Get the look 03............



Bralet and trousers - Topshop £38 for suit, White Tee - Mango £9.99, Floral Wedges - New Look £24.99

This Summer look is from Chris Benz, I like that fact that it looks different but its actually quite simple as its just layering. I love this Bralet and trouser suit from Topshop the swan print is great, Its a good price for the both as well at £38. I think the Bralet trend is so hard to wear, not everyone is blessed with washboard abs lets face it (I have never had a flat belly even when I was a tiny tot). This look however makes it easy to wear, your embracing the trend without actually getting it all out. I also think as you can have the trousers as a separate they will make a great summer staple, especially worn with a bright pastel blazer and a shirt. In the picture they have styled it with black heels but for me I think it needs colour, so I thought these amazing wedges from New Look would look good. They also do really nice floral wedges at Primark too, and obviously the white tee speaks for itself mango is just an example as we all have one of those in our wardrobes. What do you think of this crop top trend? 



Get The Look 02.....



Red Cropped Sweater - Forever21 £19.75, Suede Wedges - Missguided £34.99, Yellow Shorts - Own The Runway £14.99, White Blouse - H&M £7.99, Pointed Ballet Pumps - Topshop £42



Today's Look is from The designer label Carven, I love this look as its easy to pull together and it looks so comfy (well maybe only the heels for an hour or two). I love the colours too I wouldn't have thought to put them all together in this way, especially with the blue shoes. I have pulled the separates off of the high street to show you how easy it is to get this look, also as separates you can mix and match them with anything in your wardrobe. I'm sure there maybe cheaper alternatives out there too, or maybe mixing it with different colours? Would you wear this look?

Get the look 01.....

  Leigh Striped Jeans - Topshop £40, Black Strappy Heels - New Look £12.99, Blue/Grey Sweater - New Look £24.99, Barry M Lipstick Pale Nude 154 £4.49 

So like most of us I don't have a designer bank account to get the catwalk looks, so I make my own versions of the looks I love from the high street. This look is from A.L.C which is a brand I blogged about before that I love, It mixes smart/casual so well and I find it a hard look to put together right. I really love these striped jeans they are a nice change to normal denim and elongate your legs (which I need help with) I think they would also look cute with tan brogues or leopard print pumps and a white vest top if your brave enough to flash the flesh yet. I am going to make these posts over the next few weeks from the S/S 12 catwalks ready to inspire our summer wardrobes so I hope you enjoy them. I need some inspiration desperately as I'm still stuck in my winter habits, I just cant seem to part with my tights!! What are your favourite looks for summer? Have you got your wardrobes ready?

Club Tropicana

How amazing has today been again, I'm loving this weather! I should get my legs out I know but I haven't started my tanning process yet Its always a chore for me, I know I need to use it but it does my head in. Does anyone else feel the same or is it just me being lazy!?

 Anyway Ive been saving these vintage trousers for a sunny day, so obviously when I saw the sun shining I threw them on this morning and ran straight out the house. Hence why I have paired it with a Vintage Kiss tee and my Topshop denim jacket, I wasn't really thinking when I put it together but It kind of goes right? Too late now!

I also thought I would show you my daily makeup as I haven't done much of this so far since starting my blog. I have a bad break out around my mouth and chin at the moment, so I had to show you the results of the Vichy Foundation I blogged about here that covers it so well! I saw it on the Lisa Eldridge blog and I knew it would be good she really knows her stuff, but honestly it is a miracle worker for me at the moment. I'm pale so blemishes are always really prominent on my skin but I really recommend this to anyone that has bad blemishes that just wont cover, its brilliant.

I'm also wearing the cult Nars Orgasm I blogged here and the Loreal Caresse Lipstick I bought over the weekend which I also blogged about here ( il stop linking now I promise....). The Loreal Caresse doesn't show up very bright on my camera at all but it is in the flesh, its a pretty fuchsia pink shade with a lovely finish. I like the colour of the Nars blush and I know its a real beauty must have, but I don't think its that amazing for me I think for the summer I'm going to invest in a candy pink. Anybody know any good brands/ colours I should try?

I hope you have all been enjoying the weather!

