November Favourites Round-Up 2014

Well November has just flown by! I know I am a bit late ... well VERY late with my monthly round-up, but better late than never!!

Not long till Christmas!!

So what I have been loving?

Make-Up wise I have been keeping it quite simple, loving MAC's Woodwinked eyeshadow, teamed with urban decay's eye-liner in 'Zero' and finished with maybelline's the rocket waterproof mascara. 

Rebel and Girl about town have been my main lipsticks as-well as my latest find vaseline's paint the town red!

Finally picked up Urban Decays Naked basics 2 at such a bargain price from cohorted.co.uk so looking forward to trying out some new eye looks with these delicious eye-shadows.

Completed my 5km challenge with my sister!!
Run for mum!

... and get this... have even carried on with running since the event!! Go me!!

With the nights getting darker earlier my non beauty faves have been my hat that has reflective parts on and flashing light that goes on your arm. Both help to make sure I'm seen whilst out running.

Christmas is on it's way so cue the xmas t-shirt, jumper and snowman hoodie!! Hohoho!

So let the christmas movies commence, have already watched Elf

A few more on my list of to watch this month are:
The holiday
Love actually

The polar express

Santa Claus

Muppets christmas carol

Serendipity

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Fuchsia in Rage YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick Review

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick

Fuchsia in Rage (19) 

In the spirit of stepping out of my comfort zone I bought this a while ago, when Debenhams had their £5 off all YSL lipsticks. 

Not had the courage to wear it outside the house just yet but it is such a pretty colour and I look and feel fabulous ... even if I am doing the dishes!!

It's not one that I would normally choose and had I not done my research before clicking 'buy' then I might have just chickened out ... looking at the purple bullet! 
But I researched the swatches on google! So glad this is now in my possession - it is so pretty!

 

As you can see it is a lilac purple in the bullet, once on is such a lovely shade of violet. 

With it being a rouge volupte shine is lovely and creamy with a shine to it, unfortunately doesn't last as long on the lips but with shades and packaging this stunning I don't mind having to re-apply!

Swatched on my hand, as you can see it has a glossy sheen and finish to it.

Such a pretty and unique shade of lipstick to wear!!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Soft-Box or not?!

Whilst I love Autumn ... nights drawing in, cozying up to the fire with a hot chocolate. The downside as a blogger is there is never enough light to take photos for my blog! 
Even in the day time, the sun is rarely out so the photos I do take seem to look dull. Normal lights make the picture appear yellow and not true to colour.

I have been 'umming' and 'arghhing' for months over these lights. 
In the summer months I was able to take lovely bright photos with the help of the sunshine!! Whilst the sun still makes a occasional appearance, lets face it... it's also blooming freezing out there. Don't really fancy going out in the cold plus shivering makes my camera shake!! Brrr!

So anyway, I finally took the plunge and I have to say I really wish I had sooner!!
These soft-boxes were sat in my Amazon 'Wish list' for ages before one day I just thought, "I love blogging, I'm enjoying it and I want my photos to reflect my love of blogging and be the best I can do" (If that makes sense?)

They arrived a few days later... I was a bit worried about the ones I chose as they were cheaper and not a named version, but i needn't have as they work perfectly, are great quality and are very easy to set up plus the height is adjustable as well as the angle!!

I've been using a soft-box for a few weeks now and it gives me the freedom to take photos whenever the inspiration strikes .... even if that is midnight!! 
I can't imagine being without, as it allows me to take bright and clear photos at any-time of the day or night. 

A soft box is basically a lamp with a box shade around it to diffuse the light, you then add the detachable white cover over to make sure you don't get harsh shadows on the picture. (Held on with velcro). Photographers Soft-boxes in taking portrait photos. 
The lamp uses a special 135w bulb which emits the equivalent of daylight. 

When I have finished they fold up again very neatly to store away behind the couch!!

So if you are in two minds whether to get a soft box, I would whole heartedly say go for it! Very much worth it and take up only a little room once dismantled. 

You will wonder what you ever did without them! 
Gives you the freedom to blog whenever the mood strikes.

If you are interested the ones I clicked from Amazon were here

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Here's to stepping out of my comfort zone with MAC's REBEL

Here's to stepping outside my comfort zone......

Only a tiny step, mind!!

With none other than a bold and daring lipstick, that in the bullet literally scares me!

MAC's REBEL Lipstick

As promised in my October faves, this shade will be in my make-up bag the rest of this month and I am actually going to wear it outside the house too!

Rebel from mac is a Beauty blogger cult fave, what kind of blogger would i be if i didn't at least give it a try so here goes....

 As with all MAC lipsticks, has a scent of vanilla, lovely and creamy to apply.

The finish on this one is 'Satin' meaning it glides on and leaves a slight sheen finish.

Comfortable to wear and a fairly long wear time.

Autumn is the perfect time to be seen sporting this colour as it is such a daring but pretty purple berry.

I have to admit in the bullet, it really does look very bright and dark purple but honestly is a divine berry shade once on.

This lipstick can be worn 3 ways:

1. Full on lots of coats. 2. Dabbed lightly on as a sort of stain, rubbed in with fingers or 3. Applied then blotted with a tissue to create a medium shade, with optional lip-balm on the top or vaseline to give a more glossy lip-gloss look.

Full on coat of lipstick, as you can see doesn't look at all like the bullet, on the lips it is such a beautiful berry shade that is perfect for Autumn!

Have you been brave enough to try MAC's Rebel lipstick?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo