My FOT(E)D

Otherwise known as my 'face of the last 6 months'. Once I got out of the habit of blogging, I spent less and less time deliberating over what makeup to wear each day and simply reaching for my trusted favourites. I started working in February and since then, my no brainer routine has become essential.

Face
Vichy Idealia BB Cream in Light
Ellis Faas Concealer in S202
Bourjois Healthy Mix Face Powder in Vanille
RBR Blusher in Gracilis

Eyes
NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base
GOSH Velvet Touch Liner in Truly Brown
RBR Magnitude Mascara in black

Lips
BECCA Ultimate Colour Gloss in Hummingbird

As you can see, I've managed to hit pan on Solstice Halcyon and my GOSH Truly Brown eyeliner is a veritable stump. Although I use the RBR blusher and BECCA gloss daily, I don't appear to have made a significant dent in either.

I am on my second tube of Ellis Faas concealer. I really like the formula but unfortunately both pens I've owned have come apart from use (you may spot that the base has fallen off). I also have slightly mixed feelings about the RBR Magnitude Mascara and NARS Smugdeproof Eyeshadow Base. The RBR mascara gives me really full, long lashes but the downside is that it bleeds into my under eye concealer mid-afternoon. The NARS primer is excellent at preventing creasing but I also find it tricky to blend over. My tube is empty now and I haven't decided yet whether to repurchase or try UDPP.

I started using Vichy Idealia BB Cream when my NARS tinted moisturiser started running low. It certainly doesn't provide as much coverage as the NARS and I do have to powder to avoid looking too 'glowy', but I find it excellent at quickly evening out redness. I love the Vichy scent too which reminds me of summer holidays of my teens.

We have one in and one out here. I only have a tiny scraping of the NARS tinted moisturiser left (sad face). I suspect this is an item I will repurchase in the future, although at the moment I am determined to make my next purchase a foundation rather than a tinted moisturiser. The Maybelline 24h Color Tattoo in Permanent Taupe is my most recent purchase. I must have super greasy lids as this creases on me if I don't wear it over a primer. I was disappointed by this, as I was hoping to use it as a primer on its own under eyeshadow.

Finally, I thought I'd share what's kept me away from beauty blogging - knitting! I graduated from crochet to knitting, so that I could make some cute dresses for Miss MB and then I just couldn't stop. Once I got the hang of it, I found knitting very relaxing and browsing wool and patterns is just as addictive for me as buying taupe eyeshadows. Unfortunately, it's impossible to blog and knit at the same time.

My colour choices in wool are freakishly similar to my taste in eyeshadows as you can probably see. Above is the Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light wool which I've just purchased from Loop Knitting to make a Vector Wrap (link to the pattern on Ravelry). Don't you think those colours would make a pretty eyeshadow palette?! Are their any other keen knitters out there?

DISCLOSURE: The RBR Magnitude Mascara and Vichy Idealia BB cream were received as PR samples.

A/W Style Update with Katy Dyer

I've mentioned before that, having followed London MakeUp Girl's colour analysis experience, I've become intrigued by professional colour advice myself. Although London is accessible for me, I wanted to see what was available closer to home and this is how I first discovered Katy Dyer in Thame. Katy provides colour analysis using the Colour Me Beautiful system but she also offers services beyond colour, including style advice, full image makeovers and wardrobe overhauls. As well as these one to one sessions, Katy runs workshops like the one I attended last night, which offer advice on updating your wardrobe with key trends and colour for the season. These group session are accessible to everyone, irrespective of whether or not you already know your personal colour palette.

I don't consider myself very fashion conscious these days, my magazine reading is pretty much none existent, so I found the digest of key trends and colours very useful. As always, I homed in on the 'universal colours' for the season as these are handy if you're unable to self-identify with a particular colour group. Many of this seasons universal colours involved pairings that are traditionally considered to be colour faux pas; such as wearing blue and green together or pink and red. During the presentation, Katy offered some specific tips on how to wear the key trends according to your body shape. Her advice made sense of why I'd had previous shopping fails with large prints and other similar dressing room nightmares!

