Lush Wishlist

Winter is the season I fall in love with baths. On a cold, dark evening there's nothing better than running a hot bath and relaxing. Even though I find going into Lush stores pretty intense, and the strong scent scares me off I do adore their products and they make baths so much more amazing.

Here are some Lush products I've got my eye on -

The Comforter 
This is a bubble bar, you break a bit off under running water and it creates gorgeous bubbles whilst turning the water a nice colour and smelling wonderful. I'm a sucker for berry scents, which this is, and whenever I smell it in the shop it makes me feel all calm and relaxed.

Luxury Lush Pud
This is a bath bomb that makes me feel so festive. The scents are calming and warm with lavender and essential oils. It'll also turn your bath all sorts of pastel colours!

King Of Skin
Sometimes moisturising is a chore, especially when you're in a lazy mood and can't wait for it to sink in. King Of Skin is a body butter that you smooth over wet skin and then wash it off, it'll leave your skin silky smooth and smelling lovely. It's got nourishing ingredients like banana and avocado and exfoliating, soothing ingredients like oats and cocoa butter.

You've Been Mangoed
I adore mango, so obviously this bath melt jumped right out at me! The ingredients are designed to wake up the skin and help you feel nourished and hydrated. There's mango butter, cocoa butter, lemon oil, avocado butter and almond oil…dreamy right!

What's your favourite Lush product?

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Ultimate Christmas Wish List | 2014

Happy December! The countdown to Christmas has begun. 

It's tradition for bloggers to do Christmas wish list posts, right?! So, here's mine for 2014.

As always I'd like to clarify that I don't expect any of these, it's simply a fun post to do at Christmas time and it might give you a couple of ideas if you're looking to get people gifts, or you may even see something you'd like yourself.

Bag
I quite desperately need a new bag. The one I currently have is one I love, but the zips broken and it's falling to pieces really. I've never bought a Zara bag before, but I know they're brilliant quality and I love the look of this one. But a cheaper, and lovely looking other one is this from H&M.

NARS Sheer Glow 
Have I mentioned this enough? I tried a sample of this foundation in the shade Mont Blanc and I fell in love.

Clarins Exfoliating Toner  
I'm ashamed to admit I don't currently have a toner…and I exfoliate my face less than I should. Every review I've read about this product has been outstanding, and it sounds perfect for me.

YSL Black Opium 
It was love at first sniff. This perfume is gorgeous!

Soap and Glory stuff 
A classic. I've run out of all my Soap & Glory products, I'd love some more of their body butter and body wash…their scrubs are pretty fab too. The 'smoothie' scent is amazing.

Hair Straighteners 
I always curl my hair with a waving wa
nd, but because I have layers I get the inevitable flicks which I have to tame with straighteners. I currently have to steal my sisters….sorry Maddie.

Dressing Gown 
Who doesn't want a snuggly, cosy dressing gown for the cold months?!

Purse 
My current purse has been with me for years…it's a bit battered. Any simple, nice, chunky, quite plain purse with plenty of space for money and masses of cards would be great.

MAC Lipstick - Creme In Your Coffee
I really want a MAC lipstick that's an everyday shade. Creme in your Coffee is a gorgeous pinky brown shade that would be ideal. Who doesn't love a MAC lipstick?!


The Mystery Of Mercy Close 
I always like to get a new book for Christmas, and this one by Marian Keyes is on my wishlist.

Topshop Jumper
I need more snuggly jumpers, and I love the colour of this…surprise, surprise…it's grey.

Yoga Mat 
I took up yoga earlier this year and I've become addicted to it. The benefits are get from doing it are amazing, but I need a mat! A towel doesn't really cut it. They do some good ones at TK MAXX.

What are you hoping will be under your

tree this Christmas?

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My New Red

I've always struggled to find a red lipstick that I like, either they make me look washed out, they don't suit my skintone, I don't like how they wear or I just don't feel comfortable in them. On a recent trip to Boots I was drawn towards the new L'Oreal Collection Exclusive Pure Reds (£6.99), this collection is similar to their Collection Privee Exclusive Nudes. The range has 4 different reds, all designed to suit different celebrities skin tones, the idea is you choose which skin tone is most similar to yours and that red should be perfect for you.
I picked up Eva's red. My skin is a lot paler than Eva Longoria's, but it's warm toned and to be honest I just loved the look of the lipstick. It's a pure brick red, with a gorgeously matte finish, and I adore it.

