Monday, November 30, 2015

My November Favourites 2015


October was very uneventful when it came to gathering my monthly favourites, mostly because what I had been loving throughout August & September seemed to stick for October too. November however was all about revisiting some of my old favs as well as discovering a few new ones. 

Beauty Favourites


Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette | £38
I raved and raved about this beauty here and ever since the air has turned colder, this is the palette I have been reaching for daily. Despite being designed for the creation of smoky eyes, I find this little gem extremely versatile, allowing me to come up daytime looks too, thanks to its lighter shades, High and Combust. If you wish to see a more detailed review as well as swatches, check out my previous post here.


Royal Apothic Body Lotion | £14.50
Lotion is a winter must and my dry skin has for sure been secretly thanking me for slapping this all over right after a hot shower. If you remember seeing this before, I got this on my last Glossybox (see all contents here) and I am so glad I did because I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. I won't describe its scent because I wouldn't be doing it any justice with my failed sense of smell. But I find it to be an incredibly nourishing body lotion with the right consistency and texture, that is absorbed at a speedy rate and doesn't feel sticky or oily. LOVE this!

Lanolips 101 Ointment | £7.99
If you are a dry lip sufferer like me, you will know how hard it is to find something that actually works. This however, outperforms all other types of lip balms, giving them a natural shine and healing sore lips as well as corners of the mouth. Boots sell a multitude of lip products which stay on momentarily but I know when I put Lanolips, my lips will feel nourished instantly and for longer. It does cost a bit more than ordinary lip balms, but I am finding it to be well worth its price tag. This is another Glossybox find, this time from the October instalment (here).


Miss Dior Eau de Toilette | £46.32
This is my 3rd bottle already and I can't have rave enough about it (and I won't). In a nutshell, this exudes femininity with its elegant and fruity smell which is also sweet but not too over the top. I will even go as far as saying that this is my all time favourite perfume, and one that I will surely repurchase over and over again in the foreseeable future.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream* | £1.99
Dry limps anyone? With this, you only need the smallest amount to moisturise even the driest skin. I use it as an intensive hand and foot cream too, and it leaves both my hands feet so soft and supple, and looking like I have had a mani and pedi done. Even though its consistency is thicker than your usual hand cream, it is non-greasy and absorbs quickly. And to top it all off, it has that amazing Cocoa Butter we all love. This stuff is seriously amazing!

Fashion Favourites


CLUSE La Bohéme Gold White/Pink Watch* | €89.95
A new watch was on my Christmas wishlist but Santa came a little earlier this year! When Cluse got in touch, I could hardly say no to a beauty such as this one. This model features an ultra thin case with a 38 mm diameter which is a little larger than what I would usually wear, but it is crafted with such precision that I find it nothing less than sophisticated and elegant. Better yet, if I get tired of the pink strap, it can be easily interchanged for the various colours available. This has not left my wrist ever since it arrived and I am sure I will wear it continuously throughout fall and spring.


High Street Outlet Kennedy Large Blanket Scarf* | £6.99
Fall wouldn't be complete without a vibrant tartan plaid scarf, and this stunningly soft and cosy scarf is match made in heaven for the chilly days ahead of us. Just like the watch, this has been my every day companion and I love how expensive it looks despite its tiny price tag. Amazing quality, amazing store, amazing prices; check them out here.


What are your favourites this month? Let me know below or leave your links so I can check them out!

Thanks for reading beauties and wishing you all a nice week ahead!
25 days until Christmas Eve, eeeeeep!

xoxo


*Items sent by the brands. All opinions are my own (disclaimer here).
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Friday, November 27, 2015

Beauty Haul: KIKO MILANO Lipsticks


I am totally going out on a limb here and NOT going to write about Black Friday because to be honest, I don’t think I can bear reading another blog post about all the amazing deals we should take advantage of. We get it, it’s Black Friday but how much stuff do you actually NEED? I can understand buying a few things but spending like there is no tomorrow sounds a bit ridic to me. 

Anywho, let’s get down to why we are here. I recently popped into a KIKO store and decide to peruse around the lipstick section as I have cleared out my make-up stash because believe it or not, lipstick does have an expiring date. Change in colour, texture or smell are all big warning signs that your lipstick has expired so I checked all of mine and quite a few simply had to be tossed. Throwing out make-up hurts but it also meant I could go out and buy a few replacements. I did think about popping into MAC but every time I step into a store I manage to get the worst (or no) customer service so I chose KIKO instead. They are cheaper, still amazing quality and the girl was very patient with me whilst I picked out the following shades.



