Dupes; Chanel Paradoxal - Barry M Dusky Mauve

So, I recently noticed an offer on Barry M Nail polishes, so I went to have a look at what polishes they had. I noticed this new shade called Dusky Mauve. It looked suspiciously like Paradoxal, so I bought it to compare. So here is my comparison.
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Chanel = £16.50
Barry M = £2.99 (or 2 for £4.99)
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In the bottles, Dusky Mauve looks more brown with less micro shimmer, which is a more red based purple, unlike Paradoxal which looks more shimmery and blue based purple. The general colour is a dusty brown with purple micro shimmer, and there is no denying both of them come under that description, so are they dupes?
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On the nail, they are so much more similar, I mean just look at the swatch! The Chanel appears a little less shimmery, and needed 3 coats to get as shimmery as the Barry M which I used to coats of. They were both as pigmented as each, and dried in around the same time.
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The formulas are similar, in thickness and pigmentation. The colours are virtually identical. The Chanel packaging is better as it is more sturdy, however in terms of brushes I found both easy to use.
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Overall I actually have a preference for the Barry M! It is more shimmery and it is more affordable. Why pay more when you can get the same for so much less!
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Love Paradoxal but not the price? Barry M Dusky Mauve is for you! I hope they bring out more high end dupes!

Blog up to date!

Yes, this blog is now up to date with all my posts, from now on I will be posting more regularly, but in less mass as I have been!

I have a few posts I will be writing up in the next couple of days, so stay tuned :D

Laura's Look Book- Konad Nail Art - I Heart U

This is another look where I used my newly learned gradient technique. I added a Konad heart on the top of a pink gradient. I know pink and red doesn't normally go together, but I like the colour combo in this instance! . Products Used; . MAC Ice Cream Cake, Elf Gum Pink, China Glaze Limbo Bimbo, OPI Thanks So Muchness, Plate M59. . I wish I did something like this for Valentine's! I got some excess for the stamper on the nail which is a little disappointing, and the picture didn't come out right!

Laura's Look Book- Konad Nail Art - Spring Garden

I hashed this look up a little, but decided to post it anyway. As I applied the konad I smudged the nail varnish, and the messed up the image a little. What really annoys me is that the leaves went on mu cuticle instead of the nail. But I like the design itself. I used my simple green ombre nails, and then applied Konad on top. . Products Used; . Revlon Minted, Eyeko Vintage, China GlazeWatermelon Rind, Rimmel Desire, Plate M21. . I would do this again, but hopefully next time I won't make as many mistakes, as I reckon maybe with different coloured flowers it would be really pretty!

laura's look book! Simple Pink Ombre

This was my second attempt at gradient nails, and I really liked it. Like with my green ombre, this looked so much better in real life! I love how this is so girly! . Products Used; . MAC Ice Cream Cake, Elf Bubblegum Pink, China Glaze Limbo Bimbo. . I love this look. I just used a cheap foundation sponge wedge with the edge cut off and dabbed the varnish on gently. I don't find this is as subtle as it probably should be, but I think the pinks go well together.

Laura's look book! Simple Green Ombre

This was my first attempt at gradient nails, and I really love the effect, though it looks so much better in real life! . Products Used; . Revlon Minted, Eyeko Vintage, China Glaze Watermelon Rind. . I was going to buy the Konad set, however I saw a YouTube video where the girl just used a cheap sponge wedge for make-up, and this works just as well. I will definitely do this effect more!

Nails Inc Packaging Disaster!

So, for an expensive brand, this was pretty disappointing. . I found this today (pictured above), my Coke limited edition Nails Inc varnish smashed, and the contents went all over my other bottles! I only noticed when I lifted out a bottle and pink varnish dripped off it onto my carpet and my hands! And then I saw shattered glass and my nail varnishes swimming in pink varnish! . To be honest I am not sure how it would have smashed since all I do is open and close the drawer it's in, so another bottle clinking against it must have broken it! That is pretty poor considering China Glaze which is a cheaper brand has never smashed on me. This was a freebie, however surely they are all the same bottles, freebie or not? . I never liked the chunky lid as it is more difficult to apply, so now this is a deal breaker for me, I won't buy more of these polishes if they break so easily, and not just break, it shattered into pieces! . Has anyone else had this problem?

