Archive for September, 2010
Pale & Interesting?
1Being naturally (very) dark haired, I have always tried to have a deep olive skintone using fake tans or by sunbathing. However, as I have become increasingly busier over the last year, I struggle to find the time for either! Also, I haven’t wanted to clog my pores by self tanning as I’ve been having regular breakouts.
OCD with make-up brushes!
3I want to know, how often do you all clean your make-up brushes and what do you use to do so?
I have a range of make-up brushes from Benefit (& Primark!) that I use everyday. As I have a bit of OCD when it comes to cleanliness, I tend to wash them in hot water with Milton every weekend. Maybe this is too much?! But you ought to see the colour of the water after only a week’s use!
Once you’ve had MAC…
0Once you’ve had MAC, you’ll never go back…
Isn’t that what they say?!
Well, for reasons I cannot explain I haven’t tried any MAC products until now. It all started last Sunday when I was filming with Rimmel, and make-up artist Sonia Deveney showed me the Face & Body Foundation in C2. I loved it!
Revlon’s Fashion Night Pout
1Revlon recently worked with their global artistic director and amazing make-up artist Gucci Westman, to create an exclusive, for-one-night-only lipstick for the Vogue Fashion’s Night Out event.
I was lucky enough to receive a sample of this and wanted to blog about it as it is easily the best nude lipstick I have ever tried, and I have tried a lot!
I’ve got The London Look!
0As most of you will probably know, I won a recent competition with Rimmel which was very exciting. I thought you would like to hear all about my day and the London Look experience!
I heard about the competition on Facebook and didn’t for one second think I would win (mainly because I haevn’t won anything before!) but thought it would be rude not to enter given that the competition was a video make-up tip and that is what I offer to the world. The hardest thing was to fit in my tip in 30 seconds; that explains why I am speaking so loudly and rushed in my video.
Just the part (ing)!
1I’ve been working with Scott Beszick Hairdressing for a few years now. I first visited Scott sporting an on trend ‘pob’ which was the shortest haircut i’d ever had. I just couldn’t get used to it and wanted it long, fast!
Two years down the line, and I now have the hair that I have dreamt of for years. Long, thick with lots of movement. This is all thanks to Scott. He has transformed my short bob to this through ever-changing styles that have always been on trend and suited to my face and style.
Tweezerman Skincare Tool
1I’m an absolute bugger for squeezing my spots! I know I shouldn’t, and feel bad when doing so, but just can’t help myself!
My skin has broke out ridiculously since coming off the pill, so whilst it tries to settle down I have purhased a Tweezerman skincare tool to help me take care of the spots in a kinder way!
Greige Nails – Gotta have them all!
1There seems to be a long standing trend of greige nails, which started with Chanel at the start of 2010. Although, there are now introductions of purple greys and jade greens; greige is still going strong and seems to be a trend adopted by many brands on the high street.
Rimmel 30 day Challenge Aborted
2I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of Rimmel’s VIP’s meaning I get to see and test the latest products and tell you all about them.
I’m sure you’re all aware of the blogging that many girls are currently doing arund the Rimmel 30 Day Challenge. I was chosen to participate in this also, but unfortunately had to abort the challenge after only a couple of days 
Sheer Sleeves
0During one of my weekly shopping trips to the amazing Primark, I discovered a stunning little cream dress amongst the rails of autumn items. I was drawn to it because it was a dress with long sleeves which I thought would keep me warm and look quiet classy. I picked up a size 8 to try on…
Rimmel London Finalist!
2Wow…I can’t actually believe my luck! I have just found out that I am one of two finalists in a Rimmel London competition!
My task was to create a 30 second video showing my make-up tip for this Autumn/Winter, ahead of London Fashion Week. Well, I just know rusts, oranges and warm peachy colours will be in this coming season so headed down to the shops to pick up Rimmel’s newly launched Autumn Catwalk 3 in 1 blusher – perfect. It was hard to video this in only 30 seconds though….which is why I sound so rushed! I just had to add in the Heather Shimmer classic lipstick too! An old fave of most girls my age…the video doesn’t show it too well, but it realy does brighten up pale skin.
So, I have until midday Saturday 11th September to win! All I have to do is get the most LIKES on YOU TUBE! Here’s a link…http://bit.ly/9iyDfQ
Please help me fans…x
Give Liz Earle a whirl!
2My skin has been troublesome for about two months now. I ordinarily had smooth, clear glowing skin but since coming off the pill I have so many spots. They are mainly appearing on my chin and jaw line, which is apparently hormone related.
