Don't Get Lippy With Me!

 The beauty world has blessed us with hundreds of different types of lip products, from frosted lipsticks to matt glosses. Although it's fabulous to have so much choice it also makes finding the perfect one a whole lot more difficult. You don't only have to think about the shade anymore, you have to have the right texture and consistency.

I'm one of those people that can't leave a store like Boots or Drugstore without a handful of goodies to smudge all over my face, so looking and trying out all these new products is like a dream come true. But I know many people who just want to pop in, find what they're looking for and go, so having such a variety of lip products makes life that much more difficult for them.

I've narrowed my review to 3 different types of lip products, lip gloss, lipstick and lip butter in 2 different colours. I chose these products because they are all different consistencies but share a lot of eachothers traits.

First up it's Lipgloss

Natural Collection: Cherry Drop 

This sparkly candy pink gloss is a beautiful colour in the tube but dissapointly lacks much colour once you apply it on your lips, although the sparkle remains giving you a little pop of glamour when you enter into the light. The gloss is a thin consistency so i'd advise you to apply a little more than usual just so the colour comes through a little better. I was surprised to find that it really wasn't that sticky at all, so it would be a perfect replacement for a nude lip.

Calvin Klein: Burst 

The gloss looks a lot more orange in the tube than on your lips so don't let that scare you. The application of this gloss is a little messy as it's very thick and difficult to control. I had high hopes for this product as its Calvin Klein, but it's extremely sticky and doesn't really do much for you lips except make them look like you've licked them shiny!

Now Some Lip Butter 

Collection: Popping Pink

Collection: Vintage Rose 

Thought I would review these 2 product together since they are from the same company, lip butters are a new addition to the lip product family and I can certainly see what all the buzz is about. They are as moisturizing as a balm, as shiny as a gloss and as pigmented as a lipstick. The perfect all in one lip product! Personally I prefer the Popping pink because of its gentle brightness, as most pink lipsticks are almost neon! The Vintage Rose colour is also very subtle but its unique mixture of nude, orange and a little pink makes it a perfect natural colour. Their crayon like application makes it so simple to apply and is also very handy for on the go. They only negative comment I can say about this product is that its a little greasy but defiantly a super product in my eyes! 

Last But Not Least  Lipstick 

GOSH: Tropical Pink 

There's no denying that this lipstick is extremely pink, like I can see you from the other side of the street kinda pink!  It's a good consistency for applying, as its moisturizing to start with but once its on, the drying process is rather quick. This extremely girly colour will be perfect for spicing up any outfit or if you just feel like having a girly day. 

M.A.C: Fresh Moroccan 

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you know I love a red lipstick. This Frosted M.A.C lipstick has tiny flecks of gold, which shimmer through in the light. I hate to say it but this lipstick is very dry and cracks easily, I would advise you a use a red lipliner before applying this lipstick just so that when cracks do appear its not as obvious. 

Swatches up to down: Natural Collection Cherry Drop, Calvin Klein Burst, GOSH Tropical Pink, M.A.C Fresh Moroccan, Collection Popping Pink, Collection Vintage Rose. 

I love using all these products as they are required for different looks, I use lipgloss for more natural and subtle looks as well as layering it on top of my lipstick. I have found myself reaching for my lip butters instead of my lipsticks now for daytime looks as they last longer and I can apply them easily throughout the day. I save my lipsticks for more dressy makeup looks like going out or fancy dinners. 

What's your favorite lip product and do you recommend any for me to try? xx 

Maybelline Better Skin Foundation Review

 I have been searching through makeup counters for a while but nothing has really caught my eye, I guess owning almost every product for your face has its downsides sometimes! But the recent release of Maybellines Better Skin Foundation made me curious to know whether it really worked. I purchased it in shade 2, Nude, and at £8.99 per bottle at Boots (not the cheapest on the market) I had high expectations for it. 

The foundation promises to improve "dull, blotchy and uneven skin". Maybelline also states that the foundation improves your skin with wear, so unlike other foundations that may leave your skin suffocated, Better Skin Foundation hydrates and brightens it making your skin naturally healthier in just 3 weeks.

(Shade 02, Nude)

After trying it almost everyday for a month I am pretty pleased with how it looks on. Its easy to apply and makes my skin look flawless. I also haven't found any sneaky little pimples after removing my makeup at night which happened with my old foundation all the time. 

With the foundation on:

Although this foundation looks beautiful on my skin, i didn't see any obvious results on my natural skin which I was slightly disappointed at. This may be due to me naturally having rather clear skin, but I would have been nice to see more of the results they advertised with the products. 

