Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation - Tried and Tested!

I am a big fan of the Make Up For Ever line of cosmetics due to their long lasting formulas, wide range of colours and professional formulations. Their Face and Body foundation is definitely a 'go to' product for me as I use it on just about every shoot I work on.


Make Up For Ever are one of the few lines to carry such a wide range of colours. With a selection of about 4 - 6 shades in your kit from the lightest to the darkest you shouldn't have a problem mixing a base to match anyone that sits in your chair.

The MUFE F&B base probably wont be favoured by those artists that like to work with products that give medium to heavy coverage even though it is buildable but it suits my way of working and is a kit staple and pro favourite for many.

Rather than covering up the skin I prefer to work with a lighter weight foundation that enhances the natural beauty of the model by just evening out the skin tone which Face and Body is perfect for. Even if I am working with someone with a blemish or two I prefer to use the MUFE F&B and just conceal with a cover up where needed.

The MUFE F&B has an unusual texture straight from the bottle as it is comes in a gel, emulsion formula which needs to be really shaken up to get the silky texture you need for a flawless application. After shaking well I find I get a nice finish by applying the F&B with a regular flat foundation brush roughly all over the face and I follow that by buffing it into the skin with circular motions using a dual fibre brush. You get a subtle dewy finish with this product which I like to combine with a dual finish powder to matt the t-zone and give slightly more coverage in that area.

As the product is transfer resistant and waterproof it is perfect for use on the body in all kinds of situations. I find it works wonders for evening out tan lines! You just need to wait for it to dry and remove any excess product with a tissue before dressing the model.

Although the face and body foundation does only give a light buildable coverage it photographs beautifully which is why I rarely feel the need to reach for another base. The moisturising properties make this foundation very forgiving on those with dry skin and I find it to be a real hit with brides. The natural looking dewy finish is silky to the touch and leaves skin feeling like it can breath which is prefect for bridal, particularly if you work with those who wear little or no makeup day to day.

This is my Holy Grail foundation for my dry skin, it's so light and dewy, it really is like your own skin, just better!

As you can see, I have nothing but raves for this wonder product.

Have you tried this yet? If so, let me know what you think, I love getting feedback.

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

Inglot Blush Palette - Photos & Swatches!

Inglot is a fairly new cosmetics company to Ireland, however, it originates from Poland and has been in production since the mid 1980's so they're far from new when it comes to the world of makeup. They are now well established in over 160 countries worldwide and they are fast becoming a YouTubers and Bloggers favourite.


I picked up this 4 pan blush palette recently and I'm in love with it completely! I picked this out from their "Freedom System".

One of the most unique things about Inglot is their ‘Freedom System’ which basically leaves you free to mix and match so many different products and put them into your choice of palette.  You can choose from eyeshadows (round or square – 158 different shades), face powders (20 shades), blushers (24), eyebrow powders (10) and waxes (5), lipsticks (90) and concealers (19).  There are all different types of palettes starting with 2 eyeshadows working all the way up to a palette that can fit 30 eyeshadows or a combination or eyeshadows, face powders and blushers and you can get them with mirrors and space for a brush or with a slide-off magnetic lid…so much choice!  The great thing about them is the price includes the empty palette…which is brilliant considering an empty MAC Pro pallete alone costs €16.50!  


Inglot Freedom System Blush Palette, Shades L-R 35, 34, 29 and 58

Shades 34 and 35

Shades 58 and 29

Swatches:

L-R Shade 35, 34, 29, 58

When choosing the blushers I wanted I just chose the ones that I liked the look of the most as I hadn't even planned on getting any at all. I did however make a conscious decision to get two shimmer and two matte shades though.

All four of the blushers are extremely buttery soft, they have to be among the softest ones I have ever used plus the pigmentation of them is absolutely flawless even the lighter shades. I thought I would just say a bit about each shade below...

Shade 35 - A pale pinky champagne colour with silver glitter flecks - I like the colour of this one but find the flecks of glitter to be a little too big and disco ball like although a little tap of the brush knocks most of these off and it leaves a lovely little shimmer behind.

