Tuesday T. Bryan: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Saturday, 21 December 2013

❄10 High-End Winter Lip Colours and their Cash-Saving High Street Alternatives.❄

❄High-End Winter Lip Colours and their Cash-Saving Alternatives.❄

One of the things I love about Winter fashion is being able to don the darks. I just adore deep, rich lip colours! So, I've complied a list of stunning high-end lip shades that are perfect for this season. Of course, if you want high-end you have to expect a high price. So, in case you don't want to splash too much cash, for each pricey product I've found a similar alternative with a high street price. For ultimate drama, pair your sultry Winter lips with a matching nail polish, flawless skin, and simple eye make up. Whether you're into the bold and daring or if you like to keep it simple and sweet, there's something for everyone wanting to rock the timeless Winter trend.
All prices are approximate.
Click links / product names for purchase information.
All images via Google Images.

1. Serge Lutens Fard à Lèvres Lipstick - Couvre Feu.

This beautiful berry shade from Serge Lutens is a real stunner. Deep and dark, Couvre Feu sure to draw positive attention your way. Every Serge Lutens lipstick is sculpted to a point for precise and defined application and to emphasise the contour of the lips. You can expect your bank balance to take a hit of around £50 if you buy this product. When you run out you can even purchase refills so you don't have to buy it again and again (although, at about £30 each, they still don't come cheap!).

- High Street alternative: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Va Va Violet (£7.49).

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour - Rouge Noir.

This seductive, vampy shade from Chanel is an absolute classic when it comes to Winter lipstick. Team is with the matching Rouge Noir Le Vernis Nail Colour (approx. £17.50 per 13ml bottle) and who could resist your sultry charms? This little beauty will set you back around £25, but surely that's not too much for such an iconic lipstick?

- High Street alternative: Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick - Revenge (£2.99). Click here for my review of Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in "Scorned" and "Revenge"!8

3. YSL Golden Gloss - 37 Golden Red.

Not many of us consider going for gloss when it comes to dark Wintery lip shades, usually a lipstick is the go-to product, but this stunning shade from Yves Saint Laurent may be the one to change your mind. This wondrous burgundy shade is sure to be a hit for the Party Season as it's infused with golden shimmer. Plus, on the whole, glosses will keep your lips hydrated better than a lipstick will in a season when many of us suffer from dry lips. It can be yours for around the £22 mark.

- High Street alternative: B. Glossy Shimmering Lip Gloss - Cassis 24 (£6.99).

4. MAC Lipstick - Cyber.

Time for a product from the much-loved MAC Cosmetics! I've included this lipstick as a high-end item, however MAC is not as pricey as a lot of other designer brands out there. In fact, this lipstick will cost you £15, which isn't bad at all! I've chosen this product from their original Lipstick collection, as opposed to a limited edition shade. Cyber is a Gothic-inspired opaque purple hue with a satin finish. Purples like these are a suitably interesting change from the usual reds this season.

- High Street alternative: Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick - 004 (£5.49).

5. Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Christmas Limited Edition Lipstick - 132 Caprice.

This product HAS to be on this list for two reasons. Firstly, the limited edition glittery packaging is to die for and it's so Christmassy! Secondly, you just can't go wrong with a sexy classic red lip this Winter (or any time of year, for that matter). It's only available in two shades, 132 Caprice, which is the best-selling shade I've chosen, and limited edition Lancôme heritage shade, Etincelle #189. If you're looking for a lip shade that won't let you down, this is definitely one to consider. However, at £25, this collector's edition lipstick doesn't come cheap.

- High Street alternative: Seventeen Lasting Fix Lipstick - Hot Chilli (£4.29).

6. By Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge - #10 Berry Boom.

Some ladies find it a little too daring to go for the shades I've listed above. If you're one of them, why not opt for a red lipstick with a sheer finish instead? Choose a product such as Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge from the French beauty company, By Terry. By wearing a shade such as Berry Boom, you can rock the dark Wintery lips without feeling too bold. This product costs around £25.

- High Street alternative: Avon Shine Attract Lipstick - Passionate Red (£8.50).

7. Illamasqua Lipstick - Pristine.

Let's move on from delicate, sheer colour to the ultimate daring hue... Black lips have become quite popular recently, and celebs such as style icon Rihanna and the beautifully eccentric Lady Gaga have been spotted sporting this shade. Believe it or not, the darkest-of-dark colour can suit all skin tones, you just have to know what to pair it with. For ultimate high-end Gothic glamour I've chosen Illamasqua Lipstick in Pristine, which has a matte finish. This product can be purchased from the Illamasqua website for £16.50.

