no 7 lipstick in 'gay geranium'.

eek, april showers is here with a vengeance! thunder, lightening, rain, hailstones... you name it. it seems that the skies are permanently dark now. oddly enough, this is by no means reflected in my make-up as i've been opting for bright shades that are better suited for summer. now, anyone who knows me would probably agree that i give all shades of lipstick a go. i'm not really intimidated by colours. however, there is one shade that i only wear on a brave day - and that shade is 'gay geranium' by no 7.

my pictures really don't capture just how bright this shade is. it is by far my most brightest and vivid shade amongst my 40+ lipsticks. hell, it even attracted abuse by a passer-by! hahaha. it's a creamy, borderline-neon orange, and was purchased by accident when i thought i had picked another shade and instead came home with this.

 dress - hussein chalayan, necklace - harrods.

face: sephora base subliminatrice, mac studio fix fluid (nw30), collection lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: max factor false lash effect mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud).
cheeks: mac (ladyblush), no 7 vital enlightening highlighting powder.
lips: no 7 (gay geranium).

despite picking this up by accident, i was already aware of the shade anyway. it's actually been around for years and years and was retained from no 7's archives, although i can't remember exactly how old it is off the top of my head. the packaging is equally as classic, and is totally gimmick-free. like all oranges and corals, i felt that it looked best with dewy, highlighted skin - and so i went for that.

the lipstick itself has a semi-matte finish and has a near-perfect formulation. it doesn't go on my teeth, lasts long, and the pigmentation is crazy! i'd really recommend it for those who are super brave with their make-up and love wearing lips that pop with colour.

in other news: two weeks until exams. HELP?

17 lipstick in 'mulled wine'.

following on from my recent 17 cosmetics lipstick review (where i went beserk and bought too many), i am now wearing another new lipstick of theirs but in a different finish. 'mulled wine' is part of their 'lasting fix' range and to put it bluntly: i really like it. the lipstick bullet is weird and looks brown (i picked it up this morning thinking "WHAT. IS. THIS."), but it is much more pink on the lips. it's not an outright pink so it's totally perfect for a low-key look without going down the nude lips route. it's subtle, but with colour. in that sense, it reminds me of mac's 'see sheer', which is one of my all-time favourites.

i was really impressed by the lipstick for several reasons. firstly, you get a generous amount of product despite the low cost. secondly, the pigmentation is great. one swoosh (yes, i swoosh) on the lips was enough. thirdly, it lasted well, leaving a light stain on the lips hours after application. lasting fix finishes aren't as creamy as the supreme shine finishes though, so i'd be a little cautious if your lips are prone to drying out when wearing lipstick.

face: 17 primer, mac studio fix fluid (nw30), collection lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: maybelline gel liner, lancome l'extreme mascara, ruby & millie eye pencil (brown/black), mac eyebrow pencil (stud), the body shop brow & lash gel.
cheeks: sleek (rose gold), no 7 vital illuminating highlighter powder.
lips: 17 (mulled wine).

17 lipstick in 'deep secret'.

i was in boots recently. why? because i needed wax strips. did i get them? no. i've been in boots a handful of times recently and keep forgetting each time - so i'm suspecting an early case of alzheimers. i mean, that's clearly the obvious answer to all of this. anyway. i was just having a look at the make-up and saw a gorgeous shot for 17 cosmetics where the model had a beautiful sort of brown-pink shade on her lips. i asked vanesa what she had used, and once she told me, i was in boots yet again. rather than buy the one lipstick like a normal human being (which i will review soon), i sort of went a bit mad and bought 3. alzheimers breakdown? yeah, that.

i also got my hair cut in a bid to distract myself from a hospital visit...

one of the shades i went for is called 'deep secret'. i was still on the hunt for the perfect plum shade - seeing as the weather is way too cold and i am way too ~emo~ to embrace anything that is colourful - and at just over £4 each, i figured that it wouldn't be too dear if i tried it out and didn't like it. i appreciate that the bullet itself does look rather full-on and scary, but don't be fooled! it's honestly very wearable.

