As most of my friends know, makeup is an absolute passion for me, so when Illamasqua’s passionate new Throb collection launched recently it was a match made in heaven!! Sure, colours are far from the innovative shades Illamasqua have become known for (here we see reds, black, creams), but they definitely pack the same amount of punch as previous products.
She wasn't THAT much of a fan of valentine's....
Look guys, i know payday isn’t until Friday and I really shouldn’t make any more bold forays into the overdraft but the lipstick Sangers from this collection was a must- buy. Just view the stunning promo- image above to see why it’s intoxicatingly glam femme- fatale hue had me salivating!! It is equally well suited to a burlesque beauty, a vampiric seductress or a madmen-esque 50′s bombshell. As someone who thinks red lippie is an everyday luxury and not just something for the evening glamourpuss I saw this red and thought PERFECT: A matt true red with Illamasqua’s stamp of luxury.
On receiving the black Illamasqua box yesterday (pitch black, full of drama and shredded black paper and a gorgeous gold- embossed pamphlet full of makeup ideas and products) i actually let out an audible squeal, such is the sad state of my makeup addiction. I carefully opened the box and examined the stylish cream and black packaging the lipstick comes in. The lipstick itself would look totally fabulous in anybody’s handbag: a black square- faceted tube with 1930′s appeal. On opening, the lippie itself was every bit as wonderful as i had imagined: deep, vibrant, blood- red with a bold and long lasting colour payoff. Swatches on my skin will follow, don’t worry!
Yum!
I would liken it to Mac’s Russian Red , but Sangers is more of a true red, with less of a blue undertone. It is also more matt and less of a creamy formulation. As such, I think it is a more versatile colour that will suit most skintones and last all day. I urge anybody wanting a true red to take them from daytime deliciousness to night- time naughtiness: BUY SANGERS!! You really won’t regret it!
Has anybody else invested in anything from Illamasqua’s new Throb collection? Did you love it as much as me?
*Aurora*
P.s: Interesting fact, the word Sangers is used in Australia to mean “sandwich”. Weirdly.
BACK IN BLACK!!! YES I’M BACK IN BLACK!!!!!!! Actually, in grey….and blue today. Hmm. Doesn’t have the same ring to it though does it?
I've turned 23, but am I any wiser? Nope!
After a blog hiatus, I have returned to express my inner workings on WordPress, inspired mainly by the need to connect with interesting, like minded and fun people the world over! To update anyone reading, I graduated (one of the best days of my life I think!), got a fashion retail job (essentially a stop- gap) and am learning to drive. DON’T PANIC!! I know the thought of me unleashed on Britain’s roads is terrifying but I’m alright at it, really!
To summarise:-
I still don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life, but I’ve made some great friends and had a fantastic summer!
Did TWO festivals: Download and Sonisphere (Sonisphere was awesome, would recommend it to anyone) and learned more about myself and my capabilities I think.
As we sashay (shuffle? teeter?) into autumn I have recently celebrated my 23rd birthday and am looking forward to Halloween!! I have thus far narrowed the Halloween costumes down to: Little red (dead?) riding hood, evil clown lady, cavewoman (voodoo style?) and Wednesday Addams. Help?!?
...but with a meat/ wolf cleaver instead of a basket!!
I am also attending Alton Towers’ event “Scarefest” :
So what should I go as? What is everyone else going as? Hope everyone’s lives are bubbling along nicely, Coz I’m sure as hell living the dream….*sarcasm*
Love or hate her, Lady “p-p-p poker face” Gaga is certainly productive. Her latest video for “Paparazzi” has recently been released and serves as diamond- encrusted gold- leafed evidence for her being one of the most creative minds in pop today. She certainly knows how to get people’s attention. Points of reference include: murder, disability, making out with the triplets from ‘Daisy of Love’ (random eh?) and a veritable high fashion explosion! Heavy on the drama and light on the kind of coy girly fluff we expect of today’s starlets (*yawn*), this video is the first I have seen in a long while that actually seems considered, interesting to watch and simultaneously artistic, tragic and glamorous. Basically a feast for the eyes! All fan- girl jabbering aside though, there are still a few things that occur to me about Gaga that I would love to find out:
Just haw much input does she really have into the directing side of things?
To what extent is she actually a puppet of the recording industry? I know she says she retains all creative control but to what extent?
What direction will her music go in next? I ‘m hoping for a more rock n roll approach as she has conveyed a love of the genre and even done fairly ‘rocky’ interpretations of Pokerface live (Johnathon Ross).
How does she propose to achieve longevity and maintain relevance in a business with such fickle consumers (and employers alike!)
No doubt the answer to my last question will be one based on independence, individuality and a love of what she does. Gaga clearly likes to play by her own rules (as outlandish and spontaneous as they may be!) Gaga to me is more about the visuals and performance than the music, which is fairly generic albeit catchy. She clearly polarizes opinion: many claim that if you take away the clothes she would not be half as compelling. Her raw ambition, talent, vision and unorthodox interview technique say otherwise. Fans range from Madonna to Marilyn Manson (check out the latest Rolling Stone!) which most superstars would be proud to say, especially ones with Gaga’s controversial bent.
