A Day In Taxachusettes

So when I'm trying to save a bit of money, where do I go shopping?

Only the state with one of the highest sales taxes in the United States! I do adore Boston though, I'd love to live there for a few years at some point. I'm so disappointed that I only got to spend one day there this summer and compared to last year I was quite good about my spending!

I took two quick trips to MAC and Sephora, I knew what I was going in for, got what I wanted and then left. That took some serious self control! Plus I had to be quick because my lovely, patient boyfriend was in the Apple Store waiting for me or waiting outside for me! We had lunch on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center, it was so weird to think I was twice as high as that when I went to the top of the Empire State building! The Top Of The Hub is my favourite restaurant and the views certainly make for good table conversation. If you're ever in Boston you HAVE to eat there, Sunday brunch is my absolute favourite! It's so surreal to look out from that high while eating a casual lunch, plus the food is truly scrumptious!

In Sephora I got MUFE's HD Foundation in Shade 123. I decided to splurge a little bit and get this becuase it's so hard to come by in England (not to mention more expensive!!). I then popped up Newbury Street to MAC and bought Opulash in Bad, Bad Black and another Dazzle Lipstick in Win-Win. I adore Naughty You and really wanted to pick up another Dazzle. The opportunity presented itself when MAC were out of both Saint Germain and Creme d' Nude. I've used Opulash once and I've got to say.. It's pretty odd! It feels so weird when it's dried onto your lashes. Definitely worth a post to itself!

I've done a lot of little hauls lately, I think a spending ban is in order fairly soon!

xoxo

Yesterday's FOTD

Super simple FOTD from yesterday. I had zero time to get ready so there's really no creativity here :s

MAC Face & Body Foundation in C3

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium

NARS Power Blush in Orgasm

NARS Powder Bronzer in Laguna

Benfit Dallas

MAC Eye Brows in Fling

MAC Kohl Pencil Eyeliner in Teddy

MAC #7 Lashes

MAC Lipstick in Please Me

I've used Laguna to contour, and I couldn't find a brown eyeshadow so I used it to contour my eyes too :)

I'm basically wearing the same look today, I had to get up super early this morning to drop my boyfriend off at Reading Festival and I went to bed so late last night.. I just couldn't be asked to get up early enough to do much to my face this morning :s

xoxo

FOTN 25/08

Last night Ryan and I went out to see his brother's band at their first headlining gig. I had literally 30 minutes to dry and straighten my hair then do my makeup so I don't exactly love it.. but I'm posting it anyway..

Benefit YouRebel

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium

MAC Powder Blush in Pink Swoon

MAC Eye Brows in Lingering

MAC #7 Lashes

MAC Plush Lash in PlushBlack

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Impassioned

I put on the bright lip at the last minute because I didn't want to not use any colour at all. I'm not sure if it suits me.. maybe it would look better with a darker tan?

xoxo

I Forgot..

So I bought these little beauties on my way out to the States at the start of August, I can't believe I haven't posted and swatched them until now! I absolutely adore them. I was going to buy Please Me and Hue originally but the MUA suggesteda coral lip for me. She suggested Vegas Volt, saying it was so popular people kept stealing the testers!

 Please Me; Vegas Volt

Vegas Volt

Please Me

What's your favourite coral?

xoxo

Myth & Boy Bait Lip Swatch

I've been chasing Boy Bait for a long, long time now and it deserves a lip swatch without a doubt. I adore MAC's Cremesheen Glasses and this is the best nude lipgloss I've come across for a good while now, it's not clear by any means but it has just enough nude colour to look perfect.

I've got it over Myth here, they're a match made in heaven, if you get one you need the other!

What's your favourite nude gloss?

xoxo

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Also a quick heads up that the fourth and final set of goodies will be revealed tonight! I'm going to the Mall of NH today to pick up the final lot but since I'm going out to dinner with the fam straight after that I'll be posting it when I get home! Keep you're eyes peeled tonight, it's your last chance to get extra entries!

