NOTD I've Been Customising Again

I've been messing around with nail varnishes again. I was still feeling a bit inspired from my Rouge Noir DIY adventure. This time I wanted to do something with a hot pink and my black varnishes and I wanted it to have some texture.

What I came up with was the idea to have my nails look slightly marbled with the edges looking like a screen print. You know how when you see the edges of a layered print and the individual colours show? That's what I was aiming for.

To get there I started with my OPI Nail Envy and went in with a coat of my electric pink. This is a cream finish colour that was Space NK's own brand and long ago discontinued. Over that I did a layer of my Le Metier De Beaute Black varnish and went over it with the pink again and finished with a clear top coat.

I'm really pleased with the effect and got a bunch of compliments when I wore it out. With spring trying to show itself but the cold weather still reigning I feel like this is the perfect way to wear a bright nail right now.

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

RapidLash Day 1

Today is Day 1 of me trying out RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum. I’m probably one of the last bloggers on the planet to try it out but I thought it would be interesting to document all the same. The thing that finally got me to give it a go was when I saw it being recommended as an anti ageing solution. As the photos below will evidence, I seem to have developed the eyelids of an 80 year old. I’m ever so diligent when it comes to anti ageing eye cream morning and night. I put on a serum under my moisturiser before bed, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink very much and I’m not completely awful with my diet. Why do I have the eyelids of a grandmother!?

So here are my pics of what my eyelashes look like before I start using the RapidLash. On the left is without mascara and the right is with.

 

 

 

 

Apparently in eight weeks my lashes will look fuller, thicker and longer. Yay! They used to be seriously luscious back in the day but age is so taking it’s toll these days. I also have blonde tips on my lashes that mean I’ll never leave the house without mascara.

I think it will be quite interesting to see what will happen if I put it on my lower lashes as well. Just to see if I end up looking like Daisy The Cow. I’ll put a post up with progress pictures every two weeks to compare. Hopefully in the next two weeks there will be some big cure for 80 year old eyelids as well.

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

*This product was given to me free of charge for review purposes.

Superdrug Naturals Coconut & Shea Butter Bath Milk

I like baths, okay? It also happens that I love the smell of coconuts. What’s so wrong with this? Does it matter to anyone else that walk around smelling like a Tahitian holiday? Well, I like to think I smell like a Tahitian holiday as opposed to someone that’s had a Malibu cocktail spilt all over them.

It was with some excitement that I found I could combine my love of baths and coconuts for the bargain basement price of £2.49. This bottle only lasted me about a week and a half. I think I get a little over excited with it. I tend to get a little over excited about things like this from time to time. I also figured I could put a little extra in each tub seeing as it’s all cruelty free and fabulous like that.

What did I like about this so much? It smells like coconut, obviously. It was okay as far as how it left my skin after the bath. I could never not moisturise my body after a bath or shower as it’s so dry but it didn’t leave my skin feeling dry, tight or anything like that. Will I repurchase? I’d put money on it.

Even though it’s part of the “Naturals” range, one of the first ingredients is SLS and it has a really long list of ingredients that I can’t read let alone pronounce. I’m always so disappointed by that. But then again, for £2.49 I really can’t complain too much. I’ve also noticed on the website today that it’s part of a 2 for £2.99 offer!

My shoes are on, I’m zipping my coat up and I’m on my way to the shops to stock up!

You can get yours online from Superdrug here.

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

Discontinued Nars Duo, Rebecca

I’m a narcissistic makeup user. I admit it. One of my earliest makeup purchases was the Nars Rebecca duo. No, it wasn’t because of the name, although it certainly helped. It was because an international Nars artist had put it on me without even knowing my name. I’ve not been able to fall out of love with it ever since. I even remember our conversation about how he was going on vacation with Mr Nars and would his Prada swimming trunks be ok?

Did I mention that this duo has now been discontinued? It was truly a sad moment when I discovered that. It’s been some time now and I’ve hit pan on my last one and it’s time to maybe let go. But I can’t. This is one of my most complimented looks and a super easy go-to combination when I need to look pretty, without trying too hard and when I’m on the run. (Most of the time)  So I need to find a way to recreate it.

Here is the list of what I used to recreate one of my all time favourite looks…

• Anna Sui e/s – 900
• Nars e/s – Grenadines
• Black cake liner (I’d recommend the Laura Mercier one even though I didn’t use it in my video)
• Nars Blush – Orgasm
• Nars l/s – Fever (discontinued!!! Why????????)
• Coastal Scents l/g – Oh Scarlet (Only because I couldn’t find my Nars gloss in Babe. Much better option in my opinion)

I hope you enjoyed this! I’m TRYING to get more videos up but I’m having some technological issues with my laptop. In the meantime, please email me any requests for looks!!!

