A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I first gave Ciate Starlet a blog outing in 2009 but it was in the depths of Winter and I couldn’t get the light to demonstrate the beautiful beetle-wings effect this lovely shade gives.

LOOK!

Pretty no?

Any excuse to show off a pretty polish (even the second time around) and I’m there!

Can we begin the weekend countdown now?

The new cream shadow range from Bare Escentuals had me foaming at the mouth when I saw swatches of them over on Temptalia earlier this month.  I’m a cream eyeshadow fan, there’s nothing like them for a quick application and depending on the brand and packaging, you can often get away with just using your fingers to blend.  A lazy girl’s dream.

Six shades will be available in the UK from August 1st, with one particualarly special looking duo-chrome (Urban Nature) that is bound to set many hearts-a-racing.

• Urban Nature – duochrome khaki/purple
• Racing Green – vivid forest green
• Sundance – metallic peach which leans toward gold
• Bronzed Twig – the ubiquitous bronze
• Gunmetal – pewter grey
• Chroma Violet – purple with silver shimmer

I’ve been playing with the shade Chroma Violet for almost a week and have a few thoughts about the formula, longevity and price.

Let’s get the (very small) elephant in the room out of the way first.  Size.  These things are tiny.  I’ve photographed a MAC Paint alongside for reference.  Considering the UK are receiving them priced at £16 a pop, we’re not getting a whole lot of product for a considerable amount of money.

A Chanel Ombre D’eau costs £3.60 per ml.  A Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadow will set you back £5.33 per ml.  Value for money?  Frankly, I would like to see more product for the price.

Having said that, Chroma Violet is beautiful.  It’s a stunning purple that doesn’t move an inch on my lids once set.  I can blend the edges with my fingers easily and it doesn’t do that thing of sheering out too much leaving only sparkle.  It’s a pretty awesome cream shadow with a punch of pigment.  Very awesome infact.  Very expensive (no, I’m not letting that go), but truly high quality.

I’ve also worn this as a priming base for an intense smokey eye.  A wash all over with Maybelline’s Cosmic Black blended in the crease and pulled down into the purple.  It was one of the least fussy but most effective smokey eyes I’ve done and it lasted through both a swim and a night out in London!

It’s because of the quality that I know I’ll take myself to the boutique in Covent Garden next time I’m in London to buy the gunmetal shade… I feel a little hypocritical moaning about the price of these when I’m still considering picking up another Armani ETKI and they don’t even last on my lids!

The Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows will be available on counter from August 1st priced at £16 each.

Do you stretch the budget if something ticks all the right boxes?

* PR Sample

Well, I wasn’t gonna get sucked into the hype.  Oh no, not me!  But then I thought “oooh just one little look to see what everyone’s going on about… *swoon*, *thud*, *kerching*”

Sucker.

Priced at £24.50, I believe this makes the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense in #3 Purpura, the most expensive single eyeshadow I own, roundly beating my Le Metier de Beaute spangly silver that I bought on impulse and have barely worn to this day.

So first things first, is it worth that horrendous price tag?  Of course it’s not… but like my Tom Ford lippies, the numbers that ring up on the till matter less once I’ve fallen head over heels.  All that matters is finding ways to justify why I require at least one more from the range.  Sucker.

The Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense range of 12 shades incorporate multi-faceted pigment with impressive colour payoff and a rich, creamy formula.

I initially approached the counter with Lust Red in mind after seeing Temptalia’s swatch of the blackened-red shade… but a quick check at the alternatives available had me lusting after something a little lighter for Summer.  Don’t worry Lust Red… I’m coming back for you in the Autumn!

Purpura, #3 is a beautifully blended mix of purples and gold that combine to create a violet-toned charcoal that dances with a golden glimmer.

I wouldn’t class this as sheer when applied dry but it’s definitely more ‘buildable’ (that’s a diplomatic way of putting it!) than some of the other, more intense shades.  This is actually one of the reasons I purchased it as it felt “airier” and more befitting for hot days when a ‘made up’ face just looks a little too much.

The three swatches above show Purpura applied dry, ontop of primer (Urban Decay original) and with a damp brush.  There’s not a great deal of difference between using a primer or simply applying it with a dampened brush so I’d imagine the question of preference will come down to longevity.

As for longevity, well I don’t have any opinion on that yet seeing as I only bought this yesterday.  All reports sound good so I’m looking forward to decent wear from this really, rather expensive but ultimately flippin’ gorgeous eyeshadow.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense eyeshadow in #3 Purpura is priced at £23.50 and available to buy on counter if you can find stock.  As of yesterday (31/5), Selfridges in London was out but Harvey Nichols came up trumps!

