Review: Deborah Lippmann, Happy Birthday

I must admit that whenever I have seen reviews or swatches of the various rainbow glitter polishes I've been left largely uninspired.  Its quite lucky then that I stumbled across this beauty on a trip to House of Fraser...

Nails - Deborah Lippmann in Happy Birthday and Nails Inc in Bruton Street

Almost an exact dupe for OPI's Raindbow Connection, the Deborah Lippmann contains numerous sizes and shades of glitter on a clear polish base.  After three coats the nail is coated in glitter (but not too much!) and looks just as fab with a dusky pink (as above) as it does with Slate Grey or black.  It's a really versatile polish with just one problem... IT REALLY DOESN'T PHOTOGRAPH WELL!

I think the reason I was uninspired by it was because it looks a little sparse and tacky in photographs because you cant see the shine and how it catches the light but trust me.  Go and find a tester and try it out.

It is quite an expensive polish coming in at a hefty £14 but I imagine this will last me for a really long time and frankly, I cant stop staring at my ring finger as I type which is surely what it's aaaall about!

This gorgeous rose shade was part of my Christmas haul and yet again Nails Inc have produced a wearable, highly pigmented flattering shade.  I can see this becoming a staple in my day to day nailwear!

What do you think of glitter polishes?  Are you still in love with them or are you getting a little bored?

Ruby Lace for Winter Weddings

Dress (comes with belt) - Hearts and Bows at Ark (£17!)

Shoes - Topshop

Nails - Nails Inc in Bruton Street

Deborah Lippmann in Happy Birthday

Foundation - Illamasqua Skin Base in SB06

Concealer - Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Concealer in 2

Blush - Topshop Makeup in Head Over Heels

Lips - Maybelline ColorSensation Lip Stain in Tender Rose

Brows - Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

So, as those of you who follow me on Twitter will know, I sang at a wedding today!  I have a choral scholarship at the cathedral near uni which means I get asked to sing at a LOT of weddings but I must say it's my favourite kind of 'gig' (so to speak!).  I always try and dress up a little to do this, you would stick out like a sore thumb otherwise! This is what I went for. This dress is an absolute bargain.  I bought it on a bit of a whim (without trying on, as ever!) and its turned out to be one of my favourites this season.  The colour has come out a little funny in the full length photos, it's probably closer to the other photos underneath.

The shoes I have had for a while and always get a bit worried about wearing them out because they're VERY high and I am VERY clumsy but all went fine with them today.

I also managed to get my hands on the Deborah Lippmann 'Happy Birthday' polish which is almost a perfect dupe for OPI's Rainbow Connection. Review to come tomorrow!

Topshop: Neon and Nudes

Just a few snapshots of my trip to Topshop, Oxford Circus.

I am loving the combination of neon brights with muted nudes and monochrome as well as the combination of softer textures like chiffon with chunky knitwear.

Gorgeous.

Have you go your eye on anything?

Warm Jewel Tones for Chilly Winter Weather...

I am fresh back from a trip to London to forage in the British Library and write an essay on Chivalry in Arthurian Literature.... which was as boring as it sounds.  But London was vibrant and exciting as ever.
Best of all, I found myself a lovely new coat!

Coat: Topshop

I've been looking for a new coat for almost the last 12 months!  I've been very picky as in my head I'd imagined my dream coat to be camel and was being quite stubborn about looking at anything else, until I saw this beauty.  These photos really don't do the bottle green tweed justice.  It is beautiful.  I've already had so many compliments on it!

It also comes with a detachable fur stole which can be worn with chunky knit jumpers or on top of any other coats you might have!

Jumper, Coat, Leggings and Shoes: Topshop (Yes, I have a problem!)

Bit of a mismatch of photos there but wanted to give you a good view of this gorgeous coat and how well it matches the shades, textures and patterns of my existing winter wardrobe.

Another new discovery is this lovely rust nail polish from Nails Inc, called Fenchurch Street.

This shade is the perfect winter warmer for your nails!  It is versatile enough to look cosy in the day time but classy in the evening and is wonderfully pigmented.  One coat was enough to give an even all over colour (but I did two just in case!) and finished with Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top Coat.

Sorry for the slightly disjointed post, I still have MUCH of my Christmas goodies to review so please bear with me..!

Also wanted to say thanks as I had my most views ever 2 days ago, I'll endeavour to keep you entertained..!

P.s. Don't forget that the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette goes on sale on Debenhams.com at midnight tonight (Friday 6th Jan), I will most definitely be trying to get my hands on one!

Illamasqua Skin Base Review

If you are an avid blog reader like myself, you'll have had to be living under a rock all year to miss the hype surrounding Illamasqua's latest offering, their Skin Base Foundation.  I have finally managed to get my little mitts on it during my trip to Manchester...

Here's what Illamasqua have to say about it:

"Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage."

First of all, I really like the packaging.  I've been using Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NC25 for the past 5 years and it is refreshing to have a squeezy bottle rather than faffing about with pumps which inevitably caused me to use more product than I needed.  Good start Illamasqua!

The foundation itself is more fluid than Studio Fix Fluid which is one of the reasons I decided to try something new.  This spreads like a dream meaning you barely need to use any of it.  I also felt that it blended to and matched my skin tone all over my face.

I'm using SB06

So, here is a little before and after shot! (The light is brighter in the second photo, I haven't gone three shades paler!)

As you can see the coverage is natural and super flattering.  It evens out all my blemishes and red spots as well as giving a gorgeous healthy sheen. I. LOVE. IT!

It feels soft on my skin and has a pleasant smell when applying (small joys!).

As I occasionally get an oily T zone I set the foundation with a little powder on my forehead but otherwise it wasn't necessary.

If you're not lucky enough to live near an Illamasqua counter then you can buy it online here.  And they also offer a really handy Shade Comparison Chart with other Foundations on the market, here.

Overall all I can offer is a positive review (as one might expect from every blogger known to man making this their foundation of choice...!).  And here's the full effect + my usual day to day makeup...

Just another quick note, I purchased my foundation at Selfridges in Manchester and the girl who served me was just so lovely and helpful and even popped it on plus some blusher for me, go and give her a visit!  (Hi Sophie and thank you!)

So, have you given this one a go?

NYE: Day to Night

So, first things first.... HAPPY 2012!

Vest, blazer and jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Converse.  (I actually got these in China some time circa. 2006...!)
Fur: Topshop
Bracelet and Necklace: Thomas Sabo

Hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and here's to the year ahead...
This is what I wore during the day AND night for New Years Eve, with a few minor adjustments...!  Because I had a 2 and a half hour drive up the M6 to Manchester for my celebrations I needed to travel light and be ready for a quick change on arrival.  So, I packed my trusty Miss Selfridge 'Acne-a-like' boots to add a bit of height and my brand spanking new Too Faced 'In Your Dreams' palette and I was good to go...

Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NC25

Bronzer: Mac in Refined Golden

Blusher: Too Faced in Wanna Play?

Lip Gloss: Too Faced in Give it Up

Brows: Benefit Brow Zing in Light

Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash

On arrival I simply reapplied foundation around my T zone and under my eyes, added a few extra lashings of mascara and opted for a classic purple smoky eye.

Eyes: 

Lid to brow bone: Too Faced Eye Shadow in Full Moon (silver shimmer)

Lid: Too Faced Eye Shadow in Dream On (dark violet)

Crease and Lash Line: Too Faced Eye Shadow in Seduce (midnight blue)

This is the first time I have used this combination as instructed in the beautiful palette and I was really pleased with the result.  Although I was initially concerned as the shadows weren't as pigmented as they appeared in the palette, as I began to layer them up they blended beautifully and were actually just dark enough to create a dramatic yet classy smoky eye.  The purple really made my hazel eyes pop!

I'm becoming quite a fan of Too Faced shadows, have you tried any before? Are there any I need in my collection?

Happy New Year everyone!