My 2012 Project

In 2011, I was all about buying a lot of new products, trying them, finding favourites and then buying again.  Even though my collection was not that big compared to other beauty bloggers' stashes, I started feeling guilty of spending money on products and not using all of them. So this year, 2012, one of my new year resolutions was to start a project which has as its main idea to use up the products I've already got and ban myself from buying stuff.

Certainly, it will take a lot of time to use up all of them, but I'm quite excited to see how it goes.
An important thing while on this project is to save the used bottles and tubes to see how many products you've used up in a whole year.
I saved myself a box and wrapped it with pink paper and I just keep it under my desk so that it doesn't get in the way.
I started the project this January, but it's never too late to start. So take a shoe box,an Asos box,anything will do and try for yourself.

The only products I purchase while being on this project are the basics like creams, toners and mascaras.
Also this project helps me bring you, my readers, a more in depth and honest review of the products I've got and love.

This is The Box (as you can all see I'm not really good at wrapping ha)

How I'm doing so far: I've used up four products (a toner, a shampoo, a conditioner and a body butter)

The products were all really great and did their job to my expectation (I even changed my mind on the Body Shop body butter, it is actually really good. However, the smell gets quite sickening when you are almost done with the butter.)

So, here you go a solution for those who have got a lot of products and are never using them or a solution to save some money for that summer holiday you're dreaming of :)

Focusonthequiet,

          xx

  

CK One Shock For Her Eau de Toilette

I never shared with you any of my favourite fragrances before. I guess there is a time for everything.
I present to you my recent love between scents: CK One Shock For Her Eau de Toilette.

                                    This is the box: front

and back

and the actual bottle

I quite like the packaging of this fragrance however it is not travel-friendly because it doesn't have a closing lid for the spray pump. In order to take it with you you have to take out the spray pump and just then you can close it. That is why I am really keen on trying those Travalo perfume atomisers.

You fill them with your favourite fragrance and these are really convinient weighing just 13 g. They usually cost about £10 in shops, but you can find them online for about £7. Check them on Amazon by clicking on the picture below.

And now to the actual scent, to me it smells fruity, it always reminds me of blackberries. It is not in any way a strong scent, because it is eau de toilette the smell is subtle.

I am not really good at describing scents, but here you go a better description of the top notes and ingredients:

Fragrantica.com actually says that 'CK One Shock For Her is an opulent oriental - floral fragrance with top notes of passion flower, pink peony and poppy. Its heart is made of feminine jasmine, narcissus, blackberry and dark cocoa. The base consists of amber, vanilla, musk and patchouli.'

The fragrance retails for a very affordable price. It costs £34 for a 100ml bottle, which will last you a lot! However you can get it even cheapier if is on offer:)




                                      Tell me in the comments below what is your favourite scent?
                                                                 Focus on the Quiet,
                                                                                             xx
                                                                                       

Spring/Summer 2012 Makeup (Part 3)

This will be the last part of my Trend series. I might write a post on Hair later, because there is a trend this season which I particularly like. It is easy to recreate and looks really pretty and flirty. We'll see.

But let's move on to the makeup trend which was seen on catwalks of Spring/Summer 2012 at Preen, Issa, Michael Kors and Marni( who's excited for their H&M collaboration?)

Some pictures:

This look is quite similar to the Flushed Cheeks one, however it is more about sunny and bronzy shades on the eyes and tangerine- orangy on the cheeks and lips. These shades add warmth to your complexion and are known to suit every skin tone.

Of course, I would recommend applying the colours more sheer, because you don't want to look too brown or too orange. You have to find that perfect balance.

Recommended products for this trend:

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer in Brunette

Rimmel bronzer in Sun Bronze

My absolute favourite eyeliner- Saddle from Topshop.

Multi purpose stick in Ray, also from Topshop.

 Revlon lipstick in Kiss me Coral

                     That is it for today's post I hope you have a great and relaxing Sunday!
                                                              Focus on the Quiet
                                                                                           xx

Spring/Summer 2012 Makeup (Part 2)

Do you like your cheeks? Whatever your answer might be-Let's make you adore them!

This next makeup trend I'll be reporting about has it's main accent on the cheeks and it is all about looking healthy, glowy and beautifully sun-kissed. The trend is known by the name Flushed Cheeks.

                    Let's take a look at some pictures from the Valentino S/S 2012 catwalk:

As you can see from the pictures I've posted, there is minimal makeup but there is that pop of colour on the cheeks. 

 To achieve this look you should probably skip the part when you apply setting powder after your foundation and instead of a powder blush try a cream one to make your skin look more smooth and hydrated.

Try Maybelline's Dream Touch Blush in Peach

 


it has a mousse consistency which is really light and easy to apply with your fingers or a stippling brush.

Another tip for this makeup trend is to try and match your blush with your lipstick or lipgloss for more effect. So for this peachy blush I would recommend Revlon's Smoked Peach matte lipstick or Revlon Peach Petal lipgloss.

And for powder blush lovers I got something to recommend too - Illamasqua's Tremble powder blush.

It is one of my favourite blushes and I should be ashamed of myself from not wearing it more often.

