Review: No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

Hi All!

Product:
No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

It's Purpose:
For curvy lashes with a sexy flutter. Lashes watch out – the latest mascara offering from No7 will coax them to a more beautifully curved and volumised look, with long lasting curl!

My Thoughts:
I am a virgin to No7 mascara's so given the opportunity to review the newest mascara to hit No7's shelves as my first ever to try I was keen to do so. By the name of the product I thought it would be perfect given the type of lashes I personally feel make my eyes look good and frame them well.

The emphasis on this mascara is that it curls and volumises at the same time. I decided to test it out for a week to get the full effect of what it can actually do for both day and night looks. For the daytime a natural, curled looked is what I obtained. It was just right and only needed two coats to get this look.

In all honesty for a night time look it is not the mascara for me, it doesn't give me that va va voom effect. Now even using my own technique of appying mascara to gain this look; which is to start at the root of my lashes and extended upwards in a back and forth motion across all lashes, I did not achieve my desired long and thick lashes.

However, I do think with this mascara you will get the curl but not so much the volume. This is my own opinion and what sort of look I want on my eyes. I do not feel that if you want to buy this mascara that you shouldn't because it does curl! Unfortunately I would not purchase this as I can not build up the mascara enough for a dramatic look. To end on a positive note I will continue to use this for the daytime as I can not fault it there!


Doma-Nikki...x

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Miss Asian America Makeup Artist, Kansinee, Gives Back!

San Francisco Bay Area-based professional makeup artist Kansinee’s early aspirations were directly related to art and design, so her decision to pursue a career in the makeup industry felt like a natural decision.  Kansinee believes in enhancing the natural beauty that a woman already possesses. And, she has plenty of experience doing this. She's worked with a number of very beautiful women.

One of her clients, Chelsea Kuo, was awarded “Miss Congeniality” at Miss Asian America in 2008.

Kansinee's client, Chelse Kuo

She is also responsible for Amanda Lee’s beautiful makeup. Amanda was awarded 1^st Princess at Miss Asian America last year.

Kansinee's Client, Amanda Lee 

Being around all of this beauty has been inspirational for her, but we were impressed with the beauty that Kansinee puts out into the world in her time outside of the pageant circuit.

Kansinee is a major animal lover, advocate, and protector. She uses only cruelty-free cosmetic lines in both her personal and professional life, with her top picks being: Smashbox, Urban Decay, MAC, and Organic Makeup.

I asked her what led to her decision to go cruelty free, and what motivates her to volunteer to work with animals?

Kansinee: “I've been a vegetarian for 6 years, and I believe in compassionate for all. Animal cruelty for one's own beauty is unacceptable. “

Kansinee’s volunteer work with animals includes: 

• Homeless Cat Network - 3 years (2004-07)
• Animal Care & Control San Francisco - 1 year (2008)
• IDA In Defense of Animals, Bay Area Vegetarians - occasionally join their leaflet events whenever possible (2004 - present) 

You can view Kansinee’s blog, business services (including Bridal and Fashion) and pricing at:

http://beautybugmakeup.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Kansinee, for all that you do to make the world a beautiful place!

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Competition Winner: £50 Spartoo Voucher

Hi All!!!

The time came for me to pick the winner of my £50 voucher giveaway for the online shoe store Spartoo. After the competition entry deadline ended at midnight on Valentines Day I wrote up all entrants names and randomly picked a winner. I can now announce the winner of the voucher giveaway competition as *drum roll*....

Cat from Reaching for the Stars...

Congratulations Cat I really hope you find something fabulous on the site to purchasing using the £50 voucher. I have no doubt you will find something amongst the many brands on offer.

I also want to say thank you to the girlies who entered my competition and posted about it on their blogs. I will be hosting a lot more giveaways this year for my readers as I think it's nice to give something back to you all- so look out for that.

I hope to see a post soon on Cat's blog about the item(s) she picks from Spartoo!

Happy Shopping!!

Doma-Nikki....x

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Wishlist: Christian Louboutin

Hi All!!

Neon brights are back in this Summer and once I saw these I fell in love....

Christian Louboutin why do you do this to me? I wish I could afford these!!


Doma-Nikki...x

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Blog Competition: £50 voucher giveaway CLOSED!

Hi All!!

So the opportunity to enter this competition has now closed, I will post tomorrow evening who the winner is after I have chosen the winning name out of a hat! I'm off to watch 'True Grit tonight with the other half otherwise I would announce the winner now!

I have my fingers crossed for you all!


Doma-Nikki....x

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Makeup Mondays With Mario: Smokey Eyes For Dark Complexions

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

I love the soft, natural smokey eyes you do on Kim Kardashian but have trouble re-creating them on my dark skin (my complexion is closer to Gabrielle Union or Jessica White) - it always comes out too dark and muddy. Can you give me some ideas on color selection to best re-create a soft, smokey eye for my skin tone? And can I use Eye M Glam or will it be too light for me?

Thank You SO MUCH,
Niki 

Niki,

Here's how you can easily rock soft smokey eyes. First start by evening out the lids a primer or concealer and set with powder. This step will prevent the muddy look you mentioned. Try a rich copper or deep bronze shadow (shimmery or satin finish) all over your lids below the crease. Blend that with a clean brush going up slightly above the crease. Using a small brush, sweep the same shadow along the lower lash line. Line the inner rim of eyes and the base of the lower lashes with a black pencil and also line the lids. Blend the pencil softly so there's no sharp lines. You want the black line to blend up into the copper shadow. Do the same with the bottom but this time blending downward into the shadow.

You can use Eye M Glam on your skin tone for sure as its a sheer highlighter. To polish the look, place some right on the inner corners of the eyes and a bit on the brow bone. Finish off with mascara on top and bottom.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays With Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

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Le Col Cashmere Giveaway!

I don't know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods – but these days, Philadelphia is pretty much indistinguishable from the Arctic tundra. It's the kind of cold where you pile on whatever is warm – no matter how frumpy dumpy it makes you look. Lucky for me (and my sense of style), I recently became acquainted with a cold weather accessory that is both toasty warm and tres chic!

Le Col Cashmere is an affordable luxury, made of 100% cashmere and finished by hand in a traditional French torsade pattern. The updated twist on the winter scarf provides even more comfort than the standard cold weather accessory due to its construction. The tube scarf’s seamless "pullover" style, as opposed to the standard wrap-around scarf, provides full coverage and protection. So whether you're riding the streets on your Vespa or simply out for an afternoon stroll, Le Col Cashmere's snood will keep you toasty warm on even the most blistering cold days.

"In addition to its practical sensibility, the product is non-gender specific and therefore appeals to both men and women who are looking to show off their personal sense of style during the winter months," explains Ruben Auszenkier, Le Col Cashmere co-founder and General Manager Europe.

The must-have style of the season is available in two equally comfortable and flattering silhouettes – the signature Le Col Cashmere snood and Le Grand Col Cashmere's extra long snood - and five gorgeous shades (I own the camel).

You can own one too because, this week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Le Col Cashmere and one reader will win a Le Col Cashmere snood in his/her choice of color!!!

Enter to win by leaving a message in the comments section. Make sure to include your email or another way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky!

Contest is open to U.S. residents. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Sunday, February 20, 2011. Good luck!

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