Sleek Makeup Foundation Matching Day

The day before yesterday, I had a meeting at the British Library. Most serendipitously, Sleek Makeup were holding a foundation matching challenge just over the road. So after my meeting I popped in, but not before sceptically tweeting that "even Mac have had problems matching me, so I'll post a right challenge!"

I was greeted by the lovely glam Sleek Ladies, and asked to fill in a questionaire (my mind went TOTALLY blank on favourite British musical artist and I still don't know who it is!) I was plied with gorgeous cupcakes and delicious fizz and asked to take my time picking out a shade I thought was right for me out of a wide range of pans.

I was interested to note that the Sleek Ladies observed me picking and wrote notes. I guess they were investigating how women test foundations and how long they take. And, of course, how accurately women select shades for themselves.

Because after I picked a shade (quite impulsively, and without, as I usually do, checking in outside natural light - think it was the feeling of being watched) one lovely Sleek Lady came to see how I did and to help me pick the right one. Unlike a lot of Asian girls I actually picked out a shade that was wayyy too dark for me! (I'm so used to Bengali brides looking like geishas because the foundation that's been used on them is so pale. It looks so terrible!) But it took the Sleek Lady (whose name I asked but have forgotten - I think Sasha?) picked out a shade for me in seconds - Mocha. It blended in completely and I was really impressed with the colour match - usually shades are always a tiny bit yellow or orange, never quite right. But this was invisible, totally.

And it wasn't because they hadn't applied much. The cream-to-powder texture was a bit heavy in fact - I could feel it on my skin but I never wear foundation so that might just be me. Anyhow, I was heartened to find out that all the colours would be available in two finishes, the cream to powder compact, and a liquid in a pump bottle, which I guess will be lighter (I hope so!) Both will retail at the completely bargainous £6.99 but won't be out until the end of the year. I'll definitely be getting my bunny paws on the liquid version!

We were treated to goodie bags for taking part - I'm chuffed to add the Curious and Acid palettes and 2 eye dusts to my growing Sleek collection (next on list - the berry toned Pout Polish, I adore my pink one!)

Thank you Sleek for a fun event, lovely goodies, and making products us darker skinned girls have been crying out for on the high street!

Putting the "Rabbit" into "Postcolonial Rabbit"

My affinity with rabbits is difficult to explain. As pets, I prefer cats. When I did the "what's your daemon quiz" when The Golden Compass film came out (sadly no longer working) I was informed it is in fact a very cool ocelot.

But my best friend and I have a theory that predates His Dark Materials (but not, erm, The Power Rangers) that everyone has a power animal, one that they embody in a combination of physical attributes and behaviour. According to my nearest and dearest, there is something quite rabbit-y about me. I have lines on my nose because I tend to scrunch it a lot and my front teeth are quite pronounced. I guess my approach to life is to "hop" through it: taking each obstacle at a time, always with an eye (ear?) to the whimsical and the silly. And I do like to talk, a lot, about everything and anything.

As a result, I am (rather narcissistically) attracted to anything that bears a rabbit print, particularly if it's a little whimsical in nature. I have one rabbit printed dress in my possession, which is really the most "me" dress I own, given it is empire-line, purple and teal, and a bit quirky, courtesy of Orion (oh how I wish I'd bought the black/cream/burgundy version now). Here is an old picture of me in it (it only gets an airing once in a while as it is so loved):

Anyway, the influence of Miu Miu's wonderful wonderful SS10 collection has meant a whole bunch of cute quirky prints have been appearing on the high street. Some of which feature rabbits! Hooray! So I did a Polyvore montage featuring some of them. I would dearly love to own the KG heels, but alas, the price plus general impracticality of them mean that it will remain an unrequited passion. Not as sure that will be the case with the black dress and the scarf though...

Rabbit Prints by nazneen372 featuring Yumi dresses

Lake District Dress, $118
boohoo.com | Womens Fashion Clothes | Womens Clothing, 20 GBP
INDIE, 130 GBP
Alice in Wonderland Charm Necklace, 28 GBP
Buy Oasis Rabbit Print Scarf, Pink online at JohnLewis.com - John..., 8 GBP
V&A Victoria Albert Museum > Main Section > Shop by theme > Summer..., 9 GBP
Heal's | Anorak Kissing Rabbits Scatter Cushion > Cushions > Soft..., 35 GBP
Ryanlerch Alice In Wonderland The White Rabbit - royalty free online...

Apologies

I have been a very bad blogger of late. Life, and work in particular, have taken over, and have left me too tired to think of new posts to write. Added to that, I've been on a nail polish ban to fix my horribly peeling, flaking nails so haven't even had the chance to try out my new OPI Jade is the New Black! She pouts.


But though I can't promise a massive upsurge of posts (still busy on the work front) I'm definitely feeling a bit more inspired.

So, to make me stick to my word, here's a few posts I'm planning:

Prints Charming (snapshots of my favourite quirky prints in my wardrobe)
All things Rabbit (inspired by The Doll on Fashion's post on flamingo prints, a rabbit version)
Quick Product Reviews
Musings on A Suitable Boy
Hair Routine
FoTDs
30 Days - 30 of my favourite things in 30 days (inspired by Laura)

and a brilliant new feature Bartimaeus thought up called "Match of the Day" about accessorising!

Thanks for sticking with me!

Birthday celebrations in photos

Birthday Outfit, Nails and FOTD

This is what I wore for my party with my friends on Friday. You'll have to do some imagining to put it all together because typically I do not have a full-length picture of me in the dress, shoes AND makeup! I went for a 50's "jungle-tropical"ish theme.

Shrug (Ebay), print of dress (Ebay), and necklace (H&M):

Outfit and and my beloved glitter Dorothy shoes (Office) (there's a net petticoat under my dress which makes it poof out fabulously!):

Toes (Models Own Emerald City on top of Models Own Slate Green):

Fingers (Models Own Purple Poppy):

Makeup: