FOTD - Bronze Smokey Eye

Hi Everyone,

Today's FOTD post features one of my favourite looks- the bronze smokey eye. I must admit that I am not the most adventurous with my eye make-up on a day to day basis but I am getting better after following some absolutely amazing MUAs on Instagram. This one is pretty quick and easy and is just about subtle enough for everyday wear, although I did use false eyelashes today which definitely is not something I have time for every day!

Prep:

Ultima II Procollagen Extrema Day Lotion (I love this moisturiser and it is sparkly too!)

Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer

Face:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW20

Benefit Erase Paste in Medium

Clinique Even Better Concealer in Chamois

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium

Brows:

GOSH Eye Brow Kit (colours light and medium)

Cheeks:

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer (to contour)

Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-On Illuminator in Light (to highlight)

M&S Limited Collection Highlighter Drum

MAC Powder Blush in Melba

Eyes:

No.7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place Gel Eyeliner in Stay Onyx

Eylure Naturalites Natural Volume False Lashes

From the Urban Decay NAKED palette: 

-Shade 'Naked' on lid

-Shade 'Virgin' on browbone

-Shade 'Creep' along lower lash line

-Shades 'Darkhorse' and 'Smog' along upper lash line

-Shade 'Half Baked' on lid

Estee Lauder Doublewear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara in Black

Lips:

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Nude Beige

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres in No.19

Phew, that was a lot of products! I hope you enjoyed my face of the day and I'd love to know what your favourite make-up looks are.. Maybe I'll try them next time!

Rosie x

Today I'm Loving...

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a great weekend! Today I wanted to share with you some of my favourite products at the moment, as they seem to change so often. Some of these products are new and others are not so new, but they are either new discoveries or rediscovered gems that I've been getting a lot of use out of lately.

First up on my list is the Perfection Lumiere foundation from Chanel. I had been dithering over this foundation for ages but finally committed to swallowing the £36 price tag (eek!) and investing. This felt like quite a financial commitment for me and I have been using Chanel samples on and off for weeks now trying to decide whether or not it would be worth it. I had heard mixed reviews about this foundation and I'm aware that it oxidises quite a lot- the first shade I was matched with looked fine at first but turned positively orange as the day went on. In the end I found a shade that suited me well (20 Beige) and I was really impressed with this foundation's staying power- it is one of the few that I've tried that doesn't oil up AT ALL when I wear it. Since purchasing this has become my go-to foundation and I love how lightweight it feels on the skin whilst still giving a good level of coverage. I would thoroughly recommend it to fellow oily-skin sufferers, although one thing I would say is to make sure that you try it out before committing to a purchase!

Another foundation on my list is the bareMinerals Matte foundation in Medium Beige. I am still a newby to mineral foundations having recently discovered the ELF Personal Blend foundation which I LOVE. This one I find is a lighter coverage and certainly doesn't feel heavy on the skin- it is the sort of product that enhances rather than covers. Therefore, I would reserve this foundation maybe for holidays or good skin days, but it is a really hard working product that lasts all day and gives a really natural finish. 

I'm also really excited to have got my hands on my first YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick. This one is from the 'Shine' range in shade 15 (Corail Intuitive). I was a little concerned at first that this would be a bit too bright a lip colour for me but in fact it is a gorgeous light pinky-coral that is really easy to wear and not too in-your-face. As with all of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks it smells divine and feels really moisturising and luxurious on the lips so I am a happy bunny! This is currently one of my favourite lip colours and the packaging definitely makes it feel like a special product- I have been showing it off constantly.

A gorgeous lipstick needs gorgeous lips, so I've also been getting a lot of use from my LUSH lip scrub in Mint Julips. I use lipbalms religiously but I can't seem to stop my lips from occasionally flaking, so this lip scrub is a real lifesaver for me. To be honest I'm not 100% convinced that I couldn't have made it myself at home with a bit of sugar and peppermint oil, but it tastes absolutely yummy (like After Eights!) and does make my lips a lot smoother after use. 

I've also recently rediscovered my love for my Nars blush in Super Orgasm. I received this as a present in a Nars gift set last year and it is a lovely powder blush with a hint of sparkle. Unfortunately the colour has not come out particularly well in the photo but it is similar to Nars' signature 'Orgasm' blush and gives you a really nice, natural flush. I am not usually one for a sparkly blush but this one is very subtle and I can easily wear it for work without worrying that my cheeks are lit up like a Christmas tree.

