Time to Reflect

Welcome back, it's been a while hasn't it? Did you notice I've re-vamped my blog a little? I was browsing through old posts this morning and thought my blog just looked too girly and far too cluttered. I've changed a lot since I first started back in 2011, so thought my blog needed to do a little catching up, and so I think now it is looking much tidier and a little more me.

This is all in aid of me wanting to get back into blogging (something I have probably said one too many time over the last couple of years, to no avail). I've picked up and dropped off far too many times than I care to remember since life became all about working hard for a pay check and not much else. I'd write out a plan of posts I'd want to write, but never get around to writing them or even taking the photos. To be honest, posing in the garden in my latest Primark purchases and then editing a ream of photos I cannot stand of myself just wasn't what motivated me anymore. Nor do I have the time to paint my nails a different shade every other day, or feel that I can justify spending my hard earned money on every new beauty item on the market just so I could review it on my blog.

I suppose growing up and getting sucked into the corporate world of work does make you reevaluate your priorities - a sad fact of life. However, abandoning my blog has always been an action I've regretted. Hence the occasional bursts of effort to revive it. So, this time I have decided it's going to be different. It may not be the blog you originally subscribed to, but it will be me and it will be authentic.

I am going to use this blog as an online diary. A place where I can unload and share my joys and woes of life. This doesn't necessarily mean I will stop talking about hair extensions or my favourite foundation, but I will actually save these mentions for when I really mean it.

I hope some of you will be glad to see I'm making a conscious effort to return. But to be honest, even if know one reads this, I think this will simply be a great form of therapy. 

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss in Vampire Kiss

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss - Vampire Kiss: Feel Unique

I actually picked up a few from Tanya Burr's lip gloss range when they were initially released, but I thought I would give you the low down on my favourite colour so far - Vampire Kiss! I am a huge fan of a red lip, but usually stray away from lip glosses and go for lip sticks as they usually have much better staying power. Having said that, Tanya's lip glosses have knocked it out the park!

The first thing I thought of when I opened the tube was the gorgeous strawberry fruity smell the gloss has! It reminds me of a mixture of strawberry laces and my favourite fruit flavoured lip glosses I had when I was younger! it's a very nostalgic smell, but also very yummy! 

When applying, the thick, flexible applicator makes it easy to get good coverage on your first application and reach easily into the corners of your lips. After a couple of coats I was very happy with the colour pay off! I was actually astonished at how bold the colour was, as I've never experienced such a pigmented red gloss before!

The formula isn't drying at all, and feels comfortably on your lips after its dried. Another bonus is that the tube holds a lot of gloss, so you definitely get value for money!

Overall, I would definitely recommend Tanya's lip glosses range, especially Vampire Kiss! I am definitely keen now to try out her nail varnishes! Have you tried any of Tanya Burr's range? Let me know your thoughts and recommendations!

Lana Del Ray Glastonbury Make Up Recreated

Lana Del Ray is my most recent girl crush. Her make up, her style, just everything always looks so effortless, yet flawless! The look she wore at Glastonbury this month inspired me; the perfect day time look that could easily transition into the evening. Definitely the ultimate festival look, so I decided to recreate it! Here's what I used:

Face:

Lana always looks perfectly mattified, so after applying Benefit's POREfessional, I applied No7's Beautifully Matte foundation in 'Warm Ivory' with my favourite foundation brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection. I then used my all time favourite concealer, Collection's Lasting Perfection in 'Fair' to aid the contouring process that Lana pulls off so well. To complete the mattified look, I applied Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Power in 'Transparent' to my t-zone and around my eyes to set my concealer. 

Blush and Contour:

Lana has kept her cheeks subtle, but still added some beautiful definition, giving her beautifully sharp cheek bones. I firstly began by applying Bourjois Paris Maxi Delight Bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks. I then took Collection's Bronze Glow Mosaic Powder right underneath my cheekbones, heading towards the middle of my ear. I then followed this up the temples and along the hair line. After this, I then took it along the underneath of my jaw line, heading towards the chin. This carefully placed bronzer creates shadows, creating the illusion of much more defined facial structure. 

Finally, to give a soft, rosy look, i applied MAC's Powder Blush in 'Peaches' to the apples of my cheeks. I then blended this all out with a large Body Shop powder brush.

Eyes:

Lana went for a neutral yet smokey look, so to recreate this I began with MUA's Eyes Primer. Then, using a a small round top eye shadow brush I covered my eye lid and highlighted the inner tear duct with a mixture of 'Virgin' and 'Sin' from the Naked palette. I then took a clean brush and dabbed in 'Buck' and then 'Hustle' gently into the crease and outer corners of both eyes. I then used a small, angled brush, dipped it in 'Crave', a matt black from the Naked 2 palette, and lined along the bottom of both eyes, joining and blending with 'Hustle' on the outer corners of my eyes to create depth. To finish, I applied lashings of my current favourite mascara - Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Retro Mascara.

