As metallic jeans and jumpers become all the rage, Zara gives us a fab range of clothes and accessories in black and gold. Perfect for the party season, I think everybody loves black, it is one of the most flattering colours, and what better way than to jazz it up with a dash of gold. Visit the Zara website for prices.
Music Courtesy of NickNova on Soundcloud
Hope you enjoyed,
Olivia xxx
Thursday 8 December 2011
What's in my make-up bag
Delving into my make-up bag is like delving into Mary Poppins carpet bag. There are things in there which I didn't even know existed. However after much rummaging around I have selected four of my current favourite items. So here they are...
1.) MAC Mineralize skinfinish in Soft and Gentle- This looks lovely when applied to the cheekbones on top of your usual bronzer/blusher. It really highlights and adds definition.
2.) YSL Ombres Duo Lumieres Eyeshadow in 1- I bought this eyeshadow last Christmas because I just loved the bronze shadow. It is a gorgeous alternative to using black and grey colours when wanting to achieve the smoky eyed look. It can be blended together with the white for a more daytime bronzed sheen, or apply the dark more heavily on the outer eyelid and under your lower lashes, for a more dramatic evening look. Apply the white shadow to the very corners of the eyelid to brighten.
3.) MAC Prep+Prime Skin base visage- This cream should be applied to clean skin prior to applying make-up. It is ideal for creating a lovely, even smooth base which will allow for a better overall finish. It contains small, reflective pigments which catch the light, giving your skin a soft glow.
4.) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers- The best eyelash curlers I have ever used. The end.
Hope you enjoyed the sneek peek into my make-up bag, I will do it again, looking at some different items soon!
Olivia xxx
Tuesday 29 November 2011
A glance at Topshop's SNO skiwear collection
From fab jackets to stylish faux fur headwear, this years SNO collection at Topshop is as good as ever. Featuring a range of classic styles in white and black, with a dash of yellow thrown in for those of you who want to bring a bit of sunshine to the slopes!
All the items below can be purchased online from the Topshop website.
All the items below can be purchased online from the Topshop website.
Friday 25 November 2011
Get Festive with the Top Christmas Beauty Buys of 2011
It is November and so finally I can start talking about Christmas!
Although I shall try not to overdo it...
I thought I'd start by mentioning some of the festive beauty treats, currently hitting the shelves.
Chanel's Christmas Collection has launched and this year it features a new eye palette, Les 4 Ombres "Tentation Cuivree", offering two light and two dark shades, in bronze and rose colours. For a seductive evening look, wear them damp, creating a smokey-eyed effect, for a daytime look, wear dry and blended together. Although it isn't necessarily a bargain at £35, it will last you a long time and so is definitely worth splashing out on.
Meanwhile, Mac is turning all glitter and ice, as it launches its holiday collection. My favourite is Dazzlesphere!, with mini kits for lips, eyes and nails. Packaged in clear, bauble-like spheres, they are ideal Christmas gifts or unique tree decorations with an added bonus! The colours range from cool silvers to warming bronzes, and at just £25.50 each, they are well worth it.
If it's the perfect rouge lipstick you're looking for, try YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in Pur Hellios. A festive shade, great for the Christmas party or for brightening up a winter outfit. They retail at £22.50 and are available in a variety of different colours. This shade shall sit alongside Mac's Lady Danger in my make up bag.
If you're not feeling brave enough for vixen lips, then red nail varnish could do the trick. This Christmas duo from Illamasqua 'Untold & Ruthless', can be worn individually or applied together for a more glitzy evening look. Give those talons some power and passion with these fab polishes. At £20 I can justify the price, knowing I'll be getting a set of polishes which are long lasting and remarkably chip resistant.
I am a self confessed addict of Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess body oil, so was delighted to find that Guerlain have brought out something similar for Christmas. Meet Vol de Nuit Powder Spray. It is based on the scent of the original perfume, which was launched in 1933, but it has been relaunched with a twist. The packaging is a more glamorous version of the original and contains a light pigmented powder, which when sprayed on the skin leaves a shimmer. £49.50 for 17.5g.
The Sparkling Lickable Powder is also amazing. Although it has existed long before now, the new snazzy packaging hasn't. The new, smaller and sleeker boxes make these perfect gifts. Available in two flavours/scents, honey (golden shimmer) and marshmallow (silver shimmer), costing £14 each. They're an exciting alternative to your standard shimmer body dust and the fact you will be edible makes them all the more fun!
There's nothing better than soaking in the bath on a wintry Christmas evening, and Philosophy do the best and most delicious smelling bubble baths. I love the Gingerbread one, but if you want to get into the festive spirit, then Tinsel Town, which has a berry scent, is perfect. Lovely packaging always wins me over, and the box for this one is no exception. It is £14 for the full sized bottle, or alternatively get the set, which includes a smaller bottle and a high shine lip gloss for just £16. Again if you're stuck for gift ideas, these make ideal presents.
I hope this has given you some festive ideas for gifts and beauty treats for you and your loved ones! Just remember they may not be around for ever so it's best to snap them up quick and in time for Christmas!
