Runway To High Street Fashion

Met Gala 2013 – Punk Style

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:22:38 -0400

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala is always one of the most highly anticipated fashion events of the year. The event is always studded with celebrities, supermodels and high profile designers. With the focus on unique fashion and distinctive styling this year’s theme was ‘’Punk: Chaos to Couture’’ and the guests did not disappoint with their quirky costumes.

Madonna made sure that all eyes were on her with her eclectic ensemble of a fishnet bodice, tartan jacket, black hold ups and bright pink stilettos. Although she is now 54, age clearly is just a number to Madonna as she flaunted one of the skimpiest outfits of the night.

Karolina Kurkova also shone in a beautiful Mary Katrantzou mini dress with studded heels and glowing sheer tights to accentuate her super model legs.

Christina Ricci wore a complex gown from the queen of punk style: Vivienne Westwood. The blue tartan dress featured complex folds and gathering giving it Westwood’s signature style and making it a real punk statement. Christina styled the gown perfectly with some black fishnet tights and strappy black stilettos.

Jessica Biel rescued a slightly odd Giambattista Valli dress with a pair of amazing lace patterned leggings. The right balance between punk and elegance really helped to balance out her look, her dress however was a little more pretty than punk and the high dipped hem didn’t really flatter her.

I can’t help but think it was the accessorising, from studding shoes to fashionable fishnet tights which really stole the show this year.

Wedding Make-up – What I Wore Saturday the 18th of May was a...

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:06:52 -0400

Wedding Make-up – What I Wore

Saturday the 18^th of May was a big day for my family; my oldest brother got married! After what seemed like the longest wait in the world I was finally able to put on my pretty dress and begin my bridesmaid’s duties (posing and eating cake.) The whole day was perfection and everyone had a great time, I’m so happy for my brother and his beautiful new wife.

My make-up was something I’d thought long and hard about. I wanted to look fairly natural and glowy but I still wanted my make-up to be visible in the photos.

I started with a fairly heavy base of Make Up Forever HD Primer (the green one) Urban Decay Naked BB Cream, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer under my eyes, MAC Studio Sculpt on a few stubborn blemishes then my Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation. I added my MAC Prep + Prime setting powder, Benefits Georgia to give an all over glow then Benefit Hoola Bronzer and Sugabomb blusher as well as my MAC Soft and Gentle highlighter across the tops of my cheeks and brow bones. (Bet you didn’t think you could fit that much make up on one face right?!)

For my eyes I wanted to steer clear of any pinky colours since our dresses were red so I went for the golden colours Smog across the lid and Snakebite in my crease from my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I used my trusty Browzings for my brows. I finished my eyes off with black 24/7 kohl pencil from Urban Decay and my Maybelline Falsies Mascara.

For my lips I wanted something natural, pretty and long lasting so went with the new L’Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in 103. This was gorgeous and really lasted as most L’Oreal lip products do - I barely had to top it up so was perfect for a busy day.

Let me know if you have a big event coming up and how you plan to do your make-up x

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation by Benefit

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:19:44 -0400

The new(ish) foundation from Benefit is oil free and has SPF 25 (personally I don’t think foundations should contain SPF but i’ll do a whole other post on that.) It claims to build from light to medium coverage and reduce the signs of ageing.

I picked up a sample in Boots a few weeks ago (I was supposed to be having a mini makeover as well but clearly the assistant couldn’t be bothered with that..)

I’ve used it a few times so far and I do quite like it. The first time I used it I loved it, I was having a good skin day and I adored the perfect light, dewy coverage it gave.

Since then I’ve used it a few more times and experimented with powders and setting sprays to help it last a bit longer (durability isn’t a particular strong point but often isn’t)

I have however found a problem with application over dry skin, it clumps and settles in dry patches and really highlights them which I hate (like Healthy Mix) Its actually probably fairly similar to Healthy Mix actually, just lighter and a lot lot better quality.

If you have normal, or maybe even oily skin you will love this foundation. I love it and would buy a full size one for special occasions however beware if you have dry skin that on particularly bad days you probably won’t be able to wear it.

It comes in 9 shades (much better than the 2 Benefit have tried to fob us off with before!) and the lightest shade is almost light enough for my very pale skin which is impressive. The shades however don’t go very dark.

For a 30ml bottle it will set you back £25.50 which is reasonable for a high end foundation I think.

Overall? A good foundation with a nice finish and a good range of shades.

