You know lovelies it’s been a while since I posted about the most recent must-haves on the beauty scene and frankly that won’t do….. I literally NEED to tell you all about the latest and greatest make-up for W-day, B-Day and Just-because-I-want-to-look-extra-hot Day.
So after a weekend traipsing around the fancy department store counters in the Big Smoke I thought I’d share a bit of glossy love.
Seasonal Fingertips
As much as I adore a coral or a hot pink polish in the summer months come autumn I can’t help but fall in love all over again with the darker richer and altogether shiner hues on offer. Inspired by Vicky’s ( Love Is The Light That Guides Us) recent Big Day deep red nails I hit the Chanel counter to purchase a bottle of the famous Rouge Noir, as classic as any french manicure if you ask me……
Whilst admiring the new Chanel limited edition collection a particularly unusual and amazing shade of lilac/grey caught my eye -”Paradoxal”, got me a bottle of that too, sure to become a cult favourite in no time I bet.
And if you really REALLY want the shortest, sexiest, and most sultry digits on the planet I suggest you consider Black Satin. The secret goth in me would love to pull it off.
Burberry Does Beauty
Not content with just creating the flashiest beige mac’s in designer-ville those check loving fashionista’s at Burberry have gone and created a whole line of to-die-for cosmetics too.
A vast selection of easy-to-wear ( but never boring) neutrals with silky soft formula’s and what might be some of the most “I’m going to get my powder compact out just because it’s so darn beautiful” packaging I have ever witnessed.
I was at the Harrods concession a long while.
I tried on a lot of items.
Then I went and bought a lot of items. Um, oops….
I know I know lovelies, just can’t help myself 
Good news is I wore the luminous all in one powder foundation and it stayed looking air-brushed perfect ALL DAY. I also bought a lipstick in Cameo Pink and a lip liner in Nude Beige, together they make a lovely polished “wear anytime” lip…..I am having a complete love affair with my new purchases.
The Most Luscious Lashes?
Rebecca mentioned the new craze for lash growth serums a wee while back and not convinced by the hype I didn’t bother investing.
However…… when I read about the amazing results ladies had experienced with Rapidlash on a well respected beauty forum I simply had to give it a try. The recommendation is 8 weeks to see results however I’m on week 5 and there is some significant thickening and lengthening going on already. And most importantly no weird itchy/red eczema patches which is my main concern regarding any lotions or potions that go anywhere near my peepers.
Oh and I have also been slathering it on my brows in the hope they look a little less pathetic, earlier this week my beautician even mentioned they were looking “fuller”
Result!
Available at Boots stores nationwide.
* image courtesy of Shoot Photography
Charlotte Double Dare’s You
Those of you who didn’t read back through the comments on Laine and Danny’s wedding will be pleased to hear that the beautiful bride did in fact share her make-up bag secrets. And I was straight onto Maccosmetics.co.uk to purchase the gorgeous cremesheen gloss in Double Dare Laine wore on the Big day – the perfect pinky coral red.
I actually have a love/hate relationship with lipgloss, love the way it looks, hate the way it feels and find myself favouring lipstick or those lipstick/gloss hybrid’s that have a thicker, less sticky consistency.
MAC cremesheens are my new go-to for a natural day time lip as they are completely non goopy, they apply like butter and actually last longer than the majority of other brands I have tried.
And as it’s Thursday and as I think sometimes we just all need a bit of light relief I double dare you to share with us the naughtiest shopping trip you have indulged in, what you bought, why really you shouldn’t have and how much fun you had.
There is even a MAC Double Dare lipgloss up for graps for the funniest/most indulgent/naughtiest story……
Get commenting folks!
Big Daring Love
Charlotte xxx
P.S If you don’t fancy sharing your shopping trip news you can of course share a little bit of shopping bag news – I would love to know what new beauty buys you gorgeous lot have invested in recently…
I bought my lovely B’maids the Chanel nail polishes. A little pricey so I didn’t indulge myself too but I am slowly getting through my collection of nail inc (love it) so I can buy myself one. While I was trialing the colours they went on like a dream so will hopefully last just as well.
