Mint.

Topshop top&shorts//Handmade Cardigan//ASOS ring//Topshop lipstick in Show Off

I caved and bought this top which I featured in my Topshop wishlist post the other day. I love the colour! I also bought a new Topshop lipstick in Show Off, which I'm wearing. 

How lovely is my cardigan?! My mum knitted it, and I love it! I think shorts, tights and a big cardigan is my outfit for the next while, because it's not quite warm enough to wear anything too summery. 

I had yesterday and today off work, so I've been quite productive & made another youtube video. If you haven't seen my eyebrow tutorial, you need to go check it out. 

Everyone should go & check out Charlene! My new favourite blogger :)

EDIT: New youtube video is up.

Topshop Wants.

Oh Topshop, why do you do this to me?! A sneaky browse on the website has got me lusting over a new summer wardrobe. I've lost a couple of pounds recently (without trying, hurray!) which makes baring more a little easier. 

I'm not a massive fan of having flesh on show (how very Victorian of me) but I think a little bit here and there makes a nice change, especially when it's warm. 

I'm really loving mint clothing at the moment, so I couldn't resist this shirt and dress, such gorgeous pieces! I'm also all about coral & apricot shades this season, I think they look great on everyone. 

I've been looking for a pair of black wedges like this for a while, how gorgeous are they?! Although these ones are a bit more than I'd like to spend, so hopefully New Look or Primark will get some in stock sometime soon. 

Ps. Couldn't not include a peter pan top in there somewhere, it wouldn't be a gh0stparties wishlist without it! ;)

Colour Block.

H&M Top//Topshop Cardigan//Yayer Shorts//Topshop Necklace

I think this is my favourite outfit, although it was hard to photograph as I took them last night. I was going out for my friends birthday, and I wanted to wear something a little different. I bought these shorts from Yayer this week and I have to say that they're my absolute favourites! My first purchase from Yayer, and I'm really pleased. They came so quickly, too.
The look a bit different in natural light, and they're actually a bit longer but I thought they were better rolled up as I'm a shortie so it makes my legs look a fraction longer!
I wore a pair of MASSIVE black suede wedges Ashish style. I wear these a lot (although obviously they're not Ashish!) they make me at least 8 inches taller!
I wasn't sure about wearing such bright clothes but I think they look good together and I still love this coral cardigan.

Two outfit posts in one day! I might not do one for a while because I need to buy a charger for my SLR.
In other news, I reached 500 followers today & I couldn't be happier! I have gained over 400 followers in about two months so thanks to everyone, especially those who have mentioned me on their blog!

It's my boyfriends 25th birthday in a month and I want to do something a bit different for it. I was planning on going somewhere, maybe Paris because he took me there when we first met and obviously it's romantic BUT he says he doesn't want to go away. So any other ideas?!

A few to follow: My favourite girl Chloe, the absolutely gorgeous Emma, and Amelia who I rely on for my fashion updates!

Topshop Sandstorm.

Yesterday I bought a few things from the new Topshop Sandstorm collection. I'd seen this Blush/Bronze duo and decided to pick it up as I'm still in love with my Topshop highlighter. This cheek duo is in Dessert Sun, and has a rosy blush with a light bronze in one compact. I thought I would give it a go as I never use a bronzer. I didn't swatch this product as it's so faint, I have rubbed my finger around the product and barely anything comes up. I love the idea of this product, but I can't see it having any life-changing affects on my makeup routine. I haven't tried it on yet, to be fair but as it's so faint I don't see it doing a lot of damage.

I also bought two of the lipsticks, Enamoured - a soft reddish pink and Coy - a light nude pink. I constantly have dry lips so I try not to wear matte lipsticks (tragic, I know) so I though these would give a matte affect without being too drying.
I love both the colours, especially Coy but they do show up my dry, flaky lips. I'm really disappointed, but I think I will continue to use them with a lot of lip preparation first. I guess I'd have to use a lip scrub and then a lip balm before using the lipsticks, which is a lot of work.
The lipsticks are actually in pencil form, which I think I have to sharpen. This will probably annoy me, especially when I'm carrying them around with me in my handbag and need to sharpen them. I don't think I know anyone who carries a sharpener round with them. Saying that, the smaller nib allows easier application.
The colours are gorgeous, but they don't stay on for long. I guess with a good base & on healthy, non chapped lips they would last longer.




L-R: Topshop Lipstick in Coy and Enamoured.

To be honest, I'm slightly disappointed in these products. I've raved about Topshop makeup before and these don't really live up to the hype. I do love the lipsticks, but for my dry lips they're not the best.

What are your thoughts on the products?

Facetime.

