Manicure Monday - Illamasqua UV Nail Varnish in Seance

UV??? Yep that's right this polish will glow in the dark! I wish I had a UV light to show the effect & i'm a little old now for the UV lights at a club (totally not my scene anyway!) so for now you'll just have to trust me. It glows!

Other then that the colour is pretty unique. Well to my collection anyway! Kind of a bright violet shade but with a slight silver shimmer running through. Let's just say this was a bi-atch to photograph but to apply it was a dream. One coat would have been sufficient but i'm a two coat gal and that's what you're seeing here.

The finish is actually rather matte, if you can see (again shitty photography aside). I've popped a top coat on the first 2 nails and left the other 2 without it. I actually like this polish both ways! It almost looks as if it is textured without having that weird growth look that textured nail polishes seem to have (anyone else agree?).

The Paranormal collection is on shelves now at selected Myer stores with an Illamasqua counter and this polish retails for RRP $22.50AUD.

*This product was provided for my consideration, please see my disclosure policy for further details.

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Outside my comfort zone with Illamasqua Gleam in Supernatural

The title says it all, Illamasqua is a good brand to help you step outside your comfort zones and recently I got to check out their new collection entitled "Paranormal". It's spooky names and colours that you wouldn't normally choose (well I wouldn't anyway...) but done in the typical Illamasqua fashion if you can step outside your comfort zone and try something a little different you may just be suprised. As I was.

I was given the Illamasqua Gleam in Supernatural to try out, it's a bronze highlighter that for a fair bear like myself looks a little daunting in pan. As you will see in my swatch photo it looks a little scary for a "highlight" colour. However, blended onto the high points of the cheek it gives you a gorgeous bronzey glow that emphasises the cheekbones and gives you a sunkissed look. I've applied it with quite a heavy hand to show the effect but you can definitely go much sheerer and more natural looking. I've also got a blush on in this picture but you could skip the blush and use this as your main cheek/cheekbone color. This product is also multitasking and would double for a shimmery blush, eyeshadow and possibly even a lip colour. You could do a lot with it.. the possibilities are endless!

Illamasqua Gleam in Supernatural can be purchased from Myer for RRP $28.00AUD. You can also buy online from Illamasqua directly.

*This product was provided for my consideration, please read my disclosure policy for more information.

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Manicure Monday: Swatching Illamasqua Rubber Brights in Nurture & Serenity

Something slightly different for this weeks Manicure Monday, I'm showing you some swatches of some new polishes recently released by one of my favourite makeup brands Illamasqua.

The Rubber Brights range is a new addition with the finish being a matte rubber like finish which is inspired by the dominatrix rubber boot girls of the 1920's. I first saw this finish in the Theatre of the Nameless collection which I previously reviewed.

If you know me and know my blog, you will know that I loooove brights, be it nails or lips i'm all over it! So I was super excited to see that I had received the shades Nurture (bright green) & Serenity (turquoise blue). These shades are so up my alley.

I've swatched them below without a topcoat and with a topcoat so you can see the difference, I actually like them both ways and think you could do some fun nail art by just playing with a top coat on these polishes.

Maybe not the best colours going into the cooler months, but I kind of like rocking a bright nail in the colder months.

You can purchase Illamasqua from major Myer centres in Australia or online and these polishes will set you back RRP $21.00AUD (Thanks again for the amazing price drop Illamasqua!).

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Disclosure Policy: These products were provided for my consideration, honesty as always.  For further information please read my full disclosure policy.

Illamasqua Goodies! Powder Blush in S.O.P.H.I.E & Gleam in Aurora

First off big huge gigantic props to Illamasqua for taking a stand and dropping the prices of their products in Australia and looking at the new prices, they are now marked similarly to some of our so called drug store brands! So go forth and buy some amazing products just like I did.

I had a myer voucher that I wanted to spend and I had my eye on MAC Impassioned lipstick, couldn't find it so went over to Illamasqua to check out the new Generation Q collection...Hello Beautiful! The first thing I swatched was the S.O.P.H.I.E. blush, a gorgeous golden coral shimmer (quite similar to NARS Orgasm but not quite as pink). It is honestly the perfect summer blush, and like all Illamasqua blushes i've experienced it's highly pigmented, easy to blend and goes on like a dream! In my hot little hand it goes!

Then I walked around looking at other things when one of the makeup artists said to check out the new Gleam product (a cream highlighter) in the shade Aurora, she said all the things it did and how it was a multitasking product. SOLD! Taking it home and trying it, it is everything she said and more... this is my perfect highlighter! Subtle with a slight gold sheen i pop this on the high points of my face to give that nice glow, I've also worn it under my makeup to make it a bit more dewey.

Both products were $28AUD each, prior to this a blush from Illamasqua would set you back $42! 

