#28kisses and Counting | Day 3: Salacious Kisses

Day 3 and a little bit of proof that I actually do use my lipsticks.

I normally only ever post pictures of my lipstick when they are brand new and never been worn or swatted, so I guess it might seem to many that I only use it once or twice and dump it in a container somewhere (not the case!!!). If I'm shelling out of my own pocket for something then I'm going to buy it for ME not just for the purpose of blogging.

This gooey lipstick is the result of a lot of love and too much time spent in my various coat pockets but once upon a time it could be identified as Illamasqua's Salacious lipstick. A lipstick so bold and bright on my lips that I never could decide if it was a coral red or a raspberry red . . . *tilts head to the left and right * Nope, I still can't tell.

This shade is probably one of the best shades available for darker skinned ladies from Illamasqua (the other being Diablo) and I would recommend it 110%!!!

Does your lipstick start looking like mine after a bit too much love? Or am I standing out on a ledge by myself here?

continue reading "#28kisses and Counting | Day 3: Salacious Kisses"

Christmas Challenge: Day 19 | Illamasqua Intense Gloss in Besotted

This has to be the sunniest sunday we have seen in London for a long time . . . it's actually very deceiving as it looks like it could be at least 20 degrees outside but I know for a fact that it's not that warm.

Today I'm wearing something very red and very warm on my lips. Illamasqua's Intense Gloss in Besotted is a crimson red lipgloss that is great to have on hand if you aren't in the mood to wear a lipstick but still want a strong, pigmented lip colour.

As this shade is quiet opaque and intense, it does feel a little bit heavier on the lips when compared to a standard lipgloss but it is just just a beautiful scarlett option that I don't really mind the extra weight.

I'm going to spend some much needed time with my bed today, as I feel like I've been neglecting it. What are your plans for today?

continue reading "Christmas Challenge: Day 19 | Illamasqua Intense Gloss in Besotted"

Christmas Challenge | Day 10 : Illamasqua Cream Blush in Betray

I'm meant to be reviewing 30 lipsticks in 30 days, but trust me to choose a cream blush and try to pass it off a lipstick.

It's been almost a year since I last mentioned Illamasqua's Cream Blush in Betray on my blog but I love the versatility of the Illamasqua Cream Blush formula so I decide to revisit it again but as a lipstick  . . or lip product.

Betray is a deep rose-plum blush that can be used on the cheeks for a very dewy finish but on the lips it forms a satin-matte like finish. It does not lose it's colour intensity and does not suck all the moisture from your lips like some cheek to lip products do which is always a positive in my books.

The funny thing is that although this shade looks amazing on my lips, I don't own anything remotely like this in my lipstick collection, but that might be more because I dislike most matte lipsticks rather than there not being a close lipstick product match.

I am wearing Betray on my lips in the Eylure 65 Years Video I published today which I'm adding below so you can see 3d example of how Betray looks on my lips

If you are wondering what is up with all the lipstick related posts on my blog lately, I'm taking part in Ysis’ 30 lipstick in 30 days – Christmas challenge over at Le Beauty Girl. If you would like to keep track of all my choice then click my header to get my version of the Lipstick Challenge

continue reading "Christmas Challenge | Day 10 : Illamasqua Cream Blush in Betray"

Review:- Illamasqua Mina Sheer Lipgloss

I’m getting into the habit of digging deep into my makeup hoard and showing cosmetics that I own that have never really bad a blog appearance (so don’t slate me for posting nearly finished products. I love it so I share it!!)

