Showing posts with label urban decay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urban decay. Show all posts

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Why GoldenEye isn't just a Bond movie


Model Photo- backstage at Tuleh, AW08 collection, with thanks.

Metallic beauty dazzled at the AW08 shows, making gold one of the key beauty trends for the season. It's a gorgeous look for evenings- the trick is to build up colour on the eyes and keep the rest of the face sheer, simple & nude. Don't forget to use the best brushes you can afford (I swear by MAC) & invest in Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion for all-night-long staying power. Here's some fab brands to try...

Benefit's bestselling "Moon Beam" helps to create a flawless base- it's a highlighting liquid with delicate golden pigment. Apply to cheekbones or, do as I do & mix with your moisturiser for overall radiance.
The more I see from Jelly Pong Pong, the more I love it! The products have quirky names, are reasonably priced & have strong pigments which last without having to be reapplied. I adore the packaging of "single & lovin' it" eyeshadows which have a mini mirror for easy application & magnetic closure to keep the product protected. They don't come with an applicator but hey, a girl can't always have everything & besides, I'd rather use a decent brush than one of those fiddly sponges. Their "Natural Blonde" shade is a fantastic base for the metallic look- a light, sheer gold with plenty of shimmer pigments for a grown-up sheen. It also works well to highlight (use just under the brows, along the bone) and can be applied dry or wet for more intense pigment.

Chanel's Soft Touch "Gold" eyeshadow (number 62) is a delicate gold shade which is highly pigmented and definately recommended for sweeping over the entire eyelid. If the luxurious packaging doesn't make you feel like a million dollars when you are getting ready for your night out, nothing will.




One of the favourites I've tried is Sisley Golden Touch. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Yes, it's pretty pricey & I know that plenty of brands offer gold eyeshadows but I haven't come across one which is as good as this. If you can only afford to invest in 1 shadow, make it this one. Sisley is certainly not one of those "cosmetic giants" which springs to mind when considering various brands but once tried, customers return again & again. Sisley's products all contain the best natural ingredients which feel wonderful when applied to the skin. Sisley Touch is available in Golden, Copper or Silver and the powder-cream formula is incredible- it glides onto the skin beautifully, it contains moisturising ingredients such as Calendula & boasts amazing staying power. Use a wash of colour on your eyelid, or as a highlighter by applying by your tear ducts to brighten the eyes & make them appear larger.




Shu Uemura is one of the best in beauty at creating eyeshadows (I STILL can't decide between MAC & Shu Uemura for first place!). Their pigments are strong & one of the most intense I've tried, with amazing staying power. ME Gold 350 is a gorgeous shade which really stands out and is definately the most "metallic" of those trialled. You only need to apply a small amount to create impact so I'd use this on the outer corners of the eyelid. Due to the strong pigment, this is an excellent choice for darker skins. The only negative is that it's a slightly darker gold to those used in the trend images I've seen, with the fashion shots showing a lighter wash than this, which has some copper tones.





After all your hard work creating a beautiful, metallic base, be sure to finish the look in an elegant, subtle way. In my opinion, black is too harsh a choice for the liner & mascara so is best avoided unless you want to look as though you are on your way to an Egyptian fancy dress party. Instead, opt for brown, earthy tones which will look far softer. Personally, I like Elizabeth Arden's Bronze Eye Pencil which glides on without dragging the skin & it might also be of interest to note that there's a sheer gold offered. Finish with a slick of your favourite brown mascara.


The great thing about the metallic look is that it works on everyone- from those with the fairest skin to dark skin tones (+ it also helps to brighten tired eyes!) & it's an easy, wearable way to tap into an AW08 beauty trend without the intimidation of other looks such as goth. So, use this as a golden opportunity to try it yourself today!

Saturday, 23 August 2008

Birthday Fun

It was my birthday this week and I decided to celebrate with a Seven Deadly Sins themed party. Rather than full-on fancy dress, I chose a dress code of "fabulous with a hint of a sin". For my own sin inspired outfit, I went for ENVY & enjoyed getting dressed up in a beautifully cut LBD with metallic green eyeshadow exaggerated around my eyes. Such a strong colour really requires good staying power- there would be nothing worse than just a few lines of the colour sinking into the creases of my eye with the rest of the colour rubbing off! I've found that URBAN DECAY EYESHADOW PRIMER POTION (£9.50) is a wonderfully effective product which gives even the cheapest eyeshadows all-night-long staying power. Check out this link to buy...
http://www.hqhair.com/code/products.asp?PageID=578&SectionID=557&FeaturedProduct=5203&pID=2
I invited my friends to join me for themed cocktails and canapes before heading to a club...Classic Champagne Cocktail for PRIDE, Bloody Mary Bites (marinated cherry tomatoes) for WRATH, Risotto Stuffed Mushrooms for SLOTH, Asparagus Spears wrapped in Parma Ham for ENVY, Vodka Jellies in Gemstone shapes for GREED, a selection of mini Cupcakes for GLUTTONY and Strawberries with a Chocolate & Grand Marnier Dipping Sauce for LUST along with pink Sea Breeze Cocktail.
I've always found that choosing a theme helps in the planning of a party as well as adding a fun element... here are some other ideas to inspire... Best of British, Black & White, Academy Awards, Las Vegas... why not let me know what fun party themes you can come up with?

GET THE LOOK- SATC STYLE

Everyone has a favourite character or one of the girls to which you most relate... here's how to steal their style!
There have been numerous "pap" shots of the movie being filmed & one floral outfit which Carrie wore really stood out. Her volumous top & shorts ensemble might raise a few eyebrows off-screen but this POPPY PRINT VINTAGE-STYLE DRESS FROM OASIS £85 is perfectly girly for a Summer's date or dressed up for a wedding.


Miranda always dressed conservatively for her high-powered career as a lawyer but actress Cynthia Nixon wowed at the premiere in a plunge-front black maxi dress similar to this FRENCH CONNECTION BLACK MAXI DRESS £95

Outrageously sexy Samantha's clothes always reflected her confident personality. She'd love this TIERED SATIN HALTER DRESS FROM LIPSY £50

Feminine Charlotte would love the pink of this dress as well as its classic style, evocative of that other US style royalty, Jackie O. PINK SHIFT DRESS FROM LK BENNETT £149

CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT...

I'm loving REN shower gels with my favourite being Neroli & Grapefruit Zest Body Wash. Its sweet citrus scent is refreshing and uplifting and it's 100% natural with no nasty parabens, petrochemicals, etc... At £14, it's more expensive than your average Boots own brand shower gel but I think it's important to invest in a treat for the shower as it makes me smile first thing every morning!

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara in Black is a desert island essential for me- the chunky wand really coats every lash and adds volume. I'm also totally hooked on YSL Easy Liner, again in black. It's a liquid formula in an applicator which is reminscent of a felt tip pen- so easy to use, even for those with a less than steady hand- I've been known to use it on the move!

New Yorkers are renowned for their high-maintenance grooming and perfect manicures are an absolute essential. I'm loving NY brand, Essie, for its fab range of colours, fun names, long-lasting finish and great packaging. Check out http://www.nailsbymail.co.uk/ which stocks my favourite colours, "Mademoiselle" for a natural finish or "Sole Mate" for something vampish.

O.P.I is another brand worth checking out (nail station in Selfridges)- why not wear the wonderfully named, "Chick Flick Cherry Red" especially for the movie?!




Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil from This Works £32

I love everything about this product- from how sleek the packaging looks on my bathroom shelf, the texture of the oil, to the amazing scent & of course, how soft it leaves my skin feeling! A wonderful pampering treat!