Giveaway Update & IMATS

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that the giveaway closes on Monday, 1st February at 12:00 GMT. Be sure to go here to post a comment that you would like to be entered. Make sure you're a follower via google to the blog and a subscriber on my YouTube channel. I'm really excited about what I got! I've decided to keep it a surprise till I announce the winner! I want to post it out on Tuesday so be sure to be ready to get back to me asap with your address, etc!

I've been at IMATS all weekend so sorry for being a little MIA. It's been a fabulous but shattering weekend. Being whipped up into such a make up frenzy can be very tiring for a girl! I met some brilliant and gorgeous people, watched demos by some of the industry's greatest and did a little unexpected/pretty shopping. I've taken a bunch of pictures, etc so will post them all up when I get back to Chez Beaute tomorrow afternoon.

Kisses,

Rebecca

Boots No 7 Spring Collection Look

Hi,

I was so in love with my new highlighter that I based a whole look around it! This is perfect for a beach holiday look! I'm definitely going to try rock it out while I'm in Sydney next week! I really hope you like it.

I spent the day running around like a mad woman and decided to treat myself to a Laura Mercier make over at Selfridges in the afternoon. When the lovely artist, Anna, tried to take my make up off it took her a few goes as this wouldn't budge! It's definitely going to last a day on the beach! I promise!

On my eyes I used my ELF Mineral Eye Primer, Avon Sheer Delight eye base, Boots No 7 Highlighting Illuminator, No 7 eyeshadow in Khaki and MAC eyeliner in Artistic License.

On my cheeks I did a little warming up and contouring with my Bourgois chocolate shaped bronzer and my No 7 hihglighter.

On my lips I used my No 7 lipstick and if you want some shine, their lipgloss in Smile looks a treat.

I hope you like this and look forward to hearing what you think!




Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

Garnier Minerals Deodorant Spray

I’m knee deep in the mineral hype. It seems to the the catch word for everything these days. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be advertised as the way to solve third world debt any day now. So it’s only natural that I immediately picked up the new Garnier Mineral Deodorant.
It promises big things! 48 hour protection!!!! Not just that, but Non-Stop protection for that entire 48 hours! The great thing that really does make me like this is that it’s alcohol and paraben free. That’s always such a plus! As you can imagine, I have sensitive underarms. Yes, even my armpits are fussy! Talk about high maintenance!
There are several different formulations you can get this in. I went for Silky and it’s supposed to give you smooth underarms. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I feel, given the chance, I would revise my decision for the one that says it doesn’t leave any marks on your clothes. I’m so vain though and wanted pretty underarms!
FAIL!!!! The second I put on a black singlet it was covered in big white bits of powdery gloop. And before you ask, yes, I waited a while before I put it on.
However, that is the one and only thing I have to say that isn’t brilliant about this product. I was out and about on a very stressful day that involved running to a last minute passport application appointment, etc. Mon dieu! And then I was later attacked by the eyebrow woman I posted about earlier in the week as well. And at no point did I smell bad or feel an inkling of sogginess. I was even wearing a synthetic top that isn’t made out of brilliantly breathable fabric!
I wouldn’t mind trying this in a roll-on format but for the moment, I definitely recommend the spray.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

No 7 Spring Collection

I was in Canary Wharf for a little while yesterday and dropped into the Jubilee Place Boots. It’s a nice sized Boots that isn’t too busy and has nice counters, etc. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of some Michael Kors for Estee Lauder but no such luck. I did, however, stumble across the pretty pretty No 7 Spring collection!

Since seeing some pre-release pictures I have been dying to get my grubby little hands on the highlighter! It definitely didn’t disappoint in real life! It’s just as pretty! I LOVE the packaging on this collection! It reminds of me of being on holidays in Greece. The top of the compacts are a gorgeous greenish blue with a brown vein running through it. To me it looks like a precious stone. The lipsticks are encased in silver and have a clear panel in the top of the lid so you can see the lipstick inside. LOVING IT!

The highlighters is lovely and soft with a terrific payoff. I can so envision myself using this as a highlight for the inner corner of my eyes as well as for the cupids bow in summer. It gives a gorgeous, golden glow that will suit any skin tone.
I also got the Carnelian lipstick. I would have loved the brighter one but I was trying to be ell behaved and this was beautiful and wearable at the same time. It’s a neutral coral kind of colour with a golden glow through it. I love it so much and am definitely going to make it my every day colour while I’m in Sydney next week!

