Sunday 10 April 2016

Summer Wishlist- Beauty

Shock, horror, I just realised that it's the middle of April! Spring hasn't even begun properly but summer is already around the corner! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to create my summer wishlist, so I can make sure I have everything I want for summer... if I can find a way to finance it all of this, because let me tell you, this summer is not going to be very cheap for the looks of it!



These are pretty much all the products, I'd love to see on my face this summer. You may notice a major theme, in that pretty much all of these products have a cream consistency. In the summer - especially when I actually go somewhere warm (let's face it, England has about two weeks of summer in reality), I switch most of my make up products to something very dewy, natural looking and I even put down most of my brushes and work with my fingers or a sponge. I find that powder products get really uncomfortable and patchy-looking on my skin as the weather gets warmer and that is really not a look I am aiming for. For a day-to-day look, I even change my setting powder to a setting spray to keep everything in place without the powder clinging on to my skin.


Complexion


 Heavy coverage is not my favourite look in the summer, I find that the more mask-like look you wear, the more uncomfortable and warmer you feel. And when on holiday, I don't want to have to spend a massive amount of my time getting ready to go out. Which is why Urban Decay's new Naked Skin One and Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector sounds so intriguing to me. If I actually get to skip a couple of steps and apply my base as a moisturiser, I'm going to be a very happy bunny!

As for getting a bit more coverage where I need it- which is generally my under eye area, I am all up for a bit of brightening corrector. I find that the YSL Touche Eclate Neutraliser Pen in Bisque would be perfect both in colour and consistency to feel natural but bright under my eyes. Over it I would have to go with the standard Touche Eclat concealer, and if I can still get the limited edition packaging I would definitely go for the one that reads: "I am not a morning person". It just describes me too well.

To put a bit of colour on my face I would go for the Chanel Tan de Soleil cream bronzer. I tried this product before and it is indeed heavenly. I think it's the perfect trick when you go on holiday as well, so if you find that you're a bit too tan for your foundation, you can easily correct the colour with adding a bit of bronzer under your foundation. Sorted!

I have to admit, I already ticked the blusher off my list. I was planning to buy this gorgeous product last year, but never got around to it, and because it is limited edition, I automatically assumed that it's sold out. This is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth cream blusher, which came out last year in her limited edition collection that was a collaboration with photographer Norman Parkinson. The packaging is absolutely mesmerising and only one thing can top that, which is the colour. The perfectly natural rosy hue of an innocent cheek has the same effect that this blush can help you achieve. It's natural, dewy and rosy. Absolutely in love! If you can still get your hands on it, I highly recommend you do. It is very pricy, but absolutely stunning.

Which is pretty much also true for the highlighter I would love to wear in the summer. This is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Moonstone. It's the cream version of the famous highlighter all the big beauty gurus love, and honestly, I love this even more. The shimmer is obviously not as intensive as in the powder version, but the dewy effect gives it a more natural, "I woke up like this" look. Mesmerising!

Eyes


For my eyes, I also prefer to use cream products in hot weather. It's useful to use a primer underneath to keep everything from creasing but overall I love the effect cream eyeshadows give. I decided to add the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Jean to my collection, which is a very pretty and natural champagne colour. It's beautiful on it's own or to use as an inner corner highlight with any make up look. And the consistency is heavenly! If I can afford it (because these buggers are very pricey), I will also go for one of the By Terry Ombre Black Star Eyeshadow Sticks. I have wanted one of these in a really long time and would go perfectly with the effortless make up look I'm going for. They're easy to apply and easy to blend. If I had to choose one, I would probably go for a shade called Frozen Quartz, which is a very pretty, shimmery baby pink.

With a natural eyeshadow look, I think a bronzy-brown pencil is the most forgiving product. It gives a soft definition to your eyes without making them very fake-looking. Mascara-wise I will definitely have to go for a waterproof formula... I don't think I have to explain why. I'm very intrigued by the Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara. I personally never tried the original formula, but I've heard great things about it. The waterproof version however, has kept a very low profile so far. So this purchase might be a hit and miss. As for brows I'm going to go for a full but natural look with Benefit's Gimme Brow. I love this little things, it gives you great colour and volume without looking fake.

Scent

In the summer especially, I like to experiment with new scents, so I find that this Chloe miniature set would be perfect, especially for travelling. Not to mention how adorable the tiny little bottles look. Hopefully, after I purchased this I can decide on which scent to take on holiday and make sure it brings back all the summer memories. I'm not sure if I'm the only one doing this, but I definitely love to have a scent dedicated to a holiday, so whenever I use it, it just reminds me of all the great times.

What do you have on your summer beauty wishlist?


Thursday 7 April 2016

What to wear on an interview

So apparently you have about seven seconds to make a good first impression at a job interview.  And the impression you make actually influences your audience more than what you say. It's not everything, but it's highly important to make sure that you are professional and taken seriously. Once you have got their attention, they will listen to what you have to say.

So how do you make sure that you look professional on an interview?


