My Top 10 Fashion Icons from 2009

I didn't want this list to be too exhaustive so narrowed it down to 10 - although I could certainly go on!

I wanted to share with you celebrities who have inspired my own personal fashion and beauty choices through 2009. I don't copy these celebrities but instead I am either inspired by their own style or simply love to look at the beautiful images of them.

So starting from the bottom, here we go:

10) Lauren Conrad

I am not sure why this choice still embarrasses me a little but I can't deny Lauren is always freshly turned out and makes great if not sometimes safe fashion options. For me, her look is very 'everyday girl' therefore attainable. I adore the simplicity of this blue dress she wore to the Speidi wedding - teamed with a black Chanel and accessories, it was classic, chic and simply gorgeous!

9) Olivia Palermo

On a similar note to Lauren I hang my head a little when it comes to Olivia, not sure why? I always think her ensembles are classic but with a little twist, for instance the studded belt in this picture. As much as she always looks immaculate, I think she could push the boat out with her hair and make up more often.

8) Anna Friel

Anna has only recently intriqued me in the style stakes. Ever since her stint on the stage performance of Breakfast at Tiffany's, she has churned out flawless looks night after night leaving by the stage exit! She is definitely taking advantage of any Audrey Hepburn comparisons and working the vintage look as well as rocking up some River Island on occasion!

7) Paloma Faith

Half-Spanish Paloma has one of those quirky images that you just can't stop looking at and admiring. On stage she wears wonderful avant garde creations and off stage she dons nothing too dissimilar it seems. I would love to have her sense of style along with the confidence to carry it off with such finesse as she does. I love her dyed red hair which contrast with her dark eyebrows. So much so that she inspired me to go dark with my own eyebrows earlier this year - see here.

6) Eva Mendes

I always think Eva looks gorgeous. Her make up and hair is always lush yet looks so effortless. To be honest I haven't seen too many photos of her casual looks but on the red carpet she always looks devine. Her choice of accessories and jewellery always wow me!

5) Michelle Obama

Michelle hit the fashion headlines big time this year, gracing the pages of some of the most notorious style bibles. She is her own stylist and with a modest use of brands she proved that a successful working, wife and mother could look impeccably turned out and have true style. I just think this woman is beautiful and a complete inspiration in the fashion, career and family stakes! Of course, her style is slightly older but one day she is what I will aspire to. She shows that you can have it all and look blimmin' gorgeous!

4) The Olsen Twins

When are these girls ever not gonna be in my top 10 - lets face it - they inspire so many of us. Whether they be sporting a new 'It' bag or killer heels, they exude an attainability! We too can dress like them - they look like they could be our mates! They are not always immaculately turned out but thats the joy of them, they can look grungy and messy, making it fashionable to wear birds nest hair and dirty converse! They do however make some fashion boo boo's from time to time but these can be forgiven seeing as they do so well the rest of the time. The birds nest hairstyles I have been sporting the past 6 months or so is definitely thanks to thses girls!

3) Crystal Renn

Beyond gorgeous Crystal was signed as a model at the age of 14 but was asked to lose so much weight she eventually developed an eating disorder. Since recovering, she has now become a plus size model at a healthy size 16. Recently she was featured in 'V' magazine alongside a size zero model, proving that bigger girls can look just as good in size zero clothes (albeit airbrushed photos)! I love that she looks so confident and comfortable in her body, encouraging other women to embrace their curves and exhibit their own style rather than hiding their bodies because they don't feel they will be accepted!

2) Lily Allen

Lily has certainly come a long way since her days in a prom dress and trainers! This year she was Chanel's Belle de Jour, maybe a controversial choice for Karl Lagerfeld but a great one all the same. This Summer she looked fabulous whatever she wore even if she did sport some 'interesting' make up. I found myself inspired by her hairstyles, clothing and even hosiery choices (Henry Holland for Pretty Polly) this year. Most recently, I had my hair cut in a similar style to what she sported at the Q Awards!

1) Danni Minogue

Suprised?! Thought not! I have been raving about Danni ever since X Factor started back on our screens. In my eyes, she can do no wrong! Week after week she beat Cheryl Cole in the style stakes looking absolutely flawless and with impeccable dress sense. She was her own stylist on the show and with a clothing range due out in 2010 - the girl deserves some credit! Her new bobbed hairdo is my envy, always so sleek but oh so versatile. Her make up is beyond immaculate and everyday I strive for that Danni flawless finish! She can be rock chick one week and pretty as a princess the next. I have high hopes for Danni's clothing range, fingers crossed it's affordable as well as gorgeous! Danni - I heart you!

So there we have my top 10! Of course I could have mentioned the obvious ones, Victoria Beckham, Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss but sometimes there is not point in stating the obvious and sometimes they just become pretty pictures in a magazine rather than inspiration.

Who are in your list of top fashion icons for 2009?!

x

So, this kinda bugged me ...

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by MAC to pick up some falsies for my Christmas night out. Christmas isn't Christmas without falsies and sparkle! I decided to keep it fairly low key for my night out though and went for semi natural looking lashes.

I knew what I was after - No.43's (below)

As described on the MAC website they are 'Wispy bundles and natural style length provide an everyday flirty fringe'.

Nothing indicates that these are individual lashes and I just KNOW already they are not.

So I let the MAC assistant know what i want - she collects them for me and says "Individual lashes, yeah?"

I say "no, they are strip lashes"

she says "no they're not, they are individual lashes, see?"

At this point, I say "No, they just have a clear band, see?"

She says "No, thats just the glue"

I know I am right but I ask "so how would you suggest I apply individual lashes that come in bundles like that?"

She says "with tweezers."

Do I need to say anymore?!! Maybe one day, just maybe I will get someone serve me in MAC who isn't clueless, arrogant, bitchy or condescending. Maybe.

Anyway, I still bought them because thankfully out of the 2 of us - one of us had a clue!!

I love them and here is a terrible photo of me donning said lashes on my night out - you barely see them but it's the only photo I have of me!

Not a great photo for getting an impression of the lashes but it won't be the last time I buy them so next time I will get a more detailed shot! Hopefully you get an idea of the natural fullness they give on the top lash.

Who else is loving lashes this Christmas?

Hasta Luego!!

I'm a bad blogger, i know it, I do!

I am off on another little jaunt abroad again, neglecting my modest little blog .... I promise when I return I will have news to share, hauls to show and products to rave about!

For those interested, I am off to Barcelona for a long weekend with my Husband! Any excuse to get away and chill out - right before Christmas too - the cheek of us! lol

Hope everyone is all organised and excited for Christmas, 7 days and counting! ;)

Burlesque Fun - High Tease & Vegas!

You may remember I told you about a Burlesque show, High Tease that I went to back in August? Well, last Saturday, High Tease arrived in Glasgow at the Old Fruitmarket for an evening of Burlesque and Cabaret followed by the ever popular club night - Vegas!

High Tease' theme for the night was 'A Christmas Carol Cabaret' and was hosted by the wonderfully intriguing Des O'Connor in the guise of Desmorphia. He played an Ebeneezer Scrooge type character and therefore was visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future who usually turned up as can-can dancers, a gay choir or a burlesque strip-tease popping out of a bow wrapped box! As usual the night was full of fun and titillation. My highlights were the Edinburgh Gay Chorus who sang 'I'm dreaming of a Shite Christmas' among other 'twisted' Christmas favourites! The Kitsch Kats also entertained with their perfectly timed yet hilarious dance routines! I love these guys and found out that night they were husband and wife - love it! I've already got Garrath practising routines with me - just need to think of a name for us now ;p

Vegas followed afterwards where the showgirls strutted their stuff in feathers and frills handing out Elvis style notes for us to gamble at the fake casino upstairs. The dancefloor was packed with people dancing to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Vegas! followers know the dress code is 50's retro as is the playlist however when you add High Tease into the mix, it's time to up the ante! Some of the outfits on display were fantastic, sequins, feathers, leather, corsets - it was wonderful. Everyone made such an effort! Here are our efforts - note, the classy toilet shots!! Cos thats the way we roll!! ;)My outfit consisted of a black sequinned dress with a veiled fascinator, Henry Holland suspender tights, lots of pearls and red lippie! In the end it turned out a l'il bit 1920's flapperish! I liked it. Lorraine was looking gorgeous in her fishnets, highwaisted skirt, feather fascinator and pearls.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Sunday Blue, the gorgeous lady behind Ministry of Burlesque. I hope my tipsy exterior wasn't too off-putting but I couldn't leave without saying Hello and thank her for putting such a great show together.

