Seche Vite Topcoat

Until just the other week, I had no idea what 'Seche Vite' was. When I discovered that it was allegedly the worlds best top coat, I knew I had to have it. I absolutely love wearing nail polish and I love taking care of my nails, but until now I had never given much thought into using a top coat. What attracted me to this was the claim that it dries pretty much instantly, which I think any nail polish lover would jump at because one of the worst things is waiting for them to dry, which can sometimes be ages. If your like me and find it hard to keep still, you will have to buy this. We've all been there were you apply the most perfect nail polish coating ever; no clumps, marks, mess whatsoever until bam, you go and touch it to see if its dry and mess it up completely. Or worse, start using your hands and get the entire set ruined. The worst for me was painting my nails perfectly late at night, waiting a bit, going to bed, and waking up with completely imprinted nails.. SO I had to have this top coat when it promised to dry instantly. 

It is acknowledged widely as the worlds finest top coat as its formula allows it to penetrate through the polish right through to the base coat, forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish which is guaranteed not to yellow. It promises that your nails will absolutely not chip, feel silky and stronger, and create a high gloss shine that is longer lasting than any product on the market today. It also says you can use it straight away after putting nail varnish on without letting it dry which, If I'm honest, was quite skeptical about. 

I let my nail polish dry for a few seconds whilst moving onto the other hand, then came back instantly to apply the top coat. The nail varnish I'm wearing by the way if from No7 Stay Perfect Nail colour. It is a gorgeous rich purple pink colour which is an exact match to MAC Rebel lipstick. I applied a thick coat of Seche Vite over this colour and was surprised to see that it glided over the tacky nail without dragging or streaking the underneath coat. What's more, it instantly gave my nails a super glossy, professional finish which is still shining. As regards to chipping, It has certainly stopped them from chipping and kept my coat lasting a lot longer. What I think is best about this top coat is definitely the shine, it really does make a difference to enhance the quality of the finished manicure.

I purchased Seche Vite topcoat on Amazon for £6. It is also available on feel unique but it is £10 there so definitely check it out on Amazon if your looking for an incredible, long lasting and super glossy top coat; you can check it out here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seche-Vite-Professional-Coat-14ml/dp/B00150LT40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365869140&sr=8-1&keywords=seche+vite

Adding To The Collection: Lipsticks

(Wild Watermelon, Wild Rose, Cameo)

If there is one thing I cannot resist in terms of make-up, it has to be lipstick. I have so many lipsticks that they take up their own cosmetics bag, and yet I still continue to buy more! This week I brought 3 gorgeous shades that I would thought I'd share with you all; they are all perfect for spring, and surely everyone loves to rock an awesome spring lipstick?

1. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 063 Wild Watermelon: 

This is one of their brand new shades for their spring collection, and I was immediately drawn to the bright red colour with hints of orange. I absolutely adore the formulation of these lip butters as they are so moisturising, you don't need a balm on afterwards or even before which is great. What is especially love is the sheerness of colour which I think is ideal for the spring/summer period when you don't always want to wear thick, heavy matte lipstick. It is super light but the pigmentation in Wild Watermelon is really good, even though it is sheer. It therefore adds a fairly natural burst of colour whilst still keeping them soft and hydrated. This colour does look a little bold straight from the tube, but on the lips it is really soft, yet you can build it up if you want a stronger colour. These lip butters are available in four new spring shades if your looking to try something a little fresher for spring, priced at £7.99. 

2. Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Colour in 26 Wild Rose:

This shade from Bobbi Brown is my absolute perfect every day pink-toned lipstick. Although it shows up super vibrant and pink on the top picture (with flash), the swatch of it is a more accurate idea of the colour. It is a brown-toned pink shade which makes it flattering on all skin tones, and really strongly pigmented so you do get a strong burst of colour. Despite this high pigmentation  this formula is by no means drying on the lips and is incredibly long lasting. What I also love about Bobbi Brown lipstick is they all have SPF 12 which is crucial during the summer months. Although I picked this up at Cheshire Oaks outlet mall for around £12, the normal retail price of Bobbi Brown lipstick is £18. 