Easy! Make sure you stick to the classics and don't go overboard on anything. A simple black, navy or grey suit is the perfect attire for a businesswoman, and you can make it a bit less boring with a colourful shirt. Make sure your shirt still fits the classic style, no crazy patterns, no oversized styles. Make sure to keep the colours quite muted as well.

As for shoes, heels are an essential for me when I attend an interview. They give the attire an overall professional look and they make me feel much more confident and correct my posture. I always pair it with a bag that can fit an A4 sized folder in it to fit my notes in. This one is from Zara and I absolutely love it!

You should always keep your accessories quite minimal. I feel like a subtle necklace and some very minimal earrings are more than enough. But never underestimate the power of a good watch! It dresses you up in a very professional way, it makes you look like you've put an effort into dressing up in the morning. You will never see a serious business man or woman without a watch on.


As for make up, all those hours watching "no make-up make-up" tutorials will finally pay off when going on an interview. All in all, the more you can make yourself look like a better version of you, without making it obvious you're wearing make up, the better. I tend to only use a subtle highlighter-contour duo on my eyelids, just to give them a bit of a glow and subtle definition. Don't go too harsh on your eyebrows or your contour, as this will really emphasise that you're wearing a lot of make up. For lips, I like to stick with those amazing "your lips but better" colours. Nothing fake. And if you are travelling for your interview, or have to wait a while after you got ready, it's a good idea to use a setting spray to make sure everything stays where it's supposed to be. I always like to make sure my nails are taken care of as well because it shows your attention to detail. But it will come as no surprise that I will suggest going for a very neutral, if not clear nail polish.

And my best tips for last: right before the interview, go in the bathroom, or a hidden corner, and stand up like Wonderwoman for two minutes. You will walk in the room confidently, with a straight back and a smile on your face, I promise. Now, go knock them out!

Sunday 3 April 2016

March Favourites

Another month has come and gone, and with the weather turning a bit more bearable, I definitely felt like going to different stores and trying new products. One of my goals this spring is to stick to a well planned out wardrobe and only but what I actually want and need. Make up-wise I definitely didn't limit myself, as so many brands brought out irresistible spring collections!


With the sunnier weather and blooming flowers, I couldn't resist trying lighter formulas and rosier colours. Some things haven't changed from last month, I'm still enjoying my Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons palette, especially pairing the golden-shimmery shades with rosy lips and cheeks. So fresh and happy!

Make up-wise I have really been enjoying Charlotte Tilbury's Light Wonder Foundation. This really reminds me of Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, but the finish of this one is a bit more glowy, I feel. I normally just shake this up and apply with my fingers as the watery formula blends like a dream and gives a very natural, dewy base.


As the weather got warmer, I ditched my contouring products and switched to more of a rosy cheek- look, especially after I purchased this L'Oréal Le Blush in Sandalwood Pink (Shade 120). It's a beautiful fresh colour with the tiniest shimmer in it, and I feel like it gives my make up look a very healthy look.

As I mentioned, in March I enjoyed using some light, golden shimmery shades on my eyes, but nothing too dramatic. Instead of a smoky look, I dialled up my lashes with the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noire Major Volume Mascara. This product is absolutely incredible! It gives my lashes an insane amount of volume, quite a bit of definition and the colour is very intense. I do have to say that this gives you a 60s lash look, and if you can't put up with some minor clamps, this product is probably not for you. I am definitely all about the lashes though!

On my lips I really enjoyed using the Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Dusty Pink. On work days I normally just patted this on very lightly and blended with my fingers for a natural rosy look, but when I felt like going for a bolder lip look, this gave a perfectly muted, but still bright rose colour.


Fashion-wise I invested in these Topshop Hayden Boyfriend Jeans. I have to say, I have not loved a pair of jeans this much before. It's so comfortable and still looks amazing, especially when paired with some ankle boots. My mum almost got a heart attack when she saw me in this, but I absolutely love them and I'm already contemplating buying a second "just in case" pair.

As for shoes, I love the whole white sneakers trend that's going on at the moment, however I'm afraid that if I invest in a more expensive pair, someone is going to step on my feet pretty my right away. With that in mind, I went around in high street shops to find an alternative found this lovely pair in Zara for £25.99! I think that's an absolute bargain and if it doesn't last as long as an expensive pair would, I can still buy another pair and save some money. And they're comfy too!

My absolute favourite purchase of the month was these sunglasses from Michael Kors. I actually got these as a birthday present from my mum, after I fell in love with them in store. I always wanted a pair with reflective lenses, and this one was absolutely perfect! The rims are rosegold (score!) and the temples are white, absolutely stunning colour combination. I love the aviator style and thankfully they're not as delicate as the Ray Ban ones, as I always feel like they would break very easily. The lenses are bright blue in most lightings, sadly this doesn't show on the photo very much. The downside to the reflective lenses is that you can see me struggling to take this photo... how lovely!

As I'm going on a city break at the end of May, I'm already thinking about what summery make up and clothes I should get hold of. I'm thinking about bringing forward my "summer wishlist", but let me know if you have any suggestions.... What do you think would look amazing on a holiday in Rome?

