Summer Blushin'

L-R: Topshop Cream Blush in Flush, Sleek blush in Life's a Peach, Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

Topshop Cream Blush in 'Flush'

                                                    

                                                                                          Sleek Blush in 'Life's a Peach'

       Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in 'Peachykeen'

There's nothing like a bright pop of colour on the cheeks to brighten up the dullest dud of a 'Summer's' day, and now that the UK is actually basking in sunshine for a change, a vibrant blush fits the bill more than ever before (well, at least this year).

I am very much a corals and peaches girl, and will use any excuse to crack them out when the warmer months begin to roll round. In fact, you'll often catch me trying to sneak them out in the cooler months too, especially in terms of blushes. I just find that they are so flattering, even on a paler skin tone, and really add a bit of extra oomph when I'm looking a bit washed out or lacklustre.

Today I thought I'd share with you my three most reached-for blushes for Summer 2013, and I can honestly say that since about March time, nothing but these beauties has graced my cheeks - that's how much I love them!

First up is the Topshop Cream Blush in Flush, which I reviewed within the last couple of weeks (for that post, click here). I think we all love a good cream blush at this time of year, and this one is no exception. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this bad boy is my favourite specimen of all time, and I have been loving the pinched effect I get by dotting this onto my cheeks and then blending it lightly with my Real Techniques stippling brush. In terms of the shade, it's absolute perfection - a bright coral pink that is highly pigmented but also buildable. I have been wearing and wearing this, and particularly love teaming it with Mac's Cremesheen lipstick in Coral Bliss. Love.

Next up is the newest addition to my blush collection (it finally arrived last week), a Sleek powder formulation in the shade Life's a  Peach. This is a really gorgeous peachy-apricot, and is a slightly different hue to the others I've got squirreled away in my arsenal of cheek products. My only gripe with it is that it's a little bit backwards in coming forward when it comes to swatching, but that said, it does seem to pick up reasonably well on a nice soft Eco Tools brush and blends out to give a lovely wash of colour that's bright without being too much. 

And last but by no means least is my Mac Sheertone Shimmer blush in Peachykeen (full review and swatch here). This is definitely a darker, dirtier peach, and contains a beautifully subtle hint of shimmer that I find provides a gorgeously luminous, healthy glow. While there is a hint of glitter in he pan if you look closely, it won't translate onto the cheeks, so no risk of the glitter ball effect here. I'd say that of the three, this is the best option for day to day, as it won't clash with any other bright makeup choices on the eyes or lips. When it comes to the other two, they really do do all the talking, and become the main feature of the look.

Are there any blushes you've found yourself reaching for over and over this season?

What are your favourite formulations for Summer?

xx

Spring Oranges and Corals

I'm definitely the kind of person who begins to feel dismayed when the colder months roll in and I slowly but surely find myself having to put away my corals and oranges and make way for darker Winter hues. It's definitely the dominant family of colours in my makeup collection, from lipsticks to blushes to nail polishes, and now that Spring has technically sprung I've been quick to make the most with a bright pop of colour on my lips.

Today I'm sharing with you my favourite coral and orange lip colours for Spring/Summer, and I've also thrown in a few of my favourite nail polishes, in-keeping with the colour scheme, to boot.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

Already reviewed on my blog here, I rushed out to get this upon it's release last year, and it fast became - even until today - my most-used lip product. It's a gorgeous bright orange which comes in a tinted balm form, meaning it is fairly sheer, but in spite of this it's quite highly pigmented and easy to build for a bolder look.

I just love how moisturising these are, and easy to reapply on the go. The chunky crayons come complete with a metal twisty bit (the right name for this desserts me), making it simple to wind up when your product starts to get a bit low - no sharpening required. 

Topshop Lips in Infrared

Another Lip colour I picked up last year, initially I wasn't sure that this one suited me, finding it a bit too bright against my pale complexion and worrying that it only emphasised my lack of healthy glow. Fast-forward to this year, and it's been on my lips a lot - I think I've got a bit more colour in my cheeks at the moment, and am now finding it really flattering. For me, the shade is really similar to Rendezvous (above), but being a lipstick it's more highly pigmented and is great for those days where you want a really bright pop of colour on your lips.

This one featured in my Lipsticks I Can't Live Without last Summer :)

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Cool Watermelon

Moving on to the more pink-based corals, this one is the brightest of the bunch, and comes across as almost neon in photos. It's such a moisturising shade, which is just what I want in warmer weather - no chalky, heavy lip products for me. The only downside with this one is that wear-time is not great, but it's such a gorgeous colour that I can forgive it.

