Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Archive for March, 2013
What I Wore: Monochrome Bar Stripes
6
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Happy Easter everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying the bank holiday. Yesterday was my friend’s birthday, and to celebrate a small group of us went for a Mexican meal before going to one of my favourite bars in town. For some reason I struggled to find something to wear, so I decided to keep it simple with smokey eyes, nude lips, monochrome stripes, a few stackable bracelets and one of my favourite necklaces that I don’t wear often enough. Considering it was a last minute job, I was pretty pleased with last night’s look, and here it is…
Face
Products Used:
Inikia Organic Certified Liquid Foundation in Cream
Colortrend Perfect and Hide Concealer in Light
MUA Matte Perfect Loose Powder
17 Smokey Eye Palette
Models Own Kohl Eyeliner in Black
MUA Pro Gel Eyeliner in Underground
Avon SuperMagnify Mascara in Black
Lipstick Queen Saint Sheer Lipstick in Bright Natural
Outfit
Dress, Tights, Bag – Primark
Boots – Deichmann
Necklace – Alchemy
Bracelets – Thrifted, Primark, Celliana
What did you do with your Easter weekend?
Naomi x
Bailey & Quinn Embossed Leather Tote Bag
15
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Everyone needs a stylish, timeless bag in their collection which goes with anything, and this Embossed Leather Tote from Bailey & Quinn, which was sent to me to review, is mine. Bailey & Quinn are a designer brand exclusive to Debenhams, and offer a wide range of handbags and purses in a variety of patterns and colours, all of which are crafted by hand from top quality leather. With prices starting at £12 there’s something to suit everyone’s pocket too. My Embossed Leather Tote sits at the top of the brand’s price range, and at £179 is a bit of a splurge item, but its excellent quality means it will last forever and will soon pay for itself.
When I received my bag in the post and hurriedly unpacked it, the first thing I noticed was how lovely it looked and felt. The whole bag is obviously well made, and the neat stitching and attention to detail reflect this. The leather is thick, but soft and supple, and has a nice weight to it which is telling of its quality, and it also smells great! The front of the bag is embossed with a large ampersand logo motif which looks a bit like a celtic knot, and features an engraved metal tag. It’s these little additions that make the bag stand out from the standard leather totes you find on the high street, and they certainly catch people’s attention when I’m walking down the street.
Though I’m not usually one for choosing neutral shades, I actually really like the delicately grey-tinged cream colour of this bag as it can be paired with almost any other colour without clashing, making it a very versatile piece when it comes to coordinating outfits.
The Embossed Tote can be carried in several ways as well, making it even more versatile. It has two strong, padded handles so it can be carried in comfort by hand, and it also comes with a removable shoulder strap. The shoulder strap adjusts with a buckle, like a belt, meaning it stays exactly where you put it and won’t slip out of place like the sliding adjustments on some cheaper bags do. This is a real bonus for me, as I always end up unwillingly adjusting my bags by accidentally tugging on the strap, but the buckle solves that problem.
Perhaps most importantly, the trapezium shape of the bag lends to it being spacious enough to fit the essentials, and a whole lot more. As such, it is suitable for just about every occasion, and whether you’re using the bag for work, university, an evening out or for every day use, it has room for everything you need. The bag has three main compartments, and many useful features. The centre compartment is where I keep the items I carry with me every day, such as my hairbrush, make up bag and bottle of water. It contains a small zip compartment for all your valuables, two open pockets, including one for your phone, and a handy key holder to keep your keys safe, and fastens with a magnetic dot. The other two sections fasten with secure zips, and it is in these pockets that I keep my diary, books and folders for work and university, and my purse, as I feel it’s safer when zipped away.
Since receiving this bag, it has become an integral part of my daily wardrobe. Its size, space, appearance and quality are all top-notch, and I will be using my Bailey & Quinn Embossed Leather Tote Bag with pride for many years to come. As will my mum and grandma too, I imagine, as they keep asking to borrow it! The bag is available to purchase online for £179, although it currently has 20% off and is on sale for £143.20, so grab it cheaper while you can! You can also view the black version of this bag and the rest of the Bailey & Quinn range online here.
Naomi x
*This Bailey & Quinn Embossed Leather Tote Bag was sent to me on behalf of Debenhams for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Race for Life 2013
0
5 years
On June 30th I will once again be running the Race for Life in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The Race for Life is a big event which runs every year, where women of all ages come together to run, jog or walk a 5k or 10k distance, and the funds raised through sponsorship go towards research to help beat all 200 types of cancer.
