Aussie palette/upates

Firstly thank you to Tanya at Tanya Talks for her shout out- I can't post on your blog for some reason so I'm saying thank you here!

Secondly, 99 followers- THANK YOU!! It makes me smile that people read my crazy ramblings!! I appreciate every single comment and try to reply to each one.

So my Aussie Palette.  Aussie haircare asked me what would an Aussie make-up palette look like so here is my take on some products that represent Aussie haircare.  Click here to see the challenge although there is an older post that might explain a bit more

My inspiration:

Aussie is fresh.

Aussie is natural.

Aussie is cruelty free.

Aussie people are cool, confident and naturally beautiful.

When I smell Aussie I think of ice-cream and treats.  When I feel my hair after Aussie, it feels soft and natural.

So on to the products I chose;
Firstly all products are not tested on animals because Aussie don't.

I imagine a natural goddess, spending time outdoors and not wanting to appear too heavily made over.

Listed let to right, top row then bottom row. (With Flash)

Body Shop Foundation (with SPF15 so as to protect our delicate skin from the sun's rays).

Elf All over cover stick, to conceal and because it smells of orange. Yummy.

Vaseline with SPF to protect our lips and groom our brows.

ELF blush in a natural Mellow Mauve. Just a hint of healthy glow.

Body Shop Bronzing Beads for a natural glow.

Body Shop Double ended shimmer pencil in Silver and Pink for natural highlights and shimmers.

Barry M Dazzle Dusts in Silver and Lilac (used wet as eye liners).

Mac Eye Shadows in Parfait Amour (dark purple for outer corner and crease) and Beautiful Iris (light lilac base shade).

Boots No.7 brow kit  (to enhance natural features).

Boots No. 7 Stay perfect base to create a beautiful canvas with which to work on.

Sleek Illuminating Pressed powder to fix the look and add a natural glow to your face and chest.

Swatches (No flash/flash)

Left- Right

Mac E/s Parfait Amour, Mac E/s Beautiful Iris, Barry M Dazzle Dust silver (9), Dazzle Dust Lilac (59), Body Shop Duo pencil Silver and pink, Elf Mellow Mauve Blush, Sleek Luminous pressed powder Shade 01 SPF 15.

And how would it look, well here is one eye because my skin is still not settled so i'm really reluctant to put photos up here of my pimply cystic acne skin. :(. I also have bloodshot eyes so i must be run down!

I primed my skin then applied foundation and concealer.  I then applied the eye base and used the eyebrow kit to enhance my natural eyebrow.  I used Mac lilac shade as a base coloue and emphasised the crease and outer corner with the darker purple (which I blended).  I then applied the silver end of the duo to my inner corner and under my eyebrow to highlight.  I also applied under the eye to help conceal my bags.  My liner was a wet liner brush dipped in the silver barry M dust with the lilac Barry M just underneath the liner in the outer corner.

Applied blush to apples of cheeks and bronser to the temple, nose and chin (just where the sun catches it naturally).  Vaseline on the lips mixed with a bit of blush mixed in for a natural tint.  I also applied the pink end of the duo pencil on my cupids bow.  1 coat of Bodyshop mascara.

To set I used a sponge to apply the sleek powder et voila...one Aussie inspired look.  I also added some cranberry lipbalm later on as it tasted nice.

One Aussie radiant goddess glowing goddess inspired look.

There we are.  Sorry about the skin.  Pushing on with routine but always open to suggestions.

I will announce the winner of my Aussie comp shortly.

Last than 24 hours to enter my blog's Aussie competition.

I have 3 entries from which to pick a winner (which Aussie haircare will supply with prizes)!  If you are the next person to enter you will have a 1 in 4 chance of winning (which is very good odds).

Click on the right hand side bar link to see that competition.

All you have to do is submit a make-up look inspired by Aussie.. but lets face it... you could just submit a normal photo of the day!

Got to be in it to win it.

Haul/Update/Competition

Here are my latest purchases! Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo Spray (£2.99 Superdrug), Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder SPF15 Shade 01, Wispa Gold (Empty MWahaha!) ... oh and my complimentary/press tickets to The Clothes Show in Birmingham!

I'll do proper reviews when I have used the products a bit!

Don't forget to enter my/the Aussie competition (click on the right had side link).  You don't even have to do anything special, just post a photo of the day and say it was inspired by Aussie haircare!!!  I have heard on the grapevine that there are some great prizes to be won if you are abroad, or an 'experience' if you are in the UK (but I'm sure you could ask for goodies instead!)

I have to pick a winner, and so far there ae two entries!


Coming up: More Sassy Swatches (as requested!). Colours Tag, what's in my purse, more discount codes and bargains!.... Anything else I have forgotten (or you have requested).  I read every email/comment/tweet/post :)

Happy Friday

P.s. My twitter user name is computergirl200 so come and be my friend!! :D

Happy Birthday Elf! (Great deal!)

Order before midnight and receive FREE SHIPPING on orders over £5 AND a free LIPGLOSS!
Use 2TODAYUK for UK and 2TODAYEU for EU. Anyone else, I'm sure there are codes fr you too, but I don't have them.  (Although Black Friday sales are some sort of compensation I guess!)

Review: Sassy Minerals Eye Candy Silk Luster

This is very overdue but here are some swatches of some of the Sassy Minerals I own.  To see my introduction to sassy click here.

So Eye Candy: Silk Luster.

Swatches

Left to Right:

No Flash, Flash.

Midnight Train, Payback, Heartache, Beaming, Best Friend.

Beaming and Best Friend are quite subtle but show up less in these pictures.

The lighting is not great, but I hope you get an idea of how gorgeous these are.

Midnight train is so finely milled and pigmented.  It is a lovely grey blue and creates a fabulous smokey eye.

