Monday 30 January 2012

IMATS 2012: The Plan!

The moment me and my good friend and fellow blogger Katie have been waiting for is nearly upon us! IMATS 2012! I’m sure you all know what IMATS is, so I wont go too much into that. It’s my first time going so am pretty darn excited! We’re going to be there bright and early on the Saturday, waiting for the doors to open to avoid the massive rush that apparently happens later in the morning. We’re planning in which order we’re to visit stalls in the first few hours, so the rest of the day we can just relax.

2919_IMATS_London12_block

I thought I would do a little post on my expectations and a rough shopping list! After watching and reading tonnes of past IMATS hauls, I’ve pretty much planned what I’m going to buy there and which stalls I want to visit. Expect to see future posts on photos from the day and a haul!

Charles Fox
I’ve been wanting to check out Kryolan and Ben Nye for a while, so i will be taking a look here at some point during the day.

Crown Brush
I don't really need any more brushes, but at £2-£5 a brush, whose going to say no! I’m particularly going to look for some decent travel brushes, at all the brush stalls. I wish to get some for when i go home for a few days instead of carting tonnes of full sized brushes everywhere.

Eye Kandy Cosmetics
I love glitter, so am planning to take a look at this stall at some point. The prices are abit much compared to other brands though. I guess it depends on how much money I have left.

Fero Beauty
Interested to see what deals are on this year for lashes, as last year it was 5 for £10! I don't wear lashes alot, but i love natural ones so hope to get some more.

Guru Makeup Emporium
Depending on what discount the “Makeup Forever” stall is doing as opposed to here! I'm hoping to get the Smokey lash mascara, HD foundation (fingers crossed they have my shade), aqua liners and aqua eyes.

Illamasqua
I’m looking forward to seeing what they have to offer. I hoping they have individual products with a discount so I can get a new Skin Base, but I guess they sets they have done in previous years will do.

Inglot
Of course our first stop is going to be Inglot! I hope to get a 10 palette of bright shadows. I have the basic colours jotted down, but I guess I’m going to just pick the shades and finishes on the day.

LA Splash
I think I'm probably going to pick up the primer from here, as I've heard alot of good things about it!

Makeup Forever
Depending on their discount and products they stock! See Guru Makeup Emporium!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
I’m pretty certain I’m going to get some Lip Tars and possibly some loose pigments or nail polish depending on how much I have left!

Paris Berlin
I heard in past years they were doing 5 glitters for £10! I hope this deal is going again as I really want to try some of their glitters!

Real Techniques
I'm really curious about these brushes, so will be checking them out.

Royal & Langnickle Brush
See above with crown brush!

Treasure House of Makeup
I’m really looking forward to checking this place out! Especially to get some glitter glue and mixing medium by Graftobian as it’s pretty cheap!

I’m also looking to buy a face primer and a setting spray if anyone can recommend one from any of the retailers who will be at IMATS this year!
I’m looking forward to the shopping more than anything, but I guess we shall be nipping into some talks too! I’m interested in the beauty & photographic makeup ones, as I hope I can get some tips for my own photography. I’m totally going in comfortable clothing with a packed lunch!

Are you going to IMATS? What are you planning to buy/expecting from the event?

xox

Wednesday 25 January 2012

That’s What She Said: Sugarpill SweetHeart Palette!

_DSC0047exit _DSC0038edit

Hello lovelies. If you didn’t notice, I’ve added a little “series title” into my reviews! I wanted to head my posts with something more interesting than just the name of the product, enter “That’s what she said”. Now this a phrase i use alot, probably way more than I should haha! Bless me! So, let me know if you think this works with review posts, or if you have any other suggestions!

Anyway! As you all know I ordered some Sugarpill goodies. You can see the other part of my order, the Chromalust Loose Eyeshadows here!
The SweetHeart palette comes in the typical adorable Sugarpill packaging. The palette itself is pretty sturdy with a magnetic fastening and design on the lid.

_DSC0035edit

Inside boasts 4 eye shadows, each being 4g and a mirror. Within this particular palette sits Dollipop, Afterparty, Midori and Tako. I really think these combinations are a great mix and would personally prefer to get the pressed shadows in a palette than on their own. Some people might not like the set choice, but I'm alright with it.

_DSC0039edit
[L-R, T-B] Dollipop, Afterparty, Midori & Tako]

Each shade is pretty much matte, with a very very slight shimmer, more so in Midori than others. The pigmentation is amazing! They’re really bright, not too powdery and blend perfectly.

_DSC0054edit[L-R, Dollipop, Afterparty, Midori & Tako. No Base Used!]

I have to say my favourite and most used so far is probably Tako! I’ve been looking for a white eye shadow for quite a while, and I’m loving using this on the lid, as a highlight and over a white eyeliner on the waterline.