We all had opportunity for Katy to show us which of the A/W trend colours would be best suited to our colouring, this included makeup shades as well as fabric. I was draped with a beautiful hot pink and grey from the Cool palette. I might have fallen slightly in love with the grey for the instant surgery it performed on my chin area! I also got to see for myself how hideous a mustard from the Warm palette looked against my complexion. It wasn't a pretty sight.

I came away from the session keen to see if I can pick up on some of this seasons trends in my own little way. The trends that particularly appealed to me were the landscape prints, coloured camouflage, tweed fabrics and I now have sudden desire to invest in a sequin top. As you do. Although I loved the shapes of the fuller skirts and voluminous coats, I know these are unlikely to suit my shape, so I'm happy to admire on others. 

Mary Katrantzou dress from matchesfashion.com

Floria Sweater from Wrap London

Ola t-shirt also from Wrap London

I must share this gem with you that Katy included in the session. Accessories are an easy way to update your existing wardrobe and whilst I love wearing scarves, I'm not very imaginative when it comes to tying them. Katy showed us Liberty's Chiffon Knot tutorial which I'll definitely be trying, I think the scarf in the video is rather lovely too.

The style update has certainly whetted my appetite for more and I will be dropping unsubtle hints about a one to one session for Christmas. Speaking with some of the ladies last night who have already had colour consultations and wardrobe overhauls, it's clearly well worth it. You can find out more about Katy and the services she provides on her website, www.katydyer.com.

Disclosure: I attended the style update as a guest.

A Bit of Crochet and a Catch Up

Long time, no speak! I really don't know where the last few months have gone but I must be honest and say that they haven't included any makeup shopping and barely any lemmings. Instead, my free time has been occupied with lots of book reading, meeting new people and discovering new ways to waste time on the internet hobbies.

Thanks to my local WI (waves at the Tea Birds), I have learnt how to crochet. My principal motivation was not missing out on the opportunity to go to the pub every two weeks for Knit and Natter! I can't claim any particular expertise: I know these things are supposed to be relaxing but I have been known to suffer with yarn rage. However, I managed to keep up on my first crochet course at Purlesence last week and I seem to get as much pleasure poring over expensive wool online, as I did looking at taupe eyeshadow swatches. Who knew?! My current work in progress is a cushion cover made with Noro Silk Garden and I've just bought a knitting pattern (I have no idea if I can actually knit) in the hope of making this rainbow dress for Miss MB. I won't share how long I've wasted looking for the right shade of blue for this particular project. Maybe one day, when I grow up, I will pick a pastime that doesn't hoover up time and money like a vacuum.

Now, if you will forgive me, I want to share a few gratuitous family shots from the summer, as well some other highlights from the last couple of months.

Beale Park

The Summer Pamper Evening

Miss MB's discovers the carousel

Cheese!

The boys

Miss MB's birthday present finally make in onto her wall, only six months late...

I'm not sure whether my makeup blogging mojo will ever return properly. I do still enjoying wearing makeup and watching tutorials, but these days I tend to stick to wearing my tried and trusted staples and I find that's not great for inspiring blog posts.  However, I do have a few things I would like to review, so hopefully dipping my toe in with a bit of general chit chat will help me find my way back. Feel free to share what you've been up to, it would be lovely to catch up on your news too.

Pimping my Pamper Evening

Well, I think this is officially my longest break from blogging since I started. The last couple of months seem to have passed in a blur and I thought it would be nice to share what has been keeping me otherwise engaged, particularly as it's beauty related.

As well as the usual exam invigilating I do at this time of year, I have been busy organising a ladies pamper evening as a fundraiser for my daughter's pre-school. It's the first time I've ever organised an event like this, so I don't mind admitting that I've been learning as I go. The pre-school my daughter attends is a lovely setting and the staff are really dedicated to providing early years education for all children, irrespective of their background and need. They have experience of supporting vulnerable children, which often requires input outside of nursery setting. They also have a well earned reputation for supporting children with additional needs and parents do come outside of catchment to enroll their children. As it isn't a privately run nursery, fundraising events like the pamper evening help with costs of purchasing new equipment, toys and books, as well as enabling them to subsidise educational trips for the children.