Close up alert. I thought today I would test my Smashbox Eyelights Palette so I tried it out for work this morning. Before this, I'd never tried Smashbox eyeshadows but I don't really wear eyeshadow so that's not surprising.
I went for the typical smokey eye and I think it turned out quite well! I just had a look in the mirror and after about 9 hours it still looks pretty good! I use ELF Primer, which I love and it has kept it all in place but obviously it has creased. What can you do eh.
I love the colours of the palette, they blend together so well which is good for someone like me who doesn't often experiment with eyeshadows.

I'm also wearing:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid
L'Oreal Touche Magique Concealer
MAC Wonder Woman Blush - Amazon Princess
Topshop Highlighter - Sunbeam
Benefit Browzings
Topshop Gloss in Ablaze

The Topshop highlighter and gloss are still my absolute favourites. The highlighter is perfect for creating a nice dewy look and the gloss is amazing because it's very pigmented but a gloss so my lips don't get dried out, which happens with lipstick.
I'm still a massive fan of the Wonder Woman blush too, it's not like any of my other blushes. Anyone else have it & think it's gorgeous?

MAC & Topshop LE Haul.

I decided to treat myself to a little bit of MAC today, so I picked up the Fanfare Cremesheen lipstick and Fleur Power Powder Blush.

Both colours look amazing, I can't wait to try them out.

I also got a couple of things from the Limited Ed. Topshop collection, including a gloss stick in "Ablaze" and a crayon in "Equinox" which are both lovely.

L-R: Topshop Crayon in Equinox, Topshop Gloss in Ablaze, MAC blush in Fleur Power and MAC lipstick in Fanfare

In this picture I'm wearing The Topshop crayon on my eyes and the Topshop gloss on my lips. 

I've really been enjoying Topshop makeup and I can't wait to get more pieces when they come in in the next couple of weeks. 

Tomorrow, Graeme is playing in Mint Lounge in Manchester so I'm going too. Haven't decided on what to wear yet, but I think my Topshop makeup will make an appearance. 

What's everyones plans for the weekend? 

5 Of the Best: Highlighters.

I think using a highlighter makes such a difference, especially as I don't have the best skin. A good highlighter will brighten dull skin, have light-reflecting pigments to cover blemishes and imperfections, and smooth over skin, hiding pores. For me, this is essential in my everyday makeup routine. 

A highlighter can brighten your overall appearance, and make tired-looking skin looking full of life. 

I'm going to introduce you to my five favourite highlighters, some of which are creams whilst others are powders. 

MAC Strobe Cream

I'm sure everyone has at least heard of this product. I use this every day, and I love how it transforms my skin. I've been using it for a few months now and I love it. MAC say "Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin" which is exactly what we want. It uses botanicals, vitamins and green tea to add some life to your skin. I use this all over my face, on top of moisturiser. Although it can be used on its own (I wish!) I always wear foundation on top, which gives me a lovely healthy glow. I've recently had a few compliments on my complexion and it's all down to this little lovely. If you don't already have this in your makeup bag, then I'd really recommend it. It doesn't make skin shine, just simply adds a subtle but gorgeous sheen.

Benefits High Beam

Ahh the famed High Beam. I can guarantee that everyone has this in their collection, it's just one of those cult products isn't it. High Beam is a "complexion enhancer" which creates "that natural, radiant glow you've always desired" say Benefit. I've been using this product for years now, and we've been through a turbulent relationship in this time but I've finally accepted this product for what it is. Whilst I use MAC Strobe Cream all over my face, High Beam is destined for those special areas you want to be noticed, such as your cheekbones, your brow bone or down your nose. I use this usually only on my brow bone, which I think works amazingly well. High Beam is quite pigmented, more so than MAC strobe cream I would say (but it is more of a pink undertone as the picture shows). I used to apply this over my foundation to my cheek bones, but I found that it didn't blend in so well with my foundation. I now use a powder for this area. Once I had worked that out, I began to see High Beam in a whole new light. 

High Beam is a lot thicker than other liquid highlighters such as Strobe Cream, and it's also quite gloopy. 

Although I do recommend this product, you really have to find out what works for you. I absolutely love High Beam just under my eyebrow to accentuate the arch but you may find other uses for this. 

Smashbox Soft Fusion Lights in Baked Stardust

This is one of the first Smashbox products I've tried and I don't think I've put it down since. Smashbox say "The illuminating formula softens the way light reflects on your skin and wakes up your complexion for a radiant look" which is what it does. I apply this to my cheekbones (sorry High Beam!) to give a subtle sheen and a lovely glow. I don't use a bronzer, but this does have a slight bronzed look to it, so this sort of is my bronzer. I can't fault this product, it's less noticeable than other powder highlighters I've tried and the 5 different colours give such a nice natural glow. I'm quite pale (NW20) and happy with that, so it's nice to have a small amount of bronze added to your face which will catch the light and brighten your appearance. 

