My Staple Cross-body bag and Chloe Drew dupe

It’s been a while since I talked style on this blog although the topic itself is the prime reason I started this blog so I thought it would be fun to bring in some more style posts! Any recommendations for posts are very welcomed! Anyway I am currently in the process of reinventing my wardrobe of staple pieces that I know will remain in style for a long time to come. Bags are something I like to hoard, I have to admit. I have always been a bag kinda gal so it is something I would happily invest in! My goal for my wardrobe really is to cut out the junk that I don’t wear anymore and those pieces that adopted fad trends that are a bit of a waste of time. It is all about quality over quantity (something I wish I told my younger self!) and finding those staple pieces is my current wardrobe goal.

Back at the end of last year, I picked up this gorgeous mini cross-body bag from Topshop. I wasn’t looking for a new bag at the time although as soon as I spotted this it had to be mine. The first thing I thought when I seen it was the fact it is a perfect dupe for the blogger favourite Chloe Drew bag which is what dreams are made of (pretty much). Although what I love about this is that it isn’t an exact dupe or copy, it has similar characteristics but doesn’t feel cheap like a designer knock off. Yet in fact it feels and looks expensive, the gold hardware and chain gives it a very luxurious feel. The bag itself is also pretty sturdy and structured which I like so doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap, an important factor for me when it comes to bags. The bag also has a tassel design on the front which adds a nice bit of detail without being too over the top and also adds a slight 70s vibe again without feeling like a fad. The black shoulder strap also makes it comfortable to wear and again adds that little extra luxurious feel.

I hate to be that person although sadly this bag isn’t available anymore on Topshop. At £30 though it really was a complete bargain considering the quality and beautiful aesthetics. It will remain a long time staple piece within my collection, I just wish I picked up more in a couple of different shades…

Do you have a staple cross-body bag?

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September Favourites

Another month gone by, another time to round up my monthly beauty favourites. I feel like September is the last month to really say goodbye to the tinted moisturisers and coral shades in order to prepare for the darks shades and matte complexions ready for Autumn. Looking at my favourites this month I really have went for more Summery and natural picks perfect for an everyday minimal makeup look. I have found some great products this month that worked a treat during the Summer months and hopefully will work well into Autumn and I won’t have to push them to the back of my drawers.

Starting with base, there was two base products that worked perfectly in giving me a flawless complexion over the month. Firstly, I pulled out my Topshop BB cream again to start getting a little more use out of it. I reviewed this a while back now here and at that time I was a little in the middle with this one. I liked the coverage but the shade and application didn’t always go down well with me. Since I started using this again I have just been loving it. It seems so different from when I started using it. The shade seems to be a little better suited especially when I’ve piled on the bronzer and with my skin improving lately it blends in really well and sits perfectly on my skin. It’s also so great for during the day whilst I’m working as it is super lightweight but also has a beautiful glow to it and lasts really well too! Hopefully if the shade still works well with me, this will be one I will keep using into the new season!

The next base related product is from Clarins and a product I mentioned in my recent Clarins Haul post here. It is of course the Clarins Instant Concealer. This is just the perfect under-eye concealer I’ve ever used. It is so incredibly lightweight but still offers a good whack of coverage. As it is a really thin consistency a little goes a long way and it blends in like a dream. A concealer that I think will get a lot of loving from me for a long time to come.

To add a little colour to the cheeks, I’ve been loving the Clinique Cheek Pop in Melon Pop. I mentioned this here alongside it’s matching lipstick. This is such a gorgeous blush and so summer appropriate. The coral-y peachy pink shade is super natural and soft looking on the cheeks and the formula is super fine so doesn’t feel overly powdery or too much. As Autumn swings around I may have to turn back to my dusky rose shaded blushes but I definitely need to pick another one up from the range as they are so lovely!

Finally, there is probably no surprise here when I mention this well loved lip combo. I talked about these two in my Nude Lip post here and it’s been the one lip look I’ve worn for the majority of the month. Charlotte Tilbury Miss Kensington lipstick and Pillow Talk lip liner really are the perfect nude lip and as I’ve been in need for something work appropriate during the month this combo has worked perfectly for the natural makeup look. For those light makeup days, this is two that I can always rely on.

