Tuesday 31 July 2012

Daily Makeup #5.





I've been shaking up my makeup recently, I used to always wear MAC Groundwork Paint Pot on its own, but I've discovered it works so well under eyeshadow too (late to the party!), and it means i'm discovering shadows I never use (ahem, Naked 2 palette!).
Of course I'm wearing my much loved Silk Creme foundation (review here), this has replaced all other foundations and I can definitely see myself repurchasing this again and again. It's the perfect shade (Cream Ivory) and its good coverage and long wearing whilst also having a lovely dewy finish. It goes so well with my all time favourite primer, Clarins Instant Smooth (review here).
Of course, I'm still going for that natural look! I can't live without MACs Soft and Gentle and Jemma Kidd Paw Paw blush (review here), they're a dream combination!

I feel so lucky that the lovely girls at Rock n Rose sent me one of their gorgeous, gorgeous crowns as a gift. I've loved Rock n Rose for as long as I can remember and have always wanted one of these gorgeous headpieces.
I wish I could wear this every day,  it's beautiful! I'm not sure what I will wear it to, but hopefully something will come along soon. I know Pixie Lott wore the Nora Crown at one of her gigs and looked lovely.

Rock n Rose have some amazing pieces, I know this Crown will be next on my list - I love mint! What do you think of my floral Crown?

Monday 30 July 2012

Review: NUXE Creme Produgieuse Moisturiser.




I was given the chance to review this Nuxe moisturiser by Glossybox. Being a massive fan of Nuxe products (and of course, Glossybox!) I happily accepted and I've been using this ever since. 

Creme Produgieuse is a moisturiser for normal/combination skin which helps to revive and protect the skin, whilst also leaving a matte finish. It's a day cream, to be used in the morning, and I've been using this constantly since I received it. As with all Nuxe products, it smells incredible. It leaves my skin feeling soft and fresh for the day ahead and also helps with excess oil.
I mentioned this product in my French Pharmacie video also.

What do you think of this moisturiser?

Sunday 29 July 2012

Instaupdates #9 - London.

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afternoon tea in Glasgow; Jordan singing; tie dye leggings; Shard; outfit; playsuit; nice hair; Facebook HQ; YSL & Facebook palette; St James Park; Big Ben; my love; cocktails; cable cars; over the Thames; Jordan; silly; camera; picnic times; sunny day; mint cardigan; matching outfits; polaroids; undefeatable topknot; skincare; filming; outfit; crown. 


I wish I did Instagram updates more often to be honest! I quite like looking over what I've been up to recently. 
A few of these photos are actually from Glasgow, but mainly they are from when Jordan came to London last weekend for a visit. We walked around St James Park at 8am and had breakfast at Bills in Covent Garden and then had a lazy day after that. 
It was so sunny, I actually got really burnt when we were having a picnic (silly!) and then we went for dinner and to see Batman (amazing!).
We took the cable cars over the Thames which was incredible and so much fun, and had lunch at Westfield before heading over to Camden. 

It's been a busy few weeks, I also had an event for YSL at the Facebook HQ which I will post about soon. 

I hope everyone has had a great weekend! I went to see Spiderman and had a swim this morning, pretty uneventful. I also have a new video up, go and have a watch!

PS. My Instagram username is gh0stparties

Saturday 28 July 2012

Review: Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Palette.






This little wonder actually appeared in my Minimising Daily Makeup posts (Post One & Post Two), which were a big hit. I have had this beautiful palette for about a month now and I've used it every day since. 

The palette contains eight beautiful shades, meant to represent late summer colours, and comes in a handy, travel size palette. As far as palettes go, this has it all - lovely soft pinks and browns with a subtle shimmer, a couple of more shimmery pearl shades of rose golds and rich browns and also two matte shades, one a simple pink/cream and the other an easy to wear brown (also perfect for fairer eyebrows) - all in a palette that fits in to your hand. 

I've been reaching for this palette every day, I've actually been experimenting with a more smokey eye but I can say that I have used every one of these shades and really loved them. The colours work beautifully together and are a hit with most skin tones, they apply and blend well and last all day. 
The mirror is also a dream and means I can take it in my handbag with me if I know I'm going out. 

I really can't hype this product enough, it's really beautiful and has quickly replaced every other eyeshadow and palette in my collection. I can't believe how compact it is, and how much use I get out of it - every colour seems to suit me (despite never really going for warmer tones). 

What do you think of the Desert Twilight palette? What else do I NEED from Bobbi Brown? 

Friday 20 July 2012

How To: Tackle Oily Hair.



For as long as I can remember, I've had to wash my hair every day. It's just something I had always done and my hair was used to getting a good clean everyday. Over time, I envied my friends volumised, messy 'dos and realised I had to stop washing my hair. 
My hair is fine, soft and hard to manage. I overcome this by using various products, but my hair is so much easier to manage now I can go a few days with washing (not to mention the extra time in bed). 

It's taken me a couple of months to go more than a day without washing, and I've found some absolute gems that I simply cannot live without. 
The first one I have reviewed before (here) and this is the Phyto Clarifying Detox Shampoo. I honestly cannot praise this enough, it's THE product which I can thank for my hair going from fine and flat and being washed every day to it's current wonderful state.
This is a detox shampoo, you use it once a week to thoroughly cleanse the hair, removing product build up and extending the amount of time between washes. It's similar to the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, and although I love B+B I have to say I prefer Phytos offering. 
After using this shampoo I can go two or three days without washing which is amazing and I need to use a lot less product in my hair. If you're trying to cut down on washing, I highly recommend using this once a week, it's a great shampoo. 

After using the above shampoo, my hair needs a little bit of conditioner, one that isn't too heavy and won't weigh down hair. As I said, my hair is rather fine so rich conditioners just leave it flat and weighed down. I love Phyto products and this Phytobaume conditioner is really light and great for the ends of my hair when I need conditioner. I don't always use conditioner, but I find I do need it after using the Detox shampoo. Only use conditioner on the ends of your hair, a small amount will do. 
It depends what hair type you have, so you may have a conditioner which suits you but I really rate this one from Phyto. 

In between washes, I usually don't need dry shampoo the next day, although by the second day and definitely the 3rd I'm reaching for this Ojon Dry Cleansing Spray (dry shampoo by another name) which is incredible as it leaves NO trace of powder in your hair. You don't have a grey, powdery mop but you do have a beautiful, oil-free, volumised head of hair. 
I absolutely love this dry shampoo, it's great as a volumising product and I use it often. It's amazing to finally get hold of dry shampoo which leaves no trace in your hair. 

Keep up the no washing and you will notice that the time between washes gets longer and longer. I love when my hair is still shiny and clean on the second and third days, but it has taken a little while to get to this point. I really couldn't have done it without these products. 

Are there any products you recommend for oily hair? 

Thursday 19 July 2012

Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation.




Recently I've been banging on about a new favourite foundation I've discovered and I couldn't wait to share it with you. I purchased Silk Creme on a whim in Space NK after the sales assistant told me it was long wearing, good coverage and a luminous finish. Sounds like the dream right? Right.

This foundation is absolutely amazing, it puts all other foundations to shame! It's the most incredible shade - Cream Ivory is perfect for me which never, ever happens! It lasts so well on the skin, a full day and I don't feel the need to wear powder. The finish is beautiful, I find that the coverage is full enough to cover all and look flawless (it covers my redness, scarring and blemishes so well) while still looking incredibly natural and making my skin look glowing and healthy.

I'm wearing it in the above picture, with a touch of concealer and no powder. Any marks or blemishes I may have are completely hidden and I still think it looks really natural and luminous.
I have been using Silk Creme every day since I got it - it's my perfect foundation and everything I have been looking for. I have taken the "less is more" approach and only use a pea size amount, blended in with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. You can see more on my daily makeup in this post.

This is hands down the best foundation I've tried, the coverage is flawless and the finish is glowing, natural and healthy. I am so pleased I don't need powder, despite my skin being on the oily side, and I'm really happy with how long it lasts on my skin.

I really cannot hype this enough! Have you tried this foundation? What were your thoughts?

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Review: MAC Cut a Caper Lipstick.





After a long wait, I finally got my hands on this lipstick. I had mentioned on Twitter a few times that I really wanted to get my hands on Cut a Caper, although I guessed it would sell out quickly. When I heard it was online, I even used my iPhone to buy it as I was on the train to Glasgow (one of the first times I've made a purchase on my iPhone!). I also made my boyfriend go into House of Fraser and check when it would be in stores. So I really think I earned it...

Cut a Caper is a limited edition lipstick (I have found it on the Selfridges website but it's sold out on MACs website) which a lustre finish, this is the second time the lipstick has come back in to MAC, this time as part of the Heavenly Creatures collection. It's a gorgeous peachy/coral pink which a nice gloss finish. I find it quite pigmented on my lips and absolutely one of the nicest lipsticks I own. It has just the right amount of colour and a perfect finish, I like that it's glossy as I do have dry lips.

It really lives up to everything I had hoped, the finish is lovely and the colour is beautiful and looks great with my fair skin and blue eyes.

Did you manage to get your hands on this lipstick?

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Review: Overnight Skincare.


Origins Night-A-Mins - £33 (full size)

The evening is when I slap on my favourite skincare products for a little bit of an overnight blitz. Products always work best overnight while your body is rejuvenating and of course you're asleep so having a little extra product on won't bother you. 
There are a few products I reach for every night to give my skin a boost and to help repair and nourish overnight. Many of the above I've been using for a while now and they've always had a great affect on my skin. 

Cliniques All About Eyes is a product I've used for years - my skin is still young and I have no signs of wrinkles but I don't get as much sleep as I should so the area around my eyes can get dull, dark and puffy. All About Eyes is a great product to help cool and soothe my eyes without being too heavy. I love how refreshing this feels on my tired, sensitive eyes and it's an eye cream I can't fault. 

I've recently named Caudalies Divine Oil my product of the month (post here) - it really is such an incredible product that gives amazing results from the first use. I use this all over my body and on the ends of my hair after a shower and it makes my skin so nourished and glowing. I also use this a couple of times a week in the evening to rejuvenate my skin, leaving it soft and clearer the next day. I try and massage my face when I use this, to boost circulation. If you buy one product this month, make sure it's Divine Oil! 

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair was gifted to me by my thoughtful boyfriend. I wouldn't usually have splashed out this much for this product so it was a lovely surprise. I don't think I've stopped using this since I got it, it makes a massive difference to my skin, clearing up blemishes and helping with dark marks from scarring. This really lives up to the hype and is worth every penny. I tend to mix a bit of Divine Oil in with this serum for an extra boost. 

I was given a sample of Origins Night-A-Mins at the counter recently and it has worked wonders. As my skin is prone to blemishes/scarring and tends to look dull quickly, an overnight renewal cream like this is essential. It sloughs away dead skin cells while you sleep, leaving brighter, smoother skin when you wake up. It also helps you to sleep! This is a great product if you have dull skin, and I don't find this too heavy at all. 

Lastly, NUXE lip balm is absolutely essential if you get dry lips regularly, like me. In the words of Zoe  "I apply this before bed, and when I wake up it's STILL THERE!" - I actually never thought about this before I read that but it's true, it is still there. I'm really unsure how I coped without this as it really is one of those products that lives up to the hype!

We all know I'm obsessed with skincare, so I hope you enjoyed the products I swear by for overnight nourishment. What is your skincare routine at night? 

Monday 16 July 2012

How To: Minimise Daily Makeup Part 2.



Clinique High Impact Volume Extreme Mascara - *
Accessorize Brow Pencil *
Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector in 01 *

Following on from this post, here is the second part of my guide to minimising daily makeup. This post focuses on eye makeup, as you may have noticed if you've been following my blog for some time, I've stopped wearing eyeliner completely. Read on, and I will tell you my hints and tips for wide eyes without the slap!

