The Summer Classics

The Summer Classics

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Throughout the Summer, I find it almost impossible to avoid the classics - pinks and florals. These two factors are my fashion essentials in times where I 'don't have anything to wear' or 'anything Summer appropriate'.  Summer is also a season known for the lighter, vibrant colours to pop out! Pale pinks can look incredibly sophisticated under the sun's glow, making the colour perfect for evening wear alongside the entirety of the day. 

To add something extra to my block colour outfits, I love wearing light, detailed kimonos to 'spice up' my attire. For today's Summer look, I've opted for this rose-patterned kimono - the weightless, flowing material and cuffed hands worn over a strapped white crop feels comfortable under the Summer heat (looks like we finally have some this year in England!!). The mid-length pastel skirt can be easily flaunted at Summer events, evenings out or simply at a family barbecue; the thick mesh strip at the bottom was my favourite touch to the skirt, initially temping me into buy it!

Floral crowns are another of Summer's many hypes - especially for all the festival lovers. I believe choosing the right flower type/colour for your hair is vital when attempting to accentuate an outfit. For me, I always accessorize with white as it contrasts and complements my dark brunette locks. You can find these beautiful bad boys in shop and online - they are everywhere at the minute. Primark do lots of great deals on headpieces (usually ranging from £1-£3!).

The sun really brings out my skin's natural radiance; therefore, I turn to my BB creams during Summer. Fortunately, this is handy as less coverage makeup feels lighter on the skin. However, you know me, I don't love anything more than full coverage so it is very rare that I'm comfortable in my skin. To complement the 'pink overload', I popped some Bourjois Jasper Rose on my cheeks to add a rosy sparkle with the NYX Matte Lipstick in Aubrey to incorporate some vibrancy into my look.

Finally, I decided to add a gold chained, pink floral necklace to my look - as if this outfit wasn't girly enough? Statement necklaces are a winner in Summer - they make such a beautiful addition if you are wearing low cut tops and block colours.

Top - H&M (similar here)

Kimono - Select

Skirt - Matalan (alternative here)

Headpiece - Primark (huge range of crowns here)

Necklace - Next

What are your Summer Fashion Essentials?! Let me know in the comments below...

Lots of love

Cosy Spring Style for English Weather...

Cosy Spring Style for English Weather...

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Spring in England is always so disappointing for me. As much as I would love the days to be warmer, the sun to shine and flowers to bloom, the weather never lives up to my expectations. How I long to live in a country where the weather doesn't fret from one extreme to the next...

Anyway, today's blog post is a collaboration with the beautiful Abi Hunter from the blog Lady Hunter. Her images and writing are so professional; I can never stop myself from reading one post to the next! Her social media and blog will be linked below - don't forget to check her out!

Blog - Lady Hunter

Twitter - @ladyhunterblog

Instagram - @ladyhunterblog

Whilst I'd much rather get out my daisy designs and summer dresses, it is only practical to stick to cosy attire during the English Spring. Therefore, I've opted for a long-sleeved striped top from Forever 21, a black pencil skirt and some thin opaque black tights. For the Winter to Spring transition, I still tend to wear tights as the weather is not warm enough to start getting my legs out. To make up for that, I tend to wear a light pair of tights to cover up my extremely pale legs, alongside keeping them warm. 

Layering is also essential during Spring, thus I wore a complementary beige knit cardigan to layer on top of the t-shirt. As well as the two pieces complimenting each other, this simply makes me comfortable and warm, whilst dreaming I'm still snuggled up in bed. Over my top, I accessorized with a copper locket. Finally, although not photographed, I paired the outfit with some burgundy heeled boots to invest in a more smart-casual look. 

Ultimately, this look wouldn't be complete without a bold, peachy spring lip to liven up the outfit. I applied a generous coat of Bourjois' Velvet Matte lipstick in 'Peach Club. Benefit's Rockateur blush also came in handy to spruce my cheeks up with a sparkly pink glow.