Mac Must Have

Now for every gal there is always a product in your daily routine that you cant live without, its something that just makes you feel better and this is mine. This is Mac Studio Fix Powder and it has to be my favourite product in my makeup bag, I try other powders but I always end up going back to it.

I struggle with my skin a lot as its oily and blemish prone, I don't want to over load my skin but it takes a lot of covering to get a flawless base that lasts all day. Its a battle isn't it really? Too much coverage and not enough coverage can both leave your skin looking awful, you cant win! Sometimes though foundation and concealer are just not enough coverage for me, I do think it has a lot to do with my skin tone as a red blemish on a pale skin shows up much brighter. This tones down any angry colouring or pigmentation though, it really helps to mattify my skin and I only need to use a small amount. I don't use the sponge applicator that is comes with I find it makes it cake on the skin, I use a powder brush instead to sweep a light amount over my foundation. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has similar problems with their skin as I do. The one thing I will say is that this is for serious coverage so If you are lucky enough to have good skin or if your skin is dry its probably too heavy. The Mac Blotting Powder is a great powder I would recommend for a normal skin type with few blemishes, it evens out your skin tone but its pretty sheer so it looks really natural.

Do you have any skin saviours you cant live without? I would love to hear what your favourite beauty must haves are.....

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Hey guys if your a fan of bloglovin or in fact my blog you can now follow me on there........


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Loreal Rouge Caresse

So I gave in to another beauty hype AGAIN and went and got myself a Loreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick. I decided instead of doing what I always do and buying the lot to find I don't like them I chose to get just one colour first to try. I went out to get the 07 Cheeky Magenta, but as usual when I got there every single one had been used (yeah thanks for sticking your fingers in that so we cant buy them). So I compromised and got the 202 Impulsive Fuchsia, it isn't as bright as the 07 but it is still pretty it has a pop of colour without being too harsh. The thing I love about this lipstick is the texture and feel, it glides on really well and it left my lips really moisturised and soft without being sticky or wet. I would say they are not for the adventurous type so if its a statement lipstick you want Id probably stick to Illamasqua, but for a sheer brighter day time look this is pretty good. Il definitely be purchasing some more from the colour range ready for the summer but il wait for the initial craze to die down so I can get a non used one. Do you like the new Rouge Caresse?

Vitamin E For Me

This has been my skin saviour over the past week, I had a really bad reaction and my skin was so sore, dry and full of blemishes. I knew I needed to use something different as everything I own is for oily skin and was all too harsh so I picked up this Vitamin E Facial Soap from the Body Shop. I love this its really helped to balance my skin out, Its so simple and I think when your skin is aggravated less is more. This may not work for everyone, but for me I have been using my Manuka Honey Foam Cleanser in the morning and this at night and its worked. It really gives that clean feeling without drying out my skin and it takes the last traces of makeup off brilliantly. It says for All Skin Types but I probably wouldn't recommend this for anyone with dry skin as it is a soap at the end of the day and will probably make it worse. But anyone out there who has oily/combination skin like me that plays up all the time this is great, and its only £3! Bargain....

Glossy Box Month Review

So a few weeks ago we got our Harrods Glossy Box, I blogged about it when it arrived here but I thought I would do a review after I have used them to give my opinion. Its always best to give them a couple of weeks trial isn't it. I did say I was disappointed in the box as I don't use anti ageing products or lotions as they are too heavy, but my mom and sister do so I gave two of the products to them to review for me. I think its always good to get a second review from them, my mom has used every anti wrinkle cream going!

1. Valentino Valentina Eau De Parfum - I don't normally do sample perfumes as you don't get much and normally you take the top off and it spills everywhere. This had a spray though which was great, so I tried it and I have to say I really liked it. It sort of reminded me off Jimmy Choo which I already have. Its quite floral and sweet it may not be to every ones taste, but when I run out of perfume I may buy this.


2. Molton Brown Vitalising Vitamin AB+C Bath and Shower - Again I don't normally use shower gel, I am more of a soap girl I think it leaves my skin cleaner than a shower gel. This shower gel is nice though I have to say, It smells lovely but doesn't over power and leaves your skin soft and clean. I found as well that I didn't need much at all, which is good as the full price bottle for me is too much for a shower gel. I tried this for a few days to see if it could change my mind, It didn't I'm afraid I'm a dedicated Dove Soap user But it was great for a trial size.


3. SKII Skin Signature - I didn't use this as its too heavy for me, but I did give it to my mom to try as she is a wrinkle cream pro. It came in a good sized trial pot and I like the bright red packaging, Its non fragrance and it was almost a lotion like consistency. My mom did say though that although it was a good texture and it went on easily, if she used too much her skin went dry and sore throughout the day. I think this may be its way to firm the skin but with ageing skin it needs moisture and firming. For the price tag I was expecting it to do it all but It didn't work for my mom, but the upside is that you really only need a drop so it would last a good while.


4. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara - Ive never used a Lancome mascara before but I have to say I'm converted already! I was excited to try this as I have unruly eyelashes, they do whatever they want regardless of what I put on them. This did manage to control and lift my lashes without clumping, the colour is good as well its not so black that it makes your eyes look over done. I like to be able to build up my lashes to get the right look for whatever I'm doing, my eyes are on the smaller side so I need to pump my lashes up when I go out. I will probably purchase this when I run out of my current mascara.


5. Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream - I gave this to my sister as she loves body creams and I knew she would be able to rate this properly as I don't use them much. The sample was yet again another good size, I would need a lot to cover my body! She used it and said it was really nice, she said it didn't smell of anything and it was light and absorbed easily. Obviously she didn't have enough to test the firming side of the lotion, I think you need a month or two to see a real improvement. I'm guessing it wont perform miracles as most lotions can only do so much to firm your skin, you have to exercise as well (I'm preaching this but I don't do any....I'm such a hypocrite!)


6. Shu Umera Cleansing Oil - I love cleansing oils and at the moment I'm using Environ, but this is great! It really felt like it was cleaning deep down into my skin, and I really only needed to use a small amount to remove my makeup. I wasn't over keen on the smell but I did love the product as most of you probably do. I do want to try more of the range, I do think its pricey for the cleansing oil, but using a small amount will mean you should get value for money.


Overall I do think it was an OK box this month but like most I was hoping for the Burberry lipstick, but you cant win them all! What did you think? Did you find anything in there that you would buy yourself?


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Boots 17 Photo Flawless Primer

I have been looking for a good primer for ages, so when 17 was on 3 for 2 (we all love a bargain) I decided to take the plunge. I have tried a lot of primers that are mainly on the higher end of the price range, well it was a big waste of money they didn't work for me. We all make that mistake of thinking the more it is the better the quality. That's why I decided to try this, I had seen it had some good reviews when it first came out a while back.

Well after a lot of testing Ive realised that I need to go back on the hunt for a good primer! Don't get me wrong it has some good qualities, its not heavy it goes on well with no piling and its clear so theres no change in colour. It goes invisible on the skin that much that it looks like I haven't even put any on. There was literally no change in my skin at all, it didn't even it out, keep oil away or hide my pores/blemishes. I'm not sure if its aim is to cover up everything, but I just assume photo flawless means hiding all the things you don't want the camera to see. Lets face it the camera doesn't lie, so I want a primer that will!

 I do want to try the cult Shu Umera UV Primer, Ive heard great things about it. I pick it up every time but then I chicken out and put it back and run. The thing is its expensive and although I have paid that for cosmetics before I kind of have an issue with paying that price for a primer. If I knew for a fact it would work I would but its always a gamble when you buy cosmetics, I could probably have had a down payment for a house from the money I have wasted.

                               Does anyone have any recommendations for a good oily skin primer?

Monday Confessional

I hate when the weather cant decide if its sunny or cold, makes me not be able to decide what to wear so in a rush I put them all together. Have I pulled it off!? Quite often I don't, throwing it together in 2 seconds, so many times Ive got to work and realised I look like a crazy woman and not in a good way. Does anyone else do this or am I the only lazy one who gets up too late to do anything?