My sister Freya and I have decided to run the course together, and will be completing the 5k track in memory of those we have lost to cancer, and in celebration of those who have overcome it. The day is always a lot of fun, full of music, colour, fancy dress and positivity, and I am really looking forward to taking part. I am absolutely determined to run most if not all of the track (rather than walking it), so I am hoping to get a bit of training in before the big day!
My fundraising target for this year is £100, so if you can spare a few pennies and would like to sponsor me, you can do so via my online fundraising page. It’s safe to use and all money goes directly to Cancer Research UK, and can be Gift Aided too. Thank you so much in advance!
Naomi x
Models Own Ice Neon in Pukka Purple
7
5 years
by Naomi in Nails
Models Own are one of my favourite nail varnish brands, mainly because they constantly come up with new and exciting colours and finishes, and they haven’t disappointed with their latest offerings for Spring/Summer. Last week, Models Own launched their Ice Neon and Fruit Pastel collections in Boots stores, and since I had a £10 Boots voucher to spend I decided to pick up a colour from each. I couldn’t wait to give them a go, and since we’ve been having a lot of snow lately I decided it would be fitting to use the Ice Neon varnish first, which is the one I will be reviewing today.
The Ice Neon collection features five shades – Bubblegum, Toxic Apple, Luis Lemon, Pink Punch and, the shade I own, Pukka Purple. Each shade is intensely fluorescent, and comes packaged in a frosted glass bottle which is intended to be stored in the fridge, in order to preserve the vibrancy of the varnish.
As with every other Models Own varnish that I’ve ever tried, Pukka Purple has a wonderful creamy consistency and applies effortlessly thanks to the easy grip lid and long brush. The varnish is very opaque, and looks flawless after just one coat, but I still find it necessary to apply two coats in order to intensify the colour. It also dries impressively quickly – within a few minutes of application I was able to go about my business without any worry of smudges or dents.
All of the Ice Neon varnishes have a matte finish (which may explain why it dries so quickly, as mattes tend to in my experience), but can be made shiny with a gloss top coat. Unlike some matte varnishes, this one applies well over a base coat, so there’s no need to worry about staining. Though I love the matte finish of Pukka Purple (which is still a little bit shiny, but not in a glossy way), I did find that it didn’t last too well without a top coat. Within a day my nails were showing wear at the ends, and after two days the varnish was chipping. Not ideal, but the amazing colour makes up for the poor lasting power.
Pukka Purple is an absolutely beautiful indigo purple, and is unlike any other purple varnish that I own (and I own a lot!) I’m not usually a fan of neons as I think they can look quite tacky, but this has the bold brightness of a neon colour but manages to remain classy with its matte finish and blue undertone. It’s definitely an attention grabber, and has brought me many compliments over the last few days!
Overall, despite its tendency to chip easily, Pukka Purple is a stunningly unusual varnish and boasts Models Own’s characteristic high quality formula. A definite must if you’re looking for something a little bit different and on trend this season. All of the Ice Neon collection is available online, individually or in a box set, and can be found in Boots stores around the country. At £5 each (or £20 for the set) they are kind on the bank account too, and worth every penny.
Check back later this week for my review of Grape Juice from the scented Fruit Pastel collection.
Naomi x
Purity Organic Skincare Facial Wash and Cleansing Lotion
8A few weeks ago I started to experience unsightly breakouts on my face, particularly around my jaw line, and nothing I tried seemed to make them go away. Even the medicated gels that my doctor prescribed did nothing but make my skin feel sore and dry! So, when I received a set of face care products in the post from Purity Organic Skincare I didn’t expect them to do much for me, but two weeks on my skin has improved more than I could have hoped.
Purity Organic Skincare are a British brand who focus on using hard-working and sustainably grown ingredients to create gentle but effective skincare products, which are also affordable, using the tagline ‘Less is more in beauty’. Most of their ingredients are organic, and the brand is officially EcoCert certified, vegetarian and does not support animal testing, so they are all round skin, animal, environment and purse friendly – what more could you ask for?
