Nailed It!

I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a blogpost about nails.

If you're anything like me, you like to have your nails looking pretty, I spend the majority of my days typing, and looking down at shiny, glittery fingertips makes me happy indeed.

If you are even more like me, this is how it work out when you paint your nails;

Thank goodness for gel polish, right? Who would have thought, all that time we've spent sat waiting for polish to dry, chipping a nail after an hour of painting them, and the endless search for THE ultimate topcoat, that someone would introduce a product that lasts up to 2 weeks chip-free on your nails!

Ever since the birth of shellac, gel, gelish - however you want to refer to to it, I've been on the bandwagon. I'm one of those people that, when one nail chips, the whole set have to come off, immediately. This has resulted in me chewing/scratching polish off when I've not been in near distance of nail polish remover - seriously unattractive and not good for your nails of course!
To be able to sit down and have your nails done in 30 (ish) minutes and have instantly dry and perfect looking nails is heaven to me, especially working a full time job and having a busy lifestyle, painting my nails will often fall to the bottom of the "to do list"

A fellow Yorkshire lass and friend, Clare is the (lucky?!) lady that I choose to work on my talons and she does an excellent job each and every time. Here's what I'm sporting currently for Crimbo...

You can look her up as Clare Loves Nails on Facebook. Clare is a fully qualified CND trained nail technician covering most of North and West Leeds. Her service is professional and friendly using CND Shellac polish, the original and best gel polish around.

For the month of January exclusive to my readers, new customers will get a free solar oil with any appointment booked, here, all you have to do when booking is quote "The Makeup Maestro"
Maestro'

Enjoy!

Lauren x

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H&M Beauty

It was a good day when H&M announced they were releasing a beauty line, although it's taken me a little while to really get stuck in and order a selection of items.

I would prefer to go into the shop and swatch away until my hearts content, but the H&M store in my City doesn't carry the beauty line, so I had to go online to read reviews and look at swatches and then place an order online.

I went relatively steady to start with and ordered 3 eyeshadows and a blusher, I had already picked up another blusher ("Coral") on a recent trip to Manchester and was impressed with that one. I chose "Candied Almond", "Golden Light & "Orange Ochre" eyeshadows and "Brown Sugar" blusher.

I am really impressed with the quality of the eyeshadows, they are pigmented, have a silky texture and apply very easily. I'm really happy with all the choices I made.

I've noticed the blusher in "Brown Sugar" has been popular in the beauty blogging world, the shade is unlike anything I already have and I think this will be a great shade for Autumn.

Here come the swatches;

Left to Right; Golden Light, Orange Ochre, Candied Almond (eyeshadows) Brown Sugar (blusher)


Has anyone tried anything from the H&M beauty range? Any recommendations?

Lauren x

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Kiko Cosmetics | Moon Dust Face Power

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I'm a big Kiko fan. I think they have a fantastic range of products, great quality and you can come away with a bag full of products and not feel like you've got to live on baked beans for the rest of the month!

Luckily, I work in a large city centre, with my office located a very short walk away from the Kiko store (bonus!) So many a lunch break is spent swatching the eyeshadows (they have so many shades!) and I like to go check out the new collections when they launch.


I was particularly excited to see the Christmas collection, Cosmic Starlets, when I popped in last week, the stand out item for me was the Moon Dust Face Powder. Kiko have released two shades; 01 Mysterious Pink & 02 Fairy Taupe, naturally I had to pick up both!

These powders are in essence, illuminating baked blushes. They are very pigmented, silky and the finish they give to the skin is beautiful. They do not add any glitter or shimmer to the cheeks but just the right amount of warmth and glow.

They remind me a lot of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes, which I love, but at a fraction of the price.

The packaging, although plastic, is still very sturdy, each blush presented in a red, geometric-shaped, compact complete with a mirror.

I think the shades will suit all skin tones, on deeper skintones these could be used as highlighters.

Overall, I'm very impressed and wouldn't they make a lovely gift for someone this Christmas! I would definitely bag a cheeky one for yourself as well, after all, they are limited edition and when they're gone, they're gone!