 It may sound vain and I never thought it was so important before, but I do think it makes your day go better when you feel your best. I don't think it matters what your wearing, how you look or whether your socks match (mine rarely do). Its not about whether you have the latest designer collaboration must have or you have a £5 dress on. As long as your happy with you and you carry yourself well then that's all that matters, its sounds corny but its true. Ive never been confident in my looks Ive struggled to like what I see in the mirror like many, but I was involved in a really serious accident at the start of the year and it made me realise just how much I have taken for granted. Its amazing how it can change everything and how it can ruin your day to day life. Even something as simple as putting my hair in a bobble has been impossible due to my injuries. I haven't been able to live my normal life, wear any of my nice clothes or go on nights out with my friends. But I'm finally starting to get better so from now il be posting more unfortunate pictures of me. I'm saying sorry in advance as you will probably see a lot more of my ugly mug from now on!

I know this may have been a post full of cliche sayings and not about interesting reviews, but I just thought I would share with you something that has been a wake up call for me. Ive become a huge preacher of taking risks and doing what you want to do since I had my accident 3 months ago. Ive always wanted to start a blog about beauty and fashion, and I know theres so many out there so its probably nothing to most. But for me it was, I wouldn't have done this until I got a wake up call to make me realise you shouldn't doubt yourself. I always thought people wont read, or people will laugh at what I have to say and hate my pictures. I was wrong the blogging world seems great so far. Ive only been blogging for a month now, but every person that reads, comments or if I'm lucky follows are greatly appreciated. I just wanted to say that, so now il stop the wannabe Oprah style speeches and il get back to talking about lipsticks and shoes!!

H&M Lips

On Friday I picked up these little gems from H&M, I don't normally buy the cosmetics from there as I said in this previous post. The prices are great for high street make up but its just never appealed to me before. The cosmetics stands are normally messy and half filled with dated plastic jewellery nobody wants and so I bypass it. But I have to say I have changed my mind since this little buy, we have a fairly new store on the outside of the Bullring in Birmingham that seems to be getting it right in terms of shopping space. Working in retail made me see just how easy it is to suck someone into buying things when its easy to shop from, so this sucker (aka me) got pulled into buying lip balms, like I need anymore! 

As for the products I'm smitten, the packaging is great, and they smell so good I could eat them. The texture of the Vanilla and Ginger balm is light and matte on the lips which is ideal, I prefer a balm to a Vaseline tin I feel they are a bit too greasy for me. They had a Pomegranate balm in the same style but a black and red tin, I wanted it of course but there was only one left that someone had sneakily used so I thought maybe not. The two glosses I got are clear and shiny as glosses are, there not like a thick juicy tube consistency though, they are quite fluid like so you only need a drop. I didn't need them obviously I only went in for a hair clip, but they were all less than £2 each so its ok. Like all of us I have 100's of balms and glosses but oh well when they look this cute who cares!

Mission Bronzer Part 1

So a week ago I went in search of a new bronzer to revive my winter skin which I blogged about here. You know what its like one ray of sunshine and I think its time for summer. So off I went looking for a purse friendly bronzer to make me look like I had just stepped off the plane from Morocco, and not Bognor Regis. The trouble is being really pale I need colour to make me look alive but bronzer often looks patchy on my oily skin. Ive used all different brands and the last one I tried was a Monsoon Accessorize one, it was quite good but Ive still not found a favourite yet. They are either too dark, glittery or break in my bag and leave all my other make up ruined.n So while I was having a browse in boots I saw they had a 3 for 2 on 17, and as they were new products I thought why not. I don't normally use 17 but the seem to have had a revamp lately, and the stuff is inexpensive which is always good. I got the two bronzers above and I got the Photo Flawless primer, Ive heard a lot about that range so was curious to try. I will blog my primer review later.


This first one is the Medium Matte Bronzer, I had high hopes for this it was just the right size, had a sturdy compact and a matte finish so no drag queen gold tones. So I brushed it on only to be disappointed pretty much straight away, it was patchy and way too dark for me and it almost had a dirty mud look when it was on my skin. I'm thinking maybe I should have opted for the lighter shade, although that barely showed up when I tested it. Overall it didn't work for me on my oily skin, the look on me was almost like what I imagine David Dickinson would look like if he didn't wash for a week. I did like the design on the powder though it disappeared after one brush over.