What do you think?  Like or no-like?

An oldie because my nails haven’t been this long for nearly a year but they do show off this gorgeous shade quite well (even if I do vainly say so myself!)

Butter London Scoundrel is a muted, warm lilac which sits nicely against cool skin tones like mine.  It’s one of my favourites from the brand and applies well without issues.

Look out next week because I’ve got a special interview with Butter London’s Founding Creative Director Nonie Creme and some Autumn/Winter 2011 previews for you!

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend party people! xx

And so my MUFE Aqua Cream collection grows because I wasn’t able to help myself when I saw a swatch of Aqua Cream #19 and couldn’t stop thinking about it for weeks afterward!

MUFE Aqua Cream in #19 is a blue-toned purple with an almost electric quality.  Like most Aqua Creams, it can be a bit tough to blend and I’d recommend applying it more as a base than an independent eyeshadow.  Unless you got the skillz of course.  And if you have?  Come show me how to do it!

Look, ain’t she purdy?

Lasting power is more than adequate on my lids, without any primers I get around 7/8hrs before creasing… the more heavy handed I am with it, the faster the product heads for my creases.

I particularly enjoy pairing this one up with NARS Ashes to Ashes eyeshadow, creating a KILLER violet-taupe from the combo.

MUFE Aqua Creams are available to buy online from Guru Makeup Emporium and PAM priced ar around £16.75

Do you own any MUFE Aqua Creams?

Leighton Denny’s Embellish Me is a dark, inky purple that’s perfect for Autumn/Winter.  A smooth creme, it’s not the most exciting or original shade out there but what it may lack in imagination, it more than makes up for in opacity.

I get frustrated by these dark, vampy shades that apply all thin and streaky.  This, thankfully isn’t one of those shades.  Practically opaque in a single coat, it only took a light 2nd coat to top off and even out my application.

The above photo shows two coats with no top coat.  Drying time was also impressive on this Leighton Denny.  This is a perfect polish for people in a hurry.  Two quick coats, minimal drying time.  No fuss application.

Wear has been average… but remember this is without the added protection of a top coat.

I’m impressed!

Embellish Me (£11.00) is a limited shade from his Autumn/Winter Opulence nail collection and is available instore at John Lewis or online at QVC, Beauty Bay and other selected retailers.

With all this Chanel vs. BarryM nail polish dupe talk… how could I possibly have resisted CHARGING down my local Superdrug as fast as my fat little trotters could carry me (ok, I drove) before scooping up a bottle of BarryM’s new nail polish sensation Dusky Mauve to compare for myself?

Well I couldn’t.  Hence this post – duh.

So is it?  Isn’t it?

It most certainly is.

BarryM’s Dusky Mauve Nail Paint is a practically perfect dupe for Chanel’s Paradoxal – I’ll let the photos do the talking.

When Bazza met Coco… *cue music*

The only teeniest, tiniest difference between the two is that I feel the BarryM version may have a touch more sparkle in direct sunlight… but I’m not even 100% confident on that.

If you had wanted to indulge in Chanel’s Paradoxal but couldn’t quite stretch to the £16.50 required to do so… put those pennies towards the £2.95 dupe of the year and head down to Superdrug for BarryM’s Dusky Mauve instead.  No one will be able to tell the difference.

If your local Superdrug/Boots are out of stock, don’t forget that you can also buy BarryM’s Dusky Mauve Nail Paint online from the BarryM website which ships internationally.

Be still my beating heart.

It’s perfect.

To celebrate ELLE’s 25th anniversary, the magazine has collaborated with Mavala to bring us a unique Limited Edition nail shade and I’ve been sent a sample to show you.

I die…. I really can’t overestimate just HOW much I love this colour.  Grey meets Purple (Grurple!) in the perfect spot under the raincloud and they do a little dance as the sun goes down.

3 coats to achieve the above finish, although 2 will do for an opaque result.  The third coat covered over a couple of drag marks that developed at the base of the nail.  The finish is glossy and creamy… add a shiny top coat and you’ve got a beautiful glass-like cream that looks perfectly smooth (even on my slightly ridged thumbnail).

Tip wear sets in a little too quickly for my liking, but you know that I’m probably going to forgive it everything because of the shade.

Mavala’s ELLE (£3.95) launches today (1st September 2010) and is exclusive to John Lewis stores.

I freaking LOVE the name… who the hell doesn’t want to be the Diva of Geneva?

This is the only one from the Swiss Collection that really shouted to me… my “maybes” list is longer, but I’ve mostly plumped for China Glaze Vintage Vixen shades for this coming season.

Diva of Geneva is a beautiful red based purple…. it almost looks pink in some lights.  A perfect shimmer finish that really complements my skintone, I’m gonna get a lot of wear from this shade.

3 coats for a perfect finish, 2 if you’re more heavy handed.  Drying time was fine and it was a joy to remind myself of the OPI brush… lovely application.

I picked this up from one of my favourite U.S. eBay sellers: BeautyZone2007 who is one of the best for combined shipping charges.

What are you lemming from the O.P.I Swiss Collection?

If you follow my tweets, then you may have ‘read” me this morning… urging my 15 month old to eat her porridge quicker, cursing my husband for being at work and turning the sky blue when confronted with a local traffic snarl up.

Everyday occurences, nothing unusual… except that they were happening on a day that I needed to be somewhere ASAP!  Where?  My local Chanel counter, that’s where!

Chanel Nail Polishes are notoriously fast sellers.  Infact, as I type this… I’m reminded of the fact (via twitter) that today, this particular nail polish sold out in Selfridges in 3 hours.  3 HOURS folks!  I can spend longer in the bath than that.

I haven’t been interested in any of the previous Chanel releases (tell a lie, I want Kaleidoscope) but, more recently?  Jade (blegh), Particuliere (meh), Nouvelle Vague (pass!).  But this… this one had me at “hello”.  Let me explain…

I love my grungey, murky, ugly colours.  I find them easy to wear and they make me feel grown up without feeling old.  They generally suit my cool skin tone without making my hands look like lobsters.  We were made for one another.

My absolute favouritest shades (that’s SO a word) generally throw a little purple into the mix.  Shall I name some names?  Channelesque, Who’s Wearing What, Surreal Violet, Bon Bon, Silver Purple.  So you see, Paradoxal turned my head from the first time I saw it.

And it’s still turning it…

Is it worth £16.50?  Probably not.  Do I love it very, very much and do I regret spending £16.50 on it?

Yes and No, not at all.

You’ll know immediately if this is your kinda colour… like McDonald’s gherkins.  You either love ’em or hate ’em.  I also happen to adore McDonald’s gherkins and would probably steal yours.

If you’re indifferent about gherkins, don’t go spending £16.50 on one just ‘cos everyone else is telling you how tasty it is.  That’s my free tip of the day.  What I’m saying is… don’t rush out, buy it and then moan ‘cos it’s a durgy colour.  OF COURSE IT BLOODY IS!

OK… that’s Paradoxal.  For me, it’s worth the hype.

I’m not even going to talk about longevity or application.  I’m not interested, everyone knows that Chanel polishes aren’t the best for those practical issues.  I bought Paradoxal for it’s colour and it’s Limited Edition status alone.  It could apply like tar and I still would have bought it.

If you want it and don’t have it, I suggest grabbing the Yellow Pages and phoning your local counters to see if they still have stock.  I’d also suggest trying ones that are more ‘out of the way’ – ‘cos this baby is selling fast!

Hyperventilate with me polish lovers!

Ok, so it’s not the holo-est holo I’ve ever worn… but my god it’s pretty!  Wild at Heart is a beautiful purple that’s absolutely packed with multicoloured sparkles… when the sun hits it?  KAPOWW!

The formula on the Color Club’s that I’ve tried so far (I bought this the same time as Uptown Girl) have been impressive, particularly for the price.  The photo above shows 2 coats and I bought my bottle on eBay.

Now I’m yearning for a mega-holo… what’s the holo-est holo you know?

I suck.

I caved.

I totally caved on ASOS and picked up both Illamasqua Jo’Mina and Baptiste…

Illamasqua Jo’Mina is a vibrant lilac creme.

It doesn’t looks bad against my complexion, but in my opinion… would suit darker skintones better.  I found the formula easy to apply but prone to a little streaking.  It needed a third coat to even out patchy areas though it dried quickly and to a high gloss finish.

At £13, it’s an expensive polish (though I paid half that in the sale).  I can’t say I would have been delighted with it had I paid full price.  I need to reswatch, but I’m interested to directly compare it to my Barry M Berry Ice Cream… I think this is a little darker and more vibrant.

Do you have Jo’Mina? Love it?