Showing posts with label eyelashes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eyelashes. Show all posts
SUPER HUGE CLOSE UP. So, as a big fan of make up and enhancing (read: improving) my face, it wouldn't surprise you to know that I am a big fan of lash extensions. Eyelash extensions? Like fake eyelashes glued onto your own? Pretty much. Like hair extensions but for your eyelashes! Whether you think it sounds genius or jawdroppingly weird, I've had lash extensions done several times before but I recently had them done at Primalashes in Mayfair where I tried a new kind of eyelash.
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Fluttery, Long Lashes With Primalashes Mink Eyelash Extensions
Honey, I'm home! Villa life on the Spanish island of Mallorca was amazing, but of course it went far too quickly! One week away from blogging, so I guess I owe you a little holiday summary of what went down and what I wore! (stay tuned for my biggest holiday beauty secret!)
We had a little villa tucked away in a gorgeous coastal bay called Cala Pi. Yup, I'm definitely too old for Magaluf these days. We were literally on the cliffs, it had such a gorgeous view of the sea and the Spanish sunsets. Check out this Shepherds Delight scene!
Nothing quite beats drinking Sangria, in 30 degrees, whilst reading trashy 99p Kindle books - oh yeah and floating in a rubber ring! Despite looking like I'm "a frat boy at a pool party with Calvin Harris" (according to Mr FV, the bastard) - it was awesome. Until wearing the cap backwards tanned a square into my forehead. NOT cool but thankfully easily concealed by foundation.
Holiday Beauty Essentials
Go on then, what is it? Errr, HELLO NEW LASHES.
Yup, you got me - faking it is the best way to sort your holiday makeup. Eyelash extensions place individual lashes onto your own, making them look a bit more natural than false strip lashes. They're also much lighter, you won't even know you're wearing them.
I love getting eyelash extensions before holiday as it means I don't need to worry about waterproof mascara, or any sort of makeup other than some SPF and some brows (obvs).
They last a couple of weeks, if you look after them you can have them on for a while! These lash pictures are after a week in the sun, on the beach and in the pool - so they've held up pretty nicely!
Eyelash extensions can be pricey though - normally about £70-£120 depending on where you're getting them done and how many lashes you're having applied (in case you're wondering, it's about 2-3 extensions per real lash)
Now that's nothing I can really afford to do regularly so the answer is GROUPON. You can find a lot of eyelash deals out there where you can get a full set for about £25. Now, that's a price I like! I'm going to do a full post after Fashion Week on how to look after your lashes, and the different kinds of lashes you can get.
Holiday Bargain Buys.
I don't really do postcards or souvenirs but I love treating myself to a special item everytime I go on holiday - sort of my own style souvenir I guess?
I went to a little town called Inca, where they have a weekly market which sells lots of stuff, particularly leather goods! I ended up buying a pair of soft leather slippers (basically ankle Uggs) and THIS gorgeous leather coat.
First of all, WELL DONE to Mr FV who has managed to take a picture that's in focus and not blurry. Anyone else's other halves somehow inept with cameras??
Buttery soft and velvetty, this leather coat by Stradivarius is a sort of trench/jacket/shirt dress and I LOVE IT. I've never actually treated myself to a leather jacket before, I've only ever borrowed/stolen my mum's so I'm really pleased to have finally got myself one.
And even better, it was only about £65! How great is that?! I'll be wearing this with polo necks and A-line skirts to channel the 70's trend, or with skinny black trousers and a marl t-shirt for a casual, yet effortlessly chic vibe. All after giving it a thorough pre-treatment with a suede protector of course!
The only downside is that it smells a little bit like bacon at the moment, as it's 100% pig leather, but I've already worn it out and about the house, and it's definitely coming to work with me, paired with a white shirt and black cigarette pants. WAHOO. Holiday souvenir!
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Mallorca Holiday Style Blog: Eyelash Extensions & Leather
So normally I like to blog about products I really love. I don't really want to slag off stuff on the internet but thinking about it, bad reviews are generally more fun to read. Not only do they prevent regrettable purchases and save pennies, they also fulfill that salacious need to discuss products behind their back. (5 years in an all-girl school provides me with quite excellent experience in this area...)
So for your entertainment purposes my dear readers, I had a think about some products I've tried which have simply fallen a little flat. But before I go all Regina George on today's product, I'd like to give a little plug to my YouTube channel which I have recently set up. SO. Subscribe to my YouTube channel today!
Advertising over - let's take a look at today's moan. Drum roll please, who's first in line for the firing squad? It's the Black Lash Mascara by Smooch Cosmetics.
Mascara is one of those products which unfortunately requires a lot of frogs to be kissed before you meet the handsome prince. And, as you may have guessed - this Smooch Black Lash Mascara was one of the frogs.
