New stuff - Shop it, shop it up, look at all these bags

      A beauty blogger on a spending ban is not a good thing. As soon as I implemented my project 10 pan, (which turned into 20 lotions and potions pan) companies started dropping new releases left right hand centre. The one release which I was most in angst about was the arrival of the L'oreal Micellar water and cleanse off oil. I love a cleansing oil, I have reviewed the Origins Cleansing oil previously on this blog. I also love a Micellar water (which lead me to review my Bioderma Micellar water twice, can you say blogger faux pas). 

    However Project 10 pan is now over, like any good beauty blogger I have been shopping it up. There are some lusts, some necessities and the odd shower gel in this line up. What can I say I am a sucker for a good scent and some lather. 

Nivea Shower oils in Lemon, Water Lily and Melon

Nivea shower oil in Hawaiian bliss

River Island Nautical Earrings 

Zara Geometric Print Scarf

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser Oil Free sfp20

Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic  top coat

Origins GinZing moisturizer

L'Oreal Skin Cleansing oil

L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifiying Micellar Water (someone thinks they are fancy huh)

PIXI Glow Tonic 

Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra

Dove Blue Fig and Orange Blossom Body wash

 

ORS Hair Mayonnaise 

There is is my  haul,

 not to worry I did it the Kanye way --> 

I did not spend what I did not have.

 xx

What to Wear to Work - Green Structured Dress

 Last week we had to Blue draped dress, this week it is  the Green structured dress. A simple design with small pockets on the sides. This dress can be easily styled this with a cardigan (white/yellow), a blazer or short jacket with rolled back sleeves, a necklace if wearing the dress on its own or a wide belt to accentuate the waist. 

 The fit of the dress is neither tight, nor clingy. so no worries about it splitting or bursting seams if you have to make a mad dash or two across town on your lunch hour. 

look at me now

stand up straight, shoulders back

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

caio ma bellas

xx

Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen

    "Manicure on the move without the need for lots of different bottles. The COLOUR & GO MANICURE PEN is a handy double ended pen that contains the HIGH PERFORMANCE COLOUR and the ONE FOR ALL base & topcoat." - Leighton Denny 

     At first I thought this was just spiel, I do not like all in one products. I find they do not work as effectively as two separate items. However I already own the Leighton Denny Crystal nail file (if you do not have one, you need to get on that ASAP) and it is hands down the best nail file I have ever purchased/owned. Harpers Bazaar is not really a freebie magazine, but when they offer a freebie it is usually some "good shyt." I bought the magazine and recieved the Colour & Go Manicure Pen in Butterfly wings (after searching numerous news agents, 3 different WHSmiths and a Waterstones.) I specifically wanted Butterfly wings because I knew it was a colour/shade that I would wear a lot.

        Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in  Butterfly Wings.                                                               

Butterfly Wings - "A sheer peach with an iridescent shimmer. This versatile colour can be worn on its own or as part of a french manicure. Also great for colour cocktailing." - Leighton Denny

 Also I love a travel sized product, which is useful. Topcoat, base-coat and polish, you just cant get more useful than that. It has been 4 days, 8 showers, numerous hand washings and even a run in with some dead sea salt. My manicure is intact. Not only am I impressed with the Colour & Go Manicure Pen, it has been elevated to the status of "handbag essential." I must admit that I purchased a second Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in Butterfly Wings. I am also considering the purchase of two more Harpers Bazaar magazines, I would like to try the Colour & Go Manicure in Just Perfect and Pillow Talk.

 

                 Pillow Talk 

Just Perfect 

  

Pillow talk - A lighter tone than Passion, this red has a touch of dark pink through it.  A luscious berry shade.

Just Perfect - A timeless shade with warmth and sophistication.  A great neutral shade that warms the nails and gives a beautifully groomed finish.

There is just something about a product that does exactly what it says it will do. In addition to being easily portable. The Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen is one of those products. Plus I got to trial it without agonizing over the initial £11 spend. 