Where do you live in the World? Do you have issues with the weather where you are?

Lots of love

Winter to Spring Makeup Transition

Winter to Spring Makeup Transition

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When a new season comes around, it is absolutely vital that I alter my makeup bag to fit the appropriate weather/theme. In Spring, I can't help reaching for all my favourite pastels, pinks and shimmers. Here is what you are most likely to find in my makeup as we change from Winter to Spring...

Although I'm a sucker for full coverage foundation, I can't help opting for this incredible BB cream from Garnier. This leaves my face feeling light, even and fresh - the smell is an added bonus, it reminds me of being on holiday!! The lightest shade matches my skin colour perfectly too; I always seem to be paler than pale after undergoing the cold Winter. 

When it comes to complexion, I'm not one to go for intense contour and excessive highlight in the Spring, unless I'm going out in the evening of course. To create a more subtle bronze/contour, I use L'Oreal's Glam Bronze Eau De Soleil for slightly definition. The formulation is very liquid-y and can be messy, so be careful otherwise it will go everywhere - TRUST ME!!!

Jasper Rose by Bourjois is the one to go for if you like pink, rosy cheeks like myself. The powder formula is highly pigmented so you don't need to apply more than two strokes onto your cheek to create the desired effect.

Finally, face-wise, I'm into dewy highlight; Rimmel Wake Me Up Shimmer Touch in Flush of Pearl is supposedly a great dupe for Benefit's well-loved High Beam. The liquid formula forms a dewy, iridescent glow on the cheek bones which instantly draws sunlight. 

During this time of year, all of my pink-based eye shadow palettes come out the drawer and become much more utilised. Recently, I've been loving my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette as it contains both winter/spring appropriate shades to take me from one season into the next. My fave shades definitely have to be Salted Caramel, Creme Brulee and Haute Chocolate.

 Also, I love to use my Bobbi Brown Pink Opal palette for a quick shimmer on the lid - this can add a glitz to your makeup if you don't have time to go create a whole eye look. This would also work as a beautiful, pink-toned highlight!

Finally, my Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP gives the perfect base for a Spring eye shadow look. I cannot stop using it throughout the season, whether I'm wearing eye products over the top or not!

Leaving the best till last...LIPS! Pink seems to be a running theme in my posts whenever Spring hits us... Anyway, Mac's lustre finish lipstick in Lovelorn is essential in my makeup bag throughout this time of year. Pink lips are so feminine and really lighten my complexion; this blue-toned pink also makes your teeth look insanely white.

In the warmer months, I like to delve into my lipgloss collection - I have such lovely shades but am always hesitant to use them in the Winter, as the wind just blows my hair onto my lips and it is a NIGHTMARE. Urban Decay's beautifully encased LIAR lipgloss is part of the infamous NAKED collection - the colour is less dramatic than the lipstick so would work for those who are tentative at wearing vibrant colours.

Don't forget to check out my Winter to Spring Fashion outfits post! 

What products do you always reach for at this time of year? What is your go-to Spring lipstick?!

Lots of love

Summer Blushin' // Collab w. Glitter Melody

Summer Blushin' // Collab w. Glitter Melody

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Today's post is yet another collab with the wonderful Hannah from Glitter Melody. Together, we have created a very summer-y based collab in which I share with you my favourite blushes this season and where Hannah informs you of her summer lip picks. Make sure to check out her post or head over to her social media accounts below:

Twitter

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Instagram

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Blushes have been my evergrowing addiction this summer; not only do I love my luxurious highend blushes, but I really adore my beautiful drugstore numbers. Today, I thought I'd focus on these bargainous beauties as they're all very afforable - all £10 and under! During the warmer months, I love wearing coral/peach toned colours on my cheeks to compliment the lighter makeup I tend to wear.

1. Sleek Blush by 3 Palette ~ Lace (RRP £10.00)

    My favourite drugstore blushes definitely have to be by Sleek. With complimentary sleek packaging, a fantastic range of seasonal appropriate shades and flattering trios, Sleek definitely get my vote for best blushes of all time. Lace is the one to go for if you're looking for a summer blush palette - the colours are perfect for this season as each are vibrant and hold warm undertones. 

2. Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher ~ Jasper Rose (RRP £7.99)

For those who are a fan of the rose-gold craze, I would definitely take a look at this one. Jasper rose is a pretty rose gold pink that looks gorgeous on the apples of your cheeks. The tiny golden flecks catch the sunlight really easily and enhance your complexion, making your look super healthy. If I'm spending the day in the sun and have little eye makeup on, I will always pop a dab of Jasper Rose on each cheek.

3. Rimmel Stay Blushed! ~ SunKissed Cherry (RRP £4.49)

A liquid formulated blusher is something I hadn't experimented with until the 2015. I'm a huge lover of powder blushes so never expected to love another formula, let alone this one. However, Rimmel's Stay Blushed blends like a dream when applied with a stippling brush. This one is on the orange/coral side of the spectrum - a glittery eye and nude lip makes an amazing combo with Sunkissed Cherry. 

4. E.L.F Baked Blush ~ Peachy Cheeky (RRP £3.75) 

Probably my most worn and most loved summer blush for the longest time - Peachy Cheeky by E.L.F. Baked blushes are one to go for if you want to get a lot for your money. They appear to last forever - I've owned this E.L.F Number for many summers now and it looks almost untouched. The various colours running through the peach basis makes it ever the more pretty in sunlight, just like the bourjois baked blush. 

5. MUA Blusher ~ BonBon (RRP £1.00)

Those who don't like spending a lot on makeup, head on over to the MUA counter in your local superdrug. They offer fab little makeup pieces for reasonable prices. Even though their standard/quality isn't as wonderful as other drugstore brands, they do a few things worth trying out. For instance, their blushes and lipsticks are products that particularly stand out for me. I loved the look of bonbon for summer, a muted pink for days you want your makeup to look slightly more lowkey and natural. The colour payoff is super pretty, just make sure to spend a while blending it in as the powdery formula can cause issues from time to time.

I hope you are all having a fabulous summer! What have you been up to? What are your favourite blushes to wear in the summer?

Don't forget to check out Hannah's favourite lipsticks :-)

Lots of love

Drugstore Dupes for those Highend Holy Grails

Drugstore Dupes for those Highend Holy Grails

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What could a beauty blog viewer love more than being introduced to a bargainous version of their fave product(s)/one they've been longing for for about 13 and a half years?! Take a wild guess at what I've got in store for you all today? I'm thrilled to announce that I'm back to beauty (finally!!!) - I've missed this too much. So...what other way can I make up my insane lack of makeup based content than a cheeky deal for you all to get your hands on - it's a good 'un! It get's better...I thought I really owed it to you so I've made sure to find a few dupes for some all time favourite highend beauty products.

Mac Studio Fix NC15 VS Bourjois 123 Perfect 51

In terms of colour, both in the bottle and on the face, these foundations are identical. They are both cool-toned, which is fabulous to counteract my blotchy red areas and are the closest matches to my skin colour I've ever found. When it comes to coverage, these are the ones I go to for that medium-full, flawless finish. Each dry to give a satin/matte finish, which you may think is strange considering I have dry skin. However, neither cling to dry matches or focus on any rough areas I may so have. The only problem is, the MAC one can become very cakey looking on the face so to avoid that, apply thin even coats on top of each other making sure to buff lightly into the skin. Onto lasting power now, I must say that if you like your makeup to last all night, I advise to pay that little bit extra and purchase the MAC option. This is because it last roughly 4 hours more than the drugstore one.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer VS NYX HD Photogenic Concealer

For those looking to eliminate dark circles, imperfections and redness, don't hesistate to carry on reading! Not only do these both give an insane full coverage (a fundamental feature in my case - when choosing a concealer to hide those dark, zombie undereyes) but they both glide effortlessly onto the skin without dragging or irritating my skin. I've found in the past that some concealer wants can be quite rough and make my eyes red/sore. The only difference I can state about these two is that the NARS one feels much more luxurious and fulfilling on the skin, the formula is heavenly and sinks perfectly in places you wish to be rid of and correct. Finally, both concealers have a great tendency to last the entire day without creasing - HUGE BONUS! Grab your hands on either of these if anything above ticked your concealer hunting list.

