Hello everyone! This is a FOTD (face of the day) post inspired by the upcoming MAC Style Seeker Collection. I'm pretty excited about the launch - I just love brown earthy shades, and the dark red toned lippies are great for this autumn winter too. The collection has already been launched in the USA. After watching a few haul videos and reading swatch posts of the new products, I decided to shop my stash, looking for dupes, which I've incorporated into this look. I hope you like it!




 

FACE
MAC Strobe Cream
MAC Mineralize Concealer NC30
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus NC25
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
MAC Fleet Fast Blush -> Between Hidden Treasure and Supercontinental Blushes
MAC Pearl Cream Colour Base

EYES
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
MAC Eyeshadows in Vanilla (browbone) -> MAC Culturalized Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Eyeshadow in Mulled Cider (crease) -> MAC Marche aux Puces Eyeshadow Duo
Sleek Makeup Storm Palette Eyeshadow (lid) -> MAC Whims and Fancies Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Below Ground greasepaint stick -> MAC Rich Ground Fluidline
L'oreal Double Extension Mascara with Serum Inside
Etude House Brow Pencil

LIPS
MAC Prep n Prime Lip
MAC Brick Lip Pencil (line and fill)
MAC So Scarlet Lipstick -> MAC Camden Chic Lipstick

 
If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll notice that the photos are a bit different. This is the first LOOK post I've done using photos taken with my DSLR alone. I've been using my DSLR for product photos, but for a long time I've stuck with my Canon IXUS 110 for face shots. But today, I decided to take the plunge. While the photos are not perfect, I hope they'll suffice!

What do you think? ♥
Livia xx

30/08/2012

LOOK: Camden Chic

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BB creams are the rage these days and I was so excited when Sleek Makeup launched their own line of BB creams. They call it the "be beautiful Blemish Balm". 

This Blemish Balm is boasts to be both skincare and makeup in one product: a primer, tinted moisturiser, sunblock with SPF 15, a full coverage foundation, and concealer for blemishes. Sleek Makeup also claims that this BB cream contains anti-aging properties. Sounds like a dream product!
 
This comes in 4 shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. 

I chose to try the shade in Light, and I think it is a good match for my light-medium Asian skin tone. (I am NC25-30 for reference).
 
The consistency is slightly thick but spread-able, and you can apply it in layers to provide a fuller coverage.

My Experience

I tried this for one whole week. While I liked the coverage, unfortunately, it caused me to break out so much. I had multiple pustules over my face, especially on my forehead and cheeks, but also in odd places like my jawline and temples. I have never experienced this before as I am usually careful with what I apply on my face. I adore the Sleek Makeup New Revive Foundation, so I was expecting a pleasant result with the BB creams. So, I was very UNpleasantly surprised.

And now that I've stopped using it, my skin is settling, back to its normal state.

I am not the first person to report this reaction to the cream and I'm quite saddened by this. Afterall, I was looking forward to it.
 
But of course not everyone is the same. My skin is particularly sensitive and it was unfortunate to have this result.  What might not work for me may work for you, and vice versa. I still think the product is pretty good in terms of coverage and the SPF, and for £8.99, its not too bad.
 
Available from 29th August 2012 at your local Superdrug or the Sleek Makeup website.

What do you think? Would you try this out? ♥
Livia xx
Disclaimer: Some products in this post were provided for consideration for review. These are my honest opinions as always!

27/08/2012

Sleek Makeup be Beautiful Blemish Balm Review

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This is the first 'look' I've done in ages! I wore this smokey bronzey taupe look to dinner with some of my colleagues. For the eyes, I used Sleek Makeup palettes in Oh So Special and Au Naturel. Because of my slightly hooded *Oriental* lids you can barely see the lid colour in the photos, but it looks so much better in person!

Anyway, here's the list of products I used:

Face
MAC Mineralize Concealer NC30
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus NC25
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
MAC Instant Chic Blush
MAC Pearl Cream Colour Base
 
 Eyes
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
Sleek Makeup Oh So Special Palette - Bow (browbone), The Mail (crease)
Sleek Makeup Au Naturel Palette - Conker (lid)
Etude House Brow Pencil no. 04
Maybelline Eyeliner
L'oreal Double Extend Mascara with Serum Inside
 
Lips
MAC Marquise d' Lipstick
 
 
 
While I Was Sleeping...I Beat Mila Kunis In The Anti Hunger Games
This look was actually inspired by Mila Kunis's makeup above as I was going for a smokey bronze/taupe eye. My lids are a bit more hooded than hers are hence you can't see much of the brown shadow on my eyes when I have my eyes opened. I could have planned it better and put the brown shade higher up on my crease or put a bit more black liner on, but I didn't want to make it look OTT for the dinner. I'll do a better one some other time!
What do you think? ♥
Livia xx

LOOK: Mila Kunis-Inspired Smokey Taupe with Sleek Makeup

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   MAC Pleasureseeker, Cut a Caper and Fire Sign Lipsticks
These 3 lipsticks from MAC were recently released in the MAC Heavenly Creatures Collection along with a bunch of mineralised products. 2 of the lipsticks featured are repromotes - Pleasureseeker lipstick was from the MAC Neo Sci Fi collection hence I have it in the hot orange packaging. Cut a Caper was first released in the MAC A Tartan Tale Collection. 
 
 
MAC Pleasureseeker Lipstick
This lipstick has a glaze formula. I find it to have the texture of a lustre, but with a slightly frosty finish. It is a pale peach with a cool bluish frost. The frost is not too much and I like the sheen it gives.
 
 
MAC Cut a Caper Lipstick
This lipstick has always been one of my favourites. It is a peachy pink shade with a slightly glossy lustre finish. I love lustres as they glide well onto my lips and are a bit moisturising.
 