Here is a look I wore recently on a night out using both products! 

Product Disclosure - Products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own!

Manicure Monday - It's Festival Season!! Feat. Picture Polish Festival Flakie

Don't you love when January hits it generally means all the great Music Festivals are starting, well this nail polish besides being called Festival is perfect for those summer days seeing music you love all the while admiring your gorgeous nails in the sunlight (am I the only one that does that with glitters & flakies?)

Festival by Picture Polish is there foray into flakie polishes, when I saw Festival a multi coloured flakie in my inbox and a pre-order was available I was all over it.

I've only just had a chance to get it on my nails after receiving it a few weeks ago and decided to do a swatcheroo with a few different base polishes to see which handles it the best.  So in true festival tradition...

The support acts -

China Glaze - Shocking Pink, China Glaze - For Audrey, Illamasqua - Boosh, OPI - Skull & Glossbones

I must apologize for my crap-tacular swatching you are about to see, The clouds were looming and it was about to storm but i'd already painted up my hands so had to take the picture... Seriously go Here, Here and Here for better swatches of this polish then mine.

 

Here is the headliner!





 I only have 1 other flakie (Nubar 2010) in my collection to compare this to but I found the colour was amazing especially over black there are so many different facets of colour, so this will definitely be one to go over my darker polishes. The actual flakies were quite spaced out so I had to do 2 coats and the formula is quite thick so this can become quite a time consumer especially when it comes to drying time. Even with my beloved Seche Vite on top it took ages to dry. I do love the effect though and look forward to wearing it more!

You can purchase Festival from the Picture Polish website for $11.90AUD and there are also 2 other flakies in the collection and I believe more to come!

I also recommend signing up to the Picture Polish mailing list as you get advised of new colours coming out (like I did with this one) and they also do free shipping deals sometimes!

This product was purchased by moi!  

 

 

Beauty Inspiration - Anna Paquin Peachy Cheek Look

Ooooops I have been a little MIA from here recently. I haven't lost my mojo i've just got no time at the moment! The other weekend I actually took squillions (slight exaggeration) of swatch/product/silly photos for upcoming posts and do you think i've had a chance to write about any of them? Nope! They are still sitting on my camera waiting to be edited and uploaded. Poor dears!

I absolutely loved this fresh makeup look I saw on a gossip blog I read last week (Hey do you read any good gossip blogs? not Perez, i'm not really a fan of his). So much so I had to write about it :)

Here is Anna Paquin promoting True Blood, the thing I love about this look is her amazing peachy (but leaning towards the more orange side) of blush! It's all about the cheeks they look wow! Since she is also a fair maiden like myself I wonder if I could also pull this look off?



I'm thinking it could be something like Illamasqua Lover but I think i'll need to go to some swatch detective work. Or I may already have something similar in my collection in MAC Ripe Peach. Either way it looks gorg on Anna!

Is anyone else loving True Blood as much as I am this season? I've read the books and while they are following parts of the storyline a lot of it is different. I get so excited to get home and watch it on a Monday night and I haven't been that way about a show since well... The Vampire Diaries :)

If you haven't already go check out my Scunci Giveaway, i'll be drawing it next week and there aren't a lot of entries so your chances are quite good!!

Manicure Monday - Flake me Away!

I'm enjoying these Manicure Mondays and hope I can stick to it, mind you sometimes it will just be a plain colour, nothing fancy.

Today i've gone fancy!

One of my favourite polishes of all time is the Nubar 2010 Flakey polish, it is seriously amazing and needs to be seen in person just to see the cool colours that come from it.

I'm pretty certain i've posted about this polish before but I quite liked this mani and thought i'd show you, even if it's a repeat. Underneath is a basic black but I think that just highlights the amazing colours in the flakey bits of the Nubar Polish.



The Prescription - Illamasqua Boosh, Nubar 2010 & Seche Vite

The results, ignore the chip...pretend it's not there... move along...





So pretty!!!

 

Current Favourites

Hooray I have finally uploaded a new YouTube video! Here are my current favourites. See below the video for all details of the products mentioned -

 



 

The Beauty Pod -$12.50AUD @ Melli Cosmetics

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (Gel) - $32AUD

Face of Australia Translucent Face Powder - $11.95AUD - International readers can purchase from Fashion Addict

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - Rivage - $50AUD or $36AUD on Strawberrynet

Mac Hibiscus Cremesheen Lipstick (Surf Baby Collection) - $41AUD at Mac Stores or Mac Cosmetics

Jack Black Lip Balm - $7AUD on Strawberrynet at time of posting this was sold out, keep checking! it will get restocked.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream - 50ml $34AUD or 125ml $64AUD at Kiehls counters or the new website! There is currently free shipping June and if you quote the code lipglossblog you will receive a free lip gloss with any purchase!

