Now Available in HD

Hello my sweets! Hope your all well? I want to introduce you to an amazing purchase I've made recently. Make Up Forever are a world renowned professional make up brand who's product are used by the most prestige of make up artists. Unfortunately the products are stocked in Sephora which we don't have in the UK! But they are also available at Guru Make Up Emporium a professional make up store in Parsons Green, London.

I've always been eager to try the MUFE products and have seen them in tutorials by the likes of Pixiwoo, and its through their channel that I was first made aware of Guru Make Up Emporium who do have a website where you can order products. But because I'm really into seeing products and being familiar with them before I attempt to order them online and Parsons Green although in London is quite out of the way for me to travel to, I till now have never made an order.

It was actually through a friend who had been down to the store that I gained the impulse to at least try products that weren't based on colour matching, so that I could determine the quality. I purchased the HD Translucent Face Powder and the HD Primer in Mauve (to contrast sallow undertones).

Top Pic: Swatch of MUFE primer, Pic Below: Primer rubbed into hand

The primer firstly I have to say this has a very fresh scent which I do like in skincare products. I've never used a coloured primer so I was a little worried about how this was going to show up under my foundation. But the consistency isn't too thick and the product once rubbed in, seemed to apply clear. Saying that when I moved on to apply my foundation it applied so smoothly and the finishing result was a base that was so much more even and healthy looking than usual, that I literally wanted to keep staring at my face. The primer is designed to contrast sallow undertones meaning dullness. My skin tone at times can become uneven if I'm not careful, and as a result my skin can look a little dull, even under foundation. But this seemed to work against that perfectly.

Top Pic: Shows MUFE HD powder on hand, Pic Below: Powder blended into hand

The HD Powder was a little tricky figure out at first as I've never used any translucent powders in the past (unless you count the one I used only once by Sleek, less said the better). I applied this powder once I finished applying all my makeup as I heard this is a good way to seal everything in. With a powder that has a bit of colour I'd probably use that directly after applying foundation. At no point did the application seem to be cakey or ashy or drying in anyway. Instead I barely noticed a difference... except for the fact that my t-zone was instantly mattified and stayed that way for longer than ever before. Honestly I adore this powder! I only purchased the travel sized version as I wanted to test it out but I'm going to trot down to Parsons Green and try their HD Foundation and whilst I'm there I will be picking up a full sized tub of the HD Powder. I think I'll have the smaller one on hand should I need to travel or have to pack make up with me for any other reason.

I honestly am kicking myself at taking so long to actually try out the MUFE products as the quality is beyond amazing, I'm in total excitement at the prospect of trekking down to pick a foundation. And just in case you guys were wondering, I've been using the products since the previous Monday and I haven't experienced any nasty skin reactions.

Let me know what you guys think of MUFE, have you tried any of the products mentioned above? Or do MUFE have any amazing make up items you think are worth recommending. Or if you guys have experienced a better primer and setting powder please feel free to share

Love you all

xoxo

July 2011 favs

Hey my loves! Hope you've all had a lovely day, I actually meant to get this up sooner but I've been so distracted by other little projects in life. August to October will be a busy time for me trying to organize a lot and from October onwards I'll probably be even busier :'(. But theirs no excuse for neglecting you guys an I shall be back on form as much as I can be from now on.

I've been channeling the sun through my cheekbones with Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish Naturals in Sun Power. This is a gorgeous deep orange bronze shade, the fact that its matte makes it amazing as a bronzer or contour powder for deeper skin tones. A little goes a long way with this, I'd highly recommend taking it with a light hand and building up the intensity as you see fit. Lighter skin tones should check out "Give Me Sun" for a similar concept but more suitable for fairer complexions. I've loved using my Mac 188 brush for a precise application, and then to go over and buff out any harsh edges making the effect sun kissed and semi-natural.

Sorry guys pics were taken quite late in the day

I've played it safe with my cheek colours this month, its been between Mac's powder blush in Gingerly or Melba. Gingerly is a deep muted rose colour that looks absolutely gorgeous, I know this a fav by the likes of Kim Kardashian and I'm not surprised, I think it would look amazing on a variety of skin tones. Melba is a must-have for peach lovers, it is a matte peach shade similar to the likes of Benefits Coralista but less on the pink side. This is another flatterer of many skin tones.