Lots of love xx


Sunday 20 March 2016

What's in my travel bag? - A week at home

Ever wondered how to fit an entire week's clothing in a carry on suitcase when you're going to a familiar place? Maybe you're visiting a friend abroad who is willing to lend you a towel and some toothpaste so you don't have to pay the extra luggage fee? As my family lives abroad, I have had more than enough practice in how to put together a decent mixture of clothes to be able to survive a week! So don't worry, it's not impossible!


First things first, you'll want to make sure you have all the essentials for the plane: passport, purse, your phone (and charger!), headphones, sunglasses and whatever else makes you feel comfortable on a flight. Thankfully most airlines let you take a carry on and your personal bag on board, so you have some extra space to play with here.


Secondly, don't forget that you can use some of the clothes you're wearing on the plane later as well. I always like to opt for the most comfortable pieces to wear on the plane, but you might want to consider wearing your thicker pieces that would take up more space in your suitcase. For example, if you're going on a summer holiday, make sure you wear your "emergency warm clothes" on the plane, so you can save some space in your carry on.

Versatile pieces are lifesavers when you travel with a carry on. I normally like to stick to my monochromes, this way I know that I can play mix and match with my clothes and I will never have to wear the same outfit on the holiday! And don't forget that throwing on a pair of sunglasses or changing up your accessories can convert your entire look. Endless possibilities!


I don't like to go too crazy in the shoe department as they tend to take up the most space and they are also the heaviest in your suitcase. If you have a pair of comfortable sneakers and a pair that makes your outfit a little bit less casual, you're covered for the whole week!


The best advise I could give you though is: the simpler, the better! You are on holiday and you won't want to feel uncomfortable in your own clothes, so make sure you opt for something that lets you make the most of your time away! Oh... and leave some room for shopping!

Sunday 13 March 2016

Birthday Wishes

So this is going to be a bit more of a personal post. I have been nominated for the Liebster award by the lovely Bet from LifeAccordingtoBet and a Blogger Recognition Award by Nicole from WhatNikkiDid. I have to be honest, I haven't heard of these kind of awards before, since I only started blogging about six weeks ago, but I find the idea of it really appealing. These awards pretty much go from blogger to blogger, and it really helps small bloggers gain some recognition within the blogging community.

First things first, a massive thanks to Bet, Nikki and to anyone who stumbles on my little corner of the internet. I find it so amazing that I can get to know so many interesting people though writing about what I love. Sounds like a dream. THANK YOU, YOU ARE WONDERFUL! And you made me this happy!



Secondly, I'm going to go around the rules here a little bit and just tell you 11 random things to you about myself. So without further ado...

1. I was born and raised in Hungary, and did a year abroad in England when I was at uni. I liked it so much that I moved back for three month after my writing my dissertation but I had to go home to take my last exams at uni. I then very irresponsibly decided to move to England full time, without a job, with £500 in my pocket and nowhere to live. Didn't really think it through!

2. I didn't really wear make up until I was about 20, and my mum never understood why. (Clearly she saw the bags under my eyes more than I did).

3. Growing up, I just wanted to be Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. I wanted to be a journalist, I forced myself to read a lot and I even wanted to apply to Yale, but my parents didn’t want me to move to America.

4. I have a major love-hate relationship with my fringe. When I grow it out, I instantly want to cut it, but when I have one, it annoys me to hell and back!

5. I could give you great lifestyle advice, but I'm rubbish at taking them myself!

6. I have a Youtube channel. Although I haven't uploaded anything for about 3 years now, and it’s not what you would think. I used to play music so I recorded some of my stuff.

7. My boyfriend is a major nerd. The one that has a Lego collection, pre-orders video games and wears the geekiest T-shirts ever invented. Well. Used to. He’s been through extensive fashion training.

8. I have found it quite hard to make new friends after leaving university. It seems like everyone it competing with each other, instead of genuinely supporting each other. I just don’t like the politics of adulthood!

9. I have a major girl crush on Amanda Seyfried and Emma Stone. They're such babes!

10. I have a 19 year old sister and a 29 year old brother, both in different countries, I speak to them a lot, but I miss them every day!

11. Tomorrow is my 25th birthday.

And what I'm hoping for this year? I hope that my loved ones and me stay healthy and happy. I hope my career takes a turn, and I'll no longer feel like I'm just working to earn money. I hope I'll finally have the strength and patience in me to live a healthier lifestyle. I hope I get to see my family a bit more often than last year. And I hope I get to carry on writing about things I love.

I challenge each of you bloggers reading this to share 11 random things about you! I think this is such a fun way to get to know each other a little bit better, and I'd like to read all of your random things, so if you decide to do a similar post, make sure to let me know in the comments below! Much love xx

Thursday 10 March 2016

The Kitchen Edit

When you live in a rented flat and you can’t change up furniture, large appliances or even the colour of the walls, small accessories play a key role in making the space feel yours. Let’s face it, the kitchen is not the most exciting room to decorate, but we use it every day and some objects are even displayed to our guests. It is especially important to pay some attention to decorating a kitchen if you live in an open plan house and you can’t close the door to hide the mess.