I guess you could sweep this product around your face, but I find it works best with just a small amount on my cheeks. 

Bourjois Illuminating Touch

I've always been a massive fan of Bourjois little pots, especially their blush pots. I found this about a year ago, and it's always been something I reach for. It's more iridescent than the other highlighters i've mentioned, and a lovely natural peach colour. Although it's a bit more glittery, it gives a subtle glow which helps to sculpt the face. I think this is a bit more natural than the other highlighters. 

I'd definitely recommend this product, it goes really well with a nice pink/peach blush and really injects some glow into your skin. 

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

Okay so I know I only bought this a few days ago, but I am seriously in love. This product is so lovely and pigmented, Topshop say it is a "Shimmering silky golden highlighter to add lightness and radiance to face and body". 

I know this will become a permanent product in my life, the lovely golden colour is gorgeous and it really does give you a gorgeous glow. I use this along my cheekbones and on my temples, but it can be used all over the body - on the collarbones or around your cleavage. 

This looks amazing on my slightly pale skin, but I know it will look lovely in the summer with a tan as well. 

If you don't already have this, you really need this in your life. 

So there is my 5 Best Highlighters, let me know what you think. I'm thinking about making this a regular feature so if you want to suggest something for me to review, I'd definitely be up for it. 

In other news, I'm selling two of my favourite dresses on ebay, which can be found here. 

Valentines, FOTD & Topshop.

Ahh Valentines Day! Just another day to me usually, I didn't get anything for Graeme but we had a nice dinner on Saturday and we're having another one tonight. Graeme got me my Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume which I posted about earlier, but this morning these came for me! No one has ever given me roses before! The card says "from your secret admirer ;)" awww :) 

Today I bought this gorgeous Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam. I had been looking at it before, it's an amazing colour and so pigmented. I think one sweep on your cheekbones is enough, I can't ever imagine finishing this product, even if I used it four times a day. 

It gives a subtle glow to wherever you use it, I use it on my cheekbones. So lovely! Even my boyfriend noticed it. 

I also got a new blusher brush (pictured below) because I was getting sick of my ELF bamboo one. Hopefully I will have more luck with the Topshop one. I love new brushes, so soft. 

I got this headband from Topshop as well, but not sure how I feel about it... The bow is quite big and flappy and I'm not sure if it's very me but I love the colour. 

Another FOTD, but I was enjoying my makeup quite a lot today so I thought why not? The products I used are the same as yesterday except I finally used my Sleek Storm palette! From the palette I used the second from the left on the top row for the lid & up to my brow, and then the first from the left on the bottom row for the crease and outer lid. 

What did everyone do for Valentines? So excited to read everyones posts! 

Last nights FOTD.

Last night Graeme and I decided to go out for some drinks in Leeds, so I thought I'd put up some pictures of my outfit & makeup.
I basically just wore the same outfit as yesterday, the peter pan collared crop top and black bodycon skirt, but put my cameo necklace on and some lovely Topshop heart suspenders.

I got them a while ago, probably in October/November but I love them! I don't like the Henry Holland suspender tights because I think they look odd (why the three suspender straps?!) but these are so cute.
I also added some eyeshadow from my Too Faced Natural Eye Palette and a touch of Topshop Brighton Rock lipstick.

MAC Studio Fix foundation 

L'oreal Touche Magique concealer

MAC Strobe Cream

Topshop Blush in Pinch

Smashbox Soft Fusions Highlighter

Benefit Brow Zings

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette 

MAC Prolong Lash

Rimmel Liner 

Nude Beach on my brow bone. 

Honey Pot on lid. 

Cocoa Puff on crease. 

And obviously my homemade studded leather jacket! 

Planning on doing absolutely nothing today! I love sundays. 

Today OOTD.

Top: Topshop

Skirt: H&M 

Necklace: H&M 

Bag: Primark

Ahh my first outfit post! It's not the best, but I can only get better eh. My hair is a mess! And I'm not sure if i like this outfit with the necklace or not. 

I also bought that Primark bag that everyone has. So cute! 

My boyfriend and I went into town today (it was packed) and Graeme bought me the Limited Ed. Marc Jacobs "Eau So Fresh" Daisy perfume from Harvey Nicks! 

It smells like heaven! I posted about this before, and I absolutely love it. It's an early Valentines day present, although I didn't think we were going to do anything this year really (but he did take me to Paris last year...) but we went to Waitrose and got one of those "Dine in for 2" meal things which looks lovely. Om nom noms... 

When we were in Harvey Nichols (my least favourite place to be, but that's where MAC, Nars etc. is) we were served by a couple of older ladies dressed like they were going out to dinner and they were fussing around putting my perfume in bags with ribbons etc. and they dropped a bottle of perfume not once but twice! In the space of about two minutes. Great service there, ladies... 

