Friday 6 December 2013

Boots premium beauty star offer: Nails Inc !

This set of Nails Inc Capsule Colours has been reduced to £25 from £57! It will be on sale until Thursday 12th December 2013 or until stock runs out. You get 8 4ml colours, perfect for trailing colours, as stocking fillers or as nail varnish to go, and a full size Kensington Caviar gel effect nail polish. 
Grab it while you can!

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake Review!

As I misplaced my Browzingz I decided to take the plunge after admiring a colleagues eyebrows and purchased what she uses, including the matching brush.

I was quite excited to try something new eyebrow wise as I have been using Browzings for a while!

This eyebrow powder comes with a convenient little mirror in a compact case. Brush purchased separately.

Price: £15.50

Time Trialed: 1.3 week.


Now I must say, I have visited the Illamasqua shop a few times in Carnaby Street and this has been the worst visit in regards to customer service. The lady seemed a little rude once I said I worked on another makeup counter and when I asked about the makeup brush  to go with it she told me two different prices and was unsure. Not good for a flagship store at all, and when trying to decide on her recommendation or the shade I'd hoped for, she seemed to get a little irritated. It took me no more than a minute to decide but if I didn't know what I wanted and was a new customer, I would have flown out of those doors! The attitude instore will not make me not go back but I feel it needs to be noted here.
On with the review!

The colour I chose is 'Gaze' a soft brown grey colour. The lady in the Illamasqua shop advised a colour that was way too light and fairly orange, called 'Stark'. I went with my choice and I'm so glad as I feel it's the perfect colour. I used Browzingz in Medium which was way too copper for my brows but used it until I could afford something better, so I'm glad I misplaced it.

Although I do feel like Browzings did stay on a little longer on the brow, the consistency and look of this on the brows is far superior. The pigment is much stronger and the powder is a lot finer, making it easy to draw naturally on the skin.


(Illamasqua 'GAZE' neatened up with Pixi Tint and conceal in #2 (Concealer only) )

This DOES take practice to achieve. I still have not mastered it fully but I feel as though my brows look a lot better now than they did with my old powder. The brush to go with it helped a lot, my Benefit brush is a little too wide to achieve a clean brow, but the angled brush creates a clean cut edge on the brow. I feel with a few more applications I could achieve a good gradient brow!

The longevity on the brow is a little disappointing the application and look of this powder is fabulous and creates a perfect defined eyebrow.

Breakdown: Out of 5
Value for money: ♥♥♥
Colour Choices: ♥♥♥♥♥
Does what it says on the tin: ♥♥♥
Staying Power on eyes: ♥♥♥
Packaging: ♥♥♥
Consistency and workability: ♥♥♥♥
Would I repurchase? Yes! Although I think I need to try it with the sealing gel to make it adhere a little better.
Overall: ♥ 3/5 ♥

Pixi holiday collection mini review!

I was so excited to see what Petra and the gang could conjure up this Christmas and I was thrilled they brought out a mixture of things to mix and match from.

For me the most striking items from the collection were the eyeliner and lipgloss set, I have many many manyyy Pixi glosses and seeing they have a new formula for these I had to pick one up, as well as their iridescent iris endless silky eye pen, which I'm never disappointed by as all the colours I've got from the endless silly eye pen line have stayed put all day.

I just bought the Pixi Eye Glow Cube, and to be honest I do love the colours in the larger pallet but it would just be greedy if i bought it as I have barely used the Eye Glow Cube.

Review to follow for the lipglosses and eye pencil!

Pixi Beauty Redness Reducing Primer Review!

When I first saw this I was super excited to see that Pixi had released a new primer, especially since I loved their poreless primer! Redness for me is a big issue so when I paid visit to the Pixi shop this month it was at the very top of my list!


Price: £20.50

Time trialed; 1.5 weeks.


Friday 8 November 2013

Pixi Beauty Makeup Remover Review!

