2014 Birthday Haul Part 2 - Sephora US.

Hi lovelies,

Here is the long overdue second haul post I promised (you can see parts 1 and 3 here and here). Before I continue, I’m just going to apologise for the fact that some of the items are permanently out of stock. That’s the problem with blogging about limited edition items, you need to do it ASAP or it’s gone, and I always feel awful blogging about things which are no longer available to purchase.

Everything in this haul was purchased from Sephora, with the exception of that single MAC lipstick. Here’s the photo of everything I picked up in this haul. Be warned, this is going to be very photo heavy!

Keep reading after the jump!

MUA Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Pink Shimmer Review + Swatches.

Hi lovelies,

I have a quick little review of a pretty highlighting powder from Makeup Academy (MUA) to show you today. If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I'm a huge MUA fan; I've liked almost everything I've bought from them thus far (more MUA reviews here). They have quite a few sales from time to time, so I like to wait for the specials with free or low shipping to buy. I picked up this highlighter in October when I realised I only brought one highlighter with me to Malaysia.

This highlighter is available in both gold and pink, but I chose pink to try because the Sleek MakeUP highlighter I brought with me was gold. That's a decision I've come to regret, as I wish I'd picked up both shades now!

MUA Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Pink Shimmer.

It comes packaged in a clear compact which clicks shut quite securely. The compact isn't the most luxe in design. but it's functional and sturdy which is all that matters, really. The highlighter itself is beautiful, with a gorgeous embossed pattern slightly reminiscent of oceanic waves, as you can see from the photo below.

MUA Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Pink Shimmer.

When I ran my finger across the compact to swatch it, I was surprised at how rough and gritty it felt, but it actually swatches very smoothly on skin, appearing as a cool-toned silvery pink. This powder applies beautifully, giving skin a subtle, luminous radiance when applied with a fluffy brush, though you can also build it up if you want that shimmery look the magazines always seem to have. I use my Real Techniques blusher brush to apply this highlighter, I think it's too bulky to be used for blush but perfect for highlighter.

I love how pigmented this Pink Shimmer shade is, the swatch below is with just one swipe over the pan. It's also great for highlighting the brow bone, and can even be used as an eyeshadow when applied with a damp brush.

MUA Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Pink Shimmer Swatch (daylight).

Do you like the look of this highlighter, lovelies? A part of me is massively in love just because of how pretty it looks in the palette! This palette is available for £3 from the MUA website, quite a bargain!

Much love,
MM.
x

14 Simple Nail Polish Hacks You Need To Know.

Hello lovelies!

In keeping with my post here, I've decided to get back into the habit of doing more editorials here on The Made Up Maiden. I'd almost forgotten how much fun they are! One thing I get asked for by a lot of readers on my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and in real life are tips on how I manage to get my manicures and nail art done, so here are some handy tips that I hope you'll find as useful as I do!

More photos of this manicure here.

1) Finding the lid of your favourite polish jammed shut? Hold it under hot water or immerse it in a bowl of hot water to help loosen the lid.

2) This photo from Nailed-It perfectly demonstrates the technique I use when painting my nails. If you follow it well, you'll never have a problem with painting your nails! Remember, practice makes perfect, so if you fail, try and try again!

Keep reading after the jump!

Blue and red stamping fun with the Konad M98 plate.

Hi lovelies,

As you might be able to tell, I ran out of ideas with what to call this manicure. Any suggestions? If so, leave them in the comments, because I'd dearly love to hear it!

I used the double stamping technique for this mani where I stamped over a white polish base with the red Konad polish, and then stamped with the blue Konad polish over the top. I used the same plate design for both sets of stamping, which is the abstract geometric design pictured below. For some reason, it was smudging slightly as it came off the Konad plate, so it's not my neatest work, but let's consider this a work in progress since I've never used the double stamping method before!

Keep reading after the jump! 

2014 Birthday (and Black Friday) Haul Part 3 - Sephora, Tarte & Lorac.

Hi lovelies!

Oh dear, I've been a bad, bad beauty blogger. I was going to write this post on what I received in my third (and last) Birthday and Black Friday haul when I realised...I still hadn't written up the second part!!! It somehow completely slipped my mind!!! Never mind, better late than never, right? I'm happy to write it up and share what I got in my second shipment if you want to see it. Let me know in the comments if you do!

So this haul started off as a few small bits and bobs I got from Sephora, because I was issued with a $25USD VIB gift card. I then decided to add some Black Friday deals from the end of November, as well as some Christmas gifts. Unfortunately, some of the packages showed up in ridiculously large boxes...we're talking about 5 boxes resulting in 12 kgs of volumetric weight when everything could have been repacked into 1 small box resulting in 2.5 kg weight, so I then had to schedule a repack. Unfortunately, it took almost 2 weeks for this to get through, which is why I only received it a few days ago.

Anyway, here is everything I received in this last haul.

Keep reading after the jump!

Happy New Year!

Hello lovelies!

As they say; out with the old, and in with the new...year, that is!

2014 was a very interesting year as it was full of ups and downs, but overall, it's a year that I'm happy to put behind me and move on to the bright, shining possibilities of 2015!

Happy 2015!

I don't believe in making resolutions, but here are some 'intentions' I have in mind for the new year.

1) Let my creative side shine more. This includes blogging as often as I can manage it! You'll also be seeing more editorials on The Made Up Maiden, as well as nail art and makeup looks.Thank you for all the comments, likes and interactions on social media as well as the blog, I read and reply to each and every one! I appreciate it more than words can convey!

2) Keep my eye on the prize...I firmly believe that sometimes, the timing (or blessings/destiny/fate/luck, whatever you choose to call it), in life just doesn't work out for whatever it is we want to accomplish. The trick is to keep working for it and believing that it will happen regardless of when it happens...and it will, though it may take longer than anticipated. We can't control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react to it.

3) Try not to get involved. There will always be drama around us...I'm going to try my best to remain apart from it and not get involved. It's usually more energy than it's worth and never results in anything positive. I've come to realise that it's best not to get too close to people, but to always maintain a healthy buffer.

4) Smile, laugh and appreciate the beauty in life a lot more, even if it's as simple as a good cup of coffee or a lovely sunset. At the end of the day, no one ever looked up on their deathbed and wished they had spent more time at work! Even if you aren't feeling it, fake it...and you'll be surprised at how much better you start to feel after a while!

I also have some vague notions of trying to eat and live more healthily, which I've been sloowwwwwwly putting into practice...so let's see how that works out!

What are your intentions/resolutions for the year, lovelies? Care to share?

Whatever it is, I hope that the year ahead is a fantastic one and exceeds all expectations! Bring it on!

Much love,
MM.
x