Nude goes permanent - Tom Ford Nude Dip Eyeshadow Review

I was completely slow on the mark last time the Tom Ford Nude Dip eyeshadow quad came out. Mostly because I was scared that starting off buying TF products would be a downhill spiral into an expensive addiction oblivion, but after getting shade and illuminate at Christmas, and it being added to the permanent line... I couldn't resist.

The shadow itself is quite a stiff formula, definitely not what you'd be expecting, but in hindsight, removes possibility of fallout, both from the pan and on your eye. While like all other eyeshadow quads, the applicators that come with it are mostly pointless, and these in particular serve only to look pretty with the TF logo on them (me... superficial? No...) But the packaging is just as slick and beautiful as what you'd expect from such a premium brand. If I wasn't terrified of carrying this around and breaking it, I'd be taking it out every five minutes just to brag.

The colours of the shadows themselves are exactly what you'd expect from a neutral palette, but a million times more beautiful courtesy of it's multi-tonal satin shades. The top row holds a frosted, golden champagne colour, and a muted copper/rose (quite similar to the likes of Mac Naked Lunch). The bottom two shades are a medium taupe, and a dark brown both with subtle warm undertones, to link the shades altogether. All the shades are well pigmented, and easy to blend, while lasting a full day (with primer) without any creasing. I can quite easily make a day appropriate smoky eye, and layer a darker shade come evening to "amp up the drama..." don't judge me based on the cliches.

If you're a fan of in your face glittery eyeshadows, and deep intense shades like that of a Mac pigment, you probably wouldn't be the biggest fans of the latest permanent addition. If you're a strong supporter of the glowing, natural look (for both day and night) you will adore this Tom Ford Nude Dip eyeshadow quad - even if it is nearly too pretty to use!

The signature style tag

So the lovely Latasha tagged me to do this "signature style" tag, and while I usually ignore tags for being a little boring... this one really caught my eye. It's basically you're go-to look, and a breakdown of the products, and while the products used can change often, it usually is mostly inspired by looking sun kissed and healthy. Shall we...

 

For the sake of making things quicker, and far less messy, I use a lot of products which are multi-purpose. Well, they may not be multi-purpose but I sure make them that way...

Full Breakdown:

- This Works Tinted Skin Miracle - in the place of a foundation, this gives skin colour and a beautiful healthy glow.

- Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage - while I only tend to need concealer under my eyes, this covers everything that needs covering.

- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder - the ideal natural looking powder for an extra, brightening step of the under-eye area.

- Chanel Soliel Tan de Chanel - you probably get the deal with this one, but I use this for a healthy colour on my face with a fluffy brush, and use an eyeshadow brush to sweep over my eyelids for a natural definition.

- RMS Living Luminizer - same as with the Chanel bronzer, this super thick consistency "highlighter" helps to give my skin a healthy glow, and looks amazing on the lids (if you can handle the stickiness!)

- MAC Mystery eyeshadow - current go-to for my brows and eyeliner, especially after I broke my beloved grey brow colour (that was a limited edition - sob.)

- Dior Iconic Overcurl mascara - the one I've been raving about for YEARS. This mascara is truly a holy grail and does incredible things to your lashes. It cannot be beat, especially after using Shu Uemura lash curlers.

- By Terry Baume de Rose - technically skincare, yes... but this lip balm gives lips an incredible healthy sheen that will make even the most cracked and chapped lips look attractive.

So I've basically just proved how much I love emphasising healthy skin, and keeping the look as natural as possible. I do use a lot of other products too, depending on what mood I'm in, how good my skin is, etc. but these are some of my most reached for at the moment. Honorary mentions to MAC Face and Body that I usually rely on mixed with moisturiser when I'm at uni, and Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille for when my eyelids require more shimmer.

Thanks Latasha for tagging me to do the signature style tag! I now tag Estelle, and Kirstie to do the same. Meanwhile I'm off getting myself a huge slice of chocolate cake and watching The Vampire Diaries...