My Skin Saviour ...

Up until 4 or 5 months ago I was convinced I was allergic to Estee Lauder skincare products. I found their cleanser/toner broke my skin out and dried it up to a shrivel. That is until I tried this .... my skin saviour ...
Estee Lauder DayWear Plus for normal/combination skin. I first purchased this at duty free going on holiday about 3 months or so ago. I applied it day and night on holiday and by the end of my week away my skin was looking like its old self again, revitalised, clear and hydrated!

I did think it could have been a helping hand from the Sun but I continued to use it after I came home and yup, my skin was still lovely. The only time my skin broke out in any way or started to 'play up' was when i ran out of it a couple of weeks ago! As soon as I repurchased my skin started to behave again.

DayWear Plus is described as a moisturiser with SPF which helps to 'prevent lines before they appear'. Since I have not noticed any new lines appearing I guess I will assume it's doing it's job! ;) The cream itself is an aqua colour but is clear on the skin (although there is a tinted moisturiser version of this which is great for Summer).

It contains a blend of anti-oxidants such as rare South African Red Tea, Grape Seed, and a combination of Vitamins C and E. Basically this means it moisturises, protects and re-enerigses all in one. Bonza! Ooh and it has a whiff of cucumber for that fresh feeling!

I think I will purchase the tinted version of this when the nicer weather comes in again but I would like this to remain a staple of my skincare. I also find it works great as a primer as well as making my skin looks and feels healthy - just the way I like it!

x

Updated NOTD - China Glaze Liquid Leather

Well, the GOSH Black Passion was on for less than 24 hours and I just couldn't live with it. It's just too much of a grey shade for me albeit a much more sophisticated grey for nails. It just wasn't me so decided to re-do the nails this morning.
I decided to opt for a full on black this time in the form of China Glaze Liquid Leather. This is my favourite black polish - not that they vary too greatly in terms of shade or colouration but i like the glossy finish of this.
I do love black nails, gothic yet tasteful.

x

NOTD - GOSH Black Passsion

I was perusing in Superdrug today and was having a look at what GOSH had to offer. In fairness I haven't felt the need to buy much recently and I'm a bit bored of what's out there just now but today something caught my eye.

It was Gosh Black Passion nail lacquer. Now, I don't do green nails and I definitely don't do grey nails but I do love black nails! However, Black Passion rather than being a simple black as the name may suggest - it is more of a Pewter shade. There is a subtle silver shimmer through this polish that gives the pewter effect and stops it being as harsh as black but not as wishy washy as grey.
I tried the polish over black polish to see how it affected the intensity of the shade but to be honest the pigmentation is so good to start with that it doesn't make a major difference. You could definitely get away with one coat of this but I stuck to 2 for good measure.

The only thing that bothers me about any GOSH nail lacquer is the handle/top. It's so bulky and cylindrical it can be hard to get a good grip or decent control over the brush.

x

Changing Rooms!

I realise I have been AWOL this week but things have been pretty messy at Chez Saskia!

We are selling our apartment so we have been trying to fancy the place up a bit for viewers. We have a spare bedroom that was never used, so for the purpose of the sale we had to quickly turn the room around to do what it says on the tin.

Stupid me forgot to take 'before' photographs and we did have a dilemna when the wrong bed was delivered to us but in all this was a 24 hour turnaround and I think the room looks pretty cute now.
It's certainly not amazing but apart from the bed and mirror, we utilised what we already owned and I think we made the space look cosy and inviting while keeping the spend to a minimum. Before this, the room was used for storage and had lots of units and a sofa bed in it... not very appealling for potential buyers you will agree! I've now housed my make up collection in here so I get to use it as a dressing room so really it's all worked out in my benefit heh heh!
Photos are bad I know, they were taken from my iphone. We picked up the bed cheaply from Ikea. The worst part was the mayhem left over in the rest of the flat but we are back to normality now thank goodness!

