Mini Review: Sleek Sparkle Palette

This is Mistletoe on its own. You can see the glitter (or lack thereof) is unevenly distributed despite blending. I think that as a palette - minus the glitter - it's quite nice in terms of colour and of course pigmentation like all Sleek shadows. However, if I'm rating this as a glitter palette like it intends to be - it's a 2/10.

It doesn't bother me (so much) that the glitter falls off straight away - it's more that some remains when applied and it ends up looking unintentional. Like you've accidentally picked up a little bit of glitter on a brush and used the brush to blend your edges and now you can't get the glitter off without starting your makeup from scratch!

If anyone has any tips on how to make this work, please share!

FOTD: Bare Eyes, Bold Lips

I've been afraid of a red lip for as long as I can remember. So this is what I put on today...

It of course all wore off by the time I got to work...



Base: Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Buff, MAC Studio Finish Concealer, e.l.f. HD Powder to set, MAC Blonde MSF as blush/highlight.
Eyes: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara, Urban Decay Primer Potion to even out eyelids.
Lips: Natural Collection lipliner in Cinnamon, Stila lipstick in Anna.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III Swatches

Just a quick post today! I'm about to head out the door for a Sunday lunch at John's mum's house. Nice and relaxing - I need it! I've worked 6 days this week and am absolutely wrung out.

I received this palette for my birthday and really love it! I'm not overly keen on the glittery shadows though - none of the glitter actually adheres to the lid which is so irritating! Not only because you don't get the effect you want but because it ends up all over the rest of your face. I've yet to find an eyeshadow that doesn't do this.









What do you think? Do you love it as much as I do?

Sleek Sparkle Palette Swatches

Who else picked up the Sparkle palette today? I didn't cheat (technically) on P5P - John bought this for me! It's really pretty and I'll be wearing it tomorrow to see how well the sparkles last!



First impressions - I really, really love Twinkle. Swatched, Illusion and Festive look more or less identical. Perhaps it's my light. Gold Ribbon and Tinsel look quite out of place despite Noir being the only matte shade. Overall it's a lovely palette and for the price, another great addition to my collection! I'm happy to own it.





L-R:
Cranberry, Dream Maker, Galactic, Twinkle, Star Light, Noir
Illusion, Festive, Mistletoe, Glitz & Glamour, Gold Ribbon, Tinsel

What do you think? Will you be picking this up? I also had John buy one to give away! Isn't he lovely?

Update: Applied, there's next to no glitter. Most, if not all of it falls off when you blend it out. There is a pretty iridescence to the shadows though.

Mario Badescu: Baring All (Before Pics)

I'm starting my Mario Badescu skincare regime today! I'm really excited about this. I've had this feeling before about other products. I felt it at the start of my Lush skincare regime and while it worked for a year and a half and still is to some extent, I think I need to try something new. Something with chemicals...mmm...chemicals.

Before:



(Fully aware that I look deeply unimpressed about posting ugly pictures of myself on the internet - all about honesty though right?)

Lots of scarring, one or two active spots which are drying up but are most certainly still there. Time of the month is coming up so I'll no doubt have a monster of a breakout around my jawline and on my cheeks. I also have lots of small white bumps under the surface of my skin, mostly around my T-Zone.

What am I aiming for?

I'm not unreasonable nor am I unrealisitc. I don't expect miracles or airbrushed looking skin in 2 weeks. Ideally, I'd like to have my acne under control to the point where I'm only experiencing small hormonal breakouts. I'd like my scarring to fade and for my skin texture to improve so that covering the scarring I do have is much easier. More than anything, I'd like consistent skin so I'm not jumping from a heavy foundation to a tinted moisturizer every couple weeks.

London IMATS 2011 Anyone?

I'm thinking about going on the Saturday, possibly the Sunday too but as I'm not building up a kit anymore, I'm purely there for the shopping! Is anyone else going? Come forward friends! I promise I'm not as scary or abrasive in real life.

xx

Haul: Mario Badescu Skincare

Quite a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win a £25 voucher for beautybay.com. I'd been eyeing up the RMK Cleansing Oil and some RMK palettes and had intended to save up a bit of dolla and get the lot in one go. Failing miserably, I settled on my original intention - Mario Badescu skincare.



I placed my order late Thursday night and to my surprise, found a well packaged box on my bed when I woke up this morning! I was expecting it to arrive Monday or Tuesday! Service - top notch peeps. I was informed of the process the whole time. I instantly received an order confirmation email and a despatch email the following day.

I purchased the Acne Repair Kit at £33.95 - which includes their infamous Drying Lotion, Drying Cream and Buffering Lotion, Acne Facial Cleanser at £12.50, Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15 at £18.75 and the Whitening Mask at £20.50. The £25 off really helped!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be using these products religiously and documenting my progress weekly. I'll start this on Monday morning and will post "Before" photos.

Breakdown of each product (from beautybay.com):

Please click the thumbnail to see ingredients.

Acne Facial Cleanser:



"Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser (177ml) will prevent and heal existing acne with this exfoliating and deep cleansing wash.

• Formulated with acne-fighting Salicylic Acid.
• Contains Aloe Vera and Chamomile, natural ingredients that calm and soothe acne inflamed skin.
• For best results follow with our Special Cucumber Lotion or recommended astringent.
• Suitable for combination and oily skins.

Acne Repair Kit:

"Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit contains everything you need to keep oily and acne prone skin looking clean, clear and healthy.

• Kit Contains:
• Our world famous Drying Lotion (1oz.) clears up whiteheads overnight.
• Drying Cream (0.5 oz.) which is an effective treatment to dry up small under-surface blemishes.
• Buffering Lotion (1 oz.) helps to fight acne before it starts.
• Suitable for all skin types."

Drying Lotion Ingredients: Isopropryl Alcohol, Aqua, Calamine, Camphor, Calloidal Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Talc, Zinc Oxide, (CI77947), Titanium Dioxide, (CI77891).

Buffering Lotion Ingredients: Aqua, Isopropryl Alcohol, Sodium Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Hydrolyzed Serum Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Pyridoxine, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Biotin.

Drying Cream Ingredients: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Colloidal Sulfur, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ichthammol, Polysorbate-80, Polyglycerylmethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide (Ci77947), Titanium Dioxide (Ci77891).

Whitening Mask:



"Mario Badescu Whitening Mask (60ml) is a hydrating mask that will help brighten uneven skin tones and gently reduce the look of old acne scars and discolorations from the sun.

• Skin lightening, natural ingredients like Kojic Acid, Licorice and Mulberry make this mask gentle for all skin types.
• Contains no Alpha Hydroxy Acids making it safe for acne erupted skin.
• Suitable for all skin types."

Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15:

"Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF15 is a simple, fragrance free, lightweight daily moisture for oily and problem skin.

• Non-clogging and ultra absorbent.
• It also has the added benefits of daily sun protection to keep scarring and discoloration to a minimum.
• Suitable for oily, combination and sensitive skin types."

So wish me luck! I've heard such fantastic things about Mario Badescu products and can't wait to see whether they'll help me as much as they've helped others.

Have you tried anything from Mario Badescu? How did you find their products?