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

FOTD - Using My Urban Decay Ammo Palette Again

I wasn't going anywhere exciting the other day so I decided to keep the look low key. My Ammo Palette seems to be to hand lately so it got another run.

On my eyes I put Sin three quarters of the way up and Chopper on the outer two thirds of my mobile lid. Using an ELF C Brush I put Smog on the outer corner and a little into the crease. To add a little definition to my eyes I put some Bourbon 24/7 liner three quarters of the way along my upper lash line from the outer corner.





On my cheeks I used my trusty No 17 Peaches and Cream and on my lips I had my ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Maple Sugar.

It's a nice, quick, easy look that could go pretty much anywhere.

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

EcoTOOLS Planet Friendly Brushes

I love my EcoTOOLS brushes. I have the small set for my own personal use and I just love them. It makes me happy every time I put my makeup on with them that no animal has suffered so that I can look pretty that day. I also like that the handles are made from bamboo and the whole thing is as planet friendly as possible.

I have now discovered another reason to love these brushes a little bit more. The company now gives 1% of their annual sales to EarthShare and Wildlife Alliance! I’m so happy! It makes me want to buy more brushes!

You can find EcoTOOLS at any Boots or Tesco.

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

Bargainista Alert! 3 For 2 On Skincare at Superdrug

Until March 15th, Superdrug is doing 3 for 2 on all skin care! Yay! That includes all your favourites as well as new products! The offer is valid in store as well as online.

Don’t forget that all Superdrug own brand is cruelty free as well. you’ll doubly angelic!

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

NOTD–Inspired By The Big Lebowski

 

These are my Essie Pretty Edgy nails. I was inspired after watching The Big Lebowski again the other day. I do love that film. I was particularly chuffed when the man at my local post office noticed them yesterday! Yay!

Here is a brief snippet of one of my favourite things in this film…

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

Petrol Green and Purple Eyes

I was inspired by this pic I found in a magazine a while ago. The shadows I’ve used are a bit darker than in the image above. The gold and the purple look so pretty with the green eyelids.

 

Here is the run down on what I used…

• Petrol Green cream e/s three quarters of the way up to the brow. (Any one will do. The one I was using is discontinued. Sorry! There is a lot of that happening lately!)
• Metallic green powder e/s all over the cream e/s. (again, the one I was using is discontinued.
• Nars Night Porter e/s in the outer corner
• Gold pigment on the inner corner of the lid
• Yaby Perfect Wine e/s under the lower lash line
• Gold pigment on the inner end of the lower lash line
• MAC Rave eyeliner on the lower water line
• Metallic dark green eyeliner smudged across the upper lash line.
• Benefit High Brow pencil under the brow to highlight
• Stila Tutu powder blush on the cheeks
• MyFace Fair Nude lip liner
• MAC Young Thing lip gloss

I hope you enjoyed this!

 

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

FOTD - Off to have a coffee and read my book

The sun was out so I felt a little inspired today. I was still a little taken aback when it was totally freezing when I left the house. Some people (moi) will never learn!

For my hair I washed it with my Andrew Collinge Salon Mousturising shampoo and conditioner then put some Tresemme Naturals mousse through it and let it dry naturally while I did some yoga. It's was nearly dry by the time I finished so I put some Andrew Collinge heat protectant spray through it then used the diffuser attachment on my blow drier with low heat to finish it off.

For my face I did my foundation with Jane Iredale Amazing Base and some Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer under my eyes. My cheeks are No 17 Peaches and Cream and the lip gloss is Benefit Life On The A List.

On my eyes I used Grifter all over and under the lower lash line with Last Call on the outer corner from my Urban Decay Ammo Palette. I put a teensy bit of Rouge Bunny Rouge black liner through my upper lash line before I went to town with some Collection 2000 Big False Lash mascara.

To finish off I got some The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer highlighting powder to go along my cheek bones, brow bone and down the centre of my nose.

Now I'm ready for summer!

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream, My New Favourite!

I’ve used this for a couple of weeks now and I LOVE what it’s done for my complexion! I don’t use REN products all that often and I forget how amazingly effective they are. It’s hard to believe that such a natural and planet friendly brand can be so results driven.

My skin has been playing up for a little while. I started using this just after I changed over to my new foundation and as a combination it’s been going gangbusters! My redness is going down, my skin is calmer, it’s feeling less sensitive and my breakouts are pretty much gone! I couldn’t be happier.