What has been your favourite products this month?

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The Minimal Makeup Look

We all have those days were we want a fuss free makeup menu that will take a limited amount of time. I certainly have those days and since starting work this Summer I have nailed down a quick makeup routine that is easy and appropriate for a day at work. I am thinking those easy and convenient products but also ones that I can trust to create a good base. There are quite a few products in my stash that serve this purpose pretty well.

First up, when it comes to base I want something simple, lightweight but also creates radiant and flawless skin. Sounds like a lot but BareMinerals Complexion Rescue fits the bill. The light coverage base blends in like a dream and creates such gorgeous glowy fresh skin. Teamed with the Nars Creamy Concealer which gives the coverage it serves up a flawless base. Still sticking with the base, to warm things up a bit my new trusty Body Shop Honey Bronzer is a match made in heaven for my pale skin. For quick and easy application, the Rimmel Stay Blushed cheek tint works perfectly at adding a little flushed look to the cheeks. To keep on top of the glow the Topshop Glow Pot is the perfect product for adding a sheen to the tops of the cheekbones.

Moving on to eyes. there is nothing quite as easy and simple as a good eyeshadow stick. The By Terry Ombre Blackstars are as good as the hype suggests. The shade Misty Rock is simply beautiful and the formula is incredible gliding over the lids smoothly with a gorgeous finish. To finish the look, a quick swipe of the Benefit Bad Gal mascara for that natural fluttery style which is perfect for an everyday basis. For brows, the Soap and Glory Archery works wonders and is perfect for those minimal makeup days when you need something natural but still tidied up.  To finish the look, a simple sweep of the Clarins Lip Balm Perfector is a great choice, super moisturising and buttery smooth on the lips whilst still giving them a little colour.

What do you wear on Minimal Makeup days?

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5 Beauty Products Under £10

You may recall my 5 Beauty Products under £5 post? Well now its time for another, although this time with a slightly bigger budget at £10. The drugstore really have some gems and these particular products are favourites of mine and best of all they can be each be purchased with just one £10 note.

First up are the gorgeous Max Factor Creme Puff blushes. I have one in the shade Gorgeous Berries and gorgeous really does sum it up. These swirly baked blushes are said to be a dupe of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes which are stunning but expensive so these make a great alternative. Drugstore blushes are never really that appealing if I’m honest but Max Factor have really delivered with these blushes making them one of the best drugstore launches in a long time! Great quality, gorgeous and affordable!

Another great pick from Max Factor is their Excess Shimmer Eyeshadows. These are the perfect drugstore cream eyeshadow with a whipped like creamy texture and bold pigment. Similar to the Maybelline Colour Tattoos but with a much easier and creamier formula. I have two shades, Bronze and Copper which are two gorgeous shimmery shades. The name ‘excess shimmer’ may put people off but seriously there is nothing overly shimmery here, just the perfect amount of shimmer that can be worn on an everyday basis. A really beautiful formula worth picking up!

The Queen of Drugstore Eyebrow Products is of course Soap and Glory. They have a great selection of brow products that could easily rival Benefit and put other drugstore brands to shame. My favourite is of course the Archery pencil which is supposedly a dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wiz? This pencil comes with a pencil end (obviously) and a spoolie end. It is a super quick and easy product to use and creates a much fuller brow but still leaves your brows looking natural and soft.

I finally caved into buying one of the much hyped Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks a while back and I am forever lusting after more. As liquid lipsticks really have their moment, Bourjois stole the show with their affordable but quality version. I picked up the shade Hot Pepper, a bright red which has strong pigment and superb lasting power. These have a really nice formula too which glide on smoothly without any stickiness and dry down to a smooth matte finish. Now what shade to get next…

Lastly, I couldn’t do this post without mentioning one of my favourites. The Topshop Glow Pot Highlighter in Polished. Highlighters are one thing that the drugstore has been rather slow at delivering but Topshop have set the bar high and really have produced some glowy gems. This is my favourite from the collection, a creamy based pearly coloured highlighter that gives such a fresh radiant glow. Pressed along the cheekbones, this is just perfect and one you need in your collection.