Charlotte did you like paradoxal? I want to wear a light grey colour for the wedding, I’ve bought a Nails Inc light grey, but think the lilac tones of the Chanel one sounds quite appealing! definately an excuse to go to the Chanel counter. I haven’t bought make up for ages or anything none wedding related fo that matter! although I do now have a perfect excuse having lost my favourite Dior bronzer and blusher at a festival at the weekend, yes I took my best make up to a festival and no looking back it wasn’t a good idea!
I think leighton denny does the most amazing nail varnish colours and his glass nail file is so good I could name my first born after him. I really miss buying make up and clothes and shoes still as my iWedding app on my phone tells me only 4 months 27 days 4 hours 51 minutes and 20 seconds to go til i can buy all that stuff again
Hi Bee,
Unbeknownst to Charlotte I have also bought paradoxical and I LOVE it. It’s a gorgeous sludgy muddy purple and being a bit fan of a short dark nail (rouge noir is my go-to shade for winter). It is very dark though, think graphite-y grey in tone so depends on what you want depth of tone wise.
I have to say, In the summer my fav is a pale grey (very pale) I bought from urban outfitters of all places, no idea of the brand name. That would totally rock as a bridal nail Bee.
Alice, I use the Leighton Denny matt base and miracle drops, plus my favorite manicurist is at a leighton Denny Nail bar (Harvey Nics in Manchester). Agreed, they are the best
.
Oh I do love a bit of make-up talk on a Thursday (can you tell I had saved up this post to read!?)
Ooh, how lilacy is the Paradoxal? I dont know if I want the classic french manicure for my big day, and it looks like the perfect shade to fit in with all my other lovely lilac things x
Aah, we posted at the same time. Thanks Rebecca x
Oh and my best splurge recently?
Without doubt Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser. Pricey at £32 but goes on like a dream, stays put and makes my skin look better than it ever has before. I’m a little bit obsessed.
xoxo
Its pay day today (v excited) and I get wed in 17 days!! That means a little trip to Space NK. The bestest, most calming place on earth. I feel at peace when I walk in there. I have been having my make up trials in there for a few weeks now and I have my wish list! Im off to buy some Laura Mercier silk finish foundation and there CAKE eyeliner is just the best. A lipgloss by the name of Sex Machine by nars will be my wedding day glossy. To ease my red (roseacea) skin I will also be purchasing some Chantecaille healing lily mask and some Darphin Redness Relief solution! Think i have no pennies left now…Do I have to pay the mortgage this month
xx
Serious question… the middle model on the Burberry ad. Is that a guy or a girl? The perfect lips make me think girl but the hair line and eyes make me think guy?!
I’d been missing the make up post… I bought the double dare and love it. You’re so right it does stay on for a long time. Apart from that having just moved home and seen the amount of lotions and potions I have I’m determined to use them up before buying more…
As the weather has turned thoughts are turning to autumn clothes. Currently lusting after an All Saints denim jacket and think I may have found this year’s winter boots already. Plus found a perfect pair of autumn patent mary janes in the Jigsaw sale and can’t wait to wear them out….
I purchased Clinique’s new roll on ‘All about eyes’ serum. Is extremely cooling and ‘de-puffing’ for those early moring starts! After a while, it helps concelear stay on better too! Brucey bonus! xx
Mmmmm make up……*Homer Simpson style* my fave subject. Haven’t been able to splurge for months due to the wedding, hope to have a blowout at the airport en-route to honeymoon on Sunday!
P.S. I had to buy Double Dare though, may even wear it on W-day
HI again,
Just saw TTDB’s comment. The picture above isn’t terribly representative of paradoxical… if you look at the dirty sludgy colour at the sides of the bottle on the picture, thats much closer to how it actually looks. The purple sheen is very subtle on. Hope that helps.
Rachael – definitely a girl
…and Rachel – I can feel a fashion post coming on…
. Been thinking exactly the same myself!
xoxo
Given that I am supposed to be saving for a house (a house, people! they don’t come cheap! but our flat really can’t contain all my bits) I have been really, really bad this month. I have bought 1) a hideously pricey beige mac (sadly I don’t yet look like the models above in it, maybe I should stick on sunglasses and pout more), 2) the most ridiculously sexy low-cut YLB silk red dress that I actually have nowhere to wear, so might just wear around the flat, 3) a Phase Eight blue and black knee-length frock with a poufy skirt that I’m slightly concerned makes me look like an extra at the rodeo, and 4) my new must-have…
Shu Uemura UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30
This baby lets NOTHING slide off your face. Ever. Love.
PS – wore abovementioned mac to work today in a fit of excitement about it and nearly expired through overheating on the Tube. Perhaps August isn’t optimum mac month….
Right, I have just totted up how much money I have spent in MAC in the last 6 months (yes, 6 months ie not even a year) and it came to well over two hundred smackers!! and that’s just MAC!!
then I had to have a little sit down and a cup of tea
then another cup of tea
then I thought about how I could possibly justify getting my seemingly now boringly coloured nails round the little bottle of autumn/winter glamour that is chanel’s black satin.
My personal view is that I’m definitely allowed as its definitely autumn now as we lit the fire last night. Plus they would seriously rock out with my black and red lady dragons (which are also your fault Charlotte).
I might actually have to stop reading these makeup posts before they bankrupt me!!
r.now x x x
PS I think I may actually be in love with mac’s cremesheens, the perfect lovechild of lipstick and gloss.
My most ridiculous, heat-of-the-moment, panic-driven, stupidstupidstupid recent purchase?
A Gym Membership. *Gag*
Why did I do it? My Alice Palmer Bodycon dress. That’s why. I love her with all of my heart and am terrified that, come October 16th and the biggest party my family has ever seen, she won’t love me.
So to the swanky gym that runs along the top of my office I go…so far have only been able to face swimming and Yoga. Am scared.
X
A post sent from heaven on this miserable and wet Thursday morning!
MAC Paint pots are magical and the finish DOES.NOT.BUDGE! Gently pack on, and build up the colour with loose pigment (everyone needs MAC Vanilla Pigment in their life, I promise you!) I am a bridal make up artist and all my clients tell me the Paint and Pigment combo lasts until the Tuesday after their wedding. Well, almost.
Disappointed no-one’s shared their naughty shopping trips yet… I could do my Champagne at the Ritz followed by drunk shopping in Louis Vuitton in Selfridges. But it’s really not big and it’s really not clever
I purchased my first ever Chanel nail polish only 2 months ago! A gorgeous bright pink limited edition one. I wore it everyday on my summer hol and everytime I looked at my nails I smiled! They were so pretty! I’m definately going to have to invest in the 3 colours featured here.
And naughty shopping trips – this month I have spent £170 on 2 dresses and some gorgeous leather chocolate brown boots from Monsoon for my autumn wardrobe and am now almost skint with 3 weeks to go till pay day and its a 5 weekend month for me! Wooops! I tell myself that they are good long term/wearable investments which makes me feel slightly better
Ooh, what a perfect post for a downright vile Thursday! Paradoxal has been on my “need” list for a while now – think I feel a Saturday shopping trip coming on!
Bee – have you tried Nails Inc Jermyn Street? It’s like a mink colour (sounds weird, bear with me…) like Chanel’s Particuliere that was huge recently, but has really lovely lilac undertones that make it v pretty. I’m normally a dark grey/rouge noir kinda gal but I love it and I’ve never had so many comments on a nail varnish before. Lasts a dream, too.
For anyone looking to vamp it up, Chanel’s Black Velvet is the matte version of Black Satin – very, very cool, gives you Batman nails! Also more fashioney than goth.
Ok, better make it TWO Saturday shopping trips ;o)
Can I just stick my neck out a bit and say that I have never bought a Chanel nail varnish because I think Rimmel do amazing sexy autumnal ones that appear to be similar colours…I’m wearing Urban Purple at the mo which is a sexy dark on a short nail…am I missing out hugely? Do the Chanel polishes have better lasting power? Better colours? Will it be like when I thought people were stupid for shelling out for high-end makeup and then I put Clinique Almost Makeup on and went…”ah, I SEE!!”
