Pucker Up!

Hey Guys, 

Those of you following my Facebook page, twitter or Instagram will know I recently went to the IMATS in London. It was obviously heaven on earth for me- the make up, and discounted prices, I will definitely be making another trip in store next year! The talking point at the IMATS was the huge queue going through the whole venue. But what were hundreds of make up enthusiasts queueing for? Was it worth the hour and a half wait...?

The queue was for NYX and in my opinion it was definitely worth the wait, the brand always does great products with a professional finish and this post will show you exactly what I mean.

I first discovered NYX least year at the pro beauty exhibition and I have been addicted ever since. My favourite brow palette was my first ever purchase, and I now double it up as a smokey eye shadow kit for an everyday look. At £9 (IMATS price- £13.50 online)it was a bargain. 

My new addition this time around are the lip creams. The finish and feel of these is better than anything similar that I have tried so far, both drugstore and high end make up brands. I bought four shades in two completely different finishes to test and I will definitely be adding to this.. 

The shades I bought are: 

Spice Xtreme Lip Cream (bright red- shine finish)

Candy Land Xtreme Lip Cream (baby pink- shine finish)

Buttery Nude Xtreme Lip Cream (peachy/nude- shine finish)

Milan Milan Soft Matte Lip Cream (baby pink- matte finish)

These ranged from about £3.50-£5.5-0 at IMATS and are available online for £5.50 (matte lip cream) and £7.50 (extreme lip cream). 

Top- Milan Milan
Middle- Spice
Bottom-Buttery Nude

My favourite is the nude, as I have found it difficult to find a nude which I feel suits me, this is perfect especially paired with NYX lipstick in Indian Pink (oh how well that fits!). My only regret is I didnt buy more shades in a matte finish, as at the time I was in a debate about whether I would like them. I actually love the Milan Milan I purchased in matte, and I think I will venture into more matte shades following on from my experience.

They feel really good and comfortable on my lips, and not sticky or drying which I find some super shiny or matte finishes can do. I can get away with wearing them for about 4-5 hours before needing to reapply which is amazing. 

All in all my favourite purchase of the day and I look forward to adding to my NYX collection, this really is a pro brand at a budget price! 

What are your favourite NYX products? 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Do Miracle Products Exist?

Bobbi Brown BB Cream 

£29  

Source: Bobbi Brown Website

Some of you may know from my previous posts that I am quite conscience of my skin following teenage acne, therefore I refuse to wear foundation on a daily basis. Until now the Laura Mercier oil free tinted moisturiser has been my daily choice of skin base, until I received a sample of the Bobbi Brown BB cream which I tested for a week and then decided to buy.  

I never did give in to the BB Cream phase, it all seemed like empty promises to me, and I have never come across a review that completely changed my perception of this. I still remain unconvinced that any BB Cream is the "miracle solution" but I have to say I have been quite pleased with the Bobbi Brown Product. 

I used the tester I received for a week in my day to day routine to see how it held up against my original skin routine. It can sometimes get anywhere between 10-14 hours within my day before I get a chance to remove my make up in the work week, at the end of the day my face is usually oily and my dry patches seem more obvious that usual. 

Apologies for the poor picture,
it was the only photo I could track where
I could show the use of the BB Cream
on my holiday. 

I noticed with the Bobbi Brown Bb Cream my face did not look oily at the end of the day, and my skin remained matte with maybe a slight shine at the most. The coverage is also good, I have red patches which are covered as well as evening my skin tone without looking like I am wearing anything.I don't like to feel like I am wearing much on my face during the week, so this product worked out great for me as it was light; the oil free part was a bonus! 

I decided to purchase the full size in time for my trip to India seeing as my tinted moisturiser was running low and following my recent laser treatment I was also in need of a high SPF product (this is SPF 35). This was the real test of the product, as I wanted to see if I would get the same level of result in 28 degrees and long days. 

Overall I found the product worked really well for about 6 hours in the day before needing a blot, or powder touch up. By the end of the day my skin was slightly greasy, but not anymore so than with my normal products, as well as some dry patches.  

I would recommend this product as a good day to day skin cover, however it is quite on the expensive side for a BB cream (£29) however it still works out cheaper than the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, so I would be willing to repurchase until I come across something that might be more suited to my skin. 

Have you ever come across a product which really is a "miracle" cure? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

What's Behind the Glamour?

