Nails of the Week!

With flash.

Without flash. 

This is such a plain but awesome colour! I don't know why I like it so much, but it's been on my nails all week! Which may explain why it isn't looking so fabulous in the photos! Oops!

October Favourites

Yes! I'm ahead this time with my favourites post! Or at least, not nearly as behind as I was with my September post! I won't go into as much detail with the products as I did last time (I said I would do a video, but I'm far too self conscious for that haha) so it should be much shorter.


BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 2nd Edition: 
I've had this for quite some time, but have only really used it this past month. Though I've used it before for one shadow in the palette, I haven't seriously based my looks off of the colours that are in it. This month however, I have, and I'm definitely pleased! This is a great palette and the quality it good, especially considering how cheap it is!


Prevage Anti-Aging Eye Serum by Elizabeth Arden: 
I've never used an eye cream/serum before, but I figure now's as good a time as any to start using anti-aging products, if only to get into the habit of using them. I can't say I would buy this product (this was a sample) because I know I can get just as good creams for cheaper, but it has been fun to use. My eyes are really soft as a result :)


Inglot Shadows (White & Brown): 
I still haven't found out how to get these shadows safely out of the palette! Help! I've been using the white shimmery shadow as a highlight colour for every look I've done since I bought it! It's perfect for the job and helps fade out colour really well also. The brown I've been using in my more neutral looks as a crease colour and I feel like I would be lost without it :) I can't wait to get more Inglot shadows when my mom and I go before I move!


Clinique Clarifying Lotion for Combination Oily Skin: 
I don't usually like toners that have high alcohol content in them because they dry me out and make my nose peel. Both this and previous toners I've used from Clinique are really good for my skin as long as I avoid the nose. If I do use it on my nose, I do it at night and use a very intense moisturiser afterwards to make sure my skin won't peel.


MAC Brow Crayon in 'Lingering': 
I don't tend to fill in my brows, but I've been trying to match the shapes of mine for quite some time. My left brow has a little gap between the hairs where nothing will grow. I'm using this pencil to fill that gap in to see if leaving the area for longer will eventually give hair time to grow. I just don't feel like walking around with a bald patch on my eyebrow! :)


China Glaze Nail Polish in 'Haunting': 
I am in love with this colour! I can't explain why, since all it is is black with light silver sparkles, but somehow I really like the way it looks on my nails. I'm waiting on some more of the China Glaze Haunting collection to arrive at my house and in the meantime, this is all I've  been wearing :)


Those were my favourites this month! Hope you enjoyed :)

Happy Halloween!

Now, Halloween is one of my favourite holidays. However, this time I have no parties to go to and nobody except my mom to celebrate (I'm moving in a month and don't know anybody here!). So this year, rather than dress up completely for no reason, I decided just to do an orangey eyeshadow. I did end up putting on a black maxi dress and will add some black lipstick later for the benefit of the trick or treaters though :) I'll vaguely resemble a witch haha!


Here is the look!

It's simple because obviously I'm just staying at home, but I didn't want to do nothing!


Face: 
Garnier B.B. Cream
Benefit powder in 'Dallas'


Shadows:
Two Faced Shadow Insurance
Urband Decay's shadow in 'Flow'
BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 2nd Edition (most of the oranges from the 2nd row)
Inglot eyeshadow in a shimmery white


Eyeliner & Mascara: 
MAC Fluidline in 'Blacktrack'
Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Corrupt'
Stila Smudgestick in 'Stingray'
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in 'Waterproof'


Most of the orange shadows I used were just to make sure the colours blended out nicely, no necessarily for their actual colour. It's simple, but I hope you enjoy it :)

September Favourites

September Favourites 2011

I know, I know, I'm extremely late on this post! But I don't remember doing an August favourites so I really didn't want to miss this one. I've been very busy the past couple of weeks and haven't been able to blog hardly at all. I'm back now though and should have some posts coming out regularly! 

On to the favourites! (From left to right):

Benefit Face Powder in 'Dallas': 

'For a natural, fresh glow lightly sweep this dusty sunset plum powder across cheekbones and chin, or anywhere you want look to linger (avoid eye areas).' 

