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Way back when in 2010 when my hair looked like this
and I was still at school, I went on a ten day trip to China with my mum and sister to visit my brother.
During my short stay China had made a serious impression on me and I wanted to get back as soon as I could, to work, to study I didn't care! I briefly looked into studying at a University in Hong Kong when deciding on universities aged 18, but didn't pursue it beyond looking at their website, I suppose I got daunted by the thought of moving out for the first time without the thought of moving to an entirely foreign country!
So despite this, I couldn't shake the feeling that I wanted to get back and an opportunity arose when my current University offers an integrated placement year into the degree, where I could essentially do anything that I wanted, as long as it was a form of skilled, challenging work!
In November 2013 an opening came about that I fell for, and by January my job for 12 months in China had been confirmed!
I have a one way flight booked and a visa tucked neatly into my passport, I begin work in July and arrive in China a few days before to settle in.
I may be sounding all casual and blah-say about this whole thing when writing it down, but since December I've spent many nights wide awake staring at the ceiling, so fizzy with excitement that I cannot sleep. I thought that I would feel a lot of fear and anxiety by now, but that hasn't set in yet, perhaps it doesn't feel real, perhaps I'll collapse under those feelings a week, or night before I leave, or when I start having to say goodbye gradually to friends and family.
What does all this mean for my blog and YouTube?
Well, I hear that there are some pretty strict rules on accessing all that out there, it extends to Facebook, Spotify, Netflix, so I have no idea what my life will consist of in my spare time? Perhaps I'll go outside? Get some hobbies? Who knows?
For now I have around a month to prepare before I get out there, in the mean time I will be filming videos like a crazy person to pre schedule to upload, preparing blog posts, in between packing and spending as much time in the real world, being able to savour using English and have other people understand me!
I've also heard mutterings of being able to 'get around' such restrictions, I'm hoping frantically that they will materialise into something without like, breaking the law!
New Video: Summer Makeup Tutorial for Acne
Thursday 29 May 2014
It has been longer than I'd care to admit but a new video has just landed freshly from the bakery of my imagination!
It's a very simple makeup tutorial for the summertime, here I'm using a BB cream which I never really got on board with until now. This one has salicylic acid which was the primary reason that I got it. I can't say that I've noticed it helping my skin, but similarly, I haven't noticed it breaking me out either.
The standard before shot, the main problematic areas are uneven texture and redness around the chin, by the temples and the forehead.
As a BB cream it hasn't done a bad job of concealing most of the problems, but I of course had some help from my best friend concealer! I use the heavy stuff by Kryolan that comes in a colour wheel.
Eyeshadow courtesy of the Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay!
For step by step, keep watching:
It's a very simple makeup tutorial for the summertime, here I'm using a BB cream which I never really got on board with until now. This one has salicylic acid which was the primary reason that I got it. I can't say that I've noticed it helping my skin, but similarly, I haven't noticed it breaking me out either.
Eyeshadow courtesy of the Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay!
For step by step, keep watching:
My Tonsillitis Torture (That actually turned out to be Glandular Fever)
Friday 2 May 2014
Around ten days ago from today I began to feel lethargic and have a muzzy head. Muzzy meaning, a sort of headache, but not a skull thrashing one, the kind of pain in my head that I couldn't even distinguish. I presumed I must be fighting off a cold in its early stages as I had sneezed once or twice in the last few days. Wanting to enjoy my Easter break and see my friends from home I'd take a few paracetamol, that would lower any pain to an ebb and allow me to enjoy the evening. I'd then get home and fall into bed before the effects of the painkillers wore off.
This went on for another two or three days when I came to presume that I was losing my battle with the flu as the pain had spread to a rawness in my throat. I began to drink water like I'd just come out the desert and expected all other common cold symptoms to erupt out, cue the runny nose, trouble breathing and goodbye all ability to taste... but over the next few days these didn't come out. My throat was just getting more and more raw, my inner ear continuing some of that sensitivity but my nasal airways were completely clear. I'd never had simply a sore throat in complete isolation of any mucus mayhem and I just didn't know what was going on. I decided to wait it out a little longer before I worried about it being anything more serious. Over the five days that followed it was progressively unbearable to swallow any water, any food, no matter how squishy- the swallowing reflex is triggered regardless and it felt like shattered glass in my throat every time.
I began uncontrollably dribbling because I was very conscious of any swallowing and couldn't naturally, automatically swallow excess saliva (gross gross, I know). So it would just pour out while I was somewhere between asleep and awake and I, in horror, would wonder what was going on and have to bolt to the bathroom to spit out the rest.
In the night I'd get so sick of getting in and out of bed to spit out saliva I couldn't stand to swallow, I contemplated dragging my duvet to set up camp for the night on the bathroom tiles.
In between all of this my bones ached, my tongue had grown the most hideous fur coat and my temperature was through the roof. I'd fall asleep in a onesie with feet numb and goose bumps only to wake up with sweat dripping off me and changing into a vest top and shorts, hanging my head out the window. I'd take cold showers to cool down and hot baths to heat up, all in the same day.
I'd stopped functioning, when I spoke I sounded like I had a ping pong ball stuffed in my mouth, I just slept all day and I didn't even mind because I couldn't face anything else, I'd have Spotify playlists on really really low all day and all night, maybe a talk show from time to time if I felt lonely at not hearing any voices, but the brightness from any screen was so painful I couldn't bear to watch. Sleeping began to become a problem as whatever angle I fell asleep I'd wake myself up with the most awful, gentle snore erupting from my own mouth that would confuse me and frustrate me until I fell into an exhausted sleep.
When I realised I'd essentially turned into a newborn baby (sleeping 18 hours a day, full of dribble, bad at controlling my own body temperature) I couldn't 'wait it out' any longer. I thought I'd just been given the mother of all flu viruses and there's nothing that I could do, but my symptoms were getting progressively worse so I did what any girl in their twenties would do, cry to my mum.
After a speedy trip to the doctors, the kind receptionist looked concerned and I was able to get an emergency appointment there and then. I sat in the GP's office, she wanted to have a look in my mouth, before I opened wide I apologised for the state of my tongue. She glanced in for less than a second before saying:
"You have tonsillitis, very advanced."
I was prescribed with a 10 day course of Penicillin tablets. 2 tablets taken 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Normally, such grounds would be incredibly inconvenient but my appetite has jumped out of the window and hit every obstacle on the way down. In the past week I've worryingly lost a lot of weight and it's just too quick and very unhealthy. My head is looking a bit big in proportion to my body and my elbows look particularly pointed, my shoulders and my decolletage are jutting against my skin.
Four days later I began to feel so much better already, my temperature was back under control, only spiking in the night if at all,
the dribbling has stopped completely (hooray!) and I want to
graze here and there, my appetite hasn't caught up with my eyes- when I
feel hungry I plate up a normal portion size of food, but when I sit
down to eat I'm unimaginably full after two or three spoons, but today
is the first time I haven't fallen asleep in the day, my head is clear
and I feel mostly good! Using the torch on my phone and a mirror I'm
still on 'tonsil patrol' they had very large white spots on them that
today for the first day they look slightly, slightly smaller.
UPDATE 23rd May 2014
I had blood tests from the doctor for a different issue entirely and my liver function came back as slightly abormal, the doctor (A different one from the GP who diagnosed me with Tonsilitis) told me that I in fact had obviously endured... Glandular Fever.
A whole different issue entirely. By this point my symptoms are long gone and my weight is slowly gaining back onto my body so it sort of doesn't make a difference to me either way. The only sad thing is that Penicillin has absolutely no impact on Glandular fever so I took that intense course, and my poor body took a medicinal battering for nothing!
