Sleek Make-Up i-Divine Matte Palettes

I read somewhere that Sleek were releasing two completely matte palettes and knew i just had to get them. Matte eyes are big this summer and there's a million different looks to be achieved with these two. As you can see from the pictures, Sleek have given their palettes a mini makeover. Gone is the big 'Sleek' logo emblazoned across the top of the palette, in its place a small, classier version. You may also notice the embossed, criss-cross design on the actual shadow itself is also gone and replaced with a finish much like MAC shadows. Personally I feel this changes give the palettes a slightly more expensive look. 

The top palette is i-Divine V2 Darks and the bottom V1 Brights. You may feel slightly scared looking at a luminous yellow shadow sat alongside a bright pink, and I think you need to use this palette with caution. If we were in the middle of winter I probably wouldn't have given it a second glance, but with all this hot weather I felt I could create some gorgeous summery looks. (I'll let you know how I get on with that!)

The Darks palette is pretty safe and I feel a great choice to create some Autumn/Winter looks. Overall the quality of the shadows is pretty good. Pigmentation is generally pretty high but, as with many lighter shades, these lack the pigmentation of the darker or more striking colours, however can be built up fairly easily.

All in all, I'm loving the concept of an all matte palette and will get much use out of the Darks, the Brights, however may need a deep tan and a bit of bravery to get them out of the palette!

Nail Art: English Rose

Whilst my husband hogs the Saturday night TV with the champions league final, I decided to have a go at some pretty nails someone I know had created on herself. The nails were gorgeous, tiny red roses set on a crisp white polish. They looked so beautiful but I thought they also looked simple enough so non-arty folk like me could recreate.

Here's the final product...

Still looking a little rough as I hadn't cleaned them up at this point but pretty good for a first attempt! Here's how I did it. First of all I picked out my polishes and low and behold I don't actually own a decent red polish. I just don't like red nails. I managed to dig out this No7 polish in Rose Truffles which I presume I received in one of their gifts. You know the ones when you spend over a certain amount at the No7 counter? My white polish is from the Avon french manicure range and my green is Nicki Minaj for OPI. I also used two nail art tools which I bought in a set of fifteen for a tiny £2.29 from ebay. 

First of all I painted my nails in two coats of the white polish, make sure you leave them to dry properly after each coat or it wont dry fully at all. (common sense really).

I then used the larger of the two brush tools, dipping a tiny amount of red polish on to the tip and swirled in a tiny circle. Too much polish doesn't give you that rough rose effect. They really do not need to be neat as no two roses are the same are they? 

Then finally, with the smaller precision tool, dip into a tiny amount of green and flick on the nails for the leaves. As simple as that, gorgeous rose nails :) xxxx

Car Booty!!!

Every Wednesday my mum used to drag me along to a local car boot sale. Getting up at 7am and riffling through peoples unwanted rubbish isn't my idea of a good time. However after going a few times, I found that there were some real bargains to be had.... and here's today's haul.....

First of all I spotted these Katy Perry lashes amongst some others. I chose these because they are thick and fluttery which is perfect for a night out. These retail in Boots at £6.95 and I got them for £3!!! They are brand new in the packet. Bargain!

I then saw the pack of 10 lashes on another stall for just £1. I am aware you can get these on ebay for around £1 to £3 from china. Who wants to wait two weeks when I can just pick them up at the car boot!

Finally I got these two No7 items for just £1 each! They are booth a little worse for wear on the packaging front but the products themselves are perfect! I got the Precision eyeliner in Blonde which is perfect for my pale skin tone and the mineral loose powder foundation in Ivory. I have been wanting to try a mineral foundation for a while as now the summer (hopefully) is approaching, this will be lovely and light on my skin. This retails at £14.50!!!

All in all I spent £6 on well over £20 pounds worth of products!!! I'll be back there bright and early next week to sniff out the bargains!!

New Collection?

Seeing my sister wearing a beautiful bright pink lipstick, I asked where she'd bought this little gem. 'Collection' was the response. Then I remembered that Collection 2000 was recently re-branded and dropped the '2000' from its name. Off we trotted into town with the intention to buy the shade. When I got there it was 2 for £5.... would be rude not to! So here are the two I chose.

 When they were known as Collection 2000, I always thought of the brand as cheap and cheerful and to be honest a bit rubbish... In my opinion this re-brand has worked wonders and these lipsticks really are lovely and stay on lips for hours. No.6 Bubblegum has also been compaired the MACs Saint Germain and I would say its a pretty good dupe.

 They claim to 'lock colour to the lips all day and to be honest I would say they aren't far off. They stay on the lips for hours but you do get that ring around the edge of your lips where it has clung to the skin. Sleek black packaging also allows the lipstick to fit straight in with higher end lipsticks in my collection.
Here we have swatches for No.6 Bubblegum a bright barbie pink and No.8 Sweet Tart a coral toned darker pink.

 Apologies for the freckled freaky hand!

Topshop Powdered Blush

Having heard so many good things about the Topshop make up range I just had to have another look. I did buy a couple of items when the range was first launched and I have to say I wasn't overly impressed. However, a few people have said good things about the range recently and I have seen a few blog posts stating the same. After browsing the clothes. shoes and accessories I headed over to the make up and the blush 'powdered' instantly caught my eye. A stunning baby pink matte blush. It can look a bit scary in the pan but a light sweep gives a lovely subtle colour or it can be layered for a more intense pink look.

 As you can see below it looks nothing like the swatch on the box!!! I did have to get the blush out of the box just to make sure it was the same as the tester.

So you can see how gorgeous it is on my pasty skin! It feels silky smooth on and gives a lovely matte colour. Comes in cute packaging with a handy mirror inside, and the best bit.... it's just £6. Topshop make up you have redeemed yourself!

Bye bye work.... Hello blogging!

Finally my mountain of uni work is done so that means more time for blogging!  Sorry for being so quiet the last week or so, literally been stressed to the max with work work work. Now its done, they will be more beauty posts, swatches and general chit chat :) xxxx