Brows:

Brows are simple! Lana wore hers bold and perfectly shaped at Glasto - so I simply took a small, angled brush and dabbed it in 'Buck' from the Naked palette and filled in my brows - making sure to pay attention to the arch and making it defined as possible.

Lips:

Lana's lips were super neutral at Glasto, plus gloriously full and luscious as always! So, i kept things simple. All I applied was my favourite nude Barry M Lip Gloss in 'Igw2', and voila! 

My Daily Make Up

I haven't done a daily make up post since August 2012! So, I thought I would update you on my every-day, go-to products!

Base:

Foundation: No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation in Warm Ivory

Concealer: Rimmel Wake Me Up in Ivory

Pressed Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte in Translucent

Cheeks and Contour:

Bronzer: Collection Sun kissed Bronze Glow

& Collection Mosaic Shimmering Glow Powder

Blush: Sleek Blush in Pomegranate

Eyebrows:

Natural Collection Solo Eyeshadow in Crushed Walnut

Eyes:

Eyeliner: Collection Extreme 24hr Felt Tip Liner

Mascara: Benefit They're Real

Dirty Looks HK Full Head Hair Extensions

Dirty Looks HK Full Head Hair Extensions c/o - Expresso Dark Brown 16-18 Inches 160g

I am a self confessed hair extension obsessive, and so I like to consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to all things clip in! I've been wearing hair extensions since I was 17 years old, after cutting my hair to a regrettably short length! So as a result, hair extensions have become the backbone of my hair styling routine for any night out! Over the years my extension application technique has improved as well as my choice in product. After trying brand after brand, I know what works for me and what you should always look for in a pair of extensions - that is if you want them to look heathy, look realistic and last a good length of time!

To me, the Dirty Looks hair extensions (formally know as 'Head Kandy') posses all the features that make a damn good set of hair extension! At the shortest length (12-14"), the hair extensions weigh 150g - which is a generous helping of hair! I chose the 16-18" set, which is a glorious 160g of hair. When it comes to hair extension, the thicker the better. You usually find brands offer around 90g of hair for 18" sets, which if you want a luxurious realistic look, just isn't enough at all. Lengths available range all the way up to 24-26", and you can be assured that grams are not compromised the longer the extensions get.

First time extension users are often stumped as to how to position their hair extensions, but HK take the hard work out of it as they number each weft (an impressive 8 wefts in total) and correspond this with a step by step guide to show you exactly where to clip them in. I adore their recommended method, as it means my head is covered generously from all angles. 

Overall, these extensions are a girls dream! Impossibly soft, with amazing lasting power (I still use a set purchased 2 years a go, and they are in great condition)! I recommend these for any first time extension users, as well as to experienced users who are looking to try something new! I guarantee you won't be disappointed - definitely an investment you won't regret!

My Perfume Collection Favourites

The 'Evening Out' perfume - Vera Wang Lovestruck

Lovestruck is my all time favourite perfume, I ask for a new bottle every year! It's a beautifully floral scent, made up of a delicious combination of pink guava, mandarin, tuberose, lotus blossom, sheek musk and precious wood. The smell is truly romantic, and literally mouth watering! I get comments from everyone when I'm wearing this perfume because the scent is so indulgent and attractive without being at all heavy or musty. I would usually wear this on an evening out, maybe for a dinner date or drinks with my friends! 

Recommended for: girly girls, who enjoy lighter fragrances with staying power!

The 'Hot Date' perfume - Vera Wang Princess Night

Princess Night smells so, so good that you could drink it! Hence why it is the perfect hot date scent! This decadent perfume is infused with a fruity blend of wild berries, watermelon and raspberry. Accompanying this comes jasmine petals, spicy orange blossom, and a touch of passion rose! Undeniably, this perfume is nothing but tantalizing to the senses, leaving you wanting to soak yourself in it! Also, the bottle is beautiful - a welcome ornament to the bedside table.

Recommended for: for the glamorous ones among us, who enjoy the finer things in life!

The 'Day to Day' perfume - Marc Jacobs Dot

Dot is the perfect day time scent. It is exceptionally fresh and fruity, made up from red berries, dragonfruit, and honeysuckle, mingled with jasmine, coconut water, orange blossom and vanilla. Applying this perfume gives you an exemplary refreshing boost, with a sweet yet sharp edge that is perfect for the day light hours! 

Recommended for: fun and flirty girls, who like to dress to impress on a daily basis! 

