Sleek Avoir La Peche Collection Review & Swatches

So I have been a naughty blogger and have neglected my poor little blog for many months! I have been working on another blog (blog slut I know!) which has been taking up a lot of my time.


So anyway, apologies over and my inspiration for re-starting this blog is the fact that yesterday I purchased 2 thirds of the new Sleek Avoir La Peche collection! I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and assume the 'peche' means peach and not fishing. Wow a rare occasion to put my french GCSE to use. But I digress. 


I went to Superdrug and they had the I-Divine palette and the blush but not the Pout Polish in stock (boo) but I quickly headed to the internet to order the pout polish, along with £55 worth of other goodies, which should be here by Monday.


So firstly, the I-Divine palette in Paraguaya. The I-Divine palettes are a HUGE favourite of mine, amazing value for amazing product and this one is no exception. It is made up of mainly peach and apricot tones (go figure) with a couple of neutral shades as well as 2 taupe based contour shades. There is a mixture of matte and shimmer finishes with maybe a satin finish thrown in there for good measure.

 I thought the box packaging on this was beautiful but unfortunately, unlike the blush, the actual palette is the usual plain black.

Colours L-R Top Row - Parfait, Blush, Cameo, Persian Orange, Peach Gold, Sandstone

Colours L-R Bottom Row - Bellini, Redstone, Persimmon, Tangelo, Bittersweet, Stone

Parfait is a beautiful sparkling pink lemonade type of shade. It applies like a dream (as do all Sleek shimmers) and the payoff is second to none.

Blush is a baby pink that leans more towards being red toned than blue, as do most of these shades. This is a matte finish and with every palette they release I see Sleek getting better and better with their matte shadows. This applies really smoothly and it incredibly easy to blend.

Cameo is basically Blush with a tan. Same formula and finish, just as easy to work with but a couple of shades darker.

Persian Orange is AMAZING, it is one of them colours that looks scary but actually is really wearable. Once on the eye the gold shimmer kind of takes over and leaves a fantastic burnt gold effect. Gorgeous.

Peach Gold actually really reminds me of their Rose Gold blush if it were a few shades darker and more orange. It has that golden sheen running right through it and when it catches the light it just glows.

Sandstone is basically a highlight colour. A matte off white colour slightly pinky toned. Works well as a brow highlight on fair/light skins.

Colours L-R Top Row - Parfait, Blush, Cameo, Persian Orange, Peach Gold, Sandstone

Colours L-R Bottom Row - Bellini, Redstone, Persimmon, Tangelo, Bittersweet, Stone

Bellini is a creamy coloured shimmer, I have found it to work best on the inner corner or as a highlight but it could be a good all over lid colour blended out with maybe Persian Orange or Peach Gold.

Redstone is another matte shade which is once again well pigmented and very smooth. Much more orange based than the 2 shades above it, would look amazing on a bronzed skin.

Persimmon is a fantastic matte coral. I haven't seen many shades like this, usually a coral shade is shimmery so this is a refreshing change and I think it really works.

Tangelo. Wow. This is a crazy shade! Unbelievable pigmentation for a matte shadow and ridiculously bright. This shade wouldn't look out of place in the Acid palette. A total summer shade.

Bittersweet is a sort of cool toned grey taupe colour which really compliments the warm shades in this palette. It gives great definition to the eye socket without being too heavy.

Stone is the token dark shade, however unusually it is not a black. It is a dark browny taupe colour and again compliments the peach tones really well. I think it is a really great choice for Sleek not to just throw in a black to finish the palette with this one, it shows they have really thought about what colours will co-ordinate the best here.

Colours L-R Top Row - Parfait, Blush, Cameo, Persian Orange, Peach Gold, Sandstone

Colours L-R Bottom Row - Bellini, Redstone, Persimmon, Tangelo, Bittersweet, Stone

Overall I think this palette is perfect for spring/summer as it is different to the usual offerings of neutral colours and coral shimmers with a pop of blue thrown in. There are colours in this palette that will suit all skin colours, but in particularly I think on tanned/asian/black skin they will really pop out.

Paraguaya Palette is available at Superdrug stores in the UK and online at www.sleekmakeup.com for £6.49.

The other item I managed to nab from this collection is the blush. Sleek blushes are my favourites. Seriously, my MAC blushes stay untouched when these babies are around. Pigmentation, amazing, colours, amazing, price, AMAZING! What more can a girl want?

The blush in this collection is an apricot colour called Pan Tao. It is a matte blush that is very orange toned.

Love the fact the packaging on the blush has the artwork. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, why else would I watch a Jake Gyllenhaal movie? 

So the blush, as you can see is a corally apricot shade. The shade can be built up so it suits all skin types. I have very fair skin and so a little of this goes a long way but I think for darker skins a little layering, this will make you glow.

Left - Swatched straight from pan

Right - Blended into skin

So as you can see the straight swatch looks really orangey but once blended becomes more of an orange based coral instead. Again, perfect for summer to warm up the complexion.

The blush once again didn't disappoint, pigmented, beautiful colour, easy to blend, perfect for most skin tones.

Pan Tao blush  is available at Superdrug stores in the UK and online at www.sleekmakeup.com for £4.30.

I am waiting on the Sugar May Pout Polish which was also released with this collection and as soon as I have it I will post a quick review on that too. I also have the Primer Palette to review, the Bad Girl palette and the Molten Metals on their way along with a few other bits from Sleek. I'll try keep the blog a bit more alive from now on, stick with me!

Ciao Bella's  x 

World Cup Series: South Africa

Oh how I do love that South Africa flag! So many colours to choose from. Then again, why bother trying to choose when you can do them all, which is exactly what I did!


Flag

Make Up Look

So because today was day 1 of the World Cup I thought it only right to do a look inspired by the host nation of South Africa. I love the flag it is so colourful, even if I did make it even more so by using super bright shadows! =D


Bit disappointed I failed to incorporate white into the look except for in the highlight and in the outer corner V shaped eyeliner (based on the design of the flag). Maybe I will try it again, see if I can work some white in there too!


Once again here the products were really simple, just Coastal Scents 88 palette, Sleek Sunset Palette, Stargazer e/s, Nars Polar White (my favourite matte white) and then just some MAC Blacktrack Fluidline and UD 24/7 pencil in Yeyo and Zero. 
Kept the lips really simple because, I mean, come on! Just a slick of Pop gloss in a neutral peachy pink tone.


Oh and by the way I am aware my last post said Germany was next but it went seriously wrong so I will have a crack at that again soon but...


Next up...ENGLAND!

World Cup Series: Brazil

Next up is the legendary team itself...Brazil. The most successful team in World Cup history. And, lucky for me, a team with a yummy bright kit =D
Again here I looked at the home and away kits, I was just going to focus on the traditional yellow and green until my boyfriend showed up at my house wearing the blue shirt and I kind of love it.


The Kits

The Look

I must admit the Sleek iDevine palettes are coming in quite useful for these looks so far...
Here I used the Sleek Acid Palette for the yellow then a little of the golden yellow from the Sunset palette over the top to tone down the brightness of the first yellow! It's kinda crazy, and I had to go to work in this make up =P
Then for the blue I used the blue from the Sunset palette initially then a Stargazer blue eyeshadow to give it more punch.
Underneath the eye is just a bright green shadow from the Coastal Scents 88 palette and the blue liner I added is a liquid liner by GOSH.
So all in all a really cheap look to dupe (thats if anyone even likes it!). No expensive products used here all drugstore!


Next up...GERMANY!

World Cup Series: Spain

To start off my World Cup series, I kicked off (pun intended) with my favourite team, Spain.


I took inspiration from both home and away kits for this look and I kind of like it but kind of don't =S. I think I will re-do it soon see if I can make it any more interesting...


The Kits

      

The Look

So for this I used the Sleek Sunset Palette for the red and golden yellow and the Original Palette for the navy blue under the eye.

The lip I just used 2 random MAC lipsticks in a darker and lighter red, darker around the outside with a lighter pop in the middle of the lip.

Really simple but I think its pretty spot on in terms of the kit!

Next up...BRAZIL! 

World Cup!

So now that the World Cup is nearly upon us (so excited by the way!) I am going to do what will be essentially 'themed' make up on a daily basis for the next month. Each day I'm planning on doing a look inspired by a team in the tournament. I kinda got the idea in the Champions League semi finals when I went out to watch the Inter v Barcelona match and did my make up dark red and blue in support of my second favourite team, Barca! 


So basically I'm going to be a good blogger and hopefully post daily, or at least more than once a month! *Hangs head in shame* I did a trial run today with a Spain look because I'm a weird English person who supports Spain rather than my own national team (but many people from England should really see my point of view after one word...penalties!) But I will still be supporting England of course, I just prefer Spain.


