Month: October 2014

Review: Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Fluid Foundation

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Foundation is a staple tool in my make up collection, yet whilst I was a faithful user of Estee Lauder Double Wear for a long time, I have recently started to change my alliances and most recently, I’ve been swayed by Laura Mercier. I’ve read many reviews of the Laura Mercier smooth finish flawless fluid foundation on beauty blogs and during a trip to Liverpool on Saturday with my mum, we nipped to John Lewis and I picked up a sample to try. I was colour matched to porcelain ivory which is really light and quite similar to the Max Factor foundation I’ve been wearing recently. The MUA at the stand stated it is longwear foundation, similar to double wear and is designed to create a smooth, seamless complexion – and it does what it says on the tin! It goes on really evenly when applied over a primer and despite the sample only being a small pot, I don’t need much for even coverage. I like the heavy foundation look so I know I’m covered …

Food glorious food…

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This past week has been particularly lovely. After a month of just taking each day as it came, not really knowing what was around the corner, Thursday onwards brought lots of good news! So, this post is just a snapshot of the things that have made me happy this past week Gaga was indeed only five days ago and my gorgeous new tartan scarf from River Island via ASOS got its first outing The boy in my life and I went to the Fat Olive on Friday night to celebrate with a couple of glasses of rose and the most amazing three course meal. Yesterday I spent some quality time with my mumma and we headed to Bills in Liverpool. We arrived around 2ish so beat the lunchtime rush and tucked into hummus and tzatziki, mac and cheese with butternut squash for me and tomato and goats cheese risotto for my ma. Oh and a glass of house wine each too!

The time I artraved with Lady Gaga…

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In the midst of Hurricane Gonzalo on Tuesday night I met up with two of my favourite people and headed to Manchester to catch the latest leg of Lady Gaga’s Artrave tour! One of my lovely friend’s Caro, who I used to work with, booked tickets for herself, our friend Kat and I earlier in the year. It was so lovely to see them both and catch up on Kat’s gorgeous wedding news and get back to what I do best – mithering Caro and bug her about reading my blog:) So after many months of waiting.. we headed off to marry the night and experience Gaga at her best! I’m actually really annoyed it has taken me so long to see her as she put on one hell of a show. One of my favourite things about going to gigs and watching artists perform live is when they love it as much as the crowd and Gaga gave it her all. Hit after hit, she just kept delivering! With many, many monologues to the crowd on …

Let’s talk shampoo…

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It’s a staple, a necessity and yet there are so many brand to choose from.. yep it’s time to cover the delightfully dull subject of shampoo and conditioner. Whether you choose to grab a bottle and go, use whatever is on the go in the shower or the latest offers in the supermarket, let’s put shampoo and conditioner in the spotlight. I used to a loyal, dedicated fan of Tresseme but lately I’ve found myself swaying towards Sherzy’s favourite, Herbal Essences and classic Timotei shampoo for golden highlights. I have been using these products for the last month and I’m a convert! Having highlighted, dry hair I try to choose products that help put moisture back into your hair. I use straighteners about three times a week so I like hair care products that smell really great and condition and strengthen to treat the heat! I think I will re-purchase all three brands again. Cheap, cheerful and totally do the job!

The truth.

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I feel like it’s been such a long time since I just sat down and wrote. Wrote about my day, my week, things I’ve been up to, plans for the coming weeks, or simply just how I’m feeling. My blog started over four years ago, documenting my life in limbo between finishing university, discovering I had failed a couple of modules and not graduating “when you’re supposed to”. I feel that quoted sentence sums up my life to date and in some instances it makes me sad. Comparing myself to others isn’t something I like to do very often because where is it going to get you? But in the most part it makes me proud. Proud of me, what I have achieved since that time I didn’t graduate “when you’re supposed to” and thankful for my lovely family and friends I have gained along the way. However, whilst four years may have passed and I have steered my way through, building a career, becoming something, I find myself kind of in the same situation. Not …

My make-up collection

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When it comes to keeping my bedroom tidy, I fall down massively. The phrase floordrobe sums me up massively. Clothes, jewellery and shoes are high in numbers and storage space is low, but last weekend enough was enough. A stern talking-to from the boy lead to a bedroom overhaul. I think I might post a bedroom guide soon so I have a purpose to keep it tidy,  but today’s post focuses on my make up dresser. Following my theme of being a hoarder, I overhauled my make up collection and seriously downsized. In the past I have been guilty of keeping samples from magazines, mountains of glossy boxes, old foundations and mascaras and enough lipsticks to change colour twice daily for a week. Following my new found inner-domestic goddess, I have reduced my make up dramatically, keeping only the necessities. Foundation, concealer, lip glosses, primer, powder, eye shadows, brow kit, brushes and toiletries made the cut. Brand wise, I’m pretty loyal to drugstore make up as opposed to bigger brands. Max Factor, MUA, Collection 2000 …

