Wanted!!!

Now and then, I thought it would be fun to show you what I'm currently swooning over.

So here we go, let's start with the fashion items. . .

* The La Lumiere Wrap Bracelet from HRH Collection here
Before the lovely Amelia got these, I was aware of Alex's blog and jewellery line but it was only when I read Amelia's blogpost, video and stunning photos after she hauled some of the HRH bracelets that I realised just how beautiful and very unique they were. The La Lumiere, an original from the HRH jewellery collection, just seems to embody exactly what the HRH collection is about and it holds the biggest, sparkiest Swarovski crystal of the lot.

 * The ASOS Suede Studded Bag here
I absolutely love this bag and think it is the perfect shopper for Christmas shopping season. I love the contrast of the suede and leather panels and obviously, I love the studs. Anything that sparkles or catches the light, I gravitate to.

* The Missguided Coat here
I saw this on Charlottes' blog yesterday and instantly fell for it. The shearling really softens the look of the khaki coat. As well as satisfying the Khaki trend, it also follows one of my favourite trends in a while, the contrast sleeve. I love this little number, it is cute, cosy and flattering. There is a good chance that this one will be skipping from my wish list to my doormat soon! : )

* The Sass and Bide Right Behind You Sequined Back Dress here
I've been keeping a beady eye on the Sass and Bide line for a while. This beauty I found on ASOS and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I will get invited to something special soon which will justify me buying this one.

Again, it has the two contrasting panels. Plain jersey for the front and sequins for the back. Subtle but teasing. I also like the classic shape, the sparkle and its' elegance. It's beautiful.

And now to the beauty . . .

 * Escentrics Molecule 01 here
This scent only contains one molecule and apparently, it is the important one, the one that attracts others. I'm very curious as to what this would smell like on me (apparently it can smell different on different people but is generally deep and woody) and if it would gauge any compliments. I also like the fact that others may not recognise the scent and I'd be wearing something different as I think, this is scent is not particularly well-known outside the online beauty community.

* Phylia de M, Connect here
I've been lusting after this leave-in treatment for about a month now, back around then I read an article in Vogue about big hair. Well, there is no doubt that my natural hair has finally reached 'Destination Long'. However, I'm still obsessed with my extensions as my hair just looks so thin and lacklustre without them. Apparently it takes some time to grow your hair long and then more time to grow it out in to voluminous locks to flaunt. Phylia Connect is expensive but is marketed as barnet fertiliser, a potent and concentrated treatment for your scalp, follicles and hair. One journalist claims hair was sprinting out of her head after using this concoction for a month. Given that, I think, I want this more then anything else on this list!!!

* The Burberry Eyeshadow in Midnight Brown No 21 here
Tanya Burr did a tutorial using this eyeshadow for pale skins a while back and since then, this one has sat patiently on my wish list. It is so pretty and reminds me a little of my beloved Naked from the Urban Decay palette. I think it is a little more shimmery, a bit darker maybe and dare I say a little more interesting but like Naked, I would be able to colour block it on my lid and that would be shadow done. Check out Tanyas' video here, it looks stunning!

* Prestige, My Blackest Lashes I wish it was here!!!
This is the only mascara I've ever used that gives L'Oreal, Volume Million a run for it's money and it was so friggin' cheap in Boots too, about £7 until they discontinued the Prestige line. Sad face. I miss the big, fat, glossy lashes it delivered with NO diva acts.

So that is what I'm swooning over and wishing for at the moment but to be honest, beauty is where I am at in what I actually purchase, particularly skin and haircare. Something that I read on Caroline's blog here keeps resonating in my head, 'If you would spend more on shoes, handbags, lipstick, jeans or fashion in general than you would on high quality skincare - you will be a sixty year old woman (and man) with a vintage wardrobe and a face like an alligator.'

So is anybody lucky enough to have or use any of these?

What are you currently swooonnning over?

I hope you've all had a fabulous weekend!

 

X

  

All That Glitters!

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Before the shadow talk commences, I just wanted to thank you all as I reached 50(!) GFC followers yesterday. It may not seem much to some but it made my weekend. Thank you x x x
As promised, there will be a giveaway which I will try to get up this week. Thanks again. Also loving all the comments, keep it up ;)))

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Let's talk about eyeshadow, in particular, All That Glitters. This was one of my early MAC purchases. It was hardly an original choice but near enough inevitable. All That Glitters has such a cult following online and must have been suggested as a MAC starter must-have, a hundred times over.

However, I did not fall in love with it straight away. The shimmer scared me and in the pan, All That Glitters looked a bit too shimmery and cheap compared to the warmth of the matte Modellette. Apart from the shimmer, there seemed to be nothing else about it.

However, once on the lid, All That Glitters is so pretty and enhances the eye, I think, I've said before All That Glitters is one of those shadows that gleans compliments for your pretty eyes rather then your pretty eye make up. People do not always ask me what shadow I'm wearing when I have All That Glitters on but they do comment on how well and bright eyed I'm looking.

