Event: Paul's Hair and Beauty World :)

So I mentioned in my previous post that I went to two events within 48 hours, the first was Neal's Yard Remedies (posted about this event here) and the second was for Paul's Hair and Beauty World, which I'll tell you about here! :)

On Saturday morning, I made my way to the official opening of Paul's Hair and Beauty World on Queen's Street Glasgow. It's a 2000 square foot store specialising in mainly extensions, but also some hair and skin products, and Sleek makeup. The Sleek stand is very well stocked, they had several Rose Gold blushes which is usually sold out everywhere!

 

I met Lori and her friend there (click her name for her blog) and we enjoyed the cocktails and looking at all the different hair available. The staff were trying to convince me to get a weave haha - I have to say I'm tempted!!

Melanie Mason from X Factor opened the store and we posed for pics.

 

Yes, I look like an idiot...

It was fun! Paul's Hair and Beauty Boutique have branches all over the UK and you can also shop online at their well-stocked website here. I got a wee goody bag from them too:

I got some bizarre bits like a pen and a bulldog clip (?!) but also some Batiste, Sleek products and Palmer's. The Hairbond Moulder was quite exciting, I don't use product like gel/wax in my hair but my boyfriend does and he's tried it and gives it a thumbs up!

Thanks guys! :)

 

What do you think about stores like this? Have you ever bought extensions from a high street store?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

BARGAIN Stila Beach Palette Review :)

I know, I know, I know - you can buy Stila for the pound shop now. And that is an amazing bargain!! But it sells out fast and is usually shades & stuff no one is buying any more. TK Maxx also do great prices for Stila, I have bought a few pieces there.

However - for a full price, limited edition palette, I think the £10 I paid is awesome. I bought one of the Beach Palettes from Escentual.com in my haul you can see here. I put my swatches there but I'll show you the pics again in case you feel too lazy to look back haha!

It was the Limited Edition Beach Palette in Living it Up in Laguna, which I bought here.

Eyeshadows clockwise from top left: Sand Dollar, Sunset, Bonfire, Cove

Blusher: Seashell

Bronzer: Pacific Coast Highway

First impressions of the palette are still what great value it is. A single Stila eyeshadow sets you back about £13, and in this palette you get four co-ordinating colours plus a blush and a bronzer. Even without the face colours, the eyeshadows would be £2.50 each - serious bargain.

The palette itself is pretty flimsy, it's super cute but made of cardboard so not overly sturdy, and there's no magnetic (or otherwise) clasp to shut it. It includes a mirror and a little guide on how to use the colours. Again, for the price, I'm happy.

Top pic, l-r: Sand Dollar, Sunset, Cove, Bonfire

Bottom pic, l-r: Seashell, Pacific Coast Highway

I chose this palette as I am a total UD Naked addict and felt like a wee change, and I know pinks and purples are good for green eyes. There are other palettes you can choose from for the same price.

The colours work really well together, they are pigmented and go on softly and true to colour (although not true to the colour shown on the back of the palette - don't know what that's about). The guide on how to use the eye colours is not how I would ordinarily use them, as the shade Sunset is a very strong pink, and blending the mauvey Cove on the lash line doesn't seem to work, poor Cove gets lost. But there's lots of opportunities to play about with these colours.

The blush/bronzer are not as great, they are quite pale and almost chalky. The blush, Seashell, is almost purple toned, and I certainly wouldn't be dusting the bronzer all over my face as it's too pinky! But they maybe would suit girls even paler than me haha!

Here's me trying out the look, using the guidelines exactly:

Eyeliner: Collection Gel Liner

Mascara: 17 Peep Show

Eyebrows: Christian Eyebrows in Taupe

Annoyingly, the colours are actually a lot more vivid in real life, they look more neutral here. But the lighting just now is awful, so dark inside! We don't have the lovely London sun. :(

I do think these colours make my eyes appear greener, although it's not as obvious in the photos! 

And here's with a full face of make up...

(Right pic with flash)

Bronzer: Sleek Contour Kit

Blusher: NARS Orgasm

Lips: Dior Addict High Shine in 664 Pink Protege

What do you think? Do you like Stila make up? Do you try colours other than neautrals? Would you 'innvest' in one of these bargain palettes?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥

My Attempt at Contouring

So I used to be pretty skinny, and my face was skinny too. As I put on weight, my face kind of rounded out. I don't actually mind having a rounder face too much, but I have zero cheekbones (I know they're in there somewhere, they're just very shy) so I thought it might be a good idea to start contouring.

I have been using Benefit 10 for years. It's a staple in my 'going out' make up, it's quite shimmery and bronzy so it's too much for me during the day but so easy to use and effective for night time use. Here's a pic of me from ago ago wearing it:

So you can see there's highlighter just above my cheekbone and bronzer below. Not my best picture obv but it'll do to show you what Benefit 10 looks like on me!

I wanted something that I could use during the day, alongside my normal blusher (Nars Orgasm). After a bit of reading, Sleek seemed like the obvious choice. So I popped along to my local Superdrug and got the last one in 'light'.

Since I'm too shy to do videos, here's a picture step by step of how I poorly attempted contouring!

I apologise in advance for my face. Ugh.

Step One

Create base, but don't apply any blush etc.

Step Two

Pull a ridiculous fish face. Sweep the bronzer over the hollow that's created, I used my Sigma F40 contour brush.

Step 3

Blend it out a little bit. I used my Sigma F30 big powder brush.

Step 4

Use a blusher brush to add the highlighter along your brow bone and blend with your powder brush a wee bit so it's not just two stripes.

Finished Result!

Left - before and right - after

I know, it would have helped if I'd taken both photos at the same angle. But as you can see, this was quite a rushed effort - I still have my jacket on and no lipstick or anything. Ugh.

Overall, I'm not sure it actually makes a difference! Maybe it's something that needs a bit of practice? Or maybe I'm doing it wrong?

So what do you think? Should I just stick to Benefit 10? Have you tried contouring before?

Let me know!

~ Lauren ♥