BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE!

Hey everyone!

Got back from Tokyo last night so feeling a bit sleepy still.
Apologies for the lack of posts this week. I thought the hotel had wireless but alas did not!

Will write a little review later today but for now here is this weeks beauty blog link love!

Rae reviews a gorgeously packaged mascara that smells like blueberries (no, we're not kidding!) over at theNotice.

Tammerly from Pink Diva's Beauty Spot was GHD's guest at Little Joe Woman fashion luncheon which was also sponsored by Lancome.

IHeartCosmetics reviews the famous Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish .

The Pink Sith tries to put as many non sequitur references that she can into her review of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush. See if she has finally gone too far.

Madame B Fatale swatches some Australian Mineral Shadows by Kylies Professional.

Jellyminx creates an affordable autumn inspired eye look perfect for the dreary weather the UK has had recently!!

Urban Decay announce The Black Palette and Lipglossiping has the photos! This one's for the rock chick inside each of us!

Cindy from Prime Beauty is finally leading the semi-"charmed" life she thinks she deserves by wearing the newest Three Custom Color Specialist lipstick. Find out how you can get yours as a GWP!

What's in the vanity drawers at The Gloss Menagerie? Come have a look at Alyson's makeup organization.

Beautywoome takes you through the no-chip manicure paces.

It wasn't easy, but Glitter Geek actually listed her top 10 products for Summer 2010. See any of your own favourites?

Jeweled Thumb reviews a face paint by Models Own as a blush and discovers it works!

Want to learn how to self-apply individual false eyelashes at home? Mz. More of The Glamorous Gleam has a video tutorial!

Hot Beauty Health shares how to get short, curly hairstyles like celebs!

The Lip Print makes a change and crosses over to the light side .

Retrodiva explores eight autumn beauty trends sure to be popular this year.

Want Chanel Paradoxal but don't like it's price? Musicalhouses shows you Paradoxal's (much) cheaper little sister!

- Posted from my iPhone

SUPER KAWAII TOKYO 3D STYLE NAILS

So I am off to Tokyo in the morning and to get into the spirit of things I thought I would share with you this lovely little Etsy store I came across recently.

I LOVE Japanese 3D nails. They are so OTT in such a creative way. Here are my favourites from the Nevertoomuchglitter esty store (photos used with permission):

Super Kawaii!

View more designs by visiting her store here

Will have my iphone on me so will try and post whilst I am in Tokyo. Itching to see the make up and haul!

BUY A LUSH BATH BALLISTIC & HELP THE CHAMELEON!

I recently spotted these cute shimmery chameleon shaped ballistics in Lush over the weekend and just HAD to add one to my basket!

 However, these pretty ballistics carry an important message with Lush donating all the proceeds (minus VAT) to the Animal Protection Agency.


The aim is to highlight and create awareness to the public that reptiles are wild animals and not pets!


You can read more about the  campaign on the official Lush website here

As for the product itself; it's so lovely, making the bath water a rainbow of colour (think green, pink, purple and blue!)with subtle shimmer. 

The ballistic is currently sold out on the website but keep checking your nearest Lush and please purchase one and help the campaign!

Visit the Lush website here

FLYLASHES...A NEW TREND? (WARNING...THIS IS SO GROSS!!!!!)

This is probably the most sickest thing I've seen in a while...*grabs bucket*


A work colleague alerted me to this really rather disturbing piece of art today, and yes, that's a whole bunch of REAL FLY LEGS attached to her lash line!

image source: www.jessicaharrison.co.uk
Created by British artist Jessica Harrison as part of an art exhibition, no flies were harmed during the creation of these lashes. Nope, none. In fact they were already dead when she found them! View her website to see more of her work.

So waddaya think? New 2011 trend in the making? (i joke i joke!) :P

SHOW & TELL: MY NAIL POLISH COLLECTION!

Since moving into the new flat I haven't had the time to unpack all my nail polishes. Finally got the chance to do it this evening and my gosh have I squirreled away a lot!

I threw a lot away a few months ago as some were starting to separate beyond repair. However, looking at the photos below it still looks like I have a slight obsession with nail polish. 

