Pin Ups and Polkadots ♥

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Foundation Hell to Estee Lauder Heaven!

While at University (possibly even at school? I can't remember) I swore by Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse. I remember when it was first launched, oh the anticipation! It was exactly what I was looking for as it kept oiliness at bay and was easy to apply for a makeup application rookie.

As I've gotten older and became more aware of the quality of makeup products I have to admit that old Matte Mousse has been left lonely in my makeup storage for use of other foundations. I have quite a bad relationship with foundations because I've never really learned how to pick my best shade and I usually end up with one too light or orange for my skin. I've also had bad experiences with 'higher end' foundations, well if you can count Virgin Vie as higher end! My Mum (who is most definitely not a makeup fanatic like moi) bought me a £15 foundation from Virgin Vie when I was probably about 14 and it was so runny and oily I thought all expensive (well £15 was a lot of money to be spending on makeup to a 14 year old then) foundations would be the same.

So with that little anecdote I come to the main part of my story!

I pucked up the courage to go into Boots and ask at the Estee Lauder counter for a sample of Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup in the shade I thought best suited me (much testing went on to decide this with better sampling lessons from beauty bloggers such as TheSundayGirl, you can view the post I used here).

As this foundation is tres expensive I decided if I did decide to buy it, it would be best kept for 'special occasions' therefore I'd lean toward a slightly darker shade for when I'm wearing fake tan (we are all a bit guilty of keeping our 'good things' too good though aren't we?) and if I decided it was holy grail type stuff then I could pick it up in a slightly lighter shade for pale and interesting me.

I have always wanted to try this foundation since hearing raving reviews from a couple of my friends although I was sceptical. The job I've been doing recently involves a lot of running about and by the end of the day my makeup base is a sweaty mess. It's quite annoying considering the amount of time and effort (not to mention money!) I put into my makeup routine. So, for all that I have found some pretty good foundations along the way I'm still waiting on 'The One' and since Double Wear apparently doesn't budge I thought I'd give it a whirl.

As I had some fake tan on at the time of getting the sample I choose 2C1 Pure Beige which I believe means it is in the second category of shades ie medium (due to the '2') and is for cool undertones (due to the 'C'). Although I have no idea what the 1 means...

I know the majority of beauty bloggers probably know all of this stuff and always refer to their skintone via their MAC shade but I don't have a MAC shade so this is all new to me!

Anyway...

I wore this makeup when out on a shift in my support worker job and had it on all day...

Woooah it is amazing! I know its the first time I've worn it but I literally saw no shine until about 9pm in the evening after having applied it around 10am that morning, as well as sniffling into a tissue and eating/drinking etc. Now to me that is a pretty big result. Not only that but it still looked freshly applied even though I hadn't touched it up at all! Oh! and it applies like a dream, I expected it to be really thick but it was easy to get a lot out of a tiny dot and just add to it as I ran out. I think it took a couple of mini splodges (technical terms!) to cover my face well.

I am very excited about this product! Can you tell?

My Mum commented on how nice my skin looked and said I wasn't looking too orange (she's so cheeky!) but hey, if my Mum liked it, it must be good! She tells it like it is!

I'm beginning to think that this shade may work minus the fake tan also which would be an added bonus.

Overall I think further testing is required until I'm absolutely sure but I think this one is a winner!

Yay!

The flash appears to have washed me out a little! Apologies!

What's on my Face

Face:

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Estee Lauder Double Wear in Pure Beige

Illamasqua Powder Foundation in 140

Naked Flushed Palette

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 (medium)

Eyes:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

MUA Heaven and Earth Palette Shade 9 applied all over lid up to brow

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude (waterline)

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 008 Blackmail (under lashes)

Diorshow Blackout Mascarra in Waterproof Black-Kohl
MUA Pro-Brow Kit

Lips:

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Galaxy

What do you think? Do you rate Double Wear, do you own it?

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Get to Know Me Tag

As far as I'm aware this is a pretty old tag and I've never used one before nor understand how they work so!

I thought it would be nice to do a little post about me as I enjoy reading these kinds of posts on other beauty addicts blogs...

1. Are you named after anyone?

Yes, my Nana was Josephine and my Granny is Agnes or Nan as she is known. My mum and dad put their names together and came up with Joanne, Jo-Nan... see!

I was nearly Joanna but my Mum and Dad thought it was too much of a mouthful with my second name!

2. When was the last time you cried?

I actually can't remember which is unusual as I'm quite an emotional person. I was last emotional and on the verge of tears when I was offered my new job.

3. Do you have kids?

Nope, that's for the future!

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

Yes, I'm a loyal person and very reliable. I think people can be very fickle these days and make promises here there and everywhere with no real commitment. I am quite a literal person so if I said I'd do it the chances are that I will. I like people who are reliable so I'd be friends with me. And anyway I'm hilarious so naturally! (haha..)

5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I can do but I usually just use it to state a point or wind my partner up!

