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Tom Ford Leonardo | Review and Swatches – Blogmas Day #9






















Tom Ford created a bit of a frenzy recently with the release of his Lips and Boys collection. 50 lipsticks only available for a few days… How could I resist? Since I am trying to save money right now (and I am constantly reminding myself that I am a student) I limited myself to just one shade. After way longer than I wish to admit, I had analysed every shade in the collection and finally picked myself up the gorgeous deep red that is Leonardo…
Leonardo is a very me shade, and that’s probably why I ended up picking it. It’s a dark red that’s a little bit of the blue-toned side, but less so that your typical deep red. I only have two other lipsticks from the brand, but I just can’t get over the formula of these. They come with a hefty price tag, but I don’t think it’s until you actually apply them that you really understand why. Obviously the packaging is truly drool-worthy, but these are probably the most creamy and luxurious lip products out there. The pigmentation is great and the lasting power is decent considering the formula (not that I mind whipping it out and reapplying).
The only thing to bear in mind about this collection – I believe it’s coming out again on the 26th December fyi – that the lipsticks are a bit smaller than the originals. They are 0.07 oz as opposed to 0.10 oz, which does actually make them better gram for gram, but it’s important to remember that you aren’t getting as much. The Lips and Boys lipsticks are £26, whereas the original lip colours are £37, so it is a considerable saving.

I for one will definitely be stalking the Selfridges website on Boxing day for these lipsticks. There were so many shades that I wanted and I am considering giving myself a nice post-christmas treat! Did you manage to snag any of these? What were your favourite shades?
–RachelElizabeth
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Manicure Monday #26 | Mac Nail Lacquer in Soiree – Blogmas Day #8

When you think of Mac, nail polish is not the first thing that springs to mind. They have quite a bad reputation in the YouTube and Blogging worlds – they’re known for being quite expensive for something that is not that great. Now I believe it was the Cham-Pale collection from a good few years ago now, and I was checking out all the products on Temptalia (as always) when I saw this gorgeous shimmery light rose gold-esque shade and I knew it had to be mine…


Mac Soiree is described as a ‘sparkly light bronze gold’ and luckily for you and me it is now part of the permanent collection. This has to be one of my favourite nail polishes in my collection. It is incredibly easy to work with; it applies opaquely with one coat and never, ever goes streaky. The pigmentation on this is amazing, and its a go to polish for me when I haven’t got much time as it looks perfect without any effort. Let’s not forget that the colour on this is also spot-on for this time of year – it’s sparkly and fun, but not over the top.

–RachelElizabeth
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Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Grand Cru Review and Swatches | Blogmas Day #7

























You may remember, that I have already tried one of these. I have the shade Hot Pepper and I am in love – read my full review here. I had been meaning to pick up another shade for a while now, and on a trip to Boots, I was browsing the Bourjois stand and I decided to pick up one that really caught my eye. It’s safe to say that this was definitely disappointing.

The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Grand Cru in the packaging looks like the most stunning deep red, which is one of my favourite types of shade to wear. So you can imagine my disappointment when applying this, to be left with quite a streaky, sheer finish. Hot Pepper was bright, opaque and looked so smooth on the lips, but unfortunately this was the complete opposite. It clung to dry patches and just generally looked quite bad. However, I did find when I used light layers of it and worked it into the lips it could be a nice stain on the lips, and in the picture below, I had applied several layers to even get that finish. Whilst I can still wear it in that way, I don’t think I will find myself reaching for this over any other dark reds I have, as it wasn’t the dark matte red I was hoping for.

It’s not nice giving a bad review of a product, but sometimes it just has to be done. What has upset me the most about this is that I love another shade in the range, and have heard so many people praise the rest of it. There are still some shades that I have my eye on, and I won’t (and neither should you) be put off by one dud shade. Have you tried any from this line?

