For the past year or so, I have been slowly battling a lipstick obsession. Rimmel, GOSH, ELF, you name a brand, I have a lipstick by it, but my favourite lipstick brand by far is most definitely MAC. Their colour selection is outstanding, and I can't get over the gorgeous application that the 3 MAC lipsticks that I own give me. So here's a little insight into my MAC lippie collection so far...

Shy Girl

'Creamy neutral coral beige (Cremesheen)'

I adore this lippie for a pop of coral-y color when my face is lacking a bit of warmth. Its definitely a unique colour in my collection, a beautiful peach tone and its a world away from my usual fall back nude lipsticks.

Creme Cup

'Light blue pink (Cremesheen)'

This is most definitely a perfect everyday lipstick colour for me, not being too loud, bright or pale, this is a 'my lips, but just a little but better' colour.

 

Hue

'Soft pale pink (Glaze)'

By far my favourite of the bunch is of course Hue, which is much raved about here on Beautylishious. This is just the perfect milky, pale pink, and saves me from a world of boring nudes with a hint of colour!

 

 *note to self- get over your fear of colourful lipsticks!*

Left to right- Hue, Creme Cup, Shy Girl

I'm always looking for more additions to my MAC lipstick family, with Plink and Lady Danger being high up on my wishlist. Any suggestion of further purchases ladies? :)

hauling from across the pond.

 NYX products have been on my 'beauty radar' ever since I've gotten into the whole beauty blogging/vlogging world, however, living in England, it's very difficult to get hold of. After endless searching and lusting after products, I finally came across Cherry Culture, an American website which does ship to the UK. It stocked all of the products I had been searching for and the shipping was only $8- WIN! :)

The postage took a little over 2 weeks, and for around £24 I got all of these...
 

Mega Shine Lipgloss in Smokey Look

I love love love love love this! The gorgeous, sweet smell reminds me of childhood holidays and much to my surprise, this lipgloss is not sticky at all, which is the best part for me, I hate stick lipglosses! The colour is beautiful and looks amazing paired with MAC Shy Girl lipstick, a winning combination:)

Round Lipstick in Margarita

I must admit, this was a disappointment for me. Don't get me wrong, the formula is beautiful- creamy and soft, however I hate the colour. It just does not suit my skin tone, and I look slightly crazy when I put it on, but I will definitely be considering buying more of these, in different shades.

Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk & Dark Brown

I adore these, just adore. The brown is dark and pigmented, perfect for smudging into the lashes and the milk is the perfect base for other eyeshadows.

Powder Blush in Peach

This, as you may think from the name, is not a peach. It was the colour shade which initially drew me in, however it turns out to be a soft, very light pink, which is beautiful, however I was disappointed when I didn't open it up to being a beautiful glowing peach. But hey, the pigmentation is lovely and its really glowey and pretty on the cheeks.

Rouge Cream Blush in Rose Petal

This miracle product is really the reason I was interested in NYX in the first place. I'm a huge creme blush fan and this definitely fulfilled my high expectations. Its beautiful and dewy, perfect for a 'no makeup-makeup' look and is such a dream to blend I can't wait to put it on every morning.

Lip Lacquer Pot in Georgia Peach

This colour is just divine, a milky, shiny pink which looks beautiful on the lips, without being sticky at all. Love love love.

I also received the Bubblegum Lipbalm above as a free gift with purchase, which is also lovely and moisturising and the smell just reminds me of my old bubblegum obsession - nomnomnom!

Top - Bottom; Lipgloss in Smokey Look, Lip Lacquer in Georgia Peach, Lipstick in Margarita, Jumbo Eye Pencil in Dark Brown & Milk, Rouge Creme Blush in Rose Petal, Powder Blush in Peach

I'm loving all my new bits and bobs from NYX and I'm on the hunt for new things to try, any suggestions? :)

the big 16.

As some of you may know, my birthday was last Monday and ooh it feels good to finally be the big 1-6!!

On Saturday night I went out for a birthday meal to the restaurant Zizzi's, and boy, do they have good nosh! There I had a few amazing surprises from my lovely friends including the best birthday cake in the whole wide world and a beautiful 'friendship book' made by my best friends in the whole wide world :)

It was a great night, and two days later, my actual birthday was just as good with presents, more presents... and just a few more presents!

Revlon Colourstay Foundation

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

ELF Concealer & Highlighter

Bourjois Bronzer

MAS Mineralize Skin Finish Natural

ELF Mineral Blush in Rose

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

ELF Cream Liner (Used as eyeshadow base and liner)

Sleek Bad Gal Palette

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Socialite (used wet on inner corners)

Avon Supershock Gel Liner

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

MAC Hue Lipstick

Dress- Primark

Tights- Random

Boots- Primark

Nails- Barry M Raspberry

Some of my favourite birthday presents included...

...a flashing birthday badge :)

...best birthday card ever from my larvelyyy sister <3

...a huge hamper of random but meaningful gifts from the besties :)

...the most adorable mini owl necklace!

...MAC Creme Cup Lipstick & Painterly Paint Pot... woohooo!

...a huge selection of chocolate... I think they are trying to fatten me up... nomnomnom

And that is the end of my birthday for another year ♥

fake v's natural.

The big issue in the beauty industry at the moment is the vicious battle between fake and natural makeup and looks, with many younger girls being pressured into wearing excess makeup or even considering cosmetic surgery, just to feel 'perfect'. This battle in the makeup world is quickly being increased by advertisements claiming fake is better, with the huge rise in airbrushing adverts, however many still swear that natural beauty is best.

