When your feeling low.. Shop!

Hiya Chickies!

You know when sometimes your feeling a little low, the weathers deteriorating, its getting cold, your skin starts playing up, and the lurgy is floating around like the plague, and you feel like things will not get any better.. Well I (and Bob Marley) say 'every little thing is gonna be alright' because I treated myself to a few goodies that will psychically attempt to make me look slightly better and then as a result feel a tad better.

On Saturday I decided to go and get a manicure and pedicure with my winnings from my Company Friendly Poker Night (yep thats right I WON), I won £50 YAY! After my little pamper session at my favourite salon my mood was lifted so I continued with my day and treating myself and thats where the spending really started.
My mum wanted to do some last minute Christmas shopping and asked if I would like to go with her, I jumped at the chance. Shopping with my mum is honestly my favourite thing to do in my spare time, we always come out with so much stuff and she guides me in the right direction instead of me coming out with a load of trivial rubbish junk that I'll never wear or use.

Our first stop was Debenhams, they had a 10% off all beauty and fragrance (OH NO my poor bank card!!).
My mum told me to go away and meet her in 10 minutes as she needed to 'pick something up from the Chanel counter' (hmmmm might be a bit of a give away mum, since my favourite perfume Chanel Mademoiselle was top of my Christmas Wish List!). So off I trotted to the Clinque counter to pick up some new skin care goodies as my skin doesn't react well to winter, I was on a quest find some skin care to clear the dry patchy mountains that have suddenly appeared all over my face. The lady at the counter was lovely, immediately pointed me towards the Anti Blemish range, she actually cleansed, toned and moisturised my face for me with the the products, it felt lovely and clean (she did put my face back on for me after). I can't say that I love the smell, it has a very strong smell chemical scent, not my favourite scent, not sure if I should be worried? I have been using it for a few days now and I can already see a difference with regards to the condition of my skin, they are also packaged in cute mint green/blue bottles and they match my room! I am not really a skin care fanatic but I'll keep you posted!

Next stop in Boots was the Chanel Counter again my mum told me to go away (obviously she didn't get what needed at the Debenhams Chanel counter). I stayed at the counter but I decided to get colour matching so I had my back turned to my mum so I couldn't she what she was getting, she was adamant to keep it a secret, not obvious at all!! 

I decided that if I was going to change my skin care I was going to change my foundation as well and go for a lighter coverage foundation to let my skin breath, to try and rejuvenate itself, therefore I decided to go back to my old faithful Chanel Aqua Lumiere foundation (£32) to get this skin fix train moving! I absolutely adore this foundation, using it again has made me think why did I ever stop using this foundation! It smells divine, it gives a flawless coverage with out being feeling heavy and sticky. The only downside to the foundation is that it doesn't last that long and has to be powdered to make it last on my usually oily skin, if you don't like the feeling of powder on your face then you will probably have to reconsider! That leads me onto to my final purchase and the one I am most excited about is my brand spanking sparkling new Laura Mercier Undercover Pot in shade 2, this a nifty little pot that has all your concealer needs. It has a peach toned concealer to correct all the dark areas, like the dark circles under my eyes, it's too cold to sleep! A high coverage concealer in the form of their award winning secret camouflage concealer, this for the areas that you really want covered like pesky blemishes that just keep on coming back, last but certainly not least is has a small pot of their translucent powder for any oily areas or to set the concealers. This little gem is three of Laura Merciers Flawless face products all rolled into one! I have yet to form an opinion on the product as I have only been using it for a few days but its looking up. 

All three products have definitely lifted my mood and made my week that little bit better! I'll keep you posted on my progress with them, but so far soo very good! 

Have you brought any Christmas Treats to yourself?? 

Until Next Time,

Jess 

xx

Whats in my Handbag?

Hey Sugars,

I don't know about you but my hand bag is very unorganised and I go through phases of where it is extremely organised and has everything I could possibly need and other days where I am in a rush and it has like two things in. I haven't organised my bag for this post I am just going to pull out what is in there! I love reading these post and watching what is in my bag videos on youtube.com.

Lets get unpacking..

What is in my handbag?

I have a Louis Vuitton Alma bag it is very old and was my Nanas and I love it dearly, its my everyday bag and very battered and scratched but I love it anyways. It is small, I can't get a lot in there so this hopefully wont be a long post.

Lets get the boring stuff out of the way.. 

I always carry hand sanitizer as I work and commute into London and you never know whose hands have been touching the tube rails and where those hands have been, a simple solution a hand sanitizer. 

And the next most boring is.. Paracetamol 

Self Explanatory

(check out the value pack!)

I also carry my London necessities with me. I have my oyster card, and my headphones and my iPhone. Honestly these are essential, when your commuting and you don't have your head phones its like when you have a roast dinner and there is no roast potatoes it just ruins it, not having my head phones just ruins my journey! 

Next up is a Compact Mirror, I think every girl should carry one of these! You never know when your mascaras going to run, or when you have lipstick on your teeth. Its just makes my life that little bit easier from time to time! I have four, I know this may seem a bit excessive but I have received them all as gifts and three are from Accessorise, they are so pretty and feel very sophisticated and just lovely when I am on the train and I do my make up, I pull out this gorgeous mirror, its starts my day off in a pretty way. My favourite one is my Chanel Mirror that was my mums and she gave to me and its nice when you have something with sentimental value, its trivial but I love it. At the moment I have one of my Accessorise mirrors with me.  