These are limited edition so I would recommend getting them while you can. Don’t forget to use your Boots Advantage card to collect some extra points! My two items also got me a free gift with purchase! Woohoo!!!! It’s a really cute roll bag full of goodies. It’s purple with a pink design on it that reminds me of a Japanese Kimono. I have a long time dream of finding a beaten up old Kelly Bag and covering it in antique Kimono fabric. These travel roll reignites that dream in me! Inside it has:

• Boots Advantage Points Voucher
• No 7 Time Resisting Day Cream
• No 7 Age Defence Cleansing Balm
• No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense beauty Serum
• No 7 For Men Protect & Perfect Moisturising Eye Cream
• No 7 Extreme Length Mascara
• No 7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in 40 Khaki
• No 7 High Shine SPF 15 lipgloss in Smile

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Information Gleaned on Yesterday’s Beauty Hall Hop

Hi,
I thought I’d share with you the interesting little bits I learned from a couple people I spoke to on my Beauty Hall Hop yesterday.
Clinique at Debenhams is having a Free Gift With Purchase that starts on February 11th. That should tie in nicely with their release of the Spring colours that I’ve been coveting for a while now. They’re also still running their skin and make up consultations. If you purchase one of the three steps they recommend you get a deluxe trial size of the other two steps. With the make up consultations, they make up half of your face and then teach you how to do the other half. I should point out that I haven’t tried either of these services – although I quite fancy it just out of curiosity.
The Spring Chanel colours hit counters on Friday! That’s TOMORROW!!!!!!! OMG! I know that a few counters have been given their stock and have been selling it early, but the big day is tomorrow for the rest of us. I know this isn’t news to loads of people – just a heads up in case you, somehow, let it fall off your radar due to life in general.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Glow Brow Bar

I was having such a lovely day today. I was out in town and going from beauty hall to beauty hall up and down Oxford Street. I was accosted by some Benefit girls and a Givenchy lady. I fell in love with Guerlain and I vowed to find out more and try loads of their products.
As I moved away from the Givenchy counter in House of Fraser having tried an application of their torture ball mascara (it’s not a torture mascara. I quite liked it. I just can’t remember the name of it) I found myself standing at the Glow Brow Bar with a seat opening up in front of me.
I’ve never had my brows threaded. I’ve wanted to try it for so long. Everyone always looks so gorgeous when they’ve had their brows threaded and I’ve heard that it’s painless, long lasting, blah blah blah.
I was thrown into the seat and it was violently reclined. I was then attacked with some thread whilst wincing from the pain. Not only did a piece of thread break across my face but I was repeatedly grunted at with orders to put my hands on my brows to provide the necessary tension.
To add insult to injury, at the end of the first brow I was abruptly asked what happened to my brows. What? What do you mean? I was shown a huge gap in my brow that was stopping the lady from being able to easily thread my brow into the usual shape, then shown how it was the same on the other brow! I don’t know what happened! I guess it’s a massive birth defect that I’ve had all my life!!!???
I was then asked to pay the £14 for the torture session and shown in the mirror how it looked like Elmo had drawn all over my face with red crayon before being sent on my way! Argh!
I tried to find refuge in the Starbucks next door but that was just a whole other traumatic experience. I’ll tell you about it later. Right now I need some sleep!!!
Avoid the Glow brow bar at all costs!!!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Giveaway Time!!!

My little blog nearly has 20 followers! I never thought anyone would read my blog so this is pretty exciting for me!
As I get more followers I’ve decided to do some giveaways. My first one is going to be when I get to 20. I’ll keep doing them at different landmarks as I go along. If you’re already a follower, you can always enter! It’s not just for new followers each time.
To be able to enter, just leave a comment on this post saying you’d like to be entered. You also need to be a follower using Google and a subscriber to my YouTube channel. The link to subscribe is here.
I’ll use random.org to pick the winner. I’m not sure what the giveaway is going to be just yet. I’ll pick something super special up while I’m at IMATS!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Nude Skincare Review

