Thursday 31 October 2013

{Strictly Swatches} Bourjois Poudre de Riz Java Powder.



Bourjois' newest powder product brushes the lines between a finishing powder and a highlight shade.The powder itself is smooth,with decent pigmentation but does contain particles of glitter which may not be suitable for some skin types.Can be used on light points of the face,including cheekbones. 







Swatches without a base.

x ~ x

Friday 25 October 2013

Top 3 Oil-Control,Mattifying Powders.


Hello all! It's nice to see you today.I do hope you're well.I realise it's been a little while since my last post,for which I'm very sorry.Life has gone from snail to Usain Bolt in the space of two weeks!


Anyhoo - today I'm going to share a few of my very favourite mattifying face powders.Summer is now nought but a memory and hence the dewy,fresh-faced look has been replaced (much to my joy) by a matte finish for Autumn.


Matte is seriously on trend at the moment,though who really follows the trend 24/7?  I know I don't.Still,I really do adore the airbrushed,smooth look that a matte face can bring even if I do wear it all year round!



~


  • Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder 10g - £19.00 from FeelUnique
This is the newest addition to my fixing powder collection.I saw this perfect little gem on one of essiebutton's blog posts a few months ago and I simply couldn't resist it - I'm so glad I didn't. This is a loose powder so beware of the dust but somehow it's much smoother in texture than most powders I've tried.It controls oil fabulously and keeps me matte for at least 7 hours on a regular college day.Also it smells,rather nicely indeed,of roses.Don't worry though,the scent lingers for only a few seconds.





  • MAC Studio Fix Foundation Powder (NC15) - £21.50 from MAC Cosmetics
From MAC,the cult Studio Fix compact is definitely worth it's hype.Without layering it on too thick,this powder can literally give you an airbrushed finish.It's fairly heavy,so use a light hand to prevent it from sinking into any fine lines.Out of all of the powders I've spoken about in this post,this one has the least oil-control but only by about an hour.Without touch-ups,this one will last about 6 hours on an oily skin.




  • Rimmel Stay Matte Long-Lasting Pressed Powder (001 Transparent) - £3.99 from Boots
Ahh..my dearest friend,my old faithful! What can I say? I love this powder more than any other and I've been using it for just over a year now.It keeps me oil-free for up to 8 hours before I need to touch-up and it gives the skin a beautiful,smooth finish.For that reason,I use this on almost a daily basis.It's a cheaper option for those on a budget and honestly,it's the best of the bunch! My only complaint is the fragile plastic packaging which seems to chip off on me.Well,you can't have everything for £3.99,can you?


What's your favourite mattifying powder?
Lemme know in a tweet @IYoue3@I  - I'd love to hear from you! :D

x ~ x 

Friday 18 October 2013

DIY Halloween : Easy & Quirky Cauldron Candle Holder.

It's almost that fabulously ghoulish time of year again - Halloween!

When the rain is pitter-pattering against the windows outside and you've got a spare afternoon with nothing to do - turn your hand to some crafty goodness in the name of home decoration.
Here's how to make this charming little cauldron shaped candle holder,complete with leafy 'flames' -

Got the PVA ready?! 




The things you will need :


-A small black or white bowl (not plastic - you don't need me to tell you why not.)

-Turning leaves from your garden - Small enough to fit in a row of around 4-5.

-Black craft wire.

-A strong glue of some sort.

-Halloween themed paper shapes (I used bats.)

-Tealights!


Start off with by laying down some protective measures (namely yesterday's newspaper) and begin to stick the halloween shapes onto your bowl at intervals with your glue.Create a pattern or a scene - whatever you fancy! Once the shapes have dried into place,flip the bowl upside down and arrange your leaves then stick them to the rim.When they're done,flip the bowl back up and give it a couple of minutes to set.

While the glue is drying on your leaves,cut a few lengths of black wire and twist them together in a random binding,to create a muddled,rustic feel.Then create small loops in the wire on each end and glue these to the sides of the bowl so that it appears as a cauldron handle.

Add a little candle and you're done!



