Autumn | Looking forward to...

As I'm already preparing to embrace the next season, which happens to be my favourite, when Autumn comes I'm looking forward to:

 

. Finally moving to LONDON and meeting new people (yadda yadda yadda);

. Attending an awesome HALLOWEEN party;

. Seeing THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS at the O2 Arena;

. Wearing boots and my favourite LEATHER JACKET again;

. Having BURGUNDY shades in my make-up.

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Review | Benefit Stay Don't Stray

You may or may not be familiar with the regular version of Stay Don't Stray by Benefit. If you are, you'll know that there were some major improvements in the packaging department — namely the handy doe foot applicator, instead of a pump that dispensed too much product at a time. But I was mostly intrigued with the release of a Medium/Deep version of this primer, which means no more ashy shadows in sight, especially if you have (really) dark circles.

Let me be clear about this. The Medium/Deep shade isn't quite as dark as it sounds. Considering that this isn't just a primer for the lid area, but also primes the under eye area before concealer application, this shade should be defined as "Medium". And perhaps a release of a darker tone, that would be named "Deep". But let's not get greedy, my friend!

Now, here's the lowdown. I have to say, this is the best eye primer I've tried so far.
Let's consider the skin in a 360º mode: oily lids, dry skin under the eyes and the occasional bit of eczema in the inner corners. This doesn't cling onto dry patches, like some primers do — especially tinted ones — and has an amazing staying power on the lids. Quite impressive, really. Plus, it neutralizes the lid colour, making it ideal to wear on it's own, or to make eyeshadows pop.
What really sold me, was the fact that because it's tinted, you need a lesser amount of concealer — which, together with the priming action, means less creasing. I rarely set it with powder anymore. And I could (and have) totally rock this on it's own, for a no make-up day.
Besides lasting quite well throughout the day, it also doesn't dry out on the skin, due to the sodium hyaluronate in the formula.

I find that the best way to apply this product is with light tapping motions, using your ring finger (as per usual). Start on the under eye area and apply the remaining product onto the lids — this is the part where I say "a little bit goes a long way". You can immediately notice the brightening effect upon application. Definitely a keeper!

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Essentials | Make-up Products

This is the first part of a two part post. It's basically about make-up essentials, either for a beginner who doesn't know what to get, or for someone who might be a bit overwhelmed by all the offerings and can't decide where to splurge. This part will focus on actual make-up products and the next one is all about the brushes.

Starting with the face, everyone can benefit from a light coverage foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Doesn't matter if you have clear skin or some spots, you absolutely want your skin to show through — and actually look like skin, not a mask. You can always go back with a good concealer and cover just those little spots or discolorations. Of course, the finish of this base should apply to your skin type — more of a dewy/radiant finish for dry ones or a matte finish for oily types.
A good option is something like MAC Face And Body Foundation (the image above shows the shade C5). It has a natural (but buildable) coverage and works well on most skin types. It's water-based, so you have to shake it well before opening the bottle. Blends easily into the skin and can be used on the body, as well.
Next, a concealer that works on the "imperfections" you're trying to cover. So if you're only concerned about under eye circles, invest in a more emollient formula that doesn't dry out and has that brightening peachy-pink tone. Now, if your main concern is spots, then invest in a high coverage concealer that doesn't move too much. Something like the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil (shown in NSA) works really well on covering spots — and under eye circles too, actually. Besides, it stays put all day.

A good, brightening pink toned blusher is an absolute essential for anyone. Of course, you can vary the shade of pink according to the skin tone. The picture above shows the sheer powder formula of the Burberry Light Glow in Peony Blush No. 04, which I reviewed here (make sure to check the others, too).
If your skin gets oily during the day, even if it's just on the T-zone, invest on a good mattifying powder that doesn't cake up. Set your make-up when you first apply it, then carry a compact version to touch up on the go. There are many good offers, both on the high street and on high-end brands. An all time favourite of mine is the Chanel Natural Finish Loose/Compact Powder. If you choose one, go for the compact, since it's more practical (mine is in the shade 30 Naturel).
Another optional product is an eyebrow filler. This could be a pen, pencil, eyeshadow or gel. Bare in mind that unless you're a redhead, the shade should be on the cooler side (greige, taupe) and matte. Now, if you're blessed with perfect Cara-like brows, this is not a necessity. But, if on the other hand, you suffer from those cheeky little gaps, then something like the Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil could be your friend.

