Street Style on Sundays #4

QUICK NOTE: You can now pin directly from my snaps here. Hover over the image, click, and you'll be ready to pin... Whether any of you are as excited as I am, I don't know, but it's totally worthy of a mention...

I love a bit (okay, a LOT) of denim. Me and my jeans are inseperable. When you add leather to the mix, you can guarantee that I will squeal like a little girl at material heaven.

First lot of street style inspiration is denim for spring time, or British summers, whichever way you want to look at it...

Of course I had to compile denim for summer looks too... 

Hope you've had a great weekend so far. Lots of love.

Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum Review - 1/3 off Escentual

I always feel as if I only really need hydrating products around the winter months, but thanks to the not-so glorious British weather, I feel as if my skin is suffering from winter weather all over again! 

I think when we all think of hydrating serums, the first that will come to mind for most, is Hydraluron. But, I may just prefer this offering from the French pharmacy brand, Avene, a tad more (add orchestrated DUN, DUN, DUUUN...)

This Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum is loaded with my faithful Avene Thermale Water, and BOY does that addition help this serum pack a punch. I have a great relationship with the water, and it's becoming one of of my favourite products (reviewed here, featured here, here, and here!) the soothing and hydrating properties of both the water and serum are refreshing, and natural, ticking all the right boxes in a hydrating product. The Avene hydrating serum claims to soothe red and irritated skin, and despite this not being something I get frequently, I haven't had any redness at all since using this every evening, after the thermal water, and before moisturiser. It isn't fragranced, which is something I appreciate in facial skincare products, and it is a creamy white in appearance, with a similar consistency to yoghurt.



While I'm at it... Escentual still has it's 1/3 off French Pharmacy brands, including this serum, other Avene products, and the rest of the French brands that we seem to be falling head over heels for. I'm so ridiculously tempted to go crazy whilst this offer is on, but "I do not need anything!" (repeat how ever many times necessary, and remove self from all temptation.)

Bassbuds X Roxanne Campbell - Music meets Manicures

Twitter is pretty darn good for finding out all of what is going on everywhere, isn't it? I used to always wonder what the attraction was to "just another social media" site, but I literally feel like I'm getting enough news (and gossip, shush!) to last me a lifetime over there. Aaaanyway... BassBuds, the company that creates those gorgeous looking, Swarovski-adorned headphones you've probably seen strewn over the internet and magazines shared that they had a new collection coming out and wanted to share with beauty bloggers. So I jumped up and down shouting me, me, me (using the appropriate emoji) and they sent me over the deets of their latest collection...

Now comes the bit where I was intrigued, the collection is actually a collaboration between themselves and Roxanne Campbell, the incredible manicurist, who's nail artistry for SS14 has been inspired by this Fashion collection of headphones by Bassbuds. Nails and music aren't something that usually comes together, but when you think about it, it's is SO clever, and amazing for someone that is completely passionate about the two. (cough, me.) The lovely PR lady, Laura, told me they would sent me some to trial out, and hoped I could do a nail-art look to go along with the new collection. So I got a tad giddy with my Chanel, and hoped in the time it took to set up my camera and tripod, that I wouldn't chip or smudge...

(I did the nail art by painting one coat of the deep pink, Tapage, all over my nail, and placing hole reinforcers on my nail, after 20 minutes drying time, to cover up the area I wanted to remain in that colour. After two coats of the pale pink, May, I slowly pulled away the stickers and sealed with a coat of Seche Vite top coat.)

Each BassBud has a genuine Swarovski crystal on each sound chamber, making them the sparkliest and most fashionable headphones you probably ever did see. Sorry, Apple... you simply don't cut it anymore. An anti-tangle cable (PRAISE THE LORD!) and a call/mp3 control button. 

I was sent the "Harmony" pair, which have a pink wire, red details and mint green buds. I have my eye on the "Eclectic" pair which are the most beautiful lilac shade and canary yellow. -Seriously, can you imagine the gorgeous nail art that could be teamed with those? (I'd have to get lilac and yellow polish first though, dope!)