Tableware

I think one of the most important thing to upgrade in your kitchen is your tableware. This is something you use everyday and it will also show up in your dining room, living room and even your bedroom if you had a cheeky breakfast (or dinner!) in bed. Not to mention you can't throw a dinner party without some cool tableware!



One of my favourite kitchenware purchases are these mason jars from Lakeland. They look adorable displayed on a mug tree and they quite quirky with the gold stripy straws, that I got from Tiger. Love love love!

Small Appliances



Movie night? Film Marathon? What better to make the night complete than your own popcorn maker. Little quirky appliances like this will definitely impress your guests, not to mention popcorn is a great choice of snacks! Other appliances that would make your guests jaws drop? Chocolate fountain, ice cream maker, juicer, waffle maker, pancake maker and I've also come across a snow cone maker! I have to admit, I want them all!




The MOST useful appliance in the kitchen (at least for me) is the coffee machine. I mean. It's a life saver in the morning and a beautiful treat in the afternoon. This particular machine was a pricy little bugger, but it was so worth it. It's called the Barista Express made by a company called Sage by Heston Blumenthal and I believe it retails for around £550. I know, I know... A Nespresso is much cheaper and it does all the work for you. I'm not exactly a barista, but I'm slowly learning to make different drinks and it's just so satisfying (and delicious!) to make your own coffee.


Storage



One of the most important things in a kitchen is good storage. You will want to hide the cans, the bags and the boxes, but some edible things actually look awesome displayed. Get some handy little Kilner jars and fill them with sweets, rice, tea and coffee or even pasta! Both handy and decorative!


Decoration

Decoration-wise I like to keep it simple. You don't want a lot of clutter in your kitchen, otherwise you won't have the space to work. I only like to decorate here with stuff I actually use, like cute mugs, a chalkboard, maybe a fruit bowl. Saying that I do have a couple of small cacti living in the kitchen and I will never say no to lighting a candle. And of course, if you can decorate your walls, you will have more options to chose from.


Until next time! xx


Sunday 6 March 2016

My Spring Wishlist

Out with the old, in with the new!

I'm in the middle of cleaning out my wardrobe and updating my make up collection in preparation for springtime. As I'm getting rid of anything I don't wear and packing away winter clothes, I needed to come up with an organised way of thinking through what I actually need to (want to really) buy this season. And what better way there is than writing a list, right?

Fashion


This season I would really like to aim for a well thought out and put together wardrobe. I normally tend to buy things I like, not things I need, so I end up with a bunch of jumpers but no jeans or trousers. Classic! Living in the UK also means that I can carry on wearing some of my winter jumpers pretty much until July, so I only have to get a few extra additions. Let's see the list!



From the top left:

MOTO Vintage Daisy Shorts, Topshop, £24

Zipped Backpack, Mango, £39.99

Lightweight Textured Truster Coat, Topshop, £79

Plimsolls with Laces, Zara, £25.99

Lace Applique Dress, Mango, £35.99

Quilted Bomber Jacket, Zara, £39.99

ASOS Boyfriend Sweat with Hey Sweetie Print, ASOS.com, £22

Relax Fit Ripped Jeans, Zara, £25.99

Printed Blouse, Zara, £25.99

As you can see I'm very much into my whites this spring and my wardrobe will be quite monochrome as per usual. It will be interesting to see if I actually get all these items, as I will have to try on most of them. This is where I normally cry a bit in the changing room and then put them back on the shelves.

Beauty

Make up shopping, however, never makes me feel fat! Let's see all the items that will make my purse empty this spring!



From the top left:

Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow in Bette, Charlotte Tilbury, £22

Diorblush Sculpt in Pink Shape, Dior, £32

Art Stick in Sunset Orange, Bobbi Brown, £20

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, Nars £19

Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, Marc Jacobs £20

Light Wonder Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury, £32

Accessories

Accessories-wise I'm still in love with my Michael Kors rosegold watch and my Pandora Rose necklace, but I would like to expand my happy rosegold family with this beauty:



Rose Gold- Tone Rose Quartz Cuff, Michael Kors, $115 (I haven't managed to find it on a UK website as of yet...)

I'm also desperately looking for some rosegold rings, so if you have seen some that would tie in with this style, please do let me know in the comments!

This is all I'm really planning to purchase this spring, although my planning may not be so realistic. Let's see how it goes!


Sunday 28 February 2016

February Favourites

It's the end of February and hopefully the end of winter! I thought I would do my first monthly favourites post as I definitely love reading about other people's new discoveries. February has been a busy and stressful month for me and I have to admit, I cannot wait for spring to start. March has always been one of my favourite months, with flowers blooming and the world becoming a bit more colourful and sunny.



Beauty

Living in England means that it's still freezing cold outside for most of March, so I couldn't wear any of the lovely spring clothes I bought over February. They are patiently waiting for their time to come in my wardrobe! Things have been much better on the make up front though. With the days becoming a bit longer, I felt more and more like going out on the weekends or after work, so it was worth putting on nicer clothes and some make up. This also meant trying out new products!



