My Guest Post for Color U Bold

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...just in case you missed it, I had the extreme honour of guest posting for Jasmine over the Valentine's day festivities.

She is a total babe and such an inspiration.  Her posts are colourful, unique and quirky and I will never tire of reading them. 

Here is the link back to her guest post on my blog;  


Romantic to Seductive by Jasmine from @ColourUBold


and for those of you who would like to see my offering...

>> here's the link to my guest post on Jasmine's blog;


If you are not following +Color U Bold make sure you change that....cos she is totally amazing!


Coastal Scents Palette "Revealed" :) *Review*

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This palette is so versatile; it features a selection of both shimmer & matte shades which can create both subtle daytime looks as well as dramatic smokey eyes.

Many people have compared the shades in this palette to the Urban Decay Naked & Naked 2 palettes, claiming that Coastal Scents have managed to recreate rather viable dupes for many of the shades.  Unfortunately I haven't got either of the UD palettes to compare but I'll be honest I have seen many other blog reviews and from their swatches I would tend to agree.

I had been searching for a neutral palette that packs a punch in terms of pigments and variation of colours.  This baby does not disappoint!

You can pick up this palette directly via the CS website for a very attractive price; $19.95 (currently on sale) or even through Amazon for £25.00 with free delivery!


The outer cardboard packaging mirrors the palette; displaying the same image, the palette itself was wrapped in bubble wrap for added protection :)


CS didn't name the shades which in my opinion is a real shame. So I have numbered the shades for ease.

Numbers 1, 4, 5, 7, 11 & 17 are all matte shades.
All the other numbers have a shimmer to the shade.

I will try and describe the colours for you below;








1 - Matte - Beige
2 - Shimmer - Nude/Pink
3 - Shimmer - Dusky Pink
4 - Matte - Taupe
5 - Matte - Mushroom
6 - Shimmer - Mushroom
7 - Matte - Light Brown
8 - Shimmer - Light Copper
9 - Shimmer - Dark Gold
10 - Shimmer - Silver/Gold
11 - Matte - Black
12 - Shimmer - Grey/Silver
13 - Shimmer - Brown
14 - Shimmer - Rose Gold
15 - Shimmer - Pewter
16 - Shimmer - Red/Brown
17 - Matte - Dark Brown
18 - Shimmer - Dark Silver
19 - Shimmer - Bronze/Dark Gold
20 - Shimmer - Bronze

Here is a look I created using only this palette.  I used 7 as a base.  I layered 8 into the inner corner and smoked out using 13 & 11.  I used 4 and a dash of 2 as a brow bone highlight and finally 2 in my inner duct.


I added a splash of colour by adding +MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam Lipstick lined with Cork lip liner.


I love this palette, it does make me wanna go by the UD Naked palettes just to see if they do dupe as easy as everyone says!  Honestly though, if you are looking for a good collection of nudes & shimmer shades then this baby is just the ticket!  I'm actually dreading hitting pan on this one!!

Have you tried this palette?  What did you think?  

*Review* MUA Lipsticks

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If you were to delve into my make up collection you would probably assume that (quite rightly so) I am totally in love with +MUAcosmeticsTV products. Their lipsticks are no exception. 



I initially started building my MUA lipstick family over a year ago.  At the time I had never worn a bright red lippy so I thought that I would ease myself in with a reasonably priced one rather than dishing out for an expensive one.  By first purchase would have been Shade 13; a gorgeously daring red.   I had picked it up from Superdrug at a steal of a price; just £1!  What a bargain!  The texture had quite a creamy consistency, far thicker than I had imagined for the price and I must admit, with it being such a low price I hadn't held out much hope.  I was blown away by the quality. The colour was highly pigmented & it had a gorgeous vanilla scent.  I imagined that it would dry out my lips but it was quite the opposite. My lips felt lovely and moisturised.  The staying power of the lippy was the only downfall, but when it only costs a pound you can reapply to your hearts content.  The packaging caught my eye, on the rack they looked far more expensive than the price tag.  It was only when I got home that I realised that the bottom of the lippy had a sample pot screwed into the bottom, This is quite a novel quirk, I'm not entirely sure what it was designed for, but it's a cool feature in my opinion.

