Bobble Hat & Smokey Eyes

So, I thought i'd start this post with a little apology. I have been somewhat MIA, and although this may have been a slight annoyance for you lovely lot (or not, depending on how much you like to read my blog..haha) but it has been a positive time away for me. A battery re-charge shall we say! After my last post on "Just saying YES", I took my own advice and started doing lot's more things. Things i'd always been a bit scared to do, meeting up with old friends, making new ones and banishing my anxiety, as it had got quite bad. I also had somewhat of a mental block on the blogpost front. You know sometimes when you sit with a blank page/screen and you just don't know what to write? Yeh, that. FEAR NOT though, I have returned, with a much brighter outlook on life and feeling much more positive about certain aspects of my life. I was also extremely overwhelmed by the HUGE positive response I received from THIS blogpost. That is the whole reason I love blogging, being able to reach out to lot's of people and help in some way, even if it's just a teeny bit. 

So, whilst away from my laptop, I started to get into the habit of doing my makeup a bit more. Feeling a bit "meh" in general, meant I stopped doing creative things with my makeup or even making the effort to do it most days. However, I have started spending more time on it, and I found my beloved "Mekong" eyeshadow by NARS in the back of my makeup draw, and since then I have been having a full on love-affair with it. I have been applying it all over the lid and smoking it out with a blending brush, then applying my eyeliner for a more edgy, smokey look. I haven't been doing it every day, as it is quite full on, and doesn't pair too well with my beloved bold lip, but I feel like it makes my eyes stand out a little more. Mekong is a deep brown, with flecks of gold sparkle in it. Being a Nars eyeshadow, it's highly pigmented and will probably last me millions of years. I highly, highly recommend it! If any of you are also interested in which lipstick I am wearing, it's "Desert" by Topshop. 

Another thing I have been loving is bobble hats. This one in particular is from Topshop. Being small-headed (a pea head..ehem), I didn't ever think they would really suit me, or fit me properly, but I actually quite like them. I also like that they can hide bad hair days, or dress up an outfit AND keep your ears and head warm (it's main purpose). I can see myself wearing hats all of Autumn and Winter. 

♥

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Topshop Makeup | Lipstick Crayons/Pencils

                  Top to bottom: Powder Room, Clueless, Hedonist

Topshop Lipstick Crayons £7*

Next up in the Topshop Makeup "series", is the Lipstick Crayons/Pencils or however else you'd like to name them. I don't see these talked about as much as the actual lipsticks, and I guess that could be because lipsticks are more likely to be favoured over them. Unlike the lipsticks in the Topshop makeup range, these offer a matte finish. I enjoy applying these, as the longer, slimmer packaging allows you to get more precision, almost like you are colouring in your lips with a chubby pencil. They are long lasting and have great pigmentation. If you prefer to wear matte colours on your lips as opposed to something a little more moisturising or frosty, these will be perfect for you. I don't often opt for a matte lip as I much prefer something a little more moisturising on my lips as they are quite dry but sometimes matte lips can look much more effective, and tend to last a lot longer. Although they are matte, they are still very creamy and go on like a dream. Let's also not forget the cute packaging! I absolutely love Topshop packaging, and these are so nifty just to throw in your handbag/clutch and be on your way. 

The only thing about these that I don't like, is that you have to sharpen them in order to get more product once it's worn down. Although i'm sure it's not a major fault for most of you, it's just one less thing you really want to do when you could just grab a lipstick and twist it up, no hassle. It certainly won't stop me using them, as I love to pop a little bit of lipgloss on top to give them a much shinier finish, and be on my way. I'm a particular fan of the orange one (Hedonist) but then does that really surprise you? ;)

Do you own any of these? What do you think of lip crayons in general?