Luminous Chrome Metallic Lipstick 714 Violet | £4.80

As suggested by its name, this collection aims to give a metallic finish for full coloured lips with shimmery brightness. Violet is a vivid intense purple colour with silver micro glitters in it. Its texture is very creamy and thus, incredibly comfortable to wear. As with any other creamy textured lipstick, this isn’t as long lasting as a matte lipstick would be, but I much prefer sheer lippies for the winter as my dry lips don’t suffer as bad. This is enriched with K2 Repulp (whatever that is) which according to Google assists in stimulating the production of Hyaluronic acid, keeping the moisture level of the lips ideal and increasing their fullness, not that I need any help in that department. Despite being a wearable shade I know it’s not for everyone, but the collection is quite contemporary and I'm sure that for less than a fiver you are bound to find a shade you will love.

Glossy Dream Sheer Lipstick 205 Wine£6.20

Another sheer lippie, see a pattern here? I confess that I was drawn to this due to its packaging, don’t judge me because I know you guys do the exact same thing. The bullet looks gorgeous and despite having a few other plum shades in my stash, I wanted something softer for winter that could be worn to work for example where I can’t really rock a bold wine matte lipstick because of weird looks I will get from people. This is the perfect very sheer wine shade; moisturising and easy to wear are amongst its qualities and thus by far my favourite purchase on this haul. 

Rebel Romantic Intensely Lavish Lipstick 06 Melodious Wine | £4.80

Again amazing packaging, who doesn't love a bit of gold?! A deep burgundy shade screams fall and that is exactly what I decided I needed when picking this up right at the till when I was about to pay for my other lipsticks. The packaging is lush, with a magnetic close lid and despite being a rather creamy bullet, the colour pay -off is gorgeous with a slight sheen finish. Pigmentation is noticeable from the first swipe; the colour is fairly long wearing (5 hours before re-application is needed) and it does not settle into fine lines. I remember something about these being limited edition so if you like the look of this or the other shades make sure you hurry.

Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 110 Wine | £6.20

I know what you are thinking, another Wine shade and my friends, that is exactly right. I loved number 2 so much that I wanted a similar colour but with a brighter and bolder finish and this is the perfect wine-pearly burgundy colour. This is a lot more pigmented than the Glossy Dream and despite not being in the slightest matte; I find it to be quite a good dupe for MAC’s Rebel as well (which has been on my wishlist forever) but for a fraction of the price, this was a sweet deal to pass. To some, these wine shades I picked up may look completely similar but they are really not. 

Right to Left: 714 Violet, 205 Wine, 06 Melodious Wine and 110 Wine.
Have you recently picked up any new shades that I should know about? Let me know below!
Happy Friday beauties and I hope you all have a nice weekend ahead!

xoxo

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

6 Hair Accessories for Christmas Party Season

I confess, when it comes to hair styling I fail miserably. Despite treating my hair with various hydrating masks and having a haircare regime in place, the usual for me is having my long locks always down regardless of where I am going, boring I know! The struggle is real in the morning; laziness and lack of hair styling skills really make it difficult for me to try anything new but I say no more! With the Christmas Party Season coming up #beyondexcited, there is no better time to start experimenting with different hair accessories and try breaking the norm. They are an easy way to upgrade any look and if I can make these work for me, I am sure you will be able to too. Keep reading to find out more!



This gorgeous and very elegant headband featuring intricate silver flower shaped details is perfect to create that sophisticated party look we all want this season. I choose to wear my hair down (as usual) because the pearls and rhinestones details complete the design and look, making this a piece that is easy to wear and an ideal match for a beautiful party dress. Definitely see myself wearing this to a wedding too!


I confess, I was drawn to this because of its name (Disney hardcore fan obvs), but seriously how cute is this crown shaped bobby pin? Adding a bit of sparkle to your hair couldn't be any easier; featuring rhinestone and faux pearl embellishments, it brings a gorgeous touch to any outfit and if you have a fringe like me, works like a treat to keep those pesky stray always in place.