Photo - Leighton Denny

Colour & Go, Crystal Nail file 

My heirs and my spares 

 Happy Sunday my lovelies, 

xx

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW45

MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation is described as a powder +foundation by the MAC website. At times when I am lazy and cannot commit to applying liquid foundation, I use this product.  I like the effect of foundation, but not the messy fingers. This is a product I would definitely recommend for my ladies with oily skin, or if you just prefer long lasting makeup. I apply this at home before going out and  pop my MAC Blot Powder in my bag to touch up.  This is a powder but it provides heavier coverage than the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural, it does a great job of evening out my skin and keeping the oils at bay. However I do think that application affects the level of coverage.  

When I apply Studio Fix  Powder + Foundation with a sponge, the coverage is very heavy/ mask like (which is very similar to that of the Estee Lauder  Double Wear Light Foundation). This is for when I want everything to be flawless and smooth.  A sponge is included in the compact, and replacement sponges can be purchased at MAC stores/counters.

- Application with a kabuki brush, gives me a lighter coverage, which is still flawless, but not as heavy as with the sponge. 

- Application with the MAC 129 gives a light coverage, which I would describe as my skin, just better. 

There you go my lovelies, 

my roundup of the MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation.

love and light

xx

Style File - Bershka Coloured Shorts

While browsing the Bershka website I came across these beauties. I decided to share them with you my lovelies. No they are not the same as the shorts from last week. These shorts have a higher waist, the shorts from Zara sit low on the waist. These shorts are made from 97% cotton and 3% elastane, not 100% cotton but I can let them slide. They are not badly priced either, coming in at £14.99.  

Beige

Strawberry

Navy

Black

Photos - Bershka

The sales have started this week, 
so there are some great bits to be snapped up.
Peace my lovelies.

xx

Magazine Freebies June 2013

I love a freebie, the only thing which can make a freebie better is if the item is FULL sized. My lovelies it has been a while since I posted a good magazine freebie post. Not to worry this month newsstands are chock-a-block with magazines offering freebies. These are some great items  to add to your makeup bag or nail polish collection.

Marie Claire is currently offering a Ciate mini nail polish and caviar kit.

Instyle is currently offering a  50ml Neal's Yard Remedies Daily Moisturiser worth £12.00.  According to the Neal's Yard website they've blended "antioxidant-rich acai, bilberry and goji berry with moisturising hyaluronic acid in this lightweight, easily absorbed lotion, for beautifully nourished, radiant, healthy-looking skin."

Elle is currently offering a 58ml tube of Rodial Brazilian Tan freebie in a choice of three shades - clear, dark and light. 

Company is offering a free makeup bag, in 3 designs.

Glamour is on a double whammy not only is it on offer at £1 instead of £2 (usual price) they are currently offering a full sized product from Model Co. There are 5 products to choose from, yes FIVE with a combined value of £78!!!!! ----->  two lip glosses, mascara, lipliner and eyeliner.

Cosmopolitan is offering a free paid of sunglasses with 3 styles to choose from

Red Magazine is currently offering  a  15ml Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm

Harper's Bazaar is currently offering a free Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in 6 colours. (yup six colours) I think this is DEFINITELY the freebie of the month. £6 x £11 = £66, 6 x£4.20 = £25.20, that is a SAVING of  £40. 80. 