My number one make up favourite has to be the Too Faced Chocolate Bonbons eyeshadow palette! I had heard a lot about this before buying it, although I have never owned anything from the brand. The packaging is absolutely adorable, the scent of the palette is delicious, but what actually convinced me to purchase it, was two of the shades: a shimmery beige-gold called Satin Sheets and a shimmery coppery bronze shade called Molasses Chip. Both absolutely mesmerising on the eye and I think they're perfect for a spring-summer look. A huge bonus it that the shade Bordeaux is the best colour for my eyebrows at the moment, as it is really nice medium brown with red undertones. The quality of the product is ten out of ten, it is very blendable, but stays on for the whole day. Absolutely worth the £39!

My second make up favourite the L'Oréal Infallible 24H Stay Fresh Foundation. Because I have dry, eczema prone skin, I have to be very careful with drugstore foundations as most of them cause flare ups on my face. But a few weeks ago I was in London for a couple of days and I forgot my foundation, so I ran down to Boots to get something I can use the next day. I have heard some good reviews of the Infallible foundation so I decided to give it a go. I have to admit, I am not a big fan of the heavy scent and my skin colour is in-between two shades, so the colour match is not perfect. But I was quite surprised at the quality and the staying power of the product! Despite the strong scent, it didn't bring my eczema out and I have been enjoying using this with some added bronzer on top. And it was only £10!

My last beauty item is also from L'Oréal and it's one of their Color Riche nail polishes. I've been really enjoying using this formula for a while, because it dries really quickly. It also doesn't stay on for very long, but I find that I have been changing up my nail colour more because of this. The colour I have been enjoying the most this month is number 851, Nouvelle Vague, a pale lilac-y blue. It reminds me of spring a lot and because I haven't had the chance to wear spring clothes, wearing this colour on my nails just cheered me up a bit!

Fashion


Because the weather has been so chilly, I had to stick with my think and cosy winter clothes but I actually only bought clothes for the spring. So until I can wear those, I can only report on my favourite accessories, that I have actually been obsessed with. I got this gorgeous rosegold Michael Kors watch from my godparents for Christmas and it goes so nicely with this necklace I got from my boyfriend a while back. The necklace is from Pandora's "Pandora Rose" collection that combines the standard silver with a touch of rosegold. I loved this, because I didn't own a lot of rosegold accessories, so this seemed like the only way to wear it without buying a whole rosegold collection. Then I got this fabulous watch for Christmas and I have been wearing this non-stop. It adds such a sporty, but stylish twist to my outfits, and it goes amazingly with both work and casual clothes. An absolute winner combination in my books!

Skincare


During January and the beginning of February I had a really bad eczema flare up on my face and my hands. Obviously the first thing I had to do was to use prescription steroid creams that calmed my skin, but left it really dry, so a few weeks ago I took a trip to Kiehl's to ask for some recommendations and I was actually quite impressed! They tested my skin's moisture content and recommended product based on the results and my condition. The first thing that really made a difference was the Skin Rescuer. This is a stress-minimising daily moisturiser that claims to reduce visible signs of stress, including skin fatigue and redness. This has actually been a life saver for my skin! The formula is very lightweight and it doesn't leave your skin sticky or your pores clogged at all, but it works like a dream on dry and sensitive skin. It absorbs very quickly and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. This has definitely proven to be a holy grail product for me and I will be repurchasing it as soon as this runs out.

The second product they recommended was the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. This is an alcohol-free toner made with whole flowers and pure extracts, and is actually recommended for a normal-to-oily skin type. Despite this, the lady in Kiehl's recommended it to me so the heavy creams I use due to my eczema don't clog my pores and make me break out. I am not sure if it is due to this product or I just had a lucky few weeks, but my skin has definitely been quite clear. Bonus point: it smells like tea!

This is it from me this month, hopefully next month I can include some more fashion items it the weather allows it. Have you had any favourites this month?

Friday 26 February 2016

The Creme de la Creme of Make Up: Charlotte Tilbury

You  know how people talk about love at first sight? And how you're not supposed to judge the book by its cover? Kind of controversial, isn't it? Well I think there is such a thing as lust at first sight and then falling in love... which is exactly my story with Charlotte Tilbury's make up range.



The beautiful rosegold packaging instantly catches the eye, and the well thought-out, chic and luxurious design draws you closer and closer to the counter. When you finally try the products and see for yourself that the luxury doesn't end at the packaging, that's when you start to fall in love...

Is it expensive? Yes. But there is something unique about the products that I haven't seen with any other high end brand, that somehow makes spending your money worth your while. No regrets.

I personally own a few of her products, but what I don't have  (and even some of what I do, but I'm already scared of them running out) are definitely on the top of my wishlist.



Filmstar Bronze and Glow Sculpt and Highlight Palette
My number one favourite is something I can't imagine doing my make up without anymore. The famous Filmstar Bronze and Glow Sculpt and Highlight palette is the very product she claims that it had been the best kept secret of Hollywood stars for years. Having no cheekbones whatsoever, I thought this was the answer to my prayers! The sculpt shade is cool enough to create a more defined facial structure, but still has a warm glow to it, making it perfect for both every day and occasion make up. The lighter shade has the smallest shimmer in it, giving an amazing golden sheen to your cheeks without it being over the top. I have to admit, on a particularly dull skin day, I dust this all over my face to it a little life. The consistency of the products is heavenly; the powder is finely milled and feather light so it won't leave you looking a year older than you are. And even though the palette is £49, you need to remember that it includes a bronzer and a highlighter, so technically they are less than £25 each. Purchase justified!



