Blogmas – Page 2 – Clairey Sweetie

Hey Sweeties,

I can’t remember exactly when I first heard about the quite possibly and definitely arguably most exciting collaboration of 2015, but I am sure it was months ago and the wait has been agonising. But it’s here, it’s finally here, the Nars Glossybox has landed!

It’s very rare that I find myself in a queue that will see me compete with others to get my hands on something first, I don’t even get into bidding wars on eBay that much so this was serious. Having registered my interest with Glossybox I was sent a link that would allow us early birds an exclusive pre-sale opportunity to get the much sought after box, and despite a small problem with the link that got me sweating in worry, I did finally get through and make my purchase in the nick of time. Reports suggest that the box sold out within 27 minutes!

So what was all the fuss about? Well, it was this…

Now, I don’t know about you but I am guessing that most of the people that wanted this box, don’t own many or any products from NARS? I’m the former of the two, before this box I have only had one other NARS product in my collection which was another of their satin lip pencils that I purchased in my American haul a month ago. So this box for me was a perfect opportunity to broaden my collection and try out the hero products the brand champions.

Audacious Mascara – As you guys know, I struggle to fork out for high-end mascaras. Every now and again I’ll try one and it’ll be amazing, but not so amazing that I would commit and this one from NARS is the same. It lengthens and defines my lashes fantastically and I’ll definitely be wearing it across the holiday season but as for afterwards, I think unlikely as I just cannot justify spending £21 when there are as good versions out there in Boots, Superdrug etc. Saying that, it could well be a contender for my wedding makeup so watch this space!

Larger than Life Eyeliner – I have never tried a high-end eyeliner pencil before, only in gel format so this is a totally new experience. As it is described, the formula is rich and creamy and it applies beautifully without pulling at the lid unnecessarily. It stays put. There is little if anything to find fault with and I think if you loved high-end makeup and wore it daily, this product wouldn’t be a bad shout.

The Multiple in Orgasm – I have so far just used this product on my cheeks and it provides a lovely fresh glow, arguably great for either winter or summer. It can also be used on eyes and lips of which I have yet to try.

Blush in Orgasm – So regular readers will know how much I love blushers and it is the one area (except for eye palettes) that I am more ok with splashing out in order to get hold of those really special pans of blush. At £23, this one certainly I don’t think brakes the bank and if you are after a natural flush to the cheeks in a product this is for you. Apparently it pairs beautifully with the Multiple by layering the blush on top of it for a ‘luminous, intense finish’ and I will certainly be trying this for my work Christmas party later this month.

Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien – As mentioned above, I already own one of the NARS satin lip pencils and it’s a gorgeous product so I am delighted at adding another to my collection. I am slightly disappointed though that we weren’t provided with a more impactful shade, but you can’t fundamentally go wrong with a nude and this one is very pretty. I just can’t be sure that I’ll reach for it as much as I will my other nude toned products, particularly over winter but ask me again next spring.

Overall, this is a fantastic box and anyone who has managed to get their hands on it will absolutely love these products without a doubt. I am definitely encouraged to take the plunge with more NARS products going forward, particularly their sheer glow foundation which I hear so many rave about.

Were any of you guys lucky enough to get this box or already tried any of the products listed above?

Until next time x

Hey Sweeties,

So we made it, 24 posts in 24 days, done!

Of course I could have just winged it but that wouldn’t have been fair on you poor readers having to suffer poorly prepared content. No, Blogmas has taken lots of prep and at least the two weeks prior to December beginning were spent planning out the schedule, noting down ideas and preparing all the graphics and imagery (where possible). It’s taken a lot I won’t lie so I’ll be glad of the few days break before thinking about 2015. But it’s been worth it.

I appreciate that not all the posts were wildly interesting and yes a couple of times I told you about my day rather than uploading a planned beauty post or something similar. But I like that Blogmas has given me the opportunity to open up a bit more…

For me personally, I have really enjoyed uploading a post a day and participating in Blogmas. I think out of the whole process I only once narrowly missed posting after midnight and only a couple of instances where I had been stuck for something to say. On the whole though, every day was thought and planned through in advance which I do in my routine non-Blogmas weekly posts anyway (& think every good dedicated Blogger should do too).

So what now?

Well now I guess it’s time to start reflecting on the year almost gone and begin thinking and noting down my ambitions, my goals and my general desires for next year. At the moment I am still -I feel- only at the bottom of the career ladder and as I have no doubt mentioned before in one of my Sunday Chat posts, my job/career has been my real drive and reason for moving about and doing the things I have over the last few years so getting it right and making it work for me is vital to my happiness and well being. But I’ll leave these thoughts for another time!

What is left for me to say to you -my sweeties, my followers and readers- is to firstly thank you for visiting ClaireySweetie as often as you do, for liking and leaving comments and for your overall support. Although I have been blogging for a while, this blog has only just gone past it’s first birthday and I couldn’t be more chuffed at what it has so far achieved.

Secondly, I want to wish you, your families and loved ones a very Merry Christmas and I hope over the next couple of days that you have a fantastic time of togetherness, food and some great gifts which I for one am already looking forward to reading and viewing all the (January) haul posts!

I will be seeing you soon! Until next time x

Hey Sweeties,

As the end of 2014 is in sight now is the time to reflect upon the year almost gone. Today I wanted to look back at my year in beauty. Yes it sounds a bit bizarre but please bear with me on this.