So thats what I have been up to this week, hopefully normal business will resume shortly!

What has everyone else been up to?

x

Another EOTD

It's been a very busy week so I've not had much time for anything so I thought I would show you another effort from when I was having a play with the Sleek Graphite palette.

This look was completely inspired by Pixiwoos video.
I followed the Pixiwoo's tutorial as much as I could. Using the dark grey/silver from the Sleek palette all over my lid and blending out with the lighter silver. I then used the purple shade from the palette on the outer v and crease of my eye and on the inner quarter I blended through some Urban Decay Mossgreen. I brought the grey from the graphite palette underneath my eye and then used a blue shade I had lying around on top (can't remember what this was)
I finished off with some MAC fluidline in blacktrack and YSL Singulier Mascara. Again with some tweeking and more care I could definitely wear this for the party season.

What do you think? Tips always welcome :)

x

EOTD - Purple Rain

A night or 2 ago, I was feeling a bit rubbish with having a cold (yet again) and in my pitiful state of boredom I decided to have a play about with my new Sleek Graphite Palette. For as much make up as I own, I rarely have time to just play or mess about with it so it was nice to do so.
For this look, I used my new Sleek Graphite palette (LE) and the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume 2.
I started off using Mac Paint in Untitled as a base the applied the purple shade from the Sleek Palette (it's the bottom right corner purple). I applied this all over my lid. I had to really build up the colour with this so it was a case of applying then blending then repeat until I was happy with the colour pay off. In the end I took the colour higher on the lid than normal to add some drama and I also applied the colour under the lower lashline to create a smokey effect.
I then applied the darkest shade from the UD Book of Shadows - Perversion. I only applied a quarter to half way into the eye and really concentrated the colour on the outer v. I then applied the pink shade - Sphynx from this palette to the inner half of the lid and worked out toward the outer v. I then used UD 24/7 liner in zero on my waterline and lightly lined the lid with Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack. Also to highlight the brow bone I added some Mac shadow in Vanilla. I finished the look with YSL Singulier mascara.

I would definitely wear this look with flawless skin and light pink glossy lips for a night out. The overall look was a lot more matte than what I expected from both UD and Sleek shadows but I'd rather there was less shimmer with a look that is dramatic like this.

What dramatic eyes are you favouring? Any tips how I can make this better?

x

Haul time!

I haven't posted a haul in a while and to be honest this is an ickle one from my usual Friday afternoon jaunt to the shops. I thought hauls were becoming a bit tiresome but every now and then I do like a nosey into what is floating other bloggers boats ...

So first up, I went to MAC and I was bowled over that for the first time ever, yes ever, a MUA actually approached me to ask if I needed help!! *faints* I usually have to fight to speak to a MUA in MAC and even then they are usually downright rude but today was a positively pleasant experience. I let the girl know what I wanted and I was literally in and out in 10 minutes!
I went for a Springsheen blush, a colour I have been wanting for a while but just kept forgetting about whenever I had the chance to purchase. It's a lovely peach/coral/pink shade. It reminds me a little of Nars Orgasm but not quite as shimmery although it is a shimmer blush. Then from left to right, I picked up eyeshadows in Charcoal Brown, Vanilla and Cork - all matt shadows. Charcoal brown I have wanted for ages, Vanilla is a lovely colour that will be great as a highlight and in the inner corners of the eye. I have seen Cork on quite a few blogs and YT tutorials recently so I wanted to see how it would work for me. Basically I am looking for the perfect everyday make up routine as I feel my everyday look has become a bit tired and is lacking some oomph. So this is why I went for nice, neutral, natural shades.

I also picked up my first MSF Natural in medium! Everyone raves about this product so I thought it was about time I tried it. Hopefully I will love it as much as everyone else, will keep you posted!