The headphones themselves are amazing, and easily the best I have ever used. The sound quality is amazing for in-ear headphones, and the memory foam buds make them much more comfortable than some of the others that can be painful to use. The design, meanwhile, just makes anyone with the slightest magpie tendencies completely weak at the knees, and they make a pleasant change to my usual white (now much muddier in appearance) Apple pair.

I can now take extra enjoyment in my Spotify and nail-painting sessions...

Street Style on Sundays #3

Here's me wishing summer would just hurry up... we're all done with winter now, right?!

The long-length and the floaty...

And the shorter...

Now we just need the sun.

Most Visited.

After actually paying attention to my "most visited" sites on my laptop, I realised, that with the front-runners being Into The Gloss, Who What Wear and ASOS, my Internet life really does revolve around fashion and beauty! So then my little brain cells got ticking, and I thought how curious I would be to see what my "most visited" beauty products would be. So pretty much, my most-used, but that's just too simple...

Despite how much I think concealer is a miracle product, I have never found the perfect one, whether it be too pink toned, too cakey, or stupidly sheer, but my MAC Pro Conceal and Correct palette is pretty darn perfect. With it having two correctors, and four concealers, you can mix and match tones for a perfect under eye, and blemish concealer. (I don't like having favourites, but it is the yellow, shush.)

I won't go on too long about Essie's Ballet Slippers, as with this being my third bottle now, I think you all now just how much I love this day and night appropriate polish. Clinique Chubby Stick for lips in Mighty Mimosa has never popped up on my blog before, and is still relatively new to me, but BOY have I used a lot of it. It is a beautiful sheer pink balm, doesn't require a mirror to apply, and makes your lips just look incredible. I can't recommend this enough for someone wanting something subtle for daytime. I keep this in my handbag and it really does get used A LOT whilst I am out.

With it having been fashion week month, I'm sure you've all heard plenty about Bioderma Crealine and Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, as they are both well loved by beauty insiders, and are seen in many make-up artist kits around this time of year. Despite being a pain to get hold of, they are both so worth it, Bioderma, being the easiest way to remove makeup, and Embryolisse being fantastically moisturising all day, and giving you the supermodel glow we all try to achieve.

Blistex Relief Cream, is the most un-glamorous lip balm ever, but is the best for my lips, with it being slightly medicated, it doesn't irritate, and deals with the more severe/sore dry lips. I've truly lost count of how many of these I have bought, so it definitely is one of my most used products of all time!

Moroccanoil is loved by so many people, and I truly say this combination of products was the only way I got my hair to grow so quickly and in such healthy condition. I use these as often as necessary, and they most definitely contribute to maintaining healthy hair.

Hope you've enjoyed this post, I'd love to know what your most visited beauty products are!

Recent purchases (temporary AND permanent)

Thought I'd gather up some of the things I've been buying (and doing!) recently, and share them, cause you know, I have nothing better to do. The fact that these seem to be following a colour scheme is a pure accident. As much as I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, I swear...

The This Works Perfect Legs Gradual Tan (aaand breathe...) is actually a repurchase for me, and has popped up here a few times now, and it is my go-to tanner for my legs in summer given it smells like henna. I think I bought it hoping summer would hurry up, a few days in, nothing yet...

The Kerastase Cristalliste range just sounded perfect for what I was looking for in a shampoo and conditioner, so I thought I'd give these ago when I had a "better than nothing" 15% off FeelUnique haircare.

The Kiehls serum was one I used not too long ago, was unsure whether to repurchase or not, but everything in between has been fifty shades of disappointing, so it's baaaack! And the world-famous eight hour cream? Well... curiousity killed the cat, I felt like I finally had to try it, and so far, I'm pretty darn impressed by this multi-tasking wonder.

My favourite bargain OF ALL TIME goes to this leather jacket from Whistles, which was the only one left in the store, and in my size, and in the sale, and also had 25% off. If that isn't destiny, then what is?

Just look at that... (insert heart eyes emoji here)

I'm in love with it down to the detailing of the little hanger that is actually a chain. Beats a little fabric loop that usually rips.

The weirdest thing you will ever see in a haul type post, but YEP I got a tattoo. It's my first, and despite how terrified I was beforehand, it was pretty exciting. I had it done a few weeks ago, and managed to keep it pretty quiet until it healed.

At least now the title will make sense to you (I hope?)

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers - Necessity or not? - Review

With these being highly rated by beauty insiders like Lisa Eldridge and Charlotte Tilbury, it's hard to not feel as if these are something you need. I've always been both sceptical and curious about Shu Uemura's eyelash curlers, I mean, they're lash curlers, they aren't something you need to fork out so much money on are they? How can these be so different to a pair that cost closer to the £5 mark?

Well, honestly, I GET IT. These lash curlers truly are amazing and really are different to all the other pairs I had tried, and thought to have loved at the time. 

The curling with these takes a matter of seconds, and following the instructions on the box, you should have an impressive curl, with a hold that will last all day. The curlers them self seem to be quite resistant, and whatever doodad (yup- technical!) makes them tougher to clamp together give them more strength to shape all of your lashes in one go.

I like that much unlike my other pairs, the pads that come with the Shu lash curlers are black, meaning any little bits of mascara or liner that make their way onto the pad aren't as noticeable.(But no doubt that is one of the little things only I am amused by.)

All in all, these truly are glorious, and I can happily say that this is one hype I'm glad I gave into. They really are worth the money, and I love the results which come from using them. It's a 10/10 from me, and a full recommendation to anyone wanting a lash curler, whether amateur or expert...

Now, if I go bat my eyelashes at people, think I can get any free food? I'm pretty starved.

Chanel Le Vernis - Spring 2014 Notes du Printemps Collection

Despite how overly excited I was by the Chanel Spring collection, the only things I picked up where the two spring appropriate Le Vernis colours.

I'd been dying to get hold of Ballerina since I first caught a glimpse of it, and it's only just been made a permanent fixture at Chanel (shocking, I know!) But given sheer pinks are my go-to, and what all my family mock me for wearing A LOT, I had to make it mine. Much unlike some of my other sheer pinks, it seems to be quite blue-toned, and I found it took away any slight staining that may be on your nails (just to clarify, I don't have a lot, but sometimes I get a teeny bit. Gross!)

Tapage is definitely the winner of the varnishes they brought out in this collection, given its the most beautiful, yet indescribable colour, as when it is on your nails, they look immaculate, and depending on what light you are in, they can lean more, red, coral, or even pink! It's fantastic to apply, given it's often opaque in one coat. Not something you find often in nail varnish anymore...




I have found both of these polishes to be fantastic, and maybe I've got my love goggles on, but these seem to last longer, and have a better formulation than a normal Chanel Le Vernis. My only qualm with Chanel will always be the thin brush, which you do get used to, but the curved, fan brush of brands like Essie and Dior will always be much easier to use. But I think we all get Chanel varnishes for the luxury, amazing colours, and the beautiful packaging, not for the brush!

All in all, its a huge YES from me where these are concerned. Anyone thinking of trying out Chanel or just wanting a Spring update, try these, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Where does our Inspiration come from? #2 - Beauty

The first post I did looking at where our everyday inspirations come from was focusing on Fashion, and in particular, those I would call my muses, Ashley Madekwe, Phoebe Tonkin and Olivia Palermo. I thought it's about time (apologies for the delay!) that I share the people that inspire my beauty regime.

The Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale could not be further away from me in terms of what she looks like, given her hair is SO dark, and she's a teeny tiny petite girl, and my legs look more like Karlie Kloss'. But, ignoring this completely, I love how unlike other young celebrities, she recognizes she has young fresh skin, and doesn't need to overload it with product. Her typical makeup look is emphasis on the lashes, a defined brow, and what I think looks like a "bitten" lip, when the lip is stained with a beautiful raspberry tone, that always makes the rest of the look so fresh and youthful.   

