Sweetheart dress

Sweetheart dress* - Sugarhill Boutique

Shoes - Next

Clutch - Accessorize

If we can breeze over the fact that I forgot to bronze my lower half and have some rather pasty legs and focus on the dress in question, I think you will agree it is a rather lovely item from the Brighton-based brand - Sugarhill Boutique. Brocade is big news for AW13 and I adore the gold and purple print design of this dress with the flirty heart cut-out which gives it such a sweet, fun edge.  It has a slightly nipped waist and exposed zip at the back and is easily dressed up or down for any occasion such as the wedding reception I went to last night.

Sugarhill Boutique is a brand I wasn't very aware of until a few months ago but now it is one of those sites I tend to browse whenever after something a bit fun and unique. I would say that if you are after a sparkly number or a Christmas jumper this season then it is definitely worth a visit!

Have you ever purchased something from Sugarhill Boutique?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Revlon red lips

Cardigan - H&M | Tartan Scarf - Urban Outfitters

Revlon Red Super Lustrous lipstick & Fatal Apple Super Lustrous lipgloss
available from Boots

There is nothing quite as captivating and bewitching as a classic red lip. It has this fabulous ability to transform any look or mood and take your makeup from simple to striking with a quick slick of colour and a sheen of your favourite red gloss. The Revlon Red collection offer a trio of party-perfect products to get your nails and makeup ready for a season of celebrations and I have already fallen for this luscious lip combination.

Revlon Red Super Lustrous lipstick is a timeless medium-toned red lip shade with a velvety-soft formula and creamy texture. It smoothes on beautifully and gives you a true classic hue which would be really flattering on most skin tones. The gorgeous gloss in Fatal Apple is housed in a lovely chunky tube with Revlon's iconic black and gold packaging and is the perfect topping to this classic red lip. The Super Lustrous lipgloss combines a sheer colour and intense moisture with light-reflecting spheres giving your lips incredible lustre and shine. I have always really liked the Revlon lip glosses as they give a lovely gleam of colour without being too sticky or gloppy and this one is no exception. It is a winning combination!

What are your favourite products to use to achieve a classic red lip?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Little Black Dress

Gorgeous Couture Bailey dress* - Little Black Dress

Lips clutch - Lulu Guinness
Shoes - Next
Lipstick - YSL Fuchsia in Excess

Another day, another little black dress! When I was given the chance to chose a party-perfect outfit from the aptly named Little Black Dress website I was a little in awe of their sumptuous selection of evening dresses, all absolutely begging to be worn this Christmas season. From cutesy prom dresses to decadent ball gowns, there is literally a LBD for every occasion and budget. After much deliberation I settled for the classic Bailey dress from Gorgeous Couture which has been on my fashion radar for some time actually. I am a big fan of one-shoulder styling and this dress is just beautiful with the soft Italian jersey fabric that drapes and ruches in just the right places. I love the versatility of this dress, simple enough to wear out for drinks yet the perfect blank canvas to create a more striking outfit with some show-stopping accessories and killer heels. I opted for option one at the weekend and kept the look uncomplicated with a pop of pink on the lips accompanied by some equally pink lips in my hand and some festive, sparkly shoes to finish.

Have you got your LBD sorted for the Christmas party season?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy

Shop the collection online!

Love them or hate them, you can't escape the phenomenon of the Kardashians and their ever-expanding empires here and across the shores. The latest Kardashian collaboration sees the ladies adding there recognisable glamour, cinched waists and high heels to Lipsy's last collection of evening wear just in time for all those Christmas parties. The Kardashian Kollection sees Kim, Khloe and Kourtney strutting their stuff is a multitude of figure-hugging dresses and glitzy accessories and one particular dress stood out to me from this new range - the Lace Yoke Shift Dress*. Despite feeling notably less curvacious than Kim herself in the dress, I love the fit and feel of this shift body con with some gorgeous lace detailing and a plunging neckline. For me, it is the perfect little black dress with plenty of glamour and elegance, ideal for the office Christmas party or a New Years Eve ball.

