Face of the Day with Laura Mercier Cassis

This face of the day includes quite a few of the items I from my last neglected makeup challenge post. I started off my just applying the Sue Devitt Intensifier on it's own but found it looked a little stark. I wasn't sure how the Kjaer Weiss eyeshadow would look with it but was pleasantly surprised by the results.  The Laura Mercier Lip Velvet in Cassis is a lovely colour but it does show up every imperfections because of it's unusual texture. What's not visible to the naked eye becomes very obvious in the gigantic lip picture!

Face
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Vanille
RMK Super Basic Liquid concealer
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NC20
Shu Uemura H9 brow pencil in Seal Brown
Bobbi Brown Apricot blusher

Eyes
Sue Devitt Intensifier Eye pencil in Zaire
Kjaer Weiss Wisdom eyeshadow
W3LL People Universalist #2 highlighter as brow highlight
Hourglass Film Noir mascara

Lips
Laura Mercier Lip Velvet in Cassis

This week I will mostly be wearing....

It's been a little while since my last neglected makeup post. So as not to neglect my mission as well as neglect my makeup, here's this week selection (I have included links to previous posts or reviews where applicable) -

Avon Nailwear Pro in Wicked
Sue Devitt Intensifier Eye Pencil in Zaire
MAC Up The Amp lipstick
Laura Mercier Lip Velvet in Cassis
MAC Patina eyeshadow
Kjaer Weiss eyeshadow in Wisdom
Bobbi Brown Blusher in Apricot (old style packaging)

Left - Kjaer Weiss Wisdom, Right - MAC Patina

From left to right: Up The Amp, Cassis, Patina, Wisdom, Apricot

Sue Devitt Intensifier Pencil in Zaire

These are neglected items (actually in the case of Wicked, I'm not it's ever been used) but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't great products or colours. There are certainly a couple of old favourites in this selection like the Kjaer Weiss eyeshadow, Up The Amp lipstick and Bobbi Brown Apricot blusher. It's easy for them to get forgotten in favour of newer items though. I was actually inspired to pull out Up The Amp after it was used on the model in the first look at Saturday's MAC Workshop.

Avon Nailwear Pro in Wicked

I'm really looking forward to incorporating all of these colours into my makeup looks this week. I think the challenge in this weeks selection will be the Laura Mercier Lip Velvet. The colour is beautiful and very autumnal but the texture is tricky to wear. It's a doe-foot applicator and although it's similar in opacity to a liquid lipstick, it feels quite dry on the lips. I might have to experiment pairing this with a lip balm or gloss.

I haven't forgotten my promise to post swatches of the Suqqu quad from my last neglected makeup post. I have the pictures and will post in the next couple of days. That eyeshadow quad is definitely not going to be neglected again and was probably my favourite item of the previous seven items.

Which old favourites do you plan to wear this week? Or are you more of a go with the flow kind of gal?

Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Collection

I have come to the conclusion that Autumn collections are my absolute favourite. I love the rich deep colours, dark berry lips and to be fair, the move away from bronze! When I spotted the visuals for Black Velvet I was really excited.

Bobbi describes this collection as making the catwalk trend for goth lips and sooty lids work for real life. "I created shades that are strong, powerful and a little shocking—but also wearable and sophisticated". The collection is made up of entirely dark colours; blacks infused with plum, cherry and maple tones. I'm very drawn to these sorts of shades and because these are Bobbi Brown, I am sure they will be very flattering.

There are three new Metallic Eye Shadows; Black Berry, Black Cocoa and Black Charcoal and two new Sparkle Eyeshadows; Black and Black Velvet. The Sparkle Eyeshadows are limited edition. The two new matte eyeshadows; Black Charcoal and Black Chocolate are both almost black and can be used as either eyeshadow or powder liner. I'm already imagining the beautiful effect you could create by layering the Sparkle eyeshadows over the matte colours.

There are four different lip products coming out with the collection. The Limited Edition lip gloss in Black Chocolate, two new Creamy Lip Colours in Black Mahogany and Black Cherry as well as new Metallic Lip Colour in Black Garnet. These all sound beautiful but the absolute standouts for me are the Limited Edition Lip Colours in Black Maple and Black Raspberry. If you've read my post on lip stains, you'll know I'm on the look out for a dark berry shade for the cooler months and Black Raspberry could be just the ticket!

Of course, I've saved my favourite till last. Three Limited Edition Kohl Eyeliners; Black, Black Chocolate and Black Plum. When I read the following "lining your lids superclose to your lashline (without that annoying gap) just got easy" I was sold! I'm short-sighted and without definition my eyes can disappear behind my glasses. Consequently, I'm always on the look out for great liners. Maybe it's just me but I often I get that little gap at my lash line and I'm rubbish at tightlining without it transferring to the lower lashline. I can't wait to try these liners to see if they can deliver, both Black Chocolate and Black Plum sound perfect for me. These can also be smudged to create a smoky effect. 