7/10

NOTD - Fantasy Fire by MaxFactor Gorgeous shimmery duochrome...

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:26:47 -0400

NOTD - Fantasy Fire by MaxFactor

Gorgeous shimmery duochrome purple. Relatively chip resistant but takes 4 coats to become opaque.

My Current Skincare Routine Giddy on the arrival of a new...

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:13 -0400

My Current Skincare Routine

Giddy on the arrival of a new term’s student loan I decided it was finally time to do something about my poor dehydrated skin. My faithful Clarins Daily Energizer cleanser just wasn’t cutting it anymore and I was sick of my make-up flaking off my face.

House of Fraser tempted in me in with promises of huge free gifts on the Clarins counter and my new skincare regime was born. I bought two new products and received 4 (huge) samples. The sales assistant was also probably the nicest assistant I’ve come across, in any shop or on any counter.

She advised me that my skin might be better off with the Gentle Foaming Cleanser (£18) which was far more suited to dry and sensitive skin. I wanted to stick with a wash off cleanser because I just like the way they feel on my skin and this, so far, has been perfect. It still gives my face that clean, washed feel without the tightness that I used to suffer with.

The Pure Melt Cleansing Gel you can see in the photo was part of the free gift (I got 2 which is actually more product than a full size £19.50 one) I use this once or twice a week to give my skin a really good double cleanse. I don’t love it as much as the gentle foaming cleanser but it turns into oil as you massage it into dry skin which is lovely and soothing – it also smells fantastic.

My Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask (longest name ever?!) was also free and is so lovely smoothed on twice a week after cleansing. My skin drinks it all up pretty much straight away although you are supposed to use a toner to remove the excess afterwards. I only noticed when I was looking for the link for this that it was £54 for the full size – wow.

Now I’ve never really used toner before, having dry sensitive skin I associate them with burning and stinging but the assistant persuaded me to try the Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner as an extra step in my routine. This has a slight gritty feel to it so it is supposed to exfoliate very gently as you wipe it over your skin. I’m still a little wary of this however so far I seem to be getting on fine with it and it just leaves my skin feeling nice and soft. It’s recommended that you only use it twice a week so I just use it after my mask (plus at £25.00 it’s not cheap.)

My One Step Gentle Exfoliator will always be my favourite. It just does the job so wonderfully and leaves my skin looking brilliantly bright and for £20 it’s not bad value since this lasts me at least a year.

After almost running out of my beloved Oilatum I warily decided to try a GlossyBox find - Dr Renaud Raspberry Soft Cream. Although the smell is so sweet it makes me feel sick it actually seems to do the job rather well. Not quite as moisturising as Oilatum but still nice. I’d never buy the full size though, purely because it smells like a dodgy raspberry sponge cake.

I’m hardly struggling with any dry patches now and I can actually get make up to sit quite nicely on my face which is a revelation. Top marks for the Gentle Foaming Cleanser and mask but the jury is still out on the toner.

(FYI I added the links to be helpful, i’m not being paid and I bought all these products with my own money purely because I like Clarins)

HUGE beauty news!

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:47:54 -0400

I have just received an email from The Body Shop announcing the wonderful news that the EU has finally banned all animal testing of cosmetics. From now on any products or ingredients which have been tested on animals will not be allowed to be sold or imported into the EU.

I for one think this is brilliant news however what will happen to the cosmetic giants who have been testing on animals for decades?

Companies such as Estee Lauder which owns Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC, Jo Malone and Ojon all test on animals as do the majority of companies under the L’ Oreal umbrella including Biotherm, Garnier, Kerastase, Lancome, LaRoche Posay, Maybelline, Redken and Vichy.

Earlier this year Urban Decay abandoned plans to move their business into the Chinese market after thousands of outraged users were informed that this would mean the brand would no longer be cruelty free due to China’s policy on all cosmetics being animal tested.

What do you think about this new policy?

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how..."