i admittedly don't have much experience with 17's lipsticks bar a few dodgy shades i bought when i was 15 or 16 - the only products i use constantly are their nail polishers and primers. to my delight, the lipstick had really decent pigmentation and felt nice on the lips. it's creamy for sure, but a different kind of creamy to say, mac cremesheen lipsticks (this just sounds like i'm typing gibberish doesn't it...). it feels light, is moisturising, and it just feels like a really fresh product rather than an oversized crayon - which is something that is unfortunately prevalent among cheaper lipsticks. how do i know this? well, i put the shade through its paces and wore it to my friend's birthday meal. i had a dinner few snacks beforehand and the lipstick had stayed put. however, it didn't last once i devoured an entire pizza by myself, leaving a nice stain instead. maybe i'd be irritated if i paid over £20 for the lipstick, but for £4? it did a bloody good job.

as for my make-up, i am going to hold my hands up and admit that i caked. it. ON. the stress in my life caused by endless bad news has caused my skin to have a complete breakdown. anything you see is literally drawn on (well, by my standards anyway), as i have really spotty skin at the moment and the beautician completely butchered my brows. i went for a high-arched brow with cat flicks on the eyes, to keep it classic. as for the eyeshadow, i went for a pinky grey finish all over the lid with subtle contouring - half to complement the lipstick, and half to hide the dark circles around my eyes. it doesn't show here, but i also pressed some of urban decay's 'cherry' onto my eyelids for a little bit of shimmer.

before i styled my hair. look at it - a total frizzball. that's how close i am with you guys. :'(

face: sephora base lissante, mac studio fix fluid (nw30), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: urban decay primer potion, urban decay eyeshadows (virgin, naked, cherry), revlon colourstay 12 hour eyeshadow palette (in the buff, second colour), rimmel exaggerate liquid liner, maybelline gel liner, tiniest bit of nars eyeshadow palette (arabian nights), ruby and millie eyeliner (brown/black), mac brow pencil (stud), the body shop brow & lash gel, benefit 'they're real!' mascara.
cheeks: mac blush (well dressed), no 7 vital illuminating highlighter powder.
lips: 17 (deep secret).

here is also a swatch of it - but don't be fooled by how sheer it looks. usually i apply a balm before applying any lipstick ('whipstick' by lush) hence why it came out looking like that. obviously when i reapplied the lipstick it was more intense, but this just proves how wearable it can be and how you can tone it down if you want to. it's also photographed as pink, but it really is more purple in person.

ps - i'm still attempting that bloody 'banish fat, boost metabolism' challenge. it is bloody hard and then some. i hate you blog, because you make me feel guilty whenever i want to quit which, as it stands, is at least 3 times during each workout. i'm sort of lagging with it though due to a foot injury.

topshop haul.

naughty me. i'm sorry, blog - i've been ever so busy. i haven't done a review/purchase post in so long and what a way to bring it back with some gorgeous products from topshop! i tried fighting it but i just can't do it anymore: i just love their products. i recently popped into the flagship store and treated myself to some meadham kirchoff nail wraps (they have vaginas on them, so now my fingers can scissor), a lip pencil in "fearless" and a matte lipstick in "all about me". i've never used nail wraps before, but i'm saving them for a special occasion so i won't be showing them to you just yet (read: i haven't figured out how on earth i put them on, so i am postponing that trouble for another time).

i admit that i am always so pleasantly surprised by topshop's products - more so than their clothes in fact. i mean, this lip pencil's shade is fantastic. i can think of at least four lipsticks i own which would go with it as it is a really standard pink. it's not gimmicky or wacky, which is what i was after. and yes, it's not a revolutionary shade by any means, but i had been looking for a shade like this for so long and nowhere else had it. the lip pencil has decent pigmentation (not like the ones by mac though, which are just crazy) and feels nice on the lips. but then again, it's not as creamy as the ones by no 7... so although i'm in love with the colour selection of lip pencils at topshop and grateful for this pink goodness in my life, in terms of formulation, they're not my all-time favourites. then again, the other brands i've mentioned are slightly more expensive, and if you're on a budget then these really are decent for the price.