I had instantly fallen in love.  So much so that the very next day I set my self a mission to buy every shade they offer.  Superdrug always seem to sell out both online & in store so quickly, so I haven't completed my collection, but it's a work in progress.

I would thoroughly recommend these lipsticks.  They are extremely good quality & impeccable value and the shades are beautiful.  There are definitely some which are not the best colours for me, but that won't stop my buying them all!

You can pick up these babies at ANY +Superdrug store, online via their website or via the MUA website directly.




Shade 1

 

















Shade 3







Shade 7


Shade 8









 Shade 9










 Shade 13



Shade 16









Shades from left to right; Shade 16, Shade 13, Shade 9, Shade 8, Shade 7, Shade 3 & Shade 1




Have you got any of these lipsticks, what do you think of them?

The #BeautyKnowsNoSize Tag - my response...

#beautyknowsnosize
+Leah XL Channel thought up this amazing idea to promote a Tag for all bloggers to get the message out that Beauty knows no size.

 If you wanna get involved you can find all the questions in her blog post here...

 Here is my response video; I challenge all of you bloggers out there to respond too :)

Make sure to tag #BeautyKnowsNoSize so we can see your response.

 Lovage 
XoXo

A Little New Year's Giveaway

#KatsNYGiveaway
I have been astounded by the feedback & comments I have had so far on my Blog.  When I look at my stats I am brimming with excitement to see my little idea to start this blog, blossom & I truly hope that it does continue to grow.  I have so many posts lined up and I cannot wait to share them all with you.

When I started blogging, I never for one second did it for followers or publicity, I just want to meet new people, make new friends and share my love for life, beauty, fashion and all other things with like-minded people.  I feel humbled by the love I have been shown so far.

So as a little New Year's gift to you all, I have created a little giveaway as my way of saying "thank you"

To enter;
Follow me on Bloglovin' & Instagram
Share this picture on your Instagram and use the following tag;
#KatsNYGiveaway 
AND
make sure to tag me in your photo; @kat_v_henry



1 winner will be chosen at random at Midday (12:00 GMT) on 01/01/2015

 Entry Criteria;
This is an international giveaway.
Anyone can enter.
You must be following me on both Bloglovin' & Instagram at the time of draw & postage.
Only one entry per person will be counted.

 *Disclaimer*
All products have been purchased myself, no items have been sponsored.




Mini MAC Haul

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For my leaving gift from my last job I was very kindly given a MAC gift card which gave me good enough reason to do a little shopping.

Over the last few years I have been lusting over 2 MAC products that seem to be always out of stock in store but I really want to test in person before buying online; Gold Deposit & Lustre Drops, so yet again off I went with the hopes of finding those two items.  Much to my dismay they did not have either despite them both being on display! #GoFigure

So...I consulted a sales rep who will be referred to as "MAC Lady" and asked her to assist me in finding a powder face product that I could use daily rather than a liquid product.  We wandered over to the liquid foundations *raised eyebrow* did she not hear me?? Where she proceeded to tell me that for the coverage I was looking for (at this point we had not discussed my coverage requirements so I figured she must be psychic!) Liquid foundation was a must.

Now I have no issues with a hard sale but if I ask for something specific please listen!
So after I had reiterated myself we finally managed to address the task in hand.

Some say I am lucky because I technically have a neutral undertone, I personally disagree I find it harder to match colours to me especially in MAC. Sometimes I have been told that I seem to have a very pink/red/gold undertone so I have been matched to NW (Neutral Warm) shades!? (I swear pink is cool?) I also have on occasion displayed cooler undertones which they indicated as yellow/blue (I could've sworn yellow was warm?!) leading reps to believe I should opt for NC (Neutral Cool) shades. Now I am no Pro on this matter so I am simply stating what I have been told and upon researching this I figured this was all wrong!!

