Thursday 19 December 2013

New Years Eve Outfit Ideas

If you haven't already read my 'Christmas Wardrobe' post then go and have a peek at that to see some fantastic pieces for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and of course Boxing day.
Now I am going to talk about New Years day and show some fantastic party dresses right from our high street.

New Year is the time for gliz and glamour and sequins are a must to impress on the dance floor. Here is my pic of three dresses destined for the celebrations...

The first dress comes from my favourite store, Warehouse. I have tried this on in store and although it is a tad short for me the fit is exceptional so if you have some killer pins then go for it! The beading on this dress is beautiful and timeless which justifies the not so bargain price of £100.00. Just think though, you could wear this over and over again.

Next is from River Island at a price of £40.00. I love this dress I think it looks so expensive and celebrity-worthy. The dress speaks for itself, but if you think it needs blinging up I think it would look great with a statement necklace. I know a black dress can be a little dull, but I think everyone can agree this is the sexiest black dress they have ever laid their eyes on.

Something a little more up my street is this beautiful design from Miss Selfridge. In the sale at a bargain price of £59.00, this intricate detailed dress will be sure to wow. Although the midi length and sleeves would be super flattering, the dress doesn't lose its sex appeal.

Once you have picked the dress, next comes the accessories. I tend to go by the rule that less is more, and really what else does a girl need but a black pair of killer heels and a simple black clutch? The shoes are by Topshop in the sale for £72.00 and the clutch is available from Accessorize for £25.00.

Quick Info:
Sequin Wrap, Warehouse £100.00
 Black dress, River Island £40.00
Sequin Lace Midi, Miss Selfridge £59.00
Strappy Heels, Topshop £79.00
Clutch, Accessorize £25.00


Christmas Wardrobe

For me, what I am going to wear around the festive season is everything. I start to think about what I am going to wear for Christmas day as soon as the collections hit the shop, it is a little obsession. Looking glamorous is key over Christmas, its a time where you can get dressed up and impress whatever your doing.
 
Here are my top pics to wear this Christmas that you can get your hands on right now:
 
 
 
For Christmas day I have actually brought this exact red dress from Oasis. Oasis have so many great items in right now and have really impressed me with its latest collection, and this dress does not disappoint. It looks fabulous with opaque black tights and black shoes and will be sure to impress over the dinner table.
 
Even though I am more likely to dress up on Christmas day, I like to make an effort on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Of course it depends what your plans are, but for me I will be wearing my leather skirt from Reiss with a Christmas jumper on the eve and some skinny jeans with a similar tunic on Boxing day. Tunics are a great way to hide that over indulgence the day after!
 
Of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if you didn't have a killer pair of heels. I have these Kurt Geiger's in plain black but have been eying up these studded ones for a week or two and fair to say I will purchase them before the festivities begin!
 
Clothes (available in store and online):
Red lace dress, Oasis £48.00
Jumper, Topshop £46.00
Leather skirt, Reiss £185.00
(yes I know this is very expensive, but it is extremely good quality real leather. However, you can find alternatives in Zara, Next and Dorothy Perkins)
Sequin Tunic, Next £35.00
Skinny Jeans, New Look £9.99
Stud shoes, Kurt Geiger £120.00
 
Merry Christmas!
 
 


Saturday 24 August 2013

REVIEW: REN Skincare

I have always been interested in Ren skincare as a lot of beauty bloggers tend to favour their facial masks. However, for one reason or another I haven't tried them but always looked on fondly thinking one day I would. Today was the day, I headed into town for one thing and one thing only and that was a eyebrow brush but got side tracked into Marks and Spencer. Big signs hit me straight on '20% off beauty and fragrance' and before I knew it I was typing my pin in the card machine purchasing a 'Kit for Combination Skin'. I swear, I have a problem.
The little kit contains 3 miniatures of the Cleansing Gel, Detox Mask and Day Fluid so gives you the perfect opportunity to try out the range for a fraction of the price.
 
 
 
Cleansing Gel
I thought I would try these out in one night, in typical order of cleanse, mask and moisturise therefore the Cleansing Gel came first to get rid of all that make up and everyday grime. At first look, the formulation looked runny and very thin compared to other gels I have used and because of this it is a tad difficult to massage into your skin without dropping a bit so stand over your skink! It advises to rinse off with warm water so this is what I did with some large cotton pads. It removed every inch of make up and grime and left my skin feeling fresh and smooth - I was impressed.
The only beef I have with this product is the fact it isn't great at removing eye make up. While it removed the last bits of eye shadow it didn't effectively remove my gel eyeliner nor my waterproof mascara. For me, I like a cleanser to do the whole works so I don't have to bother with eye makeup remover as this adds a un necessary extra step.
 