This was all a very long winded way of explaining my absence and my upset that I was not able to pre film so many fun videos over the Easter break. I'm behind on all blogging, videoing platforms, but I am healthier! It's such a shame when little inconveniences like this happen and knock us off our feet. Similarly, I know the internet is full of health stories, people love to explain their ailments, it's a bit therapeutic to write it out I must say! But my story didn't resemble any other about tonsillitis that I read, I never considered my symptoms as tonsillitis and so delayed much longer than I should have getting medical intervention, maybe you're in bed right now struggling to look at the computer screen because it burns, and your head is muzzy and your throat feels like it's swollen into your ears. But you're contemplating 'battling through' anyway, I'd urge you to be kinder on yourself, not to consider yourself a nuisance to the doctor and not to underestimate how severe the pain can get!
This went on for another two or three days when I came to presume that I was losing my battle with the flu as the pain had spread to a rawness in my throat. I began to drink water like I'd just come out the desert and expected all other common cold symptoms to erupt out, cue the runny nose, trouble breathing and goodbye all ability to taste... but over the next few days these didn't come out. My throat was just getting more and more raw, my inner ear continuing some of that sensitivity but my nasal airways were completely clear. I'd never had simply a sore throat in complete isolation of any mucus mayhem and I just didn't know what was going on. I decided to wait it out a little longer before I worried about it being anything more serious. Over the five days that followed it was progressively unbearable to swallow any water, any food, no matter how squishy- the swallowing reflex is triggered regardless and it felt like shattered glass in my throat every time.
I began uncontrollably dribbling because I was very conscious of any swallowing and couldn't naturally, automatically swallow excess saliva (gross gross, I know). So it would just pour out while I was somewhere between asleep and awake and I, in horror, would wonder what was going on and have to bolt to the bathroom to spit out the rest.
In the night I'd get so sick of getting in and out of bed to spit out saliva I couldn't stand to swallow, I contemplated dragging my duvet to set up camp for the night on the bathroom tiles.
In between all of this my bones ached, my tongue had grown the most hideous fur coat and my temperature was through the roof. I'd fall asleep in a onesie with feet numb and goose bumps only to wake up with sweat dripping off me and changing into a vest top and shorts, hanging my head out the window. I'd take cold showers to cool down and hot baths to heat up, all in the same day.
I'd stopped functioning, when I spoke I sounded like I had a ping pong ball stuffed in my mouth, I just slept all day and I didn't even mind because I couldn't face anything else, I'd have Spotify playlists on really really low all day and all night, maybe a talk show from time to time if I felt lonely at not hearing any voices, but the brightness from any screen was so painful I couldn't bear to watch. Sleeping began to become a problem as whatever angle I fell asleep I'd wake myself up with the most awful, gentle snore erupting from my own mouth that would confuse me and frustrate me until I fell into an exhausted sleep.
 |
| A little look into my archive of 'Tonsil Patrol', you can see the bright redness at the back of the throat where it was so irritated and sore. If you look really closely you can see the white blobs sat on the tonsils that are so incredibly painful just being there! |
After a speedy trip to the doctors, the kind receptionist looked concerned and I was able to get an emergency appointment there and then. I sat in the GP's office, she wanted to have a look in my mouth, before I opened wide I apologised for the state of my tongue. She glanced in for less than a second before saying:
"You have tonsillitis, very advanced."
Call me crazy, but of all the possible diagnosis that I was not expecting.
Of course the throat pain and
inability to swallow was central to the whole feeling, but I think it
was diluted by the bad fever, sore body, painful ears and bad head that
the sore throat was just one of many symptoms in the end.
I was prescribed with a 10 day course of Penicillin tablets. 2 tablets taken 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Normally, such grounds would be incredibly inconvenient but my appetite has jumped out of the window and hit every obstacle on the way down. In the past week I've worryingly lost a lot of weight and it's just too quick and very unhealthy. My head is looking a bit big in proportion to my body and my elbows look particularly pointed, my shoulders and my decolletage are jutting against my skin.
 |
| A closer look at the hideous white blobs and you can see the stubborn, disgusting lining on my tongue |
UPDATE 23rd May 2014
I had blood tests from the doctor for a different issue entirely and my liver function came back as slightly abormal, the doctor (A different one from the GP who diagnosed me with Tonsilitis) told me that I in fact had obviously endured... Glandular Fever.
A whole different issue entirely. By this point my symptoms are long gone and my weight is slowly gaining back onto my body so it sort of doesn't make a difference to me either way. The only sad thing is that Penicillin has absolutely no impact on Glandular fever so I took that intense course, and my poor body took a medicinal battering for nothing!
This was all a very long winded way of explaining my absence and my upset that I was not able to pre film so many fun videos over the Easter break. I'm behind on all blogging, videoing platforms, but I am healthier! It's such a shame when little inconveniences like this happen and knock us off our feet. Similarly, I know the internet is full of health stories, people love to explain their ailments, it's a bit therapeutic to write it out I must say! But my story didn't resemble any other about tonsillitis that I read, I never considered my symptoms as tonsillitis and so delayed much longer than I should have getting medical intervention, maybe you're in bed right now struggling to look at the computer screen because it burns, and your head is muzzy and your throat feels like it's swollen into your ears. But you're contemplating 'battling through' anyway, I'd urge you to be kinder on yourself, not to consider yourself a nuisance to the doctor and not to underestimate how severe the pain can get!
I realised that I was living alone when...
Tuesday 8 April 2014
When there's no food in the fridge, there is no food in the fridge and no matter how many times I open and close that fridge door a beautiful cheesecake will not appear on the shelf that has only a half empty container of dip.
Unless someone walks with the pace of urgency at all times they deserve a stern 'look'
The never ending circle of wanting a pet but realising how cruel it would be to have it live in the confines of your teeny tiny living space
Food shopping becomes a sport in its own right, carrying the wight, the handles cutting into your fingers in the cold, promising yourself I will order online next time
I only need to iron something if it looks it needs an iron, and then I'll probably choose to wear something else
If I must iron, the carpet is a perfectly adequate as an ironing board
Sometimes, you do just find yourself having to walk home alone at night and praying that you won't be preyed upon
My clothes fresh from the wash don't smell like meadows or flower fields, but instead feel crunchy, like cardboard
There's more and more and many more moments of realisation I had that I was living alone, by myself in a city - not all bad!
Then I look at pictures like this one and feel so gushy that I get to live in this city
Unless someone walks with the pace of urgency at all times they deserve a stern 'look'
The never ending circle of wanting a pet but realising how cruel it would be to have it live in the confines of your teeny tiny living space
Food shopping becomes a sport in its own right, carrying the wight, the handles cutting into your fingers in the cold, promising yourself I will order online next time
I only need to iron something if it looks it needs an iron, and then I'll probably choose to wear something else
If I must iron, the carpet is a perfectly adequate as an ironing board
Sometimes, you do just find yourself having to walk home alone at night and praying that you won't be preyed upon
My clothes fresh from the wash don't smell like meadows or flower fields, but instead feel crunchy, like cardboard
There's more and more and many more moments of realisation I had that I was living alone, by myself in a city - not all bad!
Then I look at pictures like this one and feel so gushy that I get to live in this city
Lumie Clear Acne Light- Review, First Impressions, Before & Afters
Saturday 5 April 2014
The long awaited Lumie Clear Acne light review!
This is by no means a cheap product and deserved a whole review in it's own right.
