Thursday 23 June 2011

.Makeup That Makes Me Go 'Wow Wee'.

I have been a makeup fanatic for years, ever since I got my free frost pink/frost blue eyeshadow cream combo in 'Shout' magazine when I was about 12. Looking back it was the most hideous eyeshadow i've probably ever owned, but I loved it. For this reason i'm always on the lookout for photographs and looks that make me stop on the page and go 'ahhhhh'. It happens alot. Here are some of my favourites.


Ahhh Lady Gaga. Never ever fails. The nails just add to the look.


There is nothing I don't love about this. From the smoky, messy, unfussed eye to the pale lip.
Angelina Jolie in 'The Tourist' - I'm a sucker for red lips and a sleek white dress.




Wednesday 22 June 2011

.NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.

'My name is Kate, and I am an alcoholic foundationholic' *sympathetic clapping*

It's true, and i'm not even ashamed! I still remember my first foundation. Well it was Stila Tinted Moisturiser, but that's not the point. Ever since then, my addiction has been fuelled, and I have been on the lookout for the illicit 'Holy Grail' foundation ever since.
To be honest, I convince myself i've found my HG ALOT, but the search seems to go on. It's a lifelong problem I am learning to deal with.

I have really wanted to try NARS Sheer Glow since it came out, and I am aware I am totally behind the times, but hey ho. Lollipop26 or Laura from 'Buy now Blog later' loved this foundation, as did Tanya Burr (Pixi2woo), although she did say it was too yellow for her skin.

It was only a matter of time until I picked this up, which is exactly what I did do a couple of weeks ago at the Bullring, along with 12 Krispy Kreme doughnuts - please don't judge me.

Unfortunately there was nobody on the NARS counter, but I picked up 'Santa Fe', described on the website as 'medium with peachy undertones' - I like this because it's not pink and it's not yellow - MAC, take note, some of us are a bit of both, or something totally different. I was rocking a faux glow at the time, and will deffo be in the 'light' spectrum when not. However I have used this when my tan was fading, and it blends so so well, I haven't needed to change product. It doesn't oxidize either, so no horrible orange face after a couple of hours! Horray!


The bottle isn't great. Think Estee Lauder Double Wear - screw top, no pump. Pfffft.



I do really like this foundation. I'll let you see what the website has to say first....

'A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, skin is hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves skin brightness, radiance and texture. For normal to dry skin types.'

First off, my skin is pretty normal. I'm quite lucky, I rarely get spots, and only get spots of dryness once in a while - thanks for the genes Mum and Dad!

The foundation is buildable. And it builds up on the skin well. No caking. I use my fingers to smooth over it after applying it with my Bobbi Brown foundation brush, but i'm confident any brush would work well.
I'm not sold on the satin finish. I think it is more of a sheer/matte finish. Not a bad thing, but slightly misleading.
I love love love the feel of this on my skin. It really does glide on like a lotion. No drag or pull whatsoever. Impressive.
I am not too sure this would work all that well with super dry skin if i'm totally honest. I have some dryness around my nose at the moment, so sexy, and it just seemed to bring attention to that area. I suppose it's trial and error but i'm pretty sure this would be good for slightly oily/combo skin too.
NARS Sheer Glow has pretty impressive staying power. I set mine with my Laura Mercier Invisible setting powder in Universal and I have to say it's still there at the end of an 8 hour shift with only slight shiny-ness.

Okay, so here comes the before and afters... brace yourselves.


Before

After
This foundation looks fabulous in pictures, possibly due to it having no SPF, which I am not too fussed about. If I need SPF cover I will use my Shu Uemera spf 50 milk.

  All in all, I think this is a lovely foundation, although I think my HG loyalty is still with EL Double Wear, due to it's amazing coverage and staying power! However, if you've got good skin, or are having a 'good skin day' and don't need your foundation to be perfect for hours on end, then this is for you! Pick it up and see for yourself at NARS counters and online. (£29.50) - Pricey, but justifiable! Is that even a word?! It is now.

Loads of Love, Kate x

.Quick Introduction.

*shyly waving hello*

I am new to the blogging world - ish. I have started blogs before and given up but this time I am determined, so I thought I would introduce myself to all of you - It's only polite!
My name is Kate, and i'm a twenty something girl living in the Midlands, England.
My main aim of this blog is to vent all my beauty, makeup and fashion rants and raves at you, instead of people who quite frankly, do not care (darling boyf, I am looking at you!)
I am currently working in administration but this September I will be embarking on my dream... Training to become a makeup artist and hair stylist - another reason for this blog.
As somebody who has dreamt of being a makeup artist for years, I think it would be a good idea to give everybody who reads this blog an insight into my training... Seeing what i'm learning and how i'm getting on along the way.
I am toying with the idea of Youtube, but feel I am not qualified to just go on and talk about makeup. There's so many amazing bloggers/youtubers like that already such as Fleur De Force and Miss Glamorazzi and I don't want to be compared to amazing girls like that. So, until I am training... We shall see!
I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy writing it.

Loads of Love, Kate x


Yes, this is me. No, I am not always a cross eyed drunk...