Dolce & Gabanna Make-Up | Eyeshadows | Gold Smooth Eye Colour Duo

Hello There!

So, if you've read a few of my posts you;ll realise that my favourite make-up brand is Dolce & Gabbana. I know I'm a little bit different, everyone else loves NARS and MAC, but, hey, I'm a fruit loop in a bowl full of cheerios :)

If your going to start using D&G products, I'd recommend starting with the 'Secret Eyes Mascara' (review here). It has never let me down, and I always end up going back to it!

Anyway I digress. Today I'm talking about D&G eyeshadow.

Now, I'm a serious rookie when it comes to eyeshadow. I've been easing myself in, only buying low-end/budget products to get myself familiar with the different looks and techniques. But, I've decided to try more, and thought I'd start with my favourite make-up brand. 

And here's what I got. I'm starting subtle and when I've perfected my technique I'll maybe get into brighter and bolder looks. But for now, I'm sticking with the 'Gold Smooth Eye Colour' palette. I say palette, its a duo with two eyeshadows. But I've been very pleased with them both! They come in a gold compact with and two sponge-tipped applicators. These photo's don't really do the colours justice. The swatches are better representatives of them - a true yellow, and a coppery brown, both metallic.

Here's the end result:

 I know that these aren't the greatest photos, but it does create a really natural look. The colours are glittery/metallic and I've learnt that products containing 'glittery bits' (like Rimmel's Wake-me Up foundation), give you a fresh, wide-awake look. Whenever, I've worn this, I been told that I look 'well' and 'awake' (which I hope are compliments). 

I also like that they aren't grey/darkbrown, which are the colours I've been sticking to until now because I love a good smokey eye. But I have decided that yellowy/orangey/browny tones are the go-to colours for me now. I think they work best with dark hair and pale skin such as my own, because they add a colour to my skin, and whereas dark eyeshadows can sometimes give me a sullen look, these lighter colours lift your eyes and make them look bigger and brighter!

The quality of these D&G eyeshadows is increadible. They last all day without any movement, even without eye primer (something which budget eyeshadows do not do!) They're really pigmented as expected, but are really buildable as well because they're a fine powder - so again great for smokey eye'd looks and blending. 

In these pictures I've teamed it with the Bourjois Queen Attitude Kajal eyeliner (review here) and Mac Zoomlash mascara.

So, overall, I've been loving this look, and plan to hit pan on these eyeshadows eventually, because I'll be wearing them everyday! I'm also going to be getting more colours as well and see what other looks I can come up with.

 What have you been up to this weekend? Anything planned for the week?
I'd love to hear in a comment :)

 Ciao for now, G x

March Favourites | Pantene Aqualight | Aussie | D&G | Rimmel

Hello There!

YAY! It's my first favourites post. I have literally never been so excited about anything, ever  in my life... Ok, so that's an exaggeration. But I'm still very excited about it. We've reached the end of a month and I want to tell you about the products that I've been loving through March. I've divided them into two parts - haircare and make-up products. 
Here we go!

Haircare products that I was loving in March:

I am facing an eternal plight against frizz, and these are two discoveries that I made which really have helped me make progress in my fight.

Left: Pantene Pro-V Aqualight Conditioner: So I succumbed to the adverts and purchased a bottle to try out the range. I tend not to be that fussy about shampoos so I just started with the conditioner. As for quite a lot of people my hair type is fine hair - but a lot of it. This actually makes it really difficult to find hair products that work. But for once, I purchased a conditioner specifically for fine hair - a first for me. And I have honestly never had a product work so well, and seen really noticeable results. I literally applied no other products to my hair and never before have I seen my hair less naturally frizzy. It looked as sleek as when I straighten my hair, but had its natural waves in it. A super-product that I am recommending to everyone.

A must-have for frizz-prone hair!

Available instore and online at ebay, amazon (3 bottles), superdrug (only 75ml), boots

£1.50-£7

Right: Aussie Curl Definition+Soft Feel Serum: The name says it all. It helps define natural waves and curls, and makes you're hair noticeably softer. When I used this product I had a massive fear of horrid greasy hair full of product, which I have experienced before from similar products. But I was in for a surprise when I plucked up the courage to try this serum. It really does help tame my hair. Especially when it feel particularly damaged after heat styling. I have to say that the Aqualight conditioner above is overall more effective than this serum, but you do have to change-up shampoos and conditioners pretty often so they stay effective. So in-between using the Aqua-light conditioner, I will be using this to keep frizz to the minimum, because it really does work. I'll also be exploring more of this range soon, so watch this space if you're interested.

