An old favourite...

My love affair with MAC's Hush Cream Colour Base is no secret... since I purchased it last year it has barely been off my cheekbones.  So when I realised to my dismay last week that I literally had only a scrap left (..I think I'd been in denial for weeks at how fast I was running out) and no time to repurchase, I had a rummage in my stash and came across a previous love...

Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Glam Tan Bronzer

 

Although showcased in a previous FOTD in the form of a bronzer, this time I lightly swept it just along the tops of my cheekbones to provide the 'lit-from-within' dewiness I love.  I am not sure this would work with my normal skin tone - as the product is quite dark - but with my Spanish tan still lingering, it took on the role of a highlighter perfectly.

Cue embarrassing photo from a recent night out...

 

If someone has a hat on, you just have to try it on...right?!

As well as the gorgeous sheen and fantastic pigmentation, this product applies beautifully; you can build it up as you wish and takes on the role of an eyeshadow perfectly.  The mineral based product means it's gentle on your skin and at just £9.49, it is gentle on your purse too.

Prestige is one of those brands that I always overlook but out of the few products I do own, they are seriously impressive and I go back to time and time again.  The Pure Shimmer version of this product is definitely on my radar for when I'm less tanned... 

Do you have any Prestige recommendations?

xxx

Custom Blend NOTD: Nails fit for a Princess.... or Graduate

When it hit Twitter that Kate Middleton was wearing Bourjois Rose Lounge on her wedding day, I mentally noted it down alongside a million other products on my to-try list (product junkie sympton number 1...).
 
So, when planning my nail colour for graduation a good week or so before the big day, (symptom number 2...) I knew exactly what I was going for!

The result was a very sheer colour - as expected - and after 3 coats I wasn't really diggin' it (old school phrase right there..!).  So, I did exactly what K Midd did and created my own custom colour.  I layered a coat of Barry M's Strawberry Ice Cream - to give a pinkier tone - underneath another coat of the Bourjois to tone it down again.

The result was the exact colour I craved - near enough to my favourite Essie colour 'Luscious Lips' that I have used up and never got around to repurchasing.

So there we have it - my new favourite custom blend pink!  I can't believe I've never mixed nail varnishes before - this has opened up a entirely new range of possibilites!

Do you have a favourite combination of colours to wear? xxx

Look Of The Day: Graduation

Yesterday I graduated from The University of Manchester after 3 absolutely fantastic years.  I'm not sure I can put into words how amazing it was to spend the day with my absolute best friends and family.  It was a very emotional whirlwind - the tears were definitely flowing at the end - but one that I enjoyed so much and would happily replay over and over again.

Here are a few photos I'd love to share with you and the all-important grooming details....!

 Dress: Zara

Heels: Zara

Bag: Louis Vuitton

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix and Estee Lauder Double Wear foundations

Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer

ELF Mineral foundation

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas paint

Urban Decay Naked, Sidecar and Buck eyeshadows

Eyelure 110 lashes

LIPS

17 Beehive lipstick

Revlon Peach Petal lipgloss 

Tan courtesy of a week in the Spanish sun (...and about half a can of Sally Hansen Deep Glow)

 To anybody else graduating soon - enjoy it and good luck!!

And to my amazing friends from University - you have given me memories that I will truly treasure forever and provided an unimagineable amount of laughter.  I already miss you more than words can say but know it won't be long before we are all together once more. 
xxxx

Best Friends

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.  

Flavia Weedn

 

 

xxxx

Hair Growth Update

I haven't posted about my battle with my hair length since November but it is always on my mind!  I'm currently torn on whether to chop it all to a mid-length style but I know I'd end up hating it, so I'm sticking to my long hair aim!

APRIL 2010

 

NOVEMBER 2010

JUNE 2011

 

Hopefully you can see the length is constantly improving and the condition is amazing considering I abuse it with heat most days!  My routine hasn't changed dramatically since November except that I switch up the products a lot more - my new favourite is the Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends leave in cream - and include volumising mousses most days to give my mane a much needed boost without back combing! 

The future....

I will be going for a trim as soon as I get back from my holiday because I'm really not a fan of the tapered ends that Toni & Guy have given me.  I want it to be all mostly one length to ensure the ends look as thick as possible.  Then the V05 oil will come into play to ensure it stays as healthy as possible!

Do you have any miracle hair growth products to recommend??  I'd love to hear about them - anything to give me the Kardashian hair of my dreams! xxx

Summer Series: Packing

Not that you'd know it from the weather (Typical UK), but Summer is officially here and many of us will be packing up and jetting off to warmer climes for sun, sea and sand.  For me, it's 8 days and counting and the fear is setting in....