Finally, I have also been loving my L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Mist for fine hair. For those that follow my blog you may be aware that I ombre'd my hair recently, and the bleach has made my ends really dry. This oil mist has been my saviour, and I've been applying liberally to both wet and dry hair to keep the ends soft. My hair is very fine and the mist works better for me than a standard oil which would weigh my hair down and make it look flat. I happen to also really love the smell of this mist, it is enriched with lotus flower extract and the scent is very subtly floral and just delicious. 

These are my current picks and all of these products have been getting a lot of use in my house recently! If you have tried any of the products mentioned or have any recommendations for me let me know- I love reading all of your comments.

Have a great week all!

Rosie x

Current Lust List!

Hello!

Today I am doing another Lust List post, as once again my eyes are bigger than my wallet and there seem to be a million things that I'm lusting after at the moment!

The first thing on my list are these amazing studded boots from New Look. Like so many people, I'm a huge fan of New Look shoes as they're so reasonably priced and very on trend, even if the quality isn't built to last a lifetime. I would wear these either with tights and a floaty dress or punk it up a bit with skinny jeans, a leather jacket and a huge scarf (another one of my current obsessions!).

I also currently have a big clothes-crush on this Topshop dress, £36. I am not particularly edgy in my style and often find Topshop clothes a bit too 'trendy' for me, if I can say that without sounding like my grandma! In fact, I usually spend hours browsing and coming out with 3 plain vest tops and a necklace or two- I prefer to keep things simple and accessorise to dress an outfit up. This dress though I really like- I love all things lime green at the moment, and I think the splash of colour really jazzes this dress up and makes it ideal for nights out or even for work.

I've had a full basket on Fragrance Direct and Feel Unique for ages now, just laying in wait for payday! On my current wishlist is the Bare Minerals matte foundation in Medium Beige, which I still haven't tried yet. Recently in this hot weather I have been favouring a lighter coverage during the day and I'm hoping this will be the perfect everyday foundation for me that will last out on my oily skin.

I'm also dying to get my hands on one of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks, preferably this one in Nude Beige. These lipsticks seem to be absolutely everywhere at the moment and I've heard nothing but good things, although at £24 each this is definitely an end-of-the-month type purchase!

Finally, to wear for work I also have my eye on this skirt from ASOS. I love the detail on this, from the hi-lo hem to the orange, leather-look stripe along the side. I would like to wear this with a white boyfriend tee, heels and a statement necklace for during the day, and maybe a cami and blazer in the evening. I really struggle with dressing for work in the warm weather and pencil skirts have become something of a staple for me recently as they can be worn so many ways.

That's the end of my Lust List for now, but I could go on and on as there are so many products that I'd love to buy if only my purse would allow it! Let me know what you're lusting after though as I'd love to hear.

Rosie x

PS. Please note that the images here are NOT my own.

YSL Extravagance!

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to do a quick post to show you the new love in my life..

I have had my eye on this ring from Yves Saint Laurent for a while and have been soo jealous everytime I've seen a celeb rocking one of these Arty Metal rings. However, with a £180 price tag they were kind of out of my league price-wise, and so I have just been lusting after them from afar.

When I got back from my holiday I was perusing some of the sales online (as you do!) and was SO EXCITED to see this same YSL ring has 60% off at Net-A-Porter!!! OK, at £72 it's still not exactly a bargain basement price, but at least it was in my league and I have been wanting one for such a while that I decided to take the plunge and go for it.

I'm so glad I did! I have been wearing it everyday since it arrived (£5 postage, ouch!) and it's had loads of comments and admirers. Not to mention the fact that I absolutely love it! I am a real fan of statement jewellery and love my rings and necklaces to be big and bulky (this definitely is not one for those that prefer dainty accessories!). I also am in love with the bright blue glass centre- they had the same ring in a load of different colours but I think the blue is really striking and will go with a lot of things, plus it's really summery so perfect for this nice weather we've been having!

Anyway, that's pretty much all I wanted to say- I know I promised a blog about holiday essentials but I was just too excited about this and really wanted to share it! Let me know what beauty/fashion goodies you've been lusting after recently as I'd love to hear!

Rosie x