The white line

I have always wanted a fuller mouth, sometimes I think I can look quite severe because of a lack of plumpness.  When I received my Vogue this month there was a striking picture of Kate Winslet on the front. The first thing I noticed was the white line drawn on her cupids bow. 


I love the 1920's style lip and this added to the pointedness of the the top lip, so I decided to give it a try.  I was curious to see if it would improve my lack of top lip.  

BEFORE

Foundations applied, then pink lip liner, and white eyeliner applied in as thin line as possible.  I used Gwen Stefani as my inspiration for this look.  Sad thing is I think this was the noughties not the nineties!!!

The finished look. I used Estee Lauders  Pure Colour Crystal Pink, my favourite natural look lipstick.  I'm not sure this gives me loads of plumpness, but I think the severness is nowhere near as bad.  I think I would give it a go in the "real" world as long as I had blended the white really well.    

double oh seven

I recently went to a James Bond themed 30th. I decided to go with a 70's bond girl theme, channelling a Jean Shrimpton eye (couldn't find a decent pic).  Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic before, and you only have a pic after which was taken at about 1:30 in the morning but you can kind of get the look.  

A blue flick with a extended flick on the bottom lash line too. I'd been dancing so not looking the freshest ha!

Faces I like

Andrea Riseborough

Roksanda Ilincic

Rose Byrne

Volume Length Curl

I recently had a Debenhams gift card burning a hole in my pocket, and decided to treat myself to a new mascara, YSL style.  I have tried false lash effect before I really like it but am slightly put off by the price tag, and the fact it dries out super quick does not make me want to rebuy regularly.  So I decided to give YSL Singulier a go. 

The description of the mascara is volume, length, curl. I decided to apply two coats without curling my eyelashes, and the result is above. It has given my lashes a bit of curl, some volume (although I would like a teeny bit more), length I'm not so sure, I don't believe you can add a lot of length if there is only so much to start with. I do however think it looks pretty good, I decided that I would give the mascara a fair chance, and it has been open about two weeks, and its definitely better for it. I am undecided as to whether I would buy it again, as £22 is a lot for a mascara. It will do me for the next few weeks though, when it runs out I will be buying my Maybeline favourite next, or maybe I could try a Max Factor one, shockingly its been years since I bought one.

The first rule of make up club is never..

I expressed my love of Helena Bonham Carter a few posts ago, and I have decided to do a make up look inspired by the character she plays in Fight Club, Marla Singer.  I was going to go Planet of the Apes, but not too workable!!

Here is a run down of the products I used:

Laura Mercier -gemstone, chocolate garnet (mineral eye shadow)

Benefit - Bad Girl black eyeliner and Hoola bronzer

Bobbi Brown - mahogany eyeshadow

No 7 - moisture drench lipstick in highland mist

Dermacolour camouflage mini palette

YSL - Singular mascara in black (review to follow)

Powder

you will also need your fingers!

*I applied gemstone all over my lid up to my brow.  Everything is applied as rubbishly as possible. Using the chocolate garnet this was applied to just above my socket and down, this was pressed on and then blended out.  I then rubbed this under my eye using my little finger and blended downwards.

*I then drew a really rough black line with Bad Girl and blended until it was very smudged and not really noticeable.  This was then used on my waterline.

*Powdered my eyebrows in with Mahogany, and then using my fingers rubbed the colour to blend.

*As much as Marla has her yellowy foundation caked on, I decided to apply my moisturiser and while it was still tacky, apply a palish concealer where needed.  Then powdered everywhere, this look needs to be as matte as possible.

*Using my new YSL mascara, I applied two coats as roughly as possible, and didn't care where I hit. 

*My cheek bones aren't as defined as Helenas, so using Hoola bronzer shaded mine in.

*Lipstick was applied from the tube, and then rubbed in all over.  I did this twice.

Do you like my mood lighting below?

Stuck in a rut

I got asked to do a friends make up at the weekend.  We were having a girly weekend in Nottingham visiting a friend, and we got chatting about make up.  I was sorting through a friends make up (basically having a good nose) when my friend (S) confessed she felt she was in a rut.  She asked if I fancied having a go at doing her make up, I practically jumped at the chance.  I love doing it and it's good practice.  She explained what she normally wore; lashings of mascara, pink blusher, bright lipstick, and thick black eyeliner, but hardly any eyeshadow. 

 

As you can see below S has the most beautiful natural blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a gorgeous mouth not forgetting her lovely pale complexion.  I had a good canvas, so I thought why hide it.  

 

This is what I used  and in this order -

* Leggy by Benefit - over entire eyelid up to brow

* Dandy Brandy by Benefit - applied up to the socket

* Brown from Revlon Neutral Khakis - in the socket and just above

* Black No7 pencil eyeliner - blended into the lash line

* Black mascara by Yves Saint Laurent - only applied one coat 

* Mary Kay mineral eye shadow Sienna - brushed gently into the brows

* Boots My Face foundation Fair 01 - applied where needed 

* Boing by Benefit - where needed

* Oh La Lift by Benefit - underneath the eyes
* Illamasqua cream blusher - on cheeks and used as a lip tint.

Everything was used sparingly.  See the look below, including before pic of how much mascara was taken off beforehand, this caused great amusement!!   

 

I think she looks beautiful.  On the Monday S sent me a text saying that she had given the eyeshadow a whirl, and had used less make up in general.  I even got a pic! I'm a great believer in less is more especially when you are as naturally pretty as S, why hide?

Special thanks to C who took the pics and noted down the products as i threw them in a pile x

 

Amsterdam

Just over a week ago I went off to Amsterdam with the BF.  It was my  birthday the Wednesday before, and this year instead of being a grump I decided I was going to enjoy my birthday,and enjoy it I did.  (Along with illness this is why I have been so lax in posting!)  We were also there for Valentines day.  I had never been before and I loved it, loved the architecture, and loved the people, so friendly.  So for the first time in years I let myself enjoy my birthday, how could I not when I got these gorgeous pwessies...?

A gorgeous Leighton Denny Desirables kit, the colours from left to right are; Indulgence, Berry Nice, Supermodel, Lolly Pop, Leading Lilac and last but not least the product in the clear bottle is Miracle Drops (helps speed up your drying time).  Also I gave myself a pedicure with Berry Nice and it has only just chipped after two weeks, pretty good or what?

The colours below from left to right are; Barry M Nail Effects (someone reads my blog), Barry M Blueberry, 17 Matte top coat (amazingly weird) and 17 lasting fix nail polish in Toasted Almond. 

The bottom tub is Lancome's Youth Activating Eye Concentrate, and its gorgeous, apparently very expensive.  I have a very generous Bro, so don't need to worry about the price until it runs out!! Heres a close up -

So I did pretty well.  Thanks, you  know who you are x