Red Lipstick Quick Tip!!

Hi everyone!!!  Last time, I mentioned I was going to try to be more diligent about putting up a post at least once a week, but I apologize for not having kept to that promise.  Again, my routine has been turned upside down with a string of guests visiting me from overseas.  Don't get me wrong, I love visitors but it has been hard to find some time to write and play with makeup!!!

This morning, I was getting ready for work and as I've mentioned in previous posts, when I've hit snooze on the alarm clock way too many times and I just don't have a lot of time to get ready, I like to keep it simple with one eyeshadow colour on my eyes and a brighter lipstick to create a more polished look. 

Today, I felt like using my MAC Red lipstick.  This is a really thick and heavy lipstick that is more suitable for an evening look.  It's an intense red and is one of those lipsticks that requires soap and water to remove unless you want to go to bed looking like the the Joker from the Dark Knight. 

In order to make the lipstick appear less intense for a daytime look, instead of applying it the way I usually do, by running the lipstick across my lips, I dabbed the colour on instead.  You don't need to use your fingers to dab the colour on, just dab the lipstick directly onto your lips. 

The layer of lipstick on your lips will be thinner and the look will be more sheer than if you applied your lipstick the usual way.  This is a great way to apply a more intense colour without your lips looking like you've got too much lipstick on. 

So next time you're drawn to a dramatic lipstick colour, don't steer clear of it.  Try dabbing it on for a more natural finish!! 

Bronze Summer Look

Summer is here (well, in some parts of the world except for the UK) and there's nothing better than soaking up the sun and ridding yourself of that pale winter skin.  If you live in a place, like the UK, where summer doesn't necessarily mean warm weather and sunshine, there's always makeup to fake a beautiful, flushed, summer look.

When I say faking a a summer look, I'm not talking about a fake tan.  All you need to get that summer glow are the right eyeshadow colours and a bronzer to replace your usual blusher.

Use bronze or rust coloured eyeshadows with some browns that have a bit of shimmer and definitely use a bronzer on your cheeks.  These colours will give you a very natural look.  Summer makeup should always be light and natural.

My favourites for the summer are MAC eyeshadow in Mythology paired with MAC eyeshadow in Mulch.  Use Mythology as your main colour.  Mulch, as it is the darker of the two, should be used on your corners.  Blend the colours out really well as you want them to look as natural as possible.  Go easy on the eyeliner and opt for a pencil liner on the upper lashline only.  Naturally enchance your bottom lashline by adding mascara to the bottom lashes.

As for your bronzer, use it on your cheeks as you would with your blush but brush just a teeny tiny bit of it on your chin, nose and forehead.  This will give you a beautiful summer glow.  I'm using MAC Bronzer in Refined Golden. 

Opt for a terracotta shade of lipstick or something peachy to complement the look.  I'm using Revlon Lipbutter in Macaron. 


Important Tip:

Don't over do the bronzer as you can appear too have too much of a fake tan.  Applying it all over your face like you would a powder will give you an overly bronze look or make your face look dirty.

+ 3 Month Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Review

I just wanted to update everyone on my progress with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum.

After two months of using the product, as you have probably read from my 2 month review, I saw my fine lines fading more although they did not disappear completely.

I've just finished my first bottle after a little over 3 months of use in total and the difference between month two and month three was not that significant to tell you the truth.  I do feel my skin is a lot smoother and the lines are not as deep but they are still there.  I am not attaching a photo to this post as I don't feel the changes will be noticeable.

So, you're probably wondering if I recommend this product and whether I've gone into my second bottle.  Well, I did.  I recently purchased a new bottle and will continue to use this product.  Why you may ask?  Well...if you're looking for a product that will get rid of your wrinkles and fine lines completely, this is not the product for you but I love how my skin feels now that I've been using it for some time and the fine lines have definitely become more shallow.  My skin tone is so much more even and my skin is much softer.  It does overall look a lot smoother too.  It's given me a healthier glow and who knows, in a few more months, there may be even more changes.

For those of you looking to even up your skin tone, diminish your fine lines and improve the overall texture and look of your skin, this is a fabulous product.

However, if you are looking for botox-like effects on your fine lines and wrinkles, this is not the product for you.  You're probably better off with botox.

Remember, when you do try a new product, give it a few months before you really decide on whether it was worth it or not.  Results don't usually appear out of the blue.  With anything, it does take time, so be patient and don't just give up on it right away.  If in about 2 - 3 months it hasn't done anything at all, then you can be assured, it hasn't worked for you.

I've got a few more posts coming your way soon after a bit of a hiatus, so please stay tuned!!

Apologies for Incorrect Colour Listed in My Previous Post!!!

Hi Everyone!!!

I just wanted to apologize for listing an incorrect colour name for the blue eyeshadow I used in the previous blog post.  It's MAC eyeshadow in Blue Edge...NOT...Satellite Dream!!!!

Themed Makeup Look!!!

This past weekend, I volunteered to cheer for the Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer UK London marathon team.  It was a fantastic day out and the runners were so inspirational.  The two charities were the main recipients of the proceeds of the race but they also had about 800 runners on their team, specifically raising money for them. 

