Makeup Look: 80's Inspired Eyes!

Hi!

I have another makeup look today, one that I was inspired to do from photos of makeup from the 80's!

It was so fun to do this, I really love just being able to sit down and have a play with bright colours. It's not really a wearable look...but who only wants to ever do wearable looks?!

This was also an excuse for me to use my blue mascara that I got a while ago as a sample :)

 

Products used:

 

NYX Eyeshadow Base in White

MUA Liquid Liner Shade 5

No.7 Extreme Length Mascara in Iridescent Sapphire (yes, it's blue mascara! :D )

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero

Fraulein 38 120 Pro Palette

 

 

 

 

First I used the NYX base with a synthetic brush all over the lid to give the super bright shadows something to cling onto. I used the bright, fuscia pink from the 120 palette on the outer half and then blended the shimmery blue together on the inner half.

 I think blue and pink for me just scream 80's makeup and how often do you get to put those two together?? :)

I took the purple and blended it into the crease and slightly below the bottom lash line.

I used the slightly shimmery white as a highlight.

I lined the outer half of my top lash line with the MUA liquid liner as I noticed in a lot of photos the liner was quite harsh and I wanted to keep the liner as close to the lash line as possible so it didn't detract from the blue & pink on the lids.

I also lined my waterline with the UD liner.

And then I topped it off with the No.7 blue mascara!

 

While I didn't actually buy the mascara (I got it in a free sample) it was still fun to use because I've never really been able to use it for much because it's not the sort of thing you can throw on for school!

 

Plus a bonus picture of our 12 week old Collie cross puppy! :)

I think this photo just emphasizes his massive ears...he hasn't grown into them yet!

 

 

Anyway, this was a really fun look to do! Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reading

Libby x

 

5 Different Looks With The UD Naked Palette!

Hi!
 

When the Naked palette came out from Urban Decay, I told myself I wasn't going to buy it. I told myself it was too expensive just for eye shadows. I did manage to hold off buying it for a long time until I found myself reading reviews and seeing swatches and...well...I caved.

 

And I'm very glad I did!

 

Now I have my palette (along with a large percentage of the population) I decided that I had to promise to myself to get good use out of it, something that I feel I have achieved!

Although I am aware that it can be a little tricky working out really different looks that can be created using this, so I thought I'd compile a little list of 5 different looks to hopefully inspire some people!

 

 

 

 

Look how pretty! :)

 

Here's a really quick run down of the colours for reference:

 

Virgin: Soft, satin finished cream

Sin: Shimmery champagne

Naked: Matte light/mid brown

Sidecar: Cool toned light brown with shimmer & some small glitter

Buck: Matte mid brown

Half Baked: Shimmery, intense gold

Smog: Shimmery deep bronze

Darkhorse: Darker brown colour with some gold flecks

Toasted: Dusty pink/rose wit some shimmer

Hustle: Cool taupe colour with some shimmer & hints of purple

Creep: Black base colour with gold sparkle

Gunmetal: Blue toned deep silver

 

 

Just thought I'd quickly mention a couple of my favourite shades: Virgin is my favourite highlight colour ever and the only shade here I've hit pan on. Half Baked is simply beautiful. Smog works great with my blue eyes. Sin makes a pretty, simple light everyday look.

 

Ok, onto the looks!

 

 

Look 1: Soft & Smudged

 

 

 

 

For this look after putting on a primer and NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in milk on my very inner corner (I have a lot of darkness & veins around my eyes) I used the colour Sin on the inner half of my lid and Toasted on the outer half.

I lined my top lash line with the Urban Decay 247 liner in Zero and topped that with the shadow Creep.

I took a pencil brush and blended this out until it looked really soft and smudged.

I blended Virgin under the brow bone and inner corner and finally as a finishing touch I added a tiny bit of the colour Half Baked on the lower lash line, just near the inner corner for just a pop of gold :)

 

Look 2: Sultry & Smoked

 

 

 

For this one I wanted to make the look a little more smokey!

I primed my lids and added the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk again to the inner corner.

I then used Sidecar on the inner half of the lid and then Creep to the outer half of the lid and then blended it to make it smokier.

This time when I did this, I blended out the Creep shade quite a lot but you could easily pack more onto the lid for a really intense look to make it darker!

I also smudged a bit of Sin just on the inner half but on the lower lashline.

I blended Virgin as my highlight on the inner corner and below the brow bone.

Then I used the UD 24/7 liner in Zero on the bottom water line and added mascara!

 

Look 3: Beautiful & Bronzed

 

 

 

*Sigh*

It is SO hard to get these colours to show up as vibrant on camera as they are in real life.

This is one of my favourite looks to do with this palette...Definitely one of my go-to looks!

I really love doing bronze/gold smokey eyes!

I primed my lids...added NYX pencil...etc. See above for details ;)

I used the colour Sin just on the very inner third but then used Half Baked for most of the middle third of the lid, blending into the Sin shade.

I then packed the colour Smog on the outer half of the lid....I think this colour works really well with the blue in my eyes!

I then added a small amount of Darkhorse to the crease and blended this out.

I once again used Virgin as a highlight.

I lined my bottom lash line with the 24/7 liner in Zero and then also decided to add some winged liner for something a little different. I used the Soap & Glory Super Cat liquid liner and then finished with mascara!

 

 

Look 4: Dark & Dramatic

 

 

For this look I wanted to create something quite dramatic!

After priming etc I first applied Gunmetal all over the lid and then used the 24/7 liner in zero to create the shape around the outer v, sort of like a cat eye shape. I then filled this in with the liner and then topped it with the Creep shadow.

I blended out the crease a lot to make it smoked and then used the colour Sin on the very inner corner and on the inner corner of the lower lash line.

I lined my waterline with the 24/7 liner and used Virgin as a highlight.

And then I finished with mascara!

I think it's really useful how even though most of the colours in the palette are neutral you can still create something really dramatic and smokey!

 

Look 5: Simple & Safe

 

 

I decided to include this look because it just emphasises what this palette is great at, just producing really simple and safe looks that still look pretty.

For this look after priming I used Sin all over the lid, but in all honesty you could use most of the shades in the palette all over the lid. Some of my favourites for a one shadow look are Sin, Sidecar, Virgin, Toasted and Hustle.

I then just used Virgin as a highlight and added mascara!

I think this palette makes doing these looks so easy and this look is great for when you only have about 5 minutes to do your makeup! :)

 

 

Wow. That's a long post!

I realise that there are 2 shades that I neglect in this palette, Naked and Buck. I think this is just because they are not shades that I would normally use. They are matte for a start (I'm such a sucker for shimmery shadows) and also being very fair skinned they are too dark for me to use as a blending colour. Because of this, they don't get used a lot and so weren't really used much in my looks here either. However every single other shade of this palette I DO get good use out of! :)

I hope some people found this useful, it definitely took a while together but I do think that this is a versatile palette and because I've gotten so much use out of it I think it's worth the price.

I think generally it's one of those palettes that I reach for when I'm being lazy because you can just pick out a random combination of shadows and it will pretty much always turn into a pretty look.

One that I just remembered that I love doing is having Smog all over the lid and Creep in the crease, these two blend so beautifully together!

 

So even though the shadows are all neutral (ish) you can still create quite a lot of different looks!

 

Thanks for reading!

Libby x

 

*REVIEW* Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils (Zero, Electric & Ransom)

Hi!

 

Apologies for the slight delays in blog posts recently, been working on a 5 different looks post for the famous UD Naked palette and its taken quite a while! I originally thought I'd have that one next up but I thought I'd just write this review for you now as I have the pictures ready :)

 

Today I'm reviewing the 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils from Urban Decay, one of my favourite brands!

They're products are pretty expensive, but I know that they don't test on animals and also their products are pretty amazing!

 

 

I have three of these at the moment, I have the shades:

 

Zero: Matte, opaque black

Electric: Bright...er..."electric" blue ;)

Ransom: purple with a hint of blue tones reflecting back

 

I did at a time have another Zero but a mini one...UD tends to give them with palettes quite often.

