OOTN - Ben Howard Gig

Hi guys!

On Tuesday I went to see the singer, Ben Howard and wanted to share with you what I wore.

Boxy shirt from Primark.

Skinny jeans from Topshop.

MAC "Embrace Me" lip pencil with MAC Candy-Yum-Yum lipstick over the top.

Barry M nail varnish in Blueberry.

Gold chain necklace from H&M.

Studded bum-bag from Primark.

Michael Kors rose gold watch.

...and a gig must, trusty old Converse trainers.

If you haven't heard of Ben Howard, here's one of my favourite songs by him...give it a listen, maybe?

xx

Razzle-dazzle 'em!

I'm going to be going to a 1920's theme Carnival Ball this weekend with a few friends. I got my tickets today and quickly tried out 20's eyebrows and lips.

Going to have to watch a fair few youtube tutorials on how to achieve the perfect flapper hair and makeup, I think!

Any tips?

:)

x

What's in my bathroom?

Hi guys, 

I need some product suggestions from you all! I was taking a big bubble bath the other day and wanted to show you what I currently keep in my bathroom. I came to realise that only half of the products I actually like...I thought I'd show you what I have and then I'm hoping you lovely people can suggest some bathroom goodies that you use, which I can try out for myself.

Here goes...

Tangle Teaser - Boots

This is my most recent addition to my bathroom. I've seen Tangle Teaser hair brushes all over the place but never picked one up until I had some vouchers to use in Boots - they're pretty expensive. (You can get them loads of places.) I have to say I'm very impressed and to be honest, I didn't think I would be. The brush is small and suitable for keeping in your handbag. It even has a bristle protector for travel purposes. The brush detangles your hair perfectly with very little tugging or pulling. The main reason I've included it in here is because I use it to brush through my hair when it's wet. So much better than a regular hair brush, no lie. And it's pink.

Rating: 4/5

Snow Fairy Shower Gel - Lush

I purchased the iconic Snow Fairy from Lush at Christmas time because I'd been wanting to try it since last year. To be honest, I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about because this product is raved about so much. I absolutely love it. I didn't love the smell at first when I poofed it in the shop, but when you use it in the shower....oh my god. It smells like pear drops and fruity yum and sweets and candy floss and ugh, it's just lovely. The smell lasts for a long time on your skin, it lathers lovely and it's pink! The only poo-poo about it is that it's a limited edition product that only comes out at Christmas. Thank god I got the biggest bottle. I will definitely be stocking up next year.

Rating: 4/5

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser - John Lewis

If you read my blog, you'll already know my feelings on Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser. Just to recap for those that are new here....YOU NEED IT! This product is absolutely amazing. I use this pretty  much daily to cleanse my skin from makeup (if I'm not using this one, I use my Superdrug's own version which is just as good and a quarter of the price - see my review HERE) There's not much more I can say about this product except that it does exactly what it's supposed to and it's amazing. I got mine from John Lewis but if you google shop, you can get it from loads of different retailers. I'd buy it again if it were a special occasion such as birthday or Christmas, but at the moment I'm quite happy re purchasing my Superdrug version.

Rating: 4/5

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Facial Wash - Boots

I got this product to use with my Clarisonic initially, and to use as a facial wash after using my Liz Earle C&P. I don't like it. For one, I don't like the colour orange, but I suppose that has nothing to do with it really. The product is oil free but feels oily on the skin. It leaves a residue after rinsing with water and I find myself rinsing again and again and even using soap and water to cleanse my face AFTER using this product. It doesn't really smell of anything/doesn't particularly smell nice, hasn't improved my skin and overall it's just a bit poo. I'm sure you can get this other places than Boots if you really wanted to, but to be honest I wouldn't even bother.

Rating: 1/5

Dove Daily Care Shampoo - Boots

Now, shampoos are the thing that irritate me the most. Every company claim to be the best and offer the shiniest results and care for your hair but I've never EVER found  a shampoo that does anything special or different from any other bottle on the shelf. I've tried countless brands and just find myself buying the ones on offer more than anything else. If you have any suggestions on amazing shampoos/conditioners, please let me know. I really want to be wowed by one but I really just think that all the claims are false on these products! What I really want is a shampoo that allows me to go two days without washing my hair. At the moment I was it once a day if I want to wear it down, otherwise I just go a couple of days but have to wear my hair up in between. I don't really have an opinion on this product. It washes my hair, it's okay! I wouldn't buy it again.

Rating: 2.5/5

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Jewel Edition - Debenhams

Here's another product I love. I'd been wanting to try Eight Hour Cream for ages and ages because I'd heard such good reviews on it, so when I saw it in TKMAXX for a bargain, I picked it up. The one I got is in the Jewel Edition packaging, which is lovely. You can still get it in Debenhams and I really think you should because it's on sale! I use this product as a lip balm at night. I normally keep it on my bedside table but wanted to include it in this post because its absolutely amazing. I apply it at night and can still feel the effects of it in the morning. I'm a lip balm fiend and couldn't live without this by my bed at night. It smells a bit odd, I have to say, so it's not one for using before you smooch, but I don't mind the smell too much. I would buy this product over and over again if I needed to, but to be honest I think this pot will last me a life time.

