Spring Summer 2014 makeup Trends

Orange lips are a huge trend for SS 2014, they were seen all over the runways and many celebs have been rocking them on the red carpet and events. Wether you go brave with a vivid bold orange or apricot,  or slightly safer with an orange/red, orange is definitely the colour your lips want to be seen in, and the great thing is it really does flatter all skin tones. This look is best paired with minimal makeup keep it simple and let the lips do the talking.

Dramatic liner is not a trend for the feint hearted, the look is all about bold angular shapes like a more modern day 60s liner look, with black lines along the lashline and above the crease. If like me you haven't yet perfected the art of a basic cat eye then these graphic arty liner looks may seem a little scary, maybe just try a slightly thicker line or more exaggerated wing than usual for a slightly bolder look or even drag the line up to the crease to outline the outer v.

The Spring/Summer runways were awash with blue lids, perhaps not the easiest trend to pull off in everyday life but definitely a striking one. Although blue eyeshadow does slightly alarm me and bring back memories of some of the brightly colored looks we once rocked in our school days i really do like it, if you want to be brave and give it a shot go for a bold block of colour or if you want to try a safer option apply it around the top and bottom lashline almost like a liner. Work this bold eye look with peachy/coral cheeks and either nude or peachy lips.

The barely there, natural look is just so pretty and fresh looking, for me it's just the epitome of Spring/Sumer makeup.

Now we all no that although we all wish that natural barely there look could be achieved with a couple of products in reality it still seems to require a gazilion different things!

This look is all about looking healthy, fresh and glowing, for the base a BB or CC cream would work well or a light foundation that will give you a your skin but better look. A light dusting of bronzer to give a healthy glow, and a cream highlighter applied to areas that catch the light will make the skin look luminous and radiant. Finish the look of with pink blush to give a natural flush to the cheeks, a couple of coats of mascara and a slick of a nude or pink lipstick or gloss.

I hope you enjoyed this post, what is your favorite SS 2014 makeup trend?

SS 2014 makeup by zbarbeary on polyvore.com

My top Spring nail polishes

 

I did one of these posts back in October with my top Autumn nail polishes and so i thought i would make it a seasonal thing and bring you my top nail polishes for spring. 

For me when i think of spring i think of the new flowers particularly daffodils, and baby animals, its all fresh and full of life. In colours that translates to me as a mixture of pretty pastels and a few vibrant shades. 

Topshop 3D 203-

I had to pick a glitter as i do love a glitter polish! This beauty is a really pretty mixture of very fine glitter in clear polish, its mainly a sort of green colour but in the light it looks multicolored and holographic. 

Essie Madison Ave-hue-

This is such a pretty pink, it was actually from Essies spring collection last year. the colour makes me think of roses, it also has a very light barely detectable shimmer to it. 

Rimmel Lemon Drop-

No spring nail picks could be without a yellow it just makes me think of cute little chicks, ahh... This is just the perfect pastel yellow its also has good coverage for such a light shade. 

BarryM Blueberry-

Not quiet a pastel but not too bright either this is such a nice blue, it may be called Blueberry but it reminds me of Bluebells.

Bourjois Amande Defile-

This is a lovely fresh colour for spring its in-between a mint green and an apple green, just a lovely green colour really.

BarryM Papaya-

I love this gorgeous vibrant peachy/orange its bright and perfect for Spring, orange is everywhere for lips at the moment so why not rock it on your nails too. 

Topshop Chase-

This is probably my favorite Topshop nail polish its just so pretty, the prefect lilac with a gorgeous shimmer. 

I hope you like my top picks for spring nails, what will you be wearing on your nails this spring?

OOTD Casual Spring Checks

 

Jacket- River Island (Similar) 

Top- Topshop (Link)

Jeans- Topshop (Link)

Boots- Boohoo

Bag- River Island

Necklace- Primark

Hello lovelies i hope you've all had a good weekend, unfortunately i've had to work it all, sigh...i had friday off though and the weather was nice so i took the opportunity to take a few outfit pictures. 

The entire outfit is all new bits, it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and i had a good shop and got some lovely new pieces that i've been eager to share with you. Let's start with the top, how cute is it?! When i spotted it in Topshop i just new it would be mine, it combines two of my favorite trends of the moment pastels and checks. I love the pink, blue and grey together and i think the grey t-shirt back is an interesting touch. After getting my first pair of Topshop Joni jeans and loving them so much i decided i needed to add more to my collection so i picked up these blue ones their just so comfortable and i like the high waist. The jacket i've had for a few months now being white its so versatile and its going to get a lot of wear through spring. These amazing white boots from Boohoo and my favorite new purchase, i love how there like a strange (but awesome) sandal/boot hybrid and are pretty perfect for spring with its unpredictable yet slightly warmer weather. Unfortunately the pictures of my beautiful new bag didn't come out very well, i will try and get some better ones in another outfit post so you too can appreciate its pastel satchely beauty. 