While everyone has been going crazy over getting their fix of the sold out pixie gold dust that is the Pixi Glow Tonic I've stuck with my good ol' Pixi Makeup Remover, and all I can say is move over Glow Tonic! You have some competition in the Makeup Remover!




Time Trialing: 2 years.
Estimated bottle life: up to 12 months, depending on usage.

Claims: Mild makeup cleansing liquid specially formulated to remove all traces of makeup. Gentile and effective. Calming and soothing. Non Drying. For face and eye. Fragrance free.


MAC Divine Night Grooming Kit Review

As I saw this in my email inbox advertising the new MAC christmas products I had to buy it as soon as it was released. I am forever losing my eyebrow combs and tweezers and considering the price is slashed for Christmas if you purchase in a kit. So today I went into the MAC Flagship store in Cardiff to pick it up.
The set includes a carry case to protect the grooming tools, an emery board, tweezers, eyebrow comb and a little mirror. This is the MAC Divine Night Grooming Kit.

It retails at £35, and is available online or in store at a MAC counter.




Now I'm not a massive fan of MAC as their base and face products don't settle well with my skin but I do like their Viva Glam lipsticks as well as standard line lipsticks and eye shadows. That's pretty much it. 

I loved the retro style look of these cases and holders so I was slightly impressed with the presentation.

And when I opened the box to this I was shocked. 

Monday 4 November 2013

Greyscale

So this was my final Halloween look! I'm glad I didn't bail when I applied all grey foundation on my face because I did look a little weird! I would have liked to be a little paler but I was so pleased with how my cheek bones turned out!
I also sprayed my hair white and glad I did so it gelled the look together.
I used Smashbox, Rimmel, Natural Collection, Bourjois and NARS products to make this look.
Next Halloween I'm definitely doing something a little more gore-ish!

Thursday 31 October 2013

Halloween!

Happy Halloween all! 
I've had a few thoughts of what I should be for halloween and played around with a few different looks and I think I have settled on one. 

Sunday 20 October 2013

Contact lens friendly makeup, does it exist?

I have worked in the makeup industry professionally for around 3 years now, and I have to admit, I didn't really understand what anyone was talking about when they'd ask me "Is this contact lens friendly?"
(image from www.goodlookingoptics.co.uk)

And being a newcomer with lenses I still don't understand.
So what exactly is contact lens friendly makeup?! And what products are suitable?

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Look of the day - Rihanna

I've been listening to a lot of rihannas older music recently so I decided to do my own wearable interpretation of her look from Who's That Chick.

To see what I used and for close ups click the jump link!

Sunday 22 September 2013

POP Beauty Peak Performance Mascara Review

After reading some disappointing reviews online about this mascara I wanted to see for myself if it was a good idea.
The applicator definitely got me to want to purchase this and i liked the fact you had to work it manually through the lashes. So when i visited the pixi storeI purchased  this myself!

Time trial: 2 Months. 

Claims: A revolution in mascara application! 
Mascara with advanced lash comb separates, coats, lifts & fans out every lash, resulting in immense lash volume & dramatically maximized eyes. 

Lash-protecting formula conditions & nourishes lashes. Hygienic twist-up wand prevents bacteria build up & formula dry out, ensuring fresh new mascara every time.

Friday 20 September 2013

Wednesday 11 September 2013

W7 Brow Bar review

I've wanted to try W7 makeup for a while as I've heard their blushes are amazing dupes for Benefits Box blushes, although all I can usually find is their nail varnishes which I am a massive fan of.

W7's Brow Bar contains 4 colours, 1 highlight and 4 colours ranging from a light brown to a black, and also contains 2 angled brushes, 1 brow Comb and 3 brow stencils. 

Time trial; 2 weeks
Price paid ; £2.99 
Claims: none on the box but you simply use the stencils and fill in with the powders. 



Saturday 7 September 2013

Test driving #1

Hey everyone!
I'm currently test driving two new purchases and an older purchase.

