this works 'perfect look skin miracle'.

[looks like i'll be saying sorry yet again for the lack of posts. i honestly don't know how some people find the time to update their blog everyday, seriously. what about your jobs? driving lessons? school? manuscripts? JOBS? suffice to say i've been up to absolutely everything in the past fortnight, none of it being particularly fun (well, not 99% at least). hello stress, you old friend.]

recently i've been on the lookout for a tinted moisturiser to use during the summer, and had made up my mind to get the one by nars. however, my shade was sold out in three stockists (really? come on), and i wasn't that crazy about the product to go on a mad goose chase for it. so, i completely dropped the idea of getting it. a few days ago i managed to find some time to watch a lisa eldridge tutorial (unf, love her) and she recommended this. so, like a loyal little sheep, i went and got it. last one on the shelf baby. yessssss. i'm that bitch y'all love to hate.

this tinted moisturiser claims to hydrate and brighten the skin, and although i like it, i don't think it's anything particularly revolutionary. this is because it reminds me of clarins' beauty flash balm, but with the slightest tint - which is quite obvious seeing as the product itself is brown and has to be rubbed on. i also quite like the packaging (a tube with a pump) - but like a doofus i didn't take a picture of it. 

things you probably should know: it doesn't have a lot of coverage, nor is it dense. for that reason, i wouldn't really bank on this if you have skin problems or very dry skin - unless you want a non-greasy moisturiser to use as a primer, like me. i usually wear this before wearing a foundation with a matte finish, as it adds a little bit of shine but not too much. with that said, i can imagine this looking gorgeous if you're one of those people with absolutely perfect skin.

perfect look skin miracle turd.

what else is new...? well, it was my birthday yesterday. i spent it with a lot of family who came over as the rain dampened (GEDDIT, DAMPENED, RAIN, LOL) my plans for a boozy picnic. still coming to grips with my own age as we speak. this involves a lot of rocking and self-reassurance that i am not old...

top - american apparel.

face: this works perfect look skin miracle, sephora smoothing primer, mac face and body (c2), collection lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: urban decay primer potion, urban decay naked palette (naked, hustle, buck), maybelline gel liner, rimmel kohl pencil, clinique high definition mascara (lower lashes), revlon 'grow luscious' mascara, ardell 120 demi false eyelashes, mac eyebrow pencil (stud), the body shop brow & lash gel.

cheeks: duwop (peach), no 7 illuminator (peach).

lips: mac (modesty).

as you can probably tell, i went for a smokey eye with some neutral shades all over the lid - and this is definitely the sort of make-up i've been wearing as of late. i've also rediscovered my duwop blush which i love to death (a+ would recommend) and have been wearing that everyday aswell. and last but not least, some moschino shoe porn. i finally had an excuse to wear these! YEAH!

i hope that everyone has a fabulous jubilee weekend!

ps - i wrote a guest post for urban butterfly on vintage lipsticks. perfect for any retro laydeez. give it a read!

birthday: chanel ballet flats.

luckiest girl.

sleek blush in 'flamingo'.

i need to get this off my chest: i simply don't understand how i have a to-do list longer than my arm and yet find myself making zero effort to get any of it done. i have work this week, and then my birthday - but after that i think i'll lay low and get my own stuff done. no more making plans with people. i need some me time.


but anyway... a few days ago me and one of my bestest friends went to choccywoccydoodah. i rate their dip pot or whatever the hell it's called, but you can skip the slices of cake unless having a pulmonary is your thing. please see picture on the left for evidence. i honestly ate so much that i thought i was going to pass out there and then. as i'm not a massive fan of chocolate or sugary desserts in general, i think my body basically had a panic attack!

that aside, i saw that she was using the prettiest blusher ever, and as our complexions are very similar, i made up my mind to get it. it's kind of this lame running joke we have where one always copies the other and in this case, it was me. i seriously love sleek blushes. i honestly would pay £10 for them, so getting them for around the £4 mark almost feels criminal. 'flamingo' is an absurdly pink shade that also has a hint of coral in, without any shimmer. it's like summer has been packaged up!

if i saw this in the shop, i would probably be put off by how bright it is. i mean, it is seriously pink. however, it can be used for a more natural look so long as you apply it lightly and don't go beserk with it. i applied it quite sparingly myself i was going to a café before i took these pictures - but you can build this up as much as you like. it blends like a dream, so whether a light flush or super hot pink cheeks are your thing, this product really is amazing for that.

i'm sitting here typing... wondering if it has any cons... but none come to mind. it does the job, lasts for a very long time, and has more pigment than some of my mac blushes. i honestly have no cons with this product. NONE. n-o-n-e.

face: sephora base subliminatrice, mac studio fix (nw30), collection lasting perfection concealer (#2),clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).
eyes: urban decay primer potion, illamasqua cream pigment (hollow), maybelline gel liner, mac studio fix lash, mac eyebrow pencil (stud), ruby & millie eyeliner pencil (brown/black), the body shop brow & lash gel.
cheeks: sleek (flamingo), illamasqua cream pigment (hollow).
lips: mac (speak louder).

my eyebrows are also getting too big for my face.

the voice.

yesterday i went to elstree studios to watch the voice. it was really good! pretty tiring. today i iplayer-ed it out of curiosity (to see if my big head would make an appearance) and spotted myself.

i'm in the blue/turquoise shirt, on will.i.am's left. heeheehee!

limited edition mac lipglass in 'russian red'.

[THE BULK OF MY MASTERS DEGREE IS NOW OVER. YES. YES. YES!!!]

mac have just released their 'fashion sets' collection. in a nutshell, it's basically a series of matching nail polishes and lipglosses to accompany some of their best-selling lipsticks. i admit that i'm not usually sucked in to their limited edition collections (i just can't keep up) or simply because i missed out on iris apfel and remain bitter but i was really into this. i absolutely love the lipstick shades that were chosen, and made up my mind to go get something. in the end, i went for the lipglass version of 'russian red'.

top - french connection.

nails - rimmel (rose libertine).

red gloss is a more modern take on the classic red lip - and i can't think of a single person who doesn't look far better without some sort of red shade on their lips! having it in a glossy finish is completely new to me though, as i haven't owned one until now. and honestly? i love it. i cannot help but strut around like i'm in some kind of power ballad... oh i don't know... LIKE THIS. (and if you don't recognise where this picture is from, then get out.)

the pigmentation is insane. these pictures probably don't do it justice because i was silly and applied some balm to my lips beforehand, out of habit. i forgot that i wouldn't be needing it, and so the lipglass had to sort of sit on top of it if that makes sense. but yeah, i'm certain that if you skip using lip balm, this would be a lot brighter and redder. it also has pretty decent lasting power, much more so than high street brands i'd say.

downsides? it is super high maintenance which can be a pain in the ass. it just found its way onto my teeth too many times. maybe my teeth are too big for my face. maybe i'm a closeted bugs bunny. self-doubt aside, i'm thinking that a layer of lipliner underneath might do a better job of holding it in place and making the application look more precise. but you know what? my love is unconditional.

face: 17 primer, tiny bit of mac studio fix fluid (nw30), mac face and body (c2), collection lasting perfection concealer (#2), clinique airbrush concealer (03 light), mac mineralize skinfinish (medium plus).

eyes: urban decay primer potion, maybelline gel liner, nars eyeshadow (from arabian nights trio), clinique high impact mascara on lower lashes, mac studio fix lash, ruby & millie eye pencil (brown/black), the body shop brow & lash gel.

cheeks: nars (portofino), clarins beauty flash balm.

lips: mac lipglass (russian red).

