My perfect purple lipstick?

So I picked up this gorgeous purple lipstick from YSL on Friday and wore this look last night.

The lipstick (£23.50) is very moisturising and as such, it's quite slippery. To stop it sliding off my lips and bleeding I put a lot of foundation over my lips before using a brush to layer on the lipstick.

The colour is fabulous! A purple with a red undertone. It has a lovely fruity flowery smell and a luxe gold package.

This is long lasting but after a couple of hours it had bled into the lines around my lips even though I'd prepped with foundation. I also had to keep checking it hadn't slipped off my lips and that it wasn't on my teeth because it's silky texture just felt 'wet' and like it was 'moving' (sorry I'm not sure how else to describe?!). As such, I felt really self conscious with this on and uber paranoid that it was smeared all over my face!!!

It also stains your lips red when you take it off which takes about a day to wear off. This doesn't worry me so much but was quite a strong colour.

This is very nearly my perfect purple lipstick. Ideally though I want this colour but in a dryer, matte finish! My search continues...

Eyes
Coastal scents 88 prism palette, peach shade
Urban decay supercurl curling mascara, black

Lips
YSL rouge pur couture lipstick, 39

Face
Benefit pore-fessional primer
Dior forever liquid foundation, 010
Laura mercier secret camouflage, sc2
Laura mercier secret concealer, 2 (under eyes)
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Benefit hoola bronzer
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel
Sleek makeup blush, coral

One colour faces

So I like to try new looks and mix up my make up every day so am often left pondering what colour goes with what, what blush will go with that lipstick etc and I thought why not have a few days using one colour all over!

So here are my one colour faces: red, pink, orange and purple.

Tips: I varied the colour tones to soften this look and stuck to matte eyeshadows - a finish that I think works better with brighter colours.

I also cheated a little with the red and purple face and used a pinky blush- I don't *yet* own a red blush and I've never seen a purple blush... Have you?

Pink Face:
Eyes
Sleek makeup oh so special palette, bottom left pale pink shade
17 blow out mascara, blackest black

Lips
17 lipstick, hot cerise

Cheeks
Sleek makeup blush, flamingo

Red Face:
Eyes
Sleek makeup Ultra matts palette, red
Sleek makeup oh so special palette, black
17 blow out mascara, blackest black

Lips
Rimmel colour show off lipstick, red fever 230
Carmex original lip balm

Cheeks
Coastal scents 6 contour blush palette, pinky shade

Orange Face:
Eyes
Illamasqua powder eyeshadow, vulgar
17 Blow out mascara, blackest black

Lips
Illamasqua lipstick, brink

Cheeks
Sleek makeup blush, life's a peach

Purple Face:
Eyes
MUA eyeshadow, shade 18
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black

Lips
Stargazer lipstick, 115

Cheeks
Coastal scents 6 contour blush palette, pinky shade

Dior Forever liquid foundation review

So I went to my local Dior counter to have a *look* and yep I got sold to and I caved!

The Dior girl had fab make up on so I trusted her judgement and she asked my skin type: normal to dry and what finish I like (matte of course!) and she recommended Dior's Diorskin Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Make Up SPF 25 in Ivory 010 £31 (I know steeeep! But it was payday...)

Dior's claims: "A new generation of fusional wear, fluid foundation. Its ultra-sensorial texture, bursting with made-to-measure perfecting skin care ingredients, melts into the skin for an absolutely perfect complexion that lasts all day long. The foundation blends seamlessly with the skin for a smoother, more even complexion day after day."

My thoughts: as soon as a put this on I realised that the shade I'd been sold was a touch too light, disappointing but nothing a sweep of bronzer couldn't fix.

It blended in well with my stippling brush but I just couldn't get it to buff right in for that flawless, airbrushed look, it kinda sat on the top of my skin and really exaggerated my pores even though I'd used benefit pore-fessional primer beforehand and I don't usually have an issue with enlarged pores.

The finish was quite full coverage (there was a red spot and my blue undereyes still visible) and was a lovely matte, although after a while my forehead got really shiny, which is also something that I don't usually have an issue with!

After a couple of hours wear it had sunk into my smile lines but otherwise was really long lasting.

This did feel quite heavy on my skin and I actually think this might suited oily skin better.

