FOTD: Girl About Purple!!

Hi there Lovelies!

This week i had a bit of a fail with my normal hair dye... Long story short i got a little fed up and decided to slap some purple on! While the purple was short lived due to being extremely high maintenance, I thought I'd share my favourite makeup look from this week! Even though I'm back to boring ol' blonde now I am still adoring Mac's Girl About Town lipstick, how was i this late on the bandwagon? Anyways, onto whats on my face!

Eyes

MUA - Eye Primer

Makeup Revolution - Waterproof Eyeliner

Urban Decay - Naked Basics

Smashbox - Hyperlash Mascara

Anastasia - Ash Blonde Brow Duo

Lips

Nyx - Edge Pink Lip Liner

Mac - Girl About Town Lipstick

Face

Smashbox - Photofinish Primer

MAC - Studio Fix Foundation

Nars - Laguna Bronzer

Maybelline - Dream Lumi Concealer

Nars - Light Reflecting Loose Powder

MAC - Dame Blush

It's not even been a day back blonde and I'm already missing my bright hair. Sigh. Next time I'll invest in some actual light purple dye rather than my slightly shoddy DIY hot purple and conditioner creation!

What has your favourite lipstick been this week?

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FOTD: A Little Nakedness

I'm talking about the palette of course...

Being a glasses wearer I've shied away from shadow the past few months so i thought it was about time i cracked one of the many palettes I've splurged on in the last few months out. Pulled out of the stash was Naked 3! I decided to try and opt for a more wearable day time look and for now I'm pretty smitten with this palette. Anyway onto the look!

Eyes:

 Urban Decay Naked 3 - Trick, Dust, Strange and Factory.

Mua - Eye Primer

Elf - Black Liquid Eyeliner

Tarte - Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Tarte - Brow Pencil in Taupe

Lips:

Fresh - Lip Balm

MAC - Wonderstruck Lustreglass

Face:

L'oreal - True Match Foundation

Nars - Orgasm Illuminator

Nars - Laguna Bronzer

Nars - Light Reflecting Setting Powder

Maybelline - Age Rewind Concealer

MUA - Lolly Blush

Oh and I am actually wearing clothes in these pictures, my hair just covers the straps, so no actual nakedness lol. I'll be playing around with more day time looks over the next few weeks and will be sure to post some of my favourites.

What palettes have you been loving lately?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

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January / February Favourites!

Ello Lovelies!

I'm not one for monthly favourites but this year I'm making an effort to make them a bi-monthly occurrence. And the first one would be a tad late... Ooops! I've been changing up my daily stash every week or so to make sure i work through the unloved gems in my collection and these are the things I've been loving the past 2 months!

L'oreal Lumi Magique Foundation - Rose Pearl

This was a new purchase and I reached for it quite a bit over the last month or so. I don't generally have much luck with "drugstore" foundations, but this one is a beauty! Medium coverage with that lit from within glow, really beautiful! I'll be posting a full review soon.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment 

A long time ago, i managed to snag the Sephora birthday gift that included two mini Sugar lip balms and I've been hooked ever since. On my trip to London in January I dragged my boyfriend on a mission to find the Fresh store just so i could pick another one of these up. Priced at £18 they are extremely expensive but are honestly the best lip balms I've ever tried!

Benefit Hello Flawless Powder - Shell

I used up a whole one when they were first released and never got round to repurchasing due to having far, far too many powders in my collection. I was lucky enough to get one for Christmas this year. Its a fuller coverage powder that really does give a flawless finish, its up there with my MAC Studio Fix Powder as an all time favourite.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer - Brightener

Sadly, we can't get this shade in the UK (just like the Radiance shade of Dream Lumi, HMPH!) but i absolutely love it. Perfect for brightening under the eyes and highlighting the face. MAYBELLINE! We need this shade in the UK, K?!