–RachelElizabeth
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Top 5 Luxury Products | Blogmas Day #6

























 It’s that time of year when you can subtly ask your loved ones for those products that you really can’t justify spending your hard-earned cash on. Or maybe you do want to part with your cash but you So today, I wanted to bring to you my favourite luxury products, and ones I think that are really worth it…


We’ll begin with one that I have continually praised – the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (full review here). This stuff is magic. If you have oily skin or you have trouble with your foundation’s longevity in general, then you will love this. This was such a game-changer in my makeup routine that this is my third bottle, and as you can see from the picture, it is on its last legs. When I feel a bit guilty about how much it costs and how quickly I go through it, it is also the perfect product for special occasions. The other base product that had to be mentioned was the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I have also reviewed this in full here). This is the closest to perfect foundation that I have found. It has a natural finish – somewhere in the middle of matte and dewy. It lasts incredibly on me (especially when paired with the aforementioned primer), and best of all, looks stunning in photographs. This is another product I save for special occasions, but if I could afford to, I would wear this on an everyday basis. 
Moving on to colour products, the first I will mention is the Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna which I dedicated a whole post to recently here. Nars products aren’t quite as expensive as the other brands I’ve mentioned, but it is definitely still luxury. For my complexion, this is the perfect shade to warm up the skin, and the texture and longevity are both incredible. For eyes, the Charlotte Tilbury Colour-Coded Eye Shadow Palette in Dolce Vita is the ultimate in luxury. I definitely plan on writing a whole post on this soon, as it is so stunningly pigmented and perfect for this time of year. She has several different quads if these warm tones aren’t your thing, and they are all beautiful. The final product I will mention are the Tom Ford Lipsticks. I have a few, but the one photographed is Wild Ginger (full post here) which is an extremely vibrant orangey-red. The formulation of these are so pigmented and creamy, and are just a pleasure to apply and wear.
These may not be something that you can easily go out and purchase on a whim, but if you’re in the market to splurge or want to treat someone with something very special, then these would be what I recommend. What are your favourite luxury products?
–RachelElizabeth
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An Unexpected Combination | Blogmas Day #5

























I am all about mixing foundations. Whether it’s to get the perfect shade, or getting the best out of two formulas, sometimes you just have to in order to find the perfect base. Recently I mixed two foundations that were from opposite ends of the spectrum both in terms of finish and and price-point, and I ended up discovering and absolute gem…

The foundations in question are the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation (full review here) and my recent favourite Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation (also full post here). If you read my posts on these, you can see that these are both favourites of mine, but for very different reasons. The Hourglass offering is perfect for oily skins – it is incredibly mattifying, long-lasting and has great coverage. In opposition, the Max Factor foundation is dewy skin in a bottle, and has light to medium coverage. I have the former in a pale shade for when I am sans-fake tan, and the latter in a much darker shade. 
My tan was slightly faded, so I needed to create my own custom colour. The reason I choose these two was because, surprisingly, they have a very similar texture. They both are slightly moussey and whipped. Once I mixed them together on the back of my hand, and applied it with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush, was when the magic happened. The result was a natural-looking finish – right in the middle of matte and dewy. It also lasted perfectly throughout the day, and stayed looking luminous and fresh. 
I hope this post inspired you, if you don’t already, to start experimenting and mix your foundations as you may just uncover something incredible. What’s your favourite unexpected beauty trick? 

–RachelElizabeth
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Mac Keepsakes / Plum Eye Bag | Review, Swatches and Eye Look! Blogmas Day #4

























I have to admit, I don’t usually pay much attention to the Mac Christmas collections. They come out with so many collections these days and I’m just not as into following them as I used to be. That being said, I was very pleased and excited to receive one of the eye kits for my birthday from some lovely friends as I hadn’t tried any of the products that came with it…
The Mac Keepsakes / Plum Eye Bag contains three eye products: an Extra Dimension eyeshadow duo in the shades Triple Impact and Round Midnight, a powerpoint eye pencil in the shade Permaplum, an In Extreme Dimension Lash mascara and they all come in an amazing limited edition glittery black makeup bag. Only the eyeshadows from this set are limited edition, so the eyeliner and the mascara are available to purchase all year round. 
I’ve always been intrigued by the Extra Dimension eyeshadows that Mac often bring out with collections. They always contain this stunning raised swirl pattern, and the formula is very unique. It feels somewhere between a cream and a powder – it feels much creamier and smoother to touch that a standard powder eyeshadow but it isn’t actually a cream product. Triple Impact is described as an ‘Opalescent Pink’ – it has a pale pink base and with a blue-purple duochrome running through it, so it looks different colours when it catches the light. Round Midnight is described as a ‘Rich Reddish Plum’ – to me it is a blackened purply-plum shade, that also catches the light beautifully. These are both metallic and shimmery eyeshadows, so if you’re not a fan of sheeny glittery lids then these may not be for you. They are both nicely pigmented, although I would say Round Midnight is more so, and it is definitely my favourite of the two.
I’ve actually never tried an eye pencil from Mac, let alone a Powerpoint Pencil, so I was very intrigued about this one. Permaplum is described as a ‘Deeply Plum with Dark Shimmer’, but to me it is a blackened very blue-toned purple and has a soft sheen to it, rather than any noticeable shimmer or glitter. It is an incredibly creamy formula, which is easy to smudge out to create soft smokey looks. It does set, but it does give you a lot of time to work with. For me this seems like a pencil you use on the lashlines rather than the waterline. 
Much like eye pencils, I have never delved into the world of Mac mascaras as they often don’t get high appraisal in the blogging and YouTube worlds. The In Extreme Dimension Lash is supposed to be largely a volumising formula, which I would definitely agree with. I didn’t get a whole lot of length with this, and I found it a little messy to use as initially it is a very wet formula. The wand reminds me very much of the Benefit They’re Real Mascara as it’s a plastic wand with short bristles and has the extra bristles on the tip of the wand to aid lower lashes and inner corners etc. I don’t think I’ve quite made my mind up on this one, as I feel that if may get better once it has dried up a little. Right now I think it’s okay; it’s not my favourite.
Below I’ve included pictures of all the products used on my eyes. I used Round Midnight all over the lids and Triple Impact  on the inner corner. I blended a little of Mauve from the Lorac Pro Palette (full post here) into the crease and along the lower lashline. for some added definition and to ground the look. I lined the upper lashline and the outer half of the lower lashline with Permaplum and finished off the look with the In Extreme Dimension Lash.  