- High Street alternative: Barry M Lip Paint - Black (£4.49).

8. Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - Two Ton Tomato.

I've slipped this one into my list of Winter lip colours because, at this time of year, a lot of us suffer from dry lips due to the harsh temperatures. As well as delivering bright colour with a shiny finish, this highly popular product from Clinique conditions and hydrates the lips, too! I've chosen the shade Two Ton Tomato as it's a little brighter than some of the other reds I've shared with you which makes it a little more versatile and suitable for all year round. I also love the fun "crayon" style applicator! Clinique Chubby Sticks are widely available for about £17.00.

- High Street alternative: No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - Statement (£9.00).

9. Shu Uemura Lip and Cheek Tint Color - Magical Red.

I want to share this product from Shu Uemura, a cosmetics company that originated from Japan. The versatile tint can be used on both the lips and the cheeks, and it's easy to build so you can layer it up for more intensity if you wish. It's also really long lasting, so you needn't worry about touch-ups all day! It's available in a range of shades, but I chose Magical Red as I think it's beautifully suited to Winter. At £20 a pop, it's not the cheapest stain on the market.

- High Street alternative: Gosh Long Lasting Lip Marker - Berry Red 3 (£6.99).

10. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color - Crushed Plum.

For my final product I wanted to chose a shade with a touch more femininity. Crushed Plum by Bobbi Brown is deep, rich and seductive berry shade. The purple-ish tone makes it appear a little more flirty and feminine than some darker reds and purples. It delivers 8 hour wear, a weightless feel, and a creamy moisturising formula. Impressive! There are currently 19 shades to choose from on Bobbi Brown's website, and they'll cost you £19 each.

- High Street alternative: ModelsOwn Lipstick - Plum (£6.00).

So, there you have it! Some of my favorite high-end lip colours that are on-trend for Winter, plus similar products that are readily available on the high street that won't break the bank! Hopefully you've found you're perfect shade, or maybe you've found something new that you'll be donning for the party season.

❄Merry Christmas!❄

By Tuesday T. Bryan.
http://tuesdaytbryan.blogspot.com

Monday, 25 November 2013

❄Perfect Party Season Polish... Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint; Shade "Lady" (White Pearl TNP8); Review + photos❄

Source: Google Images

Today's review is all about a Barry M Nail Polish shade that I believe is perfect for the fast-approaching Christmas Party Season! The shade is called "Lady" (White Pearl, TNP8), and it's from The Royal Textured Glitter Collection. About halfway down this page I have included an image of all 5 shades from the collection, and I've written the shade names next to it.

"The new Royal Glitter inspired collection from Barry M will make you feel like a glittering, glistening Princess. With 5 shades in the range, these Textured Glitter Nail Paints will get your nails noticed in an instant." - Barry M (source: www.barrym.com)

I'm not usually a fan of textured shades, I much prefer a smooth and polished finish to my manicure, but this shade has shed a new light on the textured nail look for me. The texture it gives the nails feels just like hardened sand! It's an interesting look, and I don't think textured polishes in darker hues would float my boat, but the "gritty" look and feel just seems to work with this glittery shade. I love the contrast between the soft colour and the coarse texture.

Image - above-right: Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint in "Lady" (TNP8) from The Royal Textured Glitter Collection.

It also has fantastic wear. Glitter polishes do tend to have better wear than non-glittery ones, but the addition of textured particles in these seems to make the polish set like cement! I didn't see any signs of wear for 5 days, none what-so-ever! When signs did begin to show they were minimal, just a few minor chips here and there. In fact, this stuff has such serious staying power that it's a bit of a nightmare to remove! Someone should really invent a nail polish remover specifically for glitter polishes and other stubborn shades (if it already exists can someone please tell me?!).

Source: Google Images

The textured finish also seems to have some effect on the way a topcoat will look. I added a shiny topcoat to add durability and a glossy finish, but it didn't add any shine at all, no matter which brand of topcoat I tried. I have no idea why this happens, but the matte finish is all part of the look. It's still a good idea to add a topcoat to extend wear, though.

Image - left: The Royal Textured Glitter Collection from Barry M. Shades (L-R): Purple Countess (TNP9), Gold Majesty (TNP6), Nude Duchess (TNP7), Lady (TNP8), Pink Princess (TNP5).