Finally, I went to YSL to pick up the new mascara YSL Singulier. I was encouraged to buy this after seeing Holly's review. Holly has some great photos of her lashes in her review so you should have a look, they look devine. Unfortunately, you are stuck with my terrible photos of the spiral wand! The SA at YSL actually tried to talk me out of buying this - she told me if I like Faux Cils then I should stick to that. Hmmm, I wasn't sure what to make of that but obviously I bought Singulier in the end. It is supposed to curl, lengthen and seperate your lashes but the SA did advise not to apply too many coats of it. I do like to build my mascara up but based on Holly's review I may not need to. Again, I will keep you posted on whether this works for me or not!

So thats my rather small and uninteresting haul. For my next haul I really want to find some lovely lip colours, neutrals and brights. Any recommendations?

x

Sharing some sugar!

There seems to be so much negativity online just now and it's something I don't really get too bothered with - I am able to make the clear distinction from cyber life and real life and rarely let them crossover but sometimes you just get sick of hearing people moan day in day out!

So, I thought I would do a really quick post to share with you some blogs that I just love at the moment:

Love Meagan

Maegan is fabulous and utterly gorgeous! She has her own website, blog, YT and tumblr rolled into one. She does fantastic 'Gratuitous Outfit of the Day' posts and better still she has an amazing skill for diy and customising clothes. I came across her blog when i was looking for ways to make a feather skirt - Maegan had beat me to it and has blogged her very own tutorial on it yay!
She exudes style and confidence and her fashion posts are so much more realistic for a professional, fashion conscious 28 year old like myself. I can no longer lust after the fashions of a waif like 17 year old. You can see Maegan has a clear respect and passion for art and design which makes her blog all the more interesting and captivating! Go check her out!

Absolutely Oblivious

Mega is probably on the other extreme of fashion blogging, she is just a young 'un but I love her style of self expression. Her outfit of the day posts (if you can call them that) are so much more - I love her photography style and most of her images look like they have come straight from the pages of I-D rather than taken in her bedroom. What I love most is the key designer pieces that pop up in her posts on a regular basis. She has a good eye for what works and what doesn't and can work a classic Chanel like no other. She is as cute as a button but oh so edgy. She Rocks!

Kingdom of Style

Bloggers Queen Marie and Queen Michelle are the Glaswegian Royalty behind this great blog. It is essentially a fashion blog but you do get a mixed bag of everyday life, interiors and wit from them. It makes for such an interesting read and lots of pretty pictures of Queen Michelle and her amazing sense of style. I rarely read a blog and am captured by every word but Kingdom of Style grabs my attention and keeps it!

Cupcakes take the Cake

This one is a bit random in comparison - basically a blog about cupcakes. Boring you might think but I tell you, there are some gorgeous little cupcake creations on this site. I live for the day when I move into my new home and have a big swanky kitchen where I can lure the inner domestic goddess out of me. Cupcakes may just become my speciality thanks to this blog!

A(nother) renovation blog

Ok, so another random one. You have probably all realised my love for interior design already but at the moment I am looking to take on a bit of a project with our new house. I have frantically been looking for some inspiration on renovation ideas and came across this great blog. Kay is renovating her London home so for someone like me who is looking to do similar it really is great to see the progress step by step. What's more amazing is that she is doing this with 2 young daughters around and working full time at *Wallpaper magazine - She must be Wonder Woman! All Hail Kay!

So there we have it - I hope that these are something a bit different for you to peruse instead of the usual make up blogs. Sometimes things can get boring and we have to mix it up a bit and keep an eye on our other interests so this is some insight into mine.

Who are you blog loving just now?

x

All I want for Christmas ....

Are these 2 little buddies - they are Siberian kittens and I just wanna hug 'em and squeeze 'em and love 'em and hug 'em and squeeze 'em .......

They can be added to the ever growing list:

Driving Lessons *blushes* (still can't drive!!)
New make up brushes
Creme de la Mer goodies
Barcelona Chair for my new home
Nars & Mac goodies
Lipo
Christian Louboutins
A big CHOCOLATE Reindeer
Alexander Wang Coco Bag
Tom Dixon Globe Pendant Light (x3)
Alexander McQueen skull ring
Stella McCartney, Gucci and Marc Jacobs perfume
Dermalogica cleansing products (i'm all out)
Lush gift box (No Christmas is complete without this)
Invisalign braces

You see, I don't ask for much do I?

