NARS Highlighting Blush in Miss Liberty

NARS Highlighting Blush (£21.50)

This is one of those products that I picked up without fully understanding its uses.  Very naughty I know because you should always do your beauty research but sometimes those products you pick up on a whim turn out to be pleasantly surprising.  And guess what?  This is exactly that.

Miss Liberty from NARS is described as a highlighting blush however I was under the impression it was just a regular highlighter.  I was using it on my brow bone and my cupids bow and although it was giving a nice amount of shimmer, it wasn’t as light-reflecting as some other powders I’d used.  Feeling a little frustrated I took to the trusty internet in search of answers and of course the blog world didn’t fail me.  I soon found this was actually a blusher designed to be worn either alone on or on top of other cheek products to create that glow from within.  The flecks of shimmer running through the powder are very subtle which explains why it works better as a discreet illuminator rather than a full-on highlighter.

I prefer to wear this alone but I have tried it over other blushers and it does look lovely either way.  I think it adds that perfect hint of shimmer and really brings my cheekbones to life without being too obvious or OTT.  I have been known to go a little blusher crazy in the past so this is a refreshing change for me.  You can also get this in two other shades: New Order (a pinky, slightly more pigmented colour) and Albatross (a translucent offering which seems to be a favourite in the blog world).  I think all shades are rather gorgeous and all are supposed to be universally flattering so should suit most skin tones.

I’m so pleased I discovered how to use this product properly.  I’m using it every day now and have had lots of comments on how dewy and fresh my skin looks so it certainly does the trick.  Perfect for perking up your complexion the morning after your Christmas party!

GC.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

 Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara (£12)

I’m hopeless when it comes to applying mascara.  I give the brush a quick wiggle between my lashes and hope for the best but without fail manage to mess up and get it on my skin.  So naturally I’m interested in any product which can help me neaten up my peepers.

With its lightweight wand and minuscule brush head this little offering from Clinique is perfect for getting into the corners of your eyes and under those barely-there bottom lashes.  It both thickens and separates each individual lash, reducing the under eye smudge and creating a crisp, clean look.  It doesn’t flake or run and keep’s it’s colour intensity throughout the day.  This would be great for creating a chic, sixties graphic eye - think Twiggy lashes!

Of course a bottom lash mascara is not entirely essential for your make up bag and I don’t use it everyday but it is a nifty little product for when you can afford to take more time on your eye area.  Not very often for me as I don’t get much time on a daily basis but I love using it when I can as it really opens up my eyes.  And I just can’t get over how cute the packaging is.  It’s just so petite!  The perfect stocking filler for any beauty lover this Christmas I think.

GC.

Fish plaits and fishtails

Dress - ASOS | Necklance - Primark | Rings - Primark | Watch - Casio

Somebody give me a slap on the wrist please!  After getting into a good habit of blogging every day in October I’ve well and truly undone all of my hard work this month.  It’s almost the end of November and this is my first post!  Oops!  I really need to sort out some sort of blogging timetable so I make time to sit behind my keyboard and write.  I always have so many ideas but continuously let other things get in the way and never get round to blogging.  I really need to work on my time management.  Tips anyone?

Anyway, I wanted to share with you my beautiful new dress.  Let’s just take a moment to appreciate how pretty this is.  Navy in colour with an almost-fishtail shape, it skims your curves in all the right places giving you a gorgeous silhouette.  Even if you aren’t particularly curvaceous the slinky material will cling to your body giving the illusion of more shape.  What more could you want?  The winter floral pattern is perfect for this time of the year and although I glammed up this outfit for a night out I think it will look equally as good dressed down during the day.

I chose to wear my hair in a messy plait to smarten up the boho vibes the dress was giving me.  I didn’t want to look too casual and an up-do is one way to guarantee you look like you’ve made an effort.  I finished off the look with a slick of my new MAC Lipstick, a matte shade named Relentlessly Red, which will be getting a lot of wear over the Christmas period I can tell.  Look out for more outfit posts like these as the party season is almost upon us.  I can hardly wait!

GC.

Happy Halloween & The End of Blogtober!

Not only is today Halloween but it also marks the end of my Blogtober challenge.  At the beginning of the month I set myself a target to blog at least once every day during October and by jove I’ve done it!  I must admit I doubted if I could do it as finding the time to post something worthy and interesting every day is pretty hard.  I hope I managed to post some refreshing stuff and that you’ve enjoyed having something new to read daily.  Posting three to four times a week is going to feel like a breeze compared to what I’m used to right now.

