Beauty Edit: MAGNETIC NUDE for M.A.C

 

As all of you know I have a slight obsession with MAC cosmetics, however I have chosen to spread my wings in the beauty world by recently branching off to Chanel, Nars and Bobbi Brown. In hindsight, I have to say that MAC's eyeshadows are my all time faves; beholding an extremely vast collection with all the colours of the rainbow and more.

So yet again, whilst raiding the January sales I was drawn in by all the bright lights and pretty colours and of course their latest 'Magnetic Nude' collection. Within a matter of minutes I spent more than I budgeted for by indulging in a selection of eye shadows, their latest 'In Extreme Dimension 3D Lash' mascara, 'Zoom Fast Black Lash' mascara and a lipgloss...Shopaholic..check ✔️

 





 

RRP £17 - MAGNETIC NUDE COLLECTION



 

This metallic mineralize eyeshadow was a great find..due to pretty much everything being SOLD OUT as usual. It is a recurring heartbreak when you reach the new collection and pretty much everything par the one thing you hate is smothered in a small white sticker stating: 'SOLD OUT'. But not this time...! This shimmering, yellowy gold hue is perfect for accentuating blue eyes and is perfectly complemented by the more subdued pale 'cream' colour that is ideal for highlighting under the brows or even on the cheekbones.

RRP £30 - MAGNETIC NUDE COLLECTION

The impulse buy. M.A.C had conveniently placed this by the till-point which in my case is dangerous...because as usual...I BOUGHT IT. This is my chance to use the selection of yellow, gold, browns and shimmers to create the eagerly anticipated smokey-eye look. One look I am yet to accomplish. The yelllow looks rather outrageous from the photo, however when used lightly in the creases and outer corners of the eye can create shading and density and can also be used highlight a smokey eye.

With the art of the smokey-eye remaining an imperfection I will have to get back to you all, to spare myself the despair of looking like a drag-queen I believe some practice is in order!

Bea {x}

Hair Trend: Balayage Highlights

I want a change...What shall I do to my hair? Should I go dark? Shall I dye it blonde? Well my gosh, these are the annoying questions that I get myself in a tizz about, being an indecisive Libran and all. I made a Facebook status to try and gain the advice of friends and family and these seemed to be quite controversial, my dad even tried to 'dadmail me' (emotional blackmailed by my father..).

Meanwhile, one of my oldest school friends, Sasha, phoned me instantly to insist that I do NOT go back dark, "Bianca (she refuses to call me Bea) you are not dying your hair dark, everyone is lying it makes you look pale, your nose looks bigger and well it looks like you are going bald where your hair grows back...they don't want you to look pretty". This was so priceless...but so true...not the pretty part though, I hope!

After weeks of contemplation, I finally came to the decision that I would keep my hair strawberry blonde rather then going back dark...lets not forget I was once so dark you could have mistaken me for Wednesday Adams..not so pretty.

I booked myself into Urban Retreat in Harrods as I felt like I needed pampering and wanted a day full of 'ME time'. Mattia, my hairdresser was angry at the thought of me changing my hair or even going blonder ("People pay so much money to try and get this colour (strawberry blonde/ginger)" rah rah rah) and so he persuaded me into having Balayage Highlights which he insists are the best and most natural form of highlights and well I was so chuffed with the results I am most definitely going to have it done again.

* * *

What is Balayage?
Balayage is a coloring technique used to create sun-kissed, natural-looking highlights. Used as an alternative to foil highlighting, it is the action in which hair color is swept or painted on to the hair to create depth and dimension.

Balayage is the in-salon color service choice among the most discerning clients – celebrities, models and fashionistas – that demand hair color to be designed exclusively for them.(L'oreal proffessional)

 

* * *

  

Balayage highlights start at £135 at Harrods, but I would definitely recommend it. 

If you are getting your hair done at Urban Retreat, you can order your lunch to you...now that's table service! Mmmmmm! Don't forget to try the freshly prepared banana, apple and mango smoothie!

Bea {x}

Beauty Budget Buy: Nars Light Optimising Gift Set

Good Morning Beauties!

I know I have already raved on at you about the NARS light optimizing primer, but I am going to again because during my much needed shopping spree in Selfridges last night I came accross the best deal..EVER. I cannot leave the house without applying my light optimizing primer and translucent powder from NARS and yesterday, whilst I only went in for a foundation pump, spotted the two items and a make up bag beautifully displayed on the counter. I was informed that for £30 you could have the light optimizing primer and the translucent pressed powder equipped with a dazzling red make up bag rather than £50 which the primer and powder cost RRP. That was a done deal as they are necessities to my reigime and well..you can never have too much make-up I say.

The gift set comes inside a black silk duffel bag with a make up bag and two light optimising products - the primer and the translucent powder (£30)

The make up bag itself is of a reasonable size, in radiant red embellished with juicy red lips. The bag comes in a lovely black, silk bag within the classic NARS packaging. Although it is irrelevant as it goes straight in the bin, I was impressed with the packaging of the set and the silk bag is sure to come in handy!

If you are a NARS virgin and have never used either products, I would reccommend you to pop down to your nearest store (Space NK/Selfridges) and try them out. The translucent powder is great for setting your foundation, and whilst the block white colour can be alarming, it appears as translucent as the name says it should be. With light refelcting particles in both the powder and the primer, they complement you for a glowing and radiant complexion. A must have in my eyes.

Bea {x}

Beauty: Budget Buy: Baby Bottom Butter

By the title of this post many of you are probably thinking eh? I would! A strange story..We always have this product in our bathroom cupboard at home, we use it as a Vaseline sort of thing, for dying eyebrows and eyelashes etc.. Recently with the weather in London constantly changing, it has resulted in my skin becoming extremely dry and I've been feeling self-conscious and frustrated. I've used an array of moisturisers day/night but nothing seems to be a quick solution. The other day I thought; well Vaseline cures dry lips however its far too greasy to cover my face with (unless you want to look as though you buried your face in a frying pan) so I opted to try out the 'Baby Bottom Butter' and voila my skin genuinely feels like a baby's bottom. Even better so, it works unbelievably well as a primer! I have started applying a thin layer of the butter to my face followed by my Nivea Express Hydration Primer creating the smoothest base for applying your make up on to. 

Who would have thought for just £1 you could get skin as soft as a baby's bottom as well as a fabulous primer! No I didn't think it was possible either! In addition to this my skin has remarkably cleared up in such a short space of time. My favourite budget buy this week. You can buy this product in all Waitrose Supermarkets. Hope you enjoy it dolls! 

Bea {x} 

Net-a-porter transcends into beauty

For those that don't know (though most fashion-obsessed individuals do) NET-A-PORTER is an online shop (or e-tailer) selling designer brands at your fingertips. It is clear to say that as technology continues to evolve, so does the way we shop, and its a wonder whether in the future people will even be shopping by foot...who knows what the future holds. Even though I love a good Internet shop from time to time I enjoy the whole experience of shopping, not to mention the calories you burn from doing what you love most...shopping.

For me the whole concept of trying everything on and putting looks together by trying something new or mixing garments together is better than just viewing a photo of some gorgeously skinny model wearing the dress I want, because realistically I don't have that figure and she carries it off far better than I ever could, so I prefer to see what suits me and what doesn't. Also I often find that some of my best picks are garments that look dreadful on the hanger yet fabulous once you put it on.

On the contrary I am extremely ecstatic at the news of NET-A-PORTER transcending into cosmetics. We no longer only have designer fashion brands at our fingertips, but also the addition of make-up, hair and skin care products, not to mention fragrance. This includes a collection of both niche and well established brands catering to the site's sophisticated and discerning customers. "The proposition is really where the beauty-meets-fashion aspect and we see it as so symbiotic with the rest of our offerings. As we've developed our content, beauty is such a big part of fashion"

Sarah Chapman is one of the beauty experts who's luxury skin care range is now available to buy online. Best known for her Skinesis bespoke facial, Sarah is London's most sought after facialist and whilst her clinic is proclaimed to be one of London's best kept secrets, her products have now been exposed to the likes of many. How exciting! Other brands in stock include Aesop, Beauty Works West, James Read, Chantecaile, Natura Bisse, Dr. Sebagh, 3Lab and Phillip B.

Time to hit the shops, or shall I say 'time to grab my laptop'. Shop till you drop dolls!

Bea {x}