Detox Mask
This is the product I was most looking forward to testing out as I have heard such good things about the Ren masks and I wanted to compare this to my beloved Sanctuary 5 minute detox. The formulation is thick and clay like but is still easy to apply to the skin. I put the product all over my face but I think it is something I will only need on my oily t-zone. It instructs to wash with warm water after it dries on your skin but I wasn't expecting it to dry so quickly - literally in a couple of minutes it seemed ready to be removed.
After I removed the mask you could see my skin was much less congested and super clean, my pores looked smaller too! I love this mask, at the moment the same as my Sanctuary but this could change if it continues to minimise my pores!

Day Fluid
This day fluid is essentially a moisturiser for oily skin types therefore it is going to give your skin the moisture it needs without the added grease factor. This is a light formula, similar to my fave La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and similarly sinks in nicely to the skin. It made my skin feel super soft and a lovely finishing product to my mini Ren facial. Do I think it is better than my La Roche Posay? No. However I think this one will need to be used for a few more days to determine whether it actually works.

Overall, I was impressed with the Ren Skincare set and for £9.60 I think it was worth every penny to try out the range. However, I do think you can get similar results with different brands for a cheaper price for example using a cleansing balm then mask such as Sanctuary and then La Roche moisturiser for a smaller price. No, I don't think I will change my skincare routine totally to this, but the mask was definitely worth while and definitely on my shopping list.

Friday 23 August 2013

REVIEW: Clinique take the day off cleansing balm!

A few months ago I wrote a blog in utter despair - my skin was heavily congested, spotty and ridiculously oily. I turned to the skincare expert Caroline Hirons for help and scoured her blog for solutions -  one that kept cropping up was to try out a cleansing balm.
Now, I am going to confess that while I love foundation, my skin took a back seat and generally I didn't use any sort of cleanser to take off my layers of make up. According to Caroline, using just a make up wipe is not enough for your skin and you should always use a decent cleansing balm, she suggested Emma Hardie. Instead of going straight out and buying a Emma Hardie cleanser I shopped around and the Clinique lover I am, I went straight to their counter (naughty me!). I picked up their new Take the Day Off Cleansing balm and tried it straight away!
 
 
 
I also love the look of the packaging - it looks super luxe on my dressing table!
 
The texture of this balm is kinda strange. It looks like lard in the container but when massaged into the skin it turns to oil. You then wipe away with either cotton pads or a muslin clothe with hot water. This balm takes all your make up off in one swoop and your skin is left make up free and feeling fresh. A week later and my skin was looking so much better, it looked much less congested, smooth and almost spot free! I would 100% recommend this balm as it done wonders for my skin. I'm sure that this cleanser isn't the only cleanser that would help skin with imperfections, it is just a case of making sure you  cleanse every night - don't think a wet wipe does it all!  
 
Go out and buy yourself a cleansing balm - you won't look back!
 
Elles x
 
Links
 
Caroline Hiron's skincare blog: http://www.beautymouth.com/


Tuesday 16 July 2013

ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR/ DW LIGHT REVIEWS

I adore Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, it is definitely my 'go-to' product. After using it for years to cover bad skin it has served me well however, during the hot weather we have been currently experiencing I needed a lighter foundation. I now have good skin, with the odd blemish therefore didn't need anything too heavy. I looked at millions (not literally) of reviews online and kept coming back to the Double Wear Light therefore I had to purchase! I had to get a sample of the foundation first to test whether it agreed with my oily skin, and it did! That's the one thing I love about Estée Lauder, the fact you can go up to the counter and receive good sized samples, this really makes a difference to whether I am going to purchase a product - especially a high end one like this foundation!
 
 
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation
This was the original foundation I brought. I initially picked this up about a year ago as I wanted a foundation that was full coverage and would stay in place all day and this did the trick. It is a high coverage foundation therefore great for my spot prone skin, it is so good that on good skin days I didn't even need a full face, let alone concealer. Another bonus is the staying power, this baby stays in place all day even on my oily skin.
The texture is thick hence the immense coverage but this means you only need to apply a small amount. I literally cover the top with my finger, tip and then back and that's all I need so the bottle lasts a life time!
My only beef with this product is the packaging. Yes it is luxurious with the frosted glass etc. However, with no pump it is very easily to over judge the amount and waste valuable product! Please, please EL can you not bring out a pump that fits perfectly?
 
Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation
As I briefly mentioned before, my skin has been getting a lot clearer in the past few months which has been making me eye up some lighter foundation. This, and the fact it has been blooming hot in the UK prompted me to make a move on a new foundation purchase. I searched the web to look for oily skin friendly, light coverage foundation and the reviews just sent me straight back to this one.
This foundation is obviously lighter in coverage than the original, however still gives a pretty flawless base. It is surprising how lighter it feels on the skin also, which is great for summer.
I was worried that because the coverage wasn't as intense, the lasting power wouldn't be also. I have to say, this product surpassed my expectations on lasting power. No, it doesn't last as long as the double wear but lasts a pretty long time for foundation! It gets to around mid day when I need to have a little blot with powder but then again I don't use a primer so maybe I should try that! 
My only complaint with this foundation is the lack of shades they do it in compared to the original. The intensity 1 was slightly too light while the intensity 2 was slightly too dark. That being said, I went for the latter and was surprised how well it blended in and on the skin it doesn't look at all too dark.
 
All in all, I love Estée Lauder foundations and would recommend them for oily skin as they are sure to last you the duration. In terms of what you go for, if you have good skin then pick the light and if you need a higher coverage go for the original. Also, don't forget to take advantage of their sample service - it is a really good way of trying out the products before you invest!

Sunday 14 July 2013

My Holiday Packing Essentials!

I am a total over packer, I will ram my case full of endless items 'just incase' I need them. Over the last few years however, I would like to think I have mastered my holiday packing to a T only packing the bare essentials in order to stylishly survive and I am going to share with you my ideal capsule suitcase.

The Wardrobe...

The Bikini, River Island £25.00
I find it so hard to find a good bikini but River Island does it for me year on year. I love their bikini collections as they fit well but still super stylish! This baby is so pretty, it is sure to turn heads around the pool! If you are looking for something a little more covered up or more support, River Island offer many different styles but also try M&S and Monsoon for great alternatives!
 
Wedges, Topshop £42.00
I have these wedges in tan and I adore them! The coral pair are on my wish list, but for now I will just share the beauty with you. I think the coral colour will go with many outfits including the maxi shown here. I always pick wedges over heels while on holiday simply because of the comfort factor, they also give a really chic edge to an outfit.
 
T-Shirt, Topshop £14.00
This t-shirt from Topshop is a fantastic basic for your holiday, and the great news is they do many, many colours!
 
Denim shorts, Warehouse £26.00
Denim shorts are a definite essential for my holiday as they go with every top for day and night! These simple shorts from Warehouse are ideal for that.
 
Sandals, Monsoon £39.00
These sandals are a bit of a splurge however, I have had mine for years now and they still look as good as new! They are so versatile you can literally wear them with everything, even when you are in the UK with jeans.
 
Maxi dress, Oasis, £55.00
I can't live without my maxi dress, they are great for both day and night teamed with flats or heals. I like this one in particular because it is in a dark colour therefore it will look great on your hols but also when you get back. Just team it with black heels and a blazer or cardigan and you're good to go!
 
Necklace, Warehouse £13.00
You always need a necklace to bling up your outfits and I love this gold one from Warehouse... it is so pretty!


Ultrasun sunblock SPF 30, John Lewis or M&S £19.00
I have such pale skin and burn so easily, literally every sun block I have tried haven't worked great for me. Last year my mom gave me some ultrasun before my travels and I haven't looked back since! It is a once a day sun cream and really does last all day, with just one application I didn't burn once during my holiday last year - it is truly brilliant! It is quite expensive however, you have to take into account the fact you do just apply once a day so one bottle lasts for more than one holiday.
 
No7 Body Shimmer Aftersun, Boots £9.50
I love, love, love this product! I have been using it for absolutely years and wont stop soon. You should always use an aftersun, even if you don't burn as it stops you peeling and the added bonus with this is the beautiful shimmer it leaves which looks totally beach chic.
 
Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray, Boots £7.50
A texturising spray is a must on your holiday, it makes hair look instantly more beachy. I personally love this Toni and Guy spray but if you are looking for something more pocket friendly Loreal's is great for half the price.
 
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation, Boots/HOF/Debenhams/Selfridges £28.50
I was in love with the original double wear foundation but found it too heavy for the summer weather. I then went out and brought the light version in intensity 2 and I can truly say it is just as good! It's light to medium coverage is brilliant for people who are skin conscious yet it feels like a bb cream and lasts all day through any weather! (Full comparison and review coming soon!).
 
