What's in my bag (January 2009)

I thought I would do a mini tour of what's in my new handbag (Christmas present heaven!).  Handbag and a few of the accessories pictured are from French Connection.

I usually carry around a few make up essentials, a few lip glosses and lip balms.  Another Christmas present was a portable perfume stick (it's called My Crazy Stick).  This was a complete surprise present, supposedly it's stocked at Space NK in the UK. It is a brilliant idea especially since sometimes the perfume I apply in the morning slowly gradually dies.  This is a quick and easy fix.  It's a subtle rose scent which is perfect as it's not too overpowering.

I also NEED a book in my handbag just for long periods of train delays, etc.  At the moment I'm reading Legacy of a Suicide which is not depressing, as it's title seems to suggest. (Still reading this in February!)

I carry a few make up items like French Connection lip glosses (which are in my Ferbruary favorites which I'll post soon), Nars lipstick in Damage and a concealer from MAC; other than these few items I don't carry that much make up around and like to keep it understated and simple when I'm walking around all day in Manchester.

Every day make up (January 2009)

Hello!

Since I've moved back home from university, after four years of going out and drinking, I have reverted back to toned down every day make up. I still buy ridiculous amounts of glittery eye shadow but don't really go all out bold colours during the day.  Since I'm hoping January will be a busy month with *hopefully* interviews and my Masters graduation in two weeks, I'm sticking to toned down eyes with simple lips.

Even though it's a Sunday, I straightened my hair as well as I could (damn my stupid tempestuous hair) and did my make up.  Then just sat reading a book and watching cricket.  Sundays indeed send me a little crazy.  I don't even understand cricket.  'Googly' anyone?? no thought not!

Anyway products used include Label M Frizz Control Serum, Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist and my wonderful god sent GHDs. As a base I use Loreal Studio Secrets resurfacing primer.  As I'm not leaving the house for anything important I don't put on heavy foundation, instead just use Mac Studio Finish Concealer (NW15) underneath my eyes and as a cover up. Then use MAC's mineralize skinfinish natural in light as a very very foundation.  

For the eyes I used Mac Paint Pot Bare Study as a base on my eye lid.  Then lined the eyes, kinda not very heavily since this look is meant to be quite natural and not too showy, with MAC eye kohl in Smoulder (love this colour).   Usually I stick with Maybelline Stilletto lashes but for a change used a free sample of Clinique's lash power mascara in Black Onyx.  Results were good but, need a little practice with the tiny, sample wand! To line my water line a little I used MAC technakohl liner in Obviously Orange. I don't know why but I love this colour. I usually just apply it very lightly as too heavy and it looks like I have weird sore eyes!  On the cheeks I used quite a good helping of MAC Well Dressed Powder Blush. (My first, and only MAC blush...not sure what colour to go for next....).

On the lips I used my favorite combination.  When I had my make up done by Yannick (a NARS artist) this is what he chose for my skin colouring. And I love it. I put on about two coats Nars Damage lipstick and then after a few minutes cover this with a sweep of Nars Chihuahua gloss. Even if I sometimes dislike the rest of my makeup this lip combination never fails me!

Anyway, heres a picture of the end result. Apologies if I look a weird colour, still not taking great detailed pictures qwith my SLR so had to use my compact camera.  Excuse the fairy wings in the background :)

Lots of love, jo xoxo

Nars collection

Hello!

Thanks to my amazing friend who works in Harvey Nichols I received a voucher for over Christmas which gave me an amazing 30% off! Of course I bagged a whole lot of Nars goodies!  I bought eurydice from the current collection, and picked up Blade runner duo eyeshadow and chihuahua gloss which I have been waiting for for AGES.  When I had my make up done by one of their international artists in October, the guy used Blade Runner and it was so utterly beautiful that I had to have it----shock horror, all nars stockists in the whole of Manchester were out of stock.  I have waited three months for this colour and it is beautiful. My most cherished eyeshadow ever!

Here's some pictures of my smalls Nars collection.  A little preview. Next week will provide some swatches once I can get my SLR to take decent pictures of them!

Products shown above include, Cairo eyeshadow, Blade Runner duo eyeshadow, Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia, Eurydice duo eyeshadow, Chihuhua lipgloss, and eye pencil in Kaliste.  IN the centre are three mini lip glosses which the amazing sales assistant gave to me as a freebie :) They are in Stolen Kisses, Moon Fleet, and Risky Business.  I'm totally falling for the three trial shades so I guess I'll be going back to the Nars counter soon...

jo xoxo

Growing Momiji collection

So...I may be obsessed with these little dolls; my brother's girlfriend bought me my first one and now I want tonnes! Love the brand!

Here's my *small* collection :( I have my eyes on about ten more! Also, my amazing christmas haul included one of the limited edition Christmas dolls (Bubbles). Very pretty yet pacakaged in the most inconvenient tin bauble thing-looked very pretty put after a few days was becoming impossible to open and so the doll now sits outside of it :(

Once in a blue moon...

31st December 2009