Shade 34 - A pinky peach colour with gold glitter flecks - This colour for me is much more wearable and gives a lovely little flush of colour that has a nice gold sheen when it hits the light. The flecks in this one are much finer than shade 35.

Shade 29 - A matte peach - I love this one! It's my favourite out of all the four and looks great whether I have been hitting the fake tan or being all pale and interesting. The pigmentation of this is amazing, you just need to dab or lightly sweep your brush over it and that is more than enough.

Shade 58 - A matte berry - I have wanted a berry shade for a while and this is my first one. I really like it although I haven't had much wear out of it yet, I am sure I will. The pigmentation of this one is exactly the same as shade 29 with just the lightest touch being needed to apply it.

Overall I am really impressed with these and I am already planning on getting another palette or two but for now I really want to get some of their eyeshadows so if you have used them before please leave me your recommendations below.

Do you use Inglot products? What are your favourites?

Belle xXx

Illamasqua Illumine Oil in Volt

"Create a sultry shimmer with an after-dark edge. Smooth Illumine Oil over skin for a light-reflecting finish that makes every movement a drama. Infused with pearlised particles and passionflower seed oil, this luxurious dry body oil is quickly absorbed and leaves skin illuminated. Bask in a radiance of your own making and demand to be worshipped."

I'm a porcelain skinned girl who keeps out of the sun and how often have I bemoaned the fact that I can't wear lovely shimmery/glittery body oils and sprays as more often than not, they come in golden / brown hues which look an orange, streaky mess on my alabaster skin.

It was with great glee I picked up Illamasqua's Illumine Oil in Volt - it is packed full of iridescent, shimmery cool tones in violet, lavender, pink, silver and sparkling white. It adds luminosity and a dewy shimmery finish to your skin. Perfect for pale and proud beauties to show off your porcelain tones for that Dita Von Teese look!

The illumine oil was part of the body electrics collection, as displayed on the bottle and is  designed to be used  on the décolletage area  . For £25 you get 100ml, you might not think this is much but a little of this goes a long way.

The illumine oil is a dry oil, which smells divine, very tropically with strong coconut notes. It last for a few minutes on the skin before its not really noticeable anymore. Volt is an iridescent blue, purple, pink and white sparkle mixture suspended in oil, this of course means that it settles easily, but a quick shake solves this. This stuff is pretty pigmented, a few dabs on the finger tips is enough to cover the collar area, so it should realistically last ages! I wouldn't wear this every day, but if im going out its a nice addition. Ive also used this just along the front of my shins for a party an found it added a nice glow to the legs. 

This oil can be built up to produce a prominent sparkle, but i prefer to use a little and blend it out to get a more distributed sparkle, the oil sinks in pretty fast and within a few minutes its safe to touch without being oily!

Promo shot from the Body Electrics Collection when Volt Illumine Oil was released.

I love this product and will repurchase again and again for it's subtle shimmer and striking cool tones which look amazing on paler skin types.

Available now from Illamasqua - Illumine Oil in Volt

Belle xXx

Maybelline 24Hr Colour Tattoo Creams

I got 3 shades in the recently launched Maybelline 24hr Tattoo Creams, the shades I got are: Immortal Charcoal, On and On Bronze and Endless Purple.


These are really soft, creamy and easy to apply. They're very similar I think to the MAC Paint Pots, in the same little glass pot with screw lid and product inside. It means you really have to use your fingers, but you can use a brush too if you desire. I find I use my fingers to spread it across the whole lid, but I did use Immortal Charcoal as a gel eyeliner and it was perfect - but do definitely set it with some powder eyeshadow otherwise it's quite slippery.

 Why the name, 24 hour tattoo? Well, a tattoo insinuates something hard to budge. These eyeshadows definitely fill that description! They're so long lasting, and work absolutely brilliantly as a base. I had absolutely no creasing at all when wearing them all day long, and they kept my powder eyeshadows really pigmented and long lasting. But how do they work wearing them all day long on their own? I found very, very minimal creasing but not enough to notice - oh my god! I was so impressed with these and I absolutely adore them to pieces.