It is a light with a self timer of 15 minutes that activates when pressing a power button. The light is then shone on the face for the entire 15 minute duration, during which time the light is supposed to do all kind of great things including kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and generally a whole host of great things.
It's an unusual product and one that I hadn't heard a lot about, however I'd seen some really great reviews and made the plunge.
The pros and cons turned out to be as follows:
Pros:
Lightweaight product that is very portable
Reduction of whiteheads (presumably down to it bacteria killing properties)
Non contact, so great for sensitive skin
Cons:
The price... Over £100!
Time consuming, 15 minutes per day, which sometimes could take up to 1 hour once I had dedicated 15 minutes to each portion of my face
Results are slow, and quite unspectacular - I dedicated 4 months to this baby, and by dedicated I mean dedicated like my life depended on it.
If 9 more minutes of spending time with me (i.e wathcing the video above) makes you feel like you want to pull your hair out then I will give you the summary as follows: This is a last resort product due to the price, I found the results to be too small to justify the price and had I known I would not have purchased this one... sad faces all around...
The pros and cons turned out to be as follows:
Pros:
Lightweaight product that is very portable
Reduction of whiteheads (presumably down to it bacteria killing properties)
Non contact, so great for sensitive skin
Cons:
The price... Over £100!
Time consuming, 15 minutes per day, which sometimes could take up to 1 hour once I had dedicated 15 minutes to each portion of my face
Results are slow, and quite unspectacular - I dedicated 4 months to this baby, and by dedicated I mean dedicated like my life depended on it.
If 9 more minutes of spending time with me (i.e wathcing the video above) makes you feel like you want to pull your hair out then I will give you the summary as follows: This is a last resort product due to the price, I found the results to be too small to justify the price and had I known I would not have purchased this one... sad faces all around...
EPIC ASOS Spring 2014 HAUL!
Wednesday 26 March 2014
I am not proud, but not ashamed enough to not put this up on the itnernet for everyone to see.
But there was a huge hiccup in my brain, and essentially I just stole money from myself, threw it at the internet and lots of beautiful dresses, trousers and jumpers popped out at me. It was quite magical really.
The 8 minutes and 55 seconds are well justified, I manage to cram a lot in!
Just in case you see anything that you just love and have to have it for yourself, here are the links to aaaaalll ASOS goodies in order!- snap 'em up before they're gone!
Pink Crop Trousers: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Crop-Trousers/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2796761
Floral Jacquard Trousers: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Trousers-in-Floral-Jacquard/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2798998
Lipsy Strapless Black Dress: http://www.asos.com//Lipsy/Lipsy-Plunge-Neck-Bandeau-Mini-Dress-With-Frill-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2979831
Black Dress with Laddered Back: http://www.asos.com//Motel/Motel-A-Line-Dress-With-Laddered-Back/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3117422
Floral Long Sleeved Dress: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Skater-Dress-With-Button-Through-In-Floral-With-Long-Sleeves/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3386637
Denim and Rose Print Strappy Sundress: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Strappy-Back-Sundress-In-Rose-Spot-Print/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3019602
Really Boring Pencil Skirt: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Belted-Pencil-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2470474
Blue Shirt with Pink Lace Heart: http://www.asos.com//Love/Love-Shirt-With-Lace-Heart-Back-Detail/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3476042
Colour Block Dress Navy/Burgundy: http://www.asos.com//Closet/Closet-Colourblock-Dress-With-Fluted-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3256132
Black Skirt with Peplum hem: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Mini-Skirt-With-Peplum-Hem-in-Ponte/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3505075
Teddy Bear Coat: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Longline-Teddy-Faux-Fur-Coat/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3138163
Champagne and Navy Embellished Dress: http://www.asos.com//Little-Mistress/Little-Mistress-Shift-Dress-with-Embellished-Shoulders/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3117514
Black Peplum skirt (That is a little on the crazy side) http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Scuba-Peplum-Hem-Mini-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3597308
Polka dot strappy top: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Swing-Cami-Top-with-Spot-Print/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3480683
Lilac scallop edge shorts: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Shorts-With-Scallop-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3492576
Fruit Tee: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Beach-London-For-Asos-Thomas-Slater-Fruits-T-Shirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3349371
But there was a huge hiccup in my brain, and essentially I just stole money from myself, threw it at the internet and lots of beautiful dresses, trousers and jumpers popped out at me. It was quite magical really.
The 8 minutes and 55 seconds are well justified, I manage to cram a lot in!
Just in case you see anything that you just love and have to have it for yourself, here are the links to aaaaalll ASOS goodies in order!- snap 'em up before they're gone!
Pink Crop Trousers: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Crop-Trousers/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2796761
Floral Jacquard Trousers: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Trousers-in-Floral-Jacquard/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2798998
Lipsy Strapless Black Dress: http://www.asos.com//Lipsy/Lipsy-Plunge-Neck-Bandeau-Mini-Dress-With-Frill-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2979831
Black Dress with Laddered Back: http://www.asos.com//Motel/Motel-A-Line-Dress-With-Laddered-Back/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3117422
Floral Long Sleeved Dress: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Skater-Dress-With-Button-Through-In-Floral-With-Long-Sleeves/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3386637
Denim and Rose Print Strappy Sundress: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Strappy-Back-Sundress-In-Rose-Spot-Print/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3019602
Really Boring Pencil Skirt: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Belted-Pencil-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2470474
Blue Shirt with Pink Lace Heart: http://www.asos.com//Love/Love-Shirt-With-Lace-Heart-Back-Detail/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3476042
Colour Block Dress Navy/Burgundy: http://www.asos.com//Closet/Closet-Colourblock-Dress-With-Fluted-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3256132
Black Skirt with Peplum hem: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Mini-Skirt-With-Peplum-Hem-in-Ponte/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3505075
Teddy Bear Coat: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Longline-Teddy-Faux-Fur-Coat/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3138163
Champagne and Navy Embellished Dress: http://www.asos.com//Little-Mistress/Little-Mistress-Shift-Dress-with-Embellished-Shoulders/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3117514
Black Peplum skirt (That is a little on the crazy side) http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Scuba-Peplum-Hem-Mini-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3597308
Polka dot strappy top: http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Swing-Cami-Top-with-Spot-Print/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3480683
Lilac scallop edge shorts: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Asos-Shorts-With-Scallop-Hem/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3492576
Fruit Tee: http://www.asos.com//Asos/Beach-London-For-Asos-Thomas-Slater-Fruits-T-Shirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3349371
How to: Flawless Makeup Base for Acne and blemishes
Wednesday 12 March 2014
If you are on the ball, which I know that you are otherwise why else would you be here?
You may have seen my 'Flawless Makeup base for Acne' tutorial - Say that 5 times fast
I skipped the eye makeup filming as you've seen a lot of the same before. It's a funny thing, when I started implementing a skin primer into my routine I didn't ever really notice a difference, it's not until I accidentally forget it that I notice my foundation just does not sit right and my blemishes just look more gross, more bulbous and more hideous than they ever have done, so if you learn nothing from this video it is that Primers should not be underestimated!
Just because everyone likes pictures, here is a little before and after for you:
Magical transformation...
All attempts at sophistication fall flat once you stray away from the forefront to the cartoon filled background... yes Mr Men bed sheets, Hello Kitty Posters...
You may have seen my 'Flawless Makeup base for Acne' tutorial - Say that 5 times fast
I skipped the eye makeup filming as you've seen a lot of the same before. It's a funny thing, when I started implementing a skin primer into my routine I didn't ever really notice a difference, it's not until I accidentally forget it that I notice my foundation just does not sit right and my blemishes just look more gross, more bulbous and more hideous than they ever have done, so if you learn nothing from this video it is that Primers should not be underestimated!