Are you a fan of any of these products?

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The Summer Base: Topshop BB Cream

The BB cream, CC cream and Tinted Moisturiser are all the rage now. I have a feeling there is now also a DD cream and a EE cream? Anyway while everyone was getting excited over the lightweight base, to be honest I wasn’t really. With blemished skin I was always a little feared of touching something very light coverage thinking it wouldn’t quite work for me. However after dabbling in my first use of BB cream I realised how wrong I was.

Enter the Topshop BB Cream, described as a lightweight and flawless finish. Instead of lugging about a glass bottle of foundation on holiday I wanted something a little lightweight both in texture and physically. After a little Feel Unique browse I came across a sweet deal for this BB cream at only £5. Topshop’s beauty line has been hugely popular and hold a few of my favourite makeup products so its safe to say I had high hopes for this cute metallic tube.

Now I am going to start with the more problematic side to this BB cream. Now I am not particularly sure how many shades this comes in but there isn’t the widest variety (it goes with the light-medium-dark range). I picked up the shade Light-medium which is a little too dark for me. Being Summer and sporting a little more colour I can probably get away with this a little more but I do feel like the shade is a little too much on the orange side.

Shade woes aside, this BB cream has a decent SPF 20 which makes it perfect for Summer. It also has a slight sun-cream like scent to it which I love and just reminds me of Summer. Now the coverage in this stuff is where it gets impressive. It really has a good buildable coverage and was very impressive for a BB cream. While the concealer had to come out to play, it still created a good base. It also didn’t feel heavy and it had a slight dewy finish.

You may be aware of my relationship with drugstore foundations/bases but if not then basically we don’t have the strongest bond. I always find that some days they look great and other days not so much, this is definitely the same with this BB cream. Some days it blends beautifully and really creates a flawless finish but other days it feels a little more cakey and as if its sitting on my face. So really with this its a hit or a miss although when it is a hit, it really is a hit!

Are you a fan of BB creams?

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What’s in My Travel Makeup Bag?

So I mentioned briefly in my June Monthly Roundup that I am going away on holiday this month. So I thought I would share with you all some of the makeup pieces that have made the cut in my makeup bag. I am going with a streamlined approach, as I like to think anyway by only taking essentials and pretty much one of each beauty product except for lips (obviously, gal needs choices!). So here is what is in my travel makeup bag…

Starting with the makeup bag itself. It deserves its own mention alone because of course its from Charlotte Tilbury. I did a little CT splurge last month and since I never had a decent makeup bag and I was going away I thought I needed this beauty in my life. I love it but I will talk about it all in a little more detail another time…

Onto the makeup. Firstly, base. I have packed my trusty Laura Mercier foundation primer to help pro-long the wear of my makeup in the heat. Not as good as the Smashbox primer in my opinion but it’s still one of the best ones I’ve tried. I also picked up a new base in the form of the Topshop BB cream. I wanted something lightweight for Summer and so far so good with this one, the coverage is actually pretty decent! On top of that of course my favourite Nars Creamy concealer (review here) and the Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer for under the eyes which truthfully I am still a bit iffy about.

Then to give my complexion a bit of a boost. I have also added in my Rimmel Stay Blushed liquid blush in Sunkissed Cherry which is super lightweight but offers such a nice colour to the cheeks. For a little added warmth and glow the Soap and Glory Wonderbronze is a fab bronzer for the Summer months. Also, the Topshop Glow stick highlighter in Play Up makes an addition for an easy swipe of glow and radiance.

Then, in terms of eyes I’ve stuck with two reliable Benefit products. Firstly, the Rollerlash mascara (review here) which lengthens and curls the lashes super well and the Benefit Gimme Brow (review here) to give my eyebrows a little colour and definition. Of course I’ve also got the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze which is one of my favourites, great formula and perfect bronze-y gold colour.