♥

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Topshop Makeup | Blush

Topshop Blush £6 

Next in the Topshop Makeup Series, I want to go over the blushers. These are not my favourite thing in the Topshop makeup range, although I know plenty of people who would say they were. I just want to start with the packaging, I absolutely love it, like all other Topshop makeup items, it has the adorable black sketching, in this case, polka dots. The only thing I will say, is that after a while, the white background becomes a little more cream, and then there's no going back to that lovely white crisp casing, dangnabbit. 

The consistency of these is what makes them a little different from anything else I own, and certainly anything else I have seen on the High Street. They apply as a cream blush, but dry with a more powdery finish. I actually find powder blush easier to apply, as you just apply it with a brush, however, I do like to use these for a much more subtle finish. I think because it applies as a cream and dries to a powder, it gives a much more natural flush than a powder would. I also don't find it that difficult to apply. I just use my fingers, and dot it on my cheekbones or the apples of my cheeks (depending on which mood i'm in) and then blend it out as much as desired. The colours can look a little scary in the pan, but they are very easy to blend, and you can also build up the colour if you want something a little more opaque. They also have quite good lasting power, I wouldn't say it's amazing, but for £6 you can't really expect miracles (plus, you don't want to look like Aunt Sally for over 24 hours).

The colours I own are Head Over Heels (pictured on the left in all photos) and Flush (pictured on the right). Head over heels is my favourite (as you can see it has been used a fair bit...and looks pretty grubby). It's a gorgeous coral pink and I find that this suits my skin tone a little more than Flush, which is a lot more pink. 

What do you think of Topshop blush? Do you own any?

♥

Topshop Makeup | Nail Polish

Left to Right:
Crystal Clouds, Green Room, Sketch, Louder*, Dead Ringer*, Awol*, Parma Violet

Hidden Treasure & Gypsy Night

Polishes from the "Sandstorm" Collection last year.
L-R: Cylone & The last two were a duo called "Wilderness"*

New Glitter polishes! 
L-R: Ice Crush*, Adrenalin*, Razzmatazz*

L-R:

Adrenalin, Ice Crush, Razzmatazz, Sketch, Wilderness Duo, Parma Violet, Crystal Clouds, Cyclone, Awol, Green Room, Louder, Dead Ringer, Wilderness Duo, Hidden Treasure, Gypsy Night

Following on from my post about the Topshop Lipsticks, I thought i'd write about the nail polishes. I own a fair few, as you can see. I am a huge fan of these little beauties. I do remember when they first came on the scene, I wasn't massively impressed with the size or shape of the bottle, I just didn't think they looked very pretty and were quite small, but now I absolutely love them. They could be deemed slightly smaller than the average nail polish, but actually, I think they are just right. I own so many larger nail polishes (like O.P.I & China Glaze) and I never come anywhere close to using the whole bottle up before it goes thick & gloopy. 

The quality is really good, I have yet to use any shade which hasn't delivered a nice opacity, or painted on appallingly. I also think there is a fantastic range of colours. Whenever I see the makeup stand in Topshop, and all the pretty colours lined up so beautifully, I always feel as though I need to own more of them, so I can stand them in my bedroom looking equally as pretty. 

The standard range of basic colours are priced at £5 (your reds, blues, pinks, pastels & brights) & the more exciting/special polishes (The multi-tonal, glitter & crackle) are priced at £6. There are a few on the website at the moment which are part of the "Sisters of the New Moon" collection and they are priced at £6.50. I think the pricing is very fair. I'm quite happy to pay this nice mid-way price for a decent nail polish, compared with higher, more well-known brands at a much higher cost. I don't particularly look for a nail polish with the highest of quality, I'm definitely more of a "if I like the colour, i'm buying it regardless of the price" person. So if it's a gorgeous colour, i'll buy it if it's 50p or £10. I do know that some of you will be reading this who DO look for decent quality in a nail polish, possibly if your job involves you looking immaculate, and chipped nails are a nono? I can honestly say, I've NEVER come across a nail polish that doesn't chip on real nails. I'm an acrylics girl, so my nails aren't real most of the time, therefore polish is usually on there until I decide to change it. However, anytime I haven't had acrylics, and I've worn the Topshop nail polishes on my real nails, they've lasted just like any other polish. I'd say 5-6 days totally chip free (with a top coat). Even the more expensive polishes chip on me in this same amount of time (I don't think my natural nails take well to polish haha)