I originally bought this to use as a contour colour and have been loving it for quite some time. Only recently did I start to use it as a blush when I wear darker looks on my eyes. I don't own very many blushes (including this one, I have three!) and the ones I have besides this are very light pinks. This one has a deeper, really nice plum colours which suits the brown colours I've been wearing for eyeshadow lately. 

This has a great, light shimmer and lasts pretty much all day (in my opinion, not many blushes last allllllll day). It's also very subtle, which is the main reason I love it! 

MAC Paint Pot in 'Constructivist': 

I am absolutely in love with this product! I use it with practically every look I've worn all September and all October (so far). It works great as a base for other shadows, but can be used on it's own just as well. If I'm using it as a base colour, I'll usually apply it with my fingers and spread the colour on in a thin layer. If I'm using it for an actual shadow then I'll apply it using a fluffy brush. 

This is my first cream shadow ever and I can't wait to get another paint pot! These are great! It doesn't crease at all, lasts all day, and I'm pretty convinced that if I went swimming with it then it would last really well (unless I wiped it with a towel, duh). 

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (B.B. Cream): 

I wrote a tiny little review on this in a previous post (http://ziggybitter.blogspot.com/2011/09/battle-of-tints.html) in which I talked briefly about the texture of the product. Now that I've had more of an opportunity to actually use the product, I can say that I really like it! 

I still prefer my Origins VitaZing moisturiser, but this is a good replacement for it. VitaZing here is around £20 something. It's a little pricey. When I get more cash on my Debenhams Beauty card (which means I have to buy other stuff...grrr) then I can purchase the VitaZing for a lot less. But in the meantime, this is great replacement. 

The only downside is that it's not nearly as moisturising as VitaZing is. However, as long as you make sure to use a good night-time moisturiser, you should be fine :) 

Armani Code Perfume: 

I love this perfume! I've been wanting it for over two years! No kidding! One of my best friends used to wear it all the time and although I really loved it, I didn't want to smell the same as someone I spent so much time with! Plus, it's more expensive than the rest of the perfumes I own...put together. My perfumes are cheap! I finally bought it when I was at the Belfast Airport since it was so much cheaper and...come on...I've been wanting it for two years! 

Here's a good description of the scents if you're interested. I'm horrible at scent descriptions! To me it smells citrus-sweet? Haha! 

http://www.theperfumeshop.com/fcp/product/womens-fragrances/giorgio-armani/armani%20code/2832

EcoTools Travel Powder Brush: 

This came in a set of other travel-sized brushes (I love them all!) and I'm amazed at the quality! It was under £20 for all of the brushes (I believe there were six) and they are nothing like I thought they would be. This brush is super soft and applies powders like a dream. They have full sizes and I may just have to purchase those at some point too! 

That's all! I forgot to take a photo of the Urban Decay 15th Anniversay palette, but because I reviewed that already (http://ziggybitter.blogspot.com/2011/09/urban-decay-15-year-anniversary.html) I'll just say that it definitely has earned a spot in my September favourites! 

Phew! Super long post! Hopefully it gives you all the information you could want. Next time I think I'll just do a quick video instead of all the typing :P 

Inglot

If any of you are into makeup and watch makeup gurus on YouTube, you'll have heard about Inglot. They are known for their incredible colour pigmentation and their overall great quality. They also have really good palettes as well that have magnets to hold several palettes together. 

For a long time they didn't have an online store, so I wasn't able to order any of their products from the London store and haven't been able to get down to their store in person yet. However, my mom went down their the other day, saw the store, and bought me some eyeshadow :) I had to tell her what colours I wanted over the phone, so it was sort of a guessing game in that sense, but I'm really happy with what I got. Let me just say, I am definitely pleased with the products and seriously need to get my ass down to the London store to play with makeup! 