Lauren x

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Holy Grail Cream Eyeshadows

I have to say, it's been a little while since my last post! Things have been pretty busy for me lately with working full time, wedding planning, a cheeky trip to Paris and my Birthday, and just general day to day life, do you know what I mean?! Before you know it, weeks, months have passed by.... anyway I'm back with another post and this time it's to talk about my favourite cream eyeshadows, the Color Tattoo 24 Hour, from Maybelline.

I have 5 of these in my collection, I used to have 6, but in reality, when was I ever going to wear a turquoise eyeshadow?!

First up is the only Leather Effect one I have in my collection, Creamy Beige. The name pretty much describes it better than I could put into other words, it's a nice everyday, easy to wear with anything, cream beige!

Next, Permanent Taupe, which is a very pigmented, dark mushroomy / grey kind of shade (you'll begin to realise that my 'describing' skills need a lot of work - so see the swatches at the end of the post!)

Now, my favourite of them all, On & On Bronze. So easy to apply all over the lid (I use my finger) and somehow it looks like you've spent some considerable time applying, blending etc. This also looks amazing if, like me, you have blue eyes - really makes them pop!

A fabulous shade for Autumn, and one that will be coming back to the front of my 'go to' Muji drawers, is Metallic Pomegranate, a beautiful plum shade that I think would look amazing with any skin tone or make up look. It can be applied as a light wash over the eyelid for everyday but you can also build it up for quite a dramatic Autumn makeup look.

Last, but not least, Eternal Gold. Which is, as you'd expect, gold! It's quite a full on, opaque, yellow gold, I like to use a small amount washed over the lid and then add a brown shade to the crease to create a nice gold smoky eye.

Here are all the shades swatched in the order I have mentioned them...

I find all the shades to have good, opaque coverage and they do last a long time too, well done Maybelline! Have you tried any of these and what do you think?

Lauren x

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Heavenly Hand Cream | Patisserie De Bain

I hadn't heard of this brand before stumbling across these delightful tubes at the tills on a recent visit to Superdrug. If you aren’t already familiar with the Patisserie de Bain range, it’s a vintage, cake-inspired collection of bath and beauty products by Rose & Co with scents such as Strawberry Cupcake, Sugared Violet, Coconut Ice, Lemon Bon Bon and Raspberries & Roses... who isn't sold already?!

http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/index.html

Being obsessed with anything vintage style, I was drawn in by the cute and chic packaging, the scents didn't disappoint either, it's like being in a vintage sweet shop and is the reason I came home with 3, I just couldn't decide!

Sugared Violets is my favourite of the three, it smells just like the Parma Violet sweets and is Rose & Co's most popular scent.


The cream itself is very rich, and it absorbs very quickly into the skin with no residue left behind. A little definitely goes a long way so a tube of this should last a while.


The tubes are ideal for popping in your handbag or make up bag, keeping at you desk and very easy to travel with. They are a steal for £3.99 a tube, and Superdrug often have them on offer.

Have you tried anything by this brand?

Lauren x

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Monthly Favourites | July 2015

As we wave goodbye to July and welcome August also means it's time to share all the products I've been loving for the past month, so let's get straight in there...

L'Occitane Shower Oil

This stuff is sooooo nice! It smells like marzipan and makes your skin feel super soft. Even though it's an oil, it still lathers and it's the perfect consistency. It lasts ages too, I have taken this on 2 holidays and use it regularly and it's still going strong!

Benefit Majorette Blusher

I have only had this blush for a month but it's fast becoming my favourite. I am not usually a fan of cream blushers, but this is seriously good. It's a cream to powder formulation which gives THE perfect finish, perfect colour, perfect packaging... need I say more?!

Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I have used, for the most part of a year, Mac paint pot in Bare Study as an eyeshadow base, I had heard a lot about the Nars offering and it had been on my wish list for a little while, you need the tiniest amount and is seriously good. Anything over the top of this stays in place, all day.