Tatler is also offering a free pair of shades, in 3 colours to choose from

There is nothing wrong with balling on a budget, my lovelies.

xx

The Little Black Dress Look Book

"One is never under-dressed or over dressed in a Little Black Dress."
 - Karl Largerfeld

Little Black Dress ft the Classics 

Little Black Dress ft the Black Blazer 

Little Black Dress ft the Sequinned Jacket

Little Black Dress ft the Navy Blazer 

Little Black Dress ft the White Cardigan 

Little Black Dress ft the Black Jacket

Little Black Dress ft the Blue Cardigan

Little Black Dress ft the Navy Cardigan

Little Black Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Sequinned Jacket - Mango 

Navy Blazer - Zara 

Black Blazer - Zara

Black Jacket - H&M

Macintosh - GAP

White Cardigan - Primark 

Blue Cardigan - Primark

Navy Cardigan - H&M

Bag - Longchamp

Flats - Kurt Geiger

Black pumps - Duner

Heels - Office 

There you are my lovelies my

 "Little Black Dress" look book.

Happy viewing.

xx

Summer Fragrances

 When you are contending with a 9-5, (job for those not clued up on Miss Dolly) fragrances can be a tricky thing to learn. How much is to much? How often should I reapply? Should I even reapply? Is that person really allergic to scents or are they just being annoying?  I personally love a perfume that I can apply once and they keep going and going and going hence my love for the CoCo Madmoiselle by Chanel and Romance by Ralph Lauren fragrances.

Some might find the idea of making such a pricey purchase for ever day wear not cost effective. However there are alternatives to  perfume for those who would like to indulge in a spritz or two of scent here and there. Body Sprays laced with essential oils and eau de toilettes ( a lighter version of perfume) can be cost a cost effective way of keeping you spritzed up during the warmer weather.

My current summer fragrances are:

Dove go Fresh Cucumber and Green Tea body mist

Sanctuary Spa Body Spray - They make a shower oil which I am dying to try, along with the eau de toilette to match this body spray.

Zara White Eau de toilette - I have spied 2 summer fragrance offerings from Zara, at first sniff they were very lovely. I will investigate further. The Zara fragrances have quite good staying power. 

Which fragrances are you wearing my lovelies? 

Comment below and let me know.

xx

What to Wear to Work - The Blue Dress

Ready for my close up

    The colours are coming out with the weather heating up, the sun is still playing hide and seek with us but we forge ahead nonetheless. This blue cap sleeve dress is a lovely number to pull out of your closet for a day on the job/at the office/work meetings or even if you are out of office meeting clients.

    The dress gathers at the waist, and meets a faux panel, then drapes around the hips. I think the draping around the hips is great for curvy girls, since it follows the shape of the female body form, yet leaves room for  movement. Therefore it is a lot less restricting that the traditional style of tighter fitting dresses.

Pockets, perfect for lip balm/lipstick and a snack  

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

Have a great week my lovelies.

xx

Style File - H&M Cotton Shorts

Another shorts post, I did tell you guys that I love shorts.  While I was telling all my friends about the very, very, very affordable Zara Twill shorts. One of my girls put me onto this chic number from H&M, 97% cotton and again attractively priced at £7.99. This pair is more suitable for dressing up, could be paired with a blouse or with a white vest and blazer. At the moment I can easily Think of 4 pairs of black shorts in my wardrobe so these ones are safe from my clutches. 

Black 

Photo - H&M

My black shorts 

happy shopping my lovelies.

xx

Style File - Zara Twill Bermuda Shorts

As an Island girl born and bred, I believe that it is my human/constitutional right to wear shorts. It is in an amendment somewhere, right next to the one that allows me to just be this fabulous all of the time. Shorts prices are a sore spot with me though. I find it very hard to pay these house and land price retailers charge for them. If I pay 30 - 40 for a pair of full length trousers, then WHY so do I have to pay the SAME amount or there about for shorts which in fact use 1/5 less material? 

Then material comes into play, I am not one for the sisters poly&ester. I am down with Cotton, Silk, Wool, I will pay for. These poly/cotton blends are not the one, yet they are very prevalent in mainstream clothing at the moment.

  I digress back to the shorts. I love a short, Zara has these 100% Cotton Twill Bermuda shorts on sale at the moment at the grand price of  wait for it £9.99. Can you say BARGAIN!!! They are available in 3 colours listed below. I have seen similar shorts available from Jack Wills and Hollister carrying hefty price tags of £39.50 - £40.

