Good morning beauties,

Happy hump day! I'm excited to be half way through the week and can't wait to share some exciting beauty related posts with you all later this week.

Recently, I managed to buy lots of the beauty goodies that I didn't manage to buy the past while. Urban Decay is just one of those notorious beauty brands that I fell in love with the first time I ever tried it, and as soon as the Naked 3 pallette and the Naked on the Run pallette was released, I wanted - nay - needed both!

Please excuse the wine in the background, however occassionally needs must. So during the shopping process I bought the Naked on the Run pallette, Naked 3 pallette, Naked Lipgloss in Lovechild and a mini Roller Lash Mascara by Benefit.

I haven't regretted buying any of these beauties and they've fast formed an integral part of my daily beauty routine. If you want me to review any one of these products, just let me know.

What is your beauty lust-haves?

Tal Peleg's Awesome Eyeshadow looks

Hello sexy people,

I've searched high and low for some awesome make-up looks on the internet and came across something spectacular.  The answer came in the form of a super talented make-up artist born in Israel called Tal Peleg.

She creates stunning pieces of mini art with make-up and each piece tells a story.

Check out her work and contact her via her website. I'll let her pieces of art do the talking from now onwards...

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Have a great time

Make-up Trend: Brighten up!

Good morning ladies,

After a few minimalist seasons, the beauty world has again gone crazy for colour. And I say YAY to that. This summer is all about fun, experimental looks so go wild with colour and texture - anything goes. There is one rule though - keep it dramatic!

I've compiled some of my favourite celebrity looks to inspire you to get creative with your eye make-up this season.

Jessie J
A bold blue eyeliner adds drama and impact to brown eye shadow. Try lining your lower lash line with a dark shade.

Nicole Richie
Add a sweep of glittery baby-blue eye shadow to the upper lid to really make your eyes pop.











 

A*M*E
Bright pastel shades look amazing with a sweep of gold.

Kristen Stewart
Highlight green eyes with an aubergine metallic shade swept to the brow bone and on the lower lash line.

Ginnifer Goodwin
OOOh I love this look. Try a baked multi-shade eye shadow containing a mixture of bronze and blue or apply the bronze first and blend with a dab of blue on the centre of the upper lash line.

Taylor Swift
Max out a classic bronze shadow and black eyeliner combo with a dramatic sweep of turquoise liner on the bottom lash line. It makes for a beautiful contrast.

Emily Blunt
Chuck out the rule book and try a fluorescent pink sweep on the upper lid.

Hayley Williams
Bold orange shades look amazing at night time, try a bold line on the top lid.














And those are my picks so all that is left to say is:  EXPERIMENT! Enjoy the bright statement make-up that is out right now, because eventually we'll go back to neutrals.

Bright rainbow happiness,

 

Beauty on a Budget

Hi everyone,

Sorry for not posting so frequently in the past few days - things have been turned upside down!

But I'm coming at you with a really interesting little post for beauty on a budget.  Here is my top picks for getting an entire look for much less than you think!

1. Collection 2000 Naturally Radiant Foundation

This beauty steal from Collection 2000 offers light-to-medium coverage with a lightweight feel. It contains SPF 15 and is transfer-proof for a flawless finish.

Luxury treat:CHANEL Pro Lumiére Professional Finish Make Up

2. Natural Collection Lash Length Mascara

For a lavish lash look, try this mascara that defines and lengthens even the stubbiest of lashes without clumping.

Luxury treat:
Dior Diorshow Mascara 

3. Maybelline Watershine Lip Gloss

You don't need to spend a lot to get a fabulously glossed pout. This one has a gel base and is formulated to give spectacular sparkle and shine without stickiness.

Luxury treat:
Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur Lip Gloss

4. Barry M Blusher

A light dusting of this blusher will go a long way for your complexion. Use it to warm up the apple of your cheeks and apply a dab to the bridge of your nose to create a flattering, warming effect.

Luxury treat:
Benefit Coralista Blusher

5. Miss Sporty Cover Stick

Target your skin bugbears with this concealer that will hide dark circles and blemishes. Use it alone or on top of foundation for that bit of extra coverage.

