Make Yourself Sparkle This Winter!

Make Yourself Sparkle This Winter!

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We all know that winter is truly here: the cold weather has swiftly approached, it's already the final month of the year and everyone is putting up their Christmas decorations. I am so excited for Christmas this every year, and love to find new glittery beauty products to make my face sparkle all winter-round. 

This year I finally purchased one of many beauty bloggers favourite highend highlighters - the infamous Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Powder in AURA!!! I couldn't resist adding another gorgeous highlighter to my collection and even better, it completely unique to any that I already own.

Encased in a chunky, champagne coloured compact, this peachy, golden baked glitter ball had me in awe; it was definitely my favourite shade out of the three on offer (Lit + Luminous)! There is soooo much sparkle through product and the formulation is insanely pigmented so a little goes a VERY long way - using the contour brush from the Real Techniques Bold Metals range provides precise application to the cheekbones followed by a fluffy brush to thoroughly blend and avoid that 'glitter ball mess' look. 

The peachy tone in Aura majorly contributes to the overall Christmas vibe to the product - without that peachy glow, my complexion would be completely washed out and their would be no colour on my cheeks to give any depth to my makeup look. Something I have become really fond of in the makeup world recently is the definition you can form by applying different colours to areas of the face. Contouring has impacted insane amounts in the makeup industry this year - it is the highlighters turn to take the limelight in 2016, does anyone else agree?!

Being a performer, I also bought this product as an added bonus because it states that you can use it to illuminate your body too. This would be amazing on the collarbones/arms for my dance/theatre shows - I can imagine it would catch the stagelights wonderfully.

Sorry for my lack of posts and absence over the past month. I will try and stay posting as much as possible - A levels are the worst!!! 

Comment below if you love wearing glitter/sparkle in Winter just like me!

Lots of love

Top 5 Christmas Fashion Gifts for Men | Under £50

Top 5 Christmas Fashion Gifts for Men | Under £50

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1. Ted Baker Wallet & Cardholder Gift Set - £50.00

This gift set is perfect for guys looking for a smart way to carry around their cash and cards. Guys rarely change wallents on their own and often wait until they're literally FALLING apart, which not only looks rubbish but isn't a great way to secure you belonging on a night out. The Ted Baker leather set is made from real leather and includes gold text for the logo - really smart! There's multiple slots to store cash and store cards, plus the handy card holder that also forms part of the gift set is a neat way to leave the cash at home. The box looks great too and is easy to wrap.

Available from ASOS

2. Ralph Lauren 3-Pack Socks Gift Box - £42.00 

The classic Christmas gift for guys. But this time from a brand they love. This 3 pack collection of socks from Ralph Lauren is great for guys looking for a stylish start to any outfit. Made from 79% cotton, these feel super soft and certainly worth the price tag. Once again the gift box is also really stylish.

Available from Selfridges

3. Jack Wills Navy Polo - £39.50

This is a classic navy polo from Jack Wills - one of my favourite British brands. This is described as regular fit so I'd go a size down if your guy likes to wear slim fit tees like in the the image below. These are 100% cotton and actually really good value for less than £40. A guy can never have too many polos and these are also available in a wide range of colours and style. A must-have.

Available from Asos

4. Red Plaid Scarf - £18.00

Urban Outfitters is one of my favourite places for shopping on the high street for some exclusive brands. However, for this gift guide I've actually chosen on of their own brand products which is this awesome red plaid scarf. It's incredible value for just £18.00 but also great quality. It's made from acrylic so you're not going to get the same feel as a £100+ Ralph Lauren scarf (or the big brand name) but this still feels great and the red plaid pattern is super stylish for the winter months.

Available from Urban Outfitters

5. Penfield Conway Beanie - £30.00

Another pick from Urban Outfitters. This Penfield navy beanie is a mixture of acrylic and cotton so again you're not getting the best fabrics but for £30 this is as good as it gets in terms of quality and finish. The Penfield logo is also present on the folder cuff at the front. Teamed with one of Penfield's infamous jackets this makes the perfect Christmas gift.

Available from Urban Outfitters

~Guest Post by Matt Maidment~

Twitter : @mattmaidment

Email : mattmaidmentblog@gmail.com

Giveaway #1 // CLOSED!!!

Giveaway #1 // CLOSED!!!

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Giveaway Items :

Cargo Cosmetics 'Essentials' Eyeshadow Palette

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Eye Makeup Remover

Makeup Revolution 'She's Up All Night' Lipstick

Playboy 'Sleek Lashes' Mascara

Hello everyone! Today I've teamed up with Ms Charee, a wonderful online magazine in which I've recently become a member, to deliver a giveaway for you all. I'm absolutely thrilled to be giving away this beautiful party-perfect package to one of my dedicated viewers. 