 

Tarte Emphaseyes Brow Pencil - Taupe

This has been so well loved that all the writing has rubbed off. Priced at $19.50 this isn't the cheapest of brow pencils but i absolutely adore it. Its the perfect taupe shade for my blonde hair and has a great little spooley brush on one end for taming them. I'll be interested to see if QVC gets these and their pricing because i fear this is getting near the end.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara

As you can see, i love me some Tarte. I was lucky enough to be sent over one of the QVC Tarte TSV's at the end of last year by a lovely lady in a makeup group i am in and it included two of these babies. Like all mascaras, i wasn't a fan at first. But after a few days it really grew on me. It can go clumpy if you aren't careful to wipe off the excess on the brush but it gives amazing volume!

Nars Guy Bourdin Blush Palette

Rather than tease you with something that's no longer available, I'm actually loving one of the permanent shades in this palette. Deep Throat (giggles). Childish behaviour aside, it is a beautiful blush that I've been wearing most days for the last month. A subtle peachy pink that just gives a fresh looking wash of colour!

It was hard to narrow down to just these 7 items but i don't think I've featured any of them in previous favourites so a win for me!

What have you been loving this month?

Let me know!

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Blog Sale!

Hey Lovelies!

With my low buy in full swing this year i thought I'd do a small blog sale to clear out any of my unloved items. This way someone else might be able to show them a little more love than i have. Many have just been swatched with the rest being used just a handful of times and I'll detail the usage on each item. 

 

Sadly i am doing this UK only due to postage fees and postage will be £3 for the first item and 50p each additional makeup item and £1 for the nail polish. Royal Mail state i can only send 4 polishes at a time so if you are interested in the duos i will have to post anything above 4 separately with additional postage. I will happily do discounts on postage for multiple items. All payments must be made as a gift through Paypal to katiexlou@live.com and all items will be posted within 3 working days. No returns.

If you see something you like or have any questions just leave me a comment below and I'll get back to you asap. Happy shopping!

Mac Hue Lipstick - Used x1 - £7 SOLD

Mac Fresco Rose Paint Pot (LE) - Swatched - £7 SOLD

Mac Heat Element Mineralized Duo (LE) - Swatched with box - £7 SOLD

Mac Pink Split Mineralized Duo (LE) - Swatched - £7 SOLD

Mac Love Alert Dazzleglass - Used x1 -  £7 

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Libido - Used x2 - £5 SOLD

Illamasqua Powder Blush in Panic - Used x4 - £5 SOLD

Illamasqua Powder Blush in Thrust - Used x4 - £5  SOLD

YSL Glossy Stain in 14 - Used x1 - £10

Inglot Gel Liner in 86 - Used x2 - £5

Inglot Pearl Lipstick in 188 - Used x1  - £5

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Platinum Pink (LE) - Used x5 - £12 SOLD

NYX For Your Eyes Only in Smokey Eyes - Used x4 - £3

 

 Laura Geller Gel Liner in Black - Brand New - £3

Jemma Kidd Lipgloss in Perfect Red - Swatched - £2

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss in Punch Bowl - Swatched - £2

 

 Sleek Palette in Morocco (LE) - Swatched / Green used x3 - £4

Sleek Palette in Original - Swatched -  £3 PENDING

Sleek Palette in Acid - Swatched - Burgundy shade used x3 - £3 PENDING

Wet n Wild Trio in I'm Feeling Retro - Swatched - £2

Wet n Wild Trio in Don't Steal My Thunder - Swatched - £2

Wet n Wild Trio in Spoiled Brat - Swatched - £2

Nars Pierre Hardy Polish Duos (LE) - £11 per duo or 2 for £20

Most brand new, few swatched.

Easy Walking

Sharplines

Sharks

Ethno Run

Vertebra

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Nars One Night Stand Review

Hii Lovelies!  

I'd been itching to post this review for some time now. This ended up being a Christmas pressie from my lovely Grandma, but I chose it so having to wait so long to get it was tough! Now as far as i can see this has sadly sold out in the UK online, but you may be able to pick it up in stores still so keep your eyes peeled!

This is my second blush palette from Nars as i fell in love with my gorgeous Danmari palette last year. It contains six shades; 4 blushes, a bronzer and a highlighter and has a repeat of last years palette in Orgasm. But as I've actually hit pan on my single Orgasm blush this doesn't bother me, i love the shade! I'm happy to see the inclusion of Laguna this year, another shade I've hit pan on because last year's palette had Casino which is much too dark for my pale complexion. 

