Lima's Guide to the Galaxy... Nails!

 

  

Galaxy Nails!

I think I've probably mentioned this before, but ever since I was a young girl I've had this fascination with the night sky. I was never one to really pay all that much attention at school, but one subject that always managed to hook me in was physics. Well, the astronomy bits at least! My curious mind would drag me to the library at weekends so that I could read every book and look at every photo I'd get my hands on.

And just recently I became the proud owner of a telescope! Sadly though, living in a large urban conurbation like Manchester means that light pollution tends to get a little in the way of serious star-gazing. Looks like a trip south to the villages in Cheshire, like Alderley Edge, might be in order!

Either way, the Universe is beautiful. I think it's allure, similar to the ocean, stems from the sense of the unknown. Whilst we huamns are prone to fear that of which we know little, there's also a stong sense of wonderment that emerges as you begin to dip your toes into the wide expanses that mankind knows so little of, yet what we do know of is so breathtaking.

I guess you could describe the universe as a beautiful mess, or structured chaos. And that's the spirit in which I attempted these nail: to make an imperfectly perfect look.

 

  

L - R: Eyeko Indigo, Orly Sweet Peacock*, Rimmel 60 Seconds Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Barry M Nail Paint Pink Flamingo & Topshop Ice Crush 

Whilst it may look like a mish-mash of randomness, there definitely was a structure and some organisation to pulling together this look. From the photo above, I used each polish from left to right. First I painted two coats of Eyeko's Indigo straight on to the nails, letting them dry completely. The next step was the fun bit. I got out the sponge for some galactic magic! 

 

For the spongey bit, I dabbed a bit of Orly's Sweet Peacock on to one section of the sponge followed by a few dabs of Rimmel's 60 Seconds Mary Mary Quite Contrary on another section and then some of the Barry M Pink Flamingo on a third section. Then, one section at a time, I dabbed the sponge on to the nail creating a different galactical pattern each time, making sure I left a few areas of the nail untouched to give that 'Space' effect. 

 The Pièce de résistance is of course Topshop's Ice Crush. I mean, what kind of a galaxy doesn't have stars in it? I simply applied a thin coating to the nails one by one, after I'd dabbed on the patterns with the sponge.

Worthy Mentions

  

Orly's Sweet Peacock* from the Fall 2011 Birds of a Feather collection.

I have a confession to make on this one ladies (and gents?), I was sent this for review way back in 2011. I applied it once, didn't really think all that much of it at the time so I stored it in my big box of nail polishes. Over time it must have worked its way to the very bottom and only by chance did I stumble across it again. The good news is its now firmly back at the top of the pile, the bad news is its no longer available. This will no doubt end up being a staple for me over the winter, lighting up the short, dull, dreary days with it's gorgeous shimmery electric blue finish.

  

I always come away after buying glittery nail polishes feeling a little cheated. After all, it would probably work out cheaper (and often better) to jusy buy a clear polish and some cheap glitter from a stationery shop and use that. But Tophop's Ice Crush bucks that trend for me. This is my 'go-to' glitter polish, and I'm currently midway my third bottle. 

I think what really does it for me is the two different shapes and sizes of the glitter. This then makes it perfect for this look as it really does seal the deal in terms of making the look seem quite realistic!

 

  

  

  

  

As complex, crazy and chaotic as these nails may look, it was shockingly easy to pull it off. At first glance you'd probably think that this is going to take up a lot of your time and effort, but I think it took me about 20 minutes on the first attempt!

What helped out though, was MissJenFABULOUS' tutorial video. I'd urge you to take a look and come up with some stunning designs of your own! :)

 

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L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Anti-Fatigue CC Cream

Beauty Balms

Confession: I could never understand the hype surrounding BB Creams. They absolutely burst onto the UK scene last year, with most of the big players funding huge advertising campaigns urging us all to buy these 'miracle' creams. 

I also thought that it was just me that wasn't a fan, working my way through several variations trying to convince myself they were good. Glowing review after glowing review on the blogosphere persuaded me to keep going. 

I tried Garnier, Sleek and even L'Oreal. All of which made my skin look like it wasn't mine. It could have been the lack of shade range, but regardless, BB cream did nothing for me but make my skin dull and strangely unnatural.

So imagine how I felt upon hearing of the next big thing: CC Creams! The cynic in me half expects to see DD Creams, the miraculous breast cream launched just a few months down the line! As yet, my prediction is yet to come true. But anyway, the arrival of the CC Creams initially had me thinking: 'Oh, here we go again!' *roll-eye*

So what exactly is a CC cream?

Well, it stands for Colour Correcting and is more of an evolution of the BB cream. 

I spotted L'Oreal had released 3 types of CC creams: Anti-Dullness, Anti-Redness and Anti-Fatigue. I picked up the latter after swatching it in my local Boots.