I think I'm quite fussy with reds because I'm fairly pale with olive undertones to my skin, I hate reds that aren't matte as well, I can't stand bold lipsticks that fade quickly or go patchy and I don't want to spend too much on reds as I'm never sure if I'm going to like them or not.
The L'Oreal collection caught my eye because I knew they'd be at least one I liked the look of…some of the shades are too pink based or too cool, but Eva's just stood out to me instantly.
The packaging of products is what draws me to them at first, I know you shouldn't judge a product by the packaging but I'm definitely guilty of doing so. The packaging of this lipstick is probably my favourite of all the lipsticks I own, it feels expensive, the lid clicks on so there's no fear of it coming off in your makeup bag and it's also really pretty with Eva's signature on the front.
The bullet is shaped really nicely, meaning it's easy to apply without needing a lipliner, yay for less faffing about when you're in a rush!
The application is perfect, it goes on so smoothly, evenly and doesn't feel sticky, tacky or drying.
The wear is damn good! I put it on at about 5:30pm the other night, I went out, had drinks and even some nibbles and when I checked at about 8:15pm the lipstick still looked almost perfect. The boldness had faded slightly, but it was even and looked pretty great…I'm very impressed! This is probably down to it being a matte formulation, and I also applied it by dabbing it into my lips first, then applying a full on layer….those things definitely help with lipstick longevity.
The colour is beautiful. It's a true red, with no blue or pinky undertones to it. If anything it's a lighter shade of brick red, that I think would suit more or less any skin tone. It's matte, bold, and can be built up or sheered down.

I'd definitely recommend trying one of the four lipsticks out from this range, I think I'm even going to go back and get a second one!

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Holy Grail High Street/Drugstore Foundation

It's taken me a while to find a high street foundation that I actually love and would repurchase again and again. I've tried quite a few cheaper foundations over the years, and none have impressed me that much, until I tried the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation.

With no makeup (I have redness and spot scarring)

Wearing only Bourjois Healthy Mix

There's quite a lot of hype around this product, but I put off buying it for a while as it is on the pricer side of high street foundations….it's £9.99, which isn't expensive but considering I'd been using the Rimmel foundations which are £4 cheaper it did seem like a leap.
But I took the plunge and bought it back in the Spring, and I'm so glad I did!

I purchased the Healthy Mix foundation in the lightest shade of Light Vanilla, which actually isn't that pale….that's the only complaint I have about this line, the shade range isn't brilliant.
Light Vanilla is slightly yellow toned, which suits my skin as I have olive undertones, and it's light but not so light that it would work on a very pale skinned girl.
The packaging is great. Pump - check, proper lid - check, non-cheap feeling bottle - check. Winner.
The scent is fruity, but not artificial. Healthy Mix is enriched with fruit therapy formulas; apricot for radiance, melon for hydration and apple to 'protect your youth'.
The coverage is medium, in my opinion. I've seen that most people say it's a light coverage, which it can be if it's sheered down, but on me and the way I apply it (with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) definitely gives me enough coverage for everyday wear. The finish it gives is natural, but glowing; not matte but not so dewy that you look sweaty either. I find it particularly great at minimising the appearance of pores and boosting complexion. It doesn't feel at all heavy or sticky on the skin either.
The consistency isn't runny like a quite a few lighter foundations, but it's not thick either. It's very easy to work into the skin, and blends seamlessly.
The wear Bourjois claim is up to 16 hours….who even wears their foundation for that long anyway?! 16 hours wear definitely is not the case on my skin - there's sure signs of fading away during the day, but not enough that it bothers me. By the end of the day (without any touch ups) the foundation is still there, it's just not as strong a coverage. Powdering obviously helps with the longevity.
The skin type Healthy Mix foundation would suit is probably anyone! A friend of mine with oily skin uses this and adores it, I have dry, sensitive skin and I adore it also.

I can't really fault it, and I can't see myself straying from it any time soon. It's a must-have for me!  

Well done, Bourjois. 

'One Of Each' Wishlist

I decided to put a spin on this wishlist post, so I'm allowing myself only one item per category to make it a little more varied and maybe a bit more interested.

Clothing
Ever since this gorgeous dressed graced the Topshop website I've had the tab open, endless staring at it…is that sad? I adore the style, the colour and the simplicity of this dress. I think it could be dressed up or dressed down to look more casual. I saw it in the shop too, it looks and feels very well made, the fabric is thick and expensive feeling and the colour is warm and vibrant.
The only issue is the price…£45! I mean, you can get 10% off if you're a student but that's still a lot of money. *Prays it goes into the sale*

Makeup
NARS Sheer Glow…a beauty bloggers favourite, a cult classic and a makeup product I need in my collection. I tried a tester of this foundation in Mont Blanc and totally adored it, now I would very much like the full sized bottle.

Accessory
Since I lost weight all my rings, apart from my beloved Pandora ring, are too big for me…so I need some more. These silver ones from ASOS are quite unusual and I love the look of them.

Skincare
I've heard a fair few people rave about the PIXI Glow Tonic - bloggers, skincare experts, random people on twitter, and after hearing it's promises I've decided it sounds like a product for me. It's an exfoliating and brightening toner that removes dead skin cells and leaves the skin looking and feeling healthier.

Fragrance
I've mentioned before that I'm very fussy with scents, I don't like anything too sweet, too floral, too musky or too mature. When in Boots the other day I did the obligatory spraying of all the fragrances in the perfume section of the shop. After getting a whiff of Black Opium by Yves Saint Lauren I proceeded to not only spray myself with it, but douse my scarf in the stuff so it hopefully would linger around for a long time. My goodness this perfume smells good! It's got notes of black coffee, white florals and vanilla….SO good, and perfect for all year round. Also, how amazing is the bottle?!

What are you currently wishing for?

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Benefit's Primping With Stars REVIEW

I love Benefit as a brand, I think they have brilliant products with great packaging and they always come out with amazing sets. So you can probably understand my excitement when I received their Primping With The Stars set*!

Primping With The Stars (£26.50) is a kit containing Benefit's best 'fake-it' products in sample form, there's the They're Real mascara, Stay Don't Stray primer for concealer and eyeshadow, Benetint lip & cheek stain, Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation faker, Girls Meets Pearl liquid highlighter and the POREfessional PRO balm that minimises pores.
As well as getting 6 of Benefits best selling products the kit also includes a tips and tricks booklet that shows you exactly how to apply each product.

I especially like Benefits kits because it means you can try out a few of their products before going to buy the full size. Benefit  are quite an expensive brand, so it's nice to be able to try out 6 of their products that would all be around £20 each for £26.50, then if you like them you can purchase the full size!

Now, onto what I actually think of the products themselves.
I was excited to try the Stay Don't Stray primer for concealer and eyeshadow, as my concealer seems to fade quickly and eyeshadow has a habit of creasing. Unfortunately I wasn't impressed…it did absolutely nothing for eyeshadow, it creased like mad…maybe even more than without the primer! I did notice my concealer went on smoother under my eyes though.
The POREfessional primer is one of my favourite products from Benefit. I know quite a lot of people dislike it for the silicon feel it has, but I find if you don't use too much it's really effective at minimising pores and helping foundation to last. I don't use it too often as primers can really clog up the skin, but it's a fantastic product for those days when you want your skin to look flawless!
The Some Kind-A Gorgeous foundation faker is the kind of product I don't have much of an opinion on. It's very average. I found the colour quite orange, but that aside it's a nice creamy texture that smooths onto the skin nicely, it just barely does anything for me. I'll be keeping it for lazy at home days!
Ahhh Benetint, this was Benefits first ever product and one of their bestsellers. It's a lip and cheek tint in a bright pink colour, not something I usually go for, but it's gorgeous. Used on the lips it creates a stain, I do find your lips have to be in perfect condition otherwise it does emphasis dryness, and on the cheeks (used very carefully!) creates a pretty flush. I can see myself getting a lot of use out of Benefit in Spring/Summer.
Girl Meets Pearl is a highlighter I've wanted in my collection for a while now. It's in liquid form, which I really like as it really helps give that dewy, healthy look to the skin. The colour is a soft golden-pink with pearl…it's so pretty! I tend to only use a dab, and it makes me look a lot more naturally radiant.
Last but not least is the famous They're Real Mascara…the UK's best-selling mascara! I had actually tried this product before, and I think it's great. I normally don't like plastic brushes, like this one has, but the wand grips my lashes well and creates long, full lashes. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try if you haven't already!