The great thing about nail polish is that it's usually a cheap and cheerful treat you can buy for yourself without feeling too guilty afterwards. Well that's how I justify this much polish!

 

INS & OUTS part 2?

How was everyones weekend? Hope you all had a good one!

Tonight I thought I'd write my second (i think?) INs & OUTs sooo here we go!


IN



AM GOING TO TOKYO!
Oh yeah it's a very BIG IN! The boy and I finally have some free time to go away for a much deserved break next week and whilst the original plan was to go to Greece; the last minute prices are way too inflated for a decent holiday. We also didn't want to be in the midst of school holidays so Tokyo it is! I went a few years back but was on my own at the time so can't wait to see the sights with him.
I will of course be make-up hauling and may possibly sneak a little video in too :)

WINDOW BOXES
I am becoming an absolute GEEK with the new flat's window boxes! We have four in total with the kitchen home to herbs, the bedroom = French Lavender and the living room = geranium.
The boy laughs at me for watching the plants in open awe. I am taking immense pride in planting I am :)


TRUE BLOOD
So glad season 3 has come round and the storylines are much better than the book *nods*. Did anyone watch last weeks...all I could think was "don't do it Eric!"


WII FITNESS GAMES
I have such gym phobia. I hate them, I really really do. 
Recently bought Wii Active - More Workouts and love the step aerobics! Also got the yoga & pilates one but not tried it out yet. Will let you know what I think!

HAVING MY BLOG RECOMMENDED ON TWITTER
Tonight someone recommended my blog to someone on Twitter. Am flattered! I've always seen this blog as a grassroots project, allowing it to develop and expand at a pace that's right for me so am really happy when I read things like this or receive nice comments from people. Really makes my day!


EYEBROW KITS
Am going to write a post on this but for now let me tell you that I never knew I needed one of these until now.





OUT


OVERPRICED EUROPEAN LAST MINUTE HOLIDAYS
Peek school holiday season is not the time to book a last minute holiday! Rip off prices and everywhere is booked up. Go Tokyo!


VIVIENNE WESTWOOD/MELISSA SHOES
I love mine...all 5 pairs...I really do, but boy are they not attractive in the hot weather. Grim!


PLAY.COM
Erugh...website says usually dispatched within 1 day with free p&p. Yeah right! Two days for the dispatch email and then another frikking 3 days for delivery! First and last order me thinks! Amazon all the way. However, watching the boy play his wii Pro Evolution 2010 makes me happy.


LIPGLOSS
It's always been an out for me as I hate the way it's a hair magnet and insists on sticking stray hair to my lips. Never was a lipgloss girl...


METALLIC NAIL POLISH
Don't know why but really not loving metallics right now. Cream finishes just look more classy me thinks ;) Am hoping to rekindle my metallic love very soon.

MISSING MY FOLKS &DOG
Before moving out with the boy I was staying with my folks for a bit and during that time got to really spend quality time with them and the dog. Now the dog snobs me! It's not like they are far away but my family here is very small. Just my mum, dad and brother. I have one aunt and two cousins withe the rest abroad. Am really happy that I am so close to my family. Appreciate the time spent with them more than ever now.


That's it from me! What are yours?

$%&* MY DAD SAYS ABOUT BEAUTY - part 1

I don't know if you've ever read the tweets from "shit my dad says" but today my dad said something that made me laugh which I thought I'd share with you.

Dad - "I don't know why they paint themselves. It looks like they're sick and they have jaundice".

Can you have a guess at what beauty product he was harping on about?

FAKE TANNING LOTION!

My dad doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why someone would want to "paint" themselves as he puts it and then leave little orange paint prints all over the place. At the time he was busy cleaning said prints from the door of a car (not mine I might add).

I'll elaborate on this once I check with someone that it's ok to...

Hope you're having a good weekend :)

REVIEW: CHANEL PARADOXAL

So yesterday I got my mitts on the new Chanel "IT" nail polish. I am of course talking about "Paradoxal".
Since it's launch in the UK yesterday this new shade of polish sold out in Selfridges (luxe London department store) in under 3 hours (allegedly) and it's another one of those limited polishes that is causing a little frenzy amongst us beauty lovers!