A matte, nude-toned eyeshadow always comes in handy to neutralize the eyelids or to help blend other colours. The image above shows the Make Up For Ever Matte Eye Shadow in 76 - Beige. The Urban Decay Naked/Naked 2 Palettes have really good ones, too — Foxy, Naked or Buck.
An eyeliner in brown, black or plum always comes in handy. Make Up For Ever and Urban Decay make really good waterproof versions that don't move during the day. The Yves Saint Laurent Long-Lasting Eye Pencil comes in many colours and has a sponge tip on the opposite side of the pencil, that helps to achieve a smokey look on the go. Why not?
The next step makes all the difference: mascara. A good mascara that provides volume and length to the lashes, really helps to define and open up the eyes. I've been loving the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Over Black 090, lately — review coming up soon.

For lips, go for something moisturizing that provides a sheer amount of colour. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are very practical, or, just an everyday nude, Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Lolita, which is a dusty rose. Lovely.
Make-up arsenal complete! Now, add these suggestions to your mental shopping list and check them out the next time you pass a beauty counter.

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TV | Four reasons to love "The Carrie Diaries"

Today's post is a bit more random, but hear (read?) me out. Since The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to Sex and the City, of course it has to do with fashion — the show's costume designer is Eric Daman. Need I say more? So, here we go:

Generation
Being born in the late 1980s, means I haven't really experienced living in that decade, so I always wondered what it would be like — and if it is anything like the show, I want to transport myself through time, right now!
I know a lot of people aren't fans of the '80s and it's aesthetic, but I actually adore it all. So this is like candy to my eyes.

Styling
This point is obvious. The bold graphic prints, colourful mixes, the use of velvet... I mean, it's just fearless, really. You couldn't pull off Larissa's outfits now-a-days — at least not without a sideways glance, but who cares, really? The good thing is you see a lot of pieces that you can get in high street shops, like Topshop.
It seems like every item is special, with a nice detail or a cute print. Even the jewellery — it's all about statement pieces! And everything feels so authentic and not stereotypical at all.
The same bold colours and textures are used in their make-up looks, with strong eyes and strong lips. Blue shadow and pink lips never looked so good together. Not to mention, the graphic eyeliner, my personal fave.
Of course, with those brows, AnnaSophia Robb could pull off any look. They're just perfect.
Oh, and I need to state this: the Carrie bag is awesome.

Music
Remember that Gossip Girl episode, when Lily ran off to find her older sister, back in the '80s? That episode was awesome. And the MUSIC! I love 1980s music, so I get excited and can't stop myself from dancing everytime I watch a preview... This show has the absolute best OST ever.

Opportunities
Today it seems almost impossible to find an awesome job in a magazine — especially when you're still in high school. And especially when we're talking about Interview magazine. In Manhattan.
This is pretty much what I imagined my life would be like, when I was younger and full of hope. A cool job in the fashion industry (in Manhattan) and, later on, a closet full of Manolos. A girl can dream...
Not to mention that on the first day of school, the new Kydd (see what I did there?...) who is the cutest guy ever, in the history of high schools, likes you.
Of course, there are a lot of downsides to Carrie's life, but unfortunately, those are more realistic.

So go on and start watching the show, if you haven't already. It will replace the GG-shaped hole in your TV heart. Not convinced yet? It's about a blonde girl who's the center of the attention, with a cute brunette friend that looks like Blair. Only they switched heights. And the sense of responsibility.

THE CARRIE DIARIES  |  Pictured: AnnaSophia Robb as Carrie Bradshaw  |  Photo Credit: Nino Munoz/The CW  |  © 2012 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Make-up | Popular products #1

Today's post features the most reached for products of the moment. This is almost a monochrome look, with a bordeaux theme going on. An ideal look for most skin tones and eye colours, making them pop. In my case, intensifies the brown.