Luxury treat:
Clinique All About Eyes Airbrush Concealer 

6. Rimmel Soft Kohl Eye Pencil

There's nothing like a swipe or smudge of kohl to define eyes. Leave your line sharp and precise or soften it out with a cotton bud. This soft pencil doesn't disappoint with its long-lasting, jet black pigment-packed colour.

Luxury treat:
Estée Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil

7. NIVEA Visage Daily Essentials Moisturising Day Cream

This moisturiser ticks all the boxes: it contains an SPF, it's easily absorbed and oil-free, so it won't clog your pores. Mix it with foundation to create a light, dewy finish with plenty of moisture, or wear it alone for a fresh look.

Luxury treat:
Clarins HydraQuench Day Cream 

8. 17 Lasting Fix Lipstick

For satin-like lip colour that will go the distance without drying out, take your pick from 17's impressive range of lipsticks. Choose a statement red shade to get more impact for your money.

Luxury treat:
Lancôme Le Rouge Absolue

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

xoxo,

Angelique

Autumn make up trend: Jewel tones

Yes, diamonds are still a girl's best friend (take note, gentlemen) but we're getting better acquainted with the deep, jewel tones that are so hot this season. Rich, luxurious make up shades such as amethyst, emerald and ruby are seriously catching my eye in my local Boots Store and are perfect for creating stunning smoky eyes and statement lips, this autumn and winter. I've selected a few of my favourites to share with you...



Eyes:
Use deep purple shades for a modern twist on the classic smoky eye - Bourjois Smoky Eyes Eye Shadow (£7.99) in Violet Romantic is perfect. Start by applying the medium shade across your whole eyelid before dabbing the lightest shade into the corners. Finish off the look by sweeping the darkest shade outwards, towards the temples and into crease of your eyelid.


Lips:
A strong red lip never goes out of style and I just can't get enough of the gorgeous claret shades that are currently sweeping the fashion nation. This season brings a vampish edge to the look, reminiscent of rubies and garnets - think vintage Hollywood meets gothic glam! Lancome Rouge Absolue 154 (£19.50) is bang on trend as well as being super-moisturising and long-lasting, for a decadent finish.


Nails:
I'm still loving magnetic nail polishes - a sleek, sophisticated nail art look that's easy to achieve? Yes please! Barry M have just added a new emerald shade to their magnetic polish range, it's flecked with sparkles for nails that are just like precious gems - perfect! (Available in store at £4.99).


So with all that said, maybe it is time to get gemmed up?

xoxo,
Angelique ;-)

Halloween looks made easy

Listen up, lazy girls: Halloween doesn't mean you have to settle for spandex Katniss Everdeen garbs (obvious, much?) or worse, some type of animal ears (boring!).

True, planning a unique last-minute Halloween costume can be exhausting -- especially for those of us who like to leave things to the eleventh hour. After all, how original can any costume be when it comes in a plastic bag? The only real way to ensure you'll be one-of-kind is to do it yourself.

Therein lies the problem though, right? DIY usually means days of sewing and gluing. The exact opposite of a last-minute solution.

Which is why I've rounded up some amazing Halloween makeup ideas that don't require anything except some lipstick, eyeliner, and face paint. Don't worry, these aren’t your typical green-face witch or oh-so-tired cat whiskers. Nope, I gathered some of my favorite, fresh Halloween makeup tips from Pinterest. Keep reading to see how you can stop stressing and find this year's Halloween costume.

Batman makeup

This hand-drawn mask is infinitely more comfortable than its heavy, plastic counterpart. Not only does the iconic symbol obviously ID that you are indeed Batman -- even if you're not wearing the long cap or rubber onesie -- but you only need one item to create it: black face paint.

Pop art makeup

Here's the perfect last-minute solution for all you artsy types: create a unique Litchenstein masterpiece on your face. To keep the look really authentic, add large blue tears under your eyes and act really lovelorn -- lots of sighs and eyelash batting -- to complete the emo effect.

Dia de los Muertos makeup

If you're a makeup pro, I've got the ultimate challenge for you. How about trying your hand at creating a Day of the Dead skull? The best part is there are no rules to this look and you can add as many colors, stitches, and flowers as you want. Although this effect will probably take some time, the pay-off is that everyone will be in such awe of your makeup skills, no one will notice the lack of costume from the neck down.

