Review: Barry M no 98 "Petrol Black"

One of the prettiest pigments I own but a total heifer to take a picture of with my camera. Me thinks I need a new one. A camera that is. I've worn this eyeshadow a fair few times to see how it works because it once got a lot of air time for how fabulous it is and I just needed to use it. 

Here's the thing: It's a good eyeshadow overall. However when used dry the sparkles that you see in the pot do fade after a few hours. I can't tell you where they go. I'll just put it down to normal fade. I have no scientific explanation for it. When you use it wet you do not get the sparkle that you would get if you used it dry. Instead it give a gorgeous duochrome look that is black based with green, purple and blue showing through quite strongly. It more than deserves the name "Petrol Black". Used with water this pigment doesn't hold up as well. Use a good mixing medium and it will not budge. Mehron mixing medium (Review still coming! Promise!) does wonders with this pigment. From a distance this colour isn't anything special. Up close and personal it will make a few people gasp. It's one of those pigments that is only really appreciated by someone with an attentive eye.

The price is more than reasonable for this pigment. Barry M retails for £4.50 in Superdrug and Boots so it's easily available to most. Catch these stores on a good day and you'll bag yourself a bargin in a BOGO or some such promotion.

 No smiles...Lipstick on my teeth!

Items used:

Bobbi Brown Oil free foundation SPF 15 in Almond (I am still not feeling this. Review galore)

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolour in Rosy Glow (Another item I have thoughts on)

Barry M no 98 "Petrol Black"

Anastasia Brow Express

MAC Greasepaint stick in Black

GOSH Waterproof eyeliner in Black Ink

Maybelline Colossal Mascara in Black

MAC Violetta lipstick

Barry M lipliner in no 11 (love this!)

MUFE HD Powder

Close up. Sparkly Sparkles. But no cigar after 3 hours.

Catch up

I know I've been away most of February. I do apologise. I say sorry a lot! I have no excuse other than to say that life gets in the way sometimes :) I'm stepping up a lot of things in my life this year and I have to work hard for what I am aiming for. Inevitably I don't have as much time for blogging as I normally do. I do hope you'll stick around for the time when I can blog and I hope you will still continue to enjoy what I put out there.

I've been wanting to do a review stint for a long while now and I think it's about to happen. So look out for it. I hope it doesn't become too boring for you all! I wanna focus on items that aspiring make-up artists might want to look into. This does not mean that if you're a regular consumer you can't use it, just adapt it to your needs.

And one last thing. A lot of hoo haa has been going on in the Bloggerverse about the article written by Sam Donald the make-up artist. I happened to read the comments on there tonight and noticed that someone said that I have not replied to an email/comment or question that they've sent me. (Or at least that is how I understood it). If you are that person and are reading this, please leave me a comment. I'd like the change to rectify the situation. I have done my best to answer all emails as best as I can. I don't want my readers to feel like I am unapproachable for whatever reason. I want to do my best and if I have inadventently ignored you by mistake I would like to rectify that situation.

Stay blessed lovelies. The weekend if nigh!!!! xxx

Teal and purple Smokey eye

Experimentation is key when you're developing your skills. I've been trying some rather random things at the moment and you are going to see this particular eye combination a fair few times over the coming weeks or months. Unless I nail it the next time I do it. So please bear me with because I'm trying to achieve a certain look. Whether I pull it off, is another kettle of fish all together!

This look is using a very special eyeshadow that I received in a blog swap [you shall hear about it shortly!] just before Christmas from Yummy411. It is the infamous MUFE 92. Can I just say that I understand what all the fuss about this shadow....HOWEVER! I have made it my personal mission to find a dupe for this because I just can't believe one doesn't exist! Can MUFE truly have the monopoly on this colour? We shall see!

Barry M Teal on the lid, MUFE 92 in the crease and some GPS from MAC Style Black for a colour base and L'oreal Decrease as a primer. Grimas 282 and 563 as subtle eyebrow highlighter as well as my trusty GOSH waterproof pencil in Black Ink. Sexy curves mascara in in there somewhere....

 Foundation is Black Opal's foundation stick in Hazelnut and set with Ben Nye's Neutral set. She-Zam Dazzleglass and a touch of Stargazer Fushia lipgloss. I really should have thrown on some falsies [cause I'm getting better y'all!] but I was late for dinner at my mother-in-laws place so my curly lashes just had to do! And I think they did very well :)

Do you like? Let me know. It's bed time! Love you all xxx

Stay blessed!

uMakoti.

uMakoti:- a zulu term that means young Bride; newly married woman.

