Those that follow this blog know my great, sometimes obsessive LOVE of make up. I refer to it as my armour, it gives me confidence and helps to hide dark circles from the many sleepless nights I suffer sadly (thanks kids)-making me feel awake on the outside if not in.
Funnily enough lately, due to aforementioned fatigue and the many shoots I’ve had recently, I’ve been going bare-faced a bit more too and it’s liberating. I’ve had compliments on my skin and my eyes and even been told how young I look. Thanks randoms in the street and the woman who ID’ed me in Waitrose.
I won’t be throwing out the make up collection just yet but it’s made me think a lot about embracing the ‘real me’ and feeling happier in my skin (literally)
That’s not to say I don’t still adore dark eyes and a luscious deep berry lip though and nothing says a festive look than that, to me. High octane glamour with Hollywood waves for my hair, this is the style I like to rock come Christmas time.
And of course, this time of year means lots of fabulous family get-togethers (you guys know how glam my family is) and of course birthday celebrations (which are going on all month-might as well milk it huh) and it’s all rather exciting isn’t it?!
I love the ritual of this family all getting dressed up for festive parties and make up is such an important part of that for me.
…When Boots No 7 got in touch asking me to try their latest collection as part of the stunning #TaDah campaign, I literally couldn’t wait to get my hands on it all.
Stylishly packaged products including concealers, foundation, highlighters, eye shadows, lipsticks and new nail gel-look polishes, this collection is sooo me! They also sent over some superb NEW Limited Edition mascaras titled Midnight Lash too that really opened up and emphasised my eyes!
Definitely gave me the #TaDah feel at the end of it and my husband who photographed the shoot said I looked fabulous which was lovely!
So here it is, my Christmas look:
Base:
– Blend No7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation SPF 15 into skin using my foundation brush and finger tips.
– Concealed where necessary (under eyes and around my nose) with No7 Match Made Concealer.
-Applied No 7 loose powder over my face
– Pressed No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter on to cheekbones for an extra glow.
– Applied No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush to the apples of the cheeks with a blusher brush and blended outwards.
Eyes:
– Using the No7 In The Navy Eyeshadow Palette, applied the natural shade over entire lid. I used the shimmery shade to highlight the inner corners of the eyes and under the brow bone.
– Lined the top lash line and tear line with No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Deepest Blue, blending into the lash line. It is blue/ nearly black and I loved it.
The first time I have deviated from black and it really adds some edge. I’d strongly recommend going for this!
-Added 2 coats of No7 Lash Impact Mascara in Black which helped exaggerate my lashes and add impact to my look.
Lip:- Applied No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in Plum Blush.
I then lightly brushed No7 Gold Christmas Highlighter Palette on the cheekbones for a polished sheen. As I’m olive skinned it carried all of the above really well but fairer complexions might want to choose between the three.
I also added some Natural Blush Cream in Maple Silk too.
Nails:
– Filed and buffed nails then applied a coat of No 7 Stay Perfect Base Coat.
– Once dry, applied two coats of No7 Stay Perfect Patent Navy, again a nearly black shade I fell in love with. A mixture of black/blue and almost purple, I will be alternating between this and No7 Nail Gel Look Shine Nail Polish in Golden Sands this Christmas.
– Completed the manicure with No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat.
…Ta dah!
Jacket on and a quick check in my compact!
Stunning, long lasting-make up I’ve already used lots of times since receiving!
Thanks No 7 for making me feel FABULOUS!
Have you tried No 7 before?
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You look fabulous, I’ve never really considered No 7 makeup, besides maybe the odd eyeshadow but I think I might have to take a wander through their counters!
Honestly so impressed with No 7, beautiful, long lasting products!
Red is so definitely your colour! It suits your skin and your personality too! My mother always calls it a power colour, and you do look super glam! xx
Thanks so much darling, love that-definitely is an empowering colour to wear too as is the lipstick, thanks for your lovely comment x
love the look, i brought a little palate from no.7 the other day there eye shadows are lovely to put on aren’t they!? x
Thanks, they really are and so long lasting too x
Red really suits you! I do bare-faced a lot. Because I am super lazy, although it means when I do make an effort people notice! Loving the blue nail varnish – it’s one of my fave colours! #sharewithme
Thanks Ting, love a bit of blue polish x
Looking glamorous as always. Red is such a great colour on you x
Thanks very much Izzie x
WOW! You look fab as always. I’m really impressed with the nails though – they look amazing and so professional. I need to find these nail varnishes for myself! x
Thanks darling Beth, they are gorgeous colours this season x
So gorgeous. I particularly love the mascara, looks lovely and not clumpy so I might have to purchase! xx
Thanks darling, it’s a wonderful mascara, def would recommend x
Oooh I love No 7! So I’m hitting the big 4-0 shortly and have a daughter with dyspraxia who never sleeps, so I defo need that concealer under the eyes 🙂 Love the coral blush too, and… You look fab 🙂
Thanks so much Wendy, sorry to hear you and your daughter don’t get much sleep, so impressed with their concealer x
WOW you look amazing Vic! If only I could do that to my own face. I have written down some of the things you mentioned. I could do with a great concealer. Might try it I have never used No 7 before so would be amazing to test some out. Thanks for sharing your tips and christmas look. Fab as always. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me.#sharewithme
Hi Jenny yes of course, was going to, was rushing when I linked up but on my to do list, thanks for the compliments x
You look amazing and I adore that blue/black nail polish! Gorgeous! x
Thanks Laura the polish is fab x
Looking glam and gorgeous as always. Red is so your colour. Love the deep, dark nails too x
Thanks darling for your lovely words x
Looking hot as always, love red on you!
Aw thanks Mirka, you look amazing in red yourself gorgeous lady x
I am always bare faced. If I’m going somewhere a little nicer I put a little BB cream on. For me to do full make up requires something like a engagement party. Thanks for the tips, because when I do actually put make up on, I always need help 😉
So glad you like this and hope the engagement party is lots of funx
Feeling fab and looking fab, lady! I’ve always been just an eye make up lady up until around last year, since then I’ve worn more (because, let’s face it, I needed it). But not too much! Just a hint of blusher and more emphasis around the eyes, and that little bit more confident xx
Thanks darling and you don’t need make up! Def think it makes me feel better about myself but also embracing barefaced more too, love this No 7 range x
I love those blue nails! You did a fab job making your eyes stand out. Gorgeous look… and how on earth do you manage not to have dark circles?
Thanks so much Mel, ooh I have them but they’re well hidden thanks to No 7! x
I’m either no makeup whatsoever (not braveness, just laziness), or an absolute ton of it, often with what appears to be an evening look in the daytime. I like loads of dark eye makeup and dark lips. Would love to see this No 7 makeup in a vlog, Vicki. Incidentally, I never get compliments on how great I look without makeup. I recently walked into my mum’s house with a bare face; mum’s reaction: “gosh, you look rough. Are you ill?” Charming.
I can be like that Fiona, tiredness means no make up in the day or loads! My Mum can be like that too, aren’t they lovely x
Yup! Want an honest opinion? Go ask mum!
My Mum is the same although she told me how nice I looked barefaced the other day whereas she does encourage a bit of colour, it’s more from a ‘give yourself a life perspective’ and funny as she was never into make up when I was growing up! I’ve created a monster! Don’t understand re swearing!!! x