Basically, I view her as an embodiment of the energy, provocation and attitude that all good rock stars should have more than a sprinkling of, and haven’t had for a long long time. I know that I for one will be eager to see what she comes up with next. See the video for Paparazzi below:
What’s your take on Gaga? I’d love to hear opinions.
All I seem to do nowadays is desire things I cannot have/ afford. I am convinced the internet is partially responsible, with gorgeous blogs/ bloggers giving me style ideas left right and centre and glamorous niche shops being all the more reachable (at the click of a button!)I’ve gotta admit, I am feeling pinches of guilt at the thought that I am so materialistic. To actively counter these thoughts, I concentrate on the possibility that I am highly appreciative of the design/ art/ photography/ craftsmanship behind the items and that’s why I desire them so much. BUT HEY! SPARKLY SHOES?!?! GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE!
Aside from musings on my confusing and convoluted shopaholic-ism (is there a shopaholics anonymous?) This edition of “Objects of desire” is as eclectic and eccentric as the past (I do try). I can hopefully infiltrate your minds as others have mine, and fuel the rabid consumerist culture further!
F**k it, lets just admire items of beauty ok? : D
This would literally look good with EVERYTHING
Illamasqua lipstick, especially in the shade 'perilous' as seen below. Love this brand!!
'Perilous'- a vibrant orange shade I would wear all summer!
Fluevog Bodyparts pump- can you guess why it has this name? They're jizz- worthy in my book anyway, lol
Lotta Volkova dress- dark and futuristic, just how I like it!
This would be perfect for the summer ball I'm attending! Alas, too pricy for a poor student like me : (
The 'Teeze 042' by Pleaser shoes... these babies do all the talking for me! What can I say but *drool*!!
Now I must try and wipe these uber- glamorous items from my mind and do some revision for my final exams. Pity me! As usual, click the pics if you want to find out where things are from. Its kinda ironic that I’m lusting after so many beautiful items when I’m graduating into the current economic climate!!
I’m not one for new- year’s resolutions, traditions or superstitions (except saying “good day Mr. magpie” when I see one- don’t ask), but this January I made a promise to myself: Have more adventures this year! I consider myself an adventurous person. Always trying new things with a view to a liberal and open minded attitude is what floats my boat. Examples include: new music, new food, travelling to new countries, new image choices (make up, hair, clothes), meeting new people, learning new things academically. I think there’s a thrill to be had when you’re scared to do something new simply because you have no experience of it and then you overcome the fear and force yourself to jump right in! These things can be subtle and not necessarily life changing: I went to a rock concert on my own on the spur of the moment which I wouldn’t usually do, but I had so much fun going crazy in the crowd on my own, with no inhibitions and not knowing anybody. I felt I knew myself better afterwards and felt my confidence increase.
Being a tad bogged down with uni work (final year- bleurgh!), I find my days filled with predictability and boredom. I am kinda craving the adventures I had promised myself earlier in the year! Unfortunately, at present the most adventurous things I have done involved frivolous Ebay spending (Depeche Mode CDs, Pokemon plush toys and a MILK FROTHER for God’s sake!!) and eating a whole pack of “oh God I’ve so much revision I must have a sweet- binge to compensate” Cadbury’s Eclairs!
Nom nom nom! Oh you've all gone....
I can’t wait ’til June when I’m done and dusted and back to having more spontaneous and exciting jaunts. Future plans: possible buying of Download tickets (Manson, Faith No More, Prodigy, Motley Crue!!), visit Tropical World and check out cool lizards, birds etc, Indulge my photography passion further, learn to make clothes better!!
Aside from this, I think spontaneity will be key in lots of future adventures, because you never know how much fun something is until you’ve tried it! The best adventures I have had didn’t necessarily involve spending excessive amounts of money. The things that really made me feel euphoric and confident were those new experiences where I proved to myself what a strong person I can be and that I possessed the potential that lies within each and every one of us. It is far too easy to be ground down by every day life and the (increasingly arduous!) expectations of society. Getting back to feeling inspired and creative and staying true to yourself can really rejuvenate you and make you see how life is there for living!
What was the most exciting adventure you have had lately? Did you do something you never thought you would and feel great afterwards?
When you think of lilac I bet things that spring to mind include: grannies, old people, grannies and erm, grannies? In my mind lilac was always the colour of choice for the elderly and genteel, feminine types which basically rendered it obsolete as far as I was concerned. Imagine my surprise when I suddenly become obsessed with lilac lipstick! Far from fuddy- duddy, the new shades as sold by Mac (amongst others) remind me of lots of my fave things: goth, sci- fi kitsch and glam rock. The (albeit slightly blurry- sorry!) lilac shade in the above picture was created by yours truely without having to splash out on new lippies. I put a bottom coat of Mac lipstick in “Cyber” on (a satin finish in a dark purple shade) and then daubed some Mac pigment in pink pearl on top. Result: a yummy home made metallic lilac!