Last my not least, in fact its the biggest thing in my bag, my Make up bag. I wont go into detail about what is in my make up bag because there is a previous post below on the contents of my make up bag.  Carrying my make up bag around with me has kept me from going home when there is fun to be had at after work cocktails or going to see the boy. Touching up your make up throughout your day and  sprucing up your make up after work just makes the day that little bit better and makes me feel like I am ready to go and take on London! 

Hope you have found that little insight into my day to day life interesting and some what helpful.

So whats in your bag? 

Until Next Time,

Jess 

xx 

Confessions of a Beauty Blogger!

Hello Sugar! 

I was looking at my blogger news feed and a tag popped up, and I just can't get enough of these tags! This time the Sunday Girl posted a little tag called the confessions of a Beauty Blogger. I was reading the tag for ages giggling to myself thinking I do exactly the same! 

- I don't wash my make up brushes any way near as much as I should. 

The worst thing I do is not clean my make up brushes enough. Gross I know but its true sometimes I just neglect them! I definitely think that not cleaning your make up brushes causes all sorts of problems, number 1 problem with dirty brushes is that all the bacteria festers in the bristles and obviously thats not good for your skin because your transferring the bacteria onto your skin and I don't know about every one else but it causes me MAJOR break outs. I need to invest in some Johnsons baby shampoo for deep clean and some MAC brush cleaner. 

weheartit.com

- I like to bite my nail polish off.

I also have a habit of biting my nail polish off. Once I have chipped my nail polish thats it I has to all come off, and I hardly ever have nail polish to hand! Thats my reason for that bad habit. Maybe I should just get fake nails to stop me doing that because I am pretty sure it makes your nails weaker in the long run. I even manage to bite Shellac off when I get it! I don't know how to get over this, all honestly I probably wont. 

- I hoard! 

This one is simple I hoard a whole load of make up products. When I am in Boots or Superdrug or any department store I alway end up picking something up, I am always on the look out for new and exciting products. I am really trying to reduce my make up stash, its taking a while but I am getting there, as I am trying to build up a freelance make up kit as well, I just don't have enough room for it, and its not very good on my ban balance!!!! 

Thats all I can think of for now. Its been relatively short post, but I have enjoyed this post and its reminded me to get my bum in gear and go and buy some brush cleaner!  

Whats your Beauty Confessions? 

Until Next Time,

Jess 

xx 

My Beauty Firsts Tag!

Hey Buddies!

Whilst scrolling through my subscriptions box on youtube I came across The Beauty Firsts Tag on Vivianna Does Make Ups video with Lily Pebbles, I watched it and I was like wow I must do this on my blog. I love this sort of thing, especially this tag. I loved make up when I was in my younger years and I was the only one out of my friends, so watching this tag on youtube or reading it on blogs, I am literally fascinated. I hope you will be as fascinated as I am with my answers!

1. What's your first Beauty Memory?

My first beauty memory is when I got my first Benefit product one Christmas, I got Some Kinda Gorgeous and Big Beautiful Eyes Palette, my mum put them in the most beautiful pink floral bag filled with pink tissue paper and pink sequins, I just remember thinking this is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen! Thats when my love for make up began, I used to open the Some Kinda Gorgeous compact and shut it again so I could hear the click noise when it closed, yep I really did that, thats how much I loved it, I even loved the clicking sound! I also started to learn how to do make up with the little lesson leaflets that you get inside Benefit products.

2. What was your first Beauty Purchase? 

Apart from my benefit make up that my parents got me for Christmas, the first purchase I made with my  own pocket money was a body shop born lippy lip balm. I remember wanting all the flavours, my favourite was a passion berry one, and now whenever I smell anything passion berry it brings a smile to my face because that was my favourite. They are still available now and if you can I would recommend you go and smell them because they are so fruity and gorgeous smelling I wanted every single one. When my parents gave me pocket money for doing the washing up or money for when I went out with my friends, I would always get a Body Shop lip balm. They were £3 each and I loved them! 

3. When did you first wear makeup? 

I first started wearing make up when I was about fifteen, I used to wear a small amount of mascara and a body shop born lippy lip balm and I was so excited when picture day school came around and I would spend literally 15 - 20 minutes apply my lip balm and mascara, I love putting make up on thats the best part! Then I started wearing what make up my friends wore and well I wont say much more about that, it explains it all in my Advice to my Teenage Self post, lets just say no one wants to dress up as an ompa lumpa at halloween for a reason!

  4. What was your first beauty disaster?

Wearing the darkest shade of dream matt moose foundation to make myself looked tanned because thats what all my friends did, I honestly think we thought we looked like the pink ladies from grease, we thought we were the coolest people in the world. When I think back now at how bad I looked I think that is exactly why I should listen to my mum, when she says I look silly I really do silly she's not just being mean! 

5.Who was your first Beauty Crush?

My first beauty crush was without a doubt my cousin Jen. I was around 13 and she was 23 and I just though she was it, all the clothes, make up and bags and everything I just had to have it. She always had her hair straight so I did, if she has a certain make up product I had it, I always looked forward to getting a present from her at Christmas or my Birthday because I always got something that she had, like a blusher or lip gloss. I remember seeing her in a really pretty fitted waist coat on one of her pictures on facebook and I immediately asked my mum to find out where she got it and it went straight on my birthday list. I must have looked like an idiot, I was her mini me. I still think she has the best style and beauty ever! I love Cheryl Cole at the moment as well. 

6. What was your first Beauty Brand Crush? 

Thats easy Benefit! Its so pretty and pink and just a girly girls heaven, what more can I say. If I was a beauty brand I would be Benefit! 

