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Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 November 2013
New hair! Before and after...
I love a radical hair change, and for AW13 I really wanted a new look. I opted for a choppy chocolate bob with copper tones running through, with a new side parting.
I change my hair quite often, here's a few pics from the last few years of my most recent styles... It's amazing how much a hair cut/colour can change your look!
Monday, 30 September 2013
New Clarins AW13 Collection Review
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| Clarins AW13 collection |
Whether it's the regal red velvet-smooth gold packaging, or the slightly higher price bracket, I just didn't think Clarins was a brand for a metropolitan girl in her early twenties.
But after trialling out a hefty cross-section of the AW13 collection, I have been swayed. The products are classy, soft, pigment-rich and beautiful... and I definitely didn't look like my powdery-at-the-edges Aunt Maude. So it's a side order of humble pie for me, please.
NEW: Clarins Instant Concealer, £20
This new concealer is REALLY good. It has a creamy, rich texture that gives long-lasting coverage of those pesky dark circles, and has caffeine extract to reduce puffiness. The packaging is lightweight and handbag handy, perfect if you're a busy bee. One of my top concealers of the year.
I'm quite fussy when it comes to foundations, but this one feels really lovely on the skin. It's like a hybrid of a moisturiser and a foundation - really thick and creamy - and smells like fresh cucumber wipes!
It did sit a little bit awkwardly on dry skin patches, but this was easily fixed with a spot of moisturiser. The science part is quite impressive, with anti-aging plant extracts, omega 9 and 6, and organic argan oil to preserve suppleness and protect from dehydration. It also claims to plump skin, and contains 'soft focus pigments' to reflect light in the most flattering of fashions. Ohhh la la!
I gave it a good trial and was impressed with the smell, feel, finish and lastability. The only thing that didn't hit the mark was the packaging, which is not travel friendly and is nigh on impossible to use without getting foundation EVERYWHERE. But maybe I'm just a mucky pup!
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| Clarins Extra-Comfort SPF15 foundation swatch |
Clarins Crayon Khôl in Platinum, Intense Blue, Taupe, £17 each
I haven't stopped wearing these pigment-rich Crayon Khôl pencils since I added them to my make-up bag. So soft and flattering due to the shimmering, beautiful colours. They are double ended with a natural hair brush applicator on the other side, really handy for creating subtle smouldering finish.
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| Clarins Crayon Khôl in Platinum swatch |
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| 736 Pink Camellia, 738 Spicy Cinnamon and 737 Royal Plum |
My favourite launch from the AW13 are the three beautiful colours added to the Joli Rouge Lipstick range - 736 Pink Camellia, 737 Royal Plum and 738 Spicy Cinnamon. They are SO hydrating and glossy, simply lovely on the lip. Unlike other lipsticks, I didn't get any of the dreaded dry-out, and the colour stayed put for hours. The Royal Plum shade is a bold deep aubergine that was really popular in early 2013, and I expect it will come back strong as we head into the winter months. Pink Camellia is my personal favourite, it looks fantastic with green eyes.
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| Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in 736 Pink Camellia, 737 Royal Plum, 738 Spicy Cinnamon swatch |
This clever little mascara is packed with genius ingredients, like a peptide to promote lash growth and panthenol to strengthen. I was surprised by the tiny brush, but it was great at catching all the little lashes in the corners of the eye. Great precision for super-defined, clump-free lashes.
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| Clarins Be Long Mascara swatch |
I am in love with this magical-forest inspired Eye Quartet Mineral Palette. It may be on the pricey side, but it is so beautiful. The packaging is classy through and through, and the shadows are shimmering delights. With khaki green, satin taupe, intense bronze and pale gold shadows, this palette is fantastic for complimenting green and brown eyes. I wear with the Crayon Khôl in Taupe to complete the look.
What do you think of the new AW13 collection? Let me know by leaving a comment below or by commenting on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page, or tweeting @PoutOutProud xx
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Finding the perfect fragrance with Selfridges fragrance buyer Mark Tranter
Finding the perfect fragrance for you is no easy task. I need my scent to really say something about me, a way of reaching out and giving people a little hint at my personality, before I've even said hello. This means that I wear my perfume for others, Mark Tranter, fragrance buyer for Selfridges, informs me.
Fragrance is so personal, that even the way you wear it is bespoke. Do you wear your perfume as an expression, or do you wear it because the smell is attractive to you? Do you opt for a head-to-toe dowse or a subtle spritz? Is it about a familiar smell which make you feel at ease? Would you rather have a trademark scent, or a scent for every season? Do you have a fragrance which can instantly take you back to a time, a place, or a person?