We left town pretty swiftly, but I picked up a copy of the Sun newspaper so I could claim my free Barry M set! 

I hope everyone enjoys the fact that I have blogged twice in one day. I was also featured on the lovely Jo's blog as a blog to follow! I'm so pleased because I also reached 100 followers today! Happy happy happy. So thanks to everyone :) 

Makeup Bag.

First of all, I'm so sorry about the quality of the pictures. It's 9pm and quite dark so they're not great (I also had to use the flash and it highlighted how dirty my makeup is... lovely) but this is just an overview of my daily make up (similar to the Skincare post I did).
Obviously I have literally tons of makeup stored away but this is what I leave out and use daily, and also take with me a lot of time if I'm going out or whatever.

My makeup bag used to be gorgeous, I bought this from Superdrug around 4 years ago and I can't bear to throw it away (even though its dirty, faded, the zip is broken and my makeup doesnt actually all fit in it). Its purple and has a black damask pattern all over it (now tragically faded, RIP).

Okay so I think it's important to prime my skin first, since my skin is yuck and bumpy and not lovely like everyone elses. I don't always use all these products, but these are the ones I use more than others. They are: 

Benefit High Beam: I use this as a highlighter on my brow bone and cheek bones.

ELF All Over Cover Stick: I use this to cover any blemishes pre-foundation.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer: A cult product, excellent primer to smooth out skin.
MAC Strobe Cream: Lovely used a primer, gives a subtle sheen and brightens dull skin.
MAC Matte Gel: Absorbs any oils, giving a matte appearance. I sometimes use this instead of the other primers.
YSL Touche Eclat: Another cult product which I use to hide my eye-bags.
Smashbox Under Eye Brightener: I sometimes use this alone or under Touche Eclat.
ELF Eyelid Primer: Excellent eyelid primer, makes sure my eyeliner & mascara doesn't leave black marks on my eyelids & holds on eyeshadow when I wear it. 

Terrible picture. My two favourite foundations and my absolute favourite concealer.
MAC Pro Longwear foundation NW20: amazing, amazing, amazing!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation NW20: I didn't like this at first and I prefer my Pro Longwear but sometimes I mix them together, and have only recently started wearing this alone for a more dewy look.
L'Oreal Touche Magique Concealer: The best concealer money can buy, such a bargain and better than my MAC Prolong wear concealer!

 

I have a heap of powders, blushes and highlighters as you can see. These are my main ones, and I swap them around each day.

Sleek One Finishing Powder: A recent purchase, but really nice and fine.
MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty: Lovely rosy gold blush with a subtle glow. Perfect!

Smashbox Highlighter Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Stardust: Awesome highlighter.

MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder NW25: Slightly darker than my foundation, so I don't use this too much. Good for blending in & use it most at night.

MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Powder: Sets makeup, doesn't look cakey.
Bourjois Blush in Rose D'or: A new purchase, but definitely a favourite. Similar to the MAC Dainty blush. Very pink with a shimmer.

Bourjois Illuminating Touch: A great highlighter for cheekbones.

Topshop Cream Blush in Pinch: Another new purchase but so good!

I actually don't wear eyeshadow all that much... I'm not sure why! I use a few different mascaras at once though, but this one is my favourite at the moment. 

Sleek Storm Palette: I've actually never used this, it's too pretty! I need to experiment, I love the colours.

Mac Pro Longwear Mascara: I didn't like this at first but I use it every day now.

Rimmel Professional Liquid Liner: You can't beat this, and it lasts for so long!

Benefit Eye Bright: A great highlighter for eyes, I use it in the corners of my eyes to make them look wider and brighter.

Benefit Brow Zings in Medium: I love Brow Zings, I use it with a small angled brush (see below).

Two of my favourite lipsticks.
MAC Cremesheen in Speed Dial: Lovely pink colour, but not over the top.
Revlon Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon: More of a daytime colour.
17 Lipliner in Rose Blush: This goes perfectly with the Revlon lipstick. 

My main brushes which are all different brands.
Models Own Eye Shading Brush: Just in case I decide to wear eye shadow.
MAC 190 Foundation Brush: I think everyone has this. Excellent foundation brush (although I don't always use it and I'm really lazy and never wash it!)

ELF Small Angled Brush: Perfect for eyebrows.
ELF Angled Blush Brush: I'm actually a bit sick of this, I don't like it as much as I used to so looking for a new one to replace this.
H&M Powder brush: I love H&M brushes, I used to have one for blush too. Lovely and soft, they stay like this for years and they're only a few pounds. 

So there you have it. An insight into my makeup bag, and all my daily products. If this post has taught me anything, it's that I need to keep my products cleaner and wash my brushes more regularly!