Sorry I’ve taken so long to get this review up, I’m finally starting to get the use of my hand back so I can type properly! Hooray!
What can I say about my Nude trial kit? Not much other than Wow!
I was at Get Lippie's house yesterday for one of her uber special make overs. Even she said how my skin had a sheen and was super smooth! Woohoo!
During the week long trial I hadn’t been wearing any make up to speak of. I was still using my Liz Earl toner, and I applied the Advanced Smoothing Complex and the Age Defence Moisturiser with a cotton pad, as is my usual technique. I also didn’t wear any make up during the week except for yesterday afternoon.
How long does the kit last? Well, I’ve been using it for a week and it’s still going pretty strong. I use two pumps of everything except for the Advanced Smoothing Complex, of which I used one pump.
I used the Miracle Mask once during the week. I’m thinking it’s a bit of a brilliant find and I think I’m going to repurchase a full sized one! My skin felt noticeably smoother after i used it. It didn’t tingle or anything like that. In fact, I didn’t feel like I had any weird little reactions with any of the products.
Per my interim trial post, I loved the smell of the Cleansing Facial Oil. I really do love the smell of good quality olive oil! I used two pumps of this every morning and night. It’s hard for me to say what it’s like at taking off make up as I wasn’t wearing any this week. As a cleanser it felt really nourishing. To get a really clean feeling I needed to use my muslin cloth with it. If I just rinsed it off I still felt like I had a bit of residue left. My skin is definitely recovered from all of the dry skin issues I had with the chicken pox and all that awful weather as well!
After I used my Liz Earle toner I would put the Advanced Smoothing Complex on using a cotton pad. I’m a serious serum addict and this was lovely. I’ve been using the Boots Botanicals serum lately and it was so wonderful to use a really good quality serum. The Boots one is great for the price point but the Nude version is just a dream.
The Advanced Eye Complex was a tricky one to dispense the right amount of from the tube. I didn’t feel like one pump was quite enough but two pumps was waaayy too much. It took a minute to sink in so I ended up brushing my teeth before putting on the Age Defence Moisturiser. It’s hard to say if there have been any actual results from using the eye cream as it’ only been a week. Seeing as my overall complexion i looking so much smoother and more radiant, I’m guessing it’s safe for me to contemplate an extended eye cream experiment.
The regime is finished up with the Age Defence Moisturiser. I used two pumps and applied it with a trusty cotton pad. It would leave my skin feeling a little tacky afterwards and a little tighter. Not “tighter” in the way that I needed more moisturiser, but “tighter” in the way that my face felt a little younger! Result!
I  got the Facial Cleansing Oil for half price in the Space NK sale and I’m really glad I did. I’m not sure how I’d feel about repurchasing at full price. If you can grab a trial set like mine at for a bargain I can’t recommend it enough. It’s also so much fun running around town with the little tubes in a pocket of your handbag when you’re staying away instead of lugging around a massive wash bag!!!
I loved my Nude trial and if I wasn’t a fickle beauty blogger on a never ending crusade for the next greatest thing, then I’d definitely go out and commit myself to a full sized set of these goodies!
You can check out the whole range here at Nude Skincare.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Helping Haiti

Hi,
I’m afraid today is going to be another one that is a beauty-blog-free day from me. I’m still struggling to type but thought this was worth popping up a post on.
Gemma, of Gem’s Maquillage, has been amazing and put together a donation page for helping out two brilliant organisations that are actively trying to help out in Haiti. This is the follow up to her initial video on it and I thought I would share. She’s doing such an amazing thing and it’s even more fabulous to see everyone getting together and trying to do their bit to help.
The link to donate is in the sidebar of the video. When you have a few spare pennies it would be great if you could send them over Haiti’s way. The whole island will need to be rebuilt. It’s just too awful for words.
One more thing – the sound on the video isn’t great so you’ll need to turn your computer volume right up as well as on the video.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Out Of Office and Nude Trials Update

Hi,
For those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter (the Starbucks of the blogosphere where i need a registered address seeing as I now live there), I am out of action. Without going into details – there was an unwelcome cat in my house that required removal and now my left arm is in a sling. As luck would have it, I’m left handed!!!
Please don’t think I’m neglecting you. I’m dying to recreate some looks from the golden globes, etc for you as well as keep you up to date with all the products I’ve been trying out for you. I’ll be on the case as soon as I can.
In the meantime, I’ve been using my Nude products with my right hand only. That sounds so much easier than it actually is, trust me! I’m only a few days in, but my face feels substantially smoother after the miracle mask. I love the smell of the cleanser. It smells like super quality olive oil. For someone that has cut out oil in the kitchen to keep her hip width under control, this cleanser’s fragrance is heaven! I’ll be back with the full rundown at the end of the week though.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Scarlet Johanssen Inspired Look

I love her new hair colour! It’s gorgeous! I was totally inspired to try and recreate it with the bits and pieces I already have.
I started by priming my eye with my ELF Mineral Eye Primer. I’m really liking this so far. I’m not sure what it’s staying power is like but it’s so nice and slippy to put on without being drying like most eye primers.
Then I used:

• Nars Starlight Creme e/s as a base
• I went over that with MAC Smoke & Diamonds e/s
• I used MAC Print over that to add depth and dimension
• To contour the outer corner, crease and lash line I used MAC Carbon with a socket brush then swept it under the lash line as well to start the base of the winged cat eye
• To line the upper and lower lash lines I used Urban Decay’s Perversion liquid liner
• For the upper and lower waterlines I used MAC Pearlglide liner in Fly-By-Blu
• Then I set the liquid liner in with some more MAC Carbon
• For the brow highlight I used MAC Bamboo

On my cheeks I used a Stila Convertible Colour. I don’t have the name anymore but it’s the brighter red of the two red shades available. Over the top I used the two darker shades from my Laura Mercier original Mosaic. I then used the paler two shades as a highlight on my face.
For the lips I used my Maybelline Vinyl Shine gloss in a red shade that is a mystery as it doesn’t have a name on the tube. I put my ELF Ruby Slippers over the top for some low key sparkle.
I hope you enjoy this look!

