Carvela Lexie Tassel White Patent Loafers

Saturday was one of those joyous moments in shopping. Walking passed Kurt Geiger and you see "all shoes £29 and under". Oh heaven. If my bank balance would allow it I would have bought the shop. However, the size of the queue was enough to just allow myself to purchase the one without losing the will to live!

Anyway, my purchase. The beautiful Carvela for Kurt Geiger Lexie white patent loafers. These beautiful loafers have a small block heel and are possibly the most comfortable shoes I've ever bought! Today I teamed them with deep maroon jeans, denim shirt and a big knitted scarf. I may say this a lot, but possibly my favourite (casual) shoes yet.

What are your thoughts on them? 

26/10/13 - nails #1

I haven't owned an Essie nail polish before but seeing as my parents are visiting I thought I'd buy a neural grey to go with any outfit. Essie nail polishes retail for £8 at Boots so not the cheapest but I'd heard from a friend that they last for ages! I used Sally Hansen "Hard as nails" for a base coat and Jessica's "Brilliance" as a top coat.

Master Plan has good coverage and the wide brush means you can almost cover your nail in one stroke. However this does mean that you have to pay extra attention as to where you direct the brush as the wide bristles mean you can easily coat half your finger as well as the nail if you aren't careful. I applied two coats to make it more opaque. I'm really happy with the colour and I'll keep you updated as to how well it lasts!

Have you used any products by Essie? 

Get to know me

I've been reading a lot of blogs at the moment getting a general feel about how people blog seeing as I'm so new and I stumbled across http://belle-amiebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/. I think she has a lovely blog and I was interested in her questions titled "get to know me" and thought I'd give it a whirl.

 1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

My hair is naturally wavy/ frizzy. I have really thick hair which has a mind of it's own. If I curl it, it won't hold and it will only hold straight if I fully blow dry it straight first. This I rarely do. If I could have a preference I'd like long curly hair though please!

2. Do you dye your hair yourself or go to a salon?

I've done both. I got offered the chance to have a free head of highlights and cut if I allowed the trainee hairdresser to do whatever she wanted to my hair. It was just before prom and I had wasit length dark brown hair which needed a trim and I wanted highlights so went through with it. I loved the colour and the way she layered it, but it was soo short for my liking that I came home and cried. Never again! So yes, normally I dye my own. I'm not really fussed what colour I dye it. Friends of mine will tell you that my hair colour can seem to change on a day to day basis. Don't know what I do to it.

3. Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?

I'm not very adventurous with hair. As previously stated, it does what it wants to do. If I have it down it's normally straightish verging on natural and I back comb the roots a little. If it's up I normally put it in a messy pony tail or a doughnut. And that's it. I'm not a hair person.

4. Do you do your own manicures and pedicures or do you go to a salon?

I used to work at a salon and consequently got gels, minx, polish, hand treatments for nothing. I loved it. I loved the girls that worked there and although it was just minimum wage, the perks were amazing. Now I work at a cafe and I have to have short bare nails every weekend so my days of gels are gone. Now I just do myself a manicure and pedicure every Monday evening while my boyfriend is at training (I hate my toes and fingers not matching unless I have minx) to last me through until Saturday morning. 

5. How often do you change your nail polish?

Oh, did just answer this. Once a week, unless I chip it, then twice. I have a lot of nail vanish so I never run out of options!

6. Do you paint your toes in the Winter or just in the Summer?

I always have my toes painted! They get a break of about half an hour or so a week which I know is bad, but it's only nail. It will grow back!

7. Do you plan your outfit of the day the night before or just decide when getting dressed?

Depends on the occasion. I'm a huge fan of "shower decisions" and will often plan my days outfit there once I know what the weather's like. At home I can see my walk in wardrobe from my shower which makes life a lot easier! As for nights out/ major plans, I normally plan the night before to make sure I don't wear what I need (and then have to time to give a quick iron). However for my best friends 21st, it took me about 2 months to find the right dress. I started looking as soon as Summer dresses were in stores.

8. How often do you change of your handbag?

I have 5 staple handbags which I use depending on what I'm wearing. I'm not a seasonal handbag girl. I buy decent quality (always leather with one exception) so that they last. I hate handbags that are going faded and tatty - just buy a decent one in the first place!

9. How long does it take you to put on your makeup?

In the morning before work or uni between 10 and 15, night out nearer 30 and on summer days where I just want my face to tan, about 2. I just do  minimal eyes and a tinted moisturiser and powder. I hate my face feeling clogged up when it's hot.

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes?

I always start with my face; primer, foundation, powder, bronzer/ blusher. Then eyes; eye-shadow, eye-liner, eyebrows, mascara. Then lips.

11. Do you collect makeup or do you just buy what you need when you need it?

Bit of both. I collect make-up in the sense that I'll love a product, then go off of it and buy a replacement (like eye-liners, don't know what happens when they get about half way) but foundations and powders I make sure I start getting samples about a month before they finally go to keep up with whether my skin/ season has changed and what will work best for me. 

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

When I just turned 18 (and a bit before but we'll keep that quiet) and would go out I always wore fake-eyelashes without fail. I have about 4 pairs that have collected on my car dashboard where I've gone out (never drunk) and driven home but found the eyelashes were too heavy when I started getting tired to see properly! Now I have individual lashes applied before I go on holiday and that's it. Uni made me realise just how much money I was spending on them and how little it actually did for my face. 

13. Do you wear a full face of makeup everyday?

Definitely not! If I didn't work every weekend I'd have Sunday off at least. No mascara no nothing. If I'm only bumming around the house, why do my parents care what I look like? Having said that, the Sundays where I have done that and have then popped to Tesco are the days where I bump in to ex's and everyone else and looked like crap. 

14. Will you leave the house without makeup?

Yes, only locally though. I wouldn't pop out for lunch or to uni without at least some mascara and powder on, but to grab some milk, happily!

15. How many high end products do you own?

Depends on the meaning of "high end". I own some Estee Lauder and Christian Dior... But then also MAC, Bobbi Brown, Benefit. Depends on the definition really. Although I wouldn't say that matters. Depends on what's right for your skin, and whether that's Collection 2000 or a whole make-up bag of Tom Ford it's whatever suits you.

16. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

Well being a uni student that can range from going to sleep at 4 in the morning and then making a 9am with a half an hour walk, or just bog standard going to sleep at 11 and waking up naturally around 8. I don't stay up late and watch TV programmes for no reason. I don't permanently want to mess up my sleeping pattern!

17. How many pets do you have?

3 cats (at home). I love animals much more than I love a lot of people. If my cat could talk, I'd be screwed. I'm an only child and got my cat when I was 3 and a half. She is literally my sister.

18. How often are you on Blogger?

Seeing as this is new and exciting I'm blogging just about everyday, but I'm sure I'll settle down. I love reading everyone else's though. You have so much more inspiration then and rather than looking in my wardrobe and saying that I have nothing to wear, I've learnt to be a lot more experimental.

19. Do you read comments posted on blogs?

Yes, especially on reviews. I think it's a lot more useful finding out what products have worked for people on a normal day to day life rather than believing the stuff women on the make-up counters tend to say.

20. What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?

Just my iPhone at the moment. My camera (when charged) is a fujifilm something I think, but I haven't posted any pictures yet where I have used it. 

If you decide to do your own "Get to know me" link your blog and I'll have a good old read! 

Want to know anything else? Ask away!

21/10/13

It's come to my attention that while writing a blog I'm coming to have to over come my fear of close up pictures. Thankfully while only using my phone as my camera at the moment due to the loss of the camera charger (I must tidy my room) photo quality is too poor to see me properly! 

I'm rarely a girl to just wear jeans a t-shirt. Zara jeans fit me perfectly but I just don't think they ever look very good! And today was no different. It was drizzling this morning so my initial thoughts turned to footwear. What ever I wore would have to be leather. While I was mulling over an outfit to wear with a pair of studded boots I was running late so decided to do make-up first.

Make-up:
Pore Professional by Benefit
Oxygen Wow foundation (sample) by Benefit
Get Even powder by Benefit
Dior crayon eyeliner
Masterpiece Max Factor mascara 
"Strong Women" MAC lipstick
Universal Contour Dior lip-liner

Outfit:

Deep red thigh spilt skirt - TKMaxx

Black scoop neck top - Tesco

Denim Jacket - Newlook

Long Gold earrings - Mango

Gold sweetie ring - Links of London

Black Toy watch

Michael Kors Black Tote

I'm yet to own a black leather jacket which I think would have looked better with this outfit. 

I put my hair in a high messy bun to avoid it going frizzy in the rain. 

What did you wear today?

What's in my bag?

I don't believe you could be a blogger, or at least read other people's blogs without being nosey, so it goes without saying that a "what's in my bag" type blog is done to death but still appears popular. So here goes, what's in my bag?