My 18 year old sister Sophie is a prime example of this. She is a beautiful girl, but still insists on slapping on makeup by the truckload for everyday wear, when in reality, it is just not needed. A few days ago we conducted a 'beauty experiment' (lets geek out here 8) where I did two extreme makeup looks on her- 'natural' and 'fake'. Here are the results...

Natural

Revlon Colourstay Foundation mixed with moisturiser

ELF Mineral Blush in Rose

MeMeMe Highlighter in Sun Beam

No7 Eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf and Mink

Max Factor False Lash Effect

Mac Hue Lipstick

I was amazed when I completed this look on her. She absolutely hated it as it was so out of her normal 'fallback look' of heavy makeup, but in my opinion, I don't think she needs it.

Fake

Revlon Colourstay Foundation in a dark and light shade

Sleek Bad Gal Palette

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Bourjois Bronzer

ELF Warm Bronzer

ELF Blusher in Blushing Rose

False Lashes

Avon Gel Liner

MAC Cherry Lipliner

No7 Lipstick in Ruby Glow (20)

L'oreal Paris Glam Shine Lipgloss in Endless Carmine (506)

By no means is this look completely 'fake' but it is very heavy and daring. I also love this look as it photographs so well, but I still prefer her in the natural look. Sophie, of course, preferred this look, but she did say she was pleased she'd actually seen herself a little stripped back on the makeup front.

I was shocked when the next day she walked in with noticeably less makeup on and was actually wearing a lot more natural look that she was used to. I was such a proud sister, teehee!

Personally, I think she looks lovely in both looks and I love the look of both 'natural' and 'fake' makeup, but the whole point of this 'experiment' was to show her she didn't need it, especially for everyday.

So which do you prefer?

birthdays, skins & ombre hair ♥

♥ The last few weeks have been so freaking hectic. Although my mock GCSE exams are over (they went pretty well if you were wondering ;), I now have a pile of coursework and projects to complete over the next couple of weeks. It seems my school thinks that I don't need a break from work after exams, so please excuse my lack of posts for the time being... bad times.

♥ On a lighter note, my birthday is coming up- 7th February, hell yeah! :) I'm beyond excited for pressies, cake, dinner and parties, bring it on! :)

I miss them... :(

 

♥ I must confess I am a complete and utter TV-aholic. I watch everything. 90210, Vampire Diaries, Glee, Pretty Little Liars, Misfits... you name it, I watch it ;) One of my absolute favourites is Skins, however the new series (which started last Thursday) was such a disappointment compared to the older series'! I can't help missing the old cast just a little too much :( But of course the big news is the new series of US Skins, which I watched a bit of and my opinion is just... well.. mehh. Skins just doesn't seem right to me without Kaya Scodelario, Luke Pasqualino and their British accents, and it shocked me how tame it was compared to UK Skins, although there is already talk of it being cancelled. What do you think?!

♥ Lately I've been feeling a bit 'blahh' about my hair and after seeing so many beautiful pictures of celebrities with two tone hair, they have inspired me to want need ombre hair! However the only problem is that I am beyond terrified of ruining my ends and having to have it all cut off! Any of you ombre hair experienced ladies have any advise?

♥ I hope you liked this slightly different type of post. Sorry its a bit ramble-y and hap-hazard, but when in need of a rant, I blog :)

Twitter  ♥

Formspring  ♥

recent MAC purchases.

My mock GCSE exams are almost over, and of course for all my hard work, I had to treat myself to a few bits and bobs from MAC to cheer myself up...

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light

Most definitely one of MAC's cult products, I knew that this had to be one of my first purchases. I had high hopes for this gorgeous product, and of course it did not disappoint! This has taken over as my go-to foundation, for a super light, very natural coverage, and looks like I'm wearing absolutely no makeup whatsoever, just leaving behind beautiful skin.

Studio Finish Concealor in NC20

I was in desperate need for a new concealer, and, inspired by dozens of YouTube gurus, I went for this hugely popular MAC concealer. I've been really enjoying this, and I'm pleased with the coverage and the flawless way it can cover blemishes. I even use this on my under eye circles if I'm having a particularly tied day, and it works wonders at covering darkness and creating a brightened complexion.

Lipstick in Shy Girl

Ooofft. This little beauty is most definitely my fave of the bunch, an overwhelmingly stunning nudey peach with gorgeous gold shimmer. I've been wearing it non-stop since its purchase, and it really is one of the loveliest lipsticks I own, and the name could even be a representation of me! Here's how it looks on moi...

Blehh! Please excuse my dried out lips!

Overall I'm hugely happy with all my MAC purchases, I think its love! :)

Next up in line to try are the paint pots, creme blush and more lipsticks, specifically Creme Cup.

Have a lovely week girlies!

tropicana eyes.

During the depths of winter, it seems that everyone could do with a little colour to brighten up those dreary grey days, so little ole' me (still refusing to admit it isn't summer) decided to have a play around with all the brights in my collection...

I used my Sleek Storm and Bad Gal palettes, Avon Super Shock Gel Liner and Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara.

Might be a little out of season, but these bright parroty colours really cheered me up after a long day of revision and exams, as I am currently in the middle of sitting my mock GCSE's- booo!

But hey, the best thing about exams is the extra time off school, I've had two half days off this week- win!

Lately I've been really into experimenting with colour and getting out of my 'neutral' rut, which I seem to have gotten myself lodged into these past few months! Hopefully 2011 will bring with it a new adventurous Hannah, fingers crossed!

What do you think of bright colours in the winter months? A little over the top, or perfect for brightening up the cold, dark days? :)