My current favourites are Green Room, Ice Crush, Hidden Treasure, and the metallic silver one from the Wilderness duo (annoyingly, they don't have separate names that I can see, and they aren't on the website anymore, but they do have a metallic silver which could very well be exactly the same)

Have you tried the Topshop nail polishes? Can you think of any colours that I'd love and don't already own? (not that I need anymore clearly)

♥

Mini Topshop Makeup Splurge

It may not come as much of a surprise to most of you that recently I have fallen in love with Topshop Makeup. I'm starting a series of review posts about each of the things I have tried from the whole range. I've already done one on the lipsticks which you can read HERE.

I recently popped into Topshop to have a little mooch around at the clothes, but ended up buying more of the makeup. Maybe, if I actually go there for makeup, i'll walk out with some clothing? It was the new "Sisters of the New Moon" collection that caught my eye. Topshop often bring out little collections alongside their permanent range, which I think is refreshing, and keeps you interested. I picked up a lip tint in "Crystal" which is absolutely amazing to look at. I feel like it's almost too pretty to use. It adjusts in shade when it comes into contact with your skin, which I thought was pretty cool. The second was a lipstick, which as you can see, is orange in colour, which therefor means I must have it. It's a lot less intense on the lips than my beloved Infared, but I love it. Both lip products were £9. I then also picked up a blush in "Flush" from the permanent line which is a pretty shade of fushia pink for £6. The last two items were nail polishes, also from the permanent line, "Hidden Treasure" (right) and "Gypsy Night" (left) which are both gorgeous colours. Who doesn't love a multi coloured glitter black & blue bottle? Both £5!

Overall, a pretty successful trip to Topshop, even if I didn't intend on leaving with makeup ;)

♥

In an English Country Garden.

Dress: Topshop
Leggings: New Look
Shoes: New Look
Belt: Vintage YSL
Bag: Vintage Bootsale
Headband: Mums

Some of you may recognise this outfit from my most recent video on Youtube. A vlog with my brother & some ever so charming Alpacas. They really are very funny animals, I got some amusing photographs of them, but I won't bore you all to tears. The photograph of the little girl is me, aged about 2 in an angel outfit that my mum had handmade me for a fancy dress party. The crown was made from real flowers, I can't say the tin foil star is all that impressive though haha. It's the window sill of my mums bedroom, I love all her pretty little trinkets and bits and bobs, mainly sourced from carboots (now you know where I get it from).

♥

Face & Outfit of the Day

Face
♥ Bourjois healthy mix foundation in 53 (bleached out slightly by flash)
♥ Bourjois healthy mix concealer in 52
♥ Gosh touch up concealer in no 2 under eyes
♥ Mac Mineralize Skin finish natural in medium
♥ Benefit Coralista blush
♥ Benefit Hoola bronzer

Eyes
♥ Too Faced shadow insurance
♥ Mac Blanc Type all over lid
♥ Mac Showstopper in crease
♥ Mac eyebrow pencil in Lingering
♥ Chanel Kohl Liner in Ambre
♥ Estee Lauder Sumptuous mascara

Lips
♥ Body Shop Lipstick col. 52



Outfit
♥ Leggings - Zara
♥ Top - New Look
♥ Slinky grey cardigan - Apricot
♥ Blazer - New Look
♥ Plimsoles - Topshop

♥

10 Favourite Items In My Wardrobe.

I was tagged to do this by Claire (The Fashion Teller) and i thought it was a fab idea!

You have to pick 10 of your favourite items in your wardrobe, say where it's from, why you like it & any memories of you wearing it. No Accessories allowed :)
I found it really hard picking 10, but i managed to whittle it down eventually.