Just because everyone likes pictures, here is a little before and after for you:
All attempts at sophistication fall flat once you stray away from the forefront to the cartoon filled background... yes Mr Men bed sheets, Hello Kitty Posters...
Pretty in Pink Makeup Tutorial Urban Decay Naked Palette 3
Sunday 16 February 2014
It's such a myth that pink eye shadows are tricky to wear, paired with the right colours and the right amount of blending it is such a gem to have in your arsenal!
This is my most recent look using pinks as a base
A little mini breakdown of what happened is as follows:
1.Eyeshadow base
2. Apply a matte white shade all over the lid
3. Apply a bronze pigment around the outer eye and the outer half of the crease
4. Apply a mild baby matte pink on the middle part of the eye
5. Run a white eyeshadow pencil along the inner corner of the eyes and blend with your finger
6. Apply the matte white shadow on the brow bone
7. Run a white eyeliner along the waterline
8. Use a brown gel liner along the upper lash line and the outer third of the lower lash line
9. Apply mascara
10. A slick of cute pink gloss
You are done!
If you are looking for a little more detail, and 3 and a half minutes - or so of fun, watch the tutorial here!
This is my most recent look using pinks as a base
A little mini breakdown of what happened is as follows:
1.Eyeshadow base
2. Apply a matte white shade all over the lid
3. Apply a bronze pigment around the outer eye and the outer half of the crease
4. Apply a mild baby matte pink on the middle part of the eye
5. Run a white eyeshadow pencil along the inner corner of the eyes and blend with your finger
6. Apply the matte white shadow on the brow bone
7. Run a white eyeliner along the waterline
8. Use a brown gel liner along the upper lash line and the outer third of the lower lash line
9. Apply mascara
10. A slick of cute pink gloss
You are done!
If you are looking for a little more detail, and 3 and a half minutes - or so of fun, watch the tutorial here!
Peaches and Clean Soap and Glory Review
Thursday 13 February 2014
I've just finished up using my Nelsons natural face wash. While it's just perfect for my oily skin, the scent is so medicinal despite it being 100% natural that I felt like treating myself to something that would make my nose sing in the morning with the delicious fragrance of my face wash. - Perhaps I take my face washing too seriously...
The answer to what I was looking for came in a beautiful, peach scented creamy face wash from Soap and Glory.
It's name?
Peaches and Clean, their products always have the best names!
It definitely smells like peaches, but perhaps artificial peaches, my initial reaction to smelling this was that it smells like Archers and Lemonade, you know that beautiful sweet drink that kind of tastes like something you had when you were a child? Archers and Lemonade is definitely not for children though, incase you don't know what it is...
As for the cream aspect? It certainly is creamy. I am an oily skinned girl and always have been, but as it is winter time and I felt like giving my skin a bit of TLC I decided to take a break from the gels and foams I normally use. This is lovely and creamy in texture but not too rich, it's certainly appropriate for daily use, and I do, twice daily in fact.
It does not leave my skin with an oily residue like other creamy washes and the smell (Did I mention the smell yet?)
It's sensational, believe me.
Although
If you like a face wash with a good lather behind it (think bubbles and foam galore) then this is not the face wash for you, one thing that this does not do is lather up, it stays transparent to your face and has the texture of rubbing in a moisturiser, except you wash it off after.
A possible drawback of Peaches and Clean is that I may exfoliate my face more often, I get concerned about long term clogging of pores if a face wash doesn't feel like it is stripping my skin of every natural oil each time I use it. Perhaps that is just me.
I got this from Boots online, I can not for the life of me see it in their stores and it cost £5.33!
This face wash is in a huge pump bottle, it's going to take me a long time to get through this, and who knows? Perhaps I'll be sick of the scent by then
But I doubt it!
The answer to what I was looking for came in a beautiful, peach scented creamy face wash from Soap and Glory.
It's name?
Peaches and Clean, their products always have the best names!
It definitely smells like peaches, but perhaps artificial peaches, my initial reaction to smelling this was that it smells like Archers and Lemonade, you know that beautiful sweet drink that kind of tastes like something you had when you were a child? Archers and Lemonade is definitely not for children though, incase you don't know what it is...
As for the cream aspect? It certainly is creamy. I am an oily skinned girl and always have been, but as it is winter time and I felt like giving my skin a bit of TLC I decided to take a break from the gels and foams I normally use. This is lovely and creamy in texture but not too rich, it's certainly appropriate for daily use, and I do, twice daily in fact.
It does not leave my skin with an oily residue like other creamy washes and the smell (Did I mention the smell yet?)
It's sensational, believe me.
Although
If you like a face wash with a good lather behind it (think bubbles and foam galore) then this is not the face wash for you, one thing that this does not do is lather up, it stays transparent to your face and has the texture of rubbing in a moisturiser, except you wash it off after.
A possible drawback of Peaches and Clean is that I may exfoliate my face more often, I get concerned about long term clogging of pores if a face wash doesn't feel like it is stripping my skin of every natural oil each time I use it. Perhaps that is just me.
I got this from Boots online, I can not for the life of me see it in their stores and it cost £5.33!
This face wash is in a huge pump bottle, it's going to take me a long time to get through this, and who knows? Perhaps I'll be sick of the scent by then
But I doubt it!
As seen on TV JML Magic Minerals - Jerome Alexander
Thursday 6 February 2014
As seen on TV products, they are always entertaining to watch.
I saw the JML Magic minerals and remember thinking that it was just too good to be true and with those type of things, if it looks too good to be true it probably is, and this product was just no different.
The Magic Minerals are essentially a pressed powder with flecks of colour in the pigmentation that claim to do all kinds of magic things such as:
❥ Conceal redness
❥Correct hyper pigmentation
❥Cover blemishes
❥Hide dark circles
The verdict is...
Well I don't want to spoil the ending for you, so I will ink the video below, but if you can't face wathcing it, skip along to the end where I'll so a quick summary for you
So, what is it all about?
The long and short of the situation is that it is a medium coverage pressed powder, similar to any other pressed powder on the market. The flecks of colour I do not believe truly impact how the product looks on your skin, but are there as an aesthetic feature, save yourself the fuss and buy any other pressed powder that you can get in stores and try for yourself before you buy.
Pros:
❥ The packaging is good, a sturdy compact with a generous sized mirror
❥ There is some element of coverage, but not a great amount
Cons:
❥Smells cheap, like out of date makeup or toy makeup from little kits when you were maybe 8 years old
❥Needs a lot of work to layer up over and over which leaves a powdery finish on the skin and a 'caked' feel
❥Nothing different about it to any other pressed powder
❥Not suitable for all skin tones, I'm always 'ivory' on the foundation spectrum and this I can just about get away with for my skin tone but it does have a slightly yellow finish.
I saw the JML Magic minerals and remember thinking that it was just too good to be true and with those type of things, if it looks too good to be true it probably is, and this product was just no different.
The Magic Minerals are essentially a pressed powder with flecks of colour in the pigmentation that claim to do all kinds of magic things such as:
❥ Conceal redness
❥Correct hyper pigmentation
❥Cover blemishes
❥Hide dark circles
The verdict is...
Well I don't want to spoil the ending for you, so I will ink the video below, but if you can't face wathcing it, skip along to the end where I'll so a quick summary for you
So, what is it all about?
The long and short of the situation is that it is a medium coverage pressed powder, similar to any other pressed powder on the market. The flecks of colour I do not believe truly impact how the product looks on your skin, but are there as an aesthetic feature, save yourself the fuss and buy any other pressed powder that you can get in stores and try for yourself before you buy.