Payback is a grey/olive colour.  Khakis are great for my eye and subtle enough for day wear.

Heartache is a soft light pink, and I have used this as a gentl blusher.

Beaming is a lovely skin toned highlighter,.  Perfect as a base or highlighing powder.

Beaming is a lovely light brown.  Again I have used this as a base colour.

I really love these colours and have found them great on my skin (we all know what skin problems I have!!).  My sensitive skin has been fine with these, no dryness or itching  :) They blend easily and the staying power is quite good (especially with  base or primer).

The trick with minerals is all in the application.  With a good blending technique, good application and a good base, these little pots of powder go a long way.

I love Midnight Train and Best Friend and will have no hesitation in replacing these when they run out (although the tubs last for ages).

If you are a mineral junkie, or new to minerals I would check Sassy Minerals out.  They are a lovely company.  They do not test on animals, or use products that have been tested on animals.  this makes me happy.

I still have swatches of my mineral liners, shimmers and face products to do.  Watch out for these shortly!

Has anyone else tried these? What did you think?  Any questions? Comment below!

:D

(P.s. 2.5 days left to enter my Aussie competition. Click on the ight hand side bar link!)

4 and a bit days to enter my comp!

If you don't know what I'm going on about then click here.

Also Sabrina is running one two so enter hers for another chance to win!

Got to be quick though! At the moment I have no photos to choose a winner from!!

Free Elf shipping >UK Midnight

On orders over £10 till midnight GMT!
UK use ELFB21KUK
Europe use ELFB21KEU

My Aussie Competition: Win prizes!

I've had an email from Aussie and have to update this competition.  I had posted here originally.  Here is the updated version.

If Aussie was a palette, what would it be?
Aussie want YOU guys to use your brushes and skills to create a look- what would an Aussie make-up artist produce??

HOW TO ENTER:

1) Create a make-up look that reminds you of Aussie products. (This could just be a normal photo!)
2) Take ONE photo.
3) Post it to your blog or website/flickr with a link to here. Also post a list or photo of the products you used.
4) Post a comment below with a link.
5) You must be a follower of my blog as this Aussie competition states it is for my community.

THEN WHAT HAPPENS?
I have to judge this mini competition and in their words "Whoever you choose will receive a fantastic prize!".  No pressure on me then!

COMPETITION CLOSES:
11:59am GMT Sunday 29th November 2009.
ALL ENTERIES WELCOME 

If you want any inspiration then visit the Aussie website. 


There is another competition for all the angels to enter, so don't be suprised if you see another post regarding Aussie before the end of the week.

Any questions, then post below.


Thanks: GOOD LUCK!!

P.s. Don't forget I'm on Twitter now! User name computergirl200!

Want some sleek (or UK drugstore)?

Just a quick post, my friend has had trouble getting sleek products in her local Superdrug.  I went in mine yesterday to find a fully stocked stand!  (They also have the full Bloom range yipee!).  She's asked me to get her a few bits and bobs to post and post them.  I just wanted to say if anyone wants anything then send me an email and I'll see if I can help you out while I'm there.

EEEE I'm off to The Clothes Show

Thank you to the super fantastic Idea Generation... I have two tickets to The Clothes Show (in Birmingham) in December!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am.  My school used to run a school trip to this event but they cancelled it when I was due to go (silly school!).  I then went away for further study and it was impossible to get back in time.  Then I was working.. but this year.... this year I was umming and ahhing due to the £25 price tag of each ticket.  I didn't know what to expect and £25 is a lot to spend on something without knowing what to expect!

For anyone who doesnt know, The Clothes Show was a program that ran on the BBC from 1986-2000.  It was created and hosted by Jeff Banks (Click here for more info).   As a child and teenager I used to watch it on sundays, just before tea.  I didnt understand a lot of what went on, but I was transfixed by the fashion designers, make-up artists and hairdressers demonstrating different looks.  It was such a good introdroduction and prepared the way for many of the industry professionals and style shows we now look up to.  I also learnt a lot and continued to study in the creative field.  It's not my job, but I do still sew and sometimes make my own clothes and accessories.  (Perhaps I'll post some pictures one day!)


I am very excited.  I now have to decide what day I want to go!!  Has anyone been before?  Do you have any survival tips for a Clothes Show newbie??  Anything I should look out for??


P.s. I am on twitter now: my user name is computergirl200 so please add me is you use twitter.

Awards, for Moi? I'd like to thank..

..Laura and Natalie who gave me these awards! You rock!

Laura gave me the Ice cream award!

Thank youuuu!!!

So I have accepted the award and now I'll pass it on to three blogs who I have enjoyed reading in the last couple of weeks (obviously I enjoy all of them, but I pick just three to share his time).

Tali Has a mom in America who forwards stuff, plus a make-up obsession and her dad's credit card.Woops!

Shifa Loves make-up, and has been doing a few posts recently on fake Mac.


Mizzworthy Nuse by day, make-up addict the rest of the time.  A new find for me so giving a shout out!e

Natalie gave me the Lovely Blog award.  I'm so please to get this, and just because I already have it doesnt mean that I am any less pleased.  Getting awards ALWAYS makes me smile!! Thank youuu Nat! Since I already have this one and had to tag 15 people, I am just going to pass it on to 2 named people this time and tag everyone who hasn't got this award. (If you want to see who I passed it on to last time then click here)

I am going to add Eliza and Lisa-Kate to the mix, but if you havent got this then you can have this award too!

Thanks again to Laura and Natalie!
x

I'm on twitter. HELP!

