MAC Lipstick

Until recently I was a MAC virgin, and never really understood the hype. It's always been too pricey for me, but a friend of mine gets a discount for being a make-up artist, so I invested (I've been assured it's an investment, and that they last forever!) in one of the new Creamsheen colours, Sunny Seoul A52. It's a brilliant formula, moisturising and not sticky, and the colour doesn't smudge easily. I LOVE this colour, it can be applied slightly thicker as a bright colour, or just slicked on for a natural fresh look. I've had it for two weeks now and I've worn it pretty much everyday, it's just gorgeous!

They are expensive (£14 for one tube) but having spoken to other girls in my flat who own MAC Lipsticks, they last forever! Now that I own one, I'm definitely in love!

Also, MAC run a recycling scheme called Back to Mac, which effectively means for every 6 MAC products you purchase, you get a free lipstick, so long as you return the packaging after use. This is a great way to not only help the environment, but make spending worthwhile!

Peach Body Butter

When The Body Shop announced they were releasing a Peach range of their products, I nearly died with excitement. I like The Body Shop products, but was never all that bothered by them previously, as Peach is my favourite scent, and they didn't do it. I guess because of that I'd purchase the odd product, but I was never addicted.



A girl I live with at Uni works at The Body Shop and tipped me off to the arrival of the Peach range. It includes a Lip Gloss, Body Butter, Body Lotion, Body Scrub and Shower Gel, I went for the Body Butter first, as I really like them.

Just like the other Body Butters (I have previously owned Cocoa, Mango and Satsuma) this one is insanely creamy, and is quickly absorbed, leaving your skin feeling moisturised, but in no way oily. I have quite sensitive skin so for me this is a good thing! But the best thing about this product is DEFINITELY the smell, it's literally like you've just cut into a peach. I've taken to leaving the tub open on my desk, and it even makes my room smell nicer. However, it isn't too overpowering once applied, it just leaves a faint aroma. Even if you don't love peach quite as much as I do, it's a fantastic product.

The Body Shop Body Butter range retails for £13 for a 200ml tub, and it's also available in a smaller size for £5, but this weekend (and quite often) they do promotions, such as 50% off, Buy one get one free, and 3 for 2, so if it's out of your budget it's worth waiting for one of their regular promotions.

You can purchase the Peach Body butter here, and browse the rest of The Body Shop range here.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

This weekend at Westfield White City, staff at Batiste  have been handing out free samples of their full range of dry shampoo. Being the economically challenged student that I am, I made sure to make several trips past (and make my boyfriend make several trips too) to pick up as many samples as possible. Depending on what they've unpacked at the time, I got different styles, and different sized samples.

Since I was at a concert last night, my hair was definitely a little on the worse for wear side this morning, and as I didn't want to wash my hair until I'd bought a hot oil treatment, I tried a few out.

The miniatures are Batiste's Original Dry Shampoo, and the Fresh version, which both do the job, but I don't particularly like the smell. They would be great for camping/festivals, or if you could spray a nice smelling hairspray over the top. They both leave a white powder in the hair that is definitely resistant to any attempts to move it, so you need to viciously brush the stuff out, and finish with a serum to prevent the Hagrid look.
I also got three of the full sized cherry scented sprays. These smell divine but leave the same hard-to-shift residue as the first two, so still require brushing and serum, but this is definitely my second favourite of the range.
I got three of the "brown hair" range of shampoo (helpful to my newly dyed chocolate locks) one in medium brunette, and two deep to dark browns. These are BRILLIANT. They smell better than the first two (though not as good as the cherry flavour!) and although they leave a residue, you can't see it because it blends! I will definitely be using this product to freshen up my hair before a night out.

Also, all the shampoos are great for adding volume at the roots of the hair before styling. I have used the basic range to add lift when using rollers for bounce!
I've found the best way to use this product is to spray from a greater distance than that recommended, it makes it easier to brush out, and stops your hair feeling heavy.

Either way when I (eventually) run out of these samples, I will definitely invest in some more! The full size bottles retail for around £1.99-£2.50 and are available in most large supermarkets, Boots and Superdrug. Worth the money!

Smashbox London beauty event!

Last Friday I was lucky enough to stumble across a Facebook event promoting Smashbox's UK launch. With the promise of a free lipgloss just for attending, I and a group of friends also studying fashion subjects headed to Bond Street expecting nothing more than a mini lipgloss and a good afternoon out. My my weren't we surprised!