The two products that I was sent to review are Purity’s Facial Wash and Conditioning Cleansing Lotion, which both come in Purity’s characteristically simple packaging. Here are my experiences of both so far…
Facial Wash – 150ml – RRP £4.99
I use Purity’s Facial Wash every morning whilst in the shower, and it adds a lovely bit of luxury to my morning routine. The wash contains a mixture of natural ingredients, including sweet almond oil for moisturisation and aloe vera to soothe the skin, and is fragrance free so is suitable for sensitive skin, which is excellent news for me! I find that the wash has quite an oily consistency, but if you rub a coin sized amount between your hands before use it warms up and develops into a light foam which is enough to cover your whole face, and feels gorgeously silky when massaged into the skin. Despite the oil, the wash washes off with no trouble and leaves no greasy residue on the skin, and doesn’t go the other way and dry the skin out either. Rather, it leaves the skin feeling refreshed, clean and incredibly soft.
Conditioning Cleansing Lotion Make-Up Remover – 150ml – RRP £4.99
Every evening, before I go to bed, I remove my make-up using Purity’s Conditioning Cleansing Lotion. The cleanser has a creamy texture which acts as a moisturiser and, like the facial wash, has no fragrance. The main ingredients derive from coconut and avocado oil which cool the skin, and were specifically chosen for their abilities to break down make-up and dirt. To use, you just need to massage a small amount of the cleanser onto the face and neck before removing it with a clean cotton pad, and believe me when I say it does its job very well! The cleanser I used to use never fully removed everything from my face, so when applying toner there would still be make-up coming off on the cotton pad, but this gets rid of everything in one go. The only downside is that it can’t be used to remove eye make-up, so I’ve had to continue using my usual one, but I would switch to Purity straight away if they did launch an eye make-up remover!
Combined, these two products have worked miracles on my problem skin. I put the breakouts down to the overuse of scented products packed full of harsh chemicals which irritated my skin, and the gentle but effective ingredients in the facial wash and cleansing lotion have sorted that right out. Though my skin still isn’t perfect, it looks a LOT clearer and feels a lot smoother, which has seriously boosted my confidence.
Purity Organic Skincare’s products are available online and in Superdrug stores across the UK, and are extremely affordable, ranging from £4.99 to £8.99 each. I really can’t recommend the brand highly enough as their products actually work and have sorted my skin out in no time at all – thank you, Purity! I am definitely going to be repurchasing both the facial wash and cleanser, and will be investing in the moisturiser too.
Naomi x
*The Purity Organic Skincare Facial Wash and Conditioning Cleansing Lotion were sent to me by Purity Organic Skincare for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Snakebite
8
5 years
by Naomi in Eyes
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in the world of beauty blogging it’s that Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes are extremely popular, so much so that reviews of the palettes seem to take precedent over the brand’s single eyeshadows. So, when Lookfantastic gave me the opportunity to try an Urban Decay eyeshadow, I was intrigued to find out whether bloggers are missing out on a little gem in choosing palettes over singles.
Urban Decay’s range of eyeshadows features 68 shades in every colour you can imagine, all of which have fun, creative names. From nudes and browns, to blues, pinks, purples and even black, there’s something for everybody, so if the combined shades in the palettes aren’t for you, you can pick and choose the singles and build up a personalised collection of colours.
The shade I received is called Snakebite – a bronze brown with a slight shimmer which is ideal for day wear on its own.
I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging (as long as the product inside lives up to it), and Urban Decay’s new design eyeshadows are definitely pleasant to look at. The shadow comes encased in a silver-toned circular pot which looks very chic, and is apparently inspired by NYC subway tokens – a brilliant cultural touch. Even the textured purple box is lovely!
The eyeshadow itself has a velvety soft feel which translates onto the skin for a flawless, smooth finish. When I first used Snakebite I was slightly worried that my eyeshadow brush wasn’t picking up much of the product, but when I applied it I was pleasantly surprised. The eyeshadow is very highly pigmented, so what looked like a little went a very long way, and it didn’t take much to build up decent coverage.
The only issue I have with the eyeshadow is that the powder sits quite loosely on the brush, meaning it makes quite a mess with the excess falling onto my cheeks during application. However, this is easily sorted with a quick sweep of a spare clean brush!
Here’s how the eyeshadow looks on the skin…
Perhaps the biggest test of a good eyeshadow is how long it lasts, and Urban Decay’s eyeshadow lasts an impressively long time. The first time I wore Snakebite I wore it without an eyelid primer, yet it still lasted all afternoon with no fading, and it didn’t gather in the creases or smudge at all. I just love that you can wear this eyeshadow without having to worry about touching it up throughout the day!