As a newbie at event organising, I have a new found appreciation for how much effort it actually takes. I certainly take my hat off to all the PR girls. Embarrassingly, in a bid to avoid using stock imagery for the posters, I created an image that seems to have an unfortunate, how shall I put it...'alternative interpretation'. I will spare your blushes by not expanding any further! With only two weeks to go until the big night, I still have plenty to do and I'm anxious to make sure everything runs smoothly. I really wish that I could suddenly become less shy, as it would make selling tickets much easier. Did I mention I have a sash?!

Of course, you will be unsurprised to learn that I have enlisted the help of friends that I've made through blogging. HelenJNT and I will be running a stall together, Oxford Jasmine will be offering Rebel Nail manicures and Karin of English Rose Cosmetics will be selling her lovely handmade products. I'll be showcasing some beautiful pieces from The Fushigi Shop on my stall because I couldn't miss an opportunity to share. I also want to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to escentual.com for generously donating a prize for the raffle.

I will end with a cheeky little plea. If any of you are in the South Oxfordshire area on 10th July and want to come along, offer your service for a stall or (cheekiest of all) provide a prize for our raffle or lucky dip, do get in touch. Without completely giving away my location, I'm very close to a main train route into London, so you don't even need to be that local to join us.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to reporting how it all goes.

Prime Beauty pays A visit to the Beauty Spotlight Desert Island

It's Prime Beauty's turn to get dumped on the desert island with her 12 must-have products. She's hoping she'll meet a handsome island man who will appreciate her efforts!

Beauty Spotlight 26/05/13

The Pink Sith shows you that it's not a sin to love red lipstick especially when the lipstick is Lipstick Queen Sinner lipstick in Red!

Attention Tom Ford Cheek Color Fanatics- there is a new "Private Blend" to behold! Helen from Lola's Secret Beauty Blog discovered that Frantic Pink+Wicked=Passionate Pink! This union creates a stunning new must-have shade!

Cindy over at Prime Beauty shows you how to stay to cool and look fab at those pool/beach parties this summer with the new Make Up For Ever Summer 2013 Collection!

Win It!!! Enter Pammy Blogs Beauty's Conair Styling Tools Giveaway!

Beauty Info Zone finds that when MAC Cosmetics does something right, they do it right! See what makes Marcia so happy.

Visionary Beauty takes a departure from her natural shades and goes for the brights of the Dior Bird of Paradise Peacock Palette.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed goes ultra glam with her Bourjois Volumizer Ultra Black Mascara - come admire her lashes and see if you think the extra step is worth the results!

Is London Makeup Girl a Saint or a Sinner when she checks out Lipstick Queen's new shade, Fire Red?

15 Minute Beauty shares 12 common sunscreen mistakes and how to fix them!

Jessika is celebrating three years of polish insomniac with giveaways!  You can enter giveaway #1 here!

Perilously Pale has found her new summer pedi polish colour of choice in the OPI Couture de Minnie Collection. This is every pink and red lovers dream, and if you think you aren't a pink and red lover this collection will convert you into one!

Blog Sale inc. RBR, Chanel, MAC and Tom Ford

I've decided that it's time to part with more makeup. This has been the hardest clear out so far as I love many of these things but having so many similar items, I know it's not reasonable to hang on to it all.

As for my previous blog sales, all of the items I am selling have been purchased (or won) by me, I would never sell samples. There are a couple of items towards the end that are marked with an asterisk and these are items that can be added to a bundle but I don't feel it reasonable to sell them individually due to the postage costs. Now for the boring rules bit...

* Paypal only- I must receive payment within 24 hours or the item will be re-listed. Please check that your postal address is correct on Paypal as I will not be able to keep track of requests to post to a different address.

