 10 products for Summer 2010. See any of your own favourites?

~ Jeweled Thumb reviews a face paint by Models Own as a blush and discovers it works!

~ Want to learn how to self-apply individual false eyelashes at home? Mz. More of The Glamorous Gleam has a video tutorial!

~ Hot Beauty Health shares how to get short, curly hairstyles like celebs!

~ The Lip Print makes a change and crosses over to the light side .

~ Retrodiva explores eight autumn beauty trends sure to be popular this year.

~ Want Chanel Paradoxal but don’t like it’s price? Musicalhouses shows you Paradoxal’s (much) cheaper little sister!

I’m starting a new series called The Countdown.  Each month, around this kinda time I’m gonna be having a root about on my desk and in my cabinets to find the top 3 products that I’ve reached for in that particular month.  They may be long since discontinued or they may be new acquisitions.

I love reading people’s favourites lists and I often find hidden gems amongst them, so I hope this will be interesting to you lovely lot!  Today it’s my top 3 blushes of August.

1. Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in M23 Wine – Stupid shade name, I’ve never drunk a wine this shade. If I had, I would be sure to have remembered the belly ache that would have followed!

I’ve been using this matte blush with a very light hand, just a pop on the apples of the cheeks with a loose bristled brush.  EASY to go overboard with this one!

2. Topshop Blush in Butterscotch – If Shu’s Wine is easy to overdo… this is the exact opposite.  It takes quite a bit to get this to show up on me.  I’ve been using my fingers to apply and like the natural effect this cream blush gives.  I’m not sure I’d repurchase because I’d like one with a bit more oomph – but I’ve been reaching for it a lot this month because I’m loving the nude colour.

3. Illamasqua Cream Blush in Laid – A recent purchase, Laid is a cool toned hot pink… again, this one is best reserved for the apples of the cheeks unless you’re going for that 80s look!  Blends like a dream and so quick for a fuss-free pop of colour.  Love it.

What have been your favourite blushers this month?

Look Good…Feel Better is a charity set up to provide free support and workshops for female cancer patients who want to look and feel more like their ‘normal’ selves during a difficult period of their lives.  Workshops are hosted by volunteer beauty consultants and women leave the two hour sessions smiling, uplifted, with new skills and a fresh feeling of confdence.

Over the last 4 years, Selfridges has partnered with Beauty Editors and Brands to hold a special event in aid of this wonderful charity and this year promises to be the best yet!  Over 20 prestigious beauty brands with over 20 top Beauty Editors from leading titles including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Hello and Marie Claire, will be offering one-to-one advice and the best beauty hints and tips.

This year the event will take place on the 23rd September at Selfridges Beauty Hall, Oxford Street, London from 11am – 5pm.

Not only will there be information on beauty advice, top tips, secrets and trends but also fantastic mini make-overs and a complimentary gift bag, generously donated by participating companies.

Tickets cost £20 with all proceeds donated to Look Good…Feel Better,  Book now for the rare opportunity to pick the brain of a beauty industry expert!  To book your ticket call Selfridges hotline on 0800 138 8140

It’s not uncommon for a fragrance to give you a swift kick to the guts… nowadays it’s all about the impact and it’s all about capturing a modern audience with that initial “scentsation” (see what I did there, huh huh?).

Marc Jacobs’ Bang can certainly be included in this category.  It’s pepper-heavy top notes demand a reaction, there’s no ‘growing on you’ with this fragrance.  You choose your camp and you better stick with it.

I love it.  I’m absolutely in love with it.

I often prefer men’s fragrances over ones aimed toward the female market, they make me wanna breathe deeper and hold onto the scent just that little bit longer.

Bang’s packaging is fabulous… I dare you to see it in store and NOT want to reach out and hold it, it’s has that whole curio thing going on and with it’s crumpled metallic exterior, is a clever interpretation of it’s title.

I wasn’t keen on the campaign image… but it fits.  It fits with the product.  It’s brash, attention-seeking and evokes an instant gut reaction.  Personally, I prefer MJ in his quieter, geekier days… but if that were still the case, perhaps he wouldn’t be producing BIG scents like this one.

Those peppery notes hang around for a while before mixing into some deeply masculine woody tones.  The fragrance becomes more conventional at this point, though never dull.

Below, you can watch Marc Jacobs talking about the ideas and development of Bang.

Final Thoughts – Marc Jacobs Bang is a modern top-note heavy fragrance for a man looking for something different.  It’s a grown up scent with no hints of citrus or fruit.  If you’re looking for that locker-room sporty type fragrance, move away from the bottle now.  Bang is sexy in an entirely different way… unlike the ad, it’s subtle.  Those strong pepper notes ensnare you without being overtly sexual and then it softens down into something deeply masculine but less aggressive.  Screw “Cool Water”, this is the fragrance Sawyer would wear.

Marc Jacobs Bang is available to buy now priced at £48.50 for 100ml