6. Will you ever Bungee Jump?

I am undecided on this. I actually really hope never to be faced with the option to bungee jump or not to bungee jump as I'd probably freak at the last minute and then regret it. I once had the opportunity to go for a camel ride in Egypt and got an angry one so I chickened out... I secretly really regret it. That being said, what chance do I have with a bungee jump if I can't even ride a camel?

7. What's your favourite cereal?

I prefer toast or fruit in the morning but I am partial to the odd bowl of lucky charms here or there.

8. What's the first thing you notice about people?

I notice their reaction to me. If they appear friendly it puts me at ease but if they look at me with anything other than a friendly smile or similar to that it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Out in about however I tend to notice peoples shoes first (I know I'm odd!).

9. What is your eye colour?

Blue.

10. Scary movie or happy endings?

Ohh most definitely happy endings, even the trailers for scary films give me nightmares for literally months. I am so sad.

11. Favourite smells?

I love vanilla. It reminds me of warm happy places and of being a little girl. It makes me think of summer and summer holidays too.

12. Summer or winter?

I think during winter I wish it was summer and during summer I wish it was winter! I like things about both but sometimes feel they go on too long! That sounds so daft! In summer I love sitting in the park, holidays, BBQs and warm nights. In winter I love snuggling up with my partner, watching DVDs and eating takeaway as well as the festive period!

13. Computer or television?

I don't watch much TV, only really a select couple of programmes so probably a computer as there is much more entertainment available such as reading blogs and buying products which make me skint but very happy!

14. What's the furthest you've ever been from home?

I've been to America three times, I've been with my family all the times I've been though. We went to Disney World and Universal Studios Florida every time we've been and also to St Pete's beach the most recent time back in 2010. Amazing.

15. Do you have any special talents?

When I was younger I was a competitive championship Highland dancer. It was pretty much my life until I went to uni. I was really good and won lots of trophies but unfortunately was never quite one of the champions. Got some fabulous achievements and memories though!

16. Where were you born?

In Alexandria, a little town near Glasgow in Scotland.

17. What are your hobbies?

I've had various hobbies over the years my main one being Highland dancing for a long time. When I went to uni it turned into going clubbing and now I really enjoy buying and trying out new beauty products and going shopping. Blogging is a fairly new hobbie of mine but I'm hoping I'll get better at it and it will become a main hobbie.

18. Do you have any pets?

I have a little black cat called Troy, he's about 11 now. We used to have his brother too, Cody but he died a couple of years ago, I still say to people I have 'cats' instead of 'cat' because I miss him!

19. Favourite movie?

I love Dirty Dancing, I think that would be my all time favourite. I also loveee Taken, Taken 2, Superbad, The Hangover and Bridesmaids. My partner has quite an influence on this! We are currently nearing the end of season 5 of Supernatural which is AH-MA-ZING!

20. Do you have any siblings?

Yes, I have a little huge brother (6ft odds towering over my 4ft 11 nothingness) who is 18.

There we have it! I hope you found it slightly interesting if your reading and if you got to the end well done!

Thursday, 7 February 2013

My Full UK Rimmel Apocalips Collection: Mini Review and Swatches

Hello!

I am aware that Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers are a big hit at the minute in blogger town and I thought I'd be as well to jump on the band waggon. After all, when you can't decide if you'd like to purchase a product, reading lots of reviews is your best bet!

This will be quick though! I'm aware some of my posts have been extra longggg but I'm going to attempt to be short and snappy with this one!

Nude Eclipse, Luna, Nova

Nude Eclipse

Sorry to say it but I really don't like this one! I find it difficult to get even on my lips and it often looks streaky like I've used a cheap foundation on my lips... yikes! I'll persevere for a bit longer and try it out possibly with fake tan on as I think it would look better on deeper skin tones.

We shall see...!

Luna

I feel the same about the consistancy of this one as well with the streaking. I do like the colour but think it looks harsh when my skin is au natural (aka casper). It definately washes pale complexions out but I think it's a lovely coral would really pop in the summertime with a bit more of a bronzed look. (fyi I do wear bronzer... but this still seems to wash me out, I think fake tan would be necessary).

Nova

I like this one! It looks very pink in this photo but it is a bit more muted than this (please excuse the flash!) and when dried it looks lovely as a matte with a little sheen. That's the great thing about these lip colours! They dry in and stain the lip, they don't disappear... huzzah!

Celestial, Apocaliptic, Galaxy

Celestial

A beautiful dusty pink shade which I adore. It's very wearable and isn't streaky due to the bolder colour. Another one that looks great dried. These lip colours are easy wear as they aren't heavy and although they dry fairly matte, they don't dry out the lips.

Apocaliptic

This is just heaven in a tube if you are like me, and enjoy a bold lip! An amazing blue toned pink that looks fantastic day or evening!

Galaxy

A beautiful shimmering purpley shade! I find it very wearable and don't feel self conscious wearing it during the day, I just think its divine!

Stellar, Big Bang

Stellar

A wonderful neon pink shade leaning toward red. It looks amazing for a night out and really pops in photos! Great to pair with a nude eye look to really make it stand out!

