Beached

Preview of "Glam Sun", Daphne Groeneveld photographed by Patrick Demarchelier for Beauty Vogue Italia.

(via thefashionspot)

//Emily

Queen of the Ocean

Little Mermaid hair extension.

( via mirrorandmoonsdreamcloset )

//Emily

Models Own Hed Kandi 'Ibiza Mix' review

I wasn't actually planning on buying any of the Models Own x Hed Kandi collaboration polishes. After I'd bought the Urban Outfitters W.I.P in Electra I wasn't really too interested in other glitter polishes as it fulfilled the rainbow chunky glitter void in my life. But when I saw it in real life I couldn't resist!

'Ibiza Mix' to me is the standout shade of the Hed Kandi collection. The colour is actually quite a bit different compared to the W.I.P polish up close, with the glitter a mix of lilac, seafoam green and gold, much more 'summery' colours. I always think Models Own polishes are great quality and always have good staying power, and this one is no different. Definitely worth the money if you can track it down!


//Emily

Daisy Chain

Hair at Alexis Mabille Spring 2012.

(via style.com)

//Emily

Topshop 'Sisters of The New Moon' Lip Tint in Crystal

I really wanted to try out a lip tint after seeing L'Oréal's 'Universal Lip Glow'. I liked the idea tof a shade that is tinted but also is sheer enough to adapt to your natural colouring so that it could be worn day to day. When Topshop released their 'Sisters of The New Moon' collection I couldn't resist the allure! I decided to get Crystal, as I tend to go for more pink shades, but there is also a more peachy tone 'Charmed'.

The packaging is amazing, and that goes without saying! The lipstick itself is a translucent fluoro pink with shards of glitter throughout, and it kind of reminds me of something I would have bought from Glitter Babes at Boots in the 90s, definitely a plus in my eyes.
Although to look at you would think the tint would go on super glittery, the result is much more of a low shine but moisturizing warm pink. It goes on very smoothly and has a very nourishing feel, great in comparison with the drying tints I have used before.
I was pleasantly surprised by this product, it's just a shame it's limited edition!


//Emily

Bright like neon love

Illamasqua nail polish in Rare





My current nail crush Illamasqua polish in Rare. After a day of wearing the polish nude I decided to quickly scrawl faces on them. The day after they were papped at LFW and I was chuffed to find the picture on Topshop.com's home page!
It's the first Illamasqua polish I've purchased. I don't really know why it's taken me so long to invest as they always receive rave reviews! I wasn't dissappointed. The colour is ever brighter in real life (if you can believe that) and I wore it for 5 days without it chipping after 2 coats. The pigment is really bold compared to cheaper polishes and applied really smoothly. Now which shade to go for next...

//Emily

Face Off

One of my biggest creative inspirations, Alex Box, interviewed by Crane TV.


//Emily

MAC Fix+

There is a bit of debate as for the use of MAC's Fix+. Contrary to the name, it's not supposed to 'fix' your makeup (confusing much) but is meant to combat the powdery look that a lot of makeup can create in addition to refresh skin.

When winter rolls around I definitely have to step up my skincare regime with more heavy products to avoid makeup settling into pores and dry skin patches. Because of this I have mostly used this product as a pre-foundation product and to combat dryness throughout the day.
I found it to be very refreshing on the face, and particularly effective in soothing any tightness which allowed for a more smooth application when it came to applying my make up. I have avoided spraying the product directly over my full face after makeup application as I have been wearing liquid/gel based liners recently, and after painstakingly trying to get the eyes symmetrical (other liner wearers know what I'm talking about!) I don't fancy the chance of my liner bleeding. However that's just probably myself being overly cautious, as when I have used the product over my skin areas there was no running and it gave a more dewy/natural sheen to my matte effect foundation.

(all images by me)

//Emily

Deborah Lippmann polish in 'Wicked Game'

Deborah Lippmann iridescent nail polish in 'Wicked game'

I have been on the prowl for an iridescent polish for a while now. After seeing a lot of American beauty brands producing them I had never found a UK available equivalent. After the Gareth Pugh x Mac shade that I was after sold out and wasn't really getting great reviews I didn't really have any high hopes. Then I spotted this Deborah Lippmann polish in 'Wicked Game'.

It's not quite an iridescent, more of a two tone between lilac and a mint/smudge green.
I've seen a few images of this shade online where the bottle looks very green, but mine appears much more of a lavender in real life.
Straight on, the nails appear an almost metallic lavender, and the green, murky-ish element shows up a lot more in movement. I like this shade as it reminds me of that gutter oil slick colour.

Deborah Lippmann is free from Formaldehyde, Toluene and Dibutyl Phthalate, with no animal testing.

(all images by me)


//Emily

Deborah Lippmann polish in 'Glitter in the air'

Deborah Lippmann polish in 'Glitter in the air', ring Topshop 'Accs'

I really like wearing this Deborah Lippmann polish. It was a on the spot purchase as I fell in love with the unusual combination of larger pastel pink and sky blue glitter shards as well as the weird blue-grey shade of the actual polish. I like the fact that when you apply it it almost has the pattern of a glittery pastel easter egg (with sparkly freckles of course).

It's the kind of polish that could easily be layered over another polish to great effect, but in my opinion it looks just as good when worn on its own. There is quite a subtle micro glitter in a brighter blue which is quite hard to pick up on in the above images, but in real life catches the light really nicely.

Deborah Lippmann is free from Formaldehyde, Toluene and Dibutyl Phthalate, with no animal testing.

