Pretty and Polished!

Hello my beauties! I hope you have had a nice weekend - perhaps Halloween celebrations? I went out on Saturday night, as a vampire, after changing my mind from dressing up as a cat and it was a brilliant night out! I was planning on having a catch-up blogging session yesterday but I spent 90% of the day asleep, nursing a hangover and lounging in my pjs - I only surfaced for Homeland haha!

Eeee scary!! Dress from ASOS, necklace from Topman, clutch bag from Primark, shoes from Miss-guided

 

Anyway, today's post is about simple, well-polished make-up that makes me look healthy and glowy - a real thumbs up in Autumn/Winter! You may be thinking, where is your dark wine coloured lipstick that is the Autumn must have? Well, I just feel that neutral tones make me look healthier and it doesn't look too summery because I haven't been using highlighter: a well defined, greyish, contoured eye, peachy cheeks and a glossy nude lip.

 

L-R MUA Gel Liner in Underground, Avon Ideal Flawless foundation in Ivory, MAC lipstick in Lovelorn, L'Oreal Color Riche Golden Naturals Blond lipstick in Velvet Gold, Natural Collection Blusher in Peach Melba, MUA Undressed palette, Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude, Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer, No7 Lip Liner in 20 Nude

 

 

On some days throughout the week, I've worn my ELF lipstick in Barely Bitten which is a gorgeous muted red shade that helps tie it in with Autumn.

 

 

I'm going to spend tonight pampering, watching Made In Chelsea and catching up on sleep!

 

Love, Juliette xo





Back with a bang?... & a FOTD!

Hello my lovelies! So as you have probably guessed from the lack of posts in the last few weeks, that I have had a lot on my plate. I have had a couple of issues recently with my boyfriend. I mean, EX-boyfriend. Yes, we split up and it had come as such a huge shock that I haven't really felt like doing anything. Eating. Having fun. I've just moped and cried. It just feels like a huge part of me is missing (we were together just over 2 years!!). 

But I feel like today has been the first day where I've felt like doing something productive and I think it's the first signs of moving on. I'm not going to go into details of what happened as I will starting blubbering again and then I'll be back to square one, so I think it's best if we crack on about make-up!

The weather has been lovely these past couple of days and my mum had seized the opportunity and organised a BBQ for this afternoon. I felt like I wanted to get ready and make an effort but I wanted my make-up to be quick and simple, and still quite summery considering it's September.

(Excuse my spotty skin and heavy bags - all of the effects of a break up!)

This photo seems pretty product heavy when actually it was simple make-up:

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in light (it was a sample), Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light, Natural Collection Blush in Pink Cloud, Urban Decay Primer Potion, MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground, VIVO Brow and Eye Kit, MUA Mosaic Bronzer in Shade 2, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent, Bourjois 1001 Lashes mascara in Black, Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyecolor in Caramel Karma, 17 Instant Glow Shimmer Brick, Barry M Lipstick in 147 and MAC MSF in Rose Quartz.

Woaah. It sounds like a lot ha! But after using my Mousse eyeshadow all over the lid, I used my shimmer brick (the 2nd and 4th shades) just on the outside corners and under my lower lashline. I used my beautiful new MSF as a highlight on the tops of my cheekbones and my gel eyeliner just to define and add thickness to my lashes. All of the other products are staples which I use on a day to day basis, and I am so glad I swapped my foundation for a BB cream sample... so far so good! I may just have to pop into town tomorrow to buy the real thing!

Well I'm taking each day as it comes, so God knows what I may be like tomorrow! Hopefully, onwards and upwards.

Love, Juliette xo

Cheap or Chic? #1

I've really enjoyed having a day off today - it has consisted of watching the final Harry Potter in my pj's and stuffing my face. Perfect. Anyway, I was sorting out my lipsticks in my make-up draw last night and as I was going through them all, I noticed two were rather similar. I've seen a few of these kinda posts in the bloggersphere and I thought I would give it a shot too.

L-R MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn and Natural Collection Lipstick in Pink Mallow

As you can tell, Lovelorn is well-loved and I need to think about repurchasing it pretty soon. I only bought Pink Mallow recently and I have only wore it a couple of times. Now, the major issue between these two products is the price - Lovelorn was £14 and Pink Mallow was £1.99. 

But I find that despite the price, these lipsticks are practically dupes. Lovelorn has a lustre finish and Pink Mallow is referred to as a 'Moisture Shine Lipstick'. I find that they are both very moisturising on the lips and don't have a drying effect. If anything, I would say that Pink Mallow is a teeny weeny bit more pinker and lighter toned but there is no real significant difference.

They both aren't 'over the top' pinks and are perfect for everyday wear or even with a smokey eye on a night out. They really are beautiful colours which will accompany any skin tone and occasion.