Lilac and Hello kitty in one dinky package!! (Mac)
Peaches Geldof and the fabulously eccentric Gaga have both been seen wearing the colour and prove that it really is quite easy to wear- as long as you do so with confidence. I expect many of you will think wearing the colour is only possible with a tanned complexion but I assure you it looks great on us porcelain- skinned girls too. Is having matching lilac- streaked hair a good idea though? For Gaga it seems to work- I love how she always gives us something to look at thats interesting- a bit of a pop- superhero amidst the bland “ooh I’m so coy and girly and sexy” types clogging up the charts like pubes in the plughole!
Futuristic and directional- gotta love Gaga!
Peaches Geldof- you're a bit pointless but nice lipstick!
If full blown cyber- tastic lilac ain’t your thing, perhaps try a more subtle shimmery gloss such as Yves Saint Lauren’s “Flirty Lilac”. Try something new today!
Who else likes/ hates lilac lips, or Gaga for that matter?!
Apparently they’re stylish or something? I feel I am really missing the boat with deep v-necks on men. I can honestly say there is nothing that irks me more! In fact, on seeing a man with a deep v- neck a feeling close to nausea starts welling up in my stomach.
WORST CASES:
Men with extremely hairy chests that poke out above the ‘v’…euurgh! (refer to above picture)
Men who take far too much care of their appearance and look as if their whole outfit ‘v’ n all was copied out of an FCUK window display
Don’t even think about gold chains…why add insult to injury?!?
Here is a heartfelt plea to any guys reading this: DON’T DABBLE IN THE DEEP ‘V’!!
Hey! This is makeup post number two, and I present to you my intergalactic space eye!
I have incorporated one of my favourite colours: turquoise (any colour that remind me of the ocean is a fave!), my Shu Uemura turquoise plastic falsies ( see previous post) and plenty of glitter. Here’s the breakdown:
Mac select foundation (nc15)
Loreal Touche Magique concealer
Mac pigment in “Frost”
Mac pigment in “Violet”
Mac shadow in “Nehru”
Gosh extreme art eyeliner “11″ (turquoise)- WARNING: SUPER WATERPROOF AND MAKEUP REMOVER- PROOF!!
Barry M liquid eyeliner “3″ (electric blue)
Rimmel Exaggerate eye liner “001″ (black)
Loreal lash architect mascara (Midnight black)
Collection 2000 colour lash “11″ (clear)
Stargazer star sequins
Collection 2000 glam crystals eyeliner in “hustle” (glitter near tear duct)
Shu Uemura false lashes
Benefit High Beam highlighter for that shimmery ‘otherworldly glow’
Space aliens by Mac…er I mean photo editor!!
So what do you think? Anyone else love space- themed make up? Feedback is good!!
God, how utterly rubbish is today’s music? I mean, there are obviously a few bands that have knocked out a few decent pop tunes in recent years but I’m fed up of all the Arctic numbskulls/razorsh*te/ Pants Ferdinand rubbish oozing out of the radio like some toxic, monotonous, middle of the road tripe. Whenever I find something new I like, its generally old. To clarify, this may mean music from the 70s/80s/90s or a band still around today with a vast back catalogue (eg: the Chilis, Iggy and the Stooges, the eponymous Depeche Mode). I watched the NME awards the other day and I think the only good acts were The Cure and Blur. The rest did re- hashes of old songs and totally ruined them in the process.
Let me talk about my newest obsession: Depeche Mode. How did I not discover thee many moons ago? I recently bought a greatest hits after realising that although I adored “Enjoy the Silence”, I didn’t know much about them. Probably the best decision I’ve made in a loooong time! I don’t think there’s a song on that CD i don’t like. There’s clearly a division to be made between their earlier slightly cheesy but ever- so- dancable pop tunes and their later more brooding and atmospheric songs. I love both sides of the band, but I must say that the slightly subversive, powerful and sexy atmosphere in their later songs really floats my boat. A special mention here goes to Dave Gahan: clearly a brilliant and charismatic frontman if the videos on YouTube are anything to go by: I Feel You: (Devotional DVD).
I plan on buying the album “Violator” next as people seem to think this is one of their best. Oh well, bye bye student loan! Anyway, I’m going to stop digressing and encourage anyone who’s not yet delved into the Depeche Mode back catalogue to check them out. It’s beautiful, dark, alternative, blues- influenced electro and I adore it. Every word is sung with feeling and every beat and note sounds considered and well produced.
Hey NME, why don’t you go and hype up some new flash in the pan so all your lost, devoted minions can buy into it and forget about the band within a year. Something tells me today’s non- descript so- called “musicians” won’t be around half as long as Dave and the boys. I’m going to stop my rant now, thanks for ‘listening’ to me vent. I’m sure somebody out there must feel the same?!
(Mac)