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

New Nude Kit

I got the Nude kit in the Space NK sale online and it arrived this week. Yay! I finally got around to opening it and taking a peek inside the pretty pretty box today!
First impressions = ooooohhhhh.
Next was, “Brilliant! I am going to carry these with me everywhere and I’m going to use them till they run out!”.
Finally I thought, “Hmmmm, there isn’t a card or anything in this box telling me what to do with said amazing looking products. Tricky.”
So, as of tomorrow morning, I am going to blindly try my way through these delectable little tubes. I suspect there is about 5 days worth of product in there. Without any info included in the kit it’s hard to say. Watch this space.
And if you fancy coming along for the ride, the glam picture below will take you to the Space NK website where you can grab this kit for HALF PRICE!!!

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Katherine Heigl Inspired Look from February InStyle

I am loving this month’s InStyle magazine. There are so many gorgeous looks in there. I haven’t been this inspired by one issue of a magazine for ages!
The first of the looks I found was this Katherine Heigl image. It’s part of a piece about the charity work that Hollywood’s celebrities do. It turns out that Katherine and her Mum founded an amazing animal charity. For more details, go to http://www.jasonheiglfoundation.org.
Here is the lsit of products I used to create this look.
ELF Mineral Eye Primer
Nars Decameron Creme e/s
MAC Syle Snob e/s
MAC Glamour Check! e/s
Charcoal Coloured e/s from Neutrals palette
Skin toned e/s from Neutrals palette
MAC Molasses Pearlglide e/l pencil
Hourglass Mascara in Carbon
Stila Tutu blush
Nars Orgasm blush
Nars Multiples on lips (the purple and peach toned ones. I don’t have the names of them anymore)
Bourjois Menthol Gloss

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

IMATS *Squeals relentlessly*

If you read my blog that must mean you’re obsessed with make up and all things cosmetically fabulous to some degree. If that's the case, then I really hope I see you at IMATS!


If you follow me on Twitter then you'll already know that upon arrival I'll be in danger of immediately being thrown out again for causing a scene due to over excitement.

What I may have failed to mention is why I'm so excited. That would be because I tend to get too over excited when I start thinking about how glorious it's going to be and lose all rationality and power of speech. However, I've just had a calming cup of tea, taken a few deep breaths and sat down in a sensible chair. So for the brief moment of clarity that I have, I'm going to share with you what I love about IMATS.

• It's ALL about make up!

• Everyone there is like minded and ALL about make up!

• You will get to listen to industry greats from around the globe talk about make up!

• You can see some of the most amazing make up artists do make up demonstrations and steal all of their insider secrets that slip out in the process!

• There are all the great make up brands displaying there with some of their most brilliant products and they're usually available for purchase at a massive discount

• You get access to brands that are either difficult to find, only available to you online, etc.

• There will be some amazing up and coming brands that you will get the inside scoop on.

• You could bump into your favourite youtuber or beauty blogger. If you do, I would urge you to say hello to them immediately, if not sooner. On the whole, they generally love the adoration! We can be that way inclined quite frequently! ; )

• Did I mention that it's all about make up?

This year I'm really excited about Alex Box speaking and Eve Pearl on creating the perfect bridal make up. (I know I said to come say hi and generally share the make up love with me at IMATS. However, I won't be held responsible for my actions if any of you get in my way of the speakers or demos!!! Be warned!!!)

I'm also quite thrilled that IMATS is at Alexandra Palace this year! I adore the Angel location it's usually at, but (I'm an idiot, IMATS has been at AllyPally for the last couple of years!) AllyPally is so pretty and it's right near Muswell Hill (one of my fave places in London). I'm going for dinner right after with my boyf at a super cut Muswell Hill location. He doesn't know that I'll probably need to do a maniacal Space NK hit in Muswell Hill first! ha ha! It's the first Space NK I went to after I moved to London.

OK, I'm starting to ramble now and I can feel the insanity creeping back in as I get more and more excited. Check out the link, purchase your tickets and look out for the girl in the bright purple cardigan! I'd love to see you and talk about all your fave make up related subjects!

http://www.imatsshow.com/london/london_index.php

Kisses,

Rebecca xxx

Tag – Getting To Know You

Ooh! I’ve never been tagged before! This is SO exciting! I really am having a lovely January so far! The gorgeous London Make Up Girl tagged me! So, not only have I been tagged, but I’ve been tagged by someone that I have a really high opinion of and that has an AMAZING blog! Wowsers!!!
So, here are my seven random-ish facts…