Electric was bought separately and the Zero and Ransom were with the Book Of Shadows III...which I adore by the way!

 

In the UK these retail for £14 each however it is a lot better for your purse if you buy palettes from them because they often have these thrown in, and combined with the price of the shadows, even though their palettes are expensive its pretty good for the amount you're getting.

 

UD used to be sold in Boots but isn't anymore which is disappointing :(

I now get my products from them usually online at Debenhams but you can also find their shop online or in other department stores.

 

Swatches:

 

 

 

From left to right:

 

Electric, Ransom and Zero.

 

 

There's no other way of saying this, I really love these!

The formula means that like the name they really do "glide on" and they can be used as a base too.

I personally like to set these if I'm using them all over the lid simply because they are very creamy and so could possibly fade or crease if you used them all over the lids.

These also work pretty well on the waterlines too but my favourite use for these is for using them as a base.

If you top them with shadow, it will enhance the colour payoff and longevity of your shadows and they won't crease.

 

Zero is perfect for creating that smokey eye because it just blends so easily!

 

Electric is beautiful on the bottom waterline for a pop of colour and its so bright and vibrant! Definitely my favourite!

 

Although you may not see in the swatch, Ransom is slightly less pigmented than the others which means that it requires you to go over it a couple of times to get a really good solid colour like the others. Nevertheless it is still beautiful once it's on and again, works great on the bottom waterline for a fun pop of colour!

 

Packaging:

 

The packaging is pretty good because in my drawer I can clearly see (even amongst all the other liners in there) what colours they are which is very useful!

However one thing I'm not so fond of is that these liners tend to break fairly easily. I'm not sure what it is but Electric in particular often has a broken tip when I take the lid off, just something about these isn't sturdy at all but its hard to put my finger on it.

Also they get blunt quickly because they are creamy so you have to sharpen them often, meaning that you can lose some product. Mine are all pretty short now comparing with how they were originally!

 

All in all I really like these!

The only disadvantages I can think of are the price and the fact that they break easily.

But for the bright, bold colour I don't think you can complain too much really!

 

 

Thanks for reading! Have you tried these liners?

Libby x

Sky & Sun Makeup Look!

Hi!

 

I was playing around with some of my Barry M pigments the other day and came up with this look..just thought I'd show you the fruits of my labours!

 

Also, check back in a couple of days for more makeup looks because I'm going to compile one post that has 5 different makeup looks that you can do with the Urban Decay Naked palette! I just thought it would be good to show some of the diversity you can get with that palette :)

 

Anyway!

I decided to call this look "Sky & Sun" because honestly that's what it reminds me of!
We've been having suspiciously good weather here in the UK and for once the sky has been actually blue for a while now! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Here are the products I used:

 

NYX Eyeshadow Base in White

Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette

Barry M Dazzle Dust 22 (the bright electric blue)

Barry M Dazzle Dust 94 (a teal shade)

Barry M Dazzle Dust 96 (golden shade)

Stila Fibre Optics Mascara

 

 

 

Circled are the shades that I used for this look :)

 

 

 

First I applied the NYX base using a small synthetic brush all over the lid to give the pigments something to stick to and also to make the colours bright and vibrant.

I then patted the electric blue dazzle dust (22) on the inner half of the lid (leaving room for the cold near the inner corner) and then the teal dazzle dust on the outer half (94).

I blended them together then patted the gold dazzle dust (96) right on the inner corner.

I took the darkest purple shade from the Coastal Scents palette and blended this into the crease, and I added a touch of black on the "outer v" too.

I took a small brush and carefully applied the NYX base to the waterline and then also applied the teal dazzle dust to the water line. This makes the colour bright and long lasting but you have to be careful because it can irritate your eyes.

I added a mixture of the remaining two purple shades next to each other from the Coastal Scents palette just underneath the lash line and just on top as shown in the picture.

I then used the lightest shade in the palette under the brow bone and on the inner corner to brighten the eye and blend out any harsh lines.

Then I finished with mascara!

 

So all in all not the most wearable look ever, but one that I think is really fun and looks pretty crazy and bright :)

I really love getting creative with bright makeup colours!

