FOTD: Bronzed & YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

sorry, I'm lacking a plain wall with good enough lighting!

Despite my ridiculously bad hair day, I decided today I would stop hiding from the camera and do a FOTD. This has pretty much been my go to look during the day, I do like changing up my bronzer, but I've not parted way with my bronzed lids. Please excuse my tired eyes, I'm still getting used to getting up at 7.30 every morning! I'm also testing out the new YSL Foundation, which I am really enjoying, but as you can probably tell it's not quite warm enough for me. I should really learn to be more forceful when getting samples, neutral undertones don't work for me!

What's On My Face

Base

Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (B50)

applied with Sigma F80

Bare Minerals Original (Golden Medium)

not pictured, applied lightly with MAC 188

Chanel Loose Powder (Poudre Universelle Libre)

I did find the foundation left me a little too shiney for my liking, so a light dusting was needed.

Undereyes

Laura Mercier Undereye Rerfector (review here)

Dior Diorskin Sculpt Concealor (002)

YSL Touche Eclate (1)

Eyes

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On & On Bronze

Empro Felt Liner

Lancome Hypnose (waterproof)

Cheeks

NARS Luster

Lips

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Pinky Beige

which I layered over:

MAC Creme d'Nude 

Let's hope taking photos of myself becomes easier, and a little less awkward!

Any of your favourites amongst the products I used?

Nic xxx

...continue reading

MAC Metal X FOTD & Review

Metal-X in Ventian Tarnish

Woah, I hardly ever have my hair up but this was the best full face shot I could get. The shade is in Venetian Tarnish, and as you can see it's a really wearable shade. Which you can easily darken  for a night out, or even just smudging out some eyeliner along the to and bottom lashes would look lovely.

I'm also wearing Studio Fix Fluid in NC25, with NARS Orgasm on the cheeks. (beautiful!) Loreal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara as usual! I used MAC Brule as a highlight along the brow bone.

How does the product perform?

Mmm, I am very split on this product. I love the sheen, and the colour I am in love with. The Metal-X line itself, has very bad revies in terms on longevity. No, it will not last you like a paint pot will, but no where does MAC claim it's a long wearing product.  When Yu asked me how I was getting on with it, I made sure I applied it and checked it regularly to see how it lasted, and what the creasing was like.  Perhaps I don't have very creasy(??) eyelids, but I only had a problem with one single crease along the fold, which you can see below. The photo was taken after ten hours wear. The thing that bothered me more, was how it faded. I don't really have problem with creasing ever, but I've never had a cream eyeshadow fade like that before. It was a gradual fading, but I probably noticed it first about 3 hours and it just got worse as the hours progressed. Not impressed!

  Temptalia had a very negative review with major creasing issues, and honestly, if the post had been published before I made my rash purchase, I wouldn't have bought it. Plus, the MUA told me they were long wearing, so I was a bit ill informed as they aren't really, and I don't think they were intended to be. 

 Sorry, was taken on my phone, but you can see the crease line and the lack of colour which in the middle of my eyelid is almost worn away completely.

 Although the colours really are gorgeous, and have a lovely effect (not quite metal, but still a nice finish), I wouldn't recommend as it just doesn't last. I don't totally regret my purchase, I do wish I had waited to read some reviews first, because at £15.50 you expect a product to perform well and last. I'll probably just save it for occasions I'm only out for a few hours rather than all day, or all night wear. Really is a shame as it's such a waste of such a gorgeous colour.  You can see my swatch of it here.

Most of the shades (there are 9 in total) are sold out on the Debenham's website, but MAC still have in stock. Check out the Temptalia post I linked above to see swatches of the other shades.

Nic xxx

...continue reading

FOTD: What Joy! & A Rediscovery

As mentioned in my previous post here is a FOTD featuring What Joy! from MAC. Kept my eyes really simple as the lipstick makes quite a statement on it's own.

Face

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC25

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC30

MAC MSFN Medium Deep to contour

MAC Trace Gold Shimertone Blush to highlight.

Eyes

MAC Brule all over up to browline

MAC Wedge  blended lightly from outer v into crease

Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Liner in Black

Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara in Black

A recent rediscovery for me is the Lancome mascara, I bought it so long ago that I can't even remember when. But I was really impressed. It wasn't clumpy at all and left my eyelashes looking really fluttery. Think I'm going to buy myself a new tube and give it a proper test as this one is quite dried out and so it flakes a bit.

I'm beginning to realise how much I rely on MAC products, even though I have a huge stash of non-MAC products. Think I'm going to have to venture out a bit more next week, and try use up some other products.  Maybe a MAC ban should be self imposed (foundation&concealer excluded!)

Nic xxx

...continue reading