Lou's Reviews :: Bourjois Little Round Pot Intense Eyeshadow

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Pudding Face is in her bouncer, Bride Wars is on in the background, Fluff-face-Mindy is sprawled under the window and I'm tiptapping away on here, what bliss. What I should be doing is cleaning the bathroom and clearing up, ready for Zoe's visit tonight but alas, why do now what you could do later?!

I recently bought 3 of Bourjois latest new releases- the Little Round Pot Intense eyeshadows and thought I would do a quickie review on them.

I don't usually rate the normal Little Round Pots too highly- I have found that a lot of the colours have poor

pigmentation and are rather chalky but as I swatched and mooched about that the Bourjois stand, I was quite surprised. These new Intense Pots really are intense! The formula is easy to blend and the colour pay off is great. I picked up the sparkly buttery shade, the glittery pink shade and a matte black- the black is brilliant! I would even put it above MAC Carbon, and that's saying something!

I have used the 2 glittery colours for an easy wash-of-colour look when I'm in a rush and the black to create a lovely smokey going out look. According the the Bourjois website (which you can find HERE) the shadows are made from 87% mineral pigments- wowee.

I really hope they bring out more vivid colours of these, I would buy more for sure (I'm a poet and I didn't know it!).

I believe these retailed for around the £7 mark, which I think is just about reasonable because you get plenty of product and a cute package with a handy mirror. Pleased.

Have you seen these little treats around? Would you pay £7 for a single 'drugstore' shadow?

Toodlepip!

xx

Coral Bronzed FOTD

Aloha Bloggerinos,

A little while back I filmed a few videos for my YouTube Channel sporting a summery, sunkissed look and lots of you lovely Bloggerinos left really positive comments about it.

I thought I would do a little FOTD on it and show you what I used. Nothing special, just a quickie (ooer missus) so you can recreate if you fancy it.

MAC Lipstick- Vegas Volts

MAC Lipglass- Pink Lemonade

L'oreal Super Liner - Carbon Gloss Black

MAC Strobe Cream

Eyeko Magic Mascara- Black

2True Bronzer

ELF Blusher

MAC Studio Sculpt- NW15

Topshop Eyecolour- Tundra

ELF Pigment- Elegant

MAC Shadestick- Beige-ing

MAC Brow Gel- Clear

Do you use any of these products? What do you think of them?

Toodlepip!

xx

MAC Flighty

Aloha Bloggerinos,

This June we are set to see the launch of MAC Flighty, which promises to be a 'high altitude collection of sensually spongy water colours' that 'fly higher than gravity's rainbow'. This excites me! I love collections that have loads of colour in them, and the fact that this is all about the eyes, totally floats my boat.

(Sorry for the blurred image, for some reason I couldn't download the press image and had to turn to google images. It's the same picture, but not as sharp. Grrr)

MAC Flighty consists of 4 coloured mascaras, 16 whipped mousse cream shadows and 1 brush.

The colours in this collection remind me a lot of MAC Peacocky and I am loving the look of the green mascara as I think it will enhance the greeness (real word there) of my own les yeux.

I thought I'd include the product names and colour descriptions, because if you're anything like me, you'll love to read the colour combos and get excited thinking about looks you could create!

