My New Year's Eve Make Up

My New Year's Eve Make Up

Tuesday, 3 January 2017

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(Sorry for the giant picture of my face and the crap lighting, I also hadn't smudged my lipstick, I had a really nasty spot on my lip that would not be covered!)

Happy New Year you absolute babes! I hope you all had an amazing, and safe, New Year's Eve and are ready to take this new year head on. This years I was at a big family party at my uncle and aunty's house, and I was really overdressed but you have to make an effort at New Years' don't you? I was really happy with my make up so I thought I would share it with you lovely lot.

2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

Friday, 9 January 2015

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Top L - R: Nail Paint by Barry M in Vintage Violet, Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M in Sugar Apple, Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Seventeen Phwoaar Paint in Fair, MUA eyeshadow palette in Heaven & Earth, Real Techniques Setting Brush & Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner.  Bottom L - R: Mac Blush in Dame, L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla, Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much, Mac Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town & Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo. 

Top L-R: Soap & Glory Solar Powder, Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy in Dealer's Choice, Estée Lauder Modern Muse Eau De Parfum, Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil, Witch Blemish Stick, L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in #200 Soft Beige. Bottom L-R: No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream, Model Co More Brows in Fair & Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté 24HRs Soothing & Rehydrating Fresh Mask. 

Top L-R: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Base Coat, Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up the Ante, Frizz Ease Daily Miracle Leave in Conditioner, Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 Effects Serum, The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. Bottom L-R: Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper & Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka.

2014 was a great year for me make up wise. It was the year I started using bronzer and realised the true potential of make up, which only made me love it more. First up make up and nails, you might want to grab yourself a cup of tea... maybe a snack of some kind, because it's gonna be a long one :)

Base:

L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla

I recently crowned L’Oreal True Match my favourite foundation and I stand by that sentiment.  With decent, buildable coverage, a beautiful dewy yet matte finish (I don't understand how that works either) and a formula that sticks around it's no wonder it's my favourite. 

Seventeen Phwoaar Paint Heavy Duty Under Eye Concealer in Fair & Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Soft Beige. 

My skin wasn't at it's best in 2014. There were breakouts, blackheads, blemishes, great big giant spots... the lot! For those days when my skin was at it's worst I reached for Seventeen's Phwoaar Paint to save the day. With a thick and creamy consistency it's perfect for covering any particularly juicy blemishes and because it's yellow toned it neutralises any redness/hyper pigmentation. It also lasts really well, particularly considering how creamy it is. I've found that it works best when applied BEFORE foundation as it blends in better this way. Unorthodox? Maybe. Does it work? Definitely. 

The other concealer I was reaching for throughout 2014 was Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer in Soft Beige. I don't have the best sleeping habits and have some serious under eye baggage going on. But this covers bags and brightens the under eye area like it ain't no thing, making me look bright eyed and bushey tailed when really I've been up all night watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The overall coverage it gives is really good, as it covers redness, hyper pigmentation and blemishes. It's a good all rounder. 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder

Before 2014 I never really got powders, I had one it was okay, good, not great, but then I tried One Heck of a Blot and then I got it. One Heck of a Blot is a really light weight, finely milled  translucent powder that really locks in my make up and leaves my face with a velvety smooth finish. I love it, which you could probably tell from the picture. 

Bronzer/Blush:

Soap & Glory Solar Powder

I was always a bit wary of bronzer, being paler than the moon and all, but Solar Powder is fabulous. Especially for all us pale chicks. I prefer the lighter honey shade, as the warmer brown is just a tad too dark for me, but works really well when I swirl the two together. It really warms up my otherwise colourless complexion. Love it. 

Mac Blush in Dame

You'd never know it but I've had this blusher for over two years and have worn it nearly every day since. I'm not even close to hitting pan yet. I've played with a lot of new blushers this year but Dame will always be my favourite. It's the prettiest, rosy pink that transforms my complexion from Casper the Friendly Ghost to that of an english rose. It's beautiful. 

Eyes:

Benefit They're Real Real Push Up Liner 

Long lasting gel liner with a blacker than black formula that is both crease proof and incredibly easy to apply. The rubber tip makes for one of the easiest cat eye flicks ever (stamp and glide). I think it's amazing. 

MUA Eyeshadow Palette in Heaven & Earth

This is the eyeshadow palette I probably got the most use out of in 2014 and 2013 for that matter. This is my second one so that should tell you all you need to know. Made up of neutral shimmers this is my go to palette for a neutral yet smokey eye make up look. The shadows are reasonably long lasting, soft in texture and pigmented with a decent colour pay off. I'll be honest it isn't perfect, there are some fall out issues when applying and the shadows are slightly on the chalky side, but for £4 it's really good. 

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara 

AKA the best mascara on the highstreet. It just does everything I could ever want from a mascara. Like a really great bra it lifts and separates, unlike a  great bra it curls and volumises. The formula is fantastic, super black, doesn't smudge or flake and just gives me the best lashes. It's a staple every girl needs: a good bra and this mascara. 

Model Co More Brow gel in Fair 

Model Co More Brow is a light weight, tinted brow gel, that shapes my brows and sets them in place, without leaving them crispy. The colour is a medium ashy brown that is the perfect colour match for me and the application is really easy with the tiny but effective spoolie taming my brows and distributing the product evenly. I really like it. 

Lips:

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town

For a while this lipstick was the only thing I could talk about and for good reason, it is, simply put, the most beautiful lipstick I own. The colour is a beautiful blue toned fuschia with a formula that is long lasting, although it does need to be reapplied after eating/drinking. Due to it's delightfully creamy consistency it's really moisturising and feels so comfortable on the lips. It get's bonus points for smelling like vanilla! In my expansive lipstick collection this is my absolute favourite. It's all kinds of heart eyed emoji!  

 Image via

Bourjois Rouge EditionVelvets in Olé Flamingo and Hot Pepper 

I've been utterly obsessed with the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets since they were released last summer. The colours are lovely and the formulas are equally so: bouncy, lightweight and only slightly drying, but the very best part is the longevity. Once it's on, it is on! It ain't going nowhere for no one. You can eat, drink, be merry and look fabulous all at the same time. No longer will I have to choose between the two, food wins hands down everytime. They're incredible. 

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much

I love this lip pencil. I know I've talked about it so much recently but it's because I love it so much. I won't bore you by listing it's many virtues because at this point I'll be repeating myself. It's amazing. Trust. 

Nails:

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Up the Ante & Dealer's Choice.

Okay I know I have ranted and raved about the fabulousness of the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamels until the cows came home, went to bed and told me to shut up already but in my defence they are my absolute favourite beauty discovery of 2014. The formulation is as close to perfect as a nail enamel can possibly be. I am obsessed with them! And I promise this is the last time I will mention them... for now. 

Sally Hansen Maximum GrowthBase Coat 

At first glance the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth appears to be just another base coat but you can actually see it working and that just blows my mind. It's incredible. As a recovering nail biter with incredibly weakened nails this has made such a difference. My nails are stronger and are growing quicker because of it. It's amazing.

Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka

It's just so pretty! The colour is the most beautiful turquoise. But the formula is the real star! It's lovely, longlasting and creamy but easily workable and the brush is easy to use making for smooth and easy application. This is the only Soigné polish I own at the moment but I will definitely be adding more to my collection. 

Barry M Nail Paint in Vintage Violet & Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple.

I'm a huge fan of Barry M's Nail Paint, they make up at least 40% of my 300 strong nail polish collection, but these two were my absolute favourites of last year. I had Sugar Apple on my nails constantly throughout the summer because it's such a lovely colour. Then when Autumn rolled around I switched to Vintage Violet. It's such an unusual, smokey purple but it looks so pretty on the nails. Like all Barry M Nail Paints they have a great formula that is reasonably long lasting, workable and easy to apply. All that for under a fiver... bargain. 

If you stuck with this post until the end then thank you :) I'm aware that it's on the longer and ramblier side of things. I had a lot of make up favourites in 2014. But what I want to know is what were your 2014 faves? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or even by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. 

That was the tip of the iceberg for my 2014 Beauty Faves, Part 2 will be up over the weekend. Then of course there's always the matter of my 2014 Non Beauty Faves, of which there are many, which will be up soon. 