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream - $58AUD from Benefit Counters nationally

NYX Eyeshadow in Taupe - You can purchase NYX shadows from Crush Cosmetics for $7.95AUD but this colour isn't available. Alternatively I also buy NYX from Cherry Culture for $5.50USD but they are often on sale and this colour plus many more are available.

MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch & Sketch - $33AUD from Mac counters or Mac Cosmetics Website

Benefit Bella Bamba - $51AUD from Benefit Counters

Illamasqua Nail Polish in Boosh - $34AUD from Illamasqua counters

Nubar Nail Polish in 2010 - I don't know of any Australian retailers, I purchased mine on Ebay

Marc Jacobs Blush - I've had this for ages and couldn't find any information on prices, try all perfume counters :)

Modiva Professional 25mm Curling Tong - $89.95AUD for a $30 discount enter the code lovevulcanella at the checkout. Purchase from the Modiva website

L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray 400ml - $9.95AUD from Priceline

Seven Wonders Moroccan Treatment Oil - $32.95AUD from various Chemists and Health Stores or Online Here

 

Please note some of the products mentioned were provided for review, please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Haulage!

As usual life is hectic! So here is a little haulage post... I haven't done one of these in ages!

I had some family members go to the US in April and with the great $$ I sent them off with a shopping list, they did well!

The goodies!



Sephora!!!!

Urban Decay Primer Potion - My favourite eye primer....and it's in a tube!!! So much better then the crappy packaging previously which is what my current tube is, I'm going to attempt to depot that soon as i'm almost out. I'll let you know how I go!

Benefit Bella Bamba - 3D blush? yep that's how this is marketed. I am a fan of the Benefit boxed blushes so had to get this.

Illamasqua Ore Pigment - I have loved and wanted this for so long! IT'S MINE! Haven't used it yet but can't wait to give it a go.



Mac... really? could you tell? :)

Eyeshadows - Beauty Marked, Carbon, Blanc Type & Sketch - I can't even remember why I picked these particular colours but they are so beautiful, especially Beauty Marked... can't wait to try a sparkly smokey eye with this one!

Blush - Well Dressed & Peachykeen - Love Peachykeen still not 100% convinced about Well Dressed

Lipstick - Dubonnet - I think I had winter in mind when picking this... tried it and its very very dark... not sure if I can pull this one off but might try using it as a stain in winter. It is a very pretty colour though!

That's all folks!

 

Illamasqua Toxic Nature - Feat Bacterium Polish

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited along with other Sydney beauty bloggers to enjoy a beautiful view, macarons, cupcakes and champagnes and view the brand new Illamasqua collection called Toxic Nature... It's a hard life, really :)

In a nutshell, this collection completely wowed me! The colours are amazing and bright and fun. What completely blew me away though was the imagery used to promote the line, the makeup in those images is so flawless and I consider those images to be art... This is something I think Illamasqua absolutely excels in and one of the many reasons why this brand is completely capturing my heart!

When I first saw the polishes I fell absolutely head over heels for Bacterium and when I saw Christabel had popped one in my goody bag I was so excited to get my current polish off and get it on my nails. She mentioned to me that at the Myer show (yep Illamasqua did all the makeup at the recent Myer show in Melbourne) that Jen Hawkins loved the colour too... Jen and I are so similar right? :)

The colour in this is such a chameleon, sometimes it looks like a frosty light taupe then in some lights it's darker... then you get the flash of light blue!!

Scuse my nails, i'm in desperate need of a manicure!



Of course I couldn't tease about the amazing images and not share them with you! I've picked a few of my favourites but the rest can be seen at the Illamasqua Website







All images from Illamasqua.com

Illamasqua products can be purchased in Australia from Myer

I finally have some Illamasqua in my life!

After the longing looks and the ummming and ahhing I finally succumbed and purchased my first Illamasqua products. I did play it safe and got the nail varnishes but I am not at all disappointed, in fact I think I officially have a new favourite polish brand!

There is a deal on at the moment at Myer, 2 polishes for $49AUD or 4 for $99AUD and when they regularly retail for $34AUD this is a pretty sweet deal! Plus you get to pick the combo of polishes, you don't need to get the pre-made ones they have. They come in a lovely little box as well so also a perfect Christmas gift!

I picked Phallic, which has been on my wishlist for a looong time and also Viridian which is a fairly new colour.

Can I just say right now, I have never had a polish apply as nicely as these Illamasqua polishes. One coat would have done but I like 2 and the wear is amazing!

I need more!!! I may even venture into the makeup side soon :)

I couldn't decide which colour to wear first, so I wore both! Viridian is the main colour and Phallic is on my ring finger as an accent nail. I love doing accent nails.





[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Bad Photo Alert! I transferred the wrong one from my camera...oops! Let's just call it artistic shall we?"][/caption]