To start off, I prepped my skin with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, before applying a layer of Estée Lauder Daywear B.B Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Cream in Medium, with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. To cover any imperfections, a bit of Chanel Long Lasting Concealer in 40 - Beige Santal does the job.
Then, I fill in my brows and shape them a bit with a Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil in Black. As a base for the eyes, a layer of Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Ebloui does the job, blended with a MAC 217 – on the lid and below the lash line.
On top of that, I apply the second lightest shade from the Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Dark Spice – a warm medium brown with a slight shimmer running through it.
On some days, I feel like defining the lash line with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Rockstar. After curling my lashes, they get a coat (or two) of Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara. Best shade ever!
After my concealer has done it's thing, I set the center of my face with Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in Doré, using a Japonesque Pro Eye Shadow Fluff Brush. This is a brilliant multitasker. To contour my face I use MAC Powder Blush in Harmony and highlight with Guerlain Precious Light pen in 2, which is nearly over. *Scared*
To finish off, a layer of Burberry Lip Velvet in 308 - Pink Azalea blended on the inside of the lips, to give a stain effect.

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Wishlist #1 | Recently added products

I've recently added some more products on my never ending, mile long wishlist.

First up is Mac Eye Shadow in Soba. I know this isn't the most exciting colour ever, but after seeing Anna wearing it, I realised that it was the daytime colour I was looking for! It's perfect for a wash of colour across your lid and lower lashline, for a more undone-chic look. Need it. Now.

The second item is the Brow Sculptor in Taupe by Tom Ford. I've actually tried this product and it was really, really good. On one side it has a spooly brush, as most eyebrow pencils do, and on the other it has the tip to colour or fill the brows with. Now this tip has the perfect shape for the job – it is slanted and goes from fine to wide, so can you either define precisely or just fill in softly. And a perfect texture as well. Love it. Only downside: the price tag. *Sighs*.

Lastly, is a liquid lipstick, of course. There seems to be a whole trend of these now. But this one really catched my eye: Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick by Hourglass, especially in the shade Empress, a beautiful berry shade. It has a matte velvet finish – which I tend to prefer – and apparently lasts for about 14 hours. Right, I don't know about that, but it should be very long lasting nonetheless.

Now, on my way to obsess about something else...

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Review | Burberry Complete Eye Palette

Okay, so this amazing palette from Burberry was kinda my Christmas pressie for myself – yes, you've read that right. So, I chose the Complete Eye Palette in Dark Spice No. 05. This has some pretty neutral tones, so you can basically use this for an everyday simple look or to create an evening smokey eye. The formula glides and blends in beautifully, without much effort at all. It's very silky, and perfects the texture of your eyelids – I guess this is due to the satin smooth silicones in the formula.

The quartet has a tiny bit of shimmer and contains has a beige – which is the perfect nude tone for me –, a warm medium brown, a darker brown and a black (to line the eyes). My favourite is the warm medium brown – it is just a beautiful shade that enhances your eye colour (works for all eye colours, by the way) and blends in beautifully, in the lash line or in the crease, to achieve a subtle definition. You can also line the top lashline with the black, using an angle brush, and then smudge some of this brown on the lower lashline, for a softer look. They aren't the most pigmented eyeshadows in the market, but, sometimes you likes make-up that's not too pigmented. Like when you're in a hurry, because you have to leave the house in 90 seconds (if you're anything like me, you're always running late), and you'll want something that's quick and easy to work with. Foolproof, really!

The sleek metallic casing and the eyeshadows are embossed with the usual Burberry check print. In the velvet pouch, you'll also find three mini eye brushes. To be honest, I never use the brushes that come in these palettes, but I'll give them a go (when I'm on the go), since I was pleasantly surprised by the one that came with the blusher. I know that I won't use the sponge applicator, but the angled brush seems good and the fluffy brush is really soft. Approved!

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