A (belated) round up of my Christmas pressies...

I've loved reading other beauty blogger's Xmas posts so thought I'd do my own. Santa well and truly spoiled me this year with the following gorgeous goodies....reviews to follow as soon as I've given them all a good road test!

From left to right...

Top Row: Mac High Tea Lipstick, No 7 Nail Polish Set, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Perfume

Middle Row: Origins Brighter By Nature Moisturiser, Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser & Toner, Mac 116 Blusher Brush & Elf Bamboo Contour Brush (the Elf brush was actually a 'present' to myself - that still counts right?)

Bottom Row: Toni & Guy Straighteners, Benefit Her Name Was Glowla Kit, YSL Singulier Mascara

So all that remains to be said is Happy New Year - I hope your 2011 is filled with fun, laughter and all things beautiful :)

 Until next time,

P.s if you liked this check out these other pressy posts from Abbie, Girl in the City and Liparazzi.

Swatched: Maybelline Diamond Glow Eyestudio in Bronze Drama

I was scouring the cosmetic aisles of Boots recently for a khaki green eyeshadow and spotted this quad from Maybelline's 'Eyestudio Diamond Glow' range.

Bronze Drama doesn't actually contain a bronze shadow but insteads consists of a khaki green shadow (obviously!) nestled alongside a creamy off-white, vibrant copper and light charcoal grey. As the 'diamond glow' part of this product's name suggests, each of the shadows have a fine glitter running through them.



With flash

Without flash

The glitter hasn't shown up that well on the pics but I can assure you its there and gives just the right amount of twinkle to allow the colours work during the day or night. It doesn't make for a grainy texture at all either and all the shadows apply smoothly and blend well. 



Close up to show the glittery-ness

The quad retails at £7.19 in Boots. If you're tempted, you'll be happy to hear its currently available on their website with £2 off :)

Until next time,





Reviewed: Elf Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Bark & Maple Sugar

What they say....
"True color therapy is here. Intensive hydrating agents along with natural pigments leave lips with Long-lasting color and moisture. This luscious liquid lipstick creates wearable color that flatters a multitude of skin tones and looks"


Top - Bark
Bottom - Maple Sugar

What I say....



Packaging The see through packaging that houses these lipsticks is very Ruby and Millie-esque and is topped off with a dinky sponge applicator. However whilst twisting one of the tubes the top third of the pen popped of entirely spilling the contents everywhere  - I tried to reattach it but to no avail so Bark is sadly in the bin! I'm sure this was probably a one-off but it still sucks! :(

I also have to say that you don't get much product for your moolah - just 1.5g. Now I know I've only paid £1.50 for the blinking thing but I still feel slightly short changed, not helped by the fact that the see-through tube kindly reveals that the pen looks half empty before you even start!

Product Bark and Maple Sugar are both nudey pink/browns and are actually quite similar - the main difference is that Maple Sugar is ever so slightly shimmery whereas Bark is a flat finish. Consistency is pretty good, not too sticky although it also wears off pretty quickly so not as long-lasting as Elf claim. I can't say it felt particularly hydrating either although to be honest that's what I use lip balm for!


Bark

Maple Sugar

Price £1.50

Would I repurchase? The jury's slightly out on this one. My fave of the two shades is Maple Sugar which with its subtle shimmer, is a lovely shade for daytime wear. Neither shades are anything super spectacular though and that coupled with the packaging failure means I probably won't rush back online specifically to buy this again.

Would I recommend? Why not...for £1.50 its worth try but go easy on the twisting!

Until next time,

Swatched: Famous by Sue Moxley Eyeshadow Palette in Cafe Culture

Famous is a make up range created by beauty journalist and TV presenter Sue Moxley. According to her webiste the Famous collection is 'designed to give a touch of red carpet sparkle but without the A-list prices'.

The range has apparently been exclusively available in Superdrug stores since 2007 although I have to admit I haven't really noticed it until a few weekends ago when her stand caught my eye and in particular the range of eyeshadow 'collections'. The one I snapped up is called Cafe Culture - a quad palette of brown/grey metallics which set me back £9.

I haven't yet tried the palette out fully but initial impressions when I swatched them for this post are pretty impressive. The generously sized shadows are heavily pigmented and have a lovely buttery soft consistency which makes for easy blending.



Without flash



With flash

The finish on all the shadows is very shimmery which I appreciate may be a negative if you prefer to rock the natural look. I personally need quite bold eyeshadow shades to make my eyes even slightly noticeable so the shimmer levels are perfect...the darkest shade even has a gorgeous khaki green duochrome finish :) And although I probably won't use it even the applicator is pretty good quality, its made of a dense almost rubbery material rather than the usual cheap and nasty foamy sponge.

All this for only £2.25 per shadow??....Not bad going at all!

Until next time,