Tuesday 31 May 2016

Sunglasses Tour

 The sun is just about shining and I've already got an obsession with sunglasses; in fact I've bought several pairs in a matter of weeks. I'm very happy with my collection at the moment, so I thought I would share with you my Summer picks. 

I managed to track down the Quay Australia Cherry Bomb Sunglasses in Rose Gold using Octer; a simple shopping site that keeps everything in one place. As a Quay Australia fan, I like to be able to see the variety of sunglasses on offer, so this really helped me to browse and shop easily. The Cherry Bomb sunglasses are perfect for throwing on as they dress up any outfit and- well- the rose gold is just an added bonus. Even though you'd expect it with every pair of sunglasses, I find that these really block out the sun too! Although these Quay Australia All My Love Rose Gold Sunglasses are similar, I'm sure they will make it into my basket very soon too and the Brown/Gold version of the Cherry Bomb's are calling my name also.  

The second pair of Quay sunglasses I own are the My Girl's. With a cat eye frame and blue tinted lenses, these are flattering and simple, yet very chic. These are great for everyday wear as they suit most of my monochrome outfits. I've actually been after a pair of Ray Bans for the longest time and these classic framed, black tinted Aviator Sunglasses look like they would be a staple in my collection. 

Tortoiseshell sunglasses have always been my weakness, every year I have to pick up a pair to add to my collection. I bought this pair from Primark which strike a resemblance to the Dior So Real Sunglasses. They're cheap, cheerful and I get so much wear out of them, but I have still been eyeing up these Topshop Cactus Preppy Cateye Sunglasses. Tortoiseshell hues always look soft and flattering on my features and are a great alternative to a harsh metal or black frame. 

What are your favourite style of sunglasses?


- This post is in collaboration with Octer - 
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Sunday 29 May 2016

Budget Contour Kits

Budget Contour Kits
Contouring kits are slowly starting to make their way in to high street stores, meaning anybody with any budget can achieve chiselled cheekbones. Today I have a run down of three affordable contouring kits that are worth checking out when you're next scouring the aisles of Boots.

The Sleek Face Form Palette was the first product I ever reviewed on this blog and it has stayed a favourite of mine ever since. It has all of the positives of the Contour Kit but with an added blusher. This trio contains a cool toned contour powder that defines cheekbones, a champagne hued highlighter which accentuates on the shadows you've created and the rose gold blusher adds a pop of colour. 

Next up is the Freedom Pro Contour Kit*; a contouring duo that comes in three shades. Although I would never opt for anything but the light option, it's actually shade Medium 02 that I believe is worth picking up. Both hues are cool in tone and work in sync to create a natural looking contour. Although they are extremely pigmented, the soft, buttery powders makes them easy to blend on the skin. 

Cream contours are still hard to come by on the high street, so when I spotted the Sleek Cream Contour Kit* I knew I had to give it a shot. With an array of six hues in the palette, you've got everything from highlighting to contouring covered. I personally like to use the lightest shade to conceal my dark circles and highlight my forehead and chin, whilst the darker shades help to emphasise the hollows of your cheekbones. It's affordable, natural looking and can be built up to a stronger colour if you use a powder contour too. 

What are your favourite contour kits?
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Friday 27 May 2016

Holiday Essentials


Although I'm not jetting off anywhere sunny any time soon, packing for a hot holiday trip is one of my favourite things to do. Swimming costumes, sunglasses and the smell of sun cream all put me in the Summer spirit. Whether you're off to Wales or to the Maldives, I have compiled a list of my go-to holiday essentials. 

After the initial "I can't find any shorts" panic, Summer clothes shopping is one of my favourite seasons to shop. Printed shorts, skirts and dresses are what I reach for the most and this ASOS Striped Cowl Back Dress is perfect for a relaxed day around a city. This Brave Soul Striped Long Line Top and AKA Shorts with Lace Trim combo is one that I think I'll be wearing throughout Summer. 

Sunglasses are my biggest vice when it comes to Summer and holidays. Primark, Topshop and Quay Australia are all of my favourite places to shop, but after falling in love with these Quay Australia My Girl Sunglasses I am now eyeing up these Topshop Ally Aviator Sunglasses

As for beauty, I don't tend to wear a lot of makeup on holiday, but I do like to take a few essentials. The Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue is my go-to base, whilst adding a water proof mascara can help you when swimming and soft, matte bronzer can help to accentuate any tan you might have. The Benefit Hoola Bronzer* is the one I'd reach for on holiday to give me an overall faux glow. 

I like to keep my hair simple, wavy or out of my face during holiday's so the Sachajuan Ocean Mista fine salt spray is perfect as it fakes waves, texture and volume instantly. As for SPF, I like to slather layers on both my body and face several times a day, although I usually opt for a lower protection if I'm holidaying in the UK, If I'm exposed to the Sun for long periods of time I like to use the Delph High Protection Sun Block Lotion*. It's very affordable, easy to blend and it remains water resistant for a good few hours. 

To ensure that my pins are prepped and and polished I always bring along several disposable razors to keep my legs in tip top condition. I have been loving these Wilkinson Sword Quattro Raspberry Rain Razors* at the moment as they're kind on my skin and are super easy to use, so you get a closer shave - Bonus! Another boring, yet essential purchase to make before a holiday is to have a strong deodorant. Mitchum is a new discovery of mine, but one that I now pack whenever I am staying away. 

What are your Summer holiday essentials?
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Wednesday 25 May 2016

5 Changes To Make This Summer

Summer is now only just around the corner, so I have started to make some seasonal changes. The sun is shining, the layers get lighter and everyone seems to be in a better mood, so I have compiled a list of changes that I always try to do once Summer comes around. 

Add Flowers To Your Home | Every season brings a new choice of flowers for you to add to your home. Peonies are my biggest vice once Summer hits, so its no surprise that having a few bunches dotted around the home every once in a while can lift the spirit and morale. Bloom and Wild are a great letterbox flower company who deliver fresh cut flowers straight to your door - I'm sure I will use them more than once this season. 

Eat Seasonal Fruit + Vegetables | Strawberries, peas and rhubarb are best in June, whilst cherries, raspberries and lettuce are perfect in July. Eating seasonally not only means you're getting the most out of any fruit or veg you consume, but you'll also get to explore a variety of produce. I have been experimenting with a range of recipes such as this 30 Minute Vegetarian Meatballs and Roasted Baby Potatoes in a Mushroom Sauce to enhance my diet and get my 5 a day in. 

Have A Clear Out | Clearing out your fridge, giving away any unwanted clothes and throwing out any out of date makeup can all help to organise your home and keep you motivated. I'm currently replacing any worn out or outdated homeware from my flat in order to make room for a new theme throughout the rooms.  

Make A Change To Your Diet | Over the past couple of months I have been trying to cut out one food or drink item every month. For March I got rid of fizzy drinks and for May it was cheese, although I put no pressure on myself to stick to it longer than a month, I have found myself never craving them once the month is over. This has really helped me to overhaul my diet, losing weight, feeling more confident and getting healthier in the process. I think I'm going to limit my chocolate consumption in June and up my water intake throughout Summer. 

Use an added SPF | Although I like to use a foundation with SPF in it, to protect my skin further this Summer I am opting for an added SPF. The Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Face* is perfect for underneath makeup, whilst the Bioderma Hydrabio Eau De Soin has protection of SPF50 which can be used to set down your base.

What changes do you make in the Summer?
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Monday 23 May 2016

Must Have Makeup Brushes


I was never into any makeup brushes or beauty tools when I was younger. More often than not I would use my fingers to blend in any product, but I soon realised that I needed the right tools to do a good job. Ever since then, I haven't been able to go past the makeup brush aisle without browsing and I'm always on the hunt for a new tool. 

If there's one beauty tool that everyone needs it's the Beauty Blender*; the more I use, the more I seem to fall in love with it. It blends everything from foundation to contour and I don't go a day without using it. When used damp, it gives the most flawless finish to your base and can fix any makeup mishaps in seconds. 

For applying bronzer, I like to opt for a fluffy, tapered brush to ensure that I get a precise application. The Benefit Hoola Bronzing Brush* is amazing at applying product to the hollows of your cheekbones, whilst making sure it goes on seamlessly. The Vintage Cosmetic Company Powder Brush* is another brush I reach for on a regular basis as the duo fibre bristles apply powder loosely, meaning it's pretty impossible to go OTT with this.

Zoeva brushes were hands down my favourite brushes to use over the past couple of years, but lately I have really streamlined my collection and only have a few that I reach for on a daily basis. Although their 102 Silk Finish Brush was one I kept going back to, the way it washed up each time and how frequently I had to replace it, I decided to pack it away for good. As for eye shadow brushes, this is where Zoeva shines. Their Luxe Soft Definer Brush and Luxe Petite Crease Brush are a duo that I keep coming back to when I want to create a flawless smoky eye. 