Bye for now,
Olivia xxx
Monday 14 November 2011
Winter Warmers
With Christmas fast approaching and the weather turning nippy, it is time to get out with the old (spring attire) and in with the new (winter woollies)!
I know I always over-buy on jumpers, boots, winter coats etc, so this post is to give you some ideas for staple buys worth investing in. They are versatile and can be worn again and again. Moreover they will most probably become the winter staples you can't live without!
This year I have invested in a few good pairs of leather knee boots, including this pair from All Saints, which I love. I wouldn't normally go for such a high style as I'm quite short and they aren't always flattering but these have a wider top so don't cling to your thigh and just sit on the knee. More importantly they are so comfy, and the leather inside is really soft. At £250 they are a bit pricey but they are timeless and you should get a lot of wear out of them.
As it turns colder I tend to rely on trusty jeans and leggings, although I end up getting tired of them. So this year I've been looking for some jersey or woollen dresses that can be worn with tights. I found this one from H&M, its a bargain at £14.99 and could be dressed down with ballet pumps or boots or dressed up with heels, and a statement necklace or clutch.
Another item I am still desperate for is a shearling jacket. There are a number of amazing ones, including this shearling gilet from Reiss. It's a splurge at £495 and is currently a sell out so tricky to get your mitts on!
But there are some good and less expensive high street versions, such as this backless one from Versace's new range at H&M.
There is still a lot of tweed around this season and if you have already invested in a Chanel-esque jacket and want something a bit different, then this tweed sweater from Zara, for £59.99 may be the perfect alternative. The buttons down the back add interest and again the sweater can be worn during the day or in the evening. It needs little accessorising at the top speaks pretty much for itself.
The White Company are notorious for their lovely knitwear collection and the cashmere wrap cardigans are perfect at any time of the year, but if you're looking for an excuse to buy one, now is the time! Wear over a long sleeved top with a chunky scarf or snood, and you'll be snug as a bug. They are also perfect to wear around the house, get into the Christmassy mood and wear over your pj's with thick woolly socks. This open waterfall cashmere cardigan is in the sale priced at £140, it is also available in black or moss.
All-in-one pyjama suits, you either love them or you hate them. If you love them, you'll love this festive number from Topshop for £30
If not, this pyjama set from Next, for just £20, is perfectly festive and looks like the perfect pyjama set to snuggle down in
UGG Australia have made these lovely little shearling mittens to keep your hands toastie, they are £150 and are available to buy in chestnut and light grey
For a cheaper set of mittens, look no further than Topshop, who are selling a cute little black pair for just £10
With all these winter warmers you'll be looking and feeling hot this season!
Happy shopping!
Olivia xxx
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Top Ten Best Beauty Buys
From a good foundation to getting your nails to dry on-the-go. Here are some of the essential beauty bag must-haves of 2011.
Finding a 'good product' can be tricky at the best of times. And what constitutes good? It's hard to know who to listen to. Let's be honest, nobody wants to spend money, whether £5 or £50 on a product who's fate is to be tossed to the back of a drawer or crushed beneath a mound of superior goods.
Well here is the guide to ten of my miracle workers, tried and tested, for skin, hair and nails.
Skin
- A must have for any make up bag. It can be used for anything, from soothing minor skin irritations to highlighting brow and cheek bones. I take mine skiing, for both the evenings and on the slopes.
3. YSL Touche Eclat 2.5ml £24.50
- It may sound like a cliche and you've probably heard it all before, but this really is gold dust and make-up artists and celebrities alike, swear by it. Used under the eyes to conceal one too many late nights and it lasts quite a while too. I have two in my make up bag!
4. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Body Oil 100ml £26
- I know it's coming up to winter but this is the perfect summer scent that I just can't put down. A blend of coconut, lime, sandalwood and amber, it smells truly delicious and leaves your skin feeling luxuriously soft.
Hair
-If like me, your hair is prone to a little too much heat exposure, then this could be your saviour. A leave-in conditioner that reduces dryness, leaving your hair feeling soft and shiny. It's cheap and smells like heaven.
- A lightweight powder that is sprinkled on to the roots of your hair to add volume and texture without leaving your hair crispy or sticky. Its miniature bottle can be taken anywhere, its fairy dust in your handbag.
7. Batiste Dry Shampoo 200ml £2.30
-Now available in a range of different scents and for coloured hair, this dry shampoo has become a must have for everyone. It can be used to add body to lifeless hair, or more importantly to revive hair between washes. We don't like to admit it when we haven't had time to wash our hair, well now we don't need to!
Nails
-Seriously, what did I do before I discovered this little pot of magic??I have tried endless varieties of fast drying nail polishes and top coats, and none have worked as well as this. Granted it doesn't smell too pretty, but it works and your nails are left dry within a couple of minutes. It also gives your nails a lovely glossy shine and prevents chipping. A life saver.
-A fast absorbing gel cream for hands and nails. It's perfect because unlike many other hand creams, it doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy. It smells lovely and can be used on your feet when they are in need of a little TLC.
-Said to be the secret behind every great manicure. I know we don't all have time for manicures, but this blend of Jojoba Oil works wonders on cuticles. The skin around your nails will be left softer and less prone to cracking. Lets face it nobody wants to been seen with unattractive mitts!
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