1. It’s seven years in one week and two days since I left Sydney’s sunny shores and moved to London. I don’t, technically, live in London right now but as soon as I finish redecorating my house and sell it I’ll be back. It’s been an up and down love affair with this city. I’m back to adoring it at the moment. Even despite the weather and slipping over on hard, iced over concrete last night. (Tushie is appropriately bruised. I’m such a delicate peach!) I love the art, the culture and all the amazing things you can do in London. I miss Sydney’s weather loads but am the only person I know that hates the beach so it’s no biggie. I think the only other city I could conceive living in at the moment is Paris. Tres chic!
2. The first time I remember loving make up is when I must have been about four or five. I was given a Tinkerbell compact and water soluble nail varnish. I remember playing with them in the back garden and just loving them so much! My Mum also has very embarrassing photos of me being asleep when I was 11 after she had put a mud mask on me and left it to set. I don’t think I could have escaped this obsession if I had tried!
3. I used to work in investment banking. As of December 31st I’m officially unemployed and I need to quickly figure out my next moves. I would love to make make up my living. I did give it a try a few years ago but it’s a tricky move to make when you’re over 30 and have a mortgage. I’m sure there is a way though. *Puts thinking cap on*
4. Until I was about four years old I neighed in my sleep. Yes, I neighed like a horse. I actually used to love horses so much I wanted to be one. I had an imaginary white Arab horse called Black Beauty that went everywhere with us. My Mum used to have to tether it to the car in parking lots and leave water for it. We also had to set a place at the dinner table for my imaginary friend, Elizabeth. I have a very patient mother and am clearly an only child!!!
5. I have a weird dare-devil style streak. I’ve never been a sporty type of person by any means but I love to get a bit of adrenalin pumping! I abseiled down Canary Wharf Tower some years back for charity having only had an hour of indoor training. Sky diving, hang gliding, indoor rock climbing, fast cars, skiing like a mad person, galloping across Australian countryside on horseback – I love it all. If only I could do it in heels and then I would truly be happy!
6. I hate going to the hairdresser. I can’t sit still for that long! It drives me crackers!!!! I also think that getting your hair done in the UK is madly over priced!!! I’m getting mine done again with my Mum in Sydney so it’s pretty for her wedding. I avoid getting my hair done at all costs and even trim my own fringe these days to get out of it! I’ve also got my natural hair colour back. It’s taken a long time but it’s completely colour free now. I’m loving how much healthier it is and I think I look younger as a brunette!
7. My final random LSDB factoid!!! I cry at movies. Sometimes I cry when there is an ad on tv that gets me! If it’s happy ever after, I cry. I sobbed at the end of Grand Tarino. Luckily I was at the boyf’s house but his housemate and girlf were both there to witness it! I watched Casper the Friendly Ghost for the trillionth time the other day and still sobbed like a child. Dead Poets Society is also another tear jerker. Oh, I just remembered that I cried a little bit when I got to see Elton John live at Charlton Football Club. I get emotionally overwhelmed far too easily.

I hope you’ve liked these little weird things about me. I really do love these kinds of posts and videos! And now I get to tag other people! Woohoo!!!
Make-Up By Katy, Oxford Jasmine, Mizz Worthy, Perfectly Polished, The Gloss Goss, MissChievous, Get Lippie – you’re it!!!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Warm & Cozy Inspired Neutral Look No. 4 (The Final!!!)

Hi,
I think this final Warm & Cosy inspired look is my favourite! I really like the combo of the dark-but-wearable eye with such a pretty, soft lip. I’d wear this look for either day or night. With a soft up do and some amazing accessories, I think this could look gorgeous for a special night out. Mental note for if I get an invitation to a black tie event any time soon!
I’ve used the Nars lip liner in Malta again. This is a liner I come back to again and again as it transforms lip colours beautifully giving them such a wearable and pretty lilac undertone. Of course, without making you look like a corpse!
Please excuse the end of the video, I got a little over excited about managing to be under ten minutes!!! I promise to calm down shortly.

Don’t forget to send me any pics of neutral looks you’ve been rocking out this January!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

BOTD – Lula Bloom-in’ Lovely!

After suffering all day in this freezing weather and watching even more snow fall from the sky, I decided to thaw out with a lovely hot bath. Can you believe that I have used up ALL of my bath bombs, oils, bubbles, etc? I wanted to use up what I had so I could have a fresh start to the new year. The problem with that is that I didn’t have anything frothy and lovely to help me thaw out today!
Then I remembered that the boyf’s sweet Auntie and Uncle had given me a box of Champneys minis for Christmas. Woohoo! I’ve never used Champneys products before. I’ve always been a bit sceptical. I poured the entire mini bottle of Classic Rose Sensual Bath Cream and was immediately pleased that I had! It was the perfect fragrance and the bubbles were really light and frothy and super comforting! It was such a sweet gift! The fragrance wasn’t cheap or nasty like so many budget rose flavoured products can be. It’s not exactly a REN Moroccan Rose competitor, but it’s really nice and would be gratefully received as a gift again!
Then I decided that my poor, dried out and chicken poxed skin needed a little treat. I have used my Lula Bloom Sugar Scrub once but was in a rush so didn’t have time to consider it from a review perspective. I was also quite traumatised by the super scratching effect Lush’s Fairy Tale scrub had. Am still blocking the super scratchiness out. This was just perfect. Gentle enough on my fragile skin but still left me with the feeling that I’d done some good. The smell is really pretty – passion flower seed oil and jojoba oil and the packaging is so sweet.
Click on this pic and it will take you straight to the Superdrug website where you can purchase it for under a tenner!!! I LOVE Superdrug so much!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Warm & Cozy Inspired Neutral Look No. 3