7. Whats's your Longest Standing Beauty Item?

Benefit High Beam. You can tell I loved Benefit can't you?! Benefit High Beam is still my highlighter of choice now. I have used it since I was 16 and continue to now. I think it deserves a post of its own, watch out for that one!

So there you have my Benefit filled Beauty Firsts. I loved make up from the word go, I mean its just amazing don't ya think!? 

What was your first beauty purchase? 

Until Next Time,

Jess 

xx 

Christmas Party Kit!

'Tis the season to drink, dance and be merry.. It's Christmas Party Season.
 

 

(weheartit.com)

 

Most of us have Christmas parties or Christmas Nights Out to go to and you always want to look you best to make sure you end the year looking absolutely fabulous, therefore I have devised a guide on what things you need to make yourself look gorgeous on that festive night, because when you look good, you feel good.

 

1. The Sparkley Dress

 

I always love buying a new dresses with a bit of sparkle on, because for me Christmas is the time for sparkle and I always save the sparkle for Christmas time. I know that dancing around in a gorgeous dress thats sparkling under the dsico I am having a reall good time!

2. The Festive Make Up

 

Again I always save a make up look for the Christmas season. I am ashamed to say that I get overly excited about sitting down laying all my make options out on the floor in my room and choosing what to pack in my make up bag for my christmas party, to take to work with me ready for the night out (all the girls in work get ready after work in the studio :) ). I always end up, without fail with a make up bag full of gold eyeshadows and red lipsticks and lots of eye lashes! Gold Sparkley eyes and full red lips is my staple Christmas look, if only I could add a bit of green in there some where my christmas look would be complete.
p.s. Festive nail polish is a must, golds, reds or jade greens to get the Christmas look down to every little detail!

 

3. Christmas Songs

 

Getting ready listening to Christmas songs, start as you mean to go on. Listening to Christmas Songs (mainly Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas) just gets me all ready for the festivities ahead as well as putting me in the best mood as Christmas is my favorite time of year! This one is simple just get Christmassy, it is only once a year after all!

 

4. Flat Shoes

 

If your like me and your party outfit is never fully complete without a pair of heels or wedges, however by the end of the night I can not wait to get them off just as fast as I put them on because my feet feel like they are going fall off! I always carry a pair of flat ballet pumps in my clutch (its always big enough). These really are the saviours of the evening and round my evening off in comfort.

 

5. Friends

 

Last but certainly not least, actually it is the most important.. The Girls! No Christmas night out is complete wihtout my girls. Dancing the night away to Chritsmas songs, sipping on a cocktails or white wine spritzers with my girls is my perfect night. I know that when I am with my friends I will not stop laughing, dancing and having a good time even if all else fails.

 

Whats in your Christmas Kit??

 

Until Next Time,

Jess

 

xx

 

 

 

New Brow Find

Heya you sparkly stars you,

One cold christmas eve.. Just kidding! 

One day after work I met a friend after work for drinks but before that she had to pop into Illamasqua to pick something up and wasn't going to complain, I'll take any excuse to go to the Illamasqua shop in Carnaby Street.
I was looking around at all the colours and getting ever so excited! One of the Make Up Artists Tanya came over and asked if I need help, oh did I need help, I was frantic with about one hundred things in my hands. I asked how she did her brows they looked very groomed, very perfect and ever so strong, I must admit I love a strong brow. She proceeded to do my brows, well what can I say.. I completely fell in love with my new brows yes they looked like completely new brows!

Now on to the product in question...

I have never used any other brow product except for Benefits Brows a go-go £26.50 I honestly thought I had found my holy grail product and never use anything else, but alas I hadn't because the Illamasqua Brow Cake in Thunder £14.50 just come in a trampled all over it with gorgeous high heeled shoes on and compared to the Benefit Brows a go-go its a complete bargain. The shade I use is Thunder and Tanya (the make up artist) said this is most common as it is a dark brown without it being to dark and it has not one hint of red in it which I love as most Brow products to. I consistency of the brow cake is like an powder eyeshadow and cream eyeshadow all into one, it's more creamy so its takes to the brows easier and has superhero staying power! All in all this product definitely gets a ten out of ten from me and its worth checking the Illamasqua slanted brow brush out as well!

The lovely Tanya in the Carnaby Street boutique showed me exactly how to use it and how to shape my brows to suit my face shape, if you can get down to an Illamasqua counter or store you should definitely go its so worth it just to check this product out.

My Christmas Traditions!

Hello Snowflakes! 

It's the last final stretch to my favourite time of year it's CHRISTMAS! 

I am alway so mega excited for Christmas every year, I am like the Who's in the film The Grinch they start planning their Christmas months and months in advanced (I started preparing in September). I love Christmas mainly because every one is happy and smiley and I like saying 'Merry Christmas' to whoever and whenever I can!  

I have always been slightly Christmas obsessed if I am completely honest, once all halloween and bonfire night are out of the way then it is my Que. to go all Mrs Claus! I love the magic almost sparkling feeling you get Christmas when they family get together over a fire, eating holiday chocolates and the smell of the Christmas dinner wafting throughout the house, and present under the tree and after dinner out comes wrapping paper flying everywhere, with smiles all around, with everyone in their Christmas PJs, well that is what its like my my house anyway. 

I have a huge family so we have to split my time into what seems like two Christmas' yep that means double presents, double Christmas dinner and twice as such Christmas food as I could possibly stuff into my mouth before I feel like a over inflated ballon that is seconds away from exploding! This is only one of many traditions in my household. 