I used to wear liquid liner everyday, but I found that thick black eyeliner was making my eyes look small and harsh. I decided to just go without, my eyelashes are naturally quite long (thankfully) and the day I stopped wearing eyeliner I got quite a few compliments on how long they looked as they were suddenly more apparent. I, personally, look so much better without eyeliner - my eyes look wider, brighter and clear blue.
I understand not everyone looks better without liner, so if you can't live without it, try swapping to a soft brown liner instead. Even if you think you look different at first - and it may be a shock, I used to think I looked tired and dull - give it a week and see how you feel. I doubt I would ever go back to wearing eyeliner now, but that's just me and I know not everyone feels like that!
Instead, I have swapped dark, thick liner for eyeshadow, this Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight palette is full of lovely soft browns which give my eyes a boost in a way eyeliner never did, I much prefer wearing eyeshadow to eyeliner. Before, I used to think I looked a bit overdone with eyeshadow and eyeliner, but now I love experimenting with subtle eyeshadow shades.

To open up eyes, I use the Shu Uemura curlers. These are definitely the best tool I own, they are worth every penny and more. I never used curlers before these, the brands I had tried previously aren't a match for Shu Uemura! These will really change how you do your makeup, and allow you to wear a lot less mascara. I don't need to wear fake lashes (which is lucky as I have zero patience for that kind of thing!) so I slick on a touch of mascara like Cliniques High Impact Extreme Volume and my eye makeup is done. It takes no time at all, but my eyes look bigger and brighter than before.

At the end of last year, my brows were ridiculous, obviously drawn on and really dark - swapping from a matte powder to a medium brown pencil and combing through with an eyebrow comb after has meant my eyebrows now look far more natural. Your eyebrows frame your whole face, my makeup only comes together once I've filled in my brows, so experiment with a comb and a pencil - I promise you, you will see a difference.
The best advice I've heard recently is "they're sisters, not twins", don't aim for exact eyebrows, no one is completely symmetrical and more importantly, no one should be looking at them that closely anyway.

Finally, my lip favourite product at the moment is Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 01. This is like a primer, balm and gloss all in one. I wasn't a fan of glosses before this, but this has completely changed my thoughts. A great product to slick on during the day to keep lips looking smooth, flawless and glossy with a hint of a natural colour. I love this product, and it really pulls the whole natural, flawless look together.

So there we have it, a long but informative guide to cutting down on your makeup. We should be enhancing our features, not hiding them with layers of makeup. I've had a lot more compliments now I've changed my makeup routine and I feel better (and hella more natural) for it.

What are your thoughts on natural makeup? Don't forget to check out Part 1. here

Saturday 14 July 2012

Product of the Month: Caudalie Divine Oil.




Caudalie has been a favourite of mine for some time now, the use of grape seed extract which the brand include in their products seems to really agree with me (and many others) so I find myself reaching for Caudalie products often.

I've had my eye on Divine Oil for some time now, I'm a massive fan of using oils and believe they have so many amazing benefits. I currently use a facial oil, a cuticle oil and a hair oil so to have one product which can be used on face, body, hair, nails and in the bath is an absolute dream.
Divine Oil is a miracle oil which is a unique formula of 4 vegetable oils, all having amazing and varied benefits. It also smells incredible, such a soft, natural scent.

After showering, I apply this to my body, the ends of my hair and lastly, my face. The other oils I have come from bottles with pumps and lids and it can be hard to dispense just a small amount, so the spray bottle of Divine Oil is really handy. On damp skin, it locks in moisture and I've seen a huge improvement to the dry areas at the tops of my arms since I've started using Divine Oil.

As a hair oil, I find this to be a lot lighter than most other hair oils I've used. My hair is quite fine and too much of a product just weighs it down. Divine Oil allows me to apply just a small amount on the ends of my hair, which is quickly absorbed. Once dried, my hair looks healthy and shiny. I would definitely recommend Divine Oil if you're looking for a light hair oil which can be easily applied. Most hair oils seem to be really quite thick and hard to just get a small amount from the bottle, resulting in heavy, flat hair.