sorry for the rubbish swatch.

however, the star of the show (and the reason i ventured into topshop in the first place!) is the lipstick. a topshop make-up artist follows me on twitter and had their latest campaign shot as her profile picture. i asked what lipstick the model was wearing, and made up my mind to buy it. i had never tried topshop lipstick before, and when trying out new lipsticks, going for a matte shade is high-level dangerous business. totally high risk behaviour. it's essentially jumping into the deep end, because matte lipsticks are where so many brands can often get it wrong (so wrong). but step aside, ladies. "all about me" is a loud, attention-grabbing hot pink and definitely lives up to its name. unfortunately it's a blogger's nightmare though, as i can't get a photo which accurately depicts the shade: sometimes it looks red, sometimes purple, sometimes pink! but trust me when i say that this is definitely a hot colour which would suit many complexions.

having worn it for a few days now, i can happily report the following: topshop matte lipsticks are brilliant. intense colour, coupled with staying power and a creamy formulation despite it being matte? AND CHEAP?! absolutely cracking stuff. i always go on and on about how revlon matte lipsticks must be concocted with fairy dust or unicorn hairs or something to make them so magically creamy - but this formulation definitely comes second place (which is still a compliment of the highest order). 

 i find it quite interesting how higher-priced brands still fail to accomplish creamy matte lipsticks though, and wish they'd follow suit. if topshop or revlon got their mitts on my beloved 'ruby woo' and made it creamier, i would definitely be in lipstick nirvana. so yeah, i'm pretty sure that topshop is slowly becoming my top recommendation for make-up if you want to spend less but still get great quality cosmetics.

also that perfect-looking plait on my head? not my real hair. that's right - gettin' wiggy with it. i look so tired.

face: 17 primer, illamasqua skin base foundation (10), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: maybelline gel liner, no 7 lash adapt mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud).

cheeks: topshop (high five).

lips: topshop lip pencil (fearless), topshop lipstick (all about me).

nude.

eek, i've been a busy bee - haven't done a fotd post in a while have i? sorry blog. i'm working very hard on my essay (there aren't enough hours in the day, seriously) and casually saved 2,500 words i accidentally deleted from it earlier today. awwwwwwwww yeah. saved myself from my own retardation. maxine is staying round mine this weekend too but will be gone during the days (london edge, dah-ling) so i'm hoping to essay all day whilst she's gone. not to mention my 30 day shred. and then we'll have super hang out time in the evenings, possibly with pizza. sorry jillian.

because of my hectic workload, i've really been liking nude lips. i'm liking this kind of look because it's quite low-key and easy to do; it's a way of looking 'done' in 5 minutes even if you are feeling massively trampy and unglamourous. the only thing that used to put me off nude lips was their capability of looking very, very wrong. for example, i once found a shade lighter than my face, which to my horror, was then recommended to me by a sales assistant. um, okay lady. it would have looked awful! can you imagine?! (actually, i think i'll save you the trouble). you can also sometimes look washed out, or find a shade that's so nude, it's a total waste of money...

face: 17 primer, mac studio fix foundation (nw30), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: urban decay primer potion, urban decay eyeshadow (naked), revlon 8-hour colourstay quad (in the buff, second colour), rimmel exaggerate liquid liner (black), no 7 amazing eyes pencil (brown), benefit 'they're real!' mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud), the body shop brow & lash gel.
cheeks: nars multiple (portofino), no 7 vital illuminating highlighter powder.
lips: no 7 lip pencil (nude), mac lipstick (modesty), no 7 high gloss (smile).

sometimes i think that this lipstick, mac's 'modesty', isn't always right for me. today was one of those days so i changed the colour of the base with lip liner all over the lips, and then added gloss with the tiniest tint imaginable just to make it a little less milky and more... pinky. works quite well i think! the end result is like a nude equivalent of one of my all-time favourites, mac's 'see sheer'.

