Saturday 31 March 2012

Colourful Wishlist

Thursday 29 March 2012

March Favourites

This month was quite plain in terms of make up products. As I'm on a spending ban, I'm trying to use up the products I already have.
But, no doubt, all the products mentioned in this blog post are favourites even if these aren't new. I've rediscovered some of them for some time now and I've been using them constantly.
The Real Techniques Buffing Brush. If you've read my review on this set of brushes you know that this particular brush is my favourite from the Core Collection. I use it to apply my foundation every single day and I still love it. I am really impressed by the finish that it gives me and the fact that it blends my foundation really really well.

 The Maxfactor Xperience Foundation in Light Ivory. I started loving this foundation the day I applied it with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I know it may sound too weird but when I was applying it with my fingers it was kind of 'slippery' and didn't blend into my skin too well. Now that I know how to apply it, it is really great. And even though I have quite dry skin, it doesn't gather around my dry areas. I also love that it has SPF 10.
 Estee Lauder Lipstick in Blushing This is a lipstick that I can wear every single day, with any kind of look. As I said before in one of my posts, for me it is a 'my lips but better' type of colour. I know that every desktop display will show the lipstick swatch differently but it is a settled nudish-pink colour. It is definitely not bright or heavy to wear for daytime.

Soap & Glory Bright Here Bright Now. This is a product I love but I somehow always forget about. This month I placed it with my other every day products so I can have more use of it. It is a luminising moisturiser that you can apply before your foundation or mix together with it. It is really great for dull or tired skin, as it instantly brightens it. 

 It is transparent when you blend it into skin, so don't worry about having a 'white face'.
 As you can see in the picture below it has shiny bits that help make your skin look more luminous. You can't see them after you apply foundation as these are too small and they sink into your skin, but the result is a more brighter and 'alive' complexion.
I definitely wouldn't recommend this product to oily skin tones or those who love a matte face.

Thanks for stopping by,
Focus on the Quiet
xx

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Coral Ladybugs NOTD





I've applied two coats of Barry M Coral and a coat of dots, using a dotting tool. 
I've placed the dots quite messy, but you can do it neater, starting with a dot in the center of the nail and going round it.

Sunday 25 March 2012

Limelight OOTD



 Listening to Apparat-Limelight
 I was wearing:
 H&M Shirt
 Asos Necklace
 Mango Jeans
 Pieces BeltH&M Scarf
 New Look Wedges
 Dorothy Perkins Bag
  Zara Leather Jacket
                                                                       

Friday 23 March 2012

Travel Make up Bag

As I'll be traveling these couple of weeks, I thought I'd show you what make up I will be taking with me.
I always tend to overpack stuff and I'm not talking only make up, but clothes, shoes, etc. And I always, and I mean always do not use or wear everything I bring in my suitcase. But this time is going to be different. It should be.
I limited myself to just one make up bag and it's not even full. Yeay to me!

So here they are,all my make up products waiting for the trip.

Face Products:
L'Oreal Bare Naturale Powder ( My everyday powder)
Collection 2000 Concealer (My everyday concealer- it is not my favourite product, so I want to use it up as fast as I can)
Maxfactor Xperience Foundation (Have been trying this foundation for the past month and it is really good. I have been lucky with my foundation choices, lately.)

Cheek Products:
Illamasqua Blush in Tremble (need to show some love to this blush, as I don't use it very often)
NYC Bronzer in Sunny (Every day bronzer)


Eye Products:
L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara (Love the effect it gives to my lashes, but I warn you-do not use it on your lower lashes as it has a lot of fall-out)
MUA Eyeliner in Snow White ( a really good and cheap white eyeliner for the waterline)
Mister Mascara Eyelash Curlers (not in love with these eyelash curlers, even the ones from wilkinson were better)
Nyx Eyeshadow Base (this product is just great, the eyeshadow just look more vibrant with it)
Maybelline Gel Eyeliner (love this for a cat eye flick)
Pixi Eyeshadow in Dublin ( just want to use this up)
MUA Eyeshadow in 19 Matte( every day eyebrows shade)
Lip Products:
Bourjois Lip Cream (not very long lasting but I love the colour- the tube represents the exact colour of the product)
Benefit Benetint (for cheeks and lips, a more settled and natural flush of colour)
Carmex Lip Balm (always works great for my lips, I just wish it was less oily)
Nivea Lip Balm ( almost finished it, but I'll definitely repurchase it, as it is really soft on the lips and I love the smell, which reminds of my teen years)
 Estee Lauder Lipstick in Blushing  ( a great 'my lips but better' type of colour)
Mac Lipstick in See Sheer (a more settled corally-pink colour which is great for spring )

So, this is it for make up. There will also be some skin care products, but I haven't decided what I'll be taking yet.

How much make up are you usually packing for your holidays or trips?

Thanks for stopping by,
Focus on the Quiet
xx

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set

Lately, these Real Techniques brushes have been reviewed by almost every beauty blogger I follow.
And since there were so many positive reviews, I knew I had to get them. I needed more brushes in my collection and it was good value for money, too.

This Core Collection and some others were released by Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo, who is a professional make up artist. She and her sister, Nicola(also a make-up artist), film youtube videos. They do make up tutorials, teaching every step of a make up look and what products you need, to achieve it. Take a look at their channel, I promise you won't get bored http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo/videos .
I've been subscribed to their channel for more than 2 years now, so you can imagine I was quite excited to get and try these brushes myself.

Let's take a look at them:

The Core Collection consists of 4 brushes and a brush case.

The Contour Brush:
 Even though it is a contour brush, I prefer to use it a blush brush. Because it is quite small, it gives me more control and I can apply my blush with more precision.
But feel free to use the brush with a contouring powder or bronzer to define your cheekbones or your nose.

The Pointed Foundation Brush:

To be honest with you, I've used this particular brush just once and I didn't like it. The shape of the brush isn't the best for blending the foundation into your skin. This is my least favourite brush from the set and I will have to experiment with it more, maybe I find another meaning for it.

And now on to my favourite brushes from the set- Buffing Brush and Detailer Brush. These are the two brushes I use every single day.
I use the Buffing brush to apply my liquid foundation and the Detailer brush for my concealer.
The Buffing brush is really dense and soft that is why it is perfect for liquid foundation. I blend my foundation using circular motions and it gives me the perfect coverage and finish.

Before I started using the detailer brush, my concealer was always somehow gathering around my spots and it  didn't last at all on my skin. After I started applying my concealer with a brush, it somehow covers the areas better and lasts until I want it to last on my skin. Probably, because it is so small it gets the bits of my skin that I can't reach with my finger.

So, I definitely recommend the set and even more if you are a beginner into all things make up. The brushes are of great quality and they are quite affordable. The set is also great for travelling.
I got the set in Boots for £21.99.

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Monday 19 March 2012

Outfit of the Day

Hey, guys! I've finally decided to upload an Outfit of the Day post.
I hope you enjoy it!
I was in the mood, you know :)






I was wearing
H&M Blouse
River Island Leggings
Topshop Boots
Zara Leather Jacket
Zara Scarf
Mango Bag
Meli Melo Earrings
Kurt Geiger Ring
Primark Belt

Thanks for stopping by,
Iana
xx

Saturday 17 March 2012

My first ever personal blog post

First, I'd like to thank you all, who made my decisions easier by voting the poll. As I'm now writing this post, seven people voted yes and no one voted no. So, that's a good start!

I'm still quite uncertain of how to organize these posts properly and how often I want to post them, but time will show and I'll get more experience. So, don't judge me too hard. Better give me suggestions :)

This week was quite full of assignments and deadlines, from both uni and also the magazine I'm writing for. I've interviewed four people, which was quite an experience. I'm usually shy when talking to strangers, however this time I thought I did pretty well. 'Good job' to me, then!


Let's see some pictures from this week, shall we?
                                                         Food
1stpicture- probably, the best cereal you can find in the supermarkets
2ndpicture- Tried Sainsbury's Carrot Cake and OMG so good-was gone in two days!
3rdpicture- Currently reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, the strawberries looked good alongside the book
4thpicture- If I could eat salad every day, all day, I'd be more than happy!

Saturday's Outfit (just details, as I need to get used to the cameras again)
I have to say, I am no fashion icon! Do not expect really 'cool' outfits from me, because I dress really casual and comfortable. And also let me tell you- I'm always freezing! So, don't be scared if you see me wearing a big chunky scarf in spring :)
1st picture- Converse are my go-to shoes, but sadly I'll have to part with them soon as they don't look very 'healthy' anymore
2ndpicture- I really love this necklace and I got it from Asos. My scarf is from Zara and it has become my favourite thing ever.
3rdpicture- I know this ring is really childish and hilarious, but I kinda like it, again from Asos.
4thpicture- The train station, don't have anything else to say, really.


Eye make up of the day:


Favourite make up look of the week( Am I the only one excited for the neon colours being in trend right now, even in make up? I really love how a neon pink eyeliner looks, and of course bright lipstick-always!)

Listening now to PJ Harvey- Let England Shake album


Okay, I think that's enough for today. I'm so sorry if all of this seems like a random mess to you. Promise, to get better next week!



Thanks for stopping by,
Focus on the Quiet
xx





Thursday 15 March 2012

No7 Totally Teal nail polish

Let me say straight away, that teal is one of my favourite colours. It is not a blue and it is not a green colour, it has something rich and sophisticated to it. That's why I love it so much!

And also that is why when my teal nail polish runs out I go running for another bottle.
Previously, I had a teal polish from the german brand Manhattan and as almost none of it was left, I threw it away.

So, some days ago, I thought I'd benefit from the £5 off Boots No7 voucher and get their polish in teal. 
Who knew I'm going to be hating it?

The colour is perfect and the brush, one of the best for applying the colour to your nails. But, oh man! The consistency and the formula are so awful. It is drying really slow and you need to apply three or more layers of polish for an opaque colour(with all my other polishes it's always just two).
It lasted just a day on my nails. And because of so many layers( I've applied a top coat too) it started peeling.

I do not know maybe mine is kind of a product failure, but that's what I've experienced with it.




 In the daylight
 With flash (oh how I love the colour, isn't it pretty?)


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