It boasts six gorgeous shades including three of their best sellers Laguna, Orgasm and Deep Throat. I own and love the first two but was dying to try out Deep Throat and the other shades Devotee: a gorgeous pearly highlighter, Mistinguette: the rather frightening baby pink shade (it looks much nicer on the skin) and lastly Goulue: which to me is what you'd get if you mixed Sin and Orgasm... Winter perfection! 

 

As per usual Nars blushes do not disappoint, however as usual my swatches do not do it justice what so ever. I've been reaching for Goulue the most over the past few weeks, its just beautiful!

At £45 it is a bit of a splurge but well worth it if you're the type of person to never work through an entire blush. If you can get your hands on it i highly recommend picking this absolute beauty up!

What is your favourite Nars blush?

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A/W Lust List

Its been a long time since I've posted one of these and I've had my eye on quite a few goodies lately but sadly i am a no buy. Will power wise I'm doing well so far... But here is a few of the bits I'm desperate to get my paws on lately!

1. Elf Goodies

Elf UK currently have a 50% off sale and i am sat here twitching wanting to place an order... They've released quite a few new things since my last order and I'd like to grab a more wearable shade of their HD Blush because I'm loving the one i have already formula wise, its just too bright! In theory i could place a small order just for the blush, but the whole free shipping thing over £30 spend gets me every time...

2. Nars One Night Stand Palette - £45

I need it. Space NK is the only store with it left as far as i can see and the collector in me is going totally nuts over it. I was lucky enough to be gifted the Damnari palette for Christmas last year and i ADORE it. Yes, i already own two of the shades but I've hit pan on them so this is totally justifiable right?

3. MUA Velvet Lips

 I've been stalking my local Superdrug for these for a good few weeks. The displays are up but no stock. I will be getting my hands on these beauties when they finally get them in store!

4. Bubbi Brush Set - £54

Beauty Guru Bubbi has her own brush range and these look super cute! I've had my eye on them since their release but i just can't justify new brush right now... damn.

5. Michael Kors Large Black Studded Selma - £320 ish

My student overdraft breathed a sigh of relief when i saw that this isn't available on any site in the UK currently (if you see it, let me know!). This bag is gorgeous and there is something about it that makes me irrationally want to buy it. Its a real high end splurge but in comparison with other leather designer bags the price really isn't that bad. I've been considering getting the 13in tote from the Apple store website but it just isn't as pretty.

6. Origins Best of Ginger - £45

I love Origins, i love ginger scents but i can't be buying Christmas gift sets my myself! Origins have some lovely gift sets as always this Christmas at all price points, so if you're looking for a beauty gift, check them out!

So that's it! All the pretty things I'd love to buy, but can't. Some of these will probably end up in my Christmas Gift Guide posts (early thinker, i know!) which will be up soon!

What have you been lusting over lately?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Nars Ride Up To The Moon Palette - Review

 

Hii Lovelies!

Another Nars review for you lot today!

I'm a big lover of all things Nars and as soon as i clapped eyes on two of their fall release palettes i knew i had to have them. Well, i was a little restrained and only picked up the one... hmph! The two palettes are Ride Up To The Moon which is what I'll be reviewing today, which is a gorgeous tiny (really, its the smallest eye shadow palette I've ever seen) palette that features six earthy hues. I'm a sucker for golds and bronzes, so this palette was right up my alley. The second palette which i passed on (sob) was a more cooler toned purple/grey collection which i knew i wouldn't get as much use of and i think is now sold out as i couldn't find it on the Nars website.

Lets just skip back to the previous section for a second, this palette is small, really small. Silly me forgot to photograph this next to Nars Laguna bronzer because there really isn't too much in the size difference, this fits neatly in the palm of my hand. You get 6g of shadow in total, which putting it that way isn't horrendous, but as this is my first experience with Nars shadows so i was just a little shocked! Priced at £32 it isn't too pricey for Nars but considering the size it still isn't budget friendly either way. Sometimes i think my bank balance weeps.