Big Bang

A classic red! I love Big Bang and recently wore it on a night out. I found it to be more wearable than Lime Crime Veletines Red Velvet which I've reviewed here if you wish to sneak a peek. It was light on the lips unlike Red Velvet which I actually found to be quite uncomfortable when I wore it long term. Big Bang is very comfortable and the wear time is amazing, I only reapplied during my night out get the gloss look back but if you were happy with the matte sheen effect it gives you could probably get away with not reapplying... everyone's different though!

Have you tried any of the Rimmel Apocalips range? What do you think? Which are your favourites?

New Years Resolutions Revisited: New Job!!

Hello!

I realise I am virtually blogging to myself however for those of you who do read this, thank you very much!

I wanted to revisit my New Years Resolutions post (you can view it here) as I have recently achieved 'find a full time job'! (Yaaaaaay!)

I am, as you may imagine completely over the moon about this and was super excited and wanted to share as soon as I found out on Wednesday last week but I had to sort out a few of the formalities and was too nervous to tell the world until I had done so!

So I will be an Occupational Therapist within a palliative and end of life care service which I am thrilled about as, although I didn't have the opportunity to get lots of experience within an environment such as this at university, it is an area that I am hugely interested in and I do think given the chance to find my feet that I'll be good at it! (I hope..)

Sadly, like most jobs these days, it isn't permanent but a temporary full time contract. But hey! It's more than I had before... an awful lot more, and this experience will be worth so much to me and my future career!

Wish me luck!!!

How are you getting on with your resolutions?

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

WOMF & OOTD #1 Saturday and Sunday

I haven't tried a WOMF post or a OOTD because my photography isn't the best and I'm only using my Samsung Galaxy S3 to take my pictures. Here is my first attempt, I hope it turns out ok!

Saturday

I was working on Saturday but thought I'd show what I wore and my makeup for the day.

What's on my face

Full Face
(looks like an awful lot!)


Face: Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation in 150 mixed with Maybelline Fit Me foundation in 210 applied with MUA F2 Stippling Brush. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 (Medium) applied to blemishes S&G KickAss Concealer in Medium applied under eyes and all concealer set with powder. Finished with Illamasqua Powder Foundation in 140 applied with MUA F4 Powder brush and Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer in 02 Brunettes applied with MUA F5 Kabuki brush. Makeup set with MUA ProBase Fixing Mist.


Cheeks: Sleek Blush by 3 in Lace shade Guipure applied with BareMinerals Tapered Blush brush.

Eyebrows:
Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake in Peek applied with MUA E7 eyebrow brush
and sealed with Illamasqua Sealing Gel.

Eyes:

Naked Basics Palette, shade Faint applied to lid, Walk of Shame blended through crease
and Venus applied up to brow bone applied with MUA E1 and E3 eyeshadow brushes.

Bourjois Kohl and Contour eyeliner pencil in number 12
(nude shade for water line, black shade for lower lash line)

Benefit They're Real Mascarra.

Lips:

MUA lipliner in Pink Me Up

Lush Liquid Lipstick in Drive

Full Face!

Outfit of the Day


I do really apologise for the bad quality of these images! I actually took them at the end of the day and was feeling a little worse for wear! I just wanted to show you what I wore.

Cardigan | Hollister £30 (roughly)

Top | Men's Section Primark £8

Skirt | Primark £10

Tights | Primark £2.50

Shoes | Primark £8

Cross Chain | Primark £4

Sunday

I had a lovely day out on Sunday with my partner and our little nephew! It was really good fun, we took him to a soft play area, for a wander round some shops and then for a McDonald's which he loved! When I brought his happy meal over; I quote 'WOWEEZ!' hehe, he's too cute! We then visited my mum and dad with him which he was a little bit wary about as he hasn't met them that many times but it couldn't of been all bad as he almost managed to amputate my cat Troy's tail and gave my mum and dad kisses when it was time to go. We then went to ASDA to get sweeties and so I could buy some mini drawer units to store my ridiculous makeup kit in (they were only £5!) before heading home!

Very good day all round!

What's on my face

Full Face
I clearlyyyy wear too much makeup!

Face:
MUA Primer
Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation in 150
mixed with Maybelline Fit Me foundation in 210
and Lush Charisma Skin Tint applied with MUA F2 Stippling Brush.
YBF Neutralizing Creme to cover redness.
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 (Medium) applied to blemishes
S&G KickAss Concealer in Medium applied under eyes and all concealer set with powder.
Finished with Illamasqua Powder Foundation in 140 applied with MUA F4 Powder brush
and Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer in 02 Brunettes applied with MUA F5 Kabuki brush.
Makeup set with MUA ProBase Fixing Mist.


Cheeks: Sleek Blush by 3 in Lace shade Guipure applied with BareMinerals Tapered Blush brush.

Eyes:

MUA shade 1 applied all over lid and up to brow bone with MUA E3 brush, MUA shade 11 applied to lid with MUA E1 brush and MUA shade 27 pushed into outer crease corners with MUA E2 brush.