The Best Of February

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Well, I meant to write this post for Friday, but will with all the upset of loosing my little Mindycat, I took a day away from my laptop. I'm sure you won't mind.

February was a proud blog month for me. I challenged myself to upload a post every single weekday and I succeeded. I wasn't exactly a breeze but I really enjoyed getting stuck in and am pleased with the content I produced. Look at me being all self praising! Haha. 

I'm reluctant to challenge myself to do this throughout March as I know I have a LOT on in the next 4 weeks but I'm going to give it a while. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say...whatever that actually means!

So, before it's too late, let's reflect on the great month that we just had and tomorrow we'll be looking forward to the next one. Smooooth.

We kicked off February with THIS post, oohing and arring over the latest offerings from Urban Decay. The above palette is the Naked Blush Trio, the sister product the the Naked Eyeshadow. I'm crossing my fingers for more from this range.

Still in total makeup junkie mode (when am I not in this mode?!) I told you all about THIS amazing Illamasqua Event I had attended and we talked about speckled nails. Last month I also saw that L'Oreal are continuing with the speckled nail trend so I suspect this will be something we see a lot of in the months to come. Exciting to have something new.

In week two, as well as having a long overdue blog redesign from Blogger/Author/Designer WonderForest, I talked about spending quality time with Darcy and making THESE oh so cute Valentine Cards for our family. 

 

In that same week, I uploaded THIS Happy Wife FOTD and took a new approach to photographing products - grouping! I by far and above prefer this method and think I will keep it up in the future. 

 

February's giveaway was for a pair of Cloud Nine Stylers (won't link it as this giveaway is now closed). I was thrilled with your enthusiasm and may try and do a few more of these sorts of things. I'm quite fortunate in that I am offered to do giveaways by a lot of brands but I only really do them if the prizes excite me or I think they are extra special. Shall I do more? You decide.

 

February was the month that I launched THIS new feature- Baby Style. If Darcy will stand still for 2 minutes and I can get a decent snap, you'll see a lot more of this kind of thing! After THIS insane clothes haul, I think I've got enough clothes! Haha.

 

In the final week of the month, we had THIS good old fashioned DIY post. As always, it was easy and affordable as I think that's what makes projects most appealing! All too often I have given up on things when they were too complex (I'm looking at you 'easy sew nappy bag') and felt frustrated and out of pocket (yeah, still you 'easy sew nappy bag. Grrrr). If your repins on Pinterest were anything to go by, this DIY tutorial was a hit. Woot woot. 

And then finally, at the very end of a brilliant month, there was the very sad news of my wonderful kitty going up to heaven. She is buried in my back garden (I paid extra for the vet to come out to our house and leave her body- well worth the expense if you are ever in this awful position as the animal is a LOT calmer) and I imagine that she is up in heaven with my Mum and Gran and her kitty Mum and any brothers and sisters she might have had. She had a good life. 

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So a busy month! On top of all of those highlights (and the low light), were my regular posts like Amazing Advertisers, Bedroom Beauty Challenge and four Motivational Mondays (I think my favourite posts to write). 

Is there anything specific you'd like to see in March? What did you enjoy or maybe dislike (holds breath and hopes you're kind!) in February?

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Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is  Kittenish Behaviour. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE. 

Illamasqua I'mperfection

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Along with some of my glamorous blogging chums, last week I attended the launch event for Illamasqua's new collection :: Imperfection. As Alex Box, Illamasqua's Creative Director, cleverly pointed out that the word 'imperfection' can be 'I'm Perfection'.  With this inspiration, a new collection was born. 

The new collection boasts 5 limited edition nail varnishes (£14.50 each), created by Product Developer David Horne. Side note :: Having spent a day with David at the Illamasqua Master Class, I can honestly say he is one of the most interesting and charismatic men I have ever met. You know that fun game people sometimes play where you have to choose the ultimate ten dinner party guests (and everyone always seems to pick Stephen Fry)? Well I'd pick David as one of mine. 