I was only recently introduced to Morphe, but ever since trying the M504 Large Pointed Blender Brush I have been lusting after more. This offering is perfect for highlighter, in fact it's the only highlighter brush I will use. As for blusher, I either like applying it with the Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush or this Nars Mie dupe. 

I adore so many of the Crown brushes as they're super affordable and last no matter how much you wash them. The C472 Pro Chisel* and C473 Pro Contour* brush are the perfect duo when you want to create the illusion of chiselled cheekbones with a sharp contour.

What brushes do you reach for on a daily basis?
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Saturday 21 May 2016

Hair Masks To Try

As someone with dry and damaged hair, finding a good hair mask is vital for the health of my locks. I've straightened, dyed and mistreated my hair for years, so treating my hair is something I like to do often. Today, I am introducing three of my go-to hair treatments that have all helped to thicken, grow and keep my hair healthy. 

The Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment* was one of the first masks I ever tried and several years on, I am still coming back to. It claims to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth, which it definitely does. After using this, I find my hair styles better as it continues to look glossy and smooth between washes. This high street offering comes in at £8.49; a bargain for such a luxe treatment, but I do find it doesn't last as long as my other products. 

I've made no secret of the fact that I love the Sachajuan Hair Repairmy go-to good hair in a bottle which is perfect for when my hair feels dehydrated, but I have limited time to treat it. I find 5 minutes is enough for this mask to get to work, locking in moisture and boosting my hair's texture. After using this, my locks are far more manageable and I don't feel like I need to spend hours brushing them. 

My hair often lacks in volume especially at the ends, so when I discovered the Ogario Restore and Shine Masque* I knew I had struck gold from the first wash. This thick mask has an almost balm-like texture to it, so it deeply nourishes the hair without weighing it down. Unlike the other hair masks in this line up, this one truly adds body to the ends of my locks so it's currently the one I reach for the most. 

What hair masks do you use?
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Thursday 19 May 2016

The Dewy Makeup Menu

The Dewy Makeup Menu
Throughout the year my skin tends to lack in radiance so hydrating, glowy products tend to be on the menu all year round. In the Spring and Summer months, dewy makeup is my go-to look and today I am sharing with you my staple products that I currently have in my makeup bag. 

I always start by priming my face with the Too Faced Hangover Primer; a coconut water-infused primer that helps to revive lacklustre skin and prolong makeup wear. For foundation I have been reaching for the L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation a lot recently as it instantly creates a luminous, flawless base. If I need to add more radiance to the skin then I like to apply a layer of the Aesop Fabulous Face Oil* underneath my foundation and drop a little oil onto my Beauty Blender* before blending. 

Although I choose to skip on the bronzer if I want an extremely dewy makeup look, adding a bit of colour can really help to perk up my skin. The Benefit Dew The Hoola*a liquid bronzer that can be blended out sheerly to create a natural wash of matte colour- is the bronzer I reach for the most as it compliments my complexion perfectly. As for highlighter I often like to double up, opting for a cream offering first then a powder. The Topshop Glow Highlighter in Polish adds an instant, dewy glow to the high points of my face, whilst The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer adds an intense hit of glow to the cheeks.  

I prefer to keep my blusher simple, swapping my usual powder for a cream option to optimise a natural makeup look. The Sleek Cream to Powder Blush in Carnation* is a vivid pink-hued blusher which can create a soft, satin finish when applied lightly. I follow it with an eyeliner flick, lashings of mascara and then a brush through my eyebrows. 

When it comes to choosing a complimentary lip colour, I tend to opt for either a slick of lip balm or a coral offering. The Nars Lodhi Lip Pencil gives off a strong wash of colour with a satin finish which feels comfortable to wear on the lips. If I'm after something a little more glossy and subtle, then the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are my port of call. 

What makeup do you use to achieve glowy, dewy skin?
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Tuesday 17 May 2016

Blog Photography // The Perfect Flat Lay

Whether it's on Pinterest or on Instagram, flat lays are everywhere. I'm always working on  perfecting and playing around with my flat lay methods, so I've decided to dedicate a post to mastering your own technique. Although they aren't for everyone, I find flay lays are my go-to when presenting products within blog photography and they can be a useful technique to practice and -hopefully- perfect. 