NYC Wicked Tribute FOTN

So as I've said I spent this past weekend in NYC. We got an amazing deal to see Avenue Q for less than half price which meant we could use that extra money we saved to see Wicked!! These are my two favourite West End/Broadway shows, I've already seen both but Ryan had only seen Avenue Q and my mum had only seen Wicked. I decided I had to suit my makeup to the evening just because I'd a tad obsessed with Wicked; I had green Elphaba eyeshadow and pink glossy Galinda lips! Yes blah, blah, blah pink and green don't go together.. but this time I liked it for it's symbolism :)

Here we are prior to the show in the foyer of the theatre at 7.45pm..

 Up on the 102nd Floor of the Empire State Building..

And really just to make a point of the staying power of MAC and Inglot Makeup, here we are on the 86th Floor Balcony at 2.00am..

I'm not kidding when I say I didn't touch up once. Not even powder or lipgloss. I genuinely didn't have time. So that's over 6 hours of wear.. I'm pretty damn impressed!

After 6 hours of wear this is only a touch smudged!

 

I wore:

Benefit YouRebel SPF15 Tinted Moisturiser

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium

NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna

Inglot Eyeshadows (I'll have to update with the exact colours)

Duo Lash Adhesive

MAC #7 Lashes

MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Loud & Lovely

And bonus.. no staining! Just one wipe with remover and I was makeup free!

xoxo

Nude FOTD & Simple HOTD

So the reason I've been even worse than normal at posting this weekend is because we took a trip to NYC! I thought I'd have internet and the time to post, but we were only there for 3 nights and ended up seeing 2 shows and staying at the top of the Emipre State Building until 2am! We were rushing around like crazy trying to see everything, I barely checked my emails! So I'm going back a few days, but on Wednesday when we left I did super simple and almost non-existant makeup becuase I really didn't want to have to take a ton off when I got to our hotel room, I knew I'd just want to sleep! So here's what I did:

 Benefit YouRebel SPF15 Tinted Moisturiser

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium
NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna
MAC Prep+Prime Lash

MAC Plush Lash in PlushBlack

MAC Lipstick in Myth

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait

I'm adoring my YouRebel this summer. I never use it in England, but it's been a godsend with the humidity out here. I'll be doing a full post and review soon!

I just straightened my hair, sorted out my fringe and clipped up the shorter top sections. It's a simple, sleek look I do most days. It's also really versatile because you can put in pretty clips or backcomb for a bit of extra oomph!

Before this I couldn't wear makeup for about a week because I got a tiny bit burned (nothing bad, just a bit pink!) and didn't want to agravate it in the hope I wouldn't peel (which I didn't!), so that's the real reason for my lack of FOTD's.. My skin's all better now so I have a lot of catching up to do!!

What's you favourite summer beauty product?

xoxo

MAC & (First Ever!) Sephora Haul

I had a lovely day out shopping today. I originally went to MAC to pick up some products from the Dare To Wear collection, but I got there and just wasn't feeling the colours. I've been told that they swatch chalky and streaky, but with a good primer they work well. To be honest, I swatched and just couldn't bring myself to spend the money on colours that really just didn't speak to me like I wanted them to. I was tempted by the Dare To Wear Lip Glasses, but I ended up thinking that I just wouldn't use them enough. But there were a few other things on my wishlist that I decided to pick up instead.

I knew I wanted to get a lipstick from the Digi-Dazzle Collection, and I think I want to go back for another. They are so gorgeous and creamy, though the glitter is hell to remove. But they're so cute I don't think I can resist! I chose Naughty You, I still haven't beaten my pink lippie addiction apparently.

I adore this colour so much.. I haven't even worn it yet, but we're going out tomorrow night so I'm definately trying it out then!!

