Easter Holidays (shopping, YSL, and chocolate!)

I've enjoyed a rather lovely two weeks holiday from work so Monday morning hit me rather hard. At least waking up is getting a little less difficult now it's actually light and starting to warm up.

I mentioned previously that I had a family wedding to go to during my time off. The wedding was in Cyprus so me and my boyfriend made a holiday out of it. It was really nice to get away for a week and basque in a bit of sunshine, I haven't had a holiday like that in a while. I did a little bit of shopping before, mostly for holiday essentials, beach towels, bikinis, suncream etc, but also a bit of clothing. One of the things I bought was this dress from New Look. I was quite impressed with New Look on this trip, they had a few things I really wanted, but I was sensible. I honed in on this dress which was available in grey, cream and black. The black is exactly the same as the front and it's quite sheer and light which is why I thought it would be perfect for a holiday. It did originally come with two pin on flowers but I wasn't too keen so removed them. It's quite a figure hugging dress so looks pretty good with a waisted belt.

The dress isn't overly "dressy", I've mostly worn it with metallic sandals for a more casual look, but I did see these shoes also, and quite surprisingly, in New Look. I just love the detailing on them, and the killer heel. They are completely impractical but so pretty I couldn't not have them in my collection, and at £30, I think they're a bit of a bargain! I didn't take a decent picture of the dress on. Here's me and the boy in the hotel lobby.

on holiday, I buy perfume from duty free as there's normally good deals. However, with the pound being so weak, it really wasn't any cheaper in euros so I waited til I got home. YSL's Parisienne was on my wishlist, and I had a £5 off YSL voucher, double points coupons and a 150points when you spend over £15 coupon...Boots made sense! Also, currently when you buy YSL perfume you get a free goody bag comprised of a body lotion and shower gel fragranced with the same perfume.
I love free things, especially when you're not expecting them! Parisienne is what I'd describe as a very safe fragrance, not like the Jo Malone cologne I bought which is very distinct. This one is quite a classic scent which I was after, as I'm coming to the end of quite a few of my perfumes and need one that I can reach to at any time of day or night. I think this is a timeless fruity fragrance, classic and modern at the same time (if that's possible?!). I wouldn't pin it on a particular generation is what I mean I suppose.

At 23 years old I'm apparently too old for easter eggs, so I was given a chocolate champagne bottle instead! Yum.

I thought I'd end on a rather beautiful sunset over Cyprus and reminisce on a lovely, happy holiday.

FOTD 16th April 2010 using NARS Sheer Matte Foundation

Here's some pictures of the makeup I wore today, as I haven't done one of these in an age. Below is with flash...
and in natural light...
I kept my eyes pretty neutral using MAC's All That Glitters on the lid, Wedge and Tempting in the crease, Woodwinked in the outer corner. I lined with Loreal's Superliner in Carbon Black, and used Rimmel Glam Eyes Mascara on my lashes.

I kept the eyes simple since I wanted to do a statement lip as shown in the trout pout below.

I'm wearing MAC's Pink Nouveau which is a hot barbie-esque pink. In real life it's pretty dramatic but I realise in the photographs it's not that bold.

On my cheeks I wore my favourite bronzer MAC's Refined Golden, it's a beautiful shade that came out with the Style Warriors collection but I believe is part of their permanent collection anyway. It's a gorgeous shade, not too false looking, very suitable if you have yellowish tones to your skin. I'm definetely a fan of bronzers in general so I'm happy that my winter skin has gone and I'm back to my "natural" shade. I don't deliberately tan my skin but I only have to catch a glimpse of the sun and I tan. I think everyone has a shade they're meant to be.

I am wearing NARS Sheer Matte foundation in these photos which I'm pretty happy with. I will post a review of this foundation soon as I've only read people's opinions of the Sheer Glow.

Make-up Product of the Month: March - OPI Alice in Wonderland Nail Laquers

I was only after one red nail varnish when I purchased these. My brother recently got married in Cyprus and his fiancee wanted me to bring a red varnish with me to paint her nails in case she forgot. Now, I have plenty of red nail varnish, it's one of my favourite colours to paint my nails with and when done properly, looks classy. Anyway, I thought I had an excuse to buy yet more and after seeing this set I was sold. I bought this just before I saw the film so it was quite fitting. I've never bought OPI before, I've always thought them a bit overpriced. I know you get a lot in the container, more than most brands, but I've never used an entire bottle of varnish up before so didn't think it's worth it unless you're buying a colour you know you're going to use frequently. This set is great because the four mini nail laquers are 3.75ml each, for just over the price of one full sized laquer. This way I get to try out some slightly more unique colours too.I love this one called Absolutely Alice. It's a bright blue, glittery varnish, not like any I've seen before and is great for making a statement.Below is Mad As A Hatter, possibly my favourite from the collection as again it's really unique. This is with two coats, which when photographed probably doesn't look like enough coverage, but in person, it's enough! The only downfall of the glittery varnishes is they chip like crazy. It has that consistency where once it chips you can sort of peel off the rest of it.

Next there are two reds in the collection and below is my favourite of the two. It's called Off With Her Red! and has an almost orangey tone to it. I think it's a very flattering tone with a creme finish. It's nothing ground breaking or unique, but is a lovely shade and one I'm pleased to own as I didn't have a "tomato red" shade like this already.Thanks So Muchness is a deeper berry red which is more pearlised than the other red. Personally I'm not blown away by this shade. It's nice but not too dissimilar to shades I already own.

So there we have it, a nice little collection, and for me a good introduction to OPI. I would love to hear any recommendations of other shades I should own in the full size as I think I could be swayed into buying the full size!