I have no friends, or people to follow yet!  I'm not even sure if I want to join because of some people have said it can be a negative place.  Anyway, giving it a go!  Please friend me/follow me/let me know your twitter?

www.twitter.com/computergirl200

It wouldnt let me have the computer girl name :(

If you have any tips then post below as I feel a bit lost!! Do I have a public or private a/c and which is better?  How do I get my blog posts to show up there, or my twitter posts to show here.

I'm still going to update my blog, but hope to make a few tweets/read tweets every now and again!

Thanks
Emma
Tweet tweet.

Mac Mythology & Dupes?

I picked up Mac's Mythology from Marcia's blog sale few weeks back, so I just thought I do a quick introduction post!  Here it is on my Mac palette with flash and no flash.  It is a gorgeous goldy colour with copper undertones.  It has a lovely shimmer with makes it great to use as a colour, highlighter or just to blend with other colours.  Perfect for christmas magic!

I have a few other colours which are similar.  I have picked these up along the way to make my blue eyes stand out a bit more!  So here is the Rimmel Colour Rush mono in Bronzed 060, and The Body Shop UK (US click here!) eye shadow colour  in 08 Golden Paprika.  TBS one is quite velvet like(slightly creamy) and pigmented.  I hadn't really noticed this until I did these swatches and prodded my finger in TBS shadow, and then into the Mac pan.

As you can see they are fairly close, but not exact dupes.  The Rimmel one costs around £3-4, where as TBS one costs around £8.  Mac eye shadows retail for pro palettes cost £8.50 or £11 if in a single clam.

Have you got this eyeshadow?  Or know any dupes for it?

I love your blog because you make me smile - TAG

I was tagged by the lovely Eliza - Make-up Junkie and this make me smile. I love the graphic!  Go and check out Eliza's blog if you haven't. She's super lovely and her blog is a great view/read.  Thanks Eliza!

The Rules:

-You have to put a song that makes you happy.- You can tag as many people as you like, there is no limit.- Say at least one thing about each blog you tag, that will make them smile, something nice about their blog that makes you smile when you read it!

The song:

There are quite a few songs that make me happy.  Some because of memories, others just because they are upbeat.

Here is one, although I might include more songs in future posts.


JUMP! Love the crazy 80's outfits, the hair, the bad miming, facial expressions...... plus it reminds me of school as we studied it in music.

Blogs that make me smile then.....far too many to list here so I tag everyone, but here are just a few I'll name that have made me laugh out loud or grin in the past couple of weeks.

Jo at all things beautiful because she dropped her lippie down the loo.

Kelly at kelanjo19 because she dropped her phone in her tea.

Victoria at Lilyloveslola becuase of her cute hat.

Lauren at Lauren loves.  Those Ruby Slippers make me smile every visit! (Yes I know she just got the award!)

http://lionlovingtiger.blogspot.com/ (I've realised I don't know your name sorry) Her recent post on underwear shopping still makes me laugh. £58 boulder holders!

There we are then, consider lots of miles all around and lots of tagging!

Review: Rimmel Ginger Tea

This is one of my rediscovered loves, found when doing some recent clearouts! Rimmel Special Eyes Ginger Tea Pencil.  It is a gorgeous vibrant ginger / copper colour. Great for an autumn look. Great with blue eyes.

To compare:
Swatch one  Rimmel Kajal Sable Brown pencil
Swatch two Ginger Tea

Taken with a flash.

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but I'll demo/photo it when my skin is slightly less full of pimples/red blotches/lumps.  The ones round my eyes are going down hurrah! I'll post on how my routine has changed too.

Skin huh...!

Computergirl's Aussie Competition.

This morning I received a tin from Aussie.  A biscuit tin.  What does a biscuit tin have in it? Biscuits.. or an Australian Tim Tam biscuit pack to be exact.  While munching on one of these biscuits I read the card..

"What if Aussie were a look?"

So my blogging family, I need your help and i'm going to run a competition!

How to Enter!

Firstly you must be one of my subscribers so I know how to contact you if you win.

1) Gain 1 entry by posting 3 descriptive words you associate with Aussie e.g. sweet.

2) Gain 2 entries by posting link on your personal blog to my Aussie competition.

3) Gain 4 entries by doing an Aussie inspired make-up look on your blog (Computergirl's Aussie Competition) and posting a link below.

I will be passing this information on to Aussie (along with my Aussie make-up look).

What do I win....?

Well since Aussie sent me some sweet treats, I will send the winner some sweet UK delights :D ...... and who knows, Aussie may even give me some gift vouchers/discount codes or products to sent out (Hint Hint Aussie people!!).

Aussie may even contact you directly if they like your style!

My competition closes at 20:00 GMT Friday 27th November 2009!

Winner will be picked by Random.org!

Good luck!!

EDIT: There are likely to be a few other posts/competitions like this about bcause Aussie have sent tins to a few people.  Just enter as many competitions as you like. The more you enter, the more chance you have of winning!

Introduction: Classy Sassy & Mineral Make-up

I heard about Sassy Minerals a few months back and decided to investigate.  Sassy are a company who mix their own mineral make-up in America.  They do not test their products or ingredients on animals and will not deal with companies who do. Hurrah!

I have sensitive skin (BOO!), and have had reactions bought on by some products.  I contacted Sassy to ask a few questions regarding suitablilty and they offered to send me some samples to try.

Minerals: An introduction
Mineral make-up is a fine powder that can be used in several ways to achieve a polished look.  Some companies press the powder, others leave it loose.  It is reputed that mineral make-up has many advantages- the fine powder does not clog pores as easily as other make-ups which can lead to healthier looking skin.  Also bacteria find it hard to live in the high mineral content, so there is little risk of your make-up causing an infection.  Best of all, most products are made of organic and natural materials.  I normally find minerals have a good pigment pay-off, so you only require a tiny amount on a brush.