My bag of choice today is my Michael Kors black leather tote with gold chain detailing. I love this bag as it's the perfect size to house my rubbish with the necessary pockets! It's also large enough to carry a pad of paper - which is great for uni! I think it originally sold in stores for £235 but it was a gift from myself in the sale on my first pay check for actually finding a job at uni. Definitely decided I needed the treat.

It's a horrible rainy day here for a start so the sunnies haven't made an appearance and are instead replaced by my favourite umbrella. I'm one of those people where I do (to an extent) like my umbrella to match my outfit so I have a staple two. One black (featured) and a navy one. I can;t mix navy and black. My work uniform of a navy shirt and black bottoms nearly kills me - but I'm digressing. This umbrella is from Elle and features cute red fringing and a faux leather turned handle.

My purse is a patent leather Ted Baker bought as a birthday present for me by my Gran last year. I love it and always wanted one. But sadly I don't see it as the most practical. It's a nail breaker to ever get my cards out of it, the popper never stays done up and the leather (although I have treated it) has started to crack, but that could just be a sign of over use! Saying this, I'm not about to ditch it in the near future. It's way to pretty for that!

Being a forgetful student, my filofax is key to my everyday life. I chose the "Domino" organiser in deep pink as it's the perfect size, without being too weighty to be lugging around. I use it as a homework journal and a backup timetable in case my phone is having an off day. It currently also houses my Christmas list on one of the many notes pages. I only have my Dad, Gran and boyfriend to purchase for now!!

I love Volvic Touch of Strawberry water and if I had my car at uni with me, I'd definitely stock up and bulk buy, but at the moment my purse has to do with the daily purchase to keep me hydrated. I don't like squash as I find it too sugary and artificial but equally don't like water unless it's ice cold with some lemon. Yes I'm fussy over water, but I need to drink something during the day and it's healthier than other options. 

My headphones and keys are just essentials. I love big key rings as they're easier to find at the bottom of your handbag. These are just my house keys for uni, my car and home keys feature the red Cath Kidston ring (primarily to match my car) but also as an easy way to not pick up the wrong ones! 

My Osprey purse just houses some of those daily items I actually rarely use, but may need (apart from the lipstick). Inside there is; a comb, nail file, hair ties, chewing gum and lipstick. I keep these together so that if I change handbag in a hurry I don't forget anything. My luck would just be that I snag a nail and end up ripping my tights. I'm that clumsy. 

My phone (iphone 4s) isn't present as I've lost my camera charger so it's being used to take the photos. 

So that's it, my completely uninteresting life that lives inside my handbag. Hope it gave you an insight!

West-Quay Shopping

As posted previously on my Bobbi Brown Pale Mauve lipstick post, I recently visited Southampton's West-Quay centre, along with a few other shops. It was decided amongst a friend of mine that we should meet in the middle of our universities for a bit of (beauty related) retail therapy. 

First impressions was the impressive view of John Lewis (station side) once you get past IKEA. It's similar to many modern shopping centres as it's got wide pathways between shops to avoid the area becoming too congested. It has a range of normal high street shops (Topshop, River Island, H&M, Dorethy Perkins) but also features Hollister, All Saints, Crew and French Connection. Although I didn't venture into the stores themselves the size of the shopping centre would suggest that they are all of a reasonable size.

As for eating there is the usual Costa, McDonalds, Pizza Hut all organised on the upper floor for easy viewing while you make your mind up what you fancy! All in all, very well laid out. 

However, my primary reason for visiting was my make-up bag. It's got to that time of year where all my main make-up pieces are wearing a little thin and it was about time I re-purchased and updated. We heading first to the beauty counters of John Lewis in much anticipation of MAC. That's where our luck ran out. MAC was just opening up so hidden behind big black boards. We were 5 days too early - it opens up tomorrow! But we stuck ourselves in elsewhere. For me, my primary needs where to find a replacement for my foundation (my Estee Lauder Futurist is being discontinued), powder, powder brush and mascara. I love my Max Factor, but seeing as I'm new to blogging I thought I should at least try something new. 

My haul:

From top left (sort of going across):

- Smashbox eye-shadow "Sparks"

- Smashbox "Limitless Eye-liner Onyx"

- Christian Dior Universal Lip-liner pencil

- Maybelline Colour 24 Hour tattoo "40 Taupe"

- Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara "Jet Black"

- Clinique Chubby Stick "Plumped Up Pink"

- Benefit Sugarbomb

- Real Techniques Powder Brush

- Benefit "Hello Flawless" Pressed Powder

- St. Tropez Medium/ Dark Gradual Tan.