Hope you enjoy this really simple and quick little craft project.These cauldrons would be great in larger proportions to put little sweeties in for Trick or Treaters too.

Have a great rest of your day!

x ~ x

Friday 11 October 2013

{Strictly Swatches} *LE* Dior : Diorshow Fusion Mono Eyeshadow - 881 Hypnotique.

'Hypnotique' Mono Eyeshadow by Dior is a rich,smouldering grey-toned purple with a ton of shimmer and shine.Blends excellently and works well at darkening the crease and lower lashline.The product itself almost feels bouncy and resistant in it's glass and comes with a reasonably good sponge-tipped applicator.This eyeshadow is part of Dior's Fall Collection for 2013 and is therefore Limited Edition.









Swatched without a primer.

x ~ x

Monday 7 October 2013

Barry M : Natural Glow Shadow & Blush Palette.

Alright..do you need to sit down? A cup of tea before you begin to read? A quick massage? The title may have come as a shock.That's right,you're not dreaming - Barry M have made PALETTES.



This came as such an odd surprise to me when I saw them in the shops about a week ago.I snapped mine up the second time I visited Superdrug (the first time,they were sold out.) I'm predicting that the neutral palette will sell out the quickest overall but they've also released a smokey and a jewel toned palette too.

So on with the review - 

These palettes are slightly different to what I'd usually buy,mostly because it also contains a blush.You get a total of six eyeshadows in each one,as well as two of your typical dual-ended sponge tip applicators.

The palette has a magnetic clasp and comes with a mirror inset into the flip top.The top itself won't stay upright by itself though,as Leesha from xSparkage would say it's lacking some serious  "palette viagra.".Take it for what it is.




The colours within this palette surprised me,but in a really good way! It comes with two matte shades (neutral brown and a clean white) and not only is it a nice shade selection,the colours are pretty pigmented.The eyeshadow pans are reminiscent of Urban Decay's NAKED Palettes.




The colours themselves don't have names which is slightly annoying.It means I'll have to use the caveman 'point and grunt' method in videos.As for shades,I especially love the deep grey-taupe shade in the centre and the very first light pink.I've made quite a few combinations out of this palette,suitable for both day and evening looks.

Personally,I would never use the 'blush' for it's intended purpose though it can be used as both an eyeshadow and highlighter for the face.The pink element of the blush is quite faint,so makes for a nice wash of sheer colour if desired.I absolutely love that Barry M chose to include a completely matte white - it's perfect as a brow highlight! The lack of a true black is made up for by the rich,dark chocolate colour on the far right and the matte brown is a brilliant transition shade.


Swatched without a primer.

Overall I'm extremely pleased by Barry M's new addition to the market.I'm happy that they've had the guts to properly branch out from nail polish and other tid-bits (no matter how awesome they are).

There are a few minor details that could be cleaned up but it's their first time making an all-in palette - therefore I'll let them off.For £6.69,it's a lovely little thing to have on hand for travelling,and it won't break the bank!


Have you tried any of the other palettes in this line? What did you think?

x ~ x

Saturday 5 October 2013

My Favourite Autumnal Lipsticks - Swatches.

In collaboration with my Youtube channel,I decided to post swatches of the lipsticks I mentioned in my latest video to make it easier all round.The video can be found HERE.

If you're new to my blog from the channel - Welcome! I do hope you'll follow me on Bloglovin' or via email updates - I post every couple of days! :)

Without further ado,the swatches - 


Left to Right :
Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie.
Rimmel by Kate Moss in 107.
Soap&Glory Super-colour-fabu-lipstick in Super Nude.
Topshop in The Damned.
Yves Rocher in Mauve.
Benefit in Wild Card.
Dior Addict Extreme in Bonne Aventure.



x ~ x


Tuesday 1 October 2013

{Strictly Swatches} Dior : Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick - 986 Bonne Aventure.

Released in their Fall Collection 2013,Dior's Bonne Aventure lipstick is a rich,deep plum-wine shade with a glossy shine.The wear is comfortable and long-lasting;the colour gliding on the lips smoothly without any tugging.A gorgeous colour for Autumn.











Swatched without a lip primer.

x ~ x