Left: Before using the foundation 

Right: After using the foundation for 4 weeks

Overall this product is great for wearing but wont magically make your skin look beautiful without it, but I would still recommend to those of you who are wanting a natural and light foundation. xx

Summer Self Confidence

Summer is finally here, the season we've been waiting for all year, those amazing summer sales have started, the days are longer  and your dream of getting a gorgeous glowing tan might come true. But with the warm weather comes a lack of clothing and while some people are embracing the crop tops and short shorts, I'm feeling more insecure than ever. "Will my thighs stick together in these shorts?" "Does this skirt hide all my wobbly bits? these questions are constantly on my mind. 

Now I don't consider myself as big, I'm a size 8-10 so people naturally assume I'm confident about my body. But I'm far from it, I completely despise my legs due to a lot of bullying while I was growing up. But this summer I'm putting a stop to my worries and insecurities and I want you to do the same as well! Wether you hide behind your jeans or makeup, it's time to fall in love with your appearance. 

By changing your mindset when you look in the mirror, you can build up a positive wall and protect yourself. Change those negative thoughts of "My thighs are too big" to "Society says I need a thigh gap, but how can you have a great bum without strong thighs." Our bodies are built the way they are for a reason, so whatever size you are, if you feel good then you can look twice as good. 

Although changing my mindset hasn't had an immediate effect as I'm still afraid of short shorts, I have being wearing my dresses and skirts without tights and I couldn't feel prouder of myself. These baby steps help you stay confident and comfortable in your own skin for life rather then feeling confident straight away and having one comment or bad outfit bring you down. 

Get your legs out this summer and embrace your insecurities! xx 

Kylie Jenner Inspired Makeup Tutorial

Kylie Jenner has been all over the gossip sites recently with her supposedly sending Justin Bieber nudes. But rumors aside, there is no doubt that she is absolutely stunning and like her sisters, the Kardashians, her makeup is always perfect. Kylie's instagram is like a personal magazine all about her. I have already taken inspiration from her hair style, hence the short cut. But now I think it's time to steal her makeup too! 

Firstly, using your normal foundation, powder and concealer make your face up but remeber Kylie's makeup is quite thick so apply it generously without making yourself look orange! 

Then its time to get into the detail of her makeup. Kylie's eyebrows are her defining feature, she wears them dark and bold so make sure you outline them sharply and fill them in with an eyebrow pencil. Pluck any loose hairs that don't fit well into the shape (It's best if you do this a while before you start your makeup but I'm not that organized) 

Kylie's is usually a smokey brown with an ombre effect. Start with a white shimmery base and highlight under your eyebrow, then with a light gold colour cover your eyelid. Once these colours are set go over the back half of your eyelid with a darker brow and blend well. This will give you eyeshadow that subtle ombre effect. 

I used the Naked 2 pallet to archive this look with the colours Verve for the white shimmer under the eyebrow, Suspect for the first covering of my eyelid and Snakebite for the dark smokey effect on the edge and finally a touch of Busted to darken it slightly. 

Apply black eyeliner to your water line and to the bottom of your eyelid to give your eye more definition and outline. Then use mascara to darken and lengthen your eyelashes, Kylie's eyelashes are always super long, so the more the merrier! 

Highlighter helps to brighten up your makeup and define certain aspects of your face. Kylie will usually apply it under her eyes, down her nose and above her eyebrows. Apply it lightly to these areas and blend it in so that its lighter but not too obvious. 

Using a mixture of light blusher and bronzer, highlight your cheeks and define your cheekbones by brushing the powers up your jawline. This will lighten up your face and help to make your face look thinner and more defined. 

Finally, apply a nude or pale coloured lipstick. Kylie often changes from dark lipstick to natural lipstick a lot but since this the eye makeup is so dramatic, a natural lip gives it the subtle finishing touch needed.

Final Look

 

Products Used 

Left to Right: GOSH lipstick in Cappuccino, Cosline black eyeliner, Collection Extreme felt tip liner, MAC False lashes extreme black, Urban Decay Naked 2, MAC studio fix powder in NC20, MUA Mosaic Blush in English Rose, Bourjois Bronzing Powder in shade 51, Maybelline Pure.Liquid Mineral foundation in Honey Beige, Benefit Watt's Up highlighter, Maybelline Browdrama in Medium Brown and Matbelline Master Shape brow pencil in soft brown. 

What do you think about this makeup look? If you want be to attempt anyone else just leave a name in the comments xx

Fashion Throwback

It seems the throw back thursday trend on Instagram has caught on in the fashion industry from 20's style cocktail dresses inspired by The Great Gatsby to the return on 90's fashion, our trends are traveling back in time, but is it for the better? 