WHAT THE HELL DO I PACK?!

 Here are some great tips I've picked up along the years (3 months in Australia with only 15kg was no mean feat..!) and some new ones I've heard recently....

CLOTHES 

• Only take what you really love to wear.  That dress that 'may look nice on the beach/with a tan/at sunset' will probably make you feel just as bad when you put it on abroad as it does in your own bedroom.  If you've never rushed to put it on at home, why take it away for your special few weeks?
• Keep rolling - it's honestly a godsend!  Cuts down on space... and creases too.
• Apart from jackets/blazers - as learnt from this month's 'Red' - lay inside out with the arms tucked in...genius!
• Plan - If you're really organised, you can plan your outfits.  Not down to the last detail but if you have 101 summer dresses, take your favourite 10 and you're sorted!
• Colour co-ordinate - If you're not that organised or simply have just run out of time, just choose items of all the same colour palette and you'll be fine - everything will go with everything else!
• Cover Up - Always take a light jacket or hoody, even if you're hitting the tropics.  There will usually be an occasion where it gets slighty chilly.  A pashmina is a great alternative that can be used as a blanket on the airplane too, where they are all too fond of arctic temperatures.

SHOES 

• Be realistic - you may plan to wear a different pair of heels every night but chances are, you'll stick with your faithful sandals - you feet are on holiday too!  Even if you're going to Ibiza - nobody wears heels...I've done it and instantly regretted it!
• One pair of havaianas, sparkly sandals, wedges and heels should be more than enough for even the worst shoe addict!
• Neutral colours will go with everything but brights are great for making a statement - go with whatever you're comfortable with.
• If you're on a city break or know you may be walking last distances occasionally, take an old pair of pumps that you know are broken in already.  New shoes will probably give you blisters - not what you want on a holiday!

TOILETRIES

 

• Take minis or not at all - Most toiletries you can get anywhere.  Unless you have a very specific need for a product, just save on room/weight and buy when you're out there! 
• Be realisitc - again!  You're on holiday!  Will you really be spending hours exfoliating, moisturising and deep conditioning your hair?  Probably not.
• Think outside the box - Conditioner is great for shaving your legs with and a light pair of exfoliating gloves will turn any old shower gel into a scrub and you can just throw them away at the end of the holiday. 

 

EXTRAS 

• Share - If you're going with friends, agree to share hair tools/books/toiletries and even clothes if you have the same style.
• Be a lightweight - If you have 20kg allowance but your suitcase when empty weighs 5kg, you're immediately at a disadvantage.  Try and find the lightest one around!
• Take advantage of the hand luggage allowances.  Usually this is 10kg which if you pack right, is a lot!  But remember to have your liquids in a clear bag under a total of 1L. 
• Always check the weight of your luggage before you leave!  The airlines are rip-off merchants as we all know!
• Accessories are your best friend - jewellery, especially large earrings, can completely dress up an ordinanary outfit and take up hardly space or weight.

And most importantly....

• LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!  If you know that last year you took specialist hair serums for in the sun/a different belt for each outfit/5 pairs of pyjamas and 10 pairs of shoes (...yes, I admit it - I did just this) and ended up living in the same bikini and pair of flip flops for a week, don't make the same mistake again.  This year - bikinis, havaianas, tanning oil and a few dresses are all I'm pretty much taking.....leaves more room for the duty free Vodka ;)

If you have any more tips - please let me know! xxxx

Face and Nails of the Week

I have been happily stuck in a rut with my make up this past week or so.  I've now got this down to a fine art and it literally only takes me a few minutes in the morning.  In this picture, I've gone heavy on the highlighter and added some 110 Eyelure lashes - my new absolute faves!

You can also spot my newest nail varnish purchase - Rimmel's 'In Style Coral'.  It is is a beautiful pink-toned coral that is near to Rose Libertine but slightly more coral toned and therefore an absolute hit with me!  Between this and Barry M's Peach Melba, I'm set for colours this summer!

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer (52) to contour

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

Benefit High Beam to highlight

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas Paint all over lid

MAC Tempting through outer third & crease and smudged along lower lashes

MAC Dark Edge through brows and lightly through crease to darken at night

Dream Weave mascara

[110 Eyelashes at night]

 

LIPS  

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

Lipgloss: Jemma Kidd Petal OR Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker

NAILS

Rimmel - In Style Coral 

I hope you're all having a lovely week

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx