900 Follower MAC Giveaway Winner

Firstly thank you ever so much to everyone who took the time to enter this giveaway by tweeting/commenting following Aspirations of Glam on Facebook.

 

I am happy to announce that the winner is…..*drum roll* Computer Girl!!

Congratulations! I will be sending you the beautiful colour of Girl about Town in the post…hurrah!Please look out as im sure there will be more giveaways on AOG in the future!

 

 

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January Lusts

January is always a little pants, to keep myself sunny I have thrown myself into work and working out. The week has literally flashed by. I have my summer plans pretty much cemented in the form of a 7 week adventure with my man travelling Malaysia and Thailand, and I am so exited!

It will be my third time to South East Asia and each trip is nothing short of a love affair.

Unfortunately being an "independent woman doing it for herself" these things don't pay for themselves so I am being even more careful than usual, but that doesn't mean I cant look right.

Below are a list of little things I will almost certainly purchase this year but cant justify to myself at this very moment. Do let me know what takes your fancy....!

1. Cosy Burgundy Onsie

2. Vivienne West wood Flats

3. MAC MSF Stereo Rose

4. Yankee Candle - Vanilla Cupcake

5. Boy London Vest

6. Nars Laguna  

1. Its been snowing for days now and getting up for work in the cold is becoming a drag. With the weather being as chilly as it’s been it seems a no-brainer to invest in this onsie. It looks so cosy and the perfect item to keep warm around the house of a weekend drinking tea and blogging. Burgundy is still really doing it for me over Autumn/Winter but the Ebay buyer has a range of different colours available.
2. It was looking at Victoria’s (VIPXO) post that these really grabbed my attention. I really like the idea of a luxury pair of flats and I love the Vivienne Westwood logo on the toes. If I were to treat myself these shoes would certainly be the first port of call.
3. Now this is an item I am DYING to get my hands on but it is out of stock EVERYWHERE. After days of stalking the MAC website I am yet to see Stereo Rose in stock. Stereo rose is an MSF that gets a lot of positive press and I would love to get my hands on this.
4. Before Christmas I had a mini spend in the Yankee store and after agonising over whether to purchase a jar or a few minis, I got myself a few Christmassy minis. Vanilla cupcake is such a sweet scent and I get completely caught up in its deliciousness. There’s nothing better than lighting a sweet smelling candle on a cold winters evening.
5. Ever since I saw Rhianna head to toe in Boy London on Jonathan Ross over a year ago I have wanted one of their vests. Completely inappropriate unless under a multitude of layers in the current climate I anticipate purchasing myself one of these over the Spring/Summer months, I really like the edginess and simplicity of Coy London’s brand.
6. After nothing but love for Benefit’s Hoola I would really like to try Nars’ Laguna. I have heard nothing but good reviews on this bronzer as a contour colour and have read a multitude of reviews proclaiming these as comparable. I have a few Nars products and despite the initial price tag I really like the quality of the brand. There’s nothing better than giving washed out pale skin a kick with a sweep of bronzer of a morning!

What are you lusting after?

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Perfectly Party-Proof Lips: MAC Cherry

Hello everybody.

& yet again another lip product.
I have to admit lip and cheek products are my ultimate make up vice, can you tell?

This post is about one of my  "Happy Christmas To Me" purchases over the holidays and the decision was enabled much after reading Milly aka Pearls And Poodles MAC Cherry Lip Pencil Post. (I just love her).

This lip pencil creates the most bold and beautiful lip and pairs up with MAC Ruby Woo perfectly. To ensure a red lip all day and all night I tend to line and shade my lips, adding a little lipstick to seal in the colour and it really works a treat. no movement or running whatsoever.

I'm a little disappointed with my swatch as I took this picture with my light tipper quite late in the evening. 

(Worth purchasing to take images in the winter but takes a little getting used to..!)

The colour is a lot more vibrant in real life and delivers a beautiful pop of statement red...step aside Marilyn!

In Other news:

• Had a really good week of exercising last week and feeling really good for it. I've been working overtime this week and after arriving home at 7pm all I wanted to do was eat my tea, have a bath and get to bed. I shall be paying for this missed trip on Wednesday and the pangs of guilt are defiantly kicking in today.
• I will be starting back at circuit training on Thursday, hopefully this will motivate me further

• Really enjoyed reading Michelle's post on Freelance Writing. I am still saving and reading her blog really motivates me in trying to be better with my cash, worth a look I promise!



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MAC Pigment In Reflects Blackened Red.

Hello beauts!

Today I thought Id share a gorgeous pigment I rediscovered in my stash earlier today.

The wonderful aspect of this pigment is it's polite nod towards the sumptuousness of the current Burgundy trend and along with that it fills me with the nostalgia of the party season.

