Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks

^ Left: 832 Kiss Pearl. Right: 150 Stellar Pink

Since I started getting into lipsticks and nudes weren't really working out too well I decided to turn to pinks. I picked up a couple of Maybelline's Color Sensational lipsticks in light and dark-ish pink. I didn't expect much cause lipsticks and I don't really get along that well during winter, but these two have been a nice surprise. First swipe only makes it sheer but it's buildable which lets you decide how much coverage is needed. It's nicely pigmented and smells quite funky and fruity in a way, which I like a lot (weirdly). It doesn't last particularly long but I don't mind re-applying since these are actually the first lipsticks I really like. What I love most about is the fact that it doesn't dry out my lips or settle into creases (rare this time of year), so I would love to try a few more shades at some point. The colour range is amazing, definitely a lot to choose from and I think the packaging is gorgeous. Money wise it's not too bad, £7.19 each.

xoxo

NATALIA

Maybelline The Rocket Mascara

I wanted to try out this mascara for ages. Well, since the day I heard Maybelline was bringing out a new mascara. I've seen it in a few YouTube videos and I just had to get it, the packaging is so cool too. After using it a few times I have to say I am in love. It makes my lashes so long with only two coats I can't stop checking them out in a mirror. I've heard it might get a little clumpy but I didn't have that problem at all. It stays on for hours and hours, in fact I forgot to take it off before I went for a shower yesterday and it was so hard to take off, almost as if it was waterproof. But that doesn't really matter for me because it means no rain will make me look like a panda and the weather in the UK isn't too great at the moment.

The wand isn't gaudy or too big, it's thin enough to get the bottom lashes perfectly covered without getting the mascara all over. I will definitely re-purchase it as soon as it runs out, it's so worth the money. Oh, it's £5.99 right now, but it will go up to £7.99 soon.

xoxo

NATALIA

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eyeliners

^ From top: 005 Nude, 010 Silver, 001 Black

Scandal Eyes have been raved about so much I decided to do a post of my own. I am not a fan of pencil eyeliners in general, because they tend to smudge like crazy or aren't pigmented enough but I have to say I'm really impressed with Rimmel's ones. They have quite a good range of colours, but in Boots or Superdrug you can usually find about 2 or 3 shades. So when I spotted the silver one in Savers I just had to pick it up. They are easy to apply and have a nice, smooth texture. They stay put for hours, but I noticed it's better to put a primer or an eyeshadow base on first even if you're not using eyeshadows (especially with oily eyelids, like mine). They are also well pigmented and I think it would be nice if Rimmel came out with a Scandal Eyes glitter eyeliners. I'm currently trying out Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow sticks, but about that another time. I've heard people complain about sharpening the eyeliner, I haven't had a chance yet but I got my Bourjois sharpener so hopefully that's gonna be enough. All in all I still prefer my L'Oreal eyeliners, but that's the best pencil eyeliner I've tried yet.

 xoxo

NATALIA

Bourjois Eyeshadow Trio Smoky Eyes

Bourjois Smoky Eyes in 01 Gris Dandy is the only eyeshadows I used and liked before I discovered eye primers and eyeshadow bases. Probably because it didn't need it. It's so pigmented and easy to apply, like no other eyeshadow I've tried so far. And it's completely different to Bourjois crappy single eyeshadows that are well, a complete waste of money. This one on the other hand is amazing, stays on for hours and hours. I think the longest I had it on was 10h, which is brilliant as the box says '8-hour-wear'. It also contains a double-tipped applicator, which I'm usually not a fan of but I don't mind this one (weird). At the back, there's instructions how to achieve a classic smoky eye look too. Can't rave enough about this product, re-purchased it a few times already. I've been using it for about 2 years now, except then that was the only eyeshadows I used and now I'm trying out a lot of different ones too.

xoxo

Natalia

Stylish Friday: Emma Stone

Emma Stone... Where do I even begin. Well, she is AMAZING. Easy A was the first film I saw her in, and fell in love. As weird as I am, I watched the film a few times in a row that day. Since then I was always excited to watch an Emma Stone movie or buy a magazine with her on the cover. She has been my favourite now for a good couple of years, and I don't usually have a favourite band or actors.

She is the person that looks great in every hair colour and always gets red carpet right. I absolutely love the dresses she wears, she's got such a great style it's unbelievable. I think my favourite would be the peachy gown she wore to the Golden Globes in 2011, she looked so gorgeous and fresh. Another one that's stuck in my mind is the pink Valentino she wore to the 19th Annual Elle Women in Hollywood Celebration. And on top of all that she is the face of my favourite makeup brand, Revlon. Couldn't get any better. Oh, no wait... She's dating Andrew Garfield.

