A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I suspected it from the moment I twirled the bottle between my fingers…

…Stargazer #155 (£2) is a very nice match for the cult O.P.I shade I’m Not Really A Waitress (£9.95)

INRAW was the first OPI I bought back in the day and is probably the only bottle of polish I’m even close to finishing.

If I look *really* closely, I’d say that Stargazer #155 is the teeniest bit more cherry toned than INRAW, but there’s barely anything in it.

#155 is opaque in two coats and applies smoothly with a decent brush… not too thin and no straggly long bits.  Quick drying but affording just enough time to work the polish to the edges of the nail bed.  It benefits from a glossy top coat to bring out the sparkle within the polish.

And a comparison with the OPI…

I prefer the Stargazer.  I’ve always had an issue with tip wear with this particular OPI (see my review from last May) and the Stargazer is outperforming INRAW in this instance by a huge amount.  No tip wear at all until the 3rd day.

Did I find a good dupe?  I’m usually pretty crappy at dupe hunting, so I’m kinda chuffed with myself!  Simple things and all that…

Well, if you wanna be… get in there quick!  Entries close at 9am on the 7th June.

British brand Illamasqua are looking for a fresh face to front their Autumn/Winter collection and it could be you!

Check out the casting page to find out more and apply (men welcome too!)

Good luck if you’re applying!

It’s time I be brave and post a before treatment / during picture.  Now that the irritation and redness has completely subsided (took about a week) from my first Sk:n laser hair removal treatment, I’m thoroughly enjoying my new (relatively) hairless face!

I have 5 more treatments to go and I’m in it for the long haul.  6 treatments in total, each separated by a 4 week period to allow for different growth cycles means I should be finished in October.

Let me show you the (gruesome) photos first and then I’ll share my observations about the current hair growth.

Yeah, looking at this 6 weeks on is a little bit upsetting.  I can’t believe that I sruggled with this for so many years.  Maybe I’m being blase…. I don’t know that this is going to be permanent, but jeez… one session is all I’ve had.  One.  Look.

I catch myself stroking my chin with the back of my hand occassionally… surprised at the feeling of smooth skin… but mostly, I’m loving just not having to think about it at all.

I’m currently shaving every 3rd/4th day, compared to once or even twice a day previously.

When the hair does come back through, it feels finer and less coarse.  It’s still dark and the pinpricks of colour under the surface of my skin are noticeable if you look closely.  But what an astounding difference.

I didn’t expect to achieve such instant results.  I know I need to continue the ‘course’ and not be lulled into a false sense of security as I’ve been told the hair can sometimes appear to get even thicker than previously after the 2nd/3rd sessions thanks to the different growth cycles… but for now…. I’m on cloud nine.

Exclusive to ASOS.

Bourjois have released a new nail polish collection which claims to give a false nail effect for up to 8 days.

Bourjois False Nail Effect Nail Enamel is available in 8 shades and designed to cover any nail imperfections for a smooth and even finish.

The colour range isn’t exactly blowing me away, but I like the sound of the wide brush and am tempted to pick up a bottle in the hot pink (3rd from left).

Priced at £5.50 each and available at ASOS.

All item that were paid for last night went out by first class post this morning, thank you!

I’ve lowered the prices on a couple of items.

Any items paid for this morning onwards, will go out on Monday.

Thank you! xx

I’ve got a brand spankin’ new bottle of Seche Vite up for grabs… and a rather cute Japanese cheek guide thing for blush application…

So, how do you win it?

Head on over to the Lipglossiping ego Facebook page and agree to sell me your soul like it!

Simples!

I shall draw a winner (international entrants welcome) on the 24th June.

P.S. – I know that some of you would rather stick hot pins in your eyes than sign up on facebook, so if you wanna join in the fun but are allergic to the “book of faces”, drop me an email with the subject “JUNE GIVEAWAY” (and a few lines of text to get past my spam filter) and I’ll make sure you’re entered too!

