100 Follower Giveaway - All Made Up

Joy over at All Made Up is doing a giveaway with some amazing Urban Decay prizes, to be in it to win it we had to leave a comment ‘enter me’ and/or do a post about it on our own blog so here it is. I’ve got everything crossed in the hope that I win, I never win anything!!

The link for her post is HERE

Joy says

“This giveaway is open to everyone, including international readers and I have decided to choose the winner using random.org on 30th October as it’s my birthday and I reckon it’s definitely better to give than to receive! Good luck all :)”

I have everything crossed in the hope that I win, I will of course post about it with swatches etc

Enter too! You never know, it could be you!! 

Good Luck my beauties!

Stacey xxx

Benefit 'Get Bent' brush (I think)!

Afternoon girls!

About 2 weeks ago I bought this brush on Ebay for about £4.50, I was so happy that I’d found one on there that I didn’t think to ask if it was genuine or a fake and in my haste I think I’ve bought a wrong ’un!

I’ve been practising my eyeliner every night when I come home from work, I love the way you can adapt the eyes shape with a simple flick of black eyeliner, if only I could get it right! I think less is more with me, I don’t really like a thick black line above my eyes as I feel it makes them look smaller. However, I do feel you need this black line when wearing false eyelashes to ‘hide’ the lash strip.

Please excuse the black under my eyes, this was taken after a hard days work and I had probably been to the gym too, that or it could be the rubbish Rimmel Accelerator Mascara! ;p

 

When I got this brush in the post I was so excited, I rushed into my make up den (spare room) to have a go but I was so disappointed. I used Blacktrack fluidline by MAC with the brush but I think the bristles are just too sporadic, hence the thick lines, I’ve had a few more tries with it but I’m just not getting it. Nic from Pixiwoo swears by the Louise Young brush. I’ve had a look on the Louise Young website and they have a store on New Bond Street, I could get there in my lunch break! ;p

Picture from Louise Young Website - brush is £10

Picture from Louise Young Website - brush is £6

You can buy the brushes online HERE.

Do any of you have the Benefit Get Bent brush, or the Louise Young brushes? What is your secret, how do you do that thin perfect line!?!

Hope you're all having a great Monday!

Love Stace x x x

MAC Face and Body Review

Well Aloha!! It’s been a while I know, apologies again. I’ve missed you lot!

Aaah where do I start? After searching for the ‘perfect’ foundation I have finally found it in MAC Face and Body. This post and video from Carly finally nailed it for me. So, off I trotted to MAC to buy myself this foundation. The MAC assistant couldn’t have been nicer, she gave me a sample pot of the colour C3 to ‘try before I buy’. At first I was a little put out that I didn’t walk out of there with the full bottle of foundation (and maybe a sneaky eyeshadow) but after a few seconds I thought no she is right, at least this way I can use it a couple of times and if it makes me break out or I just don’t like it I haven’t wasted £23. Well, the MAC lady was bang on with my shade, its very light coverage but I actually prefer that to the feeling of it being caked on. I have dry skin on my face so have to be careful when applying foundation. I moisturise first then use Smashbox foundation primer for that silky smooth feel before applying MAC F+B, I use a pea sized amount (a big pea) on top of my Elf flat top brush, dabbing it on my cheeks first then stippling it around my face and really working it into the skin. The little sample pot lasted me a whole week!

The bottle is HUGE! You get a massive 120ml for £23 which I think is real value for money, it will be interesting to see how long this will last me. I’ve heard from reading other blogs and watching some YT videos that F+B doesn’t have a long shelf life, but can I find the expiry date on the bottle/box? Can I ‘eck! Can anyone tell me where it is?

On Saturday I went to MAC and bought the foundation along with a couple of other bits. I wanted the Studio Finish Concealer but the assistant said this might look too ‘cakey’ under the eyes as I was going to be using F+B as my foundation which is very light coverage, she suggested I try Select Moisturecover instead. I really wanted the concealer pot as I’ve seen/read so many people bang on about how good it is. The assistant persuaded me to buy the moisturecover in shade NC30, they don’t do a shade NC/W25 in this.

Moisturecover on left, F+B on right

From looking at the two next to each other the moisturecover looks very orange (this picture isn't showing the true colour of it) and I really wasn’t sure about the shade. But I’ve worn it everyday since Saturday and the foundation and moisturecover really go well together. I probably will still get the Studio Finish Concealer, it will be nice to have a choice on what to wear and for nights out when I do want a bit more coverage under the eyes, but being careful I don’t look like a Victoria Sponge! lol

I will be doing an OOTD/N of the playsuit I am wearing in this picture

I also bought the MAC 224 brush to add to my collection, a great blending brush, slightly bigger than the 217. The Pixiwoo girls use it for blending concealer under the eyes which was the reason I bought it. It works a treat! 

All in all this foundation will be with me for life, no more money spent on the wrong foundation! I do strongly advise you go to a MAC counter and get an assistant to help you with the shade. If they don’t offer you a sample pot ask for one, £23 is £23 after all!

Thanks for your patience in waiting for this post girls. Now go out and buy MAC F+B as it comes with a very high recommendation from me! ;p

Do any of you use F+B with Studio Fix Concealer? Do they work ok together?