Needless to say, I love the intricacies of finding the perfect perfume. It is just so wonderfully indulgent. I was intrigued to hear that Selfridges are making a conscious effort to broaden their spectrum of fragrance, offering more than just the high street fads, so that customers can really find the fragrance which hits their needs. I was put in the capable hands of Tracy, who works on the fragrance counter in Exchange Square, Manchester, to help me find the scent for me. Instead of being left to peruse hundreds of bottles of perfume, with sticks of white paper coming out my ears, Tracy first asked me a few questions. 'What perfume do you wear now?' 'What made you choose that perfume?' 'What do you like in a perfume?' And from my answers, she was able to provide a mini analysis on my fragrance desires - I'm a lover of floral but not too sweet - and brought a cross section of scents to try.
Refreshing.
After sampling the shortlist on paper, I narrowed it down to two scents to try on the skin.
- Acqua Florentina by CREED, a family-owned perfume house which has gone from father to son through seven generations
- Eau de Parfum by Bottega Veneta, the high-end fashion label, known for drawing on their quality leather goods in their fragrance
Before buying any scent, you should always test on the skin, to see how the oils react. Tracy informed me that you should always spritz perfume on the under section of your forearm, never on the neck area, as this can result in pigmentation due to the alcohol content.
The Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum has a heady, sensual, floral base - a gorgeous scent for the winter months. But for me, Creed Acqua Florentina was my perfume nirvana. A clear winner. It's got a heavy price tag, but a light spritz goes a long way. I wore this fragrance on a first date (yes, I know!) on Saturday, and every time I reached for my handbag I noticed a wave of deliciousness. It's beautifully floral and so sophisticated.
How do you find your perfect scent? Let me know by commenting below, tweeting @PoutOutProud or commenting on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Pop it while it's hot: Clinique Runway Coral Long Last Lipstick
Oh yes, I have finally found my lip shade of choice for summer 2013, and it's Runway Coral Long Last Lipstick by Clinique, £16.50. So fruity and fresh, I love the soft brightness of a good coral lippy.
It's the perfect colour for sunny festivals (see my recent venture to Parklife in Manchester below) as it's really vibrant yet moisturising and long-lasting on the lip. I cannot get enough of this one!
To complete the festival look, I liberally spritzed TIGI salt spray in the locks, used Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer on my skin for a brightening glow, with an added touch of bronze thanks to He-Shi Express Liquid Tan on the pins!
What's your favourite festival look? Let me know by commenting below or tweeting @PoutOutProud xx
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
New fringe, new make-up look!
New bangs! As you may know, I change my hair almost as often as my bed linen, and I've just had a new blunt fringe put in for summer (it sits well with the 'Bans, my dears)
I've got rather small eyes, so I have to ramp up the eye make-up so my little peepers can compete with my new mahoosive fringe. Here's a look I went for when I first had it cut in:
I mainly used the Urban Decay Naked Palette, £36 (such a good investment!) using the deep brown of Darkhorse on the outer edge of the eye, the golden shade of Halfbaked across the lid, with the smouldering black of Creep for extra depth along the lash line and outer edge. I used MAC Cosmetics shadow in Nylon around the tear duct area as a highlight.
Want to see a particular make-up look? Tweet @poutoutproud and let me know, I'd love to hear your suggestions xxx
Monday, 10 June 2013
Smouldering Dusky Pink Shadow (Urban Decay Naked Palette)
Always a shadow fiend, I bought the Urban Decay Naked Palette, £36 recently, and it is amazing. The colour palette amazingly versatile, a collection of staple shadows which should be in every make-up bag.
Here's a look I created using Sin (a light shimmery pink), Toasted (satin pink) and Hustle (deep purple)
Such a good colour combination for green eyes!
I used a clean, soft shadow brush in circular motions to create a gorgeous smokey finish.
Want to see a particular make-up look? Tweet @poutoutproud and let me know, I'd love to hear your suggestions xxx
Monday, 20 May 2013
Weekly Product Pick: Lancôme launch NEW Hypnôse Star Eyes Palettes (as featured in Grazia)
Lancôme have released a brand new range of Hypnôse eye palettes, and I really love this one in Gris Fumé. The compact is classic Lancôme, so stylish. The smouldering pinks and greys are gorgeous, they really compliment blue eyes. So beautiful!