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Matte in Play Peach

The newest addition to this little selection, this one is now a staple in my makeup routine. It's an orangey-pink coral (not so much of a peach, as the name might suggest) and is such a flattering, easy to wear shade - a good one to go for if you're new to corals and not sure where to start. Being matte, you do need to make sure your lips are well exfoliated before application, but this has a really good wear time and is still going strong after eating and drinking (I don't know about you, but that's a rarity for me). Although it's matte, it's still fairly moisturising and feels quite comfortable on the lips - you can't even tell it's there.

Mac Vegas Volt

And last but definitely not least comes this little beauty, which was actually the first Mac lipstick I ever purchased. It's really similar to Peach Play (above), leaning ever so slightly more orange, and is definitely my favourite formulation. Being an Amplified Creme it's very creamy and moisturising, though it does stay put pretty well. In my eyes, you can't really go wrong with a Mac lipstick, and this is by far my most-loved for Spring and Summer.

Again, you can find this in my Lipsticks I Can't Live Without post from last Summer.

L-R: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous, Topshop Lips in Infrared, Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Cool Watermelon, Maybelline Moisture Extreme Matte in Play Peach, Mac Vegas Volt

The nail polishes photographed are Miss Sporty in shade 326, Revlon Nail Enamel in Make Mine Mango (shade 920) and Essie Risky Business.

Will you be braving corals this Spring/Summer? Or if you're already a fan, what are your favourite shades?

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

xx

Desire of the Day #2

Coral Spiked Loafers, £24.99, Own the Runway

I know I said that I was probably going to keep these posts for beauty products, but what the hell. This is what I am desiring today, so I am going to post about it!

As most of you will probably know, I have gone a bit spike and stud mad in recent weeks - you only have to look back at my past three Weekend Wishlist posts for evidence! I don't know what it is about them, but I just love the way you can take a feminine, floral fabric or a soft, pretty colour and toughen them up with a spot of studding. I adore that contrast. I suppose it's a little bit reminiscent of how we started singing on leather bikers and tough boots over the top of pretty dresses a few years back. I'm still not tired of that look, even now, and studs are a great way of bringing it bang up to date.

You will probably also be aware of my love for all things coral if you are a regular reader, so obviously these little beauties are my absolute dream combo, shoe-ified. The only downside is that I'm a bit of a shortie, and will usually be found wearing heels, but somehow I just haven't felt the same way about studded heels as I have the flat pumps and loafers I've seen. In all honesty, I probably won't be buying these, because whenever I have bought flats in the past, they have always, no matter how beautiful, ended up unworn. Unworn, but loved, I might add, but that's not really good enough, is it? I just feel that I look much more in proportion when wearing heels, even small ones, so I suppose I am going to have to lust after them from afar. 

They are perfect though, aren't they?

xx

Collective Haul! (Primark, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and more!)

Hello lovely people, and thank goodness it's Friday!

Today, I have got a bit of a haul post for you, which I am really happy about as I have been trying to get this up for ages! I've been having a bit of difficulty with my camera, lighting and backdrops, which has made things a bit difficult for me in terms of getting some decent photos ready for you, but thanks to the lovely sunshine we've had this week, I've been able to get outside in the garden and go a bit snap happy!

So, what I have got here to show you are basically all the clothes and accessories I have collected over the past two months. 

Let's get on with it.

Drop Arm Palm Tree Print Top, Topshop , £26.

Mint Green Cropped Tie-up Shirt, £9.99 

Aztec Print Sheer Top, Primark.(I think this was about £8)

Parrot Print Crop Top, Primark, £4.

Playsuit, Miss Selfridge, £37

Rust Chinos, Next, £29.

Floral Vest, Primark, £6.

Petites Floral Print Playsuit, Miss Selfridge, £37 (*Now in the Sale online for just £22!*)

Please excuse my foot for sneaking it's way into this one. It's such an attention seeker.

Zebra Print Scarf, Primark, £4

Swallow Print Scarf, Primark, £4

Accessories, all Primark (see below for details)

Ivory Hair Flower, Peacocks ( received as a present).

Nautical Flower Hair Clips, £1.50, Primark.

Earrings, Primark (about £3-£4)

Aviators, £1. Red Floral Bow Headband, £2.

Both pairs of earrings were about £3-£4 from Primark.

Pink/Multi Floral Wire Headband (received as present).

Cat Pendant Necklace (long chain), Primark, £3

Coral Crepe Shorts, Miss Selfridge, £29.

