Models Own FOTD (Day 5/7)

It seems green FOTD's feature quite regularly on my blog compared with any other colour. I used my Models Own eyeshadows, which I haven't used as often as I should. They are great, highly pigmented and really easy to blend.

With flash

Without flash

I used:

FACE
L'oreal True Match Liquid Foundation in Golden Beige (W3)
Max Factor Pressed Powder in Medium Beige
Rimmel Blush in Santa Rose

LIPS
No.7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Angel Kiss
Avon Extreme Gloss Glazewear in Sand

EYES
Models Own Eyeshadow in Pale Jade - eyelid
Models Own Eyeshadow in Emerald Green - crease
17 Metallic Eye Pencil in Green - lower waterline
The Body Shop Divide & Multiply Mascara

Hope you like it!! xoxo

Neon FOTD (Day 2/7)

I was feeling a little bit wild after pole fitness tonight so I hope my look also shows that off. As it's late I'm afraid I won't be rambling on much, you're probably glad. Here are the pics;

With flash

Without flash

FACE

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation in Warm Almond (45)
No.7 Perfect Light Loose Powder in Medium
MUA Blusher - Shade 4

LIPS

Fyrinnae Lip Lustre
Lancome Juicy Tubes

EYES

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Models Own Neon Hot Pink Kohl Eye Pencil (lower lashline)
L'oreal Extra Volume Collagene in Black
Aromaleigh, Hot In The City - Coney Island (crease)
Aromaleigh, Hot In The City - Italian Ice (eyelid)
Aromaleigh, Les Papillons - Flying Flower (lower lashline)

I hope the yellow really pops and stand out to you. The pink pencil and shadow on the lower lashline isn't as bright as it could be, perhaps if I do something similar I will add a touch of the shadow over the top of the pencil to set it. Also I don't think you can clearly see the green crease colour very much  it's a shame I didn't take a picture with my eyes closed because I have actually used a lovely shade - between lime green and grass green! In hindsight I think I was trying not to overdo it because of the bright yellow, but I may have under done it...

Let me know what you think :) xoxo

Pink NOTD - Inspired by...

...the girls doing a Nail Polish Blogger Challenge:
Deniz from Emerald Sparkled uses Flor Mar #29
Leslie from Polish Art Addiction uses China Glaze Laced Up
Inge from Polish Sis uses Hema nr 84
Rebecca from Rebecca Likes Nails uses Color Club Peppermint Twist
Ulmiel from Did someone say nail polish? uses Finger Paints Give Pink A Chance
Gejba from  parokeets uses essence Love This City
Sidrah from beauteous blog uses sally hansen pink blink
Sarah from Lucky Lacquers uses W7 Shocking Pink
Caroline from Good Lack, Nail uses OPI Do You Think I'm Tex-y?
Maestra from parokeets uses essie knockout pink

I'm really loving the intricate designs by Polish Art Addiction, you should really check them out, I also really liked today's layering combo by Good Lack, Nail

Here is my pink look for today, although I'm not sure I'll have time to change it up tomorrow like the other dedicated ladies. I've still got a bit of cleaning up to do around the nails but I'll cheat and do it in the hot water after I've washed up. I used Models Own - Pastel Pink, 2 coats were needed as it is quite a sheer polish. I also used a black rhinestone on each thumbnail to jazz it up a little bit.

Hope you like! :) It was my first time using my stamps again for a while, as you can probably tell, some are quite blurry/smudged. It took a bit of getting used to but I hope to be doing more shortly!! xoxo

Green NOTD

I have painted my nails properly for the first time in a while! These days I paint my left hand then get interrupted and do something else. Then I find myself not bothering to do the same with my right hand as I know it will take longer. My colleagues at work often pick up on this and think I'm mad. I used my normal No.7 base and top coat, Models Own - Green Grass and Rio Nail Art Yellow.

What do you think?

Have you created any Halloween looks; nails or FOTD? Doing anything special for the occasion? Let me know! xoxo

Back with a bang!

Well I just noticed it's actually been 2 months today since I last blogged and I have a lot to catch up on. There's a lot of stuff sitting in my "waiting to review" box which are all the things I have purchased since my last reviewing session.

I will list them below so that I can take them all out of the box and actually find them a home!

