July / August 2012 Monthly Empties!

So as promised my next post would be a collaborated July and August Monthly Empties. I haven't got many really as most things are about half empty, I'm hoping to have more for the next month. So these are my July and August Empties....

Simple Kind To Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion
I loved using this Lotion as a Day time moisturiser, it worked great under my makeup. It kept my skin moisturised all day and didn't make me break out. The only thing I didn't like about this product was how you have to squeeze it to get it out, since its only got one hole when I did that I often had access product left over so it kinda wasted most of it. It would be great depoted into a bottle though.

Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream
I had a larger version of this hand cream featured in my June Empties which you can see here. This is the sample size i got at Christmas or something and only started using it a month or two ago. I loved it! Its definitely helped my nail growth as well as keeping my hands moisturised and in tip top shape. Without it for past few weeks I've definitely seen a change for the worse in my hands and I think I'll have to invest in this again or buy something else.

Barry M 3 In 1 Mascara
This is another product I've had since Christmas but only got round to using it about 3 months ago? This mascara is supposed to give you volume, length and curl. In all honesty I got none of that. Its great for applying to your bottom lashes though, due to the thin, straight, basic wand. I wouldn't deem in worthy of £6.19.

Morrison's Make Sensitive Facial Wipes
My Mum usually gets my Facial / Makeup Remover Wipes for me and she usually just gets what ever. Its like trying to remove your makeup with a Kleenex. I had to use 3 of these things just to get one face of makeup off, were I usually only have to use one. There not thick either , which is another thing I usually look for in a Facial / Makeup Remover Wipe. They tore super easy.

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

Tutorial: Duck Nail's!

Here's a little song to listen to while you read the post :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q

So today's Sunday and the day I change my nails. This week I thought I'd do a tutorial instead of a NOTW, so this is what I came up with....

Here's what I used....

• A piece of paper
• Eyeshadow sponge
• 2 Cotton Buds/ Q Tips
• 3 Dotting Tools
• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Barry M, Mint Green 
• Collection 2000 Hot Looks, Lemon Soda
• Technic Nail Polish, White 
• Miss Sporty Lasting Colour Pro Brush, Fatal Black 
• MUA Love Hearts Range, I WANT U 
• Miss Sporty Clubbing Colours Nail Polish, China Glaze
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat

First apply Sally Hansen's Double Duty Base coat & Top coat. I applied two coats for extra protection.

Next apply two coats of Barry M's Mint Green. It doesn't need to be fully opaque as you would be covering 2/3 of the nail with more polish.

Now you can start drawing your Ducks onto your nails.Pour a small amount of Collection 2000's Hot Looks nail polish in Lemon Soda onto the paper.  Using the larger end of the white Dotting Tool make two circles upon the nail, one below the other. Then using the smaller end make a dot the opposite side of the nail.

Still using Lemon Soda, make two curved lines to connect the circles together to make the duck's body like the photo below.

Now fill the shape in, once again using Lemon Soda.

Next it's time to give the Duck's some character. Using the Technic white nail polish, pour a tiny amount on the paper then make a dot using the large end of the pink Dotting Tool, on the Duck's face. Once it's completely dry, using the smaller end of the Dotting Tool, take the Miss Sporty nail polish in Fatal Black and make a dot in the centre of the white one. Taking the MUA nail polish in I WANT U, make a triangle in the middle left of the ducks face, then fill it in. 

Taking the Eyeshadow sponge and the Miss Sporty nail polish in China Glaze. Pour a small amount of the nail polish onto the paper and dip the edge of the Eyeshadow sponge in. Gently sponge the polish onto the nail to give a slight gradient effect. 

Now your almost done, apply a thin coat of Seche Vite's Dry Fast Top Coat. Then taking a cotton bud/ q tip, dip it into nail polish remover and wipe around your nail to remove any access polish. This makes the final look look more tidy.
Here's another look at my final outcome....

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

What nail art design should I attempt next week? :)

FOTD: The Golden Girl...

I decided that FOTD's are going to be a weekly thing now, if not more often. After last week's "Green Eyed Monster" look, I thought today I would go for something more toned down. It was really sunny this morning, and still is now but not as much, so I went for slight yellow tones and golds. With a pop of Pink on my lips. Here it is...

