Thursday 29 October 2009

Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows

Yay! It's BeautyMecca's 500th post!
Can you even believe it? All that procrastination... Wow.

Anyway, as a celebration, I wanted to review the Bobbi Brown long-wear metallic cream shadows I picked in in Bloomingdales last month. Now they've hit the UK's fair shores, it seems fair to review them. I thought it might be rude while I had them and you didn't, especially since they're a bit awesome.



The formula of the shadow is the same as the regular cream shadows from Bobbi, sheer, lightweight and non-creasing, but these bad boys have been imbued with gorgeous, glistening sparkly bits. My main reason to vouch for these is that they DO NOT BUDGE. I tend to apply them with a flat eyeshadow brush and then, because as much as I love them, the colour is a little too subtle for my night-time eyes, add a coordinating powder on top, most recently Nars Nightclubbing which a) looked amazing and b) had to be removed by a very patient, very drunk me at four am the next morning when it hadn't moved even a teeny tiny bit.

Obviously, this was a ridiculously dramatic look and the colours look great enough on their own (even better with a slick of long-wear gel eyeliner on the lash line). And oh, they come in really weighty little glass pots that I'm fairly certain would brain someone if you put them in a sock and whacked them in the temple. A sign of quality, ma cheres.
I currently have Black Pearl and Antique Gold, which at $22.00 was quite enough to be spending at one time. The only problem now is that I desperately want the other colours but my wandering eye has already seen the Chrome Collection on the US website.
What is a girl to do?

Monday 26 October 2009

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Collection

I love Christmas. Yes I do.

What? It's not even Halloween? You must be mistaken, why else was I dressed as a cat this weekend gone? OK, let's not get into that or I'll have to post pictures (which I should I looked awesome) and explain the whole 'Halloween party a week early' thing and then I'll be explaining why I'm dressing as a Fraggle on Saturday while the rest of New York sluts it up as Playboy bunnies and sexy red riding hoods...


ANYWAY, I digress. Today, I'm sharing with you the wonder of the new Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Holiday Collection. Isn't it CHRISTMASSY? I love Lauder prods, really, there are so many in my regular make up bag - I'm especially in love with the Double Wear Mascara right now, seriously delicious thick, black sooty lashes that never flake or smudge. I know Estee and the gang sometimes get a bad rap for being, well, a little bit old ladyish but seriously, the formulations are always awesome and these colours are so sexy. The red is incredibly red and the eyeshadow shades are totally wearable. Perfect for Christmas parties. I'm only showing the red look here which is my favourite but there's also a gold alternative for those not so partial to a red lip. Plus you could totes use the lipstick as a weapon, the gold casing is so incredibly, pleasingly weighty.
But come on ladies, it's CHRISTMAS. Party with a pretty pout, that's what I say.
I also say I have mild flu and feel slightly mad, so apologies for that.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Urban Decay 24/ Pencils

I know I've mentioned my growing obsession with Urban Decay since I've been over on the Yankee Doodle Dandy side of the pond and honestly, it shows no sign in disappearing. I've had some visitors over from London this weekend and given all the mirth and merriment we have been indulging in (cough, shopping/ drinking/eating/dancing) there has been officially NO TIME for make up retouching, meaning that what goes on in the morning needs to still be there at night.

And do you know what is always there on my cotton wool pad at the end of the night? My Urban Decay 24/7 Stash pencil. Stash is an AMAZING colour, especially on blue eyes but I'm fairly certain on anyone. It's a greenish-goldish-brown that makes my eyes sparkle and shine, even when they have barely been closed for six days solid. I like to wear it alone, blended to a soft finish for day time and then mixed with a gold-brown shadow for extra impact at night. The texture of the pencil is smooth and soft but the staying power is unsurpassed. I love these pencils.

Happily, the Christmas gods at Urban Decay are giving you an amazing opportunity to get your mitts on a whole bunch of pencils, including Stash, in their 24/7 Super Stash kit. Isn't it pretty? Like the grown up's version of that Crayloa colouring carry case you used to get EVERY CHRISTMAS as a kid... want.

It's available in Boots in the UK and Sephora here in the US and has nine mini versions of my favourite pencils for a super reasonable price. I can't recommend it enough but you should be warned, you WILL become addicted, the nine pencils will NOT be enough and within days of trying them out, you WILL be ordering the rest of the range to complete the set.
And I will be right behind you, egging you on.

Monday 12 October 2009

Nars Love Me Set

It's sad that I have to buy myself products called 'Love Me' and 'Orgasm' isn't it? Sob. I actually think it's more sad that I have never owned Nars' famous Orgasm blush before now. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be some kind of beauty junkie and I never coughed up the cash before today... Well, you know I veer towards the blue-ish pink end of the plush palette, only tottering over to peachy tones when I'm a little red cheeked or, well, hungover.


But I couldn't resist this gorgeous gift set. Packaged in Nars' stylish matt black boxes, the Love Me set includes a blush duo of Albatross highlighter and Orgasm blush along with the pretty, pretty Orgasm lipgloss. Now what we definitely do know about me is that I loves a smokey eye and these bad boys complement a smokey eye PERFECTLY. The peachy tones of the orgasm blush warm up your complexion without stealing the show and the gloss, well, it's one of the nicest things I've ever had the pleasure to slick on my lips. The colour is sheer and flattering, the gloss smells pretty and doesn't feel greasy at all and I don't entirely know what this means but I did lots of lip smacking while wearing it.