What do you think of the Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy? Are there any dresses you have your eye on?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

A little LUSH haul

I have been spending more and more time in Lush on my lunch breaks recently, surrounding myself with their mountain of bath bombs, fresh face masks and gorgeously-scented blocks of soap. During my latest visit I couldn't resist picking up a few new bits to try and of course, couldn't walk past the beacon of glittering pink without treating myself to another Snow Fairy this year - well, Christmas isn't Christmas without it! If you like you bubblegum-sweet scents and enjoy a bit of sparkle in your shower then you will agree with the hype and fall in love with Snow Fairy shower gel. To keep the pink theme going I chose a new chunk of soap and couldn't resist Angel's Delight which I have purchased numerous times before. Brightly coloured laced with golden lustre it is a beautiful addition to my bath times and smells deliciously sweet and fruity.

Finally I headed towards the little black tubs of goodness, packed full of fun face masks and skin-friendly lotions and potions and added one of my favourite hand creams to my bounty! Handy Gurugu isn't the nicest smelling of LUSH's hand creams but it is one of the best. Buttery-rich and heavy-duty, it really does soothe any dryness or rough skin and is packed full of shea butter, almond butter and even peanut butter! Before heading back to the office I was torn between getting a new face mask or a facial scrub, but having just finished my latest scrub I decided to give Ocean Salt a whirl. I used it for the first time today and was overwhelmed by its exotic scent and its ability to exfoliate and soften without feeling drying at all. Packed full of coconut, lime and grapefruit, it is incredibly zest and really awakens your skin whilst the avocado butter and lanolin leaves your face feeling moisturised and supple. Love!

Have you purchased anything recently from LUSH? Are you stocked up with your Snow Fairy this season?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Nailene Sensationail gel polish starter kit

Sensationail Starter Kit for at home gel nails* £69.99
available from Boots (with a handy tutorial video!)

For a gel-nail-virgin like me I was pretty excited when this new at-home starter kit landed through my letterbox, promising me professional, salon-worthy gel nails all from the comfort of my own living room! Sounded perfect. I must confess, when it comes to my nails, I don't really give them the care and attention they deserve! I rarely buff or file them and often go days with irregularly shaped talons and chipped nail polish. (I know, I know - worst beauty blogger ever!) I am always on the lookout for an incentive to stop the biting and picking so I hoped a beautiful, glossy gel manicure from Sensationail might just be my saving grace!

With this starter kit you are all set up for at least ten gel polish manicure that should last up to two weeks. You are supplied with a gel cleanser, gel primer, gel base and top coat, a gel polish, a file and orange stick and most importantly, the LED lamp. Using this kit really couldn't be easier and the simple instructions are pretty fool-proof even for the most cack-handed, nail novices out there! To begin with you need to prep your nails by gently buffing them and applying the gel primer to give your nails the best surface for the gel polish to adhere to. Then you need to apply the gel base and cure your nails for thirty seconds under the LED lamp. For the best application it important to apply thin coats rather than one thick, heavy layer and alway cap your nails with the polish to finish them off and stop the gel peeling off. I found it best to do four fingers on each hand first and then finish off with my thumbs separately. Next apply your choice of gel polish (I'm wearing the "Raspberry Wine" shade included in this kit) and cure for sixty seconds. Apply another layer and repeat. Finally finish off with the gel top coat and in thirty seconds you are good to go. The final stage is a quick wipe of each nail with the gel cleanser on the lint -free cloth included and you will have a gorgeous, glossy manicure all in under half an hour.