Playsuit, Primark, £5.

Nautical Scarf Chain Necklace, Primark, £4.

(I like to wear this as a headband).

Sorry not to be exact on some of the Primark prices, I forgot to keep the tags of the accessories so now I'm not 100% sure what I paid, but I'm sure the numbers listed are pretty close, give or take 50p, perhaps.

I am loving the cropped Palm-tree print top from Topshop, and have been enjoying wearing it with a pair of red high-waisted shorts. I'm now looking to get my hands on some pastel high-waisters (lilac) and I think it will look great with them. The top hangs quite loose, but is a really flattering shape and cut. Love it!

I also adore the two Miss Selfridge playsuits and the coral culotte shorts, as I think they are lovely, summery colours.

As for Primark, you can't go wrong stocking up on your summer essentials there, in my book. I think that the little black bow-print playsuit was absolutely bargainous at just £5, and they had lots more options in for the same price, though unfortunately not in my size. I've since ordered one the same as this but plain red with navy trim, and a strapless striped/sunflower print one from Ebay, because I was so annoyed to have missed out on them! These babies are just ideal for pulling on after a long, hot day on the beach, and are also perfect for wandering round in on your hols as they are really thin and airy.

The mint-green cropped shirt, would you believe, is actually from the kids section at New Look (age 14-15). If you are petite, like me, then I would highly recommend having a root around in there, because you can often find the same things that are in the main collection for a fraction of the price! I'd say the teens sizings are quite generous, too, as a dress I picked up in age 14-15 was actually too big for me!

I don't feel that I need to go on and on about each individual piece, as you can see what is there. But I will say that I'm really happy with everything I got and have been living in all of it!

I hope you enjoyed this sneaky little peek into my shopping bags, OOTDs feauring some of these little treasures coming soon, just as soon as I can rope the Mr into playing cameraman!

Hope you're all enjoying a relaxing Friday night, whether you're having a quiet one at home or are heading out to party it up!

xx

Friday Favourites

I know, I know, it's Saturday! Sorry to be posting this a day late, but things have been really hectic what with Easter and family visiting! Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

The aim of Friday Favourites is to share, unsurprisingly, a few of my favourite beauty products and fashion items of the moment, so here goes.

MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Vegas Volt, £13.50

I absolutely love this lipstick and just cannot stop wearing it at the moment! It's a gorgeous, creamy orange-coral and is another great shade for spring/summer. It's buildable, so you can achieve a gorgeous opaque finish, or you can apply a light layer and rub it in to your lips for a more subtle stain.

Love it!

Miss Selfridge Petites floral print playsuit, £37

My favourite Spring purchase so far, this playsuit is a really flattering cut, and I was thrilled to find it in the petites section as I'm a shortie. I usually find it hard to find dresses and playsuits in the right length for me, and most shops only have a very limited selection of items in their Petites range. I love the pastel colours of this one and will be wearing it dressed down with sandals and a skinny tan belt on hot summer days, and styling it up with a cropped blazer, heels and gold jewellery for nights out. If you want to see how I'm wearing it, I will be doing an OOTD post on it by the end of next week (camera permitting. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am currently having some issues with mine).

Miss Sporty Lasting Colour nail varnish in Red Tango,  £1.99, Superdrug

I didn't expect much of this cheap and cheerful nail varnish when I picked it up, at least not in terms of quality, but the bright, zingy colour was irresistible. Can you tell by now that I have a bit of a thing for orange-corals!?

Actually, these little polishes come with a graduated-tip brush, and the curved shape makes it extremely easy to paint your nails. Two coats and you are good to go.

I am also loving the gorgeous, shimmery pastel green shade (second from left), but sadly I don't know the name as it doesn't say on the bottle, and I can't find it anywhere online.

I really like the Miss Sporty colours, but I will say that they are not the most long-wearing of polishes, so are best for a quick fix.

Coral Crepe Shorts, £29, Miss Selfridge

Ok, I think my obsession with coral might be getting slightly out of hand! I didn't actually realise, until I started writing this post, that I had a running theme on the go!

But anyway, I recently picked up these shorts and they are a godsend for holidays as the material is really thin (yet not transparent, so don't worry about VPL!) and floaty, and airy. They are great with a plain white vest, and sandals for a casual daytime look. Day and night outfits post coming soon.

So that's it for the first installment of Friday Favourites! I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I'm loving at the moment.

Do you own, or have you at some point tried any of the items above? 

What did you think of them?

What are your current favourites?

xx