Butter London makes you up!

It was a welcome surprise, not just to be blessed with more beauty gems but to receive Butter London cosmetics, a brand I've always considered to be one of the Great British ones and I had a handful of there products to play with!

I will fill you in on my biggest loves, the apricot shades from the Cheeky Cream Blush in Honey Pie and  Lippy Tinted Balm of Apricot Sunray which are simply smooth and comfortable for my fussy face.  However, they get far more exciting than my comforting colours - they turn a party into a fiesta with an intense splash of colour with staying power; purely playful, see for yourselves.

WINK COLOUR MASCARA IN PISTOL PINK

WINK EYE PENCIL IN PISTOL PINK

WINK CREAM EYESHADOW IN INDIGO PUNK

BUTTER LONDON COSMETICS

I am itching to try the cream eyeshadow for a night out, I just love the subtle reflections and texture.  Better still I should give all try, why not?

I love the 80's and anything that conjures up those days is surely a good thing. What do you think, would you where Pistol Pink eyes?

Best Beauty under £10!!

You'd be mad to miss out on these!  

Kiko Make Up Milano Water Eye Shadows which can be used wet or dry to create a wash or intense colour in an instant, available in a staggering 31 shades from the brightest of brights to wearable pale and deep neutrals for under £10 (currently on special offer via www.kikocosmetics.co.uk).  They all reveal a slight two tone effect and look nothing but stunning on peepers.  What a steal, they are almost giving them away!

My latest obsession, Front Cover!

After doing my last post on Front Cover Cosmetics, here http://nadiramakeup.blogspot.com/2011/11/blue-is-colour.html

I have become a little obsessed and curious about how some of the other collections might look on me.  Although I have tried these on shoots, I haven't applied them to darker skin yet so I was keen to see the effects and styles I could come up with as a low maintenance make up wearer.

These are what I tested, Front Cover Top Drawer  collection a colourful array of chunky pencils you might initially think 'what a mixed bag!'  

I think, these are speedy essentials and a great way to add depth and dimension without the fuss of pots of loose glitter or pigments.

It was a relief to see all the shades show up, here's a run down on names and a brief description.  From Top to Bottom: Purple Durple - solid deep purple, Lemon - sour lemon glitter, Pine Needle - bold jade green, Chalk - ice blue shimmer , Moccasin - taupe gold and Drifter - bright metallic blue.

Complete with a Black Kohl Eye Pencil with Smudger on one end and ...

...a Double Penicl Sharpener, yes, they've thought of everything at FC HQ!

Firstly, I thought I'd select the brightest pencil, Pine Needle, which leaves a solid line and shows up on my skin.  It does remind me of what I've seen on X Factor's, Little Mix recently.

I then extended the line to a flick making for more impact and to elongate my eye shape.

I finished off by adding the shimmery pencil, Chalk onto the centre of the eye line and swept towards the inner eye.  I love it.  A confident flash of colour with a dewy highlight, quick and easy to achieve. There are so many options of where to go with this, I could have added the glittery Lemon pencil over the green line or even used Purple Durple as the starting point. 

If I had fancied going all out I could have drawn a glittery line with the Chalk or Lemon pencils for a sparkly eyeline, the possibilities are endless.

That was one look in the bag, now a sultry effect...

I started with Moccasin as a base. It glided on well and added a flattering sheen to my eye lids, something I would like to wear for everyday.

I incorporated Lemon to the centre of the eyelids, a glimmering effect that adds nicely for this sultry look.

To finish I smudged the Black Kohl Pencil along the lower lash line and for added smokiness, placed it along the waterline.  Smouldering eyes!

And a top view where you can see the sparkle!

There are more directions, hints and tips on the inside of the box with images too so you can perfect plenty more playful looks with precision.  This is an economical beauty must-have, now  I cannot wait to try more of the Front Cover sets, I am officially obsessed!

Available online or in store at Boots.

Blue is the colour!

Time and time again I am asked, 'What colour eye shadow would suit me?', 'Who does the best eye-shadows?' and 'Eye-shadows never show up on my skin or last, what would you suggest?'
The time has come to put one brand, yes, a brand I love to the test and also face my personal fear of bold eye colours on my dark complexion! *gulp*

In addition to those questions comes the issue of budget.  'But I can't afford those premium brands all you Make Up Artists' recommend in the beauty pages!'
I hear you and I am no beauty nazi!  I would rarely say there is no inexpensive solution because quite frankly, I know Front Cover Cosmetics. They wouldn't let me down, would they?

For a start, Front Cover kits are selling out fast which tells you something.  They are complete colour trends cleverly put together with clear instructions and suggestions, plus what is not to love about a kit that hones in one key make up trend directly from the catwalk.  

As you can see, Blue Eyed Girl is awash with blue hues, 3 (extremely velvety) eye-shadows with double ended applicator, a double ended mascara, Shadowline (one of my favourites) and finally a nail polish, in a beautiful midnight blue I might add.

One end a black mascara, a good staple product and a bright blue mascara.  I know what you're thinking, very 80's and can she pull it off? Will that show up on me?  Not sure but I'm willing to give it a go!

I love Front Cover Baked Eye-Shadows, they last and translate well in true colour so I was surprised to find these even more refined, smooth and velvety in texture. (top to bottom) Tie Dye, Bluesaceous and Silver Frost.  I know I am an expert but I have always had issues with blue eye colours on dark skin but from these tests, I was pleasantly surprised though I was most curious about whether Bluesaceous would look good on me as these blues on an Asian skin tone tend not to go hand in hand and hand on heart I have never worn a colour like this, I half expect it to look grey and wishy-washy!

It's a highlight for me to show you Shadowline, an innovative take on eye liner because you pick up the colour with the Shadowline tip, then glide along the lashline to create a 'mean' flick of intense colour. What's not to love!

One coat!  Just one coat of this stunning, dazzling deep nail colour in Singed.

I am sporting Tie Dye, the darkest shade applied with the eye-shadow brush (white end) and one coat of the black end of the Black/Blue Mascara.  Thoughts?

I love it but how far could I go?  Could I retain depth and recreate that 'on trend' A/W look?

I really could, by sweeping Tie Dye as close the the lower lash line, with the blending end of the applicator, dabbing Bluesaceous to the centre of the eyelids and a tad on inner eye, followed by Shadowline in the same colour to upper and lower lash lines.

Here's a side shot.  I have achieved the 'Blue Eyed Girl' look.

As I mentioned before, I was hesitant about Bluesaceous but I needn't have been.  Washed over the entire eye lids looked elegant against my skin tone and gave me an idea of how to wear my make up for a friends December wedding.

And a cheeky coat of the blue mascara added another dimension.  I have to stress, I love this blue mascara  applied over the black, it catches your eye with an unexpected pop of colour.

This set exceeded my expectations, especially as someone who is rarely drawn to 'blues' or intense colour on my skin, I tend to be a bright lip person but I have been converted.  It is at times easy for me to enthuse clients about the use of colour without fear, so my lesson is learnt and at only £12, I feel I have answered those common questions and plenty of my own.

Have you tried Blue Eyed Girl or other Front Cover Sets?

Available in all good Boots Stores.