I feel like the fashion industry has done it all and they may but running out of fresh, stylish and exciting new ideas so they thought "Hey lets bring back the good old times". I'm not criticizing the 90's at all, it's the year I grew up in (which makes it the best!) I just find it hard to rap my head around the fact that I now see the jelly shoes i was wearing at the age of 4 on a full grown adult! 

From chokers to floral print the 90's really covered a lot of ground fashion wise, but I thought i'd show you some of my favorite 90's throwback items of the season. 

The Mini Backpack 

This cute little bag is so adorable and beat carrying around a heavy purse in your hand all day, they  make an outfit look more unique and a little indie. Since they are beginning to trend again new classy leather designs have come out and even brands like Chanel are following. 

Dark Lipstick 

As you can probably tell from one of my eariler posts http://nicolealexandraslater.blogspot.hk/2014/01/my-obsession-with-red-lipstick.html
i love lipstick the darker the better! Having an minimal makeup look with shocking dark lips can really transform any style you're going for. 

Trainers 

 Although trainers arnt exactly the most fashionable shoe, they have been appearing quite a lot on the catwalk, Cara Delevingne paired trainers with a wedding dress in the Chanel fashion show. But I'm really loving the trainer inspired heels, they're cute and casual at the same time! 

High Waisted Everything

High waisted jeans and shorts have been around for a couple years now but it doesn't look like they are going away anytime soon. It's far more flattering for your figure as they make your legs look longer and your waist look slimmer which is always a bonus. 

Crop Tops 

The perfect summer top that keeps you cool as well as decent, they've also been around for a while but the closer it gets to summer, the more unique and exciting prints, cuts and designs these tops are sporting.

What do you think about the 90's comeback and what's your favorite trend? xx

Socks with Sandals?

 I'm not usually one to slam a trend but in this case I just can't help it. All I can ask is WHY? I remember seeing men at the beach in socks and sandals and it used to make me cringe and now girls are wearing the look on a night out. Maybe the past has effected the way I see this style but I personally hate it. I've tried to like it, I went out and brought a pack of cute socks and paired them with my sandal heels and guess what, it looked horrible! I honestly felt like I was 10 again trying my mums shoes on secretly in her wardrobe and couldn't be bothered to take my socks off. 

Maybe it's just me because this trend has appeared on the catwalk multiple times throughout the seasons so designers must like it. But I just think it looks like some dated mistake that we need to move away from. The last time I wore shoes with my socks showing was at junior school when I used to roll them down and think I could get away with it. 

I have always thought, what's the point in buying cute patterned socks when no one gets to see them? But it's a little like underwear, something only you and the person you're sleeping with get to see. Lets keep it that way! 

What's your opinion the this trend, love it or hate it? xx 

My Wardrobe Essentials

You may think you need a huge wardrobe full of expensive designer shoes and coats and be able to dish out the cash every season to buy the new trend to make you fashionable. But all you need are some key items that you can pair with anything to make it seem like you own more outfits.

These key items are better off being your usual colours such as black, white, grey and demin, as they never go out of style. They also make it easier to pair with coloured clothes if you want more in your wardrobe. 

Jackets/Cardigans

A blazer is a perfect way to smarten up any outfit, so if you can't be bothered to wear uncomfortably high heels and an "I can't breath" dress, then you're blazer will be your bestfriend. 

A plain white cardigan can be for slouching but can also help you dress down an outfit, so if you really want to wear that new dress you brought, but theres not special occasion then just chuck on one of these. 

Leather jackets have always made me feel badass and cool so if your outfit is lacking that little bit of edge then the leather will definitely give you some.

Tops/Shirts

A shire black top can be sexy and casual depending on what you pair it with, so if you want a night out look then a high waisted skirt and some heels will make you look hot as, but for a more causal look pair it with jeans and a leather jacket. 

I'm a sucker for denium shirts, I just think they go with anything and if I can't be bothered to look for an oufit I just pull one on over some legging and vuala! 

Everyone needs a black tank top in their wardrobe no matter who you are! Even my mum has one to put under any see through of revealing clothing to smarten you up. 

Although printed jumpers are not exactly the most fasionable of clothing, they are super cute and in winter you just want to rap up in one and drink hot chocolate. 

Skirts/Trousers

To me lace is pretty much timeless and gives any outfit that elegant touch, so whether its a skirt or a dress, its always nice to have a little lace in your wardrobe for those special occasions.

Black jeans are a must as they go with absolutely anything, but make sure you get the perfect size because i've been having real trouble trying to find a pair that doesn't give me builders bum!

And of course leggings! they go with anything, they're comfy, easy and oh so in right now, these are a must have in your wardrobe. 

What are your wardrobe essentials? Thanks for reading xx