Recent Hauling

I know I only just did a haul post a couple days ago, but I felt because this was one was make up it was okay. Sorry, if anyone find them a bit boring, I personally love seeing haul posts/videos!

Real Techniques Core Collection

I've wanted this for ages, but paying the postage costs always put me off a bit.  I originally bought the stippling brush nearly a year ago and have really been enjoying it, so was curious to try out some of the others. When I heard they were going to be sold in Boots I headed down, to find it sold out at first, but went back a week later to pick up the powder brush for Yu, and there it hung in all it's glory. First impressions are very good, and I've actually been choosing the buffing brush over my previous fav, the stippling brush!

Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation 233

I don't know why it's taken me so long to look into this foundation, but a recent foundation collection video from Yu reminded me that I had wanted to try it. So I went for a colour match and walked out with it, oops. In my defence, Illamasqua don't actually give out samples, (which is ridiculous if you ask me) and the colour match is pretty good, it's a bit dark for everyday use, but works great for nights out which is exactly why I wanted it, and hopefully in the summer it will be a better match. I've only used it a couple times, but plan to do a full review in the near future. 

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

I managed to nab one of those advance codes, and so I received it a bit earlier than the official release date, which excited me more than it probably should have. I really love this, although when I apply it, the hints of peach disappear, and I'm left with a very vibrant almost highlighter pink. I wore this last night, and let me warn you, this baby leaves a stain. After 8 hours sleep I woke up with my lips still pink.

Bare Minerals Original  Golden Beige

I was soo excited to pick this up, it's something I've sampled before but never took the plunge.  I was between shades so I went for the slighty darker one as I thought it will be perfect in the summer anyway, and I can make it work when I've fake tanned. At the moment I'm using it lightly as a setting powder and it's working well. Once again, I'm planning to do a fuller review once I'd had a bit more use out of it, but it really is as good as I've read, with suprisingly good coverage. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Nic xxx

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My Week Without MAC

Hi girls, please be warned this is a bit of long one!

Having decided I rely waaaay to much on my MAC products, I avoided using any for the whole of last week. My self imposed rules meant where I would usually grab a MAC product, I had to go for an alternative. Foundation and concealer have been excluded as my Studio Fix is the only thing with enough coverage and the right colour match at the moment.

So here's what I've been wearing:

Not included in the photo are my standard eyeliner & mascara which I don't have alternatives for, and obviously my foundation & concealer. Looks so pathetic without them!

Eyes

Urban Decay 'Naked Palette'

Sin.Naked.Sidecar.Buck.              Sin. Naked. Buck

I didn't use Sidecar because the fall out is something stupid, which is frustrating as the shimmer is so lovely. So, I just stuck to the three on the right hand side of the photo. Using Sin with Naked blended into the crease for a bit of definition during the day; sometimes opting for a smudged eyeliner along upper lashline. Saturday night I went out, so I added Buck to create a darker smokey eye and used my Collection 2000 felt liner. I've also been using Primer Potion that came with the palette instead of my MAC PP.

Cheeks

Illamasqua 'Laid' Cream Blush      Benefit 'Coralista' Blush

I've been alternating between these two blushes. Coralista is just over a month old and I've really been enjoying it. Love the soft peachy shimmer.  Laid, I'm ashamed to say, has been in my collection since July and I hadn't used it once! So it was nice to have a play with it. Yes, it does looks scary and very bubble gum pink the pan, but using my Sigma F55 Duo Fiber Stippling Brush, helps avoid being too heavy handing and applies a light flush of health colour. Using fingers works well too, but I prefer the brush.

 Highlighter

Bobbi Brown 'Bronze' Shimmer Brick

I have really fallen in love with my MAC highlighters,  but this week I discoverd how gorgeous the Shimmer Brick is. I've been using the top two colours as a highlighter,  I just rub my fingers over both the colours and then blend into the top of my cheek bones. I only acquired it recently when my mom said she didn't use it anymore so I could have it. And absolutely love it. One day, I just gave my F55 a light swirl over all the colours and used it as a light shimmer blush, as the bronze tones work really well with my skin tone without being too in your face.

Lips

sticking to the highstreet

 
No 17 Mirror Shine On 'Beehive / Topshop Lipstick 'Coy'/ Avon 'Pout'

Beehive has been my go-to lipstick all week. It's gorgeously glossy without being sticky, and adds a slight hint of colour. I've had it for 4 months now and I'm nearly finished.  I feel less guilty wearing highstreet lipsticks during the day, saving my higher end for the evenings. 

I reserved Coy for my one night out and had to use it with Carmex otherwise I found it too drying. Gorgeous colour and I got a few compliments on it. I know it's a really spring/summer colour but I finally found it the other week after searching all summer for it, and couldn't resist.

As mentioned in my Avon Haul post, Pout is one of my go-to lipsticks during the day. In the bullets Beehive and Pout look really similar, but Pout has a better colour payoff, and is more of a creamy peachy/nude.

So, you can see I kept it pretty simply. I hardly ventured out apart from a few lectures and then out on Saturday. It was nice to reduce the amount of make up to choose from, so it really helped minimise my getting ready time, and that was actually really refreshing. Might have to start shopping my stash a bit more, I do feel guilty about the amount of make up I hardly touch.

I've really been enjoying The Sunday Girl's Sunday Shopping the Stash feature, and really motivated me to do my MAC free week.  It really helps rotating your make up and avoiding getting stuck in a rut (like moi!).

Phew! If you managed to get through all that I've very impressed. Thanks so much for reading. Please share your shopping the stash posts as well!

Nic xxx

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