Here is another neutral look for you. I’ve decided to stop at number four. I discovered my forgotten Nars Multiples that I had put on stack jars and use that as a base and then add a warmed up lilac tone to the look.
I used Nars Malta lip liner to line my lips and MAC Grape lip liner to contour before putting down some ELF mineral lipstick in Rosy Raisin. I didn’t do it in the video, but I think it would be really pretty to top it all of with a little lip conditioner just to soften the lips up a little more.
I really hope you enjoy this and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Not Exactly A Pocket Pistol

I’ve been using Tommy Guns volumising conditioner for a couple of months now. It’s the only thing I’ve changed in my hair regime for some time. I have to say I’m not loving it. My hair just doesn’t seem to have much volume, it’s lacking shine and just feels plain meh.
So I’m trying to think of a new conditioner to try out. I need something that will give my incredibly fine hair some lift and will keep it shiny as well. I don’t colour my hair so I’m not too worried about dehydration, etc. I do blowdry but always use a heat protectant and I can’t remember the last time I used straightners on it. I have GHD’s but they’re just too hot for my thin hair.
I’m thinking maybe Bumble & Bumble. I haven’t used any of their products for an age now. Anyone else have any ideas for me to try?
I’d REALLY appreciate it!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Warm & Cozy Inspired Neutral Look No. 2

Hi,

Let’s start by stating that for the rest of this post I shall be referring to the word Cosy and not the imaginary word, Cozy! (ha, even just noticed that the spell checker in my LiveWriter window doesn’t like Cozy!)
I decided to do a look that was neutral but based on cooker tones like grey rather than just focussing on the browns and beiges that spring to mind when you think of neutral. Grey is totally a neutral colour as well!
During the filming of this video, there certainly weren’t any fluffy animals harmed. However, my SD card decided to flip out. So, once again, my video cuts out before I’m done! I swear this time it wasn’t because I was faffing around too much!

I used my neutral palette for a base colour but that was really it. The main two colours here are Print and Carbon from MAC. My favourite black liquid liner is still Perversion from Urban Decay. So far nothing gives the same inkiness, ease of use and terrific brush/lid/grip. It doesn’t flake, smudge, slide and all of those fun things. Woohoo! And if you buy it from a Boots store and use your Advantage card, you get points as well! Often bonus points to boot! (ha ha – to boot. I honestly didn’t mean to do that!)
For my cheeks I just used a sheer, pink toned blush with a little highlight in it. On my lips I used Nars lip liner in Malta (I’ve been using that A LOT in these neutral looks), Nars Belle Du Jour lipstick and an old MAC lipgloss that has a sheer dark lilac tone to it. I don’t know what it’s called as it’s come off. But any similar gloss would do.
I hope you enjoy this and LOVE LOVE LOVE getting your comments and feedback!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Z-Tastic

My Z Palette arrived this morning! It took both the postie and I all our strength to get my front door open enough for him to slip the package through to me and have me sign. It was totally iced over and snowed up. Worth the effort though! I have to admit, I needed to get back into bed for a little bit. My heating is on a timer and had gone off by that stage (even though it was pre-9am) so I needed to recover before creeping back downstairs to turn it back on again.
When I did open my package from PAM (link here - http://www.makeup-provisions.com/) I was so happy. There was my Z Palette all pretty and just waiting for me to gift it with the safe keeping of a bunch of blushers! Gone are the days of me super gluing pans into empty CD cases only to have them crack, smash, fall apart and, generally, be painful. No more will I be having to go through all of this to get my colours into palettes and then not know what is inside each “mystery palette! No more sitting compacts on wax papered straightners and trying to slice digits off with knife whilst pulling pan out! No more goopy glue! No more writing stickers! Ok, well, I’ll probably still need the stickers… you can’t have everything in this life.
I’m so excited though! My cd case blushers now look all pretty like this…
My two Nars blushers didn’t fare all that well in the depotting process – but I’m not sure I was doing such a brilliant job at it to be honest. I’ll let you know if I destroy any shadows when I get some more Z Palettes to fill up. My old school Laura Mercier blush on the far left hand side is a little deep for the palette but the LM Mosaic on the far right is totally fine. I guess it’s just a sign of the times and how we don’t notice when we get less product for the same £ over the years!
But back to my lovely  Palette. I’m soooo happy! The magnetic plate is so strong! It’s actually not easy to lift the pans out! Along the top I have two Stila colours, a Chantecaille and a Daniel Sandler blush. They so often get overlooked when I’m doing someone’s make up because they were either in an annoying cd case that I just couldn’t emotionally deal with or in their little compacts. When they’re kept out of a palette I totally forget to even look at them. Not anymore though!
This is the large palette which was £20 from PAM. THere is a smaller quad sized one that is perfect for your handbag as well. I’m a little disappointed that we’re paying the same in GPB as you do in the US in USD. But that’s a whole other moan that we all go on about all the time I guess. Just worth pointing out for anyone that regularly travels to the US or has friends, etc over there. I’m addicted though! The future looks Z!!!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Warm & Cozy Inspired Look No 1

