Back to Basics

So I decided to delete LittleSunStar21 from Google+ and YouTube. It's a long story but the decision has been made. The posts with the author "Unknown" was me, LittleSunStar21, so no one will worry when it goes back to me just being plain old Xen. 

So here I am. Going right back to where I started. Wish me luck xx

MAC Dangerous Lipstick

Yes, yes, I know, I've already done blogs on red lipsticks, but it is MAC after all! How could I pass up this incredible orange based lipstick? 

Ok, so it looks a little darker in this pic than in real life, but it is amazing... 

This is what it looks like on my lips and how it looks against my fakely-tanned, light-medium complexion (NC25/NC30). I paired it with a ProLongwear pencil by MAC called 'What a Blast'.

So retro, so matte! This is a super easy go-to lip colour, especially if you're in a rush - it takes you from Mehhh to Fab in two minutes flat. The power of red lipstick!

This is a great lipstick for anyone loving orange based, matte red colours that doesn't mind being noticed. 

Red-dy to get Dangerous? 

Sensationail Silver Glitter

Hello my darlings, no lengthy review today, just a quick photo of what SensatioNail Silver Glitter (DIY gel manicure similar to Shellac but cured with LED lights, not UV) looks like on my nails. I wore this on my weakest fingernail and it didn't lift, chip or peel off for 3 weeks. So now I've done all my nails! Who says we can't wear glitter every day??? 

Big love xxx 

May 2014 Birchbox

The title says it all. Come see what I got in this month's Birchbox! 

My thoughts: I actually didn't like this box at all, but I am not complaining as they put some rather lovely and expensive stuff in there.

Although the shampoo & conditioner looked promising, I'd only be able to use them twice as I use massive amounts of both in each shower as I have so much hair. 

I'm not a huge nail varnish user, and I think the colour I received was awful as I dislike that colour quite a lot but I'm sure other people would love that colour.

I'm sure that most people that receive a sample size of Benefit's They're Real mascara would squeal for joy, but not me. I bought it a fair few years ago and it did not work for my crappy lashes at all, so I threw it away. Biggest waste of £19.50 ever! 

I don't use body oil. Maybe I should but meh. 

The hot cleansing cloth & cleanser is also something I will not use. I work long hours and don't have time for long beauty skin regimes, especially if it requires me to stand in my freezing cold bathroom getting all my makeup off. 

I decided not to open any of it; I carefully rewrapped up the hot cleansing cloth stuff, popped it all back in the box and gave it all to a work colleague to give to his wife. Waste not, want not! 

MAC Paint Pot Let's Skate!

So I went into a MAC store today. I shouldn't have, but I was terribly naughty. I had to! 

I tested out this little beauty in store and knew I just had to have it... 

In the pot it looks like a white-creamy pink, but when it's swatched... Well! 

It's a pale pink with golden shimmery flecks throughout, it's such a beautiful colour. 

Pictures: 1st swatched on hand next to window. 

2nd same hand swatch stood away from the window.

3rd swatched on my tattoo (to better show the colour & shimmer) stood next to the window.

4th swatched on my tattoo stood away from the window. 

Absolutely amazing colour, fantastic on it's own or as a base to make other colours really pop. 

Any paint pots you lovely people recommend to get next? Hugs! Xx

Avon 8 in 1 Eyeshadow Palette in The Nudes

Because there seems to be no slowing in my ongoing addiction to makeup, and with my holiday to Ibiza getting ever-closer, I decided to buy this eyeshadow palette from my local Avon Rep.

It's really small and compact, at only 4 and 1/2 inches long (almost 12cm), so this is the perfect size to travel with.

Inside it has an inbuilt mirror inside the lid and two, double ended sponge-tipped applicators for ease of use.

The first four colours close up. There are no names for these eyeshadows, which is a shame.

The same first four colours, swatched on the back of my hand.

The last four colours in the palette...

And again, the last four colours swatched on the back of my hand.

My thoughts: I bought this palette when it cost £7, down from £12, and I'm kind of glad that I didn't pay full price; the colours are a little on the powdery side, and the pigmentation and quality isn't the best. I have MUA palettes that cost £4 that have better colour payoff than these, but I do like how portable this palette is, and I will be taking this abroad with me as it is cheap and the colours are good for everyday use.
Would I repurchase?: No, I don't like the eyeshadow colours enough and there are better palettes out there for cheaper. Despite this, it's not too bad and I will definitely be using it as an everyday eyeshade palette when I go abroad.

Sleek Blush by 3 Californ.I.A

I saw this blush on someone else's blog and I thought to myself "I must have this blush palette, I must!". The thing is, I'm not exactly short on the whole blush situation, I have at least 12 different blushes, both powder and cream formula, but what harm would three more do?

So the box looks like this. I love Sleek packaging. It's just so... Sleek.

I thought I'd include the ingredients for y'all to see, so it might help you decide before you buy this little beauty.

When I opened it up I was delighted to see these three stunning colours. From left to right (both in above and below photo's):
Newport Beach, The Surf, OC

Swatched on the back of my hand, these three colours are so creamy and blendable, and look really beautiful. As you can probably tell, Newport Beach and OC are more pigmented than The Surf, which is sheer when blended out and also has a light shimmery finish.

I think this is a fantastic palette for pale to medium skin, these cream blushes can be used on their own or blended together for a more customised look, they can be blended out to a simple, sweet flush or built up for more blush-drama.
This sells for £9.99, and to be perfectly honest, it's worth every penny. If Sleek do any other cream blush palettes in the future I will definitely buy them.