Until then

Love love love xxx

2 Stars & A Wish #8

2 Stars & A Wish #8

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

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I hope everyone's having a good week! Today has been an odd sort of day for me. Have you ever had one of those days where the world speeds up around you but it feels like you're wading through treacle? That's the day I've had today. I woke up 10 minutes late and it just went downhill from there. I ended up having a freezing cold shower before slamming the door shut on my finger and missing the bus. The week is really dragging but in the words of the great Jon Bon Jovi 'OOOOH WE'RE HALFWAY THERE!' There being the weekend! (Sorry! Regular readers will already know I'm super lame. Newbies: Welcome to Lolarocknroses, I'm superlame! You have been warned!) 

My first star this week goes to Barry M's Gelly Hi Shine in Almond. 

The (beauty) world loves, adores and worships the ground this polish walks upon and for good reason. A beautiful greige - I have been waiting forever to use that word!- it's really neutral and understated but also really pretty. Being Barry M it has the gorgeous, thick and creamy but totally manageable, easy to work formula we've all come to know and love. It goes on lovely and smooth and only needs two coats to be opaque (although I like to use three just to make sure.) I'm not really a huge fan of neutral shades, don't get me wrong I like them but I do love my brights and like my nails to pop. Having said that I can see this one becoming a firm favourite. I've heard, on good authority, that Almond is a dupe for Portchester Square by Nails Inc. Portchester Square being one of the few Nails Inc polishes I haven't tried I don't know if that's true BUT having seen some swatches online I can see that the colours are incredibly similar with the price being the only real difference, it doesn't get much better than that!

My Second Star this week goes to Percy & Reed's Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish 

Now when it comes to haircare I am fiercely loyal to the brands I love. I tend to stick to what I know purely because I know them and I know what they do. I know what works for my hair and because my hair is so incredibly difficult it doesn't really leave much room for any experimentation. But every now and then an adventurous streak comes over me -it happens every couple of months or so when I suddenly think it would be a really good idea to do a JLaw and get a pixie cut. Which, realistically, I would never, ever do! I could not pull it off - Anyway every now and then I will occasionally shake up my haircare routine a little bit. I picked this up during a moment of hair madness ages ago, and have had it so long now that I can't even remember where, when or how I got it. But none of that matters because I'm using it now and I love it. I've been using it everyday in an attempt to tame my hair and calm  the frizz. My hair can't cope in this heat and goes full on crazy in the humidity.  It is not a good look! Since using the Finishing Polish there has been a slight but definitely noticeable difference in my hair. It's less frizzy and easier to manage. The product is really lightweight with a smooth, creamy consistency that doesn't leave the hair looking greasy or crispy. It also somehow manages to hold it's own against my wild curls and I love it for that. 

My Wish this week goes to MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Funk 

I bought this a million years ago and promptly forgot all about it until I rediscovered it lurking (sounds so sinister) at the back of my dressing table earlier this week. MUA is a high street brand that I like quite a lot, the make up is really good quality for the ridiculously low price you pay, although it can be a little bit hit and miss. This was definitely a miss. Now because I only paid £3.00 for this I was obviously not expecting perfection BUT I was expecting/hoping for a better formula. The formula is the main problem because I love everything else about this product. It is a really gorgeous blue-toned fuschia pink, the colour pay off is fantastic and it has a doe foot applicator so it's ridiculously easy to apply. Even the packaging is quite nice and suggests that it cost more than it actually did. However, the important bit, the formula really, really lets it down. Being a liquid lipstick with a matte finish some dryness is kind of expected, particularly when the product is this cheap. However the formula for the Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer is so drying that it actually irritated my lips to the point where they started to peel, which didn't hurt but was so gross and gave me the puckered pout of an old lady.  It also doesn’t last very long and needed to be reapplied a lot. By lunchtime it was really starting to get on my nerves and I wanted to take it off but, ironically, it was really difficult to remove and took me ages to get it off my lips. All in all I'm really not disappointed. It was so close to being amazing but the formula falls short. 