 

Tone, Consistency & Application:

Upon swatching, I realised it was a lovely apricot colour with microscopic beads or, as L'Oreal describe it, capsules. Once blended into the skin it transforms into foundation which adapts to my skin tone. Infact, I don't think I could describe this as a foundation, but perhaps a notch down on the thickness scale.

I found this works best for me when applying tiny dots in various areas around the face before using a buffer to work it into the skin. The brush I'm using at the moment is my trusty Illamasqua Highlighter Brush, which is perfect for applying foundation, and gives flawless, air-brushed looking skin. Back to the CC Cream though, and I love how this provides light coverage that adapts to my skin-tone. As many of us Desi girls know, finding the right shade can be troublesome.

After buffing the cream in, the face looking back at me in the mirror appears so much brighter and more awake. And that's before my morning coffee! This is in no small part due to the apricot colour of the cream, which works beautifully with olive skin tones. A word of warning though, ladies with dry skin might want to try before you buy, as this dries to a semi-matte finish . Just for reference, I am a MAC NC37 - NC40 and NARS Sheer Glow - Barcelona.

Formulation, Finish & Longevity:

Although the cream doesn't leave you with an instant glow, it leaves your skin looking more awake and radiant. As the day progresses on, I notice that my skin would gradually begin to glow. Now, my skin type is Oily/Combination so this isn't a great surprise, however I tend to find that with other foundations I need to powder once or twice a day to prevent the oiliness coming to the fore. With this cream I found that I was able to skip the powdering altogether, due to the glow factor.

If you're looking for this to conceal blemishes or under-eye circles, you'll find the light coverage isn't condusive to concealing. Luckily for me, I don't really suffer with dark under-eyes but of course the odd blemish pops up from time to time. For these little nasties, I conceal with my MUFE Full Cover Concealer.

So all in all, this provides you with light coverage, evens your skin tone and leaves a natural looking finish. My skin is relatively clear, so this has worked perfectly for me in achieving that 'Nude' look. I can see this quickly becoming a part of my morning routine for a long time to come (Until EE Cream comes out anyway!), particularly in the summer when I need super light coverage and don't fancy applying anything heavy. 

*cue selfies*

 

 

 

FACE:

L'Oreal Nude Magique Anti-Fatigue CC Cream

CHEEKS:

Topshop Cream Blush in Flush

EYES:

MAC Pressed Pigment in Warming Heart (lid colour and inner corner highlight)

Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in True Black

L'Oreal Lash Architect 4d Mascara

LIPS:

MUA Lipstick in 13 mixed with Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss Lipstick in 107

Final conclusion? 

L'Oreal, I am impressed!

L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Creams are priced at £9.99. Curently stocked in Boots and Superdrug. 

Are you Team BB or Team CC, or none? Ha!

 

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From the Archives: FACE - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hello hello! 

A little while back I took some photos for a review my 'Holy Grail' Foundation but sadly I seemed to have misplaced one of the 727476327 SD cards I own. Finally, I found it the other day. On my other laptop, ha!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation? What can I say? I've been using this for well over a year and that in itself says quite a lot about just how good this really is. I purchased mine in the shade 'Barcelona'. Funnily enough, while in Barcelona recently I was foundation-less and went bare faced.

At the make up counter, I was initially matched to 'Syracuse' which in my opinion, was faaar too dark for me. This is why I rarely ask for, and always reject, assistance at Make-up counters. I'm sorry but if I want to look like an Oompa Loompa then I'll ask for it, okay? 

Back to the foundation, the shade Barcelona has peachy undertones, perfect for folks that are between NC37-NC40 in MAC and have uneven skin tone. This definitely offers some form of correction and makes skin look as even as possible. Once I've applied the foundation, it actually appears to adjust to my skin tone, like magic! Any uneven skin tone I have seems to almost vanish.

For those of you who simply cannot be bothered reading the rest, check below for the summarised, bulleted bit, I can imagine this will come out being rambly, haha. 

Here's what NARS have to say about it:

"A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, it leaves skin hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture.

• For normal, normal-to-dry and dry skin types
• Hydrates for softer and smoother skin
• Contains powerful anti-oxidants to protect against damaging free radicals and turmeric extract to improve skin's radiance and tone
• Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Fragrance free. Consumer Testing Results:
• 100% skin felt soft and smooth
• 96% evened out skin tone
• 96% would recommend Sheer Glow to a friend" 

 Niiice.

Tone, Consistency and Application:

The tone is quite warm, almost golden brown looking with a slight peach tint to it as mentioned above. The consistency is quite runny but don't let that fool you in to applying layers and layers. I either apply this with the fingers or my ELF Studio Powder Brush. I use my fingers for when I do my make up in the morning for work or the weekend and only need 1 pump! FYI, you need to buy the pump seperately. 1 pump is enough to cover my entire face as luckily, my skin is relatively clear and don't need as much coverage and like it to look as natural as possible.

For special occasions or going out, I use 2 pumps for that 'done up' look without it looking cakey.

