Brand Focus : Live Love London

Brand Focus : Live Love London

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Over the past few days, I have been thinking about a bringing a series to my blog - one that I know I will be able to manage and keep going every month. Being a huge beauty lover, I thought that I could potentially focus on a brand(s), at least one post a month, and give my honest opinions on all the products I own from them. I'm planning to showcase brands both highly recognised and upcoming, whether it be telling to guys about my favourite highend brand or expressing my love for an afforable brand that not many know about. Who knows, I might incorporate some fashion brands in the future if this goes down well?

The first brand we are going to zoom into is Live Love London - a company that have recently released a new beauty range exclusive to BHS. From haircare to makeup, Live Love London offer it all beauty-wise with affordable prices attached! However, the products that particularly intrigued me were their face palettes and lipsticks. Here is how I got on...

Bronze & Light Palette £6.75

What we have here is one of the most aesthetically pleasing bronze,blush and highlight palettes I've seen on the high street side of the spectrum. Encased in a sleek, black compact, 6 beautiful shimmer shades are arranged. Each shade is extremely diverse - something hard to find in any palette. I find that a lot of companies produce cosmetics that are TOO similar in the same palette, making me question whether it is worth the buy. Also, most shades are EXTREMELY pigmented (the bottom row and the white highlight), although I wouldn't count this as a negative point simply because I prefer blush shades to be sheer. This helps me to apply the shade subtly and not end up turning into a toy doll. 

Top Row (left to right)

~ A peach/coral toned pink with tiny golden glitter particles ~

~ A muted, mauve pink with a metallic sheen ~

~ A pure champagne white enriched with thousands of silver glitter ~

Bottom Row (left to right)

~ A salmon pink layered with a metallic, iridescent glow ~ 

~ A muted, mustard brown with flecks of golden glitter ~ 

~ An intense orange-copper with high metallic overtones ~ 

My personal favourites are two highlighting shades - the white and salmon pink will both look incredible on the cheeks for summer because of their glitter intensity. I just LOVE glitter!!! 

HD Contour Expert Palette £10

Contouring is a huuuuge thing in the beauty world. Therefore, I like to 'jump on the bandwagon' and try things out too. I already own a lot of high end contour products but nothing from the drugstore. I'm only used to working with powder contour, so was thrilled to find out that Live Love London contained 6 powder contour shades for me to work with. The palette is accompanied with a practical mirror and a small guide as to where the shades work best on the face. I am yet to venture into this crazy, intense contour look but I will let you know when I finally pluck up the courage to do so. 

Each of the powders are finely milled, feel silky on the skin and are highly pigmented. There are two highlight shades and four contour shades; the contour colours cater for all skin types which makes the palette versatile and universal. Despite being suitable for all skin types, I would like to say that I feel 5 shades would still be able to work on my skin - if not, I will be able to fit it into an eyeshadow look somehow.

Lipsticks £2 each

Lip products are one of my favourite things about makeup. I cannot begin to describe my excitement whenever I go lipstick shopping; trying different branded lipsticks is something that I enjoy and I would love to share with you my experiences.

First of all, the price is INSANE! I love affordable lipsticks, especially when they leave an impressive result. These are relatively long-lasting, considering their pleasing value - I wore them for roughly 3 hours before reapplying and this time scale is no different from the majority of my drugstore lippies. 

Secondly, Live Love London offer a wide range of lipstick shades. For me, these will be worn and cherished; pinks and reds are my thaaang. Both are wearable and are not too striking, making them perfect for everyday use. I also love the pigmentation and hydration these lipsticks offer - my lips are super sore after the winter months have passed and need a lot of TLC. These leave a moisturising coat on the top of my lips, which makes my lips feel soft and hydrated. Oh, and let's not forget...they smell like sherbet!!!

Have you tried anything from the Live Love London beauty range yet? What is your favourite drugstore brand?

Lots of love

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The products mentioned were gifted from Live Love London, however all opinions are honest and my own.

Crazy Feather Lashes with FeverCollection

Crazy Feather Lashes with FeverCollection

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Recently, I've been thinking about how unadventurous I am with my makeup - even when I'm just messing around in my room in the evenings creating various looks on myself. To get one of the classic New Years resolutions into action ("try new things"), I decided to venture out on the lashes front and teamed up with Fever Collection to show off their stunning array of whacky eyelashes. 

Accompanied with a handy adhesive, my pair of Black Feathers With Plume Lashes popped through my letterbox on Tuesday morning. I was so excited to receive something so unique to my lash collection and know I will be in for so much fun when wearing them. The soft, black feathers ascend in size from the inner to outer corner, framing the eye in a sultry, and pleasing, way. I hope that some day I will be confident enough to purchase a couple vibrant-coloured ones incorporate in a crazy makeup look. 

During this year, I just hope someone I know throws a 1920's themed party so I can dress up in Charleston attire and apply these beautiful lashes - I feel they would bring so much to the outfit and totally fit the era. Also, they would be perfect for any Halloween related makeup looks - especially for bird characters, like the Black Swan. I will definitely be featuring these lashes in a tutorial this Halloween, so if you're still around then don't forget to stop by! 

Finally, don't forget to check out the amazing costume range available at Fever Collection - they have extremely inexpensive outfits for dress-up occasions.

Lots of love

The Best Drugstore Full Coverage Foundation

The Best Drugstore Full Coverage Foundation

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If you know me, you'll know my undeniable love for a full coverage face - especially in the Winter! I just love having a 'perfect' complexion; although my skin rarely has spots, it is very discoloured and my overly red cheeks aren't at all appealing if I do say so myself. To solve this issue, I am constantly purchasing foundations that I hear are great to form an airbrushed, smooth base and this time I found one from the drugstore - a definite rarity!!!

In my time of trying out drugstore bases, I have never turned to Revlon. I have absolutely no idea why I didn't, as I luuurve Revlon eye and lip products! Anyway, I've seen numerous people rave about this foundation over the past few months so I thought I'd give it a go...

The Revlon Colorstay foundations are available in an array of colours and formulations, suitable for every skin type. I opted for combination/dry because I mainly suffer with dry patches in the Winter, however my T-zone remains oily all year round...great! This formulation works effectively on my skin, giving my complexion a warm, winter glow. When it comes to application, I either use a damp beauty blender or the dense-bristled base brush to blend into the skin. Due to the formulation being extremely smooth, it makes blending a dream.

A full coverage is achieved with two thin, even layers - this hides any blemishes and corrects any discoloration. On an average day, this base lasts for 10 hours before slipping off the face (without powder) and roughly 12-14 with powder keeping it in place; therefore does not match the claim, for me, on lasting 24 hours. But who even wears foundation for 24 hours, eh?! The only other flaw I've faced with the Revlon Colorstay is that there isn't a pump so you have to pour the product out. This can be very impractical and get quite messy in my makeup bag.

Overall, I totally recommend this foundation to anyone who is lover, like me, of full coverage bases or those who like skin-specific foundations. Revlon are the one to visit!

What foundation are you wearing this Winter?

Lots of love

Charlotte x

My Jim Kersie Experience | Purple & Gold

My Jim Kersie Experience | Purple & Gold

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Deep purple, plum and auburn are colours I opt for when putting together autumnal outfits - don't we all?! Something that has made a statement this year, for me personally, is the use of jewellery equipped with my chosen outfit. Having an evergrowing colletion of beautiful jewellery pieces, both subtle and bold, I have never seen, through my many years of hoarding, a bracelet quite like this one.

Jim Kersie is a Melbourne-originated brand that specialises in phenomenally hand crafted bracelets - each having an element of individuality. Currently, Jim Kersie have 6 unique collections in which you can chose your desired colour/one that is suited to you. With the wide range of products and colours, I'm sure everyone can find something perfect for them..

...and for me...that was this autumnal-screaming piece -

Purple Jasper and 22kt Gold - Phoenix Collection!

I am a enormous purple lover, hence the multiple purple items surrounding my new, beloved trinket. On receiving my product, it was luxuriously encased in a sleek, black gift box and mini leather drawstring bag with the 'JK' intials imprinted in wealthy gold. The packaging extremely impressed me - I feel like packaging can 'make or break' a company's professionalism and respectibility and JIM KERSIE definitely lived up to my standards!

Focusing now on the jewellery piece itself, I was in awe at the array of purples chosen to craft this gorgeous bracelet. It is subtle in size, which is fabulous for everyday wear because it doesn't get in the way or get caught on clothing. I also thought the 'JK' embossed 22kt Golden beads were a lovely touch as well - gold and purple compliment each other wonderfully and add a bold statement to an evening outfit.

10/10 recommend this brand from everything of the warm customer service to the neatly packaged product. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for your mother, auntie, cousin or friend - especially with the free giftbox included! (There are also some lovely male structured pieces too, so don't forget to check them out!)

Do you change your jewellery during A/W? What colours do you usually steer toward wearing?

Lots of love