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:04:45 -0500

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”

- Maya Angelou (via dknyprgirl)

HUGE blog sale -brushes Urban Decay Naked 2 eye brush - used...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:50:25 -0500

HUGE blog sale -brushes

Urban Decay Naked 2 eye brush - used £3

MAC LE blue 194SE concealer brush - used £5

MAC LE yellow 1688SE blush brush - used £6

P&P £1.50 = 50p for additional items

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

HUGE blog sale - eyes Model Co bronzed godess eyeshadow duo -...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:48:10 -0500

HUGE blog sale - eyes

Model Co bronzed godess eyeshadow duo - used twice £8

Loreal silver brown eyeshadow - used once £4

Bourjois eyeshadow in 24 Turquoise - used several times with brush £4

The Body Shop eyehshadows in 42, 45, 07 - all used twice £5 each

Maxfactor earth spirits eyeshadow - used once £4

Barry M dazzle dusts in 86, 80, 93, 2 and 23 - all used a few times £2 each

P&P £1. + 50p for additional items

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

HUGE blog sale - lips L’Oreal 6 hour glam shine forever...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:42:14 -0500

HUGE blog sale - lips

L’Oreal 6 hour glam shine forever nude - used twice £4

MaxFactor lipstick lilac wine - used and swatched once £4

Models own red wine lipstick - used a few times £3

Lush fresh handmade colour in Desire - used twice £9

Sleek Caribbean Bonaire limited edition pout polish - used several times £4

The Body Shop Bronze Beam lip treatment gloss - used twice £5

3 FCUK glosses - all used a few times £4 for all

P&P £2 + 50p for additional items

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

HUGE Blog Sale - Body Mini strawberry Body Shop shower gel -...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:36:39 -0500

HUGE Blog Sale - Body

Mini strawberry Body Shop shower gel - never used £3

Jergens hydrating body lotion - used a few times £4

The Body Shop pinkberry lip balm - used three times £2

Soap & Glory Hand Food - around 3/4 left £5

The Body Shop coconut shimmer body lotion - brand new sealed £8

P&P £2.50 + £2 for extra items

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

HUGE blog sale - Blushers L’Oreal Sun radiance trio - used...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:33:23 -0500

HUGE blog sale - Blushers

L’Oreal Sun radiance trio - used a few times includes brush £4

The Body Shop Coral Mineral Blush - used a few times £6

Sleek Rose Gold Blush - Used twice slight damage to corner £3

MAC pallette refil 6g blush in Peachykeen - barely used £10

P&P £2 , additional items £1

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

HUGE Blog Sale - Foundations Bourjois healthy mix 51 - almost...

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:27:37 -0500

HUGE Blog Sale - Foundations

Bourjois healthy mix 51 - almost half used £4

Bourjois 10 hour sleep 71 - Used a few times £5

L’Oreal Lumi Magique primer - about half used £4

No7 Stay Perfect in Calico - used once £10

P&P - £2.50, £1 for additional items. UK only.

Payment accepted only via paypal and items will not be sent recorded delivery unless you request and pay extra for this. I am not liable for any unreceived items which are not sent recorded delivery.

Barry M Atlantic Road, Gelly Prickly Pear and Diamond...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:44:00 -0500

Barry M Atlantic Road, Gelly Prickly Pear and Diamond Glitter

Yesterday I bought myself some new glitter polishes from Boots on a 3 for 2, Diamond being one of them. It seems to be half holographic hexograms and half multi glitter in a clear base coat. I already want to add it to every colour I own!

Then I saw the new texture and gelly polishes were 2 for £6 in Superdrug so obviously it would have been rude not to try them. The purple (oddly named Prickly Pear) is a really pretty lilac with the same beautiful shine and quicker trying time as the other Gelly polishes.

The texture polishes are a little odd and I can’t quite decide whether I like them or not. They dry to a strange rough bumpy matte texture. Definitely different but i’m not sure i’ll be buying the other colours.

Current Favourites I was going to wait until the end of February...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:16:00 -0500

Current Favourites

I was going to wait until the end of February to do this but i’m out of inspiration and this is a fun post to do!

Paul Mitchell Strength Shampoo

Got this in my January GlossyBox and I was really surprised as to what a difference it makes to my hair each time I use it. I really notice that my hair feels softer and a lot more maneagable when I use this. Tempted to look at how much a full size shampoo and conditioner would be but fear my debit card may self combust if I dare to even toy with the idea.

Clarins Hydra Quench Mask

A free gift with a face wash and scrub I bought a while back which i’ve been trying to make last me as long as possible. Perfect for when my skin gets really dry and angry. Smells lovely, feels lovely and really calms and hydrates skin beautifully.

Barry M Amethyst Jewel Glitter

SO MANY SPARKLES!!!!

…….