~ Shampoo: None!  I’m having a hair product crisis this month, ever since the Philip Kingsley thankfully sorted my sore scalp out at the beginning of the month… I haven’t really enjoyed using anything.
~ Conditioner: None!   I’m hating on all my conditioners, my hair seems to be getting drier – HALP!
~ Styling products: Honestly can’t be bothered, I’ve scraped my hair into a ponytail practically every day.
~ Shower Gel: I used up the last of my Body Shop Sweet Lemon which was pretty lovely, so I bought some more while it was cheap!
~ Night Cream: Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser – I’ve just finished it! BOO!
~ Day Cream: Ponds Light Day Cream (if it’s good enough for Kylie…)
~ Cleanser: Muji Cleansing Oil followed up with Priori Advanced AHA – Gentle Facial Cleanser
~ Exfoliator: None, ‘cos I’m using the AHA facial cleanser daily
~ Primer: Shu Uemuera UV Underbase SPF 30
~ Foundation brush: Fingers mostly!
~ Concealer: Stargazer Pro Paint Stick
~ Powder: MAC MSF Natural in Medium
~ Blusher: Bare Escentuals Blusher in Giddy Pink
~ Highlighter: Make Up Store High Tech Lighter in Orion
~ Eyeshadow base: UDPP in Sin
~ Eyeshadows: my NYX single shadows have been getting a lot of love this month!
~ Eyeliner: Sleek Kajal in Black
~ Mascara: Lancome L’Extreme & Avon Super Shock
~ Lipstick: Revlon Colour Burst in Soft Nude
~ Lipgloss: NYX Whipped

C’mon, I really need some inspiration on the ‘Poo and Conditioner front, tell me what is fabulous at the minute?

Rituals are a Dutch brand that I’d previously spotted in John Lewis, but hadn’t explored.  So I was curious to find out more about them when I popped into the launch of their latest line, Tao.

The Tao range is inspred by the ancient Chinese life philosophies encompassing energy, balance, peace and serenity.  All that Yin & Yang stuff.

It encompasses 8 new products which range from a body cream to a pillow mist, from bathing products through to massage oils.  Which brings me to my particular favourite…

Qi. Not only a top scorer in a game of Scrabble, but a surprisingly lovely stress relief serum.  I say “surprisingly” ‘cos I’m generally unaffected by things that are supposed to make you feel better if you sniff ’em or apply them to pulse points.  The most “alternative” I ever get is a drop of Bach’s Rescue Remedy on my tongue, and doing it always makes me feel like a bit of a wally.

I had a few drops of Qi (£8.50) massaged into my temples and the smell of Chinese Peppermint really invigorated me.  I spent the next half hour feeling a strange and totally pleasant warming sensation around my temples which had the effect of keeping me feeling sharper and more alert during my usual mid-afternoon slump.  I’ve never really experienced anything quite like that before.  I’m waiting for Qi to come into stock on the Rituals website so I can pick myself up a bottle.

The Tao Range is available online from the Rituals website.

UK P&P is £1.70.  International at cost.  Please leave a comment to claim an item leaving your Paypal email address and also please state if you’re UK or international.

~ RMK Ingenious Cheeks Blush in Pink Rose (old style) – Tested once – still boxed – £7.50

~ STILA Illuminating Foundation 10 watts (lightest shade) – Used twice – still boxed – £9

~ NARS Crazed Blush d/c – teeny dip just starting to form – £15 – SOLD

~ MAC Pretty Please Lipstick used 4x – £6 – SOLD

~ YSL Rouge Volupte Lingerie Pink  used 1x – still boxed – £16 – SOLD

~ Kryolan Aqua Colour in Black used 1x – £3.50 – SOLD

~ Kryolan Aqua Colour in White used 3x – £3 – SOLD

~ MAC Everhip Lipstick, tested once – still boxed – £10 – SOLD

~ YSL Pop Stick Blush in Strawberry/Raspberry – still boxed – Used 4x – £8 – SOLD

~ MAC Lip Erase from the DSquared Collection used 2 or 3x – still boxed – £8 – SOLD

~ MAC Gleam Lipstick used 5x £6.50 – SOLD

~ NYX Strawberry Milk tested once £2 – SOLD

~ MAC Viva Glam IV tested once – still boxed – £7.50 – SOLD

~ MAC Lustering Lipstick used 4x – £7.50 – SOLD

~ NARS Angelika Blush used 3x no dips – still boxed – £15 – SOLD

I found this amongst my other Star Gazer goodies that I was sent last week and immediately my eyes went into a bit of a roll.