Benefit Rockateur VS Bourjois Jasper Rose

In the photos, we can see that there colours look slightly 'off' - Rockateur has minor peachy tones whereas Jasper Rose is just plain pink. Despite this colour mishap at first glance, when applied to the cheeks, I kid you not, they give off the same healthy, rosy glow. A little goes a long way; each product being so high on the pigmentation scale means only a sweep on the brush can give you your desired look. Anyone who is still unsure of splashing out £24 on a single blush, I suggest you go down to boots and get your hands on this before purchasing. 

Benefit They're Real VS Collection Lenthening Mascara

The couple claiming to both lengthen and define are neck and neck. Using Collection's mascara sincerely surprised me - I was not expecting it to match that of Benefit's infamous They're Real. With alike wands, the formula is applied in the exact same way. Bottom lash application is also simple as the wand ends are very slim so are able to get in there without being too messy. Honestly, I cannot fault the Collection mascara in any way; the final look on the eyes are very very V E R Y similar so similar I may do an in depth review on these two just to prove how much. The only things I could mention, if I was to be really picky, is that the Benefit one is easier to remove and overall slightly lengthens the lashes by 1mm more. THE BEST DUPE OF THE POST!

Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss Liar VS Barry M Toffee Ligloss

Urban Decay's Naked collection is an evergrowing love of every beauty fanatic nowadays. More recently, I have seen people purchasing the beautiful rose gold lipgloss tubes, which I have to say I'm in love with deeply. In my collection, I realised I have a lipgloss that can be compared quite closely. Regardless of the differentation in colours (seen in swatches above) the Barry M lipglosses have a dupe-like formula to that of the Urban Decay lip products. Both with a smooth glossy finish, you would not be able to tell the difference on the lips aesthetically and personally - a great bargain if I do say so myself. The only downfall is that the UD ones have better pigmentation and the Barry M ones can become rather sticky after several layers of applicance. 

Chanel Coco Rouge Lipshine Satisfaction VS L'Oreal Collection Privee Cheryl's Nude 

My all time favourite nude is Chanel's Satisfaction - not too pale, not too dark. Personally, I believe this to be a very sophisticated and flattering colour regardless of skin tone/preference. L'Oreal's nude collection could mirror that of this gorgeous Chanel shade; with 6 colours in the range, you can find your perfect nude for a cheaper price. In my opinion, Cheryl's Nude strikes drugstore Satisfaction to a T - I'm really into a nude lip this Summer. If you want that more luxurious feel and richness on the lips, you can go all the way and pay £25 for Satisfaction! Equally, each have a very subtle finish and pigmentation on the lips which makes it evermore the classier - I'm just in love with this lippie!

Mac Lady Danger VS E.L.F Velvet Rope

Hot, orange goodness to brighten up your Summer, Mac's Lady Danger and E.L.F's Velvet Rope can help you make a statement this season. Despite the different finishes, you can save £12 to get an exact colour match. As Lady Danger is has a matte finish, it is therefore longer lasting and can honestly stay on your lips for an entire day/night. On the other hand, E.L.F's moisturizing formula has a slightly glossier finish so can end up rubbing off in a couple of hours. It's down to you to decide - moisturzing, cheap but not long-lasting or matte, long-lasting but expensive?