Illamasqua is one of my favourite cosmetic brands and I will always name it as one of my favourites as their collection is SO pigmented! Everything is always so colour-rich and honestly my Illamasqua collection just seems to keep growing and growing as I have an obsession with their blushes (especially the crème ones)

Illamasqua houses two types of glosses within their brand; Intense and Sheer, now while I don’t that many of their sheer lip-glosses, I am going to share with you the one that I do have.  I already talked about their lip-gloss in Besotted last week but I thought I should give you a little more brand info before I went on to the next lip-gloss shade

 Illamasqua Sheer Lip-gloss in Mina is best described as a gorgeous plum - berry and despite being sheer, I still would put this in the intense lipgloss category (but not a liquid lipstick). The colour from this lipstick comes up very bright so and would compliment a berry lipstick if put on top of one, but it is still intense enough to wear on its own.

I still have the same problems with this that I have with all the intense lipglosses (weight and applicator) but apart from that I love it so I share it.

Sorry I’ve taken so long to review this but I’m slowly catching up. What do you think of this shade? Is it something you would easily wear?

continue reading "Review:- Illamasqua Mina Sheer Lipgloss"

Review:- Illamasqua Besotted Intense Lipgloss

I’m getting into the habit of digging deep into my makeup hoard and showing cosmetics that I own that have never really bad a blog appearance (so don’t slate me for posting nearly finished products. I love it so I share it!!)

My new Muji storage 5 drawers systems has actually brought to my attention how much makeup I have that I have NEVER reviewed so best get comfy as I’m going to do just that (but obviously not in one post, so breathe a sigh of relief).

 Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Besotted is a scarlett, red lip-gloss that is, well, intense. To me, it’s so opaque and intense that it comes off  more like a liquid lipstick packaged in a squeezy tube than a conventional lip-gloss. Honestly I love the scarlett red shade of this lip-gloss as I have been looking for a lipstick alternative for MONTHS and still haven’t found a great shade so Besotted does get a lot of playtime.

 I bought this along with a few other lip products  during their January Online Sales (can’t believe I’ve had this that long) and honestly while I love the shade and the liquid lipstickness of it (look at me making up words), I’m not a fan of how it initially feels on my lips as it can feel a bit heavy. I also find that the applicator on this makes it very difficult to apply this but apart from that I love the scent, how hydrating it is and shade.

How do you like your lip-glosses? As Opaque, liquid lipsticks or more sheer?

continue reading "Review:- Illamasqua Besotted Intense Lipgloss"

January Haul (Part Two) - It's all about Illamasqua

Welcome to Part Two of my January Haul . . . If you thought part one was a lot . . You haven't seen anything yet loool

I am a big Illamasqua fan, and I do tend to harp on about the brand quite a lot on my blog (sorry about that, by the way) so you shouldn't be surprised that they would turn up in my huge haul.

Part Two of my January Haul is actually made up of two online orders I made on the Illamasqua website during their Christmas sale. I know it was probably really greedy to order twice  . . .but they kept adding new things that I wanted AND everything was like 75% off!!!!

Blushes

I ordered another cream blush *surprise surprise*. Crush is another item I'm adding to my current Illamasqua cream blush collection (I've got three and counting) 

Intrigue is a powder blush that I thought would be useful as a highlight (as my E.L.F Gotta Glow smashed into pieces). I have never tried out their powder blushes before so I'm not really going to give a review on it yet as I haven't used it enough to found an opinion.

Eyes

Next to my love of blushes, are my love for eyelashes and when I saw these beauties on sale for £5 . . it was a no-brainer. I got the Illamasqua False Eyelashes in No.13 reduced from £13 to £5 and at a fiver they were cheaper than Ardell and Eyelure lashes so I thought I might as well snap them up and give them a go

Illamasqua's Cream Eye Shadow in Intrude is a chocolate brown cream eyeshadow that I thought I could use as a base. I had the chance to buy it at the Illamasqua Freak event a while ago but didn't, so decided to get it now as I slightly regretted not getting it then.

Lips

I went a bit over the top in terms of lipsticks and glosses, and ordered a total of 5. I ordered colours I thought would look good on me and would get a lot of wear so overall I am really happy with what I bought.