Looking back at my beauty posts from the beginning of this year until now, I feel I have come a long way both in my learning and also my total appreciation of makeup and the beauty industry as a whole. I still of course have huge amounts of knowledge to absorb, I will never be Sali Hughes let’s put it that way…

Just some of the things added to my collection this year…

I have worn makeup for years beginning from around 14-5 years old with mascara and thick black liquid eyeliner and over the years since I have picked up tips and product suggestions along the way to enable me to apply a full face of makeup that I can change and adapt to day or night. But even though I guess the look I was trying to achieve with mascara and eyeliner in the early days was to some quite experimental, I never really felt that I was. Makeup was there to serve a purpose rather than be something to have fun with and collect. Now, I go into Boots/Superdrug etc. and am so much more aware of all the brands and products on offer it has become one of my happy places; I could be lost in there for days if left to my own devices.

Although I am still very budget conscious, I do now feel that I want to start investing more in certain beauty items rather than just sticking to what the drugstore offers. I am beginning to seek something different, something better –a Chanel foundation, a YSL lipstick… you can witness this transition and change of mind in my last beauty haul (at The Cosmetics Company). Not that I don’t still have my price limits (let’s not get too delirious in high-end excitement here guys) and of course I will always have my staple items as much as the next person but I definitely feel ready to broaden out my makeup collection to more high-end products. Watch this space!

With interest comes appreciation for quality –cast back to the moment I first dusted a swatch of Bobbi Brown’s French Pink blusher across the back of my hand- and an appreciation for good application. My everyday makeup routine doesn’t alter much day to day so I really look forward to the weekends and work opportunities where I can try something a bit different/new/daring. Some would say at 27 years old this is quite late to get both excited and discover beauty but for me, this is the perfect time. I now have the income (sort of) and the profession in which to really fully submerge myself in it. Before this I was working in hospitals, then at University and busy moving here, there and everywhere for this, that and something else. Now, it’s all perfect. Now, I can just love beauty.

The only thing that does mystify me slightly is the assumption that because I now write about and involve beauty on here (le blog), I have become some kind of expert. I would love to be an expert but unfortunately I am a long way off this and more than likely will never be an expert because I just don’t see where I would get the resource to. The likes of Sali Hughes, Caroline Hirons and even Anna Gardner (aka. Vivianna Does Makeup) have been absorbing themselves in the beauty industry for years and know the brands and the products inside out. They just know what they are talking about. Without changing my job, I just couldn’t see where I would get the time or the resource to digest this much knowledge and purposefully use it to make it all justifiable. But you never know…

I would love to know what attracts you guys to beauty and if any of you work in the industry and how you got there, so please leave comments and let me know!

Until tomorrow x

Hey Sweeties,

As you know I recently participated in a promotion with Elle and Estee Lauder as part of the new fragrance, Modern Muse Chic which celebrates the modern, independent woman. You’ll remember that the main element of the day was to appear in a video that would eventually be live on Elle.Com and I can finally share this with you –please click on the link below!

http://www.elleuk.com/promotion/estee-lauder-modern-muses-elle-insiders-share-inspirational-advice

I have seen & been in contact with a couple of the other Elle Insiders since shooting the video and we have all been really keen to see the end result and see how much -if at all- our little individual segments will appear. Personally, I am absolutely delighted with the video and I think everyone involved got involved and I think the final edit is brilliant. Can you spot me?

Now all that is left for me to do is to let you know what I think about the new fragrance, Modern Muse Chic.

If I am honest, Estee Lauder aren’t particularly a go to brand for young people or at least I don’t think they were pre the signing of Kendall Jenner which happened to be announced to the world on the day of filming the video. The one product I am very keen to get my hands on though is their Bronze Goddess bronzing powder; the packagaing is just beautiful and the product is fantastic but at a pricey £32 I am going to have to be patient for a while and hope I can either afford myself an extravagent reward (for maybe a new job) or be hopefull someone will gift it to me.

Fragrances are one of those things that can be either very right or very wrong and interestingly won’t be the same on everyone so opinion really is personal here. Fortunately for you guys though, I love it!

If I am wearing a fragrance, I don’t want it to be overpowering but I equally don’t want it to be too subtle either and Modern Muse Chic has that great balance I am after.

I also love the bottle; it’s elegant and well… chic! I also like that the lid looks like a bow but with the black studded appearance and texture it gives the whole product an edge which I think is great.

Until tomorrow x

Hey Sweeties,

As promised, this week I am giving you guys not one but two beauty reviews! On Tuesday it was Bobbi Brown’s Tuxedo Black nail polish (read that review here) and today I am letting you know my thoughts on the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in shade 09 Happy Nude Year.

I am going to cut to the chase here and open by saying this product is most definitely a new favourite of mine, absolutely no question.

I was sceptical at first purchasing it and if I am honest I don’t feel the need to be one of these bloggers that tries and reviews everything as let’s be frank, if a product is good, unless the formula completely disagrees with certain skin types etc. we’re more than likely all going to agree & our reviews are unlikely to differ greatly from one another. Saying that, not everyone watches or reads everyone’s videos or blogs therefore readers and viewers will have their own individual preferences over whose opinions they take on board. For me, I very much value the opinions of Lily Pebbles, Anna (from Vivianna Does Makeup) and Fleur De Force; if I am on the fence about something, their opinion will invariably push me over or pull me back away from it. In the case of the above Bourjois product, this was very much Anna’s influence.

The packaging is simple but chic and sturdy and I like that you can see the product inside. The lid screws on/off to reveal the doe foot applicator and enough product for a first application. I definitely prefer this type of applicator as it allows for a much better, smoother and more accurate distribution of the product.

As you can see from the swatch, the formula applies wonderfully thick and creamy but dries leaving a matte finish to your lips. It doesn’t last like a good lipstick does, but it does leave behind a soft pinky nude stain once it has fully absorbed and this suits me fine. It means I can relax and not have to worry about touching it up or whether following a meal it looks a patchy mess. This product just works and I am so pleased I purchased it.

Until tomorrow x

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