Going green FOTD

I've been wanting to do a look with Shiro's May The Fourth Be With You eyeshadow for a while now.  I picked Makeup Revolutions lipstick in The One when I had to break a £10 note for change before work, as they're only £1 each. I'm not sure on it yet.  It's a lot paler than I would usually wear.

Face
Illamasqua Matte Veil
Benefit Porefessional
YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1
Urban Decay Ultra High Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
Makeup Revolution Sugar and Spice blush palette

Eyes
Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Jungle
Shiro eyeshadows in May The Fourth Be With You, and We're Up All Night To Get Loki
Detrivore eyeshadow in Plague
MAC Black Ore Solar Bits
Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Sea Shell
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Mainline
Lancome Hypnose Star mascara
MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips
Makeup Revolution lipstick in The One

Fall makeup is back!

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I updated!  I've been feeling pretty ill, so haven't been wearing makeup when I'm not in work.  I finally decided to put some face on yesterday, and although it's still fairly warm I'm definitely in the mood for autumn makeup.  Dark lips are back!  

I gave YSL's Fusion Ink Foundation a go.  It's ok, although I prefer their Touche Eclat Foudation.  Fusion Ink didn't hold up any longer on my oily skin, which was a shame as I had heard it was better for oilier skin.

Face

Benenfit Porefessional primer

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation B10 (for some reason they only go as low as 20 in their cooler toned BR shades)

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1

Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light

Illamasqua Naked Rose blush

Eyes

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Lancome Ombre Hypnose Dazzling Eye Colour in Topaz Dore

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips

MAC Lip Pencil in Vino

Shiro custom opaque gloss in Ganondorf 

I guess you're ok FOTD

I used Shiro's I guess you're ok eyeshadow, and that's a pretty accurate description of how I feel about this look.

Face
Benefit Porefessional primer
YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1
Benefit Boi-ing concealer shade 1
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
MAC Azalea Blossom blush
Laura Mercier cream highlighter in Pink Gold

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Illamasqua cream pigment in Delirium 
Shiro eyeshadows in I guess you're ok, and I'll move that for you
Sleek Garden of Eden palette
Illamasqua pigment in Beguile
Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Soft Pink
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero
Clinique High Impact mascara
MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips
Too Faced lipstick in Nude Beach

Dear Cupcake FOTD

Due to the launch of the They're Real Push Up Liner, my work makeup hasn't been terribly interesting.  We've been given a set look to wear on shifts, which is obviously all about the liner.  So that's neutral shadows with black liner, and bright pink lips.  However, as I don't own Dare Me lipstick, I have to add that once I get to work, so haven't been able to take any pictures.

This was another number generated look.  I'm not a massive fan of MAC's Dear Cupcake, as I've always found it pretty dry and powdery.  For this look I used it on top of Illamasqua's cream pigment in Androgen, which got rid of any issues.  I tried using Nic Cage Raking Leaves On A Brisk October Morning as a liner mixed with sealing gel, but none of the sparkle transferred, which sucked.  Lesson learnt!

Face
YLS Touche Eclat Foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Finishing Powder Light
MAC Spaced Out blush
Shiro Cake (as highlight)

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Illamasqua cream pigment in Androgen
MAC eyeshadows in Dear Cupcake and Sweet Chestnut
Shiro eyeshadows in Steve O'Lantern, Cake, and Nic Cage Raking Leaves on a Brisk October Morning
Urban Decay Theodora palette (Spell 1)
Illamasqua Sealing Gel
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Corrupt
Lancome Hypnose Star mascara
MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips
Shiro Rick Rolled intertube

Soft and summery FOTD

After being in a metal box on the hottest day of the year all I wanted to do was take my makeup off when I got home.  As I was going out in the evening I re-did it, opting for a lighter look.