Definitely a positive purchase... as opposed to my recent bikini wax.
Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow. Note to all, do not book in on your birthday. It's not a treat, it's punishment for a crime you have yet to commit.

FTC Blogger Regulations

Hmm, apparently the lovely FTC (or Federal Trade Commission here in the swanky US of A) have decided bloggers need to start giving more info about what they review and as I am now a resident of aforementioned US of A, I'm prettty sure that means mean.

So basically, the FTC want bloggers and endorsers (I think they mean celebs...) to fess up about how they come across the things that they review/endorse so no one gets duped into thinking that Eva Longoria really does colour her hair at home under the kitchen sink. Which she might, I just can't see it. To make this as painless as possible, I'm going to start tagging posts with where i got the product I'm raving about - Press Sample, Personal Purchase, Gift, Shoplifted. Only kidding, I wouldn't tell you if I shop lifted it. That would be madness. If there's anything else, I'll let you know.

In other news, there is a very loud Columbus Day parade going down Fifth avenue outside my office window. And I'm on the 18th floor.
New York is not always as glamorous as you might think.

Friday 9 October 2009

Breast Cancer Care:Bare Minerals

bareMinerals is one of those brands that I come back to again and again so I was delighted to see that they were teaming up with QVC to bring this gorgeous set, of which 100% of the proceeds goes directly to Breast Cancer Care.


The kit includes a trio of pink and purple colours, in theory eye colours but you could easily wear them (at least the pinks) on your cheeks. Plus they're packaged in a super cute pink make-up bag. Did I mention I need a make up bag? I did? Awesome.

The kit is available from QVCuk.com, priced at just 18.00 (item number 228230 for speedy searching) which is a total bargain for three bareMinerals colours, let alone with a pretty, pretty bag thrown in.

Oh and, my GOD it's grey today. Seriously, not a patch of blue sky to be seen. So something pink and sparkly and for a good cause sounds like just the thing...

Thursday 8 October 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Prescriptives

I almost can't bring myself to blog about this but since I'm pretty sure you'll have heard the bad news elsewhere by now, Estee Lauder have decided to close down Prescriptives at the end of the year. Now I know it's not the end of the world but it is the end of Custom Colour foundation, Strawberry lipshine, Here to Stay and Lash Envy mascaras, all of which are in my handbag right now. I am going to have to go on one hell of a binge next time I'm by a counter.
Which will be tomorrow.
I hope I can see the mascara varieties through my tears...



And while I'm there, I'll be picking up the Pink Ribbon Palette, which includes four eye colours and two cheek colours, encased in a hot pink compact. Super chic and super worthwhile. All through October, 10% of the RRP will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation so call 0870 034 2566 to find your local stockist and pick one up this weekend.

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Breast Cancer Care and Elemis

Today's feel good treat comes from one of my all time favourite brands and even better, includes two of my 'can't be without' products and a really rather gorgeous pink make-up bag (and I'm in DIRE need of a make-up bag. My Hello Kitty one is looking seventeen shades of crapola right now).

So do yourself and everyone fighting breast cancer a favour and pick up the Elemis Essential Beauty Secrets bag from Elemis counters or http://www.timetospa.co.uk/ right now. The bag is priced at fifty English pounds which, between you and me, is an AMAZING bargain as you're saving over seventy-five knicker on what's included. Which is... 30ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, 30ml Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream, 15ml Papaya Enzyme Peel and 15ml of Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust, in a special hot pink 'boob tube' just for this kit. There's also a handy-dandy five step breast check leaflet so you can make sure everything is ship shape and above board while you're applying your lifting treatment.

I live and die by the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream so this is a definite winner for me and just once more, how gorgeous is that make-up bag? Answer: Very.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Clinique

Another great product supporting a wonderful cause today, this time from Clinique.

I love me some gloss and Clinique’s Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 is a) one of the best out there and b) one of the few glosses with SPF protection. To support Breast Cancer Awareness in 2009, Clinique are offering a limited edition BREAST CANCER AWARENESS LONG LAST GLOSSWEAR SPF 15 “PINK RIBBON CHARM”. Three pretty, pretty shades of gloss all together on an exclusive handy key chain, complete with a pink ribbon charm.

For each lipgloss key charm sold in the UK, £2 will be donated in total to the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. (£1 will be donated by Clinique and £1 by Boots to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for its breast cancer research study at the Royal Marsden Institute of Cancer Research in the UK).

Seriously, go buy it.
Now.

I'll wait...

Monday 5 October 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Creme de la Mer

Every October, all of my very favourite brands put out special products to help raise awareness of breast cancer and funds to fight the disease. Every year, more and more people I know are affected by breast cancer but by picking up one or two of the special items I'll be featuring this month, you can know that you're doing your bit to fight back and enjoying some really rather lovely treats that celebrate being a girl at the same time.
Because let's face it, being a girl is pretty bloody good.
First up is my favourite indulgence and the only lipbalm that can repair my pout after a particularly stubbly snogging sesh, Creme de la Mer. At 35.00, it's not cheap but really, the pot lasts forever and a whole five pounds goes to Breast Cancer Awareness. Plus, you get the cute pink travelling pouch and limited edition white and pink box. What's not to love?
I'm going to be stocking up for winter while getting my feel good fuzzies for helping charity... go on, you know you want to.

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