All That Glitters is technically a champagne pink but in reality, it is livelier! Pretty peachy and pale gold tones reflect back from my mirror. I like this as some shadows may be equally pretty in theory but on the lid, they appear more smudgy and can make me look a little tired and sluggish. Yes indeed, I'm looking at you Mythology!

Over the last eighteen months, I have grown to love All That Glitters and it has become my go to shadow. It is so easy to use. A sweep or two and a slick of mascara and that's eye done, Angel on and out the door! Simple and easy, my kind of make up. Occasionally when I'm feeling daring, I'll pair All That Glitters up with other shadows. Sable, Embark and Buck have all been worked in this way and to be honest, I have yet to find a shadow that does not work with All That Glitters. It seems to work with everything (including skin tone, I wear this pale and tanned)!

Yes, the name rings true. All That Glitters does glitter but not as much as the pan suggests and always without the fallout associated with cads like Sidecar and Gleam.

I hit pan a couple of months ago and the repurchase has been a long time coming. I put it off, thinking I could find something else in my collection just as simple and versatile. Fail(!), as much as I love Naked and Modellette, there is nothing quite like All That Glitters and it goes without saying, I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't already.

I picked up a few other items in MAC yesterday which I'll tell you a bit more about soon. In the meantime, what MAC shadows do you recommend? I've decided, there has got to be at least one MAC 15 palette a lifetime and I'm looking for suggestions to fill it. Woodwinked and Honesty caught my eye in store yesterday, any thoughts?

Also making me smile at the moment is . . .
* My upcoming birthday!
* Annual leave
* Bath, love that city.
* The smell of Elnett hairspray
* MAC Angel lipstick
* Soap and Glory Scrub em and leave em
* Soap and Glory Hand Food (ahmazing!)
* Before I Go To Sleep, S J Watson
* Chocolate Brek (surely, I should have grown out of this by now?!)
* White feathers
* This one (still!)

* And then 'cos versastility is my middle name, this one

What are you loving at the moment? What is your favourite MAC eyeshadow? Do you have All That Glitters? Happy Sunday!

X

The Lash Adapt Mascara and the Smoky Rose Quad!

Just a quick post really. You see, I need to confess . . !

The thing is earlier this week, I purchased the new No 7 Lash Adapt Mascara just to get this free 'Smoky Rose' quad.

I know!

And it is not, as if I need any more eyeshadows but look, even excusing the bad shot, what pretty colours!

I would like to try and do a proper eye of the day in the future with these- am I clutching at straws or would that make the purchase just a tad more justifiable?!- however, for now, here are some quick swatches on my arm of the four colours.

No 7 say that they are, 'Beautiful, wearable smoky warm metallic tones to take your look easily from day to night'.

Well firstly, I was surprised when swatching how soft and smooth these shadows felt and that last colour, a metallic light brown with hints of pink is standout for me. The picture doesn't do it justice. Like the first pinky peach colour, it swatches very vibrant and there is a definite twinkling shimmer adding to the whole pretty factor. Disappointingly though vibrant, the dark purple colour came across a lot closer to black then I expected and that is a shame as I feel that I'm lacking a real vibrant true purple in my collection.

Now to the Lash Adapt mascara.

Well, I did need a new mascara but to be honest, Lash Adapt was not at the top of my list (the new L'Oreal Illuminator was but it was out of stock, boo). I just was not convinced by that whole six layers promotional stuff. To be honest, I thought how bad must the mascara be if you need to layer it six times?!

However, I think I got it all wrong and basically should have took No 7 to be suggesting that Lash Adapt is a buildable mascara and therefore the one mascara to give you all the lash looks you might want. The description on the mascara actually says 'A smooth, glide-on mascara that builds layers to create multiple lash looks'. So, it seems, it is all in the layering!

Now, again, I can't give you a proper review as I just brushed Lash Adapt on very quickly this morning but straight away, the roots looked a little bulkier and volumised but what really struck me was the extra length and lift this mascara gave (despite my very careless application) AND it hasn't budged or disappeared in 8 hours.

So for now, I think, it is a tentative thumbs up for Lash Adapt!

I can't give a full or definite review of these products yet because I have not had a proper play but I wanted to get this post up in case you weren't aware of the offer, as I'm not sure how long it will last. The mascara costs £12.50. I think in store you can use those No 7 £5 off vouchers too, which would make the price much more reasonable, At the time of writing, this Smoky Rose offer is available online but I don't think you can use your vouchers there.

Have you used Lash Adapt (or the quad) and what about the new L'oreal Illuminator? I've got to say that one sounds amazing. Very tempting! A bit like the 212 VIP perfume I smelt today, it smells just like the lady I want to be. Dead cert for the Christmas list this year!! ;)


Have a great day! I'm off to play with hangers, just how inspiring was Muhsine's post?!

X