Six Summer Lip Products

(I took the photos for this post on my Nikon, so fingers crossed the quality is better).

Ok so I am back, armed with a cup of coffee and hours of time to give you my opinions on a variety of products! I've been given every shift under the sun at work so my mind has been frosted over and taken by the joys of swimming pools (I am a casual lifeguard just as a quick disclaimer haha).
The next few days are the only days I'll have off so I thought it'd be a good idea to catch up on blogging as I have slightly neglected it of late. I have a little list of blog post ideas, the first being this one.

There has been so much talk of new lipsticks, balms, glosses, stains, etc these past few months that I thought I'd put my little opinions into the blogging mix! So lets get started, some of these products have been out a while, but others are quite recent. I've picked these products as I feel over the past few months (even longer with a few) I'd say they have been my 'go to' items for lips.

Left to Right:

MAC - Speed Dial, YSL - Sheer Candy 2, MAC - Tendertone in Tread Gently.

1. MAC: Speed Dial - This is my all time favourite MAC lipstick, for me it's a lovely everyday pink. I like quite pinky toned shades if I am going for an everyday colour, I've tried nudey ones but they just don't do anything for my fair skin tone (that's just my opinion, I've tried MAC lipsticks in Hue and Shy Girl, they just don't suit my skin tone). I'd say it was in between a fuschia/baby pink colour, with a slight gold tone shimmer. Not enough for you to notice it once applied though. I quite like a matte ish look to the lips, I'm not one for a glittery coloured lipstick so this is perfect. It also has that signature vanilla ish scent, which I don't dislike I quite like 'foody' smelling things for lip products (although it just makes you want to eat them!).

2. YSL: Sheer Candy 2 - I've had this product for a while now and I absolutely LOVE it! First off lets cover the amazing smell of this lip product, oh my days! One sniff just isn't enough, trust me. To me it smells like tropically peaches, god I am the best at describing smells...not. The packaging is also an add to the wow factor, it is one of those things that you just pull out of your bag and everyone is like WOW! The product itself gives little to no colour, it gives the smallest amount of colour but is primarily a glossy balm. Now it's quite expensive but it is certainly one to have.

3. MAC: Tendertone in Tread Gently - What bugs me slightly about this is the packaging, I'm not sure if it's just my pot or if it's everyones but I think sometimes my pot's lid likes to open itself! The lid can be quite loose even if I've put it on relatively tightly. On the upside I love everything else about the lip balm! It smells like kiwi and strawberry, yum yum. The finish is sheer and leaves a lovely glossy look, in certain lights this product can give off a slight shimmer due to the goldy/greeny glitter running through it. That probably sounds hideous, but honestly with a tan it looks amazing. I'm not sure if these are a permanent thing in the MAC collection but when they are available get your paws on one!

Left to Right:

Palmer's - Dark Chocolate and Peppermint Lip Butter, Revlon - Lip Butter in Sweet Tart, Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Lovesick.

1. Palmer's Coco Butter Formula: Dark Chocolate and Peppermint Lip Butter - I'd heard this raved about through the blogging community, yet it was never something I ran to buy. When I was waiting in duty free for my flight earlier last month, I saw this in Superdrug and just picked it up thinking 'Oh this will smell nice'. I applied it on the plane and fell in love! Never will I not have at least one of these in my handbag, the smell is good enough to eat and I guess that's the only problem! (Not that that's a bad thing!). I wouldn't say it cures dry/sore/cracked lips, it's just a good base for an uplifting and quick application when you need a bit of gloss. Cheap and cheerful!

2. Revlon: Lip Butter in Sweet Tart - The picture doesn't do the colour of this product any justice, it is more of a pink than an orange so don't be fooled by the photo. The consistency of the product is lovely, goes on smoothly and lasts hours (on me). I don't dislike the packaging but you only pay for what you get right. I love this product so much I have five different shades, they are just so easy to wear and are so reasonably priced. I would 100% repurchase this product without a doubt.