Backgrounds | I've collected various backgrounds for photographs over the months I've been blogging. They can make or break an image, so finding the right one to compliment your products is vital. If the sun isn't shining, I tend to opt for my marble background as it's easier to edit on Photoshop and can easily disguise any shadows. When I'm struggling with motivation, I need to add texture or my photographs seems to be lacking in something, I always reach for my Ikea Faux Fur Rug as it's a fool proof background when I want a bright image. Pinterest is a great place for inspiration in terms of DIY projects; my Pinterest-inspired faux white floor boards transformed my flat lays instantly. I got 4 planks of normal wood panels and glued, sawed and screwed them all together before painting them. 

Lighting | Natural lighting is so important in blog photography, but when it comes to flat lays it can be a different board game all together. Eliminating any shadows is vital for a crisp, clean flat lay as it means that there will be more focus on each product. To erase these shadows I like to have my light coming from all angles, but I know not everyone has multiple light sources so upping your ISO to 400-800 and playing around with your aperture and shutter speed can help to brighten your image. Having a single- toned background is very important if you're editing your images or you want to keep a certain theme throughout, so I would suggest making sure your area is clear and make sure that you're getting an even amount of light through before you start to get snap happy. 

Focus | If you have a DSLR like myself then learning about your manual camera settings is extremely useful when shooting a flat lay. I leave them on all the time, but when it comes to focusing on the right subject that's when things get difficult. Although layering products can look nice, making sure that all products are on a similar level can help you make sure that everything is in focus, thus creating a clearer and more crisp image. If you want to add another layer without messing up the focus on the product, then adding a bunch of flowers to the corner of the image is the easiest way to do so. 
Birds Eye View | Aside from editing, capturing the image from a birds eye view is the final step before you create your perfect flay lay. I always lay out my products on the floor as I find this is an easy way of getting the shot I want. If I need to gain more height or I have a bigger area to capture, then standing on a chair can easily help you out. 

Compostiton + Props | I shoot all of my images vertically and whenever I am capturing an image I make sure I have a few to use for Instagram too. Portrait photographs are my favourite; I find them easier to style as I find you have far more room to play with. Although I like minimal images, when it comes to flat lays I often find that the busier the better. Complimenting colours and varying positions can all make an image more pleasing to the eye, so playing around with your composition is the easiest way to transform a flat lay. 

Playing with your corners and never being afraid to leave negative space are two of my biggest tips for those starting out. Using lines both horizontally and vertically is a great place to start, as they are naturally quite aesthetically pleasing. However, if you're like me and you prefer a messier composition then I would recommend choosing 3-5 products before you start playing around with the positioning of them. Corners of items can help to add to the composition of an image, or you can crop and cut away products once you start editing. Balancing larger items with smaller items can help give a photograph a perspective. For instance, if you're going to feature a pair of folded jeans and t-shirt like this, folding the ends up on your jeans and adding a pair of sunglasses or lacy shoes can help to frame the image and give the viewer more to peer at. 

Props To use:

- Muji Drawers
- Magazines
- Candles
- Flowers
- Washi Tape 
- Stationary 

Inspiration | If you're really stuck on what to photograph and how to get started, then finding a good source for inspiration will definitely help to get you motivated. Although Pinterest is a great place to start, I tend to gravitate towards my favourite Instagram accounts when I'm stuck in a rut. In my opinion Phoebe Soup, Emma Kate and Faith Pierce are the best places to start if you're looking for regular photographs to lust after. 

What are your flat lay tips?
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Saturday 14 May 2016

The Foundation That Will Make You Swoon


It's been a long time since I ventured into Boots to purchase a new high street foundation, so when I heard about the L'Oreal Lumi Nude Magique Cushion Foundation I knew that was about to change. I've been on the hunt for a luminous, weightless foundation for some time, yet other than the handful of tinted moisturisers and light bases that I rely on regularly, nothing was floating my boat. That was until I tried this radiant offering; a budget foundation which has me smitten. 

This L'Oreal offering delivers a fresh, glowing base without glitter or lack of longevity. Unlike many other foundations which offer a lightweight finish, this doesn't leave you with a patchy base when worn throughout the day, and after a several hours wear the foundation still remains luminous, but without any excess shine. Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to anybody with oily skin, if you have dry, lacklustre skin like myself then this will work a dream. It has a very customisable finish and when I apply it with my Beauty Blender, I can create a flawless finish despite having medium coverage.  

When matching yourself to a shade, I would suggest swatching it on your neck rather than your hand as the hues come off completely different. I have the shade Vanilla which matches me perfectly, but the range could be more diverse as they seem to only carry 7 shades in the UK. 

