taper jean girl

Each year, at Christmas my mother buys me a chocolate advent calendar. Don't get wrong, i'm all for tradition,  but i'm not all that fussed about chocolate really- yes, i really did just say that.  And after reading this post a few months back on British Beauty Blogger's blog i knew i couldn't just settle for the run of mill Cadbury's calendar..

The L'Oreal Advent Calendar has just landed at Selfridges, retailing at £60 a pop, this little piece of Christmas came early, counting down the days with a beauty treat. Say what? Each little window houses a miniature skincare, perfume or make-up item to trial and test, from brands such as YSL, Lancome, Armani, Shu Uemura. 

For a full list of products included visit the lovely Charlotte's blog Lipglossiping.

What a fabulous idea? £60 is a bit of a stretch, but in terms of the amount of products and quality - is it not worth it? I'm seriously toying with the idea, and i don't even think i'm falling for the gimmick side of it, package it as an Easter Egg gift, i would probably still be interested! No, but seriously if they were marketing it as a 'testing the best of..' i would be still be inclined to buy. 

Would you?

(also, if you haven't already check out British Beauty Blogger and Lipglossiping, because they are simply two of he best beauty blogs in town.)

Project: 1

Some women have a penchant for buying endless pairs of shoes, other women's vice may be the latest 'it' bag, or even building up a large collection of eye shadows or every single colour nail varnishes - we all do it. Mine is beauty products, to date i have four and a half body butters, five hair masks, four packs of face wipes and weirdly, five cans of hair spray - which i don't even use. Beauty products are my vice. I cannot remember the last time i fully finished a product, without skipping to the newer, more exciting products. Since discovering my stash this afternoon, i have decided that i shalt not buy another product (hair, body, skin) until i have throughly made use of what i already have. Watch this space.

This is a snippet (yes, a snippet), of just what i own.

A few Lush bits i really need to use up, before they go out of date!

This is one of my new recent purchases. This clear plastic storage system was bought from Muji, it can be bought in-store (i bought mine from Oxford St.) or online. I have organised all my cosmetics completely, so i can see them - meaning i will actually use them! As it's made out of plastic it can easily be cleaned, unlike my fabric make up bags, that have just got grubby.

I bought two sets, which came with two draws. They easily slot on top of each other, and as my collection 'expands' (eek!) i can just add more sets on top. (click for larger photos)

My face draw - containing my every day products.

My blush/ bronzer products - not many! i love the colours i already have.

My eye products - mainly mascaras and eye liners.

My lips/odds and sods draw.

Can i really prevent myself from buying any more beauty products? There are a few Boot's Sanctuary item's i have my eye on..

L'Oreal Matte Morphose

iPhone Photo

The April issue of Glamour appeared on doorstep this morning, (which comes with a free bottle of James Brown hair conditioner - although this is actually really naff and made my hair ultra greasy last time i used it) and they were offering a free sachet of the new L'Oreal Paris Matte Morphose Foundation (what a name!). Out of boredem and sneaking away from a half written powerpoint, i gave it a try. Usually, it really hacks me off that most of the samples are so unsuited to my skin tone -ivory - i end up looking perma tanned. However i usually look beyond this but this shade (Beige Natural) blended in well with my skin tone surprisingly.

This foundation has actually wowed me!

The Matte Morphose claims to be a feather-light souffle texture, that extends seamlessly across the skin for a transformation you can see and feel. And boy did it do that! The thought of a mousse foundation grosses me out, the Maybelline mousse just looked ick and a ground for breeding bacteria. Plus it dried out my skin, not letting me blend it properly, with my face looking as dried up as the remains in the pot - eurgh!

However, i am mostly intrigued to try this out, the texture was very weird, but oddly creamy satin to touch. As soon as i blended the mousse onto my face it gave an even and smooth finish, giving a good coverage but tricking my skin to look like it wasn't wearing any make up in the slightest - win win! I wouldn't necessary replace my Mac foundation for this, but definitely a must for my make up bag - a great fix up during the day.

Plus i think I'm slightly biased to this product as Diane Kruger is fronting the L'Oreal ads. ;)

This is currently on offer in Boots for £9.99 (usually £11.99), i will definitely pop into my local Boots to snap this up. I'm interested to see if it really is too good to be true? Let me know if you try the sachet and your results..

Make up Haul - 25th October

After investing in Mac Studio Fluid Fix, which is absolutely amazing may i add, i decided to splurge on a new concealer, powder and brushes. Like i've said before, i have also been more of a Clinque girl, well my dears, that has changed. I may be a little slow and behind, but i have certainly joined the ranks of other Mac addicts!

I really wanted a powder to set my foundation, i only use the slightest amount - because there is nothing - i repeat nothing- worse than looking chalky!

