∆TM.

No, I am not giving out money. Nor is it to be confused with ANTM (as in America's Next Top Model).

ATM clearly stands for at the moment! As in what Im loving at the moment.
This post has been in the works for quite a while as Ive been crazy busy these past 2 weeks. But, Ive finally settled on my top 3 of the moment.

1. Revlon ColourStay Ultimate Suede. A few weeks back (yes, this is how long it takes for me to decided Im loving something) I was on a desperate hunt for a coral lipstick. Somehow I ended up selecting this product in the colour 'Cruise Collection 075'. And by somehow I obviously mean Emma Stone's face was beside it so I just HAD to buy it. Ive finally decided its worthy ATM. Here's why...

• It does what it says. The colour does in fact stay all day.
• The finish is very matte (which definitely attracted me at first). Sometimes, especially in the summer when your skin is dewy, or you want to play up the eyes, a matte (yet bold) lip just completes the look. 
• Its versatile-- adding a coral or pinky lipgloss on top amps it up or adding a lip liner underneath (Ive been using MAC's 'Naked' lipliner) mutes the colour.

The classy packaging makes it even harder to deny. 

2. Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick. After hearing great things about this product I decided I wanted to try it for myself. Its been two weeks and Ive collected 3 so far (this could become an addiction). I currently own '003 Bad Girl Bronze', '005 Tempting Turquoise' and '002 Bulletproof beige'. These excite me so much ATM Im not sure where to begin. They do claim to be waterproof and last 24hrs which I am a bit skeptical of but, nonetheless absolutely worth a purchase! Why?

• The colour selection. OMG. Im sure I could convince myself the worthiness of every single colour in this 9 shade collection. 
• They're easy! Unless your going for makeup artist perfection, these are great for an every day, easy makeup look. Quite hard to 'mess up' as they look better messy. Lately, Ive been using the beige colour as a base all over the lid (since its light you can get away with little blending) then adding the bronze on the crease and outer corners--this step does require some blending effort).  
• Sticks galore! Since they are in stick form they are great on-the-go. Easily kept in your handbag and you dont need a brush to blend (oh the multi-talents of our fingers).

Ohhhh what a pretty combination [the blue (its called turquoise but its clearly blue) is great as a liner :)]

3. Real Techniques Buffing Brush. A staple for beauty lovers and beauty bloggers alike, the hype is totally worth it. The whole Real Techniques collection is incredible but I am specifically liking this brush ATM. 

• When used as intended-- ie to BUFF foundation-- it gives a flawless effect. And who doesnt want that? Ive always found it hard to get the perfect finish with my MAC Studio Fix foundation. Sam Chapman (the wonderful mind behind RT) recommended using the buffing brush with this product and I will never look back. Gives the perfect flawless finish. 
• Cream blush's BFF. Cream blush can so easily become a disaster. Use the RT buffing brush to place the perfect amount on the apples of your cheeks. (Im a fan of Topshop's cream blush in 'Flush')
• Inexpensive. Not cheap-- inexpensive! Especially if you are just starting out with makeup or your brush collection. They do the job and you cannot complain for the price (or any reason for that matter). 

Bonus: they stand up all by themselves just like a big kid!

    

I think thats enough for today. I hope its been inspirational. 

Try not to spend all your money :)

Until next time....

T∆NY∆

  

Now Im The One Locked Out of Heaven

Almost a week ago now I went to the Bruno Mars concert and WOW!

I remember earlier in the year seeing Rihanna and I couldn't stop talking about it for a week.  Its been a week since my Moonshine Jungle experience and, again, I still can't stop talking about it. 

When your opening act is the amazing performer, singer and fashionista that is Ellie Goulding I would think Bruno felt some pressure. But boy did he step up to the plate. You could see his joy throughout his entire performance. He was born to perform; Singing live and well for the entire show, dancing and engaging the crowd like I have never seen before. In addition to his stellar moves, his band/backup dancers/crew was just as amazing. 

The songs were splendidly laid out in that there was a good mix of his most popular up beat songs as well as some of his lesser known new songs with a slower tempo. In between all that he managed to keep the audience completely engaged, even serenading one superbly lucky girl in the audience. Im not sure she made it out alive... I dont know that I would have. Those moves.... That voice....Ughhh

Now, I am no lighting expert but in my eyes, the lighting (and fireworks and other pyro techniques) were amazing. At points I was so fascinated by the lights I forgot to stare at Bruno's perfect face. 

No Bruno concert would be complete with his classics... Billionaire, Grenade and Marry You and he, of course, did not disappoint. Seriously captivating! He had the ENTIRE crowd singing along with him. And in an outdoor venue boy did it sound magnificent! 

My personal favourite was Gorilla. It has been one of my favourites on his new album and I didnt see how I could love it more. But I do. After hearing it live I dont think anything I hear will sound as good. It seemed live a euphoria of energy, sounds, lights and pure genius. Thinking about it again simply puts me in a good mood. 

If you are even a little bit of a Bruno fan you better get your butt over to ticketmaster and get some tickets! By far the best money you will spend on a concert. 

Now I just feel locked out of heaven....

T∆NY∆

Is it just me or...

After hearing countless Youtubers and bloggers rave about Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation I thought it was about time I gave it a go. I purchased it nearly a month ago and was using it almost daily until this week. I finally decided enough was enough, this is not for me!

But is it just me or is this product giving others unsatisfactory results?

To divulge... I bought the product as I wanted a full coverage foundation with a dewy finish. I have been a long devotee of everything MAC including their wonderful Studio Fix foundation. Trying a new foundation was like jumping off a bridge and hoping I could swim. Yet, I thought why not? Experiment. Change it up.

I was initially pleased with the Rimmel WMUF. At a reasonable prize, it contained a sufficient amount of product, great packaging (im a real stickler for packaging to be clean and sophisticated) and a clean smell. I thought I had finally hit a pot of gold. I found it a bit difficult to find a light enough shade for my skin however I settled on the lightest one available. Since it is summer and I am one step above ghost like, the shade seemed like it would suffice.

Once I got home and actually used the product I was just as pleased... initially. The colour actually looked fine once thoroughly blended, it gave a great coverage without feeling too heavy and the finish was just what I was looking for. (As I consider myself to have oily skin, it gave a me nice glow without looking like an oil field). I applied it with a Real Techniques Foundation Brush or the buffing brush depending on my mood.

After a few days I noticed my skin breaking out more than normal. After lots of pondering I concluded this foundation was the problem. My skin was so used to the light powder (yet full coverage) of MAC's studio fix that having a thick coat of foundation on did not allow my skin to breathe. To be fair, I am not sure if this is a problem of liquid foundation or Rimmel's product in particular but either way, this product is just not for my every day look.

I will still continue to use this product once in a while when I really want a glowing look but I just cant justify using it on a regular basis.

Until next time....
T∆NY∆

Ready to take flight...

Its midnight. Im procrastinating yet again (not that I have much to procrastinate) and I find myself looking at my makeup collection. I mean what better things do I have to be doing at midnight. Sleep? Nonsense!

So with endless thoughts running through my head and my creative juices flowing (do they ever really flow at normal hours? As if)I thought why not blog!

I sure have lots to say and maybe there will be lots of people who enjoy listening (reading) to the lot I got to say.

Until next time...
T∆NY∆