 
MAC Fire Sign Lipstick
This pinky red is new to the Heavenly Creatures collection. It has a glossy lustre finish. I find that glossy red lips can appear a bit over the top for everyday use, so I usually blot it out with a tissue and it leaves a gorgeous just-bitten stain on the lips.
 
Here are swatches:
  MAC Pleasureseeker, Cut a Caper and Fire Sign Lipsticks
 
Cut a Caper

  Fire Sign
 
Available from your local MAC Store (while supplies last)!
 
What do you think? ♥
Livia xx

25/08/2012

MAC Pleasureseeker, Cut a Caper and Fire Sign Lipsticks Review and Swatches

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I have quite a collection of Sleek Makeup Eyeshadow Palettes now (verging on ridiculous, and I've already given some away) and while I do enjoy admiring the collection and counting each and every one, they haven't been getting as much love as they deserve, so I decided to depot them into an empty MAC eyeshadow palette. I've done my research online for the quickest and the safest way to do it and I came up with my own as a combination of a few sources. 

What you need:

A Paring knife
Rubbing Alcohol
Dropper / Syringe
Piece of Tissue
Palette
Optional (but necessary for me!) - Sticker magnet, Labels


What to do:

1. Stick the paring knife into one side of the palette.
2.  Pop the cover out completely.

3. Drop some alcohol into the base to dissolve the glue holding the pans.
4. Pluck the pans out - the paring knife helps too. Be patient with this step as the eyeshadows are quite delicate!

5. Try to remove glue residue at this point.
6. Place on tissue paper powder side up while alcohol dries.
7. Attach magnet and pre-labelled label.

Voila! You're done!
Easy peasy. :)

 3 palettes in one!

I tried the hair straightener method, and while it works well for my MAC eyeshadow pots, I'm too impatient to wait for it to melt the Sleek Makeup palettes. Some eyeshadow pans became a bit dented from premature attempted removal!
 
What do you think? ♥
Livia xx

22/08/2012

The Easiest Way to Depot Sleek Makeup Palettes

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Naked has launched its own skincare line and I have tried two of their products so far, namely Bare Faced Cheek face wash and Up Tone Girl (love the name!) toner, which I am reviewing in this post.

This face wash smells strongly of roses, with it's main ingredient: damask rose oil. Damask rose oil is said to contain anti-oxidants to fight the ageing process and to leave the skin feeling really soft and clean. This product has been clinically tested for sensitive skin. It is synthetic fragrance free and alcohol free.

In my experience, my skin does not like this face wash. It feels tight (rather than smooth) after using - I may have contracted an irritant contact dermatitis to an ingredient in this product from previous exposure from a different product. One should also be careful to not use this near the eye area as it can sting quite a bit. I'm used to my face washes being so gentle and effective enough to remove eye makeup (including non-waterproof mascara - I am currently loving the Simple range for sensitive skin!), and I was surprised to be stung by this one. This face wash does not fit my criteria and it is not something I would recommend.

Naked claims that this product contains 97% natural ingredients, so if you're one to use 'natural products', feel free to try this out. To be honest, I am not that fussed by how natural the ingredients are in a product; as long as it is effective, I am happy!

Up Tone Girl Gentle Toner - £4.49
This toner on the other hand -- I love! It contains witch hazel and calendula to tone and condition the skin, leaving my skin feeling cleaner and smoother. I use this after washing my face, before moisturiser. It is clinically tested for sensitive skin; fragrance free and alcohol free.

Available from your local Boots or the website: http://www.nakedbodycare.co.uk/
What do you think? ♥
Livia xx
Disclaimer: Some products in this post were provided for consideration for review. These are my honest opinions as always!

09/08/2012

Naked Skin Care: Bare Faced Cheek and Up Tone Girl

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It's only the beginning of August in the UK and it seems like summer's already gone. Here are some skincare and makeup products I enjoyed using when the weather was a bit warmer.

L'occitane Angelica Hydration Face Mist - £15 
This face mist instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin with a single spray, but I prefer 2-3 spritzes! It has a floral scent, which isn't over-powering, and I quite like it. It doesn't irritate my skin. 

Hovid Ice Cool Gel 
This product comes with a roller applicator and is designed to relax muscle aches and pains with its cooling menthol. Another use I've found for it is to cool the parts of skin that feel the most heat, like my neck and flexural surfaces. It leaves me with a super COOL sensation and even stops me from sweating! The downside is that effects only last for about 45 minutes.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
This moisturiser never fails me. I use this all year round. With SPF 30, it's been my staple product for years!

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC30 - £16 
Because of the warm weather, I've steered away from using heavy-ish foundations and I have stuck to using liquid-based concealer to conceal any blemishes and provide a light to medium coverage on my skin. MAC Mineralize Concealer does the trick, and it looks super natural. I can't believe I haven't found this stuff before - it's wonderful! 

MAC Blot Powder Pressed in Medium - £20 
I've been a big fan of this for a while, especially during the warm weather. I dust this all over my face after concealer and touch up at 8 hours if need be. This lovely product keeps oil at bay. 
  
Garnier Skincare Ultra-lift Anti-wrinkle Eye Roller 
This product cools the undereyes in a similar way as the ice cool gel above. It comes in a metal roller applicator and together with the formula, cools the skin. This, however, I use on my face as opposed to body. And apart from just the undereyes, I've been using it on my nasolabial folds, to hydrate the skin and prevent wrinkle formation. Whether it works to prevent wrinkles, I would not be able to tell, but I know for certain, it hydrates my skin well.

Have you tried any of these products? ♥
What are your hot weather must-haves?
Livia xx

Disclaimer: Some products in this post were provided for consideration for review. These are my honest opinions as always!

02/08/2012

My Must-Have Products for the Summer

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