OOTD: Stripes & Denim

Hello everyone! So the weather is still chilly and not even close to getting warm (bit too hopeful living in the UK...)

Wearing sleeveless tops can be hard especially in winter months so I love this Striped Cold Shoulder Shirt from Topshop which has the cut-out shoulder detail while still being full-sleeved. I love having basics in my wardrobe and this shirt is more dressy than your typical striped shirt. Since I was going out for a lunch date, I thought this top would go perfect with a pair of  black jeans (again from Topshop). I just think you can't go wrong with a pair of black skinny jeans and they go nicely with boots. Again the buckled 'western style' belt adds an oomph to just plain black jeans and makes the outfit more dressed up and looks like you actually made an effort! I went for plain black boots since I wanted the outfit to do the talking and I am slightly in love with the pointed shape of the boot. The statement necklace is an absolutely stunning piece which I think ties the whole look together with simple silver rings (the turquoise-stoned ring is from a small boutique called Spangle which is now shut down.)

I hope you guys get some inspiration from this outfit and if I can't find the exact items then I will link similar items below:

• TOPSHOP Stripe Cold Shoulder Shirt
• MOTO Black Jamie Jeans
• Silver Jingley Coin Statement Necklace (similar)
• Birthstone Turquoise Ring (similar)
• Sterling Silver Turquoise Stone Ring (similar)
• Pointed Chelsea Boots (similar)
• Black silver buckle western belt (similar)
• ASOS Leather Western Tip Waist And Hip Belt (similar)
• Pieces Western Belt with Silver Hardware (similar)

There are a lot of options for western style belts on ASOS! You can even try styling this Western style belt in gold from River Island.

It's a LUSH life!

Hey Guys! Hope you all are doing fab <3

LUSH is a company who makes fresh handmade cosmetics ranging all things body, face, hair, makeup, perfume and gifts. I have been a massive fan of LUSH for the past 2-3 years and their products never fail (I'm sure most of you reading this will have already known about this company). Also not to mention that they fight against animal testing and for all my vegans out there, this is suitable for you too (BONUS!!!)

I picked up these two beauties in the Boxing day sales at LUSH (They both are limited edition during the winter and Christmas periods - so I recommend you stock up when it gets released again).

 

 Rose Jam Shower Gel (250g) and the Snow Fairy shower gel (250g) - *I got them for £4.98 on half price due to the sales, normal retail price is £9.95 each.

Let me start off by first talking about the 'Rose Jam' shower gel. It is defined on the bottle as ' Turkish rose absolute and conditioning argan oils dance their dizzingly, floral fragrance over skin, leaving a gentle, lingering perfume behind'. I must agree with this statement, the colour and scent smells just like rose jam. It is a sweet yet sophisticated smell that I think any person of any age would love! I use this in the shower on wet skin and it lathers up nicely and fills the whole bathroom with the wonderful rose scent. It is not too overpowering yet the smell lingers for quite a while! Infused with argan oil, it is naturally high in vitamin E and fatty acid content makes your skin feel nourished and hydrated. I could not recommend this enough!

Next up is the infamous 'Snow Fairy' shower gel which I'm sure you have heard a lot of people talking about. It is defined on the bottle as ' For sparkle like there is snow tomorrow lather up in candy sweet suds that shimmer with a magic that comes but once a year'. This is a really sweet scent (stronger than the rose jam shower gel which is a bit more subtle) which smells like candyfloss and bubble-gum. I truly had to stop myself from eating it cause of the amazing smell of sugary goodness and all things nice! It is a pink shower gel with tiny specs of blue glitter! (If you're not much of a sweet scented person then this product is not for you!) Again this is lathered on wet skin and it releases the sweet scent combined with the steam of the shower, leaves your bathroom smelling like  a candy store! This is such a luxurious product that leaves your skin feeling super moisturised and leaves you in an amazing mood whether you need to trek on with your day ahead or before you doze off in bed dreaming about bubble-gum and candyfloss.

Price:
£4.95 - 100g
£9.95 - 250g
£16.50 - 500g
£27.95 - 1kg




* This review was not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

Top 5 Favourite Lipsticks for Winter

During this time of year I love wearing darker lips and I find that you can get away with a darker colour during the winter months. I've chosen these five shown below based on their pigmentation, wear during the day and how comfortable they feel on the lips. I've also picked one shade which may not come under the darker berry category for those who may not be as confident in rocking a dark lip colour. All lipstick colours on the lips are without lip liners to show you guys its true colour and pigmentation. I hope you try these lipsticks out and discover why I love them!