Out of all the shades i believe only one is limited edition which is Argentina, the top left shade and is probably my favourite out of the bunch. If i could own 50 champagney eyeshadows, i would. The colour selection in this is simply stunning (my love of earthy tones leaves me a little biased though) and next time i travel this will be the palette thrown in my makeup bag. The lighter shades work perfectly for day time looks with a slick of liquid eyeliner and the darker browns are perfect for creating a more evening appropriate smokey eye and the green to add that pop of colour... Perfect! The small size actually acts a plus for travel too.

Top row: Argentina, Isolde, Night Porter.

Bottom Row: Biarritz, Fez, Cordura.

As you can see the pigmentation and colour pay off is beautiful, i just wish Cordura was a little more pigmented as i feel the need to use a deeper matte black for smokey eyes when using this palette. Honestly, I've not much used the Night Porter (the green shade) yet, which is odd since I'm drawn to greens, buy a ton of them and just never wear them! But the other shades... oooft I'm in love! With the weather turning colder the warmer browns will be getting a ton of day use I'm sure. But I'm actually a little scared of running out of Argentina, it is beautiful and works for so many looks!

As first impressions go, I'm pretty smitten with these shadows. I was kinda hoping to not love them because Nars isn't the cheapest and i know full well I'm going to lust over future collections, I've even got my eye on a couple of single and duos.... ooops!

Ride Up To The Moon is limited edition, so if you like the look of it i recommend picking it pretty soon so you're not left disappointed like many wanting the And God Created Woman Palette (like me). So if you're looking for a bit of a shadow splurge I'd highly recommend giving these beauties a little swatch!

You can buy this at Nars counters and online here.

Have you tried any Nars eye shadows?

Feel free to recommend me your favourites! 

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Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder - Review

Hiii Lovelies!

I've been on a little bit of a Nars kick lately so this is just one of the products I'll be reviewing in the coming weeks. I first spotted this little gem on Temptalia and after reading the rave review i knew i had to have it, I'm normally a pressed powder kinda gal but the loose offering recieved all round better reviews so i thought I'd purchase and test it out for myself.

 "Enhances the look of foundation without a trace of color and prolongs makeup wear. This invisible silky powder is infused with Photochromic Technology to diffuse light and adjust to new sources of light throughout the day. Fine lines, wrinkles and pores optically fade as skin is visibly smoothed. Soft, silky and luxurious to the touch, this weightless formula applies evenly and blends effortlessly. Ideal for touch-ups, it helps regulate shine and seamlessly sets foundation.Paraben-free. Fragrance-free. Non-Comedogenic." (Source: Narscosmetics.co.uk)

I love a good powder but i generally have quite dry skin so a lot of them really do not like me. For nights out i prefer a matte finish but a lot of powders will cling to dry areas and show up like a sore thumb so finding one that works great and works well with my skin type can be a real pain in the bum. So what did i think of this one?

I think i may have found my holy grail powder.

I apply this with my Real Techniques Powder Brush to set my liquid foundations and it applies like a dream. I use a small amount and press it into the areas i need it and buff it out ever so slightly. It really does give a diffused look to the skin that I wouldn't be able to describe eloquently enough. It mattifies without looking harsh or heavy and leaves my skin looking flawless. It even manages to make my pores look less defined on my cheeks, I absolutely love it. Priced at £25 it is a little bit of a splurge but i have nothing in my collection that rivals this in the slightest, it has a different texture to my much loved Elf HD powder that when going back to that feels almost heavy. I imagine this will last me quite a while when used with a light hand so i look at it as more as an investment.

Overall i think if you're looking for a new powder this is one to definitely consider. It'll be a repurchase for me for sure when this runs out and i can happily say I've ended my quest for the perfect setting powder for my skin type... But knowing me I'll be on the constant look out for a drugstore or high street alternative to keep an eye on my pennies!

Priced at £25 this is available online and from Nars counters.

What is you're favourite Nars product?

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They see me haulin'...

 

I may have purchased some things....

