Oh Hey Stanger! ♥

Helloooo! Oh my gosh, it's been a while hasn't it? Do you even remember me?! Well I thought I'd return after a long time away from this blog. I have been on holiday, moved into a new house, work, general life and trying to lose weight. I'd love to continue with this and I aim to! I am always interested to read blogs that have posts on weight loss on them, so even though this isn't one of those, I thought I'd pop in a 'before and now' picture. I am not calling it 'after' because I'm not at goal yet, but just in case you want a peek, here is a picture.

      March 2011         October 2012 

To keep this post make-up related, I thought I'd just share a couple of make up looks I have had over the last few weeks!

This is a pin up look I did for a Charity Lunch we went to. I did a white waterline, smokey eye and a red gradient lip, although that doesn't show too well on this picture! I am loving MAC Diva lipstick at the moment, it is such a great autumnal deep red. In the centre of the lips. I used MUA Shade 13 I think, great combo! I also have on Primark lashes, £1.00 bargains.

Here is the witchy witch look I did for our Halloween party. I used Snazaroo face paints, and MAC Diva on the lips. Contact lenses from Beautifeye.

And on actual Halloween, to creep out the trick or treaters, was a 'dead doll' inspired look. Snazaroo paints again, and MAC Diva.

Some more posts coming soon, sorry for my absence! 

Nails for the weekend ♥

Helloo, sorry it's been a little post free lately, this is because I have a NEW blog! I've just been getting it up and running and then I shall be able to pay attention to both. As you may or may not know, I get married in 2014, and although it's far away, I am posting the events and encounters along the way! Also, the main focus of it is that I am mostly DIY-ing everything, or getting a lot of things off Ebay, so it's a place to share and acquire inspiration and tips! Obviously, weddings aren't for everyone which is why I'm doing it separately.

The blog is called Confessions of the DIY Bride. Naturally, I would of wanted Confessions of 'A' DIY Bride, but it's already taken. Here's the linkyplink! confessionsofthediybride.blogspot.com .

So, nails for the weekend. I fancied something shimmery and spangly, so that's what I did. Excuse my bite ridden fingers, I have a terrible habit and I'm sure I'm not the only one! 

For this I did two coats of Models Own Indian Ocean, which is an amazing duotone blue to pink. On the accent nail I did two coats of Razzamatazz by Topshop, which is my first Topshop polish and I love it! It's so glittery in the light!

I think they compliment each other pretty well. I am looking forward to getting more Topshop polishes, they dry pretty quick and this on is chokker-block full with glitter!

What nails are you sporting this weekend? Any Olympic themes? I'm not into the Olympics whatsoever but lets just say I've got blue nails for the Diving events ;)

Ciao for now XxX

BeDazzled: A Deep Peacock Smokey Eye Tutorial ♥

Oh Hai! Today I'm finally going to do my first make up tutorial kind of post. I have wanted to do one for ages but I never seem to have the time! However, Ed and I went out for a meal on a whim last night, so I only had about 15-20 minutes to get ready, which shows how quickly this look can be done. At the time, because I am a donut, I didn't realise I was going to turn it into a tutorial so I haven't taken step by step photos fail, but, there are only three main colours too it and it isn't too difficult so I Shall explain step by step.

Here is a piccy wiccy of the finished look.

It was inspired by a teal and purple top I wore that night, so I continued the look right up to my eyeballs, 'cuz that's how I roll. So to begin, aside from your usual foundation routine and blush/bronzer/setting routine, I'm only really 'tutorialing' (what a great word I have just made up, somebody call Oxford) the eye look here. Firstly you will need the MUA Palette in Undressed, using the shade 12 (see red arrow). This is a gorgeous grey shimmery colour, with a very slight blue undertone, a great starter for our smokey look!

You will also need the Poptastic Palette by MUA, using shade 1 and shade 7, which will give our Deep Peacock look it's pop of colour.