Flicker is a light, bronzy-brown than blends in very well with my skin.When worn, it has these beautiful bronze sparkles that really leap out at you. I haven't really figured out how I am going to use this lipstick yet but there's still time

I really love do love my browns and bronzes, which is why I picked up Uthopia as well. It's one shade darker/browner than Flicker but the colour of this lipstick just reminds me of being on holiday. It's got that kind of bronzed glow to it *dreams of the sun*

Besotted is a dark, blood red lipgloss with a super intense colour (I guess that's why it is called an intense gloss). It is wearable by itself of on top of a lipstick, although I don't think I will wear it on top of a lipstick as the intense colour of the gloss would probably block the lipstick from showing through.

 Femme is another red lipgloss I picked up but instead of the blood red colour of Besotted, Femmehas more of a pink, raspberry colour which I think is quite sweet. I love this as a lipgloss with just lipliner. I don't know why but when I wear this shade I get early secondary school throw backs * innocent times*

Provoke is so pretty!!!!! Out of all my haul products this has to be my absolute favourite!! The colour is just sooooo pretty!!! Have a feeling I am going to be pairing my MAC Freshbrew lipstick with this gloss *sorry Revlon*

You will be happy to know this is all the makeup I bought in January and I don't plan to do any more major hauls like this til my birthday in May. . .actually I'm lying the IMATS are tomorrow . . (mental note - most stay away from the Illamasqua counter)

Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin'  

continue reading "January Haul (Part Two) - It's all about Illamasqua"

Review: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Betray

I am really head-over-heels in love with the Illamasqua's Blushes at the moment.

Since I bought my first blush in Ravish in November and loved the formula and pigmentation, I've been trying to expand my Illamasqua cream blush collection and I bought my latest cream blush; Betray, at the Illamasqua Counter at Selfridges during their Christmas Comes Early Promotion.

What They Say

Betray is a 'Deep Rose Plum' with a 'dewy finish' which can be used to 'highlight your cheekbones and shape your face'.You can either 'build and blend with fingers or use a brush to create the colour intensity you desire'.

What I Say

Well I've already mentioned earlier that I love the Cream blush formula. I don't feel that it comes off too oily or pigmented and it is long-wearing (which is great for anyone who doesn't like to touch up their makeup during the day).

Betray is described as a deep rose colour and in its blush pot/square package it does look like a dark rose but I think it comes off a lot lighter on my skin. It seems to show up more like a sweet pink rather than a deep rose.

 I don't have to be as careful with this blush as I had to with Ravish as it is a much lighter colour and I do need to use a little bit more product to get it to show up however this blush is still super pigmented so I don't have to use more than one or two swipes with my angled foundation brush. Remember with Illamasqua Blushes, less is more . . unless you like the clown paint look 

continue reading "Review: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Betray"

FOTD:- Cute as a Button

I've spent a lot of this week jamming around in my house, eating my weight in chocolate digestive, watching an obscene amount of TV and generally acting like a big kid. This is just a little FOTD dedicated to how I'm feeling right now (bloody comfy).

 I think I look ridiculously younger in this FOTD . . . who knows, maybe chocolate digestives are the key to the fountain of youth.

Foundation - MAC Studio Fix in NW45

Eyebrows - MAC Pencil in Stud

Concealer - MAC Studio Finish in NW40

Eyeshadow Base - Illamasqua Cream Eyeshadow in Linger

Highlight on Eyebrow - Urban Decay Buck (Naked Palette)

Eyelid - MAC Bronze Eyeshadow

Outer Vee - MAC Handwritten Eyeshadow

 In-between Colour - MAC Texture Eyeshadow

Blush - Illamasqua Cream Blush in Betray

Eyeliner - Maybelline Super Liner

Eyelashes - Ebay

So what do you think?? How old do I look in this FOTD??

continue reading "FOTD:- Cute as a Button"

Christmas Comes Early & Primark Haul

Last week was Selfridges Annual Friends and Family's Christmas Comes Early event where anyone associated with  the store or any of their employees get a reusable voucher that can be reclaimed on almost any concession in the store.

