Monthly Favourites // October

 

Good Afternoon blog readers! I have seen a lot of blog writers doing these sorts of posts lately and I thought that I would jump on the bandwagon. I love these sorts of posts because they highlight products that are better for the different seasons. Sometimes your usual moisturizer in summer just doesn't cut it in winter and so a different product is needed. They are also really handy for doing short reviews on a lot of items all in one go. So here's my monthly favorites for October!

Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Wash

At university, whether you are the most chilled out person or not, you will get inevitably stressed. I stress about work, money and all sorts of things when at uni. That and all the partying you do as a student takes it's toll on the skin. I usually have quite clean skin (Thank you mama for that!) but I am no stranger to spots around stressful times. This wash is really creamy and makes the skin feel so smooth after use. It even gives a tingly, clean feeling after use which makes me feel super clean. For winter clean skin, it is a must and at under a fiver there really isn't any reason not to buy it. 

Garnier Moisture Match Illuminating Light lotion

For all of the reasons mentioned above, my skin becomes lack lustre in winter so when this was on offer I picked up this one. They come in a colourful range with each one specifically tackling one skin problem. This is the only one I've tried but I love it. I wont say too much more as I will be doing a full review soon.

Loreal Studio Silk Gloss Heat Protect Cream

My hair gets really dry and brittle in winter and as I use a lot of heated products this is a must for me. It smells incredible, costs £2.99 (depending on where you get it from, I buy it from Bodycare) and is the best I've used. Some heat protectors make the hair a little sitcky and feel limp. This product makes hair shiny and oh so soft. It's perfect for people who straighten their hair on a daily basis like me. Again, I will be doing a full review so I won't say too much here.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Perfume

I love love love this perfume. It is the perfect scent for everyday use and the packaging is oh so slick! I went on a cruise earlier this year (I did a 'What I wore on Holiday' blog post) with my boyfriend and his family and had a great time. My boyfriend made use of the on board casino and won. He treated me two bottles of this so whenever I smell it it always takes me back to my holidays. The other perfume I adore for everyday use is Christina Aguilera By Night, it is my all time favourite perfume, I just didn't have any bottles to photograph as I have exhausted my supplies (come on Christmas!)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'As You Want Victoria'

This is my new favourite 'going out' lipstick. It's bright and comes with a matching nail varnish by Rimmel called urban purple. I have done a full blog post on both last month so check those out. However, I am still obsessed with it and wear it whenever I can to go out. Simple eye makeup and this lipstick is great for a colour pop makeup look. Not going to be chucking it out anytime soon!

Loreal Privee Colour Riiche Nude Lips in 'Eva'

My last blog post was all about this lipstick. Whilst the Rimmel lipstick is very much a 'going out' lipstick this is the one I'm using for everyday. It's moisturizing, covers dry skin and gives a really healthy colour to the lips. There is also a whole range of nude lipsticks to match all skin shades and eye colours. What's not to love?

So, there you have it, my October monthly favourites. I will hopefully remember to do a November favourite post so keep your eyes peeled for that. Hope you enjoyed reading and please leave a comment if there is a product you would like me to try.

Much love,

Review// Loreal Collection Privee Colour Riche Lipstick

 

 

Good afternoon all, absolutely horrible weather outside so I thought I'd get myself warm and cosy and write a blog post. This morning when I was sat doing my makeup, I found myself looking through my lipsticks trying to find a nude shade, and found none. It's a habit of mine to do my eye makeup before lips and I am guilty of using a little too much sometimes. I often worry that I look like I've got too much makeup on (just me or do other people do this?) Anywayy, I decided on nude lips as you can really get away with any eye makeup and so I made it my mission to get one. 

Recently, Loreal did a rather fabulous advert full of their ambassadors such as Cheryl Cole, Eva Longoria and Doutzen. When stood in front of the makeup stand, I desperately wanted them all. There's a colour for Eva, Doutzen, Frieda, Julianne, Cheryl and Liya. I eventually settled on Eva's shade as I thought it would look the most natural on me. It's a light, rosy shade with a hint of orange. The packaging is gold and black and it looks gorgeous, something I'll be quite happy whipping out in public (sounds almost rude there, unintentional I promise.)

 Since buying it, I have worn it constantly and I have to say I love it. I paid £8.19 in Superdrug which, for a student such as myself, is on the high cost end of the highstreet. That being said, for an everyday lipstick it's perfect. It applies on smoothly and gives a creamy finish. It also does a good job of covering dry lips which in winter is a real bonus. As far as lasting power is concerned, because it is a nude colour it isn't as noticeable as it fades. I would say it lasts around three hours but does leave a slight stain on the lips after that. Overall, I am a very happy customer.