Lastly, I've seen incredible results from using this product on my face. My skin is normal/combination - leaning towards the oily side - but I do use a facial oil most nights. I apply this by spraying a pump or two in to my hands after cleansing, and then quickly and softly massaging into my face. I regularly take a few minutes to give myself a facial massage, starting from the bridge of my nose, massaging in circular motions up to my eyebrows, forehead and then down my temples to my cheeks and chin (follow this tutorial for better instructions). This is not only great for increasing circulation, resulting in glowing, clear skin, but also really helps with tension and headaches and I feel so much better after taking a few minutes to give myself a facial massage.
On other nights, I simply mix it with my nightly serum and my skin feels and looks so much better come morning.

Divine Oil has become one of my most used products - it has so many great benefits and is worth every penny and more. It combines so many products in to one and I've seen improvements all over already. With the results I've seen, I'll definitely be using this up and repurchasing.

What do you think of Divine Oil?

Friday 13 July 2012

Wishlist #13.

Cone Studs - £6.88
Topshop Mint Heart Lock Bag - £25

A few items on my wishlist at the moment, well apart from the Army jacket which I've already bought! Oops. This is the exact same one that is selling in Urban Outfitters for £48 at the moment, but I definitely recommend picking up the cheaper version on ebay! I love all things khaki and camo at the moment!

I am also a regular DIY studder (that's right) and always buy these screw in conical studs from ebay also. They're so easy to do and I use them constantly, on jumpers, bags, shirt collars... everything! Save yourself a fair bit of cash by studding your own clothes and accessories, it's really easy (I will do a tutorial if requested) and saves a lot of money - plus no one else has one like it! 

I'm lusting after a fair bit of skincare at the moment (when aren't I!), my eyes are so sensitive and need constant care so I'm going to give this Lierac Soothing Balm a go when I have finished my current eye cream, despite never having seen a review on it I just really like that it's a balm. I don't need anything for wrinkles, I just want something soothing to help my sensitive, puffy eyes!

I absolutely NEED this OPI nail polish from the Minnie Mouse collection - so adorable! I love the little glitter hearts, ahhh. 

What do you think of my wishlist?

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Tie Dye For.





Top - Zara
Coat - H&M
Leggings - Select
Collar - H&M
Shoes - H&M
Bag - H&M
Sunglasses - Rayban Wayfarers


I wore this casual ensemble to a BBQ in Glasgow on Saturday. As you can probably tell, it wasn't really BBQ weather but it was one of the best days! I wasn't sure if I would be wearing these leggings out when I bought them, they're quite out there but I really love them so I went for it.

My time in Glasgow has sadly come to an end so it's back to London today. I don't mind living in London but everything is miles apart, you can't simply go in to town like in Glasgow or Leeds (where I used to live) and have a look round the shops. Even the shops on Oxford St are miles apart so I never really buy anything in London, shopping in Glasgow is a dream and it has everything you will ever need (even a Miu Miu concession... win).

Just a heads up that I have a new video on my channel, I try and put a video up weekly so please subscribe if you do watch videos on YouTube!

Sunday 8 July 2012

Review: Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid.


Alpha H Liquid Gold - £31.50 (ON SALE - £26.77)

This is another product I've had on my wishlist for some time, it has had mixed reviews so I didn't rush in to buy it, but after a lot of thought, I decided to purchase and add it to my skincare routine. I've heard great reviews about this product, Ruth and Meg (who both have perfect skin!) are big fans and it aims to improve everything I have issues with (large pores, blemishes, scarring, overall complexion etc.) 

Liquid Gold is a powerful overnight treatment which contains Glycolic Acid (exfoliates and brightens), Licorice Extract (soothes and reduces dark spots & pigmentation) and Silk Proteins (smoothing). It aims to firm and resurface the skin, leaving it looking clearer and more even, whilst also helping with enlarged pores, blemishes and scarring.

My skin isn't great, the normal/combination (slightly oily) skin type means I'm prone to blemishes which leave scars and my overall complexion could be better.
I use Liquid Gold every second night, I apply it to a cotton pad and sweep it over my face after cleansing. I aim to leave it at that as these treatments are meant to work better neat, but I find moisturiser is needed as it's quite drying!