ZOOM COLOURED MASCARA

HIGH ESTEEM Mid-tone grey with silver pearl

BLUE CHARGE Deep navy blue

PLUM RESERVE Light violet purple

GREEN IS GREEN Jade green

RRP: £13.50 / EURO 16.50

BIG BOUNCE SHADOW

THE COOL ELITE White with silver pearl

GOOD FORTUNE Soft pink yellow with pink and silver pearl

REWARD YOURSELF Bright peach coral with gold pearl

IMPECCABLY RICH Light cream with gold pearl

SIZZLIN’ DIVA Copper with gold pearl

TROPHY Soft peach with pearl

FREE AS AIR Sky blue with silver pearl

SPREAD THE WEALTH Dirty olive with gold pearl

EXTRA CHARGED Bright green with multicolour pearl

UP THE ANTE! Rich copper with gold and silver pearl

RICH THRILLS Dirty silver with multicolour pearl

LUXURY TOUCH Violet with gold pearl

COUNT YOUR ASSETS Rich blue purple with multicolour pearl

MY NEXT INDULGENCE Forest green with blue and gold pearl

RICH, SWEET Chocolate gold with gold pearl

BLACK DIAMOND Black with gold pearl

RRP: £13.50 / EURO 19.00

My wishlist is Free Air, Spread the Wealth and Green is Green. Do you have your peepers on anything special?

Toodlepip!

xx

FOTD :: Beauty UK Exhibition

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm a bit late posting this but I have been soooo busy with Baby Glitter, my YouTube channel, working at fanx.com (A cool way to say thanks, dontchya know) HQ (if you can call working 'playing on swivell chairs with Baby Glitter and throwing ideas at Lee' working!), taking up sewing again and keeping my house nice! Sheesh I'm shattered just typing it all out, let alone doing it!

Anyhoo, I decided to have a play with lime green to match my top. I love to match things.

Gargh I forgot to put foundation and powder in there! It's MAC Studio Sculpt NW15 and Collection 2000 Ivory Pressed Powder. Oopsie!

Any questions, let me know :)

Toodlepip!

xx

MAC Bloggers Event- Senior Artist Masterclass

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Now, I'm probably the last blogger out there to write about the MAC Style Suite Red Carpet Event last Thursday, but such is the nature of Baby Glitter- when she sleeps, I sleep!

Last Thursday I was very honoured to attend a MAC Masterclass with Senior Makeup Artists Lynsey Alexander and Neil Young in association with Philips British Academy Television Awards 2011.

What does this mean you ask? I wondered the same until it was explained on the night (I felt a right durrbrain!). Basically, for the BAFTA's which is on the 22nd of May this year, one whole floor of the ultra swanky Pelham Hotel in South Kensington, London, is turned into a 'Style Suite' for the presenters, nominees and celeb types. So one room will be where they can have their makeup done by the wonders of MAC, one room will be filled with amazing clothes from super designers and another would be full of jewels and bling- jealous much? I am!

The event was held in this gorgeous room with plush chairs lined up and amazing goodie bags on each seat. All the MAC PR ladies were so nice and remembered me from the last event (which you can read about HERE) and asked after Baby Glitter. I'm useless at remembering people I've only met once so when people remember me I'm always really impressed haha.

We were refreshed with lovely champagne (and after 9 months of not drinking this was VERY welcome) and cute canapes which I avoided to prevent any nibble related disasters like last time.

There's me on the end (pic above) sat next to Muhsine of Bubblegarm. I was really excited to be sat next to her because Bubblegarm is in my top 3 of fav blogs and I actually felt a bit starstruck at first ahahaha! We had a nice chat about pregnancy (Muhsine is almost 5 months) and then on the tube on the way back I quizzed her on all things blog and babies! Yay!

Anyway, both Lynsey and Neil had a beautiful bare faced model and got to work creating gorgeous flawless looks that we may well see on the red carpet this year. Yowzas!

Neil focused on the lips and used the infamous 'Show Orchid' (apparently favoured by the likes of Cheryl Cole), with a subtle eye look. I now MUST own 'Show Orchid' but sadly it's a pro colour and I couldn't get it at my local Debenhams- gargh.

Neil has a great rapport with Lynsey and included all of us like we were his chummies. I think he'd be an absolute hoot on a night out! Him and Lynsey used to flatshare together- can you imagine? You would NEVER leave the flat looking a mess would you?! Brilliant!

Lynsey worked on a gorgeous smokey eye using just one shade of paint pot but blending to create depth and variation- it was very impressive and something I shall be sure to practise. Lynsey created this lovely nude lip by applying concealer to mute the natural pigment on the lip and then overlaying 'Shy Girl', which is also on my lust list now as well.

Lynsey made the model's skin absolutely AMAZING and told us all about the importance of prepping the skin and applying in light layers, rather than slathering on thick strokes of foundation. This lovely model is wearing Studio Sculpt which is what I wear (in NW15 by the by) so I was pleased as punch. I noticed that she also used eyeshadow for eyebrow filling and definition which is definitely something I'd like to try. For this blondey/fair model, Lynsey used 'Omega' pressed shadow in case you were interested.

Side note- being the Palette Lover that I am, I was entranced by both Neil and Lynsey's palettes and asked all about them. They buy lots from Muji and decant the products themselves. For a minute I thought there was some special way to get my hands on MAC Lipstick Palettes but alas, there is not. DIY melty spoon over heaty jobby for me then.

As you can see, the models looked SUPERB! I mean, they didn't exactly look like gargoyles before, being profesh models and all, but if I can take away a fraction of the skill that was applied here and use it on my own face, I'll be doing 'reet :)

  

Here's me and the Master of Makeup! Woop woop! They could be models themselves couldn't they?!

And below is the lovely loot we were sent home with- I actually squealed on the train when I opened all this up. It was all products that had been used in the Masterclass, so it was great because now I know the best way to use them and how to get the most out of them.

 

I'm sure I'll be talking about these individually and will also be showing you them in an upcoming YouTube video.

I'm so thrilled to have been invited to such a brilliant event. I learnt soooo many great tips (which I haven't included because lots of the other bloggers that attended talked about them and I don't want to reinvent the wheel so to speak), caught up with lots of gorgeous bloggers and had a lovely few hours out of the House of Nappies/Bottles/Baby Sick (ahh bless little stinky Baby Glitter).

I'm really excited to review some of these new products and feel heavily inspired to try some new looks! Do you have any of the above products? What do you tink of them?

Toodlepip!

xx

Now, I did actually post this last week but then Blogger went a bit dolally and deleted it. Luckily the BRILLIANT Katy from Rotten Otter saved the day and helped me get it back. Thank you clever Katy! xxx

Lou's Reviews :: Sigma Brushes - Synthetic Face Kit

Aloha Bloggerinos,

About a month ago, I was sent the Sigma Synthetic Face Kit of brushes which promises flawless makeup application without absorbing too much product into the special 'sigmax' brush filaments.

Well oh me oh my these brushes do not disappoint!

It was actually excellent timing that these popped through my letterbox because I have recently been having a bit of a stress with foundation application. I use MAC Studio Sculpt (in NW15 in case you're interested) and I used to apply it with a regular foundation brush (Avon or GOSH being my brand of choice) and noticed that the application was becoming really streaky.

I tried washing the brushes more regularly, thinking the issue was product build up in the brush fibres but this only relieved the situation for the short term.

Then, whilst at the MAC London Fashion Week earlier in the year, I had a fabulous mini makeover and rather than sweep on my foundation with a foundation brush, she literally buffed it into the skin with a kabuki styled brush and the result was sensational, even if I do say so myself.

The Synthetic Face Kit comprises of 3 fabulous brushes- F80 Flat Top Kabuki, F82 Round Top Kabuki and F84 Angled Top Kabuki.

I think I have had the most use out of the Round and Angled Top Kabuki brushes. I use the Round Top to buff in liquid foundation and it works like a dream. My skin literally looks airbrushed. I will NEVER go back to a regular foundation brush. Ever.

I use the Angled Top brush to contour bronzers and highlighters and I love all the effects you can get from it. The fibres don't pick up too much powder and so I can build up the coverage to suit and no longer have the oh-gawwdd-too-much-brown-on-my-face-I-look-like-a-street-walker effect, which is always a winner in my books.

I love that these brushes have chunky short handles and fit into my travel makeup bag. I've washed them a good few times and there is no shedding and they come up good as new. Also, they come with little plastic brush guards which is something I really like, they protect the brushes from yuk and also keep the shape well. Woop.