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Mascara Myeh: Smooch Black Lash Mascara
With the right mascara, one coat does absolute wonders to twiggy little eyelashes like mine. But there are sooo many to choose from! Xtra Length this, Boom Volume that, Curl Friend bla bla bla - cheesy pretend names aside, what are the best mascaras for beautiful, big lashes?
Enter two of the biggest mascaras on the market in terms of reputation and lash-enhancing ability. Le Volume De Chanel and Benefit They're Real mascara. Two lash leviathons who had some great reviews over the last year and I WANT ONE!
I don't normally spend over £10 on a mascara and these both retail at about £20 so naturally, I got a sample size first! Always try before you buy - cordial rule of shopping smart.
IN THE RED CORNER
We have the infamous They're Real! mascara by Benefit. Designed to lengthen, curl, volumise, lift AND separate - is there nothing this mascara can't do?
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Mascara MOTD: Benefit They're Real vs Le Volume De Chanel
Mascara - the bread and butter of the makeup world. Finding the right one is tricky though and, like Prince Charming, you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find The One!
I've been through my fair share of frogs and this is the first mascara that I've bought again and again. And guess what? It's not even a premium brand....
It's the Volume Flash The Max Bold Curves - Extreme Volume & Lift Mascara and boy oh boy it is EXTREME.... it is BOLD, it is THE MAX!
Ahh Rimmel, beloved of teenage girls and a staple brand in every beginners beauty bag. I've most likely (aka definitely) got a 10 year old blusher with a Backstreet Boys sticker stashed away somewhere in my room....
Old 90's bands aside, Volume Flash mascara does what it says on the bottle - volume and lift... in a flash! I've got lashes straighter than a spirit level and this mascara gave me great curl and volume WITHOUT eyelash curlers.
ARE YOU FOR REALS?
I've been through my fair share of frogs and this is the first mascara that I've bought again and again. And guess what? It's not even a premium brand....
It's the Volume Flash The Max Bold Curves - Extreme Volume & Lift Mascara and boy oh boy it is EXTREME.... it is BOLD, it is THE MAX!
Ahh Rimmel, beloved of teenage girls and a staple brand in every beginners beauty bag. I've most likely (aka definitely) got a 10 year old blusher with a Backstreet Boys sticker stashed away somewhere in my room....
Old 90's bands aside, Volume Flash mascara does what it says on the bottle - volume and lift... in a flash! I've got lashes straighter than a spirit level and this mascara gave me great curl and volume WITHOUT eyelash curlers.
ARE YOU FOR REALS?
Check out the photo evidence......
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Taking it to THE MAX with Rimmel Volume Flash Bold Curves Mascara
So here it is, my first Face Of The Day post. Except, I'm not doing Face Of The Day, I'm doing Face Of Last Night - because judging by the way last night went, you do nahhhhht wanna see this morning's Face.
For those new to what Face Of The Day is - basically, I upload a makeup look and then discuss it! I'll talk about the products I used, how I applied them plus any FaceValue tips I have - alllllll sprinkled with colourful exclamation marks and lame attempts at being funny. HOORAY.
Right - let's go - my first Face Of The Day...
Quite a typical going out-out look for me - dramatic eyes, defined brows, contouring and a punchy lip - a wholeeee lotta slap to be fair.
So what am I wearing???
For those new to what Face Of The Day is - basically, I upload a makeup look and then discuss it! I'll talk about the products I used, how I applied them plus any FaceValue tips I have - alllllll sprinkled with colourful exclamation marks and lame attempts at being funny. HOORAY.
Right - let's go - my first Face Of The Day...
Quite a typical going out-out look for me - dramatic eyes, defined brows, contouring and a punchy lip - a wholeeee lotta slap to be fair.
So what am I wearing???
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My first FOTD: I'm going out-out.
2013- another year already. Judging by the growing wear on my SNOOZE button, I certainly am not adjusting to work life easily.... LOL, I'm actually writing this using the voice search on a tablet and when I need a full stop I have to say period (damn american corporations) so I just had to say period period period.. Oh lord, am I still drunk?
Moving on!
New years resolutions. Have you thought of yours yet? Forget the boring ones about exercising more, eating more fruit and flossing - I have decide to come up with a couple Face Value style resolutions. They may not be vital health/life decisions but I will probably abandon them mid-March as I would do all the serious resolutions..
Thou shalt resolve to..
1. Wash your makeup brushes daily , as often as possible.
Yes, yes we all know cleaning your brushes is important. Its helps you stop spreading bacteria and debris across your face and it also helps your colours and textures stay true to how they were intended. Ideally, one should wash brushes daily especially brushes which use cream and liquid cosmetics as these harbour bacteria more easily than powder. In reality, daily?? Sure, I'll do it straight after I finish my home baked cookies and done my Finnish practice... We all know daily aint gonna happen so lets aim for every fortnight at least and sooner for priority brushes.