Eyes to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette and Verushka
A close second in the favourites contest has to be the Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow pot. Initially I purchased two shades, Verushka and Marie Antoinette, just to have a small variety of colours.  Marie Antoinette is a lovely oyster gold colour, so easily wearable in the daytime, but with a bit of dark brown in the crease, you're all set for a night out too. Verushka.... well... Verushka is something else. If I had to describe the colour it would go something like this: green-grey-smoky-glowy moss with a golden sheen to it. The fact that you can't decide what colour it is makes it mesmerising on its own, but the added extras are pretty brilliant too. The colour pay off is amazing, the oh-so-creamy texture is easily blendable, but once it dries it does not move for the rest of the day. And it gives you a smoky effect with a wet look, that makes it incredibly unique. My next shopping spree will definitely include buying a couple more of these tiny pots of magic.



Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillowtalk
The Pillowtalk lip cheat lip liners have transformed my view of "browny pink" colour lips. I always thought I don't suit them and the whole concept was just too 90s for my taste. But actually, this colour provides such a perfect "your lips but better" look with a twist, that I couldn't resist purchasing it. You can either wear it as a traditional lip liner, but I personally prefer just using it as a lipstick. The only downside to this product is that it doesn't come in a chunkier lip crayon form and I feel like I am going to run out of it way too quickly!

An added bonus to the product range is the adorable naming. Pillowtalk perfectly describes the subtleness of this colour, but my other two favourites include Kiss'n'Tell and Berry Naughty... just so cute!

Magic Foundation
I have to admit, this was the only product I tried from Charlotte Tilbury's range that didn't hit the wow-factor to me. It's a really nice full coverage foundation that doesn't feel too heavy on the skin. It lasts a long time and doesn't crease too much, but I'm still not sure I would repurchase it. Maybe it's the fact that it's not dewy enough for my liking, maybe I haven't seen the skincare magic of it because I didn't use it for long enough. The packaging is painfully beautiful, and for what it's worth, it looked fabulous on my mum. I have to assume that it just wasn't exactly what I expected and it may be worth another try at some point in the future.

Even though I heard mixed reviews about the new Magic Foundation, the feedback on the Light Wonder foundation has been overwhelmingly positive. It does promise a glowy, dewy finish, so I think I might become better friends with this one.

On My Wishlist

...Pretty much everything she makes! I am determined to get a few of her Matte Revolution lipsticks, but I haven't decided which colour to go for. I desperately want to try her blushers and the famour Full Fat Lashes mascara and I am also intrigued by her eye shadow palettes and the Colour Chameleon eye shadow crayons. Oh no, I can already hear my purse screaming!

Let's Talk!

Have you tried any of Charlotte's products? What brands are you obsessed with?

Sunday 21 February 2016

Affordable Home Accessories

Home accessories are a bit like mascara to your eye make up. Without adding the extra touch, your home will never feel finished, something will always be missing. Inserting your personality and your style will help make a space feel truly yours, so even if you have someone else decorate your house, I feel like it's important that you pick out some or most of the home accessories yourself. And it you're a budget you can get a bit more creative and use some good old DIY techniques. Pinterest is always a good way to collect ideas.



I like simple and a bit more minimalistic set up in my flat. I admit, actually displaying this is a major challenge sometimes as my boyfriend likes his collectibles. I'm sure some of you will have the same challenges, especially if you have a little one around. I find that it helps to have good storage around to ensure that everything that you don't want to see can be hidden in a clever and stylish way.

What is left out is stuff I like to look at. I find that one of the major improvements you can add to your home is some greenery, but you definitely don't have to spend a lot on this. Another way to save some money is to add some printable art in a simple frame. The one you can see above is from Ikea, and I believe it was under £5. The quote itself is on an ordinary A4 piece of paper that I printed out. Next to the standard items, I always like to add a statement piece. You can always find some eye catching home accessories in places like Tesco, Asda, Primark, etc. But if you have the chance to spend a bit more money on a few things, I would recommend getting some unique pieces that represent your personality and your style. My favourite shop for home accessories at the moment is Oliver Bonas. Their furniture prices are a bit too expensive for my budget, but I can't resist their accessories. The above silver and copper dish was £15 pounds, but I use it every day and it looks amazing in my living room.



So I mentioned greenery before. Because I'm not brilliant with plants, I really prefer some succulents scattered around the house to a bigger plant I can't keep alive. These are from Ikea and they're really affordable and don't require much attention. I like to place them on window sills and shelves to insert a bit of colour.



If you have any plants, you're going to have to water them (stating the obvious, I know...). I found this small copper spray water bottle in Marks & Spencer for £15. Again, it's not the cheapest you could get, but it ties in with all the metallic pieces in my room, so it's not just a handy piece of equipment, but an eye-catching home accessory.