All in all, I think this definitely a set worth buying if you (or someone you are buying a gift for) love purple-toned eye makeup or is looking to experiment with colour. It’s also a great way to try a few new Mac products for much better value. I definitely give this gift set a thumbs up. What are your thoughts on this year’s Mac Christmas collection?

–RachelElizabeth
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What to get him for Christmas | Blogmas Day #3

When it comes to buying Christmas presents, I would say I normally do a relatively good job. But there is always something I struggle with – buying for the men in my life. Most of them are incredibly difficult to buy for, and they generally don’t give any hints, and when I ask them what they want the usual response is “nothing” or “I don’t know”. So this year, I decided to make it my mission to try and compile a varied list of gift ideas for men, and hopefully I can help those of you who also struggle…
For The Tech Lover
In this day and age, you can’t really go wrong with a tech-related gift, especially when it is practical. These Muji Touchscreen Gloves are the perfect gift as they’re not necessarily something you would buy yourself, and they are super handy for those who are constantly on their phone (they come in lots of colours and patterns). Another phone-related gift that would benefit most people is a portable phone charger like this one – perfect for the phone addicts or businessmen who need their phone to last that little bit longer. Or, if you’re looking to splash out, a pair of noise-cancelling good quality headphones like these Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
The Gifts That Keep On Giving
Buying a subscription as a present is brilliant, because every time they receive their monthly instalment they’ll be reminded of you! Magazine and newspaper subscriptions are great for those avid readers and you can personalise it by choosing one that is tailored to their interests from magazine.co.uk. If you’re buying for a coffee-lover, a Kopi Subscription would be perfect as you receive a bag of coffee every month for however long you want to buy for. There are so many different subscription boxes, so be sure to check out more at allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk. 
For The Groomed Male
Seeing as this is primarily a beauty blog, I thought it was only fair that we were throw in some male-grooming options. A nice trimmer set like this Babyliss For Men Super Groomer Lithium Pro Face & Body Trimmer. If the man you’re buying for is into taking good care of his skin that maybe a good skincare gift set will be ideal for him – my fave picks are the Clarinsmen collection ‘grooming essentials’, The Body Shop Modern Gent’s Shaving Kit, and the Origins Men’s Grooming Treats Christmas Gift Set. I know that they’re labelled ‘for men’ for marketing purposes, but I think sometimes men can be put off by skincare, thinking its too feminine. 
Of course the best gifts come from the heart, but if you really are stuck and you can’t think of anything that your man could possibly want, hopefully this was a bit of help. What do you get him for christmas?
–RachelElizabeth
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Nuxe Reve De Miel Review | Blogmas Day #2

























Here we have yet another purchase from a Parisian pharmacy. Although Nuxe is by no means hard to access in the UK, it is considerably cheaper in France, being a French brand. I have been meaning to try this cult lip balm for the longest time now, and I thought my trip to Paris was the perfect excuse…


The Nuxe Reve De Miel is a interestingly-textured lip balm. A lot of people describe it as slightly gritty which I get because it’s so thick and almost waxy, but it is very smooth in consistency. It has a matte finish which is perfect for those who don’t like the typical glossy or shiny look that lip balms can give (also making this ideal for guys!). What I love about this lip balm is that you can put it on before bed and you will wake up in the morning and still feel product on your lips, which I haven’t experienced with any other product. It is incredibly nourishing and hydrating and my lips are so thankful for this purchase. I love the anniversary packaging that I picked up, and the glass jar makes it feel very luxurious. It’s actually not too expensive at £9.50, and I personally think it’s worth every penny. 