Its actually shameless of me to confess that this is from the Tartan Tale collection back from Christmas 2010. In its pot it has the appearance of a deep Burgundy but once sheered out it appears less imposing and more of a brown shade. I am a ocmplete nudey queen so utilising this colour more will provide me with a much needed kick up the bum switch up to my usual eyesadow colours.

Regardless Ive popped this into my everyday makeup drawer and plan to get some much needed use out of it. Pigments do seem to last forever!

What have you been rediscovering?

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August Favourites Extravaganza.

Hello Beauts.

Today I bring you my August favourites and it feels somewhat peculiar because favourites posts always pass me by before Ive got around to them.

Come to think of it my last favourites post was last.....oh god March.

Regardless August has been one of those months where Ive been a crazy mad working lady with brief pauses for some well earned play, and I think my selection reflects this.

Foundation has been a bit of this and a dash of that. I purchased Rimmels widely raved about Wake Me Up foundation. I absolutely love the finish and weirdly the smell. The only problem is generally I need my foundations to last all day, and I don't know if its the "drugstore curse" but for me I come to the end of the day a little lack lustre for that beautiful finish I leave the house with of a morning. I love that this foundation  is easily buffed out with my beloved Real Techniques buffing brush. However despite all of this I haven't given up on this. I was thinking of trying to set it with some powder perhaps? Its one of those relationships I'm willing to invest a bit of time on  to make work (oooh don't I sound over emotional!), because I don't think I'm getting full potential at present any tips greatly appreciated!

Benefits Erase Paste has become a new and welcomed member of my daily makeup routine. This works wonderfully at hiding the darkness (and lets face it sometimes suitcases) from under my eyes and also brightens the area. It has been bringing a whole new meaning to "putting your face on" of a morning. I covers a multitude of sins, and sometimes hangovers review here.

For a change Ive been steering away from my UD Naked palette(s) when not being lazy and applying MAC's paintpot in Bare Study I have been delving back into my [still not complete] MAC palette this month. I love shroom as a highlight, Satin Taupe, Woodwinked and All That Glitters for a crease/lid colour depending on occasion. ...and with regards to completing the palette I shall be patiently waiting for when Debenhams annually looses its marbles and offers 10% off all beauty. Suggestions for eyeshadow shades please!

With Regards to blush I have been loving the combo of Topshop cream blush in Head Over Heels with a light dusting of  Benefit's Coralisa for added coral-ness. I really didnt get the whole coral cheeks thing until summer came around. Now I love it. If you are into the dewy look when it comes to makeup I cannot reccommend the cream blushes enough, theres also a beautiful selection of shades.

Nails has been a general rush of Essie-ness. I think because their so easily available everytime I visit Boots I am compelled to purchase, I have been loving Figi, Tart Deco as well as ELFs Mango madness. For Creamfields I wore OPIs Cajun Shrimp. Notting Hill Carnival may have well taken place on my nails they've been so colourful.

So thats it!
What have you been loving over August?
*

MAC Heavenly Creatures: Supernova

Firstly a little apology.

This blog is getting a little cluttered with MAC MAC MAC.

I promise this is the last post for well....a while.

You see I had a little haul and the items were so beautiful they simply deserved their own pictures and posts.As you all know I am a sucker for pretty things.

Now this little fella is a beaut.

The colour intensity is a deep fuschia and reminds me a little of MACs dollymix wrapped up nicely in gold.

The colour is highly pigmented and buildable but requires a light hand.

Considering this collection was released July I intend on setting this blush aside for autumn and  winter as a bright fuschia looks better on my skin when slightly paler.

So for now I will keep the crazy lady habit of digging it out every so often and just basking in its beauty.

(here is it swatched only very lightly)

I have nipped over to MAC online only to find this mineralize blush is sold out, so if you wish to get your hands on this shade I highly recommend you visit your local MAC counter.

I must however give an honourable mention to Solar Ray which is in stock an equally beautiful.

Have you ever tried mineralize blushes?

Are there any alternative brands I should be aware of? I do love the Accessorize baked blushes!

MAC Impassioned

It was only a matter of time Impassioned was going to enter my ever growing lipstick drawer.

1. Because its an amplified creme formula (my favourite)

and

2. Because its pink

My only problem with Impassioned is I'm just too frightened to wear it during the daytime. I didn't ever realise this until I went blonde but some bright lipsticks a brunette could pull off with ease a blonde with super bright lipstick can make you look like what I can only describe as a hoochie moma.

Either way if your an amplified creme hoarder like myself its a lipstick draw must!

What are your favourite MAC lipstick finishes?

Springtime Lipsticks- Chatterbox

The joy of being a lipstick hoarder is there seems to be a lipstick for everything.

At this time of the year when I'm hauling my spring/summer appropriate clothes down from the loft for another year, applying lighter tinted moisturisers to my face and dreaming of sunshine and cider it seems only appropriate to reassess my lip choices.