I have unsymmetrical lips, yes I know.

So here's the Face products I used today...

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, Light 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Fair 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, Translucent 

NYC Cheek Glow Blusher, Central Park Pink 

Eyes...

NYC Eye Lash Curler

Miss Sporty Pump Up Lash Booster Mascara, Black 

Miss Sporty XX Volume Mascara, Black 

MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner Pencil, Snow White 

MUA Single Eyeshadow, Shade 2

Avon Glow Powder Eyeshadow, Golden Sand 

I also used a eyeshadow from the Coastal Scents 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette. The shade used is marked with a "X"

Lips...

  

Barry M Lip Paint, 155 Pretty Pink 

MUA Lip gloss, Shade 3 

I only slightly patted the Lip Paint onto my lips, then blended it out with my finger. Which is why it isn't as bold looking. 

Thanks For Reading!

Don't forget to drop a comment below, I love reading them!xoxo

NOTW: Pink Ombre And Blue Flowers

So here we have it, another NOTW post. I don't know why but I just love doing these sort of posts, I also love to read them. This week I fancied a bit of gradient nail art/ ombre. I've tried this type of nail art in the past before, and since it was super easy and the final look looked quite cute, I thought I'd do it again. However this time I added blue flower stickers just to jazz things up a bit.

Please excuse the messy fingers, stupidly enough this photo was took before clean up!

I don't think these Ombre/Gradient nails are as well blended as last time, but hey I try my best :) 

Here's what I used...

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat 
• Barry M, Strawberry Ice cream 
• Barry M, Pink Flamingo 
• Barry M, Shocking Pink 
• Barry M, Pink Iridescent
• 10 Blue Flower Nail Stickers ( Purchased of Ebay, given to me at Christmas ) 

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

NOTW: Jeweled Nailart

If your a loyal reader of my blog, or you follow me on twitter. You will know that there's been no posts from me in the past week or so. July's a bad month for me getting up post's wise, I was away at Paris last weekend and got back Monday. I'm also away again at the end of July. Then today I was at Light water valley.

Anyways... this design was inspired by the 3 pots of nail diamantes waiting to be used. As well as a craving for something different then just a nail polish design. So here's what I came up with....

I didn't exactly release how big the diamantes actually were until i applied them to my nails. The original idea was to completely cover them in diamantes, it looks better in person though.

Here's what I used...

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• Barry M, Shocking Pink
• Barry M, Berry Ice Cream 
• Barry M, Grey
• Several Nail Diamantes in Lilac, Pink and Sliver 

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

NOTW: Skittle Nail Art

Slightly overdue, I know :(

This week I decided on Skittle's nail art, I've been wanting to try these out for ages but just kept forgetting! So this week after deciding to add a splash of colour to my nails I thought I would finally give them a go. This is my final outcome....

Here's what I used....

Left To Right:

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• MUA Shade 6 
• MUA Love Heart Range U&I
• MUA Love Heart Range I WANT U 
• Barry M Matt White
• Barry M Indigo
• Barry M Cyan Blue 
• Rimmel I Love Lasting Finish Grassy Green 

I love this design! I originally was going to paint "skittles"  on my thumb but it couldn't fit, so I had to make be  with "skitt" instead. What do you guys think?

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

Review: Barry M Glossy Tubes

Since I've already done a review on the Barry M lip gloss wands, I thought why not do one on the glossy tubes as well?

I've got 4 of the glossy tubes, they are available from Superdrug or Boots for £3.99 and are available in 9 different shades. 

Left to Right: Buzz ( freebie from fabulous magazine a while ago), 1 Pink Sparkle, 4 Matt Pink, 11 Passion Pink.

The shades are in the same order as above.

For the price, and what they are, these glossy tubes are great! I usually tend to go for lip gloss wands, and avoid this type of  lip gloss. As I find wands to be less messy, but with these I don't really experience any mess. You can't complain for the pigmentation you get. At first they apply sheer, but you can easily build them up with a few coats. As for staying power they last about you average 2-3 hours, but still leave a sort of stain. 