From Left to Right:
♥ New Look baby pink top with sequined shoulders - A relatively new addition to the wardrobe, but i just love the baby pink colour, and it hugs my figure nicely.
♥ Floaty silk cream top with flowers - I don't know where this is from, it was a charity shop find by my mum & has no label. It also has a cute ribbon to tie at the back. I love this & wear it a hell of a lot.
♥ All Saints dress - I like this because it's unique. It is very baggy and ties in three different places. I like to wear it with a plain tshirt & leggings with either boots or plimsoles.
♥ Topshop rose & bird crop top - I bought this in Leeds a while ago. I love the pattern & the way it looks on. Again, i team this with leggings. :)
♥ Topshop Vintage Lace top - Bought this about a year ago, i just think it's pretty & girly & lace is my favourite.



From Left to Right:
♥ All Saints yellow sequin top - This has a weird shape, but i love it, it hangs in all the right places. I wore this to the Barry M Event last year & on my 19th birthday :)
♥ Vintage stripe dress - This came into my mums shop & i tried it on and fell in love. It looks kinda shapeless on the hanger, but the material is so thick and heavy & i feel really 60's when i wear it. I can't wait until the sun comes back out so i can wear it with pretty flipflops and a flower in my hair.
♥ Primark sequined top - I very rarely love something so much from Primark that it lasts a whole 6 months in my wardrobe. This hangs really nicely & i just think it's pretty.
♥ New Look cropped black blazer - I chose this because it was totally bargainus. It cost me £3 in the sale & it has been a staple to many an outfit since. I love it, it fits perfectly.
♥ New Look floaty spot top & cargidan - I cheated slightly here and put two together. Both are currently in New Look & I am totally loving the nautical theme at the moment.

Hope you enjoyed that small insight into my wardbrobe.
I tag anyone else who would like to do this. I'm sure Claire would also love to see what else you all have in your wardrobes..as would i :)

♥

Monochrome.

I scribbled out my eyes because i was mid-blink & i looked a fool, but you can see the outfit quite clearly so i left it in the middle.haha

Dress - Topshop
Leggings - New Look
Black studded belt - Primark
Black Sequined Blazer - New Look
Black Patent Shoe Boots (with small heel, although it has sunk into snow) - Primark

Complete with two plain undergarments for added warmth

♥

I went shopping. Eee.

Good Evening my lovelies.
These are a few of the things i've bought over the past few weeks.
Enjoy!

First is a bit of a Lush loot.
There was an offer on, if you spent over £20 you got a free goody bag.
And that is what i got...

I Bought...
♥ Honey I washed the kids soap (mm smells so good. had get a new one as my dad sneakily used up my last one)
♥ Aqua Mirabilis body butter
♥ Amandopondo bubble bar (round & white at the front)
♥ Happy Pill bath ballistic
♥ MA Bar bubble bar (Brown & white - my FAVE)
♥ Blackberry bath ballistic (Blue one)
♥ Avobath ballistic (Green one)
♥ Angels on Bare Skin cleanser

The Freebies...
♥ Skinny Dip Buttercream (smells VILE -Don't think i'll be using this...and they gave me so much)
♥ I Love Juicy shampoo (This smells gorgeous, cant wait to try it out)
♥ The Olive Branch solid perfume (My fave lush scent..i was actually looking to buy this the same day, so im glad i got it free)
♥ Glitter Bug massage bar (I LOVE the smell of this but not loving all the shimmer so much..any way of eliminating it?)
♥ Bathos bubble bar (If you like Parmoviolets then you'll love this..i dont..so i dont haha)

The Clothes & Accessories...
I bought this GORGEOUS dress in H&M. I love the shape, the fabric & the colours & i cannot wait to wear it. It would have looked nice at the wedding i went to...oh well.

I loove the detailing, it has hearts & birds :)

Next is a silk scarf from Warehouse which was in the sale. I thought it was super pretty & the colours meant it could be worn with pretty much anything..i also dont think i own enough scarf's.