Kate's Wedding Fragrance

Image from; http://www.tiptoptens.com So we all know that Kate's fabulous dress was Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen, her nails were a custom mix of Bourjois and Essie (http://nailingtherunway.blogspot.com/2011/04/royal-nails.html), and the Tiara was vintage Cartier. But what about something we couldn't see? What about her fragrance? Well numerous reports have revealed the scent, and it is now backordered to May/July. . The fragrance was White Gardenia Petals by the not so big name Illuminum which is a British brand made by Micheal Boadi, who used to be a celebrity hair dresser. This retails at around £70, wowzers, more than Chanel and Dior who's perfumes retail at around £60. . So the description for what the beautiful bride smelt like; . As fragrant as a bouquet of white flowers, quivering in the gentle April breeze, this is a delicate and nuanced scent. The top notes of gardenia and wisps of lily dance around the heart notes of ylang ylang, muguet (Lily of the Valley) and jasmine, which bring a further trio of white flowers into play. Amber wood underscores this light, fresh, modern bouquet, adding depth and an aroma of deep rooted tradition. . Sounds like a beautiful scent (you gotta love these perfume descriptions!) and it seems like the price probably won't be £70 for long! . Everything Kate wears ends up selling out! Her Topshop dress, her engagement dress, her weekend dress, and now her fragrance. People are already imitating her wedding dress! . If Kate buys anything from you, you can pretty much rub your hands together, because it will definitely sell out! We all love Kate's, or should I say the new Duchess of Cambridge's, style!

Laura's look book! Accessorize Dark

This is a contrasting look to my Accessorize neutral look. It still is pretty toned down, so I couldn't call it a smoky eye, but it isn't light enough to be a light look. This really brings out eye colour as it is so vibrant. . Products used; . Sage, Truffle, Urban Decay Stash 24/7 liner, Urban Decay Mildew 24/7 liner. . I used the Sigma E55 for the application of the Sage over the lid, and Truffle on the outer corner, and used a Sigma E40 to blend Truffle into Sage and outwards. It's pretty much the simple technique I used for the neutral look. As you can tell, I'm having fun with my Luuux sigma brushes! :D

Laura's look book! Accessorize Neutral

I used eyeshadows from my new set from accessorize to do this look. I really like this, it's simple, easy to do, but still pretty. . Products used; . Soft Pink, Truffle, Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy 24/7 liner. . I used a Sigma E55 to apply the Soft Pink across the lid, and to apply Truffle to the outer corner, and I used a Sigma E40 to blend Truffle outwards and into the Soft Pink. I love these eyeshadows!

Accessorize Sage Eyeshadow

This is a blackened olive green, with gold shimmer. This is a really beautiful and multi-dimensional shade. This was used without a base, and yet it was so bright on the skin, and it had good staying power. If it really popped on bare skin, I definitely need to try this on a dark primer, to see the vibrancy of the green and gold. I will definitely post a look doing that. . The colour isvibrant, pigmented, soft and buttery, however I did get a lot of fall out with this product. But that is a small price to pay for such a gorgeous colour! This is an illusion eyeshadow, unlike the others which were icon shadows, though I'm not sure what the difference is between them, maybe multidimensional shades are illusion? I really don't know. . The packaging is adorable and very secure and sturdy, the amount you get is great, and the colour itself is gorgeous! This is probably my favourite from the set.

Accessorize Soft Pink Eyeshadow

This shade is, in the pan, a light pink, however on the skin it looks more silver with a hint of pink. It is still a gorgeous colour, and still quite nude. It is super frosted hence the colour transformation from pan to lid. This was applied without a base, and it went on super pigmented and soft, so even though it is a light colour, the pay off is still really good. . This is another icon colour, but I am not sure what the difference between the colour types are. . The packaging is cute, the amount you get is great, it is a little clumpy due to the glitter, however overall you can't knock this product for the cheap price!

Accessorize Truffle Eyeshadow

This colour, Truffle, is a mid toned brown with glitter shot through. It goes on the skin a little lighter then it appears in the pan, however it is still very pigmented and very soft to apply. It is very easy to blend, and very soft and buttery on the lids. This would be perfect for using with neutral looks. I didn't use a base and it went on so pigmented with very little product. The only quarrel I have is that it is a little chunky due to the glitter (a little like Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy). Other than that I have no negatives for this product. . This is one of their icon eyeshadows, though I am not sure what the difference is between the different types! . The packaging is so cute and very practical, and you get a lot of product for your buck.

My First Accessorize Eyeshadows!