This lady was definitely a lovely Makoti. Ladies I present to you my lovely friend Catherine. She got married last december to a lovely Scot and her dress was gorgeous. Custom made fabulousness!

Makoti was very happy on her day. Very relaxed and a natural in front of the camera.

She has this lovely thick hair which she styled herself! She wanted to keep her look as natual as possible and keep her freckles showing through which I thought was totally fabulous!

I'll be honest I do not remember everything we used but I do know that we did use a Berry coloured lipstick. I suspect her blush was Myfacecosmetics and her eyeshadow was a combination of Barry M gold and dark brown somewhere. Her eyeliner was GOSH dark brown which did not move! Praise God! The rest? I forget. Forgive me!

Her photographer was very good. A gentleman called Peter Adamson. If you're a bride based in Scotland, especially near St Andrews, drop this guy an email [peter.g.adamson@btinternet.com.] I'm sure he could certainly help you out.

And there you have it! A beautiful Scottish Makoti :)

Stay Blessed lovlies
xxx

When your sick what do you do? You Play.

Eh I lost my voice. For those that know me personally its quite funny to see. I'm loud. Louder than most. My mates found it hilarious. Zuccherro was forced to talk thrice as much as he normally does. THAT was interesting for me. The boy can talk when put under pressure....lol!

So in a bid to make myself feel better I pulled this look together. Only ever to be seen online and never in real life cause I well I looked far better than I felt or sounded. It's a light green and purple. I just picked up what I had lying around. It's kinda summery in a way.

I'm really bad at pouting. But I thought I should throw this in for the HOT comedic factor :D

Eyes
MAC Greasepaint stick
Barry M no 78
Urban Decay in Escasty
NYX Single eyeshadow in Highlight
Urban Decay in Sphynx

I had to smile even though it was killing my throat. Sore throats are quite unnecessary.

Face
RCMA Foundation
Graftobian Face powder
Myfacecosmetics Blush in Sul'tan of Swing
GOSH Lipgloss in 0080
Bourjois La Creme de levres in Prailine Dolce
Anastasia Brow Kit

*serious face*

Right. This voice needs to be back by Wednesday. So I should get myself to bed.

Did you know that Halloween used to be a Christian Festival? All Hallows' Eve. All Saints Day. Interesting how things have turned out huh?

Stay Blessed lovelies.
xxx

A Wedding Trial for a Pretty Bride.

Hi Lovlies,

I didn't realise until the other day that I have not updated this here blog of mine for a while. I think I went through a burn out these last two weeks and I'm only just coming out of it now! I've been busy with work and weddings and just trying to get my life back in order. Not exactly sure where it all went kaput but yes I think I'm back to regular programming!

So wedding season is coming to an end. Kinda. Sorta. There just won't be as many wedding through winter as they are in summer. I was busy with a few this year and I wanted to share the trial pictures of a particularly lovely bride I did last weekend. This lovely young lady is a stunner. Her dress was GORGEOUS, everything about her individual style just left such an impression with me. I wanted to show you her trial pictures. I'm making arrangements to get a hold of some professional pictures soon.

She wanted to look like "a more glamourous version of her natural self". I think we achieved that goal and I, for one, was happy with the outcome. Now I know someone is going to want to know what I used on her....I confess I can't remember it all but but I'll do my best to remember!

*pictures are clickable.*

RCMA foundation
Myfacecosmetics Blush in her name is Rio
GOSH lipgloss in 104
Barry M eyeshadow in Bronze and Gold [not the actual names...]
MAC Rose Gold pigment
MAC Vanilla Pigment
Eyelure eyelashes
GOSH Black waterproof eyepencil
Natural Cosmetics Brow powder
Ben Nye concealer wheel

She was a great bride to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted [which is always a good thing] and I reckon her day was pretty as perfect as they could come! Congratulations my love! You looked smashing!!

COMING UP...
*Style Black Haul and FOTD [are you sick of it yet? if not...stick around!]
*Alternative mixing mediums
*Fong Kong MAC brushes...and lots more!!!

Be blessed lovelies!!!

xxxx