 
























I can definitely understand why this product has received cult status and I think it is well-deserved. If you struggle with dry lips – especially as we enter the colder months – this should definitely be added to your wishlist, ASAP. 


–RachelElizabeth
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Manicure Monday #25 | Kiko Nail Lacquer 240 Apple Red | Blogmas Day #1

Welcome to Blogmas! I will be posting every day from now up to Christmas Eve, which is both scary but exciting! Since Manicure Monday is somewhat of a tradition for me now, there seems no better way to kick off this blogathon. Now I have written my fair share about Kiko now, and their nail polishes are definitely something worth looking into. There are a ridiculous number of shades in the line, but today we are talking about one that is very seasonally appropriate…


Kiko Nail Lacquer in 240 Apple Red is a classic burgundy shade. It is slightly more brown-toned that blue-toned which makes the ideal A/W shade. As with all the other Kiko polishes I have tried, the formula is on point. It stays chip-free for days, is opaque with two coats, and looks incredibly glossy and amazing on the nails. I’m also a huge fan of the brush on these – I am quite partial to a thinner brush as I find them to be much neater and easier to control. 

Burgundy shades are so classic for this time of year, and I think its probably one of the easiest colours than anyone can pull off. It injects colour without being too garish, but isn’t so dark that it is really intense. What is your favourite colour to rock in the festive season?

–RachelElizabeth
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Monthly Favourites | November 2014

November is my favourite month of the year, so I thought it was pretty apt to do my first every monthly favourites this month. This month has been full of fun and celebration – both mine and my dad’s birthday fall in this month which is always fun. Let’s not forget I turned 21, which is crazy! I had such an amazing birthday this year, with my trip to Paris with my family, my best friends coming up to uni to visit and a great day with my housemates. I couldn’t have wished for more! Now, onto the products that I haven’t put down this month…

My foundation of choice has definitely been the Max Factor Luminizer Foundation (check out my full review here). If you love glowy and fresh looking skin, then this is definitely worth considering. I love this for an everyday base as its a good medium coverage, but looks really natural. This month I repurchased a long-time favourite – the Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna. It had been out of my life for a while, but I have definitely rekindled my love for it, and it is definitely my favourite bronzer ever (read my full ode here). Another cheek product that I can’t seem to stop using is the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed. For me this is the perfect cheek colour – there isn’t one look that this doesn’t go with and I tend to grab this on default. It is somewhat sculpting as it has brown undertones, but it still warms up the skin and gives a beautiful flush. The last standout makeup item for me this month has been the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Taupe (full review here). This is by far the best brow product I have ever tried and I’ve even forgotten about  Mac Fling, which I never thought would happen. It makes it easy to have really defined brows with its defined point, but that also allows for the ability to draw natural hair-like strokes, making it a very versatile pencil.

Moving on to non-makeup favourites, something that has really impressed me this month is the Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser. I am generally underwhelmed by moisturiser – my skin isn’t very dry so I’m not searching for that intense hydration, but I don’t like ones that don’t seem to give me quite enough. Picky, I know. This is a no-fuss dose of hydration that works great as a base under your makeup and also for overnight use. This month has also been great in terms of fitness. I have been loving the FitnessBlender YouTube channel, and I have done both the free 5 day challenges that they have to offer. They offer a great variety of HIIT workouts and strength training, and I am definitely feeling the benefits. I’m considering trying one of their 8 week challenges next…

All in all, I have had a great makeup month, and I’m really impressed with some of the new things I have tried. And now December has come around, I can finally get excited for Christmas! Speaking of which, I’m still undecided, but I may be giving Blogmas a go, which is blogging every day in December until Christmas… It will be a challenge, but I think I’m definitely up for giving it a go. What have been your favourite products this month? 

–RachelElizabeth
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