I can be a bit of a foundation snob.  Eyeshadows… I’ll buy and happily use from all price points… but foundation is the base of everything right?  If your base ain’t right… you ain’t coming in.

I have to say though, this Star Gazer Pro Paint Stick is pretty brilliant!  Don’t get wrong… there’s plenty of stuff about it that I don’t like.  For one, it kinda pongs… it smells chemically and cheap.  That’s probably because it is.

For two, the ingredient list is massive… there’s lots of unpronounceables in there.

And for three, well… it’s Star Gazer and not Chanel.  I’m gonna have to hide the packaging. SORRY!  But it’s true, this won’t be taking pride of place on my dressing table.

But snobbery aside; Stargazer Pro Paint Stick is a truly effective full coverage, creamy foundation.  In a stick.

It glides on without drag, #1 Light Flesh (sexy) is a great neutral colour match for me (don’t get this one if you’re darker than a NW/NC15 though) and blends seamlessly with the warmth from my fingers.

I’ve been working out the best way to use it, and for me… I’m loving it as a giant concealer stick.

I swipe the tube over the tops of my cheeks and down the bridge of my nose and blend.  It evens out my skintone beautifully and once set with some translucent powder, doesn’t want to budge.  It means that I can happily coat the rest of my face in tinted moisturiser and be all “la la la I’m wearing tinted moisturiser, isn’t my complexion LOVELY!”

I’ve worn it all over too, but I tend to be a little heavy handed and I get that full-cover slightly sticky mask thing going on.  Here’s a before/after shot.  You should be able to see how well the redness and uneveness is covered?

Priced at £4 each and available from Stargazer online, though the online colour swatches look a bit rubbish.

Slowly making my way through the Urban Decay Summer of Love nail kit (£17.50) and I’m currently sporting Psychedelic Sister!

Described as a bright coral, but it isn’t.  It’s far too red to qualify as coral.  However, it’s a beautiful shade of red meets salmon pink.  It shouldn’t work, but it does!

3 coats (as most of these seem to need) for a good finish, my one complaint is that I’ve got more tip wear than normal AND a chip *sharp intake of breath* on only my first full day of wear.  Can’t count, that’s two complaints… oh well.  You can see the chip on my index fingernail and the tip wear on the middle.

I don’t usually get chips, soooooooo it’s something that is noticeable when I do.

See my other swatches from the collection:

Aquarius
Woodstock
The Whole Kit

Some of you ladies have your Summer of Love nail kits now, how are you liking them?  Have you spotted them in Debenhams yet or is it only some Boots that have put them up?

From the 1st June 2010, staff from Lush Cosmetics are embarking on a nationwide cycle journey that will encompass each and every Lush store in the UK.

They’re doing it in aid of the Change Your World campaign – a movement that encourages people to consider alternative, sustainable modes of transport for local journeys.  And this, is where the Cyclists Repair Kit comes in…

In conjunction with this journey, Lush has launched a limited edition Cyclists’ Repair Kit (£9.95) that contains six fresh handmade cosmetics to repair and rejuvenate tired cyclists.

Available throughout the month of June only, the kit contains a 10g sample tin of Lush’s NEW Ultrabalm, a sample sized Ultralight SPF 10 moisturiser; one 10g pot of Kings of the Mods styling gel to keep hair smooth under cycle helmets; one Aromaco deodorant with patchouli; one sample sized Handy Gurugu hand cream; and a Wiccy Magic Muscles cinnamon and mint massage bar to rub onto aching muscles to help dispel tension and possible inflammation.

I reckon it’d make a great little festival kit for the summer!

Talking of which, any of you ladies take part in the festival circuits?  I’ve never been to one!