The event was held in The Music Room in Mayfair, a fairly small venue that caused the organisers to only allow 250 guests in the building at any one time, leaving a rather large queue curling down the street! I was lucky enough to be in the first 100 attendees, meaning I got the first pick of the haul!

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Radiant 020

We went through the door and at the bottom of the stairs we were passed a large Smashbox tote bag (which is going to be perfect for carrying my groceries home!) and then a woman passed us our free lipgloss (full size might I add). All the glosses handed out were different, I got their Lip enhancing gloss in Radiant 020. At first I wasn't all that pleased with the one I was given, in the tube it appears to be a dark berry colour, which doesn't suit me, but when applied, the colour is sheerer than expected, with a slight sparkle, and is not too sticky. I've had it less than a week and its quickly becoming a fav. Also, it smells divine!
We walked up the stairs and were greeted by blown up pictures of lips, and Smashbox balloons everywhere, before walking through the double doors to the event room.
There were several make up stations with free makeovers (hair and beauty) being offered by trained Smashbox stylists, as well as a large display with their entire range for you to try yourself. The room was bathed in red light, making it somewhat difficult to see the outcome of the colours, but there was no shortage of mirrors!

David Factor Gallery

In the back corner, Fashion Photographer David Factor had set up studio next to a small gallery of his work. The man has photographed the likes of Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Kim Kardashian, Beyoncè, even Morgan Freeman, and the photos he took at the event were no less spectacular. You could queue up and he would take 20 or so pictures of you, and you'd be given a USB of photos to take home, all free of charge.
Also, they had an Instagram wall, where if you posted a picture with the hashtag #smashboxlondon, your picture would be projected on the wall. This was such a cool quirky touch.
Similarly, I loved the Smashbox photobooth! I've got some brilliant pictures which make a great souvenir!

Halo Highlighting Wand

When I got home (Smashbox balloon in hand) I realised there was more stuff in my tote than I originally thought. Alongside my Lipgloss, we also received the full size Smashbox Halo Highlighting wand in pearl, which is gorgeously shimmery, but in a natural, not overdone way. This retails at £25 so I was ecstatic! We also got two Photo Finish primers, one full size and one minature. The full size version retails at £28, and it's a brilliant product, light, not greasy and creates a perfect base! We also got a second Primer, the Photo Finish Lid primer, which is sold for £15. I love this product, it covers dark circles and bags under eyes brilliantly, whether you use alone or under foundation, it has real staying power and has really brightened up my eyes!
I also received a second of the Lip Enhancing Glosses, this time in Illume. This gloss is just as good as the other one I received, it's sheer and a brilliant natural look. These retail at £14 and I'll definitely be buying more!
The bag also contained Smashbox's Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx, I like this product for lining the top of the lids, but it's not strong enough for inner rims for my tastes. However, it holds well and is also great for blending!
The kit also included two mascaras, Full Exposure and Hyperlash, retailing at £17 and £19 respectively. I love both of these. I find Full Exposure better for nightwear and Hyperlash better for day, but they are both great!
Finally, the kit contained a Smashbox compact mirror, and a photo stand!

Our freebies amounted to well over £140 each, this day out was definitely worth the tube fair!

Having tried out the cosmetics there too, I will definitely be investing in the Blush Rush blusher in in Bright Fuchsia and and their Be Legendary lipstick in Electric Matte Pink. Both these products really complemented my skin tone, and were just perfect!

I would definitely recommend all the Smashbox products I tried! They're a little pricey but worth every penny!

 

Brick lane street art!

One of the best things about moving to London has definitely been getting out and exploring. Although I've been to London before, I've only ever done the super touristy stuff, like the London dungeons and the like.
But since arriving and settling in, I've had time before my course starts to get out and see some of the stuff reserved for people who know London a little bit more.

Now don't get me wrong, the shopping was amazing, but my favourite thing about Brick Lane was definitely all the street art. As well as being an incredible display of talent, I found it all so inspiring, it's a different medium of art than I ever saw back home, graffiti is usually removed within a matter of days. But at Brick Lane, it's encouraged, and it's amazing.

Why hello there

Hi everyone, well this is me...there's not much to it really. I'm eighteen years old, a student at London College of Fashion, and here I plan to blog about my life, fashion, art, music...anything really.
I don't bite, so talk to me!