A Rush of Blush...

OK..I just conducted an experiment with my blusher collection. And do you know what I found...? That a lot of the blushers I do have are quite similar in colour!! >.< Oops.

So maybe I shouldn't get the Well-Dressed Blusher?? Though I do seem to be missing a mid-pink..I have baby-pink (MAC Pink Swoon), 'IN YOUR FACE' pink (Bobbi Brown Apricot), a dirty pink (Bobbi Brown Desert Pink) and various nudes / corals / peaches (WAAY to many to mention!). Maybe that's a hole I should fill?! hehe.

What's a girl to do, eh? If you wanna see any of the blushers, please let me know!! xx

Challenge Time...

If there was ONE product you could recommend for me this month, what would it be??

My bank balance has JUST about recovered, as I got an injection of money today. But it still won't with-stand any big hauls in the near future. I've been thinking about this potential haul for some time now. What would you recommend me getting?? Here's my wish-list of potentials and justifications...

• MAC Well-Dressed Blush - A HG everyday pink??
• MAC Select Cover Up / Prescriptives Camoflauge - I have SCU in NW25 at the moment and it's not a perfect match so I'm considering a replacement. My skin is horrendous at the moment!! And I've heard good things from Hele about Prescriptives...
• Prescriptives Mineral Powder Make-up - again..a recommendation from Hele

That's all I can think of off the top of my head...but I would love to hear your comments!! xx

In and Out...April

I'm incredibly behind on these posts..and posting in general. The last month has been hectic work-wise, but it hasn't meant that I've neglected my makeup..rather the opposite!! I'm particularly skint at the moment so I'm joining lollipop26 in her Project 10 Pan and re-discovering some old favourites and also experimenting with my new loves.

IN
Bobbi Brown - my biggest expenditure the last couple of months, especially loving the TM and concealer
MAC Margin Blusher - it's a great everyday blusher
Sunny weather - I'm loving the early summer / late spring we're finally having
Memory Lane - having been to Leicester this weekend, it's made me appreciate friends I've made along the way
Long Cardigans - I seem to wearing these with every outfit but they're so comfortable and so versatile!!

OUT
Lack of Money - I'm beginning to resent my student-status and looking forward to a steady income
Distance - I miss the closeness of everything in Hong Kong, you wouldn't have 2 + hours trips
Search for the perfect lip product - still haven't found it yet (see next post =D)
Bad skin - my skin still won't stabilise and I'm starting to get impatient >.<
Missing my friends - they're too spread out all over the country / world for me to see them regularly

xx

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Sorry I've been missing for a little while...just getting started on the new modules now. And I'm desperately trying to save money to move out later this year!

Anyways, I got some samples from Estee Lauder the other day for their Double Wear foundation. I initially wanted the Light formulation but there isn't as much choice in relation to shade. I got matched at 2 different stands and got 2 different shades...mmm! Interesting. So tell me guys, have you had bad experiences getting matched at stands?

I have oriental skin which isn't well catered for in the drugstore foundation ranges - the tones are too rosy or golden whilst my skin has a yellow undertone. I thought I had hit jackpot last summer with prescriptives but it's too dark for these spring months, maybe when it gets a bit warmer!!

What's YOUR experience with counter-top foundations v drugstore foundation? Would love to hear from you xxx

What I'm using right now...

I'm always like 3 weeks behind but I blame those exams for sucking my life away!!

Shampoo - Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Conditioner - Andrew Collinge Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Hair Mask - None

Styling Products - Andrew Collinge Volume Hairspray / Fudge Pump Up / Lee Stafford Spray Wax / Garnier Beach Look Spray

Body Wash - Body Shop Coconut Shower Cream...mmmm

Body Moisturiser - Body Shop Coconut Moisturising Spray

Anti Perspirent - Nivea Energy Fresh

Fake Tan - L'Oreal Nutrisummer

Makeup Remover - Lancome Galateis Douceur and Eau Micellaire Douceur

Cleanser - Neutrogena Acne Daily Scrub / Clinique Anti-Blemish Cleansing Foam

Exfoliator - No 7 Total Renewal

Primer - Clinique City Block SPF 25

Foundation - MAC's Studio Scuplt in NC20 applied with fingers or MAC Studio Tech NC27

Concealer - Clinique Airbrush Concealer under the eyes, Mac's Studio Sculpt in NC20 and
Estee Lauder Double Wear stick.