i'm also wearing my hair in my old old style. i'd been curling my hair with wide-barrelled ghd straighteners for ages now and got so bored of it. it would take 5 minutes, whereas this takes 10. i do like me some waves. please excuse the extremely-poor, half-arsed attempt at doing a swooshy hair shot.  

i'm hoping to write 6,000 words from today until sunday. wish me luck!

no 7 'vital brights' spring collection 2012.

i did it. i caved. i strolled right into boots and did the very thing i said i wouldn't do: i bought things i technically didn't need. 

... i feel so dirty and ashamed! this is indeed the limited edition spring collection for no 7, and combined with the 3 for 2 offer, i was helpless. i was vulnerable. now i'm not one for 'haul' posts (this is a baby haul) where there are just photos of the products, but isn't the packaging so fresh and pretty? 'vital brights' seems to be all about dewy, natural skin and bright colours that pop. the collection - off the top of my head - consists of a palette, highlighter powder, two cream blushers & two lipsticks. i skipped the palettes as i never use them, and the two cream blushes, as gorgeous as they were, were almost identical to the cream blushers i have from topshop in 'neon rose' and 'high five'  (which i have). i swatched them though, and they are creamy, highly pigmented and easy to blend - so if you missed out on the topshop blushers, then this is another option. unless you missed out on these too. whoops.

first of all, the highlighting powder. i have never used a powder which has pink/peach undertones and this was so lovely that i almost didn't want to use it! the inside (plus the shade) reminds me of laura mercier's face illuminator powder, which is great for those of us who can't afford it. i found it really easy to use and really light on the skin, despite how very shimmery it is (note: use sparingly!). it really does feel like a high-end product and i'm very happy with it.

i definitely see this becoming a daily staple... especially seeing as my beloved no 7 illuminator has to have the crappiest packaging of all time and is giving me grief.

i also picked up this lipstick, called 'blossoming pink'. what can i say, i'm a sucker for pink lipstick. it was met with a rolling of the eyes from my dear mother though. truth be told i am a little bit disappointed that no 7 didn't put the floral print on the tube, but it still looks clean and crisp in gold and white. don't be fooled by how pink it is though, because the finish is supposed to be a sheer balm formulation. now i knew this from the start so i wasn't surprised there, but i'm just warning those who might have not known and think that this is the pink lipstick of their dreams. i really do like no 7's sheer lipsticks, because they're creamy and have decent lasting power - so for what it's worth, i do recommend them. as i didn't have a sheer lipstick with a pink tint, i was really keen to have this.

i'm not sure if the colour is for me though. it's very light and pink! i applied my make-up in a rush (i am ill and therefore a shell of my former self) otherwise i would've built up the colour to fit with my complexion a bit better.

face: 17 primer, bourjois healthy mix foundation (52), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light).
eyes: urban decay 24/7 eye pencil (lust), mac studio fix lash (black), mac eyebrow pencil (stud).
cheeks: topshop (high five).
lips: no 7 (blossoming pink).

finish everything off with my beloved emilio pucci wellies and off i go!

illamasqua lipstick in 'drench'.

i remember it like it was yesterday. i must have woken up absurdly early, and having just opened my emails, i heard a ping. there it was. that horrible, HORRIBLE email i dread... the email from illamasqua, saying that their sale is on. i was totally helpless. like a moth to the flame, i went on the website, and bought more things i simply did not need (except one). to be fair i didn't go really crazy, but you'd think that with 30+ lipsticks and 5+ pairs of lashes, i wouldn't be going and buying more. 

generally speaking, i really do like illamasqua lipsticks. i've played around with a few of them but only own their matte shades for some bizarre reason, even though i keep telling myself to not buy more and go for their glossier lipsticks. despite the the brilliant colour range, their matte lipsticks really could do with being more creamy. i mean, if revlon can manage it, then c'mon. or maybe i'm being harsh. you see, illamasqua's mattes are actually far more tolerable than those of mac - but because i absolutely adore illamasqua's products, i just wish they'd work on that so i could love it even more. they've also got decent lasting power, and i really like the packaging too - definitely the best shaped bullet i've ever seen, perfect for creating a perfectly defined cupid's bow.