(weheartit)

Without further ado here are just a few of my favourite traditions that we have in my house; 

Decorations - Each year me, my brother and my sister will pick out a new Christmas decoration for our tree we have been doing this since we popped out into to the world. Therefore our Christmas tree is filled with memories from past Christmas' and each one reflects our younger selves and the year that we had. I think my mum and dad will keep this tradition going well into our adult lives, Our tree basically looks like a toy shop, even though we have no say in where the decorations will be place as my mum takes full control and a lot of pride on how our tree looks we have full control on what goes on it, I love looking back through the years through our Christmas tree. I fully intend to take this tradition when I have my own little family at Christmas!

The Tree - The getting the tree itself is a tradition in my house, we always get the tree the weekend or nearest weekend to the 12th December. We all know to keep the weekend free so we can jump in the car in our wooly scarves and gloves with our Dad and go and choose the tree as we always have real one what fills our living room with the scent of a Christmas tree to make us feel extra Christmassy! My mum decorates but my dad goes to get the tree with us all and sometimes we even stop for a hot chocolate from Starbucks as well as an extra little treat to get us in the Christmas mood. When we get home the decorations are all over the floor waiting for us to help (pass them to) mum! 

(weheartit)

The Stockings - My favourite part of Christmas is the stockings that we get from Mum and Dad. Each year we get a stocking filled with little bit and bobs that mum has picked up throughout the year! It's always so exciting because the stockings have been hanging from our fireplace empty from the 12th December onwards, then as if my magic* they all full of little gifts and I still get excited putting my hand in and finding all the lovely surprises inside!

 Baking with Nanny - Yes I still call my Nan Nannie and always will, especially when baking biscuits and Christmas cake with her ready for Christmas day with all the family round her house. We always have so much fun with Christmas songs blaring over the tape machine, dancing around the kitchen. I love all the decorations and preparation that goes into the baking and I do come out about a stone heavier after licking the spoons clean of all the left over cake mixture and icing! 

What are your Christmas Traditions? 

Have a merry and magical Christmas, I know I will! :) 

Until Next Time,

Jess 

xx 

To My Teenage Self

Hi Sugars!
I am turning 21 in a matter of months and I have been thinking about my teenage self and what things I would have done differently and what advice I should have listened to. My sister is 13 and just beginning her journey into that long awkward round into adolescenthood, she is constantly asking me advice and I see her every day arguing with friends or getting excited over boys and I wish that I could tell her what I wish I would have known then without her saying "yeah well whatever jess!" Trying to steer her in the right direction at every opportunity. If I could go back now this is what tell my teenage self;

  To my teenage self, 

1. You shouldn't care what these people think 

My mum always said to me "you are not going to know these people in ten years time, you shouldn't stop being yourself for them". Turns out she was exactly right I do not talk to anyone from my secondary school neither do I have any desire to. I used to wear my hair in a way that everybody else had it and wear the same things even if I didn't necessarily like them. I also played the class clown and I wouldn't put ad much effort into my school work and I didn't reach my full potential that was entirely my fault all of this just incase my class mates thought I was uncool, this was the biggest mistake. Now none of their opinions matter to me and I wish I had known that then.

2. Not everyone is going to like you 

I spent years and years thinking everyone must like me. I still to this day care if people like me or not because it's not nice having someone not like you, but now I think well sod them and its human nature not to like everyone, whereas when I was in my teenage years if someone didn't like me it played on my mind and took over my life like the plague, it made me change myself to suit them, I wish that I had been myself throughout because you should always want people to like you for you not who they want you to be. There are some that will like and some that just wont it's just the way it's meant to be, some people will like them and some people and more than likely you wont like them, it's just natures way of telling us who matters.

3.Remember the positives and forget the negatives 

It's definitely easier to listen to the negatives than the positives and again when I was younger the littlest nasty thing would eat away at me, the numerous positive comments would just go straight over my head, when it should have been the other way around. If I had listened to some of the positive comments I probably wouldn't have needed the other advice.

4. Side ponytails and dream matt moose foundation are not the answer! 

Oh god I look back at some of the horrendous fashion and beauty mistakes I have made back then and well there is not much more to say here other than make better choices and when your mum says "darling you look stupid" take note! In my school all the girls went through a Dream Matt Moose Foundation phase, for those of you who do not know what dream matt moose is it is the driest, cakeyest foundation them points alone should have made me realise that it does not look good when you could literally scrape your fingers nails on my face, and it looks like cake (not the nice kind) or I would even go as far as saying mud is falling off your face, but to top it all off we all bought the darkest shade to make us look tanned but it made us look dirty and so so so wrong with our faces looking like they were covered in mud and dirty and our bodies as pale as a polar bear!

5. Enjoy being young 

This one is simple do grow up to fast! When people say "your only young for a little while" they really are not lying. I am quickly becoming an adult and I wish I hadn't spent of much time obsessive over looking older with my horrendous foundation or my heels that I couldn't walk in or acting (but probably seeming so much younger) older or getting fake ID to get in the clubs and bars because I was so desperate to be older. I wish I had spent more time playing with my dollies and riding my scooter and watching the powerpuff girls instead of eastenders.

(Honestly what was I thinking!) 

There you have it.. Cor I wish I had a time machine to go back and shake my teenage self!

