Google+ Little Bird: December 2011

Thursday 29 December 2011

Mini Inglot Haul

Recently the cosmetics company Inglot has appeared in my city!!! There's literally less than a handful of these stores in the UK so it was great to hear that my little city was getting one! Inglot has actually been around for bloody ages and was established by a chemist (which, as a scientist, gets me a little excited), so the products are well thought out- using only the best ingredients!


Inglot is fab for heavily pigmented colours and they have a vast range of shades to choose from.


So, recenctly I have obtained a few products to try and thought I would do a product review here and also a wee review of the service I received in the store.



YSM Pressed Powder 40
Eye Shadow 'Pearl'
Nail Enamel 967 (a metallic green)
Nail Enamel 341 (a sparkly metallic purple)

Nail Enamel


I wanted to choose nice, dark wintery colours and decided on a nice purple and a metallic green.


I am very pleased with these colours. The green isn't a shade I would normally choose but I decided I wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did. This colour is gorgeous on and oddly goes with a lot of colours I decided to wear this winter.
The purple is beautiful and I wore this for ages. It has small silver,blue and purple glitter particles through it which make this colour pop. The particles are small enough that the enamel dries smooth.
They both apply beautifully- two layers on top of a base coat and you're good to go :) and dry quickly leaving a nice glossy finish.
Would highly recommend and I am keen to collect some more shades!

Pressed Powder

Now, here's what I expect when I walk into a cosmetics store to find a new powder. Someone who knows their stuff. I am used to being asked a variety of questions, for example skin type, what I'm currently using, will I be tanning anytime soon? Or at least something similar, not just 'Can I help?'... So at first I said no, I am fine, just looking. Then I decided I wanted to choose a new powder since I was running out of mine. I asked her about the powders, in particular which one would be good for dryer skin... To this she simply pointed at a couple saying 'these ones are better than those'... Ok. Yes.. That is extremely useful. I now know exactly what to choose.
'You can try some on if you like' she said as she offers me a brush...

OORRR you could do your job and tell me what you would recommend..... I was trying to figure out which shade to choose and not once did she offer to colour match or even remotely discuss skin tone. NOT IMPRESSED SILLY INGLOT LADY.....

I asked her about one that would be similar to MAC's Studio Careblend powder which (which the lovely MAC lady told me was suitable for my skin type- i.e knew her shit). To which she just smiled and kept on pointing at powders.

So in the end, I chose one myself, which was pretty much an exact match to my old powder and went with my instincts. Luckily it was a good choice... Well done me. No thanks to consultant.

The powder is silky to touch and gives a nice light coverage. I use it after applying some concealer (havent been using much foundation lately) and thankfully it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry.

It lasts quite well, but like any pressed powder needs a wee top up now and then. But over all I am happy with this powder.

Powder-1, service- 0.

Eye Shadow


Now I love this colour. It's a silky cream colour and is perfect as a funkier base colour. I also use it as a brow highlight. It lasts really well all day and you barely need to apply any as it is very pigmented- so blending is the key. 
Not much more I can say about it really. Need to try a few more colours from Inglot before I can make a conclusion about their eye shadows!

So... I love the products so far. Not too hot on the service I received though.

H xx

My song of today is Blue October (one of my favourite band of all time) with 'Dirt Room'... Enjoy :)





Wednesday 28 December 2011

Affordable and Easy Manicure!



When I'm relaxing I like to be really girly and sit and do my nails. Recently I've been experimenting with random nail art... I'm not that good at it yet but thought I would post my recent look... Floral nails.
Most people are talking about their winter/xmas nail looks, but there has been a severe lack of snow here, and its really sunny today so I thought I would experiment with a spring/summer nail design :)




Its a really easy look to do and I used very affordable nail polish. Here's what I used: 


Collection 2000 'Mint Mojo'
Collection 2000 'Ninja'
Collection 2000 'French White'
Star Gazer '104'
And I use a wool needle (you can also use a small brush)






 After applying a base coat, I covered the nail in 'Mint Mojo'.






 



I then used my pink colour and painted on little 'splodges' (for lack of a better word..... )







With my needle I applied the highlight to make the splodges look somewhat like flowers! I used the needle to carefully apply the white (can also use pale pink) around the outside of the pink carefully drawing into the middle to create the appearance of petals.




