In 'Ore' of Illamasqua

After my indulgent wax at STRIP, I just had to check out the new Illamasqua store on Beak Street. I felt so left out when reading about the beauty bloggers trip there, I just had to see it for myself.

I walked out of Carnaby Street and it was like a scene from a film, like only I could see the Illamasqua store, illuminated with a golden halo, calling for me. As soon as I stepped in the store, I  could see why fellow beauty bloggers are loving this place. It's a make up addict's fix!

Last week I bought a blush and lipgloss from Illamasqua in Selfridges and I foolishly believed that I could simply browse and not buy anything. I just couldn't resist buying a Liquid Metal (in Solstice) and a Pure Pigment in Ore.

These are amazing alone but glorious if used together. I quickly dabbed my finger in the Liquid Metal first and then the Pure Pigment, they can be used all over, anywhere and with fingers or brushes. 

I feel like giving myself 'gold fingers' with the Liquid Metal, he he.

I’ve joined the ‘STRIP’ Club

I have now joined the 'STRIP' Club– The Best Waxers in Town. What were you thinking? (tut tut)

After checking out Harper’s ‘Beauty Hot 100’ list, there are some products I really questioned what the hell they were doing in there, such as Revlon’s nail polish (Over Orly seriously?) and others I have added on my next beauty shopping list;

-Suqqu foundation

- Sarah Chapman facial,

- Vichy Eye Make-Up Remover

- SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic

- NuFace Face Firming Tool

- Dr Sebagh Serum Repair

- Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

- Bliss Super Slough Scrub

- Liz Earle Body Scrub

- Best Salon Waxing – STRIP

I can cross the last one off my list now. I booked myself in yesterday in the Soho branch of Strip.

STRIP is London's original and premiere waxing boutique that has revolutionised the waxing industry by dispelling the myth that waxing is painful and boring.

Founded in 2005 by sisters Danielle Featherstone-Price and Maria-Louise Featherstone, STRIP’s three luxurious and unique boutiques in Chelsea, Notting Hill and Soho have made hair removal glamorous! Offering global clients the ultimate waxing and shopping experience - pairing your perfect wax treatments with pampering products and beautiful lingerie.

STRIP's therapists are sourced from all over the globe (I had a lovely therapist called Chelsea from Australia) and are trained to the highest standards ensuring the ultimate waxing experience that is fast, effective, hygienic and virtually pain free (I promise you it is pain-free). They use their own specially blended Lycon waxes to suit your skin and hair type depending what mood you are in.

I was offered the choice between opulent Chocolate Wax for a heavenly scented treatment, fruity berry, moisturizing olive or relaxing lavender to stimulate the senses. I chose fruity berry because I could smell it wafting out of the treatment room. The scent is divine and when I saw the wax pots I was tempted to dip my finger in (strongly advise against it though), the wax looks like melted starburst.

STRIP also has a 'Manifico' treatment room created especially for their male clients. The best part? The premium Lycon waxes prevent hair breakages, ingrown hairs, redness and the associated painful sting, leaving you soft and smooth with no sticky residue.

The berry room is gorgeous, with a superior, comfy treatment bed, plasma TV, amazing furniture and cool artwork on the wall. STRIP's sumptuous treatments rooms are designed using opulent fabrics and furnishings carefully selected to compliment each wax flavour or colour.

I laid back, watched Love Actually and talked about electric blankets with Chelsea. I was actually disappointed when Chelsea told me I was ‘all done’. I was in there for around half an hour but could have stayed there all afternoon. Usually, I can’t wait to get my clothes on and get out of the treatment room after a wax.

The overall experience was memorable, amazing and I can’t wait for my next wax appointment! Every single hair has been removed, in-growing hairs were thoroughly extracted and I was given instructions/recommended products on how to look after the skin on my erm ‘Vajayjay’ to keep it looking super smooth.

The cost: I have a Hollywood which cost £50.

STRIP’s unique philosophy has made waxing a treat and not a chore. It's no wonder that STRIP have a legion of loyal celebrity followers, including Victoria Beckham, Emily Blunt, Poppy Delevigne, Jasmine Guinness and Emilia Fox.

Check out the STRIP website here.

National Chocolate Week

Anyone who knows me, knows that another passion in my life besides beauty products is chocolate! I literally get through a minimum of five bars per day (my favourites include Ripple, Minstrels, Wispa, Flake, Vintage Buttons and anything praline from Hotel Chocolat.

So, Hooray for National Chocolate Week which begins today, now I can get everyone at work to indulge with me. However, if you want to indulge without feeling guilty, check out Delice de Poudre by Bourjois, a bronzing powder with the look and fragrance of chocolate! I went to look for it in my local Boots but sadly they didn't have it, I'm guessing it's that great they sold out. Once I get hold of one, I'll let you know what it's like.

Have you got it or tried it? Would love to hear your comments.

So until I get my manicured paws on one of these, I'll be indulging on the real thing.



Bare Eyes, Bright Lips

On Friday, I rocked the ‘No Mascara’ trend which was hot at the Christopher Kane A/W show. I thought I would be horrified to look at myself without mascara and my signature eyeliner but I actually quite liked it. I enjoyed the freedom of not wearing mascara.

Only two people at work even noticed a difference, they both commented how much they liked it and how natural and fresh I looked. I’m glad I didn’t scare everyone at work and I will definitely be rocking this look again. I’ve listed all the products I used below.

The base: It’s important to have a flawless base with the no mascara look. I achieved this by using;

• Korres Quercetine & Oak Face Primer: a silicone free, wrinkle filling and skin perfecting primer which is enriched with powerful antioxidants and creates a super smooth surface.

• My face cosmetics ‘my mix foundation’ in Med/Dark. I never usually wear foundation, I normally use Chantecaille’s tinted moisturiser but I like this product because it is just like a tinted moisturiser. It matches my skin colour with and without fake tan.

• Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Oil on my cheekbones.

Cheeks: I tried to be as natural as possible with my cheeks but blusher is my make up weakness, just can’t live without it and you’ll never find me rocking the no blush look that Grazia was raving on about recently.

• Korres luminous finish blush in 15 Natural with Nars Deep Throat.

Eyes: Trish McEvoy is my eye-saviour. If I hadn’t been using the Lash Enhancer, I don’t think I would have had the courage to wear this look. The night time lash enhancer treatment has made my lashes so thick, healthy and a bit longer. I have also discovered a new star product – the Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift. This is an under-eye concealer which fills in lines and brightens eyes. I even used this on my eyelids and my colleague commented how she loved my ‘eyeshadow’, this would also make a great base for eyeshadow if you’re after a multi-purpose product. I used to recommend Bobbi Brown’s Secret Brightener or By Terry’s VIP Touche expert but I highly recommend the Trish Instant Eye Lift – especially if you have dark circles (like me) and you want smooth under-eye skin.

Lips: A pop of colour is key with the no mascara look, so I wore Mac’s amplified lipstick in Impassioned with Illamasqua’s Intense lipgloss in Indulge.

What do you think? Would you be brave enough to ditch your mascara for the day?

Meet Newcastle's finest Nail tech

Finally, I got to speak to Award Winning Nail Technician, Vikki Taylor-Dodds. This interview was supposed to be joint with the Sam Biddle post. However, Vikki took a well deserved holiday after her hard work at this year’s Nailympics, she’s back home, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

So, Vikki, how did you get into nails and how long have you been in the industry?

I started in the nail industry in 2002, I have always enjoyed creative hobbies and especially nail art.

I have been truly wowed by your competition nails. Tell me more about how you got into handcrafting little fairies and mermaids on nails?

I start building designs much same way I would draw them, If you take any item you break it down into sections it makes it much easier to build.

How long does it take you to complete a set of competition nails?

Many competitions nails are handcrafted from scratch, so at the excel show last year they took me 2 & 1/2hrs. The nailympics allows you to pre build your nails it can take you months, my last set took about 75 hours.

You must be a great artist. Do you think you can be taught this type of design work whether you’re creative or not?

Yes i think you can be taught the skills to build & design, It’s harder to teach someone how to come up with the original ideas, It's all about looking for inspiration.

I have never seen anything like your competition designs. Where does your inspiration come from?

Magazines, Clothing, TV, I even look for inspiration in my local supermarket. People think I’m crazy because I can admire someone’s shoes on a night out and my brain is working overtime thinking of how I can put that design onto a nail!

What brands do you use to do your design work? And which are the best brands to use for aspiring nailista’s?

I use EZflow, their competition white is excellent for building and the colour range is fantastic, the products you use makes a huge difference to your work.

Out of all your creations, which are you most proud of?

I don’t have a particular design because I’m a perfectionist I can always see room for improvement, an hour after I have finished them, i think oooh I wish I had done that!

Do you do ‘regular’ nails anymore?

Yes, I do nails in my salon every Saturday and I teach most days. I still love doing a regular set of nails (I must say they normally have a little design in them).

Thank you Vikki. I can't wait to see your next set of competition nails!

Vikki is the owner of Spoilt for Choice Salon in Newcastle and runs an education academy, Educationail. For more information on Vikki and her education school, visit her website http://www.imspoilt.com/.

If you are willing for a grilling from me, email me. I would love to interview you if you have your own blog, cool website or if you know your 'stuff'.

Beauty Buy Friday

I popped over to one of my favourite make up stands today - Illamasqua and I was tempted to buy everything, but I was sensible and just picked up these beauties.

Happy One Year Anniversary

Wow, where has a whole year gone already? It’s so strange because I’m so new to blogging and I’m still learning (I only just discovered I could add the followers button on mine yesterday) but at the same time, I have actually been talking about beauty products for around 10 years now, just not via the internet.

I started this blog as a bit of a joke really to shut my friends up, they were always on my case about starting a beauty blog. Last October, after a memorable evening with Jenny and Kiran, I finally gave in and Makeup It Girl was born.

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone and anyone that takes their time out to read my posts. I really appreciate your support, comments and feedback. Thank you to fellow beauty bloggers who have helped me learn new things (such as I heart cosmetics and Beautywowza).

As the regular readers and facebook fans will know, I love doing a giveaway and sharing products which I sometimes receive from companies. So, to enter the Make up It Girl one year anniversary, all you have to do is post a comment below saying ‘I love a freebie’ and telling me which is your favourite beauty brand. I have a range of beautiful products and depending on the response, I may just do one big hamper or a few mini giveaways. Can’t wait to hear from you. Giveaway ends next Friday.

I won’t ramble on any longer, I’d rather highlight how great the last year has been through pictures.

The Maldives in May

The Real Candy Bitches Blog

Meet the Khandashians

FAMILY

My sister's handmade jewellery - Jewel Heritage

Miami

GREAT friends

Typical me picture

South Beach Frolics

Took up pole dancing and got a pole for my birthday

SOUTH BEACH

Today..wearing my new Illamasqua blush and lipgloss.

THANK YOU

XXX