New In Beauty & First Impressions

With essay deadlines creeping again, one thing that takes my mind of things is beauty shopping - an instant de-stress. This month I've been trying out a few new products and I thought I would post a quick 'first impressions' roundup. 

Luxury Christmas Beauty Gifts Under £25

It may only be November but the beauty world is going crazy for new Christmas launches. The major brands have released some beautiful collections so I thought I'd put a post together listing my favourite new festive finds. 

November Favourites

 

OPI Hawaii Collection - Summer Nail Inspiration

When OPI announced the launch of their new Hawaii collection, my ears perked up and I wanted to know more. After obsessing over their Euro Centrale range last year, I knew it was about time for some new summer themed lacquers to take the beauty world by storm. Whilst in Sephora in Verona, I spotted the 'Little Hulas' gift set containing four of the best OPI new additions; it very quickly jumped into my basket. My favourite shade is 'That's Hula-rious' - a beautiful pistachio green that could definitely be related to Essie's Mint Candy Apple. The sugar-sweet candy pink is called 'Suzi shops & Island hops' and I can see myself wearing this all year round as a fail-safe every day colour. I currently have the stunning violet 'Lost my bikini in Molokini' on my toenails and I must admit it looks pretty amazing with a tan! It is quite similar to the Euro Centrale colour 'You're such a Budapest' but the mini bottles are much more handy for travel. Finally the cherry red 'Aloha from OPI' is a summery take on the classic red nail and screams sophistication. Are you sold yet? I was impressed at the £13.50 price tag - 20 Euros - and am tempted to buy the green in a full size. Sue me. I'm an OPI addict. This was also revealed in my Spring Nail Inspiration post.

Are you an OPI fan? What was the last colour you bought?

xxx

Holiday Beauty Haul - Benefit, St Tropez & OPI

Happy July, I hope you've been enjoying the summer sunshine - I certainly have! Beauty-wise, summer entails everything from cream blusher, high-SPF coverage and that all-important glowing tan. I'm lucky enough to say I'm going back to Italy in the next few days and these are the products that have got me feeling ready for summer. 

Starting off with the beauty innovation of the summer, the St Tropez in-shower gradual tan, I'm happy to say after three weeks of use I have a glowing report. Yes it does take around three uses to see a difference but it's totally worth the wait. The only downside is the three minutes you have to stand around with the shower off but it's no different than waiting for a hair mask or Aussie 3 minute miracle. Be sure to apply it evenly though, I've noticed a few patches on my foot which everyone finds simply hilarious. 

Moving onto the Benefit mini skincare pots, this set was a kind birthday gift from my uni flatmates which I can't wait to take on holiday with me - the sizes are perfect! I've tried them all out due to curiosity and I've been very impressed. It's unlikely I'll be buying them in full size (due to price and my undying love affair with Clarins) but the Total Moisture moisturizer is fantastic for any dry patches and the foaming cleanser is nice and gentle so great for even sensitive skin. 

The set includes: Foamingly Clean facial wash, Triple Performing facial emulsion, Total Moisture facial cream, It's Potent eye cream, Moisture Prep toning lotion, Refined Finish facial polish

The Benefit Big Easy is a gorgeous 'Better than BB' tinted moisturizer with 35+SPF. As you'd expect, the coverage is light and the formula is aimed at an oilier skintype which is perfect for me. I've been trialling this on my 'better skin days' and so far I've been really enjoying it as it gives a great combination of a healthy glow and shine protection. As it's a liquid to powder finish, it'll stay put even in the heat and that's a big thumbs up from me. 

To pair with 'Big Easy', I also purchased the famous Benefit 'Boi-ing' high coverage concealer which I now can't do without. It's a little pot rather than a doe-foot applicator - if you compare it with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - but don't let that put you off. Make sure you get one of the Benefit ladies to match you with the right colour and you'll avoid looking ghost-like or orange.

Finally the OPI 'Brights' mini lacquer collection was another birthday present which has got me feeling all summery. It includes I STOP for Red - a gorgeous apple-red, Can't Hear Myself Pink - a shimmery rose-pink, The Berry Thought of You - a berry fuschia, My Car has Navy-gation - an inky blue, I See You Wear OPI - a shimmery mermaid aquamarine, and a mini RapiDry top coat. It's been fun to play around with the colours and they've definitely earned their place in my suitcase!

