Hello lovelies,

this post is my entry to the Beauty and the Beach 2 contest by Travel Supermarket. This contest is running for second year so I've decided to enter. I usually don't show my face, I'm a bit insecure about it (and very pale atm, British weather sucks :D) but I thought I'll give it a shot.

The task was to create perfect holiday hair, nails and make-up. I took it a bit further and done the makeup and nails both inspired by a bathing suit I used to own years ago. It was yellow with black 'indian summer' pattern.

First up is HAIR: I chose to do a simple twisted braid which will work on medium or long hair.

Step 1: Comb your hair to the side and secure it with an elastic band below your ear
Step 2: Divide your hair into two strands
Step 3: Start twisting first strand of hair, then pin it to your top so it doesn't undo itself
Step 4: Twist the second strand of hair
Step 5: Take both twisted strands and twist them together, then secure with an elastic band

The braid will un-twist a little bit gaining a volume. Why I chose this hairdo? Because it's very easy to do, makes my long hair manageable and if you get it wet and then dry again it will leave your hair nicely curled...

....yes, just like that!

Next up is a MAKE-UP which I matched to my nails. I wanted something very light but also fun. I've matched gold eyeliner with the sunny yellow nails but the rest of the face is not heavy on the makeup at all.

Foundation: I have used Erno Laszlo Tinted foundation with SPF 15 for my whole face. It's my go-to product in the summer as it's very light and contains pearlescent particles that brighten the skin. 

Blush: T. LeClerc multi-usage powder in Aurore - it is a mixture of bronzing powder and pink blush with shimmery particles in it. It was a limited summer edition few years back so I don't think it will be available any more.

Eyeliners: I have used Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Solstice (gold) and Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black. If you'll plan on swimming choose waterproof eyeliner .

Mascara: Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara in Black.

Lips: Labello SUN with SPF protection 

And my favourite part, NAILS! You can see a big improvement in the pictures there :D As said before, these were inspired by a bathing suit I used to own and in which I have spent a wonderful summer. The bathing suit had exactly this pattern with unusual spiral depiction of sun.

I have used Clinique 70º and Sunny in a bright yellow. The black nail art patterns have been drawn on with Rio Beauty nail art pen and all sealed with Seche Vite topcoat.

So that's it, and that was me. Hope you'll have your fingers crossed for me and stay tuned for tomorrow's nails only post ;)
 

Hi everybody!

I've received very unexpected surprise last week - package from Illamasqua! I wasn't able to attend bloggers' preview of the Human Fundamentalism collection but I still got some lovely items for review including two new nail polish shades Nomad and Stance! About the collection:

Human Fundamentalism is an explosion of your alter ego. It’s becoming who you are and not who you’re told to be. Beauty isn’t conformity, but the fundamental human desire to express your inner self on the outside. To rise above mainstream limitations and exist in a world where individuality is received with celebration not derision, and breaking the mould is a sign of strength not instability.

We stand for freedom of expression, embracing our glorious imperfections and showing the world we’re not ordinary but extraordinary, even if society refuses to accept it. We’re beyond conformity. Beyond control. Beyond hiding who we really are. We are not a religion, but the singular opposite. We are Illamasqua.

“Human Fundamentalism is the unique spirit and fundamental human drive for individuality. It’s a belief, a movement and an emotion. A connection with the spirit of the age and its global motifs. You are your own human hybrid, a unique nomad of street cultures and global trends.” — Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

Here's the lovely package full of colourful feathers, lollipop, Freak perfume sample and promo materials!

And these are the products I will review today: Nail polishes in Nomad and Stance, eyeshadow in Pivot and Sealing gel.

Nomad - bright jade creme colour. Lovely and trendy shade which has very good formula. It applied very easily and finish is smooth. I've applied two coats and it was enough for a full opacity. It also dried fast and removal was without problem. Generally all Illamasqua polishes have very good formula and Nomad is not an exception.

Stance -  darker fuchsia creme. It was very hard to capture the right shade, camera didn't want to translate the bright fuchsia colour. I had to change the colour in Photoshop a bit but now it looks right. Really beautiful and vibrant shade, for me it's a must-have.

Stance has also very good formula - application was flawless and pigmentation is high. I'm wearing two coats and it's absolutely enough. Finish of the polish is very glossy even without topcoat.

 

*Product were provided for a review