Other friends we will need in this tutorial are:

Any Eye Primer (I use a plain cheap lipbalm, it's amazeballs!), Nyx chubby eyestick in Cottage Cheese, MAC fluidline in Blacktrack, a couple of shadow/blending brushes (these are rubbishy old ones, but still do the trick), black kohl eyeliner - mine is by Peggy Sage but MUA do a great black for £1.00 which is in waiting for when I have finished this one, No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara, Maybelline Falsies Mascara, Fine Liner Brush, Urban Decay flat shader brush from Naked 1 palette. 

Obviously all the products here are optional, and can be adapted to something you have got at home!

Let's get to it!

Step 1: Prime the lids with your choice of primer, this will make the colour last and pop.

Step 2: Take a shadow brush, and shade 12 from the Undressed palette, and pack it all over the lids. (Don't worry about being too neat here).

Step 3: Take a clean blending shadow brush, and blend out the edges, so there are no harsh lines. Blend it up to just past the crease of your eye, but don't wing this grey shade out to the side very much.

Step 4: Take the turquoise shade 7 from the Poptastic palette, but don't load the brush heavily as this will put too much onto the eye. The key to this look is graduate and blend blend BLEND! Put this colour on the outer corner and above the crease. Keep dipping the brush in the palette and blending it out until there is a bold colour, but a soft gradient outwards. You can also wing this out towards the last point of your brow.

Step 5: Take the purple shade 1 from the Poptastic Palette, and take that over the grey beginning at the inner corner, towards the middle of the eyelid - but leaving a little of the grey colour still showing in the middle. Take a clean blending brush, and continuously blend until you are happy that it's smokiiinnnn'! With the flat shader brush, bring a little of the grey under the eye, the purple on the lower inner corner and the green on the outer, and blend out. This really makes a difference to a smokey eye.

Step 6: For added definition add a light shimmer highlight colour to beneath the brow bone, this also gives the edges of the gradient something to blend into to complete the look. I used a random off white shimmer colour from a palette I had in Cyprus, but any will do! Also, take the Nyx Jumbo stick in Cottage cheese, and pop some in the Inner Corners. Light will hit this and give the illusion of widened eyes.

Step 7: Take some gel liner, or whatever you are comfortable with using, and line close to the lashes with a fine brush. I haven't winged mine out, as it may be too much, but if you want to go on all out there, feel free! Bring what's left on the brush close to the lower lashes for subtle definition. Take a kohl pencil, and line the waterline.

Step 8: Use your favourite mascara to create volume and flare to the lashes. I use the No7 Definition mascara to give me the look of more lashes with no clumps, and then Maybelline Falsies Flared to add length and volume. You can also add false lashes here, I just didn't have time!

Step 9: Finish the rest of your usual make up, adding a subtle lipgloss or nude lipstick. I used MUA love hearts lip balm in 'Sugar Lip's', as with such a heavy eye you don't want a garish colour to clash with it. The lip balm just give's a nice gloss, and a nice finish to the look.

And you are done! A lot of reading I know, but at least it's always here if you fancy having a go. Let me know what you think of the look! What are your favourite eye looks at the moment? Do you love the MUA palettes? I do!

Here are a couple of pictures of the finished look!

 I'm not as moody as I look here, honest! Haha!

Ciao For now! xXx

Thursday Thoughties - Illamasqua Skin Base ♥

Hi and Happy Thursday Thoughties! This week, as I mentioned in my previous post, I purchased Illamasqua Skin Base foundation as opposed to NARS Sheer Glow. This was not because I don't love the NARS Sheer Glow, but there are so many high end foundations out there that I haven't even thought about trying yet, so my mission is to work my way through them all until I come across one to stick to.

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, I went to the Illamasqua counter in Selfridges to get the correct shade matched to my skin. The make up artist on the counter only put this shade over half of my face, whereas the NARS lady put three different colour lines on my forehead so I could see which blended in perfectly. I wasn't convinced this was the right shade, and that it was oh-so-slightly too dark, but the girl on the counter was pretty much horrified that I had counteracted her expertise. So in the end I agreed with her and purchased it anyway! I am a world class donut, because I have got it home and I still think it is slightly off.