The Sophia Hair Chain*
Hair chains were very popular back in the summer but who says I can’t rock this trend all the way through end-of-year party season. Despite this look being a little out there for some, I still find that these will add just enough feminine touch to updos. I chose to style it over my ponytail, and I love how vintagy it looks. I confess that at first I did have some trouble putting this on, but once you get the hang of it, it couldn't be simpler.


Yet another hair chain because why the heck not! These are a bit more glam than the above but still very versatile, and if you know me that is exactly how I like things around here. This wonderfully crafted baroque inspired hair chain is for sure going to turn a few heads, and will transform any messy updos or slick hairstyle into a look that everyone will be talking about!


The Belle Hairband*
This has to be my favourite of them all! A gorgeous piece designed with beautiful faux pearls and just the touch of a green rhinestone. As cheesy as it sounds, this hair piece really does make me feel like the belle of the ball and unlike other hairbands I've worn in the past, this feels well made and sturdy, and I adore how girly yet elegant it is. I can definitely see myself wearing this to an event as well as on a date with prince charming and that my friends and how much you can get out of this little cutie. I'm wearing this on a half-up, half-down hairstyle because it really does not get any easier than that.


Just look at those colours! A delicate array of blue rhinestones and beads provides an amazing sparkle to this stunning piece and I cannot wait to wear it with an all black outfit as it will be the perfect hint of colour. With a great secure fastening, this is not a piece of hair accessory that will keep falling off and that is big yes yes on my books. I seriously cannot get over how striking and elegant this looks!


These and many more hair accessories are available at Irresistible Me so make sure to check them out as they are having a massive sale on all of these beauties!

Will you be trying a new  hairstyle and perhaps even add a hair accessory this Christmas?
Let me know below!
Thanks for reading beauties and have a nice day ahead!

xoxo


*Items sent by the brand. All opinions are my own (disclaimer here).
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Monday, November 23, 2015

Winter is Finally Here: Fashion Inspiration Board

Photos: Pinterest

Passing by to wish you beauties a fashionable and stylish week ahead! 

Monday can wait. 

xoxo

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Friday, November 20, 2015

The Affordable Skincare Brand You Need to Try: Botanics


An effective skincare program is ideal in order to obtain that flawless complexion we are all after. In the past I believed that a mini fortune was required to achieve that, but now that has all changed thanks to a few products I have recently purchased from Boots' own all-natural brand; Botanics.

I'm sure you have all have heard of this name here or there, but I honestly never paid much attention and instead chose to spend on big name brands that quite frankly provide me with the same result. Being a sales lover, I decided to give it a try after all and boy am I glad I did. I have found some new favourites for the fraction of the price of so called “premium” skincare.


Botanics All Bright Refreshing Eye Roll-On | £8.99 (current sale price £4.49)
I've been long searching for my perfect eye cream and whilst this isn't it, it is pretty darn good. In the texture of a gel, this very lightweight product is designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. My dark circles always seem to kick back and never go away, but when it comes to puffiness this really does work. My under eye area feels immediately cooled and refreshed, and I especially like how quickly this is absorbed. The hyaluronic acid provides much needed hydration, which in turns helps boost dull delicate skin. From my experience, this shouldn't be used on its own, but rather as part of your eye treatment routine. If you've tried the Simple eye roll-on and hated it (I'm with you), try this instead. It is so much more effective and I would most certainly repurchase this.


Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub | £3.99 (current sale price £1.99)
I know there is much debate around face scrubs and whether they are beneficial or downright bad for your skin. Personally, I can’t live without a good scrub; I find that it helps reduce the appearance of blackheads and blemishes, exactly what I need. Containing refining walnut shell and crushed apricot seeds, this cleansing scrub buffs away flaky skin and gently sweeps away impurities, revealing brighter and boosted skin complexion. I've been using this for a few weeks now, 2-3 times a week, and I love how my skin feels right after use. Soft, clean and fresh! For less than £2 currently, this is a steal.


This range has been designed with active plant extracts approved by Royal Botanic Kew Gardens and products are also parabens free, always a bonus for me! It is also important that I point out that the All Bright range is targeted at those with normal/dry skin, but despite having combination skin, these stuff works extremely well on me. I am genuinely impressed with the products and the current offers at Boots are too good to pass, I will simply have to do myself a favour and try more things from them (see what range is mostly suitable for your skin type here). 