Sassy
Sassy have a fantastic range of primers, foundations, finishing powders, bronzers, blushers, highlighters, eye colours, eye liners and shimmers.  In fact they have one of the best ranges I have coe across.  The pigments can be used in many ways- nothing is ever exclusive or fixed purpose.  An eye liner can be used as an eye shadow- or even mixed with vaseline to make a cream blush, or clear nail polish to provide a coloured polish.  The possibilities are endless!!

Sassy ship to many countried including the UK.  They were very friendly and helpful, and even wrote sweet notes on my parcel!  I was very impressed by their range, and whats more the samples come in jars (sealed) only cost $0.75 each (around £0.45 at present time!)  This means that you can match your skin tone very easily without relying on photos and guess work!

I have been using my samples for a few weeks now, and have no hesitation in reordering.  The company seems to have a good ethos, and I have found the products and packaging quite good to work with.

I have some swatches to upload, and I want to do a few photos using minerals.  However, I won't do that until my skin is a bit more settled because I feel bit like a freak!!!

Letting my skin breath as much as possible, and resisting poking!
Anyone tried Sassy?

'I hit pan' tag!

I was tagged by Eliza Make-up Junkie and Lion Loving Tiger to do this Tag.  Sorry for the delay.  I have been sorting out my blog sale/ebay sale (see last two posts).

1. List 6 items that you have either 'hit pan' or finished the tub/tube bottle of etc. and have or plan to repurchase for even and ever! This can be makeup, skincare, haircare, bodycare or scent

2. Tag 6 people that you want to know their repurchases

3. Let those 6 people know by leaving a comment on their blog with a link so they know what to do

1. Body Shop blush (I think it is called Heather althoug the new packaging calls it 'Cheek colour 03'?!).  As you can see the left one is my old one that has literally 'hit pan'.  I already have my new back up.  I hate it when companies rebrand and make products smaller (and more expensive). Retails from £8.30

2. Maybelline Express finish nail polish in Red comet.  Perhaps a dupe for China Glaze's Ruby Pumps.  I love it, and wear it on my toes a lot.  Toe nails I mean.  They have changed the packaging a but I still reach for this most of the time.

3. Mac's Blacktrack Fluidline.  Staple gel liner. Works for me. Enough said. I hope they never pull it from the range.

4. Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance. Leave in Conditioner Spray.  Smells like Ice-cream.  I love it because it detangles my hair.  I can use it in a rush too.  This bottle is almost empty and I have a new one waiting in the wings.

5.Estee Lauder long lasting lipstick in Pinkberry.  Well used as you can see.  This colour is one of my staple make-up bag items.  It seems to go with everything.  I'm not sure about the long lasting thing, but I tend to use it over a base and then apply a top coat.

6. Vaseline.  Put it on your lips as a moisturiser, put it under you lipstick/gloss as a base coat, put it over your lipstick/gloss as a top coat, mix it with blush for a lip colour or creme blush, mis it with eye shadow for a creme shadow, use it as a highlighter under your eyebrows and on your cupids bow, use it on chapped lips or skin to sooth and protect, use it to smooth out untidy eyebrows, use it as a hand protector (as it acts as a barried to seal moisture into your skin), use it around your lips to stop your lipstick bleeding, use it around your nails before applying polish as it makes spills easier to remove, use it overnight to soften hard toes, knees or elbows (especially before tanning!) ummmmm have I made my point?!  Vaseline is a product I normally carry in my makeup kit or handbag and keep replacing.

I couldn't find my tin so here here the lipbalm I found in my bag (Body shop Cranberry, only use on lips!!)

So there we go.  This has been doing the rounds quite a bit so I tag anyone who wants to do this tag.  Please link below though!!


P.s., Yes that is my natural thumb nail!

Preview: Selling for an orphanage project.

Photo of a FEW of the items. Versace, Lacome, Benefit, Rimmel, St. Tropez...etc.

I will be uploading a sale tomorrow with a special twist for charity, so click on the right hand link to sub to my blog sale blog if you are interested (or just want to have a nose round!)

I have not done this before so please read this post fully!

Normal sale, however the first £20 I make will be donated to a member of my family who is going to help in an African orphanage next year.  She will donate it to the orphanage project.  She has been out before but she's going to move out there for a number of years.  I met up with her a few weeks back and was welling up as she was telling me about the children she works with who have been orphaned through AIDS.  Some of them have been so poorly :( under-nourished and alone..... a simple cold put one little boy in hospital- he is 7 but has the weight of a 3 year old.

She is busy raising money to support the projects she has volunteered for in the past.  One working with orphans, the other with street children.

HOW YOU CAN HELP.
Look at my sale and buy something!  I will state a suggested price, but feel free to donate more to help me reach the £20 target.  I thought this would be a good way of raising a few pounds and giving something to you too.  The things could make great christmas gifts.

Why only £20?
I have done a few other things to raise money for charity and helped raise in the region of £10'000 for various causes so far.  I like to try and give the equivalent of 10% of my earnings (or skills) to charity each year and I have done a lot this year already.  Sometime I work for free (even though professionally I could have command up to £150 in certain situations).   I just can't support every charity, always work for free, run table sales, run races, bake cakes for free, rattle money tins..... so £20 is what I'm aiming to donate from this blog sale (but it is going into a larger pot raised from other avenues).  (In the grand scheme of things, if you support me then you are also supporting me to donate my skills and time to charities.  At the moment I am doing a lot of fund raising for Cancer Research UK, local hospices (including the children's hospice where terminally ill children go) and dementia care).

I hope that all makes sense.  I don't meant to offend anyone.  I was inspired to do this by Oxford Jasmine who is having a charity sale later this month (but on a larger scale Click HERE).  Items will be uploaded tomorrow and then gradually shifted to Ebay.


