The Lone Glitter Nail

I cannot recall when this tradition first began. But, it is one that I often find myself going back to. The lone glitter nail is a subtle alternative to a full hand of glitter nails. It is the easiest nail art for lazy girls. There’s just something about it that makes me ooo and ah at my glitter finger. I reserve the lone glitter nail for special occasions or those days when I need to add a little sparkle to my day.

Have you ever rocked the lone glitter nail?

Matte Nails

Matte Nails at Alexander Wang

Image via Glamour

This year matte nails seem to have graced many runways including Badgley Mischka and Alexander Wang during New York Fashion Week Fall 2013. The matte finish on these nails makes talons look super sophisticated. And going matte would certainly be an alternative to the common glossy finishes. However, it seemed impractical for me to go out and purchase several matte nail polishes and I came to the conclusion that it would only be appropriate for me to go matte in the colder months.

I soon found a solution to my problem and I browsed through my varnish collection for a matte top coat. Using a matte top coat meant that I could wear whatever colour of polish I desired. The top coat in question is one that I picked up last year from Rimmel.

However, a word of warning, matte nails don’t last long. So if you don’t mind painting your nails a little more frequently give a matte top coat a go for an instant beauty update. And if you get bored of the matte finish you can always paint over your nails with you usual top coat.

Unfortunately I've searched high and low for Rimmel’s Pro Matte Finish Top Coat and I'm unable to find it anywhere. However, Bourjois are offering up their own version. You can pick up Bourjois So Matt Top Coat in Boots for £5.99. 

Have you gone matte?

An Ode to Matte Lips

My makeup look is incomplete without a slick of colour upon my lips. It pulls everything together and offers a polished look. I often find myself using lip products to easily update my look from day to night. For me, lips are the key ingredient in my makeup routine and this year it seems that beauty trends have focused on framing the lips.

A go to trend has been a matte lip, which seems to have graced many catwalks this year. So, why choose matte over other formulas? Well matte lipsticks are highly pigmented and last longer in comparison to other formulas. They are universal and suit any skin tone. Whether you are fair or darker in complexion a bold matte lip is an elegant way to add a kick to your makeup. For an added bonus matte shades can be worn day to night so there’s no need to change your lipstick!

Even so be warned, your lips may need a little extra preparation. They need to be in near perfect condition in order to take full advantage of the beautiful finish matte lipsticks have to offer. The formulas of these lipsticks sit dry on the lips, thus every imperfection tends to show. So buff away because flaky lips will always fail to be hot.

And if bright shades don't appeal to you then you may be tempted by red or berry shades?  Berry shades are perfect for the colder months and reds will always be fashionable in any season.

Are you tempted to go matte?

Golden Eyes

This festive season I will being adding sparkle to my eyes for those never ending evening soirees. In order to achieve an effortless golden, glittery eye I will be using the L’Oreal Color Infaillible in 021 Sahara Treasure which is a finely milled powder that offers a foil like finish. It's not the easiest to work with, but it offers the sparkle that I wish to achieve. The texture of this eye shadow is unlike any I've tried before. L'oreal describes it as a hybrid, a powder shadow that feels creamy. 

This shadow is highly pigmented and can be worn over other shadows in order to add a touch of sparkle, or it can be built up to provide an opaque finish. I'm not one to shy away from glitter eye shadows, but during Christmas it's always a necessity to add a little twinkle to my makeup.

I will be pairing my glittery eye with a black winged feline flick and lashings of mascara. And to take the look to new heights I may just wear a bold matte lip and some false eyelashes.

Party perfect eyes... what do you think?

Laura Mercier Colour-To-Go Portable Palette in Natural Nudes

When I stepped into Space NK, my dreams had come true and I was fortunate to stumble upon the Laura Mercier Colour-To-Go Palette in Natural Nudes. I had been on the hunt for a compact travel friendly makeup palette and this was my answer.

This sleek palette is separated in to two tiers, in the top tier you’ll find four eye colours, three eye shadows and one tight liner, everything you need to create a day and night look, minus mascara of course. Housed at the bottom of the palette are two cheek colours, one bronzer and one blusher, and as an added bonus there is also a lip glace included in the package.

The Colour-To-Go palette is an all round winner with eyes, cheeks and lips sorted, all I’ll need to remember to take away with me now are any base products and a mascara. I think I’ll be travelling lightly from now on.

The Laura Mercier Colour-To-Go Portable Palette is currently available in two shade selections Smokey Violets and Natural Nudes at Space NK for £31. They are limited edition, so if you’re in need of a travel friendly palette I recommend purchasing one of these before they all go.

Essie Limited Edition Festive Fingertips Box

Oh yes I did. I got it Essie’s limited edition beauty box fully stocked with four full sized Essie nail polishes and nail stickers. Now I have to admit that I am late on the whole Essie band wagon, this box is my first purchase. I saw this as an opportunity to try the brand and all in time for Christmas. The beautiful box comes packed with every shade I need to see me through the Christmas party season.

