A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

For someone who’s scared of bronzers… I own a few.  I’ve also ditched many more.  The ones that I’ve kept work for me, though not without effort.  This isn’t a fault of the products… it’s my unconfidence with application and with wear.

The ones that I’m showing you are my current favourites based on their tone.  With my (admittedly) untrained eye… they all complement cool-toned skin.  I should also point out that I’m not talking bronzer for contouring – these are all the products I use to mostly just warm up my complexion and give it a sunkissed look.

Swatched in the same order from left to right (note that swatches are to show tone, not intensity… some are VERY heavily swatched):

1. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Maui (£23.50)

Is it a blush, is it a bronzer?  Well… it looks a bit like a blush but if Bobbi says it’s a bronzer, who the hell am I to argue?  Maui is a warm pink shimmer that’s shot through with golden sparkle.  It’s an incredibly easy-to-use bronzer because it never looks muddy and on the rare ocassion that I actually do catch a bit of genuine sunlight… it’s much closer to how my skin would naturally colour than the more traditional golden browns available.

2. NARS Blush in Douceur L.E. (£19.50)*

Being a limited edition item <–ignore, am stoopid – it’s not Limited Edition!  I wasn’t going to include this one.  But it’s still available online at HQHair… so I figured it couldn’t hurt?  Now… this is a blush (if I’m not gonna argue with Bobbi, I’m certainly gonna agree with Francois!) but on my skintone, this matte blush works very nicely as a light pink/brown bronzer.  Although it looks dark in the pan, it’s the 2nd sheerest that I’m showing you.  Even I can’t mess this one up.  Just perfect.

3. Becca Pressed Shimmer Powder in Princess (£30)

Again, not a bronzer per se, Becca’s PSP in Princess is just lovely.  It’s shimmery but not AT ALL glittery… it’s very well behaved and grown up about things.  Smooth in texture, it imparts a subtle sun-kissed glow to my cheeks that is never overcooked.  Pricey, but worth it.

4. Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Rumour (£16)

If there were one black sheep in the set, this would be it (being Illamasqua, it had to be the naughty one didn’t it?)  The tone is perfect – devoid of any orange… and being so matte, it makes the best contour shade I own.  The problem is, that’s not saying a lot because it’s the ‘only’ contour shade I own.  I find Rumour a little hard to work with due to it’s heavy pigmentation and it can end up looking a bit muddy.  I want to love it and I feel that it’s my inexperience that stops me rather than the product itself.  Any tips for this one ladies?

5.Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in Blondes (£31.50)

Finally, a classic.  The sheerest of the lot (and the most expensive!)  Blondes is the lightest of the three shimmery bronzer options from Guerlain.  I also own the lightest in the matte version but reach for this one more often.  I would defy anyone to overdo this… it’s a must-have for pale skintones.

Other honourable mentions: Bobbi Brown Antigua, Bobbi Brown Bali Brown, The Body Shop Warm Glow, Guerlain Terracotta 01 (matte)

.

I know that all my bronzers are at the higher-end of the price spectrum… but experience has shown me that if I want to rid myself of orange-toned monstrosities, this is where I have to look.  Please do comment and let me know if things have improved in that respect on the high street because I’ll be one of the first out the door to go check out a bargain alternative!

What are some of your favourite bronzers?

* denotes PR sample.

I bought this little palette from ASOS a few weeks ago.  There were three to choose from and I couldn’t decide between Sueded Browns and this one, Velvet Plumtones.  So I did the only sensible thing I could do…. I googled for reviews! (you thought I was gonna say “buy both!” didn’t you… tsk.)

It wasn’t long before this video by Sam from Pixiwoo came up and I clicked through to watch.  I didn’t actually have to get that far… because as soon as I’d read “Especially good on green eyes” in their title… it was in my basket.  Be aware though, that if you do watch the video… you can probably kiss goodbye to the £25 you need to get this in your hot little hands.

Ugh, I love… love… LOVE the illustration on the front.