Urban Decay Naked Palette, Debenhams £36.00
I adore my Naked palette but the Naked 2 is even more perfect for summer time. It is a mix of beautiful light shimmery shades great for blending in the heat. Yes it is pricey, but the eyeshadows are of brilliant quality... and you get 12!
 
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara, £16.50
Clinique mascaras have been a staple in my make up back since forever and I love their new waterproof formulation. It is so stubborn you need a remover to get rid of this bad boy but this makes it great for all the swimming/ sunbathing you will be doing!
 
Nars Laguna Bronzer, House of Fraser £26.00 (review coming soon!)
This bronzer is a must whether you are on holiday or not, but to add a subtle glow it will be fantastic and long lasting.
 
Clinique Chubby Stick in Woopin' Watermelon, £17.00
I lust after these chubby sticks and own one in almost every colour - I am obsessed! Ok, they don't last as long as a normal lipstick but they are super moisturising and look amazing on your lips. My favourite colour for summer is Watermelon as it is subtle yet buildable and will look fantastic with the Naked palette!

Saturday 22 June 2013

REVIEW: Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

My skin was, well, awful to say the least. I suddenly came out in a multitude of spots that covered my face and I was in termoil. Having spots was the least of my worries but the sheer amount of them was unbearable so I had to take action!
 
I headed straight to Boots and picked up a mixture of products including the La Roche Posay A I cream for a targeted spot treatment (blog post coming!) and this baby - 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask. I was looking for a charcol mask to just simply calm down the redness on my skin and leave it feeling and looking beatifully cleansed and I couldn't have asked for anything better!

 
 
 
So a little background on this product and the brand. Sanctuary Spa is a relitavly new brand featured in most larger Boots stores, originating from the highly successful spa in London's Covent Garden. This mask is particuarly for oily skin (which mine is) and generally cleans the skin thouroughly to soothe and calm. The idea is you wet your skin first to make the mask go on a little easier, rub all over your face then remove after five minutes.
 
Firstly, I love the thick, gloopy formulation of this mask - it gives a lovely thick layer on to the skin. However, it isn't the nicest smelling mask in the world, the calming heat makes up for it. As you rub it in to your face, it gently heats relaxing all your muscles and you can literally feel it working! I have to say, this heat doesn't last the duration of the mask but is nice while it lasts.
 
The mask comes off like a dream... I used a hot clothe to get rid of the whole mask. This is where the product comes into it's own, my skin was left ultimately refreshed and you could totally see a difference straight away. For me, this mask was a mirical worker in my time of need and I have been using it weekly ever since... and guess what? My skin is totally clear!
 
I would reccomend this product to anyone who has oily, spot prone skin. However, if you have dry skin I would stay away as it has left my small patches of dry skin extremely dry. This is fine for me, I have just had to moisurize extra carefully. If you do have dry skin however, Sanctuary have some wonderful products for you and they are all avaliable in Boots stores and online!

Tuesday 4 June 2013

My Summer Highstreet Picks!

So the sun is shining once more and put me firmly in the 'holiday' mood. I am constantly on the look out for good value holiday clothes and for me, my holiday wardrobe has to be suitable for the weather too.
 
Here are my top summer picks straight from our fabulous high street!
 
 
1. Cami Maxi Dress, Topshop £18.00
I love these dresses, and topshop's versions are a gorgeous holiday staple. Part of the basic range, they come in multiple colours at a fantastic price, whats not to love? I have chosen to highlight this black number, simply because it will be great for both throwing over your bikini to teaming it with sandals and a statement necklace at night. You could even team it up with a denim jacket for your UK summer BBQ's... the possibilities are endless.
2. Statement Necklace, Zara £19.99
A statement necklace jazz's up any outfit and can be worn with simple tees, shirts and dresses. I love this vibrant turquoise as it goes with so many things; just look how great it would look with the pink skirt, as well as the black basics...
3. Sandals, Accessorize £35.00
I love a metallic sandal for summer, they are casual enough to wear in the day but look great with your favourite evening dresses if you want to give your feet a rest!
4. White Lace Dress, Oasis £85.00
At £85.00 this dress is a bit of a splurge, but it is so classic! This day to night number will last you a life time and extremely flattering for any shape. It would look great with the denim jacket, or just as good with black tights and a blazer for the later months.
5. Tan Wedges, Topshop £42.00
These wedges are defiantly on my list for this summer. They are an excellent shoe for holidays as they are so comfortable yet give you height and can be worn with a multitude of items.
6. Cami, River Island £15.00
I already own a few of these cami's from River Island and I think they are fantastic - such good quality for a small price. This will look great in the summer but I also wear mine under my blazer with jeans and it looks HOT!
7. Tie Cami, Rihanna for River Island
If I am honest, I am not in love with Rihannas River Island collection, it is very boyish and the items don't suit my curvy figure. However, these simple cami's will be great during the summer months as I can throw them on over my bikini as well as wear with skirts etc.
8. Denim Jacket, Warehouse £45.00
This jacket has been on my list since I saw it in Warehouse a couple of months ago and I will get round to buying it! I love the light shade of denim as well as the fit... the picture doesn't do this beauty justice!
9. Bright Pink Skirt, River Island £22.00
Midi skirts are surely having a moment with both the fashion scene and my wardrobe. They are so flattering on my shape and I cant wait to try this baby on!
10. Clutch, Accessorize £35.00
I love this clutch from Accessorize. It screams summer and will jazz up all of my outfits!