So, to make things more lively and keep with the branding of the two charities, the theme of the day was to dress in the charity colours, pink and blue.  In addition to my pink and blue Sketchers and attire, I decided to stick to the theme with my makeup as well and I wanted to share this look with you.

Pink and blue are very contrasting colours but I find they can be worn together for an everyday look.  It's not just appropriate for a fun event, but works for work as well if you feel like brightening up your look. 

As you can see, the overall look is incredibly natural.  For those of you who have been keeping up with my blog, you know I'm all about more subtle looks unless its a big night out. 

The application technique:

After applying the pink colour all over your lids, apply the blue shadow on the corners but in a half almond shape in order to give your eyes an illusion of being.....well..... more almond shaped. 

Blend out just the harsh edge at the top.  In order to give it a faded effect up to your brow bone, apply your highlighter to your brow bone and blend it into the harsh edge of the blue shadow.  To make the pink on your eyelids stand out more, just apply a little more just on the eyelid, going no further up than your crease. 

Finish off with your eyeliner of choice and mascara. 

What I used on my eyes:

Blue: MAC eyeshadow in Satellite Dream
Pink: MAC eyeshadow in Sushi Flower
Highlighter: Kryolan eyeshadow in white (MAC eyeshadow that works great is Vanilla)

One more thing...this look goes really well with a light pink lipstick.  I used my Revlon Lipbutter in Cupcake.

Estee Lauder Advance Night Repair 2 Month Progress!!

A couple months ago I bought the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum and put up a post on how I was going to track the progress of my skin after using the product over a span of three months.  It's been two months since I've been using this product and the results are as follows.

Problem with lines on the sides of my forehead and deep line in the front:

After two months, I've noticed a significant reduction in the depth of the lines on the sides of my forehead.  They used to be quite deep with sort of a scaly pattern but now they are incredibly shallow and just look like very fine, shallow horizontal line...how skin actually looks.

 

Problem with deep lines in the front of the forehead:

I complained about a couple lines in the front of my forehead that I found to be significantly deep.  One of the lines has actually disappeared while the second one which was deeper than the first is much more shallow than it used to be.

Acne scaring and discolouration:

The acne scars have significantly lightened and I can barely notice them.  There is one particular scar that I was quite concerned with.  It was the darkest mark on my cheek but has now lightened significantly as well.  However, I don't think it will disappear completely as it is not as superficial of a scar as the rest, but there are definite improvements.

Overall:

As I mentioned before, I am also using the Estee Lauder Idealist serum together with the Advanced Night Repair.  I feel the combination of the two has made my skin more even and blemishes are really starting to fade.  Of course, I cannot say that the positive results are from one or the other as I've been using them together, but from what I've heard through other blogs, it's more likely from the Night serum rather than the Idealist serum which has had mixed reviews.

So far, I would say I am incredibly pleased with the results.  I will continue to use this product and I'm excited to see more results from long term use.

Stay tuned!!!  I will update you in one more month!!!

Revlon Lipbutters!!!! Finally in the UK!!!

For those of you who didn't realize this, the Revlon Lipbutters that have been around in the US and probably Canada since last year, have finally made their way to the UK.  I've been reading about this product all over the blog world and have never waited so impatiently for a makeup product to come out.

Last week, I went out to get my very own collection of colours but was very disappointed to find out that many of the colours I wanted were already out of stock.  I managed to get 2 out of the several I wanted.

I've order 3 more online and will post them up when they arrive.

First of all, I want to talk about the product.

Texture:  The product is quite creamy and sort of half way between a lipgloss, lipbalm and a lipstick.  It's super moisturizing and feels more like you've got a lipbalm on rather than a lipstick.

Colour:  The colour is buildable. You can wear it sheer or apply a few coats to make it more opaque and intense.  The two colours I bought were sheer but able to build to a more intense colour.  However, from other reviews I read, depending on the colour, some may be more creamy and intense than others.

Finish:  I love the look of this lipstick.  Its quite glossy but sort of looks like you've applied a gloss over a lipstick.

Overall opinion:  I love this lipstick and I think it's really been worth the wait.  The price in the UK at GBP 7.99 is also amazing.  Boots is currently having a 3 for 2 sale so it's actually even cheaper than that if you're buying more than one colour.  My lips feel great.  It feels like I've applied lipbalm on before hand and my lips feel incredibly soft and moisturized.

The two colours I bought were Cupcake and Berry Smoothie.  I was looking for Peach Parfait which was sold out in all stores I went to and for some reason, Cherry Tart which is available in the US is not available here.  It's supposed to be a sheer red.  I'm going to try Candy Apple instead and let you guys know how that is as well.

For now, here are the Cupcake and Berry Smoothie looks.

Cupcake:

A very light pastel pink

 It's a great everyday look that can balance out a smokey or darker eyeshadow look

Berry Smoothie:

A medium toned raspberry pink

Can be worn everyday with neutral eyes

Stay tuned for a look at 3 more colours from Revlon Lipbutters!!!