Face

Laura Mercier foundation primer

YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealers White and Light 1

Benefit Boi-ing concealer shade 1

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

MAC Alpha Girl beauty powder blush

Shiro Cake eyeshadow (as highlight)

Eyes

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Lancome Ombre Hypnose Dazzling Eye Colour in Topaz Dore

Shiro eyeshadows in Epona and Hordor

Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Sea Shell

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Demolition

Illamasqua pencil in Vow

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips

MAC Watch Me Simmer lipstick (as stain)

Dior Addict lipgloss in Petal

May The Forth Be With You FOTD

I used my new Shiro shadow, May The Forth Be With You.  It's definitely a Yoda green!  The purple liner wasn't quite opaque enough for my liking though.

Face

Laura Mercier foundation primer

YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift Concealer White and Light 1

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

MAC Azalea Blossom blush

Eyes

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Shiro eyeshadows May The Forth Be With You, Diamonds, Steve, and Ocarina

MAC Contrast eyeshadow

Benefit Milk It! eyeshadow

Illamasqua Principle eyeshadow (Reflection palette)

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Woodstock and Delinquent

Miss Sporty metallic liner in Purple Hit

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips

MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick

Shiro custom opaque gloss in Team Rocket

Dramatic purple and antique gold FOTD

Apologies for the hair in the close up picture.  I was in a bit of a rush this morning and didn't realise it was there until I reviewed the photos this evening!  

I mixed Urban Decay's 24/7 pencil in Psychedelic Sister and NYX's Jumbo pencil in Milk to get a light purple cream base for my crease.  I need to pick up Benefit's cream shadow in Always a Bridesmaid, as it's the second time I've mixed this combo.

Face
Benefit Porefessional primer
Benefit Big Easy foundation in Light
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer in White and Light 1
Benefit Boi-ing concealer shade 1
Benefit Sugarbomb blush
Benefit High Beam 

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
Benefit The Sexiest Neutrals palette
MAC eyeshadow in Woodwinked
Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Psychedelic Sister and Zero
Rimmel Glam eyes black liquid liner
Benefit They're Real mascara
Benefit Brow-zings Light

Lips
Benefit Benetint
Benefit Sugarbomb gloss

Emma Stone inspired tutorial

I saw this pic of Emma Stone and fell in love with the look.  I of course had to pull out my beloved Sleek Vintage Romance palette and give it a go.  My version is slightly more wearable as I didn't bring the purple up so far and I passed on the false lashes.  I also opted for bright pink lips instead.

Products Used
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Sleek Vintage Romance palette -
                                                   Meet in Madrid (medium-pale gold)
                                                   Marry in Monte Carlo (medium fuschia)
                                                   Bliss in Barcelona (medium-dark blue toned purple)
                                                   Love in London (medium black)
Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Sea Shell (light, matte nude)
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Illamasqua Sophie pencil (black)
Benefit They're Real mascara

1.  After priming the lid, apply Marry in Monte Carlo in the crease with a fluffy blending brush.

2.  Pat Meet in Madrid onto the lid using a flat shader brush.

3.  With a tapered blending brush, apply Bliss in Barcelona on top of the fuchsia shadow, leaving some fuchsia showing at the top.

4.  Apply Sea Shell on the brow bone and blend downwards softening the fuchsia.

5.  Using a clean flat shader brush, apply Marry in Monte Carlo under the eye.  Place Bliss in Barcelona on top of this along the outer half of the lower lash line.