3. Revlon: Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick - Again the colour of this product isn't showing up well in the photo but it is a very blue/pink fuschia colour. This product is perfect if you want something to last all night, although the sheen wears off the colour does not hence the stain side of the product! I think this would be hard to remove without a good make up remover! The only slightly off putting thing for me is the smell, now I like minty smells. But there is something minty yet not so minty about this, I just can't get my head around it! I am intrigued to try the Clinque Chubby Sticks to see the difference between the products.


So that's my six Summer lip products! Have you tried the Clinque Chubby Sticks? What are your opinions on the products?
ox

I'm back!

Tenerife: Costa Adeje Gran Hotel - most amazing hotel.

Firstly I must apologise for my long absence, I have been on holiday for a week and then had a busy few days working etc. Alas I am back now, so time to get on with a few long awaited blog posts!

Birthday Time!

It's my birthday!!!!! As you can tell I am slightly excited, even though I'm now 22. Oh to be 18 again.
I've had a lovely past few days and I am currently preparing for the madness tonight. I'm going to show you a few pictures of some of the lovely gifts I got, so I hope you enjoy this post!

(A quick disclaimer, I will be showing gifts I got for my birthday. I am in no way bragging or showing off what I got, more documenting the items as like myself many people enjoy 'Birthday Hauls').

Mulberry - Oversized Alexa in Patent Tan Leather (from my parents)

Jeffrey Campbell - Multi Glitter Litas (from my other half)

Fossil - Stella Gold watch (from the other half)

Mango - Gold and Brown Belt (from my parents)

Vans - Lo Pro Authentic in Hot Coral (from my fiance's parents)

Miss Selfridge - Wooden Cross Necklace (from my fiance's grandparents)

Lucky Duck! (from my other half)

Books (from my other half)

I have been well and truly spoilt by my family and my fiance/his family. Never did I think I would be the owner of some of the gifts I've been given. My parents took me to York yesterday, which was lovely. The women in a little tea shop 'Bettys' (I say little yet it's huge and so so well known to everyone who goes/has been to York) gave me a little fondant cake with a candle in for my birthday, which was extra cute! Obviously I was by this time itching to get to the Mulberry store and yes that's where we went! Although never in my wildest dreams did I think my parents would buy me such an expensive bag. SO an extra big thanks to my parents, HI DAD! (he now has confessed he's been reading my blog!). Also another big thank you to the lovely staff in the Mulberry store in York, for all their help and amazing customer service. 

I am off to enjoy the rest of my birthday but I will be take photos throughout the night, so perhaps one or two I'll blog! Hope you enjoyed the latest post, be sure to read others if you found this interesting

ox

Getting Ready For Summer

Just a quick post today, I thought it'd be a nice idea to show you a few products that I'll be taking on holiday with me. I have been using the majority of the products but some are new purchases for my holiday! So excited to get some nice weather for a week.

Estee Lauder - Bronze Goddess: £40

This perfume smells AMAZING. It is the smell of Summer, I feel bad talking about this because I know how hard it is to find as it sells out so soon. But a great alternative to it is the Bronze Goddess Capri, Estee Lauder have brought out a new Summer scent, smelling slightly similar perhaps with a more citrus smell. If possible try get your hands on this amazing perfume or at least give it a sniff!

Maybelline - Super Stay 10 Hour Tint Gloss: £6.99

I stumbled across this gloss when I was in my local Boots store a few days ago. It reminded me of the  YSL Rouge pur Couture Glossy Stain lip stain, obviously minus the price tag! I was kind of unsure at first, I swatched a few colours on my hand and loved the feel. The gloss/stain isn't sticky and gives a great colour pay off. I bought the gloss in the shade 'Fresh Fuschia', a lovely bright Summer pink shade.   The product has a strange smell, not a bad strange at first I was a bit put off but now the smell is growing on me! It's almost a fake fruity smell, but a nice one! Another plus is the wand, which is a lovely take on the YSL applicator. I will certainly be looking at the other colours. 

