February Wishlist

Hiya! 

So it's been a while... 

With Christmas, New Year, trying to get healthy and getting back into school I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post in over a month now (sorry!) so I'm going to get back into regular posts now, starting with this wishlist for next month. 

Zara Reversible Contrast Shopper, £29.99- 

There isn't really that much to explain in terms of why I want this bag - it's simple, big and practical (unlike many of my bags). The colour is the only thing that might confuse you as the black version probably seems more versatile, but I do already have a big black Zara bag so I think it would be nice to mix things up a bit. Also I think this taupe has quite a classy look about it which is something I'm very much into. 









Urban Outfitters Free People Seamless Shredded Crop Top, £24- 

I'll admit I'm not quite sure how I feel about this top... I do really like it... I think? It's the kind of top I'd need to have a few weeks think about before buying it, but if I did I like how it's casual but also detailed so I could wear it with black jeans without looking super plain or I could dress it up a little more with an a-line skirt. It's a good transitional top because although there isn't much to it it it can be layered for a/w or worn casually with shorts or a skirt in the summer.












Urban Outfitters UNIF Ritual Pentagram Dress, £110- 

This is where the 'wish' in 'wishlist' really becomes essential - this dress is completely out of my budget but also completely gorgeous. I love the straps across the back and the detailing at the bottom. This dress would be so beautiful in the summer particularly, but as it's black it can be worn with tights in winter. I really love pretty dresses with open backs like this so I may try to find a cheaper version. 












American Apparel Easy Jean in Slate, £66-

I've been wanting some grey skinny jeans for a while now since the only trousers I wear are black jeans and sometimes I want something a bit lighter with the added bonus of grey being very flatting on your legs/bum. I'm a big fan of the Topshop Joni jeans but they don't have any grey ones that aren't ripped online and I have read so many good things about these American Apparel jeans that they must be worth the £20 or so more than the Topshop ones. Also this grey is particularly nice - usually grey jeans aren't one solid colour and that's what I've been hunting for. 











American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Double U-Neck Long Sleeve Bodysuit in Slate, £30 (£15 in current sale)-

Recently bodysuits have really appealed to me because they look phenomenal on and they are so versatile. As I already have a black long sleeved tight crop top I thought this slate grey colour would be nice as it's still wearable and simple but not similar. Also I can imagine this looking really nice with a simple white skirt in the summer without the harsh contrast of black and white or another bold colour. If - like me - you don't feel comfortable going without a bra you'd have to find a good backless bra for this as it has a low back (which I completely love!).










Ponte Mini Skirt in Heather Grey, £32- 
Can you tell I'm really loving grey at the moment? This skirt is really nice and simple and as the colour isn't too bold I can wear it casually, but also dress it up. I love wearing bodycon skirts as they work well with my figure so one that I can wear frequently like this is my dream skirt! I was also particularly drawn to this as all pale grey outfits have been something I've wanted to try and I have a grey Bardot top and also a grey jumper that would both work really well with this.












Motel Meadow Slip Dress in Museum Floral Midnight, £35- 

This isn't the type of item I would usually go to because of the bold colours and pattern but this somehow drew me in. Sometimes it's nice to wear something a bit brighter, especially for parties or events to stand out a bit more and that's the wonderful thing about this dress - it can be worn casually or dressy. For an everyday look converse and simple dainty jewellery would look very chilled but I think this dress would also look so beautiful with a bigger gold necklace and heels like the ones the model is wearing. 
















Thanks for sticking with me here! I will be back within the next two weeks with another post... stay tuned.

❀Have a lovely day❀

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❀