Illamasqua Vernau vs MUA Undressed

I recently featured Illamasqua Vernau on the blog, and today, I thought I would show you my reasons why. For my eye makeup, I tend to keep it simple daily. A neutral contoured eye, with a slick of liquid liner. It's simple to create, but I love the classic defined finish. I had been using an MUA Undressed (MUA, £4.00) for one shade, shade 6, for the sole purpose of adding a contoured shadow into my crease. I found it annoying I couldn't pick up this shade singly, so I revisited Illamasqua's sale, and came across a shade I found looked similar. I rarely online shop, and I never online shop for makeup. I'm one of those people that like to look at products in person. So, I was shopping blindly. I do have to rate Illamasqua's online moving swatches for each product. I think this is such a positive concept on their site, for people like me. You can see the product being used in motion, rather than seeing a still swatch.

I knew I wanted a warm shade, as I use it everyday, and Vernau (Illamasqua, £15.50) jumped out at me. With no second thoughts, I ordered it. The fact that at the time, it was also only £4.50, also acted in my favour. If my blind buying failed on me, at least I didn't wasted £15.50! As you can see from the swatched above, the MUA shade has incredibly poor pigmentation in comparison to the Illamasqua product. As the pigmentation I had been used to daily was weak, I had to become aware of Illamasqua's powerful pigmentation. I barely sweep my brush against the pan, and grab enough product to sweep in the hollows of my eye. Vernau is described as Yellow Ochre, and I believe this is one of those shades that you can blend with. Say you fancy a smokey eye, or a cut crease, you can use this as your base, to 'stencil' where you would like your shadow. This blends out to look like a natural shadow in your eye socket, which is exactly what I was looking for. I am so impressed with this eyeshadow, and I love the packaging. For this being my first high end eyeshadow, I would definitely consider purchasing more shades!

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How to cope with your threaded brows

Now, I am usually a girl who couldn't care less about my brows. They are fair, sparse, but have a good natural shape, so I like to just let 'em be. However, lately I have been keen on the idea of filling them in with powder, just to add definition, and to show I actually have eyebrows! Toying with the idea of a tint and shape, I spontaneously chose to pop into a walk in stall at my local shopping centre. Oh, how I wish my other half would have talked me out of it, but either way, I would have ignored is words of surprising wisdom at that time, as I entered the stall.

Greeted by a eager lady stating "eyebrows?". At that point in itself, I should have walked away. Cheerily popping myself on the seat, I explain I wish to just tidy my brows, as this is my first time.. oo-er! I lay back, without any reassurance, the lady starts to strike away at my brows, as I feel my beloved brow hairs fall down face. As for the pain; ooh. I expected threading to be a fairly gentle approach, rather than waxing. But how would I know, I had neither done before! After the threading, she swiped over a soaked cotton pad and passed me the mirror. I kindly beamed a somewhat smile, and paid.

I left the stall totally regretting my completely spontaneous decision. Not one that should be taken lightly. For the rest of my shopping trip, I was in a foul mood. My partner even took me to Urban Decay for a Naked palette, to cheer me up. (How did he even know they were by UD?!)

So, the moral of this, again, spontaneous blog post, is do not rush into making decisions. Especially if you feel they are influenced just by what others are doing. In all honesty, mine were originally lovely. I wanted to have beautifully preened brows, to make filling them in a dream. So, if anyone has came across this post, after a regretful decision of threading your brows, be rest assured they will grow back in. It's as simple as that! I now intend on making them look fuller in the mean time, until I have a little celebration as my brows sprote back in!

Have you had any brow taming mishaps?

Forget Me Not..

Just a spontaneous post today! 

It has been quite a few months since I have published any blog posts, which makes me very sad. It is such a passion of mine, but unfortunately, life and so does get in the way.

I have not long started my BA Hons Degree in Fine Art, which still does not seem real! This has naturally been taking up all my time, but rest assured, I always make time for my 'night time treat', to cuddle up and watch my latest YouTube subscriptions, as well as catching up on Bloglovin'! 

As you can imagine, through the time I haven't been blogging, I have came across lot's of new beauty favourites I have been dying to type up about, espesically my new fondness for Revlon Colourstay Foundation!

I love keeping up to date with the new trends, especially as Christmas is around the corner (eek!), I am super excited to see new festive posts come up!

I regularly update my Instagram with what's happening in my life, so please check that out - @luceeloves! I have recently posted a picture of the new Nails Inc by Kate Spade Collection! You can also catch my tweets at @luceeloves, too!

I hope to speak soon!

Love, Lucy.

xxx

MUA Lash Boom Mascara

MUA have recently launched their latest mascara, promising volume and length. Lash Boom Mascara (MUA, £3.00) features a rather odd looking bristled wand, with a contoured end, which will allow you to catch the tiniest of lashes in the inner and outer corners, to create a fanned out effect. I found the wand tricky to use at the beginning, but that's because I am used to a particular wand at a time. My preferred wand does consist of bristles, rather than a comb or plastic bristles. Once you familiarise yourself with how the wand fits and combs through your lashes, you're away! I used the wand in the same technique as I would with a typically shaped wand and found it really did grab my lashes. The first coat initially coated my lashes, like any other mascara would. The second coat is where I was really wowed. The mascara seems to work in sync with each coat, rather than taking some of the already mascara applied away, etc. It clung to the tacky lashes, and genuinely added volume and drama.