Rating: 4/5

Aveeno Positively Radiant Triple Boost Serum - Boots

I'm so-so on this product. I wanted to get into skincare, especially for my face and decided to try this product as it was on offer. It smells lovely and applies nicely but I'm not really seeing any major difference in my skin. I know its all probably false claims and these products are just for us to waste our money on, but I'd really like any suggestions on a good serum/moisturiser/eye cream which has really made a difference in your skin care. I wouldn't buy again.

Rating: 2.5/5

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream - Boots

I got this product because the Pixiwoo sisters raved about it. It moisturises nicely, sinks into the skin okay, but again it hasn't been a wow product for me. It's expensive for the amount of product you get and I don't really think it's suited to my skin type. I think I'm after a light moisturiser for my face as I'm not too dry. My skin is combination, I have a few tiny dryer patches around my nose and between my eyebrows, but not too much. I wouldn't use this product under makeup as it makes my skin appear oily throughout the duration of the day. Any suggestions on a good moisturiser, too, will be appreciated. I wouldn't buy this product again.

Rating: 3/5

OOTN - Christmas Party

Here's what I wore to my work Christmas Party. Photo overload on this post, hope you don't mind!

We went to a local hotel for a Christmas dinner and a boogie.

I tried my first Jagerbomb and danced the night away, pretty much sweating off about 4 stone in the process as it was SO hot inside the venue.

The dress I wore is from Karen Millen and is absolutely stunning, even if I say so myself. I adore it, seriously. This is going to be in my wardrobe forever.

I just have simple black tights on from Primark as I thought it would be cold... and because my legs are so pasty that I may blind someone if they were to catch a glimpse.

I added my leather jacket from River Island to keep me warm on the way to and from the party.

I wanted to show you a close up of the detail on the dress. How lovely is that!?

Drooling.

Also, I took my beautiful boots on their first airing. I bought these from Zara especially to go with the dress even though it may have been a bit black and gold overload...

They ended up being pretty comfortable, but the zips kept sliding down slightly. Butttt, I don't care because I think they're gorgeous. I'll definitely be wearing them again over the festive period.

The bag I chose/the only small black bag I have with gold hardware on it, is this clutch from Zara. Again, black and gold overload but hey, it's CHRISTMAS!

For my makeup I went super smokey. I wore Satin Taupe by MAC on the lid and Creep by Urban Decay (in the Naked 1 Palette) in the outer corners. 

I also stuck on some Ardel Demi Wispies false eyelashes.

The lipstick I'm wearing is Top Tomato Ultimate Colourstay.

I had a quick squeeze of Pudding before I went.

Hope you all are enjoying the festivities. Can't believe it's nearly Christmas!

See you soon!

xxx

Mini Lush Haul

I thought I'd show you what I purchased from Lush the other day. (My very first Lush purchases, ever!)

I picked up Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Feeling Younger Skin Tint and No Drought Dry Shampoo.

I've been wanting to try Snow Fairy for a year or so but as it's a limited edition product, I had to wait til now to get my hands on it. It kind of smells like those little foamy banana sweets. I've only used it once so far, but it smells pretty nice.

The second product I picked up is this dry shampoo called No Drought. I've seen a couple of people with this on youtube and really wanted to try it out. It has a very lemony scent and smells nice and fresh. Again, I've only used it once so will have to try it out for longer to see what I really think of it.

The third product I picked up was this Feeling Younger Skin Tint and I absolutely love this. As soon as I swatched it in the shop, I grabbed one for myself straight away. I've been using this as a highlight on my cheekbones over makeup and also mixed in with my foundation for a nice dewey finish to the skin.

Lavly! I was hoping to bump into Danielle from A Blog From Blackpool for some recommendations on what to get but you weren't working that day, boo!

What products are your favourites from Lush?

x

Birthday haul!

It was my Birthday on Friday and I wanted to show you some lovely things that I got. 

I actually bought everything myself haha! (If you can't treat yourself, who can you treat?!) 

Everything apart from this little beaut. My new Cambridge Satchel in this amazing blue.

Mmmm!

Thanks Ba, I love youuuuu :)

I also got these bad ass spiked pumps by Jeffrey Campbell.

Eugene bag by Alexander Wang.

Some new sparkly bars for my ears!

Christmas disco pant from American Apparel.

Chunky knit jumper from Topshop and tshirt with leather sleeves from Zara.

I also took back a dress I'd bought from Zara as it was too small and changed it for this amazing coat. New fave.

And some bargainous boots from Zara to go with my Christmas dress.

(I lied, just realised I didn't buy something else...this lippy and blush, my lovely besto treated me to them! Thank youuu!)

I got Snob lipstick and Well Dressed blush, both from MAC.

And I also picked up Soft and Gentle MSF from MAC when I went to Manchester the other day.

And that's everything pretty much except for a few bits and bobs. Very, very spoilt this month. 

NO MORE SHOPPING!

Hope you liked my haul. Will be putting up a few pics from my Birthday trip to Manchester with my boyfriend in the next couple of posts.

Oh and by the way, thank you for everyone who entered my giveaway. Congratulations to my three lovely winners. 

 1st Prize - Emily from One Way Beauty

2nd Prize - Amy

3rd Prize - Nia from Cherry Fashion Blog

Prizes were sent out today! Hope you like them, guys!

xxx

Should've Gone to Firmoo!

Hello everyone! 

Eee, I'm so excited to share this post with you. I love getting parcels in the mail (who doesn't?) and the other day, these little beauties from Firmoo landed on my doorstep.

I was very, very kindly sent this pair of glasses to try out and to be honest I wasn't expecting them to arrive so fast, so it was a nice little surprise to come home to after staying away for Halloween for a couple of days. 

From being dispatched from China to arriving at my door in good old North West England it only took bang on seven days. Speedy!

These are Model number #DBSN5252 in Matte Black and can be found HERE. 

Firmoo.com is a Global Online Optical Store which offers a massive range of glasses for both ladies and gents at really affordable prices. It also has a large range of sunglasses which, as well as the regular glasses, can be made with prescription lenses. Firmoo also have a designer range too, which are slightly more on the expensive side, but I'm definitely lusting over a few pairs in that section, let me tell you!

So, at my last appointment at the opticians I was told that, basically, my eyes don't align 100% accurately which is the why I sometimes get blurriness or double vision. I was actually quite excited about getting glasses until they told me that they would need to be 'special' prism lenses (think Professor from Futurama) to help fix this problem. Errrrm, no thanks! So I opted to keep up with some eye exercises on a promise that it "should" help in the long run.

Long story short. I'm bogeyed when I get stressed and I'll deal with it but in the mean time I'll wear pretend (none prescription) glasses til my heart's content. Just because!

So here they are and I actually really, really like them. 

So, I  always find it really hard trying to fathom what pair will suit my face when I'm not able to actually try the frames on in person. One thing I found really helpful on the website was the nifty little feature that actually made it a lot easier for me to pick which frames I liked best. You can upload a picture of yourself, determine the distance between your eyes and click through the frames on the website to see how they actually look on your face! Virtual insanittyyyy.

These are the ones I chose, but in the Matte Black version. Excuse the frazzled look, I'd just got back from work in the picture that I used as my upload!

And here's how they actually look on. I think it's quite an accurate representation, what do you think?

I also "tried on" a number of other pairs which are similar styles, as you can see below.

I didn't see until quite late on (duh! Pass me my glasses) that a number of frames come in different colour variations, which you can view with the "Select Colour" option in the top right of the product spec page. Hence the reason I only "tried on" the green version of the frames that I actually ordered.

The glasses themselves are reasonably sturdy. The arms don't seem to bend outwards past the frames and give reasonable resistance to any attempts to do this. They seem very nicely made, no sharp edges or wobbly bits - which is always good!

The frame that I chose is a lovely Matte texture and feel almost furry to the touch, which I love. I thought it was also nice that they come with both a hard case, a soft pouch and a cloth for cleaning the lenses. As well as that, the glasses also came with a spare set of screws for the hinges and a little screwdriver for any mishaps. (Must. Not. Stand. On. Glasses!)

Strike a pose! ;)

They also fit very nicely. All the measurements for each frame is in the specifications so if you're a glasses wearer already, you can easily imagine how big or small the frames are going to be in comparison to your own. If you're not a glasses wearer, like me, just compare them to some of your sunglasses or make a paper template or draw it to scale with eyeliner on the mirror - that's always fun :)

Ordering is really simple if you're interested in getting yourself a pair of glasses. And what's even better is that if you order yourself a pair (first time buyer) you actually get the frames....FREE. Uh, what?! 

FREEEEEEEEEE!

Everyone loves that word! There must be a catch, right? Well, you do have to pay shipping costs, but that's it. 

THIS LINK explains exactly how you can order your first pair of free glasses. (If you're interested and do actually make an order, will you let me know?! I'd love to see which ones you chose.)

If you have any troubles at all, the Customer Service team are super fast at responding to any questions you may have. I exchanged a number of emails with Firmoo and my responses were always quick, friendly and informative. I even messaged them on facebook, to which they replied at lightning speed, too.

Happy Movember by they way, guys! I'm sporting my Mo' earrings in support for the cause!

Oh, and my lippy is "Chatterbox" by MAC.

So what you waiting for! Glasses wearers or frame fakers (like me!) get yourself over to Firmoo to check out their range.

Choose your glasses > Click First Pair Free - GET NOW > Log in > Place your order with the Promo Code issued to you!

If you have any other info you want to know, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Hope you like the frames I chose and make sure you let me know if you order some for yourself, I'd love to have a nosey. :)

See you later Alligators!

xx

Just so you know, all opinions are my own. I was sent these glasses for review but was under no obligation to write a biased post at all. I really, really like um! :)