Pros:
❥ The packaging is good, a sturdy compact with a generous sized mirror
❥ There is some element of coverage, but not a great amount
Cons:
❥Smells cheap, like out of date makeup or toy makeup from little kits when you were maybe 8 years old
❥Needs a lot of work to layer up over and over which leaves a powdery finish on the skin and a 'caked' feel
❥Nothing different about it to any other pressed powder
❥Not suitable for all skin tones, I'm always 'ivory' on the foundation spectrum and this I can just about get away with for my skin tone but it does have a slightly yellow finish.
Urban Decay Black Market Eyeliners
Tuesday 4 February 2014
An easy way to brighten up and change out the regular eye look that you wear day in, day out is to consider changing your default colour of eyeliner for something else.
The consistency of these liners is second to none, beautiful and creamy without smudging, pigmented without movingout of place. These eyeliners are life proof, these swatches did not come off until I got into the shower and then I had to scrub and basically exfoliate my skin off to get rid of the pigment.
Cobalt blue water lines may frighten you a little, but changing a classic black for a maple syrup brown that brings out the warmth in your eyes,
or for a steel grey to soften the look,
an inky blue to contrast with brown eyes
or a khaki green to created subtle twist on a brown neutral eyeshadow
So.. I'm sure that you can tell where I'm going with this, I highly recommend eye colours, lots of them, the more the merrier because it's a great way to change everything without really having to do anything different.
I already have a supply of browns, bronzes, blacks,whites and greys but none Urban Decay and I had heard terrific things about the staying power of UDs so when I saw a set of Black Market liners travel size in a variety of colours I just couldn't resist.
Here is the 411 with swatches, names and up close and personals.
From left to right:
Apathy - Glittery grassy green
Apathy - Glittery grassy green
Riot- Aubergine purple
West- Bronzey brown
Ink- Deep blue
Black Market- Satin black
Desperation - Steely gray
The consistency of these liners is second to none, beautiful and creamy without smudging, pigmented without movingout of place. These eyeliners are life proof, these swatches did not come off until I got into the shower and then I had to scrub and basically exfoliate my skin off to get rid of the pigment.
But I did notice that as the swatches wore on, one eyeliner became indistguinishable from the other as far as colour is concerned, they all began to look like various shades of grey.
I jsut want to point out at this point that this was a travel set, so they are considerably smaller than your regular eyeliner:
Aaaaand, they do not have a 'twist up' function, so once that nib is gone, it is goooone. Not a whole lot of product for your buck
I jsut want to point out at this point that this was a travel set, so they are considerably smaller than your regular eyeliner:
Aaaaand, they do not have a 'twist up' function, so once that nib is gone, it is goooone. Not a whole lot of product for your buck
I got mine from Beauty Bay for £18.20, 25% off! Yippee!
Simple & Elegant Valentines Day Makeup Tutorial
Friday 31 January 2014
Smokey eyes and glitter eyeliner are not always the best route to get the love of your life to swoon for you first thing in the morning, but here I present to you the effortless, simple Valentines day look- it's beautiful and neutral and easily dupe-able whether you have the Naked 1 palette or not!
It takes you from day to night without looking over the top for a light lunch, a picnic, the cinema or a late dinner without looking either overdressed or underdressed.
It's low maintenance in terms of upkeep because of the neutral lips!
(Also no one likes sticky lipgloss kisses...)
It takes you from day to night without looking over the top for a light lunch, a picnic, the cinema or a late dinner without looking either overdressed or underdressed.
It's low maintenance in terms of upkeep because of the neutral lips!
(Also no one likes sticky lipgloss kisses...)
Nyx Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil Milk Review - is it worth the hype?
Sunday 26 January 2014
Like lots of impulse purchases, I justify it by saying to myself that a lot of other people have said great things about it and told me, me personally (through the internet screen) that I need it and that it will change everything about how I apply my makeup.
I believed that the NYX jumbo pencil really was the missing piece to my makeup bag that would actually enhance every eyeshadow that I had ever purchased by providing such a pure white canvas to show the true vibrancy of every eyeshadow.
This is half true.
I find application of the NYXjumbo pencil in milk a little clumsy, it is a true white no doubt, but it simulates putting tippex on your eyelid and is tricky to get neat as the pencil sort of tugs at the eyelid:
When I try and smooth out the scruffy edges with my fingers to make my tippex eye look less ridiculous, the colour is dilutes by the blending to a milky grey with my skin peeping through:
and if I try to go over it again with the pencil then I have the scruffy edges and go through the whole blendy-to-no-avail process over and over again.
Next, the texture of it when I apply it is kind of tacky, not smooth and matte feeling at all, I expected it to be like Mac paint pots but in a pencil form, I know the the prices between these products are not comparable but I had my expectations because of the amount people went on about this product. The tacky-ness also equals creasing so I would recommend to use a good quality primer or base below the pencil rather than depending on the pencil by itself to avoid creasing mishaps.
Does the pencil make my shadows look brighter and bolder... No. Not enough for me to notice or to persuade me to repurchase the pencil.
Over to you:
Guess which picture (A) or (B) I am wearing just the Milk Jumbo Eyeshadow pencil in as a base, and the other one I am wearing absolutely no base, just eyeshadow
I will tell you which is which at the end!
N.B These photos have only been cropped and labelled, absolutely no effects have been put on them whatsoever!
I wonder if this is down to one of two things:
1. The base that I having been using to this point 'Painterly' by Mac already does a really good job that using the shadow pencil I do not notice a difference
or
2. The eyeshadows that I use are already of a pretty high quality and pigmentation so to use the shadow pencil would be better suited to colours that do not have a great pay off.
-My issue with this is: If an eyeshadow does not have a good colour pay off then I get into the habit of not reaching for it before throwing it or giving to someone who wants it. I don't like to work hard to get an eyeshadow formula to work with the building, building and building up of colour pigmentation but I do see how the Jumbo eyeshadow pencil could make this whole process easier if you have a lot of drugstore eyeshadows, or a lot of large palettes that tend to neglect pigmentation in the sheer volume of colours.
That's my 2 cents on the pencil, and in my opinion, I'd save your 2 cents for something better.
Answer:
Picture (A) I am wearing the Milk Jumbo Eyshadow Pencil
Picture (B) I am wearing no base of any kind, just eyeshadow
I believed that the NYX jumbo pencil really was the missing piece to my makeup bag that would actually enhance every eyeshadow that I had ever purchased by providing such a pure white canvas to show the true vibrancy of every eyeshadow.
This is half true.
I find application of the NYXjumbo pencil in milk a little clumsy, it is a true white no doubt, but it simulates putting tippex on your eyelid and is tricky to get neat as the pencil sort of tugs at the eyelid:
When I try and smooth out the scruffy edges with my fingers to make my tippex eye look less ridiculous, the colour is dilutes by the blending to a milky grey with my skin peeping through:
and if I try to go over it again with the pencil then I have the scruffy edges and go through the whole blendy-to-no-avail process over and over again.
Next, the texture of it when I apply it is kind of tacky, not smooth and matte feeling at all, I expected it to be like Mac paint pots but in a pencil form, I know the the prices between these products are not comparable but I had my expectations because of the amount people went on about this product. The tacky-ness also equals creasing so I would recommend to use a good quality primer or base below the pencil rather than depending on the pencil by itself to avoid creasing mishaps.
Does the pencil make my shadows look brighter and bolder... No. Not enough for me to notice or to persuade me to repurchase the pencil.