This is what the bottle looks like and it is in shade 3.5. I honestly think I must be a 3, if that is a touch lighter. I also found that this seems to have more pinky undertones, whereas the NARS had yellow undertones which I think suited me better. Make sure when getting matched you can go out into daylight and have a glance in a mirror, because £25.00 is a lot of money to get the incorrect shade. 

While writing this I just checked on the Illamasqua web page to see if this 3.5 shade is pink or yellow undertoned, and it is pink! So I was right, whereas shade 03 is yellow. I can put up with it after blending with powders and bronzers, but it's a bit of a pain, so do make sure you speak up - unlike moi, I'm just a weakling.

These are my pyjama bottoms in the pictures by the way...aristocats ftw!!

This is what a little bloberino looks like, I guess the same as any would when I put it on my hand like that...Anywho, onto coverage and things that matter. I found I have to work quicker with this foundation as it does start to dry. However I do think this is an advantage as it is a buildable foundation, so if it dries quicker, the more layers for coverage I can pile on. I must say all colour quibbles aside, I do very much like the coverage of the skin base and it is pretty flawless. I am less shiny as the day goes on with this foundation, as I have oily to combination skin, this is a plus.

Here is how it looks on the old boat race. My skin has cleared up over the last few days too thanks to a really cheap skincare routine I am currently doing! I shall share more about that soon, but it is like a miracle. 

It's a good foundation, but I don't know if I would rush out and buy it again soon, OR that it is just because of the colour that I am disappointed...maybe I'll try again with a different shade, but it doesn't look to bad here after bronzing and setting so I'll stop moaning now!

Random quickie...how amazeballs is this jumper??! I want it so bad but I would throw up if I spent £100 English Pounds on a jumper! I fully love it though.

Overall a nice foundation, with a good coverage. Would like to try it in the correct shade!

Rating out of five: ****

Ciao for now XxX

Previous Week Update ♥

Hello Everyone! Hope you are all well, it's been a while. I have been doing all sorts over the last week with the Jubilee and going down to London etc, which is why I haven't been continuously blogging. However I am back, and although this post isn't beauty related, I'm just going to put it up anyway, and that should be it for non beauty posts this week!

I went down to see my Grandad in London this week, who is a Chelsea Pensioner. Once a year Founders Day happens at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and it's a big old bash with a parade. Read more about it HERE. It is a special event where a member of the Royal family comes to the Hospital and reviews each in-pensioner. I felt really grateful to be able to attend such an event, and here are a few pictures of my time there.

My Grandad and I...I don't think he was expecting a picture somehow!

This was on the actual Founders Day, with some of my family.

Me and my Dad thinking he's a dude with his shades on!

Nails for the day (slightly beauty related =D )

Beginning of the Parade with Chelsea Pensioners, Sergeant Majors and Generals. 

Royal Family - Sophie Countess of Wessex.

My Dad and Grandad.

Me and my Grandad.

Quick snap of the London Eye while I was in a taxi!

So it was a nice few days and something different to do. It was a great experience and hope to go back with Ed next year. He couldn't come this year, so as a nice surprise he booked a night away at Coombe Abbey Hotel, which is one of my favourite places to go ever! He really is so sweet! The food is to die for and the rooms are amazing! What a treat! It was a lovely end to the week, and then we went shopping in Birmingham and took Peanut to the vets for a check up. So it was a busy busy week, but a good one. 

So that was a different blog, slightly picture heavy but never mind, I actually prefer blogs that are because I love looking at images!

Ciao for now XxX

Jubilee Make Up and Celebrations ♥

Oh Hello! I feel like I haven't blogged for SO long, it is because I have been at home or being a busy bee. So we have just celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and it really does make you feel all patriotic and proud to be British AND gives us make up nuts a great excuse to experiment! 