Another thing good glitter and textured shades seem to have are accelerated drying times. This stuff set solid in seconds for me. Always opt for a shade with a near-instantaneous drying time when you're in a hurry! Remember to touch-up mistakes with some nail polish remover after painting each nail, as this textured stuff is a nightmare to adjust once it's dry.

Now, let's discuss the shade itself. This shade's main colour may be white, but it's far from boring! Barry M describe "Lady" as being a white pearl colour, which is bang on the money, really. The snowy white pearlescent hue is flecked with iridescent glitter and has a sandy textured finish. As I said earlier, the combination of the soft shade and gritty texture is an interesting contrast that creates a fabulous and unique polish! It seems to marry with our snowy English Winter landscapes perfectly (which appear to be occurring more and more frequently!).
If you're looking for this shade on the Barry M website, look in The Royal Textured Glitter Collection in the Nail Effects section, and click on shade TNP8 - it just says TNP8 on the website, not "Lady" as it does on the bottle, bare this in mind when browsing.

❄So, why not make a change from the usual seductive dark burgundy and plum hues in AW13 and opt for something light, innocent and snowy instead?❄

Click here to purchase Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint in "Lady" (White Pearl TNP8) from the Barry M website.

Click here to view Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint on boots.com.

❄ Click here to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! ❄ #F4F

❄ Click here to LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE! ❄

Friday, 8 November 2013

☆NEW Avon LUXE COUTURE Créme Lipstick; 3 shades; review + photos☆

Source: avonshop.co.uk/

I'm simultaneously writing this review and on hold to a mobile network company. I was going to name and shame them, but the fact that I'm calling to tell them I want to leave their network should be enough - at least I'll never have to phone them again!
[2 minutes later...] Finally! I'm off hold and the the call is done. Now I can focus on my writing.

Today's review is about a product from Avon's new make up range, the LUXE collection. Their "exclusive premium" range is out in time for Christmas, and it's a perfect way to treat yourself and your loved ones without breaking the bank!

The new range includes a ladies perfume, a jewelry roll, 10 shades of lipstick, 6 eyeshadow palettes, 2 liquid eyeliner shades, 2 mascara shades, 8 shades of lip gloss, a shimmer powder compact, and 5 shades of liquid foundation.

Today I will be reviewing Avon Luxe Couture Créme Lipstick in three shades; High Style Coral, Designer Red, and Stiletto Red.

"Silk-infused formula with pearlescent colour."

- Avon.

The first thing I noticed about these lipsticks is the glamorous golden packaging. It's gorgeous! All of the Luxe range products are presented in eye-catching, golden chrome-effect packaging. It's really stylish and makes the products appear much more high-end and expensive than they really are. They really do look like designer products! They look like accessories as opposed to just make up. It's very sleek and sophisticated (see image - top right).

Now, let's discuss the lipsticks themselves. The formula is divine! Avon say these lipsticks make the lips feel more voluptuous and as soft as silk, and they certainly live up to the claim! My lips felt deeply moisturised and nourished, both during and after wear. Some moisturising lipsticks don't have very good wear, they often don't stay in place very long and require re-applying regularly, however that is not the case with these lipsticks. I had to top up the colour every few hours and after eating, but otherwise the soft hue lasted for hours! Very impressive. So far, so good!

I chose these three shades because I thought "High Style Coral" looked irresistible in the brochure, and I picked the two red shades because I'm a sucker for red lips!

All the shades have a slightly sheer finish, but the colour can be layered to make the hue more intense.

"High Style Coral."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Copyrighted material

☆High Style Coral: (images - right and end of blog) As I said previously, I had high expectations after spotting this shade in the brochure photos. Many times I've found that shades don't look as good in reality as they do in a brands' advertising images, and sometimes they look like a different shade altogether, however this shade didn't disappoint. It's a soft, sun-kissed, caramel shade that gives the lips a flattering pearly sheen.

"Designer Red."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Copyrighted material

☆Designer Red: (Image - right) This bright, orange-toned red is a classic shade for the lips. It looks best paired with simple eye make up and pale, flawless skin. With the winter weather and the Christmas party season approaching, this shade is an ideal buy!

"Stiletto Red."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Copyrighted material

☆Stiletto Red: (Image - below-right) This red is a more delicate than "Designer Red", but it's not at all subtle! For me, this shade worked perfectly with medium-dark neutral eye shadow and a rosey blusher. Again, this shade is great for Autumn/Winter make up.

Now, let's talk dollar. This range is a little more expensive than most Avon cosmetics. Everything released from the range so far will cost you between £6 and £16 at the normal prices, and these lipsticks will set you back £9.50 each. If you snap them up for the introductory prices they'll be a little cheaper, though.

So, with Christmas just around the corner, why not treat yourself or your loved ones to a little something special from Avon's new luxurious range?

Click here to purchase Avon Luxe Couture Créme Lipstick from avonshop.co.uk.

☆ Click here to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! ☆

☆ Click here to LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE! ☆

Image - below: Here I am wearing Avon Luxe Couture Créme Lipstick in "High Style Coral". My blouse is from New Look. My gold chain was a gift. Excuse the forehead wrinkles, I don't know why I'm pulling such a stupid face.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Revlon Nail Enamel - 230 Popular; Review + photos

My review today is about a much-loved nail enamel from Revlon, which is suitably named "Popular"! I'll try to keep this one short and sweet.

"Revlon Nail Enamel delivers gorgeous smooth, chip-resistant colour to nails." - Revlon

(Source: http://www.revlon.co.uk)

This glitzy, girly polish is ideal for almost all year round. It's a pastel pink hue which is perfect for Spring and Summer, and it's packed with various sizes of sparkly silver glitter, which also makes it a winner for the party season! So, with Christmas approaching fast, now's a good time to share the shade with you. :)

"Revlon's exclusive silk-protein shield works to instantly help even out the surface of the nail while rising above colour to automatically smooth away bubbles, streaks and brush marks." - Revlon

(Source: http://www.revlon.co.uk)

***

Let's talk about the looks you can achieve by using different numbers of coats. I've attached photos of my nails after using one, two, and three layers of this polish...

One coat: Just a single coat gives a subtle, nude, pinky tone with a touch of glitter. The added sparkle makes this sheer, understated shade more interesting. It's has a slightly glossy finish. The result is perfectly even - no streaks in sight! (See image - right.)

Image - right: A single coat gives a subtle, nude, pinky tone with a touch of glitter.

Two coats: Adding a second coat of polish partially covers the first coats' glitter making it appear white-ish rather than silver - this creates an interesting mix of shades. The pastel pink hue is stronger, but still lightly sheer with a glossy finish. (See image - right.)

Image - right: The pastel pink hue is stronger, but still lightly sheer with a glossy finish. The mulit-layered glitter appears white and silver, which makes an interesting mix of colour.

Three coats: Three layers of polish results in a soft, delicate, "candy floss" pink, infused with lots of eye-catching glitter! The shade is no longer sheer, but completely solid and opaque. The result is an smooth, even, high-gloss, professional-looking manicure. Impressive! (See image - below-right.)

Image - right: Three layers of polish results in a soft, delicate, "candy floss" pink, infused with lots of eye-catching glitter!

***

Now let's discuss the drying time, consistency, and wear...

One coat of this enamel has an exceptionally fast drying time - it's touch-dry in seconds! However, as more layers were added, I found I needed to give each coat longer to dry. If you want to use this shade in a hurry, I'd advise that you opt for the understated look that one coat provides (see image - ). If you want to add more coats for a stronger result you'll need to set aside some me-time to get your nails looking salon-perfect.

The polish has quite a thin consistency, but not so thin that application becomes difficult - there's little worse that ultra-runny polish that gets everywhere and makes a mess of your manicure! The thickness also makes little mistakes easy to remove. When you want to remove the polish completely, you may find it takes a while. A lot of glittery nail shades can be difficult to remove, and this one is no different. The pink enamel is quick and easy to remove, but I found that the glitter was pretty stubborn! A good way to remove glitter polishes is to soak a cotton pad / cotton ball / some tissue in nail polish remover, wrap it around the nail, hold in place for about 30 seconds, then try to wipe away the glitter - repeat if necessary. I've previously used some super-stubborn glitter polishes that have needed to be scratched away with an orange stick, which is pretty unpleasant (thankfully, "Popular" isn't that bad) - I'm sure I'll get some complaining to me about how this can be bad for your nails, so I assure you I'm not advising people to remove polish in this way, it was simply a last result.