Packaging

I think this may be my favourite kind of palette. It's simple, it's portable (in this size) and it provides easy protection for the eyeshadows. The only thing I can say that is bad about it is that once the shadows are in, they are kind of difficult to get out. I chipped the edge of the yellow one attempting to find out what colours they were (they are numbers, not names, and I failed but will totally find out what colours they are!). 

Packaging without the lid. 

Eyeliner Gel Matte

Gel liner smudged and lined, shadows. 

The shadows are definitely pigmented and swatch beautifully. The liner is very creamy, which I didn't like as much. I prefer the texture of the MAC Fluidline better, but this can work nicely as a base for an eyeshadow. It did take me forever to get the liner off though and it kind of stained my hand a little bit. 

Overall, these are incredible. I love them! I'm so desperate to go to the actual store and get to choose more stuff. They lived up to my expectations and I'm so excited to actually use them, especially that matte brown! 

Go and get some Inglot products! 

Battle of the Tints

Photo by Me

I've been using Origins VitaZing (a tinted moisturiser) for quite awhile now, but am starting to get to the end of my tube. Because it's such an expensive product (over £20!), I don't really want to re-purcahse, especially because when I bought mine, I only paid £5. It well worth paying the whole price, but I'd like to try something cheaper before I fully commit to making this a beauty essential. 


So! The battle begins! Today I'm wearing MACs Studio Moisture Tint (Shade: light) in an attempt to see if I like it better than VitaZing. For those of you who haven't used this before, it's not a replacement for moisturiser at all. It's basically a very sheer coverage foundation that is slightly more moisturising than normal, thicker foundation would be. 


I already owned this and have used this before, but wouldn't know if I'd like to wear it on a daily basis. I do really like the finish of it and it feels really smooth. VitaZing has a super soft finish as well, but you feel the texture of your skin underneath more than the MAC product. 

MAC Studio Moisture Tint

Center: Product. Right: Blended in.

(When I say "right", I mean to the right of the blob of product. Haha!)

Today I bought two new tinted moisturisers/tinted products. The first product was the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector: Daily All-In-One B.B. Cream. It's supposed to perfect, hydrate, and protect your skin. I haven't tried this on my face yet, but I have swatched it on my hand. 

Miracle Skin Perfector: B.B. Cream in 'Light'

Center: Product. Right: Blended in. 

The texture of the product is really soft, but it's also thick. I think I was expecting it to be thinner and more of a cream rather than a foundation. 

The next product I got was the Nivea visage Daily Essentials: Tinted Moisturising Day Cream. I also have only swatched this on my hand, but it's definitely a lot more of a moisturiser than a foundation. 

Nivea: Tinted Moisturising Day Cream

Center: Product. Right: Blended in.

They only had one shade of this product: natural. I think I would be better off using a lighter shade. This may blend in or it may not, but it's slightly darker than the other products I own. We shall see!

If you follow me on tumblr, you'll know that I love the Origins VitaZing. Like I mentioned before, I just wish that it didn't cost so much! 

Between the VitaZing and MAC products, I still prefer VitaZing. It's nicer to apply because of it's texture, whereas the MAC tint I have to blend into the skin quickly or it will set on my face all streaky. 

Final reviews on the other two products will be posted once I've had a chance to actually use them on my face :) 

Staying Classy (Or trying to)

I joined my mom on one of her interviews for her dissertation. Because it was a pretty fancy deal (slacks and heel people, both things which I rarely ever wear) I decided to do my makeup in a more classy way that usual. So, for the first time ever, I decided to go with winged black liner and red lips! This was the result: 

I took the picture on my computer webcam, so I apologise if the quality makes any detail difficult to see. 

Products Used: 

Eyes: 

MAC Cosmetics Fluidline in Blacktrack

L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara

Rimmel London Kohl Pencil in Jet Black

Lips:

MAC Cosmetics Frost Lipstick in New York Apple

I've never done winged liner, purely because I suck at doing it and making both eyes look the same. After this little experience I'm going to watch some tutorials and practice a little more before I do this kind of look again! 