 Until next time,
Jess xx

MY HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT

Hola Chicka! I have some exciting stuff for you to indulge in and get excited about to. I am here to tell you all about the best beauty product of all time (bold statement I know and this is my opinion) it is Chanels... Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Make Up Base After much deliberation and research into this product I decided to bite the bullet and purchase it the whole £30 worth of it! Watching some 7 Deadly Sins of Beauty Tag videos on Youtube most people have a love hate relationship with this product however mine is purely love love love! I can see why some people may find this tricky to use, first off it only comes in one colour and for a bronzer to come in one colour it is going to be tricky for the fairest skins and the darkest skins to work with as it is a middle of the road kind of colour. If you are very pale to pale then this probably wont work for you however I have found a way to make use of it if you have really pale skin; if you put it underneath your foundation as like it say a base and then layer your foundation over it, it give a lovely sunkissed glow (that is of course you are not wearing extremely heavy foundation like Estee Lauder Double Wear). I have yet to find a wear to use it if you have dark skin, therefore it possibly wont work for you (if you find a way to use it I would love to hear your finds). Most people in the videos said it was the colour that was disadvantage and that the consistency and formula was the advantage. Me on the other hand find the colour, formula and consistency just perfect for me. I use it over my foundation to contour and bronze my skin and sometimes I use it as a base for my contour if I want a particularly sculpted mood but most (work) days I use it as my bronzer and contour I do all of this with a Real Techniques Contour Brush. I wouldn't be a true review if I didn't mention the smell.. It smells... DIVINE, the classic Chanel smell so sophisticated and elegant! I am quite pale on my face but my body seems to be tanned all year round, some would say lucky and some would say annoying, but my Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel helps me balance out my colour and make me feel glamourous it is as simple as that, you can tell its the feeling of having something so luxurious I love. I haven't run out of my first one that bought so long ago I cant even remember it has been about 6 months plus but I have hit pan and that panicked me and I had to go and get one because I was terrified it would run out! I can safely say I will be purchasing this product for years to come (as long as the do not discontinue it)!

Whats your holy grail product? Until next time, Jess xx

Tousled/Wavy Hair?

Hello Lovelies, So lets get on to the subject of hair in particular my hair, its very fine but theres a lot of it so its heavy, basically very straight and extremely flat to the point where obsessive back combing doesn't even help as I end up looking like a crazy woman, its so heavy it doesn't hold a curl at all. So without any help my hair just looks boring it give you a bit of an insight, if you watch the middle think of the girl in that is the the show 'The Middle' and thats exactly how my hair look without any 'poofing'(see picture below of the girl thats in the show 'The Middle')

Therefore I have been on a quest to find some hair products to give me that volume and lift that I desperately need. I have a wish list of products that I still want to try, however I think I may have found a product that could help my awful flat situation. I bought this product a few weeks ago and completely forgot about it. So one day I woke up late and was panicking about coming into work with horrible hair as I didn't have time to back comb or put up (neatly or at least nice looking). As I was sitting in front of my mirror, to the side I have a basket and there it was staring at me, Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray which I picked up in boots on a 3 for 2 and looks like this..

I thought well I might as well give it a go as my hair couldn't get any worse than it already looking (bad bed head). To my surprise it made my hair tousled and wavy beachy/messy looking and just swishy if you catch my drift? The waves have stayed in all day and it wasn't very expensive, I am going to give it another go and will update you and keep you posted on the waves! However it has kept my hair smelling lovely the whole day and also has helped me gain a fair few compliments and what girl doesn't love a compliment? So far so good, but my dream end result would be; Blake Lively Waves..

Achieving this would take a lot more than just some Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray!

Au Natural Nail

Hello Chickies! So over the past couple of weeks I have had an array of work event/do's to go to and all have been reasonably formal and I have chosen all different kinds of dresses to wear which wasn't a problem as I am a planner and had my outfits planned months in advanced the problem was my nails! All the events have been fairly close together and I wouldn't have had the chance to do my usual nail routine of cuticles, buffing, filing and what not, therefore I have had to find a neutral nail polish and stick with it for a few days. As I searched through my little white basket of nails polishes I had very colour you could imagine, highlighter orange, lime green (do not know what I was thinking) and even some weird blacky gold. Finally I came across my old Nails Inc stash and I found an old favourite which I forgot about 'Nails Inc. - Elizabeth Street' then all the memories come flooding back to me, about when I used to work on the make up counters and my counter used to work for was next to the Nails Inc counter, I used to love Nails Inc although they are fairly pricey at £11 each however the forgotten nails polished at the bottom of the basket reignited that love. I love Nails Inc simply because of the names of the polishes, each polish is named after a famous place in London or landmark e.g. Thames, Camden or Black Taxi. I am in love with London and I feel very sentimental when using these polishes. Maybe thats weird but I cant help it I'M A LONDONER! So back to my story of finding a lovely neutral for the work events and I found that in Nails Inc - Elizabeth street. Its looks very baby pink in the bottle but goes on the nails very 'my own nails but better' colour. It gives the nails a very natural looking shine and a healthy look, on its own or with a french manicure white tip. I felt a very sophisticated wearing the polish holding a topped up glass of champers and chatting work chat. If your looking for a nail polish to make your nails looked polished and effortless then this is definitely one for you. Whats your favourite natural polish? Until Next Time, Jess xxx

Date Night Red Lip!

