Hot Shots 011.

The Drive - Hilarious Book - Zara Order - Favourite Zara Top - The Bag - YSL Love - Glossybox - Pink Flowers - Coral Jeans - GTL. 

Hope you're all having a good week so far. 

Laura xx

The Three Gold Bands.

Love her or loath her, you have to admit, Rosie Fortescue of Made in Chelsea fame has some serious style. 

Sometime during the last series of the MIC, I noticed that she was rocking a rather delicious set of gold bands. Simple, understated, I wanted in. 

Close up image courtesy of In Detail.

Like the dedicated fashion stalker I am, I noticed she had tweeted a link to the exact rings, my heart skipped a beat. It then promptly sank when I saw the price. 

Maison Martin Margiela were the cause of my ring envy, and I couldn't justify £305 for a pretty bit of finger bling.

I'd always kept the MMM dream tucked away in the back of my head, so imagine my delight when ASOS came to rescue with a quick fix for just under a tenner. It may not have the quality of the MMM and to be honest, they're essentially a few grades up from a copper pipe. But I love them. 

Laura xxx

The Best Glossybox Yet?

I'll just lay it out there, Glossybox has produced a corker this month. 

April's Glossybox has gone Natural, and I bloody love it. 

Nestled in the brown paper packing are some little gems... 

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum

Inika Organic Lip Liner 

Monu Professional Skincare Rosewood Reviving Mist 

Figs & Rouge Rambling Rose Lip Balm 

Philip B Styling Gel  

I'm a sucker for balms, and I'm also a big rose junkie so I was so excited when I saw it. I've just popped a bit on my lips and they feel moisturised plump and lovely. 

As far as Lip Liners go, I'm not sure I'd use this frosty bronze colour on my lips, BUT, I cannot knock the quality of the product. It is butter soft and literally melted onto my hand, I may try this on the upper lash line as it's a gorgeous colour.

Now this everyone, had me squealing like a little kid at Christmas. Coincidently, I spent last night perusing face serums and mists...well hello Caudalie & Monu! I'm so impressed with the mist, it's refreshing, smells divine and the full size is a welcome surprise. Caudalie is definitely a buzz worthy addition, and this product had me at 'Thirst-Quenching' divine. I popped a bit on the back of my hand and it feels super soft, hydrating but doesn't linger on the skin. A perfect combo.

I'm not sure how exactly the Philip B Styling Gel will work with my hair, but I might give a go. Soft hold is definitely encouraging, I just can't quite get the image of overly gelled spiked hair circa 1999 out of my head!

So what makes this box the best? 

A) I'd use every single product, and I'm really impressed with the quality. 

B) It includes natural, ethical products and that's always a bonus. I've increasingly become aware of what I'm putting on my skin and I've noticed a massive improvement in the appearance of it so I'm really excited to try some natural, refined products on my skin. I can't find a single gimmick in the box and I've basically transferred the entire contents into my bathroom cabinet. 

I mean, even the box is 100% biodegradable, I'm a sucker for details.

Bonus Shots: 

Rambling Rose Lip Balm.

Inika Lip Pencil Swatch.

The ultimate proof that this box has me excited? 

It only popped through my letter box a couple of hours ago! 

If you want to check out Glossybox, click here.

Laura xxx

*provided for consideration, but hey, when it's this good, who cares?!

Going Up - Going Down.

I cannot remember the last time I just let loose and treated you all to a ramble, well it's your lucky day! 

Going Up

Zara: I have never been one for Zara (more specifically, the ludicrous sizing), but over the past few months, my wardrobe has slowly began to fill with a selection of the classic staples they have to offer. I am obsessed with the clean lines and fabric blocking that they have going on at the moment. It's all about keeping it sharp.

Bye Foundation: Since Origins VitaZing came crashing into my life, I can confirm that not a scrap of foundation has touched my skin, it's just me, VitaZing and a touch of concealer to correct anything that needs it.  The funny thing is, after switching to VitaZing in the day, I never thought I could rock in in the evening too, BUT , I was going out a couple of weeks ago and plumped for my usually trusty Illamasqua Skin Base. It lasted 5 minutes before I took it off, It felt heavy, too much coverage and I just couldn't see my skin through the base...what have I become!?

Shopping the Stash: I've talked about this in my previous post, but I really cannot get enough of exploring what I have lurking away in my drawers recently. I'm discovering old favourites and changing my opinions about others. The best thing is it's far more satisfying that dropping a load of dollar on new products!

Oils: Bare with me, whether it's oil for my hair, shaving with it or bathing in it. I'm all about oils at the moment. I'd previously avoiding them as I was certain i'd just be left looking greasy. Well what can I say. I'm a convert. Particular favourites are NARS Monoi Body Glow II, Paul Mitchel Awapuhi Wild Ginger Oil & Arbonne 5 in 1 Oil. Amazing.

Going Down

source.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: I'm sure I'm not the only one to be thoroughly annoyed at the weather over the past few weeks. My main gripe lies with a pair of ludicrously bright salmon jeans I purchased in the midst of the taste of summer we had during March. In the sunshine they looks amazing paired with gladiator sandals and a loose white tee. In the drizzle, you just look a bit like a salmon jean wearing pillock. Don't even get my started on the state of my hair.

I can't believe it, that's the only going down I have.

How about a few miscellaneous likes?

My metal H&M Collar.
Spritzing Toners.
Topshop Leigh Jeans in Black.
Scones.
Instagram.
Body Pump...
Hazelnut Coffee.


Laura xxx

Shopping the Stash.

Recently, I've been on my own little project to delve into the depths of my make up drawers and drag out some well loved, but thoroughly neglected products. 

It only took a little prompt by Anna to tell you about it! 

