NOTD - Models Own "Green Flash"

Just a quickie post on this - I actually painted my nails with this on Friday and have only taken the photo this morning (Tuesday). It's been through a pretty full on weekend and is still there to tell the tale with only minor chippage.

It's a lovely metallic/glitter shade of green which I had teamed with green touches on my eyes on Saturday. Like the rest of the range it dried well, gave a good coverage, lovely colour and has worn super well.

Excuse the squinty eyes!

LoubouLush x

Beyond Excited - Design Your Own Shoes

I am BEYOND excited. I love shoes. Beautiful, beautiful shoes. I could have them as ornaments or pieces of art on my walls. I'd have shoes everywhere if husband didn't reign me in where possible. I have a shoe keyring, a shoe fund money tin, display cabinets, shoe shaped bracelet charms... OK you get the picture!

I'm also a collector of all manner of shoes - from Barratt's to Blahnik and everything in between, I don't discriminate! If I like a shoe, I like a shoe. I can't even describe what it is about a shoe that I know will make me fall for it. I AM a sucker for a peeptoe and a smooth silhouette but other than that I can't say for sure if I'll like a shoe by a description I need to see the full thing to see if I like it - the heel shape, the toe, the fabric, the cut... I just can't put it into words but thankfully Mr Louboulush has picked up a knack for knowing what sort of shoe I'd go for and bless his cottons, he can spot a fake designer shoe at 20 paces (he's a keeper ;) )

For the last few months, my passion has admittedly waned slightly. Maybe I've been a bit overkill in my collection. Maybe I've been a bit put out at how expensive some of my favourites are getting and how so many fake designer shoes have flooded into the market. So what could get me more excited about shoes after all these years of shoe lusting? An uber bargainous pair of designer shoes in my size going for a song on eBay? Another pair of beautiful Valetino's in my size at my local TK Maxx? Well yes, I can't deny I'd be pleased with that...

But no, this time it's something a little bit different. It's something I've always dreamed of - being able to purchase a pair of shoes I have designed/customised myself (not just adding the odd rhinestone or bit of glitter myself)! I remember the days of design your own Timberland boots years ago (does anyone else??) and the excitement of finding http://www.styleshake.com/ where you can design your own clothes and get them made. None of these were as exciting as finding http://www.upperstreet.com/ though.

Here shoes start at £180 (plus delivery) and you have lots of options in terms of style, colour, material and embellishments. Some of the fabrics look stunning and satin swatches can be purchased for £1 each plus delivery. As the shoes are custom made - taking about 6 weeks - they cannot be returned but will be altered for free if they do not fit. There is quite a comprehensive list of information on the website (can't see anything about whether the more exotic materials are imitation or not though, presumably not as it doesn't say otherwise...)

So they aren't particularly cheap but I cannot tell you how many times I have had an outfit to wear and find it impossible to find matching shoes for it. Typically I could end up with 3 or 4 pairs of "maybe shoes" for it and end up with none of them matching perfectly and pulling on a pair of other faithful classics instead. The idea that I could get my perfect style of shoe - Ms Platform Peeptoe, I'm looking at you! - in a comfortable fabric with the perfect colour combo has very nearly blown my mind.

The shoes are quite expensive don't get me wrong, but no more so than I'd say some of the higher end high street stores - Kurt Geiger, LK Bennett etc. If the quality is as good as the theory, I think this could be a real winner... I just need to save up some spendy beans and order something fabulous and report back.

All in the name of research of course :D

What do you think? Have any of you used it or are you as intrigued as I am??

LoubouLush x

NOTD - Models Own "Sterling Silver"

I know, I know. I don't have shares in Models Own. I don't work for Models Own. There are other nail polishes available blah blah ;)

But here is another NOTD of MO, this time another metallic in "Sterling Silver". This is Champagne's cooler toned sister! It really is the silver alternative for me which, given my love for Champagne (in all its forms, hic) is a good thing - it gives a very similar finish to Champagne but obviously in a bright poppy silver manner.