Storing my necklaces

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Statement necklaces are fast becoming a must in my daily dressing. Layered over a denim shirt, a crisp white shirt with jeans or with a simple acid wash tee from Primark, necklaces are the easiest way to dress up your look. The majority of mine, bar just one are from Primark cos they are cheap and cheerful without looking like their price tag. I picked up a new one in Primark on the weekend, a simple gold necklace but I thought I would share my storage ideas. My mum got me this necklace holder last Christmas and its ideal for necklaces, rings and my many pairs of hoop earrings – perfect!

Nail colours for autumn

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I don’t where summer went, but it appears that we are in full autumnal mood with thick parka jackets, boots and cosy jumpers making an appearance. It is also around this time of year that I begin to turn my attention to my nails.The hot pink and cute pastels go to the back of the box and deep burgundy reds, glittery shades and darker plums and blacks make their triumphant return. I wouldn’t say I’m too loyal to one particular nail brand. I used to be a massive Essie and Barry M fan, but I don’t seem to buy that many new nail colours these days. That said, I’ve seen the new Barry M shades popping up on beauty blogs and the mustard yellow looks very tempting! However, these are the colours I’m loving at the moment! Essie Sexy Divide Sephora Nails Inc 41 South Molton  Street Barry M Mushroom Revlon These are my top 5 for the next month or so. I got the Nails Inc free in Glamour about two years ago and …

Tate Liverpool: Andy Warhol exhibit

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Sometimes its nice to step out of your comfort zone and do something a little different…and that’s exactly what I plan to do next month by paying a visit to Tate Liverpool to the gallery’s new exhibit, Transmitting Andy Warhol. Opening on November 7th till February 8th, the exhibition explores Warhol’s work in the north of England and brings together more than 100 works. Andy Warhol remains one of the most important and influential artists of the Post War period and the central figure associated with pop art. Warhol is an iconic figure known for his love of art and his influence in popular culture, whether it be fashion, contemporary art or music. The Tate shall showcase a number of Warhol’s screen prints of Marilyn The Monroe, produced following her untimely death. The artist may have passed many years ago, however his body of work has lived on and added a new, vibrant dimension to popular culture. Located on the Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool is a fantastic hub of arts and culture, home to many …

Just a little Sephora haul…

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A month may have passed since my trip to Paris, but I thought I would be doing a dis-service to the blogging, and beauty community in particular, if I didn’t partake in a blogger tradition and mention my trip to Sephora. How we don’t have a Sephora in the UK yet is beyond me, however it would have been rude not to take a look…and make a few purchases along the way! First up is the own-branded primer. I first tried this earlier in the year when my friend Caro brought me a tube as a present from her holiday to the States. It’s really easy to apply, you really don’t need to use that much and it works well in keeping your foundation and eye make-up in place. Then I decided to take a look at the lipsticks and the Sephora jumbo pencil in raspberry caught me eye. It can be used on lips and cheeks and is a lovely rich colour, perfect for day or night. It’s  not to heavy and doesn’t leave any …

Ooh la laa: Paris part two

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So its been a few weeks since I last blogged about my trip to the city of love and culture to see the final date of the fabulously amazing ‘On the Run’ tour, but as promised here’s my second post. Granted I was to busy dancing/singing/attempting to do the Crazy in Love ass shake to take many pictures, but here’s just a snapshot from our last few hours in Paris! Oh la laa!  

Five signs you are on the wrong side of 25….

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Ageing can sometimes be a struggle, but the older you get  you start to realise it’s not so bad. I mean who wants to be 21 still anyway.. The new choker trend. You remember it the first time round and rocked it well as a funky looking 10 year old at the school disco. However if you ignore it, it will go away. Jelly shoes. The item that your Mum made you wear to protect your feet on holidays in Wales, not want you should be wearing now in your twenties. Teamed with ankle socks no less. Standing at festivals. Yes, you could to be at the front and get a great view of the band, soaking up the atmosphere. But your feet hurt, its raining and taking a seat at the back is just so much more appealing. Sometimes, every now and again at festivals you just want to have a good nights sleep. Yes, you want enjoy yourself and will do, just not past 2am. You understand the satisfaction of a sunny day. …