NARS - Soft Touch Shadow Pencils: £17 each

These NARS shadow pencils are so lovely for creating a Summer's night smokey/copper eye looks. They are a very creamy consistency, therefore would make a nice base for other eyeshadows or just on their own with a good primer. The bronze/copper shade is SKORPIOS and the pinky/nude is GODDESS. Both are still available on the NARS cosmetics website. 

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant: £18

I bought this before I went to Center Parcs, thinking it would be like a cream formula as apposed to a gel. I was pleasantly surprised with this product, it really kept my skin moisturised and protected from the strange weather we are having. I'd say it was ideal to put on any dry/cracked/sore skin it works wonders! Although it has a slightly odd smell, kind of a mix between a medically smell and grapefruit. Oh how I'm selling this...haha. The smell grows on you and the product is worth the 'getting used to the smell'.

The Body Shop - Body Butters: SALE IS ON!! Range from £6-£12

I think everyone will know what these are and also will have tried them. I'm not going to go on about them, as I'm sure you've seen a million blogs raving about them! The three body butters are my go to 'smells' for these; Olive, Coconut and Almond, I also really like the Brazil Nut and Shea Butter ones. I'm not really a fruity smell person, so the ones pictured above are right down my street. If you like these as much as me and the next person, then get yourself to The Body Shop because there's a major sale. I got the big body butter for £6 instead of £12 and I got the two smaller ones in a set of three (one I gave to my mum) for £6 instead of £12. So get yourself there for some treats!!

Let me know your Summer time must haves, do you like any of the products above?

ox

Graduate Fashion Week Photo Diary

1. Train Journey 2. A Journey that felt like a life time! 3. Sparkles

4. Primark Glitter Slippers 5. Cup of Tea 6. Unusual Teabag!

7. Owls 8. Thai Food 9. Thai Food: Notting Hill

10. Byrons 11. Take Away: Islington 12. Raspberry Cocktail

13. All Saints 14. Notting Hill 15. Gems

16. Market 17. Graduate Fashion Week 18. CCAD Stand

19. CCAD Stand 20. Byrons 21. Some Of My Collection

22. Graduate Fashion Week 23. Hello! 24. Before a Show!

25. My Galaxy Print Dress 26. Other Collections 27. AA Disco Pants

London/Graduate Fashion Week

It feels like I haven't blogged for ages, I've been so busy preparing for Graduate Fashion Week and now it's finally over. So if you're looking at my blog through picking up a business card of mine then, Hello and leave me a comment if you have time I'd love to hear what you thought of the CCAD stand.
I have millions of photos that I really need to upload and go through before I put any on here, but prepare yourselves for a picture heavy post soon! I'm currently packing for my next trip which is to Center Parcs tomorrow, extra excited to get away again. 
I thought it'd be a nice idea to show you what I bought when in London, I'm glad I kind of restrained myself from spending lots of £££. But the stuff I did purchase I spent months considering and reading up on. Lets get started!!


My first London purchase are these lovely and extremely me shoes, you've probably seen these slipper/loafer style shoes floating around Topshop, New Look, River Island etc. But now you can pick these babies up in Primark! They come in black glitter and a bright cyan blue colour, I would have got both but there were no blue in my size. Plus they only cost £10, amazing amazing, I know they probably won't last as long as my Topshop slipper shoes but never the less £10.

Primark - £10

Purchase number two comes in the form of the well known and very well loved American Apparel Disco Pants. 
Ok so here's my 'disco pant' story! I have looked at them, researched into them, loathed over them, loved them and now I finally have them! You all know what they look like and after many times of picking them up and putting them back, I finally decided to get the black ones. I REALLY want the navy blue ones, so you know it is my birthday on Saturday hahah. I must say I am really getting my moneys worth out of them, I feel like I haven't taken them off!