Doll & puppet makeup

Here's a look that takes less than 30 minutes. The real trick is exaggerating a rosy flush by piling on cheek tint into two neat circles and drawing two lines on your chin to represent the drop-jaw. Dolls can also add patches of defined freckles and doe-like eyes (waterline with lots of white liner!). Pinocchio impersonators should go for exaggerated facial hair -- in this case a cute mustache worked just fine.

Zombie makeup

There is a delicate balance to pulling off a zombie look that is scary without being too grotesque. Try updating the traditional white face paint with a creepy Frankenstein green or a corpse-like gray color. Then, add a few veins, over-the-top raccoon eyes, a splash of fake blood here and there, and boom -- you're the walking dead. Although a dark statement lip works, you can also try a chalky gray hue on your lips, too.

This is great and will really make the difference in a great costume vs a regular store-bought one.  I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

xoxo,

Angelique

17 Eyeliner Studio: Tattoo Me

Tattoo Me is the fabulous semi-permanent eyeliner from 17's new Eyeliner Studio range. As one of the only products of its kind available on the high street, I just couldn't wait to test it out!

This is a great buy if you want an edgy, dramatic party look - check out Boot's how to video below for tips on creating a statement, winged-effect line. Lasting up to 48-hours, you can be sure your liner will last through to the after party but this staying power means it also takes a bit of effort to remove it - your pillow's definitely not going to do the job for you! But fear not beauty lovers; they've included a little section at the end to show you the best technique to avoid sore, puffy eyes - the secret's in an oil-based eye make up remover, I love No7's Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover.

So, take a look and get experimenting for yourself!

xoxo,
Angelique

17 Blemish Balm BB Cream SPF25

So I thought I was pretty happy with my usual BB Cream when the latest blemish balm wonder cream from 17 landed in the shops...

For as long as I can remember, I've been sticking to oil-free face make up for fear of aggravating my blemish-prone skin, but the 17 Blemish Balm BB Cream (SPF25) goes one step further and promises to improve my skin within four weeks! How can I resist a claim like that?


This latest BB cream contains ingredients such as salicylic acid, to help clear blemishes. My main concern with salicylic acid is that while it does clear your skin, it also dries it out. But those beauty brains at 17 have thought this through, and created a moisturising formulation that leaves your skin with a hydrated dewy finish, while the blemish-fighting components get to work!

I've been using the cream for two weeks now and I have to say it's amazing! Initially I was a bit shocked at the colour - I've opted for the medium shade for my yellow-toned skin, but the consistency of the cream is like an orangey/beige. Once you've smoothed it onto your skin though, it blends almost seamlessly. I just can't get over the perfectly-even coverage it provides and even though it hasn't been the full four weeks, I'm definitely noticing an improvement in the condition of my skin - thanks 17!

 

The shades that this BB Cream comes in is:  light, medium and medium dark.  They sell for £6.99, which is not shabby at all.

IF you visit Boots at the moment they are currently holding a 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics and nail products.  So you can step away with a right bargain!

Have a great weekend.

xoxo,

Angelique

 

Things To Love In October

October has arrived ... along with a bunch of great new beauty products. From nail polish kits to entire cosmetic collections, the beauty world has a lot of great offerings this month, and they're all about making a statement. This month, you can turn your nails into a disco ball with a fun sequin manicure, paint your lips Marilyn Monroe red with one brand's newest venture, and perfect the cat eye without dealing with eyeliner. To see just what I'm talking about take a look inside.

Along with the regular batch of new products, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every year beauty brands create limited edition products, and donate money to breast cancer research in exchange for your purchase. But with so many out there, how do you know which products to buy? You just check out my top two picks inside.

And who can forget Halloween! To get in the spooky spirit, I've gathered a few products that you'll need to have this holiday, like spider nail stencils and "Monster Mash" nail polishes. It might be only one day out of the month, but something tells me you'll love these products year round.

Ciate's Sequin Manicure

Ciate takes the cake when it comes to inventive manicures. After all, they did create the caviar and the velvet mani. This month, Ciate is back with a brand new nail kit. It's the sequin manicure, £15, and I am in love. Available in three different versions -- Harlequin (multi-colored), Tutu (pink, red, and champagne) and Super Duper (black, silver, and gold) -- these sequins have just the right amount of sparkle, making them perfect for the upcoming holiday season. The only problem will be deciding which version to choose.

