Frontcover Cosmetics - NEW Party Queen Edition

Frontcover Cosmetics have quite the selection of new A/W 2013 releases to choose from at the minute and I have the New Party Queen set to show you all today, which dare I say it, looks like it's going to be a fab set to get a lot of use in the run up to Christmas parties.

Betrousse - The Glitz & Glamour Edition

Hi, I'm Belle and I'm a Beauty Box addict.

Yeah, you'll probably have gathered by now that I'm just a bit of a fan of the ol' beauty box malarkey. It's just so enticing, paying a nominal fee - £10 in this case and receive a big ol' box full of beauty booty normally worth multiples of the price you pay. What's not to like? Oh, well there is the case of sometimes ending up with a box of products not suited to your tastes or skin type. Or worse still, feeling like you've gotten a raw deal when you end up with a lacklustre box and you see others with their boxes jam packed with a treasure trove of highly sought after products. Yeah it sucks and we've all been there before.

Betrousse are a bit of a game changer in this respect - first off, there's no monthly commitment - you buy the boxes on a one off basis - secondly all of the "samples" you receive are actually full size products. Yes, you read that right - FULL SIZE products - kiss goodbye to those measly perfume vials and skincare sachets that always leave you with a sour taste in your mouth knowing that you could have picked these up for free from the friendly sales assistant at your local beauty counter. Also, and here's the biggie - you get to see what you're going to get before you commit to buy - no more ending up with a box of products you won't use and each and every box is identical so you can be assured you're not going to get the "crappy" box whilst everyone's seems to be handpicked by the Gods and sent from Manna. Praise be! :D

MAC Launch, Hey Sailor!

Hey Sailor!

"Set sail this summer with a colour collection inspired by the glam of vintage pin-up girls. Go overboard with the never-ending colours of Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Zoom Waterfast Lash, Lipglass and more! Limited Edition."

I cannot wait to get my hands on some of these navy inspired, limited edition M.A.C product, especially the racy red lipsticks! Also on offer are misty eye’d blue shadows, beach appropriate bronzers and SPF 20 tints! I adore this collection for its versatility, allowing you to create bold looks or something a little more fresh faced.  

"Jump in the lake this summer with a color and a bronzing collection that were made ​​to drive the finest marinas and at anchor. Decked out with a stylish sailor-striped packaging occurs fabulous fleet of small eye shadows, lipsticks, lipglass, Powder Blushes, pigment, Powerpoint Eye Pencils, Pro Long Wear Lip Pencils, Nail Lacquers and Zoom Water Fast Lash their service to. work you sun-kissed with the Bronzing Powders, Pro Long Wear Bronzing Powders, High- Light Powder To The Beach Body Oil, Lip Balms Liquid Suntints SPF 20 and Face Blender Brush 167SH. M · A · C invites you to the most carefree, yacht-igste collection of the season to experience".

Lipstick

• Salute! - Neutral peach (Amplified)
• To Catch a Sailor - Highly frosted tan (Frost)
• Red Racer - Bright yellow red (Satin)
• Sail La Vie - Bright mid-tone orange (Satin)
  

Lipglass

• Cut Loose - White gold with pearl
• Orange Tempera - Pale peach (Repromote)
• Blessedly - Rich pale coral
• Riviera Life - Bright tangerine
• Send Me Sailing  - Bright yellow red
  

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil

• Saunter - Pale nude beige
• Throw Me a Line - Bright true red
• Shore Leave - Light vibrant coral
  

Eyeshadow

• Crystal Avalanche - White with reflects (Veluxe Pearl) (Permanent)
• Barefoot - Tarnished gold (Veluxe Pearl)
• Jaunty - Light yellow beige (Frost)
• Feeling Fresh - Bright green (Frost)
• Nautical - Navy blue (Satin)
  

Bronzing Powder

• Soft Sand - Golden bronze with fine gold pearl
• Refined  - Golden Finely spun golden with soft pearl finish (Permanent)
• Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder

• Nude on Board - Bronzy, yellow tone
• Sun Dipped - Dirty red tone

  High-Light Powder

  
  