I fell in love when I bought my Loud & Lovely Cremesheen Glass from Lady Danger's blog sale a while back, I find Cremesheen's super glossy and creamy, plus they aren't sticky!! I've been chasing after Boy Bait for about 2 months now, I try to keep a matching gloss for every lipstick I have and I needed a nude. 2 MAC stores I went to didn't stock it, and the 3rd was out of stock, so I finally tracked it down today. I also picked up Fashion Scoop, which was also sold out in my local store in England. The MUA serving me said it's one that sells out often and they had just recieved their shipment this afternoon so I was lucky to catch it! I can't wait to use these and get lip swatches going!

I somehow forgot to bring my MAC Falsies with me on holiday.. I really don't know how I managed that but I used it as a perfect excuse to get my hands on some new pairs of my regulars!

After MAC I headed on over to Sephora as I really wanted to get a NARS Matte foundation since it had been recommended to me to deal with my oily T-Zone. So I got all colour matched and sorted, and then they were out of stock of my colour. I was disappointed, but it did give me the opportunity to cave and buy the duo of Orgasm and Laguna.. Something I've wanted all year. I'm super thrilled I got my hands on this as I've been waiting and waiting for the opportunity!

I already love it and will definately be using it tomorrow!

And finally; On with the swatches!

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Fashion Scoop; MAC Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait

MAC Digi-Dazzle Lipstick in Naughty You

NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm; NARS Powder Bronzer in Laguna

(Sorry for the quality, I'll do better ones in natural light!)

What are your NARS and MAC product recommendations right now?!

xoxo

Pervette Lip Swatch

This is my favourite lilac lipstick, it's smooth, creamy and has the perfect amount of purple tint.

I love this paired with smokey liner and lashes, it puts a beautifully even focus on the whole face because of it's quirky shade.

xoxo

Pink Nouveau and Loud & Lovely Lip Swatches (RAVE!!)

So here is the third in my MAC Lipsticks Lip Swatch Series, and I have a total rave! I have always loved my Pink Nouveau, and now I have discovered the perfect gloss for it too!! I love to pair this colour with green liner on my lower lash line and a bare lid, or a green shirt.

So without further ado..

Pink Nouveau! This is my favourite bright lip, I've been told it takes confidence to wear a colour like this, but I say it gives me confidence to wear it!

About a month ago I bought Loud & Lovely Cremesheen Glass from Rachel at Lady Danger Makeup. She was selling it because she simply didn't pick it up enough, but I'm addicted!

I think it look sooooo beautiful. As much as I hate to say it, I just love the 'plastic' look on the lip. According to Glamour I'm a 'Jordanista': fake hair, fake tan, fake lashes.. etc, etc, but whatever, I like what I like and I look how I like.

Now, the reason I'm so impressed with this gloss, is because it doesn't feel sticky WHAT-SO-EVER! I have NEVER EVER owned a gloss, that doesn't stick at all... I'm actually in shock. I haven't actually tried this since I bought it, purely becuase it looked so sticky in the tube.

What Cremesheen Glasses do you lovelies have? I want to try Boy Bait!

xoxo

FOTD - Lashes Without Liner

Today was a bad day, I woke up to find that somehow my MAC palette that holds my highlighters had fallen off the shelf, broken it's clasp that holds it closed and smashed four of the shadows. I am not a happy bunny. I managed to sort and save most of the pieces, anyone know how to 're-pot' (lol?) or press the shadows back into place. If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be very much appreciated!

Anyway, Happy June everyone!!

This was from 2 days ago, and I just did quick makeup for work. I had lashes in mind when I did this because I've received several emails from my lovely readers asking about using liquid/kohl liner when applying false lashes. So, this FOTD was really to prove you don't necessarily need eye liner. Yes, it can make the look cleaner and it does give you something to aim for, but you CAN apply lashes without it.

