Do you find that everything in your make-up collection runs out at the same time?
I do.
A few weeks ago I came to put my face on only to discover that I had no concealer, a dry mascara wand, a stubby lipstick that I tried (and failed) to dig out with a lipbrush and various bottles and compacts of nearly-all-used and mostly congealed base.
Not at all glamorous.
So, in a bid to a) look half decent b) not be embarrassed to flash my beauty bag in public, I decided it was high time to hit the shops and have a full on re-stock. And being a product junkie and all, I’ve got to tell you, it was in no way a chore.
Having already planned a trip to an event at Wimbledon and having seen various must-haves and recommendations in my monthly glossy magazines that you can only purchase in the capital, it seemed London was cosmetics-a-calling.
Pixi Beauty
Just off Carnaby street is the loveliest little pale green boutique called Pixi Beauty. Inside it’s like heaven, with row upon row of beautifully packaged delights. Pixi was launched over ten years ago by make-up artist Petra Strand and has a world-wide cult following focusing on products that actually treat the skin as well as instantly beautify.
What Charlotte Bought: The product I had read about being brilliant was illuminating tint and conceal, a glowy tinted moisturiser with a concealer in the lid. I know. Clever. The shade I purchased was fair, a very pale gold. It goes on like silk and doesn’t look like you are wearing anything at all. Love.
Always one for a multi-tasking product I treated myself to Lip and Line in pale petal, a budge proof lipstick and liner in one. It’s a pretty pink/beige colour that’s perfect for a Bardot-esque pout.
I noticed that the cute sales assistant had amazing lashes. Like amazing. Glossy, separated and longer than long. She uses Lash Booster in black/blue apparently. Naturally I bought some of that too. And it holds up against my hay-fever induced eye streaming. Result.
Make-up Store
Just down from Pixi Beauty actually on Carnaby Street itself is the Make-Up Store. Which for want of a better expression it’s basically like MAC on crack. Think a zillion million colours of everything imaginable and times that by ten. That’s the Make-Up store.
What Charlotte Bought: I’ll be honest. There was so much to choose from I almost got a bit dizzy. Then I spotted the glitter eyeliner gel in the silver hued Diamond and knew it would add a delicious fine sparkle to an evening eye. It did. It does.
Next I succumbed to what is fast becoming the greatest lipliner EVER. It’s soft, it’s creamy and it doesn’t slide. I bought “Cherie” a girlish pink.
Topshop Own Brand
Ok so I admit to being a bit slow on the uptake here. I knew Topshop had an in-house cosmetics line, I just didn’t realise it was any good. Well it is. And it’s dirt cheap too.
What Charlotte Bought: I think the nail polish shades in general are fab. I went for “Peeping Tom“, an orange coral for shiny summer toes.
On the lips front (yes I know I went a bit OTT in this area for one trip) I opted for a very bridal-inspired lip glaze in “dash” and a look-at-me pinky red lipstick in Brighton Rocks.
As I’ve probably mentioned before I am a huge fan of Christian Dior skinflash for under eye highlighting. However, it is almost prohibitively expensive, especially as I get through it like ruddy water. Topshop do a similar product called Brighten. It’s not quite as flawless as CD but for only 7 quid it’s definitely worth a butchers.
So then lovelies, do you use any of the brands above?
Bought anything new recently that the RMW community should know about?
Do tell.
Big Now Totally Re-Stocked Love
Charlotte xxx
MAC on Crack. Amazeballs. such a good description!
I’m obsessed with the Topshop makeup packaging. I just want to line it all up on my desk!
1. As above, there should be no wanting of a better expression than “Mac on Crack”. Do not want for it. It doth not exist.
2. Topshop bronzer LOVE! Discovered it just in time for W-day and now would not be without it.
Px
@Victoria and @Penny I’m glad you approve. it just seemed fitting, the packaging was similar to MAC but there was SO MUCH STUFF. I thought I might go cross eyed.
I have not tried the bronzer! Must try next time I am there – will it change my life?
Charlotte xxx
Pixi Beauty is round the corner from my W-Day shop…..Uh oh!
That mascara looks like a winner. I love the idea of not having to compromise on volume for waterproof-ness.
W-Day – errr meant W-Dress. I am not buying my entire wedding from a shop – although that would be good.
imagine a whole shop just of weddings! ha!!
charlotte its a ruddy good job i’m going on my honeymoon on friday (woot!!) and will not be in london before then.
damn you and your makeup posts, if there’s one thing I don’t need (in a ‘totally needing it’ kind a way) its new makeup
big ‘looking forward to being in duty free on payday!’ love
mrs r.now x x x
By far one of the things I loved most about my w-day planning was testing and purchasing my new makeup kit – I still stil down with my new bag (free gift from Lancome – temperley make up bag
and go through my perfect face kit!!