So those were my Stars & Wish for the week? What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Did anyone else have any problems with the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer? I want to know. Let me know either by commenting below or on twitter, using the #2StarsandAWish hashtag. If you do comment I do always reply so be sure to check back :) 

Anyway guys I'll be back on Friday with Friday I'm in Love #7 but until then you can follow me on twitter, facebook. BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily dose of Lolarocknroses :)

Love love love 

Friday I'm in Love #3

Friday I'm in Love #3

Saturday, 14 June 2014

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Sorry this is a day late had a bit of a hectic week but I hope everyone's had a lovely week and is enjoying the weekend. I'm now all moved out of my uni flat and am back at home, ready to start work on Monday. Can't quite believe it's all over. But enough about that. This week marks the third week anniversary of Friday I'm in Love, which I am weirdly super excited about. So let's dive straight into the things I've been loving this week. (I apologise about the crappy pictures - half of them were taken in my flat where the light is much better and the rest were taken in my room at home where the light is terrible.)

MAC Blush in Dame 

I bought this when I went to New York, nearly two years ago now, and it's not even close to running out yet. It is the most beautiful, rosy shade of pink that somehow manages to brighten up my ghostly pale complexion leaving me with dewy-looking, rosy cheeks. The consistency is beautiful, not at all chalky and it goes on like an absolute dream. I went home for the weekend a while back and left this behind and I was completely and utterly lost without it. I ended up buying like three blushers, none of which suited me quite the way this one does. It is my (whisper it) favourite blusher ever.

Paul Costelloe totebag 

Image via 

I got this for my birthday back in April and have been too afraid to use it for two reasons. 1) I am the clumsiest thing in the world and I don't want to hurt it because it's just so pretty and 2) it's too fancy for me. However recently I overcame this fear and fell totally in love with it.  Not only is it beautiful on the outside it's beautiful on the inside too as the lining is bloody gorgeous. I can fit literally everything in it (as someone who does not travel light this is essential in my handbags.)  I love it and I'm so glad that I was brave enough to use it, gladder still that I didn't end up hurting it. 

MUA eyeshadow pallet in Undressed 

I raved about Undressed's more neutral sister pallet Heaven & Earth in this weeks 2 Stars & A Wish. But I've since had the chance to test out Undressed and surprise, surprise I loved it. The colours are lovely, the shadows last a really long time without creasing, it's just gorgeous. MUA is one of my favourite drug store brands. From what I've experienced their make up is of a really good quality and cheap as chips... winner. 

Apple Cinnamon Tea

                   

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with ARD (Acid Reflux Disease) which basically means that I produce too much stomach acid (eww) particularly when I'm stressed and it makes me feel sick or like I'm gonna be sick all the time. Mostly it only rears it's ugly head when I am really stressing out or anxious, but certain things can exacerbate it and surprisingly milk is one of them so I had to give up  tea. As you can imagine I was devastated, being both British and a human, since then I have been looking for a tea to replace my morning cuppa and this is an excellent substitute. It's absolutely delicious and smells like Christmas and autumn and happiness.  Not only that but the health benefits are amazing. Apple tea is known to strengthen the immune system -I swear I haven't had a single cold since I started drinking it. It also helps fight arthritis, reduces the risk of certain cancers and lowers cholestrol. Combine that with the benefits of Cinnamon tea - which works as an anti-imflammatory, improves circualation and  fights viruses, to name but a few of it's properties - and you have Super Tea (sorry that was lame!). I love it, it's yummy and at 74p from Tesco it's a total bargain.

House MD 

Image Via

I know I am about 10 years late to the party with this one but being the loser t.v. addict that I am I had officially run out of good tv to watch. Until I discovered the wonder that is Dr. Gregory House. I only started watching this on Wednesday but have already finished season 1 because it is so good and I've been binge watching it. Plus I have a not so secret crush on Hugh Laurie (that doesn't scream out Daddy issues at all, not even a little bit). The writing is brilliant, the acting (particularly from Hugh Laurie) is more so and it's excellent television.  

SOTW: Running Wild by Jules Larson

This song came out in 2012 but I first heard it on Tuesday in the trailer for the film The Best of Me - which I cannot wait to see! I loved the book, I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan. Even though his books are a tad formulaic they're still always lovely!- Anyway this song is just so uplifting and lovely. It's the kind of song that makes me wish I was in love (alas! sadly I am not) but it's so sweet and happy. I love it. 

So those were my loves for the week. Let me know what you've been loving over the past 7 days using the hashtag #FridayIminLove. Again I apologise for the lateness. I'll be back on Monday where I will be talking about the dangers of the RomCom. Intrigued? You should be! Tehehe. 

Until then check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram and pinterest. 

Love love love xxx