This collection will be released in the UK in September. Do you think you will be indulging?

Bobbi Brown Apricot Blusher

I've had this blusher a very long time as you can tell by the shape of the packaging. Bobbi Brown blushers come in square packaging these days but the colour is still available as part of the permanent line. This look was from last week and I toyed with not posting this, I'm not 100% on the combination of colours but it's no good cherry picking the best bits! I'm only human and I've said before I often make mistakes with colour selections. Plus, I think this is a lovely blusher and well worth sharing with you.

On the Bobbi Brown website this is described as a bright apricot which I don't think is all that helpful in terms of shade description! It's certainly appears very bright in the pan and I think it sits somewhere between coral and hot pink. It's not as bright on the cheeks as you'd expect from the colour in the pan. It's certainly very wearable and quite a universal colour. I've included pictures in natual light and with flash so that you can hopefully get a good idea of how it looks on the cheeks.

Here's a list of what I'm wearing on the rest of my face


Face
Korres Watermelon Light Tinted Moisturiser
Can't remember which under eye concealer
Shu Uemura brow pencil
Bobbi Brown Apricot Blusher
 
Eyes
MAC Painterly paint pot
MAC Dirty Greasepaint stick as base
MAC Satin Taupe e/s
MAC Brule e/s from crease up to brow
L'Oreal Super Liner in Black Crystal
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

Lips
Edward Bess Ultra Slick lipstick in Secret Desire

Apricot is priced £16.50 and is available from Bobbi Brown counters Nationwide or can be ordered online from www.bobbibrown.co.uk

Face of the Day for Lily!

The lovely Lily from Paris made a suggestion for a look to go with my new hair. I thought I'd oblige and dutifully paired red lips with liner, I went for Illamasqua Intense gloss in Fume though rather than my more full on Box lipstick. I really liked how it turned out and even my husband commented on how nice it was (a rare but lovely treat). Unfortunately in pictures the colours looked washed out.

So, I had a second go at it, amping up the colours a bit. I liked how everything turned out apart from the how blush looked. I'd picked out MAC Petticoat MSF in a final attempt to see if I could feel comfortable wearing it. It just isn't for me, don't be sad though as it's already found a new and loving home!

Face
Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturiser - 01 Sand
RMK Super Basic Liquid Concealer undereye
Shu Uemura H9 Brow Pencil in Seal Brown
MAC Petticoat MSF
Light dusting of MAC Blot Powder in Medium

Eyes
MAC Painterly paint pot
MAC Brule all over eye up to brow
MAC Omega in the crease
Bobbi Brown Caviar Ink gel liner
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

Lips
Illamasqua Fume Intense lipgloss

I think it's quite a simple look but I really liked it. The first time round I was wearing a stripey Breton top. Husband said I looked very French, so it seems you really did inspire me Lily!

I'm fuming

Well, yes, it's a bit of an exaggeration but I'm using my artistic license. I'm not in the mood to be trifled with I will admit to that!

It was a ridiculously early start this morning. About 5am I think, not particularly great when I went to bed after midnight. So, in light of my tiredness and grumpy mood I've gone for something bright to lift my spirits.

The pictures are clickable and the if you follow the link it shows the most accurate colour representation. Something very odd happens to colours the minute I try and edit on Photobucket or Picasa and in this case it's a shame to lose the vibrancy of the lipgloss.







Face
Revlon Photoready
MAC Select Moisturecover under eyes
NARS Laguna
Illamasqua Beg - tiny bit on the cheek
Shu Uemura Seal Brown on brows

Eyes
MAC Painterly paint pot
MAC Brule lash to brow
MAC Omega in crease
Benefit Eye Bright to highlight
Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Caviar Ink
L'Oréal Voluminous mascara

Lips
Illamasqua intense lipgloss in Fume

I'm really pleased with this, with the exception of my base. I desperately need a new foundation and this is the shade I wear with fake tan. Only I haven't used any fake tan today, hence the Oompa Loompa face and white neck! Please feel free to take a look at my giveaway post and make a foundation recommendation. Yes, you're quite right, as well as being grumpy today I've lost all sense of shame!

Jane x

Another Suqqu Eye Look

I thought I'd try a smokey eye makeup using the Blend eyeshadow EX-07 from the Lilac Allure set. I used the darkest colour (3) on my mobile lid, blending out the edges at the crease using the champagne (2). I also added some of the champagne over the darker colour to soften. I used MAC brule as a highlight and lined using Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in caviar ink. I also used the volume length mascara from the set. This is a nice mascara but it's quite tricky to use the wand with such a short stick!