Benefit Pore-fessional, Agent Zero Shine

I have seriously oily skin, when I say oily, I mean you could fry an egg on my cheeks (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration!) I am always on the look out for new ways to keep the shine at bay. I have been carrying this with me in my handbag and it's been a saviour. The tube twists ope at both ends, at the top you have what's like a salt shaker where you can shake the product ingot he lid, at the other end is a small brush to pick the product and then apply to any areas you need to blot. I love how cute the packaging is, it's one easy to travel with and while it may not be as easy as swirling a brush into a compact, it's works well for me and it does keep shine at bay for a good few hours... the search continues.....

Kiko Extra Sculpt Volume Mascara

Super black, super volume, super length - we all want lashes with that description, right ? For me, this mascara does just that, and it doesn't flake off, win. Definitely one to check out and definitely one I will repurchase.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

Highly blogged about lip balm, but rightly so, I have been religious with applying this every night before bed and my lips have been much softer and makes wearing my favourite type of lipstick (matte) much more comfortable. Smells gorgeous and lasts ages as you only need a tiny amount.

Clarins Face Treatment Oil; Lotus (For Combination / Oily Skin)

A great oil for anyone with oily skin, it feels luxurious to apply and I can definitely see a difference in my skin since using this. It soaks in leaving no trace behind and a little goes a long way. It works well at rebalancing my skin and controls oil production.

Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner

£2.99, super black, lasts all day.. I really don't need to say anymore. Why pay more for something that does the same?! Will repurchase again and again!

Stila Stay Al Day Liquid Lipstick; Bellissima

This is the most comfortable matte finish lipstick I have ever worn, it doesn't crack or make your lips feel dry and, as it suggests, it lasts ! It applies like a gloss and dries to a matte finish. The shade is a beautiful opaque, peachy pink, so pretty for Summer and is just so easy to wear! I really want to check out more shades *heads to beautybay.com*

That's all my favourites for July! I'd love to hear if you have tried any of these products and what you have been loving in July too!

Lauren x

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Brand Focus; Topshop Beauty

Topshop might not strike you as the first place to go for beauty items, however they are certainly not one to be overlooked, they have some gems that are just as good as high end products, for high street prices!

Not only are the prices reasonable, the monochrome packaging and quirky product names are adorable. There is something to suit everyone and I wanted to share some faves I've found along the way...

Topshop Airbrush Primer (£12.00)
This is my second tube of this stuff, it's been a while since I repurchased but that's no reflection on the product, I've just been keen to test some others out. It's blurring and pore refining properties work really well and makeup sits nicely over the top, no sliding around, winner.

Glow Highlight (£9.00)

I have both the shade offerings that Topshop do, "Polished" & "Gleam". "Polished" is one I have used up & repurchased and "Gleam" is a new addition for me, however, one quick swatch and I was wondering why I had only just discovered its existence.
These little pots are by far, one of the best products on offer from Tophop. They add the most beautiful, well, glow (!) They blend seamlessly into the skin, are very easy to use and a stunning sheen to cheekbones. I find dabbing this product onto my cheekbones using my finger works best. Highly recommended!

Lipsticks (£8.00)

I have built up a little collection of Topshop lip products, and I have yet to come across a shade or finish that I don't like.
I have, what Topshop call 'Lips' in the shades "Rio Rio' a bright orangey red, "Innocent" a barbie toned pink, "Secret Admirer" a light blue toned pink and "Whimsical" a beautiful peach shade - my favourite and most worn (as you can tell from the packaging!)
I have the "Lipstick" in the shade "Hedonist", this is a perfect matte orange shade and can be worn alone or as a liner under lipstick - love!
My final lip product is one of the " Lip Bullets" in "Bewitched", a super dark blackcurrant colour, ideal for Autumn/Winter climes.

Swatched from top to bottom; Secret Admirer, Innocent, Whimsical, Rio Rio, Bewitched, Hedonist

Eyeshadow & Magic Liner (£7.00)

This is the first eyeshadow I've picked up from Topshop. It's in the shade "Pymarid" and is a beautiful sparkly gold shade, it will look really pretty built up on and worn alone, or worn over another eyeshadow, and a bargain at £7!

The Magic Liner is another newbie to me, but highly recommended by my friend Emma. It's super black with one swipe, easy to use and I have a feeling it will be my new favourite eyeliner from tomorrow morning....

Nails & Stippling Brush (£5.00 & £8.00)

I'm a nail polish hoarder. Fact. I have so many I don't know what to do with them all! It's fair to say I've tried and tested many brands. For the price, Topshop polishes are well worth the money. Great colour offerings, easy to use brush and I get a good 4/5 days wear before chipping - that's pretty good for me! My favourite shade by far is "Pool Party" a beautiful pastely blue shade which looks amazing in Summer and even better with a tan.
I have had the stippling brush in my makeup bag for a little while now and I find it really handy for either foundation or powder touch ups throughout the day - it's really dense, small handle, perfect for your handbag, or travel.

Have you tried any beauty items from Topshop? What should I add to my collection?

Lauren x

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Babbling about Blushers...

When it comes to make up, I can't resist blushers - I have a rather large collection already but with one so different from the next, you can never have too many I say! They create such different looks depending on the shade and finish and there's something very pleasing about finding the perfect blush & lip combo.

Today I wanted to share my favourites of the moment;

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, 'Diffused Heat (£38.00) ;

In the pan this blush is a mix of a vibrant poppy shade blush and Hourglass' Diffused Light highlight - I was unsure at first, but when on the cheeks it creates the perfect pinky/coral shade and gives a lovely glow. The wear time is really good, which I have found to be the case with all the Hourglass blushes I have used.

Nars, 'Gina'(£23.00) ;

As you can see, Gina has had a lot of use! For me, this is THE perfect peach shade. It isn't overpowering and even though it's mostly a matte finish, it does add a little sheen to the cheeks too. Gina is such an easy colour to wear, and has been my every day 'go to' blush for a loooog time.

Benefit, 'Coralista'(£23.50) ;

Coralista is a mid toned coral shade with a subtle golden shimmer running through it. It's the prettiest shade for Summer and with a tan looks fabulous. I think this shade would suit most skin tones and is very easy to wear. Not to mention the cute box packaging!

Essence, 'Heat Wave' (£3.50) ;

The cheapest of all them all, but by no means one to be overlooked. The packaging is sturdy and the blush has an ombre effect to it starting from an orange shade at one side and working it's way into a pinky shade at the other side of the pan. It screams Summer! I mix the shades together with my brush, and it creates a lovely coral shade. For the price, this is definitely one to check out.

So, that's my current faves, as it's Summer (and I have copper coloured hair) I am obviously reaching for the coral toned blushes at the moment. Here are all the ones mentioned in this post, swatched;

(From top to bottom; Gina, Diffused Heat, Heat Wave, Coralista)


I'd love to hear your favourite blushers!

Lauren x

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The Paint Pot Every Artist Needs...

I love Mac Paint Pots, they are easy to apply, have good longevity on the lids, and they last forever!

The one little guy that I couldn't live without is Painterly, a matte nude beige shade. I've had this pot over a year and used it every day - so you can see the usage you get from these pots.

The shade itself is nothing to write home about, but it's not the colour of this eyeshadow that makes it special, it's that 'je ne sais quoi that it gives to the eyeshadow worn over the top of it.

The last pic shows Mac's Naked Lunch eyeshadow on it's on (left) and over the top of Painterly (right) you can see that it just adds some oomph and really intensifies the colour of the eyeshadow.

I find that wearing Painterly means I can skip an eyeshadow primer, it does the job perfectly on it's own.

It's a little glass pot of goodness that I can't live without now and when it runs out, definitely one I will repurchase.

*Handy tip for any fellow paint pot owners - store them with the black lid facing down to keep them from drying out*

I would love to hear what your favourite Paint Pots are ?

Lauren x

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