Bright 2013!

Ive never been one for sales. The humidity of the store, clothes everywhere and people fighting does not, to me, sound like a pleasurable shopping experience. Indeed, it scares me. So for me Im already saying buh-bye to last season and hello to 2013!
Being a typical wearer of blacks, greys and navy's 2013 brightly welcomes some bold new moves. White, snake skin and bright (as in whoa, retro bright) take over the fur, feathers and embellishment.
I have put together a few of my favourite pieces which epitomise the wonderfully exciting new season. Enjoy!
1. Topshop white shift dress, now reduced to £75!
2. My favourite new River Island Jacket!
3. Urban outfitters Snake Skin stye jeans
4. Admittedly my student budget will never cover this, but everyone needs some bag porn! Hello Proenza Shula
5. Simple bright Topshop Knit
6. Finally, a beautfiul patterned topshop skirt.

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Favourite products of 2012

 I know we have a few days of 2012 left to go, but with exams looming I wanted to write this before I was overwhelmed by pre-exam stress! As my friends know I am cosmetic obsessed. I could talk about makeup and beauty related products for hours, so it is no surprise that the majority of the post is makeup related!

So in no order I will start off with Real Techniques brushes. I only own two myself but they really are well worth the beauty-blogging hype! Whether you believe it or not, whatever branded product you have, you will only achieve an effect and long-lasting look by the application from the right tools! These brushes not only provide that excellent application, but are affordable!
I know my friends and I will preach that the 'stippling' and 'buffing' brush are essential if you are trying to achieve a flawless foundation look.


Next is my Nars Laguna bronzer...

Nars Bronzer in shade 'Laguna' 

This really is a one-pan wonder! On first glance it looks quite shimmery and orangey, but if you are looking for a natural, healthy glow then look no further than this bronzer. It's a classic that a makeup bag CANNOT be without. It is no surprise that it's Nars' best selling product. For £25 I promise this is not a regretful purchase.

Mac Cremeblend Blush 'Something Special' £17.50

Now yes I know you will be thinking how awful this product looks. Unfortunately the brush I use for likes to leave its bristles behind! However, this is normally the beautiful cream blush in 'Something Special' by MAC. I believe that it is essential to NOT slap your face in foundation every day if you want clean, blemish free skin. If you are still looking for a nice colour on your cheeks then make sure you use a cream blush. For me, my go to product will always be this! Although it looks quite dark, indeed when I received this I though what the hell have I ordered, but once applied on to the skin it creates a lovely natural pink colour.

Mac eyeshadow in 'Woodwinked' £14

My next favourite product (another MAC) is their eyeshadow in the shade 'Woodwinked'. A brilliantly, pigmented colour, it really is gold in a tin! This shadow blends really well and so it works well as just one shade for a day time event, or blended into a darker brown for a smouldering smokey eye evening look!

Then we have the Marrakesh High Tide Conditioner. When the Morrocan oil hype came about, my student budget would unfortunately not stretch. When researching for an alternative I eventually decided to try this. If you have long hair, enjoy heated styling and thus suffer from dry hair then this really should be your go-to conditioner. It smells wonderful and its thick consistency really gets to work on those slip ends, resulting in a shiny, healthy hair look...what better result could you want?!

Apologies again for another MAC product, but here is their eyeliner in coffe.

Mac Eye pencil in Coffe £13.50

 I have always had quite pale skin and have come to the decision that black eyeliner just doesn't suit me. It is far too dark and I end up looking ill or gothic...both of which are not looks I'm trying to achieve. So for me I will NEVER look no further than coffe. A pencil which achieves a dark-brown shadow and is just (without sounding big-headed) perfect!

Here we have the Yves Saint Laurent .Now I'm sure there are other products that achieve exactly the same effect for half the price. But if you are like me and love slick packaging and want to feel like Bardot and Hepburn when applying your eyeliner then this is the product! This was the first liquid eyeliner I bought. I remember being so nervous when trying to create the famous flick, but this product seems to make it so easy! The liquid is not heavily black like maybelline and it is not fidley like a pot gel liner.