The Body Shop Intensive Peppermint Foot Rescue

Wonderfully soothing and cooling for tired feet. Smells quite nice but works wonders for dry skin on feet, perfect after a day in heels.

MUA Heaven and Earth Palette

I always claim to despise cheap eyeshadows and am always loyal to Urban Decay but finally caved and bought this in the half price MUA event and I have to say I love it. The shadows are really pigmented and last well, not as good as Urban Decay but better than MAC!

Rimmel Apocalips

I have 3 of these, Stellar, Big Bang and Apocaliptic and I love them all. They go on like a gloss but have the pigmentation of a strongly pigmented lipstick and last for AGES. I’ve worn these on a night out and woken up the next day with half of if still staining my lips. Beware of swatching them on your hand though because trying to get them off is a nightmare! Serious staying power.

Hope you enjoyed this post, please let me know :)

xameliax: .NEW Barry M Textured Polish Spring/Summer 2013 |...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:12:40 -0500

xameliax:

.NEW Barry M Textured Polish Spring/Summer 2013 | Review & Swatch.

Last but not least from my amazing Barry M sneak peak Spring/Summer delivery are their new textured polishes! I haven’t tried any textured polishes before so i was quite excited to see the finished effect, and i have to say, i’m really impressed!

New new collection contains four pastel colours:

Atlantic Road - A nice pastel light but not pale blue

Ridley Road - A gorgeous minty green

Kingsland Road - An adorable light and fluffy pink

Station Road - A shimmery mid yellow

I’m head of heels in love with both Kingland Road and Ridley Road and quite like Atlantic Road, however yellow polish (apart from the exception of Model’s Own Lemon Meringue) is a big no go for me, so i have to say that Station Road will probably be finding a new home! I would have liked to have seen a pretty lilac colour instead as yellow is a real love it or hate it colour in the nail art world.

The textured effect is lovely. It takes a good half an hour after application for it to really show to it’s full potential but when it’s complete it sort of looks like flocking powder from a distance. It’s not too gritty to touch and seems to last rather well on the nail after three coats to go fully opaque. I’ve already got plans for some fluffy easter manicures with Ridley and Kingsland Road!

The new Barry M Spring Summer 2013 collection will be released on the 13th of February on the Barry M Website and in Superdrug Stores, and in Boots by the 20th!

The new textured polishes retail for £3.99 a bottle which as always with Barry M is a real bargains!

Will you be trying out the new textured polishes? What do you think to how they look?

@xameliax #barrymtexture

xax

P.s. have you seen Barry M’s new Gelly Polishes yet?!

Pick of the week #4 £29 Topshop

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:00:27 -0500

Pick of the week #4 £29 Topshop

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil Review My hands suffer badly from...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:00:18 -0500

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil Review

My hands suffer badly from the cold and become cracked and uncomfortable so I bought this on one of my Body Shop hauls. The bottle advises that you rub several drops into hands and nails for 24 hour hydration. I found I actually needed a bit more than this to sufficiently cover my hands but the bottle should still last a while.

It smells slightly odd, the same as the rest of the hemp range but not too unpleasant. I didn’t really find that it made much of a difference to my hands. Perhaps it offered slight relief when my hands were feeling particularly dry and its quite nice to use as a cuticle oil however i’ve not noticed any real improvement in my dry skin since using this so I won’t be repurchasing it.

The oil is avaiable instore and online for £7

Overall? 4/10

L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil Review I have naturally dry hair...

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:00:11 -0500

L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil Review

I have naturally dry hair and because I regularly straighten and bleach it I tend to use quite a lot of styling products on it, especially oils and serums. I bought this oil as soon as I could get my hands on it as it sold out when first released and have been using it religiously since.

The instructions say the oil can be used on wet and dry hair or as a pre shampoo treatment. I’ve tried all of these methods and found it works best on wet hair. I smooth it through after washing then brush it. It leaves my hair much softer than usual and much more manageable (it is naturally very fluffy/curly) It also smells lovely! The only downside is that my hair seems to get greasier quicker with this oil so if you have fine hair like me keep it well away from the roots.

You can buy the normal version and the version for coloured hair from Boots or Superdrug for £9.99. Although this is fairly expensive you only need 1-2 pumps and considering i’ve been using this for several months i’ve hardly made any impact on the huge bottle.

Overall? 8/10

Pick of the week #3 £28 Urban Outfitters

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:50:40 -0500

Pick of the week #3 £28 Urban Outfitters