 The colour is showing a lot redder on the image- its much more PINK.

This is chatterbox from MAC and is an amplified.

The reason my amplified lipstick collection (bigger since my last post) is so big is because of the colour pay off available from these babies is immense and if I'm going to pay good dollar then I expect a colour/pigmentation that simply isn't available from the drugstore.

Its a bright but easily and transition day or night colour.

The formula is lovely and moisterising, but doesnt stain your lips.

I wore this religiously last year and I'm sure this year it will be more of the same!

What Shades are you wearing over spring?

March Favourites

I have to admit I feel a bit ill thinking March is coming to an end.

This is mainly because of the third year-associated nausea kicking in.

I am on top of my game with favourites this month though *pats back*

March has all about trying to justify re-establish my love for the Naked 2 Palette.

I never bothered reviewing this as there are so many reputable beauty blogger reviews floating around at the time of release I didn't feel I could bring anything extra to the table.

If I remember correctly there was a lot of 

"I love them both equally like my children...I couldn't possibly go without either"

In all honesty Naked 2 is like buying a matching bag for your dream shoes...its nice but its not essential. (I'm expressing it in this way because Naked Palette IS ESSENTIAL!).

YDK Is a shadow that I have been consistently loving over March.

It easily smoked out for evening but can also be patted on the lid for daytime..and Ive been doing that an awful lot.

Its so diverse and I love that.

This is MEGA glitter, but is very finely milled and blends out easily. Its practically idiot proof.

With this tropical March weather of recent Ive felt the need to let my skin breathe a little.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint has entered back into the selection of daily face products and its been refreshing to use a lighter product, I do love the glow it gives my skin.

I bought Clinique Even Better foundation hoping it would be a comparable for my most loved Chanel Mat lumiere. It isn't. The consistency is much more watery. However I do think its a nifty little product. I'm colour matched to the 'fake tanned me' as opposed to the pale one.

(don't see much of her)

So I think this will be my summer foundation providing it can hack the heat.

I don't feel the need to write much about the Samantha Chapman Real Techniques Stippling brush. There are reviews Everywhere. All I can say is the first time I used it I was stunned. Ive also had a go with cream blush and loved the results- its a must have.

I really have been loving bright polishes. I have the Rimmel 60 seconds polish in Sky High and I am loving how this colour is bouncing off my coral jeans. Makes me feel so geared up for Spring. Also loving OPI Cajun Shrimp which I have from the Best Of The Best Collection.

Looks so vibrant on toes and lasts forever- bliss.

Lastly. Lippies.

Ive really got back into lining my lips lately. A bit of liner and Pretty Please is easy and natural. I have to admit I adore lustres for daytime looks, they also feel moisturising and don't dry my lips out too much. This way I can get away with a lot of blind reapplications without wondering if Ive stained/coloured in my whole face.

Alternately I have a huge love over March for Ruby Woo. This is a high maintenance colour and a bit of lip salve will work wonders pre application. Having been out as Ariel the mermaid last weekend Ruby Woo-it'd be rude not to!

What Have You been Loving over March?

Beauty Essentials- Current Favourites

Hey ladies!

Today I thought Id write about my everyday beauty favourites- threres some familiar products in there and perhaps some you may not have tried.

Stila Brow Kit In Dark- I bought this product a long time ago and I use it faithfully everyday to line my brows. I find even when I'm due a wax and the brows are looking a little worse for wear a quick once over will keep them defined.

MUA Matt Eyeshadow- 17- When applying eyeshadow I like to put a nude near the top of my lip to set the shadow. This baby is a comparable to Urban Decay's "naked" in the naked palette. My palette's had a beasting so I use this instead...its also brilliant value for money!

Benefit High Beam- I bought this little sample in a blogsale and I have a feeling it will be a long time until I will need a full size! I use this on my cheek bones and really like the luminosity it creates. This is a product I really wanted when I first started blogging as there were reviews everywhere!

MAC Blush In Well Dressed- I feel like I'm a broken record with this blush- its my everyday go to.  For more raves have a look at My Favourite Blushes post

Collection 2000 Ultimate Wear concealer in light (2)- This is also a big beauty blogger favourite not only because of the price but it does an excellent job. It promises 16h of wear which is quite a claim for a drugstore produc. I owned this in my teens and loved it. I'm very glad to have it in my make-up drawer again.

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara- Show me a girl that doesn't mind a bit of chanel in the handbag. I got this in a tester form when I purchased my mat lumiere foundation and vowed Id purchase this in full size, so when I saw it come up in a blogsale I had to give in to my lust! I this is a fabulous mascara- I'm also a sucked for the Chanel packaging.

What products are you loving?

Please make sure you check out my JAPONESQUE GIVEAWAY!

