Wednesday 30 October 2013

October Favourites.

Can you believe that it is the end of October already!? I sure can't! I am going to hop right in to my fashion and beauty favourites for this month!


Firstly, cardigans! More importantly, fluffy cardigans! I bought this beauty from River Island (along with the exact same cardigan in both black and cream, I know, I know!), and I adore it. I really like to add texture to outfits so these sweaters are just perfect. The colour of this specific one is so beautiful and I'm not usually a wearer of pink at all, but I was drawn to this. I would say that it is true to size, though I kind of regret not buying a size up because I like the the look of slouchy, 'I just threw this on' knitwear. It is still available on the River Island website (and on sale!) here! The other colours are also reduced to £25 so I am a little gutted that I bought all three at full price!





My most worn nail varnish of the moment - Fallen Leaf by Topshop. I think the colour is so autumnal and I quite like its muted tone. I am always a lover of green shades on the nails but my go-to collection of vibrant and minty hues haven't been complimenting my growing winter wardrobe. I am glad I found this lurking at the back of a cupboard! It is no longer available online, unfortunately, however OPI Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window is similar and can be found right here!




I know, I know, more Origins! Seriously though, their Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask is probably one of my greatest purchases of the YEAR, never-mind the month! With the weather getting colder and being exposed to central heating, I have found that my skin is becoming more and more dehydrated and around my nose especially can become flaky. I apply this at night (as the name suggests!) three to four nights a week and honestly, my skin has never looked better. If this cost the earth, I would still have to have it in my life. Here it is if you'd like to check it out. I can understand why it is rated as a top seller on their website.



So I bought the Anastacia Brow Wiz in brunette back in June, in Sephora. I wasn't overly enamoured with it in the beginning, but it is now about to run out and I have come to the realisation that it is actually something I need to have in my make up bag. As a lover of a strong brow, I have tried numerous products over the years and I can safely say that this is the one that produces the greatest effect with the least amount of effort. One end has a really slim nibbed pencil and it gives the most natural, but wonderful definition. The other end, as you can see, has a spoolie which is great for running through your brows to even the colour application out. I thought I wouldn't repurchase but boy, was I wrong!




I don't know what it is, but I have always been drawn to a statement boot. I crave the infamous Chloe studded boots, but parting with over £800? No, thank you! Thankfully, I have found quite a few dupes online. Here, on ebay, look almost identical and are a steal at only £14.99. These guys on missguided.co.uk are slightly more expensive at £32.99 but still very reasonable, in my opinion, for boots. I think boots like these take a plain and simple outfit and make it something special.



Finally, and don't laugh, I know I am so late jumping on this bandwagon, is the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart Valentine. I actually did purchase this a while ago but never got around to using it much until this month. I looooove it! Just Bitten Kissables are the most unique mixture of lipstick and lip balm I have ever experienced. The colour pay-off is excellent and my favourite thing is that this wears so nicely. You don't end up catching a glimpse of yourself in a mirror and seeing your lipstick only on the edges of lips and worn in the middle. I am definitely, definitely going to invest in more shades of this. Maybe even all of them...




And there it ends! In November I am going on a shopping trip to Manchester, so look out for a blog post on that.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Review: Origins Vitazing.

I said in my last post that this blog would reveal me for the true Origins fiend that I am, and look! My second post and what am I reviewing? None other than a moisturiser by said brand!

Vitazing - a wonderful day-time moisturiser. It has SPF 15 and claims to be energy boosting. When you squeeze the tube, the mosituriser does come out grey (which I found off-putting at first) but when you rub it into your skin, you'll notice that it has a tint. I've read several damning comments about this and the fact that it is slightly orange, and honestly I would tend to agree. It is a little oompa-loompa, but I find once massaged in well, my skin looks AH-MAZING! I was wearing only this a few days ago - no make up - and my friend asked what I had on because she said I was glowing.
As far as its mositurising ability goes, I don't think it's the best but I use super hydrating products at night so a light mosturiser is perfect for me under foundation during the day. I am definitely going to re-purchase this bad boy!

I would recommend that anybody who is looking for a decent mosturiser to apply directly before make up tries this. The good news is that Origins now do travel-sized versions, priced at approximately nine euro each which I like to buy before committing to the full-size.

I believe that Soap & Glory have a moisture lotion, Glow Job, which is somewhat similar, though I have never tried it myself. If anybody has, I would love to hear what you think! Especially because Origins products do err on the pricey side so if I could have a similar result and more money in my bank account, that would be the best!

Sunday 27 October 2013

My all time favourites.

I thought I'd start this blog by just jumping right in! This post is going to be about my all time favourite beauty products and make up etc.

To begin, the most wonderful foundation I have ever used. The one I have re-purchased numerous times, despite its hefty (in my opinion at least!) price tag.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. I wear the shade B20 (B30 when I have a tan... okay, that's never...). I've been a sucker for this foundation from the very moment I first tried it. Super blendable, buildable coverage and B20 is the perfect colour match for my skin-tone. I would recommend that everybody tries this at least once during their quest to find 'the holy grail foundation'. Don't be afraid to ask for a sample at a Chanel counter either - they've always been more than generous to me!





That's right - I am following up an expensive, high-end product with none other than Carmex lip-balm. I'm going to be honest... I have a problem with this stuff! Anyone who knows me will probably know it as a trademark of mine. My bag is littered with the little, yellow tubes. I have one on my bedside table, in my car, on my desk at work. I have back up tubes stored, you know, just in case! It's cheap, it's cheerful and even if I wanted to give it up - I couldn't!

Urban Decay, Naked Palette. The first one. I do own the second one too, but I find the warmer tones of this palette more complimentary against my skin/eyes. I have hit pan on several of the shadows at this stage, which testifies my love of it. I know it's an oldie, but it is a goodie.



  My signature scent - Cerruti 1881. I have worn this perfume since I was about sixteen. I've bought others in an attempt to be more adventurous but no, this is the only one for me. I am not even going to try to describe what this smells like but apparently it's similar to fresh air and crisp linen! Its feel is described as feminine, intimate and understated, and that appeals to me almost as much as the smell itself!




Even if I wasn't going to wear make up, I would put on a little Volumizer mascara by Bourjois. Incredible! It is a two step mascara, but even the first wand alone vamps up lashes, making them elongated and dark. I would say it is slightly clumpy but personally I don't mind that in a mascara. I buy this over and over.

I foresee this blog revealing me as the true Origins fiend that I am! Modern Friction is the best exfoliant I have used. Yes, ever. A lady at the Origins counter rubbed some on my hand one day and then rinsed it off, and my skin felt so unbelievably smooth! Seriously, go try it, I bet you will be awe struck! I was just browsing that day but I had to buy it and no regrets!




So there we have it - a round up of products I imagine I'll continue buying, even when I'm eighty years old and probably still trying to rock the balayage!