Friday 24 May 2013

Spring Beauty Haul!

It's that time of the year again where all of our make up bags get a little summer update, well at last mine does! I have hit boots this week to do exactly that - buy a few spring/summer essentials to brighten up my collection, starting with my make up bag!


I was firstly after a new make up bag to travel with, and specifically after something über pretty! After searching pretty much every shop in Manchester I came across this beauty. I actually looked in Ted Baker before but all the current season make up bags were so expensive! So I was glad to find this last season bag in Boots for a bargain £8.00! 



Next on my list was a new foundation. During the summer months I like to fake tan (blog post coming shortly), however this means I can't use my usual fair foundation I have been using over the winter. I have been looking for the best foundation for my skin, which is oily for a while now and tried so many different brands. It was actually a mistake coming across Estée Lauder, I had a email come through for a 10 day sample and with no intention of purchasing I went and got my freebie! Well, I fell head over heels with this foundation! It is so good for my oily skin, it stays put all day and a fabulous colour for my tanned skin (rose ivory) as its not too tanned therefore I can get away with it even when I am due a top up. 
By the way, I also found out that Estée Lauder always give out free samples so if like me you want to give it ago just go along to a counter (usually found in Boots, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Debenhams). The consultant will just match your skin to the best matched colour and your away... A small bottle of happiness. 



So, I have been wanting to try some of these new Loreal Glossy Stains since they were announced. When I saw the advert with the beautiful Cheryl Cole I knew I had to have one! I initially picked up the coral colour Princess which Cheryl is wearing in the advert but then I couldn't resist Lolita 101. 
Since having them I wear em constantly, they are a great product for me as I don't particularly like matte lipsticks, however I absolutely hate glosses. These beauties are a mix of the two, they look like a gloss therefore very sheer however they dry like a lipstick so stay on for ages, especially if you layer it up! 
The only issue I have with these is the watery consistency which means you have to wait for the first layer to dry before applying a second. 


After receiving a multitude of No7 vouchers over the last few weeks I thought I may as well buy something small and I could get a nail polish for just £3.00. I settled on the colour Me Me Me which is a lovely vibrant pink, perfect for summer! The nail polish itself is good, stays on for a few days, more if I'm not working. I'm not sure if I would ever buy this full price though as there are better polishes on the market for cheaper! 




Now, this was a utter bargain buy. I was in my local Boots which has a clearance stand and although this particular store does not stock Smashbox, this beauty was on the stand for just £5.00! Now, I know for a cream eyeshadow that doesn't seem a great price, but these are usually sold at £15.00 and this one just had a few marks on the box. 
I really like this product as well as the price, this colour is in Stone and looks great on its own with a slick of mascara or under eyeshadow for a stronger look! 


I brought this on a bit of a whim. I have been after Mac Omega for a long time to use through my brows but kept putting it off because it is quite expensive, however after a cocktail or two I didn't really care. 
The product itself has lived up to my expectations, it's the perfect colour for blondes and stays put all day giving a natural finish. I also occasionally use this as a crease colour if I don't fancy my stronger Wedge colour. 
Moral of the story: don't go to Mac when drunk, you will buy something. 


Finally, I indulged in some skincare. It is no secret that I love the La Roche Posay range as I am a mega fan of the Effaclar Duo. However, after coming out in a few huge spots this week a friend suggested I try the Effaclar A.I which is a targeted spot cream. After a few hours of applying it, my spots were less red and inflamed and two days later completely gone, without a scar in sight #win. 




I hope you enjoyed my beauty haul as I have never done one before. Also, I have wrote this blog on my new IPad mini so sorry if the picture quality isn't up to scratch... I may be back to my usual camera just  wanted to try out this app! 

