Swatches: Illamasqua Naked Strangers Collection

 ''A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded Faithful and uninhibited Swinger. Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping for more. Don’t restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it.'' (Illamasqua)

Illamasqua and their collections: I don't know what I'm more excited to see - the products from the collection or the promo shots. Isn't this gilded, smokey eyed beauty just perfect?

Illamasqua's latest collection called Naked Strangers didn't disappoint me in any category. In fact, it's one of my favorite collections from Illamasqua so far - at least when it comes to the products. The collection consists of three nail varnish shades (£13.50 per shade), one cream and one powder blusher (£16.50 each), one intense and one sheer lipgloss (£13.00 each).

Here's what I got from the collection:

- Nail Varnish in Swinger

- Powder Blusher in Naked Rose

- Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy

Illamasqua Nail Varnish, Swinger, 2 coats

Swinger nail polish shade is described as glistening platinum gold. I agree. With one little adjustment: it's a platinum gold foil. I've seen MANY silver foils, but this is the first gold foil that actually deserves this label. I expected it to be one of those sheer polishes that need 4 coats for full opacity and I'm glad I was wrong. It only took 2 coats of Swinger to get the effect you see on the photo above. This is one of the best Illamasqua nail varnishes I've tried. The application was super easy. I like the formula and brush as well. There's really nothing bad I can say about it. I only wish it was more 'my kind of color'.

Illamasqua, Powder Blusher, Naked Rose

Naked Rose is described as neutral beige brown. Yes, I can see pink, brown, peach... it is neutral. And it would look good on just about anyone. This is another product that won me over completely. Not just because it's well pigmented and soft - the color is perfect! If you want a good neutral/natural blusher, this is the one for you. I'm not kidding.

Illamasqua, Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy

Sheer lipgloss in Intimacy is another hit. I forgot to take a photo of the product up close, but you can see it on the photo above with the other products. Here's how it went down - I asked my sister to try it. She did and she said: I love it. Thanks! And now it's gone. Well, to be honest I'm not a huge fan of lipglosses and I think my sister knows better since she's actually wearing them. =) I do know this gloss is not too sticky and it's not as sheer as the name would suggest. I would actually consider wearing this one, but it gets all messy when my hair sticks to the lips... and you know the rest.

I know Illamasqua is all about expressing the alter-ego and using bold colors, but I have to admit this was a nice change. iLike. 

Naked Strangers collection is available since today (May 31st) on Illamasqua website.

*Products were sent to me by the company.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

American Apparel - Mount Royal

It's time for my favorite American Apparel shade - Mount Royal. I went crazy over it the same second I first laid my eyes on it and with a little help of my American friend IceRozie, it was soon all mine.

Yes, American Apparel website scares me (it's mainly the photos of the girls wearing the clothes *shivers*), but this polish is a sheer joy! The bottle is nice and big (15 mL), the color is gorgeous and the quality of the polish is superb. Easy and flawless application, polish opaque in 2 coats, good brush and formula - what else could a girl want?

American Apparel, Mount Royal, 2 coats

Do you have a favorite American Apparel shade?

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Swatches: Niju Girl Pretty Doll's Lips by Konad

Did you know about the new decorative cosmetics  line by Konad called Niju Girl? I didn't until Maja from Ličila.si sent me these lipsticks. Anyway, I did some swatches and I thought it would be nice to share them with you.

Niju Girl Pretty Doll's Lips line consists of 5 lipstick shades: Red Queen, Nude Pink Brown (I messed up the name on the swatch photo, sorry), Hollywood Star, Secret Girl and Ballerina Pink.

Swatch time! This photo shows the colors of the lipsticks best. It's better to swatch them on the hand, I think - 'cause we all have different color of lips...

Ballerina Pink

Nude Pink Brown

Hollywood Star

Red Queen

Secret Girl

All these lipsticks are surprisingly opaque. By the look of the packaging, I almost expected they would only be a tinted version of lipbalm and boy, I was wrong. They're creamy and glide on the lips smoothly. That usually means they're not the most long-lasting, but I didn't wear them long enough to tell for sure. I searched for these lipsticks on Konad website, but I couldn't find them. I'm not sure where international ladies can get them, but I do know that Slovenian ladies can buy them in online store Ličila.si for 7.95 € a piece.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Weekly Sum-Up #29

Sentence of the week: Damn, I'm tired! I really am. I wanna sleeeeeeeep. 

Talking about sleep. Arya is a queen of sleeping in the most awkward positions. This is how I found her the other day.

And that's one of the more or less 'normal' sleeping poses of her. 

Since I'm already talking about my cats - Aishila's been at the vet on Friday. They needed to take out the stiches. I was at work, so my mother took her. I called her after they came home and asked what he said. He basically said there's no hope for her. I was so sad, I started crying and I thought I was gonna loose my mind. I know I need to keep my spirits high, I need to keep believing, but it's so hard when someone tells you it's all in vain. I'm just waiting to get the EnergyVet remedies for her. That's my only hope.

***

Confession of the week: 

I like the boys from One Direction. I know I'm too old for this boyband craze, but I really think they're cute, funny and real. I wanna pinch their cheeks. Plus, they're quite good singers.

***

Movie of the week: Lars von Trier - Melancholia

This movie is a good reflection of my state of mind. Happines, sadness, not giving a damn, depression, thinking about life, end of the world... and accepting it. I get Justine. She thinks like I do.

This movie is not for everyone, but it is hauntingly beautiful. I love Kirsten and Alexander is not bad either. I love the story and I love the Wagner music. A piece of art indeed.

''Life is only on Earth. And not for long.''

***

Book of the week: Vinko Möderndorfer - Ljubezni Sinjebradca

I read a book by Slovenian writer this time. I don't know if it's been translated to English, but if it has, I would recommend it to you as well. And BTW: I read the Farseer trilogy. It kind of broke my heart, but I get sad and depressed so quickly it doesn't even matter. ;)

***

Posts of the week:

Check out this amazing Ribbonesque eye look by Killer Colours.

Elsa from Like a Candy Shop Blue My Mind. With her nail polish and her gorgeous photos.

Depend has released 12 holographic and 12 magnetic polish shades, according to Feline from Alizarine Claws. WoW. Now that's what I call a collection!

Vampires are still in. Viktorija from Vique's Varnish showed us Into the Dark. Plus, there's a bonus photo of her fabulous cat. <3

Who likes kittens? You do? Then you really need to check out Purrrpolish. Polish and cats. It can't get better than that.

Here's a new blog to follow - Beauty in My Mind.

***

Music of the week:

''...you think you're loving but I want to be free.''

Thanks for looking and commenting!