One of my only gripes with this product is that unlike in the US, here in the UK it seems to be lacking the rose gold casing. Okay, it's nothing major, but it would make it a little more appealing on the eye. 

Have you tried the L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation?
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Thursday 12 May 2016

The Budget Concealer

When it comes to concealer, I tend to go heavy and rely on a few "do it all" concealers to help cover and camouflage any imperfections. I like a concealer to make my skin feel light and bright in all the right areas, so I often opt for a shade lighter than my complexion, even if I'm using it on blemishes.  Although I've tried many high end offerings that have all have worked wonders, I can't help but keep coming back to the NYX HD Concealera £5.50 miracle worker that does everything I want a concealer to do.

I've been on the hunt for a high coverage yet lightweight concealer which can conceal without caking for a long time now and I came across this NYX offering on one of my many orders from Boots. It's super creamy and easy to blend without setting down to quickly - perfect for concealer beginners! I have the shade fair which compliments my complexion, although I think I'm going to try Porcelain next, so that I can mix and match the shades depending on how illuminated I want my under eye area to appear. It lasts many hours on the skin without flaking or creasing and it truly is one of my most beloved concealers.   

My only gripe about this product is that it doesn't last very long if you like a 'do it all' concealer like myself and you use it everyday. Despite this, I have repurchased several and I'm sure I will continue to do so. I always reach for this when I need high coverage, but a natural finish perfect for daily use. 

Have you tried the NYX HD Concealer?

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Tuesday 10 May 2016

How To Stay Organised With Your Blog


Getting myself organised with my blog has never been easy; I've tried many techniques and approaches but nothing ever has worked for me as well as my current method does. Although I know I'm not very minimalistic when it comes to blog organisation, I have found a range of processes that have worked perfectly. Today I thought I'd share with you some tips for those of you who struggle to get and stay organised with your blogs. 

LISTS | Bullet journals are all the rage now, but personally I don't think you can beat a standard notepad and pen. I have several blank pages saved at the front for my list of blog post ideas, ticking them off once they've been completed. Whenever I am on the go, I like to jot down any ideas in my Wunderlist app or simply in the notes section of my phone; this keeps ideas fresh in my head once I revisit them and makes sure I don't forget any blog topics I want to cover. 

PLANNING | I once planned everything on paper, but soon began to realise that Excel planning was the way forward and I've never looked back. To keep my months organised, I colour code each section to indicate which posts need more work and those which are finished. I like to section each blog post into six sections including photographing, writing and promotion to make sure that I have everything covered from planning through to publishing a post. Since using this method I've rarely missed a blog post and I now feel like I can comfortably plan the rest of my month easily. 



DITCH THE DIARY + PRIORITISE| I juggle two jobs and blogging, so prioritising projects and work seems to come naturally to me. When it comes to my blog, I like to use various calendars to keep my days and weeks organised. I use this Rifle Paper Co Appointment Calender to note any important deadlines or birthdays, whilst my phone calender keeps my day-to-day reminders and any work projects. As I now do most of my organising for my blog on Excel, I have stopped feeling so overwhelmed with my workload as my diary is purely for work purposes only. 

How do you stay organised with your blog?
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Sunday 8 May 2016

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks.

 Liquid lipsticks are everywhere at the moment and with more and more brands coming out with their own versions, deciding which one to get can be overwhelming. I've had the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks in my collection for many months and after a long time trialling them I thought I would give you my thoughts. 

Patina is the shade I reach for the most, as the nude pink hue is a shade I usually opt for on a daily basis. With a lightweight, creamy formula that sits comfortably on the lips this one has quickly become one of my most worn liquid lipsticks. Amore, a deeper plum shade with gold shimmer running through, is unlike anything I currently have in my collection. Although I wouldn't necessary opt for a lip product with shimmer in, this definitely has it's positives as it makes the lip appear fuller and plumped, whilst making the darker shade easier to pull off. 

Although both shades are creamy, easy to use and pigmented, I find that the smell can be very overpowering at times. Amore is definitely the hue I wear the least as I have found that as it has got older it wears less evenly on my lips; making for a crumbly, messy lipstick line after only a couple of hours of wear. I do find them a tad drying if I'm planning to wear them all day long, but it's nothing that a layer of lip balm can't fix. The shade Patina wears perfectly, only becoming faint and worn after 6+ hours of wear and If I'm after a full lip look then I like to apply the NYX Lip Lingerie in Push Up to the centre of my lips to add an ombre lip effect. I think I'm going to purchasing Baci or Caramello next as these new neutral nudes for 2016 look like they'll be perfect for the Summer. 

