Cornrows

Valentino Catwalk

Kendall Jenner

Gone are the days cornrows are reserved for under 10s on holiday, this season saw some of the most prestigious designers showcase new interpretations of this trend. The trick is take inspiration from the likes of Cara D and Kendall Jenner and incorporate the braids into an everyday style and not look you've just spent two hours having your hair and head pulled into unnatural positions on the side of the street of a holiday destination.

Cara Delevingue

Urban Decay Naked Palette Review

For a while I've toyed with the idea of buying a naked palette, mainly due to not knowing which one to buy as they all look so gorgeous. Also as I have dark hair, but am naturally pale I was weary of buying a palette with too many warm colours that wouldn't suit my complexion. Anyway, after a lot of deliberation and visits to Selfridges to look at them in person and try them out, I finally decided on the original naked palette. At the time I bought the palette, Selfridges had a promotion on meaning that Urban Decay mascara and eyeliner were £10 and a goody bag was included in this which contained little samples of the eye shadow primer (which is to dieeee for). Seriously nothing keeps eyeshadow in place quite like the urban decay primer.

Anyhow, back to the product in question - the naked palette. What I really love about this palette is its versatility, the range of colours means that you can create any multitude of looks so easily. It has the neutral tones for everyday looks but also colours like hustle and creep to take your look from day to night meaning that it becomes such a staple in your make up collection. Also virgin is SUCH a fab colour to use in the inside of your eye in order to really bring the look together.

Eyeshadow brush

Also included in this palette is a double ended eyeshadow brush, the thicker end for blending and applying shadow on to the lids and the thinner one for applying shadow in the hard to reach creases and under the eye. The quality of those brush really shows, it's so soft but rigid enough to be able to apply the colour where you want.

Thinner end of the brush-great for precision

Thicker end of the brush

If anyone else is deliberating like I was about getting the palette- get it! I'm sure you'll love it as much as me and it's such as great way to start off your naked palette collection.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Review

The perfect way to, and in my eyes, most important step to achieving a flawless finish and base for make up is finding the right primer. I have been endlessly searching for one for a good year and have tried multiple but to no avail. Often finding them either too oily, resulting in a shiny face (argh) or lacking in moisture causing the dreaded "gathering" of foundation in dry areas.

But, FINALLY, I have one found that surpasses all of the others - Hydra Veil by Illamasqua. The combination of a moisturiser and a primer in one bottle not only saves money but also time when applying my make up - meaning more time in bed for me - winner.

The gel like consistency of this primer enables it to glide on to my skin, no problem at all. A pea sized amount is more than enough to achieve a flawless finish. I typically use the Illamasqua blender brush (post about make up brushes to follow)  to apply this primer and then follow with Mac Studio Fix in NW10 (so pale,I know!).

This primer is, at £32, more than I would normally spend on primer but trust me, the price is so worth it for the finish you get. Additionally, due to the lack of product you need to apply, it will last for so long.

I am yet to try the primer with a powder foundation as I prefer liquid for a more dewy finish, however, due to the hydrating elements of the primer I'm sure it would impress as much as it does when paired with a liquid foundation.

Illamasqua Blender Brush
http://www.illamasqua.com/shop/tools/professional-makeup-brushes/blusher-brush/

Hydra Veil Primer
http://www.illamasqua.com/hydra-veil/

New Hair

I've had long hair for as long as I can remember, growing it and its length used to bit a bit of an obsession of mine. But I recently I felt like I needed a change, in part because it was looking ratty at the ends, and decided to chop it all off (ok, not all but a great proportion).

I was inspired by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whitely (ultmiate girl crush) and Kylie Jenner's short style and had a chat with my hairdresser, deciding to go for a LOB (long bob to you and me) and I can honestly say, I feel so much better for it. All the dead ends are gone and it feels so much thicker, I wish I'd done it earlier.

There's something about having short hair that just makes you feel better (I think so anyway), it looks effortless and is fast becoming the hot new look. Gone are the days where model after model sports long locks with many favouring the no nuisance short look and still looking enviously glam.

The finished product...