All in all this is a great kit, and a bargain for all the products you get - even if they are sample sized! It'd make a fabulous Christmas gift, or a treat for yourself.

What's your favourite Benefit

product?

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Top 5 Beauty Advent Calendars 2014

I know, I know, it's still October….but November is just around the corner and then it'll be 1st December before we know it! Plus, beauty advent calendars are notorious for selling out insanely fast. So I found what I think are the best 5 beauty advent calendars, take your pick and give yourself a treat every day in December during the lead up to Christmas.

1. The Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar - £85
The priciest of the bunch, but full of amazing mini sized products. There's a selection of makeup, skincare and fragrances from high-end brands such as Yves Saint Lauren, Kiehl's, Lancôme, Urban Decay and more.

2. The Body Shop Advent Calendar - £50
I loved the look of The Body Shop's advent calendar last year, and the 2014 one doesn't look like it'll disappoint either. Every day leading up to Christmas you'll get one of their best-selling products, ranging from nail polish, to hand cream, to fragrance, and of course face & body care items.

3. No. 7 Beauty Advent Calendar - £35
Due to the price, and the fact you get 25 mini No. 7 products this one is very tempting, and I can see it being very popular. 2014 is the first year No.7 have brought out an advent calendar, and it looks great. Behind every door there is miniature version of their best products, including eyeliner, lip products, nail polish and more.

4. Benefit Advent Calendar - £60
Probably the most popular of all the beauty advent calendars, and for good reason. Benefit is a great brand, with amazing products. Behind each of the 24 doors you get a mini of their best selling products, that include the bestselling They're Real Mascara, Watt's Up! highlighter, Benetint, Ultra Plush lipgloss and plenty more.

5. Freedom at Topshop Jewellery Advent Calendar - £25
Not strictly a 'beauty' advent calendar, but one I'm sure you'd all be interested in. It's 24 days of getting a piece of Topshop jewellery! There's earrings, bracelets and necklaces in both gold and silver.

Which of these advent calendars takes your fancy?

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A Rimmel Mascara I Can Get Along With

I've never been a fan of Rimmel mascara's…I've just never got on with the formulation or the wand design, they've never done much for me. However, when I was in Boots the other day there was an offer on and I got the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless mascara (£7.99) free….I love a good freebee, but I wasn't expecting much from the product, so it did come as a surprise to me when I actually liked it!

The packaging is an eye-catching neon yellow and black, and the lid wins points with me because it needs to click shut - less chance of drying out!
The wand was something I wasn't sure I'd get on with, as it's plastic and looks like it wouldn't do much but I actually love it. The bristles help to separate and define the lashes, and the formulation of the mascara itself adds a fair bit of length and volume.
The mascara is formulated with micro-fibres - procapil, keratin and antioxidants. Rimmel claim this will help your lashes appear 99% instantly longer and 127% longer in 30 days. I never get on with these sorts of things, but we shall see.
The look it creates isn't groundbreaking, nor is it dramatic but for an everyday mascara I don't think you can go wrong with this one, it's pretty great.
I also was really impressed with how well it holds a curl to the lashes…something I struggle to find with many mascaras, and it doesn't smudge at all.


If you're looking for a new everyday mascara that will give you length, volume and definition but doesn't look O.T.T then I would highly recommend the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless.

EOS Lip Balm - What's All The Fuss About?

I'm sure you've all heard of the EOS lip balms, if not then you must have been living under a rock!
EOS which stands for 'Evolution of Smooth' is an American brand that's built up quite the celebrity following, with people like Kim Kardashian, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger, Kylie Jenner and even Ed Westwick (just to name a few) being fans of the lip balm it's no surprise that it's become such a cult product.

When I was in London back in early June my lovely friend Amy bought me an EOS lip balm in the flavour 'Pomegranate Raspberry', and who knew you could get so excited about a product that's designed to keep your lips soft?
Ever since I got it I've been using this product several times a day, every day, and I adore it.
Firstly, the simple but instantly recognisable packaging is great. I love that it's not a standard tube that most lip balms come in, and I love even more that it's not one of those pots that you have to stick your finger in, then smear the product onto your lips (how unhygienic). The sphere, soft, matte packaging is unique and it also makes it a lot easier to locate if you're rummaging through your bag to find it. The sphere shape continues with the product inside, it's domed which makes it easy to apply.
The lip balm is a soft but fairly waxy constancy, it's not heavy but it's not so light that it feels like it's doing nothing either. I've heard a few people say they're not a fan of the actual balm, but I think it's the best I've tried; especially under lipsticks! The scent is to die for as well - it's fruity and yummy, not overpowering or synthetic.