Hello Sugars! So no blog is complete without a Red Lipstick Post. A beauty girls must have! So for many, many years I have been on the search for the perfect red lipstick. I believe every girl should own the perfect red lip to compliment her skin tone, because I dont know about everyone else, but I could be wearing the most plain white t-shirt and jeans with bed hair, but I soon as I slap on a red lip I feel like I could concur the world or just have a really good day at least! So I have been through a lot of shades of red, orange reds, plum reds, blue toned reds from all different brands. The closest I have got to my perfect red was MAC So Chad lip stick its an orange red and a matt finish even though it last for ages and is a lovely colour and such a wicked statement lip and does make me feel very Rita Ora its still not the classic red that I wanted. You know that red that when you wear it you feel very Marilyn Monroe, very classic and so put together. My search came to a halt whilst at the Airport going to Cuba last year I was shopping around and the thought come to me, where is more classic and beautiful than Chanel (I challenge you find anywhere else)? So I went over to the counter and said what is your most classic red? So she pulls out a fuchsia pink?? I obviously carried on on my own. I came across the Rouge Allure Lipstick in Number 67 Excessive its a blue toned red (makes your teeth look whiter - PLUS!!). It is the most gorgeous velvet finish lipstick and is just so (heres that word again) CLASSIC! It literally makes me feel a million dollars! It isnt the most long wearing lipstick but it lasts long enough and for the colour you dont mind. It is very pigmented not sheer at all and its very moisturising. Just a an overall superhero lipstick, when I am out on nights out I get compliments on it and I wore it my friends wedding and I also got soo many compliments, and don't even get me started on the chic packaging it just screams quality, it feels so luxurious. They only down side is that it is expensive its £24 I will be using it sparingly. So without further a do here it is Chanel Rouge Allure - Excessive

Look at that packaging its not just the colour its the whole thing I am marilyn when I wear it!!! :)

Laura Mercier vs. Laura Mercier!

Let the battle of the Laura Merciers commence!!!

So as I have recently much to my delight found out that there is SPACE NK literally two minutes from my work (lethal for my bank account). So with that in mind I went on a quest to find a new foundation. I am battling with myself at the moment, because even though I do love my heavy coverage foundations because I am ever so slightly lazy and really cant be bothered to re-apply during in the day, however my skin doesn't love the convenience of the heavy coverage foundations and seems to react to them by gracing my face with lovely red spots! Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I have to wear lighter coverage foundations as my skin seems to be sensitive to the heavier ones. My favourite make up brand for make up base at the moment is Laura Mercier so let the battle commence.. DING DING DING!!!! In red corner we have the LAURA MERCIER SILK CREME FOUNDATION..

I had a friend who worked for Laura Mercier and she wore the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation £33 and her face was always flawless and me being the copycat that I am thought to myself I must get that, well my actual thoughts were I need that (drama queen). On that note I set of to the new space n k near my work and got colour matched to the shade medium ivory and handed over my card and forked out £33 for it. I couldn't wait to get home to try what I thought would be a miracle product. My first impressions definitely lived up to my expectations, it was so flawless, it did feel a tad heavy but for the coverage I got I was willing to over look that. I gave it a test run on a long 8:30 - 5:30 day at work and it did stay put but it go a little bit patchy around my forehead not hugely noticeable; but it was needless to say I loved it. However after using it for a week I noticed a few small red blemishes on my face which have now scarred :(. I came to the conclusion it was the pure thickness of the foundation that my skin couldn't handle. The question was 'Can I get over the few blemishes that appeared and was they from the foundation or not?' In the end I did continue on my quest for the perfect foundation.

And in the blue corner we have the LAURA MERCIER OIL FREE TINTED MOISTURISER.. After what I can only call pure disappointment in my reaction to the fabulous silk creme foundation, I decided I need a lighter foundation but I did however want to stick with Laura Mercier. After hours of painstaking research well some bedtime blog reading I decided I wanted to have a try of the Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser £33 as recommended by ViviannaDoesMakeup one of my favourite blogs. So once again I plodded down to space n k and explained my spotty situation to the beauty advisor and she seemed genuinely upset that my skin had a reaction because silk creme was her favourite foundation; with her trying for a fair while to persuade me that it wasn't the foundation that brought out the spots she finally gave in a also recommended the tinted moisturiser. I went ahead and bought that in the shade Nude. I was again excited to try this and gave it the same test run as I had the other foundation a whole 8:30 - 5:30 day at work. I applied beautifully and had such a gorgeous finish it was so lovely. I went to work feeling so fresh, it felt like I had no make up on but it had such a good coverage! However after a while at work I looked in the mirror and the ugly red blemishes on face had reared their ugly heads. I had to touch it up which I hate doing during the day! None the less when I do re apply I cant help but absolutely love this tinted moisturiser. So there we have it.. which one comes out top???? I am going to have to say the Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser I am just going to have to find some way of making it last! Until Next Time. Jess x

Everyday Face Kit

Hello Chicks! Well I am on a blogging streak today I have another post for you. I was rustling around in my bag thinking I need concealer as I had just caught a glimpse of myself in the office microwave with a big pesky blemish. It got me thinking if I carry around this huge make up bag with me everyday I wonder what everyone else deems acceptable to carry around? If I am wondering what other people carry around why don't I let everyone else know what I have in my make up bag? So here we go.. Well grab a cup of tea first because theres a lot of bits and bobs in my make up bag! Let start with the actual bag itself I have the TRAILING FLORAL COSMETIC BAG by Cath Kidston well if its not that one its pretty close, I think mine might be the older shape. There is one downside to this make up bag and it is that it is white inside and it get very dirty with all the make up inside. Soo lets get down to the nity grity and start with face make up. I dont carry around my foundation because lets face it I am not going to be re applying foundation during the day because well I am just to lazy to do so! I do however carry around bronzer blusher and highlight to fake that 'immaculate face'. The bronzer I carry around with me is the Bobbi Brown Matt Bronzer in Natural Light (£27) I love this bronzer because it is completely matt and is great for conturing and giving you that I have cheek bones like Angelina Jolie feeling! I also carry one blusher and that I have mentioned in a previous post because I just adore it, and that is MAC Blusher in Well Dressed £17.50 This Blusher is so subtle and pretty and gives you a gorgeous flush and awake look to the cheeks. To complete my look I have the SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL Sheer Illuminating Fluid £31 and this is my go to highlighter/illuminator and it is just the final step to my Angelina Jolie Cheeks!