 

Formulation, Finish and Longevity:

The formulation is definitely buildable and it blends like a dream. When blending either with fingers or a brush, it seems to melt into the skin without settling into pores and leaves you with a flawless look.

I'd have to say even though it's named "NARS Sheer Glow", there is nothing Sheer about this foundation unless you use a small amount. This gives medium to full coverage if you use the usual 2 pumps (as with most foundations). Even with the 2 pumps this feels incredibly light on the skin, pretty much the exact opposite of MAC's Studio Fix Fluid. 

For those days where I get the odd spot, I find I don't need to use concealer which is a bonus! That's how awesome this stuff is. Once I've applied it, my skin looks incredibly natural, looks super skin-like and looks incredibly ORGASMIC! The glow it gives it just enough without looking like an oil slick.

 NARS recommends this foundation for peeps with Normal to Dry skin and I totally understand as to why, by midday my skin looks super glowy, maybe a little too glowy for some folk. But a dusting of powder fixes that.  For those of you looking for a Matte finish, this is not the foundation for you. With this, skin looks hydrated and dewy. did I already mention that?

The longevity of this is absolutely fantastic! I find it lasts throughout my whole day and at the end of it, you find your skin looks dewy providing that you've dusted a little powder on top. However skin does still look stunningly flawless.

Would I re-purchase?

I already have. I can't look back now.

Although in between I have tested out other foundations such as Christian Dior's Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Hydrating Make Up in shade 040. Yep, as much as I love NARS, the beauty junkie within me can't stop experimenting with others brands, ha!

Diorskin gives the same finish as NARS but not enough coverage which I'm not too bothered about, however, the shade is not for those with uneven skin tone, it will not attempt to correct it. It's more for people that have almost perfect looking skin.

What I love most about NARS Sheer Glow is the shade Barcelona. For women of colour, I too share the pain of the lack of colour range out their for us. Sure, while MAC, Bobbi Brown, and many others brands now have a huge colour selection but they only 'almost' match, and for me that's just not good enough.

So congratulations NARS. You've finally hit the spot.

Priced at £29.50. Some would say it's on the pricey side, but as I use one pump, this foundations lasts me an age. A worthwhile investment if you ask me!

To summarise:

Pros:

• Medium to full coverage that looks like actual skin, yet provides enough coverage
• Finish looks skin-like, dewy and most importantly FLAWLESS
• Provides you with even looking skin if you've chosen the right shade. The peachy undertones in Shade Barcelona helped even out some of the uneveness
• This does not oxidise like MAC's Studiofix Fluid
• Does not contain SPF, perfect for photographs to avoid the white cast some SPF'd foundations can give
• Longevity is excellent, at the end of the day, skin looks dewy yet FLAWLESS
•  Blends into skin seamlessly and does not settle into pores.
• Can be used on Oily/Combination skin in my opinion. Providing that you set your make up with a bit of powder
• Feels light on the skin

Cons:

•  Priced at £29.50, some would argue this is on the expensive side. But if you use let's say a pump at a time, this should last you a while.
• May not be suitable for Oily skin typed folks. It may make you look 'too glowy' that some percieve as 'Shine' but can easily be fixed with some powder
• Does not contain SPF. Also a pro but for those of you looking for SPF in your foundation, this is not for you. 
• It does not come with a pump. You will need to purchase this. I bought mine for £3.00 from the NARS Counter in Selfridges.

Now, as I've already talked about the foundation, thought I may as well show you what else I'm wearing, and no I'm not about to go all pervy on you... I mean my make up silly! ;)

So, a few special mentions down below:

MAC Eyeshadow in Beauty Marked

 

Isn't she just beautiful? However, I do know that others are disappointed with this. It looks purple in the pan but upon application it looks black/charcoal with hints of glitter in. I personally do not mind this. Sometimes I use this as a wash all over the lid or in the crease.

 

In this case, I've used it in the crease and it doesn't appear to be purple toned.

 

EYES:

MAC Eyeshadow in Brulé - all over the lid

MAC Eyeshadow in Beauty Marked - in the crease and lined under the eye

MAC Pigment in Vanilla - inner corner highlighter

Clinique Brush-On Cream Eyeliner in True Black

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black

FACE:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona - Obvs!

MAC Prep and Prime Powder

MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly

 

LIPS:

Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick in Kiss Me

I heart this lippie. It's a semi matte lipstick with amazing pigmentation but fades throughout the day, they don't call touch ups touch ups for nothing. The colour is absolutely gorgeous though. It's pink with coral undertones.

Unfortunately, Rimmel have discontinued the Colour Show Off range, so I turned to my best friend, eBay. They sell these for around £2.50. Bargain! 

 

And there you have it! I applaud those of you that managed to make it this far, this post is rather lengthy. 

But yes! All in all, NARS Sheer Glow is my HG foundation. I think I'd cry if they discontinued it. NARS, I plead you, please do not let this happen!

Have any of you found your holy grail foundation? 

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