The palette is beautifully made, one of the best I own in terms of packaging quality.  I know that’s no great shakes… but when it feels good enough to make you take notice, it’s worth a mention.

I’m getting into a bit of a bad habit of swatching then photographing.  Or in this case… using about 3 times, then photographing.  Sorry!  I like to photograph pristine palettes for you guys but I just can’t help myself!

Four satin shades are included… none of them shimmery, just smooth with a slight sheen.  The ‘most’ matte is the darkest shade in the top left and most satin-y, the palest in the top right which has a slight iridescence to it.

Each shade applies super smoothly and blends very well indeed.  A fact that was visually noticeable for someone like me who isn’t completely shit at application but has a tendency to realise halfway through the day that she could probably have benefited from a couple more minutes blending.  Does that make sense?

On with the swatches…

Clearly a cool-toned palette, each shade has a hint of plum about it… it’s subtle but coherent and makes them work beautifully together.  It’s not hugely pigmented, the above swatches show around three swipes each but the pigmentation is buildable.  Applying over the top of UDPP extracts more vibrancy from the shades but I quite like the subtle muted tones that I get without it.

So would I recommend?  Yes, yes and yes again.  I really want the other two palettes for my collection… but Lord knows I don’t need them.  Perhaps (as they’re limited edition) ASOS will discount them if they don’t sell out first.  If anyone spots them at a cheaper price before I do – I would really appreciate a heads up!

Like the look of the Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Color Intrigue Palettes?

You know I’m a sucker for Elemis and on Sunday, they’re launching their brand new Melting Cleansing Gel to the fanfare of one of QVC‘s legendary TSVs.

I get excited when TSVs like this come up.  They sometimes include products that I’m less likely to use which reduces the value of both the TSV and the set for me.  This one?  Love everything in it and the new Melting Cleansing Gel sounds exciting! (you know you need to get a life when you genuinely get excited at the prospect of cleansing gel).

But because I know you lot are as tragic as I am… have a listen…

This gorgeous cleanser is suitable for all skin types and transforms from a gel to a milky cream when it is mixed with water. (Love cleansers that emulsify like this and am sorely tempted to give it a try whilst ignoring the 4 half full bottles of cleansing oil still in my bathroom)

key ingredients include :

~ Argan Oil to tense the skin and support the skin’s fibre networks.
~ Rice Silk to eliminate shine.
~ Assai Fruit to protect the skin’s lipid barrier to avoid it getting dry.
~ Rosemary Leaf a powerful antioxidant to stabilize oil flow and the sebaceous glands.

Will you be checking out the Elemis TSV on Sunday (sky channel 640)?  What’s been some of your favourite TSVs to date?

My second (or is it third – who’s counting?) Haus of Gloi order arrived a couple of weeks ago and included the limited edition scent Parkin and Aduwa from the permanent line.

I think by now, it’s confirmed that I’m a lover of the gourmand, foodie smells – particularly from this brand.  They simply do them so well.

I picked up a full size Parkin Pumpkin Butter, a mini size Parkin Bubbling Scrub, a full size Aduwa Bubbling Scrub and mini sized Saft Ernte & Pumpkin Queen Pumpkin Butters.  I basically scraped up the last of the Halloween offerings with this order.  I also made a separate order that contained just the Pumpkin Queen Perfume Oil but I seem to have mislaid it 🙁

Anyway… back to this order…

I’ve already talked about Pumpkin Queen and I won’t spend long on Saft Ernte (seeing as it’s barely available on site anymore) but suffice to say that if you’re a fan of Pumpkin Queen, you’ll like Saft Ernte too…. it’s a slightly peachier, sweeter version of Pumpkin Queen.  It’s a teeny bit *too* sweet for me… but not by much.

Parkin is still extremely gourmand… albeit darker.  In the jar, it’s all about the gingerbread… but once on the skin, it has a bitterness that comes from the black treacle.  The scent doesn’t last quite as long on me as Pumpkin Queen does but the formula is just as rich, moisturising and moreish.