Finally, though (apologies) my photo doesn't show it clearly, is the Benefit brow zing kit. For 2012 Cara Delveigne took the modelling world by storm. Who hasn't fallen in love with her and her beautiful eyebrows?! Now I have never been one for colouring in my brows and I cannot stand seeing someone who has coloured them in so much that they achieve a sharpie-like style! No, if you are looking for a natural way to just make your eyebrows look thicker then this clever kit will help you achieve that. One side is a power to help you colour in, the other a wax to help you set. With brush and guide provided you will not be having an eyebrow disaster!

Now I know that was a long post but I love recommending products, and these really have become my every-day makeup bag essentials! I promise you they are worth the hype. I would love to know what have been your 2012 loves so as to discover some hidden gems!!

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Origins Perfection

So this time of year can unfortunately bring around its skin problems. Dryness, red patches, a dull complexion...ringing any bells? Without sounding big headed, I have always been complimented about my skin. In fairness I rarely suffer from blemishes and tend to have quite a dewy, natural complexion. Indeed, it has never always been this easy. In Winter Months I used to suffer from really bad, dry, flakey patches, which as you can imagine was not so attractive!
And so I thought I would share you in on my secret! My wonder, holy grail, never-go-without moisturiser!

I went to Origins after a Tanya Burr vlog, and was recommended the 'A Perfect World'. Now excuse the use of hyperbole but it really is perfection in a tub! It is not too heavy, the smell is not overwhelming, and a little really does do a lot! My skin without fail has never bothered me since I moved to this moisturiser. I don't think I could ever talk of a product highly enough!
Now yes, this moisturiser does not come at a small price. However, can you really get expect to get a wonderful, good ingredients for your skin moisturiser under £10?! If you can, then please do prove me wrong!
To check out this moisturiser and other Origins products then click here!

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Valentino time

Somerset House is currently home to some wonderful sights and exhibitions; conveniently located right next door to my University my lovely friends and I decided to take a trip yesterday to the much  talked-about Valentino exhibition. 'Master of Couture' is a respect to fifty years of Valentino's genius. With 230 dresses on display we were all excited for the treat ahead!

And oh boy were we right!! The Couture Collection is mesmerising. Indeed it was hard not to be in awe of the dresses that were displayed on the mannequins as works of art. It was impossible to not be in awe of the intricacy, hard work and craftsmenship that obviously went behind such fabulous pieces of fashion! What made this more incredible was the layout of the exhibition. The gallery was cleverly set out like a runway, with the spectator beings the models, and the mannequins being the spectators.

It was interesting to note that dresses were not characterised by year or collection but by style and theme. This created an interesting perspective on the development of couture over the fifty years.

Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures. However, I can recommend that you check out this:

And of corse the exhibition (which is £9 for students) which runs until the 3rd March. So if you want to be dazzled and awe struck by fashion then take this insight into Valentino's world!

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Festive nails

It is this time of the year that the trend of sparkle comes along. For me, this year this has been best achieved in the product of the glitter nail varnish. What better to get you in the Christmas nails than looking down and seeing wonderful sparkles on your finger tips. 

In terms of best value for money I would have to recommend the Rimmel and Topshop products! For less than £6 (providing you use a top and base coat!) you really do get a fabulous, festive finish.

Rimmel Precious Stone £3.99

Topshop Nails in Mercury Risin £6

This product is not as blingy as the above, and this photo definitely does not do it justice. But if you are looking for a subtle shimmer and festive red then definitely look no further than Essie Thigh High. As you know from previous posts I love an Essie polish. Indeed it is more than Rimmel or Topshop, but I would definitely say it is worth it!

Essie 'Thigh High' £7.95 (boots only price)

Now I just wanted to include two high end products. Mainly just to drool over in my student case! However, if you are lucky enough to splurge out then I would look no further than these two! The Opi will give you first time results with a serious case of sparkle, and you wont have to find yourself doing many coats to achieve the desired finish. Finally, for overall beautiful packaging and finish then just look at Estee Lauder: Christmas perfection!

Opi Goldeneye 007 Skyfall collection £11

Estee Lauder Nail Enamel in Chaos £14.50

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