Next on my never ending wish list is the lipstick by Cheryl which is very similar to Eva's but has a more pale colour running through it. If you fancy picking one up you can go do a simple questionnaire to find out what shade you are on Loreal's website here. Have you purchased any and if not is there a colour you have in mind? I always like to hear opinions! As always, lots of love,

OOTN / MOTN// Halloween as Little Red Riding Hood

 

 

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm currently snuggled up in my armchair hibernating from the horrible wind outside. So I thought, what better time to do my first ever outfit of the night (OOTN) and makeup of the night (MOTN) post. I absolutely LOVE to dress up and Halloween provides the perfect excuse. I'd been thinking about what to dress up as for quite a while and had been scrolling through lots of blog posts getting ideas. Then I saw a post (here) talking about little red riding hood and I knew I had to do it.This costume was actually being sold by a lot of sellers on Ebay for £25.00 and then one lovely seller put this dress on for just £8.00 so I snapped it up. I also purchased some over the knee white socks to give a girly look to the costume. They also kept me warm as it is getting colder and they were the warmer alternative to braving bare legs!

Me and my university flatmates  went out to clubs dressed as Goku (A Character from dragonball Z shown in the photo above), two zombies (one in the photo above), a gothic doll, a man with half a face and then myself as little red riding hood. We made quite the sight. Some people's costumes were incredible, one girl had used what I assume was liquid latex and painted a zip ripping open her skin.I actually love seeing everyone's ideas and that people have made an effort.

 Makeup: Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid, 2 True False Eyelashes, MUA Undressed eyeshadow palate (Shades 1,3,5 and 11), Miss Sporty Studio Lash liquid eyeliner and Miss Sporty Red Lipstick shade Dream 055.

I wanted my eye makeup to be reasonably simple because I think this costume was all about red lips. I had shade one of the Undressed eyeshadow palate on the insides of my eyes, Shade 3 lining my lid crease and shade 5 darkening the outermost corner of my eyes. Shade 11 was used to line my eyelash line so that the eyeliner didn't have a harsh line. Overall, I really liked it! I can't wait until next time I can dress up again so I have a project to be getting involved in. 

Hope you liked my costume. Did you dress up for Halloween? If so post your costumes in the comments below, I love hearing about them!

Lots of love,

Haul// New Look and Dorothy Perkins

Hello all, this is my first ever haul post, woohoo! I have done so many shopping trips where I have brought back the whole store and never thought to do a post about it. Better late than never I suppose! Before I say anything about my little beauties, you will probably notice that most of my haul posts from now on will be 'New Look' this an 'New Look' that. I absolutely love the place, it's not too expensive and is always in stock with the most current trends but with a twist. So without further adeu...

 

New Look Burgundy Oversized Jumper £19.99

Jumpers are my absolute favourite thing to purchase. I love winter for the fashion of big jumpers, cute boots and hats that are cuter still. That being said, it comes as no surprise that I've brought another one. I already own one very similar to this, though the fit of this one is so much nicer. It is fitted on the sleeves and then has a comfortable, baggy fit to the body. I also like the fact that it is that little bit longer. Plus when I tried it on under my parka, it looked amazing. You would be surprised how well burgandy an khaki go together.

 

New Look Leather Look Sleeve Midi (left) £11.00 and New Look Black Midi (Right) £6.00

  The selection of dresses in New Look at the moment are to die for! The Leather-look sleeve midi dress (above left) was reduced from £19.99 to just £11.00 and I had to have it. I go out dancing to clubs a lot at university so I am forever looking for nice outfits. This one is nice and simple so I thought I could team it with an aztec necklace (see below) and some black boot heels. Add some bright lippy and a grundgy going out outfit! I've also brought some over-sized black elastic headbands (though I forgot to include them, doh) that I think will look great worn with my hair long and curly with this dress.

The plain black midi was only £6.00 and I couldn't leave it. It is the sort of staple that you can wear in any season. So just on it's own in summer or in winter with tights and a jumper thrown over, it is really so versatile. I have also noticed that crop  argyle knit jumpers are coming in this season. Over this sort of dress is one of the many ways they can be worn. 

 

New Look Neon green Aztec necklace £3.00 (Left) Dorothy Perkins Aztec necklace £1.50 (Right)

I was at the till buying the items I've shown you above when I saw this neon green aztec necklace. Aztec necklaces are really in fashion at the minute and I love them. I have so many outfits that need brightining up with some statement jewelery and so when I saw the bright neon green on this one, I had to have it. The fact that it had been reduced to only £3.00 was just a bonus.

Dorothy Perkins has a fantastic selection of jewelery and this one was no exception. I liked how this necklace was a little different and I loved that the earrings were included. So many shops make you pay extra for matching earrings so this was a nice touch. I went to the till with the intention of paying £10.00 for this beauty but when I got there, It came up on the till as £1.50 and had gone into the sale. How lucky am I!?

So you have seen all of my little haul, what do you think? As always lots of love,

Wish List// This seasons must have dress

Good afternoon lovelies! I am in a miserable mood as I have just had to say goodbye to my boyfriend for yet another time (we do long distance) and to make matters worse, I finally tracked down a dress I've been after only to find out it's sold out.

So I mentioned previously that my 21st birthday is coming up and I spotted an absolutely perfect dress, worn by Lucy Mecklenburgh in one of 'The Only Way is Vegas' episodes. I instantly fell in love with it and knew I had to make it mine. After searching for what feels like forever, I tracked it down on a website called Nelly (You can have a look yourself here) as the Jemima dress only to discover that it was sold out.