Have you bought any new holiday beauty products? Is there anything I need to add to my collection?

xxx

September Favourites

Hello lovely readers, October is finally here and I for one am so excited about this month and everything that it entails - starting uni again, Halloween, all that jazz. This is my first monthly favourites post which is also very exciting. I'm not sure I will be posting one every month, however, because at the moment I'm purchasing more fashion items than beauty products. All the same, I do love writing beauty posts and am going to try to get into a routine of trying out new beauty products as and when I can. 

So, without further ado, these are the products that I've been particularly loving this past month..

1. The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Lotion

This body lotion was actually a Christmas gift last year from a friend but I rediscovered my love for it in September. My friend knows that peach is my favourite scent and I'm sure I will be repurchasing this product time and time again. The Body Shop are a cult favourite beauty brand in the UK and never fail to impress me!

  

2. Avon Moroccan Argan Oil Lightweight Gloss Spray

I do think that Avon products can sometimes be overlooked in the beauty world and one great find I have here is the Moroccan Argan Oil Lightweight Gloss spray. It's a wonderful alternative to the somewhat heavy-feeling quality of Argan Oil and it's definitely a whole lot quicker! I often spray this on my hair after straightening or curling and an added plus is that it smells divine. 

3. Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara in Dark Blonde

Before discovering this, I'd never really heard of a 'brow mascara' but was intrigued by the concept. I've been really impressed with the results and have got into a routine of applying my brow pencil and then setting my brows with this tinted mascara-like formula. Statement brows à la Cara Delevinge have been hitting the magazines a lot recently and this is the perfect drugstore tool to achieve this. 

4. MAC Lipstick in 'Speed Dial' 

This beautiful MAC lipstick was a birthday gift from another friend - a very generous present for my 19th. I'm known in my friends circle for loving MAC's lipsticks and this is no exception. Speed Dial is the perfect subtle colour for Autumn, without being too much of a statement. It's a Cremesheen finish which is my personal favourite due its moisturising formulation. All hail MAC!

5. OPI Pamplona Purple 

I recently wrote a separate blog post about my love for this nail colour here but I couldn't help adding it to my September Favourites too! It's the perfect plum shade for Autumn Winter.

I hope you enjoyed my first monthly favourites post, if you've written a September Favourites post also, please leave your link in the comments because I love reading them!

xxx

OOTN - Lady in Lace

As a pre-uni Topshop splurge, I decided to treat myself to these gorgeous black lace shorts. My well loved pair from Miss Selfridge were in need of a replacement and I'd been lusting after these for a while. Even though they were a pricey £34 - not including student discount - I know they'll go with all my evening tops and can be worn all year round. I wore them on a spontaneous night out with friends last week and I can tell they are going to be a staple piece in my wardrobe.

Top - Zara

Shorts - Topshop, £34.00

Clutch - New Look, £12.99

Nails - OPI Pamplona Purple

The gang!

Are you a fan of lace? I can't seem to get enough of this trend at the moment!

xxx

NOTD - OPI Pamplona Purple

I'm one of those people that finds it very therapeutic to paint their nails. There's just something about having a great nail colour to make an outift 'complete'. There's no doubt that OPI are my favourite nail brand and although sometimes I'll go astray and try other products, I will always come back to OPI. There's no denying it's at a premium price - around £11.95 - however I'm always blown away by the premium quality. Additionally, the bottles are 15ml so they last ages! This particular colour is called Pamplona Purple. It was a birthday present last year from one of my lovely friends and it's definitely my signature 'Autumn' nail colour. For a true dark purple, it needs two coats but I promise it's worth the extra time!

Have you any OPI favourites I should try? Or potential dupes? 

Let me know 

xxx

OOTN - Berry Brights

After a long and stressful week, I was lucky enough to be out Friday night for some drinks with two of my closest pals and some old friends from high school. I absolutely love getting all dressed up and here's what I wore..

My theme of outfit was 'Berry Brights' and although the weather didn't really require a jacket, I wanted an excuse to wear my new dark purple blazer bought this week!

Top - New Look

Blazer - Oasis

Skirt - Zara

Wedges - Rieker

Clutch - New Look

Bracelet - Thomas Sabo

Nails - OPI Charged up Cherry

What's your go-to outfit for nights out? Are you a classic LBD girl (Audrey-style) or are do you prefer bold colours to make a statement? 

I'd love to know!

xxx