Friday 29 March 2013

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

It is no secret that I take every word that comes out of Tanya Burr's mouth as gospel, so it wasnt a shock to me when I watched her 'Best of 2012' video I brought almost everything on the list.
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N564IKcQezw



One thing I brought that I am so eager to use is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo blemish serum. Both Tanya and Ruth Crilly have reccomended this product for people to break out easily. My skin changes constantly, I was spotty as a teenager but then for about a year I had lovely skin, just recently it has gone down hill. I think this is a mix of putting on weight as well as going to university and perhaps not eating as good wholesome foods as my mom used to make! I have been trying to eat more responsibly and as a result my spots have gone, however, I still have blemishes where the spots used to be and also just really un even, bumpy skin which isn't a great look and hard to cover up. This is exaclty what Tanya and Ruth say this serum helps, so at £13.00 what have I got to lose.



I will keep you updated to how I get on with this cream with weekly updates, I will be using it as a day and night mousturiser as well as using a scrub every couple of days to get rid of some dry patches. Here goes....

REVIEW: Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang

I am not what you would call a 'lip' person. I tend to focus my make up around statement eyes, simply because I have had braces for most of the time I have been wearing make up! Well, thats about to change as I am having the metal chain off my mouth in a matter of weeks. This means I have been on the hunt for a nice eye popping lip colour to wear to celebrate when they are finally removed and Rimmels new Apocalips lip gloss/ stain seemed to catch my eye, in no other colour than 'Big Bang', think Lady danger by Mac.
 
 
So, the verdict: An eye popping colour, with a beautiful texture but extremely messy if applied with the given tool.
Thats right, it is a gorgeous colour and goes on like a dream my issue lies with the tool which is given with the lip lacquer. It is a normal lip gloss sponge like applicator but applies way too much product! If you were to use the applicator you would end up with one red mess around your lips, therefore if you are going to go for this reddy shade make sure you use a lip brush! I used the No7 lip brush to be precise.
 
I will use this again, however definatly use a brush and I will also love to try the product in a nude base as im not too sure whether I am that confident to wear such a eye popping shade!
 
Happy shopping!

Wednesday 20 March 2013

I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag!

Hi guys, today I am going to do something a little different. I constantly watch YouTube videos and really enjoyed the 'I <3 drugstore make up tage' which has been going around recently and wanted to do it for you in a blog format! It's ok, thank me later.
Now, I know a lot of people who read my blog are from America, therefore I am going to make this as American friendly as possible and get some products in here that I love and I know you can buy in the US.
 
1. What is your favourite drugstore make up brand?
This has GOT to be Rimmel. I absolutely love their collection at the moment and they just seem to be getting better and better. They are also so cheap, yet such good quality!
 
2. What are your favourite face, cheek and lip products?
Ok, my favourite face product off the high street would have to be No7 Beautifully Matte foundation, it is so flawless and great for my oily skin. However, during the winter months when my skin is dry, I love to use Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation!
My cheek product is most defiantly the sleek palettes, they are a great alternative to the Mac blushes and my favourite colour is Pixie pink.
Finally, my favourite lip product are the Revlon lip butters. I don't like to wear a gloss or a matte lipstick so find is so hard to get a colour on those lips. However, the lip butters are so nice to wear and don't feel at all heavy or glossy, my favourite colour has got to be the coral!
 
3. What is your least favourite drugstore product?
This has got to be the Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse foundation. Now, I know this is controversial considering everyone raves about it but I just find it does absolutely nothing for my skin. I find the coverage too heavy and the colour range totally off. Sorry Maybelline lovers! Would love to know what you guys think of it? Is it only me?!
 
4. What is the best makeup bargain?
I always find makeup bargains when I visit America, I always think the mascaras are much cheaper so always stock up - specifically on Covergirl cosmetics. However, my ultimate bargain would have to be the brush set I purchased from Topshop recently, I think they cost around £20 for a whole set and they are such good quality - I use them all the time.
 
5. What is your favourite underdog product?
For me, this has to be the whole No7 range. Before I worked at Boots I always assumed the range was for older women and more mature skin but how wrong I was. Yes ok, the lipsticks etc tend to be in quite dull colours and shades I wouldn't wear so that it true. However, the foundations are the best I have ever tried, and the new match service is fantastic, my colour, Caliko is just right for my skin tone.
 
