{ Review + Swatches } Illamasqua Pure Pigment : Conquer

Hey all! Are you ready to experience pure awesome glittery and shimmery-ness?! Introducing Illamasqua's Pure Pigment in 'Conquer'! 'Conquer' is an extremely shimmery deep emerald shade with microglitters. I'm really excited about this post because as you will see in my swatches, I'll be showing you the pigment on top of different coloured bases. You will be able to see the different shades you can create from using this one pigment!

Super shimmery or what?!

 L-R: Conquer: on top of a black base, on its own, on top of a white base 

 L-R: Conquer: on top of a gold base, on top of a lime base, on top of a blue base, on top of a bronze base

FYI the bases I used were the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in 'Black Bean', 'Milk', 'Pure Gold', 'Lime', 'French Fries' and the blue base is the Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eye Pencil in 'Blue Remix'.

I really recommend using a base so that the pigment will adhere to your lids and also apply it using a patting motion. This will minimise the amount of fall-out you will get. Alternatively, if you would like to keep the true colour of 'Conquer' on your lids, apply an eyeshadow primer prior to applying 'Conquer' on your lids.

I really do like this pigment and the variety of shades you can create by applying different coloured bases under it. I love it on top of the lime base- gorgeous olive gold shade! The down side is not only the fall-out but also the price. I purchased this pigment (1.3g) for around $13AUD!! I feel that there are many other shimmery pigments out there I could get for a much cheaper price and would look as great.

Have you guys tried Illamasqua's Pure Pigments? What other pigments do you love and would recommend? Would love to hear your suggestions!


xo Laura

*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with Illamasqua. I purchased this product with my own money and as always, my reviews are 100% my honest opinion.*

{ STYLE } Preppy Edge : Burgundy & Olive

Winter is approaching which means I can live in my stockings, boots, sweaters, scarves and coats! This look combines a preppy and edgy style which I am loving. A collared top layered under this beautiful burgundy coloured sweater, frayed olive shorts, striped leggings and military boots. The chunky boots add that edge and masculinity which offsets the rest of the outfit.

 Tops: Cotton On, Dotti

Shorts: Express

Bag: Steve Madden

Boots: Express

Accessories: Michael Kors watch, Colette, Ebay, HK, Aldo sunnies

xo Laura

{ Review + Swatches } Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol III: NYC

Another 'Review + Swatches' post for y'all! Urban Decay is one of my favourite makeup brands largely due to their eyeshadows! I'm pretty sure you guys have all heard of how amazing their eyeshadows are. They are truly pigmented, smooth and overall really good quality. This set was my first ever Urban Decay purchase and to show you how in love I am with their eyeshadows, I went on to purchase their famous NAKED and NAKED2 palettes as well! I really don't regret buying them at all, they've really become my favourite eyeshadows and staples in my makeup collection.

This set contains 16 lovely shades with varying matte, shimmer and glittery finishes, a travel sized version of their primer potion and 2 of their 24/7 eyeliners 'Random' and 'Zero' (FYI: This post will only be on their eyeshadows).Unfortunately Urban Decay does not sell this set anymore (from what I can see on their website) although you can still purchase some of the eyeshadows individually or you may find this set on Ebay/Amazon. Without any further rambling, here are the photos!

 Cardboard pop-ups of NYC!! Superrrr cute!

L-R: (Perversion, Uzi, Loaded, Kush, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call, Rockstar, Money)

L-R: (Haight, Maui Wowie, Smog, Bordello, Radium, Snatch, Suspect, Psychedelic Sister) 

PERVERSION: Matte black (Discontinued. UD's matte black is now called 'Blackout' and a lot smoother and pigmented than 'Perversion' in my opinion)

UZI: White metallic silver with silver microglitters (Available as an individual shadow)

LOADED: Dark emerald green with a black undertone (Available as an individual shadow)

KUSH: Jade green (Available as an individual shadow)

MIDNIGHT COWBOY RIDES AGAIN: Pink gold with silver microglitters (Available as an individual shadow)

LAST CALL: Plum with purple sheen (Available as an individual shadow)

ROCKSTAR: Dark purple (Available as an individual shadow)

MONEY: Baby blue-aqua with silver microglitters (Discontinued)

HAIGHT: Cool royal blue (Available as an individual shadow)