Powder - Mac's MSF Natural/ Blot powder using Body Shop Kabuki

Blush - Bobbi Brown in Apricot or MAC Springsheen

Bronzer - Dior Bronzer or MAC Bronzer

Highlighter - Redhead MSF MAC

Eyebase - Clinique's in Canvas

Eyeshadow - MAC Femme Fi with Magnetic Fields or Maybelline Definer in Spiced Chocolate

Eyeliner - PURE Kajal Liner / Revlon Colorstay in Brown

Curler - None

Mascara - if any, Maybelline Define-a-lash

Lipstick - Creme d'Nude / GOSH Darling

Gloss - with Lipstick MAC Lipgelee in Lu-be-lu, without Lipgelee in Slicked Pink / MAC TLC in Petting Pink

Nail Varnish - Barry M in Red Black..very wearable everyday colour but really hard to get right!!

I'm Joei and I'm a Shopaholic...

Seriously I really think I have a problem!! I'd promised myself no more spending till March and I have fallen on like the first hurdle. No MAC purchases but lots of pretty dresses!! I'm loving this look here...

I've not worn jeans in weeks as I'm choosing little denim shorts with leggings and Ugg boots with a comfy cardigan instead. Failing that a pretty dress, waist belt, cardigan and boots.

I don't know about you but once I find a style I suit I kinda stick to it and end up having multiples of the same dress / top in different colours. Go figure!!

Here's a picture of the shorts and t-shirt combo :D Excuse the mess that is my room!!

I can't find pictures of my other dresses...I'll have to post some pics of the weekend when I get back instead!!

What styles are you rocking at the mo?? xxx

What's in my Bag...

Oooh I've been waiting to this post for SOOOO long. I'm going away this weekend so perfect opportunity to show you what's in my bag for the journey and beyond!

First the bag itself...
I got this from BANK for about £15. Apart from make-up, bags are probably my biggest weakness. I love this one as it's a decent size and fits quite a lot in but yet very lovely and goes with pretty much any outfit!!


My mess...
I don't reckon I would usually have this much junk in my bag but because I'm heading off for the weekend I packed extra stuff for the journey. You should see the suitcase! I downsized because even I thought it was ridiculous!!

Anyways we have (L-R)
Sunglasses which are prescription ones from HK (*darn forgot to take photo of them*)
Mini umbrella from Boots
iPod video (which was playing on my hi-fi hence the empty shell!)
Panadol as I'm really prone to headaches
Tissues
MAC Blot Powder in MEDIUM DARK
Body Shop Face and Body Brush
Snack-a-Jacks
Gloves
DDMG - there's not too much left in this one but need extra moisturiser during winter months
Shapers Cranberry Juice
Anna Sui Secret Wish
My Make-up Bag
Wallet - it's a leather one from TK Maxx - it's very worn now but i LOVE it still

My Make-up Bag...
I really wouldn't normally lug this much around with me but this basically will be my day make-up kit for the weekend. From the top we have:
Clinique City Block SPF 25
Pure Kajal Eye-Liner in Black
Aloe Vera Lip Balm - absolutely AMAZING from Holland & Barratts and only £3!!
Mini-Bobbi Brown Brush
Bourjois Mini Blush in 07
Bobbi Brown Blush in APRICOT - gorgeous colour giving a perk-me-up for those hungover days!
Clinique Touch Base in CANVAS
MAC Lipgelee in SLICKED PINK
Revlon Colorstay Liner in BLACK-BROWN
Maybelline Colour Definer in SPICY CHOCOLATE
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer in LIGHT 02
MAC Concealer Brush (*can't remember its number*)
MAC Studio Tech NC27 - absolutely perfect for touch ups but BLEND!!
The little plastic pots (a) Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in FAWN and (b) Lancome Matte Gel
Sponge
Hair bits and pieces

PHEW I have a lot of crap in my bag right!! Let me know if you want to see anything in more detail like swatches etc!! xxx