6. What is a drugstore product that is really overpriced?
Definatly, definatly mascaras. I find here in the UK that mascaras on the high-street tend to be around the £10.00 mark, however you can get a designer mascara for just a few pounds extra so why not just treat yourself? I find it really hard to get a good quality cheap mascara.
 
7. What is your best drugstore dupe?
There are quite a lot out there, but my newest discovery is the Maybelline brow pencil in dark blonde. I usually use the Benefit instant brow pencil, but have found that although I love the colour and texture it goes down so fast! It costs like £14.00 and lasts no longer than 6 weeks because it constantly needs sharpening. I have been on the look out for a cheaper version for ages but always find high street brow pencils for blondes much too gingery toned, but this one is exactly the same!
 
8. What drugstore product is not worth the hype?
It has to be the new Rimmel Apocalips range which has been hyped up so much online. Now, I do apsolutely love them when they are on, the pigmentation is brilliant and they look incredible, however they are so messy - especially the bright colours! It is such a shame but I just worry about wearing them because of the messyness and they get everywhere! I will be shortly publishing a product review about these so watch out for that!
 
 
 

Monday 11 March 2013

OOTD - Studying Monday...

Today was a uni day which always means I like to dress comfy. However, I am on a fashion course therefore the idea of 'comfy' doesn't really go. Imagine your own lectures or workplace, there are always those couple of girls who really make an effort, well times that by 50 and you get the idea about the people on mine!
 
I do find it difficult to dress for uni lectures, simply because I am not a fashionista. Although I love fashion, I tend to have a quite sophisticated style that sees me in simple tees, blazers and my favourite jeans. Compared to the real out there girls on my course, I look kinda bland so always looking for ways to jazz up my outfits. Comment with some tips for me please! :-)

Anyway... this is what I wore today...
Scarf, Dorothy Perkins £12.00
Boots, New Look £29.00
Cardigan, H&M £14.00
Vest, Warehouse £12.00
Jeans, Warehouse £40.00

Friday 8 March 2013

Friday's Fashion Frenzy: In tthe Blues

Blue is all over the high street at the moment. Designers from Alexander McQueen and Mary Katrantzou have all showcased it in their current collections, so what are you waiting for? Grab a bargain today...
John & Pearl Isadora necklace - £99.00
Oasis shirt - £24.00
Topshop printed trousers - £50.00
Aldo tote bag - £31.50
Dorothy Perkins printed scarf - £12.00
Asos belt - £6.00
Topshop dress - £50.00
 

Monday 25 February 2013

OSCARS 2013: The Best of Beauty

The Oscars put together in one how we should be wearing our make up this season. Think perfected skin, smokey eyes, natural looks and pink lips!
 
 
Anne Hathaway
Although Anne didnt make it on to my best dressed list, she made it top of the beauty!
 
 
Jessica Chastain
Hollywood glamour comes naturally to Jessica, she kept with her signature red lip but always looks flawless!
 
 
Naomie Harris
Although Naomie hit my worst dressed list, you cant fault her amazing hair and make up!
 
 
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda is on this list simply for that gorgrous hair! Oh and her gorgeous make up...
 
 
Jennifer Garner
I love Jennifers soft and subtle smokey eye.
 
 

 
 

OSCARS 2013: My Best Dressed List

So after an array of awful gowns, here are my pick of the best dressed at the Oscars:
 
 
Jessica Chastain
Looking gorgeous, Jessica is the epitome of Hollywood glamour. I love her porcelain skin against the nude dress.
 
 
Amy Adams
Love Amy's style anyway but she was a knockout at last nights Oscars.
 
 
Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward
Kelly looks great all the time but she is making a name for herself on the red carpet. After the Golden Globes I didn't think she could get any better, but she did.
 
 
Sandra Bullock
Elie Saab dressed Sandra to perfection, she just looks so 'complete' if that makes sense?
 
 
Reese Witherspoon
Colbalt blue is obvioustly Reeses colour because she is simply glowing!
 
 
Jennifer Lawrence
Miss Dior has connections at the House of Dior, no suprise there. They dressed her in this incredible puff ball gown which only highlights JL's fantastic figure.
 
 
Amanda Seyfried
Looking incredible in our very own Alexander McQueen... she looks fiesty!
 
 
Adele
Some people suggest Adele should stop wearing black but I think she looks gorgeous in this Jenny Packham gown and because I am biast she wins my best dressed award!
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 21 February 2013

How to: Make a midi look fierce

Midi dresses are certainly having a moment, something I am embracing considering they flatter a hourglass figure and chunky legs. However, upon buying my jewel green Topshop number I had a dilemma; if I wore it with nude heels then I looked like the brides mother... so how should I style it up? Here's what I am thinking, but please give me more suggestions...
 