Overall, from packaging to product this little eyeshadow oozes quality and I really, really like it. If you love the Urban Decay palettes then I’d highly recommend you try the singles too! You can find the full range of Urban Decay’s gorgeous little eyeshadows here at Lookfantastic, and they cost £14.00 each.
Naomi x
*This Urban Decay Eyeshadow was sent to me by Lookfantastic/The Hut Group for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Big Birthday Giveaway WINNER
3Last month, to celebrate my 23rd birthday and my blog’s 1st birthday, I launched my Big Birthday Giveaway. I teamed up with Lookfantastic to offer one lucky winner a highly sought after Urban Decay Naked Palette, and the time has finally come for me to announce who will be receiving this amazing prize!
The response to the giveaway was incredible and by the time it closed it had received more than 2000 entries from all over the world! So, thank you so much to everyone who entered – I really appreciate your support, and thank you too to Lookfantastic for donating the palette.
Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The WINNER of my Big Birthday Giveaway is Entry No. 94, which belongs to…
Chrissie Lea
Congratulations Chrissie! I hope you enjoy your prize. Please contact me at with your address to claim your prize.
Once again, thank you so much to everyone who entered – I wish I had a prize for all of you! If you still want the Urban Decay Naked Palette, it is available here from Lookfantastic for £36.00, and for a limited time, if you buy 2 Urban Decay products you will receive a free Supercurl Mascara.
Keep an eye out for another exciting giveaway coming soon!
Naomi x
Fragrance Direct Collective Haul
20
5 years
by Naomi in Hauls
There has been a big buzz on Twitter lately about Fragrance Direct, mainly because they have been selling a wide range of Dainty Doll make up for just a couple of pounds each. Dainty Doll is a brand that I’ve been wanting to try for a while as it is formulated for people like myself who have fair complexions, so when I heard the bargainous news I went straight to the website to place an order. I soon discovered that Fragrance Direct stock a LOT of other brands at incredibly discounted prices, and I ended up ordering a couple of other things too.
I plan on reviewing everything I purchased from Fragrance Direct in the coming weeks, but for now I thought I would show you my collective haul. The website is restocked almost every day, and also runs out of products just as quickly, so I ended up placing three separate orders in order to get hold of everything I wanted. It did mean I had to pay three lots of postage, but postage is only £1.99 and I split it with my mum and sister as they ordered a few things too, so everything still works out dirt cheap.
Here is what I received in my first two orders… (The third hasn’t arrived yet, but it only consists of two Essie nail varnishes so I’ll add them at a later date).
Dainty Doll Powder Blusher in ‘My Girl’ – £1.99 (RRP £13.50) and Dainty Doll Cream Blusher in ‘Paper Roses’ – £1.99 (RRP £13.50)
Dainty Doll Concealer in ‘002 Abracadabra’ – £1.99 (RRP £14.50)
Dainty Doll Lipstick in ‘Couture’ – £1.99 (RRP £12.50)
Essie Nail Polish in ‘Orange It’s Obvious’ – £1.99 (RRP £7.99)
(‘Bikini So Teeny’ and ‘Cascade Cool’ are currently in the post.)
Manhattan Rock Topia Nail Polish in ‘5’ and ‘6’ – £0.49 each (RRP £2.99 each)
(My mum ordered shades 2, 3 and 4 and they are all absolutely gorgeous.)
Dr Ciate Prescriptive Nail Care File for Brittle Nails – £0.99 (RRP £3.99)
Excluding postage, this little lot cost me just shy of £12.00, but is worth a whopping £72.00 in total! I’m really happy with all of my items and I can’t wait to receive my next order and place even more in the future. Keep an eye out for swatches and reviews of everything coming soon.
Have you ever ordered from Fragrance Direct? What did you buy?
Naomi x
Bad Apple Cosmetics Nail Varnish
13
5 years
by Naomi in Nails
A few weeks ago I entered a competition on Twitter to win some Bad Apple Cosmetics nail varnishes from The Lady Boys of Bangkok, and I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of their winners. The prize I received consisted of three nail varnish shades from the Bad Apple range, and they are all absolutely gorgeous – thanks @TheLadyBoys!
Before entering the competition I had never heard of Bad Apple Cosmetics, but according to their Twitter account their products are all made in England and free from nasty chemicals, and they are apparently the first site in the world who will put any picture you send them onto nail wraps!