Then I have all the choices when it comes to lips! As I am out and about for once I’ve added in some bright bold shades that deserve a little loving. I love the Nars Lip Pencils, super long lasting formula and super creamy and smooth to apply. I have Yu which I mentioned in my June Favourites, a bold fuschia pink and Iberico (LE) a stunning orange-y red that I am so excited to wear (swatches for both here). I’ve also got my two new Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks in Sexy Sienna and Lost Cherry, both perfect for Summer! Lastly, I also had to get one of the Clinique Lip Pop lipsticks and chose Melon Pop, a beautiful coral-y peach perfect for everyday wear and a little lower key than my other choices.

If you have succeeded to this line then well done, sorry for the uber long post!

What makeup will you be wearing this Summer?

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June Favourites

Just typing the word ‘June’ is enough to give me the chills. Its quite hard to believe we are past the half way mark of 2015! Anyway this month has been a bit of a slow one. I never really ventured much outside so the amount of times I wore makeup was pretty minimal. This favourites post will be quite short and sweet but I did gather a few life long favourites that are worth raving about.

First up is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer that I already reviewed in full here. This concealer has answered my prayers and gave my everything I have ever wanted in a concealer. The thick and creamy formula is a dream to work with and it offers such a good coverage perfect for covering blemishes and pigmentation. Its expensive but is much more long wearing than cheaper alternatives I previously tried.

I also have two lip favourites this month of the opposite scale with one being a nude and the other a bold fuchsia. The first offering being the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in the shade 1 Nude Beige which I talked about previously here. The formula of these lipsticks are incredible, beautifully silky and creamy on the lips. The nude shade is also great for everyday wear.

The latter lip offering comes from Nars and is one of their classic lip pencils in the shade Yu. I got this mini version in their Christmas gift set which I talked about here. I wore this shade for the first time this month and its safe to say it blew me away. The satin formula is super soft and moisturising on the lips and the pink fuchsia shade is bold and vibrant. I was a little worried on the longevity of this one being a satin finish but oh my this lasts super well. Lets just say I had problems trying to remove this and I still ended up with pink tinted lips the next day!

Lastly is a pot of gold. Okay not exactly but the Topshop Glow Pot in Polished comes close. I am already a fan of the Topshop highlighters with their glow stick remaining one of my favourites. I heard so much about this cute little pot and had to get my hands on it. Luckily for me they also repackaged it for their 5th anniversary in a cute rose gold design so obviously I had to get it then. The highlighter is super creamy and a little goes a long way. By dotting a little along the cheekbones it creates the most beautiful glow.

I stated at the start of this post that this one would be short and sweet yet I’ve rambled on as usual… sorry!

What have you been loving this month?

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The Spring Lip Edit

 

When it comes to Spring, berry and bold lips are taken aside in favour of peachy corals and pinks in much lighter hues. You may have seen my Spring Edit were I looked into the dewy radiant beauty look fit for Spring but now its time to delve right into some of the lips products I will be reaching for in the much warmer weather. (Each lip product I mention is in order with the swatches from Left to right.)

MAC Shy Girl – I briefly mentioned this one in my Spring Edit post, it is in fact the first ever product I bought from MAC. Its a beautiful nude peachy shade and is in a cremesheen formula which makes it slide easily over the lips. I like a light layer of clear gloss over the top for the perfect spring lip 🙂

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon Peach on the Beach – I bought this late last year and never got much wear out of it since it was around Autumn time. As the warmer weather has slowly settled in, I dug this one out for a try. Its such a pretty bright coral shade and the formula has a glossy finish. I do find this quite drying on the lips and it can settle into dry patches making it appear a little unfortunate although I have found that slightly patting it into the lips works the best.

MAC Creme Cup – I am having a bit of light pink/nude moment just now. I am already eying up several lip products of similar shades, as if one wasn’t enough! I bought this quite recently and I have been pretty much wearing it non-stop. Its such a beautiful light pink shade that isn’t too pale that it washes you out or too ‘Barbie’. Again this one is a cremesheen formula so is incredibly creamy on the lips, look out for a full review coming soon!