Hey Guys, 

I have been very busy this week working on a number of exciting projects. On Thursday I gave mini make overs at the Bloggers Love event at The Penthouse to promote luxury jewellery brand Adourable. This event allowed me to network with a range of bloggers, fashionistas, and other like minded beauty addicts. All of the people I met were lovely, including X Factor group Miss Dynamix. I was lucky enough to do make up on SeSe, and all the girls in the group were as down to earth and bubbly in person as on X Factor. 

My model for the day-
Stella, amazing girl inside and out
Photography and editing by:
Rosie-Anne Footitt

Later on in the week I worked as a backstage dresser for fashion shows at a wedding exhibition. This for me was a whole different ball game. The outfits were glamourous, the models were beautiful and all of the backstage team worked together really well to make the show as much of a hit as we could. 

This is where the reality sunk in, the hard work behind a glamourous industry which I have never seen before. There are many different types of personality, but the biggest shock I got was that of high profile workers who talked down to others. My day to day profession involves working to help others, and the whole team including directors and executives have always worked together to achieve this. 

Male Models: Not just a pretty face
Photography and editing by:
Rosie-Anne Footitt

I met a varied range of personalities, it would be bias for me to range my whole experience on the selected few. I met some lovely stylists and dressers, who I hope to keep in contact with in future, it did not feel like I had known them for only a day. The models (some of which are very high profile) were lovely and friendly. I have to admit my perception of male models has always been quite negative, and the two working in the show mingled with all of the backstage team, helped us with some of the manual labour and changed my view on this completely, showing so much more than just a pretty face!  I met the lovely Sunita who represented Ekta Solanki, and represented the brand well with enough grace for me to want to shout about them from the rooftops. 

I did not get the same vibe from all of the representatives and organisers (who shall remain unnamed). I really feel sorry for those who feel the need to use their "status" in the industry to make newcomers feel unwelcome, or unnecessary. As opinionated as I am, I have always been taught to give others the same respect I would expect.

In short I think the day changed my one way perception on some areas, but also verified some of the instincts I have had. I learnt that it is extemely important to treat all individuals you are working with how you would like to be treated, especially in an industry where you will come across them in the future... 

It's part of the industry, but does that make it right? 

K xx 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Las Vegas Sephora Picks

Hi Guys,

Another break on the posts but I have finally had a chance to properly test some of my goodies, which I picked up on my trip to Las Vegas in the summer. All of the below products are from what has to be my fave cosmetics store; Sephora. I have to say a massive thank you to the assistant who helped me at the store and really guided me to pick up some good items.

I specifically asked if I could have a few “American favourites” as I wanted to try a wider range of products to my usual collection. 

Bite Lipstick in Coral- No more expensive than my normal Mac or Bobbi Brown favourites, and I LOVE the pigment, colour range and the texture. The colour staying power is incredible and it was totally worth the money I spent, I will definitely be reinvesting in a more varied range of colours from Bite. The shade I went for is named "Coral" although I find it is more of a fuscia pink than coral. 

Bite Lipstick- $24  (£15.80) 

Lashes with the use of Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- I have always been lucky enough to be blessed with long curly lashes and therefore I admit I am slightly lazy on the mascara hunt. but OH MY this has to be the best mascara I have ever picked up. For me the results imitate a false lash look and really volumise and intensify my lashes. The only downfall was the mascara wasn’t available in a waterproof version, as I have really sensitive eyes which tend to water a lot. The massive plus side is this was one of my steals at $15 which works out to around £9.54- bargain! 

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- $15 (£9.54)

Kat Von D Palette in Poetica- I needed a new more colourful palette for my pro kit as I already own the Urban Decay Naked for my more neutral colours. The assistant in the store suggested the Kat Von D palettes. I did a colour swatch on my hand and found the intensity and pigments to be strong and easy to blend, just what I like. The palette is based on purple and orange tones, and has some pearl and glittery shadows included. I have used this on a few clients as well as myself and I love the results to vamp up a smokey eye. I love this palette as it includes varied shades rather than 8 shades in the same spectrum. 

Kat Von D Shadows, Poetica- $36 (£22.31)

Overall I love all of the above additions to both my personal collection and pro kit. I will surely be reordering online soon, or grabbing some on my next holiday to keep me going. I also wondered if any of you have been in a similar dilemma: 

Do you have any overseas favourites you would like to see in UK stores? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.