In my opinion it is very similar to Illamasqua's "Glory". It seems to have a bit more shimmer close up but it isn't too "in your face". If I'm honest I think I prefer the finish of Sterling Silver and it seems to be lasting longer. Oh, an it's less than half the price!

Without Flash

With Flash

I love the fine glittery shimmer it gives - I think it's a nice subtle touch of glamour and between Champagne and Sterling Silver I think you would be hard pushed to find an outfit that neither would work well with.

Another keeper :)

LoubouLush x

Quick NOTD - Models Own "Champagne"

I can't believe I've never properly posted about this (was searching for one and don't see it) so here's a quicky on Models Own "Champagne"...

It's not my current nail polish but before I post about it I wanted to post a quick old photo of this one. This is a beautiful shimmery gold. I love the shade, I love how one coat is enough but two or three are fab too. It dries quickly. The finish is pretty. The colour is versatile. It's well priced (RRP £5). It's even quite sturdy without a clear topcoat!

Fabulous!!



LoubouLush x

A Product Round Up

Hi everyone! I've noticed I have some new followers so hello to you all [waves]

I have been super busy with work lately but due to some pretty big changes, from this Monday I will hopefully be a whole lot less so! This should leave me much more free time which we will hopefully mean more posts so if any of you have any suggestions of the type of posts you would like me to do, don't be scared to ask :)

For now I thought I'd do a post on some of the products I'm using at the minute. I seem to be revisiting a lot of things I've had knocking about for a while. Maybe because I'm cutting back on my spends and trying to use up things I already have? In general though these things are old favourites of mine which I never truly tire of so I thought it might be worth a share.
Concealer by Barbara Daly at Tesco
I love this little concealer. I only really conceal the odd spot and love this stuff. I use it either with just my finger or a little brush. I think it costs about £3-£4 but usually BD stuff seems to be on a 3 for 2 style offer. I bought this ages ago so hope they still stock it but my local Tesco don't stock BD at all anymore [shakes fist] so I can't be sure.

Virgin Vie One Step Face Base
At £15.50 for the whole thing or £12 for the refill this isn't cheap. It was my first real foray into more expensive foundation though and I love it. It gives good coverage, finish and lasts really well on my oily patches. A refill lasts for for months as well before needing replaced. I've used Ivory in the past and it gives a good colour for me when I have some tan. At the minute I use Alabaster which is great for my pale skin and bronzes up nicely with a matte bronzer for extra colour. I use the sponge that comes with it for application but a foundation brush gives a good but lighter coverage. The compact comes with a mirror so if fab for a night out or for dropping into your all day handbag, a definite keeper!!

Avon Eyeliners
I go between a couple of these eyeliners. They are cheap but give a great payoff and last well. Black eyeliners is my one essential cosmetic. I love these lots and wear them one my waterline and this stuff lasts brilliantly for the price. The colourtrend one is under £3 and quite often there will be similar ones of offer. I'm very scatty with my make up so have lots of these kicking about my house/car/office so I'm never lost for one!

No 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation
I've always been wary of liquid foundations. Why? Well I'm pale, it's difficult to get something pale enough for me and not too orange. I'm terrified of having a horrible line of where orange foundation stops and pale skin starts that I see on so many others. I have oily and dry patches so it's difficult to get something to work for me. I have this in Alabaster and apply it either with a sponge or a brush and the colour is a great match for me and lasts well. To stop it sticking to any dry bits I tend to apply a little moisturiser with it and it works a treat. It also comes with SPF 15 which is never a bad thing. It costs about £15 (boots.com seems to be down at the minute so I can't check!) This is often on a 3 for 2 offer or No 7 vouchers are quite often so a bargain can be had.

GOSH Quattro Eyeshadow in Q24 Platinum
Again something I've had for ages and just rediscovered. I love GOSH products (especially their brushes) but this quad is fab too. It costs £8.50 in Superdrug (also often available in offers). The shadow lasts well and applies smoothly. There is a nice selection of colours which are good for a soft smoky look. I'd prefer to have a darker grey or black in there too but it's very handy for a quick light smokey effect for every day or to throw in a clutch bag for night out touch ups.