Over to you:
Guess which picture (A) or (B) I am wearing just the Milk Jumbo Eyeshadow pencil in as a base, and the other one I am wearing absolutely no base, just eyeshadow
I will tell you which is which at the end!
N.B These photos have only been cropped and labelled, absolutely no effects have been put on them whatsoever!
I wonder if this is down to one of two things:
1. The base that I having been using to this point 'Painterly' by Mac already does a really good job that using the shadow pencil I do not notice a difference
or
2. The eyeshadows that I use are already of a pretty high quality and pigmentation so to use the shadow pencil would be better suited to colours that do not have a great pay off.
-My issue with this is: If an eyeshadow does not have a good colour pay off then I get into the habit of not reaching for it before throwing it or giving to someone who wants it. I don't like to work hard to get an eyeshadow formula to work with the building, building and building up of colour pigmentation but I do see how the Jumbo eyeshadow pencil could make this whole process easier if you have a lot of drugstore eyeshadows, or a lot of large palettes that tend to neglect pigmentation in the sheer volume of colours.
That's my 2 cents on the pencil, and in my opinion, I'd save your 2 cents for something better.
Answer:
Picture (A) I am wearing the Milk Jumbo Eyshadow Pencil
Picture (B) I am wearing no base of any kind, just eyeshadow
Summer Dress Daisy Daze
Thursday 23 January 2014
It's not even a little bit sunny, it's nearly 3pm and I am wearing normal clothes with a dressing own wrapped around me, sat under my duvet, the only horrible thing is having to have my fingers out to type as they always get chilly.
Nonetheless, I love browsing for clothes for a sunnier day, my winter wardrobe is comprehensive and full but my summer wardrobe lacks choice, which is to be expected given the proportion of time in the year that it is appropriate to wear summer clothes versus winter. A little dress caught my eye with its enchanting daisy print and a cute soft white tshirt underneth.
I saw it and it immediately reminded me of Miss Honey from Matilda (the film not the book) as I was certain that she wore something similar with a tshirt underneath a strappy swing dress, but I couldn't find it on Google images so perhaps that was just my imagination.
But it does have that kind of cool, American vibe to it, I think.
I picked the dress up, and put it back, a week later I was still thinking about it, considered ordering it online but was put off by the high postage costs before eventually seeing it in store again and ceasing the daisy day!!!
Now all I need is a wink of sunshine so that I can try it out!
Nonetheless, I love browsing for clothes for a sunnier day, my winter wardrobe is comprehensive and full but my summer wardrobe lacks choice, which is to be expected given the proportion of time in the year that it is appropriate to wear summer clothes versus winter. A little dress caught my eye with its enchanting daisy print and a cute soft white tshirt underneth.
I saw it and it immediately reminded me of Miss Honey from Matilda (the film not the book) as I was certain that she wore something similar with a tshirt underneath a strappy swing dress, but I couldn't find it on Google images so perhaps that was just my imagination.
But it does have that kind of cool, American vibe to it, I think.
I picked the dress up, and put it back, a week later I was still thinking about it, considered ordering it online but was put off by the high postage costs before eventually seeing it in store again and ceasing the daisy day!!!
Now all I need is a wink of sunshine so that I can try it out!
Full Face coverage - Before and After
Tuesday 21 January 2014
It's true, all foundations are not made equal, and it's even more true that you do get what you pay for. If I had to suggest one area to 'splurge' in your makeup bag over all the others- I would hands down say go in big on your foundation and loosen the purse strings a little. Eyeliners and blushes, lipsticks and mascara are very tricky to distinguish the £6 from the £16 or the £26! But the foundation is the foundation for your makeup, your face and your look. The foundation is out under the most pressure and has the toughest job to do, create a seamless, flawless natural looking canvas that can withstand it all. Cheap foundations, like the cheap foundation on a house, may look okay at first but the first sign of a grey cloud it crumbles and melts away.
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, and this is the completely unedited, as-it-is, result that this little combination gives me!
The foundation I have gone back and fourth with, it's full coverage with a matte finish and I wear shade NC15 to even out my complexion, with the Kryolan colour wheel I use all of them, mostly a combination of the two palest colours for under my eyes and the rest I darken according to the contours of my face. The formula of the concealers are almost on the dry side as they are very thick, and feel like face paint. Although on the skin they do not look cakey like you might imagine face to paint to look, but it is the fullest coverage that I have ever gotten from a concealer and super resiliant to wear.
Sometimes straying from what you're used to is a good thing!
I have dabbled back and fourth with all sorts of foundation and concealer combinations but often return to the Revlon Colorstay in the oily combination skin formula and the Mac Studio Sculpt concealer.
However, not wanting to miss out on anything better out there I am currently using:
Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
Kryolan Dermacolor Wheel Rainbow Circle
However, not wanting to miss out on anything better out there I am currently using:
Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
Kryolan Dermacolor Wheel Rainbow Circle
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, and this is the completely unedited, as-it-is, result that this little combination gives me!
Sometimes straying from what you're used to is a good thing!
Soft and Romantic Valentines Day Makeup Tutorial Urban Decay Naked Palette 3
Saturday 18 January 2014
You're thinking that Valentines day is approaching and you want to look cute for the day!
Well I have you covered, today I uploaded a super sweet Valentines Day Makeup tutorial that is effortlessly beautiful and chic!
Panic over!
For this I used my beloved Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, and today it makes its debut to my YouTube, although it's had a special place in my heart for a while now.
The Naked palettes aren't the cheapest palette available, so check to yesterdays post for a super detailed run down on what the palettes are about, what one is best for you and whether they are worth it.
I couldn't resist this tacky photograph effect! Love heart confetti all over my face, what could be better?
The Naked palettes aren't the cheapest palette available, so check to yesterdays post for a super detailed run down on what the palettes are about, what one is best for you and whether they are worth it.
I couldn't resist this tacky photograph effect! Love heart confetti all over my face, what could be better?
Naked 1 vs. Naked 2 vs. Naked 3 Urban Decay Palette
Wednesday 15 January 2014
Whew, this is going to be a long side by side comparison, rammed full of photographs and descriptions- so grab yourself a warm drink and get into your comfies before you continue reading.
The Naked palettes are a 'cult' favourite product that cast and addictive spell on anyone who buys them to convince them that they need the next one, and the next one.
How many shades of neutral are there? Really?
Well, a lot- it would seem, and maybe there are even more yet to be invented, or reinvented by Urban Decay.
A little outline of the palettes:
Naked/ The Original Naked/ Naked 1
This palette is full of rich deep warm browns that are mostly shimmer. The palette works in a gradient from the light colours to the deepest darkest
# of Matte colours: 2
Most original shade: Gunmetal (Blue-Grey on the far right)
What's great about the palette:
A whole spectrum of very high quality, rich buttery eyeshadows.
It fills in every gap in your browns and is perfectly portable
There are endless combinations
It comes with a reasonable quality brush & mini primer potion which most people love (I am not one of those people but that's another story)
This lets the Naked #1 down:
After a while one shimmery brown, becomes another shimmery brown and once placed on the eye it's tricky to distinguish one from the other.The majority of shimmer shades make it less day-to-day wearable for those who do not like wearing shimmer in the day time, there are only so many ways to use the matte colours alone
The case is a velvet that gets unbearably dirty from eyeshadow or general powder fall out
The mirror is fairly dinky and does not make full use of the lid space
The final word:
A lot of people claim that this is a palette best for 'brown eyed girls' I don't agree with this, I am not really one to follow that 'this' is for blue eyes and 'this' is for brown eyes- I really think that colours are transferable universally across all eye colours. The only person who I would say that this palette is less suitable for is mature skin, there are a lot of shimmers which can be less forgiving if your eyelids are not as perky as they once were- also, it tends to be mature women who shy away from wearing shimmer eyeshadow in the day time which limits the looks that the palette can give you so things may get repetitive quickly.