If anyone takes objection to me posting about this then please accept my appologies!  I'll remove the post and continue selling (but just not mntion my charity connections!).  I have not mentioned them before, and I probably won't mention them again for a good while!

Thanks for reading this far.

Gifts for meee! :)

My wonderful and gorgeous bf bought me some presents a week or so ago.  There was an occassion... I tend to tell him off if he spends too much randomly buying me things.

With my current skin state I dont want to play around with products too much, or take photos.  I thought I'd photo this lot to share with you instead.  I'm still thinking about the 'I hit pan' tag.

He bought me a few well-thought things which included;

L-R

Lush Ruby Red Slippers Bubble Bar

Lush Star Bath Melt

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

I have yet to use any of these items so this is not a full review, however I like Lush in general.  They have great customer service and eco-friendly philosophies.

Ruby Red Slippers

Smells of rose, carnation and geranium.  It looks a bit like shortcake and has a fine coating of glitter.  Lush say "Sparkling, ruby red Bubble Bar with a bewitching fragrance of rose and carnation. There's no place like Lush at Christmas. Grab yourself a pair of Ruby Red Slippers and work some powerfully foaming magic on the water and make it as colourful as the merry old land of Oz. This calming, skin-toning potion of carnations, tangerines and roses makes your body feel and smell bewitching. Munchkins can break a bar in half and get two little baths for the price of one."

Smells lovely and I'm looking forward to having a bath in Ruby Red Slippers :)

Star Bath Melt

Smells of icing sugar, and feels soft.  You break a bit off and hold it under the running tap as the bath fills.  If it is like the dream time bath melt then it contains cocoa butter which leaves my skin clean and soft.  Also makes me smell like sweet treats :)

Snow Fairy

Smells like hubba bubba bubble gum! Also has some iridescent glitter in it :) This has been really popular, so I am glad it is back for Christmas as I missed out on it last year.

I am very pleased with my presents!.  Not only did the bf put a lot of thought into what to get me in general, he also thought about each item (buying me things I didn't have and would use) AND  he went into a girly shop all unprompted and put up with a 6 foot male-dressed-as-an-elf shop guide!!

Just to put this in context, when I tried to explain to the bf about primer, foundation, concealer his face clouded over as if I was trying to explain the Lisbon treaty in a 2009 enviroment from a marxist point of view in a foreign language.

So, that was a great suprise :D

Have any of you ladies used any of those products?  Have you been bought anything nice?

Competitions for you

 Here are some blog competitions that you may want to check out..  I'll post more when I find them!

Just click on the links!
http://nancylauren.blogspot.com/2009/10/love-spread-contest.html 100 followers giveaway

Dazzle Dust 25's giveaway Ambre Rose lipstick

Lauren's Clothes show competition

Shakespeare & Stiletto's giveaway

Thank you to these lovely ladies for running the competitions!

Updates: Help needed: Mac: haul

I have a huge breakout on my face at the moment, so avoiding photos and laying off make-up at the moment.  Just to give you an idea, the biggest breakout is on my chin and feels like I have 3 dried peas under my skin.  Worst thing is they are in a line so it looks like a mountain range.  I don't think you need to see pictures!!  It does look ok through 3D glasses though, as they cancel out the redness!!  A few more cropped up on my chin and upper lip :(.

I'm reaching for the strongest stuff I have to fight this.  It is a concentrated treatment in a small tube called 'Oxy on the spot'.  I can't seem to find it anywhere, or a replacement product. Very annoying- anyone heard of it, or know where to get it from?  I don't like to use it much, because it sometimes bleaches my pillows at night, but desperate times and all that.

30 day skin challenge was going so well too.

Other news:

I bought Mac Mythology eyeshadow from a blog sale, so I'm really excited to have a play with that.  It looks gorgeous in my palette next to Parfait Amour, Beautiful and Club.  All of these I bought with in the past few months, but I think it's a bit late to do a haul post!! I have picks- feel free to request swatches!! Oops!!


I have been playing round with my Sassy mineral make-up and have a post to do on these- but only when my skin is better.


Also picked up the Jemma Kidd lipgloss with packs of Bodyform.  Non UKers- do you have this offer too?


I have an 'I hit pan' tag post, as tagged by Eliza.

A few other exciting bits and bobs.  Do you girls like 'What's in my bag?' posts? Trying to decide if I am brave enough to do that!!

So what do you want first???????! (when my skin stops me looking like an angry mountain range).

Freebies & Discounts: Some international!

25% off instore and online purchases at Dorothy Perkins.  Will ship to 17 destinations!Click here to go to the flyer which you will need to print for instore use.

FREE 100g bar of Milka Chocolate Just click here to play a game and then print off the voucher.

I have already blogged about the free Nails inc. polish with this months UK Glamour magazine, and the free Crabtree and Evelyn hand cream with this months UK Marie Claire  (I have both but have yet to test!)

Marie Claire also has 20% off Hobbs and 10% off Harrods Homeware and Glamour has 25% off some tan, lash and nail treatments

Hope thats of some use to you, I'll blog more discounts and offers as I find them.

ELF new products + EOTD

They're here!! Elf released a tonne of new products on their UK website today!  I think most of them are existing products that have just had a European release, but I did hear that there might be some new products too.... head over to www.eyeslipsface.co.uk to have a nosey at the new products.


I am very excited to have a look at this extended range.  I did a review of three of the products here and in honour, here is my eye of the day EOTD!  Excuse the eyebrows, I'm trying to grow them for a reshape. Also excuse the end of day tiredness!  They eye has lasted well though.