TTFN

Stacey x x x

"I'll be back!!"

Hey girlies, just a quick post to say sorry that I’ve been M.I.A, my work has moved office so internet connection hasn’t been great and we’ve all had to help with the move! YAWN!

I'll be back soon reviewing MAC Face and Body, I picked it up on Friday and have been using it over the weekend, 2 words – LOVE IT!! Full review to come.

Photo pinched from Google Images

Oh and another thing – I HATE Rimmel Accelerator Mascara! The 15th October couldn’t come any quicker! I will continue to use it for the 30 day challenge but seriously its not hitting the spot for me girls. I am interested to see the before and after photos though.

Did we all have a nice weekend?

Stacey x x

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara - 30 day Challenge

Hey girlies, I bought this mascara yesterday, I saw it in Closer magazine and thought I would review it. I don’t think I’ve bought a Rimmel mascara for aaaaages! I’m a fan of the big brush ie False Lash Effect by Max Factor, but for the next 30 days I will be using this everyday to see if it really does do what it says on the tin!

As the advert says the Accelerator mascara has grow-lash complex in it, with advanced ultra-lengthening formula, the lashes appear up to 80% longer instantly, lashes also appear up to 117% longer after 30 days. 117%??? WOW! Now I’m lucky that my eyelashes are quite long already, if this mascara makes them longer by 117% I might look a bit silly! We will have to wait 30 days for the results.

As I said above I am a fan of the big mascara brushes, I find these work best for my lashes, I used the Accelerator this morning and I have to say I’m not that impressed with it so far. It has separated my lashes nicely but as the morning has gone on it looks like I don’t have much on at all, luckily I have the mascara with me to add another coat.

Acceslerator on the left, Max Factor on the right

As you can see from the picture above the wand is a lot thinner than the False Lash Effect and feels a little ‘wobbly’. My first impressions I would say this mascara is ok if you’re after a more natural look. I, on the other hand, like my lashes to look full, thick and have loads of volume, I find this mascara slightly lacking in those important factors. I will carry on using for 30 days to see if they do look any longer. Keep your eyes peeled for the follow up post!

I bought the Accelerator from Boots for the introductory price of £6.99, this will be £8.99 after 6th October 2010.

Have a good weekend lovelies, I'm away this weekend with Darren ♥ but look forward to reading your comments/blogs on Monday

Stacey x x x

Barry M Nail Paint in Bright Pink

Afternoon girlies, I promised Gem that I would give this pink colour by Barry M a whirl. So here it is.

It applies the same as the purple one but the colour pay off is a little darker than what it looks like in the bottle. It's a very very bright pink! Not one that I would normally wear on my hands to be honest, probably more one for the toes, as I like to be a bit more adventurous on my feet.

I think it's ok and I would defiantely wear it on my feet but for my hands I think I'll stick with what I know works best for my skin tone etc.

Do any of you have any Barry M varnishes? I've seen a beautiful coral coloured one in Superdrug, I wish I had grabbed it then!

Stacey x x x

E.L.F Powder Brush

Afternoon girlies - typical, the day after I do a post showing you all what brushes I’ve got, my E.L.F brush turns up that I ordered last week! My fault really, I should have waited. I bought the brush from HERE and I blame Laura (lollipop26) again for this purchase! Lol. I watched her YT video on MAC Face and Body foundation and she used this brush to apply it. I just checked the website and it's currently out of stock, it's a popular brush! It’s a bargain really, it only cost £3.50 but with £2.95 delivery. I don’t have said foundation just yet but it’s getting closer! I can feel it!

My first thoughts on the brush are that it’s just ok, as you will see from the picture below, the bristles aren’t quite even enough for my liking. Am I on my own on that one? Is that a bit OCD of me? But for £3.50 or £6.45 if you’re including delivery I can’t really complain. I’m also a bit nifty with a pair of scissors. I will do another post when I get my little mitts on MAC Face and Body foundation showing you how it applied and my thoughts on the foundation and the brush.

Do any of you have this brush? Or MAC face and body foundation?

Let me know your thoughts girls

Stace x x x

My Brushes

Ello, ello!

My collection started with my first MAC brush a 217 (3rd and 4th brush in the pic) perfect for blending and fits nicely into the socket, I use it everyday. There are more MAC brushes I would like, roughly costly about £100 for 5!! They are expensive but I think worth it.

Then a trip to New York (concrete jungle where dreams are made of……lol) saw me buying the first 2 brushes in the picture, MAC 182 and a MAC 190. The 182 is perfect for my MSF in medium. I think a 190 should be a staple brush in anyone’s collection if you are a foundation fan!

I was at the Vitality Show in March and came across a Crown stand, now I nearly just walked straight past, lil Sis ♥ gave my arm a tug and said they do make-up brushes too. Of course they do, why would they be at the Vitality Show!! Doh. I got the pink brush, the 2 brushes to the right of that and the brush to the far right, that looks the same as the MAC 182 on the far left. For these 4 brushes I think it came to £11/12! They’re so cheap but top quality too.