Please feel free to let me know if you have any requests that you have for me to do!

 

 

Thanks so much for reading!

Have a great day :)

Libby x

Beauty Empties! #4

Hi!

I have another "empties" post for you today...I've decided to do these in smaller intervals so that the number of products isn't so many. This way the empties posts will be more often and shorter which makes it easier for me instead of typing an essay for loads of products! :)

 

 

I only have 5 products for this post that I've used up, however I have a lot of products that I've nearly used up so there will be another empties post pretty soon! :)

 

From left to right:

 

 

1) The Colour Workshop Extra Strength Base Coat

 

This is a pretty standard product for me really!

I got this a long time ago in a kit that came with a load of other nail polishes but this is the one I've used the most and consequently have used up!

There isn't a huge amount to say about it: It stopped the nail colours from staining my nails and so in my eyes it worked as base coat! Not much to complain about really!

I wouldn't necessarily buy this again though because it's not easy to get hold of as I had this first in a kit.

 

 

2) Catwalk TIGI Headshot Reconstructive Intense Conditioner

 

I bought this a couple of weeks ago from TK Maxx...I love going there to find new hair products for a much lower price!

I picked this one up because it reminded me of the Bed Head Dumb Blonde Reconstructor...and it was similar. I do prefer the Bed Head one as I much preferred the scent...this one had a pretty strong strawberry scent that smelt kind of...sugary? :P

This was very thick but did help my hair and made it softer and shinier.

It was originally supposed to be somewhere in the region of £10/12 but I got this for £7.

I might get this again if I see it...although I do prefer the Bed Head Dumb Blonde Reconstructor instead.

 

3) Boots Vitamin E Moisture Lotion

 

I bought this aaaggggeesss ago and I've only just used it up!

This is pretty cheap and easy to find which is definitely a plus. I originally got this to use as a face moisturiser after my other one ran out, however I found this to be pretty heavily fragranced and because I don't like using fragranced products on my face I used it as a body moisturiser instead.

I used this after a shower on my legs and arms, particularly after a shave to stop my skin being dry.

I would pick this up again if I see it, but I have SO many moisturisers at the moment I don't think I'll need to get another for quite some time! 

 

4) L'Oreal Paris Lash Architect 4D Mascara

 

I didn't actually buy this...my mum gave it to me after she started using it and found it irritated her eyes, possibly due to her contact lenses. If you were contacts maybe I'd be careful with this as she did say this interfered with them and was quite annoying.

I however didn't mind it, it provided decent volume, length and separation although the brush did start to clump somewhat as the mascara had been open for a couple of weeks.

I will NOT be buying this again however as I am aware that L'Oreal test their products on animals, and I don't buy from companies that do this. I used this up because I had it and it would be a waste, but I won't get it again.

 

5) Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

 

I have actually already repurchased this!

In the winter this is great for a day moisturiser and in the summer when I want something lighter as a night cream this works well for that too!

It's cheap and makes my skin very soft after using it.

It also provides enough moisture for my very dry skin!

 

So that's it! Stay tuned for another empties post coming pretty soon.

Thank you for reading!

 I hope you enjoyed my post :)

Libby x

 

Cruelty Free Makeup (+ List Of Brands!)

Hi!

 

Today I wanted to make a post on something that is slightly different...

 

All my life I've been an animal person and we've always had lots of pets. Because I am very concerned about animal welfare I recently did some research into makeup brands and animal testing.

I was quite shocked to see so many of the big name brands that still smear their cosmetics over animals unnecessarily.

 

(Just a little picture of the guinea pigs I had as a kid...

I think this photo itself shows two good reasons not to test on animals.)

 

 

Personally, no company that poisons, blinds and kills animals is going to get my support, or my money for their products.

 

According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) there are more than 1100 companies that have agreed to ban animal tests forever - and with good reason. There are far better alternatives that are cheaper, faster and obviously more ethical. Now thanks to science, artificial substances can be created that can mimic living cells, so surely poisoning a rabbit with chemicals is no longer necessary?

