Beauty Treats: Dior, MAC and Essie

Dior 3 Couleurs Smoky: 'Smoky Pink 051' // Essie: 'Lilacism' & 'Fiji' // MAC Cremesheen: 'Creme Cup'

Oh, what's this? Have I been treating myself again?... how unusual. I feel a tad fancy writing a post in which a Dior eyeshadow trio is included - not gonna lie. It is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, look at it! There are two matte shades (light pink and the darker grey) and one super sparkly, glittery shade, the shade that made me splurge in this wee beaut. Honestly, it is one of the most sparkly shadows I have ever seen, but in a very delicate way. It's not like thick, big chunks of glitter, but really fine specks of glittering amazingness (greeat description alert). The most pigmented is the matte grey, apart from that the trio is really soft and super wearable, and super creamy in texture, honestly I die. The Essie polishes were a surprise find as in my area they stopped selling them for a while which I was really sad about as they are my favourite polish brand. So when I spotted them and they were buy one get one half off I was like it's a sign! I was super pleased because I had been wanting 'Fiji' for ages but could never find it and I picked out 'Lilacism' as I had been wanting a nice pastel purple for summer (that there hasn't been much of, boo). They are both super flattering soft colours and I find the staying power of Essie is the best, for me better than O.P.I. . And last but not least the cult MAC Cremesheen in 'Creme Cup' - it just had to be done. I have been slowly collecting MAC lipsticks and although everyone says it, they really are some of the best and it always feels like a little treat to pick one out and then try to resist for a couple weeks and then go and have a 'splurge' on it because if you still want it after those couple weeks you clearly have to have it (anyone else do this? haha) Anyway, for my skin tone it is the perfect pink nude lip - I loves it a lot.

Anyone else bought anything recently that they are totally in love with?

Lu x

Wishlist // Sephora

 Urban Decay Naked 3: Oh, hello there, look how beauuutiful! Yes, it's another girl drooling over the Naked 3 palette... I don't have any of the Naked palettes (almost feel a little embarrassed to say that), so naturally when this pink-toned version was released I was all over it, and have been waiting for it to come back into stock online.

Dior Creme de Rose: I have been hearing and reading a lot about this fancy wee pot recently and everyone seems to be loving it. Now, I am a firm believer in treating yourself to a little fancy something every now and again, and a Dior lipbalm in a sweet little white pot is right up my alley... even thought it does hold a rather steep price tag.

Benefit Blush in 'Rockateur': This really is the wishlist of cult products, I recently went on a little holiday and went to a Benefit counter and swatched this blush, at first I was kinda disappointed but when I got out into the natural light and the sheen really stood out I was sold, and here we are with this wishlist and me having a ramble about a blush I should have bought when I had the chance - first world problems.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer: This is a product I initially didn't really pay any attention to, however I watched one of Essie Buttons YouTube videos a few days back and she used this and raved about how great it was for highlighting and under the eyes. I can't say I have a major problem with dark under eye circles, all I really look for is something to highlight and bring extra brightness to that area of my face. Apparently this is a really light formula and looks FAB so I'm down to try it!

NARS Creamy Concealer: I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing about this concealer that seems to have taken over, hence why I need it in my life! I have some scarring and darker sports from past blemishes and the odd one (thank god!) that I get now, and some redness around my nose, which I am always looking to somewhat hide and judging from what I have heard this seems to be the 'it' product for just that. I say yes please to this wee thing!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in 'Adore': This is one of those things I have always wanted, but never really gotten around to actually getting. I'm not gonna lie, I think one of the main reasons is because the colour options have always overwhelmed me and I didn't know which one I wanted. Now, after over a year of deliberation (serious, serious stuff...) I have decided I want what Sephora describes as 'shimmering pink', well I think this marks quite a moment in my life - I have finally chosen a Tarte blush colour GO ME!

Anyone have any of these and love/hate them?

Lu x

Life // My New Job

All-In-One Face Base, Colour Crush Eyeshadow, Colour Crush Lipstick (similar)

It has been a rather busy month and a half (hence the lack of blogging commitment), it has been exam season for me, and an opportunity presented itself I couldn't miss. 

I was feeling pretty bored and generally ready for a change after working at my previous job for almost 3 years, and I also really wanted to work in an area I had genuine interest, so when The Body Shop were looking for a new part-timer I was ALL OVER IT! I am sooo excited I got the job, and pretty proud, if I do say so myself. I am looking forward to learning in-depth about skincare and body care, as well as expanding my make-up knowledge and practice. I have already finished up my first two weeks, and I am loving it.

The make-up above is what I picked out with my new employee voucher to start my collection, as with most shops like this we only wear The Body Shop products while at work. So far, I have been VERY impressed with the All-In-One Face Base - amaze for oily skin, and the eyeshadow is a total beaut! 

I am super excited to try out lots of new products, which are natural and cruelty free, knowing I'm not only doing my skin good but also helping out a good cause. 

There should be more reviews and new product posts coming in the next few months, so my blogging should be back on track. Also, as Spring is in full swing here I am going to try and do some more outfit and fashion posts (hopefully ones that look a bit more 'profesh' than my previous ones (cough-cough).

If anyone has any Body Shop product suggestions I would luurve to hear them :)

Lu x

P.S. Is it bad that I am getting excited for Christmas already...???

MAC 'Candy Yum Yum'

WHOA PINK!!! I bought this lipstick on a bit of a whim as I'm very much a light pink lip kinda guurl, but I often see other girls wearing bright shades, and sometimes I want to be 'that girl'. So what did I do? I bought one of the brightest MAC lipsticks there is...ya know, just easing myself into it.
'Candy Yum Yum' is a matte formulation, which I think makes it that little more dramatic. The wearing power is also amazing, like hours and hours without having to top up, being a matte helps with staying power also. I do find that it is a little bit drying on the lips, while wearing it as well as after wards, but to be honest I really don't care as the colour is the most amazing cool-tone Barbie pink, literally the word Barbie sums up this lipstick for me in one word.
What I love the most about it is how wearable it is. Yes it's super bright, and the matte formulation enhances this, but you can totally get away with this during the day, paired with a casual tee and some jeans (YES really), it adds a bit of edge to your look. Of course it is also perfect for a bold-lip night look with a simple cat eye and a pair of cute heels. Honestly, I have never come across such a versatile and wearable bright lipstick, and I know we are going to be very close companions this summer.

Anyone else having a small affair with 'Candy Yum Yum', or have any other bright lip suggestions? :)

Lu x

Today In The Mail: NARS

Oh hello there you oh-so cult and raved about NARS Sheer Glow Foundation! Personally, I don't think this product even needs a purchase justification. This foundation has hundreds and hundreds of really great reviews, has had for a veerrryyyyy long time, and finally as one of the last few people on earth (maybe a slight exaggeration......) I decided to treat myself to it (snaps for me). I'm interested to see how it all pans out, as my skin is prone to getting oily during the day, however I have read that this is a favourite even among us 'shiny' people. I hope you live up to your 'cultness' my new friend!

More on how this turns out later...

Lu x

Angel Lips

M.A.C Angel, an oldie but a goodie, eh? I must say I am only just fully letting myself get immersed in the goodness that is M.A.C Cosmetics. I do have a few bits from them, including my beloved Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Soft and Gentle', which I wear every day, and a couple of blushes and lipsticks. I may not have a vast collection (...yet), but I can definitely see why their lipsticks are so damn popular. They are super creamy, easy to swipe across your lips and there is definitely a shade for everyone. While at the counter, I was tossing up between this one, 'Angel', and 'Creme Cup'. In the end I chose this one as it was slightly more pink than 'Creme Cup' and I find that shades with more of a pink tone suit me better, and I am sooo happy with the choice I made. LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it! It really is my perfect everyday lip, a subtle hint of colour to warm up the face but still very much neutral. It is a Frost formula so it is more on the sheer side, but the colour pay-off is buildable, and has a really pretty pearly sheen to it. Adore it!

I think my M.A.C lipstick collecting has officially begun! ;)

Lu x

Lusting Over: This Week

London // Topshop Tea and Cake Tee // NARS Sheer Glow foundation // Topshop Joni Jeans in 'Blue' // Estee Lauder duo in 'Raisins' // Gossip Girl S6 (Chuck Bass- *sigh*)

I've done pretty well in the last week or so and not splurged as I usually do, I must admit this is quite a big deal for me! I'm still managing to squeeze my daily online browse though, no harm in looking right!? ;)
I've been obsessed, and I mean obsessed with going to London for at least a year now and I am going to make it my personal mission to get there in the next year or two.
The tee has been in my 'saved items' on Topshop for over a month, still makes me laugh, still love it; may have to treat myself.
The cult NARS Sheer Glow; really want to try it out and see what all the fuss is about!
Topshop jeans, got my first pair a few months ago and I need a few more in my life. Such a good staple piece.
Estee Lauder in 'Raisins'- soooo pretty = NEED
This is one of the few series I have been seen from start to end (well, almost) and been totally immersed in all the way through. (Rooting for Chuck and Blair)

I'm looking forward to seeing how long I will last before some of these will start appearing in my mailbox...

Lu x