Now I can't wait to watch Gangster Squad, her latest film. Still need to watch The Help too, but I wanted to read the book first and that's what I'm doing in my spare time. Now that I think about it, I might just go get the film today.

xoxo

Natalia

*Pictures found online

Nail art

I used to be absolutely obsessed with nail art, I would sit and paint my nails for hours and hours every day at times. Then it started wearing off a little and I turned to other things, but now I'm thinking of going back to it. I've been looking through my old Facebook pictures and picked my favourite nail art ideas I've done so far. I will try and list the nail polish I used, hopefully I still have them somewhere in my drawers. Some nail polishes don't have names, and some names faded but I'll do my best. Hope it's going to give you some ideas too.

Base and top coat: Rimmel 60 Seconds in 740 Clear

White nail polish: Golden Rose

Noses: Colour Mania by Lovely

Eyes: Manhattan Lotus Perfect (yellow) and Miss Sporty (black)

Dots: Nails Inc. in Victoria

Owls from right: Maybelline Colorama in 47 Coconut Crystals, Maybelline Forever Strong in 830 Put a medal On It!, Rimmel Lycra Pro in 402 Urban Purple, Sally Hansen Insta Dri in Presto Pewter, Rimmel Lycra Pro in 397 Beige Babe

Base and top coat: Rimmel 60 Seconds in 740 Clear

Cherries: Dior Vernis in 853 Masai Red

Cream: Golden Rose

Cupcakes from right: 1. Ciate in My Fair Lady, Manhattan Lotus Effect (yellow), Golden Rose in 102 (glitter) 2. Miss Sporty in 13, Color Mania by Lovely (dark orange), NYC in 155 Gramercy Glitz (glitter) 3. Rimmel Lasting Finish in 025 Strawberry Fizz, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 300 Pop Your Pink (darker pink), OPI in Teenage Dream (glitter) 4. Rimmel Lasting Finish in 045 Misty Jade, Missguided in Misstique (darker shade), NYC in 155 Gramercy Glitz (glitter) 5. Miss Sporty (light blue), Maybelline Forever Strong in 630 Dark Denim, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 500 Disco Ball

White: Golden Rose

Black: NYC in 272 Bowery Black

Pink: Missguided in Missbehave

Yellow: Manhattan Lotus Effect

Brown: Maybelline Forever Strong in 778 Rosy Sand (light brown), Rimmel Lycra Pro in 397 Beige Babe

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

White: Golden Rose

Black: NYC in 272 Bowery Black

Dark red: Rimmel Lycra Pro in 402 Urban Purple

Light yellow/beigy: Nails Inc. for InStyle

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

Blue: Miss Sporty in 320

Pink: Miss Sporty in 347

Purple: Colourpop New Look in Purple

Green: Astor in 326

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

Bows: Claire's, but painted black

xoxo

Natalia

Eye Shadow Base: NYX

First of, I didn't even know a thing like an eye shadow base existed before I started reading blogs and watching lots of YouTube videos. This tiny pot of skin toned eye shadow base made me fall in love with eye shadows, at last. I used to complain about creasing or fading of the product, but thanks to this it stays put for a long time, obviously it depends on the eye shadow too but NYX Eye Shadow Base just makes it much easier. I used to stay as far away from eye shadows as possible, now I'm building up my collection. The product lasts forever, I've been using it every day since I got it a while ago and it still looks as if it's full. I've heard mixed opinions about the product, so I'm really glad it works for me. It comes in a couple of different shades too, White and Pearl which I would like to try at some point too. Unfortunately we don't have NYX cosmetics in store in the UK (at least I've not seen it), I got this one off Amazon for around 6 quid.

xoxo

Natalia

Bourjois: Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation and Healthy Balance Unifying Powder

Bourjois is one of my favourite brads so when I spotted this foundation and powder a while ago I had to have it. What I liked about it straight away was the fruity smell, it's amazing and I've never tried a foundation or powder with a nice scent to it. But then again, the scent doesn't mean the product is great so.

I've been using Bourjois Healthy range for a while now and I have to say it is quite good comparing to what I've used before. It's really easy to blend in with fingers or a sponge however, I do prefer to use a brush. It lasts fairly long too, up to around 7 or 8 hours without fading which isn't bad, but definitely not 16 hours as it says on the package. Provides light to medium coverage (for me), has a nice, smooth texture and doesn't look cakey. I'm not too keen on the packaging though, I don't know. I think I just prefer a glass bottle like Revlon's.

The powder on the other hand has a nice packaging, red and slim, and is really light. Plus there is a mirror on the inside. It doesn't include a puff or a brush, which I don't mind because I use my own anyway. Coverage is light to medium too, but unlike the foundation it stays on for the promised 10 hours. It doesn't dry out the skin, which is great because my skin gets dry easily.

Overall, I don't think I will re-purchase the foundation just to try out new ones and I already have my favourite, and nothing has been able to beat it yet (Revlon PhotoReady). But I love the powder a lot, so I will  re-purchase this product. Unless I find something that works better for me.

My foundation is in shade 51 Light Vanilla and powder is in 52 Vanilla.

xoxo

Natalia

Lazy Sunday

Sundays are for me usually a day to do absolutely nothing, and considering the weather outside I won't be going out at all so my face can have a little break from makeup.

Company magazine is one of my favourites on the market, and since I'm in a saving money mode and only allowed one magazine a week, I chose this one as soon as I saw it. February issue is all about Girls and New York. Couldn't be any better considering Lena Dunham got two Golden Globes for it last week and I was waiting for second series to come out for ages and ages. And it's half price this month too.

2 Broke Girls aka my favourite series at the moment, nothing ever made me laugh so much. Kat Dennings is brilliant, absolutely love the character she's playing - Max. Oleg and Han are making the show great too. And Sophie, and Earl... I can't rave enough about it really, I want to say too many things at once. Best show ever.

Belvita Breakfast, great snack not necessarily a breakfast thing. Always better to have some healthy wholegrain biscuits than a bag of crisps. I stocked my shelf with these since they are half price in Tesco at the moment.

I love... bubble bath & shower gels, they smell amazing and always make me feel good, especially the raspberry & blackberry one. It's got such a good, fresh scent, kinda wish it was edible. The other one is strawberries & milkshake, I got them both on offer in Superdrug a while ago.

Owl necklace, from Claire's. Can never go wrong with owls, I'm a bit obsessed. Owls always make me happy. Weird, I know.

xoxo

Natalia

Lipstick: Rimmel by Kate

^ From left: 113, 26 and 03

I only got into lipsticks recently, I was never a fan probably because I couldn't find a perfect one that I could just use over and over again. But I decided to get out of my comfort zone and give the Rimmel by Kate collection a go since I've heard so many good things about it. Plus they were on 3 for 2 offer in Boots at the time (£5.49 each it was I think) so not a bad price. I went for nude shades because they are my favourite.

First I tried the lipstick in 113, from the red collection and unfortunately it put me off straight away, it did look nice when I swatched it in store but once I used it on my lips it just looked dry and unhealthy even. The lipstick is not pigmented enough and smells a bit too much like plastic to me. I didn't expect a lot from the black collection after this, so when I tried them on I was very surprised. They are nicely pigmented, don't crack on the lips after a few seconds like the red one does and they smell a lot nicer too for some reason. I don't know why there is so many differences between the two, but I'm glad that the black collection turned out the way it did, not all money wasted afterall. I have to say I like he black packaging more too, with a nice touch of red or pink Kate signature rather thank red and black but that's probably just me. It's still not something I would use every day because the lipsticks need constant re-applying, but I do like the black collection and will use the product from time to time. You can't really complain for the price either, 5 or 6 quid is not much for a lipstick and Rimmel is a great brand.

xoxo

Natalia

Stylish Friday: Blake Lively

Blake Lively has been on the top of my best dressed people list since I first saw her on Gossip Girl. Every time she is pictured in a magazine or online she looks flawless, whether it's a red carpet event or a walking the dog. I kinda wish I was her PA or something, could learn a lot from her. She is mostly known for her performance in Gossip Girl as one of the main characters, Serena van der Woodsen. She also starred in a few films, her most recent one is Savages which I have to finally get around to watching.

Blake is regularly a magazine cover girl, but considering I'm a magazine addict and buy loads and loads of them, it is impossible to miss out on one she's in. Although I'm on a kind of a magazine buying ban I won't miss her issue, that's an exception.

 She is now a new face of Gucci for Premiere perfume and a former Chanel girl, often seen with Karl Lagerfeld himself. Oh, and she is married to Ryan Reynolds, lucky her.

Blake Lively is the one to watch. 

 ^ Prettly little thing, I want one. That's the kind of dog I would get, if I could.

 ^ Looking great in every colour. Even orange, I would never be able to pull this off.

^ Two above, I think two of her best red carpet choices.

 ^ Glamour photoshoot.

xoxo

Natalia

*Pictures found online.