My Makeup: New York Face

Being in the US means one thing to a beauty lover like you and I - products. Not just any products, exciting ones that aren't easy to get hold of elsewhere. Say hello to bags upon bags of Sephora, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushers and Milani Liquify. If you dove into my suitcase you'd need more than two hands to count lipsticks and don't even start on blush - you'd think I had more than one face. 

But (and it's a big but) until I'm able to photograph the beautiful embossing on the Edward Bess quad it's staying in the packing - fear not, whatever I could use was on my face quicker than you can say 'I love New York'. 

Cle De Peau Cream Foundation and Concealer were my first purchases, and pricey ones at that, but after seeing countless 'flawless' face claims, celebrity fans and rave reviews they had to be mine. First impressions? Good. Flawless? Yes. Matte? Yes. Long lasting? Stay tuned!

Space saving Mac X Carine Roitfeld Desert Camouflage palette (post here) came around to create anything from a light to smokey eye whilst contouring cheekbones, Benefit Coralista Blush gave my cheeks a pick me up from the jet lag and Helena Rubenstein Lash Queen Feline Mascara mascara lifted my drooped, tired eyes and lengthened my lashes. 

Did I mention I can't wait to go home just so I can use all my latest purchases? 

Sigma IMATS Booth: What to Expect

As you probably already know, Sigma will be at IMATS LA this weekend. What you might not know, however, is that we will be offering exclusive discounts and access to items not currently available on our website! Keep reading to get all the details on pricing and products!

*Event info reminder...
When: January 19-20

Time: Sat., 8:30am – 5pm & Sun., 10am – 5pm

Where: Pasadena Convention Center
             300 E Green St.

             Pasadena, CA 91011
Booth: #600

Visitors can look forward to being able to purchase individual products (pictured above) that are not currently available on the website such as eye shadows and items from our Beauty Expert - Brow Design Kit.

If you still need to buy tickets, go HERE!
For more information about the event in general, check out the IMATS website.

Can we look forward to seeing you this weekend? 

© 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC

Photo Diary #14 Do you remember what I said, that first time we met?

Sundays face | Cocktails in Clapham | Queuing | The Breakfast Club | Shiny new Vespa | Cat-face cuddles | Naughty Nars purchase

I haven't done a photo diary post in a little while now, not since I got engaged, so I thought it was about time I did a weekend post :) They're my favourite kinds of posts to read and write, I must be the nosiest blogger!

So this weekend was a pretty relaxed one, but really really good fun. I felt like it was over far too quickly! Sometimes it's nice to have nothing planned and just see what happens, don't you think?
On Friday night my friend Nicola and I had a catch up in Clapham. We had planned on quite a tame night, but accidently happened to stumble upon on happy hour, oopsy. Cucumber sour cocktails, chicken burgers and a good friend to laugh with makes for a fabulous evening.

On Saturday morning, Stef and I braved the queue outside The breakfast Club in Soho
, we knew it was the only thing that would possibly cure our hangovers. Queuing was made a little less painful though, when they brought little shots of hot chocolate and marshmallows to everyone outside, what a cute little touch! Going anywhere else for breakfast just never measures up, it was well worth the wait when my All American pancakes showed up. I'm pretty sure I could live off pancakes ya' know.

After breakfast and a mooch around a couple of shops, (which basically involved me drooling over the beautiful underwear I can't afford in Agent Provocateur), we jumped on Stefs shiny new Vespa and headed to the movies. The perfect afternoon for nursing a hangover :) Les Miserable was pretty darn good, if you haven’t seen it already I'd recommend it. I'm not going to lie, for the first five minutes I did think about leaving, but you get used to them singing every line pretty quickly. So if musicals aren't really your thing, i'd still say it's worth sticking this one out.

Sunday we scooted over to do a spot of shopping in Chelsea. I was naughty and finally purchased the beautiful Laguna by Nars, it had to be done it was on my wish list for so long!We headed back to Clapham and Stef treated me to dinner in the ever so fancy Trinity (I might do a whole post on this for any foodys out there).
Later on the lovely Sarah from Modern Damsel swung by for a glass of wine and some blogger chat.

What did you get up to this weekend? Have you ever eaten in The Breakfast Club or Trinity?

Hannah x

It's All About Berry Lips...

Berry lips are a look I've become accustomed to - a simple base like mascara and foundation paired with a berry lip is the quickest way to be out the door looking decent. My dive in the deep end into berry lips included some very daring shades (for a nude lip lover) but here's an edit of my top picks from Tom Ford to Stila. 

First and foremost - lining my lips, which Mac Current Lip Pencil does with ease, making sure there's no bleeding, smearing and I stay in those darn lines. It's a little too drying to be applied all over the lip but around the edges it works wonders.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Grandest Grape - post here

The lip shade that started my affair with berry was Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Grandest Grape, by far one of my favourite items of 2012 for its balmy texture, hydrating quality and (most importantly) being beyond easy to use. Slap it on and out the door - success! 