 

The Brit Awards: My Best Dressed List

After those fashion fails, I review the girls who got it right on the night...
 
 
Jessie J
Looking incredible in this sexy black number. I love Jessie's new feminine style and she looks gorgeous in this plunging gown, one thing I would change however, are the shoes.
 
 
Jourdan Dunn in Balmain
Unfair to put Jourdan on my best dressed list simply because she is a supermodel therefore would look great in a bin bag. The yellow looks beautiful on her skintone and
kept simple with her hair and make up.
 
 
Laura Whitmore
Laura looked lovely while presenting the Brits backstage, her dress was youthful and rocking the Spring summer metalic trends. Good work Laura!
 
 
Paloma Faith in Dolce and Gabbana
Looking beautifully regal in this D&G dress, Paloma looked glowing but still quirky. Well done P!
 
 
Aluna Francis
Perhaps the best dressed of the night? Rocking two trends: sheer and metallic, Aluna looks fantastic.
 
 
I would love to hear your opinions on the Brit awards fashion, who do you think looked the best/worst and if you would change any of their accessories?
 

Friday 8 February 2013

Friday's Fashion Frenzie: Monochrome

Every Friday I will be giving you my top picks of a up and coming trend, this week it is Monochrome. Classic and Chic, monochrome will give you the ultimate sophisticated look, not only will you be bang on trend but the look will also be extremely flattering!
 
Here are my top picks from our very own highstreet:
 
1. Polka dot blouse, Topshop, £38.00
2. Black bag, Warehouse, £38.00
3. Tuxedo jacket, Warehouse, £75.00
4. Polka dot dress, Dorothy Perkins, £22.00
5. Houndstooth clutch, Topshop, £14.00
6. Faux leather skirt, Oasis, £48.00
7. Lace t-shirt, Warehouse, £15.00
8. Black skinny jeans, Dorothy Perkins, £25.00
 
Happy mono shopping, E xx

Monday 14 January 2013

GOLDEN GLOBES 2013 - The Beauty List

So we have done the dresses so lets look at the best beauty looks of last night:
 
Amanda Seyfried
Amandas hair and make up was just effortless. I loved the natural make up and the light brown winged out look.

 
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez cracked it for me last night, the dress, the make up, the hair = perfection. Her make up was simply glowing and the smoky eye made her eyes pop! She went for vintage hollywood curls which was a popular look last night.  

 
Megan Fox
Megan looked glowing last night. She kept her make up simple, but lets be honest she doesn't need any!

GOLDEN GLOBES 2013 - My Best Dressed List

So as I am sure you are aware, the Golden Globes took centre stage last night and The Fortune of Fashion is all over it. Here is my BEST DRESSED list:
 Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen
In my opinion Kate Hudson won my award for the best dressed of the night. Lets be honest, she always looks amazing but this McQueen dress does wonders for her incredible figure as well as being a tad daring for the star. Although this dress is in a traditional black, it is spiced up with the gold neckline and cinching belt. My only criticism is the hair, which don't get me wrong looks gorgeous but I think the dress would excel if the hair was up off the shoulders.
 Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka
Helen was next on my list because who can look that fabulous at the age of 67?! The dress is totally on trend, similar to the McQueen Hudson was sporting but more age appropriate. Hats off to you H!
 Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad
I think JLo is always underrated, she looks incredible! If I had that figure, this is exactly what I would wear. Generally I thought last night lacked daring dresses, then JLo stepped out and just WOW!
Anne Hathaway in Chanel
Simple, Chic and Sophisticated. The three words I would use to describe this scarlet. Also, what better way to shrug of pregnancy rumours than wear a white corset!














Emily Blunt in Michael Kors
Again, Emily Blunt has been looked over in the Best Dressed lists this year but is a firm contender in mine. She just looks amazing and totally effortless... bravo Miss Blunt!

 Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen
Looking amazing in Zac Posen, Miss O can do no wrong lately. My only critism is that she has chosen a very similar style before and maybe she should mix it up a little.
 Isla Fisher in Reem Acra
Amazingly sparkly, Isla Fisher shines in this beautiful gown. The hair and make up compliment this look well too!














Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood
Garner looked incredible in this sparkly gown. I was however suprised it came from no other than Vivienne Westwood as its quite understated.

 Naomi Watts in Zac Posen
ZP really did dominate the red carpet last night, and appears again on my best dressed list. This looks amazing on Naomi and just shows how showing little can actually be more.