The second was the Shimmer Brick bronzer, it looks full of glitter when you first look but the colours are more metallic and blend well together. This one I was impressed with as it gave me a glow and highlighted my face without any patches or dramatic change in colour. I liked the overall appearance it gave my skin, it wasn't too different from the high end ones I have tried before. I do think it is more of a night time bronzer though as the sheen looks a tad over done for the day time for me. But as Shimmer bricks go its pretty good, and the colours are great for eyeshadow too, I do love a multi purpose product.

Overall for a budget bronzer I would say the Shimmer brick is better but I don't think Ive found my perfect bronzer yet. Its so much harder when your pale to find that perfect shade without looking crazy orange, or like you should be in a Las Vegas show. I'm hoping to maybe try a Nars one next, Have you tried a Nars bronzer? Or do you have another one I should try? I would love to know where I'm going wrong!

Fridays Mini Haul

Another Friday, another mini beauty haul.....I know I just cant help it! I have to say though everything here was pretty much cheap as chips, so obviously that makes it easier on my bank account. As I've blogged previously I'm having a bit of a nightmare with my skin at the moment. Everything and anything that I put on my skin is being rejected, even products Ive always used. So I decided to go to the body shop and pick up a Vitamin E Facial Cleansing Bar, I'm hoping using this mild soothing soap will help. I will use it for a week and blog the results. I also got a really bad beauty tool.....I know you have spotted it already, its the blackhead extractor. They are so bad when used improperly but I have a friend in the industry who said they aren't that bad anymore and It would probably help to de-clog my skin if I use it every now and then. Plus    it was 30% off Body Shop Members so it was less than a coffee....

I also just happened to be 'browsing' in H&M when my beady eyes spotted the makeup stands, I was really surprised to see the new stuff they have. They have really upped their game with some of the packaging my camera doesn't do the Vanilla Balm case justice, it all used to be really plain and boring, I know it shouldn't but it does influence me when buying products I like them to look nice even if they cost pennys. I ended up restraining myself and only getting 3 lip products (il do a separate blog for these) and two hair clips, which is really good for me and they were all less than £2 each so I had to. I do think the prices for their stuff is unbelievably cheap, but as a makeup hoarder I love that I can treat myself and not feel guilty. I haven't tried much of the range at all as I used to bypass it, Have any of you used the H&M makeup? I loved the nail colours are they as good as they look?

Vichy Dermablend Foundation

 

So lately I've been really suffering with my skin, its become oily/dry and I have blemishes, its almost like extreme combination skin. As you know when your skin acts up your makeup always sits badly on your skin, I don't want to make it worse but it needs serious help covering! So I watched the Lisa Eldridge Acne Cover-up video on her blog that a lot of you have probably seen, its amazing what magic she works on this models skin! I was really impressed with her view on covering blemishes and how she did it with a foundation and not a concealer. So being a makeup sucker I bought the Vichy Dermablend Foundation she uses in the video. Anythings got to be worth a try right? and she is a pro after all.

                     

As you can see I bought the Opal shade which is the lightest they do. I think this is light enough for me. It can appear darker in the tube but when its on your face it blends in really well. Its matte but not cakey or tight on the skin. I applied it as I saw on the video and I have to say I was quite impressed. I didn't get the exact amazing results, I think a lot of that stems from my skin being aggravated. Also Lisa Eldridge uses a anti-redness foundation, this probably really helps the concealing. I however used my Mac Studio Fix and it did a pretty good job, I may even try it as an all over base just to see the full effects. I will post pictures of my ugly mug for you to see the finish it gives on my skin and show you what I used. Has anyone else tried this for concealing? did you get a good coverage or was you not impressed?

I also have to do a slight 'big up' to Escentual.com, where I bought my foundation. They had the best deal on this foundation and the postage was reasonable too. I ordered it late Sunday night and received it on the Tuesday morning, along with a couple of goodies thrown in which is always a bonus. I was really impressed as on some sites its way overpriced even before the postage, which I'm finding is the case for a lot of websites at the moment. I have to stress I'm in no way promoting or selling for this company and I bought this with my own money. This is just a pure review to show you where I bought mine from and to let you know where the best deal was for me.