When it comes to nails, although a lot of polishes are three-in-one, I still prefer applying a base coat first and then finishing off with a topcoat. Although you can buy base coats and topcoats separately, lots of brands have value sets making it easy to get everything you need at a competitive price.
As part of their 2014 summer releases, Butter London is releasing a new and improved Backstage Basics Catwalk-Ready Manicure kit that has everything you need to get perfect nails.
The kit includes smaller sizes of their Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat, which protects nails from staining and fills in ridges, creating a perfect canvas for any colour; their nail lacquer in Snog, an opaque pink creme; Hardware P.D. Quick Top Coat, a quick-drying and chip-resistant topcoat; four Scrubbers 2-in-1 Prep & Remove Wipes, which takes off your old mani prepping for your new one; and a nail file and buffer.
Housed in a chic, slim box, which would make any girl’s heart beat faster, the packaging also includes notes on how to create the perfect “waterless manicure”, which was developed at Fashion Week, where there isn’t much access to water.
I gave everything a try and I feel like this is a great kit for those who are Butter London enthusiasts, beginners, or just looking for a fab gift. Although Snog isn’t my favourite colour, it’s a nice staple that should be in everyone’s collection. I also want to note that the colour only lasted a couple days before it started to chip. I’m not sure if that’s a Butter London thing (I only have one of their polishes) or the topcoat, or a combination of both.
Overall, like I said, I think this is a great kit if you are looking for a base and topcoat. The Scrubbers work really well and took off all the colour relatively easily with just one wipe. I have to say that this isn’t my favourite base/topcoat kit (I really like the Sephora Formula X one), but Butter London is such a prestige brand that honestly, if you were looking for a gift for someone, I think this would be great. Also, if you own a lot of Butter London polishes already, you might as well invest in their base and topcoat and be all match-matchy ;).
Butter London’s Backstage Basics kit retails for $32 (a $42 value) and launches in July 2014.
Are you a Butter London fan? Will you be picking up the Backstage Basics kit?
Please note, I was sent this product from PR. All opinions are my own.
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So one of the items gifted at the 2014 London Drugs Beauty event was the NYX Dream Catcher palette in Stormy Skies, a palette with 10 eyeshadows, some matte and some glitters.
Because NYX is only available at some stores, I haven’t really ventured into the brand that much. In fact, I didn’t even know they did eyeshadow palettes. There are three different Dream Catcher palettes available and the Stormy Skies one is definitely the most nighttime of them all. The palette features neutral shades that would be flattering on any skin tone or eye colour.
I was so excited to get my hands on this and play with it, that I just had to do a look with the colours. This look is definitely a go-to for me and no doubt have done similar looks in the past, but this was more about seeing how well the colours apply and the wearability. I was surprised on how great the colours went on and blended. They aren’t the most pigmented, but it’s definitely buildable colour. I don’t mind this as much with dark shades, as it’s easy to go overboard. I would rather have something a little more sheer and then build it up.
I also used NYX’s Two Timer Dual-Ended liner (which has one side pencil and the other as a liquid liner) and their Butter Gloss in Madeleine for the perfect nude pout.
1. With a bronze-coloured cream eyeshadow, lay this on your lid area and blend it out. I used Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam eyeshadow in Bronze Glam (also picked this up at LD Beauty).
2. After, with the matte white shadow from the palette, place this on your brow bone.
3. With the brown-orange colour and a fluffy crease brush, apply this underneath the brow highlight, acting as a transition colour.
4. Grabbing the dark brown glittery colour and a crease brush (like a MAC 217), put this in your crease area and blend it out.
5. With the glittery neutral shade, apply this on the lid area.
6. Line your upper lash line with a liquid liner, winging it out. After, curl your lashes and apply some coats of mascara.
7. With the dark brown glittery colour and a pencil brush, place this on your bottom lash line. After, apply some coats of mascara to your bottom lashes.
I wore this look all day and even taught a step class with it on. Although I was extremely sweaty and my mascara smudged everywhere, I was surprised that the liner held on quite well. Usually liners smudge in my crease, but this one didn’t really budge. As for the shadows, they didn’t really move all day and kept their pigmentation.
If you can find this palette (check out London Drugs!), I would consider it. They also have ones that come with more “daytime” colours as well.
Have you tried NYX shadows? What were your thoughts?
Also, don’t forget to enter my #GottaTurnItUp Night Out beauty giveaway!
Note, this post contains gifted products. As always, all opinions are my own.
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With it officially being summer, powder makeup is taking a backseat and creams are coming centre stage. When it comes to pool weather, I love laying down a cream eyeshadow as they last a lot longer and many on the market are waterproof. I swear by Make Up For Ever’s (MUFE) Aqua Creams, and this season they have introduced a similar product but in crayon form. Called Aqua Matic, this eye shadow glides on and stays put. The product, available in 10 shades, is very pigmented, waterproof, and smudge-free. The crayon is retractable, so no sharpener is needed.
I received the colour I-90, Iridescent Pop Purple, and was excited to try something new with it. I usually keep things neutral, but for this look I chose to skip the black cat eye liner and use this instead. These come in “normal” colours, as well as fun ones, like a turquoise and a lime green.
1. Because this is a beach/pool look, I applied a BB cream instead of foundation, as it’s lighter and gives some sun protection on the skin. I’m using The Body Shop Tea Tree BB Cream. Next, fill in the brows, I used the Chella brow pencil and gel (coming soon to London Drugs).
Starting with the eyes, apply a nude-coloured primer to the lid area, I used MAC Paint Pot in Nubile. Then, with a matte white eyeshadow, apply this along your brow bone. I used MUFE 00 from the Technicolor palette (not available anymore, but you can pick up the shadows individually).
2. With a matte brown and a fluffy crease brush, apply this underneath your highlight lightly. We just want to add some definition to the crease area. I used MUFE eyeshadow in “17”.
3. With MUFE Aquamatic in I-90 (or really any colour, it doesn’t have to be purple!), line your upper lash line, creating a thick wing. After, I used a black eyeliner (MUFE Aqua Eyes in black) to line my tightline.
4. Curl your lashes and apply some coats of mascara.
5. With a light purple shadow (I used MUFE “116”), apply this along your lower lash line. In the inner corner of the eye, place the matte white shadow to highlight, and then apply a coat of mascara to your bottom lashes.
And that’s the final look! For the lips I used Maybelline ColorSensational The Buffs in Bare All with CoverGirl LipPerfection lipstick in Darling over top and then NARS Turkish Delight to finish it off.
If you have purple eyes, this look would be perfect for you, as purple makes blue and green pop. You can also layer these Aqua Matic’s underneath for the perfect base.
What’s your go-to waterproof shadow?
Please note, this post contains product that were sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Housed in a chic, slim box, which would make any girl’s heart beat faster, the packaging also includes notes on how to create the perfect “waterless manicure”, which was developed at Fashion Week, where there isn’t much access to water.
Overall, like I said, I think this is a great kit if you are looking for a base and topcoat. The Scrubbers work really well and took off all the colour relatively easily with just one wipe. I have to say that this isn’t my favourite base/topcoat kit (I really like the Sephora Formula X one), but Butter London is such a prestige brand that honestly, if you were looking for a gift for someone, I think this would be great. Also, if you own a lot of Butter London polishes already, you might as well invest in their base and topcoat and be all match-matchy ;).