Phoebe Tonkin has already featured in my fashion inspirations, and she had to appear in beauty too, given her similar, youthful approach to make-up and skincare. The defined brow, soft eyes with long, feminine eyelashes, and a beautiful raspberry stained lip. I've found myself bookmarking her Into The Gloss Top Shelf, and repeatedly looking at it wondering what I can buy next. I've already bought OPI's Bubble Bath as mentioned in the article, and it's slowly creeping into the list of my favourite ever polishes. So I must apologise if I start rambling on about her too much, but I'm really finding that I can relate to her wardrobe and beauty regime... 

Maybe a teeny little cheat using a website, but I always turn to ITG for beauty tips, from beauty insiders, celebrities, bloggers, and the incredible interviews they always seem to have with the most beautiful of the beauty knowledgeable. I without fail read their articles every time one comes to my attention, and more often than not will learn some sort of revolutionary tip or trick that can change your regime from tiresome to perfect.

I hadn't realised until doing these posts that I'm ridiculously inspired by brunettes despite being a blonde. Well, it is dark blonde...

Hope you're all still with me, evidently I'm quite passionately inspired by these. Hope you all have a great weekend. I can see sunny skies, so I'm contemplating walking off the bacon butties we had this morning.

Lots of love.

Where does our Inspiration come from?

After having a discussion last week about inspiration and where it comes from, I realised, that we do all get inspiration from the most unlikely of places, and then I set out writing down all the influences and inspirations I have and who or what they've developed from...

I thought it'd be pretty fun to show you in a series of posts the things I feel influenced by, in my body wardrobe and my face wardrobe. (I simply can't help myself, can I?) Today is sponsored by the people that are my fashion influences...

Ashley Madekwe







The queen of making casual look effortless and cool, the former Revenge star managed to turn the most simple outfit into something much more powerful through the use of fantastic accessories. Her wardrobe is completely enviable, and she is a brilliant example of how to combine high-street and designer pieces to build the ultimate female wardrobe. Ashley also runs a blog, Ring My Bell, which is just the most beautiful gallery of endless fantastic outfits.

Phoebe Tonkin

Another gorgeous girl who manages to do casual with the perfect amount of class. I love the way she combines textures and seems to forever have the most beautiful pairs of black shoes. I'm currently falling head over woman heels for this woman, dare I say I have a woman crush. We all hate that saying, I know... but I'm just in love with this lady.

Olivia Palermo

The epitome of ladylike fashion, Olivia P just seems to always have it on point. Her loosely waved hair and familiarity with the boundaries of fashion and how to just push them have her consistently being referred to as a fashion inspiration.

Hope you've enjoyed this post, I found it quite fun to do. I will be doing my beauty influences next, I think. A couple of these lovely ladies MAY just pop up again...

Magnitone Pulsar - A Revolution in Facial Cleansing

When the girl we all rely on for beauty news, Jane from British Beauty Blogger, said she was offering the chance for 10 bloggers to review a Magnitone I practically pounced onto my laptop to send her an email declaring "I WANNA, I WANNA!" So I was ecstatic when Magnitone emailed me themselves saying I had been chosen to review... Here's my findings...

The Magnitone Pulsar is a electronic cleansing brush, which is proven to reduce signs of ageing, improve skin quality and reduce the appearance of pores. It can be used on your face and body provided you use the different brush attachments provided in the box, which just slide in and out of the handheld system with ease. (The sensitive heads came separately) The box also includes tons of instruction manuals, making it easy to get used to, and it also comes with a stand and charger system.