This is my not so little collective haul that has been building up for a good 6 - 8 weeks. It wasn't until i put everything together i realised how much I've actually spent lately.... ooops!

Needless to say I'm on a bit of a ban now, but my gosh those Mac Retro Matte lipsticks look gorgeous. Anyways! I thought I'd share with you today the beauty bits and bobs that I've been spending my pennies on lately. My bank account is well and truly weeping...

 


CK One Shock for Her - £29.99 for 299ml

Sometimes i overlook fragrances purely because the bottle doesn't appeal to me, shows how much we actually depend on packing to sell us things! But i randomly had a little sniff of this beauty in Debenhams the other week and fell in love! The £55 price tag put me off slightly and i managed to find this online for a much more affordable £29.99. I'll be reviewing this in full very soon so won't go into detail on it but its an overly sweet, fruity fragrance so its definitely my cup of tea! Just need to buy a Travalo now since I'm not lugging around this massive 200ml bottle!

Viva La Juicy Noir - £56 for 100ml 

I'd amounted a ton of Debenhams points, they needed spending, so this is what i got! I'm a big fan of the regular Viva La Juicy fragrance and this one is even sweeter. Needless to say, I'm a fan! Full review again coming up soon! I even nabbed some cheeky extra bonus points (from spending points, i know, brilliant!) and a free gift.

I love me some Disney. I also love me a sale so i just couldn't resist these little beauties! I picked up two lip glosses (says the girl who doesn't generally like gloss) for mere £1.50 each! They had a ton of shades but i just couldn't leave The Little Mermaid ones there, could i?! I also snagged two of their four pan palettes in Midnight Hour and Enchanted kiss which are a neutral and a smokey grey/blue palette. These remind me SO much of the Sugarpill palettes in packaging and pan size. These were reduced to a ridiculous £3 each down from £12, BARGAIN!

Repurchases!

You all know I'm a big Korean BB Cream fan and I was running out of both of my favourites so i decided to stock up! You can find these from this eBay seller or if you're not a fan of eBay KC Beautique stock them in the UK at very reasonable prices!

Sugarpill Asteria Pigment

A lovely lady in a makeup group I'm part of picked up a few extras of these while they were on sale, so i just had to! It is gorgeous! If you'd like a review let me know!

Benefit Rockateur Blush £23.50

I jumped on the Rockateur bandwagon, can't wait to test this little beauty out!

MAC Lipsticks £9

My CCO had some good shit! All the boxed products are from my CCO and i was gobsmacked to actually see they had some stuff in stock i wanted. Pink Pigeon and Party Parrot lipstick? Yes please! We all know how much i love my mattes. I also picked up two of the Archies Girl lipsticks from another lovely lady in my makeup group who was destashing. I'd lusted over these when they were released, so i couldn't pass them up this time! The shades are Daddy's Little Girl and Betty Bright. Its safe to say i DO NOT NEED any more MAC lipsticks, or lipsticks in general for that matter!

MAC Pressed Pigment in Light Touch £11

Bit of an impulse buy. It reminds me slightly of the much moaned about UD eyeshadow Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (which i actually adore). Its a very odd texture and apparently meant to be used as a highlighter. But this glorious, glittery mess will be going all over me lids!

Mac Blush in Immortal Flower £12

Another impulse buy.... I just can't help myself. I only actually own one Mac blush in Dollymix so i thought this was a good opportunity to rectify this. This and the pressed pigment were both CCO finds.

Nars Ride Up To The Moon Palette £31

Did i need this? No. Was i enticed by the gorgeous goldish neutrals... yes. I'm weak, okay?! This is my first delve into Nars eye shadows, I'm kinda hoping i don't like them because they are expensive and my god this palette is tiny. Such beautiful colours though! Full review coming soon.

Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder £25

I lusted, i lusted, i lusted, i got it.

I'm a sucker for anything mango scented or anything tropical really. I can't remember exact prices for these as I think there were multiple offers on at the Body Shop at the time i purchased. If you're a fan of mango i well suggest you go have a sniff.

Phew! That's it!

SPENDING BAN TIME.

 (We'll see how long that actually lasts....)

What have you lot been buying lately?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

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