Showing posts with label Illamasqua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illamasqua. Show all posts

The Best Of February


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Well, I meant to write this post for Friday, but will with all the upset of loosing my little Mindycat, I took a day away from my laptop. I'm sure you won't mind.

February was a proud blog month for me. I challenged myself to upload a post every single weekday and I succeeded. I wasn't exactly a breeze but I really enjoyed getting stuck in and am pleased with the content I produced. Look at me being all self praising! Haha. 

I'm reluctant to challenge myself to do this throughout March as I know I have a LOT on in the next 4 weeks but I'm going to give it a while. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say...whatever that actually means!

So, before it's too late, let's reflect on the great month that we just had and tomorrow we'll be looking forward to the next one. Smooooth.

Urban Decay Spring Collection 2013 Naked Flushed

We kicked off February with THIS post, oohing and arring over the latest offerings from Urban Decay. The above palette is the Naked Blush Trio, the sister product the the Naked Eyeshadow. I'm crossing my fingers for more from this range.

Illamasqua Imperfection

Still in total makeup junkie mode (when am I not in this mode?!) I told you all about THIS amazing Illamasqua Event I had attended and we talked about speckled nails. Last month I also saw that L'Oreal are continuing with the speckled nail trend so I suspect this will be something we see a lot of in the months to come. Exciting to have something new.

Handmade Valentine Card by Toddler/Baby | Sprinkle of Glitter

In week two, as well as having a long overdue blog redesign from Blogger/Author/Designer WonderForest, I talked about spending quality time with Darcy and making THESE oh so cute Valentine Cards for our family. 

Sprinkle of Glitter Makeup FOTD 

In that same week, I uploaded THIS Happy Wife FOTD and took a new approach to photographing products - grouping! I by far and above prefer this method and think I will keep it up in the future. 

Cloud Nine Giveaway | Free Irons | Free hair styler 

February's giveaway was for a pair of Cloud Nine Stylers (won't link it as this giveaway is now closed). I was thrilled with your enthusiasm and may try and do a few more of these sorts of things. I'm quite fortunate in that I am offered to do giveaways by a lot of brands but I only really do them if the prizes excite me or I think they are extra special. Shall I do more? You decide.

 

February was the month that I launched THIS new feature- Baby Style. If Darcy will stand still for 2 minutes and I can get a decent snap, you'll see a lot more of this kind of thing! After THIS insane clothes haul, I think I've got enough clothes! Haha.

How to colour glass jars 

In the final week of the month, we had THIS good old fashioned DIY post. As always, it was easy and affordable as I think that's what makes projects most appealing! All too often I have given up on things when they were too complex (I'm looking at you 'easy sew nappy bag') and felt frustrated and out of pocket (yeah, still you 'easy sew nappy bag. Grrrr). If your repins on Pinterest were anything to go by, this DIY tutorial was a hit. Woot woot. 

Cat and Baby Photography

And then finally, at the very end of a brilliant month, there was the very sad news of my wonderful kitty going up to heaven. She is buried in my back garden (I paid extra for the vet to come out to our house and leave her body- well worth the expense if you are ever in this awful position as the animal is a LOT calmer) and I imagine that she is up in heaven with my Mum and Gran and her kitty Mum and any brothers and sisters she might have had. She had a good life. 

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So a busy month! On top of all of those highlights (and the low light), were my regular posts like Amazing Advertisers, Bedroom Beauty Challenge and four Motivational Mondays (I think my favourite posts to write). 


Is there anything specific you'd like to see in March? What did you enjoy or maybe dislike (holds breath and hopes you're kind!) in February?


Toodlepip!
xx
This month my Ultimate Advertiser is  Kittenish Behaviour. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE

Illamasqua I'mperfection


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Along with some of my glamorous blogging chums, last week I attended the launch event for Illamasqua's new collection :: Imperfection. As Alex Box, Illamasqua's Creative Director, cleverly pointed out that the word 'imperfection' can be 'I'm Perfection'.  With this inspiration, a new collection was born. 

Illamasqua Imperfection

The new collection boasts 5 limited edition nail varnishes (£14.50 each), created by Product Developer David Horne. Side note :: Having spent a day with David at the Illamasqua Master Class, I can honestly say he is one of the most interesting and charismatic men I have ever met. You know that fun game people sometimes play where you have to choose the ultimate ten dinner party guests (and everyone always seems to pick Stephen Fry)? Well I'd pick David as one of mine. 

Back on topic, David took his inspiration for these varnishes from nature, which is incredibly beautiful yet incredibly flawed. You know how little birdie eggs have that gorgeous speckled effect, well that's what these polishes are. Egg speckles. I LOVE that! 

With two sizes of glitter flecks, what I found most interesting was that the glitter was matte (so we can question whether this really is glitter- I'm a glitter freak) so the 'speckled' effect really is as true as it could be. Saying that, wouldn't it be huh-mazing if real bird eggs were speckled with glitter? Oh my!

Illamasqua Imperfection

As well as 5 nail polishes, 2 eye products (speckled liners) and 2 lip products (intense lipgloss in green and girlie lipstick in pick-featured above), Illasmasqua have launched 3 new blush duos and a innovative new makeup brush.

The idea is to place the product loaded brush with the tips pointing toward your nostril and upper ear, under your cheek bone and flick/push upwards towards (but not to) your eye. This method, unlike the conventional swirls on the apples of your cheeks, is designed to create a soft oval hue on the cheek bone. You can continue applying blush in this method to create a more dramatic effect too. What I have always loved about Illamasqua powders is that they really are easy to blend, so building colour is a doddle.

Naturally, I would have been grateful for any product that was in a goody bag, but when I saw I had been given 'Lover & Hussy' I was pleased as punch because girly pinks and sweet corals are right up my alley!

Illamasqua Imperfection
(A few quick snaps from the event- it was too pretty to waste)

Illamasqua is a brand that strives and succeeds in pushing limits. It challenges stereotypes and questions the status quo. Some of it's products are a little outlandish for me but more often than not, I fall a little bit in love with them (I'm on my third pot of Beguile for goodness sake!). I love this collection not just for the pretty pastels and easy to wear blushers, but for the ethos behind it and the idea that acceptance of our natural selves is true beauty, it is perfection.

What stands out for you in this collection? Are you in love with the concept too?


Toodlepip!
xx
 
 
This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Ji Ji Kiki . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE