Shopping Shopping

I kept meaning to do a haul post, shoving the packaging from all of these into a box, and saying "next week!" ... a few months and an overflowing wicker basket later, here's pretty much this years shopping. (I very kindly put the 6 bags of cotton wool I got to one side... You're welcome.) And okay... I've done way more shopping, but I've lost track.

I've really got a Dior/Chanel addiction haven't I? I swear, if I posted more frequently, it'd soon become the only thing I ever spoke about. Chanel Inimitable mascara is brilliant for a natural, wide-eyed look, and makes the perfect accompanying product for their Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille, which is a beautiful creamy pink shimmer, almost like a sheer and glossier MAC Naked Lunch. (Just my kind of colour. Hubba, hubba...)  

The lady at Dior had impeccable sales techniques in getting me to buy the Dior Fluid Stick (shade: Kiss Me) saying she'd apply it on me to see what it's like as my lips looked dry... I resisted for all of two minutes. I said I'd think about it, catching a glimpse of it in a mirror at the YSL counter I boomeranged straight back to Dior "I'LL TAKE THEM ALL PLEASE..." kidding.

Are there any glamorous ways of doing swatches, too? These little arm blotches aren't quite cutting it for me. (Top to bottom; Dior Rouge Lipstick in 779 Illusion, Dior Fluid Stick in Kiss Me, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille)

Feels a bit like a cop out putting something you've won into a haul post, but these things I got from Gemma and Laura were too good to not share...

I was like a kid at Christmas with this Urban Decay Vice 2 palette, it's colour range is incredible, and the buttery soft UD shadows had me saying "ooooh" more times than the Toy Story aliens... 

Snuck this order in whilst Escentual had 1/3 off French pharmacy, along with the Dior Illusion lipstick, the Avene water being a common repurchase for me, and this being the largest bottle yet, I'm having problems finding somewhere to keep it! I'm completely against dry shampoo too, but recently my hair has been being a tad awkward, so I was hoping something more natural like this Klorane offering would be less harsh than the likes of Batiste (shudder).



Anything by Jo Malone really needs to be introduced via a regal announcement, but since I don't have a trumpet, you'll have to believe that this Peony and Blush Suede Cologne is the most elegant, long-lasting and well packaged perfume I've ever owned.

I've already featured RMS's Living Luminizer once, so this seems reasonably backwards, but I LOVE THIS STUFF. Strivectin's Dark Circle eye cream on the other hand, I'm still on the fence on whether this expensive pot is doing anything other than that of what a cheap moisturiser could do.

As I usually stick at the bottom of any haul posts, please drop a comment, tweet, or IG if you want anything reviewed in full. We'd be here all day if I did them all...

Unsung Multitaskers

On one of those days when you know you have to go out, but just have a serious case of "cannotbearsed-itis" the idea of standing by your Muji drawers and perfecting your brows, lashes and under-eye bags seems completely overwhelming. So on these days everyday, the idea of grabbing a few products, sitting on the edge of your bed with a mirror is so tempting, and the idea of multi-tasking products sounds just perfect. So, I've compiled my list of the products we all know, love, and use, but for the purposes we don't always think of.

Chanel Soliel Tan De Chanel (or whatever this bizarre pot is called) is a wonder product for all year round. It's supposed to be a cream bronzer, but it's quite firm in texture, and nearly matte in finish with zero shimmer, making it perfecting for bronzing and contouring. This bronzer seems to offer quite a pleasant coverage too, and I've found that occasionally using this on it's own is perfect for letting skin breathe, but keeping a healthy glow. FYI it also works darling as a warm eyeshadow.

Benetint is one of those products that can take a while to get used to, being the same consistency as water, and a super-strength stain, the slightest drip on anywhere it isn't supposed to be is going to look like some sort of infectious disease. I found the best way to apply this to my cheeks is with a buffing brush (apply to the brush) then apply very light-handedly to my cheeks. Its a beautiful shade when applied directly from the brush to your lips, and buffed in with fingers. I always find using the teeniest amount of excess from this in my crease really helps to define my eye and lift and brighten my complexion.

RMS Living Luminizer is another weird little pot, but one that offers a beautiful, none-shimmery dewy look, whether it be used on cheekbones, eyelids, or in the cupids bow. This really brightens my eyes when used as a sheer tint across my lids, but it lasts no longer than an hour- any tips for avoiding creasing with something so creamy? (Yup, I did buy this because it featured in Phoebe Tonkin's ITG Top Shelf)

Clinique Naturally Glossy mascara in Brown is something I bought as when I have very little makeup on, black mascara looks so obvious and stark, I wanted to try something new... This is ideal for a natural look, adding volume, length, and a slight curl. It also works amazingly as a brow gel, I discovered this after dropping my brow gel under my bed, its glossy finish doesn't compromise on hold, and with it being a warm brown, it's ideal for dark brows.

Listing Eight Hour Cream as an "unsung" multi-tasker was probably brief stupidity, but the list of things this miracle product can do is longer than my legs... This beauty can be used as; lip balm, cuticle cream, dewy highlighter, on dry/cracked skin, on brows and lashes, knees, elbows, heels... You name it, this cream does it.

Now, LET'S GO DANCE IN THE SUN...