Aduwa is part of the permanent line; described as: Sweet, hot, creamed ginger over a thick benzoin, creamy coconut milk.

I’ve only smelt this in the jar as I’m still finishing up my mini size Samhain scrub… but first impressions tell me that Aduwa smells good enough to eat!  The coconut is strong and true… none of this synthetic sun tan lotion coconut scent.  It’s like sticking your snout in a bag of dessicated coconut.

The next thing to come through is the creaminess… I was expecting a hit of ginger but it’s lacking a little.  This is pure coconut mixed through creamy hot milk.  Delightful.

My addiction to all things Haus of Gloi is well and truly compounded.  My Yule Tide order came through a couple of days ago… but I’m not even allowing myself a sniff until I’ve made some head way into these items.  I’m sure that won’t be too hard a task for me to manage!

Have you ordered anything from Haus of Gloi yet?

Toning is something I’m pretty concerned with at the moment.  A very low calorie diet will do more than simply burn fat… there’s a certain amount of muscle wastage taking place aswell.  An unwanted side effect shall we say.

To combat this, one needs to exercise.  It’s no good sitting on your (slowly disappearing) bum sipping at your shakes and waiting for the body of your dreams.  As with any diet, that’s only half the story.

FitFlop are a household name and I’ll be honest with you… I’ve never been interested.  I remember when they first came out to great critical acclaim and mile long waiting lists… not for me.  I can’t wear toeposts and we don’t exactly enjoy a tropical climate do we?  But then they introduced the shoes and even better?  The boots!

Now we’re talking!

I was sent a pair of their Chocolate Mukluk boots to put to the test and I was really intrigued to discover whether I would feel any benefits just by changing my footwear!

Sturdy and well-constructed were my first thoughts when I pulled them out of the box.  I was also insanely relieved that the unmistakable Microwobbleboard™ wasn’t as ridiculously obvious as I thought it might have been.  There’s nothing about these that screams comical.  I find them fairly subtle and the styling lends itself kindly to that familiar shaped sole.

About that sole… check out the all weather grips on these.  I’m not likely to land on my backside this winter!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that putting my feet in these is like stepping into a pair of clouds.  I’m not an UGG owner so this whole sheepskin boot thing is quite new to me.  The FitFlop Mukluks get top marks for comfort.

But to ensure comfort… you need to pay close attention to sizing.  FitFlops come in whole sizes… there are no halves here.  I’m a textbook UK 6.5 with a high instep and normal width feet.  I did a bit of reading on the Boots website and found that the general consensus was “if in doubt, go a size up”.  I figured that I’d be mostly wearing these with thick socks so I went for a UK7 and I’m really pleased I did.  They make a great fit for me.

Do I need sea-sickness tablets when going for a walk round the park?  No… the effect is subtle in the way it transfers to your body.  You can feel a slight difference in your step but it’s not enough to draw your attention to it… it’s not something you have to think about.

The technology is really interesting and I recommend you take a quick look at the demonstration here.

My feet and ankles feel supported in the FitFlop Mukluks, something that is an absolute no compromise in any shoe I wear and thanks to those thick soles and sheepskin uppers… I’m staying super toasty too!

So finally… how about the toning… the posture… the workout without working up a sweat?

I’m in two minds.  I think they’re quite possibly the most well supported, comfortable boot I’ve ever worn.  My high instep feels comfort it has never experienced and they definitely encourage a better posture whilst walking.  I thought that I would find walking in these harder than normal boots.  I thought I’d be aching in all kinds of places after 5 minutes in these and this was something I welcomed the idea of as I equated aching with toned thighs and bums!

In fact… I’m not getting any discomfort or burn and if anything, the FitFlop Mukluks are allowing me to walk further than usual (and I’m a big walker anyway) as they’re reducing the lower back pain that I get in normal walking shoes.