My Favourite Blushes- Confessions of a Hoarder

Along with an obsession of lipstick I also have a lot of love for blushes-

I love how you can get a variety of shimmers, matts and blush really can add dimension to your face.

I always enjoy top 5 posts because they open my eyes to blushes/colour I may not have seen or tried before.

I like to think Ive picked a pretty good cross section of colour for different occasions.

MAC Well Dressed

This was my first ever MAC purchase- Can you tell?

The pan explains everything- This blush is so incredibly transitional and multi-occasion.

If I'm not feeling all that adventurous chances are it ll be MAC well dressed.

The blush is a baby pink with a discreet amount of silver flecks

Benefit Powda Wowza (Bella Bamba)

I have a full review of this little box of treats Here

When I bought this box initially it was to get my hands on Coralista and Hoola but Bella Bamba has been a welcomed surprise.

Its the most pigmented deep pink with a hint of shimmer and has been keeping my cheeks glowing a lot of the winter. 

The pigmentation means that one swipe is necessary to do the job so I like to think its longevity with endure.....

Although whether I would fork out 20 FLIPPIN QUID!!? for a full size size remains to be seen.

Hats off to Benefit these box's are a wonderful way of experimenting with what they have to offer for a reasonable price.

MAC Mineralise Blush-Merrily

I'm so glad the camera picked up the flecks of gold in this blush!

This is the Christmas equivalent translated into blush....and on that mention this was a limited edition blush for Christmas...sorry ladies!

Its a deep red with orange undertones filled with gold flecks and is statement-makeup.

I picked this little beauty in a blogsale and have been enjoying wearing it out.

Nars Deep Throat

This is my only Nars Product.

I should buy more really as I get a nice little student discount off of ASOS

Deep throat is a pink with silver flecks of shimmer....yes more shimmer.

This is a another go to for daytime and works really well in adding definition to your face.

MAC Her Blooming Cheek

Fully reviewed here

This is like an old friend that I just cant let go of.

I go through fazes with this one and then it goes back into the drawer for prolonged periods.

Used sparingly this can be worn in the daytime and equally at night. 

I'm yet to find a drugstore equivalent that holds pigmentation quite as well 

(if you have Id love to know!)

So there we have it my 5 favourite blushes!

On the blush lust note I am really excited to try MUA's new blush collection I really do think their up my street. I will no doubt be hoarding some more mineralise MAC blushes as Ive just proven I am a complete shimmer whoare!

What are your favourite blushes?

Send me your links!

Beauty & Fashion Haul...& where Ive been!

Ha dont you love the tres attractive freeze frame here!

(I havent done a YT video in so long so here goes!)

Enjoy!

Review: Accessorize Baked Blusher

Hey you gorgeous lot.

Here's something that's been stuck in my head all day:

"Taste is a matter of opinion" and mine is you don't have any.

I forget this, whats beauty to one is vile to another. The wonderful thing about us all is our uniqueness-this is how something truly innovational comes about....with some disasters and failed test runs along the way I'm sure.

Insightful bit done let get on to the review........

I'm really excited to write this post because this item is a little gem.

I have read reviews in the past about Accessorize's makeup range but it was never enough to actually compel me to get off my backside and really bother trying them. I wish I had.

I received this blush as part of a Secret Santa set up by Nav Link

(fab lady by the way we have exchanged many a tweet!)

My secret Santa sender present was so thoughtfully put together
There was gold, there was purple,there was shimmer and chocolate...say no more.

Needless to say the chocolate lasted seconds not long enough to photo!

Here's the beaut
A pink and coral mix with flecks of gold.

 Merged Baked blush 6- Scandal
Ive read cross comparisons of these with the MAC mineralize blushes and I think this is very accurate, the blend of two colours is very similar to some released my MAC.
The finish gives a beautiful iridescent pink/coral glow and is buildable.
The powder is very pigmented and endures throughout the day which is very important.

The packaging is nothing to rave about.
Although I do like the little butterflies-I think their very cute.
It is a mid range drugstore product and it looks like one- I have no problems with this!

The powder is a little more pinker than being picked up by my camera.

I hear you say...SHOW ME THE SWATCHES.
Afterall that's what its about!.

Swatch one is lightly and shows a hint of colour

Swatch two shows how the colour can be built for a much more dramatic look.

2011 for me with regards to makeup has was a massive year for Lipstick and blush. My collection ballooned.
This is another very welcome addition to my collection- I really do like baked blushes and the irredencency at disposal from them.

After this I really would like to try a few of the baked Accessorize eyeshadows-they can be applied wet or dry and infest me with curiousness.
I cant seem to find any baked blushes in stock at Superdrug Online at the moment. But I know they are available in store!

What are your opinions on baked blushes? Love? Hate?
Hope you all had a lovely weekend