Wednesday 27 May 2015

Budget Vs Highend, Battle of the Reds Feat-Maybelline Color Drama and Nars velvet matte pencil

Wearing Maybelline Color Drama Lip Pencil in the shade Light me up

In the U.K recently, Boots (a drugstore) had some really great offers on their beauty products, so I thought I would take advantage and try out Maybelline color Drama lip pencil. I am always dubious of crayon lipsticks as they can be normally very drying and you cannot beat the feel of turning a lipstick up from the bullet, that being said, I am always open to new make up experiences. I decided to go with the colour light me up, its a vibrant blue toned red, perfect for pale skin tones. The formulation of this pencil is lovely. It has a buttery, creamy formulation which glides on the lip effortlessly. I really love how moisturising this is and it did last a good couple of hours before I needed to reapply. The pigmentation is also very good which just add's to it's staying power. I think it is well worth the money.

Maybelline Color Drama Lip Pencil in the shade Light me up

 I am always keen to see how the budget (drugstore) brands match up to the high end brands. I tried the Maybelline color drama lip pencil against the Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil a cult classic in the make up world, in the shade Cruella. I had read many reviews on this particular product and colour, and I was keen to give it a whirl. I always thought the high end had the upper hand with the extra ingredients, but on this occasion I could not be more wrong.

 The packaging on the Nars lip pencil is beautiful. The moment I removed it from its box I knew it had a place in my make up bag. The smooth black outer layer is simply a joy to behold. The Maybelline is not. Its your usual black plastic looking packaging nothing really to write home about, but this is where Nars only has the upper hand. The formulation of Nars velvet matt Lip pencil I found drying. You would think with the extra vitamin E and emollients added that it wouldn't be. Upon application it seems to drag across the lip, and it feathered so much around the the outer lip line that I had to blend the edges with a lip brush. I first wore it at a dinner party with friends and it did not last the first course!. I was very disappointed with this product, as I had done the necessary preparation to make my lipstick last. Saying that the colour is very beautiful and would suit many skin tones. For me though, this is not enough to make it a firm favourite in my handbag, but it is not a complete right off. I will still wear this, but will have to do plenty of prep before I apply it. As you can probably tell by my tone I am thoroughly disappointed, as you would think for what you pay for this product you may be getting something better, well for me, not on this occasion. So save your pennies on this one and go for a budget brand such as Maybelline Color Drama lip pencil, as this one will be staying in my handbag.
Wearing Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in the shade Cruella

Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in the shade Cruella

Light me up (left) Cruella (right)
So, there you go, my thoughts on Lip crayons. Have you tried any of these? Have you found another brand of lip crayon/ Pencil I should try?. Please let me know, I would love to hear from you.

Love Nay x


Disclaimer- I have not been paid by any products mentioned above, I just like to share.

Wednesday 20 May 2015

All about the pleats

I recently went on a shoping trip with my friend to Manchester city center. Upon returning, it came to my attention that I had purchased at least two items that were pleated. I had not realized at the time, but I have a soft spot for pleats. I think they are very feminine and also how forgiving they are on a slightly less svelte figure.

My first pleated piece is a beautiful simple red dress from Zara, which does not look much from the front, but when you turn your back it reveals all its pleated glory. I teamed this with my Nude sandal heels from New look. I think this dress is perfect for a date night with your loved one.

My second piece is a Lemon pleated round neck top from Primark. I put this with Boyfriend Jeans and a neutral fendora hat which are also both from Primark. To complete the look with Nude sandal heels from New look, same as above.

My final look is a old piece from Miss Selfridge a pretty Gold pleated skirt which I bought in Liverpool last summer. I love this with a simple black scoop neck top, black boots both from New look. A three tiered gold necklace and black bowler hat both from Topshop, and the black leather jacket is vintage (this is the oldest thing in my wardrobe,! I bought this when I was 18 years old on a trip to New York).