Anyway, just to tease and torture myself a little more, I thought I'd include some pictures of it so you can join me in my dissapointment.I will not give up and will make this beauty mine one day.

So after a (refreshingly) short post, I will bid you all adeu' 

Lots of love

Hair// Making a Change

“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” ― Coco Chanel

Every now and then us women get bored of how we look and want to change things up a bit. Unless you live in Beverly Hills and surgery is an option (not one I'd go for but hey), hair is what most girls turn to for a change. I am at a point where I have been dying my hair brown for three years now and I'm debating going back to my natural colour. 

I am no stranger to hair extensions, fake tan and false nails for a night out. I love getting all dolled up, but I am wondering whether it is time to go back to my old hair colour, the real me. So I've created this post just to discuss options and generally bore most people so apologies. The hair collage above is one I created (using images off google images, I do not own) to include all the women I class as icons, obviously there are more but these were the ones who have fantastic hair. 

My mother is a very glamorous woman, she used to participate in beauty and dance competitions (most of which she would win but be too modest to admit) and was always someone I saw as beautiful. To me, I always thought of darker haired women as really feminine and womanly. When I moved to university, I found myself changing and growing and I found myself needing this change, almost as a symbolic gesture of me growing up. 

So as far as the colour I am now, I would say I am Miranda Blooms hair colour in the image above, not a dark brown but not blonde either. It has been very dark in the past but I always go a little lighter for winter as I ease up on the fake tan. You can see what my hair looks like in the about me section to the right, though I have got hair extensions in, it's more for thickness as my hair is pretty long anyway. As for the colour I want to go, my natural colour is a mixture between Alessandra Ambrosio and the gorgeous Rosie Huntington-whiteley. I think it's a really natural looking shade that you can glam up or glam down. My father always says a woman can't beat her natural hair colour.

The main reason I haven't gone back before now is that firstly, I had some foxy locks hair extensions (which can be found here) in Chocolate Brown #4 and I hadn't had them long. Now I've had them around a year I feel they have had decent wear. I will keep them so if I do decide to go back, it's a case of picking up superdrugs own dye that matches (found here) and dying it back. As for getting it lighter, I have only used semi-permanent to dye it so Superdrugs colour B4 (found here) will hopefully remove it. As for new hair extensions, my 21st and Christmas are coming up so I will ask for Sunkissed Brown #8 and hopefully that will match. 

One of my reservations about going back is that I won't look or feel as nice as I do now. I think the only way to resolve this is to just go ahead and do it and find out. The other factor that is making me reluctant is actually makeup. I absolutely adore makeup, if you can't tell already! I love trying out new looks and shades of lipstick. My fear is that lighter hair tends to limit the makeup you can use. I feel that some looks I've been doing with brown hair will look too made up with blonde. 

As of yet I am undecided and I think if I do change back, it wont be until new years. The quote by Coco Chanel perfectly sums up how important hair is to a girl. Perhaps I will go blonde, if I do you will be flooded with yet more pictures and another essay no doubt.

Thanks as always for reading and please let me know what you think I should do, I need help deciding!

Much love,
Laura.

Review// Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick and Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Varnish

 

My absolute favourite thing in this world is when you find a new product that you can't stop gushing about. Rimmel have provided me with not one but two this time around and I can't wait to share them with you. I was actually in Superdrug buying nail tools and just decided to have a once over the makeup stands (dangerous stuff.)

I first saw the advertisements of the new Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks and this bright plum/pink jumped out at me and I knew I had to have it. Then I spotted the Rimmel Pro Nail Varnish in Urban Purple and as they matched so well I had to get them both. You can have a simple dress and make it with the makeup you use so matching nails/lips is a must for me.

First of all, I am an absolute lover of lipsticks and I'm always open to trying new colours, finishes and brands. I have a lot of the Rimmel lipsticks, though I hadn't tried the 'Moisture Renew' range until this one so it was new for me. So far, I am very impressed. The name is super cute called 'As You Want Victoria' (shade 360.) The lipstick comes off really glossy and moisturised and doesn't dry the lips. The colour pigment is really strong and you don't need a lot of product to build up colour. It can smudge and come off on your teeth at first (my absolute pet hate) but after about five minutes it sets and stays put. It doesn't last as long as some of my other lipsticks so I would apply again during a night out (it's far too dark to wear in the day for me.) It cost £6.29 which is a mid price range in my opinion, not really cheap but not expensive either.

The Rimmel Salon Pro nail varnish  is a varnish I've tried before and loved so it was a no brainer for me. The colour 'Urban Purple' is pretty much an exact match of the lipstick.They have a good wide applicator which applies the varnish evenly. The varnish dries so quickly and the finish is high shine. Everything you could want from a nail varnish! They only cost around £4.99 which for the quality, is very reasonable.

I can't help waffling so thank you if you have managed to read the whole essay, hope you enjoyed. If there are any products you would like me to review please leave a message in the comments below.

Lots of love,