These aren’t quite the results I expected… but hell, I’m delighted!  Not only that but if I can walk longer… I’m toning more efficiently anyway right?!

So whilst I can’t tell you that my bum is now able to crack walnuts, I can totally tell you to consider a pair of these if you suffer from any hip or back pain when walking.  They’re a marvel.

Hugely impressed with my FitFlop Mukluks.

FitFlop Mukluk boots are priced at £135 and come in a range of colours.  You can buy them online here.

Have you tried FitFlops before?  What are your thoughts on them?

Gifts with purchases are welcome throughout the year… they really are.  But never are they more welcome than at this time of the year when we have to part with our cash like it or not! (one for you, two for me)

And I’ve got a reet good’un here.

Ohhhh Elemis…

I can’t even pronounce your name in my head without getting a bit sexy about it…. flicking the ‘L’ and gently hissing the ‘S’.

You are my elicit internet lover.  I find myself daydreaming of alone time with you… my arms submerged up to the elbows in Fairy’s finest whilst you drain my bank account faster than Burak from Bodrum.  I am your Shirley Valentine and my husband must never discover the extent of our relationship.

But God you give good product.

And this is a very good offer but you need to be QUICK!

Right… here’s the offer…

[stextbox id=”custom” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa”]Head down to your Elemis Debenhams counter to take part in this exclusive COMPLIMENTARY offer, 5 special size products worth up to an incredible £97 with any two or more Elemis purchases.  Available now until the 21st November 2010. To ensure each product is tailored to your skin type, they are prescribed by Elemis trained experts who will give you your own personal consultation, assessing which product is best suited to you. [/stextbox]

The offer includes a selection of hero products from across the Elemis range:

· Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser 30ml
· Maximum Moisture Day Cream 20ml
· Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 15ml
· Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
· Tri-Enzyme Facial Wash 50ml
· Skin Nourishing Milk Bath 125ml
· Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt 35ml
· Aching Muscle Super Soak 125ml
· Skin Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion 50ml
· Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Serum 10ml

The offer is available at Debenhams London Oxford Street, London Westfield, Belfast, Chester, Newcastle, Meadowhall, Birmingham, Glasgow and Brighton.

None of those are near me (waves from the South/South West) which sadly means that I’m screwed… but my marriage is intact.  Oh, the irony in that sentence.

If it weren’t for those pesky prematurely dark evenings… Autumn would be my favourite season by far.

The excitement at dragging our lovely knitwear out from storage, discovering warming new recipes for the slow cooker, 100 denier tights and nature’s most vibrant display of colour.  It all combines to fill me with that pre-Christmas thrill.

For me, Autumn is the season of scents… crushed leaves underfoot, cordite in the air and hearty stews on the stove.

Here’s my take on some of the nicest Autumn scents that money can buy.

.

Ancienne Ambiance Scented Candle Collection – Romana (£28)

Brainchild of Adriana Carlucci, Ancienne Ambiance offer luxury goods inspired by Antiquity.   When you burn an Ancienne Ambiance candle, you’re burning more than just a beautifully blended scent.

Romana is like a portal to another age.  Described as: A powder-like scent with sensual & comforting effects..particularly good when desiring a calm ambience.

Comforting is exactly right… it’s soft and evocative.  The amber tones are rich, earthy and overwhelmingly Autumnal.  Perfect for warming up these dark evenings.

The quality in this candle is evident with a flame which burned evenly throughout the many hours of enjoyment I’ve had thus far.  The scent remains true and consistent from the first time you light it through to the moment it extinguishes itself.

The Ancienne Ambiance Scented Candle Collection is available to buy online and instore at Fenwick of Bond Street.

.

OCCO  Motovun no3 Bath & Body Wash (£18)

Croatian-inspired OCCO are a new to the UK, natural brand with a wide range of luxury products.

The Motovun no3 range combines essences of Cypress Leaf, Labdanum, Oak, Cedar Leaf, Vetiver and Black Pepper, to create an earthy and woody selection.

