A peek into Call Of Beauty's Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what  fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek  into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!! 

This week is the turn of beautiful Laura from Call of Beauty (for obvious reasons my boyfriend thinks her blog name is amazing ha, and I have to agree). 

Firstly, thank you Sophie for asking me to post in this feature. I feel very honoured. Secondly, I have to admit something to you all. I don’t really have an everyday make-up bag. Gasp, I know. I tend to just keep my make-up bits and pieces stored and dotted around me so I can pick and choose on the day. However, for this post, I grabbed the things that are pretty much in daily rotation, and if I was to go on holiday tomorrow (anyone fancy taking me?) these are the items I would pack.

 Face Products:

My main foundation is the bareMinerals Original foundation. I like to keep what’s on my face light, so I alternate between that and the Dr. Jart+ BB cream. For a primer, I’m yet to find one I love, but this one from Rimmel ain’t too bad. For a powder I’ve just started using this Healthy Balance one from Borujois, so far so good. For some highlight I’m loving this Topshop Glow, and I’d be nowhere without this Multiple in Portofino by the gorgeous Nars. My holy grail concealers are Estee Lauder Double Wear for those pesky blemishes and the ‘better than YSL’ under eye concealer by Maybelline – Dream Lumi Touch. If I fancy a bronzed look I’ll hit up my Nars Laguna, I love Hoola by Benefit too, but it’s not that great for a make-up bag. Finally, I am obsessed with lip products at the moment, but if I had to choose one, it would be Berry Smoothie by Revlon.

Eyes:

I am an eye make-up junkie, which is why there is a vast range of products for eyes. Firstly my Mac palette, whilst majorly expensive, it houses my favourite shadows, and I wouldn’t be without it. I also have a two palette which contains my two brow colours. I also have a Max Factor Brow Pencil in Hazel for my ‘natural’ days.  Two mascaras may seem excessive, but the Revlon 3D volume one is perfect for a ‘natural’ look, where False Lash Effect by Max Factor gives to die for lashes. The perfect travel palette would be this Merry and Bright one from Stilla, it has six shadows and a blush colour. I have to eyeliners, one for my waterline (Rimmel Kate Scandaleyes in Nude – amazing!) and a grey Loreal one for my lashline. Finally to cream based shadows, Mac Painterly for a netural wash of colour, and for a bit of daring Maybelline color tattoo in On and On Bronze.

So that has been my ‘make-up bag.’ I hope I haven’t bored you, and thanks again Sophie.

Laura xoxo

Nars & God created Woman Palette

Its safe to say that I was more than just a little excited about my latest purchase, and Nars really know how to keep a girl waiting. In all fairness several of the days I was left anticipating my arrival did include easter weekend, so I will let them off this time!! 

Once the girl who coveted the whole purple eyeliner/eyeshadow combo (okay it was perhaps more of a lilac hmm), fast forward a good six years later, and im that girl that goes giddy over a good neutral shadow!! (oh how times change). from the look of bemusement on the boyfriends face when I happily unveiled my latest beauty, and the stern look I received from my brother for purchasing yet another palette, I dont think guys quite get the hype over neutral shades, that just "all look the same thing" to them (anyone else with me here?)

The Nars and god Created Woman palette includes 6 highly pigmented eyeshadows and the added bonus' of a smudge proof eye primer and shadow brush. The palette itself is teeny tiny (something I was prepared for after reading various reviews), im talking a little larger than a credit card, and a little smaller than my beloved iphone4s. However size really isin't an issue as its compact enough to be a convenient sidekick for travelling. Plus as my Nana would always say at the grand height of 4ft 10, "Sophie the best things come in little packages", and when it comes to this beautiful palette, boy is she right!  

Nars and God created woman is ideal for creating a simple daytime look, aswell as a smokey evening one. With a perfect colour range, the palette incudes two matte shadows, Belissima (a light taupe with a slight hint of glitter) and Coconut Grove (a dark chocolate brown). Two shimmers Alhambra (peachy/pink gold, ideal for highlighting) and Kalahari (a coppery bronze), and the piece de resistance two micro glitters, Galapagos (a medium to light brown with serious gold glitter) and Night Clubbing (a black with beautiful gold flecks). The only little niggle I have is that there is slight fall out with the micro glitters, but nothing major!!

