NOTD Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Plum Luck

I haven't been wearing nail polish of late, my nails have been in bits (hands up anybody else suffering from winter hands?) I decided that the only thing to fix my nails would be Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure.  A while ago I won Plum Luck from Lovely Girly Bits (click here and go say Hi).  I love the Sally Hansen Complete Manicure range.  One coat is opaque ... two coats and it looks like you have gotten a salon manicure.  For those of you out there that love topcoats like Seche Vite give these polishes a try.  They dry smooth and shiny - super shiny. 

 

Sally Hansen Complete Manicure Polishes are on special offer at the moment in some chemists (€2.00 off) so now is a good time to pick some up.

Be a Princess -

If I am being honest I can be a bit of a Princess, that doesn't mean that I wont walk in a puddle of water or that you have to bow when you meet me.  Every girl should have a smidge of princess in her or be treated like a princess every once in a while. 

I have always been a fan of the Vera Wang Princess range of perfumes. The bottles are gorgeous, the fragrances are easy to wear (nothing obnoxious) they are sweet, pleasant fragrances. The Princess range has a new addition to the range "Princess Night". 

Here is what they have to say about the perfume:

Vera Wang Princess Night sparkles with first impressions of luscious wild berries and watermelon, blended with sweet raspberry. Mystery fills the air with an exotic blend of velvety jasmine petals, spicy orange blossom, and a twist of passion rose. Finally, the night air is left with a trail of crushed sugar and hints of sensual musk and vanilla, leaving those around her wondering what will happen next.

The bottle is freaking gorgeous its encrusted with dark purple glitter, the perfume has a slightly darker muskier smell than the other versions (but nothing too heavy).  Even thought this is Princess Night I have been wearing it every day (I am such a rebel).  You will be delighted to know that the glitter does not come off the bottle easily.  If I am being honest I had decided to buy the perfume based on the bottle (a mature rebel) but am delighted cause I love the fragrance.

At the moment Debenhams have 10% off perfumes so the 30ml (which usually costs €42.50) is €38.25 (click here).  Debenhams also have an offer of a free bag with any purchase (click here).

While the bag might not be the most glam freebee offering it will make a great beach bag and as Kate Middleton has shown the world...even princess go to the supermarket.

Have you tried anything from the Vera Wang Princess range?

You think Marilyn Monroe - You think Red Lippy.

I am a big fan of Marilyn Monroe, I love to read about her (although it is a little disconcerting that an icon has a real life with problems, sadness, ups and downs.  I would really recommend reading about Marilyn - saying she had a hard life is a understatement).  Marilyn evokes so much and one of the first things you think of when you see Marilyn is GLAMOUR - although it is quite nice to know that she could be quite a slob when she wanted to be.  Lisa Eldridge recently put up a video on the classic Marilyn look. What is amazing about Lisa (yes I am pretending that I am on a first name basis) is she tells you about how the look was created and how Marilyn had a close relationship with her makeup artist "Whitey", who famously did her makeup, even for her funeral.  Marilyn was very good at applying her own makeup and picking up tips and tricks - imagine the things you would learn if you were lucky enough to have Lisa working on your makeup. 

For many years I have read articles by Lisa in magazines and admired the looks she has created.  Lisa Eldridge is truly a makeup "Artist" and she kindly lets us in on some of her magic, what's more than that is she seems like a lovely person. Look at Lisa Eldridge's website (here).

Lisa's site gives more information on the products she uses, when she mentioned that Marilyn used Guerlain lipsticks, I made a mental note of the shade (Insolence De Rouge) and headed to House of Fraser (or the HOF as I like to call it).  Guerlain is one of those brands that I never think of buying from (I think I got a bronzer about a million years ago) so when I asked for the Rouge Kiss Kiss I was disappointed to hear that the lipsticks were being discontinued and Insolence De Rouge was no more.  The very helpful sales assistant pointed out that she had one red shade left and it was discounted... discounted to €11.25 (from €28.00).

The case is pure Hollywood glamour; it's like three gold nuggets stacked on top of each other, the case feels substantial and you can imagine wearing matching red nail varnish.  There is something beautiful about taking out a pretty lipstick case and applying red lipstick.  I am all for finding dupes for shades but everybody should have a classy red lipstick in beautiful packaging in their collection, it's such a simple thing but brings glamour to your life.

The texture of the lipstick is superb (why are they being discontinued?), the colour applies opaquely, has a lovely sheen and leaves the lips feeling lovely, moisturised and glamorous.  The colour is a beautiful raspberry red (the lighting of late has been dreadful so I am not sure the picture does it justice).

Today's lesson is have a look at the discounted makeup, they are not just selling turquoise lipstick from two seasons ago- there are some gems out there.  

Its probably too late to show you some of the things I got for Christmas

Its probably too late to show you some of the things I got for Christmas (both as gifts and in the sales) but this post will remind me that I don't need to buy any makeup and who doesn't like looking at new things?  Firstly I got a Bare Essentials makeup brush set (its sitting on my very swish new Ipad case). There are four brushes in the set and what can I say the brushes and the case that comes with it are just so glam.  The bristles are so soft my one bug bear is the angled eye shadow brush is a little big for my eye (that's my problem really though).  The liner brush works perfectly when using shadow as a liner.  I favour the large kabuki brush its so soft and dense that it applies colour and buffs slightly. 

 

 

Can you Imagine how excited I was when I received the Sephora Glitz and Glam set (best Cousin EVER).  To be honest I have spent most of my time opening the box with sheer glee and looking at the products (my precious) even the packaging is amazing.

This set contains:
- Benefit High Beam
- Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug
- Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Color in Glee
- Sephora Collection Eye Shadow in Starry Sky 07
- Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in Charge It!
- Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer
- Josie Maran Argan Oil Illuminizer
- Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Gloss in Paiette
- 0.12 oz Ultraflesh Gold Standard Mascara in black
- 0.08 oz Stila Lip Glaze in Vanilla (pearly nude)

 

 

 

I had picked up one of the Benefit sets on sale for my mam, its not fair that she gets all the fun so I snapped up the Eye Wanna set - The Maggie Collection (my name is Maggie after all).  The shadows are beautiful but I haven't put the the bases/cream shadow to the test.  

I only seem to buy Smashbox when it is on sale, I don't know if this says that I think the brand is overpriced for what you get or the fact that I love a bargain (probably a bit of both).  I bought the Wish List set in Arnotts (reduced from €55 to €38.50) This set includes:

• Photo Finish Foundation Primer (travel size)
• Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
• Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Midnight Black
• Baked Fusion Soft Lights in Stardust
• O-Gloss Gold

Its always nice to get a primer but its not that exciting so we will move on, I was really excited to try the Photo Op Eye Brightener I thought it would solve all my problems (this alone sells for €32) unfortunately I haven't really noticed a difference using this product, it doesn't totally conceal my dark circles (it might be more suitable for somebody who gets more sleep).  I love the Jet Set Liner, its not reinventing the wheel but nice to have in the set.  The O- Gloss is a bit meh, its grand but I wouldn't go mad about it. The gloss leaves a nice shimmer on your lips (but you could probably get the same from an Essence lip product).  I haven't tried the Stardust Highlighter so Ill get back to you on that.

I have wanted to try Buxom lip glosses for a while (blame too many You Tube videos) when I saw the Christmas set was reduced from €32.00 to €21.33 sure it would be wrong to leave them behind.  Like all pumping lip glosses these are initially a bit weird on your lips (not like Lip Venom that stuff is wicked) but not uncomfortable, there is a minty taste to the gloss and once you apply the gloss once any weird feeling is gone - mind you I didn't see a massive (or any) increase in the size of my lips but the glosses themselves are lovely.  I thought the selection of 4 was a great way to test the product.

 

I had to show you this book, as you may or may not know I LOVE Marilyn and was delighted when I received this book as a pressie (what can I say my friends know me) the book is called Fragments and allows you to look at Marilyn's personal notes and diaries.

Here is an example of a page from the book, on the left you have a copy of Marilyn diary/notebook  (you can see her handwriting, sketches and doodles) on the right the text is typed out.

Marilyn and Makeup Happy days.

Karma karma karma karma Chameleon

My name is Mags and I am a Make up addict, you know this (it's probably why you're here) but what you may not know is some products bring out the stalker in me.  If I see a product I love - I want it - I need it -I have to have it... and so the search begins. I get a certain look in my eye and although I could carry out many other tasks /have conversations/go to work/act like a normal human, there it is lurking in the back of my brain. I am like the Terminator, I must locate Sarah Connors.  That's me, the Make up Terminator. (If I was clever I would insert a funny photoshopped picture of the Terminator with make up - except I am busy trying to appear normal while thinking about make up).

Last year Estée Lauder released Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee.  I was hooked. The product was a liquid powder gel hybrid.  What was weird about this is I don't usually pay much attention to highlighter/illuminators and what's more I cant remember the last time that I bought anything from Estée Lauder.

Read about the product here (from Musings of a Muse which is the source of the image and a brilliant blog).

Alas this part of the story does not end well as I was late on the bandwagon and it was SOLD OUT everywhere, every Estée Lauder counter I encountered, I asked and every counter was out of stock.  Finally one day, there it was sitting in Debenhams in the Square (no Tallafornia jokes please).  It was beautiful.  The colour illuminating, the texture out of this world - this must be the stuff that Gods put on their faces -. there was nobody working the Lauder counter and the other sales assistant did her best to find it but she couldn't.  Off I went with the phone number of the counter and a dream still in place, but the phone call was a fail, they were sold out (turns out they just had the tester out to tease me/annoy me/mess with my already fragile sanity).

I decided that I should man up and ask what they did with old testers (it was no good to anybody any more) , channelling Chandler from friends repeating to myself "I am a strong confident woman" over and over (I am after all the woman who walked around work with my skirt tucked into my knickers - I need the confidence boost), I asked could I have a sample of the product or the old tester.  NOOO was the answer.  I had run out of options - the only one left was paying the inflated ebay prices which was not really an option. 

The story would end here .... but I do hate a sad tale so let's pep this up a little.  During a daily read of Beaut (the mothership) they posted on Estée Lauder Pure Colour Topaz for Spring 2012 (read about it here) and there staring back at me was (a albeit darker) Illuminating Powder Gelée - this one (I vowed in a Scarlet O'Hara kinda way) will not get away.

Off I marched wandered to the Square and decided to try my luck at the Lauder counter in Boots.  The Lauder girl was lovely but had never heard about the product.  She did have training coming soon and so I annoyed entertained her by showing her the post by Beaut (how annoying must it be for Sales Assistants to have some "know it all" -me- asking about products that they have not been given details or information about yet).  She promised after she had her training or learned of the products arrival she would ring me.

I relaxed (a little) as the collection is not due out til February, and then last weekend the Lauder Lady rang to say she had one in stock (warning me it was a darker shade) I thanked her profusely (trying to skirt the line between thankful and weird).  It is mine.   Wanna See?

 Lauder's packaging confuses me - one side gold and glam and the other side is plastic.

 When I swatched it I got a bit of a fright - it was very Orange

 After I swatched the product and applied it, there were no dints or  marks in the product.. It looked brand new again.

The product was very bronze/orange.  Normally I would think I could work with it but January has been kicking my arse.  I have been pasty and not just pale - GREY.  Since it is a cream/gel/liquid/powder the texture is amazing and smooth.  It applied like a dream and blends easily (although I might have been a bit heavy handed in the picture above).  While I don't think its perfect for right now - although not too bad- when the summer comes I will be a total ride.

This is from Friday night (I was out at the dogs - who says I don't live a glamorous and lavish life) I don't think I look too Oompa  but your opinions on my orangeness are welcome and encouraged.

Am I happy? Yeah I am I am delighted with myself... although sometimes the Terminator in me still thinks about the one that got away - after all how beautiful would a highlighter go with Topaz Chameleon? 

Sleek - Bad Girl

I love when somebody goes on a trip and brings you back a little pressie its exciting isn't it? Kinda like your sharing their trip.  Before Christmas Sile went for a day trip up to Belfast and brought me back the Sleek Bad Girl Palette... I was only delighra.  Not only was it very kind of her but also because I love Sleek palettes.

The Bad Girl Palette has a great range if you like a smokey eye.  The choice of colours is brilliant with some of the dark shades being quite complex and not just "dark green" & "dark purple".  I found if the colours were turning out too dark I could blend the silver colours in brightening up the look.

Please excuse me if these swatches are making me look like a "hairy armed blogger"

With the release of new fancy palettes (Naked2 for example) I sometimes forget how much I love Sleek Palettes.  Here are some of their strong points.

• The shadows are very soft and highly pigmented (so pigmented that I would recommend doing your foundation after your eyes as there can be a bit of fall out).
• the shades are long lasting not only do they not fade the colour stays put all day (impressively so - the look you leave the house with in the morning is the same one that you have when you get home)
• the palettes are affordable and great value

My only down fall is this:   I have been on three quests in my life one for the arc of the covenant, the second for the holy grail and the third quest has been for Sleek products actually being available on the Sleek stands (I might have just enthusiastically watched the movie versions of the first two quests).  I find it so frustrating that any time I have visited a Sleek Stand how badly stocked they are.  The good news for us is that Sleek is becoming more available with online shops such as Cloud 10 Beauty and Beauty Emporium now stocking Sleek.

I highly recommend visiting Cloud 10 Beauty and looking here at the Sleek Bad Girl Palette (for the bargain price of €8.50), not only do Cloud 10 offer a loyalty service they also give free samples with each order and are a dream to deal with (see what I did there... Cloud 10 - dream - ).

You know that I like the Sleek paletts have you tried any?  Oh and remind me next time I am ordering from Cloud 10 to order the Au Natural Palette - what are your thoughts on the Au Natural Palette?.