So, would I use this again? Yep! Would I buy this again? Nope! At £31 I'd expect something really really special and don't feel this is any better than my revlon photoready foundation at a more purse friendly £12.99 and a better colour match. This will definitely be a winter foundation as quite pale.

Do you have any foundation recommendations? I love to know!

Here is the finished look:
Eyes
Sugarpill loose eyeshadow, royal sugar
MUA eyeshadow, shade 17
Rimmel soft kohl kajal eyeliner pencil, 061 jet black
17 blow out mascara, blackest black

Lips
Rimmel Kate lipstick, 101

Face
Benefit pore-fessional primer
Dior forever liquid foundation
Laura mercier secret camouflage, sc2 and secret concealer, 2 (reviews coming soon!)
MAC select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Benefit hoola bronzer
Sleek makeup blush, flamingo
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion, original
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002

Thanks, Roz x

imPRESS nails review

I've never worn false nails but these Broadway imPress nails in TGIF (£8.99) caught my eye because of the gorgeous floral design so I thought why not?!

Anyway, I was expecting fiddly, glue, long waits etc but no these were so incredibly simple to use and the instructions couldn't be easier - hurrah!

Just match the right nail to yours and lay out all ten in order then peel away the sticker on the back which exposes the glue and press the nail onto yours. Hold down for a few moments then move on to the next.

It took me about ten minutes and I was really impressed! The nails felt hardy, solid and stuck firm.

I had them on for four days before they started feeling wobbly and then one split, so not quite the week they promise, but still longer than nail polish on me.

The only downside is that these are one wear only and the remaining nails didn't fit mine (so I gave to my sister!) and also for some reason the thumb-sized nails were too short and my real nail, which I keep very short, poked under the bottom. Also on a couple of the nails you could see the tab along the edge which also felt a little rough.

All in all I was really happy with these, got lots of comments on the design, lasted for a good few days and didn't feel heavy or get annoying!

They would be great to put on quickly before a big night out as so easy and give a perfect result (if like me you make a mess of painting nails when in a rush!).

They also come in a cute nail polish shaped clear container which I thought was cute and a nice touch.

I've picked up this gorgeous lace design pair called Holla! to use next.

Roz x

Sleek Ultra matts v1 eye palette review

I love Sleek make up and was very excited with this palette as it combines two of my fave things in make up - a matt finish and bright colours!!!

So here is my review of Sleek's Ultra matts v1 730 eyeshadow palette £7.99.

As with all Sleek's stuff, the colour is intense, pure, long lasting and quite true to what you see in the pan. I use Urban Decay's eye primer which sees this eyeshadow stay on all day, crease free and retain colour intensity which I love!

All easy to apply with little fall out. Easy to build up colour and easy to blend.

My only comments (not negatives!) would be that the purple shade came out more aubergine on my skintone and both the blues had green undertones. The two pink/reds are actually quite similar shades, and when on I couldn't tell the difference.

But otherwise I love this palette!!! The grey, pale pink/peach and white are perfect to complement the brighter colours.

Here are a few looks using these eyeshadows...

Roz x

Purple lipstick collection

Every since I saw these two images I have been obsessed with finding a similar shade of purple. So far no joy but I thought I'd share my mission to date, as I have found some other gorgeous lipsticks - if you have any suggestions please leave me a comment below!

I've had MAC's Up the Amp for a while now so first stop was my nearest counter. Sadly no other purples, apparently there had been a couple of limited editions such as heroine and smoked purple that were a close match but no longer stocked :-(

So then, of course, I set to googling 'purple lips' which threw up loads of suggestions and lots of exciting brands I hadn't heard of before. It also made me consider lavender and lilac and I'm so glad it did!

So from left to right on the below swatch pic:

Stargazer 130 (£2.99) - this is a blue purple and on me it was very blue and I'm not sure all that flattering...

Dior 786 mysterious mauve (£25) - this looks like it will be the perfect match but alas on the lips it is sheeny and quite sheer. It's also a very balm-like texture so feels like it slips off my lips and I feel like I don't trust it to stay put throughout the day. It also settles in the wrinkles of my lips. Shame cos it was pricey. I think inexpensive make up is generally amazing quality, I would never ever spend this much but thought it was that perfect shade :-( (Well at least I got a free lunch with the boots points!). I'll def wear it but will blot it down so more a wash of colour.