Available instore and online at ebay, amazon (3 bottles), superdrug, boots

£5-10

Now onto Make-Up products that I loved in March:

Dolce & Gabbana Secret Eyes Mascara: Ok, so it's no secret that I have a massive make-up crush on this mascara. I've written a 'why should I buy this mascara?' review here, so I'm not going to add to this post except for saying that: I love this mascara. 
It's an investment for beautiful eyes. Go get it.
Available here or at a D&G counter. £23.50 + delivery. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Colour 100, Ivory: 

So this product has been raved about a lot on youtube and so I bought it in February. 

Since then it has become a regular liquid foundation for me. It applies really well, and has a nice consistency, it is dewy - but not so much so that it makes you look sweaty. It actually has what look like to be tiny-weeny little pieces of glitter or something (it sparkles basically), well it reflects light so it really does give you a 'woken up' appearance and makes you look noticeably radiant. 

It has a medium coverage, so you're likely to want concealer, but it does mean that it can be used as both a  summer and a winter foundation. 

An added bonus which I've really appreciated is the SPF15. For the winter days (like at the moment) it protects against harsh winds and rays from cloudy days, and then I can use it for the summer because it'll provide extra protection against the sun. Lovely jubbly.

And with my super-sensitive skin, I haven't reacted to this foundation either, which is a break-through for me. I've remained faithful to Maxfactor for a number of years, because I know their foundations don't react with my skin. But I bit the bullet and bought this foundation and have not been disappointed by blotchy skin, Yay! It also hasn't dried out my skin, which is always a worry for me with liquid foundations (weirdly). But it ticks all the boxes on the skin front. 

A definite all rounder liquid foundation, that will work for all the seasons. 

A must-have product. 

Available instore and online at ebay, boots, superdrug.

£6-£9

What products have you been enjoying for the past month?
If you any recommendations for me, or products you'd like me to review, give me a shout at graciiousme@hotmail.co.uk


Ciao for now, G x

Spring Scent Shuffle-Up - What Fragrances to Wear for Spring? - Hollister, Escada Magnetism, D&G No.3 L'Imperatrice Reviews

Hello There!

So today I'm talking about switching-up fragrances for Spring. Just like changing you're wardrobe from jumpers to dresses, and switching from lighter to darker in cosmetics, Spring and Summer bring with them different requirements for scents. Whereas the winter requires more musky, heavier scents, Spring is all about newness, freshness, lightness and that should reflect in your fragrance.

Think fruity, fresh, floral.

These are my selected suggestions
for the Spring/Summer Shuffle.

Left: Hollister Ryder (Review):  This is my favourite fragrance of my whole life (and I've been through a lot of fragrances). However, while I was researching for where you could purchase it, I found that it's been discontinued which is an absolute tragedy! It is the lightest, coolest, softest scent ever (think cucumber and maybe jasmine?) So, if you already have it, whip it out for Spring, and if you really really want it, it can be bought for extortionate prices on ebay and amazon. It does last forever though - I've had the bottle in the picture for nearly 3 years. 

£100-200 (yes it's ridiculous)

Right: Dolce & Gabbana No. 3 L'Imperatrice (Review): As you can see from the image, I use this as my everyday perfume most of the year. It's very fruity but there is a musky undertone, so that's why it works for most of the year. I was surprised when I was researching about this perfume that it contains watermelon and kiwi! But when you think about the smell you can detect these scents. They obviously explain the fruity overtones of this perfume... So yes, this is a great daytime perfume for the Spring/Summer. Only available in 100ml, ebay, amazon, boots. But again lasts forever. I have used this perfume every single day for 18 months (cumulative), so worth the price tag.

 £30-£40

 Escada Magnetism (Review): Although it is Spring/Summer (the weather suggests otherwise) and everything is supposed to be light and fresh, it still helps to have one heavier, maybe muskier scent for the evening/parties/colder days, and my choice would be this gem from Escada. I have always been complimented when I've worn this perfume. Need I say more? No, But I will. I think it smells reminiscent of candy floss, but nobody else seems to smell that.  It's sweet so you can almost taste it, but not sickly because it's musky - understand? It's got a more leafy smell than flowery (in a good way), making it more of an evening scent.