  Crew - Soft peachy cream with fine shimmer

  Blush
  

  • Launch Away! - True peach (Satin)
  • Fleet Fast - Pinky, golden coral (Satin)
    

  Nail Lacquer

  • Verstral  - White Cream white (Cream) (Repromote)
  • Touch of Red  - Bright yellow red (Cream)
  • Gold Knot  - Brass gold (Frost)
    
    

  MAC To the Beach Body Oil

  • Seaside - Dirty blush pink with multidimensional sparkle
  • Man Rays - Glowing tan with multidimensional golden shimmer
    

  Suntints SPF 20

  • Sea Mist - Peachy nude with multidimensional pearl
  • Abalone - See through hot pink with no pearl
  • Au Rose - Poppy coral pink with gold pearl
    

  Powerpoint Eye Pencil

  • Handforged - Metallic yellow gold
  • Emerald Sea - Kelly green
  • Blue Stripe - Dark navy

  Pigment

  • Old Gold - High frosted tarnished gold (Frost) (Permanent)
  • Naval Blue - Deep smoky blue (Frost) (Permanent at PRO)

  Brush

  • 167SH Face Blender

  Accessories

  • Gone Sailing Makeup Bag Set
  • Gone Sailing Tote

What do you think of this new collection?  Has anything caught your eye?

Belle xXx

Avon Fav - Luxe Lace Collection

The Luxe Lace by Avon is one of my absolute favourites. Some pieces are even comparable to cult products within much higher priced brands. The collection is influenced by the "luxurious lace" that featured on Autumn/Winter runways and comes in aesthetically-pleasing, limited edition black and pink packaging, with shades designed to create "mysterious" and "alluring" looks.

Avon Luxe Lace True Colour Eyeshadow Quads 

There are two quads in the collection, "Lace Hues" and "Lace Electric", both designed for creating smouldering smoky eyes. The round shadows are slightly domed and the packaging is well-built and sturdy, making the quads look and feel much more expensive than they actually are.

"Lace Hues"

"Lace Hues" contains:

• A very sparkly white gold (seriously sparkly, not just pearl/shimmer)
• A matte pastel pink (quite powdery and "barely there")
• A satin grey green (in real life it's more grey than in my photo)
• A shimmery, multi-faceted navy blue (very pretty if you like blues)

"Lace Electric"

"Lace Electric" contains:

• A satin white (great for inner corners of eyes)
• A mostly matte violet purple but with some tiny bits of glitter
• A black-toned, smoky purple which flashes a slight pink shimmer
• A gorgeous satin grey blue

Swatches of "Lace Hues" on top row and "Lace Electric" on bottom row

My favourite of the quads is "Lace Electric" because I know I would use the shades much more and I just lovethe grey blue that comes in it

The shades within each quad are complementary which takes the guesswork out of choosing colours to wear together. And I find they blend very well. If these are the kinds of colours you think you might wear quite often.

Next up...

Avon Luxe Lace SuperShock Gel Eyeliner Pencils 

Avon have really outdone themselves on these gel eyeliner pencils which are as good, if not better than Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliner Pencils. They are extremely creamy and smooth to apply and once they're on, they don't budge at all. Let's just say in the absence of any eye make-up remover at the time, I needed to use a washing-up scourer to remove the swatches from the back of my hand.

There are just two shades in the collection, "black" and "silver". I personally don't have a use for the silver, but black is always an essential.

Again, these gel eyeliner pencils are a bargain considering the Urban Decay equivalents

Avon Luxe Lace SuperShock Mascara 

This fat tube of mascara comes with a super chunky brush designed for volume. 

I do find it volumises very well and makes lashes look fanned out and plentiful, but it's quite difficult to get much of a thickening or lengthening effect.

This mascara gets top marks for holding a curl, essential if you have poker straight lashes like mine and you depend on eyelash curlers. I also find the mascara lasts well and doesn't smudge much.

Avon Luxe Lace Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick 

There are three lipstick shades in the Luxe Lace Collection and I have "Pout". It's such a perfect nude pink colour, with a hint of silver shimmer.