The 'Handy Handbag' perfume - River Island Paris

Everyone needs their handy handbag perfume, to keep to hand for those regular top ups! River Island's Paris is my go to every day perfume, and I am regularly found spritzing myself with this in the office! It's a radiant mix of floral and vanilla, so feminine and juicy. For only £12, this perfume doesn't have much staying power. However, for what it lacks in longevity, it makes up for smell! I often get comments when reapplying this perfume on how beautiful it smells, and with such a low price tag, you can afford to reapply a few times a day!

Recommended for: bold and eccentric girls, who enjoy a quick fix!

Stinging Bell

Dress: Spoiled Brat, Boots: Asos, Glasses: iSpex

Evening all! Hope you enjoyed X Factor ;) I've enjoyed a busy weekend of Christmas shopping this weekend, and I'm proud to say I'm almost done!! I'm so proud I've pushed through and got it over with early! Although, it has cost me a pretty penny! That's not to say that it's discouraged me from shopping for myself (bad Marie)! And so I feed my habit of buying things I cannot afford, I took to a site I hadn't heard of previously - Spoiled Brat! Their email magically appeared in my inbox with a healthy 20% off code, so naturally I couldn't resist! (Currently 20% off until midnight with code 'WEEKEND'!)

I'm nutty about the tartan trend at the moment, and this dress is no exception! It's great for those who don't want to go over the top scotty dog style! I love the vibrancy of the tartan on the sleeves, it's beautiful, and the material is thick and warm - perfect for winter! The Spoiled Brat website is crammed with lots of beautiful clothes, I definitely recommend it if you're looking for some inspiration or just fancy yourself a little treat!

Currently, I'm cosied up in bed with the new series of I'm a Celebrity on! I'm so excited, I always get sooo into this show! And how amazing that Carlton is in it this year?! Eeppp! Who else is tuning in?

Slow Night, So Long

Dress: Little Mistress (c/o), Necklace: H&M

It's safe to say, I've found my new favourite party dress! Little Mistress is definitely the place to look if you're in the market for a glamorous new dress for this year's Christmas festivities! I adore the lace detailing on this dress, and how it overlaps the skirt - creating a very flattering effect. Also, the cream against the navy is a beautiful contrast, and gives it a vintage feel.

To extenuate the vintage style of the dress, I thought a pocket watch necklace was the perfect accessory! I picked this up in H&M almost a year ago now, but I know you can still find this style everywhere! It's the perfect necklace, and it goes with almost anything!

As for hair, when it comes to parties I'm never too sure how to style mine! I'm definitely a hair down kind of girl - updo's just aren't my style! So, I stuck to curling it in my trademark style, put pinned the sides up to give it more of a party feel!

Have you checked out Little Mistress? Where are you getting your Christmas party dress from this year? I'd love some festive inspiration!!

Kardashian Jewellery Collection

Curb Chain Collar: Kardashian Jewellery at Argos

So the eagerly awaited Kardashian Jewellery collection launches tomorrow at Argos, and I have been lucky enough to get my mits on one of the stand out pieces from the range ahead of tomorrow's big launch! The Curb Chain Collar has already been spotted on Kim and is said to be her favourite piece from the collection - and I can see why!

High street brands from the likes of New Look and Topshop are brimming with statement necklaces, and Kardashian Jewellery collection is no different - full of chunky, beautiful pieces, inspired by luxe, art deco designs. 

This chain necklace would fit in easily into my day to day outfits, as my favourite look currently is a plain cami vest with a statement necklace and a blazer jacket - letting the jewellery take centre stage of the outfit! Having said that, I think you could easily dress this necklace up or down and adapt it to a much more casual look - I'm think plain grey speckled tee, with camo print jacket, skinny jeans and converse! 

As for the rest of the collection, check out below my favourite picks from the rest of the Kardashian Jewellery and make you're mind up what you think!! I know I'll definitely be adding some of these beauties to my Christmas list this year! Thank you Khloe, Kim and Kourtney ;)

Lee Stafford Nourishing Argan Oil Big Fat Hair Tong GIVEAWAY!

The  amazing Lee Stafford Nourishing Argan Oil Big Fat Hair Tong is infused with Moroccan Argan Oil, with a huge barrel - PERFECT for those soft, glossy loose curls. I am obsessed with it, in fact so obsessed, I'm giving one away to one of my lucky followers! I can't stress what an amazing invention this is and how easy it makes curling your hair!

