NOTD: Grey leopard print nails

As I'm going out tonight to celebrate my birthday, I wanted to try something different with my nails. Using my newly purchased Beautyuk polish in 'Slate', a George by Asda turquoise polish and some old eyeliner, I set about creating this look with the help of Gem Fatale's tutorial.

I don't have steady hands so it really isn't neat and my nails on my right hand are shocking (oh to be ambidextrous).


Thankfully it appears that people aren't looking too closely as I was complimented on them this morning. Next on my wishlist is Konad & the leopard print plate!

Muji Hinoki face brush - The £3.95 skin marvel

I've read about how amazing face brushes are on many other blogs (most recently on Secret Beauty Blog and Desi Girl Does Makeup) so when I was in Muji the other day, I decided to see for myself and bought this dinky little face brush.

I was initially apprehensive about using an actual brush to clean my face but my skin's been looking a bit dull lately and my usual exfoliator just hasn't been cutting it. The problem I find with exfoliators is that I'm never sure if I'm reaching all the areas I need to, with the exfoliating beads/granules being so scattered. I then end up overdoing it and leave my skin (especially around my nose) feeling sore.

However, I've never been so impressed with a product and it's so simple to use. I use a squirt of normal face wash and brush my whole face avoiding the eye area. It's not harsh at all as the water softens the bristles (not 100% sure if they're natural) and the results are instantaneous. I couldn't believe how clean and soft my skin felt afterwards, something I have never experienced from washing my face normally.

Since I've been using this my skin has definitely improved in appearance and I don't know why I didn't buy this sooner!

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer (NC42)

This is most probably the last post about Mac products for quite a while as my makeup funds are running low after my last haul. I wasn't even aware of the Pro Longwear collection until I was instore and decided that I obviously needed to buy this as concealer is my life (not really but you know...)



I was also tempted by its sleek good looks and pump dispenser which looks very "pro". In reality it's not that great as I always end up pumping out more product that I need. However it really does last for ages so that more than makes up for it. As much as I love my Select Moisture cover, I find it wears away easily, especially since I tend to rub my eyes a lot.



On the left is Pro Longwear with Select Moisturecover to the right. Both are in NC42 but Pro Longwear is lighter for some strange reason. However when blended (in the photo below) it's still a perfect match.



So how does it really compare with Select Moisturecover? SMC is really smooth and creamy whilst this is more of a liquid consistency that sets with a matte finish. I usually apply concealer with my ring finger but because this sets so quickly I definitely need a brush because it's hard to blend into the thin skin under my eyes.

I don't think it's amazing but it works well. Would I buy it again? Maybe....

Did you buy anything from the Pro Longwear collection?

NOTD: Barry M 'Silver Cascade'

My first foray into glitter polishes but I'm not as pleased with the outcome as I thought I would be.  This is very glittery so I expected it would be multi dimensional, but it looks flat and lacks a certain something. Perhaps it's too much to ask for something that only costs £2.95.

This is three coats over a grey polish base.

Maybe I need to invest in some glittery OPI instead...
 

Mac Fabulous Felines: Utterly Game Mineralize Blush

I don't really get carried away with new Mac collections but after seeing this on Temptalia it had to be mine. It's a beautiful peach/coral colour and I think my photos speak for themselves. I can't see myself tiring of this anytime soon.

 

Selfridges Shoe Galleries Competition

Tomorrow sees the launch of The Shoe Galleries in Selfridges, where there will be 4,000 pairs of shoes on display, showcasing 150 designers with 55,000 pairs in stock. Total shoe heaven!





Part of the inspiration for The Shoe Galleries was the idea that everyone has a shoe story and we have been invited to share ours via the website. By doing so you could be in with a chance of winning a new pair (one winner every week). Plus one lucky winner will scoop a year's supply of shoes from Selfridges!

I haven't entered yet but my entry would be about my beloved pair of ankle strap leather wedges from Zara. I couldn't find a photo but they look exactly like this pair from google:



They were the first pair of "proper" heels I bought and they make me feel so ladylike. It's like they were made for me as I can walk anywhere in them with ease and comfort. From the cobbled streets of Paris to the hilly roads in Sintra, Portugal, my wedges have not rubbed nor blistered and I absolutely love them. My only regret is not buying a backup pair as they won't last forever :(

Olivia Palermo, Anya Hindmarch and Daphne Guinness have already submitted theirs. Will you be sharing your shoe story?

Recent makeup buys

Because of RamadanI haven't spent money on food this month so I've had a splurge on makeup. Haven't had time to make dedicated posts yet but here's a lil glimpse of what my upcoming posts will be on.

Cheryl Cole covers Vogue October 2010

images: The Fashion Spot

The nation's sweetheart looking utterly gorgeous in the October issue of Vogue. I'm so envious of her simple but flawless makeup. She sure has come a long way from this.

My everyday essentials

I enjoy reading posts like these so thought I would do one of my own.

1. I apply my concealer first and I use Select Moisturecover in NC42 which does a brilliant job at covering my dark circles. So far, this is the best concealer I've tried as its easy to blend in and doesn't cake or settle in my fine lines.

2. Using my ELF Complexion brush, I apply MSFN in Medium Dark over my concealer and on my eyelids.

3. The 209 eyeliner brush is amazing and helps to create a fine line - I have the small SE version. I use this with Blacktrack Fluidline because it does not budge or fade at all.


4. I then line my waterline with Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero which sadly isn't 100% waterproof with my watery eyes but is super black (unlike Gosh's Velvet touch pencils). Next comes mascara of which I'm currently using Maybelline's Colossal.

5. Lastly, I use my favourite brush ever, ELF's powder one to apply my blush  and I usually turn to Coral by Sleek.

These are the very basics which I use everyday without fail, although the blush and mascara are interchangeable. If you've done a post like this (or are planning to), leave me a link so I can have a nosey :)

P.S. I wrote down the entrants for my Naked Coco de Mer bathfoam giveaway on pieces of paper and my little brother picked out Becky from Style and The City. Congrats! xx

Bare Minerals free sample offer

I noticed this tucked away in the corner of the fashion page of Thursday's Metro newspaper. A friend of mine swears by this so I was eager to get a sample. I made my way to my nearest counter (Selfridges) after work but was told straight up by the SA that there was no point as the only colours she had were Light and Beige. I don't know if this is just the case for Selfridges or everywhere but booooo.

I'm not sure if this is being printed everyday or just Thursday's issue but perhaps you can print off the page from the e-edition?