• Elizabeth Arden - Bronze in Bloom
• Bare Minerals Get Started Complexion
• Smashbox Beauty To Go Photo Finish Foundation Primer Set
• YSL Touche Éclat (Radiant Touch)
• Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils (Luxurious Mascara For A False Lash Effect)
• Sleek Caribbean Collection Curaҫao Palette
• Sleek Primer Palette
• Sleek Mediterranean Collection Monaco Palette 
• Front Cover Go!Go!Go!
• BeneTint (free with Glamour)
• Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit (free with Glamour)
• Boots Expert Sensitive Daily Defence Moisture Cream SPF 12
• The Body Shop Lip Scuff
• The Body Shop Lipstick in Soft Sienna
• The Body Shop Big & Curvy Mascara
• No.7 Exquisite Curl Mascara
• No.7 Beautifully Matte Foundation in Almond
• No.7 Eye Awakening Gel
• No.7 Spring 2011 Limited Edition Eye Palette
• No.7 Spring 2011 Limited Edition Lipstick in Grace
• No.7 Spring 2011 Limited Edition Eyeliner in Turquoise
• Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation in Warm Almond
• 17 Natural Radiance Foundation in Caramel
• 17 Skin Perfecting Shine Free Foundation in Caramel
• L'oréal Infallible Make Up Long Lasting Perfecting Foundation in Vanilla
• No.7 Lift & Illuminate Foundation in Almond
• 17 Metallic Eye Pencil in Gold
• 17 Metallic Eye Pencil in Silver
• 17 Metallic Eye Pencil in Green
• 17 Metallic Eye Pencil in Bronze
• No.7 Beautiful Brows Pencil in Brown/Black
• Rimmel Professional Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate
• Models Own Eye Pencil in Neon Hot Pink
• Models Own Eye Pencil in Peacock Green
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Orangeade
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Hot Red
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Pale Jade
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Bright Grass 
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Emerald Green
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Bright Turquoise
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Purple Sky
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Gold
• Models Own Powder Eyeshadow in Brown & Gold Sparkle
• Models Own Nail Polish in Pastel Pink
• Models Own Nail Polish in Vintage Pink
• Models Own Nail Polish in Red Alert
• Models Own Nail Polish in Cherry Pie
• Models Own Nail Polish in Lime Green
• Models Own Nail Polish in Lilac Dream
• Models Own Nail Polish in Becca's Brown
• No.7 Speed Dry Nail Colour in Violetta
• Barry M Nail Effects in Black
• Barry M Nail Effects in White

Please let me know if there are any items you would like me to start reviewing first, otherwise I will slowly go through the list one by one. I won't be buying much in the next few months - or the next year as I have a wedding to save up for!!

I'm going to start reviewing my most recent purchase first because I was so excited when I saw them on the Sleek make up stand. I had hoped they were on 3 for 2 like the last time I bought my Sleek palettes, but no such luck!! So this week I will be reviewing my new Sleek palettes - Caribbean Collection Curaҫao, The Primer Palette & Mediterranean Collection Monaco.

Short NOTD

I am starting netball tomorrow night so I had to cut my nails short :( If you know me then you know it is a sad time as I love my pretty long nails. But I am going to prove that you can have pretty short nails too! So here is my first attempt. Simple to achieve as well!

First I used No.7 So Smooth Base Coat. Then two coats of Models Own Lilac Dream. To give it a bit of edge I added Barry M Instant Nail Effects to give it the crackled look. Then finished off with No.7 Stay Perfect Top Coat. It only took about 10 minutes, each layer dried quite quickly.

What do you think? To let you know what I think, I'll be reviewing the Barry M Instant Nail Effects tomorrow :D

Models Own Haul

I already own a few nail polishes by Models Own and whilst I wanted more I thought it would also be good to try a few of their other products. As you may be aware, I had a Models Own Giveaway, this is what I bought at the same time as picking stuff out for you guys :)

Clockwise from top left -

Nail varnishes: Becca's Brown, Vintage Pink, Lilac Dream, Pastel Pink, Cherry Pie, Lime Green and Red Alert
Eye shadow: Brown & Gold sparkle, Emerald Green, Pale Jade, Bright Grass, Gold, Orangeade, Hot Red, Purple Sky and Bright Turquoise
Eye Pencils: Peacock Green and Neon Hot Pink

I love that Models Own give you discounts when buying multiples of 3 or 5 products! Also when the delivery took a long time to get to me they apologised and sent a complimentary nail polish - Pastel Pink! How lovely of them :)

So far I have enjoyed using; Cherry Pie nail varnish, Peacock Green eye pencil, Pale Jade and Emerald Green eyeshadows. Details of which to follow this weekend!! :D xoxo

Models Own Giveaway

Today I finally received my order from Models Own and am pleased to share with you the items up for grabs! One lucky reader will have the chance to win items worth £10!

A black kohl eye pencil and "Lilac Dream" nail polish.

I already have both these items and love them so much so I wanted to share them with you!

For one entry you have to:

Be a follower & leave a comment with your email address below by 10th February


For one bonus entry each, please comment below if you have done any of the following:

• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about my giveaway, including me in the tweet (@samwells87)
• Blog about my giveaway
• Post my giveaway in your sidebar
• Make a request for something you want to see on my blog - you can be as specific as you like :)

I will use random.org to pick the winner and will announce it on my blog and email them - so please check your email on 11th February if you've entered.


Good luck xoxo

Boring Brown NOTD...

I'm not sure why I've titled this boring - as it isn't to me, but when you say brown nails, it does kinda sound a bit boring, right? Anyway - see the pictures below and decide for yourself :D

This is Becca's Brown after two coats - although I'm not sure who Becca is...it's mine now.

I think it's a great look for this time of year. Not too dull but also quite neutral at the same time, and the browns go well with the weather, very dreary at the moment and brown to me is kind of dreary I suppose - except it doesn't make my nails look dreary which is good!

Anyway I might jazz it up a bit with some nail art stamps tomorrow, but for now it's time for bed :D

Thanks for reading xoxo

Models Own

I went to pick up my second News of the World today and my supermarket are all sold out :( does anyone have the 25% off code - which is mainly what I was after...?

Thanks all! xoxo

Orangeade NOTD

I thought it was about time I painted my nails again. And I tried to use another Models Own shade I hadn't yet tried. I chose "Orangeade". It's much brighter than I thought it would be, and less sheer too which is good. I am really pleased with the colour because it will brighten up the dull days we are having at the moment!

It was a very quick manicure today, using a base coat, 2 coats of Orangeade and a top coat. Overall it probably took about 10-15 minutes, and I was watching TV so time flies.

It shows up almost as bright in the pictures as it is in real life, probably one of the easiest polishes to capture in a photo, most look very different! The picture below shows just how glittery it is, which I love because obviuosly the bubbles in orangeade sparkle a lot!

What do you think?

Models Own NOTD

I still haven't got round to trying all my Models Own nail polishes I bought this year! I suppose that just shows how many colours I actually have! I should have used each one on one finger when I first got them hehe.

Anyway - here I have used Deep Purple. I think it's a really rich colour - great for winter. In the light you get a lovely flash of purple which I love - the second picture shows this quite well.

I cut all of my nails so I apologise for them looking stumpy! But one broke and I hate having them different lengths!! I have to say though it does look lovely and tidy on short nails. It's a brilliant colour - certainly one I would recommend. I have searched for a while to find a perfect purple, I find quite a few are too pale or dull.

What do you think of the colour? Which polishes are you recommending this Winter?

Green Glitter Gradient Manicure

I decided I would try the sponge effect manicure - also known as a gradient manicure. I used 4 colours and thought a little bit of glitter on the tip would look pretty. It turned out ok, however if I do it again I must remember to dab a bit more than swipe, as I seemed to just try to paint it on almost as normal. It is weird to get the hang of I suppose after you've been swiping/painting nails for over a decade!

Anyway, a partial success. Sorry the pictures have been taken pre clean up, I was a little bit excited about getting this up and will probably do the clean up when I'm having a lovely soak in the bath tomorrow morning to warm me up as there is still masses of show outside!

First I added a base coat - No.7 So Smooth, then I added 2 coats of No.7 60's Mini Skirt. Next came the first sponging colour - Barry M in Mint Green (as pictured below).

Then came the second sponging colour, what I liked is that you didn't have to leave the sponging coats long until they had dried. The second colour was Barry M in Spring Green.

After that I added a little bit of Models Own in Peacock Green to the tips and then coated that in a purple/blue/silver flecked glitter and left it to dry. And that was it! Quite simple really, but as mentioned earlier it does show in the pictures that I need to get used to the sponging method a bit more as some of the colour changes just look like bold lines, rather than a complete gradient look.

Better luck next time :D

Have you tried this before? Have you got any tips for me? Thanks!! xx

Eye Pencil Collection

I haven't got much time today so I thought I'd show you my eye pencil collection. If there are any "must haves" missing that I should get please let me know :)

My collection

Top to bottom: Models Own - black, L'oreal - black, Rimmel - black, H&M - sparkly black, Pure - white

My favourite of these is the Rimmel and L'oreal pencils (hence why the Rimmel pencil is so small!!) they are so easy to work with.

Top to bottom: Gosh - 102 Lemongrass, Gosh - 103 Aqualife, Gosh - 008 Silver Screen, Gosh - Sparkling Coal

I love how bright these pencils are, they go on quite easily too.