Revlon va va violet (£7.49) - a gorgeous colour but errs on the side of red and looks more plum on. Vampy.

Stargazer 133 (£2.99) - quite a sheer colour that takes a while to build up. It has a definite grey undertone and I don't think all that flattering on my pale, freckly skintone :-(

Ka'Oir Rude Girl ($16.99 - had to get shipped in from US) - love this mid blue purple. Long lasting, highly pigmented formula.

Sleek make up mystic 783 (£4.99) - this looks quite purple in the tube but comes out a matte, bright, strong pinky purple. Although not exactly the purple I was looking for, I absolutely *love* this colour!

MAC up the amp (£15) - pinky purple, one of my all time favourite lipsticks; the first purple I ever bought and my first and only MAC lipstick.

Ka'Oir Racquel ($16.99) - true lavender purple with a satin finish. Makes a statement, great colour, although I wish it was matte! Lol!

Stargazer 115 (£2.99) - after feeling a bit disappointed in 130 and 133 not quite suiting me, I tried this on and all was forgiven! A fab, opaque, matte lilac, which gives great coverage in one swipe.

So there you are, my purple lipstick collection.... My quest continues as none of these are quite that elusive shade!

Roz x

New brushes

I love love love using brushes to apply my make up, it was an absolute revelation when I first put on foundation with a brush instead of my fingertips!!!

Anyway, I've been using the same trusty brushes for a while now and wanted to add to my collection.

One of the first decent brushes I owned is a kabuki style powder brush from bare escentuals. It's perfect for buffing in face powder. Recently though I've wanted a slightly lighter coverage so picked up the Mac 150 powder brush (£32.50).

This dome shaped brush is super soft and gives a lovely, even, light dusting of powder. Perfect for a more natural look or to set foundation. My only qualm is the length of the handle! Longer than any other brush I own and doesn't fit in my make up bag...

After watching a video from the gorgeous Hollie Wakeman I was also inspired to pick up a couple of brushes from Crown Brush.

I ordered the bk04 angle brush (£5.60) and the bk08 badger deluxe fan (£6.57) from the website and my package arrived in a day- super speedy and super bargainous!

Firstly the angle brush- this was smaller, denser and harder than I was expecting. Perfect for creating a hard contour or blush line, but I've not found it so great at putting on a softer more subtle colour. Am still practising with contouring so perhaps just need to learn the best technique for this brush.

The fan brush was actually bigger than I was expecting and very soft. The bristles are a bit flyaway and I think this has something to do with being in the packaging for a while so am hoping they'll calm down!

This brush is great to swipe away any eyeshadow fall out and I've also been using it to dust on white highlighter powder to the tops of my cheeks. Am sure there's lots of other uses so let me know if you have any top tips.

Thanks,
Roz x

Ways to wear orange

I love colour and love to wear bright, bold make up and often a block colour - orange is a go-to for me. It boosts my mood, attracts compliments and I'm always encouraging others to give it a try!

I think orange is a colour that a lot of people are nervous to wear because it is quite bold, so maybe start small with a peach blusher - my current fave is Sleek's 'life's a peach' (£4.29) which looks quite bright but gives a gorgeous glow when on the skin.

My BIG tip for orange, whether it's eyes, lips or cheeks is to avoid the three S's - shimmer, sheen or sparkle. Just my preference but I always stick to matt when it comes to this colour as keeps it looking modern and I like a strong colour rather than a hint!

Here are two ideas on ways to wear orange:

Orange eyes
Always prep eyelids to ensure the colour lasts all day with no creases, I swear by eyeshadow primer potion from Urban Decay (£14.50)

For this look I used the orange shade from the ultra matts v1 730 palette from Sleek (£7.99). I teamed it with a subtle mauve / pink lipstick, shade 2 from MUA (£1) and a natural pink blush from the Coastal Scents 6 contour blush palette (£20) to allow the orange to pop and not compete.

Orange lips
If I want my make up to look more subtle then I tend to balance cool eyes with warm lips and cheeks or the other way round- warm eyes with cool lips and cheek. (Warm colours are red, orange, yellow, gold and cool are blue, green, purple, silver.)