Are you intrigued by this range? If so, let me know below!
Thanks for reading beauties, happy Friday and have a nice weekend ahead!

xoxo

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Lipsticks to Lashes: GlossyBox November 2015 + Gold & Plum Make-Up Look

GlossyBox November 2015

Another month, another Glossybox! For some reason, despite looking forward to receiving these boxes at the beginning of every month, sometimes I am not too keen on writing about them. Frankly, not too sure if it’s something interesting for those who aren't subscribers. This month however, I thought I’d do something a little different and kick things up a bit. Given this box aims to take us from “Lipstick to Lashes”, it was more than appropriate for me to continue with my make-up tutorials here on the blog (see my first one here). I used the natural eyeshadow palette, the berry lipstick, fake eyelashes and primer (all contents of this month’s box) and created a fall ready look that is so easy to recreate and to wear right through this season. Keep reading to find out more!

GlossyBox November 2015

Royal Apothic Body Lotion | £14.50
We seem to get a lot of body lotions in these monthly boxes which may annoy some, but this little guy came at the right time for me. My skin suffers pretty badly during the winter being naturally dry, so body lotion must always be in stock on my bathroom shelf. Given this contains lactic acid which exfoliates the skin, allowing more moisture through to the new skin below; I am already on my way to smooth, hydrated and super soft skin.

Emite Diamond Heart Primer | £25.90
A tad pricey for a primer if you ask me, but I have noticed that this really does make up for a great base. It is extremely lightweight which makes prepping the skin super easy and fast (I hate those primers that take a lifetime to dry). I have found that it smooths my skin and pores rather well, not better than my all-time favourite POREfessional but not half bad either.

GlossyBox November 2015

MUA 12 Shade Undressed Eyeshadow Palette | £4
My first ever MUA product to try and I am impressed! Did I need a new palette? No. But I am glad they included this in because it makes for a great day-to-day product. I am stingy when it comes to using the good stuff, so instead of wasting my Nakeds on my work make-up, I will pick this up instead and be able to create both day and night looks thanks to the nude and metallic colours. The shades are pigmented and despite having a little fall-out, for the price tag one cannot complain.

Eylure Natural Lashes | £5
I recently spoke about how fake lashes are a nightmare to get right, so I am glad to report that these went on sooo easily! I actually managed to glue them first time round thanks my new DUO glue (which is awesome but stinks so bad!). Keep reading to see how they look on but in a nutshell: very natural looking. 

GlossyBox November 2015

Revlon Super Lustrous Black Cherry Lipstick | £7.99
Back in October we were asked to choose 1 out of 4 shades and I of course went with the darkest one, just because. Black Cherry is a lovely deep plum colour. The lipstick is infused with vitamin E and avocado oil which feels very hydrating and glides on easily. It isn't totally opaque, so a few coats were needed to achieve the look below and I find that the colour on the bullet is very deceiving but a nice colour to add to my make-up collection nonetheless. 

And here’s my make-up look created using all (bar the body lotion obvs) goodies above. On my face I started with the Emite primer, applied the L’oreal Infallible foundation followed by the Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer. Sealed all of it with my NYX Mattifying powder and contoured using my beloved (and very much used) Sleek Face Contour

GlossyBox November 2015

Eyes were created using the Mary Kay eyeshadow primer as a base followed by the MUA palette. On my crease I have shade Hazel (the only matte shade in the palette) blended all across; on my outer corners I applied Bronze Ore and Lion all over my lid. I finished off with Puff under my brow bone and the inner corners of the eyes to highlight. I lined my eyes with my favourite Collection gel liner, glued the Eylure lashes and finished off with a coat of the Roller Lash mascara by Benefit. I am also wearing the Dip Brow Pomade from ABH in Medium Brown which is a new favourite!

GlossyBox November 2015

And finally on my lips I have Black Cherry, this super gorgeous yet extremely hydrating lipstick from Revlon  which is my first one from the brand. It is patchy as you can see but it doesn't bother me too much as  it can be worn sheerly as a stain or fully for a more opaque look. Ah, and if you want to read more about all of these products, just make sure you click on the links for more detailed reviews I've done in the past here on the blog. 