They say:

Oil of cypress tree fuses with gentle oat-based cleansers with anti-oxidant properties, to help restore elasticity and cleanse your skin. Natural extracts of pine and oak calm and centre your mood.

With an impressive list of active ingredients including: Pine Oil, Cypress Oil and Sage Oil Grape Extract, OCCO’s Motovun No3 promises to be a moisturising experience.  Something that our skins definitely crave this time of year.

All OCCO products contain a minimum of 95% natural ingredients and 100% natural fragrance blended from absolutes, extracts and oils to reveal subtle top, heart and base notes. All products are free from parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals and synthetic colours.

The brand are set to open a central London boutique this Autumn but for now, you can purchase online and instore from Harrods and John Lewis.

.

Haus of Gloi Parkin Bubbling Scrub ($9)

My latest Haus of Gloi order turned up yesterday morning and amongst it was the newly released Parkin Bubbling Scrub.

Heavy in black treacle, ginger and roasted chestnuts… the initial ginger sweetness morphs into a richer, darker base that lingers on the skin for hours.  Synonymous with Bonfire Night, I was delighted to scrub myself silly with this yesterday morning to mark the historic date.

Now, if only I had some real sticky Parkin to go with it *nom*

Parkin Bubbling Scrub is available online from Haus of Gloi (for a limited time).

.

LUSH / Gorilla Perfumes – Tuca Tuca (from £2.50)

I wanted to include an out and out fragrance in this selection but I found myself struggling to choose.  Sure, there are many amber and woody offerings…. even heady orientals that would fit with the theme but as I was exploring my stash of lovely things, I remembered Tuca Tuca.

It’s a love it/hate it pick.  Mr. L hates it, I love it.  Not quite as much as I love some of LUSH’s other new fragrance offerings (I’m looking at you Lust and The Smell of Freedom) but by Jove it reminds me of Halloween!

Tuca Tuca is an explosion in a Parma Violet Factory… and in this house, Parma Violets are king… or yano… queen… whatever, I ain’t discriminating.  Even better if we can find the jumbo ones… am not fattist either.  It’s playful, girly and comforting all at the same time.  But most of all?  It’s impish… mischievous and defiantly bold.

A pied piper of fragrances.

Tuca Tuca is available instore at LUSH or online.

.

Neals Yard Remedies Lip Gloss with Organic Orange Oil (£9)

Neals Yard Remedies are new to cosmetics and I’m finding it hard to decide if this is a gloss, a balm or maybe just a bit of both!

Advertised as a gloss, it does indeed leave a lovely (if subtle) sheen behind.  It’s non sticky and wears just as well under a lipstick as it does over it!

But the real beauty is in it’s scent!

I have literally spent an entire car journey with the end stuffed up my nostril.  Well, not *up* my nostril… that would just be dangerous, imagine if we had to brake?

Let me explain…

As a child, around this time of year… I used to make orange pomanders and use them to scent drawers and wardrobes around the house.  The organic orange oil is an acute reminder of those days.

It’s got enough tartness to it to steer it away from being sickly, but enough softness to stop it from smelling like a kitchen cleaner.  Fragrance blenders… I have so much respect for the delicate balancing act you do!

No parabens, no silicones and no carmine.  Neals Yard Remedies offers the first collection to include Soil Association certified cosmetics.  But I’m still all about that orange!

Neals Yard Remedies Lip Gloss with Organic Orange Oil is available to buy instore and online.

.

What are some of your loveliest Autumnal scents?  And which season is your favourite?

I made my first Haus of Gloi order a few weeks ago after a gentle nudge (ok, shove) from the lovely LondonMUGirl.  I’d first heard about HoG earlier this year after Fyrinnae’s chemist had tweeted about the company… but after a quick look at the Etsy store, I had decided that I really didn’t need more soapy goodness.

I was wrong.

I made a small order to begin with.  2 sample 2oz/56g pots of HoG wares in their limited edition Halloween scents.