Naked 2
This palette is crammed with cool toned neutrals. The palette is a mix of creams, browns, greys, bronzes, silvers and blacks
# of Matte colours: 3
Most original shade: YDK (Purple sparkle, 3rd from the right)
What's great about the palette:
This palette gives a great deal of variety as it dips into the golds, pinks, silvers and purples as well as having a true universal staple to take anything from a neutral to dramatic look which is an outstanding quality, rich, buttery matte black in Blackout. The packaging is a beautiful steely cool metal, that is hygienic, a nice neat clasp closure and a generously sized mirrors
This lets the Naked #2 down:
The double ended brush that comes with the product is not great, the supposedly fluffy blending brush isn't as dense as it could be. Also, there is what I consider the worst thing that UD could have done through including a repeat colour, there is 'Half Baked' in the Naked 1 and Naked 2 palette. The colour itself is lovely, but I think that to not come up with an original shade is borderline laziness.
The final word:
This is without a doubt the most versatile palette for all tastes, this contains something for every taste, light natural looks, darker daring looks, bridal looks, shimmer looks, matte looks. If you're someone that likes it all, likes experimentation, choice and variety then there is nothing that you won't love about this palette of exquisite colours
Naked 3
This palette is a porcelain girls dream, a whole palette tinted with pink. I know that it's easy to run away screaming when I say pink eye shadows with visions of having bruised eye sockets or eyes that look riddled with infection. But this palette is really nothing like that, and is a pleasant surprise to skeptics, and just as good as anticipated by the rest of us. It managed to achieve this by combining rose colours with just a hue of brown to tone them in the right way. Pink eye shadows can be a challenge to pull of, but these are on a scale of their own, granted I think that this would suit fair skinned girls, but there is something here for absolutely everyone of all ages. If you are a makeup artist or considering getting into bridal makeup then this is an essential addition to your kit, this is a natural-beauty brides fantasy come true, gorgeous romantic colours that enhance and compliment the face.
# of Matte colours: 3
Most original shade: Blackheart (colour on the far right)
What's great about the palette:
The Naked 3 is consistent in the theme that this is without a doubt a rose gold infused palette, and there's not many people who haven't indulged in that trend. This palette normalizes pinks, makes them accessible and less frightening. It's also a wonderful transitional palette into the warmer months. Every single colour is beautiful and wearable, like sweet, indulgent little chunks of chocolate in a gorgeous rose gold case with all the greatness of the Naked 2 palette (large mirror, sturdy case etc) but with some pleating detail on the packaging.
This lets the Naked #3 down:
There are some dupes between the Naked 3 and it's older sisters including:
Naked #1 Darkhorse and Naked #3 Darkside
Naked #2 Foxy and Naked #3 Strange
Naked #2 Tease and Naked#3 Nooner
The final word:
If you are a neutral girl, that has exhausted the browns and bronzes and you're looking for a fresh twist, then the Naked 3 is astounding at filling that little void. The concept of the palette is romantic and the first of it's kind to really run with this theme but some of the colours are dupe able. If you are torn between the Naked 1 and Naked 2 then I'd say go for the Naked 3, to me it is like the best of them both married together with a girly twist.
Verdict:
My most used is the Naked 2, but the most original in my collection is the Naked 3. I only tend to pull out the Naked 1 for the summertime but this is perhaps an odd force of habit that I have imposed upon myself.
If in doubt, follow the packaging to indicate what is inside
The Naked palettes are a 'cult' favourite product that cast and addictive spell on anyone who buys them to convince them that they need the next one, and the next one.
How many shades of neutral are there? Really?
Well, a lot- it would seem, and maybe there are even more yet to be invented, or reinvented by Urban Decay.
A little outline of the palettes:
Naked/ The Original Naked/ Naked 1
This palette is full of rich deep warm browns that are mostly shimmer. The palette works in a gradient from the light colours to the deepest darkest
# of Matte colours: 2
Most original shade: Gunmetal (Blue-Grey on the far right)
What's great about the palette:
A whole spectrum of very high quality, rich buttery eyeshadows.
It fills in every gap in your browns and is perfectly portable
There are endless combinations
It comes with a reasonable quality brush & mini primer potion which most people love (I am not one of those people but that's another story)
This lets the Naked #1 down:
After a while one shimmery brown, becomes another shimmery brown and once placed on the eye it's tricky to distinguish one from the other.The majority of shimmer shades make it less day-to-day wearable for those who do not like wearing shimmer in the day time, there are only so many ways to use the matte colours alone
The case is a velvet that gets unbearably dirty from eyeshadow or general powder fall out
The mirror is fairly dinky and does not make full use of the lid space
The final word:
A lot of people claim that this is a palette best for 'brown eyed girls' I don't agree with this, I am not really one to follow that 'this' is for blue eyes and 'this' is for brown eyes- I really think that colours are transferable universally across all eye colours. The only person who I would say that this palette is less suitable for is mature skin, there are a lot of shimmers which can be less forgiving if your eyelids are not as perky as they once were- also, it tends to be mature women who shy away from wearing shimmer eyeshadow in the day time which limits the looks that the palette can give you so things may get repetitive quickly.
Naked 2
This palette is crammed with cool toned neutrals. The palette is a mix of creams, browns, greys, bronzes, silvers and blacks
# of Matte colours: 3
Most original shade: YDK (Purple sparkle, 3rd from the right)
What's great about the palette:
This palette gives a great deal of variety as it dips into the golds, pinks, silvers and purples as well as having a true universal staple to take anything from a neutral to dramatic look which is an outstanding quality, rich, buttery matte black in Blackout. The packaging is a beautiful steely cool metal, that is hygienic, a nice neat clasp closure and a generously sized mirrors
This lets the Naked #2 down:
The double ended brush that comes with the product is not great, the supposedly fluffy blending brush isn't as dense as it could be. Also, there is what I consider the worst thing that UD could have done through including a repeat colour, there is 'Half Baked' in the Naked 1 and Naked 2 palette. The colour itself is lovely, but I think that to not come up with an original shade is borderline laziness.
The final word:
This is without a doubt the most versatile palette for all tastes, this contains something for every taste, light natural looks, darker daring looks, bridal looks, shimmer looks, matte looks. If you're someone that likes it all, likes experimentation, choice and variety then there is nothing that you won't love about this palette of exquisite colours
Naked 3
This palette is a porcelain girls dream, a whole palette tinted with pink. I know that it's easy to run away screaming when I say pink eye shadows with visions of having bruised eye sockets or eyes that look riddled with infection. But this palette is really nothing like that, and is a pleasant surprise to skeptics, and just as good as anticipated by the rest of us. It managed to achieve this by combining rose colours with just a hue of brown to tone them in the right way. Pink eye shadows can be a challenge to pull of, but these are on a scale of their own, granted I think that this would suit fair skinned girls, but there is something here for absolutely everyone of all ages. If you are a makeup artist or considering getting into bridal makeup then this is an essential addition to your kit, this is a natural-beauty brides fantasy come true, gorgeous romantic colours that enhance and compliment the face.