Chanel Rouge Coco Cecile – Of course this beauty was going to make the cut! I am totally in love with this beautiful nude pink shade from Chanel which I reviewed raved about here. The formula of the Chanel lipsticks are truly like no others, beautifully creamy and super hydrating, basically like the qualities of a lip balm but with the pigmentation of a lipstick. I am definitely eying up a few other shades from the line!

Benefit Lolli-balm – Speaking of lip balms, there is no better time than Spring to wear a good tinted balm and I can’t rave enough about my love for these Benefit offerings! The formula of these is super hydrating and nourishing on the lips but the pigmentation is also pretty impressive for a tinted balm. Lolli-balm is of a light pink shade and gives the lips such a lovely boost of colour. I reviewed this one and the Benebalm here.

Topshop Whimsical – Topshop lipsticks are something I am pretty on the fence with if I am honest. I know they are pretty popular but the shades I have feel pretty drying on the lips and aren’t as creamy as MAC offerings. Although the shade Whimiscal is something I am trying to be a little more optimistic about. It is indeed a very pretty bold coral shade, perfect for Spring. I find that similarly to the Bourjois option, this lipstick is much better when patted into the lips acting more of a lip stain as I find it uncomfortable sitting on the lips. Interestingly, my original review here still continues to be my most viewed blog post to date, ooo!

Calvin Klein Delightful – Last but not least, probably the boldest on offering here is from Calvin Klein. This shade is a bold fuchsia pink, one I haven’t got a lot of wear out of. Bold pinks are something I used to wear a lot when I was younger but I haven’t got much wear out of them in recent years but this is definitely a shade I need to pluck up the courage to wear more often! While it is pretty vibrant, its not too in your face which makes this shade a lot more wearable. The formula is also very creamy and even better I got this lipstick for only £1.99 from Fragrance Direct, bargain!

What will you be wearing on your lips this Spring? 

 

 

 

Spring Clothing Wishlist

You may have seen my beauty Spring wishlist but now its time to look at my recent clothing wishlist. Looking at my picks, they aren’t the most obvious spring inspired pieces, sorry I am pretty boring and like wearing dark clothing! Anyway on to my picks…

Topshop Moto Black Short Dungarees – Dungarees are not something I ever thought I would be sporting again since I was about 5 but I seem to have took quite the loving for them in the last year. I kept getting put off them but they seem so effortless and a style that I don’t think will leave us any time soon. Being black denim they can go with pretty much anything, so hopefully I can add these to my wardrobe to release my inner Alexa Chung.

Weekday Chidi Tee – There is no denying I love a bit of stripes. They look so stylish yet they are so effortless to be paired with a pair of skinnies and flats, I’m so in love ❤ I’ve been looking for a good quality striped top for a while and after coming across the brand Weekday I’ve basically fell in love with them too, they have such great basics! I know without a doubt this top won’t be the only thing I buy from Weekday!

Topshop Scarf Border Print Top – Fingers crossed Topshop get more stock in of this beautiful printed top. I have another top from Topshop which is incredibly similar to this, just a different print. Its such a pretty colourful print that can worn dressed down during the day or for going out.

Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandals – These sandals have got me in a bit of umms and ahhs. I keep seeing them around on the likes of Pinterest and other blogs and they look ever so cool, the basic black sandal going with pretty much anything as well as being comfy. The only thing is I’m still torn about them, are they one of those ‘ugly’ sandals? I’m not so sure, what do you think?

Topshop Moto Black Rinse Jamie Jeans – A pretty boring but essential piece. A pair of black skinny jeans. I am lacking a good pair of black jeans at the minute and I am looking for a good quality option that will last me a long while. As usual I have turned to Topshop although I am still looking around on this option. I usually get the Topshop Joni jeans but I think the quality is slightly lacking as mine always seem to stretch after washing and lose their structure so I am considering the Jamie jeans which I have tried before.

Cheap Monday Halo Tee – I am really looking into investing in some good quality basics especially t-shirts and this one from Cheap Monday fits the bill perfectly. It has a boxy structure and a pocket which makes this on trend and stylish. It would help achieve that effortless look teamed with some skinny jeans and many some Birkenstocks, eh?

So what is on your clothing wishlist for Spring?