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Wednesday, 1 May 2013
NARS Cosmetics Summer Color Collection 2013
NARS Cosmetics Summer 2013 Collection (a few key pieces from the range)
NARS cosmetics have launched their eye-popping new range for summer 2013, and I'm totally bowled over. It's bright, it's bold, I love it. They've stayed true to their core brand values, no frills necessary, just punchy, daring, high quality products.
Who said colour blocking was just for a killer outfit? NARS have released this 'fashion forward' palette with canary yellow (Dandelion) and chalky purple (African Violet) shades. I dampen my shadow brush before application to maximise the intensity of these shades. Wear it fierce, or don't wear it at all.
This amazing shade is summer 2013 in a few strokes. NARS have managed to strike trend-gold with this hyper-bright orange tang of varnish, as orange is going to be HUGE as the weather warms. I 100% love it... a gorgeous statement for the talons.
Of the three pieces I have chosen to review, my shock winner is the NARS Multi-Use Stick in Puerto Vallerto. I really did underestimate how much I would like this stick. The sweet tangerine shade looks as though it will be too dark to suit fairer skin tones, but it blends in perfectly due to the light, creamy consistency. I had to swatch on my dear friend Anna's cheeks to show just how much of a beautiful warmth it adds. A sun-kissed, sheer and sexy look.
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Saturday, 20 April 2013
Eyewear: Hot Trends for Fabulous Eyes
My latest beauty love is a creative sweep of shadow. You can make a real difference to your make-up look, without going OTT/drag-tastic/scary panda.
My top tips are to blend, blend, blend. Invest in a decent shadow brush, as the applicators you get with palettes are usually really naff. And gradually build up colour intensity from light to dark, so you don't end up looking like Patchy McPatcherson.
Pre dance floor last weekend, I put my new found love into action on a few of my nearest and dearest. Here's the results:
Look 1: Sensual Dusky Pink
Look 2: Molten Gold Feline Flick
Look 3: Soft Smouldering Bronze
What eye make-up look will you be wearing this weekend? Tweet @poutoutproud with your favourite eye make-up looks. xx
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Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Millie Mackintosh Lashes... Fabulous, darling.
Made in Chelsea is back in our lives, and yes, I'm rather happy about it. Thanks to the MIC brigade, I do not think twice about popping on a faux fur head piece to nip to the corner shop and pick up a two-pinter of red-top milk. Thank you, Chelsea, thank you.
I digress. This week, I invested in a pair of Millie Mackintosh lashes. Millie: Star of Made in Chelsea, fiancée to Professor Green (what a strange world we live in), and creator of fabulous lashes. I'd heard good things about the range, and I'm very pleased to say that the results exceeded my expectations. In a market of celebrity endorsements which can be, quite frankly, totally naff, these lashes are total pearlers.
Here's my finished eye make-up look, with the false lashes to finish:
Brows: HD Brows palette in Bombshell, Eyeliner: ArtDeco High Precision Liquid Liner, Eyeshadow: Revlon New ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Palette in Brazen
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Tuesday, 26 March 2013
An Easter Delight: Nails Inc in Bruton Street and Jermyn Street
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| Illustration by Rose Sturdy |
A few coats of this dusky pink nail paint, 'Bruton Street' by Nails Inc, with the odd nail coated in a gorgeous layer of 'Jermyn Street' - a soft chocolatey taupe, will leave your fingertips a sweet delight. The finished effect totally reminds me of cute little chocolate mini eggs with their delicate pastel shells.
Happy Easter you gorgeous little bunnies xxx
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Dare to Bare: Nude Nails
Every fashion aware girl should own a nude nail varnish, that's my belief and I'm sticking to it. Understated yet sexy, there's a fabulous air of sophistication which radiates from a nude talon. Here are my top picks for those who dare to bare...
butterLondon Nail Lacquer in Shandy (part of the new Starkers collection), £13
Nails Inc Basil Street Polish, £11
Rococo Nail Apparel Lab Nude 8.8 Creme, £12
butterLondon Nail Lacquer in Shandy (part of the new Starkers collection), £13
butterLondon (with it's oh so trendy packaging) is bang on trend with it's new Starkers collection. The Shandy shade, pictured above, is delightfully soft and creamy - wonderful for pale skin tones. It reminds me of delicate vintage lace.