I then used my needle to apply the darker green ('ninja') to make little triangle like shapes for the leaves :)



EASY! :)






Can even do a little back and red design :)







Quite happy with how this turned out, so will be trying some other ideas! Need to try and perfect doing my other hand first maybe ..... :S

Got some nice Inglot products recently so will be doing a wee review on these soon :)

H xx

Song of today is 'Burn' by The Design, a little addicted to this song at the moment :)



Wednesday 21 December 2011

Christmassss


What makes christmas so good? I am in no way religious- don't care for it at all so it's not that. It's just the perfect time of year to spend some serious, quality time with those you care for the most!
I sometimes don't really get into the festive mood, I no longer work in the city centre where I used to be constantly surrounded by the music, the people and the decorations and lights. I really do like the atmosphere though, and how pretty the city looks at this time of year. What I hate though is the stress that it brings to many. So many people are so worried about getting presents that it almost seems a chore! I used to work in a store  and on christmas eve people would be coming in telling me they were just starting their shopping! It's almost like many don't find this time of year special anymore!

Christmas to me should be about spending time with your nearest and dearest. I spend time with my family and we spoil each other rotten!


It should be about appreciating what you have. I have found the love of my life and can't wait to spend boxing day with him and open all our presents together!


I also have some wonderful friends, particularly my three closest girl friends. I am so lucky to know these ladies and love looking for xmas prezzies for them!



Mostly, it should be fun, silly, stress free. A day to enjoy and remember! This year I have a Voldemort christmas tree in my flat thanks to my brother! I love it!



Forget the stress. Enjoy the time together :)

H xx


My song of today is 'Rise Today' by Alterbridge. And I dedicate it to my lovely friend Anne who recently got engaged to her boy. So happy for you!
 x

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Perfect Pout

So, I never used to be a lipstick kind of girl. I didnt like drawing attention to myself and never enjoyed how it looked on me. But in recent years I have become more confident and have realised that all I needed to do was find the right shade and brand for me!


I love the pin up/vintage inspired looks, and I never leave the house without my liquid eye liner on. What I adore about the look is how strong and feminine it is, especially with the bold red lips- it oozes sex appeal and confidence!


So, I have been trying to find a perfect red lipstick for some time now, but as easy as this sounds- it really isn't! I used to work for a cosmetics store and we were required to have strong make up at all times, including lipstick. However, I was not a fan of the lipsticks I was supposed to be selling (how bad!!); these lippys were too dry, didnt last long and the colours of red didnt particularly compliment my skin tones (and especially the colour of my teeth!). Ideally you want a red that makes your teeth look white and your pout fabulous of course.


I own a few that I like, such as an avon one I got for free with an order (forget the shade sorry!) and a '17' one... but there was still something about them I didnt like.


I'm new to the blogging world- I enjoy reading beauty and fashion blogs and learning new tips and tricks. I came across ReeRee Rockette's blog and business 'Rockalily' a while ago and have become a little hooked on her posts- she is real, she is confident and so inspiring.. and sells fabby lipsticks! She speaks about how she wanted the perfect blue based red lippy and so has created her own line.. so of course I had to indulge!! And have been rather impressed by how good this lipstick is!



I do a lot of internet shopping and sometimes I find businesses don't pay that much attention to the packaging aspect. I was pleasantly surprised when I received this wee parcel. I love the pic of the lippy and of course the saying on the front. 'Life is too short not to wear red lipstick'.. How lovely! Even the lipstick box is nice!! I normally throw away the boxes, but I am definitely keeping this one.
I ordered one of her limited edition shades 'Sailors Beware'. It is blue based (perfect), semi gloss and GORGEOUS! Not only do I love the names of all her lippys (Roulette Red, Pompadour Pink..), the colours are strong and beautiful!

I'm more than happy with this lipstick. It stays on FOR AGES :D, my lips don't dry out, it is very strongly pigmented and I feel really confident wearing it.
It's bloody cold in scotland, so I'm all wrapped up in a hoody and hat, but thats not stopping me from adding a splash of colour with my new lippy :)

Not the best photo- couldnt even get the whole word 'Rockalily' in. Won't be giving up my day job to become a photographer anytime soon!!!!

So, find ReeRee Rockette and her wonderful lippys at http://www.rockalily.com/. She also sells beautiful bandanas too! Check it out!

Anyway time to do some work, while I await the impending doom that is the dentists.......

H x

My song of the day is something different... I recorded this song with my brother and is our own arrangment (in english) of Rammstein's 'Sonne'.. which we have obviously named 'Sun'.. See what you think... http://soundcloud.com/mart815/sun-rammstein-cover