6.  Taking the tapered blending brush, apply Love in London to the outer crease to darken.

7.  With a clean brush, blend until there are no harsh lines.

8.  Line your lid with black liquid liner, and then add black pencil liner to the upper and lower waterlines.

9.  Add mascara and you're done!

Face
YSL Touche Eclat foundation in BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealers in White and Light 1
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light
Illamasqua Velvet Blusher in Peaked

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Sleek Vintage Romance palette (Meet in Madrid, Marry in Monte Carlo, Bliss in Barcelona, Love in London)
Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Sea Shell 
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Illamasqua Sophie pencil
Benefit They're Real mascara
MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips
MAC lipstick in Show Orchid
Dior Adict gloss 856 (Iconic Red)

Benefit Big Easy Review and FOTD

I've been working for Benefit Cosmetics for about 3 weeks now, so I've had plenty of time to put some of their products to the test.  I'll admit right now that when I worked for Benefit about 4 years ago I hated their foundations, and I haven't given them a second glance since.  Their Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation really doesn't work for me.  The palest shade is too yellow, and the pinkest shade too dark, and my oily skin barely goes two hours before I need to powder.  Step in Big Easy.

Big Easy is Benefit's version of a BB cream.  I'm not sure I'd really class it as one though, as it doesn't really have any skin care benefits, we still recommend a primer, and due to the cream to powder formula if you have oily skin you'll definitely need to moisturise.  That being said, it does have SPF 35, which is great as we're getting into the summer.  Here is where I would normally put in a product picture, but I'm away from home at the moment and forgot to take a picture before I left.  So on with the pictures of the foundation in action (click the pictures to enlarge).

Bare skin/Big Easy

Bare skin/Big Easy

As it's a cream to powder formula I find it's be applied with my fingers.  It blends out really easily, and sets down quickly.  It's a sheer-medium foundation, and whilst it's a powder it doesn't look powdery.  Instead it has a lovely satin-matte finish that leaves skin looking smoother.  It's not going to cover up darker blemishes like the ones I have on my chin.  But I think the best way to look like you have nice skin is to use the lightest coverage you can get away with, and then conceal any bad patches with concealer.  If you're looking for a full coverage you should probably skip this one.

As it's a powder finish most can skip the setting powder.  I like to set my concealer, and then dust a little over my t-zone though.

For me, the real test of a foundation is how well it holds up against my oily skin.  Even with mattifying moisturisers and primers, I still need to powder around the 3-4 hour mark.  Big Easy can make it through 6 or 7 hours before I start feeling shiney.  This is honestly the best foundation for oily skin that I have ever tried!  I pair it with Porefessional, and I don't have to worry about my skin until the last hour or so of my shift.  I never thought I'd give up my Touche Eclat foundation, but I'm away from home this weekend and it's Big Easy I've packed.

I've had the chance to try this on lots of different skin tones and types over the last 3 weeks.  Shade wise, there are only 6 shades, but as the foundation adjusts to match your skin tone more closely (much like Benefit's You Rebel), there will be one to suit most.  You may struggle if you have particularly  dark skin though, as the darkest shade isn't all that dark.  Dryer skin tones will want to make sure that they've moisturised well, as the powder finish can cling to dry patches.  That being said, I've seen people with dryer skin love the finish of it.  It's worth popping down to your local Benefit counter to try out.

Finally, here's a couple of pics of the finished look!

Face

Benefit Big Easy in Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer in Light

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder in Light

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealers in Light and White 1

Fashionista Butterscotch blush

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade

Eyes

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Shiro Cosmetics eyeshadows in Master Sword, We're Up All Night To Get Loki, and You Know Nothing

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Blue Flame

Sugarpill eyeshadow in Tako

Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Junkie and Freak

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips

Too Faced lipstick in Nude Beach

Chanel lipgloss in Aragonite 

Eden FOTD

It's been a while since I used Sleek's Garden of Eden palette, but the sun was shining and I felt like doing something more spring-themed.  I patted Illamasqua's pigment in Beguile over the middle of the lid to add a bit of sparkle, but it hasn't really shown up in the pictures.

Face

YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light

MAC blush in Coygirl

Illamasqua blushes in Honor

Eyes
NARS smudge proof eyeshadow base

NYX jumbo pencil in Milk

Sleek Garden of Eden palette

Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Soft Pink

Illamasqua pigment in Beguile

MAC pearlglide liner in Flyby Blue

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Ether

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

Sleek brow set in Light

Lips

YSL Rouge Volupte in Pink Caress 

Shiro Cosmetics medium opacity gloss in Moon Prisom Power

 

Nic Cage with glitter FOTD

I'm so glad we have sunshine.  Taking photos is so much easier!  I used one shadow over my whole lid, but two different bases beneath it to get the colour gradient.