The Smashbox items were purchased through their "Smashbox Wondervision Eye Set in Sparks". I decided on this firstly as it was a way to try out their mascara and equally I love their "Smokebox"eye-shadow palette and wondered what this would come to. 

 My thoughts? The eye-liner is perfect for lining the upper eyelashes. It stays put all day, looking as sleep as a liquid liner. Up the bottom lases I haven't had as much luck. I find it halfway down my face by midday. 
The mascara is a bit weak. For me it gave length but not volume, whereas I want volume > length so I think I'll be using this for my bottom lases for the time being.
As for the eye shadows. I was drawn to this colouring as I find some brown palette's are a bit too grey and shimmery for me. I don't understand the obsession with Urban Decay Naked palette's at all! As you can see by the tests on my arm, the nude shades aren't very visible and if they are, they are of a pinky sparkle and the first brown as a lovely gold sparkle. This is what I wanted. For barely there, natural make-up that stays all day I consider this as money well spent! 
The set all comes with three cards showing three of their "looks".

Next, lips. I love the Dior universal lip liner. My lipstick shades vary too widely (and my budget too little) to buy lip-liners for all, so this is a life saver. I would never put lipstick on without it. 

For harsh winter days (to which it is very windy in Portsmouth) the chubby stick offers the perfect pinky shade whilst hydrating my lips, avoiding them getting chapped on the way to and from lectures. A purchase I would recommend to anyone. The only downside is that the colour doesn't stay very well.

Face. I had a Benefit "make-over" to try out their new foundation. My old powder was their "Get Even" which I really like. It leaves me matte all day and their "Hello Flawless" is just the replacement. 

However I was really impressed with their "Sugarbomb" blusher. I'm more of a bronzer girl at heart but the combination of colours in the quad blusher is perfect leaving my cheeks highlighted and warm, perfect for winter!

I've also heard great reviews on the Real Techniques brushes. My foundation brush is Dior, and I have a travel MAC set which I use for concealer, bronzer and eyes but I've been really let down with an old Bourjous powder brush which has been leaving powder sitting on my face too heavily. I have to say for the price (£10 I think) it's incredible! So soft with such good coverage. I am yet to wash it yet so this could be the real test! 

(Image from Google - the light in my room wasn't good enough to capture it's true beauty)

My St.Tropez gradual tan speaks for itself really. I love the golden colour it produces and I tend to apply every two days, ex-foliating once a week to avoid build up. My skin tone is quite yellow so I need a tan which will react with the melanin in my skin and I find this very similar to a Zen-Tan I had a few months ago. I find I look quite sickly without some form of fake tan in the winter months so this gradual tan is perfect. The set I bought it from came with the everyday face gradual tan and a bronzer which is intended for use with the instant fake tan I think, to cover up and even out any bits that may have got missed. It is soo dark!! Think that will remain at the bottom of my make-up bag. 

The only disappointment was the much anticipated cream eye shadow by Maybelline. This lasted all of 2 hours before it had creased in my eyelid. I think maybe my skin is just a little too greasy for an oil based eye-shadow so I'll be sticking to powder shadows for the time being. 

Have you used any of these products and had a different experience to me? I'd love to hear about it!

Bobbi Brown "Pale Mauve 73"

I've been using Bobbi Brown "Lilac 17" for a while now as my staple go-to lipstick. For me it suits my complexion whilst I find the lipstick is smooth, lasts well and isn't sticky. I'm not a huge fan of lip glosses due to their sticky residue and hate lipsticks that feel the same. 

From left to right: Pale Mauve, Lilac

Anyway, on my recent shopping trip to Southampton I decided to give a new shade a try rather than go for my beloved Lilac. The shop assistant in John Lewis was lovely, trying different shades against my skin tone before we settled on "Pale Mauve". This lipstick is a bit paler and not so matte - perfect for those drier winter lips. I would recommend this lipstick to anyone.

Kurt Geiger Filbert Boots

I apologise in advance for all of my pictures being taken on my bed. I live in a modest student house with the smallest room so space for pictures is an issue!

My lecture finished early today so took the golden opportunity to visit Gunwharf Quays. I'd eyed up these boots last week but couldn't justify buying more shoes. However, my house mate purchased the black knee-high boots currently on sale in H&M and I've been jealous. She wears them most days and they're so versatile, going with pretty much every day outfit.