In an attempt to gain further clarity, I tried the wrist vein test and that complicated matters further; one hand displayed blueish veins whilst the other seemed rather green! Like WTAF! Am I dead?

Anyways, I digress...so the MAC lady finally swatched the Studio Fix powder in an NW48 and came to the conclusion that this was the one and applied it to my entire face. It looked a little dark on first application but after an hour or so the colour seemed to settle and I was happy with the medium coverage it offered. 








After the ordeal of the powder debacle I found solace in the lipstick section and after swatching many shades I announced to the same MAC lady brimming with confidence that I would like the shade "Ruby Woo" in Matte to which her face dropped and she simply uttered..."but babe I don't think it's your colour!"

...oh honey.... I make you very wrong...

"I look FABULOUS...darling!"


What's in my #NotSoSecretSantaSwap Box

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I am thoroughly chuffed about the items +Leah XL Channel picked for me.

Here is everything I got;

Cherimoya Gel Eyeliner in Black - I tried this out today and I am impressed.  The mini brush is a little awkward but it is very handy.  The product is thick yet glides on effortlessly. I can tell we are going to be great friends!

A handy desk tidy which I have already found a use for.  I needed another brush holder, so this couldn't have come at a better time.  When I saw Leah talk about this on one of her haul vids I was eyeing it up, so I was so pleased when I opened it!

Khroma "Shebang" Quick Transformation Kit.  I haven't used this product yet, I'm saving it for an occasion where I need to use the lashes - so perhaps my Christmas Party?  It's taken from the Kardashian Make up line for which production has had to be halted due to legalities around the brand name.  :( Oh well, I didn't understand the relevance of "Khroma" anyways!


Next is a travel size pot of Philosophy's "Hope in a Jar"  I have heard great things about this product.  It has a gorgeous scent and silky texture, I cannot wait to use it.

3 x Rimmel London Apocalips - Lip Laquers.
I already love the middle colour; Stellar, so the addition of the Nude Eclipse & Apocaliptic is welcome in my make up case :)

Swatches - From top to bottom; Nude Eclipse, Stellar, Apocaliptic.





I also got a Chocolate Shimmer Bronzer & two eyeshadow palettes; Go Palette & Go to Hell Palette
I haven't had the chance to swatch these yet.


My little bit of sparkle was provided by a lovely little bracelet with little diamante-like stones in the bow



Next was a Makeup Revolution Mono eyeshadow in the shade; "Blow your Whistle"  It's a little wild for me and out of my comfort zone, but I am sure I can "werk" the colour in somehow over the festive period! :)


The next few products I love, love, love! Here is the Rimmel London Colour Rush in the shade "Rumour has it"  This balm is so rich and the colour is quite intense.  I can see me using this a lot!

Below are 4 Makeup Revolution Lip Glosses - as below from left to right; (swatches from top to bottom)
"Must be Strong", "Hush Hush", "Baby Try" & "Not Naive"
I LOVE these glosses, they have a distinct fruity scent which takes me back to my school days & smell good enough to eat!  They are a lot more pigmented then I had imagined. They have a creamy yet sheer consistency which left my lips                                 feeling moisturised rather than dry like other lip glosses.







Next we have my accessory; a pair of "Kat''' Ears.  I love these!  How apt! (Excuse the bare-faced selfie - I had to show them off!

Leah was naughty and bought me two high end products; this Elizabeth Arden, Maximum Volum Mascara is fabulous and so thick.  This may just replace my current mascara for day to day use!
















...and last but by no mean least... my high end item;  a gorgeous YSL travel palette.  This has a very handy mirror and contains; 4 eyeshadows, two lipsticks & a blush/highlight & 3 applicators.  The packaging tops it off - I love the leather covering it is so eyecatching.  I hope the colours work for me!

I am so glad that Leah agreed to swap with me. Every product is lovely and I am very grateful that she took the time to pick them. I have found Leah to be a kind and beautiful lady and I am honoured to have shared this experience with her.

My box has just arrived at her house, so I wait in eager anticipation of her unboxing video.

Hope she loves it as much as I loved mine!!