So this is this month’s box and the look I came up with using its contents. Admittedly, not my favourite but Glossybox has really stepped their game these past few months and I can't wait to see what is yet to come! On other news, sadly I did not manage to get me a NARS Glossybox yesterday (I was too busy at work and it was sold out in 27 minutes!!!!) but am looking forward to the December one already. It is called Rose Gold Collector’s Edition and you will agree with me that it sounds pretty promising. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for reading beauties and let me know what you think below!
xoxo

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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Christmas Novelty Fashion Wishlist

Behold, Christmas related posts left, right and centre! First of all, #sorrynotsorry. Second of all, less than 45 days till the most magic night of the year. Am I the only one super excited? Being the Christmas lover that I am, I cannot wait to unleash some serious Christmassy related posts I have lined up for you all. But today I thought I’d start off easy, warming up to the big ones yet to come.

I love celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, having quality and bonding family time, being off work, and obviously, the whole eating involved (fun fact: we Brazilians eat non-stop from the 24th until the 26th). I love that part so much that things become a whole lot easier when I am in big jumpers, comfy pjs and generally warm and stretchy clothing. This year, I am lucky enough to have booked more than 2 weeks off work so endless couch time, constant stuffing my face and movie marathons are amongst the things I have planned. Thus it seemed only fair to put together a wishlist for some of the things I really want to get my hands on to make this Christmas the most comfy read fatty ever. In style of course, after all I am fashion blogger and what better time to dress up in all sorts of colours and fun prints than Christmas!
Top Row: Penguin T-shirt // Fairisle Jumper // Tartan Blanket Wrap // Penguin Jumper
Bottom Row: Reindeer Jumper // Snowman Pjs // Tartan Scarf // Minnie Gloves // Santa Gloves // Polar Bear Leggings
Admittedly, I have already started Christmas shopping (and yes it mostly involves Disney items) but one cannot simply have too many cute jumpers. These items are all super affordable, ie. perfect for me and my bank account. Now Christmas just needs to hurry up and get here already.

What is on your wishlist this Christmas? Let me know below! 
Thanks for reading beauties and have a nice weekend ahead!

xoxo

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

A/W 2015/16 Trends: The Blanket Wrap

Blanket Wrap

What could more practical and comfy than a blanket wrap for AW15? Ever since Cara Delevingne wore that blanket down the Burberry AW14 catwalk, this is one trend we are happy to see again come winter 2015. I personally am a little bit obsessed with the warmth, comfort and style the blanket wrap provides. What is not to love about this new blanket trend?  Other than being extremely easy to wear, one thing I feel the need to point out is that the cape must not be mistaken with its distant cousin, the oversized scarf. Sure, those feel amazing too when the chilly air hits but the blanket wrap offers so much more versatility and a variety of shapes, styles, colours and even fabrics!

Inspired by the traditional South American poncho, the blanket wrap is a key piece in this season’s play with layering and, being pear shaped myself, with giving my body the proportion it needs. Styling these is easy; the trick is to keep the rest of your outfit modern with plain neutral colours and use the blanket as your base. You can layer shamelessly to keep warm, rock it with a nice pair of boots, and add a fedora if you are feeling adventurous. Just drape it over your shoulders for a stylish and modern look, that is also cosy and comfy.

Blanket Wrap
Blanket Wrap

Blanket Wrap
Burgundy Leather Ankle Boots
Blanket Wrap
Blanket Wrap
Blanket Wrap
Aztec Blanket Wrap: Primark (similar here) // Burgundy Leather Boots*: Clarks (here)
Camel Fedora Hat: Matalan (here) // Leather Backpack: ASOS (similar here)

Eyeshadow: Maybelline Metallic Pomegranate (here) // Lipstick: Maybelline Honey Beige (here)
I pulled the colours of my look together with the blanket wrap as the base, along with the comfiest pair of burgundy ankle boots I now own (thanks to Clarks and Samio), black jeans and my gorgeous camel fedora, for a look that is sassy and polished!

I know this trend is anything but new; the poncho/cape/wrap (whatever you wanna call it) has been around for 10 years or so but this year it has definitely caught my eye. They are the perfect (and painless) transition from couch style to chic ready. Yes they can make you look a little slouchy if you aren't in heeled shoes, but there’s something very chic and nonchalant about this style and what can I say, I am in love! Especially for the price I paid on mine (£10, say whaaat!).

Will you be wearing the blanket wrap this winter too? Let me know below!
Thanks for reading beauties!

xoxo



*Gifted item through giveaway. #styledbyclarks. All opinions are my own (disclaimer here).
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