Face

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Foundation in 201 Classic Beige

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium (Powder)

MAC Blushcreme in Ladyblush

MAC Creme Colour Base in Hush

Eyes

MAC Shroom Eyeshadow

MAC #7 Lashes

MAC Plush Lash in Plushblack

  MAC Eye Brows in Lingering

Lips

MAC Frost Lipstick in Angel 

When placed properly and blended with mascara, false lashes can be worn with a more natural look.

To be totally honest, I would wear smaller lashes (like MAC #31s) if I was actually going to do this as a day look, but I just wanted to emphasize my point!

So, anybody up for the challenge of lashes without liner?

xoxo

xoxo

Lazy Day and Easy Lounger

So, here's Lazy Day from the To The Beach Collection. This is a really pretty girly pink, and looks amazing when paired with the Life's A Breeze Lip Pencil (as seen here) which is the perfect shade for almost all of my MAC light pinks. I think I'm going to call this my 'understated' pink. It's just the prettiest colour!

And here's Lazy Day paired with Easy Lounger Lipglass from the same collection. Easy Lounger is a great compliment to Lazy Day and really gives you that beautiful high gloss finish. When used with the lip pencil, I found these products to be long-lasting and I had no bleeding around the edges at all.

What do you lovely ladies think? Would you add another pink to your collection for Lazy Day?

xoxo

FOTD - MAC To The Beach

Since getting my To The Beach goodies I just had to do a FOTD with them. So here it is :)

Face

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 16 Hour Foundation in 201 Classic Beige

MAC Select Moisture Cover in NW20

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium (Powder) and Soft and Gentle (Highlight)

MAC Powder Blush in Pink Swoon

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

MAC Eyeshadows in Sweet & Punchy (Lid and Inner Corner), Humid (Crease), Brule (Blend) and Shroom (Highlight)

GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Blue Lagoon (Waterline)

MAC #7 Lashes

Duo Lash Glue

MAC Plushlash in Plush Black

MAC Eye Brows in Lingering

Lips

MAC Lip Pencil in Life's A Breeze

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Lazy Day

MAC Tinted Lipglass in Easy Lounger

I absolutely love Sweet & Punchy and Humid, they look so darling together! I'm considering the bronzing products from the To The Beach Collection. Any thoughts?

LUSH Haul coming up later tonight (and maybe some reviews)!!

xoxo

MAC Lipstick and Lustreglass Swatch - Angel and Morning Glory

So I figured the easiest way to get my lipstick swatches on here was to just post them as I go. I've been taking pictures as I wear them, but since I keep buying lipsticks I'm not keeping up at the moment! So I've tagged this with 'MAC Lipstick Swatches Collection' so once I get going with this you guys can just click the tag in the sidebar or at the bottom of a related post to see them all.

So here we go:

 Angel (Frost) with Morning Glory (Lustreglass)

So this is fast becoming a favourite combination I'll take pictures of these on their own so you can see the difference Morning Glory makes to Angel. I think Angel is a really nice neutral pink, definately one suited to a work environment, but you can dress is up with some bright eye makeup and it's perfect for summer.

xoxo

MAC To The Beach Haul

I love this collection, I had to wait until I got paid to get some bits and bobs but now here they are!

Life's A Breeze Lip Pencil

(Sorrry for the blurry picture, my camera was being stupid)

I really love this lip pencil. It's the perfect colour to compliment so many pink lipsticks. It looks really good with Viva Glam Gaga, Creme Cup and Lazy Day.

 Easy Lounger Lipglass

This is a really good way to spice up a pink lipstick, without having to buy a different shade of gloss for each one. It's sheer enough to suit all light pinks, but gives the perfect amount of shine and shimmer for use in the day and at night.

Lazy Day Lustre Lipstick

This is another really gorgeous pink from MAC's lipstick collection. It's more of a subtle pink thank most, but I like that. Perfect for work!