  

Face

Maybelline Baby Skin primer

YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light

Benefit Dandelion blush

Illamasqua blushes in Honor and Hussy

Eyes
NARS smudge proof eyeshadow base

NYX jumbo pencil in Milk

Bobbi Brown Silver Lilac sparkle eyeshadow

Shiro Cosmetics eyeshadow in Nic Cage Raking Leaves on a Brisk October Morning

MAC Mineralize eyeshadow in Young Punk

Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Soft Pink

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Woodstock, Scorch and Vice

Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

Sleek brow set in Light

Lips

Armani Lip Maestro Shade 505

Legends FOTD

I used some shadows from Shiro's Legends collection.  Not loving the look, as Angry Cuccos turned out to be way to dark as a highlight for me.  I patted a matte white over it, but it didn't totally fix it.  Also, my eyebrows look pretty crappy.  Still, they're great shadows to work with.

Face
Maybelline Baby Skin primer
YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
Illamasqua Rumour blush
MAC Springsheen blush

Eyes

NARS smudge proof eyeshadow base

NYX jumbo pencil in Milk

Shiro eyeshadows - Angry Cuccos, Destiny's Princess, Zora Saphire, Skull Kid

Sleek Acid palette - matte white shadow

Illamasqua gel liner in Infinity

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Rockstar and Deep End

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

Sleek eyebrow palette in Light

Lips

Lancome Juicy Tube in Fraise

Everything shimmery FOTD

Usually I go for either or when it comes to shimmer on lips and eyes, but the finer shimmer in the Lancome shadow and the Chanel gloss together don't seem to overpower the look.  This was a fairly fresh look, which as rather fitting as we actually got some sunshine today!

Face
Laura Mercier foundation primer
YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
Illamasqua Rumour blush
MAC Azalea Blossom ombre blush
MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skin Finish

Eyes
NARS smudge proof eyeshadow base
Lancome Ombre Hypnôse Dazzling Eye Colour in Topaz Dore
MAC pigment in Mutiny
MAC eyeshadow in Parfait Armour 
Urban Decay eyeshadows in Tornado and Aura
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Illamasqua pencil in Vow
Lancome Hypnose Eyes mascara
MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick
Chanel Aragonite gloss

The rest of my lipstick collection

You can see the other parts of my lipstick collection here - red, pink part 1, pink part 2, and purple and coral.

These are lipsticks that either didn't fit in the other categories, or lipsticks that I forgot (they were most likely in my bag when I did the swatches).  I'm sorely lacking in nudes.  Maybe I should look at getting a couple of those before I pick up another pink lipstick!

Armani Lip Maestro in 500 and 501
If you've checked out my pink lipstick reviews, you'll know by now that I love lip maestros.  A pigmented liquid lipstick that dries down to a modern matte finish.  This is a long wearing lipstick that doesn't dry out my lips.  

500 is a medium nude pink, which is great for every  day wear.  It has slight yellow undertones, but still works well on my cool toned skin.

501 is a deep, dusty pink, with almost mauve undertones.  On me it's a little too dark to be called a nude lipstick, but on deeper skin tones I can imagine it would be a great choice for an every day lipstick.

Dior Addict lipstick in Createur
This is my go to every day lipstick.  It's like my lips, but better.  I favour this sheer plummy red over nude lipsticks as it doesn't wash me out like nudes can.  It's a really comfortable lipstick to wear, and even though it only lasts about 3 hours, I don't see it wearing down because it's so close to my natural lip colour, so I don't have to worry about that dreaded ring of colour being left round my lip line.