But I digress, I'm basically just giving a quick heads up to all of my dear 11 followers that you might actually see a post from me on your Dashboard over the next week! I just didn't want anyone to die of shock when said posts appear really =P


Posting soon! 


xoxo 

Kind of Kim K Unintentional Rip Off!

Make up look for today, I received a couple of new things in the post. I got 2 MUFE Diamond Creams in Shades 3 (Blue Pink) and 4 (Flesh). I tried out flesh today as a highlight on top of my cheeks and on my brow bones and found it to be rather good. It gives a very subtle natural sheen to the skin, not at all glittery like the MUFE Shine On Loose Powder that I have, so it is great for the day. I'm sure it could also be mixed with a moisturiser or matte foundation to be used as a sort of skin 'pick me up' illuminator. 


I also got Bobbi Brown's new eyeshadow colour, Caviar. I really like Bobbi Brown shadows but actually don't have all that many, mainly because we have only just got a proper Bobbi Brown counter here in Liverpool in the new Debenhams. So I decided to try that out today too. Its really more of a crease colour for most people if I'm honest but I'm not most people, and I was in a hurry, so it just kind of got slapped on. But its nice, matte finish, not chalky like some mattes can be and really really pigmented. I did find it wasn't the smoothest to apply, it seemed to catch on my primer more than some other shadows but once on it looks great, really intense and smooth.


Finally another of my recent purchases is the MAC lipstick in Up The Amp which I have been toying with the idea of getting for a while now and decided to just go for it. Its an amplified cream formula (which are my faves from MAC) and so it applies really smoothly and evenly and isn't at all drying on my lips. The only thing I found was that because my lips are naturally quite pigmented, applying the lipstick directly onto bare lips it comes out much more pink than I expected. I have since tried it with a lightly concealed and powdered lip and the colour looks much more 'true to tube'.


So here is my look

Extreme Close Up! Woooaaaahh!

So this is what I ended up with. And after I'd finished I realised its looks a little similar to the famous Kim Kardashian look that everyone likes to dupe with the dark kohl rimmed eyes and pink lips. But, while I didn't intend for it to be a dupe of that, I do like the finished outcome and I am pretty impressed with all of my recent purchases.

Oh yes and before anyone asks, I go to work in this makeup, in an office setting call centre. Some say inappropriate, I say I buy my make up to use not to sit in a draw for 'special occasions'! But that's just me I guess!

So thanks to anyone who took time to read my ramblings, I am going to try post more of these if people want me to that is! 

Ciao!

Eyeshadows as Lipsticks?!

So as you may know from MUA I have just recently been toying with the idea of using eyeshadows on the lips for mainly dramatic looks. As we all know lipsticks are a necessity but also generally quite limited. Colours do range yes, from the brightest of reds to the nudest of nudes and the babiest of pinks but finding more out of the ordinary colours is by no means the easiest thing to do. So yes, Illamasqua have a great choice, but who really wants to or can afford to spend £15.00 on a blue lipstick? As much as we all wish we could, for most its kind of ridiculous. Don't get me wrong I love Illamasqua and all of their lipsticks but what I'm saying is for the most part you are going to use a blue, green, yellow, silver etc only a few times here and there for particular looks. Even say £4 for a Barry M lipstick can be a slight waste of money if you are only going to use it once or twice!


Anyway, rant over. So the other day I was on youtube and who else but Pixiwoo could put such an idea into my head? So I figured I would give it a go and these are the results...

It started out innocently enough just with a bright orange eyeshadow from the Sleek Sunset Palette with MAC Clear Gloss thrown on top.

Then I decided to do a blue lip, because, well I love blue lips! But then I remembered Sam's (Pixiwoo) tutorial and how she had done the dark lip with the fuchsia pigment in the centre, so I decided to use a sunshine yellow to go with the sky blue to make a sort of 'sunny day' look.

Now it gets interesting. It just so happens that I have a small picture of Heath Ledger's Joker from the dark night on my mirror (weird yes but I loved it) and so purple and green = The Joker. 

Next I tried using 3 colours. Using the bright yellow, orange and red from the Sleek Sunset Palette to make a sort of fiery lip.

So, okay they don't have the greatest staying power since it is just eyeshadow with clear gloss over the top and you can't exactly reapply throughout the day without looking a bit weird! But for certain looks or photoshoots etc I think its a great idea. It means you can save money on buying lipsticks you don't really need and saves space because you already have eyeshadows and you can pick up a clear gloss anywhere, it doesn't have to be MAC it just so happened that was the one I had lying around. Its not the easiest place to blend shadows but it doesn't really need to be at the gloss on top allows for a certain amount of movement of the product underneath.