I had already sort of planned it out in my head how I was going to crazy-up my face, so it was just a case of doing it! I used my 120 palette from Ebay that I totally love, and know when I need a colour I don't have, I have that to fall back on. You can purchase it HERE. For my brows I used MUA Royal Blue pencil, white pencil and then a random unbranded red lipstick, set with a reddy-orangey eyeshadow, because I actually don't have a red eyeshadow! On my lips I used a lip tattoo, which I actually found pretty difficult to do. I bought a cheap one for about a quid off Ebay, whereas I wish I had spent the money and got a Violent Lips one now because I ended up peeling this off after about two hours because it was driving me mad. It gave the effect I wanted for a little while I guess, but at least I will know now for next time.

This is Eds sister Maria and I, attacking her with my Deely Boppers!

These shoes I got for £3.00 from Primark which was a total bargain, and the stickers were also from Primark for a pound. So Jubilee shoes for £4.00! Not bad, apart from they really hurt and I soon changed to flats...

I made some jubilee cupcakes too, and it was actually a pretty good recipe, the cakes were perfecto! Get the recipe HERE. I use 'Goodtoknow' for nearly every recipe I do, it's such a great website and definitely worth checking out.

Maria, Jonny, Ed and Me! <3 

Pair of Union Jacks =)

Ed and I, and he is also getting attacked by my Deely Boppers. 

It was a good day, and ended up with us all watching Aladdin, as you do! I am literally off to London in about two hours, so I'll get to see the aftermath of the Jubilee down there. If you haven't read my post about why I am going, my Grandad is a Chelsea Pensioner and it is his Founders Day tomorrow, where a member of the Royal Family comes to review them. Fingers crossed it is Kate! I think I would die if it was! 

Also, I must try and keep away from Carnaby Street, or else my purse shall die too!

I may try and blog from my phone tomorrow, so I'll update then!

Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Bonjour Mes Amis! It's Fridayyyy! Wahooo! The Jubilee is fast approaching, and I must admit I am feeling rather patriotic with all the Union Jacks everywhere. Despite the current status of our country, we are lucky to be able to celebrate something like this to bring everyone together. Anyway, my nails today couldn't be any less patriotic, but they will be changed in time for the Jubilee party I am going to!

I fancied a change, and something funky for the weekend so I decided to go for a blue leopard print.

The products I used were:

Primark's own brand sky blue colour - available in a pack of four pastel shades.

China Glaze Liquid Crystal.

Models Own Black Nail art pen.

I've never done any nail art before, only regular painting so I thought I'd give it a go!

I used two coats of the blue Primark polish which is quick drying, but does start to gloop up in the bottle with the lid off for a bit, so be wary of that if you have it. Then I used the pen tip of the nail art pen to create the 'leopard' black lines. Make sure these are dry before continuing. I then got an eyeliner brush and dipped it in the Liquid Crystal polish to fill in the gaps, when this was dry I just went over the glitter that had gone over the black lines with the nail art pen. Finish with your favourite clear top coat, or leave bare for textured glitter.

Please excuse bitten fingers! Terrible habit!

I'm quite pleased at how this looks for my first attempt! Will have to get practising to perfect this and do some different designs. What's your manicure for the weekend or Jubilee?

Have a great one! Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Howdy lovelies! Just thought I would do a quick post to end the week, on my nails I am sporting for the weekend! As you may or may not know, I am an avid user of the Boots falsies, which are a pack of 200 nails for £8.50 with glue! I think they are super duper, and worth a try. 

If you've got big ol' nails like me, they fit like a treat. They are also anti chip, and I have very very rarely seen any on mine, no matter what polish I use. They can stay on around 5 days if you glue them on well in the first place, but I always carry the glue round with me for those just-in-case days! I have had to repurchase the glue a couple of times, because with all those nails it does run out pretty quick, but its super strong, so don't go attaching fingers to thumbs like I do, and you end up with a delightful print of skin on top of your nail. Anyone else do that?

SO, onto the nails! I have got a gorgeous polish from Essie, and a lovely textured glitter from China Glaze. I got them from the Beauty UK show a few days back (read the post HERE). I have been desperado to try out all my polishes since then, but due to work and things it's not always suitable! With the weekend on the way, I have been let lose! 

So the Essie polish is called Sure Shot, which is a deep raspberry pink with a blue undertone, and the China Glaze on the accent nail is called I'm not Lion. I really like these colours together, and the accent nail is a textured glitter, which isn't something I have actually had before but I really love the effect - feels like sandpaper!