I used;

• Body shop moisture foundation in 04
• No 7 Eye base
• Elf Single Eyeshadow in Charcoal
• Elf Eye Transformer
• Bourjois Maxi Frange Mascara
• No 7 brow kit (discontinued)
• Elf Complexion Correction
  

I used my number 7 cream base, then set it with a layer of Elf Charcoal.  I then added a further layer to half my eyelid and blended it with the blue eye transformer powder.  I put more charcoal on the outer crease and blended.  I then wet a liner brush and lined my upper and lower eye with the charcoal.  This is more subtle than a sharp kohl pencil or liquid/gel liner, but sometimes subtle is the way to go.

I put the peach/bronze eye transformer on my inner corner and under my eye and the pink transformer under the charcoal flick and under my eyebrow.  For this I used the little brush in the compact, and then blended it with my ring finger.  I wouldn't used the powder as a day to day under eye bag disguiser, but I was quite suprised at how well it worked for a special occassion concealer!  It off set my purple/black bags nicely!  I also used a bit of my complexion perfection as a setting powder.

A simple look, but I quite liked it.  For more drama I'd use gel liner and use the eye transformer over that (see swatches on my last Elf post!!  The colours really pop over a liquid or gel liner!)

What do you think of my subtle smokey eye?  Have you seen the new Elf product?  I'll post my wants in a few days!

Blog Sale Update

If anyone is interested, I'm just about to upload some more items including  these YSL polishes.  Also got some Lacome E/s and a few other bits (if time) Click the link to left if you're interested

Creative contest winner is....

Sugar at http://shewga.blogspot.com/








Thank you to everyone who took part, I really enjoyed reading your posts.

Thank you to everyone who voted.


And finally well done to Sugar.  Please sent me an email so can let you know what prizes you can pick from.


That wraps up this competition for now.  I plant to run another very soon, so stay tuned!

I'm a creative blogger!

The lovely Tanya Lou at http://tanyatalksmakeup.blogspot.com/ gave me a Creative Blogger Award!  This was a lovely thought Tanya, and its made me smile all day!

Getting nominated, awarded or mentioned by a fellow blogger is such a boost.  It make's me thing that my ramblings aren't as silly as I think they are in my head!  (Unless the other blogger is saying how silly I am!! I hope that never happens!!)
Thank you Tanya :D

To accept this award do the following:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

5. Nominate 7 Kreative Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominated.

7. Leave a comment to each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Uh-oh! Here we go with 7 interesting things about me.

1) I have one eyelash that is light blonde/white.  It has always been there although you have to look hard to see it thankfully.  (My eyelashes are dark btw!)

2) If is not uncommon for me to knock up my own dress or fancy dress costume.  Usually in half a day.

3) I refuse to shop in Primark as they were rated the most unethical trader very recently.  four words: Sweat Shop Slave Labour.  I know there are more shops, but Primark is the one that keeps coming up again and again (are they ever going to do anything about it??!). There are more but I'll single that on out for now.

4)  Text speak and CAPITALS annoy me!! IT FLS LK PEEPS R SHOUTIN @ ME IN DA FOREN LANGUGE. *shudder*  Maybe I'm just old, but I prefer English the way I was taught at school.

5) One of my toenails has like a ridge split across.  It has been like this for years and I think I have weird feet.  I get very self conscious about it and cover it up with nail polish when it is on show, although it is hard to get the polish out the ridge, so normally I have a red/pink/sparkly stripe across my toenail!!

6) I have never been to America or Canada.  In fact I have never been outside Europe!  The longest flight I have done was 3 hours.  I do hope to travel a few places before I die though!

7) I speak or have a working knowledge of 4 languages.  I have picked up bits of 5 others and enjoy learning new bits!

Here are 7 blogs that I find quite creative in different ways.  Obviously all of us are, but 7...

1) Eliza at http://eliza-mclellan.blogspot.com/ a creative make-up/artist/photographer/nail lady!

2) Louise at http://affordabletreats.blogspot.com/ Have a look at her art work from her GCSE projects and you will see why I have nominated her fo this!

3) Lisa Kate at http://sparkleismycrack.blogspot.com/ her eye of the day is great!

4) Kelly at http://www.lionstigersandfashionohmy.com/ she picks up the most amazing bargains and thrift purchases.

5) Crystal at http://makeupbycrystals.blogspot.com/ Check out her eye of the day today :)

6)Michelle at http://www.lipstickrules.com/ Have a look at her family Halloween picture!

7) Pip http://pipalachic.blogspot.com/ a fellow girl who makes her own dresses.

So there you are, 7 bloggers who are creative with time, money, fashion, make-up, nails, hair and so on.

 

Thanks for everyone who blogs- you are all creative!

And thanks again to Tanya

x

Freebie Alert with Marie Clare Magazine

Free Crabtree and Evelyn handcream with December's issue of Marie Clare magazine woth £5.50.  If you're a bit skint then you can alway buy the mag and give the handcream away as a christmas present.

I love Crabtree and Evelyn so will be looking out for this!

Want Cooookiee

Saw this and it made me laugh.  Google's homepage today.

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street!

Review: New Elf products

A more in-depth look at daddy bear, mummy bear and baby bear (as I nicknamed them last time!).  To read that post click here.

To sum up, these items are available in America/Canada but are only *just* about to be launched in the UK (along with around 150 other items).  I will go through each product, swatch and write a bit.  I apologise now if this is a long post!  If it's too long then feel free to comment and I'll try to keep them shorter in the future!

Overall I find ordering from Elf very easy, with fast delivery.  I love the packaging of the Studio Line.  It is quite similar to NARS but, in my opinion, better.  It is not rubberised so that dirt sticks to it, plus the box compacts have little clear peep windows so you can see what's inside.  They also print some info on the outside so- especially useful for the Complexion Correction compact and Bronzer Blusher compact (which don't have peep windows).