Most original shade: Blackheart (colour on the far right)
What's great about the palette:
The Naked 3 is consistent in the theme that this is without a doubt a rose gold infused palette, and there's not many people who haven't indulged in that trend. This palette normalizes pinks, makes them accessible and less frightening. It's also a wonderful transitional palette into the warmer months. Every single colour is beautiful and wearable, like sweet, indulgent little chunks of chocolate in a gorgeous rose gold case with all the greatness of the Naked 2 palette (large mirror, sturdy case etc) but with some pleating detail on the packaging.
This lets the Naked #3 down:
There are some dupes between the Naked 3 and it's older sisters including:
Naked #1 Darkhorse and Naked #3 Darkside
Naked #2 Foxy and Naked #3 Strange
Naked #2 Tease and Naked#3 Nooner
The final word:
If you are a neutral girl, that has exhausted the browns and bronzes and you're looking for a fresh twist, then the Naked 3 is astounding at filling that little void. The concept of the palette is romantic and the first of it's kind to really run with this theme but some of the colours are dupe able. If you are torn between the Naked 1 and Naked 2 then I'd say go for the Naked 3, to me it is like the best of them both married together with a girly twist.
Verdict:
My most used is the Naked 2, but the most original in my collection is the Naked 3. I only tend to pull out the Naked 1 for the summertime but this is perhaps an odd force of habit that I have imposed upon myself.
If in doubt, follow the packaging to indicate what is inside
Let The Good Times Roll - Lush body and face wash
Monday 13 January 2014
Something this glorious is, in my opinion, wasted to be smeared across the expanse of my body. No, this is much too lovely and I have branded it 'too nice for anywhere else'
Closing my eyes, hooking my nose over the edge of the pot and the smell of the funfair fills my nostrils. Not the ones from today, the one just like that fair in 'The Notebook' where even the grass looks like it could have the scent of candyfloss singed into it. Think caramelised sugar, butterscotch- sweet and low scented as opposed to Lush's infamous 'Snow Fairy' with it's strong and loud cotton candy blend.
Let The Good Times Roll is all the fun of the fair in a little pot.
It has a texture like rich, stiff butter cream icing but is a dense mustard colour and, do a little poking around and you will find fully formed, individual pieces of popcorn!
I have no idea how I scrub these into my face, I suppose it is all part of the sensory experience.
The paste is at first somewhat dry so needs water to be activated into a smotherable form.
I whip up a little little bit with the tip of my finger, and rub it into a wet palm of the alternate hand before applying to my damp face.
It does not have much of a lather to it, so do not expect frothy bubbles, once applied it is colourless if you distribute a thin layer evenly enough and has a very very slight grainy feel to it. With this in mind, this face wash is a nice treat for 'every other day' if your skin can survive it all like mine but if you're more of a delicate daisy then once a week will be terrific.
Asos Trouser Glory!
Sunday 12 January 2014
I am not normally a jazzy trouser kind of girl
I never really tend to go *there* as it all seems too daring for me and high maintenance.
When am I going to wear a hot pink pair of trousers, in January? Really?
I end up believing that this whole fling with the idea of statement trousers is over
and over and over
and over
until I decide that I keep being drawn back to fun print trousers and jewel tone colours, what good reason do I have for it not to be -oh so me- ?
I took the leap into trouser choice heaven (Asos
They may not seem that exciting to you, but to me this is a Pretty Big Deal
My drawer of trousers contains lots of shades of denim, lots of textures of black, some khaki green and coffee coloured cords.
I took the plunge and ordered a few pairs in a few sizes- I wasn't sure at this point of the damage that Christmas may have done to my thighs. I opted to begin building up a selection with this raspberry/crimson tailored pair that have a cute crop to them.
I won't lie to you, chilly ankles in this weather, but if I am popping out for lunch and I'll spend most of the time indoors then I can take the cold for a few moments.
I pair them with a cream knit jumper, embellished with roses in blue, yellow and an almost identical pink, the jumper is quite open knit and loose to give the whole look a 'casual winter brights' appeal that I hope I pull off.
The next pair are the jewel in the crown, delicious sort of iridescent blues, embroided with roses that resemble textiles only used for curtains in a time gone by.
Something about these scream oriental, so I just had to have them. They are light, and silky to touch and look very 'casual classy tailoring' with a cream blouse. I cannot get enough of them but feel that they are harder to look 'right' in Autumn/Winter because the blue is so fresh and spring-like whereas my pink pair are like a zingy stab in the dark winter days.
My style does not change often, and I stick to what I know meaning that I have pieces , in my eyes, that still work after years and years. This was a little off the wall for the likes of me, but what a fun and rewarding switch from the denim winter blues.
When am I going to wear a hot pink pair of trousers, in January? Really?
I end up believing that this whole fling with the idea of statement trousers is over
and over and over
and over
until I decide that I keep being drawn back to fun print trousers and jewel tone colours, what good reason do I have for it not to be -oh so me- ?
I took the leap into trouser choice heaven (Asos
They may not seem that exciting to you, but to me this is a Pretty Big Deal
My drawer of trousers contains lots of shades of denim, lots of textures of black, some khaki green and coffee coloured cords.
I took the plunge and ordered a few pairs in a few sizes- I wasn't sure at this point of the damage that Christmas may have done to my thighs. I opted to begin building up a selection with this raspberry/crimson tailored pair that have a cute crop to them.
I know it's probably impossible to tell which one is a stock photographs and which one is being modelled by yours truly..
I won't lie to you, chilly ankles in this weather, but if I am popping out for lunch and I'll spend most of the time indoors then I can take the cold for a few moments.
I pair them with a cream knit jumper, embellished with roses in blue, yellow and an almost identical pink, the jumper is quite open knit and loose to give the whole look a 'casual winter brights' appeal that I hope I pull off.
The next pair are the jewel in the crown, delicious sort of iridescent blues, embroided with roses that resemble textiles only used for curtains in a time gone by.
Something about these scream oriental, so I just had to have them. They are light, and silky to touch and look very 'casual classy tailoring' with a cream blouse. I cannot get enough of them but feel that they are harder to look 'right' in Autumn/Winter because the blue is so fresh and spring-like whereas my pink pair are like a zingy stab in the dark winter days.
My style does not change often, and I stick to what I know meaning that I have pieces , in my eyes, that still work after years and years. This was a little off the wall for the likes of me, but what a fun and rewarding switch from the denim winter blues.
New video makeup tutorial: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Smoulder Look
Tuesday 7 January 2014
Who doesn't love simple great looks at your disposal to whip on time and time again that look just great, are simple and fool proof?
Here is another of those classic looks that use a few colours (dupe-able) to create something striking, it's a simple case of dark colour on the corners of the eyes and the crease, with a paler colour in the center of the eye lid, the real key is blending blending blending, and a little bit of adding the dark colour at a time, it's much harder to 'blend away' dark colours once you've applied too much, so keep a light and gentle hand and take your time at first!
Yesterday my Naked 3 palette showed up, and I got to have a little play around, so my next few tutorials may have a little something on that, I'm also contemplating getting a good quality microphone to begin creating voice overs to some or all of my videos, I'm not too savvy with the editing though, so it may be a step too far for me!?
Here is another of those classic looks that use a few colours (dupe-able) to create something striking, it's a simple case of dark colour on the corners of the eyes and the crease, with a paler colour in the center of the eye lid, the real key is blending blending blending, and a little bit of adding the dark colour at a time, it's much harder to 'blend away' dark colours once you've applied too much, so keep a light and gentle hand and take your time at first!
Yesterday my Naked 3 palette showed up, and I got to have a little play around, so my next few tutorials may have a little something on that, I'm also contemplating getting a good quality microphone to begin creating voice overs to some or all of my videos, I'm not too savvy with the editing though, so it may be a step too far for me!?
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