Topshop Lip Cover in Inhibition (applied as a stain) - post here

A little budget buy, Topshop Lip Cover in Inhibition, can be applied from anything from a stain to a full coverage lip (and I recommend the former), slightly drying so do need to pop on some balm beforehand to say goodbye to crusty lips, Nuxe Reve De Miel being my one of choice. 

Stila Liquid Lipstick in Aria 

Stila Liquid Lipstick in Aria is the most interesting formula out of the bunch, applied from the doe foot applicator, incredibly pigmented (one layer does the trick), dries matte, not drying at all and lasts through me chomping away at a burger and drinking vino. Thumbs up from me! 

Aveda Rare Orchid - post here

Aveda Rare Orchid looks slightly scary in the bullet but applies like a dream and waxy formula means it's staying around for a while without being sticky. One of my favourites for its glossy looking texture without feeling too heavy.

Tom Ford Black Orchid

Saving the best for last - Tom Ford, the most luxuirous lipsticks around, incredibly pigmented, creamy and did I mention their packaging? Swoon. My shades are Black Orchid and Violet Fatal, both of which apply anything from a light stain to a heavy lip. Plus - imprinted TF - yes please! 

(clockwise from top) Topshop Lip Cover in Inhibition, Stila Liquid Lipstick in Aria, Aveda Rare Orchid, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Grandest Grape, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Tom Ford Violet Fatal. 

So, which other shades do I need to add to my collection? 

Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer - Genius

Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer £36 Space NK

My stash is rarely missing anything, primers galore, enough blush to cover everyone in the UK's cheeks and lip products to last a lift time but there was still room for the wonder that was Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer.

Imagine something so heavy coverage it could cover anything, no matter the blemish size, redness or the heaviness of that under eye circle. Alike my very own muti-tasking beauty cream to be mixed with moisturiser as a foundation (which was a little too thick for me), dabbed it on the high points of my cheek bones, concealing the heaviest of bags and lumpiest of blemishes. The thick consistency surprising isn't drying and lasts beautifully on the skin, no need to set with powder to rush to reapply. Despite the heavy formula, it blends beautifully but is something that works best being warmed up in between my fingers and patted on. Be warned: a little goes a seriously long way with this stuff. 

Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer – aka the wonder pot, is available at Space NK for £36 here. Oh and PS - there are 16 shades!

Best NEW products of 2012!

Earlier this week we revealed the overall most popular Sigma products based on customer purchases in 2012 and briefly talked about why they each made it to the top 10 list. Today we’re taking it one step further and unveiling the best-selling newproducts from the past year. Check it out:

1. Defining Eyes Palette by TiffanyD {limited edition!} – Recently launched in late November, this palette has been a top-seller ever since due to its versatility to create both every day, neutral looks as well as sultry, dramatic ones. The Defining Eyes Palette is essentially an all-in-one kit for the best eye enhancing tricks and looks. No wonder it’s so popular!
2. Performance Eyes Kit – A kit unlike any other, this one was designed specifically for advanced and detailed makeup artistry. Thanks to each of the eight brushes’ specific use for producing the most intricate of eye designs, you can add depth to your crease or create a perfect cat eye, and everything in-between. Talk about pristine performance!
3. Paris Makeup Palette {limited edition!} – An exclusive palette that boasts several unique and vibrant shades – all of which were created from inspiration taken by some of YouTube’s top beauty gurus amongst the most famous monuments in Paris. Discover this City of Lights-inspired palette while you still can!
4. F88 & P88 brushes – These latest additions to the Sigmax collection have surely made a name for themselves on the best-sellers list. The distinct angle of the brush allows for the most precise application of foundation and concealer in hard-to-reach areas of the face. Essential tools to achieving that flawless finish!
5. Beauty Expert - Brow Design Kit – Our exclusive and convenient brow kit contains all of the arching, shaping and grooming tools you need to achieve beautiful and defined brows. Just the thing to make perfect brows an essential (and easy) part of your every day beauty ritual!

What was yourfavorite new Sigma product from 2012?

© 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC

EXCLUSIVE: Birchbox UK!

My guilty pleasure, (if LB wasn't enough of an indication), is learning about different brands and trying them out - needless to say a beauty subscription service, where I could expect a box filled with products to try each month was right up my street. Birchbox, the biggest beauty subscription service in the US has officially launched in the UK today! 

I know, very exciting news ladies, but for now, here's the first sneak peak of what's in the box (important note: personally collated box containing 4-5 products that are most suited to your profile!) I absolutely love the range of brands, especially those that aren't easy to get hold of in the UK like Fresh but in particular love the way Birchbox is also includes lifestyle - hence the teapigs tea! The box also contains a lovely magazine and retails at £10 a month + P&P. 

Very pleased with my first box and excited that Birchbox have officially launched in the UK - Welcome and I look forward to seeing what they bring in 2013! 

You can check out Birchbox here!