All in all I am REALLY impressed with this set and they are a much loved addition to my brush collection.

To have a look at these and loads of other gorgeously tempting kits, click on the big Sigma link on the left of my blog or click HERE and have a nosey round- you won't regret it!

Toodlepip!

xx

Mummy Must Haves - Batiste, Liz Earle and No. 7

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As you can imagine, life with a newborn bambino is busy. Yes, they sleep, but when she sleeps, I like to sleep or I have to do all the boring housey things that can't be ignored and so pampering/hair/makeup/even a shower (!) seem to have been pushed to the bottom of the priorities list.

Despite needing to spend my time looking after Baby Glitter, doing boring housey stuff and sleeping, that doesn't mean I want to look a wreck and so have been finding and using products that suit my new needs. I'm thinking about making my 'Mummy Must Haves' a bit of a feature, because I think they could be applied to anyone who has a busy life/doesn't want to spend tonnes of time getting ready and wouldn't just be for Mummy's. What do you think? Yay or nay?

Batiste Dry Shampoo For dark and deep brown hair (rrp £3.05) :: Dry shampoo has been my saviour ever since I was in hospital to have Baby Glitter. As you can imagine, after 2 days of labour and a traumatic delivery, I hadn't exactly stayed fresh and with all the problems I had, the most I could manage the next few days was quick rinses in the shower, not a hairwash in sight! To combat this, I turned to this absolute gem. Why I haven't used it before fails me but better late than never.

It's super easy to use too, which is clearly a must when in a rush. You simply hold the can about 30cm away from your roots, spray, massage in with your finger tips, leave for a minute or so and then brush through! Within moments I feel much fresher and more presentable- wohoo!

I just had a quick looksie on the Boots website and noticed that Batiste also do a range with different scents (not for me as a scent freak) and also one with silver and one with gold shimmer- definitely something I will be checking out!! Alllsssooo, in celebration of the Royal Wedding, Batiste have brought out a limited edition union jack can (pictured above) that you can buy exclusively in in Superdrug  for a mere £2.19. Hurrah!

No 7. Quick Thinking Wipes (rrp £7) from Boots :: I buy these when Boots do their £5 Off Vouchers because I can't justify spending £7 on wipes (unless they are the AMAZING ones from MAC..drools). I have used these loads over the last 3 weeks, they are a godsend when you don't have time to properly cleanse and tone. Naughty but speedy. They smell nice, take off all my makeup and have enough moisture too the, (I say that because some brands of wipes feel really dry and rubbish).

Liz Earle Skin Brightening Treatment and Moisturiser :: I shan't go into a mini review or anything because I have done a proper Lou's Review on these HERE and HERE.

I've used the Brightening Treatment Mask a few times since Baby Glitter's arrival because it can be done in well under 5 minutes and it really does perk my skin up, which after a night of not much sleep, is a real necessity. I feel a bit more 'sorted' for the day once I've done this and like I have had a little treat.

I loved the Skin Repair Moisturiser from the moment I first used it and have been luxuriating in it ever since. This was my favourite product I took with me to the labour ward because it made me feel a bit more like Louise and less like a big wobbly mess. Also, the hospital was unbearably hot, so my skin was crying out for help. Sadly, I've run out of this now and am gutted. As soon as I get some pennies, I shall be buying another.

So Bloggerinos, have you tried any of those products? What do you think of my new feature? A keeper?

Toodlepip!

xx

CONTEST WINNER for Guess Baby Glitter's Real Name

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Can I just say, as I started writing this post a total palaver happened.

 Baby Glitter was laying next to be on the sofa having a snooze, my laptop was on my lap, the window was open to let in a relaxing breeze and all was well in the world. UNTIL A GIANT WASP FLEW IN! I have a huge phobia of wasps and totally freaked out. I grabbed Baby Glitter and put her on my chest, covered her with a muslin square, shouted "Maaaattttttt!!!! Mayday! MAYDAY!! HEEELPPPPPPPPPPPP!! HEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!".