Life's A Breeze - Lazy Day - Easy Lounger

 Sweet & Punchy and Humid Eyeshadows

 Humid - Sweet & Punchy

I really want to go back and get the other eyeshadows, they're all really pretty. I have Shimmermoss already, so I won't be buying that one, but I really want the other two. I just got these two today, and I really wanted Float On By Eye Kohl to go with them, but I need to budget still!

LUSH and drugstore hauls later!

xoxo

FOTD - Hollister Skirt Inspired

So I bought this super cute blue, green and yellow Hollister Skirt, I'll put a pic up later, but this morning I saw it and thought of my new Alexander McQueen for MAC eyeshadows. So here's my FOTD:

Face

MAC Mineralize Foundation in NW25 (Foundation)

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation (Concealer)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium (Powder), Medium Deep (Contour) and Soft and Gentle (Highlight)

MAC Powder Blush in Pink Swoon

Eyes

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eyeshadows in Pagan (Lid) and Haunting (Crease)

MAC Eyeshadows in Brule (Blending) and Shroom (Highlight)

GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Alligator

MAC #7 False Lashes

MAC Plush Lash in Plush Black

MAC Eye Brows in Lingering

Lips

MAC Frost Lipstick in Angel

MAC Lustreglass in Morning Glory

xoxo

Viva Glam Gaga & Cyndi Swatches

So I'm totally post heavy tonight, but I have a ton to catch up on and since my car is coming tomorrow and I have the Domino's Awards (LOL right?!) on Wednesday, I may not be able to post for a few days now so I'm doing days worth of posting in one.

As promised, here are the long awaited lip swatches of Viva Glam Gaga & Viva Glam Cyndi lipsticks!

Sooo.. let's start with Gaga..

(Excuse the blahh looking face..

Was concentrating on the light!)

By the window with natural light

Natural light but away from the window

I just did those two to show how the colour looks different with the light.. Duh I don't have to explain that but I suppose someone had to tell me that at some point so if anyone reading this is at that place.. there you go :)

And now to Cyndi...

I can't comment on anyone but myself,

but I think this lippie looks lovely with

dark hair and pale(r) skin.

Natural light by the window

Natural light but away from the window

This last one was just to show the colour with a single 'swipe'.

You can turn it into a really pretty, sheer red/pink.

So there you have it, both of these are really buildable, so if you want some really versatile shades.. these are awesome. They also feel lovely when you wear them.. which is a major bonus point.

xoxo

So Finally...

I'm not a stupid.. well not for the reason I thought. My MAC bag was hiding in my Jane Norman bag. So finally.. here is my Technique Haul!

First up is my frost lipstick in Angel. I love this lipstick because it's a deeper pink than the others I have, so I think it's great for when I don't want to draw so much attention to my lips. I think it's one of those "better-than-my-natural-lips" colours. I don't think the swatch actually reflects this colour completely, my camera isn't behaving.

So I also have this thing now, about buying a gloss to go with my lipsticks. I forget to take a picture of the box, but I got a Lustreglass in Morning Glory. It's a beautiful glistening gloss with tiny microparticles of shimmer. This would look amazing on the lips on it's own, or used to highlight a lipstick. Again, the swatch doesn't do it justice, I'll have to swatch it on my lips to show you it's true colour.

Frost Lipstick in Angel, Lustreglass in Morning Glory

One of the products recommended by Bex (who is a Trainer for MAC) was brown mascara as it is a way to show off your own eyelashes without overpowering a natural look. Paired with Shroom eyeshadow I think brown mascara looks sooooo beautiful. I chose Plush Lash in Brownette.

Plush Lash in Brownette

You can't truly see the colour here since the brush is black, look on the wand and you can just about see it.

Finally, I had to pick up some #7's. I've been wondering whether I really wanted that style of lash, but one of the counter artists suggested them to me and I thought, why not? I'm really glad I tried them, they really open up your eyes and give you that 'doe-eyed' look.

I'll have to take a pic with them on to show you guys. Anyone else have a particular set of lashes they just love? I really want to try the Foxy Locks ones too.

xoxo