Chanel at a fraction of the cost?!

When the Chanel Illusion d'Ombre luminous eye shadows hit the shelves, it's safe to say there was a little bit of hysteria throughout the blogging community ;).

I, for one, admired them from afar but my frantic saving for 'Gap Year Round Two' restricts me from my buying such luxurious things.  Well....sometimes anyway!

I have to be honest, I was feeling a little bit hard done-by (after all, is going back to Australia really worth it?  Answer - yes very much so!) so was over the moon when these 17 Wild Metallic Eyes popped up on my radar.

Obviously I have no idea on how they compare in formulations, but so far, I reckon the 17 version is pretty much perfect and comes in at a delicious £3.99.

Heavily swatched, Wild Nude is quite a cool toned brown but when blended, becomes a sheer, warm bronze.  Perfect as base for a brown smoky eye or as a wash of colour for every day.  Right up my street and on second inspection, a colour I prefer to all the Chanel options..my bank balance is sighing with relief ;).

Have you tried these, Chanel's version or both?  Let me know how you think they compare! xxx

17 Again

I have to admit, 17 is not normally a brand I ever look at but the amazing Mirror Shine lipsticks made me take a little more interest..

So when I was in need of a little make up pick me up, 17 ticked all the boxes!  Cheap, cheerful, good quality products on offer at 3 for 2 - how could I resist?!

First Kiss blusher is a gorgeous pink with a slight golden sheen to it.  It is perfect for adding some colour to the cheeks and adding a subtle glow.  It seems to last pretty well on the cheeks too - very impressed!

Flirty Shine On lipstick is the second lip product by 17 I've tried and fallen in love with.  Although it is matte - which the name doesn't suggest - it does, like its sister Beehive, apply like a dream.  It is also incredibly long lasting, isn't drying in the slightest and the matte black packaging is pretty nice too.  It's a keeper.

I cannot comment yet on the Heart Beat Lasting Fix nail polish but it looks like gorgeous baby blue in the bottle.  Expect a NOTD soon!

These swatches are one of the reasons I cannot wait to get home to the DSLR but hopefully you get the idea!

Left: First Kiss blusher

Right: Flirty Shine On lipstick

Any other drugstore bargains to be had?! Let me know!

xxx

TAG: 11 Most Reached For Products/March Favourites

My eleven favourite products change constantly but these products have been consistently used day in/day out for the whole of March...so I'm killing two birds with one stone!

Skin care, hair care, tan and bases

St Moriz Dark Mousse

John Frieda Serum

Olay Multi-Radiance Fluid

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer

No 7 Creme Touch Powder

Eye and lip products

Collection 2000 Big Fake Lash Mascara

NAKED Palette

MAC Tempting Quad

MOR Passionflower Lip Delight

17 Beehive Mirror Shine Lipstick

As you can tell, these products have been loved to death and is seen by their completely battered packing!  If there is anything that catches your eye for a full review, just say!

What have been your favourites recently???

xxx

Nail Varnish Wishes

For some reason, all of my nail varnishes have decided to become overworked and gloopy all at the exact same time.  I've tried my OPI thinner and regular nail varnish remover but to no avail...they are all pretty much useless.

But what a perfect time to invest in some gorgeous new colours!  Spring heralds the arrival of beautiful yellows and peaches; blue and violets; corals and pinks..

Here are just a selection of the beauties I've spotted and will hopefully get my hands on over the next few weeks...

Revlon's latest offerings in Blue Lagoon and Sunshine Sparkle

Currently on offer at 2 for £8 in Boots

Barry M's new Blue Moon and Peach Melba

Models Own Lilac Dream and Coral Reef

MaxFactor Mini Diva Violet and Diva Coral

17 Candy Collection:

 Orange Soda, Sherbet Lemon, Fairy Cake, Mint Choc Chip & Parma Violet

What nail colours are you lusting after this season?!

xxx

New Year's Eve Make Up

Happy New Year my fellow beauty addicts!

This New Year's Eve was relatively low key - good food and drink with some of my dearest friends and then a trip to a local small establishment for drinks at midnight and dancing into the early hours..

I had planned to dress in line with this casual plan but who was I kidding?!  I teamed a sparkly dress with killers heels and got my make up stash out - I can't resist a chance to get dolled up!

MaxFactor Xperience Foundation

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

No 7 Créme Touch Translucent Powder

MAC Dainty Mineralize Blush

MAC Dark Edge (from Cult of Cherry Tempting quad) through brows

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Urban Decay Gunmetal - all over lid

Urban Decay Creep - blended out through outer third and crease

Barry M Navy Glitter Dust - lightly placed over entire lid 

L'oreal Voluminuous Mascara

17 Beehive Lipstick

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss

I gave the Xperience foundation another try since the texture of my skin has improved significantly since using the Oilatum cream.  Unfortunately, it still didn't last long and is definitely a day-only foundation from now on.  And the Soap and Glory lipgloss?  Amazing and addictive...!

xxx

Pre-Christmas Haul and Festive Wishes

That time of year is upon us again - where have the last 12 months gone?!

As well as pounding the pavements and perusing the aisles for the perfect gifts for my nearest and dearest, I haven't been able to resist treating myself too...

Skincare

• At £25 - reduced from £60 - the Soap and Glory Pink Big with 10 full sized products was just irresistible to a Soap and Glory addict like me...I have been good though and given a few products away as I literally have them coming out my ears!
• If like me you are obsessed with the beautiful Pixiwoo girls, you may have been delighted when the gorgeous Nic revealed one of her skincare finds in this video...  I rushed out and bought the aforementioned Oilatum Skin Repair Cream.  My verdict?  Amazing!  If you have dry skin, you need this in your life!

Make Up

• 17 Beehive lipstick - raved about and I finally got my mitts on one... it is worth the hype!  Plus, a bonus free new MaxFactor foundation brush - I love Boots!

Hair Care etc

• TRESemmé 24 body mousse and blow dry spray
• Umberto Gianni Backcomb in a Bottle

This combination will hopefully see me into 2011 with big, voluminous hair perfect to team with my gorgeous new French Connection dress and Oasis earrings.  What can I say...I love to get my glam on..!

For now, all that remains for me to say is Merry Christmas to all of my beautiful followers.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and may all your wishes come true.  

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and above all, watch The Holiday, Home Alone and Love Actually more times than is necessary - it wouldn't be Christmas without them!

Lots of love from George xxx