So there we have it. What nails are you sporting for the weekend? And do you have any of these polishes, if so what do you think??

Have a fab weekend guys,

Ciao for now XxxX

Trip to Cyprus ♥

Greetings! I Hope you are doing diddly dandy! What a week. I am going to have to split it into two posts so as not to bore you! I will warn you that these are going to be picture heavy, but I like to look at pictures so you might do too. Firstly I am going to waffle on to you about our holiday to Cyprus. Not to make you well-jel or anything...but just to share our experience! 

This is a little picture of the make up and nails I did for the journey! I went for a coral look, especially as coral nails look fab when you have a bit of a tan! So this is Models own nail polish in Tropical Sun...I think it  is called, available at boots. Eyebrows are MUA matte brown in shade 19, available in Superdrug, and my lips are a number 17 lipstick, in lasting fix Hot Chilli. It really does last quite well, and they aren't too expensive! One of my favourite corals.

Waiting to board the plane, I grabbed these amazing sunnies from Claires at the airport, they are a great match for my hair! Also, Monarch give you these fit to fly tags for your hand luggage! Me likey. I also forgot to mention I got full body searched through security, as I always do, because I have ears full of metal with 9 piercings, 2 in my belly and then I had a big chain necklace on and set the bleepers off =/  I am an idiot. I just walk through with my arms out ready now!

On our plane, a woman decided to neck back neat vodka from a bottle she bought at the Duty Free. As you can imagine, always fun when you are confined at 30,000 feet. She kicked off and luckily we were at the back of the plane, but she ended up punching a passenger and pulling an air hostess' hair! We had to wait for the police to arrive when we landed before we got off the plane. This was about 11pm. Then, we had a transfer from the airport to our hotel in a little minibus, which to our suprise, also was to carry the drunk woman to her hotel. Unfortunately, Mr Cypriot minibus driver didn't believe us, and so didn't leave the airport until an hour later without her.

At 12.30am, we arrived at our apartments. We checked in, got our keys and headed up. It looked a nice enough place, until we went in. Long story short, electrical wires over the floor, bathroom full of dust and grime, unsafe cooking equipment, and last but not least a smoke alarm which intermittently bleeped every 10 seconds. You pay all that money and get all these extras for free! Hmm...not extras we would prefer to be honest. So after trying to fight the annoyance of the smoke alarm, we gave up, packed up and headed to reception to ask for a room move. They moved us to the one underneath, which was exactly the same but you could hear even more bleeps down the corridor! We just couldn't stand it, so at now 1am, we ventured to the hotel next door which was a large complex, as our reception had locked up and gone home! So no security either!

The manager at the new hotel gave us a lovely room with a view, so we went and took our cases, unfortunately had to pay for a whole other week, but at least we were happy. We checked out of the rubbish one the next day! This is what we could see from our window now. =)

Just a little poster that amused me...

The first day was sunny and overcast so I didn't think I needed any sun cream...I was incorrect.

It was pretty rainy for a couple of days then it brightened up towards the end of the week, so it was cocktails all round!

As it was easter when we went, they had these huge plastic bunnies and eggs all around the roads! Very different to the UK!

A Praying Mantis. I don't think I had seen one before, but someone had trodden on his leg =( poor thing, so I was trying to help him into some safer bushes. Good deed for the day!

Ed and his mammoth Pitta Kebab!

One of the nights out to eat. Liner is the usual Fluidline in blacktrack from MAC, and the lipstick is the MAC Chenman range in Force of Love, with matching Lipglass.

Finally, I gathered up the guts to Parasail while I was there! It was a great experience, really relaxing actually! Just gliding smoothly over the sea as you do! I was a bit hesitant and nervous at first, but my inner adrenaline junkie always gets the better of me, and I am really glad it does. Experiences like this make me feel glad I am alive!

Which gracefully brings me on to my next blog which shall be up very soon, about my Skydive!!!

Thanks for reading guys, sorry for the waffle!

Ciao for now XxXx