I’ve mentioned a few times how much I’m loving neutral colours at the moment. They’re just so comforting and delectable. It just makes you want to put on a chucky knit sweater and sit by a fire with ear muffs on a la Wham Christmas time music videos.
This is the first look I’ve come up with using the MAC Warm & Cozy collection as inspiration. Ps, it’s spelt C-O-S-Y peeps!!!! Using Z’s in place of S’s is one of my real pet peeves. I’m not letting myself actually purchase any items from the collection though. Yes, it’s partly because MAC spelt it with a Z in the UK. However, it’s mostly because I own a Coastal Scents Neutrals palette. How can I justify not using that instead??? Especially seeing as it’s untouched for the most part as I’m generally seduced by more colourful ideas. A magpie, you say? Moi? Never!!!
For those of you outside the US, these palettes are readily and cheaply available all over ebay. They’re just no name palettes from Hong Kong and China. If you’re after a good selection of colours without breaking the bank then these are a great option. I ordered mine from Coastal Scents just because I’d heard so much about them and wanted to witness it for myself. To be honest, it was a lot of hard work! The shipping takes an age, it doesn’t work out that much cheaper when you factor in shipping and customs. Then you have to wait to be told you owe the import duties, pay them and wait for it to be posted out. Too hard basket. Just jump onto ebay! It’s all the same product but without the Coastal Scents logo on the front.
For those of you that are in the US – from what I understand it’s probably cheapest and easiest to actually order directly from the Coastal Scents website which is http://coastalscents.com.

For this look I used a flat brown shadow to fill in my brows with a MAC 209 brush.
The shadows are all from my neutral palette, the eye liner is MAC’s Molasses and I used Eyeko’s Big Eyes mascara. Any cheapie mascara will do as long as it’s not too volumising.
The blush is from my 28 piece palette that is mostly neutral eyeshadows and blushes as well.
The lip liner is Spice from MAC but I wish I had been able to find my Oak liner instead. The lipstick is Nars Belle Du Jour and I put a little Coastal Scents Smacker gloss in Cosmic over the top. But just a little.
I hope you enjoy! I’d love to see any pics of neutral looks you’re rocking out at the moment.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

NOTD

Hi,
I actually did these nails yesterday but was having technical difficulties so I couldn’t show you till today. Shall I blame the snow? It seems like a good excuse. It’s the reason nothing else is working at the moment!!!
Anyhoo, I’m on a serious neutrals kick. I have the first of a bunch of neutral make up looks on it’s way as well. They’re just so comforting this time of year when we’re all cold and tired out from the holidays and getting back to being at work (for those of you with jobs. I really must seek out some gainful employment asap!).
In keeping with that, I opted for OPI Fiji Weejee Fawn. This is using two coats and a top coat. I used OPI Nail Envy Maintenance as a base. It’s still fairly sheer and has a little frost to it. I’m loving it with the neutral make up looks I was doing last night!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

ELF – Luscious Liquid Lipstick

As some of you know, I’ve had a rather unhappy ELF order lately. Through no fault of ELF’s, it appears that most of my order went missing out of the box before I got my mitts on it. Je suis desolee.
Luckily, all of the lip glosses were there! Yay! I’ve had fun mooching on the couch and playing with these whilst being poorly. Please excuse the shocking photography here, I took these on my phone as it was closer than my camera or cam corder!
The super fun bit of these glosses is the spongy tip. When you twist the pen to release the product, it comes out of the tip in brilliant, squirmy baubles! Hours of entertainment right there!
Then there is the deliciously minty fragrance. It’s refreshing without being overpowering. Being all cooped up in the house with the heating on full power and feeling unwell, that freshness was very welcomed! They also seem to have a moisturising effect on my lips. I’m feeling really dehydrated and stupid chicken pox has left me with dry, peeling lips as well as generally dry and itchy skin. Good times! But a quick slick of gloss and my lips feel really soothed and smooth for ages. It’s hard for me to say what the staying power on these is like as I’m not really talking to people loads or eating a lot – but they don’t have a super sticky texture and I haven’t been wanting to put loads and loads on all the time.
The colours available are really pretty. At £1.50 each you won’t feel at all guilty about splashing out on the whole lot! I’ve taken pics with and without flash for you. But the flash bounced off my super white skin so you couldn’t see anything at all!!! From top to bottom, the colours are: Baby Lips, Caramel Candy, Bark, Maple Sugar, Brownie Points, Cherry Tarts and Ruby Slipper.
It’s hard for me to choose a favourite but I think I might be loving Cherry Tarts once I’m out of the house again!
You can get ELF products at http://eyeslipsface.co.uk. They also have a great offer on at the moment. If you spend over £25 and enter code AGIFT4U you will receive a really fabulous mini make up kit with loads of fabulous stuff in it for free! Unfortunately that was one of the things in my order that didn’t make it to me. Luckily I have another order on the way that it will be in! Hooray!!!
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