I’ve discovered a lot about my ‘blogging self’ over this last month and found that I quite like to post about things other than just product reviews.  I’ve loved doing tags and lifestyle posts so look out for a lot more of those in the coming months.  I think most importantly doing this challenge has inspired me and brought back a passion for writing which I lost recently.  It was hard to blog every day whilst working full time, maintaining a social life AND taking a few days out for a weekend away but I’ve really enjoyed it and feel a real sense of satisfaction now my challenge is completed. 

I’m going to have a couple of days off now but will be back on Sunday with a blog post about my Halloween party which me and Mr W are hosting on Saturday.  I’m so excited!  I have a gruesome costume planned and I can’t wait to give the house a makeover.  Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year simply because I love dressing up!  Oh and you get to eat lots of sweets too.  That’s a bonus!  Sending lots of spooky love your way...

GC.

What's On My Face: The Office Edition

Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream (£9.99) | Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV (£28) | MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental | Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara (£7.99) | Benefit Browzings Brow Shaping Kit (£23.50) | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (£25)

Every morning I’m faced with the same old predicament: get up and apply some makeup or have an extra ten minutes in bed.  You can guarantee I choose my bed every time.  However, I’m not brave enough to go to work barefaced so have to try to make myself look presentable with a limited amount of time and a few products.

When I don’t have time to sit and blend in my foundation, the Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream comes in really handy.  It’s more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation so doesn’t need as much work.  It’s light and refreshing yet gives me good coverage.  If needs be I top up with a little concealer.  I forgot to photograph it but no prizes for guessing which one I use (Collection’s  Lasting Perfection concealer - review here).

I have to add powder when I need my makeup to last all day and my current dusting of choice comes from Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV.  It contains finely milled glitter which adds a sheen to my face - the perfect pick me up for when I’m at work.  Onto blush and my usual office choice is MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental, a bright yet natural coral shade.  It’s perfect for giving me a bit of a flush whilst not being too OTT or girly.  Unfortunately it was a limited edition from a collection last year so you will find it hard to hunt it down.  I’m using it sparingly!

Now for the eye area.  I tend to keep my eyes really simple whilst at work because as you nine-to-five girls know, too much tired eye-rubbing will leave you looking like an office zombie.  I apply a good few lashings of Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara to keep my peepers looking wide awake.  I didn’t get on with this mascara at first as I found the formula rather runny and hard to work with but I persevered and glad I did.  I fill in my browns using the amazing Browzings duo from Benefit.  As you can see, the wax (left) is my favourite but I stick to the powder (right) during the day for a subtle look.

Finally, the lips.  Whenever I wear bright lipstick during the day at work I’m often asked if I’m going out afterwards and I get sick of saying “no I just like fancy a change!”  Can’t a girl wear a bit of bright lippy if she pleases?  Jeez!  Most days I opt for a touch of lip balm to keep my lips soft but glossy.  I make sure I keep it on my desk and top up during the day, especially in the colder weather.  My all time favourite lip balm is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant.  If you don’t have this in your makeup bag then why not?  It cures an array of ailments and I love how soft it makes my lips feel.

And there you have it.  This whole routine takes around 10 minutes and is so fool proof it can be done when half asleep.  I plan on doing a few more What’s On My Face posts so let me know other ‘faces’ you would like to see.

GC.

Oh what a jolly holiday...

Just arrived and feeling hyper / Grandma brought too many Potnoodles / Our favourite evening hang-out / It’s Harr-eh! / Millions in my drink / Arty photograph by the little bro / And again - quack! / Hungover and needing a Coke / Let’s go to the beach / Oh dear / Oh dear oh dear / Smiles for Butlin’s

I’m back from my mini-break to Butlin’s and just had to post about the good time I had.  My weekend was none stop and we did all sorts of fun things including mini-golf (I lost), laser quasar, swimming, bowling, go-karting, etc.  You name it and we did it!  Throw in a copious amount of alcohol and you have the recipe for a great weekend.

I originally planned to do some outfit posts whilst I was away and took my camera with me but I’ve been putting so much time into my blog for my Blogtober challenge that I decided I’d give myself a well earned rest instead.  I took photos of novelty oversized beach equipment instead of lipstick.  It was refreshing!

Memories were made and the weekend was full of giggles.  I wouldn’t want to bore you all with the ins and outs of private family jokes so I will leave you with some photos instead - most of which were taken by my teenage brother who became quite the photographer over the weekend.  

Enjoy and I will be back tomorrow with a beauty related post!  Things have been getting very ‘life-y’ over here on my blog but I must admit I do like reading these types of posts from other bloggers so hopefully you will too!