Here's the finished look. The photo is clickable and I hope the images are large enough for you to see the colours?



I really like this look and found layering the champagne over the darker colour created a nice effect. The shimmer is subtle and very pretty. As ever whilst taking photos a little person wanted to get in on the act, so here's is my 2 year old's beauty blog debut.



Thanks for looking,
Jane x

May Favourites and a bit of a ramble

It's been a bit of a busy month in the Modesty household. We got the keys to our new house at the end of April and spent a week or so moving everything over. I still haven't got everything sorted in the new house, I was certainly more industrious during the two weeks without internet access. Whoops!

Some of my favourites this month really have to be recent purchases from Zuneta. I have worn Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadow in Delicate Hummingbird a lot and also the lipstick in Irreverence. I've loved wearing Hourgloss lipgloss in Origami, it's such a nice colour and the texture of these lipglosses is so moisturising and luxurious. A real winner for me.



I've been reaching for Unrequited blush by Illamasqua a lot as well as my trusty Laguna bronzer. A rather surprising favourite has been MAC's pearlglide eyeliner in petrol blue. It's such a pretty, sparkly blue and I've had compliments when I've paired it with Cancan eyeshadow on the lid and Fig.1 in the crease. Another lipstick I've been wearing a lot is Test by Illamasqua. It's been a great replacement for MAC Modesty and as it last so long with lipgloss on top it's a great choice for when I'm out a lot.

Skincare wise, I've been loving Olay's Complete Care Multi-Radiance daily illuminating moisturiser. It's not something I would have picked myself but it was part of my Mother's Day gift set. It feels really nice and the light reflecting particles do leave a nice sheen.



I also discovered this Skin Wisdom Firm and Lift V Zone serum from Tesco's. I was recommended the line by a friend who had been using the anti-wrinkle serum. The serum feels lovely on the skin and the smell is divine. I'm not sure if it's improving the appearance of my neck and decolletage but I know at my age it's not wise to ignore this area. I can maybe review it properly in a month or so if anyone is interested?



Now for the ramble! I went to Bicester Village to pay a visit to the Cosmetics Company Store. I was thrilled to find a 187 brush in there, I'd called up earlier in the week and was told they didn't have any. I've passed it up before when I've seen it in there and kicked myself. Another surprise was finding the MAC Spiced Chocolate quad in there. I know this is quite popular and hard to come by. I have admired it myself as they are really stunning colours but I know I really can't pull these sorts of warm shades off.



As ever when I don't have money to spend, I spotted loads of things I wanted. They had paintpots in Soft Ochre and Groundwork both of which I've wanted for a while. They also had a huge stand of Bobbi Brown items. Normally they have a tiny selection. My biggest disappointment was having to miss out on the Moisture Rich Foundation in Warm Ivory. I'm sure this would be the right shade for me and I've wanted to try a Bobbi Brown foundation for a long time. Please someone tell me it's rubbish as otherwise I'll be crying in to my cornflakes. There's such a quick turnover of stock in these shops that I'm unlikely to find it by the time I have cash to spend. I'm sure I'll forget all about it when my Suqqu and Shu Uemura parcel arrives!

Jane x

FOTD using RBR Solstice Halcyon and Irreverence

I thought I'd do another face of the day for you, this time using Solstice Halcyon. I'm really pleased with how it turned out, as ever the camera has bleached out some of the colour so it looks more muted than it does in real life. Apologies also for not including a full face. I managed to get one good one of the make up but my eyes were doing extremely funny things and seemed to be pointing in completely different directions. If I had included it you would all be far too busy rolling around on the floor laughing to even notice the make up, so I'll spare you!









Face
EL foundation (not a great match but I'm using it up)
Touche eclat
NARS Laguna Bronzer
Illamasqua blusher in Unrequited

Eyes
RBR Solstice Halycon on lid
Bobbi Brown Taupe in the crease
MAC Charcoal Brown in the crease
UD 24/7 liner in Zero
Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Lips
RBR Irreverence

If you haven't already tried any Rouge Bunny Rouge make up I can honestly recommend it. Yes, it is very expensive but the products are lovely to use and it feels so feminine. I'm not sure if that's because the colours are so flattering or the beautiful packaging. Either way, for me it's been money well spent.

In other news, if you follow me on twitter you will already know that I phoned up to order a few bits from Selfridges today. I ordered this set from Suqqu as posted by LondonMUgirl and thanks to some brilliant shopping advice, also from LondonMUgirl, I added the Shu Uemura the eyebrow pencil, H9 Seal Brown. I am extremely grateful, as with postage at a whopping £6, it pays to get multiple items. I'm looking forward to letting you know how I get on with them.

Jane x

My Blush collection

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