Black H&M knee-high boots

So when the moment presented itself and I couldn't resist. Yes, my willpower is that low, but away I went and purchased them. Mine are the Miss KG concessions from A/W 12 but that hasn't phased me. I love Kurt Geiger shoes and I find them far more comfortable than shoes from high street stores.The suede exterior is really soft the boots themselves are comfortable enough to walk long distances in. I can see myself wearing these a lot this winter (weather permitting!).

What are your views? Own any knee-high boots?

Summer Bargains

Seeing as I am new to the world of blogging I can't purchase and post as I go just yet so I thought I'd start my journey of fashion with a few of my Summer purchases. I'm a huge fan of discount retail stores/ centres for buying key staples - the sort of items that aren't meant for singular seasons. For those instances, I am all for the high street!

First of were my absolute bargains of the summer. When I'm not at university I live quite near Bicester Village. They currently have about 130 stores but are planning for more. One of these is my love, Ralph Lauren. I'm a preppy girl at heart (but equally don't want to look 14) so channel this love through different mediums, one of which is through shoes! 

While my intended visit was to buy a new pair of sandals just a few days before heading on holiday when i saw this particular pair of wedges, I couldn't say no! At an original retail price of £620 my black, strapy leather heels were meant to be mine. They were the only pair there and a size 4. They were also only £26.99! 

It is like walking on those stilts you have at primary school in the obstacle races - luckily for me I had a lot of practice of this as a kid. Saying this, they are comfortable. I just wouldn't ever wear them out for long periods of time in case someone spilt a drink on them. At the moment they are bar shoes (walking to the car, take pictures, sit at a bar - no other people contact) I just see them as to precious. 

Next on my summer list was a pair of wedged trainers that I spotted in TKmaxx. While being super comfy, I can easily wear them all days for miles. I frequently walk the mile and a bit to uni and back in them with no discomfort at all. I do find Kurt Geiger shoes to be a bit narrower for most, which suite me just fine! One advantage to small feet is that they are often in the sale!! However much I love the shoes I do doubt the quality as the rubber sole has recently started to come loose at the heel and super glue was required. For a pair of shoes with a huge bran name attached this did disappoint me a little but (thankfully) they are all right now!

Okay, I feel I have got a bit distracted by shoes!

I'm sure other purchases will crop up through the course of blogging, but my absolute staple is my watch. It is now discontinued like the previous posts but I love it. I wanted a plastic watch for ages but the Ice watch faces are all too large for my wrists and while everyone else was jumping on the Michael Kors band wagon, i decided to stay away a little while longer. 

I chose my watch as it's a bit different yet can be worn with just about every outfit that doesn't consist of navy blue or gold (if I wear it in the evening. One thing I hate is clashing metals if I'm out). The crystal details adds a slight touch of glitz, making it a little more girlie. To me it is perfect. 

What are your thoughts?

Masterpiece Max; High Volume & Definition Mascara

Where to begin. I love this mascara. Over the too many years of experimenting with make-up to getting more established with what I like and want out of a product this will always be my go-to mascara. Admittedly I have been blessed with long eyelashes naturally but this alone can cause problems. Firstly you don't want that "spider" effect where all your lases clump to three "legs". Eugh. 

For me, this mascara not only creates amazing definition but stays on without rubbing off down your face. It's light weight thus doesn't create that curtain, or fringe you see every time you glance vaguely upwards. With the addition of using eyelash curlers, one coat of this and you're ready to go in the morning. There isn't any fussing about separating your lashes out, the design of the brush causes them to follow their natural fan.

Any dislikes? No. For £9.99 (boots.com) it's a steal!

What are your thoughts?

Let's talk

Hi!

I've admired those with blogs for a while now and was always of the mind set "it's not for me". However, the more I've enjoyed reading the views of others, I thought I'd give it a go and see if people could be interested in what I have to say. 

I can't say specifically what I'll post but it will undoubtedly range from what I wear to formalities and travel. I also aim to review products both that I have purchased (new and old) but also to what others feel I should review about (budget permitting - I am just a student!)

Like many of you I'm sure, my make-up bag is getting too full to handle. With three different foundations, copious amounts of eyeshadow and the ever old mascaras that collect at the bottom it's easy to forget what you have! I used to be an impulse purchaser so for me, I constantly have to remind myself that make-up does go off and not to over buy - I just won't use it!

This is where reviews come in very handy. A quick google will inform me whether the product I am about to buy is worth my money which will (I hope) mean less wastage in future.

Hope you enjoy

Louise