The Nars and God Created Woman palette, is limited edition, so its best to pick it up sooner rather than later. The beautiful must have (just call me an enabler) can be purchased via the Nars website aswell as SpaceNK.... Now on your marks, get set, goooo!!!!..

Urban Decay De-slick setting spray

Every once in a while, a product will impress me so much, that I will add it to my imaginary repurchase list immediately!! This exact thing happened a week ago when I was seriously wowed by Urban Decay's De Slick Setting Spray. 

Im not really sure what made me purchase De Slick (it may, just may be down to a bout of late night shopping), as this wasn't the first time that I had tried one of the infamous setting sprays. During my trip to the states last year, I decided to take a trip to Beauty Mecca (thats Sephora to me and you), and its safe to say my makeup head took over my senses a little, and I left with a bag full of various goodies, including the All Nighter Setting Spray. For $10 it was worth a shot, and in all honesty I was left less than impressed (the ironic thing is that I was sent the above sample of this, with De Slick). 

Im digressing here so lets get back to the topic. I have been applying De Slick before primer, and once again after foundation and concealer. As little as three light spritz is enough to leave my makeup in tact throughout the day. Its safe to say that I am seriously impressed with this little tube of goodness!! 

In terms of packaging, I quite like the revamp, even if it is white (iv'e said it before and il say it again, thrown in makeup bags, and handled with grubby mitts, white packaging doesn't stay clean for long). 

Uncertain of how I would feel about the De Slick Spray, I opted for the 30ml travel size, and in all honesty for how much product is needed, this should last me quite some time.

(As for the All Nighter Setting Spray, im tempted to give it a second chance!! Has anyone else tried it?? what were your thoughts??) 

De Slick can be purchased from the likes of Debenhams, in either 30ml (£9) or 118ml (£19.50) bottles!!

 

Loreal Top coat confetti

Whilst sat here in a chocolate induced stooper I thought I would share with you my latest polish obsession. Lets face it speckled nails are the latest nail trend to hit the scene, and its easy to see why!!

Although Loreal's confetti top coat may leave your nails resembling a mini egg, the result, although sweet, will in no way effect your waistline (im already regretting consuming a giant cadbury egg for breakfast), and best of all is a little kinder to the bank balance compared to similar options out there, with its £4.99 price tag (kerchiiing).

Photos really do not do Loreal's confetti any justice. With just two coats applied over Ciate's vintage, confetti took a simple manicure from drab to fab, with the help of mismatched chunks of black and white glitter (aswell as  the added bonus of a hint of shimmer). Personally I think the top coat confetti would look perfect over most shades, especially nudes and greys. Applied over pastel shades Confetti has the ability to be a perfect alternative for the Illamasqua speckled polishes also creating a stir on the beauty scene. 

What do you make of the speckled trend? 

Have you tried Loreal's Top Coat Confetti?

March Favourites 2013

Tuesday pick me up: Kate Spade ' Things We Love'

What things make you happy? personally for me I cant help but smile when I see a quirky quote, a pair of shoes adorning a cute bow, and anything related to the Big Apple (or the States in general). Faced with these things I cant help but wear a grin resembling that of a cheshire cat. Kate Spades latest coffee table read 'Things We Love' includes a few of my favourite feel good things, whilst having enough glitz to stand out in the bright lights of broadway, and make the greyest of days just that little brighter. 

From the moment I lunged at the courier and grabbed the great big box housing my latest read, I have been unable to put the beautiful book down. Unwrapping the plain brown paper, I acted like a child on Christmas morning when I was greeted with (in contrast to the boring paper) a vibrant hardback, with beautiful gold edges. 

Brimming with fabulous bold prints, photographs, and hilarious quotes, each page manages to incorporate a hint of that whimsical Kate Spade charm (Beware once you pick up this page turner, its a little hard to put it back down). Each of the 20 chapters include some of their favourite things, from the fabulous city of new york where the brand began 20 years ago. The love of bows, something which is heavily present with most of Kate's beautiful designs. Oh and what girl doesn't love a bit of sparkle (there is even a chapter on that). 

longing for summer, and in need of a little pick me up during this cold, dull weather? then this book is for you. things we love deserves a place on every girls coffee table, bedside table, or book shelf!! 

Now does anyone fancy taking me to London, to indulge in the treasure trove also known as Kate Spade New York? 

'Things We Love' can be purchased from Amazon for about £20