Some of the colours are more wearable then others, I find 11 passion pink to be the one i wear most frequent. The shade I got free with fabulous magazine is easily a Matt Pink! Which is quite strange, because Barry M have named the 3rd shade along as Matt Pink. Were as I would of described it as more of a Matt Peach or Coral. Shade 1 Pink sparkle I find to be the most least wearable, as basically it's just a tube full of glitter. It might make a good lip highlight in the cupids bow, if you applied it lightly with a brush. Each of these lip gloss's has there own individual scent, just like the lip gloss wands. The scents smell amazing! 

The formula is quite thick for a lip gloss, were as I find most other lip gloss by other brands to be thinner. Never the less these glossy tubes are still moisturising, and don't dry your lips out. 

Overall these glossy tubes are great if your looking for something with great pigmentation, and a more then fair pigmentation. I really like these glossy tubes, and I'm quite tempted to purchase another one in shade Magic Green. Which is basically like the touch of magic lip paint, but in a lip gloss form. 

Thanks For Reading!xxx

NOTW: Ladybird Nails!

I haven't posted in a few days, but since it's half term I aim to have a new post up everyday.

This week's nails are Ladybird Nails! I saw a Ladybird a few days ago, and was told its apparently good luck to see one. So today I decided to paint Ladybirds on my nails. 

What are your opinions on the lighting in the second picture?

Let me know what you think of the lighting in the second picture for things like swatches, I was given a desk lamp from my grandad and thought it would be use full for taking photos for my blog. 

Products I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• Miss Sporty Fatal Black
• MUA Shade 6
• Barry M Matt White  

This design was real easy to do, and didn't take to long at all compared to other designs I've done. Any Idea's on what design I should do next week? 

Thanks For Reading!xxx

NOTW: Union Jack Nails

Its Sunday, which means a new nail design!

This week I decided to do Union Jack nails, after seeing union jack washing up liquid in ASDA. Obviously meaning for the Queens golden jubilee, which in my opinion is slightly over rated, as in people going overboard with the whole union jack theme and what not.

But anyways I still decided to do Union Jack nails and here they are....

Products I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• Barry M Colbat Blue 
• Barry M Matt White 
• Barry M Bright Red 

The other hand turned out a bit sloppier, but apart from that I like this design. Barry M nail polishes have got to be my most favourite nail polishes I've ever tried, and theres loads to choose from in the range for a inexpensive £2.99!

Any ideas or requests on what design I should do next week?

Thanks for reading! xxxx

If I Could Only Have One....

So a while ago i saw a lot of views about this on youtube, and recently an increasing number of blog posts < wooo big word;)

Basically this post is about out of your full makeup collection, if you could only have one thing out of each section eg. eyeliner, lipstick. What would it be. I actually really like reading/watching posts/videos like this, as I love seeing what other people like best and being introduced to new products. So here's what I picked as a full.

 minus bronzer because I don't wear it

So here's the face products I choose....

I didn't include primer as i just use the same one everyday so i thought there would be no point.

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Your Skin Foundation, Ecru Beige

I really do like this foundation! Its the perfect shade for my pale skin and has great coverage. It doesn't cling to dry spots and lasts pretty much all day long. Its a very liquidity foundation so a little goes a long way, it also blends easy. I'm not sure were you can get this foundation, as i think its now discontinued, but i got this at Easter.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, Fair 1

I reviewed this concealer yesterday so I've pretty much said all i wanted to say about it. Its a great concealer, easily one of the best concealers you will find at drugstore price and it gives fantastic coverage and lasts all day.  Its very thick, but is still easily blended, it doesn't cling to dry patches either. You can buy this from Superdrug or Boots. 

NYC Cheek Glow Blush, Central Park Pink

I don't wear blush that often as most other products, but when i do i almost always reach for this product. It gives a lovely "bronzed" glow to the cheeks, I definitely think this is a product that is more aimed at fair/pale skinned girls. Its easily build able, which i always look for it a blusher, and sheerly applied. Which is another thing i love about this product! Available at selected Superdrugs. 

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder, Naturally Beige

Easily my favourite powder of the moment! One of the things i love the most about this is its more of a powder to set your liquid makeup, then a powder with pigment to even out your skin tone. It doesn't make your face look powdery or chalky. Applies evenly, and lasts about 6 hours, then needs touch up. Also in selected Superdrugs.