Spring Makeup look Tutorial

As of yesterday it is now officially Spring, yay! Im so happy to be saying goodbye to Winter and am looking forward to some nicer weather... well hopefully this is England after all! 

I haven't done a makeup look in a while and thought it would be nice to do something pretty and colorful for spring, i also just wanted to have a bit of a play with my Sleek Original Palette which has some great colours in it. 

What I Used-

Face

Benefit That Gal Primer

Benefit Porefessional

Estee Lauder Double Wear in Desert Beige 

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Medium 

Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine (Review)

Topshop Matte Bronzer in Sandcastle 

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (Review)

Sleek Blush by 3 in Sweet Cheeks (Review)

Eyes/Brows

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel 

Benefit Gimmie Brow in Light/Medium (Review)

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini-Tini 

Sleek i-Divine Palette in The Original (Review)

Topshop Mascara in Black 

Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner in Black 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Liner in Nude

Lips

Mac Lipstick in Hue (Review)

Maybelline Colour Sensational Cream Gloss in Lovely Pearl 

As i was using my Double Wear which is a very mattifying foundation and i feel can sometimes make the skin look a bit flat and dull, i wanted a more luminous base than normal. I applied that gal, which is a pink brightening primer, i then used Porefessional on top followed by my foundation. 

I used Phwoar Paint under my eyes to cover dark circles and then set the base with Agent Zero Shine finishing powder. 

Next i applied bronzer to the entire face and neck, Dolly Mix the lilac pink blush from the Sweet Cheeks palette and then highlighter to my cheekbones, down my nose and across my forehead. 

For the eyes i used the Benefit Cream Shadow as a base over the entire lid. 

Using the Sleek palette i applied the light pink colour over the lid up to the crease, the purple 3/4 of the way across the crease and to the outer corner, and the green along the bottom lash line. 

I then wet a brush and used the bright blue colour as eyeliner across the lashline and flicked it out. 

Next was some black liner along the top lash line, some nude liner on my waterline to open up the eyes and  then mascara.

Finally i used Mac Hue on my lips with a light pink lipgloss on top to finish. 

 I think this look is fun and pretty, its just a nice subtle pop of colour that you could make a bit more dramatic for night by simply adding some false lashes and maybe a bit of black liner to the waterline instead of nude. I hope you like it.

Benefit Gimmie brow in light/medium

I had seen so many good reviews on this new Benefit brow wonder that i just had to try it out for myself. Im pretty low maintenance when it comes to my brows, i pluck them as little as possible just taking stray hairs away i don't really mess with the shape, make up wise I'm just pretty useless i used to use a Rimmel eyebrow pencil for day to day but am never 100% happy with how it looks. I was interested to try a product that not only gives a colour to the brows but claimed to have brush on fibres to make the brows look fuller. 

Colour-

I picked up Gimmie Brow in the shade light/medium as my hair and eyebrows are both quite light i never go too dark. Colour wise the shade is great for me, my eyebrows are a mid-dark blonde colour and without makeup they look sparse and too light. As you can see from the picture above i have applied Gimmie Brow to the left side, and the gel does look darker but not too drastically it just makes my eyebrows look more noticeable, defined and put together. 

Application-

Gimmie Brow comes in a small mascara like form, the applicator brush is a very small stiff bristled brush which i think works great for the eyebrows. To apply you just have to brush it through the brows it doesn't clump them up its not messy at all, i think its very quick and simple to apply great if you don't want to spend ages on your brows. 

Formula- 

The gel formula is the perfect medium its not sticky or runny so your brows wont be sliding down your face, and its not so thick that it clumps or goes crusty. Once applied to the brows it in fact feels very natural like there is nothing even on them. 

I was a bit unsure when i got this as to how well it would help to fill out more sparse areas of my brows but it really does a good job and makes them look a more full and even shape.

My Thoughts-

I really like Gimmie Brow, i like how it fills and defines my bows so easily giving them a fuller shape. 

If you are low maintenance like me with your brows this could be the product for you as its so quick and simple to use. The only concern i have is the amount of product you get for the price. It is a small tube and at £17.50 it doesn't come cheap, I'm hoping it will last a good couple of months and if it does i will definitely be repurchasing. 

Have you tried Benefits Gimmie Brow? What did you think?