Products I've Been Loving... 

NARS Monoi Body Glow II 

Maybelline Color Sensational in Ambre Rose 112

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Emerge

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Temptress 

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer 

MAC Bare Study Paint Pot 

Random Taupe Eyeshadow. 

The Lowdown.

I've recently become a little bit preoccupied with using body oils, I've been working my way through several, (Arbonne Seasource 5 in 1 is a wonder for shaving) but NARS Monoi Body Glow is definitely the most luxurious, It has a delicate floral scent that sends me to the tropics whenever I sniff it, I'm almost considering splashing out on the full size. 

When it comes to lips, I really struggle to explore the sheer amount of products I have. In future, I must remember I only have one mouth! In my quest I've fallen upon a much raved about and previous old favourite, Ambre Rose. It's such an easy peach/pink shade that anybody could pull off, but it really does come into it's own with a bit of a tan. 

I have two cheek products that I've been enjoying, I went mental on Illamasqua's Emerge when It first came into my possession, then as always it was swapped out for other options. This applies like a dream when used in conjunction with Sigma F82 Round Top Kabuki and is amazing as a base for a peach shimmer or just simply worn alone. 

ELF's Mineral Eyeshadow in Temptress isn't technically a cheek product, but what can I say, I'm a maverick...

I adore the soft dusky rose colour and the matte texture is foolproof in the daytime. Love. 

Naturally, a couple of MAC products have found their way into the mix. The Studio Sculpt Concealer is purely here as I need to use it up, It's ok but nowhere near a favourite. Bare Study was simply left on the shelf due to my lazyness with eyeshadow, If I can be bothered at all I'll grab Urban Decay's Primer Potion so I've been enjoying getting this out! (Sidenote: £14.50 for a Paint Pot?!) 

Finally, I've had this taupe eyeshadow sitting in my drawer for an age, I can't tell you who it is or where it's from but it is bloody lovely. It's the perfect cool tones, easy to wear shade and even encourages the ultimate eyeshadow shunner to give it a go! 

Have you shopped your stash recently?

Laura xx

Shellac Glitter.

I had a glitter itch to scratch...

I went big. 

For the past two weeks I have been rocking the rather more safe 'Fedora' option. But, in the days running up to my Shellac appointment, I just couldn't get the idea of ten little sparkly gold nails staring back at me out of my head... 

You may recognise the same glitter from my original Shellac post here, gracing just the ring finger. It was slippery slope, and I'm more than happy to slide! 

Laura xx

Quick Fire Review: Real Techniques Kabuki

Did I need it? No? Did I get it anyway...well, yes.

I own lots of brushes, but I've never got my hands on a Kabuki. Considering I'm currently locked in a pretty serious love affair with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, It only seemed logical to snap up RT's Kabuki offering.

The Lowdown.

As you'd expect, it's pretty dense, super soft and I could just sit and stroke it against my cheek all day. However, what makes this just a little bit special is the fact that it opens out into a larger, more narrow brush. What's not to like about a 2 in 1!? 

I have mainly been using this to sweep a bit of powder over my base (Origins VitaZing FYI) and I've even found if I'm after a very subtle contour, flip this baby out and you're away. 

Costing £11.99 it really can't do any wrong, although I will mention if you were after a more traditional super dense kabuki, you might want to consider a different option. 

Laura xx

The Quest for Bouncy Hair.

I've caught the bug: bigger is definitely better. 

I've dabbled in the odd bit of back combing or occasionally put a few curls in with straighteners, but it general I tend to wear my hair straight. Ironically, if I left my hair alone, I'd have a head of the tightest corkscrew curls you've ever seen...I'll leave you to work that one out. 

It all started when I decided to use my friends curling wand before we were went out for a impromptu drink, it was love at first curl. Far less uniform and 'prom' than curling with a straightening iron, not forgetting it is so much easier. 

I went out the next day and bought one...

The Bellazza 1 inch Curling Wand to be exact. 

It's not fancy, it was from TKMaxx for £19.99 but it works wonders. 

Add the Umberto Giannini Incredible Body line into the mix, and I'm left with bouncy hair to rival Kate Middleton. 

I simply run some Old School Setting Lotion* through my hair on a brush before blow drying, then again spraying some on the brush and running it through my hair before curling. 

After I've curled my hair, I then spray a liberal amount of the Root Boost Volume Spray* through my hair in the roots and through the curls for good measure. FYI: this is incredibly similar to the infamous 'Backcomb in a Bottle', the ingredients list is almost identical...

The Results? 

I think we're on the right path... 

Laura x

Summer Loving: Origins VitaZing.

Origins VitaZing is a prime example of WHY DIDN'T I TRY YOU EARLIER?! 

I've fallen out with nearly every foundation I've own/bought in the past few months because I've been craving the feeling of a weightless base that doesn't look like foundation. 

I thought i'd found an acceptable compromise in the form of Estee Lauder Doublewear Light diluted with a generous blob of Dermalogica Active Moist Moisturiser BUT I decided on a whim to pick up this little beauty after stumbling across an Origins counter. 

As you can hopefully see, as you rub the cream into your skin, it changes into a sheer base, with a hint of colour. It's enough to even out skin tone but still feel like you're not wearing anything. 

All I've needed is a little bit of concealer to combat my sleepy eyes and any blemishes and I'm set for the day. 

I'm more than happy to fork out the £26 for this if it means I can do my face in seconds.

The results really do speak for themselves.

WEARING: 

Origins VitaZing 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (Under Eyes/Mouth)

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Emerge

Elf Mineral Blush in Coral 

HD Brow Palette in Vamp

Clinique High Impact Mascara 

Bare Lips

Laura xxx