My 2 best buys were Smashbox primer (how I survived without this for so long is beyond me) and my blusher!! Being quite fair, I have always struggled with getting a perfect cheek colour, and then I found MAC Pinch O’ Peach – perfect.
My make up was my biggest splurge for the wedding, but I got so many compliments that my close friend has asked me to do her make up for her wedding in August!!!! I cried (but my perfectly made up eyes did not budge an inch
Also, as this is my first post as a married lady, I will sign off as follows:
Mrs Donna
xx
Charlotte – I love you and hate all you all at the same time right now!!!
Love because I adore these posts and all its gorgeous helpful prettyness
Hate because I now I want to go an absolute fortune on all this stuff when I should be saving for my PGCE!!!
Damn it! Maybe I’ll just treat myself to the odd thing……
xoxo
P.S – Congratulations MRS Donna! x
How funny that today my make-up bag(s) needs replenishing, desperately.
I thought I had been really good because I purchased everything online instead of popping into the shops and visiting the makeup counters because I know I would have spent double, triple, err quadruple the amount I have spent today. But I must say – buying makeup over the Internet is sooooo dull compared to milling around the shops. And after reading about your recent shopping trip I am very jealous. Why oh why are these amazing makeup shops not in every town?!?
@ Keika… Uh oh sorry
Topshop is a bargain though, maybe just one little teeny treat from there?
@Donna – Congratulations!!!
Charlotte xxx
Charlotte – well I am popping into London this weekend – perhaps I could treat myself to some lipstick from Pixi whilst I’m there! But you are most definitely forgiven!
xxx
I have to be honest … makeup scares the pants off me! I wear a bit but I’m not great at doing it – I either look the same day or night, OR if I try to experiment, I look like I’ve been punched in the face. I hate shopping for it cos the makeup ladies at counters are always heavily made up and I never know what to ask for / about. And they want me to buy everything from one place. So I usually do because otherwise I have to go through the same scary process somewhere else too.
I need a make-up shopper to tell me where to go and what to buy and what will look good and who won’t laugh at me cos I know nothing about make-up! Any volunteers?!
Shirley -take Charlotte!!! She’ll see you right and you’ll end up looking like the most gorgeous version of your already beautiful self!!!
xxx
Shirley – I totally sympathise! That’s exactly what I feel..
Keika – excellent idea, can I come too???
Oh I really want to try that illuminating tint and concealer, but I don’t live anywhere near a shop and and afraid to buy online as I wouldn’t know what shade to get – aargh!
Also, someone mentioned knot-free individual eyelashes on a post once but I can’t find it! I think they said Ardell, and I think they said the short ones were really natural looking – can anyone remember??
I love that I am being pimped out as an personal make-up shopper
Anytime ladies anytime!!!
Charlotte xxx
Next time you’re in London Charlotte, you can take me and my credit card on a make-up shopping spree! I’m being serious … I have no clue about it all, especially the bits like illuminators and primers and liners. The MAC ladies usually kit me out with a light foundation, mascara and blush but thats about my limit. Everything else is a mystery!
Um love the posts about makeup!
I purchased the ysl beige tribute lipstick because of your comments on it I love it but since then bought a Matt nars one which is gorge too!
I love topshop bronzer!! Highly recommend nars sheer glow foundation.
Xx
@Hannah then you need the make-up store lipliner in Cherie, it’s goes beautifully with the YSL Beige Tribute
Charlotte xxx
Yay make up!
I have yet to try topshop, I did look at a few bits not long ago but was rushing round to get clothes and didn’t have time to mull over it all.
I have recently snapped up some Barry M nail polishes which are a bargain but I am undecided yet, they take a fair few coats to get to that all over colour.
I also got a YSL primer that I haven’t used before which is pretty good if a little strong smelling.
I have got and love a new Benefit eyeshadow called Leggy which is a pretty shimmer for day or night really. And two benefit lipsticks which I like but just wish would last a bit longer. Lovely pink colours though. Oh and Clinique airbrush concealer I love too!
I have a list as long as my arm of products to try from RMW posts like these haha! I love it! x
ooo shirley, I would totally take you out makeup shopping!! shopping for makeup with no guilt? I’m there!
mrs r.now x x x
Hi charlotte thankyou for that… May have to see if I can order that online!!
I love the nude lip look.
Going for that for my wedding day! Fool proof I hope xxxx