I mentioned before that places like Tesco, Asda and Wilkos do some amazing statement pieces as well. This lamp is from Asda Home and it was £10.



I'm just going to let that sink in.



I know, £10! What a bargain! It really nice quality and a brilliant addition to my living room.


Speaking of affordable home accessories, H&M Home will definitely have to get a mention. Their stuff mimic the style of high end homeware shops like West Elm without being unreasonably expensive. There are some really nice candles, dishes and cushions I would definitely consider getting from there. In fact, I already have my eye on a bedspread that would go amazing in my bedroom and it is only £25. This candle was around £7 and the marble chopping board was £5 on sale.


Of course, candles are a must if you want your place to look anything like a picture on Pinterest. However I find that most unique scented candles are overpriced and I wouldn't necessarily want to spend that kind of money so often. So I decided to invest in these little tealight holders from Oliver Bonas. They were only £7.50 each and I only have to buy little tealights in them, which can be as cheap as £1 for a 100. The matte black finish on the outside gives it a very sophisticated look, whilst the copper inside gives them a modern edge. Love at first sight!


Marble and copper. Oliver Bonas did it again. I made this purchase a couple of weeks ago before Valentine's day (might I add it was before payday too), even though I really couldn't afford it then. But it was actually gave our home made Valentines dinner a more romantic feel, and now they look so chic on my bedroom window sill. I also feel like you can't have enough marble these days!

Now it's your turn: where do you like to get your home accessories from?


Wednesday 17 February 2016

Stationery Haul



Are you an organisation freak? Do you like cute and original stationery? Are you in need for some inspiration for school or work?

I have to admit I am one of those people who used to love the end of August, because I had an excuse to buy a ton of cute notebooks and pens and not get judged for it. I still think that the stationery you use has an impact on your overall style and sends a message to whoever sees you using it. Just to give you the most obvious example... you won't see successful, high profile businessman and women signing contracts with plastic pens they got free from some hotel. So if you are interested in my recent purchases and what my "stationery style" looks like, just keep on reading...

At the moment, my favourite planner to organise my life is a marble print weekly planner I ordered from notonthehighstreet.com. This was around £20, so definitely not the cheapest out there, but I am a major fan of the marble trend. The notebook itself is very sleek and light, so it's a great choice if you have to carry it around in your bag. Another bonus is that it doesn't have dates in it, just weekdays, so you could start using it in June and you wouldn't have to leave half of it empty. Of course it means that you have to spend some time putting in the dates yourself. Next to every "weekly planner" page there is a notes page, so you can write any free text or notes. All in all, I have got great use out of this so far and it looks stylish on my desk.


Say you're on the phone and you need a notepad to write down something quickly. Or you're cosied up at your desk when you remember that you're out of milk, but really don't want to get up to put it on the shopping list. Ever happened to you? This notepad from kikki.K is a staple on my desk at the moment. As it's quite heavy and chunky, I only use this at home, and it proved to be a great and stylish multi-purpose notepad. It's always on my desk with a pen so I don't have to look for a random piece of paper when something comes up. Plus it's really fun to use, as different pages have different designs, but the same colour scheme!

Sticky notes are one of the most handy inventions when it comes to stationery. But why do they have to be dull-coloured and boring? Well... they don't! My favourite ones to use at the moment are these pineapple shaped ones from kikki.k, and I purchased some floppy disk print ones from Tiger for my computer nerd boyfriend.

This notebook is my absolute favourite! I am slightly obsessed with pugs and when I found this adorable A5 sized notebook in John Lewis, I pretty much fell in love! I love the simple black and white design and the cute drawing of typical pug poses make it fun and unique.


Multipurpose Sharpies in metallic colours? Yes please! I found this little Sharpie-trio in Wilko for about £2, what a bargain! It includes a gold, a silver and a bronzy copper colour, which are perfect if you want to be creative and on trend at the same time!

What does your stationery style look like?

Sunday 7 February 2016

My all time favourite beauty products

We all have those beauty product that have a special place in our collection. The ones that we just clicked with, ones that sneak into our lives time and time again, and when they do it just feels like greeting an old friend.

I have to admit I haven't been a beauty enthusiast for a long time, I spent most of my teen years and early twenties bare faced. When I look back at the pictures from those times I wonder how I never realised that the bags under my eyes were darker than the night sky and at the same time my eyebrows were pretty much non-existent. Not that I needed it in my life, but I never realised how much more confident you feel and how much fun you can have with it! So really, when I say "all time favourites" I mean "did not disappoint me in the last three years".

I should also mention that I have very dry and eczema prone skin. It is very difficult to work with, especially in the winter and that certain time of the month. The eczema mostly affects my jawline, my eyelids and under-eyes and sometimes the skin around my eyebrows. I can't use any heavily fragranced products as they often worsen my skin condition, and I tend to keep away from matte foundations or cakey powders.