I love hosting giveaways on my blog, and the response is always amazing, so I'm so excited to be doing another! To enter, all you need to do is complete the rafflecopter form below! There are four chances for you to enter, so plenty of chances to win! Plus, you can tweet about the giveaway daily for extra entries! Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to those living in the UK for delivery reasons. The giveaway will close on Friday 22nd November, and I will conact the winner that weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Avon SuperExtend Extreme Mascara

Mascara: Avon SuperExtend Extreme

When I find a mascara I love, its usually a big deal...well to me anyway! A good mascara is hard to come by in my opinion - one that doesn't clog, one that's not too thick, or too wet and so on. Avon's SuperExtend Extreme mascara is my favourite mascara at the moment, and I also dare to say that I prefer it to the mascara queen that is Benefit's They're Real. Well, I would at least say it rivals it!

My favourite feature of this mascara is it's wand - it is made up of lots of little bristles great for getting in between each of your lashes and avoiding clumping. This also means you can apply to your bottom lashes a lot more easily without getting mascara all over the skin beneath your eyes. The consistency is thick enough without drying out very quickly, meaning this mascara will have a long shelf life. 

In the photo above I've only applied a one coat and for me this is enough for a day to day look. I'm really pleased with the length it produces and it cuts down on my mascara application time in the morning!

Overall, I'll definitely be buying this mascara again and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to Benefit's 'They're Real'!

Happy Sunday!

Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick

 

 

Lipstick: Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in 'Sexy Game'

Recently, I visited the sunny lands of Barcelona, and while I was there I was pleasantly greeted by Sephora! This was my first Sephora experience, and it was safe to say it's definitely a beautiful place to be! Going into winter, I thought it would be a good idea to sample the lipsticks they had to offer and pick my go-to shade this winter! Having said that, I'm very pleased with my choice! When I picked 'Sexy Game', I very much had in mind L'Oreal Color Riche in 'Plum Passion' (reviewed here) and Mac's 'Rebel' - my two favourite lipsticks last winter. Deep rouges are definitely my favourite lip colours in general. i adore the boldness and the way these shades can instantly revamp a simple make up look. 

'Sexy Game' is a deep, rosey red shade, full with colour and impact. The colour pay off is outstanding, so application is quick when achieving a bold colour. The lipstick itself is soft and hydrating - exactly what i look for in a lipstick, so I would definitely recommend to those with dryer lips. 

Overall, I'm really impressed by Sephora's lipstick and i honestly can't wait for my next trip to stock up on more! What are your go to winter lipstick shades? I'd love to get some more inspiration! Also, have you been to Sephora? Are there any other products you'd recommend? 

Holiday Snaps

Outfit One - Top: Primark, Skirt: H&M. Outfit Two - Top: H&M, Skirt: New Look, Outfit Three - Dress: H&M.
Outfit Four - Dress: H&M, Outfit Five - Bandeau Top: New Look, Skirt: Topshop. 

Outfit Six - Dress: ASOS.

Well I'm back from Barca, and I thought I would share with you some of my holiday evening outfits! I'm aware these are all very summery looks, and it's not so summery in England right now - but nevertheless, I took the pictures, so I'm going to share them!!

Today I cracked the coat and scarf combo out, I can't believe it's already cold enough to permit that!! Although, I must admit, I am now very excited by the prospect of shopping for my autumn/winter wardrobe. Jumpers, cardigans, boots, jeans, fluffy socks... maybe this cold weather isn't so bad after all?

Anyway, my holiday was blissful and Jack and I really enjoyed having some time to ourselves to switch off (have a look through some of my holiday snaps below)! Unfortunately, we were greeted by some bad news on our return. Some of you may have come across me mentioning my little pet hamster, Mimi in previous posts or on twitter/instagram. Well my little furry baby was a poorly girl, and on the day we arrived home, sadly passed away. Current mood: heart broken. She was my first pet and I was besotted! Nothing will ever fill that gap! RIP Mimi <3

Summertime Sadness

 

Dress: Lavish Alice (c/o), Shoes: New Look, Bracelets: H&M

Enjoying my summer dresses while I still can, I wore this gorgeous Lavish Alice dress last weekend. I love classic skater style of this dress, its a beautiful shape and really does make me feel very womanly when I wear it. I'm thinking I'll probably save this one for my cousin's wedding in October now. Do you think it's wedding guest appropriate? 

Currently, I am packing to go on my holidays tomorrow! Tidying the house so we don't come back to a dusty bomb site and make our holiday blues a thousand times worse! Jack and I are off to Barcelona - we headed there in 2011 and loved it so much that we're going again! Can anyone recommend any good places to visit while we're there?

Weather looks like a mixed bag currently, rain some days, high 20's on others, so I'm just hoping some sunshine will hold out for us!

I've also got some exciting news - I start my new job on the week after I return! I will be moving into Digital Marketing and I am so, so very excited! It's a secondment role, so there is a possibility I may move back into my current role when my contract is up, but I'm really looking forward to gaining some experience in the field and getting my foot in the door!

Anyway, I will say adiós for now, I'm off to chase some sunshine!