Here I've balanced purple eyes using MUA shade 18 matt (£1) with a gorgeous peachy orange called Brink from Illamasqua (£16) - matt of course! A fab, long lasting, highly pigmented lippy. And a neutral peach blush from the same Coastal Scents palette mentioned above just finishes the look with a lovely warm flush.

Go on, give orange a go!

Roz x

Pinky neutral lips

Love this lipstick! So natural but really pretty- had minimal make up on but felt gorgeous :-)

Eyes
MUA eyeshadow, shade 17
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black

Lips
Rimmel Kate lasting finish lipstick, 101

Face
Coastal scents 6 contour blush, pinky peach shade
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

Midnight blue sparkly nails

Barry m nail paint, 292 navy
Topshop nails, AWOL
Barry m nail paint, 306 blueberry
Models own nail polish, hed kandi Ibiza mix
Rimmel 60 seconds nail polish, 740 clear

Lemon & lime eyes

Eyes
Sugarpill eyeshadow, buttercupcake
Stargazer eyeshadow, Forrest
Barry m dazzle dust, 95 parrot
Coastal scents prism palette, navy and pale yellow shades
Maybelline lasting drama gel liner, 01 black
Barry m kohl pencil, blue 6
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black (on top lashes)
Collection 2000 colour lash mascara, electric blue 5 (on lower lashes)

Lips
Rimmel lipstick 006 pink blush

Face
Benefit the pore-fessional balm
Revlon photo ready foundation 003
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Benefit hoola bronzing powder
Mac fix+ finishing mist
Coastal scents 6 contour blush palette, brown, white and pink neutral shades
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

Neon green eyes with red lips

Eyes
Stargazer eyeshadow, forest
Coastal scents 88 prism palette, dark green and black
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black

Lips
Rimmel kate lipstick, 22

Face
Coastal scents 6 contour palette, peach, white and brown
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

2x turquoise and 2x purple eyes

Got lots of lovely comments on this look and it only took me about ten minutes!

Eyes
Coastal scents 88 prism palette, mint, turquoise, plum, purple and neutral cream shades
Collection 2000 Big fake mascara, black

Lips
Rimmel lasting finish lipstick, pink blush 006

Face
Coastal scents 6 contour blush palette, pink/peach, brown and White for shading
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

Navy eye liner & peach lips

Eyes
Coastal scents prism pallette, neutral peach
Jemma Kidd make up school I-glamour define eyeliner, 03 blue (magazine freebie!)
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black

Lips
Illamasqua lipstick in brink
Carmex lip balm, original

Face
Coastal scents 6 contour palette, bottom right pink & brown for shading
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

White eyeliner, fuchsia lips

Love this eyeliner, great colour and really long lasting. Boyfriend comment: "you put tipex on your face babe?" !!!

Eyes
MUA eyeshadow, 17 matt
Illamasqua precision ink, scribe
Collection 2000 big fake mascara, black

Lips
Models own lipstick, deep fuchsia

Face
Sleek blush, flamingo
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Benefit boi-ing concealer, 02
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Rimmel eyebrow pencil, 002 Hazel

Daisy nail art

Products used:
Revlon nail enamel in 510 sassy
Models own wah nails nail art pens in yellow and in White
Rimmel 60 seconds polish in 740 clear

Models Own hed kandi ibiza mix review

Gorgeous glitter, chunky turquoise, gold, orange, blue and purple in a number of sizes all in a clear polish.

I used it over 17 lasting fix mint choc chip polish and it looked gorgeous and attracted lots of compliments.

To apply I found putting on a blob and then moving it around worked best. Painting on like usual moved all glitter to the tip of the nail.

BUT - and this is quite a big but - it stinks!!!! Seriously it pongs like a marker pen and then some. I thought maybe the smell would wear off but it whiffed for the entire next day too.

Never have i had a polish that has made me high on fumes followed by a headache urgh!

Collection 2000 haul!

Who can say no to glitter? Clearly not me after buying not one but four Collection 2000 glam crystals gel eye liner! Also gold Hot Looks nail polish and big fake false lash effect mascara.

Well I've tried out the gold liner for work and it stayed put all day, the glitter didn't fall off or move around so all good.