Urban Decay 15-Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette

Photo by Marisa

Photo by Marisa

Photo by Marisa

I kept telling myself that I did not need this palette! Kept telling myself that I have enough eyeshadow and that it was too expensive. However, these colours are unique to this palette (I'm sure one day they'll re-release them in another palette though) and I was able to get £10 off of the original price. So I caved basically :)


These are just as amazing as the colours of the Naked palette, but you get several more bright, fun colours along with some muted browns. The quality is amazing, just like the rest of Urban Decay shadows (in my opinion). The shadows are soft, pigmented, and beautiful in their shimmery and glitteryness.

Photo by Marisa (with flash)


The second, third, and fourth colour down on the first column of the palette are very sheer (you literally couldn't see them without flash). I had trouble getting good swatches of them. These were all swatched without a primer of any kind, which definitely makes a difference, but even with a base these come off sheer. 'Vanilla' makes a nice golden tinted highlight. They would all make nice washes of colour on the lid, but I think you would definitely need a cream base of some sort if you wanted powerful shimmer. 

Photo by Marisa (with flash)

Photo by Marisa (without flash)

The same thing goes for 'Tainted', 'Junkshow' 'Omen', and 'Evidence'. You can get colour out of 'Omen' and 'Evidence' if you layer enough times, but they aren't quite as bright and colorful as I would have expected for UD shadows. This is a slight letdown since these are the brightest colours of the palette, but again, maybe if I had used a base they would have slightly more colour. 

Photo by Marisa (with flash)

Photo by Marisa (without flash)

These other colours are just fine. They are similar to what you'll find in the Naked palette, but with slightly less shimmer and 'Blackout' is matte instead of shimmery. 

All in all, I think the palette was worth buying, but maybe not for the price they were selling it for. But then again I think all of Urban Decay's palettes are overpriced. Mostly you're paying for packaging, which on this palette is nice, but so overdone. Oh well. If packaging is your thing, maybe you'll like it :) I'm happy I got it though! I think 'Half Truth' and 'Deep End' are my favourite. 

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics & Sleek Makeup

Some of you beauty nerds may have heard of OCC, and if you have them you most definitely will know what I'm talking about when I say "Lip Tars". 

Now, I don't have any of these, but I seriously wish I did. These are meant to be used in minuscule amounts, but provide intense colour. I wish I could buy all 30 of them (which you can...for $350!) or even just a couple, but they each cost $13 and that's a little steep for me. Considering that I would have to pay for shipping as well and would buy more than just one. 

However, seeing as how you use only a tiny bit, I think it would be worth your money and it would last you quite a long time. There is also a product by Sleek Makeup called a Pout Paint, which works under the same idea. These are far more affordable at £4.99 and more convenient for me since I live in England. They only have eleven shades though, so that's a bit of a let down in comparison with OCC, but that's something you can get past by mixing them! 

Leesha at Xsparkage.com has recently done a video comparing the two which was really helpful to me in deciding which I would purchase first. Rather than go all out and spend the money on Lip Tars, I think I'll be trying the Pout Paints first. Maybe once I move to America I'll be more inclined to try out the Lip Tars. 

They are both on my cosmetics wishlist! 

Obsessive Compusive Cosmetics:

http://www.occmakeup.com/lips.html

Sleek Makeup:

http://www.sleekmakeup.com/en/products/pout-paint-pin-up-sleek-makeup-485.aspx

Xsparkage: 

http://www.xsparkage.com/?p=3725#more-3725    (Pout Paints)

http://www.xsparkage.com/?p=3753#more-3753    (Newest Lip Tars)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLB1zNhuZCE&feature=feedu    (Comparison Video)

Tumblr Link

http://ziggybitter.tumblr.com/

Here is the link to my beauty blog on tumblr. This is where I started blogging and is a mixture of my own things and things I reblogged from other people. 

I'm still posting on there, but will be focusing on posting most of my own photos and looks on this blog for the time being. 

Feel free to follow me on my tumblr account anyway though! I'm very active on my personal tumblr account (link on my beauty tumblr) as well. 

Let me know which format of beauty blog would you prefer: blogspot or tumblr?