Twill is a type of textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. A twill weave is the second basic weave that can be constructed on a simple loom. By nature twill is a durable fabric commonly used for work clothing, uniforms and upholstery  it is made to endure numerous washing's and still remain intact. Examples of twill fabrics are chino, tweed, gabardine  serge, denim, and drill.

Navy 

White 

Beige 

Photo credit: Zara 

I need to start counting my sheckles so that I can purchase a few of these for myself. 

Ta Ta my lovelies.

xx

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NW45

MAC Studio Finish Concealer spf35  

Hello everyone this will be my second installment in my MAC series.  Some would say that MAC products are pricey/expensive. This concealer since it is such a small item (7g of product) with the price tag of £14.50 would feed right into that claim. However this is a product which gives VALUE for MONEY. I use  the MAC Studio Finish Concealer almost daily (mon -fri for work, and then evenings & weekends if I am going out) £14.50 for a product that lasts roughly 6 months with everyday use is a bargain in my book.  (cost per wear theory makeup edition)

This product is known as MAC's industrial strength concealer,  it claims to cover everything from tattoos to blemishes.   It definitely  gives great coverage over  blemishes (I have to blend blend blend, but it does the job VERY WELL) and is a dream on covering darkness/puffiness  under my eyes. Let us NOT forget the all important eyebrow, whenever I want to ninja my brows I use the MAC Studio Finish Concealer to line them after i have applied my brow pencil and power.

In terms of application for my under eyes I use my index finger to apply the concealer. The heat from my finger helps the product to warm up and it is easier to blend it out. I do not use a brush for this area because I would like to forgo the cakey look and have it as natural as possible. This is a very thick concealer, which makes it very easy to go left and end up looking like you are wearing a mask under your eyes. There has been many a night/day back in 2008 where I would have to remove my entire face of makeup and start gain because I used too much concealer. A little goes a LONG way with this product, keep that in mind when you purchase. 

For my brows I like to use a small concealer brush + MAC Studio Finish Concealer, to line my brows, then I use my fingers to blend the edges. This method enables me to get precision and my brows looking very neat and uniformed.  

That is my little roundup on the MAC Studfio Finish Concealer,

 hope this is helpful to you my lovelies

xxx

  

Spring Beauty Clean Project 10 Pan 2013 - Update

Spring Beauty Clean Project 10 Pan 2013-Update. 

As of May 31st 2013 Project 10 pan spring 2013 is over. (yayyy) I used up a few things quite quickly, others are taking a longer time. The two main culprits lingering are the Sk:n Vitamin rich gentle facial cleaner & the Avene Cold Cream gel. Botanics night cream, Clean & Clear face lotion and the remnants of my Clarins Energizing toner also remain. 

As for my wishlist - I managed to get my hands on the Pixi Glow Tonic. So I am one very happy Beauty blogger at the moment. Look for a skincare edit coming your way soon.

Be good my lovelies 

xx

Little Black Dress ft Black Jacket

Another evening look featuring the Little Black Dress suitable for dinner or drinks with friends.

Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Jacket - H&M

Shoes - Office 

Watch - Fossil

Bracelets- Thomas Sabo/Links of London

What to Wear to Work - Beige dress ft Black blazer

"The little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress or the little Gucci dress." - one of the most iconic fashionistas of our time said this in a movie. Not knowing who this lady, is the equivalent of liking that horrendous bird on Carrie's head in the Sex and the City movie.

 The sun is out and the dresses come out. After hiding away under layers of thick tights and trousers hemlines get shorter as the weather heats up. Here we have a little ensemble compliments the fashion houses of Forever21 and Zara.  

This is the dress on it's own,  I  usually wear this dress sand cardigan or blazer. To get over the bra strap showing issue, I cross  the bra straps over in an "x" shape.

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Forever21

Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Dune