Complexion

Nars Sheer Glow

I know, I know... it's almost boring to hear how many people like this, but if you prefer a dewy complexion and you had the chance to try it, you know it's a winner. It has a decent amount of coverage without looking cakey on the skin, it doesn't accentuate my dry patches and it looks fab in pictures. Another bonus is that they have quite a lot of colour choices! I use Mont Blanc in the winter because I'm quite pale and I really appreciate the "not too pinky, not too orangy" tone. It's also very easily blendable and stays in place for a decent amount of time.

One huge downside to it is that they couldn't include a pump for the fairly painful price, and if you decide to buy yourself one separately you can't use the lid anymore. Absolute nightmare to travel with!

Despite all of this, the product in the unfortunate packaging is a dream! Definitely one I keep coming back to.





Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow

Unfortunately I'm a major Charlotte Tilbury fan. Unfortunately, because her products are definitely not drugstore price. I did however justify buying the Filmstar Bronze & Glow sculpt and highlight palette. If you are a little bit like me and have your face is rounder like a football, you know the importance of contouring. I don't like to go overboard and I'm not a huge fan of the Kim Kardashian style contouring technique, but it is nice to put a subtle shadow on my face to pretend that I have cheekbones. And this palette is so easy to work with! The sculpt shade has an ashier, cooler tone to it than a normal bronzer, so it's perfect for contouring, it's very pigmented and it doesn't go patchy! I love that it looks quite natural on the cheeks and adds more of a barely there effect.

The highlighter in the palette is mostly shimmer-less and has a beautiful golden sheen to it. I like to use it on the top of my cheeks for an everyday highlight that gives a healthy, glowy appearance to my skin. When I have a particularly dull looking skin day, I use it as a illuminating powder all over my face, just to put some life back to the skin.

As mentioned, the price of this beauty is quite steep, but even the packaging is worth it. Of course this is one of Charlotte's trademark rosegold product that I would wear as jewellery if I could. As an added extra, it has quite a big mirror included so it comes very handy when travelling.



Eyes

Bobbi Brown eyeshadow

I got this handy little travel palette as a Christmas present in 2014 and unfortunately I don't think it's available in stores anymore. However they have small sized palettes with very similar (if not the same!) shades in new packaging. The lightest shade in the palette is a very creamy off-white colour, perfect for all over the lid. The medium one is a light, soft grey, I normally use this either in the crease of all over if I want to go for a heavier look. The last shade in the palette is a darker brown colour, perfec for a soft eyeliner look or a smokier crease.

This is an amazing palette if you travel a lot! You can use it for a very simple and classic day look with the lighter shades on the lid and the dark brown as eyeliner, or you could smoke it up for more of a dramatic look. As you can see, I use this a lot, it's the perfect natural combination and doesn't require too much time, which is a bonus in the morning. I also like the lip colours that are very handy if you forgot your lipstick at home. Definitely will be repurchasing something similar when this one is completely used up.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow in 'Verushka'
This one is more of an occasion eye shadow. I adore all the shades from the Eyes to Mesmerise collection, the texture is heavenly, it blends easily but doesn't crease and lasts a very long time on the lids. The Verushka shade is something different though. I couldn't really describe the colour of it, it is something very special I haven't seen before. It's sort of a grey-green colour with golden-silver shimmer going through it, giving you a very smokey eye, without making the look harsh. The one word I would use to describe it is mesmerising. See what I did there?

This is definitely the shade I turn to when I want to look special, it could be a heavier smokey-sparkly look for Christmas, or a subtle, but mysterious look for a wedding. Definitely worth the splurge!




Lips
For lips, I really had to categorise my favourits... I decided to go with a nude matte, nude moisturising, wintery red and summery red. There is kind of a theme going on here though, I definitely prefer a matte lip, and on an everyday basis, I wear mostly nudes or subtle colours, or sometimes just throw on some lip balm when I don't have a lot of time (about 90% of my mornings...).

The lip colour that's always in my bag is definitely the Laura Mercie Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Spiced Rose. It's so easy to put on, even without a mirror and it gives you a very natural, "your lips but better" look. The formula is very moisturising too and very easy to wear.

My favourite nude matte look comes from another Charlotte Tilbury product ('m a bit obsessed, can you tell?). The Lip Cheat Lip Liner Pencil in Pillow Talk gives a very natural, browny-pinky nude finish, and because it's matte, it's very long-lasting. Definitely one I reach for a lot, and it actually works very well with Laura Mercier's Spiced Rose.

When it comes to bold lip colours I'm definitely a huge fan of classic reds. But for me, the orange-y tones only really come in, when the sun comes out! In the wintertime, especially during holiday season, I love to wear Mac's Ruby Woo. This is actually the perfect red in my opinion, it's not too cold, not too warm and very veeeery matte! I love pairing it with shimmery eyeshadows for Christmas.

In the summer, especially when I have a bit of a tan, I love a good orange-y red shade. My favourite has been the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Audacious. This has a really easy to put on and easy to wear matte formula, a very bright, orange-y red colour and it smells like mint. Bonus! The very affordable price is an added extra!



You may have noticed that I haven't included any concealers, setting powders, blushes, mascaras or brow products. This is simply because I haven't found the one. So if you have any recommendations, anything you liked or you think I should try, please do write it in the comments, let's have a conversation started! What are your favourites?