The packaging is adorable and the thought, artistry and love that clearly goes into those labels really pleases me.  Haus of Gloi is a small, independent business… a husband and wife team dedicated to producing 100% vegan products and feeling-evoking fragrances.

Pumpkin Queen Pumpkin Butter – 2oz ($4.50):

The Haus of Gloi pumpkin butters are heavier than their normal body emulsions, which for the cold winter ahead… is perfect.  Pumpkin Queen is described as gentle hay pillows, pumpkin, ripe peaches dusted with clove and nutmeg, dried summer herbs, and lastly, a lovely crown of amber. The first thing I can smell are the peaches, but it’s a really juicy, non-synthetic scent backed by a spicier pumpkin undertone that smells freshly baked.  It’s a gourmand scent for sure.  Some may find it a little too sweet, cloying… I love it.  I love it so much, I’ve just bought the perfume oil.

The butter is rich and silky… it sinks into my skin in under a minute and leaves me feeling soft to the touch.  I love this formulation and I’m very sad that these richer products are limited.  The most inspiring thing about this product though?  Longevity.  I have never applied a body butter with a fragrance that literally and truly lingers until bedtime.  I wish I had stockpiled this body butter.

Samhain Soft Bubbling Scrub – 2oz ($3.50):

I find the scent of this a little too subtle, it’s actually quite hard for me to detect.  As an ex-smoker, I made Mr. L have a sniff (incase it was my deadened sense of smell) but no, he affirms that in the scrub, it’s a very light scent.  Described as rustling leaves, chilled winds … Freshly turned earth, wet leaves, and a cool herb laden wind carrying spectres and spooks! I desperately wanted to evoke all those things… but I’m just getting a light herbal scent that I can’t quite place.

The scrub formula however, is lovely.  It melts (but not too quickly) on my skin as I massage and produces a gentle lather that cleans effectively whilst rinsing away nicely.  I’ve since been back to the site to order a full-size bubbling scrub in a different scent.

.

Whilst delivery to the UK isn’t extortionate, it does make you realise that these are heavy products and as such… you’ll be paying for the pleasure of having them shipped across the Atlantic.  This first order of 2 sample sized jars came to a very reasonable $5.64 for shipping.  My second order with nearly $15 of it going toward shipping costs, made me wince a little.  But as I said, it’s not like these are pigment samples now is it?

Both Halloween limited fragrances above are (mostly) out of stock now on the website, there are a few straggling items left behind… but for Haus of Gloi, it’s onwards and upwards with the introduction of the Yule collection set for the 7th November.  I’ve already purchased a Parkin Pumpkin Butter (and a few other bits and bobs) and I’m going to find it VERY hard to resist the new Eggnoggin, my all-time favourite Xmas scent! (I told you I was a gourmand!).

Bring it on!
.

P.S. There are some great blogs out there with reviews of the various scents… check out Phyrra, Le Gothique, ShizzleNizzle for starters!

I was sent these a couple of months ago but only got the chance to photograph and review E.L.F’s NARS Albatross dupe – Gotta Glow before my camera kicked the bucket.

I’d like to show you the other two that were released at the same time as Gotta Glow.  I hope the pictures and swatches are useful.

Fuchsia Fusion is a glitter bomb of a blush.  A slightly muted raspberry rose shade with silver chunky sparkles.  Texture is a bit hard but the pan gives up a lot of powder when you pass the brush over the top.  I personally wouldn’t bring this blush within 10 yards of my face until I’ve tapped off at least some of the glitter.

Pink Passion is my preference of the two.  A proper dolly pink matte blush that feels chalky but soft.  Pigmentation is impressive for the price and you could do far worse than this blush for double the money.

If only that glitter in Fuchsia Fusion were a little finer, I’d be giving a double thumbs up.

Both blushes are priced at £3.50 and available online from the ELF website.

The latest in lash boosting technology comes to us this month from French fashion house Givenchy.