In the shots above, I have no eye make up on, just so you can tell exactly what it is doing to my lashes. From before to after, there is a significant difference, and you can imagine what the finished lashes would look like with my completed face of makeup. I found the formula of the mascara to be just right. There is nothing more annoying than a fresh mascara, and the formula is too wet, y'know - when you have to use it a few unsatisfying times until it becomes the right consistency. MUA Lash Boom Mascara offers what you're looking for, at a fraction of the price of other high street mascaras, for £3!

 

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Illamasqua Electrify Lipgloss and Vernau Eyeshadow

This must be a shocking statement to make for a beauty blogger, but I have never indulged in any Illamasqua products. I adore scrolling through their Instagram feed, and I love what they stand for - but I do steer more towards high street products. As of late, Illamasqua have been holding their infamous £5, £7.50, £10, £20 sales, showcasing a huge array of products, suitable for many budgets. Of course, as my purse strings don't stretch too far, I opted for the £5 sale, which offers a selection of eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipglosses, nail polishes, false eyelashes, and more. This is a great time to check out their sale, especially if you're an Illamasqua newbie!

My first purchase, is a Lipgloss in the shade Electrify (RRP £14.50). Now, I am not a lipgloss girl. Typical statement to make, but I loathe the sticky residue, and most times, the intensely wet glossy finish. I thought I would branch out of my comfort zone and give one another try. Electrify is a light pink shade. Nothing loud or offensive, which is something that drew me to it. I know I will be able to reach for this straight away, without hesitating whether it will clash with the rest of my makeup. As Illamasqua is a high end brand, I had an inkling it wouldn't be as bad as I thought. That, it was not. I found this Sheer Lipgloss actually quite pigmented. I had planned to purchase a pink lipstick to wear beneath the gloss, although I feel as though the pigment in the gloss is enough to add something extra to the face and finish off the look.

My second purchase, was influenced by a current product I am using. Lately, I have been using one shade from a 12 pan palette. It's a brown blending shade, which I simply apply to the crease. The only problem, is that it is running low and I hate having a full palette for one shade in use. Vernau (RRP £15.50) is described as Yellow Ochre. I myself, am not familiar with that description, but I would class it as a warm brown. That shade you use as a blending base. Of course, I am happy to report the pigmentation is amazing, which comforts me to know this will keep me going for a while. I also love the simple black packaging, perfect to fit in my makeup bag. 

What is your favourite Illamasqua product? Did you snap anything up in the sale?
 

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Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation | Worth the hype?

Not too long ago, Tesco had an offer on for Rimmel foundation, for £5. This was too much of a good deal to pass up on! Originally, I was deliberating between Wake Me Up and Match Perfect, although I seriously struggled matching myself up with the latter. They had an amazing pale shade, which is so rare to come by in high street brands, although I ummed and ahhed whether it was actually TOO pale. Something I never thought would say! Never the less, I opted for the highly raved Wake Me Up and I chose the lightest, I believe, 100 Ivory.

I generally stick with Bourjois, as their lightest shade compliments my skin tone, so it was interesting to return to an old favourite brand throughout my teens. Firstly, I must mention the shade. I, and many others on Twitter (@LuceeLoves) found the lightest shade too dark, orange and difficult to work with. I still agree, although I have found I just need to work a little more and blend away to achieve a flawless colour base, with no unblended edges! I have oily/combo skin, and this foundation is aimed to awaken your skin, giving a luminous and refreshed finish. This does entail finely milled shimmer. Not initially noticeable at all, although I found throughout the day wearing tbis, my pores appear significantly pronounced. I am in the midst of finding successful soloutions to tighten my pores, but this product just seems to highlight them. I have tried Benefit Porefessional and 17 Primer beneath it, with no avail. Again, another aspect and reason I have to work with it. However, I do find myself returning to it. It does have something special about it, that makes me believe my skin does look 'woken up'. I must say, this has generous coverage. I use a pump and a bit, which covers my face and hides redness and blemishes. I find whilst using this, I really only need concealer for under my eyes.

So, is this really worth the hype? If you're prepared to do a little more work to achieve the lusted luminous and refreshed look, then pop yourself down to Boots, ASAP! Now I have it, and have worn it on several occassions, I wouldn't say I would repurchase, as this isn't best suited to my skin tone or type. Although, have all #bbloggers jumped on a makeup bandwagon? What's your thoughts?

Little Life Update..

I thought I would post a quick rambly post, just to catch up with everyone. This past week has been so busy and flustered, I haven't even had time to religiously watch my YouTube subscriptions! Last week, I was given the opportunity for a work trial at the oh so glam Poundworld. A job is a job, though! I was literally told the day before, so I had to manically buy new work clothes, arrange transport, etc. I have just finished my 5 days trial there. Everyone was lovely and it's not a bad place to work! I found that I had no time for myself, let alone housework, the other half, etc. If I do get the job, I have learnt to prioritise, as getting home at 7pm leaves me with no time for anything! Life, eh! I'm so looking forward to earning my own wage, though!

Aside from busy life! Last week, I also received my prize from Tattooed Tealady, Sleeks Blush By 3 Candy Collection Blush Palette. SO lovely! She also threw in some samples, which was a kind surprise! Also on the beauty front, my second Illamasqua purchase arrived! Woo! I ordered an eyeshadow in the shade Vernau, to replace an MUA one, for my crease. I LOVE it! Naturally, I will be reviewing them - so keep your eyes peeled!

So that's my little natter for the day! I have been so preoccupied, today is my first day off, so I'm busying myself with much needed housework, laundry, etc! How exciting! Not all bad, though.. I will be squeezing in some YouTube! ;)

What have you all been upto?