TOPSHOP bronzer in Sandcastle

TOPSHOP bronzer in Sandcastle* £9
available online and in stores

Despite Summer slowly leaving us and the beauty trends telling us all to embrace the pale skin and plum-toned lips, I just can't let go of beautifully bronzed skin. Whether I am contouring some chiselled cheekbones or just lightly bronzing my skin where the sun would naturally tan it, I do like to incorporate a bronzer in my everyday makeup routine. The latest addition to my tower of bronzing palettes is perhaps one of the most affordable too, Topshop's bronzer in the shade Sandcastle from their SS13 Bronzing Collection.

Taking inspiration from LA's luxe beach skin, this bronzer perfectly shapes, contours and warms the skin with a lovely matte finish. The finely milled powder and silky texture makes it really easy to apply and buff into the skin making it perfect for strict contours or an all over glow. I love the warm, natural colour of this bronzer and it's lightweight feel on the skin meaning you can leave it fresh and sun-kissed or build the powder up for a more sculpted look. The matte finish also means you can layer a highlighter over the top to give your cheeks a pretty shimmer - I opted for MAC's Soft and Gentle above. A lovely combination.

Have you tried anything from the Topshop makeup range recently? What is your favourite bronzer?
ps: the lovely Arash has interviewed me in his Street Style Icons feature on his blog. Have a read here if you fancy discovering my fashion inspirations and wardrobe must-haves.

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Teeth Whitening at the Smile Studio London

Teeth Whitening* with Dr Wyman Chan at the Smile Studio London

When I confessed to Dr Wyman Chan that I had never had my teeth whitened before he seemed surprised. Not because he was blinded by my gleaming pearly-whites but just because most girls have dabbled in some sort of teeth whitening before, whether it be professional or from the comfort of their sofa at home. The thought of using at-home treatments such as Crest Whitestrips makes me wince and I never fancied suffering the inevitable sensitivity for whiter teeth. I like ice cream too much! But the great thing about Dr Wyman Chan's technique is that it uses gel and a heat diffuser to erase stains without any of the dreaded pain or sensitivity afterwards.

From the moment I stepped into the Smile Studio London it was a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square down below. Everything was calm. Everything was tranquil. I was even massaged by my chair as I waited for my appointment surrounded by photos of Dr Chan beaming with his celeb clients. Once ushered into the treatment room I was talked through the process with Dr Chan and a realistic shade of whiteness was agreed for my teeth - nothing too white or glowing. No Ross Gellar here please - just something natural and bright. To begin with Dr Chan took some impressions of my teeth (more on that later) and then set to work protecting the sensitive areas of my teeth and gums before applying the gel and heat. The whole process took about an hour and a quarter so I was treated to some high-tech glasses and a film to help while away the time. It is amazing how fast time flies when you are engrossed in a good Bond film! The results were clear to see the moment Dr Chan flashed the mirror in front of me and the whole process was thankfully pain-free. My teeth were beautifully white and bright and had clearly been lifted by a few shades. The moulds that were taken earlier had also been transformed into some personal trays for me to take home and continue the whitening process every day for the next month. Dr Chan explained that this will continue to erase any stains and make your teeth super white, with your new shade lasting up to two years!

I have been using the at-home trays for the past few weeks (although not religiously everyday I have to say) but have noticed that my teeth are so much whiter and brighter than they were and I haven't experienced any pain or sensitivity as a result. I am just so pleased there is an answer to pain-free teeth whitening at last and I can imagine this is something I would definitely treat myself to in the run up to my wedding next year for all those many many photos on the day!

What method do you use when it comes to teeth whitening?

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My Clarins face

wearing Topshop tea dress and Clinique Chubby Stick in Grandest Grape

There has recently been a few new additions to my foundation routine and eye makeup picks that have really excited me and they all come from one of my favourite brands of the moment - Clarins. Not only is their skincare a true delight to use and is currently keeping me fresh-faced and blemish-free (reviews coming soon) but their new season makeup releases are really lovely and definitely worth a look next time you are scooting past a Clarins counter.

The Extra-Comfort foundation*(£35) is a beautiful base product and I have enjoyed wearing shade 108 Sand for the last few weeks. Despite marketing itself as an anti-ageing foundation I wouldn't let that put you off trying this new foundation as my skin seems to be loving the cocktail of anti-ageing plant extracts which plump and hydrate the skin. The consistency is creamy and silky to apply and gives me a flawless, medium-full coverage finish when used alongside my Real Techniques stippling brush. This foundation does feel incredibly comfortable and light on the skin with a satin-like finish and even texture, keeping my skin shine-free but radiant and luminous at the same time. I also really like the luxurious-looking, frosted glass packaging but I have a feeling that it may become a little impractical as we slowly reach the bottom of the jar!