Let’s begin with sole mate, my favourite of the collection a deep burgundy red. The perfect shade for vampy nail lovers, it’s just a shame that I can’t wear this in all seasons.

The second shade fishnet stockings is the brightest of the bunch. I believe that bright reds are not shades that are just suited to the colder months, and I for one love a good red all year round.

There is no better way to describe the third shade eternal optimist other than referring to it as a bold neutral. It is a warm rose shade that offers a sophisticated finish. I can see myself wearing this colour into spring.

Beyond cozy is the perfect glitter for the party season. This has definitely filed a void in my nail wardrobe as it is a glitter that can be worn with any outfit. In my opinion every girl needs a gold/silver glitter.

The sleek stick nail stickers in 04 love to love you are stunning. Intricately detailed with words of love I think I’ll reserve them for a special occasion or a day when I need a pick me up.

I suggest you get your Festive Fingertips on this beaut because I predict that she won’t be around for too long. To purchase these products separately would set you back £42, so it is a steal retailing at £24.99 exclusive to Boots. And if that hasn’t convinced you, I was so pleased to find that the box included a £2 voucher for any Essie product. Nail polish suggestions are welcome J. 

NARS Promiscuous – Lip Pencil Coffret

Mini Velvet Matte Lip Pencils: Sex Machine, Dolce Vita, Cruella and Never Say Never

Mini Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil: New Lover

Yes, I am guilty of this happening every year. In the run up to Christmas I panic and think that I will miss out on receiving many limited edition sets. And after browsing and resisting the many treats that the beauty world has lined up for us this year, I gave in. I ran into Space NK in order to find any remnants of NARS holiday collection with Guy Bourdin and I wasn't disappointed. By the time I managed to pull myself out of Space NK, I was the proud owner of the Promiscuous – Lip Pencil Coffret, and there’s not been a minute of regret since.

The set is what lip lover’s dreams are made of. For many months I had heard beauty babes rave about the NARS lip pencils, but I was yet to try them. This set feels like a steal rather than a splurge. It includes five of their best-selling shades, all in miniature form, of course. If the lip offerings were not enough the collection comes presented in a satin and patent pouch that channels the likes of Lulu Guinness.

As for the products, the reviews don’t lie. Theses pencils are highly pigmented and easy to wear. NARS infuse their lip pencils with vitamin E meaning that even their matte offerings don't dry out the lips. I just wanted to add that I don't recommend chomping your way through a burger while wearing the matte lip offerings, the shame of having Cruella all over my face will haunt me for some time :(.

In terms of longevity these pencils stick around for some time. The four Velvet Matte Lip Pencils last on the lips for over 6 hours without the need to reapply them. However, the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil needs to be applied more frequently due to their high shine finish which is understandable.

This set can no longer be purchased online, but you might be lucky enough to find a set in store.

My Sister's First Makeup

Recently my baby sister told me that she wanted to begin to wear makeup and I was only too keen to take her to get the goods. We were on the hunt for a few basics to start off her collection. Before we set off on our little adventure, I asked her what she wished to gain from makeup and we came to the conclusion that she wanted a young and natural finish; a no makeup, makeup look so to speak.

We made a list and off we went.

Once we were in Boots, we headed straight to No7. I often find that with my tone it can be tricky to find a base in the drugstore as many brands do not have a vast colour range to suit my Asian skin. Although that being said, No7 has never seemed to fail me. I was particularly pleased with their colour match service the shade was neither too light nor too dark for my sister’s skin tone, but a perfect match that blended in seamlessly.

Once we returned home we put out the bits and browsed through our purchases.

Base: No7 Essentially Natural Foundation in Deeply honey

Concealer: MAC Select Moisturecover in NW30

Powder: No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in Dark

Blush: No7 Mineral Perfection Loose Powder Blusher in Soft Damson

Mascara: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extra-Black

Lip butter: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle

Brushes: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Blush Brush

Duty Free Beauty Buys

On the 26^th of August I rushed through airport security in order to reach World Duty Free. I found myself heading straight to the Giorgio Armani counter as I had heard many beauty fanatics rave about their base offerings. I was soon drawn to Luminous Silk and it became love at first swipe. It is light in texture, but manages to give you a medium to full coverage and with every scar covered I swooned. I was matched to shade 6 and at £28, a saving of £7, I was sold.

After browsing the Armani counter I headed to MAC. I have always lusted after their eye shadows, but have always refrained and walked away. However, on this occasion I just couldn't help myself and I quickly saw myself grabbing Patina and Sable (£10 each), which was immediately followed up by a 217 (£13) to add to my ever growing stash of brushes.

A few pounds lighter I saw myself waving goodbye to London and saying Ciao to Roma.