The wasp was zooming about like a kid on sherbet and I couldn't get up (my sofas are low, my vajayjay is stitched to bits and hurts) and so Matt ran downstairs and started wafting a cushion at the beast. I was shouting "Just get the Raid (spray that kills flies/bugs/wasps), stop angering it! GET THE RAID! THE RAAIIDDD!", he was waving a cushion about, Baby Glitter was confused in her muslin prison. Then he ran to get the Raid, leaving me defenseless against the now angry wasp and then came back and sprayed the little blighter to death. Peace is restored.

Phewf!!!

Anyway, Baby Glitter is 2 weeks old today and I thought it was about time I announced a winner for the contest.

Thank you to everyone who got into the spirit of it and took part and well done to everyone who guessed the correct name, which is Darcy Jane Watson. When I put the correct answers in a hat I didn't penalise for incorrect spellings, as long as I could tell you meant Darcy Jane Watson, that was good enough for me :)

So, drumroll please....the winner is:

GEM!!

Congratulations Gem! I have emailed you already to ask which shade of MAC Lipstick, Lipglass of Lipliner you would like, so please do get back to me ASAP.

I've actually got another contest coming up very shortly, with the prize being a set of Sigma Brushes, so do keep your eyes peeled for that!

Hope you're all enjoying the sunny weather and not being attacked by wasps!

Toodlepip!

xx

Image taken from weheartit.com

MAC Surf Baby!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As always, those crazy kids at MAC Cosmetics have come up with a new Limited Edition line of goodies to tempt us with, and I was very kindly sent the promo image of 'Surf Baby!', which will be hitting our MAC stands and stores this summer.

I love the look of the 'crushed metallic pigments' and I'm a total sucker for a good bronzer, I'm still in love with my MAC Golden Lariat, so I'm tres excited for this to come out. The packaging reminds me a bit of holidays in Cornwall, which is always a winner too.

Surf Baby! is out May-June 2011. Does it float your summertime boat?

Toodlepip!

xx

Pregnancy Update- 41 Weeks Pregnant

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Well, as you can see, still no Baby Glitter. I'm so fed up I could cry/scream/both, but know it wouldn't get me too far.

(Sound advise if you ask me! Hahaha!)

I'm a week over now and have been booked for an induction for Tuesday the 5th. I really, really don't want an induction. I thought I did but then I found out what it entails and that you loose the option of a water birth anndd unless you are in established labour, you're partner can't stay with you the whole time. Also, whilst you are induced (ie, laying with a pessary up your lady zone for 24 hours), you are in a room with 3 other woman and have regular internal examinations- NOT WHAT I WANT AT ALL.

In an ideal world I'll labour at home as long as possible, get to hospital, pop myself in a birthing pool, dim the lights, try to remain calm and have a lovely little baby girl. Unfortunately, we don't seem to be reading off the same page and she doesn't seem to game for this plan.

I had a stretch and sweep yesterday, which is just as vile as it sounds and the midwife said she had stretched me (shudder) 2-3cm, so this is a positive. I'm booked in for another on Friday so fingers crossed it starts labour (as yet, yesterday's hasn't). Whilst these Stretch and Sweep things are very gross, I think they are the lesser of the 2 evils (compared to induction) so I'll opt for them. Sigh.

In other news, my feet and ankles are still swollen, just called me Mrs Kankle, my skin has gone really spotty (thank goodness for MAC Studio Sculpt) and I have been more tired than a sloth on sleeping tablets.

I won't go on too much because I'll only be Mrs Grumpy Pantaloons and I don't want to bum you all out.

Please send all your psychic energy to encourage Baby Glitter out naturally!

Toodlepip!

xx

Image: weheartit.com

Guess Baby Glitter's Real Name Giveaway!! *MAC COSMETICS PRIZE!*

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Well with Baby Glitter's arrival so close on the horizon, I thought it was a jolly good excuse to have a giveaway. I was going to do a 1500 Followers giveaway but thought this would be a little more fun and I can always do a belated one another time.

The Prize:

The prize will be a MAC Lipstick, Lipglass or Lip Liner of you choice. All you would have to do is let me know which colour and I shall order it for you :)

The Rules:

This is open to everyone, everywhere.

There will be one winner. If more than one of you guess the correct name, I will pick a random winner from the right answers.

To enter, be a follower and comment below with your guess of her name.

For one extra entry/guess of her name, share the love about this game on twitter, YT, your blog, I don't mind Bloggerinos, just let me know that you have.

If you are my real life chum (as opposed to my Bloggerino chum ahaha) and already know her name, I know who you are you cheeky monkeys, so please don't spoil it and tell everyone or karma will come and bite you in the bottom.

This contest will close when Baby Glitter is born- fingers crossed it's soon, I can't wait!!

To give you all a helping hand, her initials will be D.J.W. D for her first name, J for her middle name (and is sentimental- a clue for you there) and W is my last name (my married name, so not Pentland!)

Toodlepip!

xx

images: weheartit.com

YouTube- MAC Wonder Woman, Brushes on a Budget and More!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Can you believe it's March already? I'm having a baby this month! Sheesshh!!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that although I've slowed down a touch on the blog front, it's only because I have sped up on the YouTube front. I can't seem to do the both at equal speeds and go through phases of having favourites. Soooo, if you follow me on here (thank you ever so much), then do make sure you follow on YouTube as well, because chances are if I'm not wittering on over here, that's where I'll be!

Click the link below for my sparkly channel:

Sprinkleofglitter on YouTube

I've recently made a few makeuppy videos including MAC Wonder Woman, Affordable Makeup Brushes and a bit of a chitchatty one too.

 

Let me know of any requests or thoughts, I always love to hear from you!

 

Toodlepip!

xx

MAC Cremeblend Blush

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm going to do a few posts on things MAC are bringing out soon, because who doesn't like a bit of insider knowledge?

March 2011 will see the release of a new range of blushes that promise to go on creamy and stay creamy, allowing you to blend better and control your contouring. Smashing!

 

There will be six new colours to choose from:

 

So Sweet, So Easy Bright yellow pink

Something Special Light coral

Posey Warm peach

Ladyblush Warm neutral coral

Brit Wit Dusty rosy mauve

Tea Petal Mid-tone reddish brown

RRP: £17.00 / EURO 21.50

 

So for all your Blush Lovers, does this do it for you? I'm pretty new to the world of blusher so welcome your thoughts :)

 
You can find out more about MAC Cosmetics HERE.  

Toodlepip!

 

xx

 

Images and Info courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

FOTD Bright Pop

 

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I was schmoozing around YouTube t'other night and I found a fabulous tutorial that I decided to give a go. I can't remember her channel name but if you type in "Burning Sunset" into the search box, you'll find it. Anyhoo, I just wanted to show you how it turned out and I think I will definitely do it again.

I didn't follow her instructions to the letter, but that's the beauty of these things, you can adapt them to how you think they will suit you and experiment with colour a little bit. I felt inspired to try this after seeing at the MAC Event that 'Pop' colours are going to be tres on trend this year.

Below are snaps of products I used. I did use a few other bits and bobs and if you are uber interested do ask, but really I would say that if you wanted to recreate this, just play around with what you have and let your imagination run free!

 (Grr blurry.)

 For those not in the know, this is the 120 Manly Colour palette that I bought of ebay for about a tenner- best bargain ever!! I loves it.

Are you a fan of bright colours?

Toodlepip!

xx

MAC Jeanius - Out March 2011

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I thought I would show you a couple of new ranges that are coming up from the cosmetic gods that are MAC, because it's nice to be in the know and be able to get all excited (or is this just me?!).