GC.

Manicure Monday 6: OPI I Theodora You & Silver Glitter

OPI I Theodora You (£8.99 via Amazon)

Happy Manicure Monday to you all!  I did originally have some Halloween nail art planned for today’s post but I’ve just returned home from my weekend away, sat down to do it and realised I didn’t have time.  Good nail art takes a lot of patience and because I rushed it turned out as one big smudgy mess.  Cue me digging into my ‘nail shots’ archive for something I could show you all today.  Thank the lord for random ‘claw hand’ snapping.

I Theodora You is a cutesy pink nail varnish from OPI’s Oz The Great and Powerful collection.  A beautiful sheer shade, this takes about 3 - 4 coats to become opaque but does look just as good as a barely there mani or as part of a French polish.  Although I loved the way it looked on my nails I felt it need a little more sparkle and so added a dot of silver glitter polish just a smidgen away from my cuticle area.  It’s a grown up way to do glitter.

How do you guys find the wearing time with OPI polishes?  I was rather disappointed when this chipped just two days later.  I wasn’t sure if this could be down to the number of coats I had layered up but even so I expect a little more from a higher priced polish.  Regardless of that I have to admit it is a lovely colour and I’m longing for this on my nails right now over the green and black mess I’m currently rocking.  Must go remove!  Hope you guys have better look with your Halloween nail art!

GC.

MAC Girl About Town Lipstick

 MAC Girl About Town Lipstick (£15)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a MAC lipstick review so I thought I’d spoil you all on this Sunday evening and show you which shade has been gracing my lips of late.  

Girl About Town is bright fuchsia pink shade from MAC’s permanent lipstick line.  It had been on my wish list for some time and when I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have a shade like this one in my collection, I decided to treat myself.  It’s what MAC call an ‘amplified’ formula which means that although it’s very pigmented, it’s also very moisturising and won’t dry your lips out.  The colour has cool blue undertones to it which help to make your teeth look whiter too - another perk!

I find myself reaching for this when my makeup is missing something and I need a bit of zhuzh.  It not only brightens up my lips but my whole face too.  I really like the name.  Girl About Town is playful and reminds me of going out on the town with my girlfriends for a cocktail or two...or three!  I smile just thinking about this shade :) And for that reason my friends, I deem it a very worthy member of my MAC collection.

GC.

PS.  I would just like to add that is my 100th blog post!  I can't believe I've wrote 100 posts!  Thank you to everyone who reads and follows Something Kinda Cloughton.  You have no idea how much I enjoy writing it and your support means so much to me   ♥ 

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer

 Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer (£46.50)

I don’t know about you but I’m actually more concerned with being bronzed in the Winter than Summer.  I know it might seem topsy-turvy but my Summer tanning routine is usually a lot more relaxed than in the six months that follow.  I’m more about sporting a few natural freckles and beachy waves because evening soirees during the warmer weather tend to come with the ‘anything goes’ dress code.  Winter, on the other hand, is time to get glam.  It’s party season, everyone wants to look their best and for me this involves having a healthy glow.

My favourite makeup item when creating a bronzed look has to be the Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons bronzer.  Comprising of not one but four beautiful matte shades, this compact can be used for an all over sweep of colour or to contour your face.  This is one of the only bronzers I’ve used that doesn’t have an orange tinge or any nasty glitter particles making it practically impossible to go wrong with it.  I have the colour ‘Brunettes’ but it also comes in ‘Blondes’ too so you do have a choice.  Both shades look very au natural might I add.  If I’m having a good skin day then sometimes I will use this alone on my face without any foundation but it does also look just as good on top of a base or fake tan.

Have I sold it to you yet?  Well if so, then this may be one of the most expensive bronzers you will ever buy.  At £46.50 (that’s almost £50!) this gorgeous glow doesn’t come cheap.  I got this is a gift so managed to swerve any uncomfortable exchange with the counter girl where I don‘t fully let go of my cash as I reluctantly hand it over.  Imagine the buyer’s guilt you would feel after purchasing this!  What I will say however is you can really tell this is a luxury product.  The powder is so finely milled that it feel super soft when applied to your face and the results do speak for themselves.  Did I mention that the packaging is amazing too?  It feels so heavy and expensive in your hands.  

Despite the hefty price tag I would buy this bronzer if, and only if, I couldn’t find a good enough dupe for it.  I’m skeptical as to whether I will though because I’ve never used anything like this before.  It love it.  Good news for those who do want to buy it now as it’s currently half price on Debenhams’ website.  What the hell are you waiting for?

GC.