I've not suffered with dry or chapped lips since using it, not once, and I suppose this Winter will be a try test, but I have faith in EOS.

Autumn Nails Comeback

Autumn is here! My favourite time of year…cold, crisp days, the beautiful autumnal colours the trees go, fallen leaves, scarves, layers, boots, and Autumn nail colours!
Darker nail polishes are definitely my thing, I'm not a fan of pastel or nude shades, so when A/W comes back around I get very excited.

My favourite Autumnal nail polish at the moment is by Avon, and it's in the shade Cherry Jubilee (£6).
This nail polish is named very well, as the colour certainly reminds me of those gorgeously dark red cherries (now I'm hungry). The shade is just amazing, and looks really nice against my pale skin in the colder seasons. The formulation is also a winner for me! I think I've mentioned before on my blog that I'm extremely fussy with nail polish, and there's a lot of factors that I like to be spot on.
The consistency of this nail polish is pretty great, it's not gloopy and thick, but it's not watery. Two coats is the perfect amount - it'll give you an almost gel like effect and a really deep colour. Drying time is another area this product wins in, it'll only take a couple of minutes for the polish to dry completely.
It's also very chip resistant, I'd actually say that this nail product is probably the one that lasts the longest on my nails with no chips, and no peeling. Yipeeee!
The brush isn't the thickest, but nor is it ridiculously thin, so I can't give it a thumbs down for that.
Basically, the Avon Nailwear Pro is an all round winner for me!

Hello Autumn

The sparkling dew on the grass in the morning.
The bright sun that shines light onto the newly orange trees that always reminds me of a fiery blaze.
The fresh, cold, crisp air that feels like ice when it hits you but there's something so nice about it.
The leaves that have shed onto the ground all ready for you to run through in your wellington boots.
The excitement of seeing the first conker of the year, alongside the acorns of course.
The sight of the wind blowing through the trees.
The wooly jumpers, knitted scarves, warm coats & chunky boots.
The smell of bonfires in the air.
The delight in taking your dogs for a walk in the woods & seeing them jumping through the leaves with glee.
The comfort foods; warm vegetable soup, a Sunday roast, rhubarb crumble & pie.
The Autumnal candles - that smell of spice, orange & warmth is so comforting.
The lighting of the fire in the living room, seeing the flames flicker & hearing the occasional crackle.
The need to dig out the fluffy socks & onesie.
The realisation that it's not long until Christmas.
The new TV dramas & programmes that you know you'll become addicted to.
The bliss of snuggling up on the sofa under a blanket with a new book.
The joy of coming in from a long day into a warm house & making yourself a tea or hot chocolate.
The new bath products at Lush - wanting to try them all out, & why not? Autumn is the time for baths!
The soothing sound of rain splattering against your window as you lay in bed.

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

One For The Curly/Frizzy Haired Girls

Fellow curly haired ladies who struggle with undefined curls, frizz, fly-aways and/or hair not feeling very soft….here's one for you.

Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition & Soft Feel Serum (£5.19) (what a mouthful!) is my current go-to hair product. I use it when my hair is still damp; I shake the bottle, pop a couple of pumps on my hands, rub them together and scrunch it into my hair - concentrating on the lengths.
This serum is said to define and separate curls, and leave hair feeling really soft. It is enriched with jojoba seeds, which really helps to add that gorgeous shine to hair.
I would agree with its promises, and do find my curls are more defined and much more soft after I use this, the serum really helps with any frizz I may have as well - win!
Another massive bonus is this serum doesn't weigh my hair down at all, it's very light but still feels rich and like it's actually doing some good…almost like it's kicking some health back into my locks.
I'd definitely recommend this product if you have curls, or even just wavy hair that needs a bit of taming.

Have you tried any

Aussie products?

x

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

I'm not faithful to only one cleanser, once I finish a bottle I tend to try out something new as nothing has quite reached the 'holy-grail' standard for me yet. My latest purchase was the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil by The Body Shop (£10).