So yeh, there goes my first real blog post. I promise they won't all be this lengthy! But I do like to ramble.

And if you have read, thank you very much! 

Beauty Questions

So I kind of stole this off Cheryl's Beauty Blog, I hope she doesn't mind! 

SKINCARE

How many times do you wash your face daily?

Twice, when I get up and before I go to sleep

What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)

Normal to slightly oily in the t-zone, but it's manageable!

What is your current facial wash?

L'oreal Perfect Clean Purifying Wash and Neutrogena Wave with Shine Free Blemish Free pads.

Do you exfoliate?

Yes, a few times a week.

What brand do you use?

My MAC Volcanic Ash is just running out so I'm trying L'oreal Perfect Clean Exfoliating Scrub and I use Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub for Combination Skin too.

What moisturizer do you use?

Olay Complete Care. Cheap but amazing! And Soap and Glory Night Cream is amazing too.

Do you have freckles?

Yes, I'm not their biggest fan but I'm not too bothered about them.

Do you use eye cream?

Yes, but only eye brightener, no anti-ageing, not yet at least.

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?

Nope, never *touches wood*.

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?

Nein.

MAKE-UP

What foundation do you use?

Ooh I have a few. Faves are probably

• Revlon Colorstay
• Illamasqua Light Liquid
• GOSH X-Ceptional Wear
• Mac Studio Fix Powder

How about concealer?

Illamasqua Concealer or MAC Studio Finish

Do you know your undertone color?

I am more towards cool toned.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?

They are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?

I do but who is going to stop me if it hits 3 months 1 day and I am still using it?

What brand of mascara do you use?

Max Factor False Lash Effect and Benefit Bad Gal

Sephora or MAC?

MAC because Sephora are idiots and decided they didn't want to have a store in or ship to the UK.

Do you have a MAC Pro-card?

I cannot explain how much I wish I did.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?

MAC brushes mainly, boring but there's a reason everyone uses them!

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?

MAC Paint Pot and/or UDPP

For the face?

GOSH Velvet Touch Primer

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?

That is like asking 'What is your favourite song?' An impossible question.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?

Pencil and Gel liners mostly. I used to use liquid everyday without fail then got bored of it all of a sudden.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?

Only if I'm trying to line my waterline when drunk and without a mirror, so about once or twice a week!

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?

Love. Last forever and so versatile.

Do you use mineral makeup?

Only MAC MSF and some Aromaleigh Shadows.

What is your favorite lipstick?

I really love Rimmel Moisture Renew and MAC. Shades are too difficult to choose between though.

How about lipgloss?

Illamasqua Intense glosses are just amazing.

What is your favorite blush to use?

MAC Well Dressed and Sleek Flamingo

Do you buy your makeup on ebay?

I don't make a habit of it, I don't trust it.

Do you like drugstore makeup?

Couldn't do without it!

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)

Yes, when I can persuade my boyfriend to take me, which as you can probably guess, isn't that often.

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?

Only Pixiwoo's classes. Would love to do one of their courses.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

Not really no, depends what type of day I'm having though.

Name a makeup crime that you hate?

Overuse of bronzer/orange face white neck. Yuck.

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?

Colour all the way.

Which celebrity always has great make up?

I will get slain for this but Lady Gaga is just fearless and I love it.

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?

Mascara, lots of it.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?

Honestly no, how sad is that.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?

Not really no.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?

Illamasqua simply because of the sheer range of colour that is unlike I have ever seen.

What do you think of Makeup??

Couldn't imagine life without it.

Quite Possibly The Worst Blogger EVER

Okay, so...I am a really bad blogger. I promised talk of beautiful music and bank draining make up and clothes and shoes and jewel...I digress.

But yes, not much progress since I made this vow in October of last year. How inconsiderate of me. Well, much like I was in October, I am incredibly bored and so have come to make a post (or general rambling as this is turning out to be).

I've decided I will probably use this space to post make-up looks and attempts at tutorials (written not youtube'd, I am far too scared to put my face on there!). I really love my makeup and post frequently on MUA, my wages each month are drained by MAC, Illamasqua, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura...etc every month so I might as well make a song and dance about it.

Hopefully will be posting again soon, or in another 4 months as the case may be.

Ciao for now!