this is the shade i ordered, in 'drench'. i expected a fuchsia pink but instead received a pink-red which was a pleasant surprise. i haven't got any other shade like it but it's definitely in the same family (colourwise) as revlon's 'cherries in the snow'. application-wise it was the same old - great colour, little bit dry. i'm quite baffled as to how it's photographed with a bit of shine despite being matte though!  

jumper - river island, earrings - asos, brooch - dior.

face: 17 primer, mac studio fix fluid (nw30), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: urban decay primer potion, revlon colourstay quad (in the buff, second colour), maybelline gel liner, max factor false lash effect mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud), the body shop brow & lash gel.
cheeks: illamasqua cream pigment (hollow), topshop blush (high five).
lips: illamasqua (drench).

all in all, i do like it. i received compliments on it and it's definitely really wearable. very decent for £7.50.

spring clean update: still in the fiery clutches of ebay hell. haven't made progress on jewellery.

summer make-up & winter weather.

... i have written over 1000 words... i played a part in raising just under £10,000... i also got hit on by a 70 (MINIMUM) year-old man... i also met the very lovely vanesa guallar of 17 cosmetics... suffice to say, this weekend was productive. and now it is december! december will be full of applications and writing. applications do involve typing though, so basically just a buttload of words. my fingers will grow abs no doubt. bye bye christmas.

i haven't really bought any new make-up as of late, but have once again gravitated towards my usual pinks/reds/oranges. summer make-up is always more fun.

one of my all-time favourite make-up lines is revlon's matte lipstick range. just as pigmented as the ones at mac, but much cheaper and nowhere near as drying! i honestly don't know how they do it. it feels expensive, stays on for quite a while - i mean, how?!? i'm telling you, if they ever discontinue these bad boys i may well just wilt and die. unfortunately this particular shade has been discontinued in the uk, but i think it is still being sold in the states. ebay is probably the answer.

vanesa also kindly gave me the one colour i didn't have out of 17's magnetic nail polish range - what a sweetheart. it's supposed to be green, but has photographed as blue for some bizarre reason. super fun and easy to do - i get a lot of compliments on my nails.

nails - 17 (magnetic nail polish: green).

(see this vest in the background? it's a bad ass vest. that's right, i'm resorting to vests. it's one of those uni-qlo techy ones that is supposed to conserve heat. that's the good stuff right there...)

face: 17 primer, bourjois healthy mix foundation (52), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: maybelline gel liner, max factor false lash effect mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud).
cheeks: sleek blush (rose gold), benefit highlighter pencil (tangerine gold).
lips: revlon (strawberry suede).

in other news: i am hoping to put up my christmas tree(s) (that's right, PLURAL), and am staying indoors as the icy cold is causing havoc with my body. i have bad circulation problems so it causes me pain being in the cold so often. taking it easy for tomorrow.

basic look.

(check out those bags!)

face: sephora base subliminatrice, mac studio fix fluid (nc35), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), no 7 illuminator (peach), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: maybelline gel liner, max factor false lash effect mascara.

cheeks: mac (ladyblush).

lips: revlon (kiss me coral).

bad week.

over the past week i had dizzy spells on and off, but assumed that it might be because i had just returned from another country. then, over the weekend, my throat butchered itself and i assumed that i had a throat infection (which was confirmed on monday). last night, i woke up in a cold sweat and felt as if my head was going to explode. went back to the doctor again, and it turns out that i am shitty mcshit. i am seriously hoping that this is the worst of it and that the antibiotics make me feel better very quickly (as i am going to bestival). the initial plan was to go this thursday but i am just not well enough and so i've had to land my poor friend (and fellow tent-sharer) in it by leaving her with a bloody heavy tent. now, i am going on friday morning instead. one of my other friends has been an absolute lifesaver, sorting it out for me at the last minute. :3

but anyway, i feel awful about it, but i can't leave her tentless and expect spooning when i am like this. good timing is a rarity in the grand scheme of my life. BUT, no matter how ill i am, i am NOT calling off going. na uh. i am going to go and i will not give a shit if i cough up my own intestines. i am DETERMINED. in other news, my home internet has been down despite promises of fixing it (thanks virgin, you da man) and one of the pipe things in our house couldn't handle the amount of rain and broke. today i also burnt my hand. worst week ever.

