MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadow

MAC have recently released a collection of eyeshadows that have the most unusual texture! The Electric Cool range has a consistency that is somewhere between a foam and a gel. Not dissimilar to L'Oreal's Color Infallible eyeshadows, but slightly more moist. Kinda bouncy. There were 12 different colours in the range and I plumped for Fashion Circuit, a bright shimmery teal green colour.

Without flash

With Flash

To show just how bright and shimmery Fashion Circuit is, I took some pictures in direct sunlight.

Other products I used are: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, Urban Decay 24:7 eyeliner pencil in Zero, Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Liner, and two shades from Urban Decay's Naked Palette (the first palette) in Virgin and Creep. My lashes are some Girls Aloud Festival Lashes that I've had for a while but not used. Brows are done with Benefit Browzings in Medium.

I really enjoyed using this shadow, the texture is out of this world and is loaded with pigment. I have read some reviews in which other bloggers have found the more neutral Electric Cool shades to be quite poor in pigment, but Fashion Circuit was nice and bold. I think the way these shadows are applied make all the difference: try packing the colour on with a stiff bristled brush as opposed to a fluff brush, and use in a patting motion, as opposed to sweeping the colour on.

Have you tried the Electric Cool shadows? Are you loving or leaving them?

Illamasqua Fundamental Palette- Three Different Looks

As promised, here is my in depth review of the Illamasqua Fundamental Palette. I try not to do what a lot of other blogs do, which is swatch products on my hand/arm. I know as a blog reader, the thing that I want to see the most, and find most useful is actually seeing the product in action. Therefore, I am going to show you three eye looks I created with tbe Fundamental palette, so you can see just how the four shadows inside work together:-

As a reminder, here is the palette again:-

Without flash

With flash

From l-r clockwise: Powder Shadow in Hype, Liquid Metal in Surge,

Powder Shadow in Inception, Cream Pigment in Bedaub.

So, I was playing around with the palette and I knew straightaway I wanted to recreate something akin to the look Illamasqua created here:-

(source)

 

I absolutely LOVE this look, it's by far my favourite look of the Human Fundamentalism story, and probably the easiest to wear at daytime. Here is my interpretation of it:-

I started by building up Inception powder eyeshadow up and above my cocket crease, building iu up even higher into a flick at the outer corner of my eye. I then used Surge metal pigment to trace a line on top of where I had blended Inception. I took this line up to the outer tip of my eyebrowand then back down to the outer corner of my eyesocket and lined all the way underneath my lower lashes. I then took Bedaub cream pigment and built this up above where I'd lined Inception with Surge, thus 'sandwiching' the Surge line. I took Bedaub right out towards the outer corner of my eye, near to the tip of my brow. Finally, I connecting all the lines, by using Surge to highlight under my brow arch. I connecting this line to the other Surge line at the inner corner of my eye. I topped this look off with a set of Eyelure Girls Aloud eyelashes (the Nadine ones) I hope this long description makes sense!

I then created this colour clashing look:-

So here I used Surge liquid metal to line underneath my lower lashes. I then used Hype in the inner corner of my eye, blending upwards above my socket crease. I then blended Inception in the outer corner of my eye and then blended upwards and over Hype. I then continued my line of Surge to just flick up the outer corner of my eye next to Inception. I used some No 7 false eyelashes (Intense Volume) here, and I think they look pretty good, by complimenting but not overpowering the look.

And finally, I wanted to show everyone just how versatile the Fundamental palette is by creating an easy to do daytime look. As part of their Human Fundamentalism collection, Illamasqua have created a beautiful neutrals palette, but I created the look below using the Urban Decay Naked Palette:-

Here I used Virgin from the Naked palette to highlight my brow arch. I then blended Hype in the inner corner of my eye blending outwards and up over my socket crease. I then blended Naked powder in the centre of my eyelid, which I then went back and blended more Hype into, so there was no obvious line where the two eyeshadows met. Finally, I took Buck from the Naked palette and winged this up from the outer corner of my eye, and blended above Naked to give a smoked out effect. I finished the look off with Zero eyeliner and another set of No 7 false eyelashes (Natural Volume)

So there you go, those are the three looks I'm currently experimenting with using the Fundamental palette. Hopefully I have shown you just how versatile this product is! Have you tried anything from the Human Fundamentalism range? If so, let me know what, and how have you used it?!?

Make Up Too Beautiful To Use (or, Pretty Pieces of Cosmetic Art to Treasure Forever!)

Remember how yesterday I mentioned make up that I have in my beauty collection that I NEVER use, but occasionally take out and covet lovingly? Well, I decided to share some pieces with you here. Enjoy.

MAC Wonder Woman Quad Pallette in Defiant

Paul and Joe Alice in Wonderland Set

The tin, open.

So, inside there is a lip conditioning stick, a case with blotting papers, and a refill of blotting papers.

Peach Lip Conditioning Stick

And here's the pink Paul and Joe Alice in Wonderland tin.

I'm late!

I absolutely love the cards!

Pink Lip Conditioning Stick

And, as a special treat for you readers, I have pulled out some of the blotting papers for you to see.

Look at the beautiful patterns on the papers! These are pictured next to the reverse side of the blotting papers case.

The Dormouse!

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

Alice

The Pallette itself is in the drawer that pulls out.

Look at those colours!

So, can you tell what my favourite story of all time is? 2010 was a great year full of Alice in Wonderland collectibles to coincide with the Disney remake of the story. I don't mind sharing with you that me and el boyfriend were considering calling our little daughter Alice, but in the end, plumped for different name. :)

So, there's my stash. Do you have any make up items that you never use, but sometimes pull out just to have a look at?