Now, the results. I've been using this for roughly a month and noticed my complexion looking better from the first application. My pores looked less noticeable and my overall skin tone looked more even and brighter. I also get fewer blemishes now and they clear up quicker, and the scarring seems to have improved.

I'm definitely going to keep at this, my skin has seen a huge difference and looks and feels a lot smoother and even. I'd recommend this for all skin types, especially for those who have dull or uneven skin tones or are prone to blemishes/scarring.
It's slightly on the pricey side but it's definitely worth it and you only need to use a small amount to notice a big difference.

What are your thoughts on Liquid Gold?

Note: You can hear my thoughts on this product in my June Favourites video also.

Friday 6 July 2012

Keep Your Head Up.



Necklace - New Look
Bag - Zara
Shoes - Zara
Lipstick - MAC Watch Me Simmer

I wore this outfit last night as my boyfriend and his band, Flood of Red, were playing in Glasgow. It was lovely and sunny so Jordan and I had cocktails and food before it. I love sunny evenings, they seem to last forever and everyone is cheery! 

I've always had a thing for peplum skirts and tops, I'm actually pleased it's come in again as I have so many skirts and things with the peplum style so I can dig them out. I love this top from Topshop, I have it in a few colours now - it's such a bargain for £16! I can't find this coral shade online, I found it in the Oxford St store and hadn't seen it before so I couldn't resist.
I have been living in skinny jeans recently, I go through stages of bottoms but at the moment I can't deal with wearing tights so it's jeans every day. These tops go perfect with a pair of jeans and really add so much to an outfit. 

I got lucky in the Zara sale and found these gorgeous pair of T-Bar wedges for just £20! I was so pleased, I'd never seen them before but apparently they were hard to get hold of. 

I'm still in Glasgow but I do have a few posts and a video to go up. Hopefully I'll get another outfit post done if Jordan agrees to be my photographer again. 

Have a great weekend. xo. 


Thursday 5 July 2012

Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.




I'm always on the look out for new foundations to try. I love NARS, and Sheer Glow has had great reviews - I know the Pixiwoo girls are big fans - and I wanted to try something which was good coverage yet gave my skin a glow. 

I was put off this foundation for so long purely for the name, I'm not a fan of sheer foundations, I like a good amount of coverage (usually medium) but after asking on Twitter I was told it wasn't all that sheer and a lovely foundation. I was buying online on ASOS with a discount code so I guessed my shade, Fiji, but it seems to be quite right. It's perhaps a bit on the darker side but great for Summer. The shade range seems to be quite good, with quite a few varying shades and some very light shades too. 

NARS Sheer Glow is a medium plus coverage foundation which gives skin a satin-finish and a glowing complexion. It's meant to hydrate the skin to make it brighter, softer and smoother and I do really like the finish of this foundation. It doesn't look heavy or caked on my skin at all and gives just the right amount of coverage, while still giving a lovely glow to the skin. 
I've heard this foundation can make people look sweaty but this is not the case with me, although I do have slightly oily skin in Summer. 

I'm really impressed with the staying power of this foundation, it's one of the only ones I've actually noticed it lasts well on my skin. 
I've been using this a lot recently and I'm so impressed with the results, it's probably my most used foundation at the moment. 

I'd say this foundation is best for normal/dry skin types who like a luminous finish with good coverage and excellent staying power. 

What are your thoughts on NARS? 

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Wishlist #13.


H&M Sandals - £9.99

I love wishlist posts, I get to virtually shop! There's so much I'm lusting after this month, I've actually already bought this Stud Chain Collar as it's a mere £2.99! How could I resist! 
I'm definitely thinking of buying the Round Sunglasses too, they're only £4 and I think they'll look so cute for Summer. 

I would love these H&M sandals, I've not seen them in any H&M stores and I've heard ordering online in a nightmare. Ooh what a sticky situation... someone help? 

What do you think of my wishlist?