American Apparel - £70

Last but not least, is the my final purchase. I have been after this foundation for months, just like the disco pants I have been researching into the Nars Sheer Glow foundation for what seems like years! I have extra dry skin so I was kind of worried that this foundation would cling to dry patches or just be to thin or not moisturising enough. How wrong I was. This foundation is perfect for my skin, it helps with my dry skin and leaves my face feeling hydrated all day. I have no need to worry that this product will slip off my face during the day and I have even put my setting powder away! I am in the shade Mont Blanc (light 2), the lovely sales assistant gave me a little sample of the Pro Prime: Pore Refining Primer. I've heard good things about Nars Primers, so I will be sure to give this a good go!

Nars - £29.50

Nars - Free Sample

Did you go to Graduate Fashion Week? How do you style your disco pants?

ox

May Favourites

It's June already, what!!? I feel like the months are flying by which they obviously are. May was the most stressful month of my life so far, that's to say the least. I thought it'd be nice to try and blog a few of my favourites and I guess most used things of the month, trying to keep away from the obvious things that you might see all the time. 

Michael Kors Tortoise Jet Set Watch: £179

Ok so my first love is my go to piece of jewelry, I can't be without it, my arm feels naked without it and I have no idea where what I'd do without it! This amazing little bit of heaven is my Michael Kors watch. Last year for my birthday I was looking at watches and my parents let me choose one for my main gift. I'd been eyeing up these lovely watches and the Michael Kors Tortoise Jet Set Watch caught my eye. These watches are fairly expensive but are most certainly an investment piece.

Another few bits of jewelry that I've really been into are these lovely little sparkly earrings. Now I'm usually a lover of statements earrings, but these are just so easy to wear. Now you may have seen these in bracelet form, but they never really took my fancy. I feel the earrings look small, delicate and are more easy to wear (that's just my opinion!!). These particular earrings come in 3 different sizes ranging from 6mm/8mm/10mm, both mine are 8mm. I have the nudey colour (Cramenil) which were a gift at christmas and the lilac (Les Lilas) a gift from a lovely friend as a thank you for modeling for her (let me tell you I am no model haha). 

Tresor Orion L'Original 8mm: £14 each

The next few bits are a more beauty related, I have had these for perhaps 2/3months plus so I have had some time to get a feel for each. The first product is slowly turning into my go to moisturiser, I always wanted to test out the Origins products so when I saw this I knew I had to try it. It is the Brighter By Nature SPF 35 moisturiser, I have reddy pigmented skin in places so on purchasing this I was really hoping it'd help settle my pinky hamster cheeks! I mean it's not a miracle product but what product is, yet it really has helped to make my skin look much brighter and more illuminated. I would happily wear this under a light coverage foundation/tinted moisturiser and I used to be a Double Wear kinda girl! When I bought this product I got it as part of a Mother's Day set for £25! So looking at prices for it alone on the Origins website I was slightly like 'eek!', but never the less I don't think the price would put me off a re-purchase of this. 

Origins - Brighter By Nature SPF 35 Moisturiser: £34

My next product is something that I got for Christmas and kind of just pushed to the back of my make up drawer. I recently used it for a quick wash of shimmer/light colour across my eye lids and I realised why I loved it when I used it. Mac Mineralize Skin Finish: Soft and Gentle is a perfect Summer highlighter, it gives a lovely warmth to the skin no matter what the skin tone. I am fair skinned and I feel that this gives a lovely highlight on pale skin without just looking like a mass of glitter. I would probably use this an all over lid colour more than I would a highlighter. 

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish - Soft and Gentle: £21.50

I really love lipsticks, I'm more of a lipstick girl than a gloss girl. But I recently found the YSL Golden Gloss in shade 41 in my drawer. I bought it for a Graduation evening last year to wear over a purple YSL lipstick I had bought. When getting ready last weekend for an engagement party I found this lipgloss and just threw it on quickly as I was leaving the house. I absolutely love the colour and how the gold reflecty bits of glitter shimmer through it. It is slightly sticky ish on the lips when first applied but it soon dies down leaving a lovely effect on the lips without the tacky feel. I will certainly be taking this amazing gloss on holiday with me!

YSL Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss - Shade 41: £22

What were your May favourites? ox