It’s a nice, medium consistency that’s not too thin but not greasy or heavy. It soaks in nicely and quickly and I don’t feel over loaded when I put my Freeze & Go over the top of it as a primer for my foundation. There isn’t an overpowering fragrance but every now and then I get a little whiff or aromatherapy oils that makes me happy.

As far as the technical stuff goes, there is plant based Omega 3 and 7 to reduce inflammation and Bisabolol to take down redness. Then there are loads of great things to work as anti-oxidants to fight the evil signs of ageing.

A 50ml tube is £27 and you can get it here directly from REN.

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

NOTD - My Own Custom Blend

I've been in a bit of a Rouge Noir mood lately. It's a shame I don't own Rouge Noir or any variations of it at the current moment. Add to that my resolve to work through my current collection and be a true recessionista and it presents quite a quandary.

It got me thinking about the origins of Rouge Noir and the story about how Karl Lagerfield changed his mind last minute before a fashion show and got the manicurists to paint black over the top of the models' classic red. So I took my Essie Ups and my Le Metier De Beaute Black varnishes and did just that. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself and want to do some more customised nail colours now.

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Soft Smoky Eyes Fit For a Wedding

Sometimes you want some drama but you don’t feel like you can go over the top. Sometimes it’s not the time or place and sometimes you’re just not in the mood. That’s where this little trick comes in really handy.

I would have liked to have used a product other than my black gel liner but I didn’t have anything to hand. So black gel liner it was. I put it down as a base all over my eye lid and buffed it out to a sheer wash to just above the crease.

Then using a big, soft brush and the pale side of the Nars Silk Road duo I pushed the powder in over the top of the layer of gel liner. To give a little extra depth through the crease I used the darker side of the duo with a pencil brush.

With all the colours being quite cool I decided to warm it up on the outer corner and crease a little bit with Mac’s Cork. It also helped to bring down the shimmer from the Nars duo. I didn’t want to do much liner or anything on this so I went through the lash line with some Fly By Blue liner pencil from Mac. I think it might have been limited edition but any dark blue or navy liner would do the trick. It helps to brighten your eyes and make them look more awake. Some not-over-the-top lashes would also look nice with this. The ones with a clear band or some individuals.

On my cheeks I used a gorgeous rose toned Laura Mercier blush. I don’t know what it’s called seeing as it wouldn’t come out of my palette. Chances are the name wouldn’t be on the underneath of the pan anyways knowing me.

For my lips I mixed together some OCC Lip Tar in Grandma and ELF Rosy Tan lipstick. Once that was done I tidied up the edges with some MyFace Fair Nude lip liner.

I hope you enjoyed the look!

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

PS, Sorry my hair looks so dishevelled! I’d just been on a rather windy walk!

Jane Iredale Amazing Base

I've been using this foundation for a little while now and I'm just loving it. Jane Iredale is kind of like the founding mother of all things mineral. She's the standard that most mineral makeup gets measured by and she can be very open about how she thinks new products entering the market are living up to those standards.

Jane Iredale cosmetics don't have any of the nasty ingredients so many mineral products do. The Amazing Base loose powder is oil free, talc free and doesn't have any synthetic preservatives to speak of. The way the minerals reflect light also soften the appearance of fine lines a little and have more colour tolerance than most liquid foundations.

Choosing shades was a joy even though I had to do it online. They're split into Warm, Cool and Neutral! Yay! I went with Ivory. I'm very pale with skin that leans towards being cool but is pretty neutral for the most part. It couldn't have been a better match either.

As is often the case I ignored the instructions not to lift the entire label off the sifter. I hate constantly trying to shake product out. This sifter is very generous so I'd say to just poke a few holes through! The box came with a leaflet of pictorial instructions. Pretty useless for the most part there.

I apply mine over my Freeze & Go that I use as a primer and put it on with my ELF Flat Top Powder Brush. To finish, I spritz a few times with my MAC Fix + spray. I like how the spray takes down any powdery appearance and gives a little glow back. If I have blemishes or dark circles to cover I use my regular concealer before putting on the foundation.

There has certainly been an improvement in my skin since I've started using it. I was suffering from break outs and congestion but that all seems to have pretty much cleared up now. It's also got amazing staying power! I went on a six mile coastal walk with it on last week and it hadn't budged a bit by the time I headed home.

A 10.5 gram pot will set you back £27.97 from www.jiproducts.co.uk and that should last you ages. Especially if you don't get over excited with the sifter label like I did.

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

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