Back on topic, David took his inspiration for these varnishes from nature, which is incredibly beautiful yet incredibly flawed. You know how little birdie eggs have that gorgeous speckled effect, well that's what these polishes are. Egg speckles. I LOVE that! 

With two sizes of glitter flecks, what I found most interesting was that the glitter was matte (so we can question whether this really is glitter- I'm a glitter freak) so the 'speckled' effect really is as true as it could be. Saying that, wouldn't it be huh-mazing if real bird eggs were speckled with glitter? Oh my!

As well as 5 nail polishes, 2 eye products (speckled liners) and 2 lip products (intense lipgloss in green and girlie lipstick in pick-featured above), Illasmasqua have launched 3 new blush duos and a innovative new makeup brush.

The idea is to place the product loaded brush with the tips pointing toward your nostril and upper ear, under your cheek bone and flick/push upwards towards (but not to) your eye. This method, unlike the conventional swirls on the apples of your cheeks, is designed to create a soft oval hue on the cheek bone. You can continue applying blush in this method to create a more dramatic effect too. What I have always loved about Illamasqua powders is that they really are easy to blend, so building colour is a doddle.

Naturally, I would have been grateful for any product that was in a goody bag, but when I saw I had been given 'Lover & Hussy' I was pleased as punch because girly pinks and sweet corals are right up my alley!

(A few quick snaps from the event- it was too pretty to waste)

Illamasqua is a brand that strives and succeeds in pushing limits. It challenges stereotypes and questions the status quo. Some of it's products are a little outlandish for me but more often than not, I fall a little bit in love with them (I'm on my third pot of Beguile for goodness sake!). I love this collection not just for the pretty pastels and easy to wear blushers, but for the ethos behind it and the idea that acceptance of our natural selves is true beauty, it is perfection.

What stands out for you in this collection? Are you in love with the concept too?

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Toodlepip!

xx

 

 

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Ji Ji Kiki . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE. 

February FOTD

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Those of you who watch my videos may well have noticed that I have been sporting the same sort of look of late. I have found a look that I find quick, easy and suitable for day/night/the lot.

On Saturday morning, before leaving for the IMATS, I snapped a few quick shots. I never know quite how to pose for facey shots, I know there is a certain blog style but having tried them, I look like a total goon, so I just tried to show you the products like a noooormal person.

Face

Moisturiser- I'm currently trying out a few, reviews to come.

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer, NW15.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Foundation, 02 Beige.

MAC MSF, Soft and Gentle.

2True Face and Body Bronzer.

Lips

Boots own brand Strawberry Lip Balm.

Topshop Lipstick, Brighten Rock.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, Pink Pop.

Eyes

HD Brow Kit, Vamp.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment, Beguile.

Topshop Eyeliner, Coal. (Smudged with a pencil brush)

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara (loving this at the moment, review to come).

Hmmm, reading that back it sounds like an awful lot of items but in the mornings, it doesn't feel like it. I can do this entire look in about 10 minutes. If I want to make it a bit more 'night time', I would use more eyeliner and spend longer on my lashes and also use a lipliner to do better lips, but seeing as this was at 7.30am, I was pleased.

Do you have a look that you find yourself going back to again and again?

Toodlepip!

xx

Lou's Reviews :: Illasmasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It's not often that I will review something both on my YouTube Channel and on my Blog, but once in a while, a product so fantasmic comes along and I feel compelled to share it from ever available platform.

If you watched this video (embedded below) then you will know how beautiful Illamasqua's pure pigment in 'Beguile' is.

At first glance, this little wonder looks like a nice whitey highlighter. However, after swatching or holding it up to different lights, you will see flecks of finely milled mint green and babydoll pink lightly dotted around. Seeing as my favourite colours are mint and pink, this is a HUGE thumbs up on my behalf.

At £15.50 for 1.3g of product Beguile is certainly a luxury item for your makeup bag, but definitely worth it. I've worn it a lot over the last fortnight and can say hand on heart that it's perfect. It blends marvellously, is incredibly versatile and has a long durability time.

Here's how I have been wearing it:

♥ Applied over the black of a smokey eye using a damp small eyeshadow brush.

♥ Over my bare eyelid, patted on with my ring finger and then smudging black kohl eyeliner up into it a little. This is by far my favourite look because it looks a little bit like sparkly water and a little bit smokey/mysterious. Oooohh. Also, you can really go wild on the eyeliner smudgery and make your eyes the feature, or you can just do a little liner and a little Beguile and then make your lips the feature.

♥ Applied with a wet eyeliner brush as, you guessed it, an eyeliner. I like this but I prefer it as a shadow because you can see the sparkles more easily.

♥ Dotted onto clear lipgloss with my finger. I like this look but am wary that I may look a little '12-year-old-at-the-disco' with it. I'll get back to you on that one.

Basically, it has become my go-to special product. You know how you have your regular go-to items (foundation, mascara etc) and also your special go-to items (that you know will give you that bit of edge)? Well this is my special one. I loves it.

As you can image with glitter, it was a tricky little so and so to photograph but here are some snaps, taken in different lights, that will hopefully give you a glimpse of it's loveliness (if not, I apologise, my photography skills are fairly rudimentary):

I must say, I'm not massively proud of these pictures. I think I need to invest in a desk/little table by a window and a tripod, because I really want to be able to give you excellent quality. I think that'll be my next big splurge...after the IMATS....and a Baby Glitter's Birthday Party....and having my hall decorated...the list goes on.

In summary, I heart beguile a crazy lot. I suggest you pop yourself on the waiting list and get some in your life. Also, whilst you're perusing, check out Static pure pigment too. Milly from Pearls and Poodles did a fantastic review of it with far superior photos than mine and if her descriptions ("If you could capture fairy dust...") don't make you dash out to your nearest store, I don't know what will.

Are you as in love as I am? Would you part with £15.50 for glitter?

Toodlepip!

xx

Blogger Event: Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As you may have seen from my YouTube video, last month, I hotfooted it down to the capital, to attend the oh-so-fancy Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless event.

Now, as we all know, I'm a bit behind and have been trying VERY hard to catch up, so this post was a long time coming.

Since it's so late and every beauty blogger and her dog has written about this collection (and very well I might add), I decided I'm not going to. Please don't feel like I am a cop out, I just want to get cracking with a lot of other posts, time is tres limited (I can now only really blog when Baby Glitter is in bed at night) and I have already made a video on the lovely day.

I do intend to do separate Lou's Reviews on some of the products I was generously given though, so not all is lost to sea. Hurrah huzzah! 

As you will have seen from other blogs, all the beauties were laid out for us to play with, photograph and swatch.

Oohhh Shmexy.

I have to say, the pure pigments (rrp £15.50 each) were by far my most favourite products to spring from this murky gothic range. From left to right is Zeitgeist, Berber and Beguile. I was given Berber in my goodie bag and I'm really looking forward to using it. It's actually named after the lady the entire collection was inspired by, so I think that makes it a bit special. I think Beguile is sensational. This would be something I would purchase and treasure forever.

My favourite things in life- Glitter and lashes. Mmmmm.

Zoe, myself and Zara posing with our Illamasqua bags. You know how there are just some people in life, who are effortlessly cool? Like they just seem to ooze 'lalala my hair is shiny and I don't look a sweaty mess with my clothes tags showing and one chipped nail'? This is Zara. Fact of the day for you there.

As you can see, I like to be sophisticated with Zoe at ALL times. This is the culmination of a big shlep-round-London-for-some-keys-drama, getting lost and a good smattering of excitement! It's frightening what this can do for a gal!

If you are interested in treating yourself to anything from this swish collection, clickedyclick HERE. It really is gorgeous and truly of excellent quality.

Keep your sparkly eyes peeled for proper reviews on Illamasqua products soon!

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- All of the photographs in this post were gratefully supplied by Zoe. My camera is a bag of kittypoop (if you can imagine such a thing) and so Zoe helped me. I have now borrowed a big beast of a thing from the Fatherman and I am slowly working out what all the bits and bobs do! Thank you Zoe you little cherub! xx