The Colossal Cat Eye

Creating an amazing cat eye isn't the easiest skill to master. Besides a great eyeliner, you need a steady hand (and lots of patience) to get that iconic look. Luckily, it just got easier with The Colossal Cat Eyes Volum' Express Mascara, £7.99, from Maybelline New York. With a claw brush and a collagen-infused formula, it coats and separates your lashes while extending them outward. This means that next time you can skip the eyeliner and apply a few coats of this new mascara to recreate that feline vibe.

Sultra's Temptress Power Dryer

When it comes to great hair tools, Sultra knows a thing or two. I'm already a huge fan of their curved flat irons and rod curling irons, especially the Bombshell Cone, £100. This month signals Sultra's latest release, the Temptress Power Dryer, £150.

Just what makes this hair dryer so special? It uses an advanced drying system that produces tons of infrared rays and negative ions -- great for drying your hair in lightning speed while defending it against heat damage at the same time. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Revlon Sweetly Sinister Nail Art Stencils

Nail art is about to get a lot easier. Revlon has just released a line of Nail Art Stencils, £4.50 each, with designs perfect for Halloween. This Sweetly Sinister collection features spiders, skulls, stars, and even funny little moustaches. All you have to do is stick one of the stencils onto your nail (bare or with dry enamel), then paint over it with polish. Once dry, simply peel off the stencil, leaving behind your own tiny masterpiece. Now you have to decide: Sinister or sweet?

Nars Andy Warhol Collection

We're used to seeing Nars Cosmetics in its signature matte black packaging, but that's all about to change. This month marks the release of the Pop Art line from the Nars Andy Warhol Collection, and the makeup (along with the packaging) is as vibrant as the pop artist himself.

The Pop Art line includes eyeshadows, lip glosses, and nail polishes in fun, playful colors. (I'm in love with the purple "New York Dolls" nail polish shade!) Plus, the makeup comes in Warhol-inspired packaging, like a soup can container covered in the famous "Interview" lips. In November Nars will release the second half of the collection, called The Factory, which features a more subdued palette than the Pop Art line -- even more to look forward to.

Stila Courage and Beauty Travel Palette

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Stila Cosmetics are showing their support with a new beauty palette. The Stila Courage and Beauty Travel Palette, £12, may look tiny, but it comes with a wide variety of products, including five matching eyeshadows, a lip and cheek tint, and a small mirror. And if you're unsure about how to use them, the product comes with a face chart to help you out. But the best part is that for each palette purchased, £1 of the proceeds will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Shopping never felt so good.

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection

Andy Warhol isn't the only pop culture icon to get a makeup collection. This month, MAC is releasing its limited edition Marilyn Monroe Collection. The collection contains 30 pieces and features eyeshadows, nail polishes, lipsticks, eyeliners and much more, each packaged in famous Marilyn imagery. (Products range from £10 to £30.) With these products, you can get Marilyn's famous red pout or recall her Hollywood glam vibe with shimmery pale eyeshadows. And with names like "Preferred Blonde," "Deeply Adored," and "Charmed I'm Sure," you'll have just as much fun memorizing all the shades.

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbet

Missing summer's warm rays? This fall, reclaim your sun-kissed cheeks with Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbet, £18.12. This peachy-hued powder will add a nice shimmery glow to your cheeks, and can double as an eyeshadow if needed. And this is another purchase you can feel good about: For each blush sold, £2.20 will go to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Orly Spellbound Collection

Spider nail art isn't the only way to show your Halloween spirit. Orly has created the Spellbound Collection, £8.50 per polish, just in time for the holiday. The four polishes include "Liquid Vinyl" (a rich black), "Monster Mash" (glittery green), "Right Amount of Evil" (glittery orange), and "R.I.P" (a glittery red and black mix). You can wear the glitter polish alone for a sheer effect, or layer over the black polish for a darker vibe. I don't know about you, but these hues have me extra excited for Halloween.











These are nine reasons to absolutely love October and embrace the colder weather.  Sure, it gets darker sooner at night, and sure we're having to start switching on the heating...but what a fabulous collection of new beauty products to tittelate our tastebuds!

Have an absolutely stunning day.

xoxo,
Angelique