I have had my gels on now for almost a week and I am so so impressed. I love how smart and clean they look and the gel polish has the most incredibly iridescent, lustrous finish that you could just never achieve with a regular nail varnish. It is a joy to look down and see a set of chip-free talons and the best thing is you can still use your regular nail polishes with this kit, so you don't have to fork out for a gel colour each time. Apparently (I'm yet to try it) all you have to do is apply your regular nail polish over the cured base coat, let it air-dry throughly ans then cure the gel top coat on top! You can also paint over the top of your gels, just ensure you use an acetone-free nail polish to remove it so you don't wreck your manicure underneath. I haven't yet attempted the removal of my gel polish yet but the consensus on the internet is that the foil-wrap trick works best so I will be giving that a go when the time is right.

What are your thoughts on this kit?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Tea and tartan

Jacket - Primark

Tartan skirt - Topshop

Lace top - Topshop

Necklace - Primark

Faux fur stole - H&M

Boots - H&M

If I had to describe my ideal Sunday afternoon it would probably involve bottomless pots of tea, warm-out-of-the-oven scones and lashings of homemade jam followed by a leisurely stroll in the countryside. Last Sunday Rob and I ventured to Ickworth House in Suffolk and enjoyed just that! Our friends bought us the afternoon tea treat as a gift (they know us so well!) last year so we took the opportunity to spend the day in the beautiful surroundings of this stunning house, worthy of a Downton Abbey appearance, and munch on a selection of freshly-baked goodies!

For the occasion I wore my new tartan skirt from Topshop which I knew I had to get the moment I spotted it on the rails. It is a lovely fit, soft wool-mix with much welcome side pockets to keep your hands warm in the chilly weather. I then layered up on top with a simple lace top also from Topshop and my lovely Primark jacket which was a real bargain but seems to go with so many outfits! My H&M stole is pretty old now but always comes out the wardrobe when the crisp chill sets in and then my trusty H&M buckle boots which have hardly left my feet in the last month! If you love your tea and cake as much as I do then I would definitely recommend popping along to Ickworth House and enjoying some afternoon tea in the conservatory followed by a brisk walk around the grounds to work off that second scone!

Have you picked up any tartan pieces recently?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation

necklace from Primark | lace top from Topshop | MAC Dreaminess lipstick

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation*
available from Escentual

I have to say that one of my favourite stages of applying makeup is perfecting a flawless base. I love the process of preparing and priming the skin, selecting your choice of product and brush and starting the therapeutical process of blending, buffing and smoothing your foundation into place. I am forever mixing up my foundation routine - sometimes opting for the dewy freshness of a BB cream and other times adoring the flawless, matte finish of a heavier foundation.

My latest recruit into my army of base products is Guerlain's Lingerie de Peau foundation which is a satin-finish liquid foundation with a medium to full coverage and some rather decadent packaging to boot. Lingerie de Peau is my first dabble into the world of Guerlian makeup and I can overwhelmingly confess, I am a fan! This foundation is beautiful and a real treat to use. At first the loose, fluid consistency of the liquid foundation worried me but as soon as I started buffing the product in I could see that you get some amazing coverage but all with the lightness and skin-like texture of a tinted moisturiser. One pump is enough to easily even out your complexion and gives you a natural, glowing finish with a coverage that can be sheered out or built up accordingly. I always seem drawn to satin finish foundations with a medium coverage and this is yet another one to add to my favourites stash. I find that I hardly need to use any concealer after applying Lingerie de Peau and with a quick dusting of powder, I feel confident that my base will stay put and shine-free throughout the working day!

Have you tried Guerlain's Lingerie de Peau foundation? What is your favourite base product at the moment?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Aveda Heart Lands makeup collection

wearing my Crown & Glory floral crown

Aveda Heart Lands limited edition Autumn makeup collection
available online

Inspired by winter berries and shimmering patinas, Aveda's new Autumn Winter collection captures all the beauty of that just-in-from-the-cold complexion with flushed cheeks and just-bitten lips. This new, limited edition range is made up of six velvety-rich eye shadows, two nourishing lip liners, two defining eye pencils and a duo of smoothing lip colours and rehydrating lip glazes. Dark, berry lips is the signature look for Autumn Winter so I was excited to try Aveda's new lip products to recreate the look for myself.