The wear of this shade is pretty impressive. I wore 2 coats for 4 days before any signs of wear appeared, and my hands do a lot of work! The light colouring of this shade makes it ideal for ladies who don't have time to keep touching-up or re-doing their nails, as small signs of wear are barely noticeable and it has decent staying-power.

That's all I have to say about Revlon Nail Enamel in "Popular". I hope you've found it helpful! If you want to know more about Revlon or purchase this polish or any other Revlon shade, use the links below.

Click here to view Revlon Nail Enamel on the Revlon website.
Click here to purchase Revlon Nail Enamel from the Boots website.
Click here to purchase Revlon Nail Enamel in "230 Popular" from Amazon.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

❄No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in 3 new winter shades + No7 "Perfect Lips Kit"; review + photos❄

Today's beauty review features 3 gorgeous new cool Winter nail shades from No7, plus some comments on the free gift I received, the No7 Perfect Lips Kit: click here to view the No7 offer on the Boots website!

❄I must warn you in advance; I may have gone a little overboard with the "snowflake symbols"...❄

I've always been a huge lover of No7 beauty products. It's brilliant quality. I find the results rival (and often beat) those of designer brands, without the expensive price tag! I was drawn to these beautiful new nail colours at my local No7 counter, and the free gift offer was impossible for me to refuse! So I bagged myself 3 nail polishes and was delighted with my free Perfect Lips Kit.

Let's discuss the nail colours first. I chose 3 light shades; Metallic Lilac, Winter Tale, and In The Stars. Dark, seductive shades are always a winter winner, but the lighter, icy shades shades I bought are sure to go down a storm, too! They're shades are great if you want to go against the flow while still looking fantastic. Shades like these are also ideal if you're not one for bold colours.

❄Image - right: These 3 cool new shades from No7 are sure to turn heads this winter.
Shade names (L-R); Metallic Lilac / Winter Tale / In The Stars.

As the name states, No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour is from the Stay Perfect range, which is formulated to deliver long lasting results. If you've read my previous No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour review (click here to view), you'll know I'm a huge fan of these polishes. They really do "stay perfect"! I always find myself removing the polish to change my manicure before any obvious signs of wear appear. Below you will see photos of Metallic Lilac when first applied, and again after 5 days of wear - it looks almost as good as the day it was applied! Click on the images to enlarge them.

❄Image - below-left: I took this photo straight after applying 2 coats of Metallic Lilac to my nails. I love the show-stopping metallic sheen!
❄Image - below-right: My nails in Metallic Lilac after 5 days of wear with no touch-ups. My manicure looks almost identical to when I first applied the polish! Now that's staying-power.

❄Metallic Lilac:❄This shade is an icy cold lilac with a cool metallic sheen. The gorgeous "frozen" finish looks breath-taking in every light! It's opaque in 2-3 coats and has a glossy, high-shine finish. Any lady can pull off this chic colour.

❄Winter Tale:❄A pale, pastel, purple-grey. It's shade (and the shade's name) is perfectly fitted to the icy temperatures, but pastels are a sure-hit in the Summer, too, so you can rock this beauty all year round! It's sleek, simple, and sophisticated. Non-metallic and non-glittery with a high-gloss and high-shine finish. Opaque in 2-3 coats.

❄In The Stars:❄Super-fine iridescent glitter encased in a clear high-shine polish with a super-glossy finish. Build up the coats to intensify the results. Wear alone for a subtle wintery look, or use as a top coat to add some snowflake sparkle to your usual manicure. Like many glitter polishes, this shade has fabulous staying-power, but, unlike many glitter polishes, this one is dead easy to remove!

❄Image - below: My nails after 1, 2, and 3 coats of (L-R) Metallic Lilac, Winter Tale, and In The Stars.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

❄Image - below: My nails after 2 coats of "Winter Tale" and 1 coat of Avon Opal Top Coat on my ring finger. Click here for my Avon Opal Top Coat review!

Now let's discuss the free gift I received with my No7 purchases; the No7 Perfect Lips Kit. It includes 2 full-size lip cosmetics and a lip brush worth £25, all presented in stylish gift wrap.

Contents:
No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Classic Rose,
No7 High Shine Lip Gloss - Smile,
No7 Lip Brush.

❄Image - right: The No7 Perfect Lips Kit, which I received free with my purchases. The products are great, and I love the chic gift wrap it comes in, too!