To enter, there is a rafflecopter below with several options allowing you to get more chances of winning - most of them are social media related. 

DON'T FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OTHERWISE I, OR MS CHAREE, CANNOT CONTACT YOU!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lots of love

Autumnal Accessory Lovin' | Miss Milly

Autumnal Accessory Lovin' | Miss Milly

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Autumn is just the best season. Everything becomes so much better at this time of year - the fashion/colours are gorgeous, the nights are darker, Christmas is on its way and it's slightly acceptable to wear all my cosy, childish pyjamas from 4pm onwards! Another thing that has got me hyped up this Autumn are the accessories...let's take a look at a few of my fave pieces from Miss Milly.

Autumn leaves are one of the most common reasons for loving this time of year - I mean, who doesn't love hearing the sound of them crunch beneath your feet? Not the mention the array of mustards, oranges and reds as you walk through forests. 

To highlight the beauty of the season, I chose this orange, metallic leaf necklace to wear with each of my beloved knitted jumpers. The elaborately designed,silver-coated veins complement the leaf's warm tone, making the necklace look expensive and unique. This has been my staple necklace throughout October and I couldn't recommend adding it to your collection enough!

This isn't specifically Fall-based, but I thought it was super cute must-have jewellery piece. The love knot bangle is simple, beautiful and a perfect gift for a loved one; it is relatively sturdy and small in wrist size (I struggled slightly to fit it over my hands but is comfortable on the wrist). A great alternative to the pricey Tiffany&Co love knot bangles!

Finally, we have this stunning Purple Resin Ring, new to Miss Milly's online store. If you've been reading for a while, you will know my evergrowing love for large statements rings. This deep purple sparkling edition to my collection is fab for everyday autumnal wear - the ring is easily adjustable and can resized to fit any finger (I always wear mine on my ring or index finger!) Adjustable rings are a huge pro, making them universal for each and every one of you.

Thank you to Miss Milly for collaborating with me and sending me these gorgeous products. All opinions are my own, despite not purchasing them. I am always honest in my reviews!

What are your statement jewellery pieces this Autumn?!

Lots of love

The A/W15 Coat Edit

The A/W15 Coat Edit

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Coat by Missoni from Luisa World

Coat season has returned and I'm absolutely loving it! There is nothing I love more than picking out my A/W wardrobe each year, foraging for a new definitive coat that I will wear to DEATH over the entire season. What has made it extra special this year is that I've discovered FarFetch, an online site that holds beautiful designer clothing, which has inspired me to dedicate a post lusting over 3 of their 6 DEFINITIVE COATS OF A/W15. Oh, how I wish I could afford them...

1. The English Lady ~ Brush up on your manners this season, as AW15 heralds the return of the frightfully proper English heritage coat. Savile Row mainstays such as Prince of Wales check, nubby tweed and houndstooth look modern again, especially when worn with off-kilter accessories and your favourite granny handbag.

I am in awe at this sophisticated wardrobe piece; it gives off a truly vintage vibe which everyone is loving this year! The intricately designed patterns would incorporate a dramatic statement to a monochromal dress/outfit, knee-length heeled boots and vibrant handbag to add some extra fun to the look. 

Coat by Balmain from Splash by the Beach

2. The Great White ~ Nothing makes you look expensive like winter whites - and not just because of the dry-cleaning bills. Shades like oyster, cream and purest snow white lift winter complexions and add freshness to your look. The hot AW15 update? Block it with separates in luxurious tones of oxblood and cyclamen pink.

Another trend I want to be involved with this year is the alluring white wraps everyone is wearing out and about. White is the colour to be worn in these winter months, helping to enhance those rosy cheeks and pale complexions. My personal favourite factor of white coats are that they contrast my dark locks, making my natural features one of my statements during Winter.

Coat by Derek Lam from Derek Lam

3. The Leather Trench ~ The Seventies favourite is back for 2015, fortified with a sex bomb colour palette – opt for Derek Lam’s cherry red for maximum hot-blooded appeal, and wear skin-on-skin style until winter’s bite brings out the goosebumps.

Finally, we have one of the most definitive coats I'd ever wear - I certainly wouldn't be able to pull this leather trench off but I know a lot of people who could. The vibrancy of the red is bold and striking; something you want to be wearing in the unevitable aridity of November/December. Outwear like this should totally be paired with a hot red-orange lipstick - I vote NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil will do just the trick! 

Don't forget to check out the other three coats you could be rocking this season by clicking HERE.

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