3. No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Cameo:

I constantly receive No7 make-up vouchers from Boots, so every time I normally pick out a new lipstick. I was drawn to Cameo because the blue-toned pink was something I don't actually own already, and it is packed with metallic shimmer which is so perfect for spring. This shade has hints of lilac which I think is really pretty, however if you have super pale skin I would probably stay clear of this because it would wash you out completely. I think this would look gorgeous with a tan which was one of the reasons I got it, I think it is perfect for summer. I love No7 lipsticks because they are incredibly moisturising; they don't dry my lips out at all and I don't even have to use balm afterwards. They are really pigmented but you can keep building it up for a really vivid colour that will also last for ages. No7 lipsticks are £9.50 from Boots.

What spring/summer lipsticks have you guys been loving recently?

xxx

February Favourites

Hey guys!

I'm very excited to be doing my first ever monthly favorites post! I know how popular they are on the blogging circuit and enjoy reading them a lot myself; they are a great way of finding out which products are worthy of testing and repurchasing again and again, a great excuse for buying more products because of how amazing they are! This month I have been reaching for the same products over again, some newly purchased ones and others which I have simply rediscovered. These are products which I honestly can't recommend enough and are true staples in my beauty kit. Hope you enjoy this new kind of post!

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine- this has been a firm favorite of mine ever since I tried it a few weeks back, but I have been using it non stop this month. The reason this is better than the average lip balm is due to its consistency, its a butter as opposed to a balm therefore it really moisturizes your lips a lot better, just like a body butter would do to your skin. There are other flavors available but this one is my favorite as it smells incredible. I will definitely have to repurchase this again as mine is quickly running out! You can see my full review on it here. 

Soap & Glory Hand Food- For some reason my hands have been particularly dry lately, so I have been reaching for this all the time. First of all, it smells unbelievable just like all the other products by Soap & Glory- one of the reasons I love them so much! If you haven't smelt it I would strongly advise you do. What's more, it does the job perfectly and helps keep hands permanently smooth if you apply frequently enough.

Urban Decay Naked Palette- I simply could not have a favorites post and not include this. I've used this trusty old palette for literally every party I've been too, especially this month, and the lighter shades are great for creating natural everyday looks. There are so many looks you can create, it is such a versatile investment that I would seriously recommend. I don't know how I coped without this for so long as it instantly became one of my favorite beauty products ever! All my other eye shadows have been seriously neglected ever since this came into my life. Enough said, you can read my in-depth review here. 

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector- Recently I have been trying to grow out my brows slightly, so this brow gel has really been indispensable, particularly in taming those unruly hairs (typically just above the arch). I apply this just after grooming them, and before filling them in with powder. It is great for perfecting your ideal shape, and makes it easy to fill them in as you follow your natural shaping. It keeps them in place, yet it doesn't stiffen them too much that they look unnatural. You can view my brow perfecting guide here. 

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara- This is a product that I forgot I had completely so stopped using it for a while. I rediscovered it the other day, thinking it was used up, but to my surprise it was still usable so I have been using this ever since. I really love the brush to this because it has an anti-clump wiper so you don't get that overdone, clumpy and fake look which can be common with many mascaras. It therefore creates really long, but separated even lashes with an ultra black coating. The brush is also really handy for bottom lashes which is great, the MAC mascara I normally use has a brush which is so big that I have to use a different mascara for the bottom lashes. Great mascara, I would particularly recommend and L'Oreal mascara if your on the hunt for a new one. 

Eylure 'The Chelsea Look'- Before using these lashes putting on false eyelashes was an absolute pain. These ones by Eylure are super easy to apply; they go on really smoothly without pinging up either side which can be so annoying! This particular lash style is probably my favorite lash, I only wear them for going out in the evening because they are quite dramatic, however not so much as to look overpowering or fake. They are my go-to party lash, instantly adding drama to your eyes and making them appear much bigger. 

 Real Techniques Expert Face Brush- This is a brush which I brought last week and ever since, this has truly enhanced my foundation and made application so much quicker and easier. I love the roundness of this brush for applying a flawless base as I previously used an angled brush, however this gives you the chance to really buff the product into the skin in a circular motion, getting into every crevice in the skin thereby giving you better coverage and a more radiant appearance. I think almost every beauty blogger owns these brushes, and I can see why! They really create that flawless base which transforms your whole look. Having the base sorted is what I think is the most crucial stage of make-up application; it just makes your skin look fresher and more radiant if you have your foundation buffed in beautifully. 