Nars Audacious Charlotte VS Rimmel Kate Moss 107

Colour - With Rimmel's Kate Moss 107 shade being the Autumn craze over the last few years, I would like to inform all you owners of this berry beast that it mimicks that of the Nars Audacious Lipstick collection. Deep berries are my go-to every Autumn/Winter, like most beauty bloggers, so I thought I'd share this good lil dupe. The shades are very alike in the swatches above, as well as looking identical on the lip. Lasting power is 10/10 for both but the formula can become very drying and flake with the Rimmel option. To avoid this from happening, all you need is a little bit of lip balm to apply beforehand and your flaking nightmare will be over. 

Mac Rebel Lipstick VS Maybelline Colour Drama Berry Much

Colour - I won't declare this as the classic 'save the best till last' but this dupe comes close to one of my faves. Being a huge fan of the Maybelline Colour Drama pencils has become no surprise to me, the easy application, the rich colour, the variety in colour range and longevity of the product has been a massive YES from me! I would totally compare the darkest shade, Berry Much, to one of my Mac holy grails - REBEL! Similar in both satin finish, formula and intense berry colour you cannot go wrong with this dupe. For a third of the price, I would totally recommend all of my viewers to get your hands on this, especially before Autumn approaches.

What are your favourite dupes? 

Lots of love

A Simple Guide to Drugstore Bases

A Simple Guide to Drugstore Bases

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Tonight I have a little guide I've put together including all my drugstore foundations. I hope it helps you decide what foundation to try next or buy from your local high street store...enjoy.

Low Coverage - Garnier BB Cream/L'oreal Paris Nude Eau De Teint

For low coverage, I cheated because I chose two, but I guess it is just a bonus for you guys as you have the option to decide one or the other. My favourite of the two would probably be the Garnier BB Cream, as the formula is very moisturizing, surprisingly helps the skin and lasts all day long. This is perfect for those no makeup, makeup days or just lounging around on a lazy Sunday. ow coverage
Another low coverage base, this time a foundation rather than BB cream, is the L'oreal Paris Nude Eau De Teint. At first, I wasn't convinced because I stupidly picked up a really dark, orangey shade. But I persevered and finally was able to match my skin tone if I mixed with another foundation. Anyway, this one is great for people who are watery-base lovers. It is so lightweight but also beautiful on the skin - a must-have for all low coverage fiends. 

Medium Coverage - Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

I am a massive fan of this wonderfully hyped-up beauty. I love the Healthy Mix Serum, as the gel formulation works really well on my skin and leaves a flawless finish. This is second favourite of six; I usually wear this when I don't want as heavy coverage or my skin is clear of any imperfections. The colour match is also perfect, despite the small colour range, so I'm rather lucky. Additionally, this really helps to brighten the complexion and give it a 'healthy' (oh dear) glow. I cannot wait the try the Healthy Mix Foundation because I'm guessing it will be as equally good, if not better!

High Coverage - L'oreal Paris True Match

My favourite drugstore foundation of all time is...the L'oreal True Match. I am completely and utterly in love with this - it has amazing full coverage, has an even finish, hides my ugly patchy skin and adds an extra glow to my face. There is nothing I can fault about this wonder and I will forever be repurchasing this one. YOU NEED TO BUY THIS NOW.

Dewy Finish for Dry Skin - Rimmel Wake Me Up

This one I'm also a massive fan of - Wake Me Up. This was a very much-loved foundation this summer. The little glitters running through the formula bring a lovely shine to the face and create an impeccable dewy finish. I love dewy finishes as they really brighten up my naturally dull complexion, so this is a good 'un for me. 

Matte Finish for Oily Skin - Rimmel Stay Matte

Finally, we have the Stay Matte foundation created by Rimmel. I used to wear this so much, but stopped due to my combination skin randomly developing from my previous oily one. Now this just clings to my dry patches which is awful, but for those who love matte finishes, or have extremely oily skin, this is the one for you! Grab your hands on this if you love incredible shine-less skin.

Thank you for reading my little lovelies <3 See you all soon x

Love 

P.S. I may only be posting once a week now instead of two, due to upcoming exams (will be back to normal after Christmas/New Year) 

P.P.S I am so excited for Black Friday tomorrow - who will be buying things/ bought anything - comment below?!