The swatch test shows the teal (called le freak) with fab glitter colours like yellow and lime. But was disappointed with the purple (shake it up), thought it could be more highly pigmented and a stronger, brighter colour like the teal. It also smears to each side when you use it- however the other three shades are a bit wetter (if that's the right way to describe it!) so glide on smoothly with an equal weighting of glitter and colour.

The silver (glitz) separates v quickly but with a good shake seems to mix back together!

The gold polish is a great colour but a little watery and the mascara was a tad dry but with a good wand, it was also long lasting. It certainly didn't 'double' my lash size as claimed!

All in all, a great lunchtime shop!

Geometric nails

Am giving nail art a go as seen some incredible designs recently that have inspired me!

Illamasqua nail varnish, wink
Models own nail art pens in pink and blue
Rimmel 60 seconds, 740 clear

Flag nail art

My first attempt at nail art and think it went ok?!

Getting in mood for the England footie match on Sunday!

Topshop AWOL - blue
Models own nail art pen - White
17 nail polish- red
Rimmel 60 seconds - 740 clear

Friday lunchtime make up haul

Featuring...

Collection 2000 intense colour supersoft kohl pencil in 06 French kiss.
This looked really vibrant on my hand, am hoping it comes out neon green on my eyes.

Barry m kohl pencil in 13. This is a fab minty blue.

Rimmel eyebrow pencil in 002 Hazel. Am fed up of paying a fortune for mac's eyebrow pencil in lingering as although I love it I get through it so quickly. This looks like the perfect dupe...

Models own lipstick in deep fuchsia

Models own nail art pens in pink and blue

Impress nails in a cute floral design

Can't wait to try everything!

White, blue and burgundy eyes

Eyes
Coastal scents 88 prism eyeshadow palette, White, blue, burgundy and black shades
Soap & glory super volume mascara, black

Lips
Carmex original

Face
Sleek blush, fenberry
Benefit hoola bronzer
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Mac eyebrow pencil, lingering

Minty-ness eyes & nails

Am not one to be all matchy matchy usually but today I decided to wear pastel mint green on eyes AND nails (paired with peach top and pastel blue scarf, I was all about the ice cream shades today ha!).

Nails
17 lasting fix polish, mint choc chip

Eyes
Coastal scents 88 prism palette, pale mint green shade and turquoise shade to line
Soap & glory super volume mascara, black

Lips
Rimmel lasting finish lipstick, pink blush 006

Face
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Rimmel hide the blemish concealer, 002 sand
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Mac eyebrow pencil, lingering

Yellow, red and purple

This look was for a wedding to go with a black, white, yellow, purple and green dress so wanted colour but quite subtle as the print on the dress is really bold!

Eyes
Coastal scents 88 prism palette, yellow, red, purple and black shades
Mac eyeshadow, purple haze
Sugarpill eyeshadow, buttercupcake
Barry m liquid eyeliner, black
Soap and glory super volume mascara, black

Lips
Carmex

Face
Daniel sandler retexturizing face primer
Revlon photoready foundation, 003
Rimmel recover foundation, 201
Bobbi brown corrector, light to medium bisque (under eyes)
Benefit boi-ing concealer, 02
Mac select sheer pressed powder, nc25
Mac fix+ finishing mist
Mac golden lariat bronzer
Coastal scents 6 contour blush palette, brown and white
Sleek blush, fenberry
Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
Mac eyebrow pencil, lingering

Bluuuuuue eyes - Coastal scents review

Am always drawn to bright blue so decided to whack it on my eyes for this night out look! Barry m 93 and Sugarpill royal sugar...

As well as picking up the 88 prism palette I also got the 6 colour contour and blush palette £19.95 and the 'bionic flat top buffer' brush £16.95. (both from beautystore4u.co.uk)

Let's start with the contour / blush palette. This is large and you get a big pot if colour for each of the six shades. A brown for shading, two neutral peach tones, White and two blushes - one pink and the other pinky brown. I've never contoured my face before and a little of this brown goes a long way definitely helping to sculpt under my cheekbones! I used the White on the tops of my cheeks as a highlighter and down the middle of my nose before popping blush on the apples of my cheeks. Happy with this palette although not sure how well the peach / neutral shades will stand out on my skintone- we'll see!

The bionic (?) brush is divine. Very soft yet firm and really buffed my revlon photoready foundation in. Made it so easy to apply and no streaks as with my other foundation brush. Can't wait to use it again!