Lou's Reviews :: MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Ages and aggeess ago, I was very kindly sent a couple of bits from Mac and since I've now had a good amount of time to give them a whirl, I thought I'd tell you my findings. I was sent the Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Cajun (from the Venomous Villains collection) and a mascara which we'll no doubt talk about another time.

What MAC have to say about it:

"A silky, feather-light powder, formulated with 70% water, dusts on to the skin as a cooling mist to set and enhance the look of any foundation. Beyond sheer: light-reflecting and translucent. A virtually invisible way to add luminosity and a soft radiant glow to the skin. Limited edition."

I have always been a pressed powder bronzer kind of a gal, so when I opened this, I was a little worried. I tend to make a total mess of loose pigment products and having a white carpet, this is a problemo. There's no way round it other than a careful hand and a lot of tapping-off-excess-ness really- any other suggestions, I'll be glad to hear them!

I apply this bronzer with my (fake- I was swizzed on Ebay dagnamit) MAC due fibre brush in a swirly motion to the apples of my cheek, temples and a smidge on my forhead and nose. When you first apply it, it really does feel cool in temperature, almost wet even, which was quite a surprise. I've not come across a product which has that effect. I think this coolness will feel amazing in the summer- what a winner.

The formula is VERY concentrated, so a teensy weensy bit goes a reeeaaallllyy long way. This comes as some consolation for the fact that it retails at £23.00, which I believe to be a bit steep for a bronzer that wouldn't last as long as this baby.

This incrediably finely milled bronzer is a medium-dark brown with a very, very slight hint of shimmer. It's a tiny bit too dark for my pale complexion but if used sparingly and buffed in well, it looks nicely natural. It has a decent staying time and is easy to remove- bonus.

This isn't a product I use daily because of the mess, but it's one I bring out for nights out and special occasions. I hope that come summer, I can make much better use of this.

Have you tried or would you try this? What do you think?

Toodlepip!

xx

Christmas Crafts :: Chic Garland

Aloha Bloggerinos,

With winter well and truly here (as I type, my windows are about to be blown in by gale force winds and also, veering of course a bit here, my 60 something year old neighbours are having some shockingly loud 'couple time' if you get my jist- erlack), I felt it time to crack open the craft box and get busy.

As previously mentioned, I am currently rich in time but poor in mula, so this Christmas is going to be inspired by vintage, handmade and upcycling- very fashionable dontchya know? I've set myself the challenge of using up all the copious supplies I have and will not, not, NOT go to HobbyCraft under any circumstances!!

So, one of the first things I have made was inspired by my Ideal Homes (I think) Christmas magazine which Matt bought me at an M6 service station, I do love that man. Basically, it's a paper garland that you can adapt to however you like and hang pretty much anywhere- versatile oui??

I would described the skill level of this project as- superduper basic. A monkey could do it I would think.

What you need:

1. Paper. I used paper from a music book jobby that I bought at a charity shop last year (gawd knows why). 2. Scissors/Stamp cutter. I already have a circle and heart cutter from HobbyCraft, but you could just use scissors to cut whatever shape you like. I suggest using a template for accuracy though.

3. Ribbon or string cut to whatever length you want your garland (remember to leave a little bit at each end to loop or hook.

4. Glue. I used kiddy type PVA, just because that's what I found first :)

5. Gems/Glitter/Embellishments. This is optional. I used hot pink crystals. Ohh yeeaah.

Cut/stamp out your shapes. I went for circle and then heart alternatively. Next time I'll do just hearts but you live and learn.

Squeeze out your glue into something. That pot is an old nailvarnish wipe pot. You seeeee crafts and cosmetics go hand in hand. Ho ho.

On one side schmear (mm love that word sscchhmmeeaarr) you glue and lay the ribbon/string on it. Then, take another shape of the exact same size and lay it on top, to make a ribbon/strong sandwich if you will.

To add a bit of festive sparkle, embellish however you fancy. I stuck on little gems. I used the end of a plastic fork to splot the glue on so that I could make a small gem sized blob and prevent a glue related nightmare!

Leave to dry and voila, a very unique garland that you can hang from the tree, mantelpiece, banister or wherever you fancy. You could also adapt this for other occasions- pink hearts on red ribbon for Valentines, orange pumpkin shapes on green ribbon for Halloween etc. I may even make some for the nursery in girly shapes and colours of boyish ones. It's a nice easy project that you need very little for. Super.

If you would like to buy a kit for £3.50 (inc P&P anywhere) pop your paypal email in the comment box and I will send it out to you. Kit will include 32 hearts or circles or a mixtures (please specify) which is enough for 16 shapes on the garland, 100 crystals in clear (which is enough for 6-7 on each shape) and 125cm of fairy pink wrapping ribbon (you know like the type you can curl). All you'd need to sort out yourself is your glue, and voila- Your Own Chic Garland Project Kit :)

What do you think? Is this something you might try?

Toodlepip!

xx

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Do excuse the title and unrelated images, I'm just in that merry wintery christmas kinda mood- oohhhh yeeaahhh :)

As you may have noticed, I have been a bit slack on the old blog front of late, so I thought I would fill you in and give you a bit of a chatty post, as these seem to be rather popular. I luurvvvee chatty posts because I feel like I'm off loading my thoughts and find it really theraputic.

(I want trot through here in a nice dress and heels. Mmmm heels, the bump puts paid to any thoughts of sexy high shoes nowadays. Roll on March!)

Well, in the last week or so I have been tres busy. I signed up to a recruitment agency because the job search was going nowhere. They send me on various assignments and my most recent has been at a very well known cosmetic surgery clinic. It's a lovely place, very swish and my main roll (brace yourself) is to label the pictures of ladies boobies, before and after the surgery!! Basically, every man's dream job. Mwahaha.

I've also been temping at my Dad's office, which involved phoning around various international holiday resorts and taking a few details. Out of about 100 calls, I found the American's the best and luurvveedd how they all wished me a good day. I know it's not sincere but I do wish us Brits could share the love a bit. What do you think?

(J'adore wrapping presents and making gorgeous Christmas cards. Pretty pretty)

In pregnancy news I am officially five months pregnant now and blooming! I have a full on bump and am thouroughly enjoying maternity jeans. I am seriously questioning why I have spent my life agonising over jeans shopping, when I could have just bought these beauties and been done with it. Sod dignity, I'm NEVER leaving the bliss of stretchy waist bands. NEVER!!

I can feel him (I think it's a boy) moving about and have had a few light kicks which feels amazing. My scan is this Friday and providing bambino is laying in the correct position, we will see if it has a winky or fairy and can get cracking on painting the nursery- wahoo!!

Being as I'm not working full time, I have found myself rich in time but poor in mula, so this Christmas will be handcrafted as much as possible. I have some super ideas up my sleeve and will be giving you a few tutorials on how to do these too. None of them will be difficult so you will all be able to give them a whirl!

(I want to sit here -on a waterproof somethingorother- and drink hot chocolate and smooch Matt. Tehe)

Our lounge is finally, after 18 months, decorated so I have a "Home Corners" planned for you.

I am love love bloomin' well loving the wintery feel nowadays. I live for this time of year and will literally die with joy if it snows!! There's nothing better than being ll cosy in doors, eating chocolate and snuggling the cat.

I haven't taken any snaps in about 50 years, but I promise I will get cracking and and whip up some homey and crafty posts for you, unless you have any other requests?

Let me know how you're getting on, I love hearing from you all.

Toodlepip!

xx

All images from www.weheartit.com