To decide whether or not to splash the cash, is really up to you. Pink Mallow is an amazing dupe at just over 10% of the price of Lovelorn but if you are looking for the quality and the name, then MAC is your answer.

I hope this was insightful and helpful. I maybe may do more of these posts as I think they can be useful and can cater for all budgets and preferences.

Love, Juliette xo

FOTD & a cheeky OOTD

I thougth I would do a quick FOTD/OOTD for you all as I'm going to a BBQ later (despite the rain!). I posted a picture on instagram earlier this morning of today's make-up but I've decided to make a slight alteration.

This photo only shows some of the products I used but here is the full list:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW25, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light, MUA Mosaic Bronzer in Shade 2, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent, Natural Collection Blush in Peach Melba, MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground, VIVO Brow and Eye Kit, Urban Decay Primer Potion and No7 Fanomenal Lashes.

I was opting for a red lip (MUA Lipstick in Shade 13), but I thought that I would go for a coral lip instead as we are off to a BBQ and it's slightly more casual.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Fashion City and Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cake

Top from Topshop, leggings from H&M, shoes from Primark, necklace from Dorothy Perkins, cone shaped bracelet from Topshop, coil ring from Miss Selfridge, green ring from Miss Selfridge and my bag from Zara

I really hope it doesn't rain later! I will go armed with my leather jacket just in case ha. I hope you all enjoy your Saturday nights :)

Love, Juliette xo

E.l.f haul!

Last week, Elf had a huge 'half-price off everything sale' so me and my friend Freya took full advantage of this opportunity and got fully stocked up! Everything that I have bought, I have included the original price so it is useful for you all. Here's what I got...

GOODIES!!

Blush Brush £3.75

Mineral Bamboo Blending Eye Brush £5.50

Studio Cream Blush in Flirt £6.50

Nail Polish in Mango Madness £2.50

(excuse my minging nails, they are pre-mani!)

Single Eyeshadow in Saddle £3.75

Studio Matte Lip Colour in Coral £3.75

Mineral Lipstick in Runway Pink £5.00

Mineral Lipstick in Barely Bitten £5.00

So there we have all of my purchases which I am very excited to try out and test! I did spend quite a lot, if you think about it full price, but whilst it was half price, who could say no?

Love, Juliette xo

A little haul of everything!

I have been  purchasing a lot of beauty goodies recently - all at a fair price must I say! My Avon order came and today I went into town with my dear friend Freya, and we put the world to rights whilst on a hunt for new lipsticks! I bought some other bits and bobs too - candles and a bracelet, but all of the make-up is where it's at!

After seeing Sleek's Rose Gold blusher on Beauty and le Chic's Instagram, I just new I had to snatch it up. Luckily for me it was the last one. I love the gold shimmer undertone - I've swatched it and it is such a pretty blush. Perfect for glowy, summer cheeks.

When I read the review for this lipstick on Laura's blog, again, I couldn't wait to get down to my nearest Boots to buy Barry M's Sunset (151). She compared it to MAC's Vegas Volt, and at the minute, I'm on a high-street only spend due to insufficient funds until payday! I tried this on earlier and I am in love! Could possibly be a new favourite - wearing it to work tomorrow!

I've seen these dotted over Instagram and several blogs, and it has caused me to see what all the commotion is about. I bought it in the shade 'Lovesick' and it is a deep, fuchsia pink. It is a lip stain and I thought that it may be very drying on the lips, but my lips still feel full of moisture and so far haven't started to dry out.

Another lip product! This was an unintentional purchase as I was only going to buy the above two, but for £1.99, I couldn't really resist. The shade is 'Pink Mallow' and is quite similar to MAC's Lovelorn which is one of my faves. However, this really needs building up to get the desired look.

I have really weak nails, that peel and snap and it is so annoying! So I thought I would try all of the cheap nail strengtheners to start with and then buy OPI's Nail Envy if needs be. I'm going to use this without nail polish on top to give it the best possible attempt. 

This was the contents of my Avon order: Planet Spa Hydrating Mask, Peeling and Brittleness Solver, lipstick in Pout, and 24k Gold Lipgloss in Gold. Pout lipstick is one of my favourites so this is a repeat purchase - a gorgeous, pinky nude shade that is a perfect everyday colour. The lipgloss was a freebie and to be honest, looking at the tube, I wasn't that thrilled - the colour. But you can't 'judge a book by it's cover' and well, my opinion has changed. It isn't as gold as it looks in the tube when on the lips and looks gorgeous over Pout, in the centre of the lips. 


So this was a little random haul of recent beauty buys that I'm so excited to trial throughout the upcoming weeks! Which is your favourite?


Hopefully, my E.l.f order will come soon (hmph hurry!!), so expect another haul post!


Love, Juliette xo