Next up is Eyes I have 5 eye products in my little kit (well two brow products and 1 illuminator and 1 eye liner and a mascara). I will start with my mascara I am currently putting Maxfactor Eye Brightening Mascara for Blue Eyes £6.99 through its paces and I am pleased to say it is at the moment coming out top, I am loving this mascara its a black/blue toned mascara and I am not sure if its the placebo effect but I really do think my eye look brighter, I will keep you posted! To compliment my newly bright eyes is my MAC Coffee Eyeliner £13.50 its just a staple in my everyday make up, its not as harsh as black but just as intense and brilliant for blue eyes (you know the opposite colour to blue on the colour wheel and all that Jazz), I have a more indepth review in another blog post. On to Brows, and I carry around my MUA Clear Mascara £1 to keep my outrageous brows in place and keep the colour I get from my Gosh Brow Pen in 001 Dark Brown £6.49 vivid. The last but most definitely not least, is my YSL Touche Elcat £24 to brighten my undereyes up when I look like I have been up for 48 hours and after a million and one cups teas, its cult beauty product so its got to be good its been around 20 years!

So there you have it I would say in a nutshell but well its was a long one, so I hope you enjoyed your insight into my make up bag. What are your beauty bag essentials? Until next time.. Jess x

Holiday Beauty Bites

Hey Sugar, So I haven't been around for AGES and AGES because I kinda lost my blogging mojo, however its back and hopefully will stay for a very long time! So lets get things kicked of with a whole load of holiday beauty bits! I am off on holiday to Tunisia with the boyf in about 3 weeks and if your anything like me a complete beauty weirdo and plan your make up that you are taking way to early then this post will be right up you street! I have been thinking a lot about what to take on holiday with me, I think it really depends on what kind holiday your going as to what make up looks you want to achieve. Earlier on in the year I went on a girls holiday to bulgaria and the make up I took was very 'clubby going out' sort of make up, such as a heavier coverage foundation for nights out and a wide range of eye make in most colours as I was appointed holiday make up artist! However for a relaxing holiday with the boyf I want very neutral and natural make up looking 'effortlessly' beautiful as you do. I will be taking most of make up in my hand luggage and I am looking to buy a new foundation at the airport. I am going to start with base. I am planning on buying the new YSL Toche Eclat foundation at the airport so thats self explanatory. So I will start with primer I am going to take my Clarins Beauty Flash balm I will post a review of the Clains Beauty Flash Balm after this post as I couldn't possibly say how much I want to in this post because it will go on for ever!

The concelars I am taking are Collection 2000 now known as Collection Lasting Perfection Concelar in 2 Medium for the pesky blemishes and under the eye as it is a superhero concelar I am also taking my YSL Touche Eclat because I just simply love it, I might even purchase another at the airport. So next up is my 3 blushes that I am taking and I know this seems quite excessive but I using this week away to try out the two blushes that I have neglected and one I use everyday and just love. All three are from mac and without further a do the first is; Mac Mebla a gorgeous matt coral colour great for a neutral look and there is no shimmer so its very natural.

Next up is Mac Well Dressed. I love this blusher for an everyday 'awake' look I use this almost everyday for work because it just gives a slight flush to the cheeks with a hint of girly pinky/purple sparkle, I though this would be great if we were going on a day excursion or sightseeing.

and last and maybe least as I very shamefully never tried this blush despite having it a fair few months and it is in the shape of Mac Dolly mix it is a very deep bright pink with a good amount of shimmer I am taking this purely to try it out and hopefully fall head of heels for it. The bronzer I am taking is my Nars Laguna almost matt Bronzer very self explanatory. For eyes I am simply taking my Naked 2 palette as it has every cool toned neutral you could possibly want and thats all the powder eyeshadows I am taking, however I am taking my HOLY GRAIL benefit creaseless cream shadow in RSVP a gorgeous champagne pearl colour as a eyeshadow base. Along with that I am taking my Mac eyeliner in Teddy a golden light brown colour and Coffee a matt dark brown to complement the shadows. I am also taking my Dior show eye shadow primer and Maxfactor Falsies Mascara.

For lips I am not taking lipsticks as I am trifled of them melting, so I am taking my Clarins Natural lip perfecter in 02 Peach for every day and if I fancy some colour my Maybeline Lip Stain in Red, oh and obviously some SPF lip balm. So after my huge ramble on, there you have it my complete holiday natural beautifying kits! Until next time.. Jess x

RAVE REVIEW ANYONE?

Hello Chickies :)

SO I have a RAVVVEEE review for you, in the mean of MAC coffee eye pencil. I must say I love this eye liner very much, like how much everyone love chocolate but its coffee haha (see what I did there?) This may be the best eye liner ever in my amateur opinion!
I have been looking for a really good black eyeliner but I then realised that really didnt suit me. I have quite small almond shaped eyes and fairly hooded eyelids so anything that would make my eyes look smaller isn't really ideal! I then ventured to the MAC store in Brighton, on a trip with the BF he patiently waited while I kind of bombarded the MUA with questions; whilst is my state of questioning and quest to make my eyes look bigger I came across coffee eye pencil, and even though coffee doesn't necessarily make my eyes look bigger its does make them look bluer, and that I LOVE! It really defines the eyes without the harshness of a black eyeliner, for the girlies with the same small eye problem (well not always a problem)!