The three products are Sally Hansen Quik Dry oil
Hello Kitty nail polish
Barry M confetti nail polish

I'm impressed so far with the Quik Dry oil, full review will be posted when I have fully test driven the product!
I'm wearing all three at the moment and they look quite interesting.


They've been on my nails for 2 days, only minor chips, didn't have much hopes for the Hello Kitty polish but it went on lovely! 

Full reviews to come! Also have another Barry M confetti polish so both colours will be reviewed at once! 

Friday 30 August 2013

Pixi Beauty Wakeup Wisteria Review!

Here's a Pixi Beauty Nail Polish review! One of many to come (I have over 100 nail polishes and counting so expect more colours!)

This is my newest Pixi Purchase which I went to the store to collect, along other items I'd been waiting to get for a while!.

Time spent trialing: 1 Month
Price: £8

The colour is a lovely lilac colour not too bright but not too weak, lovely for every day or to match an outfit.

Claims: Formulated for high definition, super smooth application with a chip-resistant finish and built-in UV protection to prevent polish discolouration.
 Full spectrum of nail shades that withstand wear and tear while providing saturated colour with a high gloss finish.

3 Free: Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP free.

Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top and Basecoat Review!

After a bad experience overall with Nails Inc, ever since that point I've not bought anything from the brand, however before I used to purchase a few products here and there.

About 3 Months ago I decided to give the Kensington Caviar duo set a go, as in training they said it was a hero product (one that everyone should have and suits any skintone) boasted about it's omega 3 properties from the caviar and fast drying time.

Time spent trialing: a little over 3 months. Price: £18




Claims:
Kensington caviar base coat helps to nourish nails whilst helping to prevent staining, smooth the surface and prolong the duration of your manicure.
Kensington caviar top coat provides a wet look professional finish that is touch dry in only 45 seconds.


Too Faced Beauty Balm Review!

Main properties and claims:
SPF of 20
Sheer coverage
Evens out skintone
The 'multi benefit skin care makeup'
Hypo-allergenic
Moisturises with oil free hydration
Anti-aging, multi mineral complex primes & prevents damage
Light defusing pigments that tint and add radience
Primes, evens tone and is a lightweight foundation.

Time spent trialling: 1.5 Months
Shade chosen: Nude Glow

A little about me...

Hello! My name is Jade, I'm 22 and currently living in Cardiff, the capitol of Wales, United Kingdom.
I have trained as a makeup artist in College on a part time course and have worked for Pixi Cosmetics, Benefit cosmetics and Smashbox Cosmetics, and have worked in New ID photography studio and worked on a few smaller fashion shows. I am a welsh beauty blogger and Cardiff beauty blogger.

I am currently starting back at university studying Art Practice. I love art and traveling and looking at art gallerys. In my spare time I like to read and play computer games.

I love makeup. I can't even describe how much I love it. It's great to express emotion and to show your unique personality. My favourite brands include Illamasqua, Too Faced, Pop Beauty, Revlon, YSL, Guerlain and not forgetting Pixi and Smashbox!  I have very sensitive combination skin so I am cautious with what I try, but I am willing to give anything a go. I do prefer smaller and independent brands but I do love bigger brands as well.

Since starting this blog I have had an overwhelming response in companies getting in contact to review products and recieving event invitations, so far I have covered products or been invited to the following;
Smashbox / Ojon / Michael Kors / Aramis & DKNY Fragrances for S/S 2014, Nails Inc Swansea Masterclass, Candy Kittens, Giorgio Armani Masterclass Cardiff, Unique Boutique Fashion show and Charity event, with Morning Meeting with Luna Amani, Welsh Handbag Designer, Tempest Fashion, E.L.F Beauty Blogger Summer Event 2014, Superdrug Beauty Studio opening Press and Bbloggers preview, Paul Mitchell Styling Summer Event, LUSH Cardiff Summer Event 2014, Swatch Cardiff A/W 2014 Preview.
 
If you would like me to cover an event or review a product, please email me at; Vulgarland@rocketmail.com