Sex and The City plus a little Chanel...

The weekends for me are an opportunity to sit myself in front of my mirror and actually take my time with my make up.  This is a stark contrast to weekdays when I'm sat on a train at 7.20 and attempting to apply my face whilst half asleep....oh how glamorous!

The biggest difference from week to weekend is how I do my eye make up.  Monday to Friday it's all about the mascara and not much else.  However, come Saturday and Sunday - the eye shadow is out in force, lashes are carefully applied and more than a hint of eyeliner can be seen.

Today, this was the result:

 Golden brown eyelids with a hint of sheen courtesy of Chanel, a flick of black khol and my new obsession: Sex And The City Charlotte lashes.

The texture of the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre (82) did take a bit of getting used to, I will admit.  However, the result is beautiful and the Khol pencil was an absolute dream to apply - it was soft enough to apply without dragging the delicate eyelid but still allowed for precision.  As for the lashes - these are true Holy Grail material.  They are ridiculously cheap from Savers but are fantastic quality, have an invisible band so they are so easy to apply and even after 5 or 6 wears they are still in perfect condition.  As can be seen from the picture, I have a pair of the Miranda version too which I am yet to try, but have high hopes for!

What are your current favourite for creating a simple, but effective eye look?  I'd love some recommendations!

xxx

Latest Addiction: Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions are one of those recent fads that have been much on my radar for some time.  Like eyebrow threading, it was always something that I always thought was not for me - how wrong I was.

Having sat in a reclined chair for an hour after a long day at work - yes, I did fall asleep! - I was almost mesmerised by the final result of having tiny hairs painstakingly applied to my own short, and pretty feeble, natural lashes.

As the pictures show, I now have the lashes of my dreams - long, healthy and perfectly graduated in length.  The best part - it is almost undetectable that they are not what nature intended!

If I care for these correctly - absolutely no rubbing and not a hint of an oil based product - I can expect them to last around 3 weeks before I need another set.  Supposedly the glue used - by an independent beautician in my local area - will cause absolutely no harm to my natural lashes.  I cannot report on that so far but all I know is, if there is no damage, I'll be back in 3 weeks falling asleep in the reclining chair ready to get a new set...who ever said natural is best?!  ;)

xxx

Girls Aloud Lashes: Kimberley

Step aside Nicola, the Kimberley lashes are my new favourite!  Whereas Nicola's design are quite large and can look a bit OTT, the Kimberley lashes are beautiful and absolutely perfect the way they are - no trimming or cutting down needed!  They add the perfect amount of length and volume without looking ridiculous or weighing down my eyes.

Looking back I have no idea why I never tried these sooner, especially as Kimberley has always been my favourite member of Girls Aloud.  I think she's beautiful and has the most amazing figure....why everyone is obsessed with Cheryl, I'll never know!

These lashes are now right alongside my other favourites - Eylure's 107s and 110s.  What are your favourite false lashes?  Please let me know!

xxx

Face and Nails of the Week

I have been happily stuck in a rut with my make up this past week or so.  I've now got this down to a fine art and it literally only takes me a few minutes in the morning.  In this picture, I've gone heavy on the highlighter and added some 110 Eyelure lashes - my new absolute faves!

You can also spot my newest nail varnish purchase - Rimmel's 'In Style Coral'.  It is is a beautiful pink-toned coral that is near to Rose Libertine but slightly more coral toned and therefore an absolute hit with me!  Between this and Barry M's Peach Melba, I'm set for colours this summer!

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer (52) to contour

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

Benefit High Beam to highlight

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas Paint all over lid

MAC Tempting through outer third & crease and smudged along lower lashes

MAC Dark Edge through brows and lightly through crease to darken at night

Dream Weave mascara

[110 Eyelashes at night]

 

LIPS  

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

Lipgloss: Jemma Kidd Petal OR Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker

NAILS

Rimmel - In Style Coral 

I hope you're all having a lovely week

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

EOTD Featuring Nicola Lashes

I quickly tried out my new Girls Aloud Nicola lashes yesterday and they are just so, so pretty.  They were a little big and needed to be trimmed but once on, they looked amazing and I felt the winged out effect complemented this 60s eye so well!

I'm off to London tomorrow to see some of my oldest and best friends so these will be getting their first proper outing...fingers crossed I still have them on at the end of the night..!

xxx

Post-Dissertation Haul

The last few weeks have been, let's face it, pretty dull for me.  I spent what felt like every waking moment working on my dissertation and I still didn't feel happy with it at all when I handed it in on Friday.

However, it is done now; I can't change it and I can still make up for it over the next few months...here's hoping!

Since then, the relief has been amazing..anybody who has handed in a large piece of work will know what I mean! It has been fantastic to enjoy the last few days - Sunday afternoon especially when we made our way to Gusto in Didsbury for my house mate's birthday.  Amazing food, company, drinks and service - we ended up spending a small fortune but it was worth every penny!

As for the rest of the weekend, Saturday was my third week working for Boots which I absolutely love.  I spent the morning mentally deciding what I was going to treat myself to on my break - I honestly spend my wages before I earn them!

I was tempted by some of the great deals and freebies available with brands such as Bourjois and MaxFactor but in the end I decided on the 3 for 2 professional hair care offer.

John Frieda Serum

I can't believe I have never tried this cult product before.  I used it yesterday and can see what the fuss is all about - made my hair feel so soft and manageable.  A definite keeper..

Lee Stafford Heat Protection Spray

I've repurchased this so many times - it does what the name suggests but its bonus factor is the smell.  Makes your tresses smell beautiful; and who doesn't want that?!

Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Curls Curl Constructor

When buying hair products, I'm usually still stuck in the mindset of my 14 year old self.  That is - what can I buy that is going to give me the straightest, flattest hair possible.  Luckily, I've finally realised that look is not good on me and I now go for the curly option 90% of the time.  My hair has a natural wave but hopefully using this in conjunction with my tongs will help to create beautiful curls that last all day.

Nicola Roberts Girls Aloud Lashes by Eyelure

I finally bought these after lusting after the beautifully flirty, winged out style for a while.  I snapped them up as I noticed the appearance of some new 'day' styles appearing on the shelves.  I'm not sure whether these are replacing the old styles or in addition to, but I didn't want to risk not being able to try them in case they disappear of the shelves.  

I cannot believe it is March tomorrow!  This year is going so quickly but I for one cannot wait for warmer weather and longer days.  Plus, the added bonus of Easter - I've eaten about a million mini eggs already but there are plenty more to be had I'm sure....

xxx

All the way from the U S of A

I placed another little order with my favourite eBay seller - BeautyZone2007

I refuse to pay the extortionate UK RRP for OPI etc so I always order from this seller.  The items are shipped so quickly and always packed well....big thumbs up from me!

I was therefore so excited when I got back from a weekend away and found a little package waiting for me holding these goodies...

I desperately needed some new false eyelashes for nights out but I hate spending £5 a pop when I always end up losing them after one too many...  I was contemplating ordering from Eldora but the only reviews I have read seem to be from people who were sent them free so I'm not sure whether to completely trust them or not..?  Has anyone actually PAID for Eldora?!

I therefore decided to go with a name you can trust and picked these Ardell lovelies for around the £2 mark...

These 110s are made from 100% human hair and are lovely flirty, natural looking lashes - perfect for some subtle extra length.

These 105s are also 100% human hair but are from the 'Glamour' range - i.e. longer, thicker and bloody gorgeous!  I can't wait to wear these on a night out and hopefully be good and not lose them...!

We only seem to have available a few styles of Ardell lashes here in the UK and they are in black packaging.  I'm not sure whether these are in old packaging or this is just how they look in the US?  If anyone could enlighten me I'd be very grateful!

Also, these lashes do not come with glue so if anyone was to order them, add some DUO to you basket too!

Next up - the polishes...

L-R: OPI Mod About You; Seche Vite Top Coat; Essie Mint Candy Apple

I have wanted Mod About You for as long as I can remember as well as Seche Vite, so these two are long overdue purchases.  As for the Mint Candy Apple - with a name like that, who could resist?!  I thought this was from their Art of Spring collection but turns out it is a permanent colour - I really can't wait to try this out.

Expect some NOTD posts coming soon...!

What has everyone else bought recently??  Link me to your hauls so I can have a gander!

xxx