What is on your Christmas list?

x

Halloween Solstice Star

So, I hadn't planned to go out for Halloween, If I had, I would have made sure I had a kick ass outfit. However, we decided last minute to get together at a mates flat and obviously dress for the occasion. Our dressing up box (yes, we do have one) is at my mother in law's at the moment since we are packing up to move so I had to use the resources I had at hand. Mainly make up!

Initially I was going to go as a doll but then decided I wanted a more casual approach (read: I hadn't tanned or de-fuzzed the legs so a dress was a no-no!). So in the end, I decided to wear a black assymetric top with black bootleg trousers which had a bit of a 70s vibe to it.... make up wise I took inspiration from one of Kate Moss' birthday looks a few years back.
I love this look and have always wanted to try it. I had hardly any time to recreate it so what I managed to churn out is a bit shoddy but I now know what I would do differently.
To create the look I used a Bobbi Brown Foundation stick - this is definitely one thing I would change, the coverage just wasn't enough for this look. I then concealed and contoured with nars laguna.
I used Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Solstice for the star - which looked great to start with but as the night wore on it creased really badly over the lid. I drew a light outline fo the star to begin with then literally coloured it in with the Solstice.
I then lined my eyes with MAC Fluidline in blacktrack then added Ardell False Lashes.
On the lips I used Rimmel Foxy with Gosh Darling on top.

The Hair? Don't even go there - it was a flippin' disaster!!

So that was my last minute Halloween look - what did you guys dress up as?

x

Sleek Cherry Lips ... Oh! and the Graphite Palette too!

I stopped by Superdrug today looking for nothing in particular but ended up at the Sleek stand. Everyone has been going on about the new limited edition Graphite Palette but I hadn't really planned on purchasing as sleek shadows do nothing for me at all. However, once I seen it I thought for only £4 or so it really didn't matter if I ended up disliking it like. You see, the colours are the perfect smokey eye palette so the concept is ideal, the shades are spot on but I have yet to test the quality which for me never seems to sit well on my lids. Anyway, here is the palette - I haven't swatched them or tried them out yet but I am sure you have seen it on everyone else's blogs by now anyway.
What I have been on the lookout for recently is a lovely berry shade of lipstick. Once upon a time I only wore dark berry shades on my lips but since switching to mostly pinks, I find it hard to adjust to seeing myself in darker shades.

I have been determined to get just the right shade but while picking up the Sleek palette I had a look at their True Colours lipsticks... they are only £3.44 (I think?) so again I thought if it doesn't suit it's hardly a loss. I picked up the shade, Cherry. I also picked up what I thought was a darker shade but when I came home it turned out I had 2 of the same Ugh!
The lipstick comes in sleek, black compact packaging which is nice and doesn't look as cheap as it costs. As for the shade itself ... well, I take it as a good sign when my husband arrived home and told me 'Now, that's a red that suits you!' Cheeky so and so!
The lasting ability of this is particularly good - I have had it on since about 5pm, it's now 9.30 and I only touched it up to take a quick photo - other than that it was looking pretty reasonable. Certainly for a product as bargainous as this - I think it's great!

Has anyone else tried Sleek lipstick? What shades do you like?

x

NOTD - OPI Midnight in Moscow

When I was 13 I had my first manicure and requested my nails should be painted in Chanel 'Rouge Noir'. I was obsessed with Rouge Noir nails to the point of having pictures plastered over my wardrobe of hands painted in Chanel! Years later when I was 16 I managed to get my hands on the real deal and since then I have bought practically every vampish nail polish I come across. A deep berry red or darker than blood red is my all time favourite nail colour.

Anyway this takes me onto a purchase I made while on holiday. I came across a shop selling OPI and they happened to have the Russian Collection which is quite possibly one of my favourites of the OPI's. The shade that really stood out to me was Midnight in Moscow.It is pretty much a black with red shimmer so it is very vamp - absolutely gorgeous. It is very similar to MACs Baby Goth Girl but a more grown up version without the gold chunks! The only drawback to this polish is that it takes at least 3 coats to create the desired effect. Anything less and the colour just looks black and dirty - the 3rd coat is essential.