I've been quite experimental with my shadow this month so I cannot pin point a favourite amongst the shadows but the Mac Eye Kohl in Teddy has looked amazing with any look that I throw together. I use this in my waterline for a less intense exaggeration of my eyes, its such a lovely dark bronze perfect to go with many key looks of the season. My choice of liner for my signature winged liner has been a black liner pen the Me Me Me Eye Sweep, I actually adore this, for such a low price its much better than most high street liner pens I've used. It hasn't dried yet and I have had it a while, the colour is strong and intense and the formula doesn't budge all day! Loving this!

(From Left to Right) Revlon Pink Crystals, MUA shade 11, Revlon Mauve It Over

My lipstick collection has become like lucky dip recently! I'm in midst of organizing my make up storage and all my lipsticks are jumbled inside a make up bag at the mo, so having a preference is pretty impossible! Even still one lipstick that I keep to the side because I know I can virtually rely on it for any occasion is Revlon's Mauve It Over. I know I bigged this up last month as well, but I totally love this lipstick, both colour and texture are both right up my street! Revlon are such a firm favourite for me when it comes to lip products. One other favourite I've had had for I think about eight years, has been Revlon's Lip gloss in Pink Crystals! I've adored this gloss since day one of my love affair with make up! Its a gorgeous peachy shade with tiny gold shimmers running through it. One of my best friends and I used to be obsessed with this gloss, its just that must have for a pretty, pink, glossy pout. A bolder lip fav that I have to include is a lipstick by MUA in shade 11. The inexpensive Superdrug brand has bowled me over with this lipstick. Its a has a creamy formula but the pigmentation is quite intense and does stain the lips. Above that the colour is really unusual much like a coral, pinky, brown... I don't know you guys tell me.

I'm rarely one to reach for just one fragrance for a long period of time but saying that I've had the Vera Wang Lovestruck for over a month now and I cannot stop spraying it. I've recommended this to nearly all my girlfriends and my mummy as its an amazing fruity floral scent that I think any girl would love. I don't think I've found anything more perfect for the summer time. Its sweet enough to make you feel dressed up and gorgeous yet, it has a lovely floral fresh side that really cheers you up. Definitely my most worn scent of the month! Being the clumsy oaf I am I've managed to damage the amazing bottle, a day of it rolling around in my hand bag resulted in one of the flowers breaking off and the ribbon untangling. This really upset my as one of the reasons I loved it was for the design of the bottle.

And that's all she wrote. Sorry if you guys feel its not as much as last time, but I there have been somethings I don't feel I've used for long enough, or some things that I've previously mentioned that I didn't think you needed to be reminded of or hear about just yet. Wishing you all a lovely day.

Hugs and Kisses
xoxo

Give Me Your Bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello darlings I've just put my blog up on Bloglovin. Im totally new to the concept and very slow so please bear with me as I gradually understand what im doing *covers face in shame*.

Hope you've all had a a lovely day
xoxo

Confessions of an Online-Mac-aholic

My name is Anastasia.... *deep breath*.... an I'm an online shopaholic.... No I really am! 75% of my shopping related activity takes place via my laptop. Its just a real convenience, sometimes elements of my day to day life don't allow me the time to get to the stores I want to go to. But that doesn't mean I don't know what I want. Like for instance I'm sure the Assistants at my local Mac are missing me. But even still I thought absence would make their hearts grow fonder, as I decided against the trek down there and opted for sitting on my bum and ordering some lovely items online. With the recent "summer" down pour who can blame a girl!

(left to right) Rimmel Nude Delight, MAC's Shy Girl

My fav foundation is the Pro Long wear NC42, and as I mentioned in an earlier post I had run out and had to replace this as soon as I could. The lipstick Shy Girl has been one that I've thought about getting every now and again. Its a lovely soft coral, nude, amazing as a warmer nude lip for the summer. I think its so similar to Rimmels Nude Delight but with slight pinky-coral undertones. Trace Gold has been a blush I've been brooding over for a while. I actually did a wish list post a while ago declaring my love. Now its mine *Golem voice* my precious! It is a gorgeous rose gold that honestly the swatch above doesn't do any justice to. Its packed with shimmer, not the usual blush I opt for but hey I personally think its the perfect shade to attempt that Beyonce diva glow... who run the world??!!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post? What are your opinions of the products mentioned? Yes I am 100% lazy as an avid online shopper any other lazy bones out there enjoy the convenience of shopping online?

Thank you all for having a read

xoxo

FOTD Using MAC Morange

Hello darlings! A few posts ago I let you guys know of my purchase of MAC's lovely lippy in Morange. Silly old me forgot to swatch it to show you all how "pow" of a colour it is.

Morange is definitely a lipstick meant for the brave! The colour is a beautiful orange shade with red undertones and I'm so in love with orange and coral this season, but I'm not altogether sure how well of a job I do at pulling it off. I'm such a natural introvert, in the way that I cannot stand anything that forces an "all-eyes-on me" reaction. But saying that the British public did seem quite kind. I didnt get any "what was she thinking" or "who does she think she is" stares... well none that I noticed, bear in mind I am short sighted :(

Products Used:

Face

Mac Pro Longwear Foundation NC42

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Mac Mineralise Skin Finish Naturals Medium/Darl
Illamasqua Bronzer Burinish
Mac Powder Blush Gingerly

Eyes

Mac Woodwinked e/s
Sleek Storm Palette (matte dark brown + metallic bronze)
Me me me Eyeliner Pen Black
Mac Kohl Teddy
Chantechaille Faux Ciles Mascara Noir
Lips

MAC Morange Lipstick

What do you think of Morange? Or bright lipsticks in general? What have been your fav lip colours of the season?

Hope you enjoyed dolls

xoxo

Nivea Cocoa Butter Range

I know dont about you guys but when it comes to body skincare I am very much all over the place. I like to sample the goods and see whats out there, mostly I care to go for body butters, that offer a longevity of moisture yet does'nt form a layer of grease over the skin (hard to find). One of my favs in that department, that I actually happened to discover last year is the Nivea Cocoa Butter Body Butter. The smell has a gorgeous sweet nutty aroma, I found it much more subtle compared to the smell you'd get with Palmer's or The Body Shop's Body Butter which can actually be quite sickly. And it allowed that sensuous moisturising feeling, without that feeling of uncomfortable oiliness. I had spotted it on a shelf at a friends house, before then I didn't even realise Nivea even had a cocoa butter range to its name, which I think is probably the case for many others. So when I was asked by to review their Cocoa Butter range I couldn't say no.

Body Care

Alas I didn't receive my much desired body butter, but instead I was sent their Deep Conditioning Body Lotion and their Vitalising Gel Body Oil which seemed like quite an interesting product. And I was right, after having another glance at this I either predicted it to be ridiculously oily or totally thin and drying. The actual result was something in between, when rubbed between the hands and applied it feels very much like any other body oil (I am not a fan of body oils at all). But one thing I will give this is that it does absorb into the skin much quicker than any oil I've ever tried, after about half an hour my skin didn't necessarily feel basted and ready to be fried. I've applied it once or twice on my legs, where I have much more dry areas of skin and it did leave them feeling quite soft and quite glowy. All in all I'd say anyone suffering from dry skin around their body especially during the summer should definitely give this a try, though I personally wouldn't take it any higher than my legs.

The lotion was pretty basic, much like a watered down simulation of the Body Butter. Having said that I didn't see a too much of a difference in either product in terms of the results they each had on my more normal areas of skin. Even though the lotion has a much thinner formula it still left my skin on my arms and other areas of my body very moisturised. But with dryer areas on my legs I'd much prefer the Body Butter or maybe even the gel for much more moisture.

