The Ultimate 5 Tag (tagged by MizzWorthy)

MizzWorthy was my second ever follower and has given me tons of encouragement. Her blog has gone from strength to strength and has firmly established itself as regular reading for most of us. The official poster child for Illamasqua, she is also Kylie Minogue's long lost sister. Check her out if you haven't already! Many thanks for the tag and for the continued support.

So seeing as I mentioned my second follower, it provokes the question of who was my first? Well it was none other than Aestheticcoo who somehow found me and certainly spurred me on. I have become addicted to her blog, with its perfect mix of hauls, reviews, swatches and money saving hints as to various deals and dupes. I always enjoy her writing and her photos, always perfectly clear and to the point.

I also regularly enjoy Hele's blog. I imagine she would have been one of the first to be tagged as she has a hugely popular blog, but that won't stop me adding her in! Hele posts very regularly and has beautiful pictures too. With a balance of hauls, reviews, outfits and home decor posts, it's the ultimate girly blog.

I must mention a blog called Afrobella. Written eloquently and always engaging, this blog may focus on black issues and beauty but I find it regularly gives me a powerful read, whether it be on cultural or makeup related topics. I think everyone should check it out!

Of course no blog roundup would be complete without mentioning BritishBeautyBlogger, who is aptly enough the go-to blog for any upcoming collections in this part of the world. Always ahead of the game, with predictions and leaks galore. An acerbic sense of humour marks this blog as vastly ahead of the pack. And might I add that I am not a little proud to say that I was one of the first followers, I vividly recall there were 7 at the time!!! But I knew that wouldn't be the case for long! Get in the loop and check it out, it's hard to find an unbiased blog which showcases small and large beauty companies alike. All in all, an indispensable read.

And finally no.5 already?! It has to be Gossmakeupartist. I know I'm hardly breaking new ground, but in case anyone doesn't follow him already... make sure you do! To be able to be privy to a true makeup artist is a massive privilege. Just like his excellent YouTube channel, the blog offers information in a concentrated, uncluttered way. With reviews, overviews, techniques and most importantly things to avoid and why, this is an absolute makeup shrine.

There are so many more blogs that I follow and enjoy but they will have to be put on ice for now....!!

OK and now for 5 Things I Love...

1. Marzipan. Not just any marzipan, Niederegger. I could very happily live on the stuff!!

2. Gustav Klimt. Yes I know his work has become somewhat hackneyed... who can look at The Kiss without thinking of grubby student digs. But did you know they are enveloped in a phallic shape?? Well I did him as my artist study for A Level, so I learnt all about it! How intriguing. I love the way he paints people and crowds them with swirling gold.

3. Giving presents, oh and OK getting them!! I love picking stuff out for people - well, as long as it's makeup or clothes or accessories! And I love getting them, well as long as it's makeup or clothes or accessories (or marzipan!)

4. YouTube. I love YouTube. Mainly I watch makeup channels it must be said. I love the socialist angle that anyone can be famous and popular - previously you had to go on reality TV to work out if you were an annoying bore to society. Now you can just upload yourself and find out, without fearing National vilification.

5. Creativity. I love writing fiction; originally I planned to have a short story blog, i.e a short story as every entry... But my makeup "hobby" dictated that a makeup blog it is. I also love painting and drawing, though I'm not much good at crafts like sewing or pottery and that kind of thing.

And now finally it's 5 Facts about me...

1. I don't belong in this century, I should have been born in the 19th Century. I'd love to go around in frilly blouses and parasols.

2. I love thunder, I find it relaxing and intoxicating in equal measure.

3. I am trying to gain muscle in the gym as I am naturally very narrow. It's very difficult. Any tips always highly appreciated...

4. I can't cook, even a hard boiled egg is a challenge. (possibly this affects fact no.3)

5. My favourite drink is a Cosmopolitan. I know, it's so passé.

Beauty Tag

So it's another tag! Thank you Lamiats!

What's your favourite make up look?
Winged eyeliner on the outer third of my eyes, pale eyeshadow, rosey cheeks and a deep lipstick.
Do you have a beauty vice?
No, the very idea of a beauty vice is sacrilege to me... It's an oxymoron.
What part of your body do you love?
Hmm tricky, I'll say kneecap, sometimes thigh?
Who is your beauty icon?
Audrey Hepburn, and to a lesser extent, Dita Von Teese.
What beauty product makes you feel instantly sexy?
It has to be mascara, doesn't it? Although I haven't found the ultimate HG, I am pretty satisfied with Lancome Hypnose.
How do you look after your skin?
Aargh sensitive subject! I am seriously considering booking in for my first ever botox. I am just worried about how high maintenance it'll be. I might try Glycolic acid first. But right now, I am in a quandary.
What is your signature scent?
I most often wear Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, but my special signature scent is Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil.
What are your haircare secrets?
Oh dear you've hit on another raw nerve. My hair is in rather a pickle too. There is a good hair mask you can get at Sally's called Osmo, that's helped somewhat...
How do you pamper yourself?
Green and Black's dark cherry chocolate. Makeup shopping spree. Long bath. In that order.
What is your beauty pet peeve?
Orange faces, I just don't understand.
What would your desert island must haves be?
I have to say sunscreen (I'm curently using Lancome's and it's ok), my MAC TLC in Popster from the Hello Kitty collection, tweezers, my waxing kit. OK moving on....
Finally, do you have a beauty philosophy?
Actually, in response to my contest, someone said very accurately: "If it doesn't feel right, it probably doesn't look right". And that's very true. You can feel great in a bold eye and bold lip and bold cheek - and look cool, or wear the same exact makeup but feel self-conscious - and it will look too much. It's all in the execution.