I first lined my lips with the Aveda nourish-mint lip liner in Plum Petals to give my lips a defined edge which is always important when preparing to use a vibrant, intense lip colour. The lip pencil was really smooth and precise to use, making it quick and simple to line my lips ready for the lipstick. I then took a lip brush and applied the smoothing lip colour in Sweet Plum all over my lips and was in love with the colour the moment I started to use it. It is a beautiful rich berry hue with a slight rosy-pink tone to it, making it a very wearable, warm colour to choose. The finish is intense with a slight sheen. To complete the look I chose Aveda nourish-mint rehydrating lip glaze in Winterberry to give my lips a supple, decadent finish. This gloss is incredible and pigmented enough to create your own berry lips when worn alone. The deep-purple gloss has an iridescent sheen to it laced with vibrant, violet flecks that really enhance the lips and lasts a good few hours - ideal for adding some extra glamour for your evening time makeup look this winter.

Have you tried anything from the Aveda makeup range? Are you sporting the berry lip trend this season?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

NARS Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Pencil Set

NARS Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Holiday Gift Set* £30
exclusively available from Space NK

Not one to shy away from a provocatively named blusher or two, NARS have teamed up with the legendary fashion photographer Guy Bourdin, known for his audacious, high-fashion shoots, to create a limited edition holiday collection. This new collection is everything you would hope for from this racy collaboration and offers a glamorous selection of blushers, some striking lipsticks and tempting eyeshadows.

One of the most exciting releases from the holiday collection is the Promiscuous lip pencil set which comprises of five mini lip pencils housed in a sumptuous makeup bag embellished with a pair of electric blue lips! The five lip colours are some of the best-selling and innuendo-ladened products from NARS and gives you a perfect range of shades and finishes. Dolce Vita, Sex Machine, Cruella and Never Say Never are all velvet matte pencils and gives your lips an intense layer of colour with a comfy matte finish that isn't at all drying and lasts for hours. New Lover is a shade from the velvet gloss range and is one of my favourites from the set. It is a beautiful pink with subtle golden shimmer running through it and gives your lips a glossy, sumptuous sheen. I think this gift set could be a stunning stocking filler or simply an early Christmas present to yourself! The mini lip pencils are perfect to sling in your handbag and take your makeup from daytime to party time. Cruella is the most incredible risque red and will be getting plenty of action this Christmas!

Are you excited about the NARS Guy Bourdin collection?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Timotei Brilliant Repair range

Timotei Brilliant Repair shampoo (£2.99) and conditioner (£1.99)
available nationwide from Boots and supermarkets

Timotei has always been one of those brands synonymous with affordable haircare inspired by nature with a reliably sweet scent to match. I have definitely ploughed my way through a number of Timotei ranges since my teenage years and if I sent Rob out to get an emergency supply of shampoo, this is probably what he would return with. It is a nice, safe option.

The new Brilliant Repair range from Timotei is designed to nourish and condition dry, damaged hair with a formula infused with 100% natural Jericho Rose extract known for its moisturising and rejuvenating properties and 0% parabens. This range is very gentle but effective and leaves my hair feeling super smooth, nourished and loved. Both products smell sweet and flowery and instantly made my thick, heavy, curly hair feel a lot more manageable and easy to style. The real test for me when trying out a new haircare collection is how easily I can brush through my mane after a thorough hair wash and the Brilliant Repair range passed with flying colours. The conditioner is particularly lovely and even though the consistency seemed quite thin and loose, it did the trick wonderfully and left my hair feeling incredibly smooth and healthy. Effective enough for a quick wash after the gym but indulgent enough to leave on for a few minutes in the shower for extra silkiness and softness! All in all, a really pleasing haircare range with an even more pleasing price tag!

Have you tried this new range from Timotei?
 