in the meantime:

srs ill face. SO NON-COMFORMIST~*~*

hat - urban outfitters, jumper - vivienne westwood.

face: 17 primer, bourjois healthy mix foundation (52), collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer (02 light), nars highlighter (albatross), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: urban decay primer potion, urban decay eyeshadows (creep and gunmetal), l'oreal stylo eyeliner (grey obsession), maybelline gel liner, max factor false lash effect mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud).

lips: illamasqua (poison).

i really like illamasqua's lipsticks. slightly less hydrating than mac but the colour stays put which is all i could ask for. i also love their colour selection and would probably wear every single product with glee. 'poison' is an extremely deep purple which i think would be weirdly flattering on any skin tone, and perfect for autumn (let's face it, this is certainly no summer we're having in england!).

the hat stayed on for an hour and then i unleashed the beast underneath. boom.

bright pink lip.

the sunshine is out! seems as if london has finally got its act together. work was relatively sluggish all day, but the moment i had to leave i received a barrage of emails. just typical. my make-up was pretty low key, didn't have much on in the evening except drinks with a friend...

LOL jk i totally added buttloads of pink to my face. i hope the photo above demonstrates why i complain about my eyelashes being too long. i've always had relatively long eyelashes (nothing compared to my brother though) but following an unfortunate anger-induced incident with an eyelash curler, they were a little lacking. after approximately a month of using revlon's 'grow luscious' mascara to make them grow back quicker, they're back to their old self but... even longer. whoops.

face: sephora smoothing primer, mac studio fix fluid (nw30), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), paula dorf magic stick (#2), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: urban decay primer potion, urban decay eyeshadow (midnight cowboy rides again), maybelline gel liner, rimmel exaggerate liquid liner, max factor false lash effect mascara, mac eyebrow pencil (stud).
cheeks: mac blush (fleur power).
lips: revlon (cherries in the snow).

revlon's 'stormy pink'.

i think that the worst part about starting a blog is this expectation that you post pictures every day of yourself. i'm the one who runs a mile when someone pulls out a camera.

... as you can see, i have little experience. (there were actually normal photos but i thought i'd just show how incompetent i am). anyway, recently i've been wearing the same make up on a daily basis which isn't me at all. however, having long work days, meetings AND persistent rainclouds above my head means that it's somewhat necessary; i gotta stick to what i know will stay on! so whatever i wore today is stuff that can brave the rain, the hot and sticky tube journeys, and the office from 9-5. didn't even have time to touch up, so i'm mighty impressed.

i have been been absolutely addicted to the lipstick i initially feared the most: "stormy pink" matte lipstick by revlon. their lipsticks are fantastic, and i've had countless people either compliment me, call me nicki minaj thinking it's really original (gurl, really?), or be surprised at the fact that it's a drug store brand and not anything more expensive. revlon's matte lipsticks are far more hydrating than those of MAC, and so i absolutely love them. i initially thought the shade was too light for me, because boy, it's pink. even for me. i don't think any swatches could do it justice. perfect barbie shade. i think everyone should buy it and we can all have some kind of butt implant party where we scream along to super bass.

face: 17 primer, mac studio fix fluid (NC35), mufe hd foundation (128), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineral skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: maybelline gel liner, revlon 'grow luscious' mascara.

cheeks: no 7 highlighter (peach), mac sheertone shimmer blush (well dressed).

lips: revlon matte lipstick (stormy pink).