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LOTD: Besame 'Carmine'

This Lip Of The Day is brought to you by Besame's Classic Colour Lipstick in Carmine*.

Besame Cosmetics is a range created to resurrect a more glamourous age, the packaging is sheer 40's feminine luxe and the colours are true retro, pin-up tones.

Carmine is a very orange/red coral, but it's not sheer; it's a semi-matte with an extreme density of colour. I needed barely any to get my lips covered. The lipsticks are infused with Vitamins A, E & C, aloe & green tea and unlike some mattes (*cough MAC cough*), this formula manages to remain softening & didn't dry my lips at all.

I got about 4 or 5 hours wear before it needed touched up, which I think is pretty good, but I was more amazed by the fact my lips didn't dry out. The shape of the bullet is unusual, but I found it surprisingly easy to apply - I was worried the flat edge would be too big to maneuver, but actually it gave a really nice clean line - this was photographed without a lipliner.

Overall, this is a really wearable red, especially if you like orange toned reds (as opposed to cool blue toned ones). The price (£22) is definitely reflected in the luxurious packaging & the formulation of the lipstick. If you like the look of this, you can pick yours up from Coco Beau & whilst you're there, check out some of the other delights, such as the Powder Compacts.

*PR Sample

Model Makeover

I'm updating my portfolio at the moment & have some lovely ladies booked for makeovers in the next month or so. The deal is they get a random face of makeup for free & I get to use the photos!

First up was the beautiful, creamy skinned Heather - an absolutely delightful face, with giant blue eyes.

Heather has beautiful skin & I didn't want to overdo the foundation. I used a little MAC Fix + and buffed in MAC Studio Tech Foundation in NW20, using a 109 brush.

On the eyes is a wash of MAC's Expensive Pink. To create the depth at the outer corners, I mixed Satin Taupe & Embark together & blended in using a 217. On the lower lash line, I took Embark quite low, & buffed out, creating a slightly less structured smoky eye. On the water line, I used Avon's Gel Super Shock liner in Bronze. I applied MAC 32 lashes & blended together with MUFE's Smoky Lash.

On the cheeks, I used MUFE's HD Cream in 6, then buffed in a smidge of Chanel's Bronze Universel into the hairline. I finished the skin by concealing with MACs Select Cover Up concealer & some YSL highlighter across the cheekbones & down the nose.

On the lips was Beaute's Weightless Lip Creme in Girlina, with NYX's Ultra Violet lip glaze over the top, to add a little burst of colour.

Thanks Heather for being such a good sitter!

If you are interested in modelling for me, please email me at info@amandamclennan.com (you need to be either based in the Aberdeen area, or willing to get yourself here!)

This week i love...

Spring Cleaning

Tonight, after being abandoned by The Husband (he went to watch the football), I tackled the over-flowing-stuffed-to-the-gunnels-with-shoes-bags-clothes-scarves walk in closet which is situated in our bedroom, but which for the last couple of weeks, I've struggled to actually walk into.

A lot of the stuff in my closet is stuff left over from last summer & recently I've been getting the sinking feeling whenever I open the door, you know - lots of clothes, but nothing to wear?

I am notorious for being an anti-hoarder, so when it comes to clearing out, it's all or nothing. Tonight, it seemed fate had me headed for all! I dragged everything (EVERYTHING!) out my closet and only put back in items that fitted me properly and, more importantly, made me feel good. The result? 2 massive carrier bags headed for the loft and my closet?

Reduced to 3 pairs of jeans, 2 black cardigans and a hoodie (and a selection of scarves!). Not entirely sure what I'm going to wear to dinner tomorrow night...!

To give you an idea of what I removed, these are some of the empty hangers...

So, in line with my exercise kick-start a couple of weeks ago, items will only be allowed into my closet from now on that fit properly & make me feel good. I'm sick of 'settling' for clothes that I buy just because they don't look horrendous. I want clothes that sparkle, not just 'that'll do'. I'm looking forward to investing in a few pieces over the next few months that I will take pride in!

Being Realistic

And so, thinking back to my post a couple of weeks ago, I've sat & had a good hard think about my exercise routine. It usually goes something like this...

Monday: good, hard 30 minute run

Tuesday: rest day, spend time with M

Wednesday: M at football, I feel bad I haven't blogged or filmed, so skip a run

Thursday: usually dinner with M, think 'I'll make sure I do heaps at the weekend'

Friday: takeaway... 'think sod it this week, I'll start again on Monday...'

Facing facts, I think at the moment, I just find running too hard & intimidating. I love walking however & can go for hours, so until I'm a bit fitter, I'm going to put running on the backburner, concentrate on toning up & just getting some exercise - better than none huh?! To this end, I have FINALLY bought some Reebok EasyTone trainers (Walk Tone ones).

Got a bit of a bargain as they were supposed to be £75, but we only paid £49, which I was pleased with! I have swithered for ages about getting a pair - do they actually work? don't they? is it a load of money-making codswallop? But what I've decided is, i don't particularly care if they do anything different to my other trainers, if they get my bum outside & striding along the road, that's all that matters!! Plus, these bad boys are unbelievably comfy & bouncy!

Today, M and I took my pretty new shoes for a good old stroll around our village. I think we did about 3 miles and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I will normally be going by myself, so if anyone can recommend some good audio books, that would be great!!

Hope you don't mind these occasional non-makeup related posts!

A x

GOSH Frou Frou

For someone who doesn't like pale colours & glitter, I'm sure doing a real good impression of someone who loves pale colours & glitter.

This is Frou Frou by GOSH. It's a total chameleon and I love it. In some lights it's a pale blue silver, in others it's a dark purple & others a bright pink. It's like a MyFace Bling Tone eyeshadow for the nails - the shine is extreme!

The polish is very thin but even one coat applies a smooth, even distribution of colour (which can be seen below) and it dries in the blink of an eye. The finish is smooth as a baby's bum and no gritty textures in sight.

For £4.75, this is a must have!

A x