Never a brand to shy away from treating us to a bizarrely designed applicator (Givenchy Phenomen’Eye anyone?) they’ve gone a step further and created a product that claims to be “the first applicator to massage lashes”.

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”They Say” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”a9a9a9″]

Mister Lash Booster unveils a unique applicator.  It’s flexible and slanted brush is the only one with tiny soft spikes.

Their purpose?  To gently massage the eyelashes roots.

Their effect?  Not only do the massaging spikes help the formula penetrate deep into each and every lash, but they also gently stimulate the skin’s microcirculation.

The result?  Lashes are provided with the conditioning nutrients they need to grow, increasing health and vigour by tenfold.

As lashes become healthier, thicker and stronger, fewer will fall out particularly when applying make-up.

[/stextbox]

Don’t confuse this for a growth system, it’s a fortifying serum designed to protect and prolong the life of the lashes you already have rather than boost the growth of new ones.  It also claims to extend the wear of your mascara and help it apply more evenly if used prior to mascara application.

I was pleasantly surprised by the price tag… at £19.50, it’s a reasonable alternative for those of us worried about the side effects of the more notorious lash solutions on the market.

Givenchy Mister Lash Booster (£19.50) is on counter now and a permanent addition to the line.

Following the roaring success of Estee Lauder’s previous nail polish release and the fact that I simply couldn’t have anymore love for Surreal Violet than I do, I had super high hopes for their Christmas collection.

I was given Extravagant Pearl at a recent event and I have really mixed thoughts on it.

Extravagant Pearl is one of two polish releases for Christmas 2010, the other being Extravagant Night (a dark plum with mesmerising micro-glitter).  Looking at Extravagant Pearl in the bottle, I expected it to be a sheer, layering polish… it isn’t.  The above shows three thin coats and if you don’t mind a visible nail line, you could be done in two.  Oddly enough, the reviews I’ve read of the darker Extravagant Night show that one to be a 4 coater!

Anyway, I’m going off on a tangent…

Extravagant Pearl is quite a difficult colour to describe… but I think I’d call it NARS Albatross in a nail polish.  A pale, warm gold with shimmer.  Lots of shimmer.  A little too much for me.

It looks quite frosty and for some reason makes my normally narrow nails look wide and fat.  It needed a top coat too thanks to the micro-glitter making the surface of the nail quite gritty to the touch.

I want to love this shade, I really do… it is packed so completely full of beautiful multi-coloured sparkle in the bottle I was sure I would be on cloud nine with this on my nails.  But I’m just not feeling it.

I tried layering it over black to see if I loved it more… I still don’t.

Urgh, what’s wrong with me?  It’s clearly very pretty and sparkly and totally Christmassy.  It even works well against my skintone… perhaps I just don’t like frosts?

Wear has been marvellous… 3 days now with no tip wear at all though it was a little slow to dry between coats.

What do you guys think?  Am I crazy for not loving it?

Estee Lauder Extravagant Pearl is a Limited Edition shade released as part of the EL Christmas/Holiday Collection.  It’s available online or on counter and priced at £12.

The Estee Lauder holiday collection is upon us and it’s a veritable feast of Christmassy goodness.  Berries and golds take the centre stage in the colour stakes and the line-up oozes Yuletide charm.

On a personal level, I was a touch disappointed not to see two eyeshadow palettes as with the Summer collection (the palette on the left contains lip colour) but that’s the non-gloss fan in me talking.

I’m concentrating on the eye palette today which I was given at the recent press event.  For me, it’s the jewel of the collection.  At first, I thought the shades contained within were a bit ‘off’… although neutral, they’re all rather warm toned and I really wasn’t sure how this would play out against my very cool skin.  I needn’t have worried, they work delightfully well.

Let’s take a closer look at that eye palette shall we?

Packaging is a solid, acrylic housing with gold-coloured lid.  It feels well built, substantial and looks classy on my dressing table!

Read on for closer shots of the shade and swatches…

Read the rest of this entry »