Single Eye shadow in Charcoal.

The cutest little packaging plus it has a mirror inside.  No applicator but then let's face it- most beauty geeks throw these out in favour of their own brush kits.

Charcoal is a soft dark grey pressed powder. It applies easily and the pigmentation isn’t too bad.  For those that worry about glitter and shimmer, there is a very very fine shimmer in this powder.  I would describe it more as an illuminating shimmer rather than a sparkly light catching glitter.  I would be quite happy wearing this amount of shimmer for a day look (although charcoal might be a bit too dark for my work!).

I have also been impressed with the staying power of this eye shadow.  I went so far as to try it on my eyelid with no base/primer just for fun. Yup you read right!! Just woke up and slapped it on.  5 hours later, it was still there.  Obviously with a good base powder and primer the result would defer.

Here is a swatch of one swipe both wet and dry.


The drawback is that there aren't too many colours, but hopefully ELF will extend this range.  I already have my eye on 3 more colours.

Studio Blush

Meet Mellow Mauve.  Same concept as above, cute packaging with mirror and peep hole and thankfully no rubbish applicator!  Another soft pressed power.  This product is less pigmented than the eye shadow, but I'm quite happy with that as a blusher.  Being a pale lass I always try to build up my bronzer and blusher very slowly, so I would rather have a pale blusher, than a highly pigmented one. Maybe that's just me though!

Again a slight shimmer, but nothing drastic.  I have the Bronzer Blush duo (right) so I have done a comparison swatch for you!  I would say the duo has more shimmer/glitter in it  as is a bit more powdery (I think it shows in the blury photo).  Hopefully this will be interesting (especially if you have either product and want to gage others against it)!  I quite happily wear this all day and (if applied over a good base and blended properly) it seems to last quite well.

Sometimes I mix my blushers with vaseline and use them as a lip tint.  Something to try if you are bored of the same lip products!

Eye Transformer

A fun product.  A set of four iridescent pressed powders (in a good mirrored compact) but this one is large enough to contain a brush.  Yes, no rubbish plastic matchstick sized cotton bud applicator, and actual soft half sized brush.  Great to apply with- or touch up with.  This compact is slightly bigger than the blush/bronzer duo compact.

Swatches: Dry product! 2 swipes each.

As you can see from the photos the powders are quite versatile.  Subtle with a sheen ...or for a more dramatic look try using them over another colour base.  I love using them over dark colours (see over Elf Charcoal).  And for an extra kick, look at what happened when I used them over a normal Kohl pencil and my Mac Blacktrack Fluidline!!  It's my own Style Black!!

Yes, a few places do shimmers for example The Body shop does some that retail at around £11 each colour.  I'm glad I got this palette instead as it is much cheaper than £44!!  It is not something that I use everyday, but if I'm going out and have very little time to change and touch up then this product buys me time.


I hope the photos capture the sheen.  Its amazing as the palette just looks like a normal concealer palette.  I love them all!




So there you are, I hope thats enough swatches for you!


These products cost $3 on www.eyeslipsface.com where you can see the full range of 6 studio blushers, and all the single studio eye shadows.  I prefer these to the eye brightening quads.  If the rest of the studio range is anything to go by then these will be retailing on the UK site for £3.50.  I think they will be available through www.eyeslipsface.co.uk on Monday 9th November- so no more lusting over the US site or organising swaps!!!


If you have any questions, just pop them below and I'll try to answer!  Does anyone else have any of these?  What do you think?


(P.s. Elf is a cruelty free company! They do not test on animals. :))

Sorry to have to post this: Rule clarity.

Just a qick post to say that there are only a few days left to vote for the creative contest winner.  Please note that there has been a change. Only my subscribers (subscribed by 11:59pm GMT Wednesday 4th November 2009) can cast a vote.  I will be counting all votes up until that point as I did not make that point clear.

I want it to be a fair vote, not a popularity contest.  Spamming is not allowed, and votes must be cast by comment NOT EMAIL PLEASE!!!!! Please cast your vote by clicking here.

If anyone disagrees or has concerns with this clarification, then please send me an email.  I have disabled comments on this post.

5 Beauty Tips

Just a quick post for today.  I thought I would share with you 5 beauty tips!

1) Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is good for your hair!  It doesnt stick as much to silk as cotton and thus you will wake up with smoother hair.

2) Eyeliners sharpen better after being in the fridge for a few hours.  It hardens the tip and makes it less prone to snagging on the sharpener.

3) Choose  foundation or primer with an SPF as this will protect you on a daily basis.

4) Next time you have an avocado, grab a grater and grate the stone.  Add the shavings to a little cream, yoghurt or event he flesh of the avocado and what do you have? A simple body polish.

5) If your mascara is going a bit thick (normally when it is near the end of the tube/shelf life) then put the tube in warm water for a few minutes as this usually softens the product.


I hope your enjoyed those and learnt something.

I'm a lovely blogger!

Thanks to Louise at affordable treats!  I just want to say a huge thank you for giving me this award.  It is really lovely when people take the time to write and give awards! I accepted this award a few days ago from Silja Click here and I had to nominate 15 blogs so if anyone wants to see then just click the link.

Each blog award is equally special to me though, so I'm saying thank yooouuuu to the supersweet Louise!!! :)  Check out her blog if you've a spare minute!
Emma

Competitions for you to look at!

I thought I would do these all together rather than post 2000 posts in one day!  If you feel like it then stop by these blogs and while you are the, check out these competitions by these lovely ladies!

Paula at Sweetcheeks  100 follower giveaway. Well done :)

http://laurensloves.blogspot.com/2009/10/competition-time.html a lovely blog, informative and fun!