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. forget my face - just look at that colour! in all honesty, i could probably compare this product to spanx. starts off as a great idea until you do it and feel like you can't breathe and get all pissed off. and then you look back on photos and your regret sort of disappears and evolves into relief because you look far better than you would otherwise. seriously. this looks so good when photographed and reminds me of real glass or something that snow white would wear. [have yet to be photographed in spanx though, but might save it for another post.]

bourjois 3d effect max lipgloss in 'rose lyric'.

i'm writing this at 1.18am on the 7th of may. i have an exam tomorrow. am i prepared? sort of yes, sort of no. i've revised four full topics and a sort of half topic where i will only be able to answer a very specific question. so let's say 4.5 topics... and in the exam, i have to answer 3. to say that i am risking it is a huge understatement, i know. but the module was killer and my tutor was really unclear 99.999% of the time. if i asked a question, he'd get even more incoherent! however, i have faith (i am a new convert to faith after the sheer miracle that happened to me in march), will wear my lucky lipstick, and will try to believe that it will be okay. POSITIVE THINKING. my topics will come up. my topics will come up. my topics will come up.*

that aside, i was watching a documentary on disco a few nights ago (don't even ask) and was dazzled by the big hair, big eyelashes and super sparkly lips. i can't say that i've taken to flared jeans and platform shoes just yet though. however, my latest plaything is bourjois' 3D effect max lipgloss and it is great for achieving that super sparkly look - so i think that on some subconscious level, i am clearly feeling inspired by the gay rights movement and drag queen scene that disco brought along. that's right. my make-up is topical. we're all high-brow here.

super thick eyeliner, big lashes and rosy cheeks.

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

eyes: maybelline gel liner, eyelure naturalites false eyelashes (volume plus), lancome hypnose l'extreme mascara, rimmel kohl liner, illamasqua thin pencil (eerie).

cheeks: mac (ladyblush), no 7 skin illuminator (peach).

lips: bourjois lipgloss (rose lyric).

apologies for the blurry picture - i took it while the sun was setting (blogging cardinal sin, yes i know). but back to the product. i'll get the negative out of the way first. firstly, this product is a little pricey for what it does at £6.99. yes that's cheaper than most, but for a few pounds extra you can get a gloss from no 7 that feels nicer (and where you don't feel the glitter as much). secondly, it could last a little longer. then again, i'm no lipgloss expert so maybe that's just standard.

i hate you sun, why must you set. i mean really. give me a little something here.

however, what i do love is the colour and pigmentation. it looks just like i've applied a lipstick underneath and the colour is perfect for summer when you don't want heavy products on your face. it's also not gloopy or sticky, and is super duper glittery. if that's not your thing, then steer clear! would i recommend it? i guess i would, largely due to its lightness and bold colour. however, it's probably best to wait until bourjois runs a 3 for 2 offer or something - then you can buy their blushers and foundations which i love with a fiery passion, and have this as a treat on the side.

so yeah - think positive thoughts for me people and PRAY! and apologies again for the terrible photo. i have a fabulous product (which i can't wait to review) for next time to make up for it.

* if they do not then i will fail and have a panic attack and vomit and shit everywhere. or do something equally as degrading and tragic. i will then get killed by my parents. no biggie.

next challenge: killer buns and thighs and six-week six pack.

so far, i've lost 8.2" but as far as i know, no weight. i don't really weigh myself so i don't know how up and down i've been. all i know is that i've lost 2lbs recently - which is obviously better than nothing, but not a whopping amount by any means. it could just be water weight even. but now that summer is round the corner, i need to up my game! my problem areas really are my tummy (which is massive and gross and totally unbecoming) and my inner thighs. so, i will be doing my usual exercise gig and also completing jillian michaels' "killer buns and thighs" to review for you guys. not only that, but i'll be alternating it with her other dvd, called "six week six pack". i'm loving the cheesy names.

to act as some sort of motivation, i also bought myself some short shorts. well, actually they aren't my only pair, and technically they fit. BUT, i would only wear them with tights. i'm nowhere near bare-legged territory with these bad boys just yet. they're trashy and tacky and i love them.

i'll stick with those dvds for over a month, and see what progress i make with my legs. i'm really hoping i can drop some pounds and get some stubborn fat off me! i'm nowhere near ready for summer! come back in 5-6 weeks to see how i've done.