HELLO

25.3.12

Engagement

Last night I attended my cousin's engagement party. We went to a lovely Indian restaurant, which considering I don't favour Indian food I really enjoyed. I kept the pastels theme strong, and teamed the printed dress with my Chanel pearl, diamond and gold necklace.
I also finally got my hair cut yesterday! First time in a year, so I had quite a lot chopped off. The blow dry is really voluptuous and 60's. Hope you like!


23.3.12

Spring is Here

So after my insane nearly 4 week hiatus, I am back and ready for Spring! The last month has been insane, and I was working for like 12 hours every day hence my absence. My team and I succesfully presented our work to Proctor & Gamble on the 16th, and since then I have been in Newcastle and back in Oxford to celebrate my birthday.
So celebrations aside, the Spring season is finally upon us and I have created a look today that I feel represents the new found sunshine. I have been collecting a new wardrobe for Grazia, (which starts in 10 days!), and have begun road testing the outfits today. All clothes & shoes are from Primark. I'll be wearing this look to The Hunger Games tonight, and I cannot wait. I read all the books prior to the movies release, and so I am looking forward to seeing how they interprate things.


27.2.12

Ch-Ch-Chelsea Girls




Inspired by my current favourite song Chelsea Girls which is apparently by Duffy but I'm convinced it's not. Also inspired by new Chelsea boots from ASOS, and new green jacket from New Look. Jeans from Primark, shirt from New Look, bag from Pauls Boutique

26.2.12

Pour That Sangria




I must admit that I went a little photo editing happy here,  but I am feeling a little post war vintagey after watching Burberry's AW12 show, and also feeling slightly senorita as I'm going to Nando's tonight. My mood is so easily swayed. So I embracing Spring looks today with this new skirt from Forever 21. This is my first clothing purchase from F21, and it looked way more pink on the website but I love the peachy nudey colour. I've teamed it with this cream knit from Banana Republic, clear tights (it is still cold), and leopard print loafers. 

23.2.12

The Bee.


Realized as I took these photos I look like a bumble bee, slightly odd. Another lazy Sunday watching live streams from LFW (Topshop Unique is freaking awesome), writing beauty articles and food shopping. My jumper is from H&M, and as you can see is slightly too smalls. Jeans from Topshop, rolled up with New Look leopard print loafers.
Product of the day: Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo and Lancome Genefique

20.2.12

Burberry AW12, A Sneak Peak

A still from the Burberry A/W 2012 show, from Hyde Park at London Fashion Week.
War time opulence, pockets, rope belts, owl jumpers, velvet, tweed, wool, fine tweed, volume, peplum

19.2.12

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr Foundation

.... is my new holy grail foundation. Since finishing my acne program, my skin has been looking clearer than ever (with a few exceptions) and the need to switch to a lighter coverage foundation has landed on my shoulders. I have been using Estee Lauder Double Wear for a few months, and even got several tubes for Christmas. Although the Double Wear Maximum Cover was excellent for covering my acne, rosiness and skin pigmentation it was just too heavy for everyday wear and was creating more problems than it caused. Estee Lauder and MAC products are well known for containing titanium dioxide, which is a known acne irritant. Funny how I learn this after finishing my acne program!

I have trialed the Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation (read my review here), Chanel Perfection Lumier (still runs orange and oxidizes on my skin through the day despite being recommended by the media for oily/combination skin types), MAC Matchmaster (disaster review here) and many other drugstore foundations on the search for a new lighter coverage foundation that lasts all day. I saw the ad claims for the new Lancome foundation in Stylist a few weeks ago, and went to John Lewis Oxford Street to test it out. I was given shade 05, which was too pink but the consistency and longevity of the foundation really blew me away.
Wearing the Lancome Teint Idole 24hr Ultra foundation, mascara and brow pencil
In the knowledge that this foundation may really be a saviour for me, I went to a selection of counters from Selfridges (who gave me shade 07, which is just beyond wrong), to House of Fraser and Debenhams who correctly matched me to shade 001. I collated a total of 10 foundation "samples". This seems really cheeky, but when you're on a student budget and the foundation that might save your life costs nearly £30, measures must be taken. Second to that, my ever changing skin needed more than a few days to get used to the product.

Overall, I must congratulate Lancome on creating this excellent foundation. It works great for my combination/oily skin by being 'watery' enough but also having excellent setting time. I did powder my T Zone several times using the Natural Collection powder, but it has broken me out like crazy (and has done the same to several other beauty gurus on Youtube) so I have ditched that. I don't feel the foundation needs a setting powder, but I would prefer one. It works excellently with my YSL Touche Eclat, but not so much with MAC Select Cover Concealer, but I think that is pretty rubbish anyway in terms of staying powder.

4.5 out of 5. Cost being the only downside. There's an amazing array of shades, and Lancome's staff are incredibly helpful in helping you determine the correct shade.