Superdrug Essential Eye Make Up Remover
I bought this recently for about £2 as I'd got fed up of using wipes which were making my eyes a bit stingy. This looks very much like a toner and according to the print, contains camomille and is suitable for all skin types. for a budget product I find it works really well on cotton pads to remove any eye make up I have and the watery toner type appearance leaves my eyes feeling pleasantly fresh and clean. A handy addition to my toiletries bag!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer
I love this bronzer. I use it for contouring and general bronzing. As you can tell by the battered packaging I've had it for a while!! I find it really hard to find a nice matte bronzer and this is the best I've found. It isn't cheap but as the war wounds on mine suggests I've been using this one for a while so it lasts well.


So there you have it. Some of my "must haves". Have you tried any of them and loved/hated them?

'Til next time :D

LoubouLush x

NOTD - Models Own "Silver Fox"

Hi Everyone,

I really need to jazz this thing up with something other than NOTDs but here is a quick blingy one for you...

With the arrival of my new Model's Own polishes (which are mainly of the glittery variety, of course) I thought I'd brighten up a bland matte grey with some sparkle and bling for the weekend. I added a few small crystals for fun and it's all held up amazingly well as we've been having a clearout this weekend and I've been scrubbing worktops and kneading dough too (glove less) and everything is still intact. I'm very pleased!

The Silver Fox dried very quickly for a glitter and 2 coats gave me a nice dense finish of silver glitter. I think the "dipped" look is a nice way to have some glitter without overkill. As is so common with glitter polish, I'm sure it'll be a nightmare to remove but I guess that's the price you've got to pay ;)

LoubouLush x

Models Own It - Lipstick

Well what can I say? I love Models Own (It?) nail polishes but haven't tried any other their other products. Their 50% of Facebook sale was too good to pass up (and what a fab PR exercise on their part!!), especially as I want a bright red lipstick for Halloween and saw fab looking one on their site...

Overall, it was a bit of a faff trying to order from the ever crashing site, but hey what do you expect with these things? For 50% off I thought it was worth the effort. My order arrived quickly and although one items was out of stock then rest (mainly nail polish) was all perfect!

I'm not a big lipstick lover. I love the look of nudes and MAC lipstick shades but recently I've realised it seems to give me a bit of a rash.

My bare nekkid lips

First up the lipsticks are usually £5 each. The packaging look nice enough - fairly basic and simple really. I am a little worried about how them will stand up to be smoushed (am I making this up?) with lipstick and chucked in my bag but we'll see...

Red Scarlett looks very vibrant online and I wasn't disappointed in the flesh. The tube was sealed but unfortunately the lipstick had been pressed against the lid during the manufacturing process presumably and the lip was a bit messy and it didn't have the sharp finish a new lipstick should. A minor complaint really though... I'd say it offers a very pillar box red. Very bright and feels super moisturising and rich on. I really liked it though can't comment on how well it will least as I'm not brave enough to wear it for anything length of time or in public lol. It will be getting some exhibitioning at Halloween though hopefully.

Sheer Sparkle was the other one I ordered. I thought it looked pretty in the packaging and it gives a sparkly sheen to the lips. I didn't noticed the colour so much until I was removing it and could see it on the cotton pad - it gives a pale nudey pink colour with the glitter. The glitter is very noticeable (difficult to pick up on my camera) and it is also quite difficult to remove - like a lot of glitter make up I guess! I think it could be a nice alternative for a gloss on a night out either on it's own or over the top of something else. It's not something I could use every day though and I also found it felt a little gritty on my lips - presumably the glitter...

All in all I think the Scarlett Red is the winner here. The red truly is beautiful and as bright as the website pictures would lead you to believe. One gripe I do have is the website doesn't have much by way of description for the colours (that I could find?)- you have to go on the photo alone which when buying online isn't great. For me, the more information the better!!

https://www.modelsownit.com/lips/lipstick.html

So what do yout think of Models Own? Did you partake in the sale too??

LoubouLush x