Getting the pressed and loose shadows from Sugarpill has really inspired me when it comes to bright makeup looks. They have probably become my favourite brand for eye shadows. After IMATS I will be 100% picking up the Burning Heart Palette and a few more Chromalusts! You can buy Sugarpill from there website here, with free shipping for orders over $75.

What are your favourite products from Sugarpill? Have you come up with any bold looks using their shadows?

xox

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Franken-Jane: Facemask Times!

A product to give your family a shock. Facemasks may look pretty darn scary, but they sure can help the skin! There’s tonnes of brands and types out there just waiting to be slapped on. I’ve not used a facemask for quite a long time, I just haven’t got around to buying some. My boyfriend is coming to stay with me on Thursday for a few days (I go to university 250 miles away from home), so I thought I would make some effort to try and look my best.

_DSC0072edit

I used the “Blemish Mud” last night, I want to feel confident wearing no makeup and having a blemish makes that a scary idea! Especially around a boyfriend!
Now I’ve not ever used these regularly enough to notice a difference, but they make my skin feel amazing afterwards. I can’t say I enjoy the stiffness of the mask when its drying, but that’s just me. Incoming scary face!

_DSC0080edit

I’m not going to chat on about these much more, as I’m sure you all know the gist about facemasks. I’m just letting you lovelies know I’m going to start regularly using them, so if you want to see how I’m getting on in a few weeks and if I’ve noticed a difference let me know in the comments ^_^

Do you use facemasks regularly? What's your favourite brand? How do some of you girlies cope with not wearing makeup around your boyfriends if your having a bad skin day?

xox

Monday 16 January 2012

Sugarpill Chromalust: Review and Swatches!

Hai! So as most of you will have clocked on from my  last FOTD and mentions in previous posts, I got some Sugarpill goodies on Black Friday! Now i’ve always been interested in Sugarpill, but since trying my friends shadows a few months ago I knew i had to get my hands on some of the products for definite.
Luckily the brand had 30% off for their black Friday sale, convincing me to place an order straight away, consisting of 4 chromalust loose shadows and a palette.

_DSC0048edit

In this post I'm going to show you the loose shadows, ands tell you about how I've fallen in love with them. Before these, I had never really played around with loose products before, always sticking to pressed. Oh how I have been converted. The pigmentation is so much better in loose pigments, showing up brighter, bolder and just damn prettier. I'm still a newbie at applying shades wet, and using loose shadows, but I’m going to take you along with me on my journey in the next few months!

_DSC0017edit _DSC0020edit

The 4 colours I got were Hysteric, Asylum, Junebug and Goldilux (L-R, T-B). I freakin’ love the packaging. Seriously, how adorable? Its original whilest the actual containers are sturdy and practical, I highly doubt these would break if dropped or knocked.

_DSC0041edit

Goldilux and Hysteric each contain 5g of product, Asylum 5.5g and Junebug 6.5g. The shadows apply so smooth and seriously blend amazingly. See my post here showing Goldilux blended with a pressed shadow.

_DSC0012edit
_DSC0002edit[L-R: Junebug, Goldilux, Hysteric & Asylum – Swatched Wet using MAC Fix+]

Look at that colour payoff. I thought Urban Decay eye-shadows were bright, well move aside UD, Sugarpill has kicked you off your pedestal in my books. These will seriously last all day over a primer (not tried them without) without budging one little bit.
Another great thing? Each of the Chromalust’s are only $12! Think of what your getting for that amazing price. I 100% recommend these and personally will be picking up the whole collection after IMATS this February.

Sugarpill can be purchased from here with free world wide shipping for orders over $75!
Have you ever tried Sugarpill? What is your favourite colour from their range?

xox

Friday 13 January 2012

FOTD: Sugarpill Goldilux and Midori

Hello darlings!
So earlier today I had abit of spare time so had a play around with the newest additions to my ever growing makeup collection. Say hello to Sugarpill, my now favourite brand! I am super impressed, but I'll save that for my upcoming review!
Anyway, I created this look with one of the Chromalust loose eyeshadows & a pressed one. I’ve never really worked with loose shadows before so this is a first for me!

_DSC0116edit _DSC0160edit

I can never take a serious photo! Hello duck face!
Its also the first time in about 3 years that I've worn eyelashes. Its a pain to have them on as a wear glasses, but I'm getting contacts again later this year so hello beautiful long lashes! Apologies that they’re not on properly and are abit too long, i couldn't find my nail scissors to chop them down a little =[

_DSC0074edit_DSC0137edit

FACE
MUA Face Primer, Illamasqua Skinbase Foundation 02, MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC15, MAC MSF Light, NARS Laguna, Vivo Baked Blush in Rosy, ELF Gotta Glow.