What are your favourite vamp shades?

x

B 2 the M!

Yesterday I popped my 'Back to MAC' cherry!

In fact this week I have popped a couple of MAC cherries. I have been using MAC products since I was 17 and have never depotted an eyeshadow. I have always thought it would be too much hassle and too messy ... well this week I found out how easy it was and 3 quarters of an hour later I was sitting with a mountain of 16 empties - enough for 2 lipsticks!

So, I had never back to MAC'd in the past, again out of sheer laziness, I just couldn't be bothered to save the empties and would bin instead! Criminal isn't it? As I discovered yesterday Nothing beats the joy of walking into MAC choosing a lipstick and walking away without handing over any money.

The lipsticks I chose were Girl About Town (left) and Angel (right). Here they are side by side with and without flash.
I have been eyeing up Angel for a while - I don't own many pale pink lipsticks as I think they wash me out but this seems to have quite a warm tone to it and works for me. Girl about town is one of those lipsticks that all my friends own and I envy - and of course it was made famous by Cheryl Cole. I love the vibrancy of it without it looking too gaudy on the lips, like a muted bright.
Terrible mobile pics as usual but we have Girl About Town on top and Angel at the bottom. Girl About Town especially feels very creamy on the lips - something I don't notice so much from other MAC lipsticks. I wore Angel to work today and as much as I love the colour I did find myself re-applying at short intervals.

Thanks for all the lipstick recommendations on Twitter - they were very helpful and I now have a healthy list for future Back to MACs :)

x

My new bangs!

Hmmm, I don't know what to think. At first I loved the new do, then I was a little indifferent - then I got home and my husband was a little 'iffy' on it but eventually decided he liked it. I'm not sure, I usually love having a fringe cut in for Winter but my hair is a lot shorter this time.
What I do love is the colour - I asked for it to be slightly darker and love the result! There is less fluro-red going on and more sophisticated mahogany.

So, I will open the floor to you guys, what's the verdict?? Hit me with it!

x

Burlesque Boudoir...

Welcome to my Boudoir!! ;D

Next month I am off to a Burlesque night which I am ever so excited about! I've been planning the outfit in my head and bit by bit I am picking things up for the look. Last week I picked up my tights come suspenders and at the weekend I bought the skirt. I have a few feathery things and masks around the house and various other things from my dress up box to add to this too.

I am going for more a sophisticated yet edgy look this time rather than my usual tongue-in-cheek Can-Can get up. No burlesque outfit is complete without red lips so I will be choosing between MACs Lady Danger or Russian Red.

Tomorrow I am getting my hair done and can't decide whether to have my fringe cut back in a la Bettie Page?!! I just don't know what to do but have less than 24 hours to decide - help!!

FOTD - Deep Truth

I love wearing dark blues and navy on my eyes, especially for a smokey eye look. My favourite blue shadow is Nars China Blue which I usually team with darker shades but yesterday I was depotting some Mac shadows when I found Deep Truth. I completely forgot I had this and thought I would try and introduce it into a daily face routine.

Deep Truth is a lovely bright navy with a satin like sheen to it. When the colour is built up on the lid it looks so vibrant and beautiful and even nicer over a dark base like blackground. However today I just wanted a simple dash of colour to suit a casual Sunday look.
The look was super simple ...
EYES:
MAC All That Glitters over my lid
MAC Brule to highlight and on inner corner
MAC Deep Truth lined underneath the eye and up slightly at the corners
Barry M eye pencil in navy blue (don't know name sorry)
MAC fluidline in blacktrack
Cover Girl Lash Blast
EYEBROWS:
MAC Spiked - as recommended by Dressjunkie :)
CHEEKS:
Nars Laguna
Nars Orgasm
LIPS:
Gosh Lip Jam - the peachy one, sorry unsure of name/number
FACE:
Rituals Foundation in shade 3
Mac MSF Refined to highlight

This look really is so subtle so would be perfect for anyone afraid of colour or wants to gradually introduce a bit of colour into their neutral routine.

Did anyone else play with colour this weekend? Subtle or otherwise??

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