Lip Care

The Cocoa Butter Lip Care was nothing to write home about if I'm honest the same old petroleum jelly formula that often leaves my lips extremely greasy. If you remember in my favourites post I referred to the Vaseline Lip Care with Rose and Almond Oil, I much prefer this version as it has a much thinner formula, absorbs better and to be honest I only truly use it once in the morning whilst doing my make up. I could easily use either but I think I'm sticking with red instead of brown for now.

I'm not really a lip balm fan so the Lip Care in the Stick packaging went way over my head, I haven't bought a lip balm as such since secondary school. But I have been putting this one on before bed time and my lips feel amazing in the morning. I have found as well that its perfect over lipstick for neutralising an overpowering colour. Its much more thick than the petroleum jelly and sinks into your lips better as opposed to leaving a greasy layer over them.

All in all I love the fact that Nivea has introduced this range; cocoa butter has much more intensive moisturising properties and for dry skin sufferers I think these products would be amazing. The smell as well is positively delicious, sweet but not sickly, warm but not overpowering. The Body Butter is still my most favourite and after enjoying the lovely scent in this line I think I'm going to pop down to Asda tonight and pick up a tub!

Have a lovely day folks
xoxo

Products I've Finished

Hello Guys! This is a little random and some may even call it rubbish... hehe geddit... *coughs* I've realised this week that I've actually found myself in need to get down to the shops as I seem to have run out of quite alot. So I thought I'd share with you a few beauty products that I've found myself short of this month.

• Botanics Heat Protection Spray I will definitely be repurchasing this as its one of few heat protection sprays that doesn't leave my hair feeling dry or crispy afterwards. The smell is delightful, and I cant quite recall the exact price of this but I'm pretty sure it was around a fiver.
• Mac's Pro Long wear Foundation NC42 you may recognize this foundation from my June favourites post and another one of these bad boys is well on its way to being delivered to me. I love it! I managed to struggle through a week without this foundation and finally caved in today. If you have normal/combination skin I'd definitely recommend checking this out.
• Superdrug Pore Strips I do suffer with an oily t-zone and huge pores around my nose so I try and incorporate pore strips as part of my home spa routine (skin care post to come). I've used Biore' strips since my teens but they are a tad pricey at around £10, whereas again I cant remember the full price of these Superdrug ones, but I'd say around or under a fiver. They work just as well if not better than the Biore', they might be a tad on the strong side, but that's the strength I personally look for.
• Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise EDP I have actually repurchased this fragrance about three times since I turned sixteen. Its such a musky floral fragrance that just screams summer evening! I first stole this from my mum, and when I discovered how many compliments wearing this fragrance had earned me I decided from there on out that this was a must have in my collection. I will probably get this back in my life within the next few weeks but I'm undecided about purchasing this one or trying out another summer fragrance heavyweight (suggestions welcome). Needless to say I'll be having a play in Boots perfume aisle whilst making my decision. 

And whilst we're on the subject of things I love. I thought I'd share with you guys two of my guilty pleasures at the moment. Firstly

Image from Google Images

I am obsessed with pretty little liars! I totally HAVE to watch it once a week, in silence, with a mug of hot chocolate! Please don't ask why, I really do not know... maybe its the immaculate make up, or the ominous story lines, but anyway I am tuned into MTV Shows weekly for this! If anyone knows info about any box sets please get at me!

Image from Google images

Secondly Salt & Vinegar Snack-a-jacks... let me explain. After realising that being in my early 20's is not a period in my life that I need spend unhappy about my weight I have decided to take action. I am NOT striving to be skinny I'd be happy with losing a stone maybe a bit more. Anyway I'm NOT dieting but I have altered my diet, incorporating in foods lower in fat, I've swapped white bread and chips for wholemeal pitta bread. I'm not going to lie it sucks! I can eat all the fruit in the world but none of it tastes like chocolate! But on the plus side, my savory taste buds (which are addicted to salt & vinegar crisps) have fallen in love with snack-a-jacks. I'm actually really glad I like them, as a 22g bag only has 1.6 grams of fat as opposed to a bag of walkers that contains 8.3grams. Winning me-thinks!

Hope you guys found this post useful, if you have any products you've found yourself repurchasing please share? And if you have any questions about the products featured above please don't hesitate to ask

Have a nice day loves
xoxo