Top 5 A/W Nail Varnishes

Hi!

I am a self-confessed nail varnish addict, so I thought I'd share this obsession with you all with a post on my top five autumn/winter nail varnishes (in no particular order).

#1 Topshop Bomber
A super dark brown-toned plum that can look almost black. I rarely have complaints about Topshop nail varnishes as the colours and formulas are everything I look for. 

#2 Rimmel Black Cab

Black is a staple colour that goes with almost every outfit, especially for autumn/winter as it's the darkest you can get. This one (as it's part of the Lasting Finish range stays on really well which is essential for me as I hate chipped nails more than anything!). 

#3 American Apparel Hunter

Believe it or not my dad chose this colour for me when on a business trip (I know?!), and I think that it's a perfect colour for this time of year. It takes a bit of consideration to work out what colours to wear with this forest green, but when it works it really works. 

#4 Topshop Rainy Day

This lavender grey is perfect all year round, but I feel like it's particularly good for these seasons as it fits nicely with the monochrome outfits and dark colours I am wearing a lot currently. It is also a nice sophisticated, lighter alternative to the darker colours I've featured in this post.

#5 Rimmel Celebrity Bash

I always feel powerful in red nail varnish, so it's an absolute essential for my collection. This colour is the perfect classy red for autumn/winter as it's more on the burgundy side, opposed to some other brighter reds that I save for the warmer months. An added bonus of this one is the brush which is extra wide so it applies the colour very evenly and easily. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

December/Christmas Wishlist

Hi!

It's that time of the month again! Except this time it is a festive edition as it is my Christmas wishlist. It's very long - although I'm sure I'll add to it over the next few weeks -  so I won't go into detail about all the items. As per usual all photos are from the shops' websites.

Topshop Underwear - Bras £18, Pants £8



Black and Nude Plunge Bra

Black and Nude Low Rise Ladypants

Red Balconette Bra

Red Brazilian Thong

Topshop Shoes - £38 

Topshop Faux Fur Stole - £28

ASOS Grey T-Shirt Dress - £14.99

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Lush Life - £20 (described on the website as a 'deep cool plum')

MAC Blushers 

Mineralize Blush in New Romance - £21                           Powder Blush in Breezy - £18

MAC Eyeshadows - £13 each (left to right: Honey Lust, Star Violet, Sketch)

                                                               

Topshop Lipstick in Naturist - £8

NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Manon (purple) - £16

Benefit Products: Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation - £26.50, Gimme Brow - £17.50, Watts Up - £24.50 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer - £25

Abercrombie and Fitch Fierce Cologne for Men - £46-£118 (dependent on size)

Chloe Eu De Parfum - £44.50

Urban Outfitters Black Top - £18

Urban Outfitters Necklace Set - £14

Zara A-Line White Skirt - £29.99

ASOS Grey V-Neck Jumper - £45

American Apparel Long Sleeve Off-Shoulder Top - £26

American Apparel Underwire White Skater Dress - £48

Books:

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Magazine (2012) by Alberto Oliva and Norbeto Angeletti

The Little Black Book of Style

How to be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits

Thanks for sticking with me through this maaaaassive wishlist! Hope you enjoyed it. 

❀Have a lovely day❀

Everyday Makeup Routine

Hi! 

Today I'm going to run through my everyday (or rather weekend/holiday) makeup routine. During the week I'm at school so I don't go all out on eyeliner, eyeshadow, lip products, etc.. I do change what I do from day-to-day, e.g different extremes of eyeliner, eyeshadow colours, lipstick colours and blush colours, but for this post I kept it reasonably simple for a normal day. 

I am aware I look very orange and very sad in these photos, but I promise I am neither (blame poor lighting and the awkwardness of taking photos of yourself with minimal makeup on - the horror!).

Step 1: Prep

I start by using Nivea Lip Butter in Rasberry Rose and Garnier Moisture Match Moisturiser for Dry to Very Dry Skin on my lips, face and neck to prep myself for makeup and give my skin protection from the sun and winter weather. I use a heavy moisturiser overnight which is why I use a lighter one for daytime.

Step 2: Cover 

Here I use Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Foundation (reviewed in my last post) which I blend in using my fingers. For my foundation I alternate between this and Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation. After my foundation I use Benefit Erase Paste to conceal under my eyes and Benefit Boi-ing Concealer for spots and blemishes. I set this all with Benefit Hello Flawless Powder using a Sephora Fluffy Brush (I don't know the actual name, but I think that's the most accurate description of it)

Step 3: Contour and Highlight

 Pre Blending of Cheekbone Bronzer

Contouring is one of the most important stages (in my opinion) in my makeup routine. It gives me some shape and definition in my face which I think overall makes one look more striking and using blusher and highlighter makes me look lively, because nobody wants to look like they've just been dragged out of a coffin. To contour my cheekbones, temples, under my nose and around my jaw, chin and forehead I use Benefit Hoola Bronzer with a MAC 168 Brush. I blend this with my Sephora Fluffy Brush (mentioned earlier). For blush I alternate between Nars Orgasm and Benefit Dandelion, today I'm using Benefit. I apply this with my MAC Blush Brush (again I don't know the number or name, this time because it has rubbed off). To highlight I use a highlighter I bought in Tesco (very specific I know, the brand may be called Along Came Betty, but don't count on that). I apply it straight to my cheekbones then blend with my fingers.

Step 4: Brows

Another vital part of the routine - for strong brows I brush them into shape with the Real Techniques Lash-Brow Groomer then fill with Benefit Brow Zings. 

Step 5: Eyes

By far the most time consuming and irritating step (it pays off though). I start by putting the light grey eyeshadow from the Rimmel Glam Eyes Palette in Foggy Grey on the outer corner of my eyelid (staying close to the lashes) and under my eyes on the outer corner... if that makes any sense. Next I use the champagne colour to highlight on my brow bone. For eyeliner I use Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner with my MAC 210 Brush. Today I'm doing a flick and taking some liner slightly underneath the eye. To open up my eyes I use a Maybelline Expression Kajal White Pencil Liner on the waterlines. To finish off I curl my lashes then use Bourjois Paris Volume 1 Seconde Mascara in Black on the top lashes and MAC Opulash in Black on the bottom.

Step 6: Lips

Today I'm using Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Coffee Craze which is a lovely dark-browney nude, perfect for Autumn/Winter.

Final procuct: 

Hopefully you enjoyed this ridiculously long post! 

❀Have a lovely day❀