The six BEST nail polishes

It's hard whittling down what your favourite polishes are when you have a large collection of them, probably, if I counted, over 100. But when you look at them individually, there are some clear favourites, and some regularly repurchased.

I thought I'd share the six polishes that I believe to be the best, and probably the ones that would complete a nail wardrobe, without the necessary other 100+ polishes. I guess it's kind of like where to start if you're a newby with nail polishes, too.

Sheers and tints are something I'm a huge fan of, not for everyone, but, something that depending on where you work, or go to school could be a necessity...

I always say that Essie's Ballet Slippers is my favourite polish of all time, and despite the fact that it boasts similarities to OPI's Bubble Bath, the OPI offering is the much more subtle of the two, being pinker and sheerer in tone, and mimicking your natural nail colour more than Ballet Slippers which runs quite white and creamy in appearance. I love wearing this with Dior Nail Glow, which is a completely sheer, pink toned polish. Reviewed here, and obviously, I am still loving it, it'll be due a repurchase soon as I get to a Dior counter!

Butter London's Nail Foundation is a weird concept, but basically, it is a sheer, semi-matte nude/pink colour, one coat mimics the nails natural colour, evens it out and preps the nail for other sheer colours, or works brilliantly on its own. Using this as a polish does work, in about three coats, you can have the mannequin-look nails that were all over catwalks last summer, or with one single coat, your nails will just look healthier, yet people won't know you're wearing any polish (score for those that aren't allowed to wear polishes!)

I'm not always one for colour, and if you were beginning a nail polish collection, the "anti-colours" are the ones you need to go for, the none-bright, and quite classic. Chanel are ideal for fashion colours, and as the brand itself suggests, for classy colours, Rouge Noir and Frenzy are two of the brands most popular shades, I believe, and it's easy to understand why. Rouge Noir is a beautiful deep oxblood red, almost black, but so much softer, and ideal for people that tend to stray away from dark shades. Frenzy however, on the lighter side, is a beautiful grey-toned nude, completely beautiful, suits numerous skin tones, and is appropriate for work and play.

A classic, pillarbox red shade is a must in every ones nail polish collections, being seductive and appropriate for most occasions, all seasons, and the perfect colour for those intimidated by the other brights on the market. I've stuck the Balmain Nail Couture Rouge in here as an example of one of the classic reds I use, but this isn't the easiest to get hold of, all brands have a perfect blue-toned red (Essie-Fifth Avenue, Revlon Red, Chanel- Dragon)

The dupes I know of for the other shades are as follows; 
OPI Bubble Bath; Chanel - Ballerina, Essie - Mademoiselle
Chanel Rouge Noir; Revlon - Vixen, Essie - Wicked, 
Chanel Frenzy; (There are truly no identical dupes of this shade, Essie - Sand Tropez is close, as is Rimmel - Oh, Mr Darcy!)

Currently feeling a touch of irony, typing this with naked nails, now I'm feeling temptation for a couple coats of Chanel Frenzy...

Neal and Wolf (You're my True Love) - Scented Candle Review

Candles are one of those things, you either love them, or just don't care about them. I used to always think they were some sort of gimmick, something that came with the territory of women that love sitting in the bath for long enough to make your skin appear like you've aged 30 years. But now I've become one of the women that LOVE candles, granted, I don't have a bath, but I have a candle. 

On a sidenote, it IS Friday, I apologise for the rambling, and more-so the spelling of "gess" in that GIF, evidently people that spend too much time on the internet are the worst at spelling.

When the lovely people over at my favourite haircare brand, Neal and Wolf, offered to send me their scented candle I did a little squeal. I love scented candles now, and I adore the scent of the N&W products (I'm always declaring that they need to make a perfume!) so I jumped at the chance, and I have road-tested it to its brink during the week. Of course to test this thoroughly, I went for a full blown relaxation session; Netflix, tea, nail polish, chocolate, magazines etc. (such dedication) 

The scent itself, boasts a "true indulgence" with aromas of mandarin and orange blossom which turn into the floral notes of lily, ylang-ylang and orchid, and importantly, isn't too overwhelming and slowly releases its scent to fill the room with the beautiful scent of Neal and Wolf. The first burn of this candle did take about 6 hours to get no rings in the wax, but afterwards, it tends to take about 3/4 hours, giving you enough time to binge watch Breaking Bad and scoff leftover Easter eggs. I tend to have this burning from late evening and blowing it out just before bed leaves me feeling relaxed and ready for sleep, without having overwhelming notes of lavender like most candles for relaxation.

Yet another occasion in which Neal and Wolf have truly impressed me, they are an amazing company, with fantastic products at reasonable prices. As if I wasn't already converted, I can see me buying a LOT more by this brand.

Street Style on Sundays #5

Where the hell have I been? With all sincerity, I have no idea myself.

I've developed an overwhelming obsession with Katie Cassidy's style, which is truly being reinforced with her fashion blog, Tomboy KC. And from this, I seem to really be favouring tomboy-ish and masculine looks instead of the usual "lady" clothes that seem to pop up as soon as the sun starts to make an appearance.

Borrowed from the boyfriend...

Feminine and Masculine combined... 

Probably the safer option of the two, to try out masculine/tomboy dressing. Love a masculine jacket paired with a floaty dress, or leather trousers with heels, not to mention the shirt tied around the waist of your dress. No belt needed.