Nails Inc Basil Street Polish, £11
I'm always a fan of the quintessentially British Nails Inc. Each shade is named after a well-known place in London (except for the darkest of shades, which is named 'Black Cab'... too cute!) Basil Street has a more of a latte feel to it, Nails Inc describe the tone as Pale Soft Toffee. Gorgeously chic and really versatile, a shade which compliments light and dark skin tones.
Rococo Nail Apparel Lab Nude 8.8 Creme, £12
Rococo Nail Apparel has a whole Nude offering which ranges from 1.0 (a sheer gloss) to 9.0 (a creamy mushroom). I love this caramel nude shade, Lab Nude 8.8, a warmer option for the trend which is gorgeous on darker skin tones. This varnish is quite thin but very fast drying, so you can build up the intensity of the shade with ease.
More Talon Tantalisation...
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
New Hair Colour! From Blonde to Brunette
If you've followed this blog for a while then you may know that I'm a blonde (sometimes not solely in appearance..."Grandma has gone to JAPAN? Oh... she's in Torquay")
Well not any more! I decided it was time for an image overhaul, so after four hours at my favourite hairdressers, I am now officially a brunette with gradual fade to slightly ombré ends. What do you think?
I love a good change, as you can totally change up your make-up palette too. I opted for a darker brow, stronger blush (NARS Orgasm) and a popping pink lip lacquer (Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar) to revamp my usual style.
What are your top make-up tips for a brunette hair style? Let me know on Twitter, Facebook or by commenting below! xx
Before
After
What are your top make-up tips for a brunette hair style? Let me know on Twitter, Facebook or by commenting below! xx
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Spring 2013: Beauty Must Haves
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| Illustration by Rose Sturdy |
Sun-kissed bliss is almost upon us. It's time to whip out the sunglasses (any excuse to prance around channeling the aura of V-Becks!) and get ready for Spring 2013. Here are my top products for the up-coming warmer months...
The Blush: Benefit Dandelion Brightening Face Powder, £23.50
A super pretty pink with a gorgeous light shimmer. This cute blush is all the fresh, floral loveliness of spring in a nice little box. Sweep over the cheek bones for a radiant girlie-pink hue. And it's absolutely beautiful for those with fair skin.
The Bronzer: Clarins Bronzing Duo SPF15, £28
I love this bronzing palette, and as the weather warms up it's always nice to add subtle glow to a sun-deprived visage. The two tones are fantastic for building the illusion of cheekbones, as you can use the darker shade to emphasize the hollows of your cheeks. The mineral powder smells lush, and contains SPF15 for extra skin protection. Glorious!
I use the tiniest amount of this shimmer-packed powder on the brow and cheek bones for a light catching finish. Really pretty and illuminating, and quite a bargain too!
The Nails: Rococo Nail Apparel in Jaded Creme, £12
The minty cream shade looks amazing with a tan, and is so on trend this season. It's an eye-catcher too, with a light shimmer that reminds me of mother of pearl. Rococo is quite thin in consistency but it dries quick, two or three coats does the job nicely. Prepare for glances of admiration when you pop this little number on your talons.
The Lips: Go Mulberry! Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, £7.99
The mulberry lip trend is STILL going strong, and this brand new shade of lip butter by Revlon is bang on. They're really hydrating and soft too, perfect for a glossy pout.
The Face: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20, £33
Too. much. love. for. this.
Seriously, it is really really good. If you don't feel like going all out with heavy foundation, a few dabs of this tinted moisturiser (with SPF20, bonus!) leaves the skin visibly lifted and bright. The illuminating version is great for spring/summer, you can look like a dewy, glowing goddess in an instant. It smells gorgeous, feels soft on the skin and adds a great boost of healthiness to any complexion.
The Hair: Pixie Waves with Mark Hill Wicked Waver, £59.99
I love a sexy wave in the warmer months, and I've been using this funky waver by Mark Hill to achieve a messy beach style. The waver is unique as it has random bumps, so each wave looks different and more natural. Spritz with Catwalk by TIGI Salt Spray for an extra beach-beautiful finish.
The Eyes: Clinique Cream Liner in Smoke Grey, £15.00
I've already harped on about how much I like these cream liners, but for those who missed it, I think the range by Clinique is ruddy brill. They glide on lovely, don't smudge once dry and last all day long. The smoke grey shade is a softer way of framing eyes, really nice for when you're wearing less make-up on a warm day.
What are your spring/summer beauty essentials? Let me know by commenting below or tweeting @poutoutproud! Also, I'd like to introduce Rosemary Sturdy to you all, who has created the fabulous illustration at the top of this blog. If you like her work then please check out her website.
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