I first set my eyes on this polish last month when my work colleague had it slapped on her fingernails. She has just come back from NYC and bought the polish on a whim without even knowing the hype over it. So yeah...cause I knew what it looked like, and what it swatched like, I kinda felt like the excitement was a teensy bit lost on this one.

My thoughts on it now I have it?

It's SUCH a unique colour and so difficult to describe. One minute it's grey, then taupe, then a deep murky blue. Unfortunately you only get to see the purple streaks when artificial light is shining directly upon it. See the photos below for examples of what I mean:

Natural light:

With flash:Natural light:Paradoxal is definitely a goodie for the Autumn and makes a nice change from my usual Rouge Noir colour of choice. It applies well with three coats giving decent coverage.

Have you got it yet? I heard Selfridges will get more in next week and a cheap and cheerful alternative is Models Own "Purple Grey".

BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE!

Phyrra shows you Meow's Friday the 13th Collection, just in time for Friday the 13th!

Louise wonders about the Thierry Mugler wisdom of Womanity.

Lismarie from Beauty Crazed opens up Pandora's Box - Pandora's Makeup Box that is!

Take a look at swatches of Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipglosses and see what Sophie thinks of them.

The fish pedicure has come to London via Aqua Sheko and Beautywoome tries it out.

Lipglossiping has the scoop on the NARS Christmas Bento Box Lip Set that EVERYONE will want, but that at £95, few will be able to justify!

Krasey Beauty swatches her entire collection of Make Up For Ever eyeshadows, for all the world to see!

Retrodiva discovers a mascara that's almost identical to her beloved Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper. a solution to her oily skin, she just can't get enough of it!

Want soft skin, smooth legs and shiny hair? Cindy at Prime Beauty has your solution--find out what ten must-have beauty products are in her shower.

Broke your nail and don't know what to do? Musicalhouses will show you how to fix your nail with a DIY nail wrap!

Rachel's been finding possible Liz Earle alternatives.. is Soap and Glory's Hot Cloth Cleanser "the one"?

Jeweled Thumb reviews a miniature blush from a brand that doesn't seem to get quite enough love (PS she loves it!)

Are you looking for some everyday nude lip products? Check out Spiced Beauty's top 3!

Jolie Laide Girl falls in love forever and its with the creamy Make Up Forever Aqua Creams.

***

Finally, over to theNotice for Rae's Silicone Giveaway, which includes a lustrous hair lotion, a Canada-exclusive powder, and a bit of Urban Decay!



- Posted from my iPhone

I GOT IT! CHANEL PARADOXAL!

Today I tick one thing off my recent "wish list".

Chanel's Paradoxal nail polish :)

Chanel's UK release date for this limited edition polish was today and it allegedly sold out in just under 3 hours in Selfridges...eep!

A work colleague of mine already has this having bought it in the States last month, so I already knew what it looked like in it real life. Having spent the last few weeks in open envy I am so glad to finally get my mitts on it.

Very excited to try this and shall post a NOTD tomorrow hopefully!

Did you managed to grab one today? What are your thoughts?

Oh and on another note...is Particuliere now permanent? I read that it might be and I spotted it today on the counter :)

COMING TO LIBERTY...AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES!

Just wanted to share this lovely bit of news with you!
British brand Aromatherapy Associates, known for their AMAZING essential oil and natural plant extract products, will be available to buy at London's Liberty department store from the 26th August.

Stand out products for me include the bath & shower oils. They are AMAZING and I have a secret stash in my bathroom which I have been squirreling away for emergencies.

You will be able to check out their entire range in the bath and body area on the third floor so definitely put the date in your diaries and get yourself some luxury goodness!

NOTD: ILLAMASQUA "HECTIC"

I have a tendency towards green nail polish. Not the metallic kind so much mind, but when a gorgeous swampy, murky booger shade comes along...heck I am right onto it! ESPECIALLY if it's got 50% off!

I recently purchased this on the Illamasqua website and I LOVE IT. This is the second nail polish that I own and I am still so impressed with the quality of their formulas, the fact that you will get opaque coverage in two coats, not to mention the fact that it doesn't chip with minimum tip wear before my usual 6 days are up.