Top to bottom: Urban Decay - Covet, Urban Decay - Zero, Urban Decay - Lust, Urban Decay - Eletric, Urban Decay - Lucky, Urban Decay - Zero, Urban Decay - Bourbon, Urban Decay - Zero, Urban Decay - Topside, Urban Decay - Zero, Urban Decay - Ransom

I really like how creamy these eye pencils are and how long they stay on for - pretty much all day!

Top to bottom: Barry M - black, Barry M - Shimmering Eye Crayon #8, Barry M Shimmering Eye Crayon #1

These shimmering pencils are great to use for a highlight or all over colour, they're quite subtle which I love. I haven't yet used the back pencil so I wouldn't know what that's like!

Top to bottom: Avon - In A Blink silver smoke, Avon - In A Blink steel smoke, Avon - In A Blink violet smoke, Avon - In A Blink green smoke, Avon - Chocolate, Avon - Surf, Avon - Metallic Bronzing, Avon - Arabian Glow Bronze, Avon - Arabian Glow Sunny

The smokey eye pencils are great because they are double ended and one side has eyeshadow in the lid to create the perfect smokey effect! The brown and blue pencils are so great to a striking effect - they're so pigmented! I love the bronze pencils too and they are perfect for my skin when I want to go for a natural but different look. I suppose I should buy a new Avon eye pencil as it seems I have quite a collection and love them all!

What do you think?

Giveaway Winners

Congratulations go to first prize winner: silverstargirl and second prize winner: monik

I will be in touch via email to get details on where to send your gifts!! :) Well done!!

Giveaway - Models Own & Maybelline Nail Polish

Hi everyone, I wanted to wait until I had more followers until I did a giveaway - but that hasn't been happening lately. When I started this blog a few months ago I didn't expect to have any followers, yet I have people viewing my pages everyday, and I'm really glad that what I write about make up interests others out there!

So to say thank you, I want to do the giveaway anyway, as an early Christmas present to the loyal followers I already have.

When cleaning out my nail polish draw I found duplicates for a few nail polishes, which means these items have never been used.

First Prize

Models Own Nail Polish in Feeling Blue (please check out my post here for what the colour looks like)

Maybelline Colorama in Jelly Bean

Second Prize

 

Maybelline Colorama in Jelly Bean

To Enter:

All you have to do is be a follower and post a comment with your email address below. The winner will be picked at random.

To get extra entries (each of the following gives you 1 extra entry):
-include this blog in your blog roll
-post a blog entry about my giveaway
-follow me on twitter
-tweet about my giveaway
-add me on facebook

The giveaway ends on 31/10/10.

Good luck everyone!! xx

NOTD - Models Own Navy & Silver

This is my version of the half moon manicure, view Dita Von Teese's version here. I am really trying to use as many of my new nail polishes as possible, without changing my polish too often, and doing the same designs over and over...hopefully you like this even though this trend started back in May 2009! I used In The Navy and Sterling Silver. They are available on the website for £5 each or buy 3 - save £3, buy 5 - save £7.

What do you think?

Urban Decay Book Of Shadows FOTD

Hiya everyone, sorry I didn't blog over the weekend - not quite sure what happened!! But I'm back :) I've used a few colours from my Urban Decay Book Of Shadows III. I've not used it in a while and I really love snatch, but think it needs some bright colours to make it pop.

I used:

FACE

No.7 Shine Free Primer
New ID I-Perfect Colour Adjust Foundation in Vanilla
New ID I-Conceal in Medium
New ID I-Bronze
New ID I-Glow

EYES

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
UD BoSIII Snatch - upper eyelid
UD BoSIII Psychedelic Sister - inner corner, under eye
UD BoSIII Radium - outer corner
UD BoSIII Uzi - brow highlight
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers
Wet n Wild Mega Length Double Action Mascara in Black
Models Own Kohl Pencil in Black

LIPS

Carmex in Cherry

Hope you like it!

Updated: Models Own Green Flash

I thought I'd bring you more pictures showing how I updated the mani with black nail art.

They look a bit like little snowflakes to me - except they're black. It's cold out - but still a bit too early for snow!

Models Own Green Flash

It's all gone green lately, I don't know why, but it's kind of ironic since all the green is disappearing from the trees!

Here is my new mani...I will probably be updating the look either later tonight, or tomorrow with some nail art - I was thinking dark green, but I'm not too sure how that will look...maybe play it safe and stick with black...

But for now here are the photos:

Without flash

With flash