Jo Malone // Wisteria & Violet

Nothing excites me more than walking into a Jo Malone store. The beautiful, fresh smell that hits you when you walk into the impeccably decorated room compels me to buy the majority of the shops content, alas that wouldn't do a great deal of good to my bank account (but a girl can dream right?!).

Upon my entrance into the store I had to give the new London Rain collection a sniff, and oh boy I'm so glad I did. The thing that makes this collection so amazing is that there is a scent to suit everyone. After smelling each one a number of times to find my suitor I finally settled on one, Wisteria & Violet.

Jo Malone ~ Wisteria & Violet

I fell in love with it as soon as I smelt it, love at first smell you could say?! This one is the freshest and most floral scent out of the collection. Needless to say, this one is chosen out to be my staple spring and summer scent. The lady packaged it up for me in the well recognised and loved, chic cream and black box. I can say that I am over the moon with this purchase, this might be one of my favourite scents Jo Malone has come out with so far or at least a close second to the English Pear & Freesia.

Jo Malone, you do not disappoint.

xoxo   

Essie 'Luxedo'

Essie's 'Luxedo' black cherry polish is what I have been wearing on my nails pretty much non-stop since I got it. This shade is perfect if you love dark polishes but don't want to jump straight into the deep end with a black. Plus anything Essie is a winner for me. The fact that you only need one coat for this polish definitely puts this straight into my good books and it lasts a good week when paired with Essie's 'all in one' for the base and top coat.

Essie 'Luxedo' £7.99

xoxo

The Review // Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot

After being on the hunt for a powder for quite some time I have finally found 'the one' that is the lovely Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder, and let me tell you it really is 'one heck of a blot'. It's so good in fact, I though it deserved it's own post. 

I was on the look out for something with no coverage or colour, just a simple 'shine tackler' with none of that 'cakey' look you often get with powders- just plain natural. This powder does just that. I use a BB Cream normally for my base which can leave my skin a bit too dewy. With my Real Techniques brush to lightly apply this to my t-zone and a smaller eyeshadow brush for under my eyes to set my concealer, it does a brilliant job to last throughout the day. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a natural finish powder! 

Soap and Glory 'One Heck of a Blot' £12.00 

xoxo

Love

As Valentines day quickly approaching I though it would be appropriate to do a little post on the very topic itself- love. I know what your thinking and no you don't have to be in one of those 'lovey dovey' relationships to celebrate the holiday. It can be celebrated with friends, family and yourself. Everybody has different representations of love whether it be a love for a person, an animal or even something as simple as an item.

"But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." -Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City.

If your thinking of a nail colour to wear on Valentines Day Essie 'She's Pampered' is the perfect vibrant red to accompany any outfit for any occasion whether your staying in with friends or going out to a nice restaurant.

Essie 'She's Pampered'

Valentines day as well as every other day is also about respect toward others and Brilliant Earth definitely portrays this in their values and jewellery. Brilliant Earth creates beautiful, flawless jewellery with no environmental or human cost as well as donating 5% of their profits in helping to communities who have suffered unethical methods in the making of jewellery. So whether you are getting treated or treating yourself (or even just fancy a bit of window shopping) take a look at some of their pieces and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

Some other bloggers and I were asked to participate in the 'Create a Little Love' Campaign and create a picture showing the word 'love' so of course I took the opportunity!

Happy Valentines Day!

xoxo

The 2014 'To Try' List

In the year of 2013, after reading many beauty posts and watching a considerable amount of YouTube videos for product reviews, favourites and 'products I have used up' I have accumulated a (very long) list of products I have been wanting to try. As we have entered 2014 I figured a new year brings a time to try new products, so these are a few products on my 'to try' list for 2014...

1. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Since getting quite a substantial chop off the locks, I can't count how many times I have searched through beauty posts, Youtube videos and Pinterest for that perfect tousled 'I just woke up like this' hair that Alexa Chung sports like a pro. Apparently after much searching for the perfect product, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray does the job. Plus after reading Vivianna Does Makeup's blog post and watching her hair tutorials the results won me over.

2. Urban Decay Naked Palette 3

I use my other Naked Palettes religiously and love them to bits so I can't see why this one would be any exception. I am especially a big fan of the rosy shades as the other palettes are mostly gold and bronze shades. 

3. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness

If you have seen Meghan Rosette's current foundation routine I am sure you have already gotten your paws on this one. This product is like the queen of the 'clear skin illusion'. Looks like it's quite hard to get it over here in in the UK but I will find it. 

4. Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm

I have heard amazing things about this product. From leaving your skin soft and completely makeup free, it's too good not to try. 

5. Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

Don't get my wrong, I love my Bioderma but it's not the best for taking off waterproof mascara and I end up having to scrub it off, with the risk of losing a few eyelashes in the process. So as I have heard this 'melts' away any eye makeup, I figured for the sake of my lashes I would give it a go.  

Natural and Awake Makeup Look

For those tired and dull skin days (having had lot's of those since being at uni). My face is always in need of a bit of a pick-me-up. These are some of my beauty picks for an awake and fresh faced look after pulling those pesky all nighters. 

First, I like to prime my face with the Benefit "that gal" Brightening Face Primer which instantly corrects dull skin and gives a natural glow to the skin. Then I use the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation which is becoming to be my new favourite foundation. It has a light to medium coverage that is buildable and gives a lovely natural, dewy and glowing finish. Under the eyes and any blemishes I have I use the Benefit Erase Paste. This also does a brilliant job of brightening under the eyes to hide those dark circles and makes you look more awake (even if you are a walking zombie).
I like to have a subtle pink glow on the cheeks and for this I use the Topshop Head Over Heels Cream Blush which is a lovely coral pink colour and complements any skin tone. If I wanna go that extra mile and look even more awake I will go in with a highlighter and for this I use just a bit of Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, this gives a bronze, rose gold colour to the tops on the cheek bones. 
For eyes I keep it really simple, to be honest I would rather have that extra few minutes in bed then faff around with eye shadow when I haven't had much sleep. So I just pop a bit of BareMinerals Eyecolor in Soul on the tear duct area to brighten up the eyes then use a few coats of Maybelline The Rocket Mascara. Then to finish off the look I use Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss.

xoxo

Christmas Jumpers

The Christmas season has once again rolled around and I felt like a festive post was definitely in need. Let's face it, as soon as we get into December it is finally universally acceptable to break out the Christmas decor, buy huge tins of chocolate, have numerous trips to Starbucks to take advantage of there festive drinks (having so many in the Christmas season you actually forgot that in fact the cups are not normally red) and last but not least, the Christmas jumpers.

Everyone loves a good Christmas jumper. They are everywhere tempting you to buy one every time you walk into a shop. Let's be honest though, you don't want to be shelling out a load of money on a jumper that is only socially acceptable to wear for one month (even though you may wear it for more).

So after many of hours scanning the addicting world of online shopping I have found a some festive Christmas jumpers that won't break the bank.

1. Topshop, Kitted Gingerbread Man Jumper £42.00 

2. ASOS, Only Christmas Pudding Jumper £25.00

3. Next, Snowflake Sweater £32.00

4. New Look, Cream Reindeer Sequin Nose Fluffy Christmas Jumper £27.99

5. Next, Fairisle Pattern Sweater £30.00

6. ASOS, Pop Boutique Reindeer Knitted Christmas Jumper £30.00

xoxo