So there you go, my three looks all with something pleated. Do you like pleats? Have you any pieces that you will be wearing this summer that are pleated? Please leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Love Nay x


Disclaimer: I have not been paid by any products mentioned above, I just like to share.

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Prom,Wedding guest or for any special occasion, Rose gold Spring Make up look


A few weeks ago My husband and I kicked off our favourite time of year in the salon 'wedding season'. Its so exciting when discussing with brides to be colours, hair, jewellery and make up looks. It got me thinking of putting together this make up look, as when Spring/Summer comes along I always reach for my favourite eyeshadow palette, Urban Decay Naked Palette 3. This palette has beautiful rose gold tones which are perfect for this time of year. Although I find the shadows do have alot of fallout, the shadows are very pigmented, so I can forgive it!.  Just make sure you apply your eye make up first, then your base, so any fall down can be cleaned up easily without ruining all your hard work. The look I went for is fresh, radiant face, with rose gold eyes and smudgy peach glossy lips. This look would suit any age group and all skin tones. You could wear this to your Prom, as a Wedding guest, or any special occasion, it really is a versatile look. All the photos were taken using natural light which always gives you a better version on what it will look like in real life.




The base
Powder-Anastasia Beverley Hills Banana powder (under the eyes) then MAC mineralize skin finish in light.

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked palette 3 used limit in the upper crease, Nooner in the crease, Trick sprayed with MAC Fix+ packed over the mobile lid with a little Dust on top. Then Blackheart pressed into the lashline.
Eyelashes-are from Eldora H106 which I trimmed (the ones I used were H101, but I think these are discontinued, so have given link to H106 which are very similar)

Lips

MAC Lipglass- Pink Lemonade




So there you have it, my pretty Rose gold eye make up look. Have you got the Urban Decay Naked Palette 3 ? If so, what looks have you tried from the palette? I would love to hear from you.


Love Nay x


Disclaimer- I have not been paid by any products mentioned above, I just like to share.







Wednesday 6 May 2015

Contour Game Strong- Part 2 My four favourite highlighters


So what if you love having cheek bones so chiselled, that they could cut glass, well contouring is for you, but what if you are like me and edging towards the wrong side of your thirties and contouring can on some days make you look abit gaunt, and in need of a good meal, then highlighting my girl, is the way you want to go. Highlighting the high points on your cheeks, cupids bow, and under the brow bone makes you look as fresh as a daisy.

Highlighting powders/creams

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer
I was first introduced to this powder highlighter by a good friend and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The packaging itself is so beautiful. The compact highlighter has a lovely mirror inside which is a great size to do any touch ups needed during the day. The highlight itself is pretty epic, it gives a pearlized glow to the skin which is not subtle at all, which if you are like me and like to look like a beam is coming off the top of the cheeks then this is the one for you.


MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Soft and Gentle
This was my first powder highlighter that I first bought on a mad spending moment while on a Bridal Make up course with MAC in Birmingham. The gleam on this baby is subtle and very pretty. It looks so natural on the skin, and just gives enough lift without looking to sparkly.


Benefit High Beam
This was my very first cream highlighter that I bought. This is my third one I have bought in twelve years, as I actually wore this on my wedding day!  So I have alot of love for this product. The formula blends really easily and a little goes a long way. If I am having a natural 'no powdered' kinda look then I will reach for this to add a natural radiant glow to my skin.

MAC Cream Colour Base in the shade Hush
I recently bought this after seeing Nikki from Pixiwoo YouTube channel using it in one of their Smokey eye tutorial, and loved the natural, golden glow it gives. You do need to really blend it into the skin as it does have a tendency to just sit on the skin. Saying that, the finished result is very natural and just gleams, once blended well.


So there you are, my four favourite powder and cream highlighters. Which one do you like the best? Do you use any of these or do you favour a different one? I would love to hear from you.

Love Nay x


Disclaimer- I have not been paid by any of the products mentioned above, I just like to share.