So here's the eye products I choose....

This looks like very few.... but ok:)

Clinique High Lengths Mascara , Black

This is just sample sized, from the Clinique mascara swap but I still love this baby! It does a A.M.A.Z.I.N.G job of seperateing eyelashes and making them look really long. It certainly doesn't clump at all, I just love it so much that I would even wear it on its own, without even a volume one. It also coats the lashes with a jet black coat of mascara 

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24HR, Eternal Gold

I think I've already got a review up on this but I just love it! I was unsure about purchasing it at first in case it just creased and faded. I love how the eyeshadow applies wet then drys into the eyelid, it also feels light on your lid. Its really pigmented so a little goes a long way. I also think it looks great on people with green eyes. I haven't ever worn it for 24 hours but it did last all day. You can find this in Superdrug or Boots. 

MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner Pencil, Snow White

First of I love the name of this product, it really describes the colour ( Obviously ) However it also describes the pigmentation of this product and how it applies. Its a real pigmented eyeliner for only a pound, and its really  creamy to so it applies softly to the eye. I've used this everyday since i first purchased this , and think i might go buy another one for when i run out. 

Here's the Lip products I choose....

Only two, but hey ;)

Barry M Limited Edition Lipgloss Wand

Like i said its limited edition so it doesn't have a shade name, which is a shame cause i really love this. Its a pale pink shades with faint shimmers of blue, purple and sliver. I love Barry M lipgloss, like I mentioned in my review off few days ago. Its a really pigmented lipgloss, and has a great lasting power. Its very moisturising, and if it wasn't limited edition I would buy it again. 

MUA Professional Lip Boom Created With Alexander Burke, Cheeky

I don't want to go into much detail, as I'm planning on reviewing it soon also when I mange to get my hands on another one of the shades Doin' Good which I'm dying to get. Let's just say you don't no what your missing if you don't own one of these. Seriously! I just can't express how great this product is, a double ended matte lipstick and highlighting lipgloss, what more could you ask for?;)

Thanks for Reading! :)xxx

Review: Barry M Lip Gloss!

Guess what? I found the USB cable, never in my whole life have i been so joyful seeing a black cable. Anyways on with the review;)

I've got 4 of these babies to show you guys today and here they are!

Top to Bottom: 10, 2 , 1, limited edition

I got the limited edition one in boots a while back. 1 & 2 were given to me in a set at Christmas, and 10 i won in a contest on twitter.

Just your typical doe foot applicator...

I took 2 pictures for the swatches, one is in just the natural light but doesn't really do the lip gloss's any justice. The second is taken in front of my light up mirror, which shows them much better. I thought I'd upload both for you guys to compare.

 

Left to Right: Limited Edition, 1 , 2 , 10

Same order as above picture....

I really like these lip gloss's. Barry M always do seem to impress when it comes to lip gloss, in my opinion. Some of these lip gloss's seem to be slightly more pigmented then others. With shades 1 and 2 being mainly glitter based, these obviously come out much more glittery then the limited edition one and shade 10. However shade 1 and 2 could easily be worn over lipstick as a highlight maybe? Whereas shades 10 and limited edition could be worn on their own. Barry M lip gloss's have the most goregous scents ever, each lip gloss has their own individual scent.

The quality of these lip gloss's is great to! There are definitely not sticky at all, and seem to have a great lasting power. Like i said before all these lip gloss's show up more then fairly pigmented on the lips, and I find that they are actually quite moisturising too! Overall I would highly recommend these lip gloss's as the perfect drugstore lip gloss, with a price tag of only £4.49 avaible from both Superdrug and Boots. 

Thanks for Reading!xxxx

I really enjoy reading your comments, so why not comment below? Or maybe even request a post :)

NOTW: Cookies, Cupcakes & Chocolate

Hey guys!

This is probably one of my most favourite designs I've ever done, up there with the angry bird nails I did a while back.

The actually reason I did these was for a contest. I got inspired by it's theme, What's Cookin? And decide to do foods that began with the letter "C". So 2 hours later, 2 cotton pads, 3 cotton buds, several polish splattered dotting tools and countless nail polishes later I did that.