The Instant Concealer* (£20) in shade 01 is the perfect second step to my Clarins face routine. It is the instant fix for tired eyes and troublesome dark circles and is easy to apply with your fingertips or a small, fluffy brush. Clarins' 'Light-Optimising+ Complex' works at illuminating and lifting the eye area and the tinted hue veils the dark circles - neutralising the area and giving your skin a natural-looking finish. The consistency is quite loose so doesn't drag on the skin but is smooth and velvety soft to apply. This new Clarins concealer also contains caffeine extract which stimulates the skin's micro-circulation and diminishes signs of fatigue and puffiness, so you will look wide awake in no time even if you don't feel it!

Be Long Mascara* (£21) is a really exciting new product from Clarins and has been the secret to my lovely, long lashes recently. With its revolutionary new brush design, every lash is separated and elongated and gives you full, luscious lashes in a flash. This new mascara also contains a strengthening formula that promises to lengthen your eyelashes over time making it a must-have if you suffer from less-than-long lashes. I haven't noticed any lengthening effects yet but it is a fabulous mascara to use and accentuates my lashes whilst giving them a sooty black tint and fluttery long length.

Have you got your eye on any of the new makeup from Clarins this season?

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My #niveasoft outfit

Jumpsuit - ROMWE

Lips clutch - Lulu Guinness

Heels - Primark

Last week I shared with you the Niveasoft and Giles Deacon competition which is running until 25th September. Simply upload an outfit on instagram or twitter with the hashtags #ootd and #niveasoft to be in with a chance of winning a plethora of prizes including a Nivea Soft pot, a designer handbag or even your very own styling session with the main man himself - Giles Deacon.

I've just entered, have you?

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back to blonde

Two months ago I set myself a challenge. After constantly subjecting my hair to a barrage of heat and bleach, I decided to stop. Stop completely and embrace my natural curls. At first I thought this was a daunting task and I would fall at the first hurdle but eight weeks on and my hair hasn't even come close to a hair dryer or a singeing GHD. My focus was always yesterday's hair appointment where I would treat myself to fresh highlights and a blow dry for the first time in an agonising two months. After a full head of icy blonde highlights, a creamy toner and a sleek, glossy bow dry, I felt like a new woman! Every curly-haired, heat-free day was completely worth it just to hear my hairdresser comment on how good a condition my hair was in and how much it had grown. I love my natural curls and will definitely be laying off the heat again in the next few weeks but for now I am quite enjoying my smooth locks and swishy new do...

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MAC Frankly Scarlet blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Matte powder blush £18
available online

After watching numerous tutorial videos from Tanya Burr where she repeatedly whipped out this little beauty, it was only a matter of time until the taunts led to a purchase and I added it to my own blush collection. Frankly Scarlet is one of those shades that I would never have voluntarily picked up when perusing the shelves of MAC - unless it is pink, coral or peachy-toned, it will rarely get a cursory glance. However, having seen Tanya use this blusher and convince me that it is much scarier in the pan than it is on the skin, I decided to give it a whirl.

Frankly Scarlet is a bright rose-red matte blusher. It has a slight raspberry undertone to it and when applied very lightly on the cheeks, gives you a natural rosy flush with a subtle satin finish. Softly softly does it though with this blush as there is a fine line between rosy cheeks and clown cheeks - and the first time I used this blush, I fell victim to the latter! But with a light swirl, tap and sweep of this powder, it is a lovely bright colour for your cheeks and a refreshing change from all my corals and pinks!

Have you tried Frankly Scarlet blusher?

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The Cute Fit Knit

Embellished jumper* | Dorothy Perkins

Skirt | H&M 

Boots | H&M

It is always around this time of year when I turn my attention to updating my wardrobe, casting aside the linens and maxi dresses and adding in some Winter essentials to see me through the chillier months. Everyone needs those key pieces that can pull an outfit together and swiftly update your season's wardrobe without breaking the bank - and this is where Dorothy Perkins' Style Essentials come in. The brand has launched a new range of on-trend pieces starting at just £14 that will seamlessly fill those gaps in your wardrobe and give your Autumn Winter look a head start - think biker jackets, pencil skirts and cute fitted knits. Snuggly jumpers are a must for me when winter kicks in so this embellished knit couldn't have arrived at a better time as the weather got decidedly colder this week. Tucked into flared skirts, layered over a collared blouse or simply slung on with skinny jeans and boots, their range of knits are so versatile and easy to wear, day or night.

Oh, and if your winter wardrobe is in dire need of a makeover like mine then you can enter Dorothy Perkins Style Essentials competition to win £500 to spend on this season's key pieces along with a fancy hotel stay and a posh dinner out. Definitely worth an enter!

What are your favourite pieces?

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