It's Looking Promising: Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather

As I was already a fan of the Maybelline Color Tattoos but disappointed by the shade range, I was excited to discover they had a new collection out - the Leather Collection. Not all of the colors appeal to me because I really am a neutral/bronze/reddy brown/gold girl when it comes to eyeshadow + I really don't ever wear anything else on my lids. However there were two shades from the range that caught my attention + I have been wearing them everyday since I bought them. By the way I am pretty certain that these are not limited edition.

The two shades I bought are Creamy Beige (top) + Chocolate Side (bottom) which are both great for all over the lid with a little sumtin sumtin in the crease. The finish is velvety, so they don't have the shimmer of the original ones which means that they do give that leathery effect which I love. Although Tough As Taupe has a comparable finish. Like the originals, these don't crease on my eyelids but I always wear my Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath any shadow I'm wearing. 

***PS: I am hosting a giveaway! Click here if you want the chance of winning the Original UD Naked Palette :)***

Read More

1000 Followers Giveaway - UD Original Naked Palette

I reached 1000 Bloglovin followers so I figured it was time for another giveaway. I have all three Urban Decay Naked palettes but the original is by far my favorite. It's all pretty self explanatory if you look below so good luck + thank you for reading :)

This is open to the US/Canada + European residents. If you are not 18+ then please ask a parent/guardian beforehand.

This item was bought with my own money + this post was not sponsored.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Read More

Recent Purchases # 11

Well whatever, I went shopping. I had a bit of a weird meltdown situation on Friday night slash Saturday all day so I thought I deserved a little pick-me-up. Not that this is how I recommend you all go shopping but I'm just being #real with you all here. I actually don't regret any of these buys + two of them I actually bought a few weeks ago so this wasn't in one go. 

The first product is the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold which I am not totally convinced by. I find that it doesn't completely dry but maybe I have been using too much of it so I will report back at a later date whether it's love or hate. The second thing I picked up was the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer because I am someone who uses a primer before foundation on a daily basis. I like a radiant finish but this isn't quite as radiant as the L'Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Primer so I use this one all over with the L'Oréal one on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose + on my cupid's bow. But I like how this blurs imperfections, adds a nice natural glow + helps my foundation last all day. Then at a later date (aka today when I wrote this) I needed a new tanning mitt so I just bought the Tarte Brazilliance™ Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Face And Body Self Tanner because I have the mini + this size comes with a mitt too. I really like the color of this because it is more brown than it is orange so it looks a bit more real. The final two products come under the lip category + if you read my blog regularly you will know I'm definitely a nude girl at the moment (not right this second - I'm wearing clothes for once HOHO!). I picked up the Buxom True Nude Lip Foundation in Buff which I wore today + I think I might have a bit of a love affair with this because so far SO GOOD. I also got the Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Honey because I thought it might look night over the top (nude with gold shimmer etc, you know how it goes).

In the swatches - bottom to top: LM Caviar Stick; Bite Gloss; Buxom Lip Foundation)

Read More

FOTD 7/15/14

I used to do a lot of 'Face of the Day' posts but then I guess I got a bit lazy. I have noticed I don't really show that much makeup on my actual face anymore + really you can't tell what anything really looks like unless you see it on so I'm going to try to be a bit better about that. 

Base: I used the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer under the Lancôme BB Cream (which comes in six shades). I then used the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Peach with a bit of the L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Concealer under my eyes + I also used the L'Oréal Concealer on my chin, around my nose + a bit on my forehead. I used the Vichy Dermablend Concealer on any blemishes. I then lightly powdered the center of my face with Clarins Ever Matte.

Cheeks: I used my NARS One Night Stand palette for bronzer, blush + highlighter. The blush I opted for is the bright pink in the middle of the top row because I feel like this goes really well with my blonde hair. I then used the Laguna bronzer to contour a bit + the highlighter on any high points of my face. I love this highlighter because it's not glittery but it adds a really pretty glow. 

Eyebrows: I used my Anastasia Brow Wiz in the shade Ash Blonde - I seem to have misplaced my Benefit Gimme Brow so I used a normal clear brow gel to keep them in place. I don't have bushy eyebrows by any stretch of the imagination but they still like to have a party on their own.

Eyes: I always use the Urban Decay Primer Potion, no matter what kind of eye look I am doing. I then used the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold all over the lid with the Bobbi Brown Eye Liner in Scotch along the top lash line. To finish, I used my L'Oréal Paris Miss Manga Mascara in Black Brown on my top + bottom lashes.

I didn't put on any lipstick, just some lip balm throughout the day. I then always spritz my face with the Urban Decay All Nighter Spray to keep everything in place.

Read More

Life In New York: Part II

Hi everyone! As my internship is coming to an end (kind of, I have two more months) + I'm planning on moving to London on 9/22, I thought I would do another New York post (even if it's just for me to look back on). Living in New York has been one of the best experiences of my life. I'm happy to be able to say I have lived in London, Paris, LA + New York by the age of 23 not because it sounds cool but because not everyone gets that opportunity + I am incredibly lucky that I did that chance to move around. If you have never visited New York, you really have to experience it one. It is a magical, beautiful, buzzing city + I really don't think there is anywhere else like it in the world. I love the contrast between all the different areas, when you're in Williamsburg, Brooklyn you really couldn't feel further away from the Upper East of Manhattan. Getting to work on 5th Avenue was a dream I really didn't ever think I'd get to live out + I'm proud to say I've even tried a REAL cronut now (which meant waiting in line at 6am for two hours but it was totally worth it). As much as I am crazy excited to be reuinited with the British sense of humor, European boys, British TV... oh and all my bestest buds, I will miss this city a lot but I'm glad my parents are based here so it will still be 'home' for the next few years.

If you want to see more of my NYC adventures then you can follow me on Instagram PLUG PLUG PLUG: @annieelizabethm

Read More

Disappointing Product # 6: Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus

Another product I didn't really get along with: the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus. I'm not sure what size I had but I'm pretty sure it was one of the larger sizes + it's pretty damn expensive so the fact that it didn't deliver made it all the more disappointing for me. This has the texture of a serum but I found it to be quite sticky so I immediately didn't like the feel of having it on my face. That was also the problem with Hydraluron for me, I never liked the consistency + feel of it so I never wanted to use it. Aside from the stickiness, I also didn't notice any difference in my skin. I usually think with skincare you want to notice short + long term changes in your skin. For example, the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate made my skin feel skin smooth + plump after one usage + over time I have noticed it has helped with acne as well as scarring. Unfortunately this product just didn't seem to make any difference to my skin whatsoever so I gave it away to my sister who is a little less fussy when it comes to what beauty products she uses.

I feel like this is a popular product though so if you have tried it + it worked for you I would be interested in knowing - everyone's skin is different!

Read More

Even Newer Hair

I know I just recently went much blonder but... then I did it again. My hair was a bit on the yellowy side + it was slightly too dark for toner to really latch onto it. I went back to the same salon + got it bleached + toned again... and I am so so so happy with how it looks now. It is definitely more on the white/silvery side which is what I wanted. I've said it before + I'll say it again: I'm all about the cool hair/warm face combo - now my hair is super cool toned which is exactly what I wanted. Obviously the upkeep is going to be a pain/really expensive but I honestly feel so happy with how my hair looks right now so it will hopefully be worth it :)

My hair still doesn't feel damaged by the way so I think if you go to a good hair colorist who knows what he/she is doing then it doesn't have to fry your hair off!

Read More