I forgot to take a picture of what I used and the list is way to long to type up. So if you want to no the name of a certain polish, or its brand just comment below and of course I will comment back. The brands were a mixture of Barry M, MUA and Sally Hansen.

Oh and the contest this design was made for was Copy That Copy Cat Nails. Here's a link to her blog, check it out its real cool and she's got some A.M.A.Z.I.N.G designs. Don't forget to enter her contest!
http://copythatcopycat.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks For Reading! :) xxx

Review: Barry M Dazzle Dusts

I'm back! This time I'm going to be reviewing these 5 little gems named Barry M Dazzle Dusts! You can buy these at Superdrug and Boots for £4.59, you can also buy them online on Barry M's website.

The packaging on the outside is quite sturdy, they come in glass pots and with a unscrew -able black lid with the Barry M logo on.

Top Row: 90 ( Pearly Mauve) , 91 ( Silvery Black ) , 98 ( Petrol Black )

Bottom Row: 44 ( Bronze ), 52 ( Silver Brown )

There in the same shade order as they above photo.

Its hard to photograph the shimmer and glitter in these but you can kinda see it in shade 98. 

This photo doesn't do the pigmentation , shimmer and glitter of these dazzle dusts any justice!

These dazzle dusts are amazing for the price! You only need a tiny bit of product , with them being so pigmented, and there easy to blend to so they last ages! The photos don't really do the dazzle dusts any justice at all, shade 90 is much more pigmented then in the photo and 98 has quite large amounts of glitter in it. The staying power on these is amazing too, i usually just use eye primer then apply the dazzle dust with a wet eyeshadow brush then blend it out with a dry one. They stay on all day and don't fade or lose any of their sparkly glitter. 

90 is a purple/lilac and has a very nice sparkle to it when applied to the eye. 91 is a very dark sliver/grey with lots of sparkle and shimmer to it, slightly more then 90. 98 is definitely true to it's name "Petrol Black" its a dark black with lots of navy/dark blue glitter to it. 44 is my favourite shade, i would describe it as more of a gold then a bronze but its a great day to day colour with plenty of shimmer. 52 is a lot like 44 shimmer wise, expect its more on the light - medium brown side shade wise. 

I would easily recommend these Dazzle dusts to anybody who's looking for a great quality eyeshadow dust with amazing pigmentation and shimmer! There are over 60 shades of Dazzle dusts to choose from so you will definitely find a favourite in the range. 

Thanks for Reading! =)

Have you tried any of the other shades of dazzle dusts from Barry M, let me know which below I love reading your comments!xxxx

Tutorial : Barry M Magnetic Nail Polish!

Ekkkk! I'm in love with the new Barry M magnetic nail polish so much. I tried it out for the first time this afternoon and its like magic! It's only £4.99 from Superdrug , and i think Boots aswell. So here's the effect i got.....

This is the first time I've used magnetic nail polish before , but after hearing great things about it on Blogger and youtube, then Barry M bringing out their own i thought I'd give it a shot. I'm quite impressed with the results.

Okay so I'm not going to turn this into a review , I'll probably do that at the end of the week once I've had a full use of this great new product. So here's how to get magnetic nails......

Apply a base coat, here I'm using Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener. I always use 2 coats of base coat because it gives the nails twice the amount of protection.

Once the base coat is completely dry, obviously, apply a thin coat of the Barry M Magnetic nail polish. The shade I'm using is "Magnetic Red". Let that completely dry before moving onto the next step.

Excuse the messy application, that's why i use cotton buds and nail polish remover for ;)

Okay so this is were the magic part comes in, apply another coat of the Barry M Magnetic nail polish, i would recommend thickish and immediately after hold the magnet above the nail. The easiest way to do it is paint a nail , hold magnet , paint a nail ect.ect. 

You hold the magnet above the nail by placing the curved part below the cuticle , so where the skin meets the cuticle. So that the gold design on the magnet is facing away from the cuticle.

So repeat that on each nail and wait for it to dry, then add a topcoat and your done! I'll show you my magnetic nails.

Click to enlarge the photo....

Thanks for Reading!

P.S : Follow me on Twitter! I will follow you back! 

https://twitter.com/#!/Sarah_Lumsden