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Classic Rose: Some long-lasting lip products leave the lips feeling dry and uncomfortable, but not this one! This leaves the lips feeling hydrated and looking healthy, and the colour lasts for up to 8 hours. Classic Rose is a sophisticated earthy pink that's sure to flatter any woman's lips. I applied mine with the No7 Lip Brush (see below).
❄ Click here to read my review of No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Cherry", my all-time favorite shade!
❄ Click here to purchase No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick from the Boots website.

❄Image - above-right: No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose".
❄Image - right: No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Smile".

No7 High Shine Lip Gloss - Smile: A collagen-boosting gloss that provides the lips with deep moisturisation, gorgeous colour, and a brilliant high-shine finish. The well-pigmented formula contains added vitamins to protect and care for the lips whilst giving fabulous colour. Smile is a subtle nude pink with the tiniest touch of shimmer, a great daytime lip shade for any girl!
❄ Click here to read my review of No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Coral Kiss", one of my favorite shades!
❄ Click here to view No7 High Shine Lip Gloss from the Boots website.

❄Image - right: Why not combine the 2 products for a dramatic, sultry, glossy look? First apply No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose" using the No7 Lip Brush, then top with No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Smile". Gorgeous evening glamour!

No7 Lip Brush: This lip brush is perfect for helping with precise lip colour application. The dainty brush has super-soft bristles that hold a great amount of product and allow you to successfully colour all areas of the lips precisely. It's also useful for blending lip colours together. I love the sleek and stylish brush design. It's easy to clean, and the brush head protector keeps the bristles in good shape.
❄ Click here to purchase the No7 Lip Brush from the Boots website.

❄Image - below: No7 Lip Brush / No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose".

If you haven't checked out No7 yet, click below to visit their website now! There's something for everyone and new shades and products released regularly. You won't be disappointed!
Click here to view No7 products on the Boots website: http://www.boots.com/en/No-7/

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Friday, 11 October 2013

☆It's my birthday!☆ NEW Avon Colour Trend; Glitter Glam Shimmery Pressed Powder; Review + Photos

☆First of all, it's my birthday today!☆ So, Happy Birthday to me, and thanks you to everyone who has sent me birthday messages and presents. :)
It's 01:58am here in England. I thought I'd get my work done now so I can enjoy my day properly tomorrow. :)

Today I'm reviewing another new product from Avon that hasn't yet been released in the UK, so you can get all the information you need before you decide to make the purchase! The product is Avon Colour Trend Glitter Glam Shimmery Pressed Powder.

Please note; the photos really don't do this product justice. I always find it hard to show highlighting products without over-loading the face with make up (which looks and feels awful) or using a camera flash (which doesn't give an image of what the product looks like in normal lighting).

It's a pressed powder with a subtle shimmery finish that can be used to highlight or to give an all-over glow to the face and body. It's a perfect beauty bargain for the party season; Christmas is coming up fast! It comes in a colourful compact complete with an application sponge, although I found application much easier and more effective with a powder brush.

Let's talk about the product in more detail. The pressed powder itself is almost translucent, it has just a slight tinge of gold to it which gives the skin a beautiful healthy glow, so it would be great for use as a subtle bronzer, too. The powder is infused with fine, light-reflecting, shimmering gold particles. When applied to the skin it gives a healthy, luminous, pearly glow. The result suits all ages and skin tones, and it gives just the right amount of subtle shimmer to add extra glamour to any outfit. It really is a great all-rounder!

The formula of this product is fabulous. It makes the skin feel feather soft, and the powder eliminates any

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

shine. A little goes a long way and the product is build-able, so start off by applying a little and build it up to achieve the desired effect.

Image - right: I tried to use a close-up photo to show the effect that a touch of this product can achieve, but it really doesn't do it justice! Scroll to the end of this review to see a photo of my whole look finished with the Shimmery Pressed Powder.

There are a few ways you can use this product. If you want to use it as a highlighter, apply it to the forehead / cheeks / nose / chin etc (anywhere the sun would naturally hit your face) - I found this easiest with a small blusher brush for precise application. Or, for a more dramatic yet not over-the-top effect, you could apply it all over the face. I love the glowing result this gives the skin; it's a great way to finish your make up. You can use it on the body, too, for some subtle party glamour. I think it looks best applied to the top of the shoulders, the collar bones, and just a little on your breasts - it's a great way to highlight your assets! ;)

Personally, I think there's nothing worse than people over-loading on super-glittery make up and body glitter, a look that seems to be popular for the Christmas Party Season. Please, ladies, don't make yourselves look like disco balls and leave the tinsel for the trees! A product like this gives a much more sophisticated result - you can don the shimmer for the party season and still look fabulous! Plus, this stuff is much more versatile, so you don't need to reserve it just for nights out and Christmas. It's a beauty bargain that you can't afford to miss!

Avon Colour Trend Glitter Glam Shimmery Pressed Powder will be available in the UK from Avon brochure 17. Click here to view the Colour Trend range on avonshop.co.uk.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Image - below: My radiant glow is the result of Avon Colour Trend Shimmery Pressed Powder. Shame I couldn't get the Party Season sparkles to show up in the photo! I'm wearing different eye make up to what I'd usually wear, certainly not a look I'll be rocking for my birthday! Didn't feel comfortable in it at all, so removed it as soon as I'd finished the photos for this review.

Friday, 30 August 2013

Avon Opal Top Coat - review + photos [Apologies for corrupted "4-in-1" image!]

Nail polishes are probably my favorite beauty products to review, purely because I bloody love the stuff! Having a flash manicure has to be the ultimate accessory.
Today I'm reviewing one of my recent Avon purchases, the Avon Opal Top Coat. If you're looking for a fun, fashionable finish for your manicure then give this stuff a whirl. I love opals and things with an opalescent finish, so this was a must-have for me! The the Opal is my birth stone, you know. ;)

Let's discuss it in a little more detail. This new Avon product is a nail top coat consisting of a clear polish with a high-shine finish, and infused with eye-catching opalescent "confetti" sparkles. It's bang on trend at the moment,
and, although I hate to say it as we're only in August, it's a winner for the Christmas party season.

As always, I've added my own high-res images to this review so you can see how the stuff looks for yourself. Click on the photos to view larger versions in better quality!

Image - above-right: Avon Opal Top Coat over 5 shades of Avon Nailwear Pro+. Shade names from left - right (thumb nail first); Decadence, Inky Blue, Noir Emerald, Real Red, Orchid Splash.
Image - below-right: Avon Opal Top Coat worn alone photographed from various angles in different lighting.

Image - above: My manicure using No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in "Winter Tale" and a coat of Avon Opal Top Coat on my ring finger. Click here for my No7 "Winter Tale" review!

I tested this product over 5 shades of Avon Nailwear Pro+ (image - above-right), and I wore it over No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in "Winter Tale" (click here for my review!) on my ring finger to add some subtle sparkle to my manicure (image - above). I chose varied colours to show you what the Opal Top Coat looks like over a range of shades and finishes. Personally, I think it looks best when paired with "Inky Blue" (usually a very deep metallic blue, but my photo makes it look almost black, sorry!) and "Noir Emerald" (possibly my favorite Nailwear Pro+ shade). I also think it looks pretty good with "Decadence". I don't think the lighter shades, "Real Red" and "Orchid Splash", contrast as well with the opalescent sparkles. However, I do think it compliments No7's "Winter Tale" (click here for my review), it seems to complete the manicure, and it adds a touch of fun sparkle without looking cheap. What do you think? It's advertised as a top coat, but you can wear it alone for a more subtle look. I've added a "4-in-1" image to show you the polish in different lighting from various angles (image - below-right).

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Copyrighted material

The opal "confetti" comes out slightly uneven in various shapes and sizes, but I believe that to be part of it's charm. It certainly makes in more interesting, and you'll always get a unique finish!
A little polish goes a long way. I personally think 1 - 2 coats is plenty, any more and I think it would look tacky and peel easily.
Speaking of peeling, this stuff has fantastic wear. I wore 2 coats over 1 coat of Avon Gel Strength Base Coat (the stuff is a dream; click here to read my review), and it lasted 4 days before I noticed even the smallest signs of wear, which was a little pe
eling around the cuticles of some nails.

There's not much more to say really, so I'll keep this one short and sweet! I can't fault this polish at all. It's on-trend, it's eye-catching, it's a great way to add a unique finish to your usual manicure, and it's dirt cheap.

❄It's a Party Season must-have!❄ (Loving the snowflake symbols.)

Click here to purchase Avon Opal Top Coat from avonshop.co.uk.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Image - below: Just a recent snap of myself. :) Annoyed that my leopard-print hair clip is showing, but otherwise I feel it's a rather aesthetically pleasing photo, even if I do say so myself. ;)

Tuesday T. Bryan