Check it out:
What are your favourite Illamasqua nail polishes? Would love to know!

TAG: MY EVENING RITUAL (am tagging ALL of you!)

I decided to create this tag because the boy is always saying to me "how many products are you going to put on?!?!".

Trying to explain WHY I need X amount of products every night to a guy really is quite difficult. Guys just don't get it and it's not like I use a truck load!

So...with that out of the way, may I present "My Evening Ritual". If you fancy being tagged...BAM!...there you go! I tag you all!

The products I use without fail each and every night are as follows:

From left to right:

Boots original formula Cleansing Milk
I use this to take off my make-up every night. It doesn't leave my skin feeling tight, instead making it soft and supple. It's also quite good at removing waterproof mascara :)

Clinique Even Better
I use this every night and I've just reached the end of the bottle...it's not worked very well. Updated review to follow shortly.

Rapidlash
I've actually seen really good results so far since I started using this in June (?) Again blog review to follow, but in short...it works for me!

b-Liv Off with those Heads
I recently reviewed this product. I LOVE it and only use it on problem areas which are nose and around my mouth. My skin is spotless since using this product.

Qtica intensive cuticle treatment
Helps keep my nails nourished and strong. Really notice a difference in my nails since using this.

By Terry Baume de Rose
This stuff is worth every single precious little penny! Really helps keep my lips moisturised. I LOVE it.

Aromatherapy Associates Support Super Sensitive Facial Oil
This is pure heaven & one sniff is pure indulgence and is never enough. If you have super sensitive skin like me this product is definitely worth checking out. I have been using this instead of a night cream lately and it's enough to keep my skin soft and moisturised.

So those are mine...what's yours? Leave a comment and let me know how I can add to this expanding list :)

FOTD: LILAC LOVES GLITTER

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

If you're a regular reader of my blog you will probably have realised I don't really do "FOTD"...more so "Eye of the Day", and even then they are few and far between!

I'm going to try and make a conscious effort to nail a few looks and bring a bit more variety to this blog *nods*

Here is a look I actually did at the beginning of the year. Just didn't post the photos! Hope you like it:

I dunno why but my photos always seem to de-saturate themselves of colour when I upload them...annoying!

Here is what I used to create this look:
Super all Hard Candy Duochrome eyeshadow palette (love this)
Sleek glitter eyeliner in "rebel"
MUFE Aqua Smokey Lash (my HG)
Urban Decay liquid eyeliner in "ecstasy"
Mac smokey eyes holiday palette 2009 (used carbon from this)
Mac gel eyeliner in "blacktrack"
Mac pigment in "fuchsia" (i think!) and "Naked"
NYX Jumbo eye pencil in "milk" as base

ILLASMASQUA MAIL ORDER LOVE

I ordered for the first time from the Illamasqua site, having taken a advantage of their 50% off sale. My order was super small admittedly; one nail polish for me and one for my work colleague but I have to say I am mighty impressed with their online service!

Delivery was super fast and packaged extremely well :)

Here is what I ordered:

Green polished entitled "hectic" is my order. I have been wanting this polish for a while now so nabbed it when I saw it in the sale. Love green nail polishes and this murky swampy booger shade is right up my street!

BLOG REEL, ROLL, LIST YADDA...WANT TO BE ON IT?

For some unknown reason Blogger has managed to eradicate the blogs I had on my blog roll *stamps foot*

I've added the ones I can remember off by heart but I can't remember everyone I had added...

SO! Here's the chance to submit your blogs for my new list :)

All I ask is that your blog is a beauty related and that you leave a comment to this post with your blog url. If you're feeling like sharing it would be great if you could add mine to yours too. Would really appreciate it!

Look forward to discovering new beauty bloggers :)

SHU UEMURA LASHES REVIEW

Good evening everyone, hope you are all having a good one!

Tonight I thought I would write a short review on the Shu Uemura lashes I tried out a few weeks ago at the Selfridges Xmas press event.

Shu Uemura had a little stand at the event where a make up artist was applying a complimentary set of individual lashes to whomever was interested.

I decided this was too good an opportunity to pass having never tried individual lashes before (well a failed self attempt doesn't count does it?).