As you can see in the swatches, the bronze and grey are intense pigment (that is just one swipe) but the purple isn't as pigmented as the others. It's a shame, because the purple is gorgeous in the pot, but if you use this one as a base it's fine to build up with purple powder eyeshadow on top.

I really recommend these eyeshadows, perhaps if you've never tried a cream eyeshadow before because they're not readily available or like me you're after a long-wearing durable cream base for cheap money. They're completely and utterly worth the price and honestly? I think they might be Maybelline's best product yet. I just really hope they keep expanding the range, i'd like to see some softer shades in there as that's what I normally reach for!

Belle xXx

ARTDECO Dita Von Teese Classics Collection for Summer 2012

I'm delighted to present to all of you lovelies, some more in depth info and lots of photos from the upcoming Dita Von Teese Classics Collection for Summer 2012 by ARTDECO.

"For the first time Dita Von Teese, the beauty icon with the unmistakable look, is presenting the secrets of her glamorous appearance in a timeless, classic make-up collection. Seduction, elegance, and a touch of mystery are her signatures. Famous for her porcelain complexion, signature red lips, and her cat-eye liner, she is the modern face of retro Hollywood glamour. With her motto of “Beauty is Art”, Dita invites all women to feel beautiful with her Dita Von Teese Classics artdeco cosmetics collection."

"The truth is that I’m quite an ordinary looking girl. When I was a little girl, I remember watching classic Hollywood films from the 40s and noticing that these glorious women were painted that way. Glamour is about creation, and any woman who desires it can learn to create it for herself as I have. I believe that makeup has the power to transform an ordinary woman into an extraordinary one.” – Dita Von Teese

Artdeco Dita von Teese Classics Collection Summer 2012

Dita von Teese Classics Compact Powder – Limited Edition

• #01
• #02

Dita von Teese Art Couture Lash Volumizer Mascara – Limited Edition

• #01 Black

Dita von Teese Ceramic Nail Lacquer – Limited Edition

• #10
• #25

Dita von Teese Blusher – Limited Edition

• #09
• #20
• #22
• #31

Dita von Teese Beauty Box Quadro – Limited Edition

This new eyeshadow palette with classic Dita von Teese inspired packaging can host up to 8 Glamour Eyeshadows.

Dita von Teese Glamour Eyeshadow – Limited Edition

• #300
• #369
• #370
• #371 Spotlight
• #374 Gilded Lady
• #375
• #503 Veuve Noir
• #512 Von Fleece
• #520 Brunesque
• #524 Mink
• #530 Sepia
• #554 Petticoat

Dita von Teese Gel Eyeliner – Limited Edition

• #01 Black

Dita von Teese Eyelashes – Limited Edition

• #32
• #39

Dita von Teese Lip Lacquer – Limited Edition

• #28

Dita von Teese Lipstick – Limited Edition

• #607
• #615
• #620
• #628
• #637
• #645

And now, what you have all been waiting for... The actual promo shots of the products! How beautifully packaged does everything look? The packaging oozes style, glamour and sophistication.

The shades all look very wearable and will suit almost all skintones.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Availability

Germany Launch Date – May 2012 at Douglas, Kasrtadt, Galeria Kaufhof, Müller, and other private perfumeries. The products will also be available online at those store’s websites.

International Launch Date – June 2012 at Douglas & private perfumeries. The range will be released in other countries in the coming months.

I will do my very best to get a hold of this collection in order to show my lovely Beauties just how gorgeous these products are in real life, in addition to lots of photos, swatches and Dita inspired makeup looks complete with tutorials.

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

ARTDECO and Dita Von Teese team up for new collection!

ARTDECO


German cosmetics company Artdeco has teamed up with Dita Von Teese to present the Burlesque performer’s first makeup collection, ‘Dita Von Teese Classics’. 