On Clothing you got a 20% but with beauty you got a 10% discount

*cue evil laughter*

I know I'm meant to be on a self-inflicted makeup ban but a discount IS a discount.

 I planned to hit up Selfridges on the Saturday but after getting locked in my room (click here to read about that fiasco) I didn't really feel up to it, So on Sunday, I popped over and went straight to the MAC Makeup Counter but the counter was sooooo busy and the Makeup artists where giving me some serious air-time (as always) *I know MAC Makeup artists have a reputation for being rude but Selfridges MAC Makeup Artists take the biscuit and tea . . and the teapot*

No worries on my part because I popped on to my personal favourite counter - Illamasqua, where I had a lovely consultation with the make up artist who was super nice and helped me pick out an everyday creme blush (which I was after), an eyeshadow in Savage (which I wasn't) and gave me a consultation on a foundation powder that would be good for hot climates.

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Savage

Illamasqua Blush  in Betray

I love it

Since Selfridges and Primark are in a walking distance from each other and I needed some tights (I'm stacking up for when winter eventually hits). I flounced over to primark where I got some great goodies.

When I saw this cute red retro bag going for £5, I actually yelped in happiness!!! It's sooooo cute!!!!
I also saw these cute earrings going for £1 . . . and I had to have them

Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin'  

continue reading "Christmas Comes Early & Primark Haul"

Review: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Ravish

Illamasqua is best known for their take-no-prisoner shades, outrageously unique beauty campaigns and their deviously names beauty products. Since discovering the Illamasqua brand this summer, I have turned into a bit of an Illamasqua whore and their cream blush in Ravish is currently ranking a very high top spot in my pink/plum blush collection.

What They Say

Ravish is a bright raspberry red ‘with a dewy finish’. ‘Highlight your cheekbones, shape your face, build & blend with fingers to create the colour intensity you desire. Use over foundation for impact or under for a captivating glow. However you apply it, be daring’

What I Say

I originally bought Ravish many months ago, as I was looking for an intense pinkish, plum blush that would look great on dark skin as well as a longwearing stay. I think the Makeup gods were looking down on me the day I visited the Illamasqua counter, as this was exactly what I found.

Depending on how you use this shade (i.e. for contouring or to add a pop of colour onto the cheeks) you will end up with an intense, dewy finish. I like to use this very gently on my cheeks using an ELF Angled Contour Brush rather than my ELF Angled Foundation Brush, which I normally use for crème blushes as this blush can be SUPER intense and needs a light handedness to ensure you don’t end up looking like you used clown paint for your cheeks.

 On a bit of a whim, I also used Ravish as a lipstick and  . . .woow . . just WOOOW!!! I think I might actually start using this as a lipstick. The colour and pigment is super rich and gives a glossy finish that many lipsticks fail to even do right

Illamasqua Ravish used on cheeks and lips

Ravish really is the go-to Cream Blush

continue reading "Review: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Ravish"

OOTD:- Monki'ing Around

I have been dying to show off this Faux Fur Hooded Scarf that I bought from the Monki Concession in Selfridges. I am super happy that it is finally cold enough to wear this (and that's saying something because I absolutely LOATHE being cold) without looking like a complete prat.

 
Outfit
Scarf - Monki (£15)
Shoes - Topshop
Trench Coat - Lipsy
Bag - Baratts

Make Up

Illamasqua Skin Base - SB16

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW45 (to tidy up eyebrows)

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW40

MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NW40

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark

MUA Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette

Sleek Contour Kit in Dark

Sleek Blush in Coral (1st layer of blush)
Elf Blush in Tickled Pink (highlight)
Daniel Sandler Blush in Dare (used to transition blush and contour)

Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara 

 Revlon ColourBlast in Sienna Sparkle

continue reading "OOTD:- Monki'ing Around"