Since receiving my prize I have tried and tested all three varnishes, and I must say I am rather impressed. When I first saw them I immediately liked the little apple-shaped bottles, and the Bad Apple logo is pretty cool too. Each varnish comes with a wide brush which is easy to grip due to the large lid, which means it applies smoothly without any streaks. The varnish itself has a creamy consistency, but it is fairly sheer so two or three coats are needed for a completely opaque look. It also dries to the touch very quickly, within a minute or two, so you can create a beautiful smudge-free manicure in no time at all.
One of my favourite things about Bad Apple’s varnishes is that they last a very long time. I didn’t apply a top coat over any of the shades, and I wore each one for around four days before removing it, and signs of wear were minimal. At the worst I had a small chip on one or two nails, and that was all.
Here’s a closer look at each varnish… (Excuse the short nails – they were all breaking so I decided to cut them off and start again!)
Misty
Misty is a stunning dark slate grey which has an intense glossy shine. It’s a very unusual grey due to its azure undertone, but it’s really versatile as it’s neutral enough to go with anything.
Anna
Anna is a bright bubblegum pink with a shiny creme finish. This is my favourite of the three shades and the one I will wear the most, I imagine. I love how pretty and girly it is.
Akane
True to its name, Akane is a brilliant red, which has a Gothic feel to it due to its deep colouring, and like the other two varnishes it also has a lovely shine. This is a classic varnish which is perfect for a glamorous evening look. Simply beautiful.
Bad Apple’s varnishes cost £9.95 each, which considering their quality is well worth it and I’d be happy to pay that for them. In fact, I hope to add to my collection in the not too distant future! You can view the full range of Bad Apple products here, and you can also follow the company on Twitter.
Which of these shades do you like best?
Naomi x
Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice Shoes
23I know I’m not alone when it comes to loving shoes, especially new shoes, so I was a little bit excited when I received a pair of shoes from the Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice range to review! Chorus Voice are part of Clarks’ SS13 line featuring luxe Liberty Art Fabric linings, and they are a fine example of a beautiful court shoe.
The first thing that grabbed my attention when I took the shoes out of the box was how they felt. The uppers are made from lovely soft suede which feels so luxurious to the touch, and the quality of the suede is obviously very high. I also really like the colour of the suede, which Clarks call Heather – a nude grey with an undertone of lilac which is quite unusual. As my regular readers will know, purple is my favourite colour and a lot of my clothes are purple, so these beauties are a perfect match for my usual colour palette.
The Liberty Art Fabric lining is full of pattern and colour, predominantly purple and lilac, which contrasts with but also compliments the neutral suede. The lining adds a finishing touch to these shoes that makes them so unique and majestic, and they look just as good off as they do on.
It’s not just good looks that these Chorus Voice shoes have, they’re impressively comfortable too. I’d even go as far to say these are the most comfortable pair of heels that I own. As is common with heels, the balls of my feet usually end up very sore after a short period of wear, but I haven’t experienced that with these at all. In fact, I always forget I’m wearing heels when I have them on. The shoes are lined with Clarks Plus insoles and have ‘dual density cushioning’ which is incredibly soft, and they almost mold to your feet as you walk, making them very easy to wear. I find that the lining doesn’t rub either, even when new, so I didn’t suffer any pain when breaking then in. What also helps is the sizing. Clarks’ shoes come in a wide range of half-sizes and different widths, so you can almost guarantee you’ll get a pair that fits well, which is great for me as I myself take a half-size!
Being 5’10” I’m not a fan of ridiculously high heels, so these are the ideal height for me. They come in at around 2.5 inches with a slight concealed platform in the front, which is just enough height for a look of sophistication, which is accentuated further by their elegant shape. The front of the shoes are extremely feminine, featuring a sweetheart topline which I think looks so lovely, and a classic rounded toe which I find far more flattering than a square or pointed toe.
Clarks’ Liberty Voice shoes go with anything too. I’ve been wearing mine during the day with skinny jeans to dress up a casual outfit, which works really well, but they also look great teamed with smart clothing for the office. They could even be carried through to the evening with a cute dress and a clutch, but whatever you choose, they’re definitely versatile and a wardrobe staple.
Clarks’ range of Chorus Voice shoes are available online and in store, and the Liberty shoes are also available in a stunning bright orange shade, which you can view here. They cost just £49.99 a pair, which is amazingly affordable for such a high quality shoe. I was expecting them to be a lot more, so if you’re tempted to get a pair then don’t hesitate – you won’t be disappointed.
Naomi x
*These Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice Shoes were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
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