Overall, this is one of my favourite collections from Avon that is excellent quality which I find myself reaching for over and over again.

Lime Crime Lipstick Guide

Not sure which Lime Crime Lipstick will suit you best? Confused by the dazzling array of colours and want to make you pick the right shade for you and your skin tone? 

Then check out this handy Lime Crime Visual Guide with hints and tips to ensure you find the perfect lipstick to suit you and your personality :)

Lime Crime Lipstick Guide

Belle

xXx

ARTDECO & Dita Von Teese Teaser Sneak Peek!

This must be THE collaboration of 2012! I'm eagerly awaiting the launch ARTDECO Dita Von Teese Classics Makeup Collection Summer 2012. Dita just oozes style and glamour and she is the epitome of sophistication, so what better brand to team up with than ARTDECO.

"Dita Von Teese – style icon of today – presents her own makeup collection in cooperation with ARTDECO. As a beauty ambassador, Dita Von Teese embodies the legendary glamour of “old” Hollywood. She is an unmistakable star who has given a new and contemporary interpretation to the art of burlesque. Her distinctive look is the epitome of retro beauty, and thanks to ARTDECO she is thrilled to present this look in a unique makeup collection."

ARTDECO Dita Von Teese Classics Makeup Collection Summer 2012 will include new eyeshadow palettes, face powders, new shades of perfect color lipsticks and face powders, mascara and ceramic nail lacquers.

I love the classy, understated packaging in this collection, it just screams understated sophistication and elegance. Dita as always, looks amazing in the promo shots. This looks like a very wearable collection suitable for all skintones, I can't wait to try it out.

I want one of everything!

Belle xXx

Barry M Dupe for MAC's Candy Yum-Yum

I was running low on my beloved MAC Candy Yum-Yum lipstick and the other day in Boots, I came across a lipstick by Barry M, which to my complete surprise and joy is a perfect dupe for Candy Yum-Yum! YAY! :D


The shade name is Shocking Pink however on the stands they go by numbers (confusing much?) and this one is 52 for your reference

Comparison Shots:

Pretty good, heh!


Once again we have found something similar to MAC Candy Yum Yum which is great for any peeps who missed that.

It's not an exact dupe I know, Candy Yum Yum is just that smidge brighter but it is close if your not so picky and want to pay a fraction of the cost on that LTD edition lippie that I am sure is being sold on Ebay for scalper prices.

The lipstick is a little dry, not as dry as Candy Yum Yum (a matte) however, it also has a little glossiness going on. It last a good couple of hours on me before I need to reapply .

Essence Stay With Me Long-Lasting Lipgloss - Review, Photos & Swatches

The Stay With Me Lipglosses are long lasting, creamy, non-shimmery lipglosses from Essence that'll set you back a mere 2.29! They come in seven shades and pack a lot of color. 

The name of this lipgloss says it all! The color-intense texture is
so wonderfully creamy and durable that it's simply irresistible. It
won’t even leave a sticky feeling behind. The special shape of
the precision applicator allows an effortless application. Seven
trendy colors are waiting to make your lips pop!

L-R : Candy Bar, Trendsetter, Me & My Icecream, I Like Cotton Candy, Berry Me

The lasting power is about 4-5 hours on me & they don't leave my lips dry after that. For the price, they do a lot more than what I expected them to. In fact, they do everything I expect from any lip gloss right from the pigmentation, to the way they wear. I'm willing to overlook the scent since it fades very quickly. Other than that, Essence Stay With Me lipglosses are a total winner for me! Do yourself a huge favor by getting a tube now! I bet you'll love it as much as I do.


Belle x

Lime Crime Rainbow of Prettiness

I wanted to share some photos and swatches with you all of my small but pretty Lime Crime lipstick collection!

The colours are extremely pigmented as you can see, in addition to being very creamy. I love the unique colour range, and it goes without saying that the packaging is just whimsical and adorable!

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so on with the photos! :)

Lime Crime

Click here to get some LIME CRIME goodies! :)