DITA VON TEESE CLASSICS 

The ‘Dita Von Teese Classics’ collection aims to help women recreate the beauty icon’s signature Old Hollywood look – porcelain skin, sensual red lips and arched black eyeliner. The products are notable for their retro cameo design, which is an homage to vintage jewellery.

Her first collection with the company includes the tools to replicate her classic look: blacker-than-black eyeliners for the perfect cat eye, and ruby red lipsticks, but also includes neutral eye shadows in both matte and pearl, and a subtle set of blush shades. The makeup line will include a powder compact, four blushes, a gel eyeliner and brush and pencil eyeliner, as well as 12 individual eye shadows, mascara, false lashes (with and without rhinestones), six lipstick shades, two lip liners, a lip lacquer and four nail polish colors. Packaging is black with vintage boudoir-style detailing and a sketch of the line’s inspiration, along with her name.  At least two more releases are planned, one with fall-winter trend colors, and one with special luxury packaging.

For a porcelain complexion the range offers the Compact Powder ‘Face Fatal’ No. 1, a micro fine compact powder that creates a transparent, gently matt finish. Oil-absorbing ingredients eliminate shiny skin, while light-reflecting pigments create a smooth finish. The finely powdered texture blends in with the skin with the help of the accompanying puff or brush. 

The four limited Blushers come in Von Teese’s favourite spring colours, including a subtle rose ‘Starlet’ No. 31, apricot shades such as ‘Ingenue’ No. 09, as well as various strong shades of rose such as ‘Ivresse’ No. 20 and ‘Paramour’ No. 22. 

The retractable Eye Styler in deep black ‘Minuit’ No. 51 traces the inner and outer contours of the eye simply and precisely. This liner has an innovative, ergonomic design: the rubberized grip and the narrow shape of the pencil make it easy to apply the intensively coloured texture. The limited-edition contour pencil with built-in sharpener is ideal for sensitive eyes. 

Von Teese’s signature black eyelid line is easy to recreate with the ‘Dita’ Gel Eyeliner ‘Nocturnelle’ No. 1, a gel-based waterproof black eyeliner. It is said to accentuate the eyes with just one application, with carbon black pigments creating deep black colour results. This limited-edition eyeliner has a long-lasting and quick-drying formula and is free of mineral oil, paraffin and parabens. 

The Art Couture Eyeliner Brush is made of particularly fine hair, and is used for precise application of the Gel Eyeliner. A natural look is achieved when the eyeliner is applied with the tip of the brush. Placing the brush flat against the skin creates a broader line. 

Von Teese’s smoky eyes can be created with Eye Shadows Matt in ‘Veuve Noir’ No. 503., combined with ‘Von Fleece’ No. 512. A more subtle look can be achieved with shades of brown, ‘Brunesque’ No. 520, ‘Sepia’ No. 530, ‘Mink’ No. 524, and light ‘Petticoat’ No. 554. 

The limited Glamour Eye Shadows with tiny pearl pigments add further highlights. ‘Night Porter’ No. 300 and ‘Opulence’ No. 369 accentuate the eyes, while ‘Wisp’ No. 370, ‘Spotlight’ No. 371, ‘Gilded Lily’ No. 374, and ‘Plush’ No. 375 add just a touch of colour. 

The eyeshadows can be stored in the magnetic Beauty Box Square in ‘Dita’s Design’. 

The Art Couture Lash Volumizer ‘Raven’ No. 01 in jet black is a perfume-free mascara combining volume, extension, and separation of the lashes in one. Natural wax, extracted from rice bran, nourishes the lashes and makes this limited-edition mascara suitable for sensitive eyes. 

The Artificial Lashes made of real hand-tufted hair make eyelashes look even thicker and longer. The ‘diva’ look is achieved with No. 39, which includes black rhinestones. They are easy to attach, and can be reused with the transparent eyelash adhesive. 

More sneak peeks to follow shortly Beauties!


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 .