In conclusion, I have to say that this Flushed Cheeks trend is perfect for those who prefer minimal makeup and are not afraid of accentuating their cheeks. It doesn't require a lot of time which is always good.

Look sunkissed in winter!

Spring/Summer 2012 Makeup (Part 1)

As spring is on its way, I think it is my duty as a beauty blogger, to share with you some of the Spring/Summer 2012 makeup trends.
I'll divide this topic into three or four posts for this week, so stay tuned. Each post will feature one single trend, this way giving me more time and space to discuss it properly. I hope you won't get bored :)

And without further ado, let us move on to number one beauty trend and the most talked about lately: Pastels.
Firstly, I'd like to show you this editorial from Flair (Austria) magazine, which in my opinion is the best representation of what Pastel makeup should ideally look like.

(Pictures from fashiongonerogue.com website)

Of course it is not everyone's cup of tea and in the magazines the makeup is quite exaggerated to give a better understanding of the trend and in order for it to be more vital.

 My advice to you is don't copy the makeup exactly how it is on the paper, just be inspired by it to create your own, with a little twist. 

I don't know how about you, but I think the first look from the editorial seems most realistically wearable for every day. A beautiful porcelain base, two coats of mascara, a barbie pink blush and a glossy pink lip that' s all you need.

I've selected a few products, both high-end and drugstore, which might encourage you to embrace the pastel trend this spring/summer. Let's look into them:

Dior's Spring Garden Party 2012 collection 

Revlon Matte lipstick in Smoked Peach

Revlon lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle

Revlon nail polish in Sunshine Sparkle

I hope these gorgeous spring colours brightened up your day,

Focusonthequiet

xx

February Wishlist

February Wishlist by focusonthequiet featuring zara jacket

Zara jacket
$189 - zara.com

Zara jacket
$189 - zara.com

Buy Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat Online at drugstore.com
drugstore.com

Zara ankle strap wedge shoes
$159 - zara.com

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
$45 - asos.com

Chloe Eau de Parfum Spray
$110 - nordstrom.com

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm
$16 - bloomingdales.com

Origins Super Spot Remover™ Acne Treatment Gel 0.3 oz
$14 - sephora.com

Tag: 7 Deadly Sins

Today I thought I'll do a different kind of post on my blog.
A tag.
It's a set of questions which usually is popular between Youtube beauty gurus, but I thought I'll give it a go even though I'll be writing, not talking.
I will be doing 7 Deadly Sins Tag. Don't worry and don't be scared :)
Let's started with the first Sin. Shall we?
GREED: What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?

My most inexpensive product is an MUA eyeshadow in the shade 19 matte, which I use for my brows. It retails for £1, only in Superdrug.

My most expensive product is a Dior bronzer, which was a Christmas gift this year. It usually retails for around £29.50. I wrote a review on it earlier ( http://focusonthequiet.blogspot.com/2012/01/dior-bronzer-in-003-amber-matte.html )

Sin two: WRATH: What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? What product has been the hardest to get?

I guess the product which I love and hate at the same time is Maybelline's mascara One by One in waterproof version.

 I love everything about this mascara, it is the best I've ever tried, however I hate that I have to get it in waterproof. I choose the waterproof version because it holds my curled lashes a 100% better than the normal version, because it doesn't have any water in it. It is just a bit nerve-racking to get off. But I will repurchase it anyway.

And for the second question, I've never been in such a situation where I can't find everything I need.

( I'm sorry I don't have a better picture of this)

Sin number Three: GLUTTONY: What are your most delicious beauty products?

This question is a bit confusing for me, because the word 'delicious' may mean a lot of things in terms of beauty. Of course, it's not about taste, as you may or may not know: Makeup is not Edible!

I guess I'll choose a product which I like the smell of, because there are a lot of product that smell delicious. Yes, you can smell them! 

It is the Mac lip tinted conditioner in Fuschia Fix. It has that Mac vanillary smell, which is the best. I really wish they came up with more colours for this lip tint, because these are really good lip balms and they also give a little bit of colour, as a bonus. 

Sin number Four:  SLOTH: What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness? 

I neglect eyeliner most of the times. I have two reasons: laziness and the fact that I'm a bit clumsy when it comes to drawing a perfect line. So, I usually use eyeliner when I have a lot of time until I go out. I need more practice!

Sin number Five: PRIDE: What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?

It definitely has to be foundation. If my skin is looking nearly perfect than I feel happy, however that doesn't happen too often lately with all the blemishes I get. WHY???

Sin 6:  LUST: What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

Ohh, I think I'm going to say 'Pass' on this one.

Sin number Seven(the last one): ENVY: What items would you most like to receive as a gift?

If we talk in terms of beauty related gifts, then eyeshadows, lipsticks and body creams/butters. I wouldn't like to get anything related to skin care or skin bases, because I like choosing these things myself.

That is all for today:) Tell me If you enjoyed me doing this kind of tags and I'll make sure to do more in the future. 

Also, don't forget to take part in my small survey at the top of my blog page(right-hand side).

Focus on the quiet,

             xx.