MAC Brave

This is another of my nude alternatives.  It's a medium nude pink, with a satin finish.  It's a fairly thick, opaque lipstick, and I'll opt for it over Createur if I need a lipstick that lasts a little longer.  I don't find it drying, but it's not moisturising either.

MAC Plum Dandy
This was a lipstick that I should have probably put in the pink or purple section.  I don't often pick up MAC lipsticks any more, but I traded in some empties and got this one.  It's a soft plummy pink with gold shimmer.  It's a frost, but it's not overly frosted.  I love the way it looks when it catches in the sunlight, as it really shows off the beautiful shimmer.  It's not the most comfortable lipstick in the world, but it's not as bad as some of MAC's other frost lipsticks

Urban Decay Super Saturated High-Gloss Lip Colour in Glinda
What a mouthful that name is!  This came with the limited edition Glinda palette.  It's a rosey nude with gold shimmer.  It's less frosty and more beige that Plum Dandy.  It's a fairly neutral colour that would suit a lot of skin tones, but it's really not one I ever really reach for.  I find it more drying than the pencil they released in the Theodora palette.

Benefit Posietint

Posietint is one of Benefit's 4 lip and cheek stains.  In the bottle it looks like a scarily neon pink, but once applied to cheeks and lips, it's a subtle pink tint.  The below swatch is two layers.  I tend to prefer this type of product on my cheeks to my lips, as alone it can be quite drying.  I usually opt to top this with a gloss when I wear it on my lips.

Illamasqua Pristine
This definitely comes under the 'other' category!  This is one of the better black lipsticks I've tried.  It's opaque in a couple of swipes, so it's easy to get a dark, even colour.  So often blacks can go on patchy.  Like most of Illamasqua's lipsticks it's not hydrating, but it's doesn't suck the life out of my lips either.

 And here are swatches of all of the lipsticks! *updated 21/06/2014*

1.  OCC Lip Tar in Black Dahlia

2.  NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Vixen

3.  Chanel Rouge Allure in Rouge Noir

4.  Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait in Colire

5.  Guerlain Rouge G in Garconne (LE)

6.  Dior Diorific lipstick in Diorling 

7.  Urban Decay Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Colour in Theodora (LE) 

8.  Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte

9.  Sephora Rouge Shine in No.28

10.  MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Crosswires

11.  MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Watch Me Simmer (LE)

12.  Benefit Hydra-smooth lip colour in Juicy Details

13.  Clinique Different Lipstick in Ice Rose

14.  Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Frosting

15.  Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake

16.  Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick

17.  Armani Lip Maestro Shade 505 (LE)

18.  Armani Rouge d'Armani Shade 507

19.  YSL Rouge Volupte in Pink Caress 

20.  Illamasqua lipstick in Resist (discontinued)

21.  Benefit lipstick in My Treat (discontinued)

22.  Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Illusion (LE)

23.  MAC Glaze lipstick in Sweet Thing (LE)

24.  MAC Matte lipstick in Candy Yum Yum

25.  MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Of Royalty (LE)

26.  MAC Matte lipstick in Gladiola (discontinued)

27.  MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Show Orchid

28.  Illamasqua lipstick in Underworld

29.  Inglot Colour Play Lipstick No.95

30.  Lime Crime lipstick in Poisonberry

31.  Inglot lipstick in 175

32.  Illamasqua lipstick in Pristine

33.  MAC Glaze lipstick in Plum Dandy

34.  Dior Addict lipstick in Createur

35.  MAC Satin lipstick in Brave

36.  Urban Decay Super Saturated High-gloss Lip Colour in Glinda (LE)

37.  Benefit Posietint
38.  Armani Lip Maestro in shade 500
39.  Armani Lip Maestro in shade 501
41.  Too Faced lipstick in Nude Beach
41.  Shiro intertube in Sad Keanu
42.  Shiro intertube in Shoop-da-whoop
43.  Shiro intertube in Rickrolled