Smokey but Subtle FOTD

As mentioned in my previous post I attended a Christening at the weekend. Being a religious and special event I still wanted to look glamorous but a little more toned down in keeping with the tone of the day.

I decided on an understated smokey eye using the following 3 eyeshadows from Estee Lauder:

From left to right: Twilight Rose; Sizzling Copper; Hot Cinammon

These shadows are positively lush. They come in matte, shimmer and metallic, all apply beautifully and are incredibly pigmented. All 3 colours I used are available at Estee Lauder counters now except for Twilight Rose which will be available in the Blue Dahlia collection which is available in August priced at £15.00.
FACE
Estee Lauder Double Wear (shade Al Fresco)
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (shade Warm Ivory)

EYES
Estee Lauder Twilight Rose all over the lid
Estee Lauder Hot Cinammon in outer v and under eye
Estee Lauder Sizzling Copper blended into the crease and under eye
MAC Shroom to highlight
Bobbi Brown gel liner in Caviar
Clarins Mascara

CHEEKS
Nars Laguna
Bobbi Brown Apricot blush

LIPS
MAC Angel

The end result was soft and subtle, perfect for daytime but could easily be transformed into an evening look by adding a little more definition using Hot Cinammon.

My standout products from this look are the eyeshadows in Hot Cinammon and Sizzling Copper as well as my fail safe MAC Angel lipstick which is such a versatile colour. I manage to go through at least 1 every few months!

What are your stand out products of the moment? Anything you can't get enough of?
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Subtle smokey eye FOTD

As mentioned in yesterday's post I was at a Christening this weekend. Because of this I didn't want to go too heavy on the eyes but still wanted a smokey look that wasn't too dark or overly done up looking.

Soft and subtle was order of the day which I achieved using these 3 colours from Estee Lauder.

From left to right; Twilight Rose; Sizzling Copper; Hot Cinammon

Firstly, I should say that only Sizzling Copper and Hot Cinammon are available to buy at counters now. Twilight Rose will be launched along with the Blue Dahlia collection in August. All individual shadows are priced at£15.00.

These shadows are beautiful and come in matte, shimmer and metallic finishes. The metallic finishes are really lovely but may be a little too frosty/glittery for some.

To achieve this look, I used Twilight Rose all over the lid, a little Hot Cinammon (shimmer finish) on the outer V then I applied Sizzling Copper (metallic finish) to the crease blending well with the Hot Cinammon. I brought this underneath the eye before adding some more Hot cinammon to define and again sweeping this underneath the eye.

I used some MAC Shroom to highlight before adding Bobbi Brown gel liner in Caviar and my Clarins mascara. On the cheeks I stuck to my fail safe Nars Laguna and Bobbi Brown Apricot blush.
On my lips I went with MAC Angel. I love the soft finish of Angel, it's one of my favourite lip colours, a more muted and almost dusky pink that complements this soft, smokey look.
The shadows lasted the full day, even in the heat as we were lucky enough to catch some sun in the afternoon (after a week of bucketing rain).

I was really pleased with the result as it was soft and subtle enough for the event while still being glamorous and polished.

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My new favourite: Clarins Wonder Length Mascara

I received Clarins Wonder Length mascara as a gift about 6 months ago and I'll be honest ... I looked at it with dismay, wishing it had been Chanel Exceptionnel, Lancome Hypnose or even the infamous L'oreal Voluminous. How utterly ungracious of me ...?!

As it turns out, this mascara is WOW! Housed in shiny silver packaging, it gave me no clue as to the power of the product. Because I didn't buy this mascara myself I had no idea whether it was supposed to be volumising, thickening, curling or all 3 and then some.

With no promise attached, I had no expectation.

With just one coat, this mascara gave me the blackest of lashes that looked silky and volumised. I don't always use an eyelash curler before applying clarins wonder length yet my lashes always appear longer and curlier than before. When i do curl beforehand I find this mascara holds the curl perfectly all day.

Here are my lashes with just one coat of Clarins Wonder Length Mascara

I don't feel the need to re-apply this mascara through the day other than my obligatory make up touch up before I leave the office ... even then, it is only out of habit.

In fact it was only this week that I found out the name of this mascara when I decided to repurchase. Yes, that's right - repurchase! That's how good it is!

This mascara retails at £18 so it isn't exactly drugstore pricing but it certainly is worth it.

Anyone else tried this mascara? what are your thoughts?