EYES
UDPP, Sugarpill Goldilux, Sugarpill Midori, Sugarpill Tako, Urban Decay Creep, Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil Eyeliner in Zero, Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner, ELF Waterproof lengthening and Volumizing Mascara, HD Brow Kit in Foxy, ELF Natural Lash Kit.

Lips
Sleek Pout Paints in Pin-Up and Mauve Over

Have you ever used any Sugarpill products? What did you think?

xox

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Victorian Disco Cosmetics: Swatches & First Impressions

I first heard about Victorian Disco Cosmetics on Beautylish two or three months ago! The newest indie brand to hit the scene, this Etsy based company is just up my street. The creative output of Ashley (Smashley S), this brand is every geeky girls (or boys) dream. Hell, how could anyone pass up a collection based on Star Wars!

“I started Victorian Disco because I realized I was buying products from a lot of different indie companies because I had so many interests (geeky names, anime collections, girly inspired, rockabilly, goth, punk, everything) and I asked myself... why can't one company focus on all of these aspects... not just one? You can be a geek in a dress, or a girly goth who loves watching anime. Why just one genre? And WHY only bright colors? Or only neutrals? Why not all in one place? Be bold, be neutral, be yourself!” The Victorian Disco Etsy Page

_DSC0009edit

The package came wrapped up all cute as a button! Does anyone else think this looks like a sweetie bag?

_DSC0006edit

I was sent 12 sample bags of the first collection to be released. Hello Starwars! I was ecstatic to see glitter! I LOVE glitter. Sure I’m a massive slacker and don't actually have any glitter primer type product to wear it, but its just so pretty! (Note to self, Buy Glitter Glue at IMATS)

_DSC0016edit
_DSC0014 (2)edit[Tatooine, Do the Jabba Jabba, AC-130, Droids]

_DSC0019edit
_DSC0029edit
[Revolutionary Ball, The Fett, ACR, Ewok Pajama Party]

_DSC0024edit
_DSC0040edit[Atrophine, R2, Pannier, Yoda’s Yoga Mat]

My first impressions of these when I swatched them and had a little play were “they’re alright”, making note that I don't really use loose shadows so aren't that experienced at applying them properly. The lightest shades are a bit too subtle and light for my personal tastes. This all changed when I tried them wet. My actual reaction was *squee*.
The darker shades are good to go on their own, but I highly recommend using the lighter shades wet, hell even the darker shades intensify!

_DSC0045edit

Look! How beautiful are they?! If you don't have a primer such as Pixie Epoxy, seriously try these using a bit of mixing medium, even just water!

_DSC0047edit

I’m VERY impressed with these shades and will definatly be posting some eye looks once I've got my head around the whole “wet pigment” thing.
I highly recommend checking out the Etsy shop Here. A sample bag is priced at £1.16 (UK Pounds) & the full sizes only £2.99 for 2g of the eye shadows (glitter is slightly different amounts).
I really hope they come out with a Lord of the Rings collection in the future, even a Warcraft collection would be AMAZING! *hint hint*

I will be purchasing some of the glitters once I've been to IMATS, if i can restrain myself from buying them now that is!
Have you got anything from Victorian Disco? What's your favourite indie company?

xox

[These products were sent to me for consideration. This in no way influences my opinion or reviews]

Wednesday 4 January 2012

A New Year: Enter, 2012!

Heya lovelies! Happy New Year! This ones been a strange one, I can tell you that! I've been really slack with my blog over the past few weeks as well. I came back North for christmas, were i didnt really have internet access until I got my new laptop! I've also not bought many beauty products, nor brought many with me as im saving up for IMATS in Feb.
I want this year to be more productive. I dont really make New Years resolutions, but I do have a few aims.
  • Create a photography blog and update flickr more often
  • Have a fully functional photography website by the end of the year
  • Land a paid photography job/internship
  • Go on holiday with the boy (Rome or Paris maybe?)
  • Save money!
  • Learn to drive
  • Get at least a 2.1 for my second year

Does anyone have any suggestions for cheapish city breaks (about 4-5 days) which I can check out? I've only ever been on holiday with my parents and any help would be appreciated!

I also have Sugarpill and Sigma posts coming up, as I made my first purchases from them on Black Friday! For now i'm going to leave you with my New Years Eve look. I didnt anything perticularly special, just went round my boyfriends mates house and played guitar hero/rock band all night. Apologies for the webcam image! I was testing out the one on laptop ^_^

I was wearing Tako and Afterparty on the lids, with Goldilux on the bottom! I wish I would have gotten a better image as I loved this look, it cant really be seen here :( I've also put orange in my hair! Cos i can ;)

Do you have any aims for the new year?

xox

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...