I really doubt if I'll ever go back to long hair, even washing short hair is SO much quicker and easier, not to mention the extra ten minutes I get in bed in the morning as styling short hair is a breeze. My advice to anyone debating about whether or not to make the cut? Go for it.

Back Again

Apologies for the lack of posting over the past few months, but A Level life and Uni stress have meant that free time has been almost non existent. Anyway, after recently finding out that I have got into Lancaster University (woo) to study French and Spanish, I figured I'd get back in the blogging game again. Many new posts will be following this one including preparation for university.

Dolce And Gabbana LOVE

Dolce and Gabbana show Milan Fashion Week

These past few weeks have been awash with fashion show after fashion show after fashion show in the greatest cities in the world showcasing the greatest designers and new season looks. I've found myself dreaming of the clothes, all of them different and amazing in their own right. This week, it was Milan's turn, Italy's culture capital and the host to many fashion events, not to mention fashion week.  Out of the abundance of collections my favourite by far is Dolce and Gabbana and where better to showcase the new season looks than the city where Dolce and Gabbana began - Milan.

The Spanish influence can be felt throughout this collection. Feminine floral prints and jewel embellishments are contrasted with black and lace to avoid them looking frumpy. Crisp white shirts sit alongside patterned red shorts. The severity of dark hair pulled into tight buns should feel out of place with floral prints, but don't as they are teamed with flowing skirts resembling that of a flamenco dancer's attire.

I think the concept that I adore most about this collection is the wearability factor. This is a look that can be so easily transported from the catwalk to my own #OOTD. A simple black skirt and a floral top would mirror this collection, as would a statement jewel necklace transforming an everyday look into something so much more.

Oh, and Kendall Jenner closed the show center stage, no biggie.

MAC Lipsticks

MAC LIPSTICKS

One beauty item I cannot be without is my collection of MAC lipsticks. I remember the first one I bought, just over a year ago. I couldn't decide between two gorgeous pink shades and ended up walking away with them both. There's something I love about the power that comes with applying a killer pout, instantly transforming an everyday make up look into something much much more.


Speak Louder
This is the first lipstick I bought from MAC, I approached the counter in search of a summer shade - it was June. I'd used various other MAC items (MAC being my favourite make up brand) but never before had I used a MAC lipstick. It was love at first sight, the cremesheen finish of this lipstick ensures it is glossy without being sticky and moisturises lips whilst providing a beautiful hot pink colour.

Speed Dial

This is a lighter pink but still has the cremesheen finish making it perfect for everyday wear. I like to call it my "Barbie pink" as it is that stereotypical girl colour.

Mehr
This was the first matte finish lipstick I purchased and it did not disappoint. The neutral tone of this lipstick makes it an Autumn must have and suitable for all skin tones. My camera quite simply does not do it justice.




Diva
Do not be put off my the darkness of the lipstick - I promise you it is not as dark as it looks. Lipsticks always look completely different once applied. My love for this lipstick expands just the name which makes me feel like Beyonce . This is my go to shade on a cold winters day, an unmistakable dark red.




Rebel
I had had my eye on this lipstick for many months prior to my purchase. The satin finish of Rebel ensures versatility as each time I wear it the shade and intensity of the colour is completely different ranging from berry red to purple.






Relentlessly Red
This, much to my mother's dismay is one of my favourites. It's a bright shade of red and really is relentless, certainly not for the faint hearted! But I love it. The retro matte finish of this lipstick ensures it doesn't leave your lips all day/night. It's so much darker in person than on this picture.




Creme cup
My most recent MAC lipstick purchase and the most natural of all my lipsticks. Again, it has a cremesheen finish as this finish is my favourite. Due to the sheen of this lipstick it isn't wishy-washy and is perfect for a natural look paired with a smokey eye.



Although they are £15 each and some may say that is an unnecessary and ridiculous amount to spend on a lipstick the quality and longevity of these lipsticks is something you cannot put a price on in my eyes. I never have to reapply my lipstick, returning home with my lips looking as perfect as they did when I applied. If you are in doubt about purchasing a lipstick from MAC my only question would be as to why the doubt. Do it!