I then bought a blue belt in Topshop. It's a waist belt with gold tigers on it. I liked this because it was different, the colour was striking & it actually FIT me. I find it incredibly hard to find waist belts that fit as im petite, and i can't wait to put this with an outift.

A close up of the tiger...RAWR!
Also in the Topshop sale i noticed this silky number. It was part of the Barbara Hulanicki range and was reduced from £40 to £15.
It's the top i am wearing in my previous post. (as some of you asked where it was from)
I also love the detailing on this one too. The pattern is of girls faces.
Super cute.

So that's my little collection of new goodies for you.
I also bought some Soap & Glory products yesterday which i will put in a seperate post, so look out for that one if you are interested.

I'm thinking of doing a blogpost on Lush products that i would reccommend and others i would steer clear of...would any of you be interested in reading that?

♥

Shopping Wreckage.

My boyfriend came to see me this weekend, and I also got paid yesturday, so what better way to celebrate than to go for a little shop? I wasn't really planning on buying much, and really...i don't think i did too bad, no serious damage anyway ;)

First stop was superdrug where I bought the following things:

First, I picked up the Rimmel London moisture renew lipstick in "Nude Delight". This colour is a really light wearable nude, it's also very pigmented and goes on very smooth. I have really dry chapped lips most of the time, but this lipstick doesn't accentuate that, which i like because i find alot of lipsticks have the tendency to do that. I also found that it has a great staying power! And was only £4.37!

I then went over to the Gosh counter where I noticed they had a 3 for 2 deal...how can you not get roped into that? I picked up my holy grail under eye concealer (no 2), a "Cool lip jam" in 107 and a foundation brush. The lipgloss is really nice, it's just the right consistency (not too sticky, not too runny) althought i do wish it had a little more pigmentation. It comes out quite sheer, but then i didn't exactly pick a very daring colour! I did question the "cool" in it's title, but after applying it, i can see exactly why. It has a tingling cooling sensation, almost as if you were applying a peppermint lipgloss, although this smells of sweets :) another bonus. The foundation brush appealed to me because i have been using the mac 187 brush to do my foundation, but i have found that its started to make it look streaky, so thought i would try something else. It's SO soft, I'm looking forward to trying it out. Anybody else tried it?

After superdrug i went to LUSH *sighs* that place has me hooked. They were handing out free fruit today, crazy times..although it was amazing to see the amount of people that didnt take anything, maybe they thought there was a catch..haha bit of psychology for you there. Anyway...These are my purchases...

I appologise if you're sick of seeing things from LUSH, but i really don't care :)

On the left is the "vanilla founatin" bath ballistic, This has the same scent as the heavenilli massage bar, which i love. Then next to that is "ma bar" which is a chocolate and honey toffee bubble bar. I really want to eat this. :( Then the pretty flowery one is called "Pop in the bath" (not as original or catchy as the other names) but smells gorgey.

The hand cream (on the right) is called "handy gurugu". The lady in lush said it was the most moisturising of the hand creams. This stuff is amazing. I LOVE it. I can see myself buying pot after pot of this and applying it religiously. It soaks in so quickly, and doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy, yet it is so moisturising. The texture is alot like sudocrem, quite thick but also very fluffy and light. If you have dry hands like me, try this out.

In H&M i was browsing through the makeup and found these, I am super surprised by their pigmentation, i think they were £2.99 each!

The First is a gorgeous silver glitter dark grey. It looks quite black in real life, but on the picture it has come out quite alot lighter. The second is a gorgeous shimmery golden brown, i LOVE this colour. They are about the same size as a Mac blush. Look how pigmented they are with one swipe!I also picked up this pretty pale pink lipgloss...this tastes of watermelon. It's not very pigmented but hey, for £3.99 it's bloody amazing. It has a really nice consistency too!

I also picked these up from "Topshop" and "Cult"

Thought both would look good with leggings :) Hope you've all had a good saturday!

♥