MAUI WOWIE: Gold with silver microglitters (Available as an individual shadow)

SMOG: Deep copper-bronze (Available as an individual shadow)

BORDELLO: Pink-lilac (Available as an individual shadow)

RADIUM: Bright electric blue (Available as an individual shadow)

SNATCH: Light pink-peach with gold microglitters (Available as an individual shadow)

SUSPECT: Pale bronze-gold (Available as an individual shadow)

PSYCHEDELIC SISTER: Bright fluoro-ish purple (Available as an individual shadow)

Pros:

• Great pigmentation
• Variety of colours, shades and finishes
• Creative packaging
• Smooth and silky eyeshadows

Cons:

• Not keen on the glitter shadows. Too much fallout and messy-ness :(
• Bulky packaging. Not great for travelling  

What are your favourite shadows/sets/palettes from UD?

Thanks so much for reading!!

xo Laura

  

Follow me on my instagram (@lauralauraah) if you haven't already! I just started posting photos :D

*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with Urban Decay. I purchased the product with my own money and this review is 100% my honest opinion*

{ STYLE } Super Suspenders

I am so excited about these suspender stockings! I can imagine making great use of these during the cooler months. Super comfortable, stylish and versatile, giving more edge to a casual outfit. I love wearing looser and flowy tops when my bottoms are more fitted and body hugging, and of course nothing completes an outfit more than adding some statement jewellery pieces. I can't get enough of gold accented jewellery right now!

Looking frazzled and confused (o.o)

 

Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Sportsgirl

Stockings: House of Holland

Shoes: Love Couture

Accessories: Colette, Hong Kong, Michael Kors Rose Gold Blair watch

oh! and i just started instagram the other day! add lauralauraah if you have one too and we can share pretty pictures!

xo Laura

{ Review + Swatches } Sleek Blushes

Here's my first post for May and the second part of my Sleek Makeup haul! (Click here for my review and swatches on Sleek eyeshadow palettes). Other than being a lipstick junkie, I also have another weakness which are blushes! They can change your whole look completely by adding a healthy glow, some colour and dimension to your face.

So, I purchased 3 out of the 11 Sleek blushes, each being 8g (0.27oz) for $6.50 (not including shipping costs). Another great deal from Sleek especially if you compare it to MAC powder blushes which are 6g (0.21oz) and costs $41 in Australia!! This is why I NEVER buy makeup from department stores here!

I love the quality of these blushes and unlike their eyeshadow formula, I don't find it to be powdery at all. The product glides very smoothly on the cheeks with a relatively good staying power. The blushes are fairly pigmented too with some being more pigmented than others, but you definitely do not need too much of the product on your brush which is great.

L-R: Pixie Pink, Pomegranate, Rose Gold

Pixie Pink:

'Pixie Pink' is a matte bubblegum neon pink. It definitely does not look as scary or shocking on your cheeks than it does in the pan! It gives a pretty pink flush on the cheeks, suitable for basically any makeup look. Definitely great for those with fairer skin!

Rose Gold:

  What a surprise I picked up a blush in ROSE GOLD :p ! I could not pass up on this blush. I've read in many reviews that this blush is comparable to the famous Nars blush in 'Orgasm' but 'Rose Gold' is definitely the less expensive option! This is a gorgeoussssss colour. It's a beautiful rosy pink blush with gold shimmers (no chunky glitters! :D) It gives a really nice healthy glow to your skin.

Pomegranate:

 'Pomegranate' is a deep berry colour with shimmers. I don't use this blush as often as the other two as I find it can be a bit too dark on my fair skin during the day time. I occassionally like using this on a night out on my contour areas of my cheeks rather than on the apples. This blush is rather pigmented so definitely only a slight swipe is needed.

Swatches:

 L-R: Pixie Pink, Rose Gold, Pomegranate

Good sturdy packaging!

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Fairly good pigmentation
• Not powdery, nice and smooth application
• Good staying power
• Variety of blush colours with different finishes (mattes and shimmers)
• Packaging is sleek (no pun intended...!!) and relatively sturdy

Cons:

• I really don't have any complaints!

What do you guys think of these blushes? What are your favourite blushes of all time and which ones do you recommend for fair skinned ladies :D ?

xo Laura

 

*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with Sleek Makeup. I purchased the products with my own money and this review is 100% my honest opinion*