With Magnitone claiming that you will see a difference in your skin within 7 days, I thought I would keep notes every day during my first week of usage, and do a break-down of my results:

Day 1- Morning felt like a brilliant exfoliation, skin texture was smooth, and skin looked luminous, however on the second use that day it felt a little harsher on the skin, but I guess my skin was just getting used to it. All skincare products used afterwards seem to be absorbing much better than normal, hence getting more moisture into my skin.
Day 2- The harsh feeling had left completely, and the skin around my nose looked less red.
Day 3- Elasticity and moisture levels of skin seem to be improved
Day 4- I can visibly notice a difference in the (cough) blackheads on my nose, with the skin looking impeccable on my nose, and dare I say, giving me even better results than my beloved Glamglow Super-mud.
Day 5- Skin tone and texture feels and looks completely even.
Day 6- Noticeable difference in application of makeup now, meaning all my foundations go on smoother, last longer, and my skin looks much brighter even without the use of any brightening products.
Day 7- All in all, skin tone is much more even, skin looks plump and is well hydrated, appearance of pores have decreased, I feel much more confident with my skin, and LOVE the results.

It has four different modes, as seen in the picture above, and each holds a different purpose. The sensitive option is, yes, you guessed it, for sensitive skin. Pulse-lift Massage is the most bizarre sensation of the four, but helps blood circulation in your face, which is the magic which helps reduce signs of ageing. Exfoliation (suggested option for your body) and Deep Clean are quite self-explanatory, too aren't they?



I'm SO impressed with Magnitone's facial cleansing brush, and I've no idea how I lived without it. Can't recommend it enough!

Street Style on Sundays #2

I absolutely loved doing this type of post last week, it was so much fun, it was (as I have now donned) "Pinning with a purpose." So I thought I'd play around on Pinterest once again and show you some beautiful street style inspiration.

This week, I feel like I've come across so many stunning jackets...

And of the leather variety... (my favourite kind)...

Hope you're all now set for the week ahead in jacket inspiration...

(Once again, none of these pictures are my own, they're all sourced from Pinterest)

Wishes and Wants #6

What do you know, once again, I have a lust-list longer than my legs filled with some extravagances that just have my little fashion heart fluttering...

Office Twickenham Patent Loafers
Topshop Tika Skaters
OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow
Dior Addict Lipstick in shade Exotique
Kiehls Ultra Light Moisturiser
Chanel Notes du Printemps Collection

I seriously hadn't noticed until I compiled an image with them all together just how many pairs of shoes and nail polishes I want. Wishlists don't get much girlier do they?

The Office loafers are just a perfect feminine loafer, and would be ideal for work and play, I'm just reasonably terrified of the £95 price tag. If anyone wants to treat me, I'm a size 6. Same goes for the much more casual burgundy Topshop pair, however these come in a lot cheaper at £20, I'd appreciate them in a few colours, especially these, and the cute pastel pink pair.

Dior is my weakness, and it's no secret, but I've been on the hunt for a subtle pink shade with a slight sheen, which looks natural but girly (I WILL be specific where lipstick is concerned) and Dior have it spot on with their Addict lipstick in the shade Exotique. I have a perfect white nail polish by Models Own, and the formula of the polish just isn't there for me, so I'm dying to get my hands on OPI's Alpine Snow after hearing about it being the best white polish out there.

I'm feeling really shocked and repulsed by the fact that after checking all of my day moisturisers, not one of them actually has SPF. I take so much care of my skin, and one little thing has slipped through the cracks. I've scoured the net for reviews on SPF moisturisers, and this Kiehls Ultra Light one, seems to be highly rated by many, and given I love Kiehls as a brand, I think I may have to cave...

I've been swooning over the Chanel Notes du Printemps Spring 2014 collection since the images first surfaced back in November, and no website at all was giving a UK release date, I tweeted Debenhams last night, and they said to look out on the 24th Jan- two days away! Lets all get excited!! My first purchases from the collection will be Le Vernis in Ballerina and Tapage, then I may consider that beautiful frosted pink Illusion d'ombre.

What's on your radar at the moment? Since Spring is (HOPEFULLY) on the way, we all need some wardrobe and beauty updates, right?!