* Postage will be £3.70 and I will be sending packages 2nd Class Signed For as standard. The £3.70 covers small parcels up to a weight of 1kg, so postage is likely to remain the same for multiple items.

* UK only on this occasion, I'm afraid.

* I aim to post packages within 1-2 days of payment.

* No returns or refunds - I have included pictures to show usage and also given an estimate of how much product remains in each case. Please make sure you check swatches and reviews before going ahead with any purchase.

* Either leave me a comment below with the item(s) you are interested in and your Paypal address or email me at modestybrown@googlemail.com with BLOG SALE in the subject and your Paypal address in the email.

* I will invoice you from a different email address- DO NOT PAYPAL ME until you receive my invoice!

W3LL People Narcissist Foundation and Concealer Stick in #1 - £10
There's approximately 75% of the stick left. I have wound it all the way up to show how much there is inside the tube.

Tom Ford lipstick in Smoke Red - £15
Smoke Red is a discontinued colour and it's obviously the older white packaging. I've used this a few times and the TF is no longer visible on the bullet, but there's still a good amount of the lipstick remaining (approx 80-90%).

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Venetian Rose - £11
I have swatched and worn this once, so 95% remains. Comes with original packaging.

RBR Gloss in Secret Places of Love, 80% remaining - £5
RBR Cream Eyeshadow in Batiste Grayling, 80% remaining - £5 - SOLD
RBR Loose Glitter in Caress of Mink, 95% remaining - £13 - SOLD

MAC Lipgloss in Possum Nosed Pink - £5
Possum Nosed Pink was released with the Dame Edna collection. I've had it rather a long time but it's hardly been used and still has the distinctive vanilla scent. The sticker on the lid has lifted on one of the corners.

Inglot Lip Paint in 59, hardly used, 95% remaining. Comes with original box - £2

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Rude, 85-90% of the pan remaining - £6
Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Cancan, used 2-3x times, still has some hetch marks on the pan - £3

Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L207 - £7
It's tricky to estimate the usage in this case as I bought in used condition. I have used it 3-4 x.

MAC eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown, used 4-5x, 90% remaining - £5 - SOLD
MAC eyeshadow in Fig1, used 4-5 x, 90% remaining - £5

Ben Nye Eyeliner in Espresso used 3-4x, 85-90% remaining - £2

BECCA Pressed Shimmer Powder in original box, 95% left - £10

Ben Nye Dura Cover in DV-30 used 2x, 95% remaining - £2
Ben Nye Creme Foundation in Pure Ivory used 2x, 95% remaining - £2

Bundle of loose Shiro Eyeshadows  - £3
Includes the colours: Gengar, Gandorf, Golem, Mewtwo, Epona, Poliwarth and Master Sword. They have hardly been used and most colours have only been swatched.

*Nyx Lip Liner in Mauve, 85% remaining - £1

YSL Chromatics Palette in #3 - £15  SOLD
I have only used this palette a couple of times so 90-95% of the product remains. The pans look a little messy as the shadows can be used wet or dry. I have used a tissue to wipe over the surface of each pan.

Chanel Ombre d'Eau in Splash, 80-85% remaining - £10 - SOLD
*Topshop Crayon in Mystical, 90% remaining - £2 - SOLD

(Left) Ilia Beauty Lipstick in Crimson and Clover used 2-3x, 90-95% remaining - £13 - SOLD

Chanel Quadra in Topkapi - £20 - SOLD
Topkapi was a limited edition quad. I have used this palette 4-5 x, as you can see that the taupe has had the most use however, much of the quilting and C's remain on the pans. The palette is a little dusty from the eyeshadows. The palette comes with the protective guard and velvet pouch.

NARS duo in Grand Palais (on the left) used only 3-4x, 90 - 95% remaining - £15 - SOLD

Shiseido Cream Eyehshadow in Patina - £11 -SOLD
I have worn this 2/3 x so the majority of the pot remains. Comes with original packaging.