New Years Resolutions

I’ve decided that 2010 doesn’t properly kick in until I have a few things sorted out. That includes not having the chicken pox. (I will stop moaning about that soon, by the way. I’m a rubbish poorly person)

1. I am going back to Slimming World and I am going to shift the three dress sizes I gained in 2009!
2. I am going to find gainful employment. (My employment ended suddenly although in a friendly way on December 31st)
3. I will have my house finally redecorated and up for sale by the end of February
4. When I move somewhere new, it will not involve my current two hour commute into town
5. My nails will be in better shape, along with my cuticles
6. My eyebrows will be constantly groomed to perfection
7. I will not look like a slob but will go back to constantly channelling La Hepburn for gorgeously effortless glamour and sophistication
8. I will grow some form of vegetable that will mature to the point where it can be used in my own cooking!
9. Baking cupcakes will count as therapy
10. I will make flat shoes look gorgeous and wear them more often.

I need about a week or so to logistically sort this out but will make best efforts to get through all ten asap! I hope your 2010 resolutions are coming along. If they’re not, don’t sweat it, I’m certain January is for refining your resolutions and you’re not supposed to start them until February.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

NOTD – OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy

I just couldn’t take not having my nails done any longer – especially if lovely boyf still plans on coming out to see me and I’m looking all spotty and ill. He deserves at least polished nails!!!
This is the perfect colour for the weather and for how I’m feeling. It’s totally cheering me up to look at neat, polished nails right now.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Philosophy at TK Maxx

Hi,
I hope your 2010 is going really well. I just wanted to post a quick note about some Philosophy products I got in the sales. I’m still not feeling very well so I’m going to keep it pretty short. (Stupid chicken pox!!!!)

I got this, A Man For All Seasons, set for the bargain basement price of just £12! It’s usually around £35. (I think) Philosophy is a brand that has fallen off my radar for some time now. It used to be a brand that regularly featured in my bathroom cabinet. It’s always been so innovative bringing out terrific products that no one else had seemed to think of yet. Lately that just hasn’t been the case.
However, in my poorly state I saw this in the sale and thought it might cheer me up a bit. I was pretty disappointed when I got home and took the seals off the bottles to smell what was inside. The Produce Man smelt pretty. It’s the pear flavoured one. The others just didn’t live up to expectations and The Snowman was a low point. I LOVE the Philosophy shower gels in the regular flavours. They’re so so yummy. This set just didn’t live up to those at all.
In saying that, I’ve already gone through two bottles! I’ve finished The Produce Man and I’ll finish The Snowman off when I go have a bath in a little bit. These have been perfect for me not feeling well. I’ve needed to have a few baths a day with all these annoying chicken pox spots. The hot water in the tub really does transform these into something much milder. The three-in-one action has been great as well. I’ve had the comfort of a bubble bath, the cleansing action of a shower gel and the added extra of an easy shampoo to keep my hair clean. I could never have gotten through this past week trying to reach for a bunch of different products. I’m also loving the gorgeous iridescence of The Snowman. It makes me smile when I pour it into the running water.
This has definitely inspired me to start checking out some more Philosophy bits and pieces again. I’ve already ordered some of their make up primer from QVC. I used to use it all the time when doing shoots, wedding, etc. Whenever anyone looked at the shots they would always say how creamy and gorgeous the models’ complexion looked regardless of the base I was using. I honestly put it down the primer.
Kisses,
Rebecca xxx

Happy New Year

Hi Gorgeous Ones,

I just wanted to send you a happy new year message. I hope you're all well and having a great holiday season. I so appreciate you following my blogs and videos so much. Soory I've not posted anything in a while. I've been struck down with chicken pox. Yes, at 33 you can still get chicken pox and, let me tell you, it's really not pretty.

As soon as I'm feeling well again I promise to get back to posting. As soon as the spots on my face have gone down I'll put a bunch of new videos up as well.

Much love and kisses,

Rebecca xxx