BarryM Aquarium Collection

Pacific/Mermaid/Mediterainian/Treasure Chest

I had been so well behaved lately and had been managing to avoid random beauty purchases in Superdrug or Boots...mainly by avoiding them both completely but still. That was until i had to make a trip to the pharmacy in Superdrug, i spotted these little beauties from the new BarryM collection and due to my large weakness for nail polishes (seriously their like my cryptonite) they ended up coming home with me.
The new BarryM Aquarium collection features six nail polishes, four two-tone shimmer polishes and two glitter top coats which contain the coordinating colours of the polishes. I picked up four from the collection the two glitter top coats and my favorite two polishes.

AQNP6 Pacific-
Pacific is a blue polish with a green sheen.

AQNP1 Mermaid-
Mermaid is a glitter top coat consisting of clear polish with blue, green and gold irregular foil glitter particles.

AQNP4 Mediterranean-
Mediterranean is a copper polish with a pinky/gold sheen to it.

AQNP2 Treasure chest-
Treasure Chest is a glitter top coat consisting of clear polish with rose and gold irregular foil glitter particles.

The polishes are just the most gorgeous colours i cant even decide which one is my favorite, and the duo chrome finish looks so pretty when it catches the light. Their quite thin in consistency so they definitely require two plus coats for a good even finish i used three in the swatches above.
The glitter in the top coats is chunky but will definitely also require a few coats for a full finish. Paired together the polish and topcoats result in a striking finish, i really do love them i'm just trying to convince myself now that i don't need the entire collection...

The new BarryM Aquarium Collection are £3.99 each and are currently two for £6.00 in Superdrug. 

Which colours your favorite?

Mac Costa Chic Lipstick

Im feeling a bit of a coral vibe on the blog this week! The lovely sunshine has had me bringing out pretty pinks and corals and leaving behind the vampy red and plums i wore through winter.

Todays review is a lipstick i am loving lately Mac's Costa Chic, i ordered this at the same time as Mac Hue (Review Here) last month. 

Along with a nude i was looking for a nice summery everyday lip colour nothing too bold. I decided to go for a coral, i think they just suit everyone and they are a perfect spring summer colour. 

I went for Costa Chic and i am very happy with my choice, its exactly the shade i wanted a gorgeous  warm pinky coral. Its a Frost finish which i was slightly unsure of to begin with but i think it works with this shade, its quiet a bold vibrant coral and the finish just tones it down slightly and makes it more wearable and just so pretty. Being the first frost finish i've tried i wasn't sure what to expect with staying power but its actually not bad at all much better than i expected, it feels moisturizing when you first apply but then seems to set on the lips without drying them out.  A slight downside with the frost finish is that this means it seems to settle into any creases and dryness so best to exfoliate the lips before use to get the best results, a lipgloss added on top will also look great.  

I think i've found my perfect Spring Summer shade! Have you found yours?

Sleek Blush by 3 Palette Californ.i.a

OC/ THE SURF/ NEWPORT BEACH

Hello lovelies i ran a giveaway back in January and the prize was to win one of the lovely Blush by 3 palettes in Califon.i.a or Pink lemonade, and i liked the look of them so much that i wanted to treat myself to one too...as you do. 

Im usually one for pretty pink blushers so Pink Lemonade seemed like the obvious choice, however i decided to go for something different for a change. 

"Blush By 3 is the ultimate blush palette offering three times the impact in one compact. With intense pigment, you can use these complimentary shades individually or blend together for a unique shade"

The Califon.i.a palette consists of three cream blushers in gorgeous warm orange shades, i thought this would be a great palette to have for spring and summer to add a healthy flush of colour to the cheeks. 

OC my favorite of the three is a beautiful coral, with a very fine shimmer to it, i personally love corals i think they just look so flattering and pretty on all skin tones. The Surf is a peachy orange with the prettiest fine gold shimmer which i can imagine looking so fresh and healthy on summer skin. Newport Beach is a darker more terracotta orange which i think will be great with a summer tan. Im not used to wearing orange shades on my cheeks but there all such nice colours and are really not as scary as they look in the palette, they come out quiet light and can be easily built up to the colour you desire. 

The formulation is great very smooth and creamy, and their easily bendable. there is nothing worse than a cream blush that blends badly and leaves you with patchy colour on your cheeks! 

Im glad i decided to to try something different and im looking forward to having a play around with these and layering some colours together, i think the darker shade Newport Beach could look great with The Surf on top and may end up being my favorite summer combo. 

Have you tried a Sleek blush palette? Would you be brave enough to try something different?

OOTD Pre Spring Pastels

Coat- Asos (Here)

Jumper- Missguided (Here)

Jeans- Topshop (Here)

Boots- River Island

Necklace- Primark (Here)

The slight improvement in weather lately has made me so ready for spring, and this has definitely affected how i want to dress. Of course saying that the weather was pretty rubbish yesterday when these pictures were taken but that typically seems to happen when i decide to photograph my outfit, sorry guys it was my fault! I am really feeling pastels at the moment, they are everywhere on the hightstreet and i have picked up a few new bits to add a bit of colour to my wardrobe. This beautiful mint cocoon coat is one of my newest buys, its actually Asos Petite and at 5'6 i no i don't really qualify but i prefere the shorter length, i don't really like very long coats so its perfect, the cocoon shape has taken some getting used to as i usually wear more fitted styles but its nice to mix things up a bit. Im pretty sure everyone is familiar with the jeans by now, these Topshop Joni Gingham jeans have been featured on so many blogs now they were a bold choice for me but i love them, and i think they look great with pastels like this cute cropped jumper from Missguided. 

Anybody else got the pastel bug? How do you wear yours?

February Favorites

Can you believe this is my first monthly favorites post since November?! I did do a couple of big 2013 round up posts on my favorite makeup (Here) and beauty (Here) products from the year but i wanted to get back into doing them monthly as i personally like reading them on other blogs, i think its nice to be nosy and no what other bloggers are loving using!

Ghost Whisper Blush-
I had the original Ghost Whisper perfume and loved it and then i got the Ghost Whisper Blush for Christmas and loved it even more, i have literally worn it everyday since. It smells light fresh and fruity its the perfect everyday scent. I think its unfortunately only a limited addition fragrance so i think I'm going to need to stock up.

Soap & Glory Lids Stuff (What's Nude)-
I bought this eyeshadow quad when i was just looking for a little palette i could fit in my makeup bag with simple everyday colours. I had heard a few bloggers saying how much they loved it and at first i wasn't convinced it was anything special, however now i've found myself using it all the time. I've been loving using just two of the matt shades Vanilla all over and Mudhoney in the crease and have been loving it. Even if i've been doing different eye looks with other palettes i use Vanilla as a base. Its made me want to try some more of soap and glory's makeup.

Mac Pink Nouveau- 
I've been wearing this quiet a lot lately, i think i've moved on a bit from vampy reds and I'm really feeling pink at the moment, weird how we go through phases isn't it? What i love about this pink is that its a sort of inbetween pink, its definitely not a your lips but better natural pink, and i wouldn't say it was outrageously bold either. Its just a slightly safer bright pink that you can wear day or night.

L'oreal True Match (Golden Beige)-
I am surprised this foundation has ended up in a favorites post, when i first bought it i was slightly underwhelmed. So many bloggers and Vloggers had raved about it and i was looking for an affordable everyday foundation for work etc you no when you don't want to waste "the good stuff" so i thought id give this a try. I just wasn't impressed it didn't stand out to me as being amazing in any shape or form, and yet i have come to love it. I think i just started to notice than it blended so easily and looked light and fresh on the skin, the staying powers not too bad on my either considering its not aimed towards oiler skin, definite grower and worth a try.

Superdrug Coconut Oil- 
Id been hearing people shout out about the benefits of Coconut Oil for so long, used in the hair on the skin and even to cook with, and i thought i need to try this out for myself. Im always looking for things to make my hair in particular healthier as i'm really trying to get it to grow thicker and longer. Its quiet strange to use its hard so you have to scoop some out melt it in your hands and apply where you want. I've been using it thorough the ends of my hair and its also great on dry areas of skin on my body and it leaves you smelling so good!

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle-
This little beauty is another product that i got for Christmas and have used every day since. Im just besotted with it, i completely understand the hype. Its just such a pretty colour a subtle golden/champagne that really does flatter the skin, and its not too sparkly it just the right amount to be natural in the daytime. I cant see it being knocked off the spot of my top highlighter for a while.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the things i've been loving lately, what are you Febuary favorites?

OOTN / Retro Print Coord

Crop Top- Missguided (Here)

Shorts- Missguided (Here)

Shoes- Topshop (Old)

Necklace- Topshop

I wasn't going to post this outfit of the night, I'm not completely happy with the pictures, they were taken before my night out on saturday and me and the photographer/best friend had had a fair few vodkas before "photo time" so unfortunately i had very few decent pictures to choose from. That being said i love this Missguided coord so much, i really wanted to do a post on it and if the neighbors didn't already think we were crazy from the other outfit pictures we've taken in front of my house I'm pretty sure me strutting out in this bum skimming two piece and heels would have more than a fair few curtains twitching!
Im really loving the whole coordinate trend, i think they look great and i also love that you can obviously wear them together or mix them up with other pieces to create completely different looks.
This retro print crop top and short combo also comes as a playsuit if you weren't brave enough to go for the coord look, i just think you get more for your money as you can wear them as separates. I had envisioned this outfit with a pair of platform sandals which would have gone with the retro print, but the gorgeous pair i wanted from River Island have sold out typical! .... anyway i picked out this cute pair from my collection and i don't think they look too awful.

What do you think about the coordinate trend, would you wear one?