Of course there is the MAC Wonder Woman collection, but did you know about MAC Jeanius?

Naturally, the MAC Press Pack will descirbe the collection somewhat better than I, so here's what MAC has to say:

"Is there anything more enduring (besides love and heartbreak) than denim? Jeanius is a

celebration of the journey – country cousin to haute couture – the whole world wanted to go on

since America made it a national obsession. Since tooth-and-nail workwear jumped the pond in

farmer’s overalls to gussy up in the glam of the great Paris couture houses...France may take the

credit for creating it in 18th-century Nimes (de Nîmes = DeNim), but bright young American

women took it higher! M·A·C keeps up with a Jeanius collection of moody blues and indigo ink,

the quantum of modern cool, with four new limited-life denimised Eye Shadows, along with new

limited-life shades of Lipstick, Lipglass, Blush and Biker Blue & Frayed to Order Nail Lacquer.

Like the faux-metal “snap” on the Eye Shadow…completely riveting."

Prices range from £9 for a Nail Polish, to £17 for a Power Blush.

You can find out more about MAC HERE.

Do you think this is something you would try? I luurrrvveee the funky denim embossment on the eyeshadows and can hear the light nail polish calling my name.

Toodlepip!

xx

Images and Info courtesy of MAC Cosmetics.

MAC Cosmetics At London Fashion Week

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As I mentioned in my recent Red Lipped FOTD, I was one very lucky lady and was invited to a tres swanky MAC Event at London Fashion Week on Saturday. Despite being 9 months pregnant, I knew this was not to be missed and waddled my massive self there and had the BEST DAY EVER!

There were 5 other gorgeous Beauty Bloggers there and I'm sure they will do a write up of the day, so check them out too- Milly, Princess Livia, Jen, Zara, Shirley and Sammi. I sat next to Milly and Jen and we had a hoot (after a brief scuffle with a very huffy woman at the fashion show who refused to move, despite us having tickets for those seats. I of course said rather firmly "Well I'm 9 months pregnant!" and sat down. Ha!). Jen and I had a little chitchat before the whole day got started and she seemed so nice, I could've talked to her for hours.  

Oh how I wished I'd picked up some of these. You know how I feel about peacocks :(

So, I waddled in a few minutes early and was greeted at the MAC Media Booth by the really nice PR girls. You know when you see slim, pretty, 'together' type girls and you feel a bit intimidated? (this could just be me because I'm a bit larger and not Mrs Fashionista, but let me know if you get my drift). Well they were the opposite of this. They were sooooo friendly and offered me drinks and asked lots about Baby Glitter and how often I blog and all that kind of thing. I wish I'd taken a picture of them to show you.

Once everyone had arrived and we'd been served fancy nibbles (see embarrassing story at the bottom re canapes), we were shown a video on the upcoming makeup trends that we can expect to see for AW11.  The three to look for are 'Pop', 'Raw' and 'Copper'.

Pop was described a kaleidoscopic explosion of colour, fluro, neon. Raw as skin that changes as it passes through light, muted pastels, texture and Copper as amazonian goddesses, seashell shades, 70's. I think Pop excites me the very most- fuchsia lips, here I come!!

After the video, we were introduced to Terry Barber, Director of Makeup Artistry at MAC (oh me oh my) and he proceeded to show us one of the new looks that is going to be very on trend for AW11- reds, golds, yellows, rusts etc. Now, I was quite sceptical about how he was going to pull red off, but after working his magic, he bloomin' well did! It was watching this makeover that gave me the confidence to ask for a red lip look on my makeover.

Already prepped and primed and ready to go go go!

Bringing the red pigment out into the temples. Terry explained that for runway, you must really over exaggerate what your brushstrokes and be BOLD.

You see that red lipstick in Terry's left hand? It's a prototype for next season. The Makeup Artists often 'trial run' the prototype products-my dream job!

