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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

BarryM Bold Black Waterproof Eyeliner

Whilst browsing the beauty section on ASOS at the weekend, I noticed that BarryM seemed to have snuck in, amongst NARS, Benefit & Jemma Kidd! In Superdrug yesterday, I picked up one of the products that had caught my eye; the Bold Black Waterproof Liner which in my opinion bore an uncanny resemblance to Avon's Super Shock Gel liner!

It doesn't disappoint. The texture is smooth, almost liquid in it's application and the pay-off is blacker than black.

This is the before & after swatch - the after shot shows what it looked like after a vigorous rubbing with my finger tip. You can see a tiny smidge of smudge, but it was a hell of a lot of rubbing. I think the staying power of this baby will be top notch!

The good news for you American gals is that ASOS ships internationally so you too can indulge in one of our highstreet gems!

Available in Superdrug or at ASOS for £3.99 (which is excellent in comparison to Avon's price of £6!)

Deborah Lippmann; Glitter Love!

Right. House of Fraser's Apothecary has a lot to answer for. For the last few months, they have been quietly whispering to me, calling to me & enabling my need, a yearning if you will, for the prettiest of the prettiest nail varnishes. These shouldn't be worn. These should be displayed in the fancy guest bathroom for all your visitors to "oooh" and "aaahhh" over.

A wee while ago, I introduced you to Bad Romance, by Deborah Lippmann. For those who are new to me & my blog, I may seem like an innocent blue-eyed, blonde whose butter wouldn't melt, but in reality, I still haven't quite let go of my rock/alternative tendencies of my early 20s. So Bad Romance was instant love. A hardcore black jelly with the most divine hot pink/purple glitter. But my eye had already been caught by Ruby Red Slippers. It would seem that House of Fraser can read my actual mind as last week an email landed on my MacBook... "there is a little parcel in the post, on it's way to you...". Who am I to argue?

Please, indulge in some Deborah Lippmann glitter polish porn...

Glitter in The Air

'Glitter in The Air' is like a baby's breath blue, with the most romantic, softest pink & pale blue glitter running through. It's like the Cinderella to the Wicked Stepsisters and it tiptoes gently across your nails, demure, polite & very very pretty.

Bad Romance and Ruby Red Slippers

The Wicked Stepsisters. These shades are like the 'other woman'. High heels, red lips, bad-ass attitude. I don't want to wear these on my nails; I want to turn these bottles in brooches & wear them pinned to my blazer. These bottles are like gems - absolutely stunning to look at & just scream collectors items. I know this probably doesn't make much sense, but it's a bad case of love!

There's still so many shades I want to try & so many combinations to be had! Do you own any? How do you wear yours? Any tips?

These polishes are available from House of Fraser Apothecary either in store or online from £14. Next on my list is 'Happy Birthday'

Bridal; Gina & Scott April 2011

One of my first weddings this year was for the lovely Gina, her sisters Donna & Gayle & mum Norma. The girls had a great time getting ready & I'm sure you'll agree that they looked fabulous. Groom Scott is a lucky guy!

The photographer was Joanne Cruickshank of Amara Ritchie. This was the first time I had worked with Joanne, but I have been blown away by her talent. Some of her photographs are breathtaking & I hope we get to work together in the future!

Here's a couple of pics from the day...

Bridesmaid Donna. Both Donna & Gayle wanted quite dark, navy smoky eyes which was lovely, made a real change to 'traditional' bridesmaidy makeup & matched their dresses & 50s hair perfectly

Gina, the beautiful bride

Gayle, Norma & Donna