The Mac sales assistant found the perfect shade, a few tones darker than my foundation so that i wasn't washed out. She did offer me the Mineral powder, however i didn't want to run the risk of looking glittery. It also comes with a small pad applicator which is fine if you need full coverage, but i use my massive Clinque powder brush for a small coverage.

This concealer is my holy grail product! This is amazzzing! As my foundation isn't heavy at all, the concealer is the perfect cover up for big pores or imperfections. The pot is quite small, but a this product goes a very long way - only needing the smallest amount. I would definitely recommend using a brush when applying, as using your finger you take alot of product that you don't really need. Also, if you use Benefit's Bo-ing, this is a cheaper, much better alternative.

I picked this up whilst on my lunch break in Boots where its currently on a save £3 offer. My eyelashes are healthy but i do use alot of mascara, my Doir Show is quite heavy, so i bought this treatment to give them extra strength and boost!

The wand isn't a normal brush but a banana shaped wand that you brush the clear liquid on to your eyelashes. It really made a difference when i applied it on before i went to bed, it made my lashes long without even using normal mascara! I also tried it on underneath my Doir mascara, and it did seem to separate and define my lashes more - but no real difference. But still, i will definitely continue to use this before i go to bed.

This product is new to L'Oreal and is a bigger version on the double ended Double Extension Mascara - which has both the clear lash treatment and mascara.

I am obsessed with buying nail vanishes at the moment. I love nude/baby pink tones as they look so neat and sophisticated, I picked up Baby Pink from Barry M in Superdrug for £2.95.

After buying my new Mac concealer, i wanted to try out a cheap but quality brush to see whether it was the best application. So i headed to No7 (i have soo many £5 off vouchers its silly) in Boots, but the only brush that seemed big enough was the eye shadow brush! Their actual concealer brush was pathetic, a bit like a lip brush - how odd! Although this brush does the job perfectly and for 75p it was a bargain!

I also purchased a foundation brush, after seeing the Mac sales assistant use it so effortlessly i thought i would give it a try. With another voucher, a £6 brush was a cheap way of exploring with a foundation brush. I'm still tackling the art of application with a brush, watch this space.

This beautiful blusher was a gift for my birthday, it has actually changed my complete make up routine! I simply haven't had time to blog about it, but it really does deserve a post to itself.

Its a cream blush by Laura Mercier in shade Oleander (£17.62). I've found it so hard to find a powder blush in the right shade with ultimate staying power, as well as the fact that i simply cannot apply it what so ever.

But this cream blush adds a sheeny pink pop of colour, which is incredibly easy to blend and apply. I have truly be converted to cream blushes, they don't dull out your skin - they provide a glowing pop of colour!

The Art of Foundation.

Finding and selecting the perfect foundation for ones' self has been a long, suffering and some what costly battle. I finally grew tired of using the wrong brand, the wrong shade, the wrong consistency and waged war on the cosmetics stands of House of Fraser department store yesterday.

After admitting to myself that i can no longer grace the streets in my orange, glittery Clinque (gasp) or completely dry out my skin with my Lancome, i decided once and for all i must search high a low for a simple, thin liquid foundation that will matte my t-zone with a luminous (non-greasy) glow, not too hard right?

There are so many questions and decisions one must make in purchasing the correct foundation: the shade? the application? a satin, luminous result or a matte airbrushed finish? too cakey? too runny? too thick to blend? is it mineral? does it have SPF? is it oil - free? The list is ever on-going and quite frankly, i couldn't tell you what a satin or silky finish is, or how to judge what medium coverage is compared to what i use! Clearly, finding the perfect foundation suited to your own skin and shade is an art.

It started at the tender age of 16 where i purchased my first liquid foundation which happened to be Clinque's Superfit in Petal, which was a slight few shades darker than my skin tone but not too noticeable. As i didn't really need that much coverage, a small pea sized blob mixed with moisturiser was enough to keep my unruly skin at bay, even though it wore off by lunch time. This foundation was perfect for my age, very lightweight as promiced, however it hasn't enough coverage to wear at present.

Then i progressed on to the Lancome Adaptive, which the assistant assured me that this foundation mattified my t-zone while moisturising the other parts of my face, which sounds a bit too good to be true? This product did in-fact give me a natural, even finish which was easy to apply; it just completely dried out my skin which made it look dull. It also didn't help that the sales assistant gave me the lightest shade and that i have spend a good six months looking pale with dried out skin; looking like i have some kind of illness. Perfect.

With life-less, dull skin i headed back to the Clinque counter to be given the complete opposite product, Super Moisture foundation was a lovely shade of satsuma orange for my pale colourings. Not only did it ease my dry skin, it made it appear radiant, even much so i actually sparkled from the glitter in the foundation. Rank. However, i only realised this after purchasing the foundation without looking in natural light, lesson truly learnt. This product did however have a good use for shimmer whilst on holiday or in the summer months.