FACE VALUE TIP: there are specialist cleaners out there which you squeeze into water and swill your brushes in, but- for beauties on a budget, any sort of gentle shampoo like baby shampoo is a good substitute.
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New Year - new resolutions to break
Its finally the end of 2012 and what a year it’s been! This blog is officially 8 days old, with a Twitter account, a Facebook page and almost 800 page views! Thanks again to everyone who’s supported it thus far, hope you all have a very special new year.
Now, mushiness aside. TO BUSINESS.
2012: My favourite Beauty buys
For me, 2012 was the year of the eyebrow! This year, I upgraded my entire brow kit, buying an angled 266 brush from Mac, the Benefit Browzings kit (pictured right), and the ELF Treat&Tame Brow gel.
I’m still trying to get the shape right - I tend to alternate between “power brows”, heavy and angular, and my daily brow - an enhancement of my natural brow shape. The Browzings kit comes with two shades to work with, the darker wax helps hold the shape but I only used both powder and wax on a 'power brow' day. Powder alone is great for a natural look. It also comes with mini tweezers and brushes all in a mirrored compact so is perfect for on-the-go and travel times! Definitely a good companion for those of you who find yourself doing your face on the way to work!!
Once I get my Youtube channel sorted, I’ll do an Eyebrow special..
Moving onto the world of haircare, this year for me was all about the FOAM DIY JOB. Normally a home hair dye job is all about avoiding drips on the carpet, but the introduction of the foam has meant I no longer need to cover my carpet with plastic bags and newspaper. Hooray!
It has also meant that the colour distribution is much more even as the foam is much easier to spread with your fingers rather than trying to comb through a liquid dye.
I used to use Schwarzkopf Live XXL in a vibrant red shade - it works really well with stubborn dark hair that refuses to pick up colour. I used it for absolutely years and I really recommend it to anyone looking for a strong vibrant look.
However, since I started my proper grown-up day job, I’ve toned the red down and now use John Frieda Precision Foam Colour in Deep Cherry Brown in order to give a little bit of a burgundy kick without being too office-offensive. All you DIY hair-dyers out there- once you try foam, you will not go back!
Eyeliner gel finally appeared on the commercial market, meaning that I no longer had to fork out for Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner. My Boots favourite this year was the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner - it glides on smoothly and is an intense sooty black which stays true to its colour, not like some brands which look dark but come out almost grey! It comes with the perfect brush (full sized!) and is currently on a buy one get one half price at Boots, holllaaaa. My tip is to keep the brush clean otherwise it hardens - easily prevented by swiping it on cotton wool soaked with makeup remover..
Another huge hit amongst my pals was hair oil, but I’m still deciding on my favourite. Argan? Morrocan? Jojoba? To be honest, I find hair oil quite tricky to apply evenly. I much prefer a spray-type product otherwise I end up with heavy greasy patches! Lanky hair, oooh.
There are some great repair-type products out there that use oils to some extent within their formulas but are easier to apply - such as Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner which I use as a nourishing spray before blow-drying.
Finally - my favourite. This year I discovered the wonder of eyelash fibres. Little pots of fibres that coat your lashtips and make them look supremely longer than they are!
After wearing false eyelashes every time I went out-out, I started doing my own individual eyelash extensions. This finicky process took their toll on boh my patience and my eyelashes, needless to say I only have extensions for special occasions like holidays now.
There's far too much to talk about in this one post, soI will be doing a whole blog post on this next year. For now, rest assured that you dont have to splash out £35 on the ModelCo lash fibres - obviously, I have found a cheaper and better subtitute....
Speaking of Value, my big discoveries this year have been Cashback websites , rewarding credit cards (post coming soon) and the joy of signing up to the Pizza Express newsletter who keep offering me great excuses to eat more glorious doughballs!
Final Course
No more blog talk now- my family are on their way to bring in the New Year and I have foolishly agreed to put on a 5 course FEAST. Apologies in advance to my family for my cooking. I think lots of alcohol wil be needed by all....
Have a truly Happy New Year! xXXXx
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2012: A Face Value Beauty Summary
Your eyes are the window to your soul.... Now I love a good metaphor but pre-products and first thing in the morning, my eyes are hardly the twinkling, fluttery windows I'd like them to be. More like soulless grey curtains keeping rays of sunshine out. Boo.
Used correctly, eyelash curlers are the equivalent of fancy Venetian blinds, opening up your eyes and making everything look better, brighter and more polished. Told you I liked metaphors.
The ultimate in eyelash curlers is widely agreed to be Shu Uemura but there is a big divide over the perfect curl and the £20 departing from your purse (Me, a quantity over quality girl? GUILTY.) Sooooo on a recent 3for2 adventure at Boots, I ended up buying this mid-range pair from Kiss USA as a sort of teeny-tiny baby step before I take the plunge....
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| Available from Boots and online from £6.20 |
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Brighten Those Windows: Kiss Eyelash Curlers
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