Sleek Blush in Pomegranate- This is another product which I rediscovered this month as I had been so used to using my trusty Rimmel Pink Rose. That however, sadly ran out so I found this. The colour looks a little garish and scary straight from the pan, however this creates the most pretty effect on the skin. The rich purple shade is actually quite soft if you only apply a small amount, and it also leaves a slight shimmer to the skin.  New favorite blush for sure, and what's more is that it suits all skin tones so is a great staple blush. 

 (Celestial)

(Waterlily, Rebel, Celestial)

No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Waterlily- This is basically a gorgeous, everyday muted bright pink. It is a really wearable shade so I have been wearing this constantly, it goes with every look so it is a great one to have in your everyday make up bag. 

MAC's Rebel Lipstick- I love this shade so much. You can check out my previous post for a full review, but this is essentially my favorite lipstick ever. It is the most beautiful dark pink, to purple shade with a Satin smooth finish. It creates a great statement for an evening out, instantly drawing attention to you. Furthermore  MAC lipsticks are super great quality with excellent pigmentation meaning they stay put for the entire night, not something every brand can boast about. 

Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial- This is probably my favorite February favorite. I purchased this last week and have been wearing it almost every day since. I had been dying to get my hands on them ever since, because so many beauty bloggers have raved about them. If you haven't heard about them they are are glossy formula, yet they still manage to contain the same pigmentation as a lipstick. This means they have really great staying power which is unusual for a regular gloss. This however is by no means a regular lip product, as it somewhere in between the two best formulas. There is also none of that dreaded hair and gloss sticky mess as these are completely nonstick! Celestial is the perfect shade for me, a gorgeous neutral pink which is perfect for every day. If you haven't tried them, go try them now. 

What products have you been loving this month?

xxxx

Lipstick Haul

If there is one beauty product that I am in constant demand for, its lipstick. I love lipsticks because there are so many colour options these days, giving you the chance to experiment with different shades to change up your look. Lipstick can completely transform your look and that's what I love about it, and is probably why I have so many! Put these on over the winning combination of an exfoliating scrub following by a nourishing balm (see my last post), and your lips will look super luscious.

1. No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in shade 'Waterlily'

2. The Body Shop Delipscious sheer lip colour in shade 01

3. The Body Shop Delipscious shade 09

I was in desperate need of a natural pink lipstick that gave some added radiance to an everyday look. After much deliberation over which shade I went with 'Waterlily' by No7 because I have many of No7's moisture drench lipsticks and they are excellent quality and always have an incredibly diverse selection of colours. The texture is so creamy and just glides onto your lips, also moisturizing them whilst still managing to provide colour. The pigmentation in these is great, much like MAC's, and you can go for ages without the need to reapply. This shade also has slight shimmery particles, but they are not so noticeable which makes it perfect for that subtle everyday shade. This is going to be a permanent shade in my make up bag as it will go with practically everything. It also reminds me a lot of MAC's 'Chatterbox'- a pink shade that makes your lips look natural- but better. These No7 lipsticks are priced at £9.50 in all Boots stores.

Next I went into the body shop and found these sheer lip colours to be half price- that's only £3 instead of £6. However when I went in there was an offer which meant I got two gorgeous shades for £4- what a bargain! What I like about these shades is that they are completely sheer, so they add a touch of colour to your look without it being too overdone. I think these are a great product for every day use, making your lips super shiny with just a hint of natural colour. The formula of these is the texture of a lipstick, but they glide on like a soft buttery balm, with a slight glossy finish, ultra lightweight to wear. Although they are not vastly pigmented, they do have good staying power and offer the chance to wear colour that looks as though you are not wearing any! The first shade I picked out was this one below, a dark red with blue undertones. It looks much darker than it actually comes out due to the sheerness of it, but this just creates a softened look with a slight hint of colour. The next shade was this nude shade which I think is great to have in your make-up bag as a nude lip is always perfect to go with a stand out eye. It is much more matte in finish but still gives a slight glow to the lips. I think these colours and the formula of this brand is ideal for spring every day wear as they are not too overpowering and give you a radiant and healthy appearance, managing to perk up any seemingly dull look.

Shade 09

Shade 01

Brown Smokey Eye Look

Hey guys!

So last night I went to a friend's 18th party, and I thought it was a great opportunity to wear my favorite evening make up look ever- a classic brown smokey eye. I think this look is a brilliant take on the smokey eye because it is a lot less intense than the conventional black, a lot more subtle and glamorous, very much in the style of Kim Kardashian I think!