(images by me)


//Emily

Urban Decay Lip Junkie

Urban Decay 'Lip Junkie' in Wallflower

As a recent convert to the Lancôme Juicy Tubes club, I have found myself being very picky with lipgloss. For me, I get chapped lips very easily, so a super sticky and long lasting gloss is much more suited to my skin than the lighter glosses such as MAC Cremesheen.
That being said, Urban Decay's Lip Junkie is not that sticky. After an initial 5/10 mins of super shinyness most of the product is absorbed leaving a light yet smooth sheen. It easily applied over any dry patched with minimal tugging and a short time after application eliminated the dryness completely.
Lip Junkie is said to 'help lips grow fuller gradually' without 'burning plumpers'. I have tried more 'severe' feeling plumper glosses and have seen more of an immediate reaction, but it is true that the gloss does not sting in any way. It seems to be that the effect is meant to be achieved over a prolonged amount of time rather than instant.
The colour of the product is fairly sheer and with warm tones as opposed to a blue pink. The hue I tested is 'Wallflower' which is fairly similar to the colour of my own lips, which could explain why it appeared more sheer than strongly pigmented.
The only thing that puts me off slightly is the mint taste, but that is more personal preference than a detriment to the product as I am not a fan of mint. However I can see the appeal of the taste being more fresh as opposed to fruity.

For me, it's a great day to day gloss that has staying power but can still appear natural. I will definitely be using this gloss a lot in the future!

Urban Decay is cruelty free brand.

(images by me)


//Emily

Burberry Fresh Glow Primer/Corrector

I was very excited when I received the Burberry 'Fresh Glow' as a Christmas gift. As the product that was allegedly used on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in the infamous Burberry 'Body' adverts, my first thoughts turned to whether I could look as much of a mega babe as Rosie. After I quickly snapped back to reality (*sigh), my first thought turned to the packaging. They say don't judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to cosmetics I am alllll about the packaging (sound the shallow horn).
The chunkyness of this item straightaway made me think luxury. We've all owned a cheap item that the lid comes off after one use and explodes everywhere, so I appreciate the fact that you could probably throw this in your bag walking out of the door without later finding it in pieces and stuck to your bag lining.

The product is supposed to be a multi-use, between a primer and highlighter. It is definitely a product with light coverage, and provides a glow without the sparkle/glitter element that seems to be in a lot of highlighter style products, especially ones I have tried i the past. Because of this it has a much more natural effect which makes it really versatile in terms of wearing it for day or night.
It also works well as a primer, but it almost seems a waste to use this as primer when it looks so nice on the face as a base or highlighter.

This is going to be a go to product of mine when I faze out my heavier foundation over summer. Though knowing the UK I may be waiting a long time...

(images by me)


//Emily

Bleach Blonde

Bleach Salon have formed a collaboration with Barbie where they will redesign her hair every day for the next two weeks. This is such an awesome idea! Barbie has been rocking the same blonde hairdo for years (though I distinctly remember owning a 'hair mascara' Skipper back in the day...). I'm looking forward to see what each stylist comes up with, as I'm loving the results so far!
You can follow her daily 'do over at Bleach x Barbie.

//Emily

Starry Eyed

This make up, everyday please.

(via sensibles)


//Emily

Bitten

Burgundy wine stained lips are one of my favourite winter beauty looks.

(img Frida Gustavsson by Andreas Öhlund, for Elle Sweden November 2011)

//Emily

Gareth Pugh x MAC SHOWstudio film

A month ago I posted a couple of images of the upcoming Gareth Pugh MAC collab, and following lots of previous sucessful collaborations, SHOWstudio have directed the promo film.
Surprisingly I like the parts of the film best where Gareth's clothes are the feature as opposed to the make up, and I'm a sucker for beauty shots!
What do you think?

(via SHOWstudio.com)

//Emily

W.I.P it good

W.I.P polish in Electra, Ring Disney

When I was in Urban Outfitters a few weeks ago I noticed new nail varnish brand 'W.I.P'. On further investigation I'm guessing it's owned by UO as there seems to be no info on the internet about it whatsoever, and UO appears to be their only stockists .

I couldn't resist snapping up the polish in Electra. Look at it! The green glitter has a almost festive vibe going on, and I'm a sucker for the big flecks of rainbow glitter amongst the smaller bits. To me it's pretty similar to the more pricey OPI Rainbow Glitter, so it's also a pretty good bargain. I can't wait to road test it layered over other polishes...

(images by me)


//Emily

Slimer

Love this colour on one of my favourite stylists, Katie Shillingford.

(via thefashionspot)

//Emily

Think pink

nails: ORLY in lola and models own x wah pen in white. ring: topshop

Although halloween is over (sob) it doesn't mean I'm not still down for a little creepyness. Instead of the classic black/red combo I decided to throw some fluoro pink into the equation and instead of oozing blood I'm kind of getting an icing on cake vibe? No bad thing...

//Emily

Models Own 'Beetlejuice' collection

You name a collection of polishes 'Beetlejuice' and I'm already intregued, but throw into the mix pearlescent effects in iridescent and rainbow vomit shades and you have yourself a deal! Add in the fact that the 'launch' (aka on sale date) is on a countdown, the images have been circulating tumblr/blogs for a while now, and you're pretty sure to get a sell out collection.

Which shade do you like?

The collection will be available from 10am on November the 1st at modelsown.it.

//Emily