Make up is my most favourtie thing, and I’m very lucky to work make up brand, giving you all the London Look
I’ve got a new “yet to be released” nail top coat that makes your nails MATT and not shiny. It’s super strange at first but I now love it and always get a comment when I wear it. It’s best over dark colours, I wore it over black last week and my nails looked like chalk boards. A.Mazing!
I can’t do Chanel polish, chips like a mofoe on me which is tres depressing as they have the most beautiful colours.
I recently dropped a whole heap of cash on the Dior counter in Wimbledon, their new minerals Nude foundation is so good and is now my wedding foundation. And their Black Out mascara is fabulous at giving me Monroe like peepers. Heart heart heart that.
Ahhhh, make up Thursday
x
‘Tis ok Anna-it’s not just you. I thought it was just me, but like Holly Pockett Chanel varnishes chip like a b*tch on me, as do Nails Inc. I’m yet to find a better brand colour/variety/staying power-wise than Barry M, and £2.95 each means I can have them ALL!
And Holly- I love the sound of this magical top coat-am excited!
x
Where was Double Dare two weeks ago? I’ve been hunting for the perfect pink lipstick after Laura Mercier discontinued Hydrangea. Double Dare is perfect. I’m gutted and I have a confession to make….I’ve been spending far too much money at makeup counters whilst looking for a new pink lipstick.
I went to Space NK and ended up walking away with some posh eye cream, mattifying lotion and completely the wrong shade of pink lipstick. (I was on my hen weekend and went shopping after drinking cocktails – bad idea).
I’ve been to Nars, RMK and Laura Mercier in Selfridges and I did the same again. I can’t walk away from a make up counter without buying something.
So I’m now left with loads of potions, eyeliners, lipliners, nail varnish, lip gloss, eyeshadows and various makeup brushes but still no bloomin’ lipstick. Oh and I’m also not looking forward to seeing this months bank statement – oops!
We’ll just have to go without a wedding cake or something to cover my recent shopping spree.
Teresa x
I’m hugely in love with MAC creemsheen too, fave colour is creme cup-the bestest pale pink colour i’ve found. Living in Edinburgh it’s impossible to wear gloss if you have long hair as its constantly windy here, so you end up walking around with half a head of hair stuck to your bottom lip, trying to brush the gloop out of your barnet with one hand whilst trying to hold down your skirt with the other, or is this just me….?
I blame Charlotte and her makeup posts for bringing out the inner girl in me (I had previously been known as a bit of a tomboy when it comes to prinking and pampering stuff). Recent posts include
- NARS lip gloss in Chelsea Girls (which you featured a couple of months ago)
- Laura Mercier tinted foundation which is a-ma-zing, especially the illuminating one (yes… I bought two!)
- MAC eyebrow gel for blondes – it’s so natural looking and really adds definition
- Georgio Armani lipstick – really lovely beigey nudey colour and it has a magnetised top which is SO COOL and very clickety-click.
- Creme De La Mer facecream. I know. £92 a jar! But I have to say… my skin has never looked better.
I am now looking for the perfect powder to set all of this for the W-day… and will be nabbing that after my next paypacket. Any suggestions welcomed!
Bearing in mind my little sister is doing my wedding day makeup, I could say I have saved on the cost of an artist, but with all these recent purchases, I’d be telling porky pies…!
Hi Lovelies!
You are so entertaining, have just laughed my little socks off at some of your comments. So glad it is not just me that can’t walk past a make-up collection without buying something…..
Linzi – I have a chanel gloss on today and my hair is now covered in it. I may not be in Edinburgh but it sure is windy in the Midlands.
Glad there is a lot of love for cremesheens – they are the best.
Oh and were you missing the make-up posts? I have more coming next week … Yay!
Charlotte xxx
Get yourself back to Laura Mercier Lexi, for their translucent powder.
Regarding the nail varnish, I think the main thing with all of them is preparing your nails. I always make sure they are filed, and use my base coat which I find makes anything stick, Then I use a Rimmel Top coat for shine and durability. Makes a whole lot of difference, and although time consuming, is preferable to wasting your time then having it chip off the next day and be unwearable. My pet hate is taking it all off.
Bee – I do LOVE it but as Rebecca mentioned it is more urban cool than “pretty” – totally depends on what you have in mind. MAC have a beautiful military grey coming out in their feline collection due in September, Barry M also do a few different grey shades.
Lexi – I would recommend Chanel’s loose powder if you are after a more glowy look, Laura Mercier is more matt. I have Chanel in “peche” which is a yellow/peachy tint – counteracts redness and is very natural looking. Go and try out both and see what you think!
Holly – I want the matt nail stuff?! Where can I get me some?!
Lizzie MC – I fear my story is similar Pet. Drunk shopping in Glasgow, bought many items would never wear, some even in the wrong size……
Charlotte xxx
thanks Rebecca I will have a look at paradoxal and the Nails inc Jermyn st. Laura both sound what I’m looking for!
@ Teresa – who needs cake when you have pretty makeup?!
r.now
I’m very much looking forward to trotting off to Selfridges this weekend yellow post-it note in hand after jotting down all your tips! It’s my birthday on Sunday …. I therefore must have new treats!! I’m loving the sound of the Shu Uemura Under Base as I’ve been after something to make things “stick” for a while – thanks for that tip Anna K! Anyone else got any desert island products in that department, particularly for oily skin?
And Linzi it is most definitely not just you on the hair / lipgloss sticking debarcle… I have chin length hair ideal for making me look like “Cousin It” when the Manchester wind blows!
x x x
oh I didn’t see that post Charlotte – I’ll have a look at those too thank you x
Rachael -definitely a girl (always check the adams apple)
My whole month has been one naughty shopping spree. Had a make up trial at space nk 2 weeks ago and ended up buying half the shop…Nude was doing a special offer and ended up getting the most amazing facial cleansing oil which has improved my skin dramatically in just 3 weeks! Also got some serum and face mask, laura mercier primer and tinted moisturiser (agreed with all the ladies, AMAZING glow) and creme blush. Just trying to work out how to restrain myself coz I still need to go back for some lippie…
Then, as if I hadnt shopped enough, the next day I ‘popped’ into the Louboutin store and accidently decided to buy a pair of shoes to go with the evening dress I’m changing into for the sending away part of the evening… Seriously naughty considering I already have two pairs of Jimmy Choos lined up for the big day. Oopss….
Oooh make up!
The latest addition to my make up kit is Bare Escentuals mineral make up. Stays put on my oil slick all day long and is so simple to use. I used it on a bride last year and her skin glowed from morning to evening. I am using it on myself next sat (Wedding day!) as it works well on problematic skin (I have hormonal outbreaks at the moment and it disguises these nasty blemishes like a dream)
So chuffed to read about double dare, i’ve been hunting for wedding day lippy for weeks now so I’m gonna order myself one! I was just gonna use Vaseline lip care in Rose but the lasting power is pants.
Speaking of pants, where can i get nice pants from for underneath my wedding dress??
Jenny xx
oh and desert island product (not technically make up) its my cleanser from liz earle cleanse and polish I have terrible skin oily with eczema shiney and flakey!! and its brilliant
YES! bridal underwear it seems to be a terrible extreme of beige spanks or some black leather crotchless little number that would see my beloved heading for the nearest fire escape. any thoughts?
I love how this has started with lush nail varnish and now we’re onto pants :-p
I guess this all depends on your lovely dress Jenny, but the one thing they’ll have in common is NVPLness. Non Visble Panty Line-ness.
Some great seameless (as opposed to crotchless, eeeek!) numbers in of course, M&S. I’ve got Superman logo pants from TopShop. No-one is going to see them apart from Mr S (if he’s lucky) and I fear it will give me super-strength and super-powers throughout the day. Sorry for hijacking sophisticated post about sophisticated pretty with comedy pants. But TopShop do some fabulous ones!