Helen at nice things birthday giveaway.

Ever girl's little addiction  100 followers giveaway.

So go and check them out.

Preview: Let me introduce you to...

Hurrah!! On the 9th November Elf (also known as Eye Lips Face) will be releasing over 150 further products to the UK!  (Americans/Canadians: This is long overdue for us!!)  For months we endured tales of this magical Elf make-up in America and Canada.  Thankfully the make-up Elf gods were kind and gave us our own European launch.... but what was this?  When looking at the .com website, lots of products appeared that were not on the co.uk website.  Of couse they all looked very interesting so computergirl set out to get some...


And here they are!  3 items from the extended Elf Studio range.

L-R lined up like Daddy bear, mummy bear and baby bear!

Eye transformer, blush, eye shadow mono.

Don't they look cute!!

For those that don't know, Elf are primarily a mail order company.  They specialise in quaility make-up at affordable prices.  Items range from the huge sum of 75p upwards.  They do two ranges; a normal range, and a Studio range.  The Studio range was designed for make-up artist studio use.  Thankfully it is not exclusive to make-up artists!  I have ordered and tried items from both ranges and have been quite pleased with the results.  I think we Uk-ers pay a little bit more than the guys 'over the pond', for example my Complexion Perfection compact cost $3 or £3.50- still cheap though!!

I have been using these 3 items for a while, and I'll do a bit more of a detailed post soon (including how they compare to the last lot of Elf I blogged about).  Do you guys want swatches of these?  I'm sort of following some request emails and posts at the moment so feel free to make requests on what you want to see!

Have a good night!

Review: Camille Beckman Hand Therapy

I had some time to kill in duty free a few years back at Glasgow Airport.  What is a girl to do with time, money and shops?!  Danger: Spending alert!!!

While buying some Scottish Tablet and Macaroons I saw this 'wee little tub'.  Being a fan of small packages I was magnetically drawn to stand (before I even knew what it contained)!  Each tub has a little ribbon flower on the lid.  How cute is that?


Ladies, I introduce you to Camille Beckman's Glycerine Hand Therapy.  A blend of Glycerine, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Wheat Protein, Almond Oil and Plant Extracts.  It claims to moisturise and nourish you skin while creating a barrier against the elements.  

I bought the pursette size in 'Pink Grapefruit'.  I had never tried this product before so I just wanted a sample size.  I now wish I had bought a larger size as well!  I love carrying this product around with me!


The cream is thick, but not solid.  This just means that a little goes a long way.  The scent is delicate, but adds a nice gentle extra to the product.  I find that it soaks in quite well, and keeps my hands soft and supple for ages- even in the November cold wind!


I think the little tup (which is about the size of a £2 coin) cost around £2, and is perfect for my handbag.  The company makes lots of other sizes, with and without fragrance.


This product gets a thumbs up.  I will attempt to repurchase once my tub runs out.  It is lasting really well so far!  The only problem is that I bought it from an airport, so I don't know where else sells it in the UK!!  I have found a website for Camille Beckman (Click Here)



Verdict 8/10 
Available from: Duty Free at Glasgow Airport


If anyone knows any other retailers in the UK then I'd be interested to here where I can buy this from without having to fly to Glasgow!! EDIT: I found a retailers, but have no experience of them http://www.theyellowdoor.biz/ and there is another one but I cant find the product on their site.


Anyone used this? 
What do you use to keep your hands soft in the autumn and winter?

EOTD

This is one I took at the end of a very long day (that is why it is a bit smudgy and generally not at the best stage).  I keep either forgetting to take photos, or am in a rush and don't have time.  Not the best post but if I wait for a perfect eye/photo then I will never post one!  It was blended higher.

Products used: No 7 Stay Perfect Eye base, Mac E/s Beautiful (base), Mac E/s Club (Crease and blended towards outer edge.  I also used a liner brush and lined the eye with Mac Club (not waterlined or tightlined- never too sure about using powders to do that!).  Mascara Collection 2000 but I cant remember oops!  Eyebrows No7 eyebrow kit (discontinued I think).  Rimmel Translucent setting powder. Elf Complexion Perfection under eye, used as a mattifying powder under foundation, and a redness/circles reducer under the eye.



I included the blury one as Club is a dirty khakis brown with a green sheen, it sort of shows up in the photos.  With the right sort of application and products, this can be dramatic or subtle.  I did a bit of a flick with the powder shadow, but rubbed it off as the day/night wore on.

Swatches of the prizes I won!

Here are some swatches of the prizes I won in Sadie's competition.  I have already done a post about this and some of you asked for swatches.

This is also a great demonstration on how application affects the end result.

Top Row: L-R
1) Barry M Fine Glitter Dust No 20 (Applied Dry)
2) Same as above but applied wet! (has fine light blue glitter in it which doesnt show up)
3) Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in 240 Galactic Mauve (has tiny gold flecks in)

Middle Row
1) Maybelline Eyestudio Mono in '205 I love Lilac'. You can barely see it, and when I applied it dry and wet it didnt adjust the colour much.  A nice subtle eyeshadow, with a slight glow. Great for a base.
2) Barry M Dazzle Dust in 88. (Applied Dry). This has a great purpley/blue sheen when it catches the light)
3) Same as above but applied wet for a more intense look.

Bottom Row
1)Too Faced Starry Eyed Liner in Obsessed Fan (applied once).
2) As above (three coats)
3) Too Faced Starry Eyed Liner in Restraining Order (applied once)
4) As above (three coats)
5) No 7 Stay Perfect Eyeliner in Sapphire (one coat).

I hope those are the type of swatches you wanted ladies? Let me know if not.

I love all these products so far.  Do you have any of them?