I first heard about this after hearing Amelia Liana raving about it, and when I saw it was slightly cheaper than a lot of other good cleansers I knew I had to give it a go, and I have to say I am very impressed.
As this cleanser is an oil it feels very luxurious on the skin, and it really gives you the sense of melting any remaining makeup or dirt (yuck) off the face. I massage one pump all over my face and then remove with a flannel that's been dampened with warm water, and the result is gorgeously fresh skin.
My skin feels soft, very clean, soothed and not at all like the cleanser has been too harsh or stripping; which sometimes is the case with other products. I also love the packaging - a simple plastic bottle, but it has a pump! No mess, quick and easy.
This cleanser won't be a miracle worker if you have troublesome skin, nor is it anything groundbreaking, what it is is a good cleanser that removes impurities, refreshes the skin and would be brilliant for sensitive skin suffers. At £10 for 200ml I think it's a bargain….trust me, the bottle won't run out quickly.

Have you tried any The Body Shop

skincare?

x

MAC Lipstick in Fanfare

Everyone raves about MAC lipsticks, and for good reason. There are certain shades that get a hell of a lot of attention, but Fanfare is one that I think is overlooked.

MAC Fanfare (£15) is described as a 'mid-toned yellow pink' on the MAC website. I'd agree with that, but the description does it no justice. It's such a gorgeous mid toned pink that isn't at all dull, not blue-toned, it's bright, cheerful and just so pretty.
Fanfare is a cremesheen formula, this means it's a creamy formulation with mid level colour payoff and a slightly glossy finish. Cremesheen lipsticks give a gorgeous look on the lips, they're really soft (keep out of the sun!) and they're not at all drying. As they are quite creamy they aren't the longest wearing, but for me this lasts a good 3 hours, minimum, which I think is pretty damn good.
I absolutely love this lipstick; it feels so luxurious, both because of the branding and the formulation and the shade is stunning. It looks great when my skin is more tanned, but looks equally nice when I'm on the paler side. Fanfare is a winner!

What's your favourite MAC lipstick?

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Favourite London Fashion Week Street Styles

It's that time of year again. SS15 London Fashion Week has just finished, and with it brought lots of new styles….I'm always interested to see the clothes in the shows, to see which colours, fabrics and prints are going to be everywhere for that season, but I also love to look at the street style.
I've been looking at what all the celebrities have been wearing over the past few days, and put together a blog post on my top 4 outfits. You may see a slight theme running through this post….I kinda love monochrome.

I'm always a fan of Danielle Peazer's clothes, and this monochrome outfit definitely impressed me.

The lace cami dress from http://www.ohmylovelondon.com is very pretty and delicate, but Danielle has made the outfit more edgy with her leather jacket, hat and brogue shoes. I actually loved all the outfits she wore to LFW, so if you're interested in them do keep an eye out on her blog, I'm sure she'll be doing a post on them.

Rosie Fortescue looks gorgeous in this outfit. I love how smart is it, and not at all over the top. The tartan print paired with the black knit and light jacket is gorgeous. Very Autumnal! Outfit from New Look.

Doesn't Tanya always look amazing? This Topshop outfit is effortless. The stripy dress is stunning, and really compliments Tanya's figure, I also love the shoes and how she's brought the outfit together with a very on-trend hat. 

I'm always interested to see what Alexa Chung wears to Fashion Week. On a day to day basis I adore her style, and when she has a special occasion event to go to she goes all out. I think this outfit is gorgeous. That tailored look is really 'in' at the moment. I think her suede loafer shoes are so cute, and the pink jacket adds some colour to the otherwise dark ensemble. 

Those are my top 4 looks from LFW.

Which is your favourite

outfit out of the 4?

x

The Easy Liquid Eyeliner

When a lot of people hear the words 'liquid eyeliner' they get a bit freaked out. It's notoriously difficult to apply, and fairly tricky to get even…it does however give a beautiful look, and if you're looking to get a cat eye flick then there is no better way.
Gel eyeliners may look the best, but if you're a beginner or don't have a steady hand it can be difficult to get right, and you may end up with uneven flicks, or black smudges around your eyes. Thankfully there is a product to save the day….enter Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner (£6).