I’ve used the Eve Lom skincare routine for over 10 years, but even this hasn’t been helping. I have been smothering my skin in their Dynaspot – a cream very similar to calamine lotion with lavender, tea tree and other essential oils that usually zip those zits straight away.
Unsure where to turn, I started looking into Liz Earle because of all the awards they had won, and the fact that their cleanser was similar to Eve Lom and I am hooked on the hot cloth ritual as it makes me feel totally cleansed and refreshed. It was before pay day so I didn’t have any money to spend (bills are getting too high with it getting colder boo hoo!) so I tweeted them saying I would love to try it. They replied the same day saying they would love to give me the opportunity to try it – whether this was just good luck or the fact that they liked my blog who knows, but a great result for me I thought 
I was so impressed when it arrived, the packing was so well presented and wrapped perfectly. They also sent me a recent newsletter and a few leaflets on their products and guides on how to use the Cleanse & Polish. I couldn’t wait to try it!
My usual make-up for a day at work consists of Revlon Colorstay foundation (which sets to the face really strongly and is hard to shift), waterproof mascara by Maybelline and Revlon Colorstay black liquid eyeliner – so all in all, pretty permanent make-up! I applied the product to dry skin and massaged it in all over my face and eyes. It seemed to sink straight into my skin – much like a moisturiser and to be honest didn’t feel like it was lifting my make-up off. This may be because I am used to Eve Lom which is like an oily gel consistency and sits on your skin as you massage off. I got my hot cloth very hot and started rubbing the make-up off my face. When I looked in the mirror my eye make-up hadn’t quite come off and I didn’t feel totally cleansed. So, I went through the process all over again. Once finished, my skin felt perfect – clean, fresh and very alert and rejuvenated.
Two days in and my skin felt really dry and tight at times. I asked my contact at Liz Earle for some advice, and was sent a deep cleansing mask, skin boost toner and a moisturiser for normal/combination skin.
For the past three days and nights I have cleansed, toned and moisturised and can already notice a huge difference. My angry looking bumps and pimples diminished the moment I used the deep cleansing mask, so I plan to use this twice a week until my skin clears.
I do tend to use the C&P twice to get my skin ultra clean; but this probably isn’t necessary and is due to me having OCD about cleanliness and the fact that I use make-up that’s set to last over 12 hours!
So, a week or so into this new skincare routine I can say I am very impressed and plan to extend my collection. I really need an eye cream of some sorts now to get rid of dark circles and the horrid little lines i’m getting! Boo to almost being 30!
Have you tried this range? What did you think of the Cleanse & Polish product? Let me know by commenting below.
Revlon Colorstay Matte Complexion
0I first started using Revlon colorstay when I was about 16 – over 13 years ago. There wasn’t half as many foundations to choose from as there are now, and it was the only one I could find in Boots that offered a full coverage. I wanted something to cover my blemishes as I was going through a spotty phase at school/college. I also wanted a foundation that didn’t transfer onto my school blouse as that would be rather embarrassing!
From the moment I first applied this all those years ago, I loved the texture and was amazed at the full coverage – it really does hide dark circles and dark blemishes. This foundation would last me the day at school and throughout my college years and I didn’t move away from it until my early twenties. It was then that I started working full time and seeing the financial benefits, so I visited Space NK in Leeds one Saturday and tested a few foundations available there. I bought, and became hooked, on the Laura Mercier range. I used the oil free version in Vanilla Beige (a colour which still suits me to this day). As I’ve recently bought my own property, my money is less available to spend on such luxuries (£28 for the primer, £30 for the foundation and £25 for the setting powder) so I thought I would re-visit my local Boots to look for the Revlon Colorstay foundation.
There were over 6 more colours to choose from now and I found the perfect one (firstly test on the back of your hand, then if it looks similar test on your neck – the colour that suits you best will be the one which blends seamlessly). This foundation took me through my twenties and is still my main foundation. I have tried a few high street and higher branded foundations but nothing gives me the full, non-transferable coverage as Revlon does.
A year or so ago, when I popped to Boots to stock up (always good to take advantage of their 3 for 2 offers meaning you can get 3 foundations for £24) I saw they also launched a version of this foundation aimed at dry skin – perfect as my skin is very dry and I previously applied lashings of moisturiser before the foundation. You would think the coverage and staying power would be reduced as it contains added moisture, but really it doesn’t.
My skin has been a complete mash-up of tight, dryness coupled with tonnes of spots in the last few months – like nothing I’ve had before. This will be due to the fact that I’ve come off the pill; rubbish, but worth it compared to the headaches and bad health I had on Yasmin.
I’ve also started using Liz Earle skincare in the last week or so though and am already seeing a vast improvement.
I will create a tutorial on the Colorstay foundation so you can see the difference it makes! All my photos and videos are taken with Revlon Colorstay foundation on. I use the type for dry skin and mix a few shades as I tend to change every single day dependant on how tired I am (paler) and if I’ve applied fake tan (brighter). The shades I use, ranging from lightest to darkest, are: fresh beige, medium beige and natural tan.
Last week, I visited Boots to stock up as they had a 3 for 2 offer available. I bought the new Fresh Beige shade as I am fairly pale at the moment, but trying to rock the no tan look! I also purchased the Colorstay powder in Medium. Wow. I should’ve tried this before! This compliments the dry skin foundation perfectly. I don’t use the sponge (although this is good for touch ups throughout the day); I tend to use a large powder brush and lightly dust this all over my face once my foundation has dried. This seems to set it even better!
TIP: If you want your blusher to last longer, apply as so…Colorstay foundation, blusher, Colorstay powder, blusher, Colorstay powder. This ‘locks’ the colours in and will last over 12 hours easy 
When it came to the third (free) product from Revlon, I was torn. I usually buy two foundations, sometimes three, but wanted to venture out a bit! I know their nail polish have a fab solid colour that lasts all week, but I have bought far too many in the last month or so. The mineral lip glosses are another fave of mine, but again was up for something new. Then I found, hiding away at the bottom row of the shop display, new matte finish lipsticks.
I’m more of a lip gloss gal, but keen to adopt the new matte look as we enter the new autumn trend. I am already wearing my nail polishes matte and my complexion is matte too now I have the Colorstay foundation. I like pale, nude colours so when I saw shade 001 in Nude I grabbed it to test on the back of my hand. It was a gorgeous, peachy nude which was very pale indeed.
I have been wearing this all week…see pic below. I’ll add a tutorial to www.YouTube.com/SLStevo at some stage.
It feels so smooth – like a moisturiser – perfect for when my lips get dry in the cold weather! It feels like it’s taking care of your lips, which is very unlike a matte lipstick as others I have tried have dried my lips out immensely. It typically lasts around three hours so has good staying power too!
Why not try this look for yourself? I promise this will be huge this autumn….
The SLStevo & Rimmel 30 Day Lash Challenge
0Today, I was sent a letter from Rimmel London requesting me to take part in a 30 day lash challenge for their new mascara Lash Accelerator. Of course, I am up for the challenge!
The package arrived in a very appealing black, shiny envelope with a letter and the exclusive product enclosed.
It was all very exciting, and much needed after a long day of meetings! I can’t wait to show you (and me!) the effects of this new product.
New Lash Accelerator is a mascara AND lash treatment in one. It claims to strengthen, renew and nourish lashes making them over 100% longer. Hopefully, the mascara will be as dramatic and black as I like my lashes to be too.
Watch this space…oh, and all Rimmels’ social media websites such as Facebook, You Tube and Twitter.
Luxury coconut scented hairbrush by Denman
0I have just been sent a bag of goodies from Denman…the only hairbrush brand in my opinion! I was given my first Denman hairbrush (the paddle style) when I was 18 over 10 years ago now, and it made my hair so silky, fresh and very shiny that I haven’t bought another brand since!
I use the comb on wet hair to detangle, the barrel brush to provide volume and movement and the classic styling brushes to refresh throughout the day (and to tame my fringe which is going through a growing out phase).
My online quest with Warehouse
0Way back in May 2010 I was wandering around Leeds city centre on a sunny Saturday and thought i’d take a look in Warehouse. This isn’t a shop I usually visit, but as I walked towards the store I saw some lovely, bright colours that tempted me in. I was instantly drawn to a rail of maxi dresses and one in particular … the jungle maxi dress.
There was only one left….a 12, so even though I’m an 8/10 I thought why not try it on. Here’s a piccie of me in the changing room! It looked perfect from the front, but the back was way too big so I needed at least a 10.
Bourjois Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection
0
You’ve gotta love, love, love this new range from Bourjois!
This is their new Autumn/Winter collection which is full of rich, warm shades like greige, mushroom and gold.
I was drawn to this in Superdrug last night as it was on 3 for 2…meaning I could try all 3 products for about a tenner – bargain!
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