Have you tried the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks? 
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Wednesday 4 May 2016

Spring Wishlist

Every season I like to find an excuse to go on an ASOS spending spree. New sunglasses, t-shirts, the lot. This Spring I have been lusting after several different pieces, so I thought I would share with you everything that has been in my saved section for some time now. 

I'm not sure if I've ever done an ASOS haul without including a few tops and basic t-shirts. I have been getting back into peplum tops recently, so this ASOS White Denim Top and ASOS Ruffle Hem Tee are two that I am definitely going to buy. I think that this ASOS Contrast Ribbed Panel T-Shirt would look perfect paired with denim shorts or jeans for a relaxed, simple look. 

The hotter months wouldn't be the same without a couple of staple dresses. This Off The Shoulder Mini Dress is the perfect Summer dress as it's loose fitting and can be dressed up or dressed down easily. The other dresses of choice which I have fallen in love with are the Lazy Oaf Jersey Retro T-Dress; a dress that I wouldn't usually go for and this Boohoo Striped Off Shoulder Shift Dress, which would look great dressed up for a Summer pub lunch. 

I've never been a massive shorts wearer, but this season I have been lusting after a good few pairs. These ASOS Blue and White Embroidered Shorts look like they would be the perfect edition to my Summer wardrobe, as the pop of blue can easily add a rare bit of colour to my outfit. For more of a casual look, I have been eyeing up these ASOS Stripe Shorts as the pom pom trim is right up my street and although we're still a couple of months off before I can crack these out, I think I need to snap them up soon. 

Everytime I go on ASOS, my eyes seem to wander to this Monki Denium Dungaree Playsuit as I have a vision of wearing it with a striped top and relaxed trainers for a simple, casual look. 

Sunglasses are my weakness as soon as the sun comes out so it's no surprise that my basket is full of them. Quay Australia are my go-to and these My Girl Marble Sunglasses have been tempting me a lot recently. The Ray Ban Round Metal Sunglasses are another pair that I have been lusting after as the rose gold lenses and slim metal framing are right up my street. 

I am currently waiting for this Pour Moi Bra to come back into stock in my size as the white lace detail looks delicate and expensive despite the small prize tag, but whilst I wait I can't help but scour the pyjamas page for a few new additions. These ASOS Bloom Printed Cami and Short Set instantly caught my eye as the satin fabric would be cooling in the hotter months and the print is to die for. 


What is on your Spring fashion wishlist?
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Monday 2 May 2016

Bank Holiday Makeup

Today is a bank holiday in the UK, which can only mean one thing - I get to play around with makeup all day. Although I tend to opt for a barely there makeup look on lazy days, I can't help but dig out old favourites and play around with new products every so often. Today I have gone for a basic base and bronzed eye look, using various products that I have been trialling over the past couple of months. 


I have been reaching for a minimal, lightweight base a lot recently; the Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint being my first port of call. It helps to disguise blemishes and uneven skin tone, whilst still creating a flawless, natural finish that is barely detectable on the skin. To make it even lighter and a bit more of a tinted moisturiser, I like to add in a bit of the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue to add a dewy finish to the look. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders have been my go-to trio for when I need to set, highlight and bronze my complexion. I like to apply Radiant Light; the bronze offering of this palette down my cheekbones and along my temples to act as a light contour and I then use Dim Light to set my t-zone area. 

For cheeks, I have been trialling the Sleek Cream to Powder Blush in Carnation*, a vivid pink hue that offers a soft, satin finish when applied lightly. When I first tried this I was sceptical that it would be too clown-esque, but it actually brightens and flatters the complexion, especially when I'm wearing fake tan. 

The Nars Kalahari Eyeshadow Duoa bronze, copper combo is the eyeshadow palette I have been reaching for the most lately. The gold hue brightens, while the dark brown helps to define and line the eyes subtly. To compliment this eye look further, I apply the Sleek Eau La La Liner in Molasses* to the upper lash line and then smudge it slightly to give off a soft, smoky effect. I then finish off with several lashings of my mascara of choice. 

Last up is lipstick and every bank holiday- or weekend for that matter- I like to have a rummage around in my makeup collection to find any lost gems. Today, I have dusted off my Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl; a natural berry shade that I haven't worn for several months due to it's Autumnal feel, but I'm sure it will go down a treat today. 

What makeup are you wearing this bank holiday?
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