It lasts on you for ages, like the whole day/evening with only a few sprays, and even if you overspray it still seems to balance itself out really quickly, so it's not overpowering. 

50ml or 75ml bottle. Available at ebay, amazon. £30-£40

As you can see from my wishlist, I want the DKNY Be Delicious, which is also a fabulously fruity scent (think Golden Delicious Apples) and it is P.E.R.F.E.C.T for Spring (although maybe I'm slightly biased because I'm head-over-heels in love with it...?). 

Available from ASDA for only £22. 

I understand that £30/£40 can be quite a lot of money just for a smell.. For some it isn't but for some it is. What I would say, is that for me these scents have been an investment that quite frankly has paid off. They have lasted me forever, and it's going to be a long time before I need to repurchase any of them. And if something as small as a fragrance can make you feel more confident then I think it's worth every penny. 

Maybe hint to your partner, or parent, or friend that you'd like a fragrance instead of an Easter Egg this year!

Hope that this post has inspired you to shuffle up your scents this Spring.

Ciao for now, G x 

Dolce & Gabbana Make-Up | Secret Eyes Mascara | Crayon Intense Eyeliner

Hello there!

So, today I'm reviewing a Dolce & Gabbana make-up gift set. 

It contains 3 items of make-up, 'Secret Eyes' Mascara, 'Crayon Intense' Eyeliner and D&G Eyelash Curlers. All of the contents can be purchased individually from a D&G counter or shop.

D&G 'Secret Eyes' Mascara

So first I'll say this  - I love this mascara. I have tried at least 40 mascaras and this one I can just pick up randomly and love again. I've had it before and always go back to it. Here's why:

Most of the other mascaras clump easily for me - not a problem with this one. And I hate nothing more than looking like I only have 5 lashes. It's a lengthening mascara, and it does what it says on the tin - it lengthens. I also love the separation of the lashes that you get, giving a wide-eye effect. It seems to reach lashes I didn't even know I had! But if you're looking for really voluminous look you will have to apply a volume mascara over the top to get really long really thick lashes, (which I have done occasionally). 

It also doesn't have what I call a 'wet' look (ie Maxfactor false lash effect / Benefit 'They're Real') whereby if I look up within 5 minutes of applying the mascara, I have an imprint just below my eyebrow. This really gets to me and so I can't use those mascaras daily, but I can use this one everyday, yay! 

It's also really easy to remove. I know that sounds like it doesn't stay on for long - and that's not what I mean. I often find that I have a battle with mascara's to remove them and still end up with a panda eye the next day. Even with an oil-based makeup remover. Not the case with Secret Eyes! AND even though this isn't a waterproof mascara, it does last me the day and I don't have to top it up through the day. 

So that's a thumbs-up all round from me :)

D&G 'Secret Eyes' Mascara, Black

I have to point out that it looks really good as well. I think that D&G really do spend the time to make their products look designer and the look really does make me spend that little bit more (as shallow as that sounds, we all have the inner gollum!). I've been really excited about this review, because I haven't seen many people talking about it yet,  and I haven't been more satisfied with a mascara. 

Having worn the mascara for the
whole day  (& through rain)

This mascara retails via the internet here for £23.50 + £5.95 delivery (yes I know it Harrods) but otherwise its available in D&G stores. 

D&G Crayon Intense Eyeliner, 5, Black

Ok, so not such a hefty review for the Crayon Intense Eyeliner, just short and sweet. It's almost a kohl pencil, but not quite. So for me, its the perfect combination. I have some serious issues with eyeliners not staying put, and I will contest that this doesn't buck the trend for me. BUT, it's really nice to apply, very smooth application and goes where you want it to, and I have been very pleased with it. It also has a smudger thing at one end which I always find a useful addition. It's available in a variety of colours for £18.00 + delivery from here. 

The eyelash curlers are good quality, but nothing special if I'm honest. I haven't been able to find them online, but I'm sure they're available from a D&G counter or shop. 

I hope I've persuaded you with the Secret Eyes Mascara - you won't be disappointed!

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Ciao for now x