Since then, i've been backwards and forwards between the Clinque Superfit (with lashings of powder as i can't seem to apply it without added moisturiser) or Lancome Adaptive (with layers on peachy bronzer, to bring my vampire skin to life). So off to House of Fraser i went.

I took along a friend for moral support and to make sure i wasn't persuaded into buying more than what i wanted or something completely wrong for me. First off i hit up Chanel, which i trusted to be a good brand because a) it is Chanel darling and b) it should be for that bloody price. The sales assistant applied Chanel Naturally Luminous Fluid, which retails at £28.00. It offers a light, natural coverage that adds radiance, she then colour matched me and told me to go check the colour in true day light. But before i left i admitted that i wasn't really keen on using a foundation in a pot, in concern of hygiene. The foundation also seemed quite thick and hard to blend, but maybe thats because i'm used to a runny Lancome or Clinque. I also came to realise in daylight, that the swatch she placed on my skin was an olive colour - very, very dark for my skin!

Then i progressed to Mac, where a young sales assistant sucked her teeth at me and asked what i wanted; so off i prattled when she promptly turned and walked off. When she returned, she pushed me down into a free seat and sprayed my face with Mac Fix It spray before painting my face quite liberally with foundation. She then turned my head towards the mirror, where i saw a perfect, well blended light coverage foundation on my skin. I was quite shocked that she managed to find such a good match as well as blending it just right to kind my imperfections. The assistant explained to me that Studio Fix Fluid is alot lighter than Studio Fix Foundation aswell as oil free; meaning no breakouts or caky-ness. And a fraction of the price, compared to Chanel, at £19.00. Pretty pleased with the results and a successful colour check in the middle of East Croydon high-street, i bought myself a bottle.

So fingers crossed, that my Mac Studio Fix Fluid really does live up to my standards. All i need to learn now, is the art of applying foundation with a brush!

Clinque Superfit, Lancome Adaptive, Clinque Super Moisturiser, Chanel Naturally Luminous Fluid, Mac Studio Fluid Fix.

My Must Have Make Up/Skin Care

This was circulating on alot of blogs, so i thought i would give it ago!

Shampoo: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release

Conditioner: Aussie Colour Mate Conditioner (this amazing! makes your hair so soft and shiny even if your hair isn't coloured)

Styling products: Tony and Guy 'Boost it Moose' and 'Iron Heat Defense Spray', the classic L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray.

Shower Gel: Lush 'Ice Blue'

Body moisturiser: Dove Beauty Body Moisturiser

Fake Tan: No 7 Quick Dry Spray

Cleanser: Clinque Liquid Facial Soap - step 3
Exfoliator: Clinque 7 Day Scrub / Scrub Puffer from Boots

Toner: Clinque Clarifying Lotion

Moisturiser: Olay Complete Care Moisturising Fluid SSF 15

Primer: (don't use one)

Foundation: Lancome Adaptive SSF10

Powder brush: Clinque Powder Brush

Concealer: Cilnque Line Smoothing Concealer and Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer

Powder: L'Oreal Paris True Match

Blusher:Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Colour or Mac Powder Blush in Pink Swoon.

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola

Highlighter: YSL Touche Eclat

Eyeshadow base: (don't use one)

Eyeshadows: Max Factor Earth Spirit Eyeshadow in Almond

Eyeliner: L'Oreal Paris Super Liner and Max Factor Kohl Liner

Curler: (don’t use one)

Mascara: Doir Show in Black Out.

Lipstick: Chanel Lipstick Balm

Lipgloss: Benefit Her Glossiness

Nail Colour: Chanel Rogue Noir

It really does pay to look good ;)

What do you use? copy&paste and reply!

Drugstore Haul

When having a Autumn/Winter clear out just before i go back to uni, i discovered that i have so many skin and beauty products that it just got to the point of becoming silly. I sorted out the products that i could definitely use, such as half used bottles of body lotion and shampoo and decided that i cannot possibly buy anymore until they are finished! I also threw out alot of make up that was near passing its sell by date as well as giving my make up brushes a good old clean; good tip: use Johnson's baby shampoo, gives just a good a result as Mac brush cleanser.

I decided that not only would i be buying a back to uni wardrobe but give my beauty bag an overhaul. So off to Boots, i picked up some drugstore make up pieces for a cheap, quick fix. Im hoping for some Mac vouchers for my birthday, so i can have a good spend then too!

Revlon Nail Vanish - Steel Her Heart (£6.00)

I do not know why i bought grey nail varnish, what possessed me? Im yet to try this out, but it looks fairly bland on one nail. This will be for when i'm feel rather quirky or grungy.