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

NEOM Scents of Christmas candle collection

Scents of Christmas candle gift set from Neom Organics* £42 - 
Christmas Wish, Harmonise and Comforting travel candles, available online

Bonfire night is over and the Coca-Cola advert has been aired for the first time this year so we can officially start talking about Christmas now, right? With only six weekends left to cram in all your gift shopping and festive gatherings, my thoughts have turned to getting my Christmas shopping started as well as creating my very own, extensive wish list!

NEOM Organics, as always, have got Christmas gift sets sorted this year with this gorgeous candle collection housing three incredibly scented travel candles for your home. Whether you love the warming scent of burning log fires or the spicy aroma of freshly-baked Christmas cake, I challenge you not to feel festive when you open this box up and get a waft of cinnamon, pine and star anise. I love the rich metallic colours of these candles to really help you get into the festive spirit and with over 20 hours of burn time from each candle and a fragrance that fills the room before you've even lit the wick, you might still be luxuriating in the scents of Christmas after the January sales!

Have you started your Christmas shopping? Do you know someone who will love this Neom gift set?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

REN vita mineral moisturising cream

REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream* £19
available online

As the weather turns chillier and the bracing winds rattle at the window panes, my skin always screams out for an extra dose of moisturisation whenever possible. My skin's saviour at the moment is REN's Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream from their new vita mineral range which focuses on hydrating, nourishing and replenishing the skin with vital nutrients. It is a lovely, fresh yet rich cream packed full of anti-oxidants and vitamins to combat any dryness and to protect and energise the skin.

During the Winter months my skin does become a little lacklustre and dull which is why this cream is such a treat and gives you a healthy dose of radiance whilst toning and quenching the skin with goodness! It has a slightly herbal scent which is really pleasant and is suitable for all skin types, perfect to use every day as a morning day cream before your primer and makeup. One generous pump is plenty to cover your face and neck and will quickly sink in so won't delay your morning routine when time is precious. I really enjoy using this moisturiser and can see my skin is thankful also for that little bit of care and protection before stepping out into the cold!

Have you tried anything from REN's new vita mineral range?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious hair range

wearing YSL Fuchsia in Excess lipstick and H&M dress

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious range*
available online and in Boots stores

When I was little up until my late teens, I use to detest my naturally curly mane. It was the bane of my beauty regime and I spent hours ironing it straight and avoiding any frizz-inducing situations. It is only within the last two or three years that I have really begun to embrace my curls and kinks and letting my hair dry naturally rather than be a slave to the heat. To help define by curls I always like to apply a serum or curl cream to my hair before separating and scrunching and the Curl Conscious range from Bumble and Bumble has been a firm favourite of mine recently. Whether you have natural curls, soft waves or just want to give your hair a little bit of oomph, there is probably a product for you.

The shampoo and conditioner were a hit the moment I gave them a sniff. Beautifully sweet and fragrant, these products are packed full of Transglutaminase, a curl-enhancing property, and left my hair feeling cleansed, conditioned and smooth - all tangles completely banished! The nourishing hair masque has been a weekly treat for my curls and is generally a great treatment to tame and soften even the most unruliest of hair! I have to say though, the real standout products for me from this range were the styling trio - the reactivating mist, defining and calming creme. The reactivating mist was quite a unique and new product to me but worked wonders at keeping my curls fresh and revived from day one to day two and even to day three. It is great if you want to awaken your hair from day to night - with a quick mist you are good to go without weighing your hair down or leaving it horribly crunchy. The defining and calming creme are both amazing and a staple for me when hoping to achieve perfectly defined, yet soft bouncy curls. The defining creme is designed specifically for fine curls that can droop during the day whereas the calming creme smoothes and softens tight curls that tend to frizz. I definitely fall into the latter bracket but found that both styling cremes gave me lovely light curls that were smooth and frizz-free!

If you are a fellow curly-haired gal then I would definitely recommend you check out the Curl Conscious range from Bumble and Bumble with its gorgeous, new look packaging. Have you tried anything from Bumble and Bumble recently?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post