Jenny – I’ve just picked mine up from Debenhams this week, after looking absolutely everywhere (and talking myself out of paying £40+ for the Elle & Cee ones) they have lots of pretty styles in ivory etc. I bought 2 pairs as I couldn’t decide, one was even in the sale!
there’s always time for comedy pants in my view!
seriusly though, nice, not-a-million-pounds, not granny-ish or completely harlot-ish underwear is so hard to find!
any tips?
I wore (my something) blue pants for w-day from M and S – pale blue chiffon with white polka dots, and a frill at either side, with hot pink edging and bow on the font. Lush. Big dress = No knicker issues
I think they cost about £3!
Jenny – I used to use BareMinerals but found it took way too long to apply perfectly – no problem on w-day but disaster every work day!
xoxo
Aisling – Barry M nail varnishes with their ’3in1′(topcoat/base/strengthener) last about 5 days on my nails. Chanel lasts about 5 minutes, even professionally applied.
Saw my manicurist once when wearing just the 3in1 and she was amazed by it and demanded to know who I’d been (nail)cheating on her with. She didn’t believe it was only 3 quid!
Lush post & comments = awesome rainy afternoon reading.
I agree with tho, I have been missing the make-up posts (being a make-up phobe they have helped me A LOT…not the bank balance however)
For my birthday last week I booked myself into MAC for a trial…I LOVED it and so did the boy, and my lovely fella treated me to pretty much everything the lovely lady used! My faves have to be the eyelash curlers & Love Nectar Lustreglass. Seriously how have I lived without these wonderful things…so muchos thanks to you Mrs O’Shea.
(and as much as I love nail varnish, I have big old man hands so it just loks awful on me!)
Hey Miss Recycle Now. I’m not joking about the wedding cake and the way I’m heading my H2B won’t be able to have any new shoes or a nice shirt to go with the suit he’s wearing for our wedding.
The other week i went to buy my bridesmaid some pretty makeup as a thankyou gift for organising such a lovely hen weekend but I couldn’t bring myself to buy someone else makeup. I wouldn’t have been able to hand it over to her. Terrible aren’t I?
Can I just second Laura’s shout for Nails Inc Jermyn Street. I’m a nail varnish fiend and have never ever ever had as many compliments on my figures as when where this one.
Sorry – that should say ‘when wearing this one’. The nail polish fumes must have gone to my head!
I never usually wear make-up, but decided that for the wedding, with all the photos, I wanted to wear some – cue a trip to Mac…I think I may have finally, at the grand old age of 25, joined the make-up revolution; I’m suddenly addicted to the stuff and a post like this is very well-timed!! I tried to be restrained when I had my lesson at Mac so *only* bought about £150 worth of goodies…however, now I can’t stop thinking about the lovely products I left behind!
As for pants, try Calvin Klein – I’ve spent the last 6months or so searching for a cream strapless bra that is both pretty and doesn’t make my boobs some strange shape – I have finally found it in CK and the matching pants are smooth but still pretty
Pants and make-up, an excellent discussion!! xx
I had to join in one this one, all the make-up talk is exciting enough but when it moved onto pants I had to chip in! Having tried on about £270 of the Agent Provocateur Love range in ivory I realised I couldn’t justify its not just because of the price but it just didn’t look that good! Then I came across the Janet Reger Saskia basque and undies (all came to £40)sooooo flattering–am going to change into them on the wedding night and surprise the new hubby (if he’s still conscious):) and as my dress requires no bra I treated myself to the AP LOVE pants for the day! I am a happy chappy indeedy!
Make-up…well my h2b isn’t a big fan of you Charlotte or Rebecca! In the last 2 months he has spied my new product purchases and in my defense I have cowardly blamed the massive dent in our budget on this site–teehee!!
Products purchased after advice on RMW- Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, the primer, the translucent powder, Eve Lom cleanser (BEST thing ever…skin perfection)and Rouge Coco by Chanel lippie (divine)!
Still some more shopping to be done though I feel! Pen in hand am making notes from this post!
I also have crummy hands and nails so nail polish doesn’t really do it for me!