Street Style on Sundays

I LOVE a little bit of Pinterest, and the street style snaps on there can be pretty damn amazing, so I thought I'd do a little bit of style-spo (sorry)  from the website that seems to have females glued to computers and tablets, like a squirrel is glued to nuts.

(Note: don't you just hate people which put "spo" after things, "thinspo" "shoespo"... Shall we not?)

Today I'm ALL over monochrome looks...

Can we take a second to appreciate Elin Kling's STUNNING colour-block trousers in the first picture? Not only a colour palette for casual looks, however, here's some more "less casual" looks...

I've never been in love with a dress as much as I am with Phoebe Tonkin's Alex Perry dress, I literally spent four hours of my life trying to find out who it was by, only to discover it isn't available in the UK. Aussie road trip, anyone?

(None of these pictures are my own, they're all sourced from Pinterest)

Favourite Things #5 - The First in a Long While

It feels like an absolute life time since I last shared my favourite things with you, I think mainly because it IS a life time since I did. Let's not look at dates or anything, it could prove a little scary.

Anyway, I thought I'd share which have probably been the most-used and popular products in my regime through the past few months...

Avene Thermal Spring Water - Not the first time this stuff has featured on my blog, but since I've been using it religiously as part of my cleansing routine (which, yes, was one of my New Year's resolutions!) I've noticed a visible difference in my skin, and the hydration levels, too.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face oil - I bought this on a bit of a whim when it was 20% off in Debenhams, because after trying my Aunty's Sanctuary version, I found how bloody amazing oils are for Winter month hydration! This product, has in my eyes, been dubbed my winter skin saviour, and has made me (cough) dislike, Hydraluron. (Blasphemy!)

Kiehl's Creme de Corps - at first, I was apprehensive, and thought, it's just a body lotion, but BOY was I wrong... It's a thick, not strongly scented lotion, which leaves your skin hydrated for days, gets rid of the winter dryness, AND, leaves your skin with that glow that you only ever seem to see on Victoria's Secret models. All in all, I think I've been converted from Soap and Glory.

Bioderma Sensibio - don't think this one needs an explanation, does it?

Chanel Le Vernis (Rouge Noir) - As a rule, I tend to stay away from dark nail polishes, as I've just never found the perfect one, but now I have. Rouge Noir, is a perfect deep red, a classy, dark nail polish, more class than trash (I had to get that one in there, apologies.)

OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil - I've had a ton of cuticle oils, and I find them to be a necessary part of a manicure to make sure the polish lasts longer, and to keep nails/cuticles hydrated. This one, is so far the best I've ever tried, it smells so fruity, and is a thick oil, which goes quite a long way, meaning, a day and night application every day doesn't leave the bottle empty within a couple weeks.  

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder - I've heard mixed reviews about this product, but unsurprisingly when miss Zoe Newlove said she loved it, I thought, yep, I don't need any more convincing. I bought it with the LM fan brush, and it really is fantastic for brightening up the under eye area. I've used it on a few occasions without any concealer and it really does make the difference that other translucent setting powders just don't offer. All in all, I LOVE this product, and don't know how I ever lived without it.

Blistex Relief Cream - Completely not-glamourous but most definitely my secret weapon during winter. Having full lips, they tend to be more prone to being dry and flaky during winter, which, face it, is disgusting. So when I discovered this (years back) I felt as if I had found something revolutionary. You only need a teeny amount of this medicated balm, and I must be on my fifth tube throughout the years, it's simply amazing, and dare I say, a holy grail lip product of mine...

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - you all know about my struggles with anxiety and depression, and when I was suffering seriously badly, this time last year, I didn't sleep at all, and suffered with serious insomnia, so I have tried every sleep remedy you can think of, every pillow spray, by numerous brands, and I have NEVER come across one which works as well as this. In my opinion, it is like taking a sleeping tablet, leaving you relaxed, soothed, and drifting off within about ten minutes of having sprayed this on your pillow. It also doesn't leave any residue or marks on your pillow... Bonus! (Can't recommend the rest of the deep sleep range enough too, but it would have proved a fair job photographing them all!)