 

 

 

From left to right: Mac Lipstick- Amorous, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick- Birkin Brown, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick- Plum Plum Girl, Mac Lipstick-Rebel, MUA Matte Lipstick- Wild Berry.

 

 

 

 MUA Matte Lipstick - Wild Berry

This lipstick is an absolute bargain for just £1.00!! You may be thinking that it must have less pigmentation or wear during the day compared to a higher priced lipstick but you'll be proved wrong. I picked this lipstick (let's be honest for the price) but was pleasantly surprised by how pigmented it was for the price.

 

 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick - Plum Plum Girl

This lipstick is absolutely stunning with its unique velvet texture and wand stick makes it easier to get a precise coat on your lips. I love how this texture looks on the lips without it looking drying or uncomfortable. It is definitely lightweight and sometimes I even forget I'm wearing something on my lips which is a bonus. The price is £8.99 which is not cheap for a drugstore purchase but it is definitely worth it.

 

 

Mac Lipstick - Rebel

This lipstick is priced at £15.50 which more of a higher priced brand but with MAC being a worldwide known brand I was confident in buying this lipstick. The finish is a satin finish which I was glad about knowing how some MAC matte lipsticks can be over-drying. Also in the winter the satin finish will give some hydration to your lips. Even if this product is more higher priced, I would recommend this lipstick for its pigmentation and finish on the lips.

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick - Birkin Brown

This luxury lipstick is priced at £23.00 (definitely a high end brand) and for the pigmentation and wear of the product I wouldn't say the money was worth it however this colour is unique and I've never come across a colour like this at the drugstore. The pro is that it wears well throughout the day with no touch-ups needed and is a matte lipstick which does not dry your lips out (hooray!). The classy gold packaging definitely gives it that higher brand feel so if you have the money then it's definitely worth the splurge.

 

 

Mac Lipstick - Amorous

This is another MAC lipstick priced at £15.50 and is another satin finish which is great for the winter months to keep your lips hydrated. It's not a colour you would consider a dark lip but for those who want to try a colour that is still considered a darker colour I would highly suggest to purchase this.

 

 

Winter Skincare

Hydrating Thirsty Skin in Winter

During winter our skin can dry out more easily and the weather can have a greater toll on our skin. To prevent dry cracking skin (which is painful!) it is important to ensure that your skincare basics keep your skin hydrated. It is vital to add products which keep my skin hydrated and supple for a longer period of time and to protect it from the chilly weather.

Nip+Fab Dragons Blood Fix Plumping Serum (50ml) £19.95-This serum is super hydrating as well as giving a plumping effect with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and dragon's blood. This product has seriously been a game-changer this past month and I am very impressed by it!

Garnier Micellar Oil-infused Cleansing Water (400ml) £5.99- Micellar water have been very popular in the beauty world and with it containing micelles (cleansing agents), dirt and impurities from the skin is removed as well as waterproof makeup (life-saviour!). With infused oil means that makeup is easily dissolved and gives us less work to do when removing makeup, what more could you ask for?

Superdrug Vitamin E Eye Cream (15ml) £2.99 (bargain!)-  Now this is a product that has seriously impressed me from its first use. I've been applying this eye cream before I apply makeup as well as before going to bed and its non-greasy formula allows it to sink in faster. It also protects the eye area which is great from environmental damage and keeps the under eye area hydrated.

Simple Kind to Skin+ Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30 (50ml) £6.99- I've always been a massive supporter of simple products as it's great for those with sensitive skin. This product has again proved why I love simple product with its ability to keep my face moisturised for up to 24 hours! It transforms my dehydrated skin instantly as well as the bonus of it having SPF which protects your skin (everyone should be applying SPF even if it's winter!)

Tea Tree Face Mask (100ml) £10.00- This clay mask is amazing for those who suffer from blemishes or even if you want to remove impurities deep within your skin. Even though this product doesn't claim to moisturise, after using it, my face feels moisturised afterwards and doesn't leave that tight/over-drying feeling after applying a mask (which I hate!). I highly recommend this mask for those with blemish-prone skin or even if you get an occasional zit this is perfect for banishing them to leave clearer skin.


*This post is not sponsored by Superdrug or Body Shop and all opinions are my own

Winter Nail Polishes

Winter polishes I’m loving!