Revlon Nail Varnish - Plum Night (£6.00)

This purple shade looks quite light but after a few needed coats it came out quite a dark berry colour, which was a really in depth colour. It needed a topcoat, to make it look shiny; unlike the Chanel and Barry M polishes which already have a good shine to them. It had a really runny consistency, meaning you had to be quite careful in applying the varnish.

Paris Super Liner - L'Oreal (£6.00)

This liner looks like its super hard to use, but it's actually really steady. I use the carbon black shade and the colour is full on black, unlike my Rimmel eyeliner that sometimes needs going over as its quite watery. The pen liner can either give a fine or thick line, depending on the pressure when drawing on. I always make mistakes when lining my eyelids but i also use a cotton bud dipped in eye makup remover to remove any smudges, to create a sharp, neat line. I'm intrigued to try the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and brush, but the time being i will stick to this as it glides on really well.

Earth Spirits Eyeshadow in Burnt Bark - Max Factor

Earth Spirits Eyeshadow in Almond - Max Factor

Both these single eyeshadows from Max Factor are so cute, they are good dupes for Mac eyeshadows. They are fairly matt colours, with a sheen but not that pigmented. I use the Almond for a everyday base, then with the Burnt Bark to add definition. Or i use the Burnt Bark all over, for a stronger day to night shade. I love neutral, natural colours as they suit my eye colour and i also find them really easy apply when i'm running short for time.

I really wish i could post photos of swatches and looks but i do not own a digital camera, although my lovely boy friend has ordered one for my birthday, so hopefully i will add some up in my later posts.

NARS Orgasm

Major lusting over this blusher! This blusher has won rave reviews all over the world and i am so intrigued to what all the fuss is about. I tend to use more peachy blushers which suit my skin tone and eye colour. I already use a good MAC blush, but this blush has an added shimmer and staying power so it really can't hurt to try out, right? ;)

It comes in two forms, the multiple cream blush or the powder. The multiple cream blush stick can be used not only on the checks but also on the lips, as eyeshadow and as a highlighter. Although, it does come at quite a price, £27.00. I have never tried out a cream blush and having combination skin, it may be on the dangerous side of looking greasy. Although, for £27.00 it bloody better not, after applying it instore it gave good colour and luminous glow to my cheeks; which is perfect on days where my skin looks so dull in the rubbish, gloomy weather.

The powder retails at a slightly cheaper price of £18.50, however it appears very shimmery, maybe too shimmery for day wear? I don't want to look to shimmery and glittery, ick! I think this product is better suited to the summer, bring on summer '10!

Much love to the title too!

E.L.F

Budget beauty brand ELF is storming the States like nobody business, was it any wonder that when it made its way across the pond that it would become such a success? You may or may not of the heard of the brand, but its received rave reviews from magazines such as Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire and Grazia to name a few! But why on earth, if its so amazing, have we not bought a single item yet?

Thats because of its genius brand economics, most items selling for the crazy cheap price of £1.50. Thats right, you can order an eyeshadow set, lipstick, mascara and even foundation for a the rather crazy, dramatic price. By substituting big advertising campaigns and fancy packaging, they can afford to charge small prices for good, quality products (in-fact some products such as the bronzer actually made a loss! hah). Founded in 1994, by Joseph Shamah living in New York states 'We never skimp on formulations, but we do on packaging. For examaple, we would love to put mirrors in our compacts and have great containers like Nars or Stila - but we're about something different: namely, giving women the chance to try anything without the commitment of the big spend.'

I think this is an amazing idea, because i am hardly adventurous with my make up and stick to good high end brands that i know are good quality, even if they are high priced. So to see a brand like ELF offering a wide range of eyeshadows and blushers for such a small price its great, but i am septical as to whether they are good quality as they claim and not just cheap rubbish. Which is an issue that the brand must encounter from many customers who feel better buying a £16 blusher, knowing and thinking it will be good quality than a £1.50 blusher from an unheard of brand. I will have to order some products to see whether they stand the test against the high end brands that i usually purchase.

Here are a few products that i thought were very good value and staples in any make up bag

Brightening Eye Colour - Butternut (£1.50)

Natural Radiance Blusher - Glow (£1.50)

Mineral Lipstick - Nearly Nude (£3.50)

This product is a higher priced because it is a mineral based product, however many of the high street brand mineral lipsticks value at £7 plus. ELF also offers a full rang of mineral make up, from powders, concealers and eyeshadows to blushers; to the price of £3.50.

Kabuki Brush - (£3.50)

There are two ranges of make up brushes in ELF, the basic and the studio lines. All the basic brushes are £1.50 each where as the studio brushes are £3.50, as it has a softer hair. However, most of the MAC brushes retail at £20, so this brush is good value. Also a Kubuki brush is specialised type of brush, as it provides better coverage and application using powders or bronzers, rather than a a normal brush.

Have you ever used ELF? What are your thoughts of using a lower priced product?

See the ELF range here.