This is my first Accessorize cosmetics purchase! It was a gift set on sale from Christmas, they were trying to get rid of them so reduced them to £1.99 for a x3 set! The set only retailed at £4.99, and individually they retail at £4 though are sometimes on offers for £2! This makes them cheaper then Bourjois, and after testing them out, they are so much better! . Normally when shops do make up, like Topshop, M&S etc, it never turns out that well. Normally pigmentation is poor, the quality is sub par, and the selection isn't that great. So I was not expecting much from this new Accessorize line. I was mistaken, the pigmentation is really good, the quality is high end, and the prices really aren't all that shabby! I am pretty impressed. . My Mum swears by the nail varnishes, and I am very impressed with the eyeshadows and their cute packaging, also their colour selection! . I will be reviewing each eyeshadow individually, and I will include swatches!

Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush

This brush is pretty much just like Elf's eyeshadow brush. It is very easy to use to apply and pack on the colour. This does the job, and is definitely a staple brush to get the optimum colour on the lids, but I wouldn't say it was anything majorly special. . I got this in the set I ordered off Luuux, so it has come in handy, however I wouldn't go out of my way to get one if it wasn't in the set, as although it's good quality, it works just as well as the Elf one which is cheaper. So if you get it in a set, great, it's a useful and staple brush. But there are cheaper alternatives if you wanted to buy it alone.

Sigma F70 Concealer Brush

I never have much luck with concealer, and just as much luck with the applicators! Sponges haven't worked, it doesn't give the coverage, brushes make it too cakey or don't blend it in so well, I've tried applying it with a brush and blending it with a sponge to try and get the best of both worlds, but it could end up patchy or the sponge just lifts up the concealer, or has no effect at all. . This brush is the most successful I have used so far. It has given the least cakey application and most coverage, and has blended it in. This isn't to say I experienced no caking, as unfortunately I always end up with it, although this is the best finish so far, and the only thing I have used different is this brush. I have been using this every day now!

Sigma F30 Powder Brush

I love this brush, it is definitely a must have for me now! I use it to set my concealer, and sometimes use it to apply green powder on my cheeks to tone down my redness. I have had no problems with this brush whatsoever! . With other brushes and kabuki's I have had problems where it would put too much product on, or wouldn't blend it in that well so it would sit on top and look chalky,especially since I have dry skin. However with this brush it applies the product sheerly as it distributes it rather than just dumping it, and it doesn't pick up too much, it blends it in so well. I have had no caking or chalkiness using this brush even though I'm using the same products as the other brushes. . I am so impressed with the finish this provides! It is so easy to use, and it does the job it is supposed to! It has a chunky handle which makes handling and control easy, and it has dense but soft bristles. I have had some minimal shedding, but considering they're new it's not been so bad.

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Pastel Marble

This was my very first go at marbling nails! I am not completely happy with how it turned out, and it is clear I need plenty of practice, but I still love the effect! Such a unique and fun look. . Products Used; . MAC Ice Cream Cake, MAC Mischievous Mint, MAC Little Girl Type. . I love the colour combo in this look, so girly and mellow, but I am not so happy with the actual designs. I need to learn to make nice patterns, and to avoid air bubbles in the design.

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush

This is another brush from my Luuux Sigma set! . I normally use a MAC 217 as it is good at blending, and fits in my crease well. . This brush is bigger and very soft and flexible. It was so easy to blend with this, and it did it so well, very little effort was needed to get this to do the job. This can be used for crease, or blending highlight as it can do bigger areas due to being a bigger brush. . I found it a little big for my crease (which is very small anyway) or blending on the lid, it splayed out onto my brow bone as well, but this doesn't affect the job it does, it just hits a wider area. For smaller areas that need blending maybe a 217 would be more suitable as it is smaller and can fit in those smaller spaces without splaying out, but the E40 is still good for most of the blending jobs. . Overall this blends very well, is very soft and a lovely brush, but it is quite big for people like me who don't have a smaller lid and crease area. I definitely will use this as my go to blending brush though, I was super impressed, I wish they did a smaller version though!

Sigma E05 Eyeliner Brush

I got this in the set I ordered from Luuux! I tend to wear eyeliner daily so it is important I have a good brush. . I tend to use a MAC 209 normally as it is very fine and so gives a smaller line, but if you want to build the line up it takes a while. . This brush is good for chunkier lines as it is thicker, but it is also pointed so it can be used for flicks. I find this isn't as good for lining the inner corner as it is a little too thick and I like my lines to be finer on the inner corner, but it is so easy to get a lovely chunky line with this brush! You can use the pointed tip to do finer lines as the brush is very firm due to being so dense, which is definitely a benefit when trying to do straight lines, but it isn't so firm that it jabs or hurts the skin. . Overall, great for chunky lines, can do flicks, but it isn't the best brush for fine lines. I think this is a really good quality brush.