 

Unfortunately some major brands still beg to differ.

I read a rather disturbing article the other day about how Revlon (despite claiming to be cruelty free for years) are now selling products to countries that require animal tests by law, meaning that countless more animals will suffer.

I personally won't go near another Revlon stand until this changes.

If you're interested, you can read the full article from PETA here:

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/tags/Revlon/default.aspx

 

Anyway...onto a happier note :)

 

There are many companies that HAVE decided to stop testing on animals and instead use alternative methods. I think they deserve a mention here!

Here is a quick list of just a few of the brands that are cruelty free...these are only a few of the brands and ones that I use or I know a lot of people use.

 

• E.L.F Cosmetics
• Makeup Geek Cosmetics
• GOSH
• Lime Crime
• NYX
• OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics)
• Barry M Makeup
• Physicians Formula
• Smashbox
• Stila
• Sugarpill Cosmetics
• Tarte
• Too Faced Cosmetics
• Urban Decay
• Rimmel *
• Wet N Wild
• MUA Cosmetics *
• Accessorize Cosmetics*
• Sleek Makeup*
• Boots 17*
• Boots No.7 *

Obviously these are just a few brands...I have a huge list written down to remind me which brands I can buy without feeling guilty!

I'd thoroughly recommend checking out this link:

 http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx

Here not only can you access a full list of brands that DONT test on animals, you can find a list of brands that DO so you know what to steer clear from.

I'm disappointed to find out that both Maybelline and L'Oreal test on animals too...I will use up any remaining products I have from them but I refuse to buy anymore and I always completely ignore their stands when I'm shopping.

 

The brands with an asterisk are either ones that I contacted personally to find out if they tested on animals or ones that claimed on the website they were cruelty free.  They weren't on either PETA list. The ones I emailed responded saying that they did NOT test on animals, but the reason for them not being on the PETA lists is unclear.

 

Anyway...enough rambling ;) I hope those who read this will be inspired to be wary of which brands their buying from and I hope you will also check out those lists to learn more about which brands are cruelty free!

 

Happy guilt-free makeup shopping!

Thanks for reading :)

Libby x


*EDIT*
I recently found this website and thought that it would be useful to post here seeing as it offers cruelty free brands all in one place and all available to the UK! Here it's tricky to get some of these brands so I thought I'd put a link to help any other people here in the UK get cruelty free brands too!

http://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/

 

Makeup Look: Quick & Classic Eye

Hi!

 

Today I have a makeup look to show you that I actually didn't wear myself.

 It was our school prom/ball the other week and my beautiful friend Nicole agreed that I could do her makeup for her....after me promising I wouldn't turn her into an orange weirdo with two black eyes ;)

 

I decided to use the Urban Decay Naked Palette for this look, and taking into account her dress colour I created this smokey look that is also still quite light and classic!

 

 

 

 

Here are the products I used:

 

 

Face:

 

Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

E.L.F HD Powder

E.L.F Blush in Shy

E.L.F All Over Colour Stick in Spotlight

 

Eyes:

 

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

Urban Decay Naked Palette (shades listed below)

17 Photo Flawless Eye Pencil in Copper

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero

 

 

I think the face speaks for itself: I wanted products that would last a while and look great all night!

I'm really loving the Rimmel primer and I especially think that the E.L.F HD Powder is great for photos! I also thought the E.L.F blush and highlight stick were great for adding a bit of colour to the face.

 

For the eyes I used the UD primer in Sin to keep the shadows lasting all night.

From the Naked palette I used the shade Toasted all over the lid and then added Hustle to the outer edge of the lid.

I then added Creep to the outer v to darken the edges.

I took a fluffy blending brush to dust the shade Virgin in the very inner corner and under the brow bone.

I then lined the top lash line with the 17 liner and then set that liner with Darkhorse from the UD palette.

I then lined the bottom lash line with the UD liner in Zero.

I then finished with mascara!

 

So there you go, thank you for reading!

I think this is a quick and easy look that although looks like it takes a lot of steps, it's very simple and hard to get wrong. I also think it looks very classic and not too dramatic!

 

Libby x