I'm sure you've all seen these felt-tip style eyeliners before, they're everywhere! I have tried a few of them before, but the best one I have come across is by Soap & Glory.
Some eyeliners in this style have been a bit of a nightmare for me, whether it's the bulky tip, the short pen or the actual product not coming out well (resulting in streaky eyeliner…not a good look), I've had my issues with them, however the S&G fine marker style tip and easy to hold packaging are a dream, and the look it gives is faultless.
The packaging itself just looks like a pen, but I love that it's quite a long tube; it makes it so much easier to use. The fine point tip is amazing because you can get whatever desired look you want to go for; whether it's a tiny bit of definition on the upper lash line or a more intense look with a flick, you're sorted! The liquid is fantastic; it's jet black, fast drying, smooth and intense.
So, if you're struggling to get on with gel eyeliner, or you just want a product to turn to when you're in a hurry then look no further, Soap & Glory have got it covered with their Supercat Eyeliner.

Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream AND Upcoming Beauty Events

Balance Me is a brand I hadn't tried until recently, but it's a brand I'd heard a lot about and was very excited to try. What really stands out to me is how great their ethos and aim behind the brand; Balance Me uses naturally active botanicals, hi-tech natural formulations and pure grade essential oils to deliver a skincare range that both has aromatherapy inspired aromas and beautiful textures that can be used across all skin types. Their philosophy is 'beauty that works naturally', and they want to restore balance in the skin. Pretty great huh?!

I tried their Moisture Rich Face Cream* (£15), which is targeting at normal to dry/sensitive skin - great for me, as my skin does get quite dry and is definitely sensitive.
My first impression of this product was a bit disheartening, the smell is really rather strong of roses. I tend to stay clear off scented products because they don't normally agree with me skin, and I find them a bit odd when they're very strong and linger. However, if you're into nicely scented face creams I'm sure you'd love it, and if not (like me) it isn't really a big deal.
The cream itself does feel rich, but it isn't at all heavy which I really liked. The texture is very smooth, silky and works into the skin really well. I do find that after applied it made my face feel quite stiff and tight, but that does go away after a little while…it is a bit annoying though.
Now, the big question, have I noticed a change in my skin since using this face cream? Yes, I have. Nothing ground-breaking, but my skin has felt soft, it's looked plumper and the moisturising claims are correct.
So, I was impressed with this moisturiser…I'm not sure it's going to be a holy-grail product for me, but I do like it and would recommend it. I'm excited to try more Balance Me products!


BALANCE ME, MARIE CLAIRE AND DEBENHAMS EVENTS
If you're a Balance Me fan, or would like to know more about the brand then this may interest you.
Balance Me are teaming up with Marie Claire and Debenhams to host 4 in-store events this September and October. Discover personalised skin, body and haircare, and refresh your beauty regime with 15% discount off Balance Me products. You can also talk to skincare experts about your individual needs or skin concerns, as well as getting a personal skin-reading session with Balance Me's mobile skin scanner. They'll be a free-prize draw for the chance to win a Balance Me hamper worth £150, AND you can chat with the members of the Marie Claire team for top beauty tips.
Tickets are £10, this includes a goodie bag worth £75!

All the information here!

30th September - Oxford Street
2nd October - Cardiff
8th October - Chester

Have fun!

x

My All Time Favourite Lipgloss

I've always very much been a lipstick over lipgloss type of gal. I'm not one for constant reapplication, I don't enjoy the sticky feeling, and I certainly don't appreciate the inevitable hair stuck to lips situation, however the NARS lipgloss in Stolen Kisses* (£18.50) (one of their new ones!) has got me reaching for it ever so often.

So, what's so great about  this lipgloss? Well, it's just miles better in every possible way to anything I've tried…(I mean, it really should be considering the price).
The packaging is classic NARS, very simple yet it feels classy and expensive, and you do get a fair amount of product.
Now, the gloss itself is extremely pigmenting, and the colour payoff is stunning. Stolen Kisses is a very natural shade, almost 'my lips but better' but darker and much prettier with a slight hint of shimmer…that to be honest is barely noticeable, but I like that. The colour goes well with any makeup look, I've worn it with a smokey eye and with a 'no-makeup' look and both look pretty gorgeous. I do get complimented when I wear it as well…always a bonus.
The texture is spot on, it's not thick and gloopy nor is it running, and it ranks very low on the stickiness scale; meaning it's extremely comfortable to wear and it doesn't feel like my lips are being glued together.
When it comes down to how long the lipgloss actually stays on the lips I was highly impressed, without eating or drink the shade was still there a good 3 or 4 hours later, obviously it fades over time but nowhere near as much as I had expected from a gloss…I was really surprised!
So, NARS, I applaud you!