How beautiful does she look?! I thought she was one of the runway models and was totally shocked when she told me she wasn't and actually works in the Head Office!

He was really chatty all the way through, it was like listening to a chum really. He told us lots of interesting snippets from his experiences in the industry like how Diana Ross had the biggest false eyelashes he has ever seen and how Grace Jones did her own highlighting using foundation meant for whiter skin tones.

Terry's table. Ooohh I would've enjoyed a play with all that!


Terry, The Bump and I.

After marvelling at his creativity and seeing the finished look, we were ushered off to watch the Betty Jackson catwalk show. I've never been to anything like this before and felt somewhat frumpy in my Next Maternity jeans, but alas, what can you do? It was great to watch and see all the outfits and do a bit of celeb spotting and all too soon it was over.

We headed back to the MAC Media Booth, where it was time for makeovers- yeeaaahhhhhh! I have already done my little post on this, which you can see HERE. I am now lusting desperately over Cherry Lip Liner, Red Russian Lipstick, Prep & Prime for lips and a Clear Lipglass. Oh dear.

I could have easily stayed in there all day and played with the makeup and chatted to everyone but I had to wizz off for a nice lunch with my Daddio at nearby Cotes Cafe. Have you been there? It was tres nice.

I know I keep saying it but the whole thing really was brilliant, by far the best thing I've ever been too and I can't thank the MAC Ladies enough for inviting me!

Of course you will all want to know about the AMAZING goodie bags (I know I always do anyway!), so I have done a YouTube video for you HERE and will no doubt be reviewing the products soon.

Toodlepip!

xx

As promised: I always try and be cool at these things, but never quite manage it. At the beginning, we were offered lots of very swish canapes and I thought "haha I'm not fooling for this, I won't pick something crumbly or something that I might not like (like at the Eyeko Event and I actually had to spit it into my hand when no-one was watching!!), I will pick something easy and sophisticated". So, I picked a little glass of berry smoothie. Wrong. It was really thick and yoghurty and I couldn't seem to get it out of the glass and ended up half licking it (bet that looked good) and half trying to knock it back like a shot. Needless to say, I did not look cool. *sigh*

FOTD- MAC at London Fashion Week

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Yesterday I was one VERY lucky lady. I was invited to an event hosted by MAC Cosmetics at London Fashion Week at Somerset House and had the most exciting day ever!

I'm going to talk about it in 2-3 posts because I want to tell you EVERYTHING so you feel like you were there too, but this one is just a quickie because I'm more tired than a sloth on sleeping pills.

At one point during the day, we were given the chance to have our makeup done by one of the makeup artists, in any look we wanted- yabbadabbadooo! Now, seeing as I have been in a bit of a rut lately, doing the same looks over and over, I asked the artist (Natasha from the Dublin store- a cosmetic genius) to do strong red lips, as this is something I have never had the nerve to do myself.

I seem to be totally incapable of taking decent pictures of my own face, so here are my shoddy attempts and at the bottom I'll tell you what Natasha used.

Ok, so I look a bit mental here but I was having a 'bleaugh moment' and forgot to smile/use my face at all hahaha. This was taken in the mirror of the MAC media booth (which by the way, was heaven. Actual heaven).

This is Natasha the Makeup Goddess. She gave me so many brilliant tips that I would never have thought of and I really feel excited about trying some new things out.

So, what did Natasha use to create this look?

Lips

Lip Pencil in Cherry

Lipstick in Red Russian

Clear Lipglass

I need to buy all of these the moment I have some mula! They are wonder products for sure!

Face

NW25 Pro Long Wear Concealer

Medium Care Blend (not entirely sure what this is)

Fling Brow Pencil

Eyeliner- which I think was Fluidline but obviously I had my eyes shut! ahaha

Anndd I already had my own mascara on.

It was so fun having my makeup done by a professional and I'm looking forward to telling you all more about the day.

What do you think? Would you sport a red pout?

Toodlepip!

xx