The perfect face oil - African Botanics neroli-infused marula oil

I will hold my hands up high and say that I'm a snob when it comes to all kinds of products. I look with my eyes far before I come to a conclusion about the quality of the product itself. This is why I often rely on samples and trial sizes to introduce me to brands and products I wouldn't usually buy for myself. I ran out of my beloved Clarins Blue Orchid face oil much quicker than I expected as the bottle started nearing the end (*drama*) so I relied on a good few face oil samples to help me decide whether to repurchase or try something new. 

After one application of the face oil in question, I noticed the smell... the heavenly, natural scent that almost had me shaking my head around to get another whiff of the neroli. Of course, I'm talking about this incredible neroli infused marula oil by the brand African Botanics, stocked at Space NK...

The brand, while having previously slipped under my radar, has an incredible ethos of working with botanical essences to produce the best possible organic skincare solutions. This oil has a super light texture, thats filled with vitamins C, E and all the fatty acids we know are incredible for protecting the skin. I use two or three pumps depending on how much hydration I need; I find it tends to have fully soaked in after an hour, after which my face looks glowing, is well hydrated, and any redness around my jawline looks reduced and much calmer.

I've only been using this for a few weeks so far, but I'm thoroughly loving it - and I can't wait to see of the benefits to the skin from using it long-term. And knowing that there's no nasties in the product is just an added bonus!

The Anti-Discoball Highlighter - Laura Mercier Radiance Primer

I have, without a doubt, the largest love/hate relationship with highlighters. I used to have the biggest hate for them given they all reminded me of the severe Nars Albatross, Kim Kardashian look. Now I'm a touch more obsessed with them, more specifically, the glossy and dewy highlighters that make you look as if you've had 6 more hours sleep than what you've actually had. 

I've had the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer in my arsenal for years now, given its huge size, it's lasted me more than long enough as a primer to help boost the glow of my usual foundation. Now, I've found plenty more uses for this product. My favourite one?... A highlighter! Yup, radiance primers make the best, most natural-looking highlighters.   

After a full base application (foundation, concealer and setting powder) I put less than a pea-size amount on the back of my hand, warm it up a little, and (for the lack of a better word) slap it on my cheekbones, exactly where light would naturally hit. It has no visible shimmer, but the orange tones seem to perk up, and mesh with the complexion, rather than looking like the obvious glitter ball offered by most highlighters. When combined with a setting spray, it's lasting power is pretty impressive, and it will get you through the day without needing to worry about reapplication.

Another method for I sometimes use for a more subtle, all-over glow, is to mix it, half and half with your usual foundation...

I'm currently feeling a touch mean, as I can't find this in stock anywhere online! I've dropped in a link above, and for those hoping to achieve a supermodel glow, I'm sure a little waiting won't hurt - right?!  

Undeterred by Shipping Restrictions - How I got GLOSSIER in the UK (And the Rest of the World)

So when the beauty giants, Into The Gloss launched their own skincare brand, I think we all went a tad crazy, right? The teases of baby pink packaging were all over their Instagram, from them and models alike, so imagine the disappointment when you go on their site to be greeted with the; "We only ship to America" blah-blah message. GLOSSIER, YOU TEASES. DON'T DO THIS TO US! So I sulked, pouted and did all I could to not strop at them on social media (I'm kidding, I totally stropped.)

Amongst my impatience and diva stropping (if you know me, you know I'm good at that, like REALLY good. Combined with my chronic bitch-face, my diva strops are legendary) I managed to come across something I'd never heard of before... Borderlinx. They're a freight-forwarding company that gives you an American address to have your things shipped to, then they take it from there and cover customs charges to get your things shipped out within 4-6 days. While I suck at explaining things, they're really thorough, and super helpful via Twitter if you have any queries, but I cannot recommend them enough. The prices may seem a little steep, but if you're a beauty addict these things just have to be done.

While I still want them to work on their UK shipping, I guess this will satisfy in the mean time. I'm off to slap everything on my face simultaneously. So Glossier have managed out of my bad books a little, because just look at that packaging...

Expect reviews sometime soon...