This look is all centered around the eye, complemented with flawless skin, bronzed sculpted cheeks and a paired nude lip.

To get this look I used the following products (In order of applying):

• No7 mousse foundation (discontinued- sorry!)
• Lacura concealer pen and Rimmel hide the blemish concealer 
• No7 translucent powder and Rimmel stay matte powder 
• MUA brown shadow in shade 19 for brows
• Frontcover eye primer
• MUA palette in 'Heaven and Earth'- (third shade bottom row), (first shade top row)
• No7 palette brown metallic shade
• Maybelline gel liner
• Max Factor liquid effect eye pencil in 'Brown Blaze'
• MAC Opulash mascara
• No7 mini mascara for bottom lashes
• Sleek blusher in 'Sahara'
• Sleek blusher in 'Pixie Pink'
• Benefit High Beam
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in shade 'Sky Line Pink'
• Soap and Glory 'Sexy Mother Pucker' clear lipgloss

OR///

• Rimmel lipstick in 'Diva Red'

For the eyes, the first step for any eye make up look using a lot of shadow, is to prime. This is a really important step to stop your eye shadow from slipping and creasing, especially if you have oily eyelids. I would like to point out that my eye make up stayed on all night right up until I took it off, still looking perfect thanks to the primer. I also think the MUA shadows are really good for staying put, and the price is insane at £4 for a palette of 12 shadows! After you've done this with your favorite primer (mine is from Frontcover cosmetics), layer the lightest colour of shadow all across the lid, taking it onto the tear duct, into the crease, and faintly up to the brow bone. Next, taking your dark brown shade, take this through the crease and out slightly. Then take a clean brush to blend so there is no harsh lines. Then apply a light shimmery colour on the brow bone, and blend again into the dark shadow to create a seamless effect. Taking this highlighter onto the tear duct will really bring out your eyes too. 

For bronzer, (I used a Sleek blusher), find the hollow of your cheeks- just below your cheekbone- and using light, circular motions blend onto the skin, taking care to not extend this line too much. Then pop a pretty light pink blusher (Pixie Pink is perfect for this) and put this on the apple of your cheeks, (the easiest way to find this is to smile, and its the most raised part) so you get a more natural combination of bronzer and colour.

I used a light lipstick for this look as I wanted the eyes to be the main focus, however it also suits a really chic bold red lip if you dare to do so, just make sure you wear it with confidence!

What's on my nails?

I applied this black nail varnish with this 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a top coat from Barry M, on New Years Eve. And it is still on! I think that's pretty impressive, it hasn't even chipped! This just goes to show that if you apply a top coat it really helps keep your polish intact for much longer. A pretty sparkly one like this also adds a new dimension to the nails, much more exciting than a clear one whilst still bringing the same glossy finish. 

 What is your favorite glamorous evening make up look?

xxx

My 6 Favourite Festive Lipsticks

Not only are these some of my all time favourite excellent quality lipsticks that are great any time of year, but they are the most beautiful colours for the festive season- which isn't over yet! The winter season is perfect for sporting this kind of bold lip, whether you go for deep, sultry purple, or that classic chic bold red.They also all have brilliant staying power because the swatches were really hard to get off my arm afterwards!

 From left to right: 

1. No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in shade 75 'Sugar Plum'

2. Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in shade 500 'Diva Red'

3. Max Factor in shade 830 'Dusky Rose'

4. Sleek Matte lipstick in shade 783 'Mystic'

5. No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in shade 120 'Siren'

6. MAC Mattene lipstick in 'Rare Exotic' 

A top tip for applying this kind of dark lip is to use a fine lip synthetic lip brush for a really precise finish to line the lips and perfect your natural shape. Then use the lipstick straight from the bullet, particularly darkening the center of the bottom lip to make them appear as full as possible. Add a tiny bit of highlighter just above your cupids bow to draw attention to your lips. 

Black and Gold NYE

So seen as last night was New Year's Eve (Happy New Year!) I thought I would go for a sparkly black and gold theme. I built my make up look and nails around my dress (topshop black and gold velvet glittery) and think it really epitomized the new year theme.

• To get my make up look I began using a primer from Nivea (Express hydration primer). I don't normally use a primer as I find that a good moisturiser does the same job, but I had this one as a sample from Glamour magazine so I thought I would give it a try. It went on so smoothly and had instant absorption as it was very thin, so I could apply my foundation super quick afterwards. 
• For my foundation I used one from No7 which is very high coverage, unfortunately the one I used has recently been discontinued so I won't list it here because there wouldn't be much point, however a new one which is also really great is the Beautifully Matte Foundation from No7. A true match colour service is now available at No7 counters so you can really get that perfect colour match. 
• For concealer I use my Rimmel hide the blemish concealer to go under my eyes to conceal any dark circles, and also on any blemishes. 
• I then lock my foundation into place with my Rimmel Stay Matte powder which is my favourite powder ever, really does the trick to keep you looking shine free throughout the night. Apply liberally particularly in the center of the face where shine is most common.
• Next I used by baked bronzer from Famous by Sue Moxley in shade Hawaii to contour my cheeks to give the appearance of naturally defined cheekbones. I also use this on my temples to give an all round glow to the skin. 
• For blusher I used Rimmel in shade Pink Rose on the apples of my cheeks to blend into the bronzer creating a more natural look. 
• For highlighter I used my Benefit High Beam just above the apple of my cheeks where my blusher finishes to create a luminescent finish and youthful appearance to the skin. 
• To fill in my brows I used my MUA eye shadow using an angled brush to lightly fill in any gaps and strengthen the shape of my brows. 
• Before applying my eye shadow I used my primer from Front Cover Cosmetics which is really an important step especially if you have quite oily eye lids and you find your shadow often creases or doesn't last.  
• When doing a strong eye look like this one, using two colours that don't naturally blend into each other, it is key to apply the darkest colour first. I used my black shade first from a Natural Collection compact, starting slightly more than half way onto the lid. I took this up through the crease and winged it out slightly. I then used a clean brush to tidy up the line and blend thoroughly. 
• Then I used my gold colours which is the same as the other gold look I did the other night, using both colours from Front Cover Cosmetics. Blend as best as possible into the black slightly, but not too much as you will end up with quite a murky colour. I put quite a lot of gold on the tear-duct to open the eye, as opposed to what I usually use which is white. I liberally applied the holographic glitter in the corner of the eye- after all it is NY!
• Then I used my Maybelline gel eye liner to thinly define my lash line, winging it out quite a bit to create that feline appearance. 
• Before applying my false lashes, I used my MAC Opulash Optimum Black mascara on top and bottom lashes, and then used my Cheryl Cole Eylure lashes. The key to applying false lashes is to leave the glue a good minute before applying so they stick better, and also to use tweezers and hold the lash in the center with the tweezers and then gently place in the middle of the lash line. Then simply tuck in the sides with the tweezers and leave to dry. I then apply a final coat of mascara to merge both natural and false lashes together. 
• Use your favourite Kohl eye pencil to line the waterline of your lashes to define if you want that added impact. 

What's on my nails?

 For my nails I took the black and gold theme to the extreme by using, both from Barry M, using shades 'Black' and then using lots and lots of 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a top coat. Not only does this create a super sparkly festive look, but as a top coat this will make the nail polish last a lot longer. I really like this look and I got a lot of compliments particularly about the nails, so I hope that you guys have fun experimenting with it too. 

Shake the Glitter

Seen as it's Christmas and New Year is fast approaching, I thought this would be a great make-up look for the festive season. I wore this sparkly gold glitter make up for a party last night, and it was so fun to experiment with. For me, Christmas is the one time of year when its acceptable to wear both a striking eye and a bold lip. This look goes perfect with that classic chic red lip, or even a dark purple which is what I teamed it with. Try out this glamorous make-up look for this season and your bound to sparkle.

To get this eye make up look I used:

• base shadow primer from frontcover cosmetics
• gold eye shadow by frontcover
• holographic glitter by frontcover
• No7 eye shadow in 'Starry Lights'
• Maybelline gel liner
• MAC Opulash Optimum black mascara
• Cheryl Cole lashes by Eylure 

What's on my nails? 

I teamed this glitter look with a classic red from Nails Inc in the colour 'St James' which is my ultimate favourite winter colour- a bold red that's not too dark and serious, slightly pink in tone. I also used Barry M in 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a glittery topcoat to add an ultra sparkly festive look.