Here is the before pic:

After pics:

It looks pretty subtle in the after pics but they were really quite long.

These were only the temporary type and I have to say I didn't really like them! Mostly because they were glued to my actual lashes and in my delicate attempt to remove them; managed to rip a few of my own out in the process. When you have a sparse lashes as I do this was incredibly frustrating, time consuming and ultimately a disaster especially as I was almost ready to do my Rapidlash results post!

All in all I shall be sticking to the usual "stick it on your lid" type..and the ones that come in a nice long row *nods*.

What's your experience with these type of lashes? Love it or loath it or sitting on the fence ? :P

REVIEW: FRONTCOVER MERMAID DREAMS EYE PALETTE

I've been tinkering around with this palette for a while now and it's about high time I got this review down!

The Frontcover Mermaid Dreams palette is inspired by the ocean. Think lots of greens and blues mixed with earthy tones all grouped together in 20 (!) baked eyeshadows and the looks you can create are endless.

The palette retails for £25 and I have to say for the amount you get it's a steal given the sheer amount of product you get.

The domed eyeshadows can be used dry but really come to life when you apply them wet. It really makes the colour all that more vibrant and intense. See swatches below where you can really see the difference. Swatches according to how the colours are laid out in the palette, one swatch dry one swatch wet:
The palette comes complete with Frontcover Shadowline which I have already reviewed here and also a double ended eyeshadow brush which was the one major disappointment to this otherwise fantastic kit. The quality of the brush was just a little bit below average.

Size wise it's pretty large, think a teeny bit larger than an Urban Decay Book of Shadows, but transports well and is perfect for holidays, especially seaside ones where you can rock the mermaid look ;)

All in all this is a fabulous kit that's perfect for yourself and perfect as a gift for someone really rather special.

You can buy FrontCover products from larger Boots but you can also visit the Frontcover website here for more info.

NOTD: OPI FOR SEPHORA "OCEAN LOVE POTION"

I am really loving this nail polish!

I bought it from Sephora in New York in May and have only just got round to trying it out (I own a LOT of nail polish...!).

These are my favourite type of nail polish. Cream finish...mmmm

I really love green nail polish and this one is like nothing in my collection :)

BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE

Have you ever tried epilating? Well, now Rae has -- and she just loves her new Emjoi Emagine!

Vote NOW on what Makeup Series you'd like to see next on Betty Girl Makeup. Poll closes Friday, August 6th @ 11:59pm.

Jellyminx shows a summery golden pink look and features a surprise guest!

Kim Porter swatches products from the MAC In The Groove Collection to show you what it looks like on NC50 skin.

Krasey Beauty has exclusive swatches of the new Make Up For Ever Lab Shine Collection.

Rachel's been trying out new mineral makeup from Lily Lolo over at Queen of Turquoise.

Hot Beauty Health shares a list of the top 10 virtual hairstyle and makeover sites to try out a new look!

Musicalhouses makes Illamasqua's Beg blush wearable in her latest FOTD.

Find out everything about Summer 2010 makeup trends in the Makeup4All on-line beauty magazine.

Joeybunny over at the PinkSith blog tells us what worked and what didn't during her testing of Raw Minerals Makeup and Brushes. Did you know she's a Team Jacob and not a Team Cullen?

Jolie Laide Girl gets all hot and bothered playing with the Urban Decay Naked Palette.

Check out what makes Guerlain's Meteorites Perles primer so special on Beauty Addict.

Fed up of struggling to access your new makeup? Yeah... Lipglossiping is, too!

Christelle from Beauty Crazed learns that multiple X's are not always inappropriate... sometimes they mean mascara!

I Heart Cosmetics has become totally obsessed with the Clarisonic.

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Retrodiva is giving away the brand new Sampar's Good Weekend Kit, a new travel-friendly kit for urban skin survival.

Win an Infiniti by Conair You Curl curling iron from Audrey Dao.

There's still time to enter the Summer Smooth Skin Giveaway at The Gloss Menagerie!

Got troublesome skin? Enter Hellcandy's skincare giveaway for the chance to win some B-Liv products!

Do you want a new traincase? CSN stores is giving one Spiced Beauty reader a $40 gift card!


- Posted from my iPhone