I tag....

LoveLipstickandLime (check out her blog if you haven't already!!)

Llyangel (check out her blog if you haven't already!!)

LizzClare (check out her blog if you haven't already!!)

Hope I haven't re-tagged anyone... Please do the tag! Thanks! xx

Neno's Blog Award (Tagged by Mizzworthy)

So once upon a time someone randomly created from scratch an award fashioned out of her namesake, and now it's spread like wildfire. I am the latest honoured recipient, thanks to Mizzworthy. The rules have evolved somewhat since its inception, so perhaps I might be allowed to take that as my cue to not be too stringent...

Rather than the suggested ten blogs, I will be taking this opportunity to nominate just a handful of top blogs that I visit regularly, and highly recommend. I hope you will take the time to check them out too! I chose them specifically because I think they deserve a wider audience.

1. Erryn's Health & Beauty - And not just because she has generously supported my recent contest! Erryn is an absolute expert in her field and regularly posts interesting and highly useful insider knowledge. An extemely valuable blog resource.

2. Glossy Couture - I absolutely love Kathy's popular Youtube channel, and I find her blog really useful. She does loads of review comparisons and dupes, which are excellent to have on hand.

3. Ondine - There is something very relaxing about this blog, I always enjoy browsing through her posts - especially, I must confess, the cocktail series!

4. Lamiats - Again, there is something eclectic about this blog that I enjoy. Always entertaining and engaging, I remember her very first post (insert wistful sigh.)

5. Aestheticcoo - Another fun blog, mainly has interesting hauls, deals, swatches and reviews. Often includes enterprising suggestions on dupes, makeup combinations, or shopping ideas! Great stuff!


I am very tempted to dash off and create my own "Gail Award" and see how that one goes, but for now, I hope this Nemo Award can serve its admirable purpose, spreading the word on great blogs that YOU should check out! Enjoy! xx

Tagged!! ... Now please check if I tagged YOU?? X

* TAG!*
Thanks to LLYANGEL for tagging me!


Shampoo: Paul Mitchell Shampoo 2 (great for greasy hair) alternated with Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac shampoo as my hair is in terrible condition from millions of bad dye jobs.

Condtioner: Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac conditioner, and weekly mask treatment from Sally's which really helps, called Osmo Essence Intensive Deep Repair Mask. And Alterna Cavia Anti-Aging polishing serum (amazing stuff!!!)

Styling products: Bed Head Tigi 'Health Godess' vitamin booster spray, L'Anza Urban Elements spray-in conditioner. Fudge wax.


Shower Gel: Au Courant face wash scrub (use this for my body, I am so decadent!!) Only as it didn't agree with my face, mind. Uusally I am happy with St Ives vanilla body wash or similar.

Body moisturiser: Vaseline Intensive Care (when I remember)

Deodrant: Nivea Pure Invisible.

Fake Tan: St Tropez whipped Bronze.(I used to, anyway. It is the best!!!)

Cleanser: Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean

Eye makeup remover: Lancome Bifacil.


Exfoliator: NADS Xfol (body) Elizabeth Arden Deep Cleansing mask (face)

Primer: N/A

Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear



Foundation brush: Mac's 187



Concealer: Lancome Effacernes



Powder: MAC Blot Powder.



Blusher: currently loving MAC Plum du Bois (Cult of Cherry).



Bronzer: Bare Escentuals Warmth.



Highlighter: IPSA highlighter stick.



Eyeshadow base: MAC paint in Bare Canvas, or UDPP.



Eyeshadows: Guerlain quad Touche de Brun, been using this religiously recently! Or MAC Blanc Type and Moth Brown (Barbie).



Eyeliner: Lancome crayon Khols, love them. Or Chanel cake liner for blackest black neat line.



Eyelash curler: Model Co. a mascara type heater one, I had an awful experience with a real eyelash curler once. Suffice it to say it ended in tears (literally) and involved eyelash loss.

Eyelash base: N/A

Mascara: Lancome Hypnose

Lipstick: lately loving Guerlain Kiss Kiss Maxi Shine in White Shine (600)
Lipgloss: not a fan, but used a Besame one today (it smelt nice)

Nail Colour: Guerlain matte top coat on bare nails right now, not very glam.

I tag .........

---------> Hope I'm not re-tagging anyone:

* Aestheticcoo


* Natalya


* LamiatS


* Lizz


Thanks!! Usually I hate tags actually, but I'm no killjoy, so let's keep this tag going..................