1. Barry M Gelly High Shine nail paint in Black Cherry (£3.99) : I love how long lasting this nail polish is! The Gelly High Shine collection by Barry M in general is  just amazing and this deep berry colour is right on trend at the moment (the price point for such a high-quality product is why I love this product as well!!)
2. Essie Nail Lacquer in Aruba Blue (£7.99) : This product is more on the pricey side but it's such  unique colour! It's great for parties and it just adds that pop of colour to your outfit! Definitely worth the investment.
3. Essie Luxe Effects in Fashion Flares (£7.99) : Again this is a bit more pricey yet worth your pennies! It's one of Essie's high embellished top coat collection which means that you can add this shade on top of any colour if you want to add a bit of sparkle and va-va-voom to your look! I love to add this with the Barry M Gelly High Shine nail paint in Black Cherry (you can use any dark red/cherry/purple colour) just on the ring fingers to take your nails to the next level!
4. L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Nails in Divine Indigo (£4.99): This is a rich purple colour which I guarantee will get you a lot of compliments! I am a massive fan of L'Oreal and I love the applicator on this nail polish. It gives a great shine and has a built-in top coat which is perfect for people on the go like me!
5. Models Own in Chrome Rose (£4.99) : This is a nice rose gold nail polish that you can wear on its own or on the ring finger paired with a nude nail colour. It adds a subtle pop to your look and has a liquid metal chrome effect.
6. Zoya nail polish in Alicia (£11.75) : This colour is a definite staple as it's a shimmery silver colour that again can be paired with any other nail polish do add that dazzle!  
7. H&M beauty nail polish in Bordeaux (£3.99) : This is a lovely deep wine/cherry colour that is a staple for the winter season and right on trend! I was really surprised by the high quality of H&M nail polishes as they have great colour pay-off and you only need 2 coats to get a rich colour! It is also long-lasting so for just £3.99, you just can't go wrong!
8. TOPSHOP nails in Rage (£5.00) : I really love the nail polishes by TOPSHOP, they are a great quality and they have a wide range of colours! This colour in particular is bold and festive.
9. Zoya nail polish in Indigo (£11.75) : I mean this nail polish is just a dream! It is a perfect shade of midnight blue with specks of silver glitter. It is a really festive colour that will make your nails do all the talking all night long! You can jazz up a LBD or a pair of jeans with this colour. It is on the pricey side but it is a unique colour and also super pigmented that I promise that you will be blown away by!                                    

NYE

Hello everyone! This is my first  ever blog post on the outfit that I wore on New Year's Eve. I still can't get over the fact that we are officially in 2017 and how fast 2016 has flown by! NYE was pretty chill as we just had a family party so I wanted something quite sparkly yet still an easy-to-wear and sophisticated outfit.


I found this sequin top from a website called MISSGUIDED (which I think most of you reading this would have already known about) which I totally fell in love with! I didn't know you could fall in love with a crop top, yet I did! I mean it is a pink embellished crop top, who wouldn't fall in love, right?


With the top in mind I knew that I wanted it to be the centre piece of my look and that I had to work around it. With this in mind, I then went on a hunt to find a midi skirt. I had seen quite a few other bloggers wear pleated midi skirts which I wanted to try out for myself.  I came across this rose gold metallic pleated skirt which I thought would really compliment the top (I think I have fallen in love with rose gold again!). Yes, yet again I bought this from the trusty MISSGUIDED website - I'm turning into a MISSGUIDED-holic!!


With the top and skirt sorted, I went for some basic nude strappy heels which I had bought last year from Dorothy Perkins (Not sure whether they still have them in-store but I'm sure New Look does some similar ones which I will link below).With the outfit doing all the talking,  I went for some plain silver jewellery. I got the rings a while ago (can't remember where from but will link some similar ones). For the earrings I went for some simple rose gold flower earrings and diamond studs which were in a 8 pack set from Accessorize.


All-in-all this outfit was a winner as I received many compliments about my outfit that night! I hope that you can take some sort of inspiration from this and play around with embellished crop tops and pleated midi skirts. You can even pair the crop top with some embroidered jeans or culottes.


I hope everyone had a great year in 2016 but lets make 2017 the best one so far! Stay tuned for more OOTDs and makeup posts, they are coming your way <3

Outfit details:

• Nude Embellished Crop Top
• Pleated Midi Skirt Rose Gold

Couldn't find the heels or exact earrings but here are some links to similar ones:

• Light Pink Velvet Ankle Strap Block Heels
• Cream Suedette Heeled Sandals
• Stud Earring Set