The dark brown in the pencil really contrasted my eyes (which are a dark shade of blue) with it being the opposite colour on the colour wheel. Other pros to this pencil is that its really soft therefore making it really easy to apply and give a great pay off, and will last a long time as it is very pigmented and dark. The only con is that is doesn't stay on the waterline (but not many liners do) and the colour does drop under the eyes after a while (I am talking 9hrs +).

Have you tried any MAC eye pencils? Do you want to try any?

Until next time..

Jess x

My ALL time favourite Girl Crushes (Beauty and Style)

Hi Sugar!

Right as I have started my own blog I felt it appropriate to give praise where praise is due. This is My top 5 Beauty Inspirations, they all are fairly similar and I am going to start at number 5 and work my way up to my favourite. So without further a do....

NUMBER 5:

Cheryl Cole.

I love Cheryl, I know its a bit cliché because everyone (I am assuming) loves her. I tried out a really polished look as Cheryl always looks uber groomed and perfect, not a hair out of place. So I was going out on a big night out meeting the bf friends (que the look of dread!) and I thought what better way to look that uber polished and perfect just like Cheryl? I like the way her eyes are the main focus and you go straight to them when flicking through various fashion mags! She usually exhibits a brown/black smokey eye, very warmed toned and intense, although in past she has been known to have a love of a certain MAC lippy - girl about town to be exact, and obviously to complete my love for Cheryl I just had to purchase it, and I have worn it and I love it. It not only makes a statement look but it also make my teeth look ever so slightly whiter! The second point of focus is her hair again not a hair out of place. My hair didn't exactly turn out the cheryl way but it was close enough as I had five minutes to down a glass (or two) of rosé wine and get out the door! :) So in conclusion to my rant, Cheryl's uber perfection is definitely a look I aim for most days and sometimes it can be very simple but yet ever so complicated!

NUMBER 4: Jessica Lowndes

I am totally in love with 90210 its probably my favourite show of all time, addicted to the drama :). My favourite character is Adrianna, played by the beautiful Jessica Lowndes. I love her look she always looks effortlessly sex bombish if thats even a phrase!? She wears many many make up looks but always seems to pull it off which I love! She is a massive fan of lip colour, and doesn't just go for nudes which shakes up her look for the huge amounts of events. When she is on the red carpet she wears a simple eye make up and colourful lips but if her photo shoots she wears a dramatic eye, versatility is key! :)

Number 3: Mila Kunis

I admire Mila Kunis she is completely kick ass in my opinion she oozes confidence! I like her own take on the smokey eye look by using dark browns and golds its really makes her hazily eyes stand out and make them her main focus. She has that sort of hard girl image down but also that soft pretty image as well. In my opinion it makes you just want to be her friend that will be behind you when your shouting at your Ex or there when you want to go and get manicures and have cocktails! :)

NUMBER 2: Angelina Jolie

SO for years and years I wanted to look like Angeline Jolie! Ever since my first outing years ago with just my friends without mum and I went to see Tomb Raider at the cinema and ever since then I have looked at Angelina Jolie as a symbol of independence and growing up (I now realise I don't want grow up and stay young forever like peter pan) and with that in mind she became like a beauty icon. I haven't been a fan of her style, however her beauty I have been a massive fan; I wanted the iconic Angelina lips and the high cheek bones actually I quite secretly like my cheek bones (thanks mum). I have lost a lot of my 'hero worship' for her as the years have gone on and my style has changed, but with that said I still see her as a beauty icon and always will because she Angelina Jolie, nuff said!! I can safely say she was my first ever beauty girl crush!

Last but by no means least obviously as this is my NUMBER ! ... dun dun duhhhh! :)

KELLY BROOK

Kelly Brook is my ultimate icon, I think she oozes glamour, beauty and confidence all in one! SHe has a timeless look that I think is an excellent role model as she has a womanly figure that is admirable and isn't stereotypical. Her olden time (40's/50's/60's) look is unique among starlet nowadays, however is it completely achievable and I like the fact that her look can be found on the high street. She always looks lovely and is liked by both women and men which is rare! I just think she is fabulous! ALTHOUGH she has dyed her hair blonde which on the right person can look gorgeous for her I just don't think its suits her.. so she may be knocked of the top spot! Watch this space!

Until next time..

LOVE LOVE LOVE,
Jess

FOTD - Rushed Work Look

Hola Chicas

SO after a rushed morning of appointments, getting to work seemed like one big major rush! So with very little time to get on with my favourite part of the morning (doing my make up), I seemed to skimp on the eye make up and now I actually think I rather like my minimalist look. I think for 15 minutes I didn't do that bad! :) I used my MAC paint pot in bear studies alongs with bucked shadow from my naked palette in the crease accompanied with lashings of L'Oreal Telescopic mascara! :) I am keeping this 'look' in mind as it has been getting slightly warmer (I used that term "slightly warmer" very loosely, as I am writing this blog at it is pissing it down!) but if you want a fresh faced look and using a slight hint of colour I think that this look is rather okay!


So excuse the cheesy picture a quick snap at work! but let me know what you think of the minimalist-ness of the look :)

FACE -

Primer - Laura Mercier Oil Free Primer
Foundation - Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation in Medium Ivory
Concealer - MAC Select cover up in NW20
Setting Powder - MAC MSF Natural in Medium

Bronzer - Chanel Bronze Universal
Blush - NARS Madly
Highlighter - Laura Mercier Rose Bronze

EYES -

MAC Paint Pot in Bear Studies
NAKED Palette (Buck and Virgin)
MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy

and L'Oreal Telescopic Falsies Mascara

LIPS -

Estee Lauder Long Wear Lipstick in Blush

Until Next Time..

Jess x