The 5th brush is soooo old! My sister gave it to me when she was doing beauty therapy at college 10 years ago! I’ve probably had it 8 years and it has been washed so many times, the bristles aren’t as even as they used to be, but it’s great for packing on colour over a primer. The 9th brush I got from Superdrug, it’s the QVC range, a really lovely little brush, a good dupe for the MAC 242.

What brushes do you swear by? Does anyone have any Sigma brushes? I’d love to try one of those.

We’re getting there girlies! Monday is nearly over! ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

Stace x x x

My Favourite Perfumes

Morning ladies, this is just a quick post to show you the perfumes I'm loving right now. I counted 16 perfumes in total but some are old and need throwing out, but because there is a tiny bit left and I love the shape of the bottles (ie Jean Paul Gaultier!) I'm keeping them. ;o)

Left to right

Calvin Klein - Euphoria, Stella McCartney - In Two Peony, Victoria Beckham - Intimately Beckham

Left to right

Viktor and Rolf - Flowerbomb, Christian Dior - Dolce Vita, Thierry Mugler - Alien, Stella McCartney - Stella

Left to right

Narciso Rodriguez ♥, Thierry Mugler - Angel, Hugo Boss - Woman

I bought Narciso Rodriquez in June at Gatwick Airport, it was £55 instead of £74, I had never even heard of it until Lollipop26 mentioned it on one of her videos, I went to Debenhams shortly before going on hols, had a whiff and fell in love! That one and Angel by Theirry Mugler are my favs out of the lot. Angel is a bit common now but I stlll love it.

Do any of you have the same perfumes as me? What others can you recommend I add to my stash?

Have a good weekend my beauts

Stace x x x

My Skincare Products

Hey girls, did we all have a nice bank holiday weekend? Darren ♥ and I done some major relaxing! Trackie bottoms, sofa, Ultimate Big Brother, X factor, DVD’s and munchies. Our kinda weekend!

Back to the post. I’ve had a bit of bloggers block the last week or so. Over the weekend I had a look around the flat and found I had a good 4-5 posts to share with you, first up is my skincare products.

Left to right: Dream Cream, Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1, Bio Oil, Witch Face Scrub, Nivea Soft, Dermalogica Genlte Cream Exfoliant, Chanel Hydramax Cream for Dry Skin, Vaseline Light Refreshing Body Lotion and Nivea Q10 Anti-wrinkle Cream.

Left to right

Dream Cream

I have only just discovered this beauty through the blogging world and I have to say it is a really lovely cream. Read my full review on it HERE

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1

I bought this after watching one of Laura’s (lollipop26) videos on You Tube. I use it daily and my skin has never been better.

Wicth Exfoliating Face Wash

I was using this everyday before the above but found it is a little but too harsh for my skin. I have very dry skin on my face and this just didn’t help things at all. Darren ♥ however is fond of it!

Left to right

Nivea Soft

My good ol’ Mum ♥ got me onto this stuff, we used to use Nivea cream in a dark blue bottle with a white lid, it had a really strong smell about it and felt quite tacky on the skin. Mum ♥ changed to this, I tried it and have loved it ever since. It absorbs into the skin lovely and has a really fresh smell about it.

Vasline Light Refreshing Body Lotion
I have to moisturise after every bath or shower otherwise my skins goes a bit dry and flakey, it feels tight and just generally unhappy. This body lotion is light and fresh, non heavy/tacky and the big bottle lasts ages. A little goes a long way too.

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant

After watching one of Lisa Eldridges YT videos about skincare products and her do's and dont's regarding your skin, I made some heavy hints to my sister for my birthday present in April and guess what I got it! I only use this once a week as a treat for my skin. Dermalogica products are quite pricey and I find this routine works well for me.

Left to right

Nivea Anti-wrinkle Cream Q10

I bought this to help fight the wrinkles! I’m getting on a bit now and I’ve noticed fine lines and blemishes appearing. I use it most days, it also has an SPF 15 in it which it vital these days for protection against the suns harmful rays. I wish I started using anti-wrinkle cream years ago! Every little helps so the advert says.

Bio Oil

This is another must have product, it really does do what it says on the tin. Before Darren ♥ and I went on holiday in June I applied this most nights to the ever growing scattering of stretch marks I have. Mainly on my breasticles and thighs, this stuff helps to reduce the scars so they don’t show up so much. I also use this as a cuticle oil at night.

Lastly

Chanel Hydramax Cream for Dry Skin

For my birthday in April, I went to Debenhams and bought Chanel foundation (review to follow). The Chanel assistant noticed I had dry skin on my face and gave me this little sample tube to try of an evening before going to bed and I have to say it really made a difference to my skin. It was quite oily so not a product for during the day. This was only a sample tube and as you can see from the picture I cut the top off it to get every last bit of the product out. I’ve checked on Debenhams website and the full pot of cream (50g) is £46. From just that little sample tube I got 